A/N: Thanks for bearing with me so far! And to the lovely reviewers- you're all wonderful. :)

Jim sat and leaned against the grand oak. If he could see, he would have had a beautiful vision of the sun setting over his property that he had bought 4 years ago.

It was a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Ever since his heart attack 8 years ago, he needed a bit less stress in his life. It was most unfortunate that the incident that occurred during his heart attack actually caused more stress than expected.

Peter. Emily. His family.

They were sick of the delusions that Jim believed in firmly. It was Enterprise this or Enterprise that. They hadn't disowned him. They were just not affirming or understanding that what Jim experienced was real. Jim couldn't handle the hostility. He still loved them all very much. But his soul told him there was something, someone, waiting out there in the stars.

Jim moved to live an isolated life in the country. It wasn't as hard as he expected. The peace and lack of judgment from others was doing wonders. He could still do his writing and Jade had lots of room to exercise around the acres of land.

Had.

Jim ran his fingers softly over the gravestone which had her name etched into it. The oak tree sheltered the grave site, its great and mighty branches guarded Jade's soul. His companion of over a decade, the only one who understood Jim... was gone. Her vibrancy and love erased. Jim still remembered vividly the day she died.

Jim had woken up in the night as he often did and whistled to her. The warmth on his feet remained still. He whistled for her again. There was still no response. He leaned up in bed, his back aching slightly and reached out his hands toward her. A still form met him. She was curled up into a ball, her head on her front paws; her body was still warm. He leapt out of bed and went to her side.

"Jade." He had said firmly, shaking her gently to wake up. There was nothing. Jade was gone. Jim scrunched up her fur into his hands and put his face near hers, clinging to his companion.

"No..." he choked. He lay holding her and crying for an indeterminate amount of time. The property was completely silent except for the muffled sobs of a man mourning his dog.

These years have been so hard, Jim had thought, How will I do it without you my precious girl?

"Godspeed Jade."

His thoughts returned to the present as he heard someone approach him. He stood up wary. He didn't often receive guests.

"Mr. Kirk?" the man asked. Jim nodded mutely as he grabbed his cane and walked towards the man.

"I have a message to tell you from Emily and Peter Stewart. They would like you to be informed of the birth of their second child, a boy whom they have called James in your honour. They would very much like to see you again and they request you ring them on the telephone or send an email to catch up."

Jim had not answered his phone in quite some time; he wasn't surprised that a messenger had been sent around. Emily and Peter had been married in the height of the hostilities and so he had not been invited to the wedding. Jim couldn't have been more heartbroken. He had dreamed of the day where he could stand with Peter as his best man and support his friend.

Things were friendlier again now, but the intimate friendship they had was forever gone. Jim was slightly surprised at the naming choice for their child, but it was flattering. Peter obviously recognised that Jim was still his friend, even if they drove each other insane at times. He would give them a call later to say congratulations. This new child was a reminder of his age. Had it really been 15 years since he'd lost his memory or rather, since he'd been on the Enterprise?

"Thank you."

The messenger turned on his feet and walked away whistling an old tune that Jim thought he recognised.

With me, disaster finds a playfield,

Love seems to draw dark, twisted pleasure tearing at me,

Cos I can't let you go.

Another place and time, without a great divide

And we could be flying deadly high

I'll sell my soul to dream you wide awake.

Jim hummed the tune to himself as the sun dipped down and allowed the night to overtake the sky. A chill passed through Jim and he started to head back to the house. He then recognised the sound of footfalls once more. He spun around on the dirt track back to the house.

"Who's there?" He said forcefully. He didn't like not knowing who was approaching.

"There is no need for alarm, Jim." A familiar voice said. "I have been and always shall be your friend."