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Ch 2 Lauren meet Jack…Jack meet Lauren
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GAMBLING TABLE ZERO KIRK POV
"Runo, you do know you're kissing my wife?" Kirk's smart ass comment stops Lauren cold. He is not helping the situation get any better.
Runo pulls back slightly and searches Lauren's face. "Ex-wife baby," she smiles hoping to piss Jim off enough that he walks away. She can deal with him later after she completes the mission.
"Funny that I didn't get papers dear. Never even saw a lawyer. So if you…" Kirk is abruptly silenced. It takes a moment for him to realize Lauren has used the Force on him to stop him form talking. He glares menacingly at Lauren as he grips her arm tightly. She tries not to wince as the pressure steadily increases.
Lauren slides across Runo's lap. "Baby let me deal with this for a second. I will be right back."
"Don't make me wait too long Vivienne. I don't wait for anyone. Even you," Runo warns pulling her into a deep kiss while pinning her to him with a hand on her back.
Kirk yanks his wife off Runo's lap giving her a WTF look. His grip is like iron on her arm. Jim pulls her to the bar near Jack. Spinning her to face him he points at his mouth. "Jim I am so sorry about that but I was not expecting you." Kirk backs her into the bar and slams his hands down on the bar pinning her between his body and the bar.
She releases him but Jim does not move. Jim wiggles his jaw back and forth making sure he can talk. "Vivienne? Really," he growls. Lauren signals for the bartender and he arrives with a bottle of tequila and two shot glasses. "Does every seedy bar from this galaxy know you and your tastes sweetheart?" Lauren shifts her body so that she can pour the drinks. Jim's arms are strong and unmoving as she rotates back with the shots. "And what's up with the EX-wife thing Vivienne? Last time I checked we were still married." Lauren needs to calm Jim down before he makes a scene. She holds one out to Jim. "I want answers not shots." Jim fixes his icy blue gaze on her waiting for an answer. After several seconds of holding the shots out and him not taking it she downs one then the other.
"Of course we are still married. I never filed for divorce," she says setting the drinks on the bar. She turns smiling but is greeted with a pissed off stare. Lauren is going to have to think fast. "You know I should be pissed at you. You almost blew my cover." Lauren turns her body sideways in his arms. There is not a lot of space between his arms and the bar so she is pressed up tightly against him. The scent of his cologne is making her dizzy. She has always loved Jim Kirk and he is the one man that makes her act irrationally. Lauren pours two more shots hoping the liquor will calm him some.
"Your cover Vivienne?" Jim shifts his body so that he is leaning on the bar facing his wife. He downs the drink not knowing how he will feel about either answer she gives. He still loves her but right now he could strangle her and bury her body. She has put him in an unbelievably difficult position. As an AWOL Star Fleet officer and the target of his mission he is duty bound to take her into custody. If Jim arrests Kate's mother his daughter will never forgive him. He runs various scenarios in his mind searching for the best possible outcome. Lauren blushes slightly at Jim using her alias. She hates that she has never been able to move on with her life after Jim. "Explain something to me baby. My Lauren is on the opposite end of the universe doing Jedi things." Jim pauses to look into her eyes. "You are so damn beautiful," Kirk thinks looking at her face. Her shy smile makes Kirk realize she knows what he is thinking. "Now her evil twin Vivienne…I have the feeling Vivienne is up to something highly illegal so spill." The warm look in his eyes is replaced by something harder. Lauren downs her drink before speaking.
Lauren strengthens her resolve and puts up a barrier against her own emotions. "Jim my ship broke down and I needed some parts to get home. This is about ship repairs and nothing else." Her lame excuse causes him to chuckle.
Jim pours two more shots before calling out her lie. "You're in a smoking hot dress seducing a teenager for spare parts? Don't think so. And how come you didn't dress like this when we met at Dave's Auto body shop? I would have fixed that damn truck for free," he flirts.
Lauren busts out laughing and flashes him the smile he fell in love with twelve years ago. "What? Then I want my 100 credits, dozen donuts and coffee back," she smiles remembering how they first met. Lauren lies knowing he is on to her but continues anyway. "You took off before I could ask for help with repairs. I was stranded all alone on Deneva," she says in a faked helpless tone. Lauren looks into his eyes regretting the thousand bad decisions she has made since leaving him. He was the best thing ever in her life.
"Uh huh," Jim can't help but smile at her blatant lie. "Tell me another one baby I am all ears tonight." Jim pushes another shot her way and downs his third. Lauren tentatively takes the shot. She is getting to her limit for alcohol consumption. Even as a Jedi Master, Jim can still drink her under the table and she knows it. She is beginning to feel the tequilas effects so this shot has to be her last especially if she is going to be in Jim's company.
Lauren distracts him the only way she knows works. "I wore this dress for you?" She spins slowly in front of him modeling the dress. "Like it?"
"Baby any dress on you looks good… but it always looks better on the floor," Kirk flirts wrapping a strong arm around her waist pulling her against him. Kirk watches as Lauren closes her eyes and lifts her chin slightly to kiss him. Jim hesitates briefly before kissing her deeply. For a little while time stops and they are just two people in love not a Star Fleet Captain arresting an illegal weapons buyer.
The kiss ends as Lauren pulls slightly away. She can't afford to jeopardize the mission. Too many lives are at stake back home. "Look Jim we can see about that later," she purrs referencing the dress comment," but right now I need you to wait outside ok." Lauren knows he is not going to listen but her conscious felt the need to warn him.
"Not gonna happen," Jim's eyes and face are calm as he speaks. "No that guy is a gangster and illegal weapons dealer. You are going to wait over there for me."
"He's a misunderstood youth who I am setting on the straight and narrow," she fires back watching Runo getting anxious at the table. Lauren has to wrap this up.
"Huh uh, sure you are." Kirk's attention is on Runo as well. Jim is taking control of this situation now before anyone gets hurt. "You're not listening Lauren. Midget boy is suspected of selling a bio weapon. You are looking to steal it and I can't let either one slide."
"No I am looking for a warp core baby," Lauren lies not even looking at Jim as she sees Runo getting up from his seat. Lauren plans her next move watching Runo get up and cross the room
"You're not here for a warp core," Jim calls her bluff finally. He grabs arm her arm as he feels her force freeze him to the floor. "Lauren I am warning you," Jim says between his teeth trying to control his anger. If you are here for what I KNOW you are here for walk out NOW."
Runo is half way across the bar. She has wasted too much time with Jim and now will have to resort to using the Force use to contain the situation. "I don't want you hurt so stay here. You have no idea what you are talking about. Let go of my arm," she says trying to pull away as Jim's grip only tightens. "Look this is the best conversation we have had for 12 years so don't ruin the ending. I will comm you when I am finished." Lauren wiggles her arm trying to wrench her arm from his grasp.
In that moment Kirk has to protect her and Kate. The thought almost makes him laugh. She is a Jedi. With a thought or a flick of her hand, Lauren could throw him across the room or crush his skull, but she won't. Kirk has one card to play and he does. "I am warning you," Kirk's tone turns icy. "I can deal with all the shit you have done to me over the years but not Kate. If you do this, if you walk out with him… now we are over. You and Kate are over. I will never let you see her, talk to her, or have any contact with her until your dying days. That kid has been through more shit than you or I have. I will not allow her to be hurt again."
Lauren involuntarily shivers at his words. If there is one thing Kirk doesn't do, it's make idle threats. "Jim," she whispers. His stony expression holds no reprieve. Lauren knows it's the job or Kate. The destruction from the Vong has changed her perspective. She wants a different life. Maybe she can have one with him someday but not if she defies him now. "You win. Follow my lead," she asks releasing him from the Force hold as Runo stops in front of them.
"Let go of my date," Runo sneers jerking Lauren out of Jim's grasp. Jim's jaw muscles tense waiting to see what Lauren has planned. Even without the Force she was always able to take care of herself.
"Sorry baby," she says pushing Kirk against the bar roughly. A softens fills her eyes as she asks her last question of Jim. "Do the transporter pads still take six?" Jim is briefly puzzled by her question until he sees Lauren press his comm to Runo's shirt. A second later Runo and his six guards fly against the wall pinned like flies on sticky paper. "This is not as easy as it looks so if you are going to do something do it fast." Lauren warns. Jim sees her tremble slightly at the exertion of Force holding Runo and his four men to the wall. The rest of the bar patrons interpret the men flying across the room as the start of a fight. Several pulls weapons while others scatter for cover. Shots begin to ring out as Jack, Dawson and Spock make their way to Jim and Lauren.
"Chekov, five armed to beam out directly to the brig around my comm signal," Kirk orders ducking a phaser shot near his head. White swirls envelop the Runo and his men as Jack appears by his side.
"Time to go," Jack quips firing his weapon at the closest threat targeting them. "I think you need some professional development on 'just here to observe for the moment' Sir," Jack offers as Jim grabs Lauren's arm pulling her roughly after Jack and Dawson.
"I can walk Kirk," Lauren spats annoyed at being treated like a helpless female.
"Then move your ass sweetheart," Kirk growls as they exit the bar through the back door. The night air is cold as it hits her bare skin. Lauren shivers as Jack covers the door while Jim comms for beam out.
"Evening ma'am," Dawson smiles as white lights encircles their bodies taking them to safety aboard the Enterprise.
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BONES'S QUARTERS
Kate flies awake staring at the clock which reads 0300 hours. Joanna is sleeping peacefully next to her. Kate stares around the room trying to make sense of her dream. Since she arrived here in the Milky Way, Kate's dreaming has become so vivid she often has difficulty distinguishing whether it is reality or a dream upon waking. The nightmares are the worst. She tries to hide them as often as she can but sometimes her screams or cries awaken Kirk. This is the main reason she avoids all sleepovers when she can. It is also why she likes to sleep with him. At twelve she is too old to sleep with her dad but he keeps the nightmares at bay. At least this dream was not a nightmare. Kate takes a minute to think about the dream that had just awakened her. Again it was two people arguing but they were in love. Somehow Kate knows the woman is more in love with the man. Kate silently slips out of bed making her way to the door. Her dad promised to come get her when he was back from the mission; however, Kate has an overwhelming urge to find him now.
"You need something darling," Bones says from the doorway to his room stopping Kate cold in the middle of the living room.
"Does anyone on Alpha crew ever sleep," she silently wonders. Kate twists the hem of her shirt nervously around a finger trying to find a way to escape the room. She feels a panic attack coming on. Bones will stop her. Kate needs to get to Kirk or she will never see him again. The feeling is oppressive like a blanket clouding her thoughts.
"Nightmare again?" Bones' words shock her. How can he know? Kate is so careful to keep it a secret. Bones crosses the room to stand in front of her. Every response Kate tries to make gets caught in her throat. He folds his strong arms around her rocking gently back and forth silently. Kate fights back tears wrapping her arms around his waist. How can she explain this feeling of needing to see Kirk to him? "It will pass baby. It will pass when you finally realize you are safe here." Bones' soft voice relaxes her.
"I was just going to go for a walk. To clear my head," Kate explains with her face buried in his shirt.
Bones pulls her back to see her face. "At 3 am? Why don't you try to lie back down? What does your dad do when you have nightmares?" Kate stiffens at his words. She can't tell him she crawls in bed with him like a two year old. She can't tell him her dad's heart beat soothes her as she lies against his chest but Bones knows all this. He and Jim have spoken several times about it. "Come on," Bones says guiding her to the couch. He sits and pulls a pillow over for her head patting it.
"You can't sleep like that. You'll be stiff in the morning," Kate declares hoping secretly he won't change his mind.
"Don't you worry about me darlin'. I will be just fine." Bones ignores her patting the pillow again closing his eyes. Kate lies down with her headon the pillow in his lap. "My couch is far more comfortable than the one in my office," he assures her as he spreads a blanket over her. Bones gently strokes Kate's hair behind her ear. It feels so good that Kate begins to drift off to sleep. The urge to find Kirk is disappearing quickly. She drifts off to sleep thinking about how great the Enterprise is.
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ENTERPRISE BRIG
"What the hell was that I didn't need rescuing," Lauren begins to bitch after she materializes on the Enterprise.
"Like hell you didn't. He was selling red matter and from your reaction I can only guess it was to you. WHY," Kirk demands walking to the crewman on duty. "Did the prisoners give you any trouble?" Kirk looks at Runo and his thugs safely behind the glass of the Brig's cells. The crewman replies no as Kirk walks back to his wife. "Why Lauren?" Kirk growls repeating his need for an answer.
"I need it," is the only response Lauren gives.
"Why in the hell do you need it?" Kirk crosses his arms debating on whether or not he can throw is wife in a cell without impunity.
"Why the fuck do you care?" Lauren paces the room regretting that she allowed herself to be brought aboard the Enterprise.
"It completely destroys planets leaving a black hole in its place. That's why!" Jim watches her pace. "Star Fleet does NOT want it to be used again."
Lauren stops pacing. As she approaches Kirk, Jack triggers his phaser to stun. "Star Fleet isn't using it. It is not even going to be in this galaxy Jim."
"I don't give a fuck what galaxy it is in Laur. We need to contain it. We WILL contain it," Jim yells back like she is a recruit.
"What is exactly going on here Sir? Are we supposed to arrest her or not?" Dawson asks confused. Jack shrugs watching Jim and Lauren battle it out for all to see. "Can I be the one to frisk her if we are arresting her," Dawson asks sincerely.
"Dawson, take my advice. Don't get in the middle of this one," Jack advises. The only one 'frisking' Lauren Kirk will be Jim unless he orders otherwise. There is no way in hell Jack would let anyone frisk Sam, especially someone as eager as Dawson. "And for future reference don't be an eager beaver. You get in more trouble that way. Understand." Dawson nods but continues to watch Jim and Lauren fight.
"Don't speak to me like one of your recruits Jim," Lauren warns testily. "I was undercover on a mission before you ruined everything," Lauren gestures to the men behind the glass.
"Under cover," Jim scoffs. "You had everyone's eyes in that bar trained on you in that dress. Not in very stealthy there babe."
"YOU were the one who made everyone notice me when you barged into my deal. You ripped me from the table." Lauren yells back growing angry with each passing moment. People were counting on her and she let the deal slip through because of Jim.
"A gay man would've noticed you in that red dress," Jim shoots back laughing at his wife's unbelievable naivety.
"You fucking whore. You will die for this along with everyone on this ship," Runo threatens from behind the glass.
Runo's comment draws Jim's attention from Lauren. "My wife is a lot of things but not a whore so shut up. You are going to be charged for selling illicit weapons by the Federation. I hope you father has a good lawyer. You're gonna need it."
"I will take your ex-wife down with me Captain Kirk. Don't think I won't take Vivienne with me if I go. You have no proof either," Runo crosses his arms challenging Jim. Runo is correct on that. The deal never went down.
"We are not divorced you idiot and I was not there," Lauren Force suggests to Runo.
"You were not there," Runo repeats back.
"You sold the Red Matter to me and are willing to disclose the location of your stockpile for a deal," Lauren suggests, which Runo repeats back verbatim along with his men. Jim watches his wife interrogate the prisoners. His eyes drift from her face down the body. That red dress and her control of the men is making him so horny. His eyes stop on her forearm where red fingerprints show brightly where he was gripping her arm. Jim feels a pang of guilt over manhandling her.
"Haven't seen that trick yet," Jack offers sliding up beside Lauren and Jim. "Violates half a dozen humanitarian and self incrimination rights but what they hell…saves the tax payers a bundle."
Lauren shoots him a disgusted look. "If you hadn't have stopped the deal you would have actual evidence against him. If I didn't Force suggest it, Runo and his thugs would have walked away Scot free and you know it." The trio stares at the prisoners until a sharp beep fills the room.
"Your breast is beeping babe. You gonna to answer it?" Jim says not looking at his wife. Lauren ignores his comment but pulls a comlink from her bra.
"Haku (what)," Lauren says answering her comm. Jim turns to face his wife with one raised eyebrow.
"Coona tee-tocky malia? (What took you so long?)," a voice responds from the other end of the call.
Kirk turns to his wife. "In English or I block the comm Lauren. I'm not in the mood for games," he says icily.
Lauren nods like she in on a call with her girlfriend not taking him seriously. "Yeah ok, one minute baby. "Bargon wan chee kospah. (There will be no deal)," Lauren explains to Jacen Solo. Thank god they had decided to use Huttese before she left for the mission. Jim did not need to hear her new plans.
"Kee chai chai cun kuta? (What are you still doing there?)," Jacen impatiently demands. This set back is only going to make it longer until he sees his sister which is the only reason he came in the first place.
"Spock block that transmission," Kirk orders into his comm.
"Dobra bargon cay wa pateessa (I am dealing with a friend)," Lauren holds a finger up to Jim trying to finish her conversation.
"Hatkocanh goo yauma ten (Will he help us?)," Jacen is worried by the voice on the other end with Lauren. The man's tone sounds too familiar with Lauren to be holding her prisoner. He wonders is the man is the actual seller and not Runo.
"Nobata cha skrunee da pat. (No don't count on it)." Lauren knows she only has seconds before Spock finds the correct algorithm to end the holo transmission.
"Ahban (orders)." Jacen can feel Lauren's urgency in the Force.
"Yatuka bu dyst (Move ship)….Hey," Lauren snaps as Jim rips the comlink from her hand as Spock primly informs the Captain the communication has been blocked. "What the fuck was that for?"
"I told you to speak in English and you didn't. When you are a good girl you get your toys back?" Jim's paternal tone infuriates her.
"Fine, he wanted to know if I found my loving husband and I said yes." Lauren's smart ass comment riles Kirk.
"Lauren," Jim warns locking his icy blue gaze on her.
"Oh he said have a great visit and would love to meet you sometime." Lauren's condescending tone pushes Jim to his breaking point.
"Jack, secure the prisoner in her cell until she is ready to talk," Jim orders heading to the door.
"Jim? What…What the hell are you doing," she says like it is a bad joke as Jack walks towards her. "Back off asshole," Lauren commands Force shoving Jack across the room. She stops short of slamming him in the wall. "Ok this passive aggressive thing is not working. Baby we really need to talk." Lauren is serious now.
"Lauren release him now," Jim says like she is nothing but a member of his crew.
"Jim ok this is not working. Let's call a truce." Lauren has seen Jim's temper before. Rarely does he lose his cool but when he does, Jim does can't be dealt with rationally.
"No. No truce. Here is the deal Lauren. If you EVER use the Force again on me or one of my crew, I will sedate you and drop you off at the nearest star base. If that happens, you will NEVER and I mean EVER see Kate again. You can play your little games with me but you have hurt her enough. You will never hurt her again ever. Do you understand me!" Jim's tone is final. Lauren has to decide if she is willing to gamble on being with her daughter or not. In the end she knows Jim will not budge on his claim to keep her from Kate. She releases her hold on Jack.
"Jim we need to talk seriously. I am not here only for the red matter." Lauren walks after Jim. Jack is done with Jedi. Jack is done with attempted kidnappings. Jack is done with Kirk's crazy family. He pulls out a phaser stunning her. Lauren slumps to the deck.
"You shot her Jack?" Jim looks back and forth between his wife and his CSO. "Why?"
"She used her powers," Jack says strolling up to his commanding officer. "I am not going to have another Dax all over again sir."
"Dammit," Jim curses rubbing his eyes trying to alleviate the growing headache forming there. "Okay so put her in a cell and comm me when she wakes up. I'm going to the bridge to see when the USS Kongo is showing up to pick up our guests."
"Can do captain." Jack picks up Lauren and carries her to a cell after doing a quick frisk. He is not surprised when he comes up empty. It's not like her dress had any pockets or places to hide a weapon. The main one Jack was looking for was the light saber; however if she had had one, she probably would have used it to deflect the phaser shotcreating a mess and more paperwork. "Okay Dawson, we're on babysitting duty," Jack informs him pulling a blanket over the sleeping Mrs. Kirk. "Look I need to tell Sam I got back and get some coffee. You got this 'til I get back." Dawson nods walking over to the main console to monitor all the prisoners.
TURBO SHAFT 0600 HOURS
"Sir," Jack nods to the Captain as he enters the turbo. He sees Jim is holding two cups of coffee. "Double fisting it today."
"Peace offering," Jim jokes taking a sip of one. They both had gotten the comm minutes earlier that Lauren was awake. "The USS Kongo should be here in two hours." Jack nods happy to get Runo and his cronies off the ship. Jim hears the comlink beep in Jack's pocket.
Her comlink had continued to beep on and off throughout the early morning. Each time Jack tried to answer it, the line went silent and clicked off. Jack finally has had enough. When the comm beeps again Jack respond's with, "Jack's Jedi take down service. You send 'em we deal with 'em. Now tell me the nature of your dilemma."
Jim stifles a laugh as the line remains silent. Uhura has been monitoring the "prank calls" receiving only dead air also in response to her hails. Maybe Jack is having more luck. Just as Jack is ready to click off the connection Jacen Solo speaks. "What will it take for you to release our Jedi? Are you willing to negotiate for her release?"
The fact that the voice is actually speaking to him stuns Jack momentarily. "That might be arranged. Let me let you speak to my Captain." Jack takes a cup of coffee while sliding the comlink into Jim's open hand.
"This is James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise. To whom am I speaking with," Kirk's tone is formal and direct.
"Jedi Master Corran Horn. I was sent on a recon mission to search for a missing member of my crew. Are you willing to negotiate or will we need to demonstrate our force." Jacen's voice is strong and steady as he speaks.
Kirk cocks his head in disbelief to Jack. Since Lauren's unfortunate incarceration, Alpha team has located her waiting ship in the corona of the sun. Scotty and the other engineers had marveled at the strength of its shields but scans have indicated that shield failure would occur within the next hour or so due to the extreme heat and pressure. It was just a waiting game for which Kirk's patience had won out. "Yes Master Horn. Pull your ship out of the coronal layer of the sun. We will send a shuttle to intercept you when you reach the coordinates 0.2 mark 3," Jim directs. "You can take her immediately upon arrival." So far the plan is working better than expected. The Jedi may or may not know of their beaming technology but as long as their shields are down, the Enterprise can beam them off their ship.
"Proceeding now," a female voice responds from the other end of the comm. "We will reestablish a connection when we rendez vous at the designated area. Lt. Undali out." Jaina sends a questioning look to her brother.
"Go," he says simply. "The sooner we get there the quicker we get to Kate." Jaina pulls a few levers moving the ship to where it had been directed.
"Well that was easier than I expected," Jack quips turning the corner to the Brig.
"Yeah let's hope Lauren is just as cooperative," Jim agrees palming the door open. "Though I would settle on less pissed."
As they enter the brig, Jim is greated with,"If you don't open this god damn cell I will kill you in your sleep Dawson." Jim was right. Lauren was pissed.
"Lauren do not threaten my crew. Try to be nice if you expect to get out of there." Jim offers walking up to her cell.
"I am trying to be nice, but some asshole let his friend shoot me before dumping me in this cell," Lauren retorts.
"What can I say baby. Half of me is still a romantic but the half of me….well the other half, the other half is an asshole." Jim admits before showing her the cup of coffee. A small device is placed on the glass opening a passageway. Jim pushes a cup of coffee through into his wife's eager hands.
"Ok so I might forgive you for this in a few years," she teases taking a sip. She lets a small groan escape her lips. "Jim we really need to talk so let me out."
"No," Jim laughs but is not joking. "Lauren this is serious. You were trying to buy a black market weapon. I can't let this pass."
"So are you going to get me a good lawyer then?" Lauren taunts. She knows Jim is bluffing. He can't pin anything on her because there is no hard evidence. Lauren knows what he needs to hear and gives it to him. The red matter is a mute point now. Runo will not be selling it to her. She can only salvage the Kate part of the mission now.
"Jim I also came back to see Kate. You were right about everything on Deneva. Jim we are losing badly. Very badly. System after system is falling to the Vong. Our galaxy is wiping itself out." Lauren takes a seat. Her knees are too weak to hold her up as she continues. "We needed a Hail Mary to use a term form your universe to save us but I don't even know if that will work." Jim enters the cell. He sits by his wife taking her hand in his. "You said I had to make a choice: the Jedi or you. Jim I made a mistake. I have made more than my share of unforgiveable mistakes but you gave me that ultimatum," Lauren's eyes start to fill with tears. "Fuck Jim I hate crying. You know I don't cry. I don't know how this is going to work. I am a Jedi and Jedi don't belong here but I am a wife and mother and that person does belong here. I have to stop making mistakes. I can't be without her Jim. I can't live without seeing her." Jim listens to her ramble and is unsure of his feelings. He has come to terms with her finally leaving forever on Deneva and now she was back. "I want to come back. I don't know how it will ever work but I want my life back with you." Jim sits stunned. After Deneva he has never expected to see Lauren again but here she was begging for a second chance. "My plan was simple. Get the red matter and send it home with my crew, but that won't solve anything. It won't solve us or save the universe. It will only cause more destruction." Lauren sighs heavily.
"Lauren maybe if we contact Star Fleet," Jim suggests unable to deal with the new twist.
"No, they will want me to stay and I have to go back." Lauren says softly.
"But I thought you just said you weren't going back."
"No I said I DON'T want to go back. There is a huge difference." Lauren leans back against the wall. "We have one big offensive planned. I have to be there but after that….either way…I am coming back if you will have me." Jim leans forward and brushes his lips to hers. Lauren's bottom lip trembles slightly at the soft touch. She turns her body as he pulls her close. Their lips part as he glides a hand to her lower back and one to her cheek. The kiss is over before either of them want it to end.
He lays his forehead against hers whispering, "We will find a way to make it work baby."
Lauren pulls her face away from his. "There's more and you need to hear this. My crew is the Solo kids." The mention of Kate's foster family puts Jim in edge. "They aren't here to take her back but to say good-bye. They are part of the mission. They are going to a planet called Myrkr. It will be lead by a team of young Jedi led by Apprentice Anakin Solo, with the support of two YVH droids and various personnel. Their mission will be to infiltrate the Yuuzhan Vong worldship Baanu Rass in Myrkr's orbit in order to destroy the voxyn queen. It only has a 72% chance of success with a 2% drop each hour they are on planet. All the Solo's are going and just want to say goodbye to Kate."
Jim is stunned. "I thought you said the Jedi did not send kids into battle?"
"This is a special circumstance," Lauren explains as Jim stands and begins to pace the cell.
"She is finally happy Lauren. Kate is stable, making friends, and adjusting to life here. Baby I can't have these Solo kids filling her head with thoughts of the glory of war and self sacrifice."
Lauren walks to where Jim is standing. "They won't."
"And how am I supposed to know that?" Jim gazes into his wife's eyes knowing she is telling the truth but the risk to Kate is too great.
"Because they know Kate. They know if she finds out she will be hell bent on leaving and that CAN'T happen. She couldn't even go on the mission if she wanted to." Jim begins to pace the room again. He never anticipated the conversation taking this turn. "I told them I will not force you to let us see her. It is your decision and I will back you either way."
Jim sighs heavily. "If I do this and it comes back to bite me in the ass…" his voice trails off.
"It won't," Lauren begins to smile. "Oh come on. It is only for a few days."
"Hmmm huh," he mumbles. "Fine…let's go get the kids." Lauren cocks her head to the side confused. "A Master Corran Horn contacted me and is waiting at a set of coordinates to be picked up. Wanna come with me to the transporter room?"
"I'd be delighted Captain Kirk," Lauren smiles kissing him softly. "And thank you. You did not have to do this."
