The world rearranged itself before Kevin Riley's eyes as his beam over to the island finished. He looked over at Admiral Kirk, who waited just outside the telepad. Riley walked down the steps and sighed, "Are you sure about this, Admiral?"

"If we're in uniform, she might be a bit skittish. And if she has Starfleet with her, then they'll be on the lookout for other uniformed personnel. The Starhawk was able to pinpoint her last known location to the Relax Bear theme park. Hope you like amusement rides, Kevin." Kirk handed Riley a tricorder. "Only use it if you must. Park security might not like it if we're looking for someone on their watch. The less brought in on this the better, though. I have a feeling I know who's with her."

"Who?"

Kirk was hesitant to say, since his hunch might very well affect his aide, if it turned out to be true. Even so, James Kirk figured that two sets of eyes looking for two figures was better than one set for one and one set for two. As they got their tickets and stood in line for entry to the theme park, Kirk kept his eyes out, "Have you ever seen Admiral Rogers, before? Robbins, before she made rank to brass." The reasons for the name change were murky, at best, but Kirk knew Nogura to be behind it.

Kevin Riley had met plenty of the brass, and no doubt, had met Rogers, as well. "She had your PR position until just before Apollo Day." Jim nodded and waited for Riley to put the two names together. It took him awhile to recall her, and then it clicked. "Robbins was first officer of the Enterprise, before Mister Spock, right?"

"Under Captain Pike, yes. She was the first female captain in the Federation. Some of us refer to her as Nogura's Vulcan. She's one of our best, but she's a bit of an ice queen to most." Kirk grimaced, and looked back to Riley, "...which means, we can't have security help track Jenny down. Rogers would sniff them out really quick." As they entered the themepark, Riley held open the old-fashioned fold-out map. Kirk frowned at the cumbersome thing. "You could have just accessed their library for a map."

"Harder to hide behind a PADD, Admiral." Kirk rolled his eyes. Riley gave a small smile, "Besides, I can memorize the map pretty quickly. We can otherwise use it as needed."

"Still, I would be more at ease with a digital copy." Riley complied and Kirk thanked him. "How well do you know Jenny Hogan? What sort of thing would she want to do, here?" Kirk tried to think, as well, knowing what he knew.

Riley sat back on his heels and considered. Given what he knew about the news producer, "Maybe one of the water rides... Or... Wait. Admiral, they have a racetrack. I think she might try this out. Especially if they have motorcycles."

Kirk smiled and clapped Riley on the back, "Perfect. She might be worried about you showing up, given your drunk dialing last night." Kevin blushed in embarassment behind his beard. "So maybe I should try that one out.. but..."

"What?"

"How attached are you to your beard, Kevin?" The Irishman stroked at the short and trim sides, giving his C.O. a wary look. "It's just that... you might get approached. You'd stick out like a sore thumb... And she's never seen you clean-shaven, am I correct?"

Riley sighed dejectedly. Kirk had some points. "Aye, Admiral. On all points."

"It's too bad, Riley. I rather liked the beard on you and apparently, it's a bit of a sex symbol here."

Kevin blinked at the news. Well... That explained the overexcited blonde from the day before. ...And a few stares that had gotten under Kevin's skin. "I see." How long did the admiral know that certain fact? "I doubt there's a barber here."

"We can always ask the Starhawk to beam down a kit for you." Kirk couldn't help but chuckle when he saw Riley give a sad nod. "It'll grow back, Kevin."

"Aye, sir. I'll just look underage." Especially since Riley wouldn't be in uniform.

"Trust me, Riley. When you get older, you'll be thankful for that babyface." Kirk grinned and started them walking in the direction of the racetrack.

"This is not a starship nor a ship at all. Not even a transport. The controls are all wrong." Number One protested as Jenny pointed out how the motorcycle worked.

"This is child's play compared to a helm, One. You'll be fine. Just keep your balance. There's nothing like having the wind in your face!" Jenny grinned and gave her old friend a hug, before fastening her own bike suit together.

Number One did not seem placated. She murmured, "Or the road in your skin, apparently."

Jenny pulled on her helmet, and turned on the mic. "What was that?"

One did the same, and secured her chin strap. "Nothing. You did state these have safety restraining shields, correct?"

Jenny showed One where the shield controls were. "Of course. The themepark wouldn't allow something unsafe to run on their grounds. ...If you're really that unsure, you could always ride with me."

One looked the contraption over again, before stradling the bike. "No. I'm sure I can handle this contraption. It just doesn't make as much sense as more modern technology."

Jenny mounted her bike and spoke into the mic, "It has its own sense, One. It was made for a different era. The roads were everywhere, back then. These things were built to turn on a dime!"

"...Can you even find a dime, these days?" One murmured to herself as Jenny took off ahead of her. She went through the instructions, revving the motor, to be sure, before taking off in a streak behind her young friend.

The bike's shields flared up a couple of times, as One got used to riding and driving the old-styled machine. It took her a few moments to get used to it, but as Jenny Hogan had pointed out, it was fairly simple to work out compared to most transports and certainly starships' helms. In time, she was able to match Jenny's speed. "Woohoo! See what I mean? Switch your shields up, and you can raise your visor... The shields will let in the wind only." Hearing her old friend's voice sound through the small speaker in her helmet, One grinned.

"This is certainly different, Jenny," noted One. It reminded her a bit of horseback riding. Chris had brought her to a ranch once, and taught her how to ride. One sensed a parallel in the experience, as it had happened just previous to Pike's accident. "We don't have to go there, you know. I can take you someplace else, if you want. You can start a new life... I'll talk to the brass, and make them see."

Jenny smiled into the wind, enjoying the ride, even though they were only riding donuts. "How many times will I have to start over, One? How many friends will I have to say goodbye to, over and over again? No, Mister Spock's right. This is the only way to know, really. It's worth the risk."

"But are you?" asked One, tying the redhead in their race. The two slowed down to a stop, and each took off their helmet.

"If I'm to live and not just exist.. then, yes." Jenny Hogan looked at Number One with such conviction, the older woman was reminded of Jenny's progenitor.

One shook her head, "Stubborn." Her mouth turned upwards into a slight smile, however.

Lori sat at the kitchen table, fuming. McCoy poured another cup of coffee for her and sat down. "I'm sure he'll be back after awhile, Lori." The black liquid passed her lips and the admiral looked over to the old country doctor.

"Jim Kirk off on one of his adventures, doing who knows what," she said, knowing full well what that likely involved. She'd checked in with the Starhawk, as well. It did her no good to chase off after her husband, she knew. Partly, she imagined, Kirk needed adventure in his life and was seeking it through his aide's dilemma with Jenny Hogan. However, she also had her own orders. ...But she didn't want McCoy to find out about them and clue Jim in. It gave her a sinking feeling, whatever Nogura had said about it 'just being work.'

"If it makes you feel any better, I didn't get invited along, either." McCoy sipped his coffee and sat, thoughtfully. "I don't suppose you have any idea what's going on?"

Lori shrugged, "What I know, I'm not permitted to say... It could be something completely different."

"Why don't you and Jim work on it together, then? You're both admiralty. You're both amazing at getting things done."

"Don't flatter me, Leonard. Jim and I haven't been allowed to work together on a project in I don't know how long. Nogura likes his projects neat and tidied up." She looked over to McCoy wearily. "This was my last hope to patch things up with him, Leonard. He needs his ship. More than he needs me. More than he needs anything else in the universe." It was humbling, to think that Jim Kirk would consider her above that need, even for a little while. But, Lori knew better. She'd try and find a way to support him, get him in position to get a ship again. And then, what?

McCoy patted Lori on the shoulder, "You're preaching to the choir, Lori." He wondered, offhand, if Jim had mentioned how the doctor had yelled and hollared at Admiral Nogura upon finding out Jim had been kicked upstairs. "Others have made it work, though. Captain April, himself... though that was years ago... And there's Captain Rabin, or Admiral Rogers—and she gother ship back."

"Yes, she did..." Lori murmured into her coffee cup. McCoy did a doubletake, then went to fetch some breakfast sandwiches. "So help me, Leonard, though... If Jim goes off on some damned crusade, it won't just be him to explain himself to Nogura."

"So, what are you gonna do, then?"

Lori looked up from her cup and shook her head. "Because I love my husband... nothing." She closed her eyes shut. Though she knew she was ignoring orders from Nogura, she was also far more loyal to Kirk, and besides, it was the first decision regarding work that felt right, since this vacation began.

Riley glanced up from his tricorder and gave a nod. "...Admiral Rogers... Illryian readings... ...And Jenny's..Sir." Riley showed the tricorder to Kirk, who ran the scan over the distant figures again.

Kirk looked up and nodded, "Tachyon particles... Temporal fluctuations. It's just as I thought."

"Sir? What's happened to her? Will she be alright?"

"Riley, I think we should get that story from Jenny, don't you?"

The midway itself wasn't busy, save for people walking from ride to ride. Jenny took her time to eye the different setups. Most of the games were Terran in origin, but there were a couple that had been improved with techniques and materials from other cultures. Number One observed Jenny try a couple of games. Having spent some credits and not seeming any further than she was, One offered that perhaps they'd do better in the pachinko parlor nearby. "I'm just getting warmed up!" protested the redhead.

Riley moved to stop his commanding officer, "Adm-"

"Kevin, call me that again, and I'll deck you. They could hear us." Kirk frowned and watched the people around One and Jenny as much as he did the two women. Finally, he took Riley aside and spoke quietly, "It's worse than I thought." He gripped Riley's shoulder and chanced Jenny Hogan staying until she won something. When Kirk was sure it the coast was clear, he asked Riley, "Have you ever heard of Thirty-one? Or section thirty-one?"

"Sir?" Obviously, Riley hadn't.

Kirk gave a sigh, "They claim to be an unofficial division of Starfleet. They see themselves as above regulations and answerable to no one. They're more of a cell group. We've run into them before, though I didn't clue the crew in, when it's happened. It's generally safer, that way. ...I should have brought you in on this a long time ago, but..." The admiral made a face and grit his teeth.

Riley understood, "You thought to protect me." Kirk nodded. Kevin looked out into space and noted, "Jenny said she couldn't tell me much about her past, but that after an accident, she had to live a new life and the people who watched her didn't want her involved with me... or anyone in Starfleet."

Kirk gave a nod, noticing some familiar faces from the racetrack. "Might be some legit folks that watch her, but I wouldn't doubt Thirty-one has their little digits involved as well. They're being watched right now, and not just by us." Kevin was watching Jenny, his face sullen. "We could just go up to them and say 'hi.'"

"Would they try anything?" Riley set his jaw. He had so many things he wanted to ask Jenny, now. Who was she, really?

"Out in public, like this? No." But the men didn't get their chance. As soon as they headed back towards the Midway, a crowd watching One and Jenny play for the big prize roared with applause.

Jenny squealed and hugged Number One. "We did it!" The redhead grinned from ear to ear. The game they had chosen was something that required precision and athletic prowess both. By working together in turn, the two women managed to take down the unique statues that were hovering over a table, as wind and fountains of water alternated as blockades. The tall man attending the booth, covered in pebble-sized spots down each arm and up around his face, reached up and fetched the giant Relax Bear and handed it over to Jenny. She hugged the bear and danced with it, grinning and spinning.

One had either noticed Kirk or the men from the racetrack, however, and took Jenny's hand. She led her quickly through the crowd. "We're being followed." There was a pointed glare towards the prize the two had just won.

Jenny frowned, "But..." She'd really wanted that bear. However, the younger woman knew better. Within moments, a little boy was happy as he'd ever been, for getting a giant Relax Bear from two nice ladies.

"I think it'd be best to return to my ship, at this point," noted One.

The redhead beside her sighed, "All good things..." One placed a hand on Jenny's shoulder and gave a nod, before flipping open her communicator and contacting the Yorktown. Just as the world was about to come undone and knit itself back together, Jenny saw them. Kirk and, "Kevin?!" The name dropped from her lips as she found herself on the transporter pad. She turned to One, "But... they're friends."

Admiral Rogers gave a nod, "And I can tell you right now, James Kirk won't want you to go through with the trial Spock has set before you."

Jenny blinked, "Why?" From what she'd read about Jim Kirk, Spock was his trusted friend and advisor... or had been. "I realize the stakes. Believe me, I do. It's my life, here... but..." Rogers gave the look to Jenny that it wasn't to be talked about openly. Jenny glanced to the transporter chief, then followed her friend through the corridors. It soon became noticeable that they were the only ones about. "Everyone on leave?"

"Jenny, only a handful know you're aboard. This is a bit of a secret mission. You'll have to wait in your quarters, until we arrive." Rogers opened the door to the guest quarters and bade Jenny welcome. "It's not much, but it's home."

Jenny smiled at the small chamber, "Yeah..." She'd missed those cramped quarters. And Kevin had been right about the suite they'd had, it wasn't much bigger than this. "One, why do you think Kirk would be against this mission?"

"The place where we're going put Kirk in a couple of life or death situations, not too unlike what you face, Jenny. Except it wasn't his own life, but another's... both people he had come to care about, possibly more." One took some wine from the servitor and handed a glass over to her friend. "I can assure you, Admiral Kirk wants never to deal with that planet again. And, I can't blame him."

"You don't think I should go through with this..." Jenny frowned, her arms wrapping about her small waist.

"I think had Chris been given a chance to rethink the event, things would have gone better for both you and Mia. ...You were both in agreement about the impact on the future you'd seen, though. Both of you, so stubborn." One shook her head and sipped her wine. "If it were me, I'd talk to Chris, instead of stopping the accident."

Jenny shook her head, "And have three of us arguing? I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy, let alone Chris Pike." That earned Jenny a chuckle from One. "So... You go by Rogers, these days?"

"A necessity of the times." One tugged on a silver lock of hair and smiled. She walked over to the comm, "Sanchez, our esteemed guest is safely aboard. Please input the coordinates I shared with you and have D'wara put us en route."

"Aye, sir."

Number One turned around, "This Kevin Riley... He seems pretty important to you."

Jenny blushed and sank into her seat, noting the stars streaming past, in the porthole. She really was aboard a starship again. "He is. ...I mean, he's the first person I've had a serious connection with, since becoming 'Jenny.' It's just." Jenny blinked at One's raised brow, "What?"

"Kirk's going to tell him, you realize that. Seeing you with me, Jim's going to know who you are, or an idea at the very least. Two and two put together, and your friend Riley is going to know everything." One leveled a cool gaze at her young friend, who was beginning to follow One's deduction. "We can hold orbit when we arrive, in case they choose to follow. You could talk with him. ...Unless you're running away."

Jenny furrowed her brow, "Mister Spock offered this as an alternative. To Tal—!" She lowered her voice, "To there!" Jenny shook her head, "I won't live in a gilded cage and I won't live a dismal existence not living up to my potential. This isn't about Kevin Riley."

"Are you sure?" One knew how passionate Mia Colt had been, on occasion, with the opposite sex. Jenny was likely to be the same. One didn't want this to be an excuse.

Jenny gripped the arms of her chair and ducked her head, "Alright. It is, but it isn't in the way you think." She looked up at One, frankly, "I've been living my life, since then, second-guessing myself at every single turn. Until he showed up. And the moment I take charge and initiate a friendship with him, all hell breaks loose from Thirty-One. If not Kevin Riley, it'd be some other person. They don't want me to be important to anyone. They've estranged everyone I've loved. I can't take it anymore. That's not life. That's not living. Neither is living out some fantasy life, while giant-brain people sit back and eat popcorn like you're some Twentieth Century movie, there for their entertainment. Thank you, but no thank you."

One gave a deadpanned look, "I see you've thought about this a great deal."

Jenny frowned with a pout and folded her arms, "You bet your sweet bippy, I have."