Ok maybe it's a cheesy section with the Nickleback song referenced in the chapter here but I recently walked into my niece's room, who is tweleve, and saw her and her friends rocking out to it acting so cool as middle school kids are. She inspired me as she has done for several other snippets in this series. As adults maybe we should rock out more and be as cool as a middle schooler! Life may be more fun that way. Read and review!

Ch 10 Split Decisions

CLASSROOM

"Kate," Joanna says running up to her best friend and giving her a hug. "What happened last night?" She is very concerned about Kate. Jo, unlike her friends, heard Jim's panicked call to her father at 2300 hours last night. Her father had woken her from a dead sleep sometime later and just hugged her for a long time. Joanna has her father's nurturing nature and knows something far more important occurred than a little party.

"I heard you kicked some Klingon ass." Ronin says with a grin biting the end of his stylus. This causes everyone in the room to direct their attention solely on Kate.

She shrugs and sits down in a chair at the back of the room. "Dude, who shit in your Wheaties this morning?" Ronin says followed by "Ouch!" as Erika punches him in the shoulder really hard. "What?" Ronin says rubbing his shoulder.

"You're such a fucking idiot." Erika glares at him. The other starship kids sit amazed at the display going on with the Enterprise kids. With as crazy as the past four days of the peace conference have been, school was basically cancelled on the Enterprise due to lack of teachers. The other ships had dedicated teachers on them so every day was predictably same. Here on the Enterprise all lessons were taught on a rotating schedule and with Alpha crew having to split their time recently between bridge duty and school, the lessons were essentially non-existent. Uhura, Spock, Kirk, and their various other instructors had left assignments to be completed on their PADD's but no one really was doing anything but talking before Kate arrived.

Kate picks up her PADD and opens the lesson on Klingon Uhura had assigned. She really doesn't want to study but she wants to talk even less.

"I heard it was in a castle." Becky Tulley from the USS John F Kennedy says hoping Kate will add details.

"Yeah I guess it was cool." Kate says not looking up from the list of common Klingon phrases she has complied to learn.

"Well if you aren't going to tell us about the reception what do you want to talk about? Joanna asks Kate. "You don't study unless there is a phaser to your head." Kate knows they are not going to let up so she decides to get their mind off the topic.

"You know what I want." Kate says finally smiling and flipping to her GCN tunes account and brings up the current unofficial song this week of Smuggler's Run. "I'm through with standing in lines for clubs I'll never get in. It's like the bottom of the ninth and I'm never gonna win. This life hasn't turned out quite the way I want it to be." Kate starts to sing the song 'Rockstar' from Nickleback with the music blaring from her PADD.

"Tell me what you want." Ronin starts to sing in a deep voice.

"I want a brand new house on an episode of cribs and a bathroom I can play baseball in," Jo and Erika join Kate and start to sing moving closer to her. Ronin continues to recite the deep parts because he is too cool to sing.

"Come on John," Kate interrupts Jo and Erika with a smile and shoulder role dance trying to get him to join in. Cameron moves next to him and begins to drum a beat on the desk while joining the song. The other starship's children stare in complete shock at the show they are putting on and laugh as the two groups compete with each changing the lyric from girls to boys when appropriate for the song. Kate sees they are staring at them like they nuts so she stands up and encourages them to join in by pointing to Jessica Bannock and raising a hand to her ear.

"I have no idea what you are singing." Jessica busts out laughing as Erika and Jo join Kate in her impromptu dance.

"They have so much fun here," they hear Emily Swanson complain to her shipmate and start to head bop. This only encourages the Enterprise kids to realize how cool they actually are so they begin to sing louder.

ENTERPRISE BRIDGE

"So where are we?" Kirk states walking onto the Bridge carrying his 1st cup of coffee for the day and looks at the information on the PADD in front of him. Everyone stops talking and stares at him. "Anyone" he says unphased taking a deep drink of coffee and sitting down in the Captain's seat like nothing is wrong. No one says a word and awkward silence fills the room. Kirk lays the PADD down on the arm of the chair, crosses his arms, and stares at Alpha crew at their various stations. They stare back at him like he has two heads. Gossip about last night as burned like wildfire on the Enterprise and Jim silently hopes it is only about the Klingon debacle or even Kate's attempted make out session. Although the latter would be embarrassing enough it would be better than everyone knowing Kate had a mental breakdown and needed to be sedated.

Kirk is close with this crew but his emotions and psychological states have always been closely hidden by either humor or defensiveness. He doesn't know why he is suddenly angered at the fact they seem to know what happened last night and want to talk about it. He has never pushed into their family affairs.

"People we need to get our shit together and focus on today. There are four Klingon Birds of Prey and four Romulan War Birds in our backyard and they require your attention not me." Kirk says in a no nonsense tone and goes back to drinking his coffee and reading the updates on his PADD. Uhura looks at Spock to do something but Spock simply follows orders and begins to analyze the incoming data to his station.

"Is there a problem Lt. Uhura?" Kirk says seeing her out of the corner of his eye but not looking directly at her.

"No Sir." She says in a clipped tone and goes back to her communication station.

For the next three hours, Kirk receives updates from each of the three other ship's bridges on top of his own. Typically this part of his job is tedious and leaves him restless but today he is thankful for the busy work. He loves his job and realizes he has to strike a balance between his new home life and the job he loves. Before Kate he typically worked Alpha and Gamma shifts to accommodate his officers need to spend time with their families. Spock had seen to it that Kirk was only covering Alpha shift recently with Sulu, Spock, and Rios dividing Beta, Charlie and Gamma shifts. This would stop as soon as he was finished with this so called Peace Conference. Kirk brings up the work roster and begins to make changes. Bones says the Kate should get into a normal routine and the past three weeks have been anything but normal so he plans to implement the changes tomorrow.

"Captain Kirk," Uhura says in a formal tone. Kirk can still tell she is pissed at him from earlier but he will deal with that later.

"Yes Lt. Uhura." Kirk says knowing he will pay hell for this formal banter later. Off hours Uhura has never pulled any punches but on duty she respects his position as Captain and acts accordingly.

"Admiral Pike is requesting a formal transmission with you. I have placed the call in your ready room." She says never turning around.

"Thank you Uhura." Jim says rethinking his I am the Captain approach from earlier. It was never a good idea to piss her off and he hopes the more familiar form of address will thaw her some. When she doesn't respond back he realizes exactly how mad she is at his rebuff of her concern for Kate. "Mr. Spock you have the con." He says going to his ready room to take Pike's transmission.

"Admiral Pike." Kirk says formally addressing his superior. Pike should be in the Peace Conference wrapping things up and not shooting the shit so he knows something is up. "What is the problem?" Kirk cuts directly to the point.

"Captain we have just received word from the USS Merrimac that at least two Klingon Birds of Prey have been sited around Khitomer. Since they are only within a 30 minute jump of Deneva at maximum warp and their arrival violates the initial terms of this conference you need to be prepared at any moment to engage in defensive maneuvers until further ordered." Pike apprises Kirk of the new developments.

"Those fucking Klingon bastards have been trying to push us into a fight since this started." Admiral Archer states joining Pike in the transmission. "Nothing has been accomplished here except for your spit-fire of a daughter handing that big one his ass. It is all over the conference about how a warrior was taken down by a ten year old child." Archer says bristling with pride as if Kate was his daughter pissing Kirk off to no end. The last thing she or Kirk needs is more enemies at the present time. "Chancellor Gorkon remarked at the start of talks today that he was surprised we didn't slap her in a uniform and have her wrap up this up before coffee was served." Archer laughs heartily. Pike hangs his head and the gives Kirk his famous let it go stare knowing the Archer has probably pushed him too far this time.

"May I speak off the record Sir?" Kirk politely asks Archer.

"Granted son. Whatcha got?" Archer says ready to hear how the young Captain agrees with him whole heartedly about how the Klingons were embarrassed last night.

"Are you out of your fucking gourd Sir?" Kirk starts in a normal but deadly serious tone. "At what point do I need to remind you that although Star Fleet did not issue me a duffle bag with a wife and child," Kirk quotes Archer from three days earlier, "she is not Star Fleet's property. She is my child and was damn lucky not to have gotten hurt in last night's situation."

"How dare you," Archer says indignantly

"No how dare you Sir even suggest in jest, that she should be used as a PR tool. What did that actually say about Star Fleet when a twelve year old child, out shown the best minds we sent to the Peace Conference." Kirk has often butted heads with Archer even though they share similar views as to how Star Fleet should operate.

Archer is beyond pissed at the young Captain's audacity to speak to him in that regard but has to respect the fact he is a father protecting his daughter. Even though he knows this, he out ranks Kirk and does not have to offer an apology. "I have read the reports and the knowledge she can teach us will put us light years ahead of any threat in this galaxy."

"You are no better than Alexander Marcus." Kirks states back feeling his hands begin to shake with rage. He cannot believe what he is hearing.

"Gentleman let's get this back on the record before we all say something we regret." Pike calmly says trying to steer the conversation back to its original purpose.

"Kirk my contact in Section 31 has informed me that there may be some interest in your daughter visiting Star Fleet's Intelligence Research and Development Department." Admiral Archer has calmed down enough to speak with Kirk.

"No fucking way. Admiral Pike are in on this to?" Kirk demands

"Neither of us are in to it son," Admiral Archer says trying to assure the Captain that his former praise of his daughter was simply praise of her skills and not approval of Section 31's schemes. "But you need to be aware of the situation. We are sending the Enterprise to Farpoint Station at Deneb IV. At the conclusion of this conference you will proceed there and receive further instructions on your next mission. I will personally see that you are at the edge of this fucking Jedi witch hunt until we find out what is going on." Archer must have felt a little guilty about his and Jim's earlier conversation so he adds, "Take care of that girl of yours. She's damn special and will do amazing things one day. Archer out."

Kirk sits back staring at the blank screen and is blown away with as close to an apology as he would ever get from Archer. Deneb IV is at the Western border of the Federation and nothing is known of the planets and space behind it. Jim looks forward to going into the unknown because right now the world he knows doesn't seem so safe. He has one hour left until the conference ends and plans to be at warp 10 by 1201 hours.

CLASSROOM

Kirk opens the door as they are finishing the last lyric of "I want to be a rock star." By now they have played it so much that all the kids know the words. Everyone but the Enterprise kids spin back around quickly in their seats trying to look busy. Kirk shakes his head remember the old saying when the cat is away the mice will play but to see Kate actually smile and appear to be up to her previous antics makes him immeasurably happy. "I assume the music lesson means you are prepared to debate how the inactions of politicians from World War I directly lead to the start of World War II twenty years later after lunch." Kirk says trying to sound serious but his relaxed body posture and smile relay his amusement with walking in on their little karaoke session.

"Aye Sir." Cameron says pointing to his head like he is ready.

Kirk laughs. "Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you have had a wonderful stay here on the Enterprise and learned much from today's lesson of music 101. I will deny this if you mention it to your parents." He jokes and gets some smiles for the other kids in the room. "On a more serious note, it is now time to return to your respective ships. The conference, for better or worse, has concluded and the Alexander, Kennedy, and Excalibur are waiting your arrival home."

The kids start milling around the room saying good bye and making random promises to keep in touch with each other. Kate looks at the scene and realizes how lucky she is to be with John, Ronin, Cam, Erika, and Jo. They have a great time together and their relationships are so easy with each other. Kate spent a lot of time with Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin and knows that only having your siblings to associate with is not always the greatest which is the case for most of these other kids.

"Hey I'll tell Paul you said hi" Jessica, who is Kate's age, winks at her on her way out. Kate can feel a flush rise to her cheeks and looks at the floor. Jessica laughs at Kate's speechlessness and meets everyone at the door. Kate waits until she hears the swish of the doors closing before she looks up. All eyes are on her but John seems particularly interested in hearing the tale.

"Spill." Ronin says simply and waggles his eyes like the story is gonna be good or something.

"Uhm I," Kate can't look at John and she realizes she has been lying about something else but this time it was to herself. Kate likes the easy relationship she and John have. Being a girl she is much more mature in at least realizing all boys are not the same. But it is more than that with John. She has had little boyfriends over the years with the first being Max Kippling from Ouris Dover's group. He was one year older than she was at the time and her first kiss. She was often uncomfortable around him when he wanted to kiss and such but he was a constant presence and took care of her. Her most recent boyfriend was Damien Zol and that worked out so well also. He was the one that introduced and convinced her to go with Zala Tsu; however, John was so different. He didn't push, he didn't try to always kiss her or make everyone know she was his. John was comfortable and familiar and safe. Kate's happy mood suddenly plummets. Even though they have nothing official, her wanting to kiss Paul now feels so wrong. "Paul Raynor attended the reception last night and everyone thought we liked each other because it was either talk to a Klingon or him. I actually found the Klingon more stimulating." Kate says trying to use humor to end the conversation but from everyone's face she knows they don't buy it. "Let's eat." Kate says getting up and leaving the room to go to the mess hall.

ENTERPRISE BRIDGE

"The kids are all safely home and we are only waiting for the official ok from command to get the hell out of here." Kirk says visibly relaxing in his chair. "I am proud of your professionalism and attention to duty." Kirk compliments his crew.

"At least some of us displayed a sense of decorum and professionalism." Uhura snips from her console causing Kirk to spin in his chair towards her.

"Game on," he thinks with his mood improving each second he is closer to leaving Deneva. "Excuse me Uhura do you have," Kirk gets ready to ask before she instantly switches back to Chief Communication Officer.

"Captain I am intercepting a distress call from the Klingon out post at Khitomer. "They appear to be under attack." She quickly translates the Klingon message.

"Under attack? By the Merrimac?" Jim states confused. He knew there were still those in Star Fleet that supported Marcus' plan to throw the first punch and the Merrimac had a decent right hook for her size.

"Unclear Sir," Spock says process the data from his screen

"Uhura report!" Kirk says sliding back into Captain mode as easily as putting on a jacket.

"The planet is reporting heavy fire from unknown vessels in orbit." She replies. "Orders coming through Captain." Uhura is transferring the contents of the Star Fleet transmission to Jim's PADD and after a brief moment he relays their new orders. "We are to get to Khitomer and assist in the helping the wounded from the colony. If the hostiles are still engaging we are to form a picket line and let the Klingon Birds of Prey defend the colony unless otherwise ordered. Punch it Sulu and sound General Quarters." Kirk commands. Suddenly the bridge along with the rest of the Enterprise erupts into klaxons and flashing lights. "Report to Sick Bay Immediately." Kirk commands the kids as he always does first before giving any other tactical commands.

MESS HALL

"Did we just go to warp?" Cameron asks looking at the star lines appear in the small windows lining the top of the room and feeling the slight lurch that always accompanies a cold jump to warp.

No sooner does Kate sit down to eat a lunch she really doesn't want, alarms begin to blare General Quarters. "Report to Sick Bay Immediately." Kirk's voice cuts through each of their comm units in unison.

"What's wrong?" Kate says trying to talk to her dad but the comm line is not responding. "Are we under attack?" Kate says. It is the first time she has not caused a General Quarters on the Enterprise and is confused as to what to do. Ronin grabs her hand and pulls her from the table towards the door. As the leave the mess hall the walkways of the Enterprise are filled with swarms of people running to their designated locations. Kate stops briefly losing sight of the other kids. She is almost knocked over by an Ensign running towards engineering.

"Stay on the right," John says appearing from nowhere and taking her hand running. Kate is unsure of what to do and simply remembers Kirk telling them to go to Sick bay. She is almost ripped off her feet as she goes right to enter the turbo shaft but John turns left. She stumbles to the ground landing on one knee but is instantly yanked upright by John and dragged forward. It takes her a second to match his pace.

"Why aren't we using the turbo shaft?" Kate demands as John opens a Jefferies tube and shoves her into it. Their tiny stature allows for them to run semi-upright instead of crawling like the adults.

"Safer in here if there is a hull breach and this tube comes out directly across from Sick Bay," John tells her pointing to the right and then up a ladder. "If we lose power we will also be trapped in the turbo lift until they restore the ship's systems. Depending on the damage we take that could be a while." He slams a fist into the sensor pad and the tube opens directly in front of Sick bay. John pulls her out and into another mad house.

Kate is used to being under fire. It occurred numerous times on the Falcon but there she knew what was going on. Here she is in the dark and feeling claustrophobic because she can't see what's occurring outside.

"Take her in the office." Bones snaps and goes back to barking orders to scurrying nurses and medical technicians.

"What's happening?" Kate demands from Cameron who is at Bones' computer terminal.

"The Klingon colony is under attack. Our ETA is 10 minutes. We are to supply relief and medical aid to any survivors." Cameron reads from Kirk's basic ship update to the crew.

"Who attacked them?" Kate says pushing Cameron away from the monitor and looking at the screen as if it will tell her anymore. "Was it us?"

"You're out of your fucking mind Kate." Ronin shoots back hotly defending Star Fleet. "Star Fleet helps people just like the Jedi you are always talking about. We don't go around killing unarmed colonists."

"She doesn't know that Ronin." Erika says softly as he begins to pace the room. He hates it when these things occur and knows his father will probably be right in the middle of it at some point.

Kate is instantly concerned that someone in Star Fleet tried to use the Jedi tech she had given Kirk who then gave to the Federation. She begins to feel nauseous. They feel the ship drop back into real space and hear McCoy bark out orders from the next room. "All of this goes down to the colony." McCoy points to medical supplies stacked on the floor. Start moving this to transporter room 7 and 12 and be prepared to encounter resistance. Klingon's don't have true trauma doctors because they think dying is honorable. Respect their wishes but do your job people." McCoy grabs several bags and walks out of the room followed by his personnel.

Kate feels an unsettling disturbance around her that is more than the stress and confusion of the situation. She takes a deep breath and opens herself up to the Force. They pain and suffering of so many lives slams into her taking her breath away. Kate is positive that if she had not been sitting she would have fallen over. Kate has to help the lives in need.

"Kate you have to stay here." Joanna says as Kate runs toward the door.

"I need to get something first. I'll be back." Kate says grabbing a blue medical uniform from the edge of the couch that Bones had wore last night and runs to her quarters. The halls are still full of people but not like earlier and she makes it to their quarters in about 5 minutes. Kate grabs her backpack from the living room chair and runs into Kirk's room. She shoves her arms between the mattress and box springs pulling out her remaining supply of bacta patches, Bacta gauze, and liquid Bacta. It is not much; ten items in all but it could help McCoy for the worst cases. She stuffs them in the bag and pulls on the Blue medical shirt. It is huge on her but with all the confusion she hopes no one will notice she is not in Sick Bay because she is wearing it. She tucks it tightly into her pants and heads for transporter room 7 to give Bones the supplies. The room is empty except for Ensign Plo. She missed Bones and her heart sinks. A new group of medical technicians burst in behind her carrying her almost to the transporter pad. The first six of them are beamed down and Kate realizes she needs to give Bones the Bacta. Kate steps on the transporter and is immediately beamed down with the rest of the second party.