Lady A: The end has finally come. I present the last piece of Sparkling Crimson, but worry not my lovely readers. For this was only the prequel and the true story has yet to begin. Very soon The Carmine Conundrum will arrive and your jaws will be on the floor when it does. Now, the conclusion of Sparkling Crimson. *bows*

Lock: *crosses her arms and gives her Watson a pointed glare* And you say I'm dramatic.

Lady A: *grins cheekily*

Part XIV – Heart of the Explorer

The next morning, Jim awoke to an empty bed, the light from the twin sun rise filtering through the windows. He couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed by her absence. Perhaps it was better that way because he honestly didn't know if he could have said goodbye to her.

Last night had been the most amazing night of his life. She had been everything he hoped for and yet so much more. He remembered how her body had begun to glow in a golden light as he made love to her. The energy she had been giving off had flowed into him and made him feel complete and whole for the first time in his life.

He sat up slowly, his body feeling fully rested and teeming with energy. He smiled. He never felt so invigorated in his life. He climbed out of bed and stood up. He quickly took a shower and dried off. He spent the next twenty minutes packing up his stuff, making certain he hadn't forgotten anything.

He patted his pockets looking for his communicator, realizing it was missing. He looked around and saw it on the bedside table. He crossed the room and picked it up, placing it in his pocket. He noticed a small note where his communicator had been. He picked it up and read it. His eyes lit up and he smiled. He pocketed the note, grabbed his stuff, and exited the room in search of his crew.

When he found them, both Spock and Nyota looked extremely content, the Vulcan sporting a smirk and his comm officer was practically glowing with a silly grin plastered on her face. Seemed that everything was okay again with their little piece of paradise.

Things were not so pleasant for the two doctors. Bones looked completely exhausted and Carol was extremely pale, each having various degrees of a hangover and a very long night without sleep.

Scotty, Chekov, and Sulu were in the worst shape of all and they were featuring several cuts, bruises, and scrapes of various shapes and sizes. The concert they had went to across town had apparently turned into the ultimate mash pit and not all the species in attendance had been as soft and pliable as humans were.

After almost half an hour and a lot of groans and sharp remarks, he managed to get them all in the shuttle. He stopped when the sound of a ship taking off in the distance caught his attention. He turned and watched as it shot into the air like a rocket and broke through the atmosphere in a fiery blaze. He pulled the note from his pocket and read it again.

See you around the galaxy, Master Jim.

Artz

He had a feeling things were far from over with the mysterious crimson haired woman named Artz and himself. His first officer called to him, informing that they were ready to take off. Jim pocketed the note once more and climbed into the shuttle, taking the pilot's seat.

Captain James Tiberius Kirk returned to his beloved Enterprise and resumed his exploration of space, but he never forgot the crimson haired woman that turned his world upside down. One day, they would meet again and he certainly hoped the universe was ready for it.

Lady A: Part XIV – Heart of the Explorer has come to a close. This may be the end of Sparkling Crimson, but it will give rise to The Carmine Conundrum. Be prepared for the ride of your life because things are going to be…Fantastic.