Chapter 25
A/N: I hope you like this chapter especially when an old friend appears. Bold Italics are translations. I think this may be the longest chapter I have written.
"I cannot wait, my very katra objects every time we move away from each other, please Jim, just give us a chance."
Spock moves closer to Jim, he cups Jim's cheek in his hand.
"Forgive me for what happened T'hy'la please I beg of you."
"I do forgive you Spock."
Jim looks into Spock's eyes and he can see that Spock is in pain and he doesn't want that. Yes he has forgiven Spock for what happened but he's not ready to rush into a relationship especially this one as he knows that this one could possibly be a life-long commitment, he explains all this to Spock and Spock agrees that they do not have to rush into anything and that as long as he is able to be near Jim, to be able to touch him and to kiss him, then it wont go any further between them. Spock says that he will hold back until Jim is ready, until Jim decides that he wants to be with Spock totally. Jim smiles at Spock and Spock melts, he moves his hands to Jim's waist as Jim's hands move to touch Spock, Spock cant help the wave of pleasure filling his senses at Jim's touch and moves in to kiss Jim. Jim also goes to kiss Spock but the micro-second before they touch lips the red alert siren goes off and Spock is called up to the bridge. Spock reluctantly pulls way from Jim and goes to do his duty and protect Jim's ship, leaving Jim in the room alone still leant against the wall, his breathing had increased as they had gotten closer together and it was taking a short while to go back to normal.
"Shit."
Knowing that he wont be able to go to sleep while he thinks there is a chance his ship could be in danger Jim heads down to sickbay to bother McCoy. When Jim gets to sickbay he can see that they are already prepared for any casualties they might sustain and Jim feels a burst of pride at how efficient and well prepared his crew is. McCoy spots Jim the instant he walks in, he must see something in the way he looks because Jim is pulled into McCoy's office with out so much as a how-do-you-do. Jim is pushed onto the couch.
"Spill it."
At Jim's confused look McCoy rolls his eyes.
"Jim I know you better than anyone, I know something has happened so spill."
Jim takes a deep breath and explains about what had happened after he had left the mess hall, he only gets to the part with Spock pushing him up a wall and kissing him before McCoy gets pissed off but before Jim can continue to explain what was going on between them McCoy had gotten up out of his seat and was heading to the door, on his way to the bridge. It is only Jim's desperate plea asking him not to leave that he stays.
"Want to tell me why I shouldn't go up there and rip his god damn arms off? Cant he leave you alone for five minutes without him trying to jump you?"
"Bones, I almost kissed him back, I said that I would date him but only if he took it slowly, if he didn't rush me."
"And why would you do that Jim? Hm? Why?"
"Because I forgave him for the Pon-Farr and because... because I think, no I know that I am falling in love with him, I think I have been falling for a while."
McCoy sits back down shocked at Jim's pronouncement, he reaches for a bottle of Jack before realising that they are still in a red alert and moving his hand away.
"I tell you one thing kid, being friends with you sure ain't boring."
Jim smiles and McCoy smiles back.
"You promise not to rip him arms off?"
"Only if he promises not to hurt you again. If he does, there's nothing that will be able to protect him from me."
Jim laughs.
"You are such a southern father, all you need is the shotgun and you'd be a stereotype."
McCoy smirks and Jim laughs again.
"Like I need a shotgun? I've got much better ways of killing someone and a lot leave no trace."
They are disturbed by the first casualty coming in although both are surprised as they have felt no shock-waves from any explosions nor have they felt the phasers being fired. McCoy gets up out of his seat and clasps Jim on the shoulder, he tells Jim he can stay in his office for as long as he wants before he leaves to go deal with his patient. Jim is not in the office long when a message is piped down to him asking him to report to the bridge, Jim looks confused as he isn't supposed to be involved with any red alert type situations at least for the next few days until McCoy signs him off for full duty. Jim heads to up to the bridge where he is met by Spock who explains the situation.
"What's going on Spock?"
"Captain, we have intercepted two Klingon war-birds on their way to Earth, they both state that they are on a peaceful mission and that they are here to speak to our Federation Council, they have an agreement that has already been signed by the Klingon council but they will not show it to us unless they can speak with you first. They are willing to speak only with you because they believe that you were the only one to defeat the Narada and so they believe you to be a great warrior."
/Why does no one ever believe that it was group effort? I told the reporters that and they still put me as the hero captain./
/I believe Jim that it is because you are so photogenic and as the captain all decisions are only agreed by you./
Jim manages to keep the surprise off of his face but he knows that Spock felt it especially when he feels Spock's amusement coming through their bond.
/What do you think I should do?/
/Whatever you believe to be the right course./
A year ago, hell six months ago Jim would have not hesitated to blow them out of space because he always believed that the Klingon's were behind his fathers death. Jim nods his head and then takes his seat in his command chair, he feels Spock move to stand behind him as a show of strength. Coming to a decision Jim sits up straight in his chair and then looks at Uhura, who has been watching both man carefully with one eye whilst also keeping the other on what the Klingon's are doing.
"On screen Lieutenant."
The view screen changes from an image of two war-birds to an image of what Jim would guess is a relatively young Klingon.
"I am Captain James T. Kirk of the USS Enterprise."
"Greetings Captain Kirk I am High Councillor Gorkon of the Klingon council, I have been sent as an emissary to your council to open up talks between our two empires. I would prefer to speak in private, I do not mind beaming over to your ship."
"That is good news and you would be welcome aboard but if you are truly here for peaceful talks why do you need two war-birds?"
"The other ship is here for my protection, we did not think that our journey would be peaceful, if you wish the second ship can be sent back to Kronos if that would put you more at ease."
Jim starts to feel more and more suspicious and he can feel Spock is too.
"You are being very accommodating to our wishes."
"We have our reasons none of which we would want to discuss over subspace."
Jim nods his head as though agreeing but he is already coming up with a plan.
"Al-right, send away your second ship we will make sure that you get to Earth safely but there are a few things I would like to happen before we start our journey back. First you need you drop your shields and allow a security group beam over to check out your ship, and second you and only you will beam aboard this ship and your ship will keep it's shields down."
The Klingon becomes visually enraged.
"How dare you you dishonourable slime, how are we supposed to protect ourselves?"
"I don't see a reason why you would need to, if we come upon a threat then you may raise your shields but that is unlikely as we are in the midst of Federation space and you are being escorted by the flagship. These measures are here for the safety of my crew and planet, I am sure that if we approached your home world you would give us the same ultimatum or you would blow us out of the sky. If you are truly here for peace then you should have nothing to hide and we will be able to go on our way. If however this is all just a ruse then we will have no choice but to stop you from reaching your destination."
The Klingon smiles showing most if not all of his ferocious teeth.
"Very well Captain Kirk you have a deal."
The Klingon turns to someone just off screen and says something in Klingon that Jim cant quite hear, he looks over at Nyota who is trained to hear everything and feels relief when she nods at him, they are doing what they said they would. Chekov who has been watching the Klingon war-birds on his screen tells Jim that the second one has just gone into warp and is heading out of federation space. Sulu indicates that their shields have dropped as well. Gorkon looks back at Jim.
"It is done captain Kirk as I am sure you are already aware."
"Then you will be beamed over."
Jim gets up from his seat.
"However captain, I will need one assistant with me, if that would be permissible."
"I'm sorry, but until I've heard this proposal and my crew have had a chance to give your ship a look over only you will be allowed to beam over."
"Very well."
"You will be beamed over in one hour."
Gorkon nods.
"Uhura cut the connection. Spock order a engineering and security team to meet me in transporter room one in an hour, you have the conn.""
Jim exits the bridge and enters his ready room. He asks Uhura to put in a call to command and it is not long before it is answered by a very sleepy looking Chris Pike.
"It's three o'clock in the morning what is it?"
"Sorry Chris, but I have a Klingon war-bird sitting just off of my port side."
"So? Blow it out of the sky."
"I would but they want a meeting with the federation council to open peace talks between us."
"Are you sure they are legit?"
"They seem to be, maybe we should ask Syrek, if anyone would know it would be him."
Chris yawns.
"Hang on I'll go get him."
A few minutes later he is back with Syrek.
"Hello old friend."
"Hey Syrek, I need to ask you if you have ever heard of a Klingon Councillor called Gorkon."
At the look of surprise on Syrek's face, Jim can guess that he has.
"I take that as a yes then?""
"Indeed, he helped to create an alliance with the federation after Kronos' moon was destroyed. If he is the one who has approached you with an offer of peace it may well be truthful."
The three men speak for the next hour about about what effect the alliance had on the federation and how it changed it for the better, Syrek is quick to point out that there are people on both sides who will not want an alliance with the other side and so may attempt to stop them.
"Be careful Jim."
"I will Syrek, I'll see you in a couple of weeks if you are still on Earth."
"I have no plans to leave Earth as of yet so I will indeed still be on planet."
"Al-right then, I'll see you Syrek. Chris, I'll let you know how it is going in a couple of hours and I'll make sure to have regular check ins."
"I'll have another ship on standby and I'll have a meeting arranged by the time you get here if the offer is legitimate."
Jim signs off from the comm unit and heads out into the bridge, Spock rises when Jim enters but Jim shakes his head.
"Mr Spock you still have the conn."
Jim goes to leave the bridge but is stopped by Spock. He pulls Jim gently into a corner and lowers his voice.
"Allow me to come with you. I do not trust him."
"I know Spock but I need you here on the bridge in case they try something."
"Jim please, Lieutenant Sulu can take care of them if something does go wrong, but if something happened to you and I was not there to stop it, I would not be able to forgive myself."
"Fine but don't do this again."
At Spock's nod Jim turns back to Sulu.
"Sulu you have the conn, if anything happens let me know immediately."
"Aye sir."
With that Jim and Spock enter the turbo-lift and head down to the transporter level.
"Don't ever do that again Spock, when we are on duty you follow my orders got it?"
"Yes Jim. I am sorry."
"You are always sorry."
Spock hangs his head in shame and Jim can feel his penitence fill their bond.
"Don't do that either, I know you are sorry. Just make sure it doesn't happen again."
Spock raises his head and nods, he then daringly brushes his fingers against Jim's.
"Not on duty, OK?"
Spock pulls his fingers away but not before Jim touches them with his own fingers Spock allows a hint of a smile to reach his face before his mask slips back into place. They reach the right floor and they both step out, Spock one step behind Jim. They make their way to the transporter room where there is already a team prepared to be beamed over. After a quick call to McCoy to let him know what was happening and briefing the team for what they are to look for and to report in every fifteen minutes, the team is beamed over to the war-bird and Gorkon is beamed aboard.
"Captain Kirk, it is an honour to meet you, your exploits have been shared far and wide they have even reached our home world, I am gratified that your ship is the one who has found us."
"This is my first officer Spock, If you would like to follow me we can talk somewhere a bit more private."
Jim leads Spock and Gorkon into a conference room where Gorkon explains why the Klingon empire wishes to start a dialogue now after so much conflict, the simple answer is because they are vulnerable after the attack on Rura Penthe by Nero. Nero had done a lot more damage than was first thought of, Rura Penthe was no longer inhabitable because of the chemicals Nero had used to attack them with. Out of 147 ships the total destroyed by Nero was 89. They were simply unable to keep up the fight on two sides and Romulus had taken advantage and was now invading Klingon territory, knowing that the federation had also lost ships it was thought that an alliance would perhaps be welcomed as it means that they would no longer have to defend their borders against each other.
After the meeting Gorkon is escorted by two members of security to a guest room and Jim and Spock speak again with Chris and Syrek. While they are talking Spock once again allows his fingers to touch Jim's under the table, hidden from view and this time Jim entwines his fingers with Spock's.
TBC
The next chapter will jump a head to the first week of shore-leave, and there will be more jumps in the future in order to move Jim's pregnancy along.