Fourteen : In Which an Amicable Conclusion is Reached

The Enterprise, at this juncture, with Scotty and Pavel's jury rigging, could only hover and fly for a short while, before it splashed back down in the ocean and they sailed towards Tumbatu island.

They all got off to stretch their legs, and watch the Narada burn and then sink on the horizon.

Spock, by now clear headed and once again impeccably dressed, looked James Kirk over. "It is a serious crime, in both the British Empire and the Federation, to steal a ship, be it a sea vessel or an aether-ship."

"Uh huh," Kirk, shirtless and unkempt, smirked at him.

Spock frowned slightly. "The punishment for such a crime is a very lengthy prison stay, sometimes for life."

"Yeah," Kirk said. "But Spock, how are you going to bring me to justice without a ship? I mean, it's mine now, the Enterprise. So I could give you a ride, if you like, but you're not bringing me anywhere. Sorry." Spock stiffened slightly as Jimmy came over to pat him on the shoulder. "But I'm looking for a first officer on my new pirate ship if you're interested," he said. "It seems like you have some goals that can't be achieved working within the legal Earth or Federation framework."

Spock's mouth tightened. "Indeed," he said. "Perhaps it is logical to take the opportunities that are presented to me."

Kirk grinned and slapped Spock on the back. "I'd say!"

Nyota went to wash the blood off on a secluded part on the beach, thankful they had stopped where she could do so. She washed out her hair, and all the blood off her hands and her face and her body. She soaked her kangas and then shook them out, and wrapped one of them around herself. She crouched in the surf, letting the waves hit her ankles, and hugged her knees.

Eventually she started crying, properly, the biggest fit of tears she had since the day she was taken. She cried broken and openly for her sister, and for the part of her life that she would never get back.

She cried for almost half an hour, big wracking sobs, and after a while it felt like a great was lifted from her shoulders.

"Madam, are you in distress?" a gentle voice asked. She glanced up and saw Commander Spock, standing stiffly with his hat on and his hands behind his back.

"No," she said, stand up. "I'm fine."

"I wanted to offer my gratitude in your part of my rescue," Spock said. "I am aware of the esteem James Kirk had for me, so I'm not entirely convinced I would've been rescued at all if it wasn't for your personal mission."

Nyota smiled, her face sore from the crying. "You're welcome, Spock."

"Madam, excuse my boldness, but you still seem very distressed. Please be assured there will be no legal action against you in regards to Nero's death."

Nyota almost laughed despite herself. "No, I'm fine. I'm fine with what I did. I'm happy I did it."

Spock tilted his head. "But you were crying."

She nodded and shrugged. "Sometimes you just have to cry," she said.

"I see." Spock said, although it was clear he didn't. He shifted his weight again. "Madam, I would also like to... apologize for anything I might have said in our first encounter that may have caused discomfort or offense to you. I have revised my stance on pirates."

Nyota had to laugh at that. "Okay, thank you."

"And I would like to ask, if it's not too bold, if you would like to join me for a meal at your convenience."

Nyota's skin tingled, up her cheeks and across her neck, and she looked down at her feet.

Spock took her hesitance for displeasure, because he quickly back pedaled. "Of course, I understand if you do not wish-"

"Yes," Nyota said, blurting it out. She smiled at him. "I have revised my stance on star-men. I would love to join you for a meal."

Spock nodded, and looked slightly flustered. "I am terribly sorry for being so impolite, but may I ask your name?"

She grinned. "It's Nyota Uhura."

A few of the original Enterprise crew were interested in staying aboard – particularly Mister Scott, who wanted to work on his precious lady no matter who was in charge. Jimmy amicably agreed to let the others off at Stonetown, with all their belongings and enough money to see them back home.

Nyota wanted to find Gaila, to at least apologize for abandoning her like that. Jimmy was still worried about their being wanted for the rescue at the House of Wonders, so Mister Spock and Mister Scott both escorted her, and she dressed in a European style.

So Gaila barely recognized her at the night market, with her hair tucked up and a big stuffy dress on.

"What in the..." Gaila said openly.

Nyota slipped around the stall and hugged her. "It's just a disguise," she said. "Don't worry, I'll always be Zanzibari."

Gaila didn't smile, really, she just looked at Nyota with those blue eyes peering out from under her headwrap.

"I thought you were gone forever," Gaila said, her voice soft and sad.

Nyota smiled shakily. "I'm so sorry Gaila. But I came back! I just did what I had to do." She took Gaila's hands in hers. "Jimmy's got a new ship," she said. "A big one, with a huge galley. Do you want to come with us?"

Gaila pretended to hesitate, probably still angry for being left behind, but then her blue eyes went smiley and she nodded. "Yes, of course!"

Nyota grinned and took Spock's arm, introducing Gaila to Mister Scott, who held out his own arm for her to take.

And that's how Gaila and Scott met.

The HMS Enterprise bobbed along the Indian Ocean. James Kirk stood on the deck with his crew, and a bottle of rum.

They were a rag-tag team, of different breeds and classes and constitutions. Pavel, back in 'proper boy clothes' and with his curls cropped short, was tucked against Sulu's side. Nyota and Gaila wore their kanga wraps, their long hair free in the wind. Commander Spock still dressed like he was in the navy.

And Jimmy, of course, preferred to be barefoot and shirtless. "Do you guys feel that breeze?" he asked, thrilled at the coolness on his skin.

"Yeah, all right," Bones said. "Show us this amazing thing."

Jimmy grinned then. "You got it! Scotty? Pavel?"

Mister Scott stepped forward with a flourish, Pavel bouncing on his heels at his side. He opened a panel on the front of the steering wheel, revealing some levers and knobs.

"Well everybody, I'd like to welcome you to the maiden sky voyage of the aether-ship Enterprise," he said. Pavel smiled and clapped, getting everybody else going on a scattered applause. "Mr Sulu, if you will," Mister Scott said. Sulu grinned and came forward, flipping some of the switches on the wheel's panel, and then spinning the wheel itself.

The ship continued bobbing on the waves, and a thrumming sound filled the air. It started to lift, rising out of the water a few feet, and going forward. The sails began to inflate – more and more until they became big balloons, and the Enterprise lifted up and up into the sky.

Everybody applauded – Gaila squealed with laughter and went to hug Jimmy, and then Bones, who was still managing to look unimpressed.

Jimmy opened the bottle of rum and took a long swig, and then started passing it around. "To the pirate life!" he cried. "Let's liberate all the slaves, and steal from the rich, and give to the poor. Let's get drunk and make bad decisions. Let's go have an adventure guys!"

Nyota took a long pull from the bottle She looked up at Spock, who looked down at her with the tiniest smile.

"To the Enterprise!" she toasted. "Maisha marefu!"

The others shouted back – Maisha marefu!

She rested her head on Spock's shoulder. He leaned down and brushed his cheek against her hair. "Maisha marefu, Nyota Uhura," he said.

THE END.