A/N: Please read this chapter with the triggers mentioned (they are listed on the Ao3 notes section if you need a revisit) in mind, they are explored, mentioned and shown. Please tell me if this is sensitive to something not added in the triggers notations.
Chapter summary: You know what? What could possibly go wrong with taking in a child for adoption? Well, when you have a mother called Winona, may all the seven gates of hell unlock for you. Literally. Don't piss this child off. You will have a bad time.
Mayday! Mayday! This ship is slowly sinking. They wanna break me and wash away my colours. Take me high and I'll sing, "You make everything okay; we're one in the same, you take all of the pain away." Save me if I become my demons. I cannot stop this sickness taking over it takes control and drags me into nowhere. I need your help, I can't fight this forever.
-Starset
Chapter 3 – Earth, 2260.14
There was now a bunch of missions Jim forbade his crew to go down to. Celeus II was such a place, and with such a defence like "I'm not getting my skull crushed in a SECOND time, thank you!" The crew did not argue.
("Pike said I didn't have to go down if it was dangerous. Or are you telling me skulls crushed are just flesh wounds?")
Neither did Starfleet, apparently.
At this point in time, Jim wasn't quite sure who (or what) Starfleet feared more, his and Spock's fore-knowledge, Elder-Spock's fore-knowledge, or whatever consequences should befall them from the Vulcan High Council (and Amanda's) wrath.
Vulcan's were scary!
(Especially an emotionally compromised half-Vulcan (Jim would know!)).
It was also at this point where Jim would throw up his arms in despair over Evanna's new name.
He had never named anyone, let alone a child before!
Sure, given out life-saving nicknames.
But, just nicknames!
Nothing legal changes with nicknames!
And Jim really wasn't the one choosing, (Amanda had taken over the second she heard of it) and gave the results every so often due to her work commitments she had as well as how long it took for transmissions to reach the Enterprise from Vulcan.
Most nights both Spock and Jim were vividly told about Evanna's day (from Evanna), what she did, and whom among Jim's crew she had learnt it from that day.
Today, she came bounding into their room with a huge smile on her face, causing her parents to greet her inbound figure.
She stopped directly in front of Spock expectantly.
"Sa-mekh," She spoke fluently.
Spock's eyebrows vanished, while Evanna laughed at his response.
Jim came over to sit on the bed.
"You've been with Uhura today," Jim surmised.
Evanna nodded happily.
Jim grinned. "Alright…! Teach me!" Jim replied happily.
So, Evanna did so.
Suddenly, the whistle for the intercom. went off, jostling Jim from his sleep.
"….Yes?" Jim answered while yawning, noticing Spock hadn't woken up.
"Nothing wrong, sir," Riley's voice started, knowing exactly what Jim's first thought would be. "But, uh, Pike is on the line, and he wants to speak to you and to Commander Spock immediately." Riley reported.
Jim gave out a groan. "We'll be there in a sec, Kev," Jim replied, moving to wake Spock. "Spock, wake up, Pike wants us." Jim told him verbally and mentally.
Spock woke up looking like he didn't quite like the wake-up call given.
"Not my fault, dear," Jim responded to the sleepy glare given to him.
Spock rubbed his eyes and silently went to go get ready.
Jim balked when he walked in to see Pike on the com. looking so mad, he looked red.
"Have I done something wrong, Admiral?" Jim asked immediately and felt Spock mentally perk up to perceive Pike.
"No, not you, son," Pike started, sending relief through to Jim's body. "But something will pull the Enterprise back to Earth," Pike said.
Jim immediately got alarmed.
"How and why, sir…?" Spock asked.
"Your right to have custody of Evanna is in challenge." Pike responded bitterly looking directly at Jim.
"By whom…?" Spock demanded.
"Winona Kirk," Jim hissed when he heard her name spoken. "No matter what I have said, nor what Lady Amanda—" Jim and Spock shared a moment of surprise. "—has said, has changed little, and so it had been deemed you, therefore the Enterprise as a whole be brought back to Earth immediately to sort out what we already know." Pike said.
Jim was already panicking. "W-What about the five—" He tried.
Pike shook his head. "It will be postponed. We're not letting someone else pilot it while you still hold the helm, son," Pike commented then looked worried. "But before you hit dirt-side, go past Vulcan first, a couple of people want to be picked up for attendance who otherwise have no other means of getting to Earth, or so they say," Jim and Spock nodded. "And another thing, you might want to also get Evanna renamed before hitting dirt-side as well." Pike further explained.
Both nodded in wary, "Yes, sir."
It wasn't a surprise when once they got back to Vulcan, Amanda and Sarek were the ones picked up, with Amanda saying there would be other Vulcans who would meet up with them on Earth, then immediately fawned over Evanna, who squealed at being cuddled over.
"Mother," Spock greeted as she came aboard. "Father,"
Sarek nodded to his son and looked towards his wife with bemused softness.
"Ambassador, Ma'am," Jim greeted.
Amanda glared at him over Evanna's head at the honorific he had always given her out of habit from his own mother.
"Evening, Captain, how fare things?" Sarek questioned as Amanda stood up, amazingly with Evanna tucked on her hip.
"She weighs absolutely nothing!" Amanda admonished.
"Bones tells me she's good though, just her bone structure is light." Jim offered nervously.
Amanda gave him a look. "I wasn't saying you weren't feeding her, dear," Amanda told, Jim flinched but nodded.
"Things would be better if we didn't need to go back to Earth, Ambassador," Jim replied to Sarek's earlier question as they walked into Jim's ready room. Sarek nodded understandingly.
"That's fair," Amanda said, as she put Evanna down.
Evanna giggled and bounded over to Spock. "Sa-mekh," She called, her arms bounding around her sides, (surprising both Sarek and Amanda).
"Nu'ri-veh," Spock responded, Evanna giggled then lifted up her arms. Spock blinked but picked her up only to place her on the nearest seat, but not before she could sneak in a cuddle. Evanna was content to bounce up and down excitedly in her seat.
Sarek and Amanda watched the display quietly, Amanda secretly cooing, while Sarek was quietly surveying the results.
Jim came over from fixing himself a cup of coffee and stroked Evanna's head, she giggled as he placed a cup of water next to her should she want it as they talked.
"What exactly are you and the Vulcans going to do?" Jim asked as they all sat around the table.
"What do you know?" Sarek asked.
Jim sighed. "Not much only that Winona is challenging my ability to take care of Evanna." Jim replied.
"Have you cared for children, before, Captain?" Sarek questioned.
They all watched as Jim violently flinched.
"When I was younger, yes sir," Jim started. "Not that it is public knowledge," Jim muttered.
Sarek and Amanda looked to each other, while Evanna sucked on her finger until Spock removed it again causing her to giggle and return playing with the cups handles.
"My—" Sarek started, but caught Amanda's glare, "—our…task here is to observe your interactions between the child in question. As I am Vulcan, I am unbiased." Sarek noted.
"But I can be," Amanda interjected.
Sarek gave out the Vulcan equivalent of a sigh, "Amanda,"
Amanda gave him an evil look. "Only when I need to be," Amanda sneered. "There is no need to question Jim." Amanda finished in a huff.
"There has been provided evidence – however false or unlikely true – enough to call the Captain back as a resolve rather than a video conference." Sarek replied.
Jim and Spock were looking between the two like an old tennis match.
Jim shook his head incredulously. "So, basically you're here to observe how broken I am," Jim said.
Negative response ranged from eyebrow loss, mental scolding and flinches.
"You're not broken." Amanda said softly.
"Just bent," Evanna injected innocently, causing all beings to look to her. The child looked as serious as a child could. "No broken. Just bent; bending fix." Evanna recalled with her head tilted as if she couldn't quite remember where her information came from, but shrugged unawares of the mass amazement she had caused. "Still want Father to be Father. He not bad. No want to return to old group. Still want name." Evanna replied, then went very shy when she realised she had everyone's attention and started fiddling with her fingers nervously.
"Child logic is astonishing." Sarek commented.
"…No matter the specie," Jim replied softly stroking Evanna's hair, used to such a caress; she nuzzled into him, wanting to receive his comfort.
"How fares the renaming?" Sarek questioned Jim as Earth's space-dock came into view.
"Badly, and I have an hour to give her one." Jim fretted.
Sarek hummed.
They were all caught off guard when Evanna squealed, looking to her in alarm, she was only pointing to the Earth's re-established moon excitedly.
Jim looked like a light bulb switched on, and turned to Sarek excitedly. "Does Vulcan have any girl names relating to the moon?" Jim asked, his question perking interest in the other beings in the ready room.
"Ah! Why didn't I think of that?" Amanda admonished herself.
"T'Aimnu, t'sai aikum nu'ri, in Standard meaning Lady of the Young Moon," Sarek responded.
Amanda gushed.
Both Sarek and Spock blinked.
While suddenly Jim looked like an excited child in a candy store. "So Evanna's name will be S'chn T'gai T'Aimnu "Luna" Kirk?" Jim pondered.
Eva—Luna's head perked up in joy as she jumped up and down clapping her hands, "Name, name, name!" She called out joyously.
"You like being called after the moon?" Jim asked nervously, gesturing to the moon. Luna squealed and Jim laughed. "I'll let Pike know!" He said.
Which reminds me, Jim started to Spock who felt him mentally perk up to hear what he had to say. How did mother dearest find out about Eva—argh, Luna? He pondered.
Spock looked over to Luna who was still being fawned over by his mother; leaving not much room for Sarek to say much about any participators behaviour (should he have wanted to).
It is like you said before, the walls have ears. Spock replied.
Jim mentally agreed. Pike doesn't know much about the proceedings, as it's confidential to just family members; so us, Luna, your parents and Winona. Jim stated.
Does Admiral Pike know what you call the, "worst case scenario"? Spock asked.
Spock could feel Jim's anger. At worst case: Winona gets Luna. Jim replied stoically.
Spock could mentally feel his hackles rising at such a thought.
She is unfit—
Jim cut him off. We might know that, T'hy'la. But the judge doesn't, nor will he take into account what happened to me under her and Frank's care nearly twenty years ago. Jim stated.
Spock frowned. He should—
Worst case scenario, Spock. Jim reminded.
At this, Spock understood.
At a semi-okay scenario: your parents could be awarded her, Jim pondered. Though I still don't think leaving Luna anywhere with one stable set of species is a good idea. Jim responded.
My parents would be better suited then yours. Spock replied.
And I have absolutely no problem with that. Jim started. Just as long as they are prepared to do such a thing if the judge bars us, Jim continued.
When Jim walked back in; "We will be able to beam—" He stopped to stare at Amanda braiding Luna's hair to cover her small horns, "—what are you doing?" Jim asked, astounded.
Amanda and Luna looked up, with Amanda quickly tying the last braid in, Luna was up and bounding over to her father and up into his arms.
"Look! Look!" Luna babbled excitedly showing off Amanda's handiwork.
"Wow! And you were already so pretty!" Jim replied causing her to giggle.
"Amanda felt it prudent to hide her horns from the likelihood of "bad press", once we arrive on Earth." Sarek commented.
Jim blinked. "Good idea. We are beaming down in five."
As expected they beamed down into a swarm of media press, all demanding their blood money for comments.
All the while Luna stuck to Jim and Spock, her hands curling into Jim's shirt hem, and the Vulcan's glared.
Finally, behind closed doors, Jim and Amanda sighed in relief, but that didn't stop Luna from sticking close to either Spock or Jim, nor stop the Vulcans from glaring at the closed door.
"Uncalled for," Spock commented.
Jim looked to Amanda, "Good thinking on the braids for Luna," Jim thanked.
Amanda looked to Jim and smiled. "She looks cute with braids, but of course, her horns are a part of her to; I can modify the braids when there is no media around." Amanda responded.
They all looked to see an Elder Vulcan enter the room.
Jim lit up, "Spock!" He called, Amanda chuckled, while Luna looked thoroughly confused to her other father.
"Hello, Jim," Elder-Spock responded, then to his younger's family held up the ta'al in greeting, which was returned.
While so, Spock had lent down to explain his counterpart to a young girl.
Luna frowned confusedly. "So, what do I call him?" She asked.
Spock looked somewhat amused (as much as he was allowed) as he straightened up. "Why don't you go ask him?" He pondered.
"Okay!" Luna said bright-fully then bounded over to the Not-Quite-her-Vulcan-Father. "Hello!" She greeted, her arms bounding around her sides, not realizing Jim was cackling himself in the corner.
"Hello, young one," Elder-Spock responded calmly.
Luna tipped her head. " Sa-mekh told me to come over and ask you what I should call you!" Luna asked.
Luna looked over to Jim when she heard him laughing. Luna pouted, but everyone looked amused.
"What do you call your Sa-mekh's father?" He asked curiously.
"Sa'mekh'al…!" She responded loudly, astounding everyone present.
Jim pretended to be exasperated. "Okay, you've been spending way too much time with Uhura." Jim stated with a grin.
Luna looked to Sarek to see his decision on what to call him.
"You okay with her calling you that?" Amanda asked curiously.
Sarek looked to her with a glint of amusement. "And so shall you be called Ko'mekh-il," He replied.
Amanda gave out a huff. "And you so assume I would be displeased by that." Amanda retorted.
Sarek shook his head then looked to Luna. "You may call us that."
Luna did a very good impression of a happy dance on the spot.
However, Jim suddenly looked alarmed. "Her having more males in her life won't go against her, will it? I mean, she has two fathers, two grandfathers, but only one grandmother." Jim worried.
Sarek blinked. "You have not looked—"
Jim glowered, "I've looked after girls," He started hotly. "Kev could attest to that, but I don't think they'd take his comments: he was four at the time. And I don't know where to start looking for Cloe, Sheer or Brie, nor do I know if they're alive and willing." Jim responded bitterly.
"If asked about such problems, you can rebuttal it by saying there are many female crew members willing to help. Uhura and Marcus have already expressed emotions over Luna." Spock commented.
"And after the five years…? She'd be twelve by then," Jim bit back upset.
Jim knew the court system like the back of his hand, (not that this time round they would know that). The system and its people 'understand' how he could be mad.
…If only for a few years.
The main concern the system would have would be Luna's access to her own gender for personal-girl reasons.
(Jim didn't pretend to even understand girl-problems. But, that wasn't meaning he wasn't going to try to be the right support Luna would need at those times, or at least know someone who would. His best call would be to go straight to Amanda or Uhura at a pinch).
Jim realised Elder-Spock was frowning. "Starfleet would not automatically set you lose, Jim," He said.
Jim's eyes grew wide. "Please for the love of sanity, don't say I became an Admiral!" Jim pleaded. Elder-Spock's silence spoke a thousand words, making Jim understand. "Oh, damn,"
Elder-Spock tilted his head. "I advise against it," He supplied.
Jim chuckled, "So do I."
"In any case, five years is in five years," Amanda started, and everyone nodded in agreement. "What we need to focus on is the reason you being called here in such a way it barred no video conference to settle it." Amanda said.
"My track record is probably what they're going on about. It's not exactly shouting out I can care for a child, much less myself." Jim pondered.
Spock frowned. "Yet, they made you Captain." He voiced.
Jim looked to him. "And yet both times they had no choice; the first time there weren't many Captains to go about, Pike was out for the count. And for the second time, who knows what kind of trickery Pike pulled to get me it." Jim retorted.
"Perhaps we should wait until they tell us the reason, besides us guessing?" Sarek put forth.
Jim looked to the Chrono, brightened, then turned to Luna, "You hungry, Luna?" He asked.
Luna perked up understanding he was asking her, and nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah!" She said happily.
It was all over the media:
"Golden boy of Starfleet to adopt female child! —"
"Captain Kirk in battles with his mother over child custody…—"
"TheEnterprise brought back over Bad Boy Captain Kirk's custody battle! —"
And, wasn't Jim thankful this time around half his record was a whole lot lighter compared to what it was originally.
And, as well he decided to check the news once Luna was asleep.
Who knew what would have happened had Amanda not braided her hair to cover her horns from view;
the comments that the media could make without such ammunition was bad enough!
Let's avoid the media for a few days, Jim commented to Spock.
They, like you have said, "Have nothing better to do?" Spock asked from the other side of the complex.
I don't even know how they got half the stuff they're babbling on about, either. Jim said as he got up from the couch to wander to the bathroom to get ready for bed. They would have a field day with my original record. Jim stated nervously.
"Field day" over your record or not, does not determine our being T'hy'la, Jim. Spock reminded.
Jim stopped what he was doing when he realised what Spock was saying; Spock had meant that even before being sent-back, he had regarded Jim with fondness, as he had with Spock as well.
It caused Jim to smile, "Thanks, Spock," He muttered out loud as he mentally told him.
You are welcome, T'hy'la, Spock returned the gesture.
The court room was smaller than Jim remembered.
But, Jim felt just as small as the first time he stood in this room.
On the upside: he wasn't alone, and he wasn't that angry little child anymore.
Now, he knew himself, and he had something, someone to fight for.
And a boat load of people to fight with him.
As to create…less…physical fisticuffs (standard, apparently, in this particular court room), the two sides were not to have direct contact, before, during, or directly after the proceedings, (which meant none of the Vulcans (or following Enterprise crew members) could hurt Winona).
As well, Luna was present, she would be a part of the proceedings, and could do her part for her own self and where she was placed, depending on the judge's ruling (that being with Winona, Amanda and Sarek, into the system, or stay with Jim and Spock).
Jim looked up to see a different judge then what he was used to sitting in the judge's box – with no flexi-files or PADDs.
That was odd. Did the judge already have his verdict, and just humouring them all?
Jim could admit to himself that he was terrified for Luna.
He feared she didn't quite understand the proceedings in front of her.
"This hearing is to bring to the fore of the discussions of T'Aimnu "Luna". All those present, please take your places," He started.
With that, Jim, Spock and Luna stepped up leaving Amanda, Sarek, Elder-Spock, Pike and several members of the Bridge Crew that had managed to squeeze in sitting down at the spectators bench. Spock, and Jim stood at one of the podiums, while Luna sat by their side.
With a hand gesture, a guard by the side opened the door, and therein Winona walked in, head held high filled with "righteous" convictions.
Jim felt himself freeze up involuntarily when she turned to glare at him coldly.
The judge looked exasperated.
"We've called this session to discuss the future dwellings of one adolescent, T'Aimnu "Luna"," The judge looked to Luna. "Stand if that is you, my dear," He asked.
Luna stood up silently, but didn't offer up anything but only her standing up where her feet placed her.
"Name," He started.
Luna looked to him, "Luna," She stated.
He blinked. "Full name, my dear,"
Luna blinked, "S'chn T'gai T'Aimnu "Luna" Kirk." She stated fully.
Everyone heard Winona scoff.
The judge looked to her crossly. "You have something to add, Mrs. Kirk?" He asked.
"Nothing, sir, I highly doubt that's her name, that's all." She sneered in Jim's direction he stiffened.
It is okay, Jim, Spock mentally comforted him, who tried to focus on Spock rather than Winona.
"Then you need to read her papers again, Mrs. Kirk. You shall remain quiet until called for, is that understood?" The judge told her with authority she nodded at. "Good. Evidence for and against members of party has been presented to this court that a Captain of a Federation Starship is in question to be awarded one adolescent named T'Aimnu "Luna". This is understood to be correct by all parties?" He asked the three at the podiums nodded. "If unfitness is found to be correct, though I find it hard to believe such a person be fit to be awarded a Starship full of children, however; if correct the arguer, Mrs. Winona Kirk believes the child be awarded to her, with no allowed contact to previous attendances–" He put out a hand to stop Spock from speaking. "Hold on," He started, and looked to Luna, "All in good time. Now, young lady, tell me what you know of this situation." He asked Luna.
"This court will decide whether I stay with Sa-mekh and Father, or stay…" Luna looked over to Winona, as one would a suspicious stranger. "…with someone else," Luna reported her understandings.
The judge nodded, and then looked back between Winona and Jim. "Now, here's where we banter back and forwards of either of yours child capabilities. What evidence—" The judge paused when Luna shyly put up her hand to speak, "—Yes…?" He asked.
"Would it help if I showed you? I can do that, like Vulcan, but," Luna frowned, but gestured her hand in the air around her, "Like visual?" Luna asked.
Jim looked concerned. "You don't need to Luna." Jim told her gently.
Luna pouted. "I want to stay," She informed.
The judge looked amazed, but nodded. "You may, if you wish," He granted.
Luna nodded and took hold of Jim's hand, and what Winona's presence there did to him came to the world around him.
Suddenly, all those in attendance in the entirety of the court room, weren't in said court room, but what looked like a post-21st Century electronics conversion farmhouse.
There was suddenly a loud bang, and then the rush of small feet, an opening of a door on the upper landing caught their attention, as soon as the door opened, and a little boy came rushing out and down the stairs, grasping the last pole to swing around to go that much faster.
The boy ran past them, because to him: they weren't there at all.
He looked like he was rushing towards the back of the house, when at last second, diverted off to huddle under the stairs; he made himself as small as possible.
Several, if not all in attendance immediately recognised the child to be Jim.
"I'm leaving!" Winona's voice rang out, followed by foot stomping and glass shattering. Another door opened on the first floor landing and an older boy came rushing down the stairs, seeing him Jimmy became alarmed and scuttled forward, to grasp him.
"Sammy," Jimmy tried, but George shoved Jimmy behind him.
"I know," George replied.
Winona came through from the back of the farmhouse:
And never once acknowledged Jimmy.
"Be good for Frank. I'm not getting pulled back from space again just becauseyou can't behave." Winona hissed.
"Don't go, Mum," George started. "He isn't nice when you're not around!" George tried. Winona glared at Jimmy coldly. "We both know the boy ran into the door. He was making up Frank did that, and you're making excuses!" Winona growled. "Now move, so I can leave!"
George gave out a defeated-exasperated-angry growl and ran up the stairs.
Winona continued to glare at Jimmy.
Jimmy had gone completely stiff being alone in her presence.
"Andwho are you looking at, boy?" Winona growled.
Jimmy immediately flinched and diverted his gaze to the wooden flooring. "Ma'am,"
Winona suddenly grasped hold of Jimmy's shirt cuff and dragged him forward. "Frank!" She shouted. "Get this thing out of my sight!" She continued, then left the house, but not before throwing Jimmy off his feet.
He landed on all fours.
"Boy!" A male shouted.
Jimmy quickly got back up and rushed into the kitchen where Frank was already waiting with a can of beer in his hands.
"Do I need to reiterate what happened last time you went against my orders?" Frank asked, cracking the can open.
Jimmy shook his head. "No, sir," He muttered.
"Good, so wash the car—where's George?" He asked.
Suddenly there was a large crash from where George's room would have been from the ceiling.
Frank shoved Jimmy aside, slamming down his can and crashed through into the hallway, where George now was, backpack and all.
"Fuck you, old man!" He screamed.
Frank went livid, as George made for the door.
"You know what? Get the hell out! When your mother gets home, she can deal with you!" Frank yelled murderously.
George slammed the door behind him, with Frank slamming it open to follow, with Jimmy in toe.
"Go ahead! Run away! See if I give a damn!" Frank continued to shout.
"Where are you going?" Jimmy screamed.
"As far away as I can get!" George replied, still walking.
"It won't be far enough!" Frank replied dangerously. "This is
my house, not yours! Don't expect to come back!" Frank rounded on Jimmy. "What do you want, boy?" He screamed.
Jimmy stopped in his tracks. "I don't want my brother to go." He replied in a small voice.
"What you want doesn't matter! You'reno-one! You're nothing! You'll never be worth anything! And I asked you to wash the car. How many damn times do I need to repeat myself?" He asked dangerously, making Jimmy flinch away. "Go," He ordered George dangerously, and went back inside.
"Please stay!" Jimmy implored George.
"I can't take them anymore! That's not even
his car you're washing, that's Dad's car!" George said angrily, and started to walk away, with Jimmy following. "I can't take you with me. I can't be a Kirk in this house, show me how to be good at school, and I'll stay." George replied. Jimmy remained silent; he couldn't teach his brother how to not be himself. "I thought not… I'll see you." George farewelled then walked off.
Jimmy returned to the house to get the bucket full of soapy water and the sponge to clean the car. Putting on his coat which was laid out on the passenger's seat; he went about cleaning the interior when suddenly the keys landed in his lap.
There was only a moment's hesitation before Jimmy slammed the keys in and was speeding down the drive way.
He was on the main road before Frank was calling him.
"Boy, are you out of your mind?! That car is an
antique! You think you can get away with this just because your mother is off planet? You get your ass home right now! You get one scratch on that car, I'll whip—" Jimmy hung up on him and removed the car's hood, which flew off before he could catch it.
He didn't get too far before a police hover-bike tried to stall him, making Jimmy turn off road, and head for the cliff, more than just Jimmy screamed out as he jumped out the vehicle to nearly fall over the edge.
"My name is James Tiberius Kirk."
Suddenly, they were no longer on Earth, and Spock realised Luna was doing her best with what she had on Jim being a father.
But, he doubted any more than three beings understood what planet they were seeing.
Well, not yet anyways.
A planet Jim immediately recognised and went stiff with alarm.
It will be well, T'hy'la, Spock reminded.
Is this doing any good? I'm only seeing negatives here. Jim responded faintly.
You cannot see the implications of my mother's wish to adopt you, Spock started. Nor how furious everyone else is at Winona for abandoning you, Spock said.
Your mother can adopt me anytime she feels like it. Jim reported back bitterly.
It wasn't a surprise the majority gasped when they finally realised what they were seeing when they saw Kodos give his speech.
They watched as people were struck down, J.T. dived for the children around him and covered them from the fire with his own body.
Seeing Kev, he darted over to him to pull him out of a dead man's grip to sooth him while keeping a low profile to find more children still being protected by their parents bodies.
"Don't look," J.T. whispered to Kev as he held him, Kev nodded and closed his eyes. "I'm going to put you on my back, hold around my neck, okay?" J.T. asked as he combed through bodies. Kev nodded so J.T. transferred him to his back, letting him have use of his hands to find more children.
J.T. had amassed about thirty children from the ravage.
"Keep low to the ground so the guards don't see you," J.T. commanded in a whisper, the children nodded.
Before anyone else could say anything, dogs began to howl.
"Aren't they the dogs that belong to the family at the butcher?" An elder boy whispered.
J.T.'s eyes widened in alarm as the howling came closer, close enough for the dogs to be in sight. "Run! Run! To the trees…!" He yelled.
They all bolted into the trees, fortunately losing the dogs when they found a cave system.
Suddenly, there were on Vulcan, even younger than before, with Spock coming in to save Jim from being punched by Stonn.
"You will
not harm him," Spock the child growled.
Then, to Amanda holding up a PADD with zero results that anyone was looking for Jim, wanting him to come home, that they had noticed him missing.
Then to Luna's own visuals, which were blurry at things the child had not seen directly, still working on the process of working out her own visual perceptions.
Luna showed Jim's acceptance of her, him giving her a room to sleep in, the crew's daily participation in helping her learn.
The visions stopped, and they returned to the court room.
And Luna held her head high. "I stay with Sa'mekh and Father." She said outright.
Some human's on the bench had broken down, Amanda, Riley and Uhura were crying, others like the Vulcans, Pike and McCoy had taken to glaring at a much shaken looking Winona.
By looks of her, the message had finally sunk in.
The judge on the other hand was looking at Winona with barely concealed distaste.
"It seems to me that you, Mrs. Kirk, are the unfit one around here. I will hear no more on this; the adolescent T'Aimnu "Luna" Kirk shall be awarded to her father's James Kirk and Spock: Adjourned." He slammed down his hammer, "Mrs. Kirk, a word in my office, now." He ordered and left the room, while a guard led Winona to follow.
Luna then promptly fainted.
Jim yelped in alarm as Spock caught her.
With the session finished those on the bench were allowed to move and came rushing forward.
"She will be fine; she has used her conceptions too much." Spock reported as McCoy came up and scanned her after discreetly scanning both Riley and Jim.
"All she needs is some rest," McCoy informed.
"Good, let's get out of here, and away from where the media can demand our blood." Jim requested, the rest agreeing and filing out.
They all ended up back at their housing at the Vulcan embassy, (the only big place noted for its discretion) that the media had no bar in entering.
Jim noted warily that those from the court had returned with him, while Spock put Luna down to rest.
"Some things make a whole lot more sense now," McCoy muttered as he fiddled with the kitchen's replicator, (he had asked Amanda first), who then tossed an apple at Jim, who blinked in surprise, then looked at the apple like it had two heads.
"The heck, Bones?" Jim asked.
McCoy glared. "Eat," he growled.
Jim could tell that he better do as his friend ordered and took a bite, then crinkled his nose, but wisely, didn't say anything.
Jim looked over to Riley.
"You gonna be alright, Kev?" Jim asked nervously, Riley immediately looked up, grinned, "—if you thank me one more time…" Jim started seeing Riley open his mouth.
"Kinda wouldn't be here without ya," Riley said gratefully.
"Ah!" Amanda gasped, having just realised.
Riley grinned then jumped onto Jim's back.
Jim yelped in alarm, but automatically leaned forward, his hands went around Riley's legs, while his teeth sunk into the apple to keep it in place.
He grunted. "Still too big, Kev," he muttered.
Elder-Spock looked at them curiously. "Perhaps you should release him, Riley," He asked.
Riley looked at him wide-eyed, and immediately let go. "Yes, sir,"
Elder-Spock frowned when Riley looked like he might curse him.
Jim chuckled and ruffled his hair. "You're alright, Kev, Spock's not gonna bite ya," Jim replied.
Now Riley looked confused while cross-pointing in both directions of both Spock's. "Huh?" Riley voiced, echoing his confused look. Spock had come back into the room at that (un-)fortunate moment.
Jim snickered. "Alternative reality," He summed up simply.
Riley's eyes grew wide, while Elder-Spock looked amused.
"…So you're sure Luna's going to be alright, yeah?" Jim asked nervously, still slowly having his way with the apple.
"She'll be fine, this happened while you were out of it." McCoy informed.
"Ah," Jim voiced then looked to Pike. "So, I'm guessing she'll have some type of everyday schooling schedule, what do you suppose that'll be?" He asked.
Pike looked thoughtful. "These visual, images, tell me about them," Pike requested.
Spock shook his head. "Luna does not know much, only that as she grows older she will be able to have natural ability to control them, as well as range and frequency. She cannot be taught to control it via someone else, at present moment I am the one who closed her conceptions when she first came to us, however, such a lock she can undo at will, which is how you saw the visuals at the courtroom, but cannot seal it herself." Spock surmised.
Pike nodded. "Then, such things as Standard, Vulcan, literacy and numeracy can be set up on her personal learning PADD, and be set for her level with tests and such. Other subjects she can choose when she gets the hang of those. All your crew should be able to help you out with several of them, the Vulcan language, probably not many, so you'll have to go through your crews schedules and determine who knows the language and will be willing to help her when you can't," Pike proposed.
"No need, I'll help!" Uhura pushed in, "I started already," She insisted.
"I thanked you for that," Jim reminded.
Uhura grinned. "So you should, by proxy." She said playfully.
Jim looked mockingly hurt.
"I do not need to be concerned about forming a parental bond with her, with the legal proceedings out of the way." Spock suddenly said, as if the thought had just surfaced in his head space.
Jim nearly choked on the apple he was still getting through, while Riley looked confused.
Seeing Riley's confusion Spock further explained. "Vulcan's can create mental links with those they have come into mental contact with, as well as whom are compatible. As I have touched Luna's mind several times, and have had to, there was a risk of creating a parental bond with her." Spock explained.
"Wait! Hold up!" Jim started, shooing McCoy away. "We didn't—" Jim made a finger notion between his head and Spock's. "And we have one," Jim continued, looking rather confused.
"Hence why I made him go looking for it," Amanda huffed.
Jim burst out laughing. "Kinda like me?"
Spock shook his head. "No, you apologised."
"Hey, you weren't with anyone at the time!" Jim retorted defensively.
Spock frowned, as if not quite understanding the language used.
Suddenly the doorbell rang.
Amanda blinked. "I'll get it," She started, then walked out the room.
Expecting someone? Jim asked.
No, we're not. Spock replied; Jim could feel his puzzlement over his sudden use of their link as such.
Wanted to ask you a question about bond links, Jim started trying to squash his guilt at how much he had to catch up on still. But Spock urged him on. You said earlier about parental links, how do they work? Jim asked.
Not quite like ours, Jim, while we are able to talk and sense roughly each other's emotions; with Luna we would only have the inkling of where she is and her health status, however in this aspect, it is quite alike our own, Spock informed. It also works both ways.
Jim frowned. Me also…? Spock confirmed his right. Sweet!
Amanda came back in with a frown, but with her was Marcus.
"Carol!" Jim called out seeing her.
Almost everyone now saw that Elder-Spock was on edge with her.
Marcus looked nervous at being there her-self. "Sirs," She greeted uncertainly. "Admiral Barnett sent me when he couldn't reach Uhura," She informed; she then saw Amanda's confused face, while Uhura's eyes widened as she checked her communicator. "Carol Marcus, Ma'am," Marcus introduced.
Jim snickered, making Amanda look to him incredulously. She had definitely recognised her last name.
"At least you didn't introduce yourself as Wallace this time," Jim said with a smile.
"Would it have helped? I cannot help who my father was." Marcus continued.
Jim was still smiling softly. "No, but you can choose family. Though I'm pretty sure Spock found out first, because I sure as hell don't remember signing on any Admiral's daughter!" Jim replied giving a playful glare at Spock who stared back. "I'm curious to how it played out the second time," Jim started then blinked. "Hold on, raincheck, rewind, why're you here?" Jim asked with a frown.
Marcus blinked then recalled her-self. "Barnett wants to see all those in relation to Luna. Considering he sent me here, I'm assuming you have kept custody," Marcus surmised.
Jim nodded. "I'll go and get Luna; I'm not keeping her here by herself while we're in a different building." Jim started, and then walked off.
Those who had kept quiet from the Enterprise were silently categorising every sudden move Elder-Spock made ever since Marcus walked into the room, Spock, Amanda and Sarek had also noticed he looked on edge with her.
Apparently Marcus had also noticed the elder Vulcan, and gave a polite nod. "Hello," she greeted nervously, she had gotten nearly used to not falling over apologizing to Jim every time he passed her by.
"Doctor Marcus," Elder-Spock greeted back with a wary nod.
"Did you know her?" Amanda asked, finally blowing up in annoyance as Jim came back in with Luna in his arms, still fast asleep with her arms around his neck and her head in the crock of his neck.
"This'll be good!" Jim said cheerily, he glanced towards everyone else; he too had noticed.
Elder-Spock blinked. "…I did not know Doctor Marcus for as long as my Jim did." He relayed uncomfortably.
(If Marcus wasn't already confused, she really was now).
The breaks went down in Jim's head; Spock had almost flinched in pain.
"—Are you serious!" Jim nearly exploded in surprise pointing towards Marcus, who in turn pointed to herself in confusion with the rest of the bodies present.
Elder-Spock nodded. "I would not jest," He responded.
Jim looked pained. "I am so sorry. It's rough," Jim replied.
Spock flinch was noticed, and Jim looked alarmed. "I wasn't aiming that at you!" He said quietly.
McCoy threw up his arms. "What the hell is going on?" He grouched loudly.
"Please tell us, this is getting frustrating." Amanda requested, and every other human nodded.
Jim sighed as he shifted Luna when she moved. "You guys all know that Spock and I at first weren't all buddy-buddy, right?" Jim asked.
Several eyes widened in surprise, for some, this was the first time they had heard of them never had getting along.
"I don't believe it!" Riley burst out.
Spock looked as unhappy as he would allow himself to show, while Jim looked uncomfortable.
"So, how'd that happen?" Amanda asked curiously.
"Oh, it most definitely started at when I changed the Maru testing…" Jim started recounting their pre-sent times when they weren't "buddy-buddy". "…And then I kinda died." Jim finished.
"WHAT?!" Several exploded; Jim had the forethought to place a hand over Luna's ear to block out the noise, and cringe himself on bad delivery.
Spock himself gave out his version of a sigh. "Jim has a way of getting into these sorts of situations." He explained.
"Dying sucks," Jim huffed. "I recommend not doing it." He put up a hand to dissolve the current banter. "You can all hurt me later, right now Barnett wants us, and I'm not inclined to let him wait any longer." Jim replied.
"I will hypo you, damn it, Jim." McCoy muttered following his friend out.
They all followed Sarek and Amanda to the library where they could video comm. with Barnett without leaving the compound into awaiting people who wanted their blood comments. While Marcus went over to the video comm. Jim went over to the seats to lay Luna down, she twitched a little at the loss of contact, but remained asleep.
As Jim stood next to Spock, Barnett opened the video link with a smile.
"Evening, Admiral," Jim greeted, the Vulcans nodded while the humans waved in greeting.
"There you all are!" He admonished happily. "I've been looking for you!" Barnett continued happily.
Barnett surveyed the group noticing that most of the humans there shifted cautiously as if awaiting punishment.
He looked straight to Jim. "You can relax, Kirk, this is a social call," He could have sworn most of the Vulcans shared with the humans in sighing in relief.
"And your reason for calling, sir…?" Spock requested.
Barnett laughed quietly and waved a new PADD in the air. "I would naturally have given this to Chris to give to you, but seeing as he's not here to give it to you I might as well do it so he can pick it up later." Barnett started.
"Sorry, Richard," Pike apologized.
Barnett shrugged, still waving the PADD, but then brought it down to his desk to turn it on. "Now besides Standard and Vulcan, what else do you want Luna to be taught, please remember subjects of interest can be added later," Barnett started, adding the two subjects for Luna to learn while in space.
Jim looked to the majority of the bridge crew who were still behind him.
"Has she shown any interest in any fields?" He asked.
Chekov and Riley both perked up having been the ones who sorted Luna into the crew's life within a day.
"Besides Vulcan, nothing much else…" Riley summed.
"Everything else is basic interest and curiosity." Chekov responded remembering several reports from fellow crew members about Luna. "But she retains what she has been taught verbally rather easily." Chekov reported.
They all looked back to Barnett who looked like he was thinking.
"Let's take it back a notch and give her as many differing subjects most the same as those her own age attending school, and let her decide come age." Barnett spoke as Luna's PADD made several noises as he added age-appropriate subjects for Luna to learn.
"Just be sure that the settings need to be set, so do that before giving it to Luna, as well as member numbers you would like her to be in contact with," Barnett finished up and looked back to Jim and Spock kindly, then looked to Pike. "When you're able to come pick it up," Pike nodded, he then looked to Jim. "Captain," with the change of voice the bridge crew immediately snapped to attention. "Your PADD will soon have your next set of orders; act them out within the time allocated." Barnett ordered.
Jim nodded. "Yes, sir,"
Barnett switched off the video link with a submissive nod.
The humans sighed once he was gone.
Jim turned to his crew that were present.
"We'll have orders soon; make sure you're prepared to leave." Jim reported.
They nodded. "Yes, sir,"
Jim smiled. "As much as I love you all, you need to leave to get ready." Jim remarked.
The crew nodded, and all but Spock left to gather their things in preparations to leave Earth once more, McCoy was the only one who grumbled about leaving.
"I best be going to," Pike started, Jim and Spock looked to him. "I need to make sure I get Luna's PADD to you before you leave, message me your allocated leaving time, and I'll get it to you." Pike said.
Jim frowned. "Shouldn't you know?" He asked.
Pike smiled. "Took some time off so I could participate helping you as well as be with you in court,"
Spock could see and feel how overwhelmed Jim was at his words.
Pike smiled when he could see Jim struggling for words. "It's going to be alright, son." Pike responded, with a nod.
Jim shakily nodded. "Yes, sir," He stumbled in saying.
Pike then turned to Sarek, Amanda and Elder-Spock. "Thank you for your contribution." Pike said formally.
The three nodded, "And to yours." Sarek responded as he, Spock and Elder-Spock held up separate farewell ta'al to see him off.
"I'll let you out." Amanda said.
Jim caught Elder-Spock's notch of his head in farewell, as he too followed Pike out, next to Amanda.
Jim sighed as he collapsed onto his bed, he could feel Spock's amusement from behind him.
"Let's never go to court again, 'Kay?" Jim groaned, moving over when he felt the mattress dip announcing Spock's arrival on the bed.
"I will endeavour to make sure, T'hy'la," Spock said.
Jim smiled tiredly, notching into his chest which his eyes closed, he could still feel Spock's arms encasing him.
"You're the best." Jim announced finally before falling asleep.
"As are you," Spock returned even though he knew Jim was asleep.
A/N: I hope this answers Fandoom_Heart (Ao3), hopefully it wasn't clichéd? Please tell it wasn't cliché! As I read your review saying Luna as a name was cliché, I may have cried and cringed. I'M SORRY IF I DISAPPOINTED YOU! *cries*
And I wonder if anyone got the reference as to why I named her Luna (aside from the picture, the space thing and her going IT'S A MOON! aside) I will remind you that this story is a time traveling story, and it will continue to be a time traveling story.
If not, Chapter five of Thrap-fam'es nufau t' du:
"Shields dropping, all weapons systems are offline!" Sulu started, "We're twenty thousand kilometres from Luna."
I'll just leave this here. What could it mean?!
