Chapter 12

Kirk moved from the desk and sat heavily in a comfortable recliner without moving a muscle. He sighed and felt old, very old.

"Bones, Bones, where has the time gone? Who is left to remember us?" He shut his eyes and allowed his mind to remember the decisions he had made in his life to bring him to this.

After several minutes , and with extreme effort he rose from his seat and walked once more to the computer. He decided to try to contact one more person. Picard told him about Scotty's accident and how the engineer had miraculously survived by being suspended in a transporter buffer. That in itself was jury rigging respective of his chief engineer.

In a hushed voice he asked, "Computer, present status of Captain Montgomery Scott, Chief Engineer of the Starship Enterprise NCC-1701?"

"Captain Scott is presently assigned to Deep Space Station 9."

Kirk's eyes opened widely as he exclaimed, "He's still working?"

The computer supplied instantly, "Captain Montgomery Scott is on temporary Starfleet assignment as Chief of Operations of Deep Space Station 9."

"Can you contact him?"

"Affirmative," the computer replied.

Several minutes went by before the computer indicated the connection had been made.

Montgomery Scott had just finished a grueling twelve hour shift of duty. He was on DS-9 to fill in for Chief O'Brien who had left with his wife and daughter on urgent family business back on Earth.

Returning to his quarters exhausted and not even taking the time to change out of his uniform, he fell face down on his bed. One foot was hanging over the side of a most uncomfortable bed. "Well no matter," he thought, "at least I'm lying down. Now how the hell do I turn off my brain?"

"Computer, play some music."

"Please indicate type of music and desired composer or author."

Scotty just shook his head and muttered into the pillow, "Any damn music, just play."

Once more the computer queried, "Do you wish a Klingon opera, Cardassian exercise cadence, Ferengi oomox aria..."

Scotty jerked his head out of the pillow and closed his eyes and barked into the air, "Play some music. HUMAN music, ye damn collection of circuits."

"Please indicate type of music and desired composer," reiterated the mechanical voice.

Once more Scotty shook his head, frustration gripping his neck and back muscles. "Play some Scottish lullabies. Nice soothing Scottish lullabies. Do ye think ye can accomplish that you nagging tin Lizzie or should I overhaul your alien circuits?

The music began and Scotty relaxed his body. "Aye, that's more like it."

The signal of his computer communication console repeated several times before he yelled, "Computer what the hell do you want now? Will ye stop that insistent caterwauling?"

"A subspace transmission from the Starship Enterprise for Captain Montgomery Scott," came the cool reply.

He gritted his teeth, "The... what did you say? Repeat computer."

"A transmission for Captain Montgomery Scott from the Starship Enterprise."

Scotty sighed and arduously he rolled over onto his back and swung his legs over the side of the bed while pulling himself up.

Staggering to the console, he sat heavily in the chair and propped his head in his hands his eyes remaining closed. "Mmm it's probably Geordi callin'. Geordi, is it you m'lad?"

Kirk regarded the image before him and answered, "No Scotty it's not Geordi." Kirk's eyes twinkled and his grin was warm.

Hearing the familiar voice Scotty raised his head slowly, wondering if he were dreaming and afraid to wake up. His tired, weary eyes opened wider and wider and his mouth was agape.

"Captain is it really you?"

"I know it's hard to believe, but yes, it's really me."

"How is it possible Captain?"

Scotty's eyes opened and closed as if they were unsure of what they were seeing, a shudder running down his spine.

"Well, it seems you're not the only one who can be resurrected." Kirk answered, enjoying the mask of shock on Scotty's face. "It seems that I got caught in a holodeck accident and Captain Picard and I have changed places, albeit only temporarily. The engineering chief is working on a method of reversal. I'm not sure how much time I have."

"Aye, that'd be Geordi La Forge. He's a good man, Captain."

"As good as you Scotty?"

Scotty smiled at his old captain and good friend. "Aye, if it can be done, Geordi will find a way. That's for sure Captain."

"Okay, Captain Scott, if you say so."

"Captain, is it possible?" he asked shaking his head. "Here we are in the 24th century, and we're still flying around space acting like a couple of new cadets."

Scotty sat back transfixed, staring at the man who he thought died years ago. "Captain, Chekov and I. We saw the damage on the Enterprise."

"The Enterprise Scotty?"

"Aye, the Enterprise B."

Kirk leaned forward, "Was I the Captain?"

Scotty cast a downward glance. "No Captain, I'm afraid you weren't."

Kirk looked quizzically at Scott.

Scotty took a deep breath, "You were, umm, there to uhh, officially launch the ship."

Kirk's surprised look deepened Scotty's discomfort, but he went on. "You and I and Chekov were there. There was an accident with an energy ribbon and the deck you were on was blown away."

The two men contemplated each other for several long minutes. Finally Kirk spoke, "Picard told me you went down in a ship that crashed into a Dyson's sphere. He said you locked your pattern in a transporter loop and they found you eighty years later."

"Tis true, I was lost. At least until the crew of Picard's Enterprise found the ship and released me. Being suspended for eighty years and then rescued was certainly a shock. I met the crew of the Enterprise D. What a ship that was. 'Course our Enterprise could probably have done circles around her.

Tell me Captain, what ship are ye on now. We heard about the destruction of the Enterprise D."

Kirk sat back in his chair. "They call her, the Enterprise E," he said smiling. "This is quite a ship Scotty, but I'm not so sure our Enterprise could do circles around this ship although she was indeed a grand lady."

"Captain have ye contacted the Doctor or Mr. Spock yet?"

"I couldn't speak to Spock. From what I hear he is trying to get the Vulcans and the Romulans together. Can you believe that Scotty? The Romulans and the Vulcans? Have you heard Scotty, the Klingons and the Federation are at peace? They've got a Klingon on this ship. A big, damn Klingon."

"I know how you're feeling Captain. At first, after I was saved, I couldn't believe all the changes that had occurred in eighty years. Klingons loving the Federation, Vulcans and Romulans trying to coexist, starship engines doing things I never thought of trying. A lot has happened since ye and I, Spock and McCoy and the

others were out in our Enterprise laying down the groundwork for everything these young ones take for granted. God love ya. I'm so happy to be a part of it again. It's like a second chance. A second chance at what, I'm not sure, but I'm lovin' every last minute of it."

Kirk smiled at his old friend. "You're lucky Scotty. Having the opportunity to go back and undo some of the mistakes you made in your life. Do you have a family?"

As soon as this statement was off his lips, he realized the mistake he had made. As Scotty's face fell, it occurred to Kirk, that Scotty hadn't changed that part of his life. The truth be known, if he really could remain here in the twenty-fourth century, would this be a part of his own life he would change?

Scotty lowered his eyes and moved his head negatively. "No Captain, I haven't changed. No mate, no family. All I have is my work. People don't change not even when they come back from the dead." Scotty's whole body seemed to tremble, gloom settling on his face.

Kirk understood exactly what Scotty meant. Death hadn't changed Spock, at least not so as Kirk could notice. "You're right Scotty. I understand what you're saying," Kirk conceded.

He continued, "I'm not so sure I would change things, even if I had the chance to. Scotty I don't have very much time and I need you to do something for me."

"All you have to do is ask, Captain." The engineer had brightened somewhat, glad the conversation was shifting topics.

"Scotty, I'm worried about McCoy. He's at a place called Longfellow Medical Facility on Earth. I've just talked to him and he seems disoriented. He needs me, us, someone. Can you make sure he's comfortable and all his needs are being met?"

Scotty smiled and nodded his head. "Captain, I've spent much time visiting Dr. McCoy. He's an old crusty man, more cantankerous than you would believe. Just loves to give everybody a hard time." He added with a twinkle in his eye, "especially those pretty young nurses. If you know what I mean, but he's fine. His daughter died many years ago so I've made provisions for his care. He's just being his usual pleasant self, sir. Anything that can be done for the doctor is being done. I promise you."

Jim felt better. He idly wondered what things would have been like if they both hadn't been 'brought back from the dead.

The two men sat and looked at each other, until finally Kirk broke the silence, "I miss it all Mr. Scott."

"Do you now lad," his tone stronger and not quite as calm.

Kirk looked up, surprised at the change in Scott. "What do you miss? The fighting, the battles, the unknown, the endless negotiations, dealing with unreasonable rulers of inhospitable planets. I donnae think so. But I do know what you really miss. You miss the family. That's what we were you know - a family. Belonging to someone and having someone belong to you. We loved each other. Now it's gone." Scotty paused, letting his words sink in and watching Kirk for any sign of disagreement.

Taking a deep breath, the engineer continued, "All we have are the memories. I have found even after eighty years, I can do the work, keep up with the young 'uns, but then I'm alone. I come back to these quarters and look around surveying my world. You know what I find Captain? I find that no one cares what you were or what you did a lifetime ago. All they care about is who you are now, and how much time you're going to cost them.

I have many regrets captain. Not about my career, don't get me wrong. I just wish I had thought about providing for my other needs, if you know what I'm talking about. Now that I have a second chance, I still can't change a thing. Of course now it's a lot harder. After all, who would want a 143 year old man who really only ever loved one woman. A woman named Enterprise."

Scotty paused, and Jim took the opportunity to jump in. Kirk sighed, a slow grin forming, "You're right Scotty. When you and I roamed this galaxy we never had the chance to have a family, a life beyond Starfleet. God knows if I had married Carol and David had been born on a ship like this Enterprise, things would have been so different. It wouldn't have been such a long and lonely old age. If only they were still here it might have been possible for us to have a second chance.

Both men paused and looked into each other's eyes.

Kirk smiled again, "Keep well old friend, take care of Bones and think of me once in a while."

"Aye sir. Good-bye and Captain I want to let you know you've been sorely missed."

"Well Scotty, Picard used this holodeck to transport to 2292. In my world, you and Uhura were joining Bones and a few of the others and we had planned to meet two weeks from now at McCoy's ranch – a little reunion of sorts."

Scott returned the captain's smile. "Aye, I remember that. It 'twas a grand occasion. Well then captain, 'til then."

Scotty sat at the console for a long time after the transmission had ended. He felt the tears rolling down his cheeks and was only mildly aware that he was crying for a man who had died many years ago and for whom he had already mourned.

* * * *

Kirk sat for a long time too. So long in fact that when Beverly walked into his room, she saw him not as the captain of a starship, but as a lonely man, sobbing softly in his sleep.

She kneeled down and gently touched his shoulder and asked, "Jim are you alright?"

He looked up startled, he eyes displaying confusion and distress . She helped him to the bed, and held him in her arms stroking his strong back and wiping his tears with her fingertips. Beverly wasn't sure what had happened, or why Jim was so troubled. She slipped down into his arms, and kissed his warm gentle lips.

Jim pulled her even closer, and slipped his hands under her shirt, and buried his face in her mass of red hair. "I don't want it to end," he moaned, his distress giving way to rising passion. Fiercely and urgently he drew her clothes away and enveloped her entire being with his.

As the couple clung together, their lust for each other satisfied, they tried to make the moments last. Drifting into a comforting sleep, they clung to each other tightly. It seemed important not to let the love slip away. Nestled in each other's arms, they were unaware of the precious minutes ticking by.

* * * *

In a dark corner a faint haze took form. Within its confines two lifeforms materialized. The tall stronger image watched the sleeping couple for several long minutes before whispering to the female.

"This is making me sick. I'm going to vomit." He grabbed his stomach and made a gagging sound.

"I think it's time." The shadowy female image sighed. The haze began to dissipate taking the lifeforms with it.

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