A/N: Here you are, the last chapter! As I mentioned previously, I had originally planned to end with Spock. Kirk had other plans. Many thanks to all my readers and especially those of you who reviewed. E grazie a tutti gli italiani che hanno letto il mio racconto!

Disclaimer is the same as ever.


Kirk

To his recently-acquired captain's eyes, it seemed a poor memorial. Just a simple plaque, followed by rows of simple metal nameplates that slowly oxidized in the ship's atmosphere. So small, and yet purchased by so dear a price…

"You okay, Jim?"

Startled out of his reverie, Jim turned at the familiar voice. Dr. Leonard McCoy was eyeing him with a mixture of amusement and concern.

"Yeah…yeah, I'm fine."

He glanced back at the (thankfully) small wall of names he had been contemplating a moment ago. One of them, shinier than the others, stood out slightly. Feeling Bones' gaze on his neck, Jim gave himself a mental shake and smiled at his friend.

"Chekov called down a minute ago; said we're in orbit. We'd better get up there."

McCoy shrugged, and they headed to the turbolift. Jim thumbed the button.

"What're you doing down here, anyway?" McCoy asked as soon as they were inside.

Jim still felt strangely thoughtful as he replied. "Reflecting, I guess."

McCoy's incredulous look precluded the need for a question. Jim couldn't help grinning.

"What? I do occasionally look before I leap!"

Bones snorted. With good reason, Jim conceded.

"I went to read the names. It helps…remind me what we've got at stake. You know, on away missions and stuff."

Jim felt thoroughly uncomfortable as the humor rapidly ebbed out of the conversation. He hated talking about feelings and all that crap. But hell, if he could do it with Spock, why not Bones?

McCoy acknowledged the seriousness of his statement, but could not keep the twinkle out of his eyes as he replied.

"Jim, I think that might be the most mature thing you've ever said!"

The air lightened again and Kirk chuckled. "Yeah, you're probably right."

The turbolift beeped, ending the exchange and signaling their arrival at the bridge. Jim took a deep breath and squared his broad shoulders.

The door opened, and Captain James T. Kirk stepped jauntily onto the bridge. He acknowledged the many good morning, sirs with a grin and a wave. First Officer Spock was already standing in straight-backed Vulcan serenity beside the captain's chair with cute little Yeoman Munro, who was doubtless trying to get Kirk's signature for some forgotten form.

Kirk nodded to his first officer and dropped into his chair. He glanced briefly at the yeoman (with Spock standing there, he couldn't do much else) before grabbing the tablet and scrawling his name where she indicated.

Yeoman Munro scurried away as quickly as Kirk released the stylus, stopping only to flash a very quick smile at someone over Kirk's shoulder. He ran an appraising eye over her figure as she fled. Turning back to face the viewscreen, he caught a sheepish Ensign Chekov in the act of doing the same. Kirk grinned at him, and waited until most of the bridge crew was looking back at their stations before flashing the kid a thumbs-up. Kirk knew Bones and Uhura were rolling their eyes somewhere behind him. Spock raised an eyebrow at him, but Kirk pretended not to notice.

"Status, Mr. Spock?" Kirk asked.

"We are in standard orbit around Nettuno II. The planet is class M, though apparently uninhabited by intelligent life and largely unexplored. We have orders to carry out a brief survey of local geology and biology to investigate if the planet merits further study by the Federation."

"Apparently uninhabited?" Dr. McCoy's sardonic drawl cut in. "Wouldn't that be a good thing to know for sure before we beam down?"

Spock turned to face the doctor. "Repeated sensor scans indicate the planet is devoid of cities or villages, power sources, or technology of any sort. Per Starfleet regulations, I believe this qualifies as 'uninhabited,' Doctor."

McCoy's eyes flashed and he opened his mouth to retort. Kirk raised an intervening hand from his seat between them, smirking. It was amazing how long the Vulcan and the doctor would bicker, if left to their own devices.

"But just in case the sensors are wrong, they want us to check it out?"

"That is correct, Captain."

"Great. Just great."

"Oh come on, Bones. Where's your sense of adventure?"

"Down in Sickbay, I'd expect. Which is where I should be, not following you around on one of your fool adventures."

Kirk chuckled at the doctor's morose expression and hopped out of his chair.

"Ready to go where no man's gone before, Mr. Chekov?"

"Aye, ser!" came the enthusiastic response.

"Mr. Sulu, you have the conn."

"Aye, sir."

Spock fell in step with Captain Kirk as they headed for the transporter room, followed by McCoy and Chekov. Kirk jumped the step onto the transporter platform. As usual, the Vulcan went immediately to his side. The two security officers, Amundsen and Ito, were already there and in position for beam down. To Kirk's amusement (and great relief), Chekov was practically bouncing with excitement. Chief Engineer Scott was smiling at him as he evaded McCoy's questions about the transporter's recent maintenance history.

Here they were, all ready and willing to venture into the unknown. Despite the potential risk, the potential cost. It was a much more fitting requiem, Captain Kirk thought, than bits of metal stuck on a bulkhead. He straightened his shoulders proudly before giving the order to send them to the alien world below.

"Energize."


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