You Should Be Here

by jessboldlygoes

Jim Kirk had never known his father. He didn't have any memories of him; he'd never even met the man. Yet no matter where Jim went, George Kirk was a ghost, a faded nuisance that somehow always found a way to haunt him. Sometimes, however, Jim couldn't help but cling to the what-should-have-beens. Or all the times Jim Kirk yearned for his father.

11. Chapter 11

You should be here, Jim thinks. He's been thinking of his dad an awful lot lately. He's tried to get him off his mind, but it only seems to get worse. Particularly after the pre-birthday talk with Bones. He walks behind the man who helped save his life nearly five years ago, his best friend and brother. He has no idea where the good doctor is leading him but follows nonetheless.

As they enter a room, Jim is genuinely surprised at the chorus' of "Happy Birthday!" He looks over at Bones, who grins devilishly. He's so grateful for these people. He loves them more than anything in this world and beyond. He'd said he didn't want to celebrate his birthday, but he's never been so glad to have one.

After speeches are given and hugs are to be had, he finds himself in a corner, staring out a window, thinking once again of his father. He's a year older than his dad was when he died, barely. He's had a few near death experiences over the past couple days with his ship being destroyed and having to fight Krall and all, but he really wishes his dad was here to see the man his son has become. He wishes that his father had been there to see all the moments that had defined him, that led him to becoming his own man, and not a carbon copy of George Kirk.

He watches as his ship is being rebuilt, and he can feel that his family is there next to him. He can't wait to get back into the unknown of space with them. As he moves his head, something catches his eye. Bright, cerulean eyes stare back at him, a mirror of his own. He's standing on the other side of the glass. Jim feels tears prick his eyes when he sees the pride that radiates from the man looking back at him. He'd wished so long for this, to see his father look at him like this, even for a moment. His father gives him a smile and a nod of his head before disappearing. Sure, there will be times in the future when Jim wishes his father was there, but he won't have to wish for long, because he finally knows that his father has been watching him from afar his whole life, and he'll be there in those moments too.