Disclaimer – If I couldI claim Star Trek as my own I would
Captain James T. Kirk & Dr. Carol Marcus
Earth date 14th December 2268
USS Enterprise – Year three of the second five year mission
"So, if he asks you again, will you say yes this time?" Lt Charlene Masters asked Carol Marcus as they sipped their mulled wine, eggnog and enjoyed slices of chocolate fudge cake and mince pies.
It was ladies night on the Enterprise, a tradition that developed over the years since the first five year mission eight years ago.
Nyota, Carol, Charlene, Janice, Xelia and T'Shira or as they were professionally known; Lt Cmdr Uhura, head of communications, Dr Marcus science officer and weapons specialist, Lt Charlene Masters Deputy Chief Engineer, Ensign Janice Rand, Captain's yeoman, Lt Xelia Darwin Head of security and Lt T'Shira deputy head of communications and Chief code specialist met in Charlene's quarters for it was her turn to host the latest event.
"I want to, but I'm not sure," Carol replied. "Being the Captain's girlfriend is one thing, but being his wife is another story."
"Apart from the legal documentation what major changes to the relationship will occur that hinders your response?" T'Shira enquired, being a Vulcan she could not understand her colleague's reluctance.
"Isssss the sex, huuuman shex, after legal cup, cup ling declines after they are tied to a wagon device." Xelia responded, drunkenly. As a Deltan their ability to not hold liquor for very long was well documented.
"It's 'get hitched' not 'tied to a wagon device' and for God's sake Xe how many have you had. We told you stick to the fruit juice!" Uhura laughed as she grabbed the cup of eggnog from her friend and swapped it for a glass of apple juice.
"Yooo said this was viiirgin eggnog, no alka, alka. No booze." Xelia answered, pointing her swinging finger at Charlene.
"Stop pretending you didn't know it has dark rum in it, I saw you add more to the bowl." Janice laughed.
"Yam experimitin," Xelia took out a hypo-spray and after missing a few times managed to inject herself. She immediately came alert as if she was not almost under the table just prior to that moment.
"I am experimenting on a new anti-intoxicant for physiques that cannot hold alcohol, like Deltans."
After telling her off for experimenting on herself they continued their discussion.
"The human sexual drive declines after the wedding rites?" T'Shira was intrigued. For Vulcans it was the complete opposite, their extremely intense sexual drive initiated their wedding rites under special circumstances.
"No, well, for some couples everyday life, children, work can get in the way of the libido. Couples have to find time for intimate moments." Uhura replied.
"I doubt Captain Kirk will have that problem."
All eyes turned to Carol, four faces were wagging their eyebrows, and smiling, waiting for her response.
"I'll answer that statement when 'Mrs Spock' does the same." Carol smirked.
"I plead the fifth," Uhura returned quickly and stuffed a mince pie in her mouth.
"The fifth what?" asked Xelia
"Can we get back on topic ladies?" Charlene interrupted.
"So a marriage proposal from the captain to our illustrious science officer, might be in the works again."
"Would you prefer a registered partnership, you know a seven year licence or the traditional arrangement?" Janice chimed in.
"After being on again, off again and on again since 2259 I have no desire to keep Kirk for just seven years," Carol's eyes gleamed. "I'm not letting him off that easily."
"Perhaps you can make the proposal instead, even if it is not the norm in Terran culture. You can have a long engagement since you are both still young." T'Shira advised.
"That's true, also humans don't think it strange anymore when a woman proposes. Although I prefer the old fashioned method."
"That's a pretty good idea," Carol placed her hand under her chin thoughtfully.
Earth date 21st December 2268
"So what do you think?" Kirk asked his close friends and confidantes.
"It is aesthetically pleasing," responded Spock.
"Well at least you have a ring this time," answered McCoy. "Carol didn't think proposing marriage whilst being chased by dangerous aliens romantic. Smart girl."
Kirk held the ring up to the light in his quarters. After searching what seemed like the whole galaxy for the perfect ring he managed to find one on his own door step, well his Iowa doorstep. His great granny Kirk sent him a family heirloom, a wedding brooch that she wore for her own wedding. Kirk with Scotty's help had it redesigned into an engagement ring for his special lady.
"Think she'll say yes this time?" Kirk wondered.
"I have a reliable source, that the probability of an affirmative response is 89.3%."
"Do you happen to be sleeping with this 'reliable source' Spock?"
Spock quirked his lips slightly. "Sleeping is not all that happens with my reliable source."
McCoy's eyes opened in shock, "Did you just imply what I think you implied?"
"I did not imply doctor, perhaps your medical knowledge is limited in regards to the interaction between spouses."
"Gentlemen," Kirk interrupted before the two could get into one of their amusing (for Kirk) debates.
"A little help here," Kirk continued. "I need some ideas for getting this right. I want to make it special."
"Well considering Spock snagged one of the best women on the ship, go for it Spock." McCoy sat back beer in hand, letting the Vulcan romeo take the lead.
"You are both humans, you have a shared cultural reference that you can use."
"Bones?"
"Christmas is coming, it's corny but it's romantic to get engaged this time of the year."
"Perhaps an appearance as a seasonal character?"
"No, Spock. I am not dressing as Santa Claus."
"There are other characters that may appeal.."
Kirk laughed, "No Spock, no dressing up."
"I wouldn't rule it out Jim, who says dressing up can't be romantic and definitely memorable. Plus, it's so you."
Kirk sat back drinking his beer and listened to his buddies.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Scotty laughed to himself at the latest request from his captain. He wished him luck this time for the health of the crew. Having a marriage proposal turned down understandably made Kirk grumpy, perhaps third time lucky would work after all.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Message from Captain Kirk for Dr Marcus" the comm unit chimed as Carol entered her quarters.
"Marcus here, audio only." Carol stripped off her uniform, ready for a relaxing session in her steam room before she retired for the evening.
"Hey babe, need your help, Spock is bit stuck on what to buy Uhura for a Christmas gift. He has a few choices but wants you to give him a hand. He's in my quarters, it's a surprise for Uhura, He doesn't want to mess it up again like he did last year".
Carol smiled to herself, last Christmas, Spock bought his wife a new stylus as a gift. He considered it logical since she had mislaid the one she had previously. He even engraved it with her rank and service number. Needless to say it did not go down very well.
As she was now off duty, Carol put on a casual outfit and headed for Kirk's quarters. If they did get engaged, she would move into his place since being captain it was much larger than hers. Plus it was refitted with a bath!
She was glad Spock heeded her advice to get a human perspective when it came to gifts for women, Uhura said he was normally a considerate and good gift giver but sometimes he was too logical for his own good.
As she entered Kirk's place, the room lighting was low, music played softly in the background.
"James…Kirk?" She looked around, the room was decorated with Christmas paraphernalia. Snow flakes seemed to fall around her, the temperature was a little lower, in fact if felt cold. As cold as it would be if she was back in England or even…Iowa.
"Merry Christmas, Carol." Kirk's voice echoed around the room. "There's a blanket in the sitting area. I'll be with you momentarily."
"Where's Spock, what's going on?" Carol mused. She entered the sitting area and gasped. On the wall was a holographic projection of a log fire. Jim's dining table had a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket. With every step she took flashes of mistletoe appeared above her head on the walls.
"Sorry for the deception. I know it's been a long shift, but it will be worth it I promise. Well, I hope."
Kirk stepped out from the pillar near his bedroom, Carol almost burst out laughing at his appearance.
"James, what is going on, why are you dressed like that?"
The captain of the USS Enterprise appeared in front of his long-time girlfriend dressed in a white costume covered in snowflakes and mistletoe with a red buttoned nose and reindeer antlers on his head.
He looked ridiculous and cute at the same time.
"I wanted to make this moment memorable for you, since I'm bound to mess up the romantic part."
Carol held her hands to her mouth, as he lowered himself to the floor. He opened his hand and held out a small box.
"I know its been a long journey for both of us. I haven't been the easiest person to deal with and commitment was not exactly my middle name. But over the years there has been one constant, whatever situation I'm in be it good or bad, you are always there on my mind. I love you Carol, you're my best friend, my lover and there is no other person I want to share my life with but you. So, will you have me?"
Kirk looked up with the box opened, the ring showing. Carol lowered herself in front of him, she took the box from his hand and hugged him.
"I love you too James. I'll not only have you, I'll even marry you" she smiled at him.
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"With you I need to make sure it's spelt out" she laughed as he placed the ring on her finger.
He laughed in return as he lowered her to the floor, kissing her and removing her clothes.
"Decided to find another way to help warm me up?" Carol mused.
"Yep," he replied, "Computer increase temperature to 69 Fahrenheit.
Author's Notes
Yeah it's corny, blame it on the eggnog - lol
TOS Kirk had a decent childhood but shitty love life, so lets give reboot Kirk a better love life since his childhood was a lot worse.
Getting married in your 30's in the 23rd century would be considered young for humanity since they live a lot longer (average lifespan 160 years) there is no biological clock ticking in a woman's 30's.
Deltans not being able to hold their alcohol, well I made it up!
Xelia's anti-toxicant is eventually successful, it's in chapter two!
There was a bald female navigator in STID, I decided to make her Xelia Darwin the Deltan. (Thanks to Obsessive66 for giving me her canon name).