Here is some angst. You didn't really think their problems were over yet? Silly readers :P
Thank you to CMM for being a fantastic Beta.
I don't own Star Trek.
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The first week after they arrive back on Earth is a whirlwind of press conferences, debriefings and memorial services. By the end of it, Kirk is quite envious of Spock, who is excused from all of it in order to go to the Vulcan Consulate and participate in the grief process with his people. The Vulcan was only required to electronically send his reports to HQ. Jim has had to go to every fucking meeting, no matter how small and even if it didn't relate to him in the slightest. Apparently being the hero of the hour means never getting to blow off a meeting. Jim is bored, restless, and lonely, so lonely for his mate that he can hardly bear it. He hopes that Spock feels the same, yet at the same time he hopes Spock isn't too miserable.
'I ought to be with him. I don't give a damn about Vulcan privacy and all that happy bullshit. He needs me.'
Kirk felt his bond-mate's absence both mentally and physically, and he still has a week to go. It seems like ten years.
He had gotten to say goodbye to Spock on the base before the Vulcans boarded the shuttle for Earth, but because he was still recovering and because they were standing in front of what is left of Vulcan royalty, they could not say their farewells the way in which they wished. A quick press of fingers and a mental confession of love were all they got before Spock lifted his shields and boarded the transport. At that moment, Jim felt like an abandoned puppy, empty, desolate, and cold with loneliness.
If it wasn't for McCoy and Gaila, Kirk is sure he would have gone mad. Even Uhura helped him out during the press conferences.
'I'm just so happy that all that shit is over and I can spend this coming week relaxing before I meet up with Spock. I will need my energy for all the things I have planned.'
Kirk is startled out of his musings by a pillow hitting him in the face. He opens his eyes and stares up from his horizontal position on his bed to find McCoy glaring down at him with his hands on his hips.
"You have done nothing all day and you choose now to take a cat nap? You have a meeting with Pike, and you are going to be late if you don't leave right now."
The blonde sighs and rises from the bed to his feet as slowly as possible, just to piss his best friend off. The twitch of the older man's jaw is evidence enough that he successfully reached that goal.
"It's just Pike. He won't care if I'm a little late."
McCoy shoves Kirk's cadet jacket at him with more force then is necessary and then points an angry finger at the younger man.
"This meeting could be where you find out if you will actually be graduating with us or being kicked out on your ass because of that damn test. I really think being late is not in your best goddamn interest."
Kirk stiffens as he remembers that yes, the Admiralty had spent the day discussing his future in Starfleet.
'Of course they would get Pike to tell me that I'm being expelled. They know I respect him too much to cause a scene... well a big scene.'
McCoy smirks as he watches Jim's eyes widen in panic. The younger cadet glares at the doctor for moment before he sprints for the door. When it opens, he finds Gaila standing on the other side preparing to enter her door code. Jim smiles at her and pats her arm as he passes.
"Bones is being a bitch. I think he needs some sex or at the very least a blow job. For God's sake, do me a favour and jump him before I get back. I know it's a lot to ask, but…"
The Orion gives him a Starfleet perfect salute.
"I'm on it. Just leave it to me."
Jim lets loose a chuckle as he begins walking down the hallway.
'Trust Gaila to finally act like a proper officer when sex is involved. Imagine how good she will be on diplomatic missions. There would be no more wars... ever.'
This thought keeps him thoroughly entertained as he travels to Christopher Pike's office.
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"Take a seat, Cadet Kirk."
Kirk nods at Pike and sits down in the chair in front of the captain's desk, trying with all his might not to fidget.
"So, what the verdict, sir?"
Kirk winces at the nervousness he can hear in his voice, and his heart sinks as he stares into Pike's excellent poker face.
'The guy is giving nothing away. I don't know if that is good news or bad news.'
"Well son, it seems that the Admiralty didn't have to pass down a verdict regarding the hearing because Cadet Uhura, who made the official complaint, withdrew it and suggested you be given a commendation instead."
Shock takes over Jim's face as he watches his mentor's lips form a smile.
"She what?"
His voice comes out higher then he would like, but he thinks he could be excused for it seeing as how this was the last thing he expected Uhura to do. Yes, they were now on friendlier terms, but they are not friends... not yet. Wounds are still too fresh for that, but maybe with time they can actually learn to get along. And if Pike's telling the truth, this is a big first step.
Pike's smile just widens when he hears the disbelief from the cadet before him.
"She recommended that you receive a commendation for your ingenuity, which we have decided to award you. There is also something else. Command has made a decision about your future after graduation."
Kirk slumps back in his chair with a mixture of relief and uncertainty.
"I don't know if my heart can take any more, sir."
Pike leans forward until his elbows are pressed against the desk and his eyes, which are shining with humour, bore into Kirk's.
"You are going to have to deal with it son, because you need to be told. As you know, I have been promoted to admiral..."
Kirk cuts in before Chris can continue.
"Congratulations on that, sir. I would have said something earlier but I have been a little busy. Number One must be so proud. I am so happy for..."
Pike scrunches up a piece of paper and throws it at Kirk's head. It is successful in shutting up Jim's ramblings.
"I didn't call you here to stroke my ego, Kirk. Shut up and let me finish."
Jim's gaping mouth slams shut and he nods.
"Now, since I have been promoted, the Enterprise is going to be without a captain, which is just wrong. That ship deserves a captain."
Kirk's face floods with adoration at the mention of the Enterprise.
"She is a beautiful ship, sir. Anyone would be lucky to captain her. So, who is getting that sliver lady?"
Pike sighs in exasperation.
"If you would shut your mouth for a moment then I will tell you. How does Spock put up with you? It would be like living with a Chatty Cathy doll, and Vulcans hate motor-mouths."
Kirk makes a point of 'zipping' his lips with his fingers and this seems to please Pike enough for him to continue on.
"I was asked by the other Admirals who I would want to replace me and I put your name forward. The decision was made today. Congratulations, Captain Kirk."
Kirk's whole body seems to be frozen in place. His blue eyes snap to Pike's gray ones, which are shining with barely suppressed amusement.
"Wait, what?"
Pike laughs at the blonde's surprise. He was obviously expecting this reaction and he isn't disappointed.
"At the graduation ceremony, which will take place in a week's time, you will be officially promoted to captain and I will personally be giving command of the Enterprise over to you. Not bad, Jim. From cadet on double-secret probation to captain of the Fleet's flagship? No, not bad at all. I think I can safely say you've done your father one better."
Kirk is sitting in his chair, slack-jawed. Of all the things he had imagined Pike saying, this didn't even make a guest appearance onto the list. Pike laughs again at the gaping fish look on Kirk's face.
"I wish I had a vid recorder. James T. Kirk is at a lost for words. This is truly an historic moment. It's like being at the first moon launch."
Jim doesn't take the bait. He just continues to sit there and stare at the man that has been like a father to him and who has just given him the greatest gift ever (not including Spock's love).
The humour on Pike's face disappears and is slowly being replaced with concern.
"Are you alright, son? Did I break you? I think Spock will kill be if that is the case, not to mention what Command will do when they find out I've messed up their new poster boy for decisive action."
The mention of Spock's name seems to be enough to pull Kirk out of his semi-comatose state, and he finally blinks and remembers to breathe.
'Spock! Oh, ashaya, you won't believe this! Oh, God, if I could only tell you right now!'
"Yeah, I'm good... I think. My brain just sort of stalled there for a minute, sir."
Chris smiles again in relief and wheels himself around the desk in his wheelchair until his is situated next to Kirk's seated form. He reaches out and pats the younger man on the shoulder.
"That's understandable. Go back to your room and allow yourself time for it to sink in. You have permission to tell family and close friends, but don't go overboard. No poising for Interstellar Cosmo or appearing on TMZ. Also, I want a list of people you want on your crew. No rush, it's not due until the day after graduation. That gives you a week, more than enough time if you go and get started now."
Kirk nods in acknowledgement and rises from his seat, still in an utter daze of happiness and walks to the door but halts when Pike's amused voice calls out to him.
"Goodbye, son. Don't walk into any walls on your way back."
Kirk lifts his hand at the newly appointed admiral and gives a backwards wave as he steps through the exit.
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McCoy automatically assumes the worst when Kirk walks into the dorm room they have been sharing for a week, looking like a stunned mullet. The doctor jumps from the bed he is lounging on with Gaila and steps up to his normally energetic friend and grabs him by the upper arms.
"My god man! What happened? No, don't tell me. They threw you out. Those goddamn sons of bitches have kicked you out, even though you saved Earth! I'm going to go down there and shove my foot right up their..."
McCoy's angry rantings are cut off when Kirk slowly begins to shake his head. The blonde's voice comes out soft and steady.
"They made me a captain, Bones, and they're giving me the Enterprise. She's mine."
McCoy's eyes go comically wide, and then Kirk suddenly finds himself engulfed in a bone-crushing hug.
"I don't know how you did it, but you fucking did it. You're a goddamn captain, you oversized juvenile delinquent, you!"
For some reason, hearing it come out of McCoy's mouth makes it finally hit home for Jim and an Earth shattering smile breaks across his face. It only seems to get wider as he feels a second pair of arms encircle him from behind.
"Oh Jimmy! I'm so proud of you. You are going to be a fantastic captain."
Kirk basks in the warmth of his friends' love for a few more moments before he decides he needs to end the hug so he can send a message to Spock telling him the news.
"Uh guys, if you aren't going to make this worth my while by moving this little party to the bed, then could you maybe let me go, so I can breathe?"
McCoy's arms and hands leave him immediately as he mutters "You're a pig," but Gaila continues to hang on. Jim might be imagining it, but it feels as though the Orion is shuffling him towards the bed. However, she stops and lets go when McCoy glares threateningly at her.
"What? Did you actually think I would turn down the chance to be in a threesome with you two? Any girl would give her right arm and left breast to be the meat in that sandwich. Besides, I've never done it with a captain before."
McCoy just continues to glare are her. She turns to Kirk with a pout on her lips.
"Sorry, Jimmy. Apparently my boyfriend is a total prude."
She pauses for a moment as if remembering something, and then she gives the blond a cheeky grin.
"Well, maybe not a total prude."
Kirk chuckles as he sees McCoy blush, and he ruffles the Orion's red hair.
"It is probably for the best, babe. I don't think my Vulcan husband would be too happy with any of us if we went through with it."
Gaila nods her head in agreement at his statement.
"I forgot about him for a moment. I think we made the right decision. Death by Vulcan possessive rage is never fun."
McCoy speaks up, louder then needed, before this disturbing conversation can go on.
"Speaking of the hobgoblin, have you told him yet?"
Kirk shakes his head.
"I just found out myself. I still can't comm him because of the stupid rules T'Pau put in place, but I'm going to sit down and send him a message right..."
The sound of a buzzer going off has all three cadets spinning to face the door. Kirk moves towards it and when it opens he discovers an unknown Vulcan waiting patiently in the corridor. The Vulcan is holding a PADD and a data chip in his hand. He gives Jim a once over and then addresses him.
"Delivery for James T. Kirk from the Vulcan Embassy. Please sign here."
The Vulcan thrusts the PADD in front of Kirk and the blonde quickly does what he is told. He is then handed the data chip and the Vulcan messenger leaves without another word.
Jim rushes back into the room excitedly and grabs his PADD off his bed and inserts the chip. He is hoping it is a message from Spock. He wants to drink in Spock's love and concern, even if it's only on a PADD. Maybe he can send a return message, tell Spock that they're getting the Enterprise, and… he scans over the contents on his screen, while McCoy and Gaila watch on. Suddenly, Jim goes deathly white and the PADD falls from his hands onto the floor.
McCoy and Gaila move towards him and the older man grabs Jim's shoulders, as colour continues to drain from Kirk's face until he is whiter than the walls around them.
"Jim! Jim, what is it? What's wrong? Has something happened? Is Spock all right? Is he hurt?"
Kirk's legs can't support him any longer and so he falls to his knees on the carpeted floor, slipping from McCoy's grasp. Both of his friends follow him down and kneel beside him, exchanging confused and anxious glances.
The Orion's hand rests itself hesitantly on Jim's arm.
"Jimmy, you're scaring us. Tell us what was on that data chip."
Kirk turns to face Gaila and she gasps at the sight of him. Tears are trailing down Jim's cheeks and his eyes are filled with nothing but disbelief, despair and sorrow. The happy, excited young captain is gone. In his place is a fragile wreck.
"It was from Spock."
The blond cadet's voice cracks with emotion. He swallows a few times until he is sure he can continue speaking. McCoy and Gaila just watch and wait patiently.
"He sent me a copy of his application to the Vulcan High Council, which requests our bond be dissolved."
The man and woman next to Kirk stare at him in confusion. McCoy is the first to gather his wits and voice his question directly.
"Dissolved? What exactly does that mean, Jim?"
Kirk whimpers and then turns to the doctor, with fresh tears falling from his eyes. His entire soul is screaming in pain, agony slicing through him like red-hot knives. He can barely speak, barely see. All he can see is Spock, his only love, his once and forever soul-mate, walking away into the mist forming in Jim's mind as he forces himself to speak the words that will destroy him.
"It means that Spock wants a divorce. He's leaving me, Bones. Oh, God, he swore we'd be together forever, but he lied. He lied!"
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Sorry for the cliffy. To make it up to you, I will post the next chapter in a couple of days.