Emily's POV
*Several Days Later – Stardate 6-14-2263.55*
Fingers flying over the holo screen of my keyboard as I work in my office writing a report, suddenly the doors of my office whoosh open, my energetic best friend bounding in PADD in hand.
"Hey Em, you got a minute?" Kirk asks, throwing himself into one of my comfy office chairs to lounge lazily, leaving one leg to hang over the chair arm as his PADD balances precariously on the knee of his other leg, while one hand drums lightly on my desk and the other toys with his stylus.
"Mmm sure Jay. Just a second." I respond, nodding absentmindedly. "I need to finish this report and send it to Khan." I add, my fingers continuing to move over my holo keyboard, my eyes focused on the work on my screen.
Giving a vague hum of agreement, Kirk falls silent leaving me to finish my report.
"And done. Okay, so what's up?" I ask, turning to face Kirk, the report saved and sent.
"Scotty filed the engineering damage report last night." Kirk states, sliding the PADD across my desk for me to look at.
"I looked over it this morning and it doesn't look good. There just aren't a lot of options that don't leave us screwed in the long run. I thought maybe you could look at it, see what you think? I'd really appreciate it. I'm just outta options and ideas right now Em. I don't know what to do." He confesses, running a tired hand through his hair.
"Sure, it's no problem Jay." I smile, grabbing the PADD.
"Thanks Em!" He replies, looking relieved as is posture relaxes even more into the chair.
Humming lightly, I scroll through the report, eyes scanning over the prioritized repair list and itemized damage summary as well as Scotty's proposal on potential solutions. Jim was right, it didn't look good. The warp core needed several new coils and the engine needed to be completely re-calibrated, and that was only the tip of the iceberg.
"Unfortunately Jim, I'm seeing the same thing you are in this report. The damage is extensive. Really you have only on option here. I mean, sure Scotty could try and repair the warp core and engine, but with only scrap metal or older parts as emergency spares, the patches and replacements just won't hold. And if you did that, you'd had to turn around and head back toward Federation quadrants to get new parts anyways. It would be a waste, and put you back months in your mission." I begin to explain, laying the PADD down on my desk. "My suggestion is that you stay here. I'll order the new parts and have one of my transports pick it up at the nearest base. It'll take about an extra week, give or take a few days, for them to pick up the supplies and parts, but a month to get parts and arrive here, of course pending no emergencies or major incidents, and a week or two to finish repairs is a hell of a lot sooner than your alternative. Patching up the Enterprise would take several weeks alone to ensure the repairs were sound enough to sustain warp speeds and the journey to the closest starbase. Not to mention the installation time for the new parts once docked at base."
"This won't cause problems for you will it?" Jim questions, unnecessary worry crossing his features.
"It's really not a big deal Jay. Transport will have to turn around, thus the extra week or so, but it'll save you weeks off your journey and possibly even your ship from breaking down spectacularly in an unstable neutral zone in the middle of deep space." I assure, already keying up the order and requisition forms to fill out and forward to Captain Harrison of the USS Defiant, a Constitution class fleet ship, but with advanced warp capabilities close to the warp speeds of the Dreadnought class warships.
Khan and I believed it prudent to install similar advancements into our designated transport ships, as it would be vital in being able to efficiently shuttle supplies and personnel to Alpha X Delta from Earth. It would also ensure that the transport ships had adequate protection in the deep space quadrants.
Several days has passed since I had last seen Khan, with my new position as Admiral (only a short 6 months old), keeping me constantly busy whether it was attending another boring meeting, overseeing a new project, fostering relationships and kissing ass with various foreign diplomats and politicians (earth or other world), signing paperwork until my hand fell off or generally running around like a chicken with their head cut off as I frantically tried to be several places at once while simultaneously attempting to do the work of at least ten of me's.
There were some moments I even swore that Archer did it on purpose, throwing endless meetings, stacks of paperwork and various projects at me for the sole purpose of preventing and distracting me from the very important, highly classified, top priority project (known as Project Elrond) that was currently sitting in the sublevels of Headquarters (aka the superhuman Augment Khan). And if so, I hate to admit he was succeeding. Of course this was speculation, and I knew if I broached the topic with my uncle, he would do one of two things; either brush it off casually with poorly concealed amusement while feigning ignorance and innocence, or not deny it at all, smirking in that annoyingly unashamed smugness he had, the sly bastard.
However today I could not be detoured. Not only had the Council given me this project, which I intended to follow through with, completing it to the best of my abilities, in Emily terms meaning that I would strive for upmost perfection and excellence, but I had also gotten a less than satisfactory report from the medical team monitoring Khan.
With this in mind, and PADD, stylus and lunch in arm, I headed down to the sublevels, security team in tow (I found the extra security to be unnecessary, but I had promised uncle Archer I would take them with me and at any rate I didn't particularly want to have to endure listening to him rant to the point where I worried he may burst a blood vessel).
Hydraulic doors swishing open with my arrival and acceptance of ID card and facial recognition, I quickly dismiss the science and medical teams.
Medical generally didn't bother me, however I found the science team to be wholly ignorant, arrogant and irritatingly pretentious. If it wasn't for the fact the Council wanted to vet every person who had access to the sublevel lab I would have fired the entire team. Which, if I was being technical, I had the right to do, it was my project. But Council liked to pretend they still had some semblance of control and I allowed the pretense, because I'd much rather have them breathe over my neck about that than have them nip at my heels for deadlines on the project. Because if we were really being honest, the entire project really depended on Khan's willingness to work with me, and I doubted I could convince Khan to do anything other than whatever he wanted when he wanted. Therefore, the only way for the project to be successful was to not push and actually develop a resemblance of a functional working relationship with the superhuman.
"Hello Khan." I greet, setting my things down on the table I had shoved up against the glass containment wall before meandering towards the replicator.
"Hello." Khan acknowledges, his baritone voice echoing deeply through the nearly silent lab as he rises fluidly from where he sat on his bed.
"I hope you don't mind. Haven't had the chance to eat lunch yet, been too busy. So I figured, while we worked I'd take my break. Do you want anything? Let's see, we have a few options plugged into the replicator today. Chicken penne, spaghetti and meatballs, fried veggies and rice for a vegetarian stir fry, and orange chicken with white rice and egg rolls. I'd recommend the veggie stir fry, it's probably the best tasting. The others are pretty decent, at least for replicator food, but nothing quite beats homemade pasta dishes or homemade savory orange chicken." I chatter casually, hoping to entice Khan to eat.
That was the report from medical. Basically the problem was, he wasn't eating. Medical was of course concerned for general wellbeing (that's why I liked them better, they didn't just treat him as a lab rat to poke and prod), while the science team was more concerned for their own benefit. But from everything that I could tell, they didn't really give him any choices and really, most replicator food was mediocre. I'd be fucking picky too. Not to mention the bedside manner of the science team was a bit undesirable, it'd turn anyone off of eating.
"So, food? I'm going to get a drink. The lemonade is pretty refreshing." I inquire, turning to glance questioningly at Khan before turning to punch in the code for the drink.
"Your suggestion, sounds the least offensive." Khan retorts.
"Good to know. Lemonade too?" I snort lightly in disbelief (the man still managed to act like a bloody prick), punching the buttons for the designated order.
Nodding shortly to my question, I quickly finish the order before placing everything, food, drink and utensils, on the transport pad, beaming it into his quarters.
"Okay, well now that that's all figured out. Time for some work." I say lightly, heading back to sit down, sipping on my drink as I open my lunch and key up the PADD.
"Alright, well I looked over the work we did last time on the equation for the modified warp core. Really, I don't know why I didn't see it before, but if we change this part of the equation here fuel efficiency would increase, which in turn could maybe even add speed. But then there's the power we have to consider…."
From this point on, weeks would pass as a routine was established. I would eat lunch with Khan, sometimes even dinner (if we worked too long) while we worked on the plans of the former USS Vengeance, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
In short order I had found our working time together not only beneficial to the project but a strange sort of getaway for me, away from the everyday routine and demand of being an Admiral as well as away from the ever watchful eye of my uncle and the fellow (although more seasoned) Admirals.
Sometimes being the youngest Admiral was more of a pain than privileged, it meant I often got paraded around like a show pony at important delegations, dinners or galas, the ever bright golden girl of the Federation. Of course I wouldn't trade my position for anything else, I was proud of my accomplishments and honored, but the playing nice, show smiles and parading around was tiring after a bit.
After all, I was still only 24. It was nice to be able to just bum around at home during the weekend, watching copious amounts of tv marathons or movies while binging on junk food. Or you know, maybe actually hang out with friends or see my family, like a normal person.
"If you're a hundred percent sure then. I really appreciate this. It's a weight and worry off my chest. Scotty'll feel better too. You know how he frets. The Enterprise may be my lady, but she's Scotty's baby. I swear the man was actually gonna cry when he handed in the report." Kirk responds.
"I'm a hundred and fifty percent sure Jay. You know I'd do anything to help you. Besides, it's important to keep the ship working as perfectly as possible. No half-assed, bedraggled work. A sound ship is a safe crew. It's vital." I brush off, finishing the requisition form. "Alright, done and done."
"Thanks Em! You're a total life saver." Kirk exclaims joyfully, the Kirk grin on 100 watts.
"Of course. But what's new? I was always saving your ass back at the Academy. Literally and figuratively. Why should things change now?" I snicker, a teasing tone to my words.
"You're mean." Kirk whines, shooting me a contemptuous glare.
"So mean." I agree, with fake seriousness.
"Oh man, do you remember that time at the bar-" Jim begins to reminisce, already beginning to laugh.
"Jay, literally eighty percent of your stories start in a bar. Or me dragging you out of one. Be more specific." I cut in with a playful roll of my eyes and fake exasperation.
"Hey! I wasn't- okay, maybe I was. Anyways, I'm sure you remember. It was that time with the freshman cadet. She wouldn't leave me alone for weeks and was basically my stalker. So to get her off my tail you pretended to be my girlfriend. But we couldn't convince her, so it ended up being like an entire month or more you being my fake girlfriend. And then I managed to get myself cornered at the bar by her when you weren't with me." He continues, leaning back in his seat to laugh.
"Oh yeah, I totally remember that! You commed me from the men's bathroom, hiding in a stall half terrified and drunk. You rambled for like 10 minutes before I figured out what the hell was wrong. I had to sneak you out the window and you drunk kissed me!" I recall, my voice getting higher with excitement and inflection at the ludicrousness of the story.
"Okay, confession. I wasn't actually drunk. I was terrified, and definitely hiding in the men's bathroom in a stall. And I really did need you to sneak me out of the window because she was I swear watching the bathroom like a hawk. But it was, you know, in the moment. You had just rushed half way across town from home, in your adorable penguin pj's, my stolen hoodie, messy bun and glasses on to come to my rescue. I really just wanted to kiss you right then. You were like- my dream girl. The one I could never get, never deserve, but wanted. And in that moment, it was, like I had never been more attracted to you. So it was an excuse." Jim confesses in a ramble, an embarrassed tint to his face and neck as he looks at me from under his lashes, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
I gapped at him, my jaw dropping as I blinked slowly, still comprehending this new revelation.
"You sly dog. I totally thought you were- okay wow. Well. I don't- I'm not sure what to say to that." I stumble out. "I didn't realize. I mean- I really meant that much to you? Even then? We didn't- it was months later."
"Yeah, even then." Kirk admits, looking shy for one of the few times in his life.
"Did I- When we broke up?" I ask, my voice breaking slightly.
"What? No! No, of course not. No, no, no. It was, you were, you are my best friend. Maybe we weren't meant to be romantically involved. I understood. I never blamed you. You- I could never hold you back. I didn't want to. You were like, like nothing I had ever seen or had the privilege to know. Fire and ice, calm waters and a raging whirlwind, young and free with eyes open and clear, but mature, level headed and far beyond your years, compassionate, vibrant, so full of life and beauty. I could never contain it, not for long. I wasn't the equal you needed. I'm still not. Even if I were so inclined. We worked together, fit together like pieces of the puzzle. I'm privileged to have you in my life. We fell out of infatuation, could it have turned into love? To being in love? Yes, most definitely. I know it could have, for me at least. But things were just better the way they turned out. Yes? Don't you think? We tried, we were young, it didn't work then." He rushes to sooth me, explain his thoughts.
"But- I- You." I sputter out, tears gathering in my eyes.
Throwing all propriety out of the room, completely not caring I was technically at work and in uniform, I practically throw myself into Kirk's lap, nuzzling under his chin.
"Don't cry Em. You'll make me cry." Kirk pleads, his voice choking up.
"I'm really glad you're here Jay. I missed you. I'm sorry. I love you." I mumble, sighing contently as I am comforted by familiar arms and the familiar smell of my best friend.
"I missed you too. You don't have to be sorry. Not at all. I love you too Em." He sighs, fingers brushing up and down my back in a soothing manner as I remained curled in his lap.
"Admiral-" Khan's voice suddenly intrudes, cutting off abruptly.
"I- Ummm… Yes, Khan. Hi." I cough, untangling myself from Kirk and sniffling in attempts to not look like I was about to cry. "Do you need something?"
"I- I have intruded. It is nothing of importance or- I remembered there is an important report I must finalize. Excuse me Admiral." Khan stumbles out, swiftly making his retreat.
The doors swished close after my First Commander's retreat, a dead moment of silence reining as Jim and I turn to stare at each other, a moment later bursting out laugh from the absurdity of what just occurred.
"I really have missed you Em. Not that I wanted my lovely lady to be injured or to get into a firefight with Klingons, but I'm really glad it brought us here. Now, I've taken your time when I know you have a lot on your plate. Coffee or lunch, whenever you have time to take your break today. Just us two." Kirk offers.
"Sounds really great Jay. I'm glad you're here too, perhaps not the circumstances, but you're safe and here now. Give me an hour or so. Maybe I can break then." I respond genuinely.
"I'll count on it. And I'll get the good news to Scotty." Kirk confirms, saluting me before making his way out of the office.
Wow, okay. So this chapter kind of got away from me. Like a run away freight train going 100 miles an hour, got away from me. Originally it was supposed to be a short kind of "connector/interlude" and then bam, it became this. But, as you can see, a little more insight and backstory of Kirk and Emily... Do I have your interest and attention yet? Hehe :)
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