A Star Trek Fiction
"Captain Kirk, he's as human as the rest of us, he just receives more crap and punishment then the majority of us. He's daring and defiant but his true loyalty and all of his motives lie in his ship, the USS Enterprise."
Confused
Chapter 25: 'A Sky Full of Stars' Coldplay
"Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?"
"I solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God."
"Please state your full name, rank, and serial number for the record."
"My name is James Tiberius Kirk, Captain of the USS Starship Enterprise, serial number SC937-0176 CEC."
"What is the date of your birth?"
"January 4th, 2233."
"Parents?"
"George and Winona Kirk."
"Siblings?"
"Sam Kirk. My brother."
"Alright, shall we proceed?"
"Yes."
"Please restate the events from the beginning of time concerning the Toq Incident."
Kirk composes himself, shifting his weight in the suddenly uncomfortable chair under the eyes of the Admiralty, sitting in a row in the darkened room. His inquisitor is someone he doesn't recognize, but he doesn't mind, just means the man won't poke into personal matters.
As he begins his ever long tale, he isn't surprised that the dark memories begin to clog into the forefront of his mind, wreaking havoc on his emotional stability. But he creates a wall between himself and those memories so he is capable of continuing on, but he's not sure how long the walls will last.
"…and that's when I discovered that the klingons had gotten aboard, after our engines short-fused and we drifted into the Neutral Zone."
"Why were you so close to the boarder?"
"Conducting research."
"Explain." The interrogator demanded rather sharply, making Jim almost rolls his eyes. Almost. "We were ordered by Starfleet to conduct research on the collapsing star."
"And what were the benefits of doing this?"
"We hoped that it would collapse into a neutron star, but unfortunately the supernova was larger than expected and when it did collapse the Enterprise was not ready."
"Did it eventually turn into a neutron star?"
Jim huffs, "I dunno, our asses-excuse my language-were grounded on the class M planet Superstes, guess we never had time to check."
"How come you were not able to maneuver a safe distance away from the supernova?"
The blond scratches at his now ruffled blond hair.
"Captain, it appears that the star we have been monitoring has become unstable. If we do not get the Warp engines back online, we may get hit with a supernova shockwave." Spock explains.
He rolls his eyes. Screw. His. Life.
"Well when I got out of the meeting with Admiral Ward, who just informs me of having a mole on board, the Warp Drive goes out and the Enterprise starts drifting. Then Doctor McCoy comms me and requests my presence at Sickbay so I gave my First Officer Spock the conn before I left to Sickbay."
"Why did Doctor McCoy request your presence?"
Spock's gaze narrows onto the Doctor, "Doctor McCoy, what exactly was your reasoning for having the Captain come to Sickbay?"
"Ensign Yonder was put into critical condition." Bones drawls, his head hanging in defeat, Jim offers comfort by placing a firm hand on the man's shoulder.
"Ensign Yonder was stabbed in the chest by the mole and died…"
Jim gives Spock and look, but then settles back on Bones, "Where is Ensign Yonder now?"
Bones huffs, "He's dead Jim."
"…But at the time, he was still alive when Bones-I mean-Doctor McCoy requested my presence. He did not say due to fear of causing further chaos on the ship."
His interrogator nods slowly and meets his gaze once more, "So let me get this straight. The Enterprise was sent to investigate a collapsing star, which at the time you had a mole aboard who stabbed Ensign Yonder and then somehow cut off power to the Warp Drive, leaving the Enterprise to drift into the Neutral Zone where the klingons awaited, correct?"
Jim purses his lips, now understanding how ridiculous the whole thing sounds, "Yes, that is correct. General Toq led the attack against the ship, breaking into the Enterprise through the old recreation room."
He can hear something, people are inside. He steps into the room, his eyes adjusting to the inefficient light. He's creeping to the other side of the room when the outside wall gives a complaint.
Before he can even flinch the wall explodes, launching him backwards. He hits the ground with a disturbing crack, his head slamming onto the cold floor.
His vision blurs and blood fills his mouth.
He coughs harshly, watching figures walk past him, not even taking notice of his presence.
He closes his eyes, he doesn't know how long it's been when he opens them again.
He groans, grabbing his communicator.
"Spock…I think…there's klingons…" He pants.
"…Then the supernova went off, causing the Enterprise to crash onto Superstes. But by then I had already passed out due to injuries."
Jim can no longer stop his hands from shaking so he carefully places them in his lap. Trying to appear calm and composed in front of all the Admirals but it's just so damn hard.
"We're stuck Jim, crashed. She crashed Jim… we crashed her." Bones mutters, filling in the blank but also giving him a wash of regret and stupidity.
He remembers now, not too clearly, but just the gist.
"Crashed…?" He manages to mumble, his voice above a whisper and only croak.
"Yes Jim, we crashed the Enterprise."
"You said that Ensign Yonder was killed by the same mole that sabotaged the Warp Drive. Who was the mole?"
Jim's eyes snap up from his lap, gaze hardening into one of steel and regret all at once, "Ensign Laura."
"Oh don't worry about the mole Captain, I've already dealt with it, actually you watched it happen." Toq snorts and Jim's face falls.
"What do you mean?"
"Do you remember when I had you chained on the Bridge?" Toq asks and Jim's entire frame shudders at the memories he has been keeping at bay.
"Yes." He states firmly.
"Well Ensign Laura was my inside man. I couldn't have her talking later on just in case, so I had her brought to the Bridge and I killed her right before your eyes."
"What happened to her?"
"Miss… Laura, did you trust Captain Kirk with your life?" Toq questions and Bones can see what the klingon's doing.
Toq's tearing him apart, mentally.
"Yes, of course, I think I say this for all the men and women aboard this ship that we trust him with our lives." Laura says firmly, holding her ground.
"What about Newman, do you think he thought the same thing as I literally snapped the life out of him?" Toq inquires, leaning over her.
"I do sir." The Ensign responds, still too stubborn to give in.
"Well how about now?" Toq growls, squeezing her throat, "See you're Captain is powerless, there's nothing he can do here. He has failed you all." The klingon sneers and proceeds to throw her against the wall.
The sound her head makes when it hits the floor is disheartening.
"General Toq killed her on the Bridge in hopes of stopping any secrets escaping through her." Jim replies, taking a heavy breath to relieve his mind of the pain welling inside.
"So General Toq, what were his intentions on taking over the Enterprise?"
Toq groans, "Very well, I guess you will hear it again. One year ago, two new flagships were released and were scheduled for inspections before duty. I so happened to see one of those ships."
"What was the ship's name?"
"Du'Ralle."
"Alright, continue." Jim demands, leaning back in the chair.
Toq huffs at him, blowing a long exhale before starting up on his explanation, "As I was saying. I so happened to see one of those ships, the one I saw was the Du'Ralle. And at that time there was a very high price on your pretty blond head and the price was even better if you were brought back alive."
"Kidnapping me would start an all out war." Jim points out.
"Not if you were to cross into the Neutral Zone, that means you violated the treaty and now we have all rights to arrest you." Toq grins devilishly.
"General Toq hoped that if he captured me along with Starfleet's flagship he'd earn the Du'Ralle, a new klingon flagship that was supposedly, top class." He responds rather slow and groans inwardly as his mind seems to shatter away.
"Skipping to the end, since we've already heard the exact details through First Officer Spock's interview along with your written testimony… how did you exactly gain control of the Enterprise?"
Kirk grinds his teeth, his brain racking for the answer that he buried so deep within to keep his sanity.
"For a while Bones and I were alone…"
"Bones…stop! Bones! Oww!" He yelps and squirms underneath the hands.
They're supposed to be gentle, they aren't today. The hands are in a bad mood.
"Stop your flinching baby." Bones replies ruggedly, bags forming under his eyes.
Bones is tired, too tired.
"…he uhh, he cared for me and kept me alive. Then we ran into Spock a little later and I ended up losing both of them when I got captured by some klingon guards while Spock and Doctor McCoy infiltrated Sickbay…"
Two pairs of arms pull him to his feet, shoving him upright. Struggling against them, he's unable to free himself. He's slowly dragged through the corridor, just wishing that Spock and McCoy will be able to find him.
His head hangs, blood seeping from his lips. His heartbeat is shallow. He glances groggily at the ground. His shadow, his shadow follows him. He must be truly broken if the only thing that follows him is his shadow, but the shadow isn't even his own and that worries him.
"…then next thing I knew General Toq had me and he chained me to the Captain's chair where he proceeded to murder Ensign Newman and Laura. And after a quick recess…"
"They're dead because of me Bones…they're dead…" His voice cracks and so does his heart.
"Jim, there was nothing you could have done about it. If it's anyone's fault, it's all of ours, not just yours." Bones reassures him.
He sniffles, letting some tears slide by. He knows Bones is trying to reconcile him, but it's not working. It'll probably never work.
"Jim, you're gonna have to let go of this. Or none of us is gonna make it out alive, you understand me?" Bones says, leaning down to look at his face.
He doesn't meet Bones' gaze, he can't.
"Do you understand damn it?" Bones snaps, grabbing his shoulders and jostling him.
He peers up at Bones, tears steadily flowing from his crystal blue eyes.
"…Toq decided to show off little. You see during the several days Doctor McCoy and I spent trying to stay alive, the klingons were repairing the ship. But also during that time, First Officer Spock sabotaged their repairs and General Toq was unable to bring the Enterprise back online..."
"Release our Captain now General Toq, or face the consequences of your actions." A calm voice states over the ship's speakers.
Toq freezes, letting go of his throat. He gasps for breath, sucking in the much needed oxygen. He looks over at Bones, the Doctor was mouthing something.
"You vulcan bastard." Bones breathes, looking up at the ceiling almost imagining the vulcan appearing.
He smiles, guess Spock was doing something helpful after all.
"…Spock got into the system and distracted General Toq by holding a conversation with him over the ship's speakers and then at the right moment, he sent off an EMP. It took out everything. All the lights went out including the emergency lights…"
All equipment and outside electrical devices went out. An EMP swept through the whole ship. Everyone falls silent. Suddenly phasers go off and the sounds of punches being thrown can be heard across the Bridge.
He begins to struggle against the restraints. He has to find Bones; he has to find Bones now. Damn it.
"…And I managed to get out of my restraints, but not before Doctor McCoy planted a bomb in the middle of the Bridge..."
The explosion made a great popping sound which shattered everyone's eardrums that were close enough and if they were lucky, their ears were only ringing. The room instantly became smoky and hot and most of the equipment shattered from the initial blast.
"…Fortunately the crew was able to take cover before the blast, including myself. But Doctor McCoy was caught in the blast and ended up being critically injured in the process…"
Fatigued, weary, bloody, and exhausted mentally and physically, more than anyone else in the entire ship, He is the first one to his feet. Heart pounding he runs, jumping over large chunks of shrapnel and over littered either dead or moaning bodies of klingons and crewmen.
Bones, goddamn it, Bones.
He nears his friend and his run slows slightly, a shaky hand covering his lips. The Doctor is sprawled out across the floor, bloody and bruised.
"Bones…? Bones!" His voice chokes up as he collapses at the good Doctor's side.
"Oh my god, Bones!"
"Captain Kirk? Are you alright?" The interrogator's voice snaps him out of his haze. He blinks, clearing his foggy mind and meets the concerned face, "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you."
"Do you wish for a twenty minute break before we continue?"
Kirk nods, "Yes, thank you."
With that the Captain gathers to his feet and makes a hasty, yet calm, retreat to the door. Once out he's met by Bones' big brown eyes, filled to the brim with worry and anticipation. Jim stares back, finding all the comfort in the world in those eyes. It's just what he needed.
"That was fast." Bones comments and comes closer, unsure if Jim in on the verge of ripping someone's throat out or about to burst into a million pieces due to the self loathing.
"We're taking a twenty minute break." He replies almost robotically, but it's all he can manage through the growing lump in his throat.
"Okay, there's a coffee place down the street, we can head there and come back." Bones offers, but Jim knows better, Bones' simple offer isn't an invitation but a strict order.
He nods his response, "Just lemme use the restroom first."
"Alright, I'll wait here."
Jim doesn't wait further; he heads for the closest bathroom and immediately enters the stall and locks it. He sucks in a shaky breath before reluctantly throwing up stomach acid into the white toilet. The taste lingers on his tongue and the burning sensation settles deep within his throat. His stomach rolls again, he just clutches onto the toilet, hoping he won't pass out from his sudden dizzy spell. He remains there for quite some time, eyes squeezing shut while he tries to regain his breath. But the harder he tries, the more light headed he feels.
He slumps to the floor, one hand gripping the toilet rim tightly while the other tears into his golden hair, nearly ripping it out by the roots. He licks his dry lips and tilts his head upwards, harsh pants escaping his mouth.
"Jim?" Bones' careful tone barely pulls him from his fuzzy blur of bleariness.
"Bones." His statement runs chills through the Doctor's spine and he doesn't hesitate to find the one and only stall that's occupied, "Open the door Jim."
Jim gazes over at the locked door, but he can't find the strength within himself to stand up and unlock it. So he settles with a desperate whimper that causes Bones' heart to tighten in sympathy.
"Okay-okay, I'll climb underneath the door." Leonard grumbles, his southern accent really getting his grumpiness across.
Thank god for old-fashioned bathroom stalls.
Bones slips under, dragging his body fully to the other side before brushing the dirt and grime from his suit. He then stares over at Jim, watching as his chest falls up and down faster than a rabbit's.
He's hyperventilating.
"You damn bastard." Bones whispers and yanks Jim forcefully into a hug, one of which smells of vomit and sweat, and takes place on the floor of bathroom stall, typical Jim Kirk style.
The Doctor breathes in Jim's scent through his blond ruffles, reminding the Leonard that Jim could use a haircut. Add a shave to that list as well.
Jim has become completely still, his chest no longer rising and falling so quickly. Bones takes a glance down, but the blond has his face buried into his shoulder, arms hooked underneath his armpits. Despite the slight ache in his back and the building tension in his quads, he remains in place, holding the blond steady in hopes of grounding him.
With a sharp inhale, Jim pulls away and sits back, staring into Bones' eyes, gratitude gleaming ever so obviously in his bright blue eyes, "Thanks Bones."
"No problem kid." Leonard replies with the normal grin, "No, thanks Bones." Jim insists, causing Bones' head to tilt in confusion, "You're welcome? I dunno what you want me to say."
Jim chuckles softly and how it is a blessing to Leonard's deprived ears, "Don't say anything Leonard."
The fact that Jim used his first name sends red flags waving through his head, but he pushes down the disturbed feeling and offers his Captain a smile. Jim accepts the smile and gets to his feet, but wobbles and almost tumbles over if it isn't for Bones' caring hands steadying him by the elbow.
"Let's get out of here and get that coffee." Bones suggests and unlocks the door after giving the toilet a quick flush.
He brings Jim to the sink and lets the blond wash himself up before heading out the bathroom door with a plastered grin on his face. Bones knows it's fake, but he also knows he's just doing it for the public. If Bones didn't know any better, he'd think Jim didn't just puke his guts out and nearly melt into a heap of self pity.
If Bones hadn't shown up when he did, Jim would've crashed. But that doesn't mean he won't crash later. The Doctor is positive as soon as they get back to the apartment Jim will breakdown. Which he can't blame him for. Starfleet is picking at scabs. Jim hasn't had enough time to heal; it isn't fair for the blond.
But what about this whole thing has been fair?
They walk side by side once more, Jim refusing any comfort or support from Bones. It's the simple things. Jim won't let Bones walk a step ahead, nor will their shoulders graze in stride. The blond's back to pushing but Bones is cemented and he isn't going anywhere. No matter how hard Jim shoves, Bones isn't falling. The blond will have to pray to God and march around with trumpets to bring down the walls of Jericho.
"Bones?"
The Doctor glances over, seeing that Jim has stopped walking and now stands still, head hanging and gaze cast down to the sidewalk, "Yeah Jim?" He replies, approaching slowly, his steps graceful and also soundless as he nears.
"I'm not sure if I can do this."
Jim isn't shoving, he's digging, and he's digging quickly. His grave has long past the standard six feet deep. But if Jim's digging, than Bones will grab a shovel and fill it before the blond has time to place his coffin at the bottom.
"Don't be absurd Jim. Of course you can do it. You're James T. Kirk. You saved the goddamn world and just defeated Toq! God Jim this is a piece of cake compared to those times." Leonard points out, resting a gentle hand on the Captain's shoulder.
Jim accepts the slight reassurance from the physical contact, but it only lasts seconds before he brushes Bones' hand away in slight annoyance that he can't stop from showing on his face, "During those times I was just trying to live! I was trying to get through it. I should only have to live through something once. Not see you…" Jim trails off, his voice dropping to a low murmur.
"What Jim?" Bones prompts, crossing his arms to keep his hands from nervously patting away on his thighs.
The blue eyes glance up, "I shouldn't have to relive the explosion Bones."
Bones freezes. He too had relived through those memories many times over, seeing the images of Jim's crying face hovering right over him. But those memories he had the right to keep to himself, unlike Jim who is now being forced to share his side of the story in front of the Admiralty.
"Jim…"
"I was so angry Bones. Angry with the klingons, with my crew, with Toq. With myself. I just wanted it to be over."
"It is over."
Jim shakes his head somberly, "It isn't over Bones. It never will be, they just keep coming, poking and stabbing until all that's left is bones…" The blond stops himself from going further, blinking a few times to clear his mind of his thoughts, Bones too stunned to speak.
"Look kid…" Bones begins, starting to guide Jim down the sidewalk once more, towards the nearing coffee shop, "I know it can be hard sometimes but you just gotta hold on."
"Hold onto what?"
"Me, hold onto me Jim."
Jim suddenly feels satisfied with Bones' answer, but still he hangs his head and lets Bones lead him away with the vice grip on his bicep. They reach the coffee place in no time and they order some drinks, grateful for the warm-non replicated-caffeine currently in their hands.
It doesn't take long until their time has grown short and they have to make a hasty return to the building. Jim's face only grows more into a frown the closer they get to their destination. Indignation rises in Bones' chest, but there's not much he can do as he watches Jim gulp down the rest of his coffee and head back into the interview room. This leaves Bones to inwardly groan and slump back down onto the familiar couch.
The blond breathes calmly as he takes his seat once more, catching the flicker of movements coming from the Admiralty as they settle back down to hear his testimony. Not that he cares much, but the fact that they're hidden in the shadows unnerves him slightly.
"Thank you Captain for joining us once more…" The interrogator begins, shuffling through some files while also bringing out a PADD.
"My pleasure." He whips out a Jim Kirk grin, hoping that they don't see the strained lines in his face as he forces the smile out.
"So Captain, please continue where you left off, then we need to go back and review a certain detail that the Admiralty find interesting. They only wish further questioning in that area, that's all."
Jim nods, letting the fake smile fall from his lips as he ponders where exactly to pick up the story. His inquisitor lets him summon it up on his own instead of easily reading off his handwritten notes right in front of him.
"Right… the explosion."
Everyone in the room is frozen, standing completely still.
The green light gets brighter and brighter and Bones gathers to his feet quickly.
"Bomb!" The Doctor shouts and within that split second, two things happened.
One: all crew members dropped to their stomachs and covered their heads. And two: the explosion went off, taking all the klingons out and one unlucky Doctor.
"Doctor McCoy was critically injured and I tried to help him before my crew, and McCoy himself encouraged me to go after General Toq…"
"Re-remember what I-I said earlier?" Bones questions.
He nods his head; the ship is his top priority, "The Enterprise." He whispers softly and Bones smiles.
"Yes, the Enterprise James." Bones grins, stroking the side of his face, "Protect her James. Go get him."
"…so I proceeded to chase down General Toq after Ensign Chekov handed me phaser and sent me out the door. Along the way there I ran into my First Officer Spock…"
"Captain!" A voice calls out and he twirls around, firing his weapon right by the person's head.
"Shooting me would be highly illogical Captain. The proficiency of this ship would drop-" Spock starts but he cuts him off, rushing to his First Officer's side.
"Spock! Thank god Spock." He gasps, lowering his phaser and wrapping the stoic vulcan into a hug.
Spock just raises an eyebrow at him, "This action is not logical and is very uncomfortable if I may add."
"Shut up you pointy-eared bastard." He grumbles, still hugging his vulcan friend.
"We then tracked down General Toq, he had three guards with him but Spock easily took them out and I went after Toq."
The klingons seem fairly surprised as he and Spock bound the corner, weapons firing into the black.
General Toq runs as soon as he makes eye contact. Spock is left to deal with the guards as he takes off sprinting in the direction of the General, willing to end all of his demons. Spock lets him go, keeping the task firmly at the three guards.
He sprints down the halls, his legs shaking with each step. All the cuts, bruises, fractures, and torn muscles seeming to fade into one throbbing pain along with his desire of revenge. He longs for it; it's the only thing that will quench his unending thirst. He must do this, for Bones and for the Enterprise.
"I managed to reach him in time, but Toq still had the upper hand with his vast strength. Fortunately First Officer Spock was able to rendezvous with me. And together we took down General Toq, thus ending the klingon attack on the Enterprise."
He's still punching when Toq falls unconscious and he's still punching when Spock shouts his name but receives no answer.
Body trembling, arms wrap around him, pulling him off of the bloody klingon's chest.
"No! No!" He screams, fighting back the vulcan's arms to throw in a few more punches at Toq.
"Captain! Jim!" Spock yells, pinning his arms down and pulling him aside.
But he doesn't listen; no he has to finish the job. Toq must die, for Bones. So he keeps fighting, shoving Spock away and scrambling back to the General's unconscious body only to be picked up forcefully and pulled away once more.
He's spun around and Spock meets his gaze, "Jim you must calm yourself."
He stares back at his friend, shaking within the vulcan's grasp, "Spock…Bones." He whispers, his voice cracking.
Spock gives him an understanding nod and pulls him into a hug, bringing strong arms around him. He gives in, grasping onto Spock's shoulders after looping underneath the vulcan's arms. They stand there, Spock holding him until he stops shaking from exhaustion and desperation.
"…We tied up General Toq and we went back to the Bridge. From there I gave out the orders and the injured were taken to Sickbay and Mister Scott rounded up the security teams and freed up the remaining crew. Sulu and Chekov worked on getting our systems online and First Officer Spock oversaw the repairs. Once I was sure that the Enterprise was in good hands I turned myself into Sickbay to be checked where I remained there for twelve days total before being released."
Jim takes a breath, letting silence consume them before continuing, "We then made the necessary repairs and upgrades for the Enterprise and in a little over four weeks we got the engines back online and we made our trip back to Earth while the whole time we kept the klingons aboard our ship. And now, here we are."
"Thank you Captain, only a few more questions." The man pauses before him, setting something up on his PADD before glancing up at him, "Now please, I want you to listen to this and afterwards I will ask you some questions concerning the audio recording."
Jim nods, his stomach twisting into a tight knot. Shit this can't be good. The interrogator presses the button and immediately Jim's face falls. He's doomed. He failed. He promised to protect his crew, but now he's screwed and there's no way he can protect them now.
The recording is all too familiar. It was one of the shortest meetings he's ever had, but in all he felt like it was one of the longest. He can't recall why, maybe he was outright bored, or maybe he just wasn't in the mood. But whatever it was, it causes his heart to rip as he hears his own words echo back to him.
The audio sizzles into life.
"Captain Kirk."
"Admiral, I wasn't expecting you to be hailing."
"Yes, sorry about that, I would have given you a heads up. But this is serious Captain."
"So serious that you have to distract me from my important duties of a starship Captain?"
"Watch the sarcasm Captain, if you don't handle this correctly, it can end badly."
"Sorry Admiral."
"Now, Captain you are alone yes?"
"Very well then. I am here to inform you of some troubling news…Starfleet has reason to believe you have a mole aboard the Enterprise."
"You must be mistaken…"
"I'm afraid not Captain, appears some of the Enterprise's records have been stolen and have made it across the Neutral Zone."
"We have reason to believe that this traitor or insider is in league with the klingons, or possibly the romulans."
"Starfleet orders you to pull away from the border and head directly for the closest Starbase, there the Enterprise will be on official shore leave until we get this whole ordeal sorted out."
"Sir, with all due respect, I believe I can handle my crew accordingly and can decide the next course of action."
"It isn't a choice Captain Kirk, this is a direct order from Starfleet. Direct violation of this order can lead to court martial, as you very well know Kirk."
"Admiral, permission to speak freely sir."
"Granted."
"The Enterprise needs to stay here a few more hours, for we are currently conducting valuable research-"
"Captain, I know of you and your infamous records, you shall report back immediately and drop any current missions or research you are conducting. Understood?"
"Understood. Admiral?"
"Yes Captain?"
"I have an away team; it will take some time to retrieve them."
"No bullshit Kirk."
"Not shitting you sir, the planet has some furious storms co-merging in the atmosphere so it may take some time to receive contact and be able to beam them up through the magnetic storm."
"Alright, you got four hours to hull your ass out of there, or Starfleet is gonna have your head on a silver platter."
"Looking forward to it sir."
"I'm serious Kirk; you can get in real trouble for this. Just get your ass to Starbase ASAP. I don't want any heads to roll today."
"Completely understood sir, no rolling heads."
"And Kirk, watch the sass. You're lucky you only had to deal with me."
"Sorry Admiral, won't happen again. Captain Kirk out."
The recording comes to a static end before the interrogator promptly turns off the PADD and glances over his questions.
Jim shifts nervously in his chair. They've found it. They finally got dirt on him and there's no way to stop them from smothering it all over him.
"Captain Kirk, you mentioned earlier in your statement that Admiral Ward informed you of a mole on board, how come you did not also mention the direct orders from Starfleet you received also that day?"
Kirk pauses. He has to tread lightly. He's playing with fire here and he knows it. It' about to get hot.
"I did not find any reason in mentioning it because our Warp Drive was incapable of getting us to the Starbase in the first place." Jim defends himself confidently, hoping that was enough to get them off his back, but they're now breathing down his neck.
"Captain you said that you were conducting research. Please restate what you were researching for the record."
Shit-shit-shit-shit.
"We were conducting research on the collapsing star." He states firmly, trying to push down his rising anxiety.
"Then please Captain Kirk, explain why you claimed to have an away team stuck on a planet with 'magnetic storms'. The closest planet to you at the time was Superstes, but that is across the Neutral Zone and in klingon space. That would be breaking the treaty."
He can barely breathe now. They have him backed up into a corner.
"Captain?" His inquisitor urges and Jim finally gives in, blowing out an exasperated sigh before calmly placing his hands on the table.
"I lied to Admiral Ward. There was no away team and there was no planet. I believed at the time that the best thing for the wellbeing of my crew and of my ship was to remain there and resolve the issues at hand." He gives in, letting the truth slip easily from his lips.
"To what issues do you refer Captain? At the time of your meeting the Warp Drive was still on and nothing had happened yet."
"When Admiral Ward told me that I had a mole on board, I will admit that I did not wish to return to the Starbase. I feared that it would take too long for Starfleet to find the person. I wished to take matters into my own hands so I told him that we had an away team stuck on a planet to buy some extra time." Jim is so close from falling apart that it's becoming evident on his face. But the questioner doesn't stop, he continues on, making the blond's chest restrict.
"Captain Kirk, you do realize that if you had followed Admiral Ward's instructions that the Enterprise would have never have crashed onto Superstes and all of the lives of your lost crew would have been saved?"
"I do." He wheezes, blinking fiercely to make the tears die down before they fall down his face.
"Captain Kirk, there are no more questions. You are free to go. But I must warn you. You must be in your assigned apartment before eight o'clock tonight and must remain there until security arrives to pick you up at six in the morning. You know the procedures."
He just nods, knowing full well of what is yet to come.
It's over. Bones is right. But he remembers Bones' instructions. Hold onto me.
Jim steps out of the room, finding the Doctor snoring away on the couch. Slumped over in exhaustion. He smiles, coming to his friend's side before proceeding to scoop him up into his arms. It's been awhile since he's carried someone the size of Bones, but he manages because he has to.
He makes it outside in no time, bottling up his feelings and keeping his raging emotions at bay. He'll just have to hold out for a little longer before he can hold on and brace for the storm.
They make it back to the apartment in one piece, Bones still sleeping in the Captain's arms as they enter the room. Jim proceeds to place him softly onto the couch and throw a blanket over him after yanking off his Starfleet issued boots.
Fatigued, mentally and physically, Jim lands harshly to the apartment floor and lets his head lull back and rest upon the couch by Bones' knees. His eyes slip shut quickly and he welcomes the blackness that he succumbs to, releasing the nightmarish hell called his memories.
He wakes in feverish sobs, his body sticky with sweat and his skin pale. Jim blinks rapidly and wipes away the tears, finding that Bones is still sound asleep on the couch where he had left him. He checks the time, it's only nine, but the sky has already darkened.
With as sigh he gets up and heads for the door, and despite his strict orders to stay in his room, he leaves, locking the door behind himself knowing that Bones will be after him. He makes a b-line for the exit and welcomes the refreshing air that soaks into his skin.
Jim walks for some time, until he finds a nice quiet place on the grass to gaze up at the stars. As he lays back, eyes beginning to droop once more, he can almost imagine the Enterprise up there, shining with all her brilliance that surely he did not deserve. This has become much more than he and Bones, if he wants to stay with Bones he'll have to keep the Enterprise. But the Enterprise seems just out of reach.
He pauses, the sky full of stars twinkling down upon him as he ponders to himself.
He already knows what's going to happen. Tomorrow morning their coming for him, the Federation, and they'll lock him away for mutiny. He'll be surprised if they even give him a fair trial.
The blond sighs once more and accepts his fate amongst the stars and amongst the living.
Author's Note: Hey thanks yall for the reviews! It means the world to me when yall share your thoughts :) I hope yall are enjoying the story so far (I think I've pulled it together…somewhat). This is the quickest update I've had in awhile and I'm sorry for that, just been so busy with school. Well thanks yall for everything, without you guys I'd be nowhere. Live Long and Prosper.