By that evening, Ajah had the report done. He sent a copy to Admiral Winston, and Jim took a pad with him. He held Carol's hand as they went to the transporter room to meet the admiral. Spock met them there as well.
"I have the coordinates, Admiral," Scotty said.
"Energize," Jim replied.
Admiral John Spears appeared on the transporter pad. If Jim thought he was intimidating on the monitor, he was even more so in person. They all stood at attention as he stepped down. "At ease," Spears said. "It's nice to finally meet you, Admiral Kirk." He offered his hand.
Jim shook his hand. "Yes, Sir," he said. "This is my wife, Carol, and Captain Spock."
Spears nodded. "I've never been aboard a ship quite like this one," he said. "I'd like a tour."
"I'm sure Captain Spock will be happy to show you around the ship. We'll finish preparing for the dinner."
"Sounds good to me."
"Right this way, Admiral," Spock said.
Jim looked at Carol as they walked away. "Go and make sure Dorenda is almost done with that meal," he said. "I wanta look in on Solan a moment."
"Okay," Carol said.
Jim went down to the shuttle bay and went onto Solan's ship. "Solan," he called. He walked on down to the sleeping area where Solan lay in the dark on one of the bunks. "Hey, you wanta come to dinner? We're entertaining an admiral tonight."
"No thank you, Sir," Solan replied quietly.
"Do you need anything?"
"No."
"I just wanted to check on you…make sure you're alright."
"Thanks, Jim."
"Just let me know if you do need anything. Okay?"
"Sure."
Jim could still hear the grief in Solan's voice. "I'll see you later."
Jim walked slowly out of the galley. He stopped a moment as he could hear Solan sobbing again. He did not want to leave him alone, but he walked on out of the ship. He took a deep breath and went on to the mess hall where they would have the dinner. Bones and Andrea arrived at just about the same time. He pulled at the collar of his uniform. "Why do we have to eat in these things?" he asked.
"Because it's a formal dinner," Jim replied.
"Yeah, but the women don't have to."
Jim smiled. "Now, aren't you glad of that?"
They went on into the mess hall where Carol was waiting for Jim. "The dinner is almost ready," she said. "By the time the tour is done, it will be ready."
"Great," Jim replied. "And I'm glad you don't have to wear that gray uniform," he said as he looked at her dress of purple hues.
Carol smiled. "You like it?"
"Of course."
Jim glanced at Bones who rolled his eyes at that remark. Andrea covered her mouth to hide her smile, but Bones saw it. "What's so funny?" he asked.
"Nothing," Andrea said unable to hide her smile any longer.
"I already told you how pretty your dress is."
"Oh yes, you did."
"Okay, so I'm glad you don't have to wear that gray uniform."
"Leonard, you are so funny."
"I have to be to deal with this crowd."
Bones went over to Jim who stood looking out at the planet. "Jim, have you been in there to see Solan?" he asked.
"I went to see him just before I came in here," Jim said. "Why?"
"He won't let me give him anything to help him sleep."
"I wouldn't want that either, Bones."
"I just want to help him."
"We all do."
They were silent as they thought about their friend's grief. Jim wished he did not have to go through with this dinner, but he would have to. Soon, Spock and Admiral Spears arrived, along with Uhura. They all sat at the table and Dorenda served the meal. Jim just stared at his food a moment as he thought of Solan lying in the dark on his ship alone. He supposed he would just have to forget about that for a while like he had done so many times before when he did not feel like being in a meeting.
After the dinner, Admiral Spears read Jim's report, and was fascinated with Ajah's ability to manipulate electricity, as well as Helek, who was more than willing to demonstrate. Spears had heard of Ajah and Helek but had never met them until now.
Jim was glad when the meeting was over. He did not go back to see Solan that night but lay in bed wondering how he could help him. He supposed a person just had to find their way to overcome their grief.
The next day, they got on their way back to Earth…and that would take five days…
After two days on the trip back to Earth, Solan had moved to his quarters in the Enterprise, but he stayed there all the time. Jim went to visit him and found him lying in the middle of his bed practically curled into a ball. "So, what are you gonna do today?" Jim asked, but Solan did not answer. "Solan, I'm your friend. I want to help you."
"Yeah, your friend has become a weepy ball of misery," Solan replied.
Jim did not know what to say. "How about I go get us something to eat and bring it here?"
"I'm not going down there. I don't want everyone staring at me."
"No one's gonna stare at you. What will you eat?"
Solan shrugged. "Doesn't matter what you get. I can't promise I'll eat it."
"Okay. Well, I'll get us something."
Jim left there feeling like he could cry his own eyes out because of the misery and grief his friend was going through. He went down to the mess hall where Spock and Bones sat eating. "Jim, are you gonna join us?" Bones asked.
"No," Jim said. "I'm getting something for myself and Solan and I'm taking it to his quarters. I hope I can get him to eat."
"I haven't had any luck. I've tried every scientific problem he could develop."
"Well, I'm gonna try."
Jim got two plates and went back to Solan's quarters. Solan still lay on the bed as Jim came in. He set the plates on the bed. "Sit up," Jim said.
"I don't feel like it," Solan replied.
"That's probably because you haven't eaten anything. Come on, Solan. Do you really think Priscilla would want you to do this?"
Solan sat up slowly and looked at the food Jim had brought for him. Jim could not say he felt much like eating but he would to get Solan to eat. "It's very good," he said. "Dorenda has been outdoing herself."
"She usually does," Solan said. He picked up the fork and picked at the food. "I'm not hungry."
"You have to eat anyway, Solan. Come on."
Solan took a bite of the food. "It's good."
"I told you."
Solan ate a few bites and then lay back down. He was asleep before Jim even left the room. He took the trays back to the mess hall thankful that he had at least gotten Solan to eat what he did. He thought if he could get him to eat some three times a day, he would get better.
The next morning when Jim went to the mess hall, Solan was sitting at a table. Jim walked over to him. "Hey, good morning," he said.
"Good morning, Admiral," Solan replied. "I kinda thought I'd save you the trouble of bringing my food to my quarters."
"I'll get us something then."
Jim got two trays and went to the table. "You got tired of being alone?" he asked.
"Yeah," Solan said. "I think I finally ran out of tears."
Jim frowned. "I wish I could change it, Solan…"
"No need to wish. No one can change it. She was different and I loved her for it. We intended to go on a trip on my ship and…well, I guess it doesn't matter now." He was silent a moment. "Jim, how do you go on with life after something like this?"
Jim thought about that. "Solan, just because you go on with life and be happy doesn't mean you didn't love that person. She'll always be part of you. She loved you, and I know she wouldn't want you to be miserable."
"Jim, she was so beautiful."
Jim did not know how he would take it if…he could not even bear the thought of something happening to Carol. "I know you can talk to me anytime you need to," he said. "I can't begin to comprehend how you feel but I care."
Solan nodded. "I know you care, and I know my other friends care. I'd like you to do her funeral. You know, she really liked Doctor McCoy." He tried to laugh but it almost turned into crying. "He was so nice to her, she said."
"I think she was a little infatuated with him at first because he rescued her from that lab," Jim said.
"Yeah. I thought she was beautiful even before she looked human again."
"You liked those little characteristics."
"Yeah. There'll never be anyone else like her."
Jim was silent as he ate and was glad that Solan was eating. "Maybe I'll go help Scotty a little today," Solan said. "Maybe he's working on something."
"That's a good idea," Jim replied.
When they were done eating, they left the mess hall. Solan stopped outside the door. "Jim, thanks for…just for not giving up on me," he said and walked away.
Jim just stood there for a moment. He felt better now that he knew Solan was not lying on that bed feeling so miserable. He went to his own quarters. Carol came from their room as he came in. "So, how is Solan this morning?" she asked.
"He's better," Jim said. "He actually met me in the mess hall."
Carol smiled as she could see how happy Jim was about that. She hugged him. "I'm so glad." She realized then that Jim had something behind his back. "What is that?"
Jim smiled as he brought the dozen red roses around. "I love you, Carol, and I don't know what I'd do without you."
"I hope you'll never have to find out."
"Me too."
They shared a long kiss that was interrupted by Alex running up to them and grabbing them both in a hug around their legs. "What are we doing today, Daddy?" he asked.
"I don't know yet!" Jim said. "Maybe we'll go play baseball. How's that?"
"Yeah!"
"And I think Mommy and Joy can come and watch."
"Yeah!"
They were soon on their way to the holodeck. Jim activated a baseball program that he had found, and it looked like they were out on a baseball field. They played until he was completely tired, but Alex was still going. Jim fell into the grass laughing. "Boy, you have worn me out!" he said as Alex fell on him laughing.
Carol leaned over him. "Why don't we go and have a wonderful lunch?" she asked.
"I'm all for that," Jim replied, but then he thought of Solan.
"What are you thinking about?"
"I'll tell you later. Let's go."
They left the holodeck and went to their quarters to change. Carol put her arms around Jim as he was washing his face. "What were you thinking about?" she asked.
"I was thinking about Solan," Jim said. "I'm afraid he won't eat if no one goes with him."
"Why don't you invite him to join us? Or do you think it would be too much for him?"
"Maybe."
"Why don't you get Doctor McCoy to go with him? Or Spock?"
"I'll see."
Jim got his communicator and called Bones. "Yeah," Bones answered.
"Bones…are you alone?" Jim asked.
"Not exactly. I'm in the medical bay."
"Oh. So you're busy with a patient?"
"No. I'm just looking over some things. I'm working with Sara."
"Are you breaking for lunch soon? Are you going with Andrea?"
"Sure I am."
"Okay. Well, I'll talk to you later then."
"Wait a minute. What's this all about?"
"I wanted someone to go to lunch with Solan. I'm afraid he won't eat if no one goes with him."
"Well, why didn't you say so? I heard he went to the mess hall for breakfast this morning."
"He did. That's a big step, I guess."
"I agree. Makes me feel better to know he's not isolating himself anymore."
"Me too, but I'm eating with Carol and the kids today."
"Right. Well, I'll make sure he's not alone."
"Great. Talk to you later."
By the time they got back to Earth, Solan was not staying in his quarters all the time anymore, although all his friends could still see the sadness and grief in his eyes that had replaced the confidence and humor that used to be there.
Solan landed his ship in the hangar at Headquarters where he usually left it to be loaded. As he left the hangar, he felt so alone. He remembered the last time he had come back to Earth…Priscilla had been waiting for him.
"Solan!"
Solan looked to see Admiral Kirk coming that way. He tried to smile but it was still difficult. Jim came over to him. "Hey, why don't you join Carol, the kids, and me for dinner?" Jim asked.
"I appreciate that, Admiral, but I wouldn't want to take away from your family time."
"You won't be."
"Jim, I know what you're trying to do, and I appreciate everything you've done for me, but I have to learn to get back to my life like it was. I know it won't be easy but I have to do it."
"Are you sure you won't have dinner with us?"
"I will sometime. I think I wanta go visit Tank, tell him what happened. He knew I was gonna marry her."
"Well, like I said before…anytime you need someone to talk to, you know where I am."
"Yes, Sir." Solan stood at attention and saluted Jim. "Thank you, Sir."
Jim saluted and then watched Solan walk out of the hangar, and then he headed home himself. He supposed it was just another chapter in their lives, one that was not so happy but had happy memories…
