Why This Candle? Why This Cake?
Chapter 21
"Dance madly as if all of life is meant for dancing and celebrating."
Osho
Jim and Leonard were silent as he piloted the shuttle back to the farm house. After the end of her interrogation, Zalaa had been moved to one of the state of the art SIS brigs as a temporary holding cell. She would stay there until her hearing.
"Jim, what do you think is gonna' happen to Zalaa."
"She's waived her rights to representation, Bones, so now all that's left is her court martial hearing. Treason and sabotage are crimes that carry the death penalty, but that kind of punishment hasn't been carried out for over a hundred years. Most likely she'll be stripped of her Fleet rank, status, and privileges and the court will sentence her to life imprisonment on Rura Penthe. It's the harshest punishment possible other than the death penalty."
Leonard shuddered, a shiver of foreboding running down his back. Rura Penthe was the notorious penal colony planetoid used by many worlds for the very worst of criminals. It was known as "the alien's graveyard" because the life expectancy for a prisoner there was at most a year. When it had first begun as a prison, no one on any Federation world wanted the responsibility of overseeing such a place. It was a bitterly cold, the landscape consisting of frozen glaciers and gusting blizzards. All living and mining activity was conducted underground, because without proper clothing no humanoid could survive on the surface. It was a barely habitable place where the sun seldom shone, and as far as anyone knew, there had never been any indigenous life there.
A magnetic shield covered the mining facility and the vast area surrounding it to prevent escape through beaming from the surface. The facility was routinely patrolled by armed guards, but further security measures were unnecessary because of the bitter climate. Prisoners wore clothing made of some sort of animal fur and the mining was done with pickaxes and lasers.
The Klingons, upon hearing about the vast quantity of dilithium there, volunteered to run the prison in exchange for exclusive rights to mine the dilithium. The Federation Council approved the contract and the Klingons built the underground prison barracks and were put in charge of the mines. All the prisoners were made to mine the dilithium. Around the Federation it was said that one was better off dead than sentenced to work in the mines of Rura Penthe.
"It's a sorry end to what could have been a productive happy life and career. All in the name of obsessive revenge. Real sad that, Jimmy."
Jim was silent, but Leonard could see that his jaw was clenched so tightly, that Leonard feared for his molars. Jim was the most genial of Captains, his was patient and understanding with his crew, and his disposition was usually happy, sunny. But there were times when Jim could react with anger, but he was at his most formidable when he went past fury to cold, incisive insight. Leonard had seen him display an emotional control that could rival any Vulcan. This treachery of Zalaa had pushed all his buttons. Jim held his Fleet oaths, his honor sacred, and Zalaa had betrayed all that he held dear.
"It is," he responded shortly. "She's a disgrace to her people, to the honor they uphold, to the Federation, and to Fleet." He gave Leonard a side glance. "Let's change the subject, Bones, please. Looks like we'll be home by supper time...and Ma's meatloaf," he smiled tightly. "Spock should also be back from San Francisco and I'm sure he'll want to eat dinner with us. Violet and Davy are probably already there." He grinned at Bones. Can't wait to see that little guy."
Leonard's blue eyes shone. "Yeah, me too, and tomorrow my Joanna's arrivin' and that will cheer us up, Jimmy. It's a good thing Peter is startin' on his spring vacation and he'll be home all week, or you'd have a hard time getting him to school every morning with Joanna stayin' home."
Jim smiled, his mood lightening. He adored Joanna, and the child felt the same about him. She had called him Uncle Jim since her toddler days.
"I'll be glad to get home, Bones, put this miserable mission behind us and focus on Ma's birthday party. I haven't done as much as I wanted to help out."
"Yeah, but Ny says while a lot's been done, there's still lots left to do. And you've had other responsibilities, but I'm ready to pitch in to help you," Leonard smiled. He, like Jim, wanted everything to be perfect for the party. No one deserved it more than Winona Kirk.
The birthday party was now a week away, scheduled for next Friday evening. Plans were moving forward quickly thanks to Winona's two assistants. With Uhura's help, all the invitations had been sent, Winona standing firm at the count of 60 adults, one for each year of her life, she told Jim, not counting the children.
Jim, with Bones' stern warning ringing in his ears, had acquiesced about the number of guests and not made a fuss about increasing the number of invitations.
Jim, Bones, Spock, Gavin, and Jonathon were assigned the task of stringing up the outdoor lights on the trees in the front yard, around the front porch posts and side railings, and on the boxwood bushes lining the front walk. Even the antique Kirk mail box would get strung with multicolored lights. Hopefully the weather would be fine for the evening and, if not everyone would move indoors.
The caterers would set out one large buffet table for the main dishes, another for salads, vegetables and side dishes, and a third smaller table for desserts and coffee. Large ice filled tubs would hold soft drinks and beer. Three long tables sitting twenty guests each would be placed out on the front lawn. The tables would be set with white linen tablecloths, napkins, formal white china, glassware and silver place settings. There would also be one small table for the children.
Jim had reserved a block of rooms at the Riverside Hotel for the out of town guests. It was the only hotel in Riverside, and although it was not luxurious, it was cozy, clean and comfortable.
Violet had volunteered to do all the flowers; fresh flower centerpieces for all the guest tables, and a bigger one for the main buffet table. She declared the flowers would be her birthday gift to Winona and nothing Winona said about the expense dissuaded her.
There would be music all evening. Jim insisted on it, because his mother loved music, and one of his earliest and happiest memories was the sound of his mother's voice either singing or humming the songs she loved. She still did that as she worked around the house or was cooking in the kitchen. To the delight of the local theater group, Winona hired their eight piece orchestra and lead singers for the entire evening.
"We're almost home, Bones." Jim looked down at Riverside; the town was looking particularly mellow and beautiful. It was that time of the day that Jim's ancestors called The Gloaming, that brief period of time after sunset and before the darkness of night. He parked the shuttle in its usual place and they entered the back door to find the kitchen alight and bustling with activity.
"Jim, Len!" His mom greeted them happily. "Just in time for supper!"
"Ji, Ji, Ji," Davy's delighted yell made them laugh. Jim plucked him from his booster into his arms and Davy gave him a tight neck hug and an open mouth kiss. Violet gave Jim and Leonard an impartial hug. "Davy, don't choke the life out of Jim," she cautioned him. She took him from Jim's arms and put him back in his booster. "Time to eat, Davy."
"Eat, eat, Ma!"
"You have a fickle child, Violet Palomino Bradford."
"Food trumps anyone right now," Violet laughed. "Davy's always hungry."
Dinner was delicious, Winona's meatloaf savory and mouthwatering. Davy, now learning to use a baby sized fork, gave up on it, and used his fingers, then asked Ma for "mow."
Dinner was well underway, when Peter with a quick, nervous glance at Jim asked, "Dr. Bones after dinner can I speak to you privately in Noni's study?"
Leonard looked up from his plate in surprise. Winona opened her mouth to say something, but a soft tap from Jim's foot and a meaningful look from him, made her close it again.
"Of course, Peter." He looked worriedly at Jim, but Jim's serene smile reassured him. "We'll go in the study right after we finish."
Peter sighed in relief. Joanna was coming tomorrow and he had to get the kitten issue sorted, find out from Dr. Bones if he was okay with Joanna receiving one of Cleo's kittens. This morning he'd received a message from T'Lane that the kittens were ready for their new homes. Peter promised that he'd let her know tomorrow morning if Joanna could have the kitten. He bent over his meatloaf and finished it quickly.
Jim looked at the bent little head tenderly. He knew the kitten issue had weighed heavily on Peter's mind. He took his responsibility of finding a good home for Cleo's kitten very seriously. He also wanted to make Joanna happy. As Peter grew, Jim was noticing that his personality and temperament were reminding him more and more of Sam's. Although at this age Peter looked more like Jim than Sam, he had that innate kindness, serene temperament, and deep sense of responsibility that had always been present in Sam and in his grandfather, George. Jim was more like his mother, intrepid, adventuresome, charming, and charismatic.
"Since we're both finished, Peter, let's go into the study for our talk, okay?"
"Noni, I'll feed the animals as soon as I'm through talking to Dr. Bones."
"Don't worry about it Peter," Jim assured him. "Davy and I will do it, right Davy? You want to feed Dapple, Ginger, and the chickens with me?"
"Davy banged on his tray. "Yes, yes, yes. I go."
"Guess that answers my question. You and Bones take your time, Peter."
In the study Leonard sat in Winona's chair and Peter on the small love seat facing him. He had his padd with him, and fiddled with it.
"There now, Peter. We're both comfortable. Now tell me what did you want to talk to me about?"
So Peter told him about Joanna's desire for a kitten, about Cleo's three babies, of Sarek and Amanda's wish for finding good homes for them, and of his idea of getting one of the kittens for Joanna.
"Joanna's mom is okay with it but only if you agree she's old enough to take care of the kitten, Dr. Bones." Peter turned worried eyes to Leonard. "I can teach Joanna all about taking care of the kitten while she's here with us, Dr. Bones. She told me she's a real fast learner."
Leonard's lips twitched, but he kept his face solemn. He nodded his head. "She is a fast learner. I agree with that. Now tell me more about this kitten."
Peter opened his padd. "T'Lane sends me pictures of them pretty often. Here is the one Joanna wants. This is the only girl kitten out of the three. She's real pretty, isn't she? That cinnamon color in an Abyssinian is called Red. See the brown and cream colors at the tips, and that brown line down the middle of her head, all the way to the tip of her tail? She's real pretty, isn't she? Her little nose and foot pads are pink instead of black like Sorrel's and Queen Cleo's. Abbys can have either color, and see the underneath color of her fur? It's apricot. Their eyes are real big, a golden color or green." Peter grinned at Leonard. "Look at her little tufted ears. Joanna thought they were real cute, like a little wildcat."
"She is very cute, but she's very tiny, Peter."
"She's twelve weeks old, so she's already weaned, but she's always gonna be smaller than Sorrel," Peter explained. "Which is good, because Joanna is little. I think she's a real special kitten, don't you think so? And T'Lane says she's very smart. So what do you think, Dr. Bones? Do you think Joanna is old enough to own a kitten?" He looked up from the padd anxiously. "I gotta let T'Lane know right away, 'cause someone else wants her, it's someone at the embassy. But T'Lane and Lady Amanda promised that I could have first choice for Joanna, and if you say yes, T'Lane can bring the kitten when she, Mr. Sarek, and Lady Amanda come to Noni's party. Joanna could take the kitten home in a cat carrier."
"Hmm, that does put a different complexion on the situation," Leonard said seriously. "We certainly don't want to delay if someone's waitin' in the wings for that kitten. Tell you what, young Peter, if you'll take on the responsibility of teaching JoJo how to take good care of the kitten, help her learn all about the responsibilities of having a pet, then I'll agree to her getting this kitten."
Peter's face broke into a huge grin! "Really, Dr. Bones?"
"Really, Peter," Leonard grinned back, his blue eyes twinkling.
"Oh, boy! Wait 'til I tell Joanna!" Leonard suddenly had a lap full of little boy and was half strangled in a tight hug. "Thanks, Dr. Bones." Peter's small face was flushed with pleasure. Joanna was going to be so happy.
"You're welcome. Now you run along and comm JoJo before it's her bed time. Just remind her that she's gonna be responsible for the health and welfare of that tiny kitten.
"I will, Dr. Bones, and I have to tell T'Lane too. She's gonna be happy and excited." He grinned suddenly and mischievously at Leonard, "or as happy and excited as a Vulcan can get," Peter added, running out excitedly to impart the good news.
Leonard laughed loudly, and went back into the kitchen. Everyone was still around the big round table, obviously waiting to hear what the conversation between Peter and Leonard had been about.
Jim, with a Davy on his lap, looked curiously at Bones. "Everything okay, Bones? Where's Peter?"
"Everything's fine," he told them. "Peter went to tell Joanna she's gonna be the proud owner of one of Cleo's kittens." He felt Sorrel at his feet. With Davy on Jim's lap, Sorrel had felt brave enough to come out of hiding to eat his dinner. Len reached down a hand to pet the beautiful cat. "You hear that, Sorrel, your baby sister is gonna live with my Joanna." Sorrel chirped his gratification at the news and took off running as Davy scrambled down from Jim's lap.
"Kitty, kitty," Davy said, looking avidly after him.
"You leave kitty alone, young man," his mother told him. "When you get a little older you may play with Sorrel without lovingly hugging him to death."
"It is gratifying that Joanna will have one of Queen Cleo's kittens, Dr. McCoy. I, myself, am quite partial to cats and to Cleo especially. She has a noble temperament, is a very intelligent and affectionate cat. Her offspring will make an excellent companion for Joanna. I am certain she will handle the responsibility of being a pet owner well. You and Peter will be excellent pet tutors."
Well thank you, Spock." Leonard said, hiding his surprise at the compliment.
Peter ran in beaming from ear to ear. "Joanna was real excited, Dr. Bones. She can't wait to get here tomorrow to see you. I commed T'Lane too, and she said to tell you that she and Lady Amanda are very gratified you agreed JoJo could have the kitten. When T'Lane, Mr. Sarek and Lady Amanda come to the party she'll bring the kitten, then me, Joanna, and T'Lane are going to have a meeting to discuss what to name the kitten. T'Lane said to tell you not to worry about a cat carrier, collar, a bed or kitten food. She's bringing everything," Peter reported. "I can't wait to see Joanna's face when she sees the kitten. They're real small when they're just weaned, Dr. Bones. Sorrel could fit in the palm of Noni's hand, remember, Noni?"
Winona smiled at him and nodded.
"They grow pretty fast though. This kitty will always be smaller than Sorrel, just cause she's a girl, and girl Abyssinian kitties always stay smaller."
"Well now, that's mighty nice of T'Lane to bring all that for JoJo, Peter." Leonard glanced at Spock. "I bet your mama had something to do with that, don't you think so Spock?"
Spock nodded. "I do. Mother is very particular about Cleo's kittens; who they're given to, and the kind of care they receive. She often tells father and me that Cleo is royalty, and therefore her kittens are too. As a consequence they must have the best accrutements to take with them when they are given away. Father and I are almost certain she means it facetiously, but we, as well as the Embassy staff, comply with her wishes."
"I bet you do," Bones agreed, glancing at Jim. Lady Amanda was a formidable woman, and he was sure the Vulcans had learned that early on.
Winona stood. "It's past time you were in bed, Peter. Your Uncle Jim and Davy did your outside chores, it's bath, teeth, and bed for you young man. You can sleep a little bit later tomorrow since it's the start of your spring vacation."
"I'll wake you in plenty of time so you can go with Bones and me to Des Moines to pick up Joanna, Squirt. Davy and I will feed the chicken and gather the eggs. Right Davy?"
"Chickens, go cluck, cluck, cluck," Davy crowed. They all laughed.
"I too, must be going," Spock said. "Chief Romaine...Jonathon and I have scheduled a chess game this evening." He stood. "Thank you for dinner, Dr. Kirk. As always your meal was well prepared and appetizing."
Winona's lips twitched and she didn't dare glance at Jim. "Thank you, Spock, she answered composedly. "I'm happy you enjoyed your soy meatloaf."
"Good night, Peter-kam. We will continue our game tomorrow if you have time since you'll have a guest."
"Good night, Mr. Spock, I'll try to make time for sure." As always Peter hugged everyone, kissed his Noni and Uncle Jim, and took himself to bed. He was tired but content. Cleo's kitten would have a good home, Joanna was thrilled and happy, and he had met the responsibility he'd undertaken for his beloved T'Lane.