A/N: Here's the next chapter. The last chapter will be next, and then I'll be starting the sequel, which I've dubbed, "May It Continue". I need votes, because the last chapter is when Lyndsey makes her decision and I want to have May It Continue focus on the relationship between either Jim and Lyndsey or Bones and Lyndsey. Hope you enjoy this chapter! It's kind of spotty toward the explosion and the end of the Narada, but it smoothes out after. I just didn't know what to write for that part.

Chapter 10

Crazy Girl

"Crazy girl

Don't you know that I love you?

I wouldn't dream of going nowhere

Silly woman

Come here let me hold you

Have I told you lately

I love you like crazy girl?"

-Crazy Girl by Eli Young Band

"All I'm saying is, the math just doesn't add up."

They'd all come back to the bridge with different ideas. Lyndsey's idea had been sound but Sulu had shot it down, saying the flying was just too risky. It had earned him a glare and a snarky remark from Lyndsey. They had been discussing Jim's plan when Chekov practically galloped over and stood between Jim and Lyndsey. "Captain! Captain!" The young ensign was excited, and it was infectious. Lyndsey caught on and laughed as Jim turned to face him. "Yes, yes. What is it Chekov?"

The ensign began telling his plan to the captain. It seemed sound, but she was no astrophysicist. The ensign was a genius, proven from what she'd seen so far. There was no doubt in her mind that his plan was sound. Scotty appeared nearby, now listening to the conversation, dressed in engineering red. "Aye that might work."

Lyndsey nodded in agreement before turning to McCoy who promptly spoke his opinion on the matter. "Wait a minute kid. How old are you?"

"Seventeen sir!" He proudly stated. Lyndsey smiled at him. "I think your plan will work. It's really a good plan in my opinion, despite everyone else's thoughts."

A familiar voice etched through their thoughts. "Doctor, Ensign Chekov is correct. I can confirm the telemetry."

Lyndsey turned around to look at the Vulcan, a smile on her face. They needed someone like him on with the plan. If anyone could confirm it better than Chekov, it had to be Spock. The Vulcan stated his plan in association with Chekov's, saying he would go alone since he knew he could most likely figure out the technology, with Vulcan and Romulus having a common ancestry. Jim protested that he would be going with him, and the younger Vulcan resigned.

"I would site regulation but I know you would simply ignore it."

"See. We are getting to know each other."

She watched as her friend slapped the Vulcan's shoulder and he headed toward the turbo-lift. She followed them with acute interest. "I'm going to monitor your life signs from the transporter room. That way, I'll be able to help if anything goes wrong."

Spock seemed intrigued with her behavior. "That is…very logical doctor," He said. Lyndsey laughed. "Well thank you Spock…I think."

She pulled up a chair next to Scotty as Spock and Jim got on the transporter pad. Scotty had been prepping the pad for transport and Lyndsey had been doing a routine check to make sure both men's life signs were completely clear. When she moved to Jim, Uhura came up to Spock. Both Jim and Lyndsey were a bit confused when they kissed, but Jim brushed it off and turned to her. "No kiss for me, Lynds?"

The redhead shrugged. "You really don't deserve it, scoundrel." She joked and he pretended to pout. "You'll get it when you deserve it." Lyndsey said with a laugh. Jim smiled. "Well, I'll just have to earn it then, won't I?"

They were interrupted when Scotty cleared his throat and Lyndsey immediately got off the pad. "Well if there's any consideration on the build of that ship, I should be putting you somewhere in the cargo bay. Shouldn't be a soul in sight."

"Let's do it."

As the white light flittered around them, Jim looked straight at Lyndsey, mouthing, "I love you."

She couldn't help feeling a hot blush on her cheeks.

Over the bit of time she'd been in the transporter room, Lyndsey had gotten to know the Scottish Engineer. Scotty was the typical engineer, being in love with his ship. He also had a huge love for sandwiches and was so glad he was off Delta Vega. On mentioning she was Italian, he immediately began to ask her about the types of sandwiches she would have in her home country. She grinned at his enthusiasm and they'd been debating meat types when a "Beam us out!" came over the conn. Scotty taped out a few calculations flawlessly as Lyndsey called medical.

Bones rushed in as they appeared and Jim handed Captain Pike off to McCoy. Taking Lyndsey in his arms in a tight hug, he let go and motioned her to come along to the bridge.

"Hail them now."

"Aye."

She stood behind the Captain's chair, watching the screen. The romulan had to be Nero. A shiver went down her spine. He was definitely an imposing figure. Jim offered to help them in a hope of making peace, but the romulan said no. It didn't shock Lyndsey at all, but as they fired on the ship, her stomach dropped as the ship was swallowed in a large black hole.

They'd gotten out of that situation with the help of Scotty's idea of ejecting the warp core. On getting back to earth, Lyndsey had been put in charge of studying the centurion slug venom. Jim's commendation and award ceremony was tomorrow and she still had to pick up her dress uniform, which wasn't more than a nicer version of her cadet reds.

On making her way back to the main office, she remembered it was Jim's birthday. She sighed. Jim always made himself scarce, since his dad had died on that day. She knew exactly where he'd be, so on her way, she replicated a cake and walked towards where she knew he'd be.

Of course she'd been right. Jim was standing in front of the Starfleet war memorial, looking at the section for The Kelvin. The memorial itself was a commonplace for Lyndsey, the memorial for her father's ship only a little farther down from the Kelvin piece. Pictures flashed of George Kirk, the Kelvin's captain for twelve minutes. After placing the cake down in front of him, she wrapped her arm around his waist. He in turn, wrapped an arm around her shoulder and held her against him. She lightly touched the name with her fingers.

"Hey Captain. Your son turns twenty-four today. I know you're proud of him, and you're with him all the time. He misses you, a lot. I know we'll see you one day, and I can't wait to meet my best friend's dad. Tell my papa I love him and keep him out of trouble okay? Thanks Mister Kirk. Rest in peace, sir."

Jim tightened his grip on her shoulder in a side hug. "Thanks Lyndsey. That means a lot to me."

She smiled. "You would do the same for me, but back to the present. I brought cake, and you shouldn't be alone on your birthday."

"Is it that squishy cake your mom makes?"

"Same recipe, but it's replicated. Definitely not the same as my mom's home made stuff."

Jim shrugged. "Same recipe or not, it doesn't matter. Let's try it."

They sat down and cut the cake, eating in silence until Lyndsey spoke. "Len wants me to go see him in Georgia later. I'd beam back here late tonight. I don't know what to do."

"Don't go." Jim said shortly. "It's easy as that Lyndsey."

She shook her head. "Trust me, I've thought about that. I don't think that'll work."

He sighed. "I don't know then. We start work tomorrow afternoon. You know how tired you get when you don't get enough rest." He said and she punched his shoulder lightly. "Only you would know that and if anyone else does, I'm gonna make you regret it James Tiberius Kirk."

She leaned back and laid in the grass, Jim following suite. She looked over at him and smiled. "This is so familiar."

He reached over and took her hand. "That old field in Riverside right? We used to just lay on the grass and talk." He said and she looked at him incredulously. "You remember that?" she asked. He nodded, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand.

"Course I do. That's when I realized I felt something more for you than friendship. I'll never forget thinking your hair was like the sunset."

She smiled and Jim returned it. "I think what I like the most about you is your smile. It's always hundred watt. I love your smile, and it's a constant reminder that there's good in this world."

She looked up at the sky. "It's really different now isn't it?" She asked. He shook his head. "I don't think its that different. We're just older."

She scoot over, layer her hand on his chest. He in turn, curled his arm around her shoulder.

They had been sitting there for a while when Lyndsey looked alarmed. "I need to send Leo an apology note."

She tried to get up but Jim held her there. "Just wait, you can send it later. I don't want you to go just yet. I need you here with me. Spending time with you is what I wanted for my birthday."

A/N: Oh, I hope that wasn't corny. I don't think I deserve any of my reviewers. You all are so amazing. No flames, PM criticism, feedback NEEDED. : ) I hope this is all your expectations. I tried to make this more of a Jim/Lynds centered chapter.

Rachel.