Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Thanks to GC for looking this over. Thanks for all the reviews! You guys make my day!
Torture was not uncommon amongst members of Star Fleet. First Contact was not always as easy as the professors at the Academy had made it look in their holos. Natives had their own ways of dealing with strange aliens, and they usually all involved some sort of physical restraint or sensory depriving techniques. However, in all Kirk's years of service with the Federation, never before had he been so subjected to so much anguish as a brunch with the Admiralty.
Taking a deep breath in the California sunshine, Kirk adjusted the collar of his dress uniform and ran his hands through his blonde hair. "Was it that bad?" A voice over his left shoulder called out.
Straightening immediately and trying to wipe the frustrated scowl from his face, Kirk turned to face his accuser. He had expected to see one of the Admirals behind him, but instead he found a very amused Nyota Uhura. "Yes, it was that bad. Now can we please go somewhere that doesn't hold the universal record for the most assholes in one room?" He pulled her along by her elbow, whispering in her ear. After that awful meeting, Kirk had been left feeling like a piece of meat. He would be happy to go on his date and get it over with; after all he was under no illusion that his partner would be treating him any different. But watching the older men in that room size him up like he was on the auction block for the world to see was quite unnerving.
Hiding her giggle behind her hand, Uhura allowed Kirk to steer her around the Academy grounds towards the transport station. They had an appointment at the high-end boutique on the other side of town. "I've got everything set up for you. The women there are the best, Jim. They will have their best selections laid out; all you have to do is pick the one you want. I have the flowers ordered, Sulu and Chekov have volunteered to get them for you." She could tell by the way he was clenching his jaw he was trying to be as grateful as the situation allowed. He was being forced into this, but at least his crew was by his side.
Kirk merely nodded as they climbed aboard the transport. His eyes were focused on the view of the city outside the window. Uhura didn't know if he was truly that interested in the view or if he was trying not to notice how everyone else on board couldn't seem to turn their eyes away from the famous captain. Before the Communications Officer could stop herself, she began to hope that whoever won this date treated her beloved commanding officer with the respect and dignity that he deserved. As she watched his features harden with the more eyes that fell on his attractive face, she even began to wish that she had entered an essay so that she might have been considered. Not that she wanted a date with Kirk, she just wanted to insure that he was treated like a human being on this outing.
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The shop was very picturesque and reminiscent of the old San Fran with its bright colors and decorative murals on the three walls and its large storefront windows. It was not the place that Kirk would have ever thought Uhura would have stepped foot in, much less shopped at. However when the duo walked through the door, both of the older women came rushing from the back, wrapping the young woman in a tight hug. They began to chatter back and forth in a language that was not Standard and, Kirk was pleased to note, was not Klingon. Folding his hands, Kirk stood to the side and watched their animated faces as they greeted one another.
Finally, Uhura turned back to him, smiling wide. "Aunts, this is Captain Kirk." Both women immediately moved to stand next to him. Uhura watched as Kirk smiled and held firm under their scrutiny. While this horrible contest was degrading to her Captain, she was thankful for the opportunity to see the man behind the mask, to learn more about him than what he seemed. He was not the skirt-chasing playboy cadet she had thought him when they first met. He was a man of high moral standard and a heart of gold. But that was a little secret between the two of them.
The older of the two inspected every inch of the Caucasian with her critical sewing eye. "You are sixteen and half neck with a thirty-four inch sleeve." It was not a question. Kirk merely nodded.
Her sister nodded in agreement as well. "Your pants size is a thirty one, but to be comfortable tonight I will get you a thirty two. You are going to be eating, my dear." She winked and Kirk couldn't help but relax, somehow he knew that he had passed their unmentioned test.
Turning expectantly at their niece, the two sisters waited for Uhura. "He wears a size fourteen shoe." Her cheeks burned with color, as she avoided Kirk's gaze.
Kirk was surprised. The older women smiled brightly, the same smile Uhura gave when she was pleased, and they disappeared into the back. "So I take it this was your summer job while going through the Academy?" He turned to face his friend, no mocking or condensing.
Slightly surprised that Kirk had not taken the opportunity to poke fun at her skill, Uhura nodded. "These are my father's sisters. Anisa is the older one and Ashaki is the younger one. They helped raise me. I came here on weekends and during the summer to help them." She smiled at the fond memories. Kirk didn't press her for any more information, not that he had time, the two sisters were already heading back. Each loaded down with supplies for the night's event.
Anisa held out her load to Kirk. "This is everything you will need for tonight. I've matched the blue of the vest and tie to your eyes, Captain." She nodded politely.
Before he could think about the consequences, Kirk reached and pulled the woman into a tight hug. "Thank you so much for doing this." He felt as if these women were extensions of his own 'family'.
Clearing her throat to remind her guest of where he was and who he was holding, Kirk let her go. "We are very happy to help. Our Nyota has told us much about you." Anisa smiled at her niece and turned back to the Captain. "We extend our family to you, Jim. You are welcomed, and any time you are in San Francisco you must stop by and see us." She raised an eyebrow, leaving no room for argument.
Nodding happily, Kirk smiled. "Yes ma'am." He turned to face Uhura and Ashaki.
Handing her niece her package, Ashaki grinned. "We have been holding on to this dress for a long time and while it's not the celebration we were hoping for it will work." She winked. "Plus now we can find another dress for you, that is if that 'special' man ever finds the courage to ask you out." Pulling Nyota close she hugged her once more.
Smiling happily, Uhura thanked her aunts and pulled Kirk from the store before they had a chance to corner the unsuspecting male and get information out of him. Slinging their dress bags over their shoulders, they walked back to the grounds, side by side.
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The small dressing room was overcrowded. Scotty and Sulu had already changed and were keeping watching outside. Chekov was helping Bones tie his bowtie in the far corner, while Uhura and Chapel were trying out different hairstyles on Kirk in the middle of the room. Spock had not been seen or heard from since much earlier in the day. The entire Command crew of the Enterprise wore complimentary colors to accent Kirk's azure. The men were in black tuxedoes trimmed in silver and both women were in azure and silver gowns. They were a united front; Kirk would not have to suffer alone.
Growing more anxious by the moment, Kirk kept rubbing his palms on his thighs while his hair went from sleek to spiky and back again. "Tell me one more time what is going to happen?" In times of stress Kirk always went over the plan again and again to help remain focused.
This time it was Chekov who answered. "Ve vill all get paraded around in front of the Command, zen zey vill announce ze vinners and you vill leawe to hawe a lowely time and ve vil get drunk." He slapped his Captain on the shoulder.
Kirk rolled his eyes at Chekov's reflection. "I think I might have a drink or two myself. How much longer?" He pleaded with the women.
Chapel laughed. "Beauty takes time." Uhura giggled with her.
Bones grunted. "He looks more like a poodle than a damned officer. His date isn't going to want him by the time you two get through, but that might be a good thing. It'll make this whole thing null and void and we can all go home and enjoy what little time we have left on Earth." Leaning forward he attempted to spike the blonde's hair up further only to have Uhura slap his hand away.
The shorter woman glared up at Bones. "If you touch a single hair on this finely sculpted head, I'll shave you bald." She turned back to her work. The stunned physician was making a beeline for the door not wanting to test her resolve. Chekov followed the older man's example, making sure the door shut behind them.
Kirk couldn't help but smirk, watching his crew. They were one big, extended family. Uhura turned her attention back to him and began sculpting his hair once more. "I should have gotten a hairdresser that wasn't a perfectionist." Uhura glared at him as she put even more gel in his hair. Smiling back, Kirk let his mind drift to the night. For once he had no apprehension for what the evening would hold; his only concern now was what had happened to Spock.
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The banquet hall was full. Every available member of the Fleet had shown up. The crowd was a mixture of blue, gold and red dress uniforms. Every member of the Federation had at least one representative present. The black tie event had become the must-attend gala of the year. Word of the hero Jim Kirk had spread like wild fire.
Behind the curtain Kirk waited. Command and his crew would be seated on the stage. The audience would be seated at tables, where they would have their dinner. Currently, everyone was greeting one another and taking their places. Bones had learned they were charging a hefty admission to the event. All the money would go towards a memorial for those killed by Nero. Some how, even knowing what he was raising funds for didn't help Kirk relax and feel any less of a side-show freak. Watching the Ambassadors and World Leaders mingle knowing they were there to see him auctioned off like a damn dog made the bile rise in his throat.
Stepping back, Kirk took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "This is the most degrading thing I have ever been through." He whispered to no one in particular.
Someone had come to stand beside him. "You'll be ok, Jim. Tomorrow morning this will all be a bad nightmare. We won't let anyone tease you about it." Sulu tired to comfort his superior officer.
Kirk had to smile. His friends were right, even though they had doubted him, they were still on his side. "Just as long as Joanna McCoy isn't the winner." He opened his eyes and turned to the Asian.
Before Sulu could answer, Bones came into view. "That is not funny Jim! And if you don't stop joking about my baby girl, I've got a hypo in my pocket that will have you drooling like a dental patient on your date!" He hissed.
Holding his hands up in surrender, Kirk nodded in agreement. "I know, I know. I'll stop." He smiled.
A Yeomen came to direct them to their seats on the stage, Bones led the way with Chekov and Sulu behind him, then Chapel and Uhura with Kirk last. When they rounded the corner, the crowd erupted into applause, but when Kirk came into the spot light, he received a standing ovation. Applause, shouts of encouragement and whistles erupted from the floor. Of all the responses Kirk had been prepared for these sounds of actual gratitude surprised him. He was almost fooled into thinking these people understood what he was going through.
Then Admiral Nadem took the microphone. "I want to thank you all for coming to this first annual event!" The crew at Kirk's side tensed. Spock really needed to be up here to argue that point. "We have had an explosion in interest in the Academy, which is exactly what we wanted. Recruits have already doubled in the last week. So a little of Captain Kirk's time is well worth the continuation of Star Fleet." He didn't bother to turn around and face the man behind him, or to verify that it was Bones that was growling at him.
He straightened his back, smiling for the crowd. Kirk was sure this guy was the Director of Public Relations. "We had two million entries into the contest. Everyone had great reasons for why Star Fleet and the Federation are so important to the peace keeping of the galaxy. It was hard to narrow down the handful of top essays. The Command would like to thank everyone who took the time to send in an essay." The room erupted into polite applause.
He took an envelope out of his pocket. "After the winner is announced, Captian Kirk and his date will exit the arena and dinner will be served to all of our guests. Please take the time to thank all of our service men and women." He took a big breath and ripped open the letter. "Contestants, when I call your name please stand. Without further ado, the top five contestants are: Lieutenant Jason 'Cupcake' Giotto, Jocelyn McCoy, Carol Marcus, T'Pau and Commander Spock."
A/N: Thanks for reading
Dom… dom…dom…
First, Uhura's aunts names were picked from a list of Bantu baby names online lol
Second… who do you want to win? My end for this story has been all over… So you give me your ideas The next chapter will be IT
And if you don't know, in the original time line, Carol Marcus was the mother of Kirk's only son David Marcus… just so you all know