Go Fish

"We could hardly download that type of information via the system, it'll form part of the handover when we dock in three months as per protocol." Kirk had been speaking to a Lieutenant Esther Loughran for the past two hours, she had systematically listed and verified every file that the Enterprise had downloaded, the size, content and security markings. Her brow never creased, she never tripped on her words. None of her questions were rhetorical and Kirk had very quickly learnt that she expected a full and concise answer to each. He felt like he was being tried by a full judicial panel. He kept his face nonplussed, trying not to give the woman sat on the other end of the video comm any sense of his nervousness.

"Captain, the Starfleet Science division are keen to see for themselves and understand the extent to which Doctor Marcus developed her terraforming research. They were very disappointed when it wasn't included in the initial download, they're really should be no further delay." The steely gaze of the young woman speaking to him impressed Kirk, she was clearly very good at getting what she wanted when she wanted.

"Given its proprietary nature, you can understand our decision not to deviate?" Kirk retaliated.

"It's simple research Captain, I really don't see why it couldn't have been included." She countered, Kirk raised his eyebrows.

"For 'simple' research Starfleet have seemingly gone out of their way to acquire it and, I might add become quite…deliberate in their pursuit." The woman didn't respond. "But of course ma'am, as I stated previously, it'll form part of the direct system download. Now if you'll excuse me." Kirk gave her a curt nod and ended the comm. He had to be very careful, one wrong step and the whole plan would implode. Swivelling in his chair he strode out of his office and onto the Bridge, taking his seat in the Captain's chair he kept his gaze on the view screen in front of him.

"Captain." Kirk jumped out of his skin at the sound of his name coming from Commander Spock standing next to him. Putting his hand to his chest he took a few deep breaths, trying to regain his composure.

"Yes Mister Spock, what can I do for you?" Kirk looked up at him, noting the habitual raise of his right eyebrow.

"My apologies Captain, are you feeling well?" Kirk squirmed under his scrutiny.

"I'm fine Spock, fine. What can I do for you?" He repeated his question.

"We'll be docking at Station Whiskey Sierra in five hours Captain." Spock had noticed the slight perspiration on Kirk's forehead, his heartrate was elevated and his pupils were considerably dilated. It would have been logical to assume that this was all a result of him not noticing his vicinity to him but the fact that all of his symptoms were already present prior to him walking up to stand by his side allowed Spock to conclude that the Captain was anxious.

The ship was teaming with action, people all over were going about their business at double speed. Ensuring every box was ticked before they docked. The faster they could unload damaged or expired cargo and reload the new supplies, spares and repairs the faster they'd be able to enjoy some shore leave. The teams had been warned by their superior officers however, that if it was found that anybody had taken any shortcuts their shore leave would be cancelled. This prevented mistakes being made.

The station was famed for its promenade of shops, restaurants and bars. It catered for an array of species, including those who had a penchant for gambling. It was known for the late night fights that broke out between players of card games, dice and even live sport. The Starfleet personnel on board the Enterprise who had come straight from the Academy, which was a large proportion, were eager to experience their first deep space encounter with the more nefarious species they'd only heard about.

Nancy made her way through the throngs of people on the promenade, the atmosphere was electric. In the sea of diverse species there was dots of colour, Starfleet blue red and yellow. The faces of the young Officers were bright with excitement; Nancy smiled to herself, thinking that more than a few of them were going to lose their shirt to a seasoned gamester over the course of their stay. Her long dark smock flowed around her legs as she walked, it felt soothing to be wearing her more usual attire instead of her unassuming black pullover and trousers she wore while on the Enterprise. She pulled her headscarf a little further over her head, another level of defence she utilised.

After years of encountering and studying different cultures on far away planets preserving a level of obscurity was a practical tact to take. On a more personal level, one she didn't always like to ponder she felt safe under the yards of fabric that covered her from head to toe, a result of her childhood she had come to acknowledge. She finally took a seat in one of the quieter eateries, sneaking herself into a corner and ordering a drink. She had planned to meet with McCoy after he'd finished with his debriefings and long list of meetings he had scheduled. Until then she had a plan, sit, read her book and enjoy people watching.

Scotty and Gillian Green stood at the docking door waiting for the Officer that was going to lead the physical data handover.

"Now don't you worry Green, we couldn't of done a better job. Don't let them push you around alright." Scotty gave her arm a nudge with his own and a comforting smile, Gillian returned it, happy she had the Chief stood next to her.

"Thanks Chief."

"Don't mention it Lass." They watched as a very strict looking Lieutenant approached them, he was very tall and slim. His angular face and green eyes made him less handsome and more striking in appearance. He approached them without hesitation, holding out his hand expectantly.

"Lieutenant Commander Scott?" He spoke stiffly with a slight lisp. Scotty shook the man's hand.

"Aye Sir and you are?"

"I'm Lieutenant Templeton." He turned his attention to Gillian who balked under his stare.

"And you are?" He curtly questioned, a dismissive hand waving in front of her. Gillian took an instant dislike to the man.

"I'm Ensign Green, I assisted the Chief with the data prep…" Templeton looked at the time on his PADD as she spoke.

"We better be on our way, we're already behind schedule." He interrupted, both Scotty and Gillian looked each other and silently communicated their mutual instantaneous hate for the man who had already turned and began walking away.

"Come on, it shouldn't take too long. There's two pints with our name on them in the dingiest bar they have on this thing as soon as we're done with this." The pair of them followed Templeton, wanting the whole thing to go as quickly as possible.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with me?" Kirk walked at a slower pace than he usually did, not wanting to rush Carol who now sported quite the pregnancy waddle.

"Jim, there's not a chance in hell I'm setting foot on that station, my ankles are swollen and I just want to go to bed which is what I intend to do for the entire time we're docked." Kirk gave her a sympathetic glance.

"Do you want me to stay with you?"

"Jim, I love you but no, no thank you. You've got work to do, besides, you need the down time before our lives get even more hectic than they already are. Trust me, if you were the one pregnant I would be on that station right now getting drunker than I had ever been before!" Kirk pulled her in to his side and gave her a kiss on the top of her head. "Behave yourself." She warned as she stopped outside a turbo lift.

"When do I not?" He gave her a mischievous grin and a wink before she rolled her eyes in response and entered the turbo lift. Kirk stood there for a moment, not really thinking about one thing particular, just wondering to himself how he'd managed to find himself in the situation he was in. Captain of a starship, in love with a brilliant, smart, beautiful woman who was carrying their child. Friends who had his back no matter what, he hoped his Father would have been proud.

"JIM!" He was brought back to reality by the booming voice of his CMO, Kirk turned to see McCoy bounding up to him.

"Bones, where you off to in a hurry?" Kirk noticed how his friend uncharacteristically stumbled over his words.

"I need to um…get some stuff done before I…um." McCoy hadn't told him about Nancy, he hadn't told anybody about Nancy. It wasn't that he wanted to keep it a secret, there just hadn't been the right time. Plus he knew his friend had been snowed under with his own issues, he didn't want to add to his burden.

"Bones, come on man, spit it out." Kirk laughed.

"I need to go check on some supplies that weren't on the auxiliary products report." He finally managed to get out, which wasn't a complete lie. "Do you know where Hutto is?" V'sosh Hutto was the Quartermaster, who'd made himself scarce as soon as they had docked much to the absolute despair of several functional leads.

"No I don't, but I'll walk with you onto the station, my appraisal meeting isn't until tomorrow. Do you fancy getting a drink? I heard the Dabo tables are crazy here!" McCoy's pulse rate quickened, he knew Nancy was waiting for him. He decided to tell the truth.

"I'm meeting Nance Jim." McCoy tried to keep his expression blank.

"Great! The three of us can try and get into some trouble!" Kirk gave him a pat on the back and began to make his way to the station, McCoy just stared after him not knowing what to do or say.

She was engrossed in her PADD, reading a thriller about the Vorta.

"Nancy!" She jumped slightly and looked up, her eyes darting around trying to work out who had shouted her name. Her mouth fell open when she saw that it was Jim Kirk bounding over to her, the biggest Cheshire cat grin on his face. He was being followed by an incredibly furious looking Leonard McCoy.

"Jim? What are you doing here? Where's Carol?" She knew her tone denoted disappointment, she plastered a smile on her face in a vague attempt to cover up her true feelings on seeing him stood in front of her. Kirk hadn't seemed to notice her initial reaction upon seeing him and took the seat next to her, she looked back up to McCoy, who was still stood behind Kirk. He silently mouthed an apology to her, she tried to give him a reassuring smile in return.

"She's staying on the Enterprise, Bones invited me for a drink." Kirk said.

"You invited yourself Jim." McCoy growled out.

"Nice to see you too Leonard, what can I get you two Gentleman?" Nancy got up from the table, waiting for the two men to give her their order.

"I'll get it." McCoy offered up himself.

"No really, let me. I need to stretch my legs anyway." Nancy gave him a wink and pointed at Kirk.

"Something over ice Jim?" He nodded back, she pointed at McCoy.

"The usual?" He looked at her with fondness and couldn't help but laugh quietly to himself at the 'three's a crowd' situation they'd found themselves in.

"Yes please Nance." She went off to the bar leaving Kirk staring at McCoy.

"What Jim?" McCoy asked.

"Yes please Nance? Bones, what's going on?" Kirk had a twinkle in his eye, McCoy didn't like that twinkle in his eye. It always meant trouble or earache for him.

"Jim, go fish." Was his response.

How do you think it's going? Hope you're enjoying, thanks for reading! LLAP ;-) XOXO