Disclaimer: don't own
The first thing Jim thought was that when he got back, he and Scotty needed to sit down and have a long talk about the meaning of the words 'not a soul in sight'.
There were three Romulans within ten feet of them, and it was only their quick reflexes that saved their skins, as he and Spock moved in tandem, taking out the three enemies before they could raise an alarm.
He crouched down, and whispered to Spock, "Go on, I'll cover you."
"Are you certain?" Spock asked for clarification.
Jim nodded. "Yeah, I've got you." His gaze continued to sweep along the bay, looking for more enemies.
Spock immediately moved, heading for one of the Romulans they had stunned. He initiated a Vulcan mind meld, and searched for the information they needed. He was vaguely aware of Kirk taking down another Romulan as he kneeled there, and then the Acting Captain was next to him once more.
"Did you find the black hole device?"
Spock nodded. "And Captain Pike."
The two stood up, and made their way down the cargo bay, Jim following Spock's lead.
As they walked, Spock quickly explained where the Bridge was, and where they were keeping Chris, before he felt the need to ask his captain about what his plan may be. "You spoke of 'an idea or two', that you might have, concerning how to deal with this situation, Captain."
Jim glanced over. "Did you find out if they've lowered the drill to start on Earth yet?" he asked, not quite circumventing the Vulcan's question, but trying to get more information.
Spock nodded. "It has begun drilling."
Jim bit his lip, and looked ahead. They had reached the shuttle bay area of the Romulan ship. Straight ahead was a strange vessel, and he knew without being told that it belonged to the alternate Spock.
He pointed in its direction, and the two boarded. Spock looked around in fascination. "I foresee a problem, Captain. The advanced nature of this ship will make it very difficult for me to fly."
An automated voice beeped to life. "Voice recognition activated. Welcome back, Ambassador Spock."
Spock raised an eyebrow. He looked over at Jim. "It would appear that you have been withholding information."
Jim shrugged. "Yeah, whatever. You're going to be able to fly this thing, aren't you?"
"Something tells me I already have," Spock replied with a hint of irony in his voice. He supposed it wasn't entirely surprising, the idea of a future vessel somehow recognizing him. Nero was from an alternative timeline, and it would not be outside the realm of possibility to reach the conclusion that at some point in the future, he owned and operated this ship.
Jim snorted lightly. "Just take out that drill. I'll get Chris, and we'll meet back on the Enterprise."
He turned around to leave the small vessel, but Spock called out for him. "Jim." Jim turned around. "The chances of this plan succeeding are less than four point three percent."
Jim shook his head. "Never tell me the odds."
Spock tilted his head to the side. "In the even that I do not return, please tell Nyota –"
Jim cut him off. "Tell her yourself. Don't think, Spock. Just feel. I know that's hard for you, but for the next half hour or so, try it. Just go with your instincts. This will work."
Jim left, and made his way towards the Bridge. He found Nero there, and tightened his grip on his phaser. "Nero, order your men to disable the drill, or I will –" he was cut off as a Romulan barreled into him from one side.
He went down hard, dropping his phaser, and then Nero was there, grasping onto his throat tightly.
For one moment, the Romulan disappeared, and it was Kodos standing above him, leering as he squeezed. It's a start.
And then Nero was back, sneering at him from scant inches above, his long fingers tightening their grasp. "I know your face from Earth's history. James T. Kirk was a great man. But that was another life. A life I will deprive you of, just like I did your father."
He picked Jim up by the throat and threw him back several feet, to where his First Officer was standing. Jim gasped as he hit the ground hard, but didn't have time to recover.
The First Officer grinned and kicked him several times. Jim coughed weakly as he felt several ribs crack. The wind left his lungs and he couldn't draw a breath.
The Romulan stomped on his already injured hand, and he knew that the appendage was more than just fractured now.
Several more kicks later, and Nero was back. His hand clasped Jim's throat again, and he picked him up until he was off the ground. Jim gasped, seeing spots dance in his eyes, knowing that if he didn't get any air soon, he would pass out. Sometimes having a larger than average brain really was a curse. Even as the blackness started to creep in from the edges of his peripheral vision, in the back of his mind, he was analyzing and figuring out just how much time he could go without breathing, and how much longer it would take for him to pass out.
Just when he thought he had reached that point, a voice came over the comm., calling Nero's attention away. "Captain Nero, the Vulcan ship has been taken, the drill has been destroyed."
Nero growled, as Jim grinned weakly.
"Spock," the Romulan howled, letting Jim go, and running off.
Jim dropped to the ground, gasping for air.
The First Officer moved over, bending down next to him. He turned him over carelessly. "Your kind is so weak," he sneered. "Pathetic. Look at you, you can't even breathe."
Jim tried to even out his breath, waiting for the opportune moment. He felt it a second later, when the Romulan moved even closer, his face scant inches from Jim's. His phaser was clipped to his belt, and Jim knew that he had a split second window. He reached out lightning fast, and grabbed the weapon.
The Romulan's face still showed his shock as Jim shot him twice in the chest. He fell to the ground, and Jim stood up shakily, wincing at the multitude of injuries he felt clamoring for attention. They would have to wait, however; he didn't have a lot of time, and he needed to find Chris.
He knew where the Captain was being held, but it still took too long in Jim's mind.
Jim felt his fear rise up a notch at seeing the pain clearly lined on the older man's face when he saw him strapped to a table.
"What are you doing here?" Chris demanded weakly, as Jim handed him the phaser and began to undo the straps.
"Just following orders," Jim replied cheekily. "A lot's been going on, but I'm fairly certain you said something about coming to get you."
Chris shook his head, but didn't reply as he lifted the phaser Jim had given him up and fired it once.
Jim turned quickly and watched as a Romulan went down.
He looked back at the now smirking Captain.
Chris met his gaze head on.
Jim just shook his head and helped the Captain up.
Chris tried to hide his wince as he stood, but knew he wasn't completely successful by the way Jim frowned as he took most of the older man's weight, hiding his own grimace as he did so. They really were quite the pair, he thought sardonically. He hoped Spock was almost ready, because he didn't know how much longer he could hold Chris up before he collapsed.
"On your mark, Spock," Jim called out.
Spock remained calm, as he set the course for the small vessel to fly head on into the Romulan ship.
"Ambassador Spock, you are on a collision course. If the ship is hit, the red matter will ignite," the computer informed him.
"Understood," Spock replied calmly.
Jim glanced over as Chris touched his chest with one hand and winced. "Are you all right?" he asked quietly, concerned.
Chris grimaced, remembering Nero's information gathering session, forcing that slug down his throat. Giving up the codes to Earth's defenses, knowing exactly what he was doing but being unable to stop himself, due to the toxin that slug had released when it latched onto his brain stem.
"Mr. Scott, stand by to beam up in three… two… one… now!" Spock interrupted their conversation, and Jim and Chris disappeared from the Romulan ship, reappearing on the Enterprise at the same time as Spock.
Jim glanced over and shared a look with the Vulcan.
Behind the transporter computer console, Scotty was nearly jumping out of his seat with joy. "I've never beamed three people from two targets onto one pad before! That was pretty good!"
McCoy entered the room at a run, already waving a tricorder at them before they had even stepped off the pad.
"Jim!" he yelled.
"Bones," Jim gasped, feeling the beating he had taken, but knowing there were more imperative things to deal with right now. Besides, Chris was more important. He passed the Captain off to the two nurses that had accompanied the doctor, and hurried back to the Bridge with Spock following half a step behind. He tried not to put too much weight onto his right leg, since he knew if he did, he probably wouldn't make it to the Bridge, but even so, he was starting to lose feeling in the limb as it was.
Chekov turned around and greeted them with good news the moment they entered the Bridge. "Captain, the enemy ship is losing power, their shields are down, sir!"
"Hail them, now," Jim replied.
"Yes, sir," Uhura replied, typing away.
A moment later, Nero appeared on the screen. In the last few minutes, his ship had been severely hit. The red matter had ignited, and was creating a singularity that seemed to be tearing the ship apart from the inside out.
"Nero, your ship has been hit, your weapons destroyed. You are too close to the singularity to survive without assistance which we are willing to provide."
Spock furrowed his brow and leaned over. "Captain, what are you doing?"
Jim sighed slightly, his voice soft as he replied, "It may be the only way to earn peace with Romulus, Spock. At least this way we can say we tried."
Nero was already replying, just as Spock was considering that in this instance, he would rather not use sound logic.
"I would rather die a thousand deaths than accept assistance from you!"
"You got it," Jim replied, heading to his chair. "Armed torpedoes, fire everything we've got."
"Yes, sir!"
Chekov began to fire the weapons, and they all watched as the Romulan ship imploded on itself, destroyed by both the torpedoes and the black hole.
"Sulu, let's go home!" Jim ordered.
Hikaru didn't waste time replying, and turned the ship around, typing in commands as quickly as he could.
"Why aren't we at warp?" Jim asked tightly, as they continued to be pulled backwards.
"We are, sir," Chekov said, trying to help Hikaru as best he could.
Jim punched a button on the armrest of his chair, opening up a comm. to Engineering. "Scotty, give me some good news."
Scotty tried to think fast on his feet, looking around the Engineering deck as the klaxons blared. "I'm giving her all she's got, sir!" he cried out.
The hull began to crack, and Jim grit his teeth. "Eject the core."
Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to look at him.
Spock even stood up from his post at the Science station.
Scotty gulped. "Captain… are you sure?"
Jim's voice was like ice as he replied. "Did I stutter?"
Spock stepped forward slightly. "Captain, the likelihood of such a maneuver succeeding is less than one point two –"
Jim glared over at him, cutting him off midsentence. "I put five years of work into this ship, Spock. I know exactly what she's capable of. Scotty, eject the core. Chekov, fire torpedoes on my mark."
Uhura was the only one who had any idea of what he was talking about, but Scotty wasted no more time in yelling for the Engineering deck to clear the area near the core, so that he could eject it into the singularity, hopefully giving them enough of a blast for them to pull free of the gravitational force dragging them backwards.
They all held on and waited with baited breath. Jim clutched his chair with both hands, watching the screen in front of him with singular focus.
They felt it as the core was ejected. Jim knew he had to time it perfectly, and when he called out, "Now, Chekov!" the Navigator wasted no time in firing several torpedoes at the ejected core.
The force of the blast drove them forward, cutting them loose from the black hole's pull, and everyone jerked, trying to remain upright.
Hikaru pushed forward on the lever with all his might. The only thing stopping them from getting sucked into that black hole was him, so he held on for dear life.
With a jolt, they broke free, and half the officers on the Bridge fell out of their seats. The other half nearly did so, but were able to grab onto something to stop themselves.
Jim breathed out a sigh of relief, as those around him shared in his joy, laughing and smiling, some even clapping.
Jim turned in his seat and looked at Spock. The Vulcan nodded his approval, and Jim returned the gesture.
He then looked at Hikaru and Pavel, and smiled at the pair. "Nice job you two," he complimented them.
They beamed at him, and Jim turned his attention to Uhura. "Contact Starfleet. We need to update them."
Nyota nodded and turned to her station. She frowned, and then typed in a few more commands, before turning back to Jim. "I'm sorry, sir, Communications seem to be down. The black hole must have knocked them out."
Jim nodded, and looked around at the other officers. "I want damage reports compiled and sent to me within the hour. Find out what areas of your departments are the most affected, what can be easily fixed, and what can wait until we return to Earth." He paused and looked around the room again. Crap, what was he supposed to do now? He sighed. "I know most of you probably haven't gotten a lot of sleep in the last day or so." It was true – the Call to Muster had come in the late night when most people had only just gotten to sleep an hour or two earlier, and they were probably about to come down from a major adrenaline high. "So get those reports to me, and work on setting up duty rosters. Half shifts for now, and get off duty within the next four hours."
His gaze found Spock's, and on the approving nod, he smiled tightly. "If anyone needs me, I'm going to check on a few departments. Mr. Spock, you have the con."
He levered himself out of his chair, and tried not to gasp as several broken ribs made themselves known.
Spock frowned slightly as the Captain made his way towards the 'lift. The way he walked indicated a seventy nine point eight percent likelihood of injury, and yet he hadn't said anything. Perhaps he was headed to Medical now, and just hadn't wanted to tell anyone? But why not? There was no shame in admitting the need to go to Medbay for a legitimate injury.
He sat down in the Captain's chair with a PADD, compiling the data the Captain had requested, still thinking on the enigmatic man. James Kirk was truly a strange person, and he wasn't sure he'd ever understand the way his mind worked. He would have to ask later what he meant when he said that he had put five years into the Enterprise.
XXX
As Spock had thought, Jim's first stop was indeed Medical, though not quite in the way the Vulcan had figured. McCoy was still busy with Chris, and the only other doctor was M'Benga. Jim didn't want to trust his life to an intern, so he'd rather wait until his friend was available. With the number of allergies he had, it would be just his luck for the inexperienced intern to kill him while trying to save him.
His plan was to slip in and out of Medbay without being noticed, but one of the nurses caught sight of him as he made his way back to where he knew the bandages were stocked.
"Captain, can I help you with something?" she asked pleasantly.
Jim looked over, startled, and shook his head, wincing at the movement. His head was killing him. "I'm fine." He grimaced at how raw his throat felt. Well, he had just been strangled a couple of times. He would probably need to see to that soon. But again, he'd wait for McCoy.
The nurse frowned, no doubt also noticing the injury. "I can fetch a doctor – "she started, but Jim shook his head again, this time trying not to move too much so as to keep the pain to a minimum.
"That's all right," he assured her. "I'll come back when McCoy is available. Trust me, it's better this way. I was just looking for some bandages as an interim measure."
The nurse looked confused, but got him the bandages. "Are you sure? I can let Doctor McCoy know you're here."
Jim immediately replied negatively. "He's busy with Captain Pike. I'll stop by later. Thank you for the bandages."
The nurse nodded dubiously. "If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to ask."
Jim bit his lip. "Are you the head nurse? I'm sorry, I really wasn't expecting to be in this position, so I don't know who you are."
The nurse smiled gently. "That's quite all right. My name's Nancy. And no, I'm not the head nurse, that's Christine Chapel, she's assisting Doctor McCoy with Captain Pike's surgery."
Jim nodded. "Well, I'm going to need a damage report done as soon as possible, I don't know if you'd be able to compile that for Medbay, but maybe get a few others to help if you need to. What equipment is down, what we're running low on, that sort of thing. Can you do it?"
Nancy inclined her head. "I'll get a few others to assist me, and we'll do an inventory, but we're still dealing with incoming wounded, so it might be a while."
Jim nodded again. "I understand. Just do the best you can. We need to start fixing what we can though, and I can see several pieces of equipment that are down just looking around right now." He paused and thought about what else he could have this woman do. "Tell McCoy to update me on Captain Pike's status as soon as he can, and that he's off duty as soon as he's out of surgery, and to come and see me eight hours after that. If he complains, tell him the rest of the command crew has similar orders."
Nancy smiled. "I'll let him know."
Jim took the bandages with him, after thanking Nancy, and went to find a secluded area where he could wrap his injuries. It was hard to do to himself, but he managed to get his ribs wrapped decently. At least, he figured they would hold up for a couple of hours, so long as he didn't try to do anything crazy. So no rock climbing until he got them fixed.
He re-wrapped his hand, and did up his right knee, but there was no way to secure his collarbone, so he would just have to be careful about how he moved his left arm for a while.
While he was wrapping his injuries, he prepared a mental checklist on where to go once he finished.
The first place he stopped was Security, where he and the Chief Security Officer Giotto spent a good deal of time working out how to account for the Vulcans they had managed to rescue from the planet. It would be tight, but given what the alternative had been, Jim didn't think anyone would be complaining.
After spending so much time planning where they would sleep, Jim felt it only right to check on how they were doing, so he went up and made a few rounds of guest quarters and Observation Decks. Most were aloof, but a few greeted him courteously, expressing their thanks for his hospitality.
Sarek noticed his passing and called him into the private OD he had set aside for the Vulcan High Council. They spent a few minutes conversing, and Jim found out that they actually remembered him from his brief visit several years earlier.
Sarek was apparently satisfied that he was utilizing his 'above average' intelligence in an acceptable manner. Jim read between the lines, and figured that the Vulcan was pleased that he was doing something worthwhile with his life. It may have been strange, but then, he had pretty much destroyed a Vulcan in a logical debate in front of several members of the Council a few years ago, so apparently he had impressed the Elders.
After seeing to the Vulcans, Jim went down to the kitchens, and asked about increasing the output on a few replicators in the OD's, to deal with the number of occupants they had. He didn't want anyone to starve, especially since it would probably take a while for them to get back to Earth.
Speaking of, he should probably figure out where the hell they had ended up, before he got too far in his inspection of the ship.
He didn't stick around too long in Navigations, mainly because the department was scrambling like an overturned beehive. He was a little surprised to run into Pavel there, and realized ruefully that the four hours he had allotted to the command crew had run out, and the appointed senior Navigations officer was in the process of checking in with his staff before heading off in search of some much needed and well earned rest.
Jim and Pavel spent a few minutes discussing their current situation and location, which basically boiled down to the middle of nowhere and three weeks from anything. He appreciated the help Sulu and Chekov had given him and Spock, but it was rather inopportune, now that they were facing a long trek back with no warp core.
Spock had drawn Nero off by jumping to warp, to get him away from Earth and its solar system, to avoid another catastrophe like what had happened at Vulcan, and the Enterprise had followed, offering some very strategic help, keeping Spock safe while he set up the other Spock's ship on a course to crash into Nero's ship, igniting the red matter.
But in the aftermath, they were now stranded in the middle of nowhere, with no way of contacting anyone for help.
Jim needed to get down to Engineering next. He stifled a yawn and then a gasp as his ribs flared up in pain. It had settled into a dull ache in the background over the last few hours, but as he stood there with Pavel, it made itself known to him now.
The Russian whizkid looked up at his 'brother', concerned. "Are you all right?" he asked, eyes wide.
Jim smiled tightly and nodded. "Yeah," he replied. "Just a little tired, like everyone." He bumped Pavel's shoulder lightly. "You did good today, Pasha. Now go get some sleep."
Pavel nodded eagerly. "You too, Jim. I will see you tomorrow."
He bounded off, his stride just as hyperactive as it had been as a kid, Jim mused. Even after all this, he still had something left in him.
Jim glanced around for a chronometer. Pavel had said 'tomorrow', and Jim realized he didn't even know what time it was. How long had the confrontation with Nero taken? How long had it been since he had actually slept?
By the ship's clock, it was actually evening. So he figured Alpha shift would kick off at eight A.M, which meant he had about nine hours to get everything done, and hopefully, grab a few hours of sleep in there somewhere. He could go on two or three, if he had to; he had done it before.
Jim groaned softly as he made his way out of the Navigations department and took a 'lift down to the Engineering deck. Work was in full swing down here, as one of the worst hit areas, and Jim didn't try to bother anyone as he stayed back for a few minutes, just surveying the damage.
"Ach, lad, what do yeh think yer doing!"
Jim looked over at the sound of the familiar yell, and saw Scotty glaring at an Ensign a short distance away.
The Ensign looked terrified, and rightly so, Jim thought. If Scotty had been glaring at him that way, he would be shaking in his boots.
Deciding that, as Captain, he should probably try and diffuse the situation, he walked over. "Lieutenant Scott, is there an issue?" he asked courteously.
Scotty glanced over, his expression softening as he saw that it was Jim. "No problem. This idiot was about to explain why he thought it was a good idea to start stripping wires without making sure the equipment was dead first." He turned back to the Ensign. "Are you trying to get someone killed?"
Jim sighed mentally. "I'm sure it was an honest mistake, wasn't it, Ensign?" The man nodded forcefully, still too afraid to say something. Jim's tone was calm, his face light, but there was an undercurrent of steel as he continued, "If you wish to work in this department, however, you will need to learn from such mistakes. Do you understand what could have happened, had Lieutenant Scott not caught your transgression?"
The Ensign gulped. "Someone could have been electrocuted," he replied shakily.
Jim nodded. "And if the shock was large enough, and if they fell from a far enough distance, it may have been too severe for even our great Doctor McCoy to fix. Something to think about, Ensign. Dismissed."
The Ensign turned rapidly and fled.
Scotty sighed and shook his head. "I swear, they're getting younger and stupider," he grumbled.
Jim chuckled softly. "You live and learn," he replied. "But I understand. We don't really have the manpower to waste on stupid mistakes right now. I think half the ship is already nursing injuries."
"Including you," Scotty interrupted, eyeing him critically.
Jim grimaced, knowing that the Scotsman would have caught his injuries, with the eyes he had. "I'll be fine," he pacified, knowing that it wasn't fooling anyone, even himself. He really needed to see McCoy. He wondered how Pike's surgery was going. He hadn't heard anything yet, so he figured Bones was still in the Operating Room. He knew his friend would inform him of Chris' status as soon as he finished.
Scotty shook his head. "Don't worry, I won't try and call your bullshit. You want to lie your ass off, go ahead. I'm not McCoy."
Jim snorted. He didn't dignify that with a response, but he appreciated it. "You got a damage report for me?" he asked instead.
Scotty raised an eyebrow. "Sent it to you four hours ago," he replied.
Jim winced slightly. Right, he had requested all those reports within the hour. He hadn't been aware of specifically asking for one from Engineering, but he must have done so, or Uhura had passed along the request. He should probably look those over.
He nodded. "You got time now? I'm going to need some help from your department to figure out how to fix a lot of broken equipment in other areas. First and foremost, we need to reestablish communications with Starfleet."
Scotty nodded. "I'll try to get a team on it. I'm stretched pretty thin, though, Jim." They headed back to a small office set in the back of the deck, for the Chief Engineering Officer.
Scotty sighed as he sat down at his new desk, while Jim took a seat across from him. "Honestly, I know it was the only option we had, but jettisoning the warp core was a pretty boneheaded move, when we think about what we're faced with next."
Jim rubbed his good hand across his face. "I know," he agreed ruefully. "I knew it would work; the shockwave from detonating the core would carry us free from the black hole, but I didn't really account for the after effects."
Scotty heard the guilt in the Acting Captain's voice, and shook his head. "You saved us, Jim. Thank you. I'm not trying to lay the blame at your feet. You did what you had to do, and really, I can't think of any other option. We're just facing a tough situation now, but we'll get through it. I have faith in you."
Jim swallowed. "Thanks," he replied. "I just hope I don't screw it up. Honestly, when I told Pike in that bar that I'd graduate in three years, I really didn't mean I'd make Captain in three years! I have no idea what I'm doing."
Scotty chuckled. "Well, you're doing a damn fine job so far. Captain. You'll get us through this."
The two spent the next couple of hours planning out repair schedules, including what needed prioritizing, and what would have to wait until their return.
Jim was adamant that replicator production not suffer. "I will not sacrifice food for speed," he stated calmly.
Scotty agreed, though he knew that it might add another three to five days to their journey.
The majority of the communications system seemed to be down, which meant that, while they could send data to each other internally, they could not communicate with anyone outside of the Enterprise. That would need to be fixed as soon as possible.
Their Navigations system was mostly functioning, but not completely accurately, and in space, being off by even a few degrees could be deadly, so that would need to be remedied.
About a third of the computers on the Bridge had stopped working, so those would need to be fixed, as would as much of the structural damage as they could get to, on the Bridge and elsewhere.
Engineering, Scotty said he'd deal with. Jim trusted him, and knew that he'd do his best to put humpty dumpty back together again.
Jim's PADD dinged as their meeting came to a close. Feeling a heavy weight settling over him at the thought of everything they had to get done, Jim opened up the new message. A knot in his chest that he hadn't even noticed came undone as he read the short message from McCoy that informed him that Pike was out of surgery and resting, and that he could visit in the morning. There was a subtle note at the bottom telling him never to order him around through someone else like that again, and thanking him for looking out for him, and that he'd see him in the morning.
Jim smiled lightly, and looked up to see Scotty watching him closely. "Pike's out of surgery," he informed him.
Scotty smiled, relief evident on his face. "That's good. Is he gonna be all right?"
Jim belatedly remembered that Scotty had served under Chris before, on the Yorktown.
He re-read the message. "It doesn't say much, just that he's out of surgery, but I'll let you know more as soon as I do."
Scotty nodded, relaxing slightly.
Jim stood up, and then regretted it, as the room tilted to the left for a moment. When it steadied, Scotty was there, holding onto his arm, looking at him worriedly.
"Jim?"
Jim cleared his throat, trying to swallow without it hurting too much. "I'm fine," he answered the implied question.
"And I'm a ballerina," Scotty muttered.
Jim snorted gently.
Scotty glared at him. "Why the hell haven't you been to medical yet?"
Jim shook his head slightly. "I stopped by hours ago, and I wrapped my injuries, but Bones was busy with Pike, and the only other doctor is M'Benga, this intern. Scotty, my allergies to medications could fill a book. I'd rather not get killed by the guy trying to save me, if I can help it. It's easier to wait for Bones to take care of it." He shrugged with his good shoulder. "Besides, when I was there, I saw that the osteoregenerator is broken anyway, so there's not much more they can do but wrap the injuries anyway."
Scotty raised an eyebrow. "McCoy's done now, you should go see him."
Jim shook his head again. "He's got to be exhausted. It can wait a few more hours, Scotty. I'll be fine. Honestly, it's not like I've never had a few broken ribs before."
Scotty frowned, but let it go. His friend really was an enigma. What kind of person was able to shrug off broken ribs like they were nothing?
Jim sighed. "I should go, I still need to make a few more stops. And you need to get off duty."
Scotty opened his mouth to argue, but Jim overrode him. "That's an order, Mr. Scott. The entire command crew was off shift over two hours ago. You need to go and get some rest."
"Are you?" Scotty countered, expression challenging.
Jim nodded, sighing slightly. "I promise. I just have a couple more things I need to do, and then I'm going to get some sleep." And he really meant it, too. He was exhausted.
Scotty nodded, defeated, unwilling to argue anymore.
He followed Jim out of the Engineering deck, and the two separated outside, Scotty heading off to the officer's quarters, while Jim made his way back up to Deck Nine, where the private Observation Deck that he had requisitioned for the Vulcan Elders was. It had been a while, and he thought he might just see if they needed anything.
Sarek was courteous, and thanked him for his attentiveness, assuring him that they had everything they required.
Jim nodded, and once again told them not to hesitate if they needed anything more, before leaving the room.
Sarek stopped him as he walked down the hall.
"Captain Kirk," he spoke in Vulcan.
Jim turned, and nodded to the Elder.
Sarek paused. "My son came to speak with me briefly, before retiring to meditate for the evening. He told me what you said, when you convinced him to turn command over to you."
Jim tensed slightly. He wondered which part Spock had relayed.
Sarek seemed to know what he was thinking. "He said that you told him that there was no shame in admitting that he missed her. That there was no shame in feeling pain." He allowed himself a small sigh. "I feel you have reached my son in a way I have never been able. He asked me once why I married her, and I told him it was logical."
Jim looked a little nonplussed that the Vulcan was telling him this, but didn't try and stop him. In his experience, when a Vulcan started opening up to you, you should just go with it. Not that he really had much experience in that arena, but it seemed like a good idea.
Sarek frowned slightly. "I married her because I loved her. It may not have been the logical move, but it felt right."
Jim nodded, his gaze compassionate. "Your race is facing difficult times," he said softly. "Logic may not be enough to help you. You may need to draw on those gut instincts more often now. I can't tell you what to do, but passion… feeling… love… just because you may not have shown them before, does not mean you haven't felt them or acknowledged them. And you probably won't be able to ignore them any more."
Sarek nodded serenely. "I believe you may be correct, Captain. I thank you for your assistance to our people."
Jim smiled tightly, his eyes pained. "Your son is a good man. No one should have to know what it's like to lose family. I wish things could have happened differently, but there's no sense in wishing for things we cannot change."
Sarek nodded again, his gaze approving. "Wise words, Captain. I will leave you, as I am certain you have other issues to attend to. If we are in need of anything, we will bring it to your attention."
Jim bit his lip, considering his next words. "If I may make a suggestion…" He paused, and Sarek nodded, telling Jim to continue. Jim sighed. "You should tell Spock the truth. He deserves to know that his mother wasn't just a chess piece to you." Sarek raised an eyebrow, and Jim shrugged with his good shoulder. "It may sound harsh, but he's gone all these years thinking that your marriage was simply 'logical'. He needs something to hold onto right now, and you're the only family he has left." Jim's eyes glazed over slightly as his gaze drifted to a spot on the wall behind Sarek. "Take it from someone who doesn't have one of those. Vulcans or humans… we all feel. You may not show your emotions the way we do, but you still do feel them." His gaze sharpened and he looked back at Sarek. "You lost your wife, Spock lost his mother. It would be easy to withdraw, but for his sake, please don't. You can lean on each other. Neither of you is alone."
Sarek studied him carefully for several seconds, before he nodded slowly. "I will consider your words, Captain."
Jim smiled again, his eyes sad but his expression genuine. "Live long and prosper, Elder Sarek," he said, holding up his hand in the proper gesture, his fingers curling in slightly with his injury.
Sarek didn't comment on the slightly skewed gesture, and replied in kind, before Jim turned around, heading for the 'lift.
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