Jim took a deep breath as the car pulled in front of the Embassy. Gaila, looking stunning in the dark green dress, squeezed his hand. He smiled at her gratefully. He was not ashamed to admit that he was nervous. He always hated these things, but, now, he was nervous for a whole new reason. His brother was attending this one and he couldn't skip out on it since it was on Earth and half the galaxy turned out for it. He climbed out of the car and held out his hand for Gaila to assist her out of the car, well aware of the scandal it would cause for any Vulcan's to observe this. Gaila was thinking the same thing and winked at him. Both of them loved scandalizing people and doing the unexpected. He held out his arm and led her into the Embassy. As soon as they entered, they were the source of instant gossip. They smiled at each other when they realised this. They were going to have so much fun with this.
Jim quickly spots his parents and leads Gaila over to them. Amanda's eyes glinted with mischief. She was having as much fun with the scandal that her son and date were causing as they were. Even Sarek looked as amused as a Vulcan can be when he saw his adopted son.
'Mother, Father' said Jim politely 'may I introduce my date, Gaila? Gaila, this is my father Sarek and my mother Amanda'
Sarek nodded to Gaila, while Amanda surprised them all by hugging Gaila. You would think that they would have started anticipating her actions, but they were as clueless as ever. Amanda pulled back.
'It is wonderful to meet you dear' she said 'Surel has told me so much about you' both Gaila and Amanda laughed as Jim face palmed.
'I'm sure you have some interesting stories about Jim' said Gaila 'ones that I would love to hear' they laughed.
'That, my son' said Sarek 'would be our, as you humans say, queue to leave.' Jim laughed slightly.
'I would have to agree father' he said as they made their getaway. The two women's laughter followed them. Neither of them regretted their retreat.
For the next hour Jim made the rounds, talking with many people. He did not get to see Gaila until the dinner began. She was, after all, seated next to him. Jim thought that they evening was turning out to be pretty successful. He had been given several new projects to work on, hadn't spoken to his brother and Gaila seemed to be a hit. He should have known that it was too good to last.
A woman with light blue eyes and cornflower blond hair marched up to his table. There was silence instantly.
'Who do you think you are?' she demanded 'you can't talk to important people, you're not important enough as demonstrated by bringing an Orion slut to a dinner for a famed scientist.'
Vulcan's are a hard race to anger and with that declaration; every Vulcan had fury on their faces. Even the rest of the guests were angry. Jim raised his hand so that no one would speak, but him. He stood slowly.
'Who are you?' he asked, his voice was like ice. He drew herself up proudly.
'I am Commander Winona Kirk' she said 'and you are the disgrace of a son I left on Vulcan. I had hoped that they would have just let you die.' The room grew tenser. How was she not registering that she was pissing off people who could take away her job. Jim raised his hand once again.
'Who, exactly, do you think I am?' he asked icily.
'My no good mistake of a son James Tiberius Kirk' she said disgustedly.
'Wrong' he said. She blinked in surprise. 'I am Surel, son of Ambassador Sarek and Amanda, Advisor of the Vulcan Science Academy. The person who we are celebrating this night. The Orion has a name. She is Gaila. For a Commander in Starfleet and the Federation, you are surprisingly xenophobic. '
'There is no way in hell that you would be Surel' she hissed. This time Jim simply nodded to his father.
'I will not have you disrespect my son like this' he said in a voice that scared the hell out of every single person here. Winona still seemed doubtful.
'And who are you?' she asked 'Someone he paid to say that.'
This time the silence was deafening.
'I suggest you leave.' said a voice from behind Jim. It was Spock 'You have disrespected my brother, father, race and the women my brother cares about. He is not James Tiberius Kirk. He hasn't been since you decided to piss off an entire planet that cherishes children by abandoning him, causing diplomatic problems that are still being dealt with. I would advise you not to push me and my fellow Vulcan's much further on account that we are allowed to kill if we get angry enough and you Former Commander Winona Kirk'
It finally hits her that she has made a mistake. She decides to turn the Vulcan's against Jim.
'Why would anyone care for that brat?' she asked 'he cost me my husband and is nothing but a burden.'
A Vulcan's control snaps slightly, and she is literally thrown out of the Embassy. Thrown out through a window. It's ironic as it was not the family of Jim that attacked Winona, rather a Vulcan who despises Jim for his intellect. He then turns to the house of Surel.
'I apologise for breaking the window' said Stone 'I did not mean to be so... messy, however it was the fastest way to get rid of that woman.'
'It is acceptable' said Sarek 'Though you will pay for the repairs' Stone nodded. Sarek turned to the guests. 'Let's not ruin this night because of one illogical woman. A toast; To Surel'
'To Surel'
As the chatter started up again, Jim turned to his estranged brother.
'Thank you brother' he said 'for what you said.'
'You are my brother' said Spock 'it is time we resumed our brotherhood.' Jim smiled and nodded.
'In that case,' said Jim 'Spock, may I introduce my date Gaila?'
Amanda and Jim watched on in pride as they saw their sons repair their broken relationship. After diner, a slow song began to play. Jim turned to Gaila.
'May I have this dance?' he asked softly. Gaila smiled and nodded.
As they danced, the many guests watched on in awe and pride in the young Cadet. He had been through a lot in one night and still had the strength to celebrate what he had left. He did what was in his heart. They all knew, in that moment, Vulcan's included, that Jim would be an incredible Captain in Starfleet and an amazing Admiral. His name would go down in history and Gaila would be right there at his side.
If only there was a way to insure that this moment would last forever. But, in at the Campus, a dark mind was planning. He not only wanted Jim's fame, but he wanted to destroy Jim. It didn't matter what they once were. Jim didn't deserve to have everything and this one person was intent upon stealing everything that he had achieved.
