Chapter 6

Kirk turned to face the Klingon. "You are Communications Officer. Are you not Mr. . .?"

"Lt. Commander Worf sir." The Klingon drew himself up to his full height, before going on, "and it is Communications, Tactical and Chief of Security."

Kirk stared at the Klingon trying to figure out why he seemed somewhat familiar. He couldn't recall ever meeting Worf before, and he would surely remember any contact with a Klingon. Especially a Klingon this big.

"I see," Kirk answered, assessing his least favorite alien. "Send a message to Starfleet apprising them of the situation here, Lt. Commander. Explain the accident that occurred on the holodeck and inform them that until we can determine what happened to Captain Picard, I will assume command."

The bridge crew exchanged glances, but nobody said a word.

A call from engineering broke the awkward silence. "La Forge to Commander Data."

Data glanced at Kirk and then answered, "Go ahead Geordi."

"Data, it seems that there was a malfunction in the recreational programs when the alien energy invaded the isolinear chips. I am attempting to gain access to the particular program memory data that Captain Kirk and Captain Picard used. It's going to take awhile to complete running all our tests"

"Thank you Geordi. Please keep us informed of your progress."

Kirk then walked to the command chair looked around at the crew and ceremoniously sat down. To himself, Kirk thought "Damn if I'm not going to pull this off."

Data and Troi exchanged glances, and Data gave the Counselor an almost imperceptible nod. Deanna understood the implication of the nod and momentarily at least, gave in.

The two officers sat themselves on either side of Kirk. The captain stared ahead at the screen, but asked the android to fill him in on the situation at hand.

Data answered, "Captain, we are presently in orbit around the Federation science station, T'ebroc. They were attacked by a band of Ferengi pirates. The First Officer beamed down to oversee repairs. As of yet, communications are still down on the station. The degree of radiation particles surrounding the station makes communication with Commander Riker impossible. Our orders are to proceed ahead and put a halt to the activities of the pirates.

Kirk looked at Data and thought for a minute. "Thank you Commander."

Kirk knew the first order of business would be to get the senior staff on his side. Get them to accept him.

"Commander Data assemble senior officers for a conference, and please direct me to the conference room."

Data tapped his communicator and called his staff to meet.

As the crew assembled in the new conference room Kirk had a chance to look around . The large conference table took up the entire center of the room. It's presence dwarfing the remaining furniture. It was sleek and designed for brainstorming. Each comfortable seat had its own computer terminal, screen and holo-projection pod. On three of the walls were elaborate screens, touch panels and technological wizardry impressive enough to fascinate even these members of Starfleet. To Kirk the room was almost breathtaking and he made a herculean effort to appear as nonchalant as possible. It wouldn't do to have him gawking like a country bumpkin in the big city.

Kirk stood at the head of the table and quickly inspected the officers seated before him, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am James T. Kirk and for the time being I am assuming command of the Enterprise."

For the next several minutes he recounted the holodeck experience and ended by saying, "I don't belong here, I know that, but until the situation can be rectified, I would appreciate your support. We have a mission to put a halt to these attacks by the Ferengis."

Kirk stopped and looked around, "Please share any ideas or information you might have that would be significant."

Geordi cleared his throat and began. "Geordi La Forge, Chief of Engineering. Captain, an energy lifeform was the cause of the computer malfunction. We have run several tests and have more that are presently being prepared. At this time the aliens are being held in a containment field in Shuttle Bay 3. Awaiting your orders."

Turning to the android, "Mr. Data, have you determined if communication with these lifeforms is possible?"

"Not as yet sir. I believe that Counselor Troi may be more successful than I."

Kirk turned to look at Deanna. Before she began talking, his thoughts centered on her beauty and he idly wondered if the might have a chance of getting together. Needless to say, Troi picked up on his thoughts immediately and turned to face him, eye to eye.

"Captain, I am a Betazoid." Her eyes opened wider as she tried to project her meaning with not only her words, but her expression too.

Kirk understood immediately and looked somewhat embarrassed and flustered, but it passed quickly. Clasping his hands behind his back and clearing his throat he went on, "Do you think you can telepathically communicate with them?"

The corners of her mouth turned upwards in the faintest of smiles. She knitted the long, slender fingers of her hands as they lay on the cool, smoked acrylic surface of the conference table and answered, "I'll try."

"In addition, Counselor Troi, do you also have any concerns over the morale of the crew?"

Before Troi answered she was pleased that there were absolutely no sexual feelings emanating from the captain. He had obviously understood her previous comment.

"The crew is loyal to Captain Picard and I sense there are sensations of apprehension for his welfare. I will do my best to keep the crew members calm."

Kirk turned to the big Klingon, feeling only slightly uncomfortable in his presence. He hastily figured that it was impossible to lose all vestiges of the hate he use to harbor for all Klingons. "Mr. Worf, as Chief of Security and Tactical, I would like you to chart the path of destruction these pirates have left. Try to determine what their next target will be. Maybe if we can beat them we might prepare a little surprise for them. Let's see if we can't help them choose another game to play."

"Mr. La Forge I would also like you and Mr. Data to continue working on the holodeck program. There must be some way to reverse what has happened." With a nod of his head, Kirk summarily dismissed the group, while turning to Beverly Crusher, "Doctor, I wonder if I might impose on you to provide me with the grand tour?"

She was surprised at Kirk's request and being unsure she turned to Data.

Seeing Beverly's hesitation the android commented, "I believe Captain Kirk would be very interested in observing the advances in Starship design, Doctor."

Beverly understood that this sentence was in fact, Data's stamp of approval and beamed at her guest. "Yes, of course, Captain. Shall we do that now?" With that Kirk steered Beverly out of the conference room.

For the next hour they toured the Enterprise. Kirk was enthralled at the changes and differences on this Enterprise 'E'. The moments passed and he grew ever more excited as they went through the various sections. Whichever deck or department into which they arrived, crewmembers stared and occasionally came forward to shake Kirk's hand and offer support. News had spread fast. Faster than even Kirk could imagine.

Their final stop was Ten Forward. When they entered, Kirk looked around appreciatively. "This is more like it, Doctor."

"I thought you might like this," Beverly said, looking around as they entered. She tried to hide the pleasure that caused her to grin by swinging her hair forward and casting her eyes down.

The couple took a table near the wide expanse of window looking out onto the sea of stars. A young Andorian waiter strolled over to the couple and took their orders.

Kirk turned to look out at the streaking stars. He was lost in his thoughts for several long minutes.

Beverly sat back and watched Kirk. Recalling the things she had read, and what Jean-Luc had told her about the recent encounter in the Nexxus, she silently agreed with the reports of his rugged good looks . She knew it was impossible that this was the real Kirk. After all, he had supposedly died in the history books almost eighty years ago, but in fact it had been only a month ago that Jean-Luc had witnessed the final demise of this legend. Strangely though, she felt herself drawn to this man . Unsure how to respond, she decided to remain quiet. Beverly sat and watched him, smiling as she thought to herself, "He's like a kid in a candy store."

The two of them presented quite a picture to the other officers in the lavish room. One of them a distinguished member of Starfleet, well known by all graduates, staring out, seeing only visions of ghosts. The other, a beautiful woman, staring at the figure that sat across from her, her eyes softening the longer she studied him.

* * * *

Two other pairs of eyes watched the couple from the shadows near the bar. The male alien leaned closer to the female. "How can you watch this revolting display of human emotions? The Witch Doctor is sitting there drooling over Kirk like they're a couple of adolescent sweethearts."

"Give it a rest!" the other whispered voice commanded. She tipped her head and grimaced at him. "Everything is going according to plan."

He took a swaggering step forward, and placed his hands firmly on his hips. "Your plan. Not my plan." He hissed. "I don't know how you think this is going to work."

"Trust me," followed the retort.

"To tell you the truth," he paused while glancing back at the couple. "The longer you live with these humans, the more you become like them, and I for one need a change of scenery. Au revoir." He was gone even before his words were completed.

She sauntered to a different spot so that bits and pieces of the couple's conversation could be overheard. The corners of her lips curved upwards as she stood and listened to her two shipmates. She nodded in satisfaction hearing their words. Then as quietly as she had come, she retreated once more into the shadows, the couple totally unaware they were being observed.

* * * *

Kirk realized he hadn't said a word in many minutes, and looked over at Beverly. "Ship's doctor, hmm…"

"You said that before." Beverly grinned as she answered. "Does that seem strange to you, Captain?"

"Well I guess when I think of the term ship's doctor, the usual image I see is that of a grumpy, old southern gentleman, given to long enlightening speeches on some moral issue or other. My Medical Chief loved nothing better than to argue some benign point with Spock or myself. He was always trying to make me rest, or exercise or eat better."

Beverly smiled and nodded, silently wondering if anybody could get this man to do anything he really didn't want to do. "I guess it's just a little something you pick up in medical school." Not willing to allow the conversation to slow down she continued, "As for the other issue, I find I also get caught up in the morality of charging around the universe, judging things by Terran values."

Kirk nodded his head in understanding. "You know it's funny. It seems the older I get, the less I feel like changing things out there." He lifted his arms and pointed to space.

Both sat and smiled at each other, until Kirk asked, "Do you have a family?"

"I have a son. He was in Starfleet until he decided to go off on another adventure. It's been quite a while since I heard from him. It's just Wes and I. My husband died many years ago, when Wes was a young child. I was lucky to be appointed to the Enterprise, where I could bring my son." Beverly's eyes grew slightly misty. "For a while it seemed Wesley would follow in his parent's footsteps. And then..." She looked up at him and shrugged her slim shoulders. Beverly turned to look at the stars allowing her own memories to wash over her.

"I know what you mean. As much as we want more and better lives for our children it's always a tip of the hat when they follow in our footsteps. "I had a son," Kirk said softly. He was killed by Klingons on the Genesis planet."

Beverly looked deep into Kirk's eyes. She believed what he was saying. It was so easy to sit here and listen to this hero and champion. She felt like she had known him for years. "I remember learning about the Genesis Device when I was in Starfleet Academy. I had no idea that you had a wife and family."

"Well doctor, just a son. I, uhh, never exactly married his mother. I would have, believe me, had I known. But she wanted him in her life, not mine. I wish with all my heart, I had had the opportunity to be with him, watch him grow to a man." Kirk paused, and leaned closer, "But I never knew him until shortly before he died."

At that moment the doors to Ten Forward swoshed open and Lt. Commander Worf entered the room. He looked around and when he saw Kirk he strode over to the table where the couple was sitting.

"Excuse me, Captain, may I join you?"

Kirk hastily glanced over at Beverly and then turned to Worf. "Yes of course Lieutenant." He had some misgivings about sitting here with this big, beefy Klingon. After all, this alien race was far from being a favorite with Kirk. From his point of view these events were occurring not long after the fiasco on Rura Penthe when he and McCoy had been imprisoned for the death of Chancellor Gorkon.

Worf took a deep breath, "I do not wish to intrude."

Kirk felt once again that somehow he knew this Klingon. "That's all right Lieutenant, please sit down."

"Good evening Dr. Crusher," Worf offered in his deep voice.

"Lieutenant," she smiled, quickly placing her hand so that it covered her smile. She could see how uncomfortable both men were. She guessed that Kirk didn't care for Klingons, and that Worf felt awkward interrupting their 'date'.

Worf sat, and hesitated momentarily before he began. "Stories read by the elders to Klingon children are much like the folktales humans pass from one generation on to another. I seem to remember hearing stories when I was very young about a Captain Kirk of the Starship Enterprise. A few moments ago, I made a search through the ships data bank and I found information on the 'MEQBA' you and Dr. Leonard McCoy participated in while at Camp Khitomer. 'MEQBA' is the Klingon terminology for 'legal trial'."

At this, Kirk sat up a little straighter and leaned slightly forward, "Please go on Lt. Worf," Kirk urged.

"You were assigned a defense attorney, Colonial Worf, my paternal grandfather. After reading the trial transcripts it brought to mind the 'VAVNI-LUT-GAW'. It means story passed from an elder to a child, so that the child will remember the history of one's family.

Worf, in an uncharacteristically nervous habit, clasped and unclasped his hands. Kirk nodded, silently urging the Klingon to continue with his story.

"Klingons believe it to be more important to recount the stories verbally then to depend on written versions. It is believed that this way the person carries his family's heritage within his body making him one with those who have passed on."

Kirk grinned at Worf. "I thought there was something familiar about you. Your grandfather was a brave man. He wasn't afraid of the changes that frightened so many others. He was put in a very difficult position as our legal counsel."

"Captain, the events that took place on Khitomer are part of every Klingon's history." Worf stood and held out his hand to Kirk. "I am honored to meet you sir," he boomed loud enough that a hush fell over the room, with all eyes turning.

Worf grasped Kirk's hand and gave it a hardy shake. Deciding that he didn't have much else to say, he excused himself and quickly left the room.

Beverly watched the Klingon leave and turned back to Kirk, her eyes filled with concern for him. "I guess things must be strange for you, with Worf as our Chief of Security?"

Kirk nodded, "my Enterprise played a significant part in the beginning of the Federation-Klingon alliance but I never thought I would see one serving on a Federation Starship. To be honest it's quite difficult.

"Worf understands how difficult it is for others to trust Klingons because of their history. He has lived with discrimination most of his life. Both of his parents were killed and a Starfleet human couple raised him. He is always feeling the strain of both cultures pulling on him.

Kirk's head nodded, "I guess I can understand that. My first officer was part Vulcan, part human. It was a daily struggle for him."

Beverly's eyes widened, "of course, it was Spock. Jean-Luc had the occasion to meet with him on Romulus, I believe, Captain."

"Jim," Kirk said.

"Jim," Beverly echoed.

Kirk looked tenderly at the woman before him. Her skin was like silk and her hair shone with the reflections of the soft lights. Most of all though, it was her eyes that caused him to stare. Kirk took his drink and held it raised and said, "To all the doctors of the Enterprise."

Beverly reddened and counter-toasted, "To all the Captains."

The pair sat there trying to make the night stay away when Deanna walked into the lounge and made her way to their table. Kirk rose and offered her a seat.

Turning to Kirk, Deanna asked, "What do you think of our Enterprise Captain?"

Kirk pulled out the chair for Troi, while answering her question. "She's beautiful." Spreading his arms he went on, "certainly a room like this would have been a welcome addition on my Enterprise."

Kirk looked around the room and smiled before going on, "What does surprise me and seems so unusual though, is that while Beverly was giving me the grand tour I saw quite a number of children aboard."

Deanna smiled, "Starfleet believes that officers are happiest and work hardest when their families are near them. Many of the developments you've seen have been done just for this reason."

"It occurs to me though Counselor, that the dangers a Starship encounters might be reason enough not to put the lives of children in jeopardy."

"Captain, the Enterprise is primarily a ship of exploration, not a combat ship."

Kirk countered, "As was my Enterprise. But Counselor, you can't deny the number of times both our ships have been put in perilous situations."

Deanna was determined not to back down. She leaned back in her chair to give Kirk the impression she was at ease and self-confident with this conversation. While she was unwavering in her position she answered, "You're right Captain, but possibly just because of the fact that there are families aboard we work all the harder to prevent confrontations and uphold our mandate."

Kirk reasoned that nothing would be gained continuing a philosophical discussion with Troi. He gave in and tried to change subjects. "You're right Counselor. I know my life would have been much different if we had been encouraged to marry and raise a family aboard a ship. Times wouldn't have been quite so lonely."

He smiled at the two lovely women sitting before him. "And it probably would have helped to have a ship's Counselor. God knows Bones, er, I mean Dr. McCoy was always complaining that he was a doctor and couldn't be a psychiatrist as well."

Deanna sat rigidly with a smile ironed on her face. This had to be the most stubborn, chauvinistic male she had ever met.

Before they could continue their conversation they were interrupted by the signal of Kirk's communicator.

"La Forge to Captain Kirk."

"Kirk here."

"Captain, I believe I have some theories on what happened on the holodeck."

"On my way," Kirk answered. He rose and said goodnight to Deanna. When he turned to Beverly he gently lifted her hand to his lips and winked, "Good night Doctor."

"Good night Captain," came the cool reply, with only her blush giving any clue to her real feelings.

When Kirk had left the room, Deanna turned to Beverly and sat there just scowling.

"Deanna, what?" Beverly asked.

"You think he's quite the man, don't you?"

Beverly shook her head, "Yes he is."

"He isn't real you know," the Betazoid insisted. "He's someone's idea of what Kirk really was."

"Deanna, he is a very interesting and exciting individual. We were just talking. Don't get so, so..."

"So what? How am I getting?"

Troi's back was straight in her chair. Her hands were clasped, and resting in her lap, and an there was an almost defiant set to her chin.

Beverly took a deep breath and in a voice edged with exasperation, "Deanna I know what I'm doing. Don't worry. I'm in complete control. He's just an historical figure I find interesting. It's like interacting with a holodeck image!"

"That's just it Beverly... he IS a holodeck image... he's just not in the holodeck! And you call him a historical figure! I'm sure he's been called a lot of things but never an interesting, historical figure. Beverly you could get hurt. He's not real and he's a chauvinist!"

"Not real!" Beverly chose to ignore the 'chauvinist' tag Troi had labeled him. "Sure he has his faults, but then who doesn't? How can you talk like that Deanna? He breathes, he drinks, he walks, he talks, he's as real as you or I."

"Beverly, he's about 150 years old!"

The doctor turned to her friend, and clenched her hands into tight fists as they lay on the dimly lit table. "Then I'd say he is in damn good condition for a heck of an old man."

"He can't stay you know. Somehow Data and Geordi will find a way to bring Jean-Luc back and then he'll be gone."

Beverly's eyes shot daggers at her friend. "How do you know what's going to happen. Besides being empathic are you also a fortune teller?" Her cheeks reddened once more but this was a different kind of passion. "And is it so bad that I'm attracted to Jim? Is it so bad, that I might find a little happiness once in a while? Is it so bad that you aren't the center of attention for once?" He anger erupted into tiny tears that were gathering in the corners of her eyes.

"No of course that's not wrong," retorted Deanna, trying to make Beverly understand what her objections were. "What's wrong is that this is not Jim Kirk. This is a holographic image who thinks he is Jim Kirk."

The doctor sat very still for several seconds and then turned to her friend and colleague and replied. "Then I am a woman who thinks that a certain holographic image is very interesting. And I must add I intend to find out just how interesting he can get!"

Deanna shook her head slowly and touched Beverly's arm. She wasn't willing to give up completely. "Any time you need me, I'll be there for you."

"Deanna, I'm fine. I'll be okay. Don't worry. But thanks for your company. You can go now. I intend to wait here until Jim comes back."

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