I was floored by the response to Chapter One of KP:TNG. Thanks to you all, especially The Odd Little Turtle, Ultimate Naco Topping, daywalkr82, mattb3671, Acaykath, Jokerisdaking, Zaratan, campy, surfost, The Incredible Werekitty, Commander Argus, The Halfa Wannabe, kemztri, JPMod, swiglo3000, Ace Ian Combat, whitem, JeanieBeanie33, jasminevr, WhiteLadyoftheRing, Paulo-j1983, Moss Royal, Theta-Alpha-One, conan98002, happyendingsmaybe, Yuri Sisteble, Dixon-San, Louis Mielke, pookie-poo, Ezbok58a, Mobius97, vanillalilies, Emerald Dark Knight, Scoutcraft Piratess, Cabriel, nmorgendorffer and Taechunsa, who left reviews.
Special thanks to campy for his usual invaluable beta and proofreading services.
Here's the review sitch: you submit one, you get a personal reply.
Here's the plug sitch: If you haven't done so yet, please check out The Darkness Within, a collaborative effort I'm part of. You can find a link to the story on my ff net author's profile page. There's also a link there to some KP art I've posted on line, including a KP:TNG promo piece masterfully enhanced by EddieButlerIII. Eddie also created an incredible trailer for Darkness; you'll find a link for that there, too. Thanks, Eddie!
Here's the legal sitch: if you saw it on KP, Disney owns it. If you saw it on ST:TNG, Paramount owns it. Otherwise, it's mine.
I.
Will Riker sat at his desk, reviewing personnel files. This was the toughest part of his job: making the final call on who would be promoted. The decision was supposedly made by a Starfleet review board, but they always acted on the recommendation of the commanding officer, and in Picard's case, he relied on Will Riker's judgment. Jean-Luc Picard had yet to overturn a single one of his first officer's decisions regarding a promotion.
He was looking at the file of Ensign Kimberly Ann Possible. She'd come on board with a great deal of promise; Riker remembered thinking she had the same cock-sure confidence he'd possessed at the start of his own career, the assuredness that had brought him to his current position where he could actually decline captain's chairs secure in the knowledge one would be made available when he finally decided it was time to move on from Enterprise. Will Riker enjoyed a supreme luxury: Starfleet was willing to accommodate his preferences.
Will knew that Kim had excelled at the Academy, been a cadet leader, and earned the praise of many of her instructors. Even Boothby the seemingly omniscient and definitely wise gardener had submitted a note to her file, suggesting Picard keep an eye on her. But the young woman who came on board almost a year ago was not the woman whose file Riker was now reviewing. She continued to work hard; she was incredibly efficient, hence her winning the ship-leave prize which had inadvertently brought Riker one of his biggest laughs in years – the 'Captain's john' was already being spoken of throughout the ship – but Kim Possible was no longer possessed of outsized confidence. These last few months in particular she seemed a bit more the follower, too concerned about what her fellow officers thought of her. The natural sense of command that he thought he saw upon her arrival must have been a mirage. It was known to happen before. The Academy and a starship were two different environments.
He frowned, not wanting to make this decision; he liked Possible. But he really saw no other choice. Kim was not ready to be elevated to lieutenant. And more to the point, she would not be trading in her gold operations uniform for a red command one. Someday she might be a ship's chief security officer, based on the confidence Worf expressed in her fighting abilities. But right now Will Riker did not envision Kim Possible sitting in the big chair, not unless something changed. And if she didn't make this cut, he knew the chances of her ever commanding a starship would be greatly reduced, because most of Starfleet's captains had been promoted to lieutenant on their first try.
Riker made his notations and moved on to the next officer's file; he had to complete his work in the next two hours if he was going to be able to go to the poker game and still be ready to discuss his evaluations with Deanna the next day.
II.
Kim and Tom arrived at Ron's quarters to pick him up; the threesome would go to Ten Forward together. Kim made the introductions.
Ron had discovered that working in the restaurant business had helped him to develop useful skills, like hiding an intense and visceral dislike for someone he'd just met. Ron credited part of that feeling towards Tom Carter to jealousy on his part. But he was also sure that his best-friend-in-danger radar had gone off; this guy was 500 light years of bad road for Kim. Ron didn't know why, but he was convinced that this was definitely not the right guy for her.
Still, he smiled and made chit-chat with the lieutenant. Ron was willing to concede that Tom was incredibly good looking and seemed quite smart. And he had great hair. Kim had always gone for good-looking guys with great hair. Guys like Josh Mankey, he thought ruefully. A year and a half of crushing for nothing. Man, she took that one hard.
The trio settled in at a table near one of the windows in Ten Forward, saving a seat for Kim's roommate Yori, who was supposed to join them later in the evening.
Ron looked around, noticing the bar. "Anybody want something to drink? I'm buying."
"Ron, you don't have to do that," Kim protested. "You're my guest!"
"Hey, KP, remember? I'm the only one here with real money. You guys just get those dopey Starfleet credits. I've got actual real live gold-pressed latinum to my name."
"Are you sure you aren't part Ferengi, Ron?" Carter said with a smirk as he looked distastefully at him. "You know, money isn't everything. There are more important things in life."
Ron bristled at Carter's smug superiority. "That's true, Sport. But it sure doesn't hurt to have some cold hard Cochranes to help make some of those more important things possible. Whaddya want?"
Kim stifled a giggle. She had forgotten how feisty Ron could be at times. "I'll have a Rigelian Mango smoothy."
"Tom?"
"Andorian Synthale."
"Be right back."
Ron wandered over to the bar. Data was sitting there talking with the bartender, who, for reasons he couldn't articulate, struck Ron as being the most unusual woman he'd ever seen.
"Hello, Ron, how are you?" the android asked.
"Doing fine, Mr. Data," he said genially.
"Please, call me Data. You are my friend."
"Hey, thanks, dude," Ron replied.
"Dude?" Data queried.
"I think it's old Earth slang; 20th century," Guinan suggested, then looked at Ron. "Am I right?"
"You are indeed," Ron said with a grin.
"Well, I'm Guinan. And if you're a friend of Data's, consider yourself a friend of mine."
"Geez, this ship is great. I can just feel the love!" Ron said enthusiastically, forgetting all about Worf's hostility and his introduction to the captain.
"You always this weird?" Guinan asked rather straightforwardly.
Ron, seeing Guinan's warm expression, took no offense; indeed, he took her comment as an invitation to be open. "Hey, 'Never be normal' is my motto," he replied.
Guinan offered a Mona Lisa smile. This one is worth keeping an eye on, she thought.
"So, what would you like?" she asked.
"Rigelian Mango smoothy, an Andorian synthale and a real San Francisco Lager for me, if you've got one."
Guinan's smiled turned into a real grin. "So, you think you can handle real alcohol?"
"It's the only kind to drink, my friend. None of this synthobooze for me. And don't get me started on replicated food …"
"Ron, you sound okay to me. When you have some free time, come back and visit. I'd love to talk some more."
"Will do, Guinan," he said as he turned to take the three drinks back to the table.
III.
Tom Carter watched Ron with amazement, then looked at Kim. "What's he doing, Kim?"
"I think it's called talking, Tom."
The dashing lieutenant shot a worried look at his girlfriend. "With the second officer? And the captain's confidante?"
"Jealous much?" Kim knew that one of Tom's strengths – and weaknesses – was the effort he put into cultivating his superior officers.
"Kim," he said, sounding a trifle annoyed, "Aren't you worried that he'll say something … inappropriate?"
"What do you mean, Tom?" she said coolly, as an almost primal urge to defend Ron kicked in.
"C'mon, Kim. Everybody on board already knows about the 'Captain's john …"
Kim bristled.
"…. Hey, I know he's your friend and all, but he could say something that could reflect poorly on you."
"It's so not the drama, Tom," Kim said, frowning; she didn't like Tom's implied criticism of her life-long best friend. Ron, Data, and Guinan seemed to be having a friendly enough conversation. She watched as Ron took the tray and headed towards her and Tom.
"Howdy, Starfleet people, I have your libations," Ron said, as he returned to the table and passed out the drinks.
"What are you drinking, Ron?" Tom asked, not recognizing the color of Ron's synthale.
"San Francisco Lager, my favorite beer."
"Is that a new synthobeer?"
"Nope. The genuine article. It's the only stuff I drink," Ron said, not noting the look of surprise on Tom's face. It was a well-known fact that Guinan was not in the habit of freely distributing alcohol to anyone who asked, yet this newcomer talked with her for two minutes and was drinking real beer. "I'm not big on synthetic food and drink," Ron explained. "I like what I put into me to be real. Real vegetables grown under the sun, real wheat from a field, real beef from a cow that's been properly fed …"
"You eat meat!" Tom asked, incredulity dripping from his words.
"Uh, yeah," Ron said. "Hope that doesn't offend you."
"Well, I don't mean to be rude, Ron, but that's really, well, barbaric."
"Hey, Tom, I got teeth," Ron said opening his mouth. "See the sharp ones? I'm an omnivore." Ron looked at Kim. "Hey, KP! Dig it! I remembered a big word from high school English!" Then he turned back to Tom, who scowled at Kim as she giggled. "The way I see it, the question isn't whether I eat meat; it's how that meat's raised. There are some badical free-range ranches in Montana that let cattle wander around, have nice happy lives and when the time comes, slaughter them swiftly and painlessly."
"Slaughter," Tom said with distaste. "Listen to yourself, Ron. These are living things!"
"Exactly. I don't eat it, what's the other option for the cow? O-blivion. Everybody's a vegan, there are no more cattle, sheep, whatever. None of these animals would ever even get to live. I kind of like being alive, don't you? Sounds kind of, oh, barbaric, to say the way someone else is going to end your existence offends me, so I'd prefer you didn't exist at all."
Kim watched with fascination as Ron was holding his own in this argument. This was the Ron she expected to come on board, not the one who inexplicably thought he wasn't good enough to be her friend. She had seen him grow in confidence once he enrolled at the Culinary Institute and began doing something at which he could excel. That was why she'd been surprised at how forcefully his old insecurities had flared up earlier in the day; she still wished she knew what was at the root of that.
She knew that ron could be passionate about this subject. Like most humans, Ron had grown up a vegan. However, when he enrolled at the Culinary Institute, he began to learn more about traditional foods; once he tried a filet mignon, he was hooked. He then convinced Kim to try meat, which she finally agreed to do, though only with great reluctance. The pleasure she took from eating a good steak had come as a revelation. But she hadn't had a good steak, or any kind of meat, since she came aboard Enterprise and left Ron's cooking orbit and would never have told Tom about her past eating habits, knowing how much he'd disapprove. Kim knew that Tom wasn't going to be convinced by Ron's argument.
"What do you think, Kim?" Tom asked, wrapping his arm around her.
"Well, uh, I think you both make interesting points, and …"
"Kim, you surprise me! We don't eat meat!" Tom said. He then looked at her with horror. "Don't tell me you've eaten meat?"
Ron didn't like the way Tom said "We." He was talking as if he owned Kim. And he was disturbed that at that point Kim didn't say something like "Don't talk to me that way. You are so not the boss of me," which is what the Kim he'd grown up with would have said in this situation; instead, she just shifted uncomfortably in her seat. He was about to say something when the conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Yori.
Ron rose from his chair when Kim's roommate approached, unable not to notice that she was extremely attractive.
"Hello, I am sorry I am late," she apologized. "Mr. Worf decided to run an extra security systems diagnostic."
"Wouldn't want the ship to be overrun by rabid meat eaters," Tom joked. Kim looked uneasy, Ron rolled his eyes and Yori looked confused.
"Nothing to worry about, Yori," Kim said, with forced brightness. "The boys were just debating the merits of eating meat."
"Meat eating. How … exotic," Yori said.
Ron was getting miffed. He didn't like Tom's hostile superiority and was disappointed by Kim's diffidence. "You got a problem with it, too?" he asked snippily.
"No. I personally do not eat meat," Yori said. "But that is because it does not meet my needs. My diet is designed to maximize my fighting efficiency."
"So if I could convince you that a 12-ounce New York strip steak would help you get in some extra licks, you'd eat one?" Ron asked.
"Licks?" Yori asked. Ron had a penchant for using outdated slang.
"You know, land punches on whoever you're fighting."
"Oh, I see. Then, yes," Yori replied matter-of-factly. "If you can show me that your steak will help me be a better security officer, I will happily try one."
"KP, I think I'm liking your roommate!"
Spankin' Kim thought, without any enthusiasm.
IV.
Later in the evening, Yori turned to Kim and asked, "Have you shown Ron the holodeck yet?"
"No, I didn't have a chance to; I was saving that for tomorrow."
"Perhaps I might show him?"
"I think that's a great idea," Tom suggested.
Kim looked at her guest. "What do you think, Ron?"
Ron looked at Kim and Tom. He so wanted to be with Kim. But she'd made her choice; she wanted to be with Tom. I should do the right thing and let them enjoy some time alone. It's not like I even have a chance with her, he thought. Better get used to her being with this guy.
"Sounds badical, KP."
"Badical?" Yori asked.
"Yeah, bon-diggity and radical," Ron said with a grin.
"Bon-diggity?"
"Yeah, Bon and, uh, diggity …" Ron said hesitantly. "It's good, real good!" he added brightly.
Yori chuckled. "You and your Old Earth-style phrases."
"Hey, I'm a walking dictionary of human language," Ron said, getting up. "Now let's go see this holodeck thingie."
Kim felt herself tense as she watched Ron and Yori leave. I have Tom, she thought. So why is it bothering me so much that Ron and Yori seem to have just hit it off?
V.
"I'll see your 50 and raise you 25," Riker said, his face a mask of indifference.
"I will see your 25," Data responded, pushing his chips towards the stack in the center of the table.
"Me too," Deanna added.
"I fold," Worf growled.
"I'm in," Geordi LaForge, the Chief Engineer, added, tossing in his chips. "So I hear I missed the comedy show on the bridge today …"
"I'll see your 25 and raise you another 25," Beverly Crusher, the ship's Chief Medical Officer said, before chuckling. "The captain and I had dinner tonight and he could talk about nothing else!"
Riker shook his head. "I have never seen anything like it in all my years in Starfleet. I almost fell over laughing," he said as he added yet more chips into the pot.
"He is a buffoon," Worf said sharply.
"Don't you think you're being a bit harsh, Worf?" Will asked.
"No, I do not. Someone like Ensign Possible should not be associating with fools."
"Worf!" Deanna exclaimed. "It is not our place to say who should and should not be the friends of our officers. Besides, I think he is good for her."
"Oh?" Will asked, his curiosity piqued.
Deanna had watched Kim and Ron's interactions on the bridge, then in Ten Forward, where she'd been having a drink with Reg Barclay. She'd been struck by many things. The emotional turmoil that clearly engulfed Kim, the depth of feeling on the part of Ron, the lack of recognition on either's part of how the other really felt, and the doubts each felt about their current state of feelings. But what struck her most was the almost primal level of attachment between the two; the only word that came to mind for her was imzadi, the intense emotional bond she shared with Will Riker. Remarkably, the one between Ron and Kim was even deeper and stronger. She wondered if the physical absence of one could have negative effects on the other.
"Yes. You know, Will, I think he would do anything for her." Unspoken was Deanna's belief that Tom Carter would not. She did not care for the lieutenant, believing him to be pompous and self-important; tonight only sharpened her feelings. From Ron, Deanna sensed protectiveness towards Kim, a desire to see that she was well and happy; from Tom, possessiveness, pure and simple. Yet, it wasn't her place to interfere with crew members' personal lives. Deanna said no more on the matter, and her poker buddies knew she'd offer no more; that would be a violation of her professional standards. She would, however, talk with Will tomorrow when they discussed the promotion evaluations.
VI.
"This is incredible!" Ron exclaimed as he looked around. He really felt like he was at an ancient shrine in Kyoto, and not on a holodeck on a ship traveling at Warp 2. Ron took in the temple grounds, the lovely buildings, the stately trees, the serenity that enveloped the place. It was all incredibly lifelike.
"This is one of my favorite spots on Earth," Yori explained. "Let me take you to a special place."
"I'm with ya."
Yori surprised Ron by hooking her arm through his. She led him to a stone bench amidst a copse of cedar trees; the spot seemed magical, bathed in soft sunlight that filtered through the leaves above. Despite Ron's inner turmoil over Kim, he began to relax.
Yori told Ron about the temple's history and of the town where she had grown up. She did not tell him about her training at a secret ninja school nor her current secret assignment with Starfleet's Section 31.
"So, if I may be so bold, Ron, are you involved with anyone back on Earth?"
"Huh?" he asked, momentarily lost in the beauty of his surroundings. "Uh, no, I'm not."
Yori flashed him a very inviting smile. "That is quite a surprise. With your sense of humor and your cooking ability, I would have assumed you would have been claimed long ago."
Ron was amazed. This woman – this galaxy-class babe – was hitting on him. On him! He grinned awkwardly. "Nope. I'm still at large and loose on the streets. Restaurant keeps me busy and all that." Besides, he thought, my heart already belongs to someone. Someone who doesn't want it …
"Ah, then perhaps I may claim you …" Yori said coquettishly before she leaned in and surprised Ron with a kiss.
VII.
This is so wrong! Kim insisted to herself. She could barely pay attention to anything Tom was saying to her. All she could think of was Ron. Ron being with Yori. Ron's my best friend. I should be happy for him that Yori seemed to take an interest in him. She's smart and she's beautiful … and I can't stand the fact that she's alone with my best friend! I'm going to kill her!
"… So I said to Commander Riker, who really seemed to appreciate my observations …"
I am not jelling! I am so not jelling! Why would I jell? It's just Ron. Ron's my best friend. That's all, right?
"… There must be a better way to maximize the efficiency of the …"
Okay, we've been best friends for 18 years. Why should I feel any differently now than I did before? I just missed him, that's it. I haven't seen him for a year and … Ohmigosh. He's going to go back in two weeks. And I don't know when I'll see him again. Stop being a drama queen and get a grip, Possible! But what if he goes back to Earth and, and meets someone and I lose my chance with him while I'm flying around the galaxy? It could happen … Deep breath. Deep breath.
"… So he said he'd seriously consider my recommendation!" Tom finished, obviously pleased with himself. Then he noticed his girlfriend. "Are you okay, Kim?"
"W-what?" she responded, roused from her thoughts. "Oh, I, I'm fine, Tom. I guess I'm a bit preoccupied. The promotion review and everything."
He smiled at her and put his hand on her arm. "I'm sure everything will work out, Kim. And even if you don't get promoted this time around, you'll have another chance to improve and get that new pip."
"Yeah, thanks," Kim said before it struck her. Ron would never have doubted that I'd be promoted …' she realized. "Tom, I think I'd like to go back to my quarters, okay?"
"Sure, Kim. Let's go."
"No, I'll go back myself. I just need some rest. Good night," she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek, before she got up and left Ten Forward.
Tom Carter watched his girlfriend walk through the doors, then turned and began looking around to see who else he might socialize with.
Behind the bar, Guinan watched, her placid expression concealing her thoughts and opinions.
VIII.
Kim found herself heading to the holodecks. She knew it would be rude to interrupt Ron and Yori, but maybe they'd just happen to wander out as she came by.
No such luck, she thought as she wandered down the corridor. She sighed.
Then she checked the status of the decks. Holodeck Four was free. She booked it and went in.
She looked around the black room with its glowing yellow grid before she began some breathing exercises. She rolled her shoulders, then flexed her arms. She stretched her legs. She felt loose and ready.
Not caring that she was wearing a casual evening tunic, leggings, jewelry and a scarf, she made a decision. "Computer, Possible Training One."
A ninja materialized and launched into a sudden attack, pivoting and throwing a kick at her.
Kim dodged the kick and dropped into a fighting stance. She slowly backed off, then caught the ninja off guard, knocking him off balance with a kick of her own. The ninja fell, rolled, then sprung to his feet and assumed a defensive posture while he surveyed the scene.
Kim looked at her opponent and extended her hand. "Bring it."
The ninja complied, throwing a series of punches, all of which Kim easily deflected.
After some more sparring, she spoke. "Computer. End program."
The ninja vanished.
"Possible Training Two."
A Klingon warrior appeared.
Kim grinned. This would be more of a challenge.
The Klingon, holding a bat'leth, sneered at Kim. "A puny human female dares to challenge me?"
"Hey big boy, how about you drop the toy and fight like a man? Or are you scared of a puny human female?"
The Klingon narrowed his eyes and hissed. Then he threw his bat'leth aside. "I will still defeat you."
"Big words. Often a sign of small … things!"
The Klingon, enraged, lunged at Kim. She was ready for the attack. Their fight went on for some time. Kim found this engagement more challenging and much more satisfying. It was a good way to work out her frustrations.
She was panting, sweat running down her face, her hair a mess. But the Klingon looked no better. Kim looked at her opponent, then smiled. "You're going down, Yori!"
What did I just say? And why did I say it? she wondered.
The Klingon, noticing Kim's momentary distraction, moved to attack. But she had lost interest in the match and, just before her adversary landed a punch, said, "Computer, end program." The Klingon vanished.
Kim sighed, then sat down in the middle of the holodeck, cross-legged, her head in her hands, wondering how things had become so complicated so quickly.
She didn't hear the door to the holodeck open or the footsteps of the person approaching her.
"You know, if I had a bat'leth, I could cut off your head right now."
Kim turned around and looked up to see Guinan standing behind her.
She smiled weakly. "Hi. What are you doing here?"
"Something told me you might want to talk. You kick enough Klingon butt?" the dark-skinned woman asked as she sat down next to Kim.
"For tonight, yes." Kim shook her head. She'd been on board Enterprise long enough to know not to bother asking Guinan why she chose to come to her at this particular moment in time.
"So, you want to talk?"
"No. Yes. I don't know." Kim threw up her hands in frustration. "Guinan, I am so confused right now."
"Let me guess. Dopey, goofy-looking blond-haired guy you've known since you were in diapers. Supposedly not romantic-interest material, definitely not for a smart, beautiful young Starfleet officer. Yet you can't stop thinking about him."
"Am I that obvious?"
"As obvious as Will Riker's intentions on Raisa."
"Wow. That is obvious!" Kim laughed, grateful for the release. Everybody on board knew of the first officer's amorous escapades.
"You trust him?"
"With my life, to be honest."
"You guys talk?"
"What?"
"You guys talk. You know, chit-chat. Big issues. Everything in between."
Kim smiled. "All the time and for hours on end."
"You have fun together?"
Kim laughed. "Yeah."
"You happy when you're around him?"
"Yes," she said with a smile that bespoke fondness. "Except when he does something so stupid like …" Kim began to offer examples.
Guinan cut her off. "Sounds like he's human. So he's got quirks. You do, too. But that's part of the package, what makes him Stoppable, right?"
Kim sighed, the fond smile returning. "Yeah, it does."
"You think he'd support you in what you want to do?"
"He always has."
"You think he's attractive." This wasn't a question; it was more of a challenge.
"That's the funny thing. I never looked at Ron that way before. But then …" she told Guinan about the transporter, the hug, her reactions when she now thought of Ron being with Yori. Then she blushed. "Guinan, I've actually found myself daydreaming about his … ears."
Guinan merely smiled. "I think you've got it bad, real bad, Ensign. That's okay. You know, and I say this as your friend, you worry too much about what other people think. Don't. Don't worry about who they think you should be with or what you should do. You want to be with Stoppable, that's okay."
"But it's not that easy, Guinan. Okay, so maybe I'm crushing on Ron. But there's Tom. We've been together for three months," she said.
"And you and Stoppable have been together for nearly two decades," Guinan retorted.
"But that's different!" Kim protested.
"Really? What do you think being in a relationship – being in love – is all about, Kim? I don't want to spook you, but if he feels about you the way you feel about him, I think you and Stoppable have what it takes to go the distance."
Kim gazed at Guinan with a mixture of surprise and skepticism.
"Don't look at me that way. I've been watching people for a loooong time, so I know what I'm talking about."
Go the distance. Me and Ron, Kim thought. Unprepared to deal with that she changed gears. "How long?" Kim asked the bartender.
"Let's see. I first met humans back on Earth in the late nineteenth century …" Guinan answered. "But that's not the issue."
Kim sighed. "This is so complicated."
The bartender looked at the young officer. "Not really, Kim. It's as easy or as difficult as you want it to be."
Then Guinan got up, walked to the door and left Kim alone with her thoughts.
TBC …
