Previously- Kalel was getting changed in her newly allocated room upon the Enterprise when Kirk paid her a visit. Not being a lover of dresses Kalel asks if she can change her red dress into a shirt. As she was personalising the dress Kirk asked her why she joined Star Fleet. Kalel told him about her old boss which led to another, more intimate moment between the two. The moment was interrupted by McCoy and all three we called to the bridge.
Romulus or Remus.
They walked to the bridge in silence. Kirk and Kalel felt like naughty children who had been caught with their hand in the biscuit tin. McCoy had not said anything but was breathing heavy and walking at an incredibly fast speed.
He was furious. McCoy knew that Kalel got around but never imagined...Kirk was his best friend and didn't exactly stick with one girl himself. Either way he saw it, McCoy was going to be left picking up the pieces. Kalel could fall in love with Jim and he could tear her heart out. Or it could go the other way. One way or the other he was probably going to lose one of them.
The door slid open and the three of them walked into the centre of the bridge. Spock turned to face them.
"Captain...Whilst disabling the shield, Lieutenant Uhura and I encountered the leader of the Romulan miners." His back was straight and his hands were behind his back.
Kirk sat down in the chair, resting his foot on the edge, Kalel was leaning against the console the Sulu was. McCoy was stood, resting his head on his hand, his glance flicking between Kirk and Kalel, brows furrowed.
Uhura spoke next.
"Captain, his name is Kylor Tr'dor. He said that he had found a metal that would be explosive if it touches water and fire."
Kirk raised his eyebrows and looked at Spock and Kalel. "Is that possible?"
"I may have been there for four months but I heard nothing about any special metals or anything." Kalel replied.
"As far as I could tell he was not lying Jim."
"What else did he say?"
"That he intends to use it on his planets leaders."
Kirk nodded in acknowledgement. "Uhura can we contact Romulus or Remus from here?"
She gave a short nod, turned to sit at her console and began to tap away.
"On screen."
An elderly Romulan man appeared on the main screen. He looked stern and unamused at Kirk's interruption to what ever he was doing.
"Sir, I am Capitan James T. Kirk of the U.S.S Enterprise."
That was the most professional Kalel had seen Kirk in the brief time she had known him. She had to admit, she preferred the flirty version of him better, he was much more fun.
"I am Praetor Darok. You have disturbed me during important negotiations so this had better be just as important." His voice was as dry and as stern as he looked.
Kirk continued, "We have information that a Romulan man named Kylor Tr'Dor may intend to attack you and your fellow leaders. However we don't know whether he will attack Romulus or Remus."
The Romulan man hummed to himself.
"So let me get this straight Capitan. You believe that this individual will attack our leaders. Tell me do you have any proof what so ever?"
"No, but you can't just sit idly by..."
"You presume to tell me what to do with my own planet and leaders. You are going on the word of a crazed individual. No, Capitan you have no proof so if you'll excuse me I will return to the truly important things that I have to attend to."
The screen went black leaving everyone stunned. A few moments went by in silence.
"Well he was a chipper fella." everyone turned to face the Scotsman in the corner.
"Any one else get the feeling he knows more that he's letting on?" asked Kirk.
Kalel chuckled before saying what everyone was thinking. "Sooo...what now?"
Kirk looked into her olive eyes. He had expected her to look away but she didn't. She looked right back into his causing the side of his mouth to curl up a little.
"We go anyway. In two teams, one to Romulus and one to Remus."
"You realise, Jim, that the Romulans will probably be on the look out for the Enterprise after that." chimed in McCoy, trying to hide his anger. "You do have a reputation."
"He has a point..."
"Don't side with me Kal."
Kalel rolled her eyes.
"You child." the annoyance in her voice was apparent, "Do you have a ship that doesn't scream hey we're from Star Fleet?"
Everyone could sense the tension building. Spock glanced at Uhura who shrugged her shoulders.
"Oh, if you think I'm gonna let you go..." McCoy's hand dropped to his side, fury in his eyes.
"Let me go where, Leo? Anywhere near Romulans or anywhere near Jim, hmm." her voiced was laced with exasperation.
McCoy stood frozen to the spot.
"I'm a grown woman. I can fend for myself."
Kalel stormed out of the bridge not really knowing where she was going. McCoy could feel everyones eyes on him. He sighed heavily and headed to the med bay.
All eyes now switched to Kirk who was still sat in the chair feeling slightly more awkward than he did before. Gradually everyone went back to their stations, everyone bar Spock and Uhura.
Uhura stood arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. Spock stood in the same position as before.
"Jim..."
"I know Spock."
He rose from the chair and headed after McCoy.
McCoy was busying himself with organising the medical supplies in the cabinet. Kirk watched him for while, trying to decide what he was going to say and trying to judge just how pissed off McCoy was.
Deciding to grin and bear it, Kirk sat on the bed next to McCoy.
"Bones listen."
"Don't wanna hear it." McCoy never looked up.
"Your relationship with your cousin is more important than me and her. You have my word I will stop flirting with her and she won't come down to Romulus with me. She can lead the team that goes to Remus. This is her fight as well, she'll probably want to go to one of the Romulan planets."
McCoy sighed before looking at Kirk.
"She's right Jim. She's not a child anymore."
"It's understandable that you want to protect her. Especially after everything with her father and her boss..."
McCoy's eyes widened. His head shot to face Kirk.
"She told you?"
Kirk nodded slowly, unsure of what that meant.
"She's never...She must feel really comfortable around you. She's never told anyone about those things...ever."
McCoy gave a small chuckle as he rubbed his face.
"Jim, do what's best for the Romulans not what's best for me. In high school, Kalel did gymnastics and pretty much every fighting thing she could. If she would be more use with you, then take her."
Kirk held out his hand for McCoy to shake. Instead McCoy pulled him into a hug.
"Er...what have you done with the old Bones?" jested Kirk, his playful smile returning to his face.
"I should go talk to her." McCoy patted Kirk's shoulder before leaving.
Kalel was sat on the bed in her room. Tears were sliding down her face as she plaited her hair into a fish plait.
It was her life and she could do what she wanted. She didn't need Leonard to protect her anymore. That's why she trained so much when she was a teen, spurred on by the fact McCoy got married. Kalel could no longer rely on him, not when he had other things to focus on.
The light at the side of the room door flashed. With a sigh Kalel walked over and pushed the button, opening the door, wiping the tears away as she went.
She was greeted by a man covering his face with... an old school chess set?
"Can I help you?"
"That depends on whether you wanna forgive your overprotective cousin." The man lowered the chess set to reveal a rather sheepish McCoy behind.
Kalel indicated for McCoy to enter as she walked over to the sofa.
"Kal..."
She punched him on the arm, a smile on her face.
"Are we gonna play or what?"
A few games later, McCoy had lost all of them, the mood had become considerably lighter. Well, Kalel's had but McCoy had moved from anger about his best friend and his cousin to anger about losing so many games of chess.
"What do...how do you...erm." McCoy rubbed the back of his neck.
Kalel turned slowly to face him, her smile had turned into a big grin. Luckily for him Kalel knew what he wanted to say.
"I can't deny that there isn't anything there, Leo. It's, not like the others. I even told him about Dad."
Her eyes began to well up again. McCoy put his arm around her pulling her closer.
"I felt, I feel comfortable around him, safe even."
McCoy let her go so she could take her turn on the chess board. As she waited for McCoy to take his turn she grabbed a jacket from her closet. McCoy however didn't take his go but just watched Kalel.
"If you and Jim want to...then who am I to stand in the way." he said as she pulled on the black jacket. "You never forbade me to marry, so I should let at least let you date."
Kalel wiped her eyes and hugged McCoy tightly.
By old school chess I mean they aren't playing the 3D one.
I didn't know how to say the line "the annoyance in her voice was apparent" in another way. If you can think of something let me know because I don't like that line. I would appreciate the help. Thank You.
