"Ya know Jim, when I said you could call me any time, I didn't think that meant you'd call me at 0600 on a Sunday," Pike snapped as he lowered himself into his seat.
"I'm so sorry admiral," Jim had the grace to look ashamed. "I guess I'm so upset I didn't think before putting the call in. I can let you go."
"No, I'm up now. What's up?"
"we're not far from Starbase 11, and you've been after me to use me shoreleave time. It's time to cash it in."
"So file the paperwork and go. Spock's got the ship under control. What are you telling me for?"
"Well, first, I thought you should know I think I'll take about three weeks, if that's okay?"
"You really have about sixteen weeks saved up. That's no big deal. Just don't drive Captain Russeo crazy."
"You know me," Jim grinned.
"Yeah Jim, I do. That's why I'm sure that in about the weeks Russeo will be filling for some shore leave."
"Ha," Jim chuckled. "You know me too well. But seriously, no, I'll take a shuttle, and stay out of her hair. I'll mostly stay on the starbase, but might get out a bit too."
"See that you do. So if anything comes up, I'll just contact Spock," Pike took a sip of coffee.
"That's the other thing I wanted to talk to you about" Jim sighed heavily.
On the bridge, McCoy was still flabbergasted by what had just transpired. "Uhura, have you noticed him acting strange?"
Uhura turned from her station. "Strange how?" she smirked. "He's Kirk. He's always strange."
"Fair enough," McCoy nodded. "Stranger?"
"Not really. He's been behaving himself. Maybe a touch tired, but he's been dealing with the Tellarites again. Oh, and Sam sent him a message the other day. Jim mentioned something about settling up some of his mom's estate with lawyers."
"I didn't realize he was still going through that paperwork." McCoy mused.
"Yeah, oh and trying to help get some kid he knows from back home the recommendation he needs to get into the Academy. And that reminds me, he also is only about half finished collecting the department requisition forms. I know he has yours, mine, and Spock's. I guess that's something you'll need to get on Scotty, Chekov, and Sulu about. Starfleet's been down his neck about those for a week."
"That should be easy enough," McCoy mused. "Jim isn't good at keeping up with paperwork. Maybe I can show him how it's done."
"Sure," Uhura nodded. "Janice can help you. She'll also have the duty roster, the family letters, continued training schedule, and a few other things due," Uhura ticked off.
At that moment, Jim's yeoman returned from the ready room. "Sir, Spock informed me you're helping out while Jim's gone."
"Rand, Jim isn't gone, he's just in his quarters laughing over playing me," McCoy stood up again. "In fact, I'm going to go let him know the game is up."
"Sir, a shuttle is being prepared in bay 4," an ensign at navigation announced.
"What?" McCoy turned on the young man. "McCoy to shuttle bay 4"
"Where do you think you're going?" McCoy barked, hoping it was not what he imagined.
When he didn't get a response McCoy knew it was Kirk leaving. He quickly switched to communicating with the shuttle directly.
"Kid, don't you dare leave this ship." McCoy warned. He was left with silence. "Jim! I'm warning you,"
"I'll be back before you know it Bones, take good care of my girl." Kirk responded shortly.
"Jim!" McCoy admonished. He hit a different button "Engineering, don't let that shuttle leave."
"Sir, that's not the button for…" Janice tried.
"where's spock?" McCoy demanded.
"The commander is in his quarters," the Vulcan security officer replied.
McCoy made sure he had the right button and paged Spock.
"Spock," McCoy barked.
"Yes Doctor?"
"This can't be real. Jim just left, you're going to a planet surface, you want me to run things?"
"I would not say this is the situation that I want, but this is the situation we are in. Therefore, we must adapt and move forward."
"Spock, this isn't a situation. This is madness."
"I will return from the surface in three hours, per the Captain's request."
"You pointy-eared bastard. If I am in command as Jim says I am, then I say you stay on board."
"Doctor, please refrain from derogatory comments about my race and father. Spock out."
McCoy sat gaping like a fish.
"The captain usually starts with the duty roster," Janice explained, suddenly standing next to McCoy, handing him a padd.
McCoy gave her a stink eye, but Janice paid no mind to it. He glanced at the first page. "Where do I need to sign?"
"When you're ready, hit end, then just your thumb print."
"I'm sure it's fine," McCoy mused, hitting the key, signing off and handed the padd back to Janice. "Anything else, or is now when I get to run around the ship like Jim and cause mischief?"
"Doctor McCoy, a word please," Janice nodded towards Jim's ready room.
"Uhura, you got this?" McCoy asked as he stood up.
"Go ahead Len," Uhura stood and turned to keep watch.
McCoy followed Janice. As soon as the door slid shut, Janice turned to face the doctor.
"With all due respect Sir, I know you're not happy." Janice started. "I'm friends with Christine, I know how you can be, but permission to speak freely?"
"What do you need to say?" McCoy asked, knowing he deserved a bit of a dressing down. He knew he was being a bit childish.
"I don't know what is going on, that Jim finally is taking some vacation time so abruptly and putting you in command." McCoy picked up the tone with the 'you', and raised an eyebrow, but let Janice continue.
"Whatever it is, I am here to help you. But you will do the job Jim asked you to do. He is still the captain even if he is off ship.
"I am," McCoy started.
"Are you? Really?" Janice flipped the duty padd back to McCoy. "Tell me then, Why is the Captain on beta shift tomorrow, and who is going to cover your shift in medical if you are up here? Also, the note on Lieutenant Eiyl's file shows that Thursday she goes on maternity leave due to her scheduled delivery Wednesday. There is also a note about Sampson working in the mess next week with T'lox."
McCoy sighed and accepted the padd back from Janice.
"We can deal with the letters later, they are not nearly as pressing, but there are four opportunities of continuing training to look into and I know Lieutenant Sulu is back on board for his paperwork. Chekov returned to the surface so He's out. Here are yesterday's reports. They just need your thumb print. Spock can confirm them. This request for transfer will need your immediate attention."
"Okay, slow down here," McCoy was actually feeling like he was way out of his depth.
"Do you see how serious you need to take this now," Janice demanded. "What you do while Jim is gone reflects not only on you, but on Jim, me, and the Enterprise as a whole. I will not let you make a mess of what Jim has built."
"Yes Ma'am," McCoy replied without a hint of sass. "Will you help me?"
"Every step of the way Doctor," Janice finally offered McCoy a smile. "Let's start with the duty roster."
A half an hour later, McCoy and Janice emerged. "Thank's Uhura," McCoy relieved the communications officer.
She responded with a nod. "While you were out, we received word that Enterprise needs to pick up some supplies from Bajor and take them to Terok Nor."
"So we're helping the Cardassians occupy territory now I guess."
"Just what Starfleet asked us to do," Uhruh frowned.
"When do they expect us?"
"18 hours," Uhura responded.
"The trip will take us almost as long at warp two," the navigator pointed out.
"Any way to give Spock more time on the surface?"
"We can cross this expanse here, but it's risky," The navigator pulled up the star chart. "It would save us four hours."
"Risky how?"
"Well it crosses two Tellerite trade routes."
"We aren't looking to do business with them, we'll just pass through. Do it, I'll tell Spock to start wrapping up. Get us ready to go." McCoy took his seat.
"We can keep going over these reports while we travel," Janice tucked several padds away. "Would you like to save the letters until after dinner?"
"What are these letters?"
"The captain has been writing to the crewmembers' families back home. Just a short letter of praise and support."
"Seriously," McCoy was surprised. "I didn't realize he was so…"
"Yes Doctor. He usually has at least two or three things he comments about with each crewmember. He tries to three a day so that he gets through everyone at least once each year."
"How does he know something personal about all 800 plus crew let alone two to three things?"
"You commented about Jim wandering the ship at all hours," Janice grinned.
"I am….not...going to be able to do these crew members the justice... Jim would give…"McCoy shook his head in awe.
"We can save them till later and I can help you." Janice waved off his concern.
McCoy noticed a sudden ping on the padd he was holding. "What the…"
Janice took the padd and flipped a couple of screens and gave a satisfied nod. "Scotty finally got his paperwork completed and in. Go harass, I mean ask Sulu for his while I get this filed with Starfleet for you sir."
"Why do I have the feeling you run the show more than Jim does suddenly," McCoy groused a little.
"A well-oiled machine sir," Janice grinned and hurried off to take care of the reports she could file. "Sir?" Janice stopped McCoy as he was about to go after Sulu.
"Yeah?"
"Who's in charge while you're gone?"
"Uhura?" McCoy looked back over.
"I'm off in ten, you're the only one on a double today Len. Martinez-Cerventas is on next. He'd be the ranking officer."
"Jim is pulling doubles?" McCoy was surprised.
"He does from time to time. Lets him work with more people, get to know them better, give them experience." Uhura shrugged.
"Well put him on when he gets here. I am gonna get Sulu to finish his report."
"Okay, Len, and one other thing," Janice had a grin that McCoy didn't trust. "You better get something to eat. The doctor doesn't like it when the captain skips meals."
"Now you…" McCoy whipped around.
"Make it something healthy," SHe chuckled and hurried off the bridge before McCoy could respond.