Chapter 15

Beverly woke up finding herself entwined in his arms. "I feel so safe with this man," she thought, shifting her body so she could study him. After several minutes Jim felt her eyes and he stretched, moving his arm to touch her body. One eye opened, "Doctor, why are you staring at me?"

"I want to remember your face."

"Remember my face?"

Beverly sighed, "If Spock can't save you, I want to remember you like this."

He playfully covered his face with his arm. She leaned over and gently removed it. Her fingers traced the lines in his face and her lips crushed against his.

"Tell me about your life, Jim."

Kirk pulled her close and whispered in her ear, "Why would you want to know about my life?"

"Well, I know what's written in the history books. But what I really what to know is what you were really like. What were your dreams? Did you want your life to play out like it did?"

Jim grinned, encircling her body with his arms. He pulled her down and covered her body with his. "I don't want to waste the time talking."

Her moans and gasps grew in intensity with his touches and lovemaking and finally both were exhausted and slept. Beverly dreamed soundlessly spoon-fashioned with Kirk behind her, his leg flung over hers, and his right hand lying on her hip.

Kirk slept fitfully awakening several times. Each time he awakened, his first thoughts were that he was unsure where he was. Remembering her appeal for information about his life, he ruefully thought, "What can I tell her about my dreams. I rarely had the time to think about my future. I was all caught up with the importance of the present. Now here I am in my future, still unsure about the present. Besides I always figured I'd be Captain of the Enterprise forever."

As Will handled the details at Starbase 125, Jim and Beverly spent the time together in his quarters trying to make the minutes they had stretch into eternity.

When they finally woke, Beverly got up and ordered two glasses of orange juice from the food replicator. As she sat cross-legged on the bed, Kirk sighed looking at the woman he loved, "No matter what happens Beverly I want you to know I love you. You've made me happier these few days than I've been for years."

Beverly moved closer and whispered, "What if it works? What if Spock can do this?"

Jim locked eyes with her. "Then you and I can live happily ever after doctor."

"What does that mean?" she asked, kissing his ear.

"I'll marry you and take you away from all this," he laughed, pulling her closer.

"You, away from all this?" she asked spreading her arms.

After a long pause, he suddenly grew quiet and melancholy and asked, "Beverly, will you think of me?"

"Oh Jim, what kind of question is that." She looked at him and her eyes filled with tears, and as two slipped down her cheeks, Jim leaned over and kissed her. With the tips of his fingers, he wiped the dampness away.

Beverly tried her best to smile and through her tears she continued, "I never thought I would be part of your life. I'm still not sure how all this happened, but I believe in you and I love you." She touched his face and leaned towards him, brushing his lips with hers. "I wish it could be different. I would give anything for you to stay."

* * * *

Once more the two orbs of light appeared in the far corner, totally unnoticed by the couple.

"Did you hear our dear, dear doctor? My, my, too bad I'm not in the practice of taking souls. She'd be mine forever... oh God, what a thought."

The smaller orb understood the soundless communication. "You wouldn't last a round with her. You make me sick!"

In a heartbeat, the orbs withdrew.

* * * *

Jim stared long and hard at the doctor. He knew his time was short and he had so much he still needed to say to her. He didn't know where to start.

"You know doctor, this whole crazy thing began because Picard felt he might have missed something in his life. He made the Enterprise - well at least his Enterprise his whole life. He made this ship, this life, the number one priority in his existence. I know how it can happen, I did it too."

He got up and wrapped a soft robe around his body and paced across the room to the view port.

Each and every time Kirk looked out at space he got the same deep feeling of respect for whatever was out there. Space both fascinated and frightened him. This was the reason he had spent his life firmly entrenched in its grasp.

Turning to Beverly again, he stood looking at her. Hoarsely he gasped. "I don't want it to end, I want another chance."

Beverly rose and crossed the room quickly, putting her arms around him." I wish it could be another way." She looked up at him and added, "I love you."

Kirk held her tightly desperately trying to force the reality of the situation away. He pushed her to arms length and whispered, "I know I don't belong here, Picard is the captain of this Enterprise. I only hope somehow I can convince him not to let himself become a lonely old man, with nothing but memories for company."

In that one sentence Beverly realized he was giving her the answers to her questions. No, his life hadn't worked out how his dreams had predicted, at least not until now. No matter what would happen, Beverly understood and believed Jim.

Before Beverly could answer Worf interrupted, "Worf to Captain Kirk."

"Kirk here."

"Ambassador Spock's shuttle is ready to come aboard."

"On my way Lieutenant."

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