CHAPTER 2
IT ALWAYS TAKES TWO
When Commander Spock reported to the bridge, Captain Kirk said, "Spock, welcome back. You look rested and...happy."
"Captain, if you mean did we enjoy our time away from intrusions from the ship, the answer would be, yes?" Spock replied.
Kirk smiled as Spock went to his post.
"Sulu, how have we progressed on the latest repairs?" Spock asked.
"Mr. Spock, all repairs and improvements are on schedule. Mr. Scott believes the last few bugs to be worked out should be completed in five days."
"Bugs, Mr. Sulu. I am unaware of bugs being a problem."
Kirk chuckled quietly to himself and said, "Mr. Spock it's just an old Earth saying, it means a few things that aren't working need to be fixed."
Kirk left the command chair and said to him, "I'll be in my quarters if needed, Spock. You have the command."
"Yes, Captain."
Meanwhile in sick bay, newly wed Christine returned to her schedule. Dr. McCoy greeted her as she entered, "Christine welcome home."
"Thank you, doctor, how have things been here?"
McCoy raised his brow and responds, "It's been busy. All our equipment is here but they haven't all been logged in as received. It's making more of a backlog than is necessary. It's here, let's plug it in and get ready. Oh by the way Miriam has signed up again."
Christine asked, "She's come back, how wonderful!"
"Well, I hope so."
"Why so glum, Dr. McCoy?"
"She's here with her new husband and our new Doctor of Alien Specialties. The transfer just came through yesterday."
"Husband, but, she never said anything to any of us in all this time."
McCoy responded, "I think she's been married only a month or so, but they both transferred here. I'm not sure I like the guy," he paused and looked at Christine, "And I'm not sure that the Captain knows."
Christine shook her head and said, "The break up was hard on him. Surely she contacted him."
"He's never said anything to me."
"Well, this could be a little uncomfortable."
McCoy raised his brow, "When it comes to his ship, Jim is always
professional."
On the way to his quarters, Captain Kirk decided to pay his friend and head physician a visit. As he entered sick bay, Christine turned and said, "Captain, how are you?"
"Christine, welcome back, I'm fine and how was your honeymoon?"
"It was great. Spock and I had a wonderful time in England. Dr. McCoy is in his office."
"Thanks, Christine." As he entered the hall to Dr. McCoy's office, nurse Miriam turned the corner.
"Miriam? What are you doing here?" he stammered.
"Hello, Captain," she paused, "I've transferred here for the next voyage."
He paused and stumbled, "Great, but I never saw the transfer." At that time McCoy came out of his office.
"I believe it went through to Dr. McCoy under John's name."
"Oh, Jim I see you've met up with Miriam."
"Yes, just now."
"Okay, I'll let you two catch up." Dr. McCoy left abruptly.
"Jim there's something I have to tell you," Miriam said. She looked down.
"Sure, what is it? Who's John?"
"I sent you several messages, but you never responded."
He said, "Messages, I didn't get any messages."
"Oh, that explains why you never answered me. I wanted to tell you that I was getting married."
Jim stared and felt a tug at his heart. He hesitated and then forced a smile and said, "I, I hadn't heard." He put a hand on each of her shoulders and said, "I'm glad...for you."
She blurted quickly, "He's also a transfer here, in sick bay. He's the new Dr. of Alien Studies."
Kirk dropped his arms and said, "He's here, on the Enterprise?" Kirk became aware of people being too close for their conversation. "I see. Well, then Miriam, I uh." He cocked his head in question and turned and went on to his quarters.
Kirk paced in circles in his room, trying to decide how working with his ex-girlfriend and now married ex-girlfriend would affect both of them.
He reached for the intercom and said, "Captain Kirk to Nurse Miriam…, report to my office."
"Yes, Captain," she replied.
Shortly Captain Kirk's door buzzed.
"Enter."
"Yes, Captain?"
Kirk walked from around his desk and stood in front of her. "Miriam, how, when, did you get married?"
"Just a few weeks ago, Captain. I sent a message through the intergalactic system, but I must have had the wrong contact numbers. I tried, Jim, I tried to get a hold of you. I didn't want to hurt you, I hope this won't interfere with anything."
Kirk stiffened and replied, "I will not allow this to interfere with my command."
Miriam stepped closer to Kirk and whispered, "I tried to reach you, Jim. I, I still love you. I always will."
"You still love me? But Miriam, how could you marry him, while you love me? Does he know?"
"Of course not." She stepped closer.
Jim could feel the familiar feelings return.
She reached for his face, "I wanted you, only you, Jim, but you're married to the Enterprise." She stroked his face and leaned up to him and kissed him lightly, and then kissed him harder.
Kirk could resist no longer. He wrapped his arms around her and returned her kisses. She kissed his neck, his cheek and then his lips.
He reached for her arms to untangle himself. "I, can't ..." He stepped back as the door to his quarters opened.
"Let me introduce myself, Captain" said the tall lean man dressed in doctors scrubs, "I'm Dr. John LeDuke and this woman is my wife."
Kirk reached out to shake his hand when Dr. LeDuke hit his wife with a left cross to the chin. Miriam's small frame was sent flying across Kirk's desk.
Without thinking, Kirk hit LeDuke in the face twice and threw him into the wall. LeDuke slid to the floor. Kirk ran to Miriam and flipped on the intercom, "Security to the Captain's quarters. Dr. McCoy, report to the Captain's quarters, immediately."
Kirk gently lifted Miriam to a seated position. She was knocked out and unresponsive.
Two security agents barged into the Captain's quarters, Kirk yelled, "Restrain him."
The agents picked up the doctor and cuffed him in a chair.
Dr. McCoy ran in, "Jim, what happened?"
"The good doctor here just hit Miriam and knocked her out. So I returned the favor."
Mr. Spock arrived and said, "Captain?"
"I'll fill you in. McCoy take them to sick bay and once he wakes up, have him put in the brig."
Spock and Kirk watched as two attendants place the two patients on gurneys.
When the door closed Kirk shook his right hand. It throbbed from the contact with the doctors jaw.
"Captain, are you okay?" Spock asked.
"Yes, but Miriam, really took a hit." Kirk paced in his office. "They were married a few weeks ago. We were talking about how this would affect us on the ship . He came barging in and introduced himself and proceeded to punch her in the face".
"Perhaps when he saw the lipstick on your neck and face, it may have angered him, Captain."
Kirk went to his mirror and wiped the lipstick from his face.
"Spock, I'm too close to the situation. You'll have to report the incident."
He bowed slightly and said, "Yes, Captain. But first, in detail tell me your side of the story."
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In sick bay Nurse Christine placed ice on Miriam's face.
Dr. McCoy examined her from head to toe. He looked at Christine and said, "There are a few old bruises, but I can't tell what they're from. Also her spleen has a contusion. It may have happened when she hit the desk. I don't think she'll loose any teeth, but we'll call in the dentist to make sure."
He leaned over Miriam and shook her softly, "Miriam, wake up, Darlin'. Come on, open your eyes. That's it."
Miriam slowly opened her eyes and raised her hand to her cheek, "Doctor, what happened, my head hurts."
"Just lay quiet. Christine will take care of you. I'll be back shortly."
Christine spoke softly to Miriam, " You're going to be okay. Maybe just a little bruising. Do you hurt anywhere else?"
Miriam grabbed her stomach. "It's sore here."
"Miriam, tell me has John ever hit you before?"
She looked down, "No, no Christine." When she looked back up at Christine, Miriam began to tear up. "I tried to talk him out of transferring here, but it was done before I could say anything."
Christine leaned over her to hug her. "Did he know about your relationship with the Captain?"
"Yes, I told him all about, Jim. I think he may have blocked my communications to him. I know I had the correct information."
A female doctor entered the room and said, "Miriam, I'm Dr. Joanna McCoy."
Startled Miriam looked at Christine. Christine smiled and said, "Yes, she's Dr. McCoy's daughter. She's assigned to the Enterprise, too."
"Oh welcome, Dr. McCoy. We love working with your father, and he speaks about you all of the time."
Dr. Joanna smiled and said, "Thank you. Would you like to talk to Christine? She's your friend and you might feel more relaxed talking to her."
"May I sit up?"
"Slowly" Dr. Joanna responded.
They both assisted her in sitting up. "Things are a little blurry."
Christine propped up her pillows and removed the ice pack. "You're going to be sore for awhile." She looked at Miriam and said, "Let's talk and then you can rest."
Dr. Joanna left the room so they could talk privately.
"Christine, it's almost like he came here to prove something to, Jim. He really changed after we got married. He was short tempered and demanding."
"Do you still love Dr. LaDuke?"
Miriam stared at her feet and shook her head. "No, I never did. I have always loved, Jim. I should have never married John. I deceived him and that is wrong."
Miriam continued to spill her heart out to her friend, Christine.
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Dr. McCoy examined Dr. LaDuke. The doctor had recovered quickly and Dr. McCoy said, "Dr. LaDuke, I never liked you from the beginning. And if I have a say in it, you won't be returning to my sick bay after this incident."
LaDuke's dark eye's penetrated Dr. McCoy. "Well, maybe you can ask your Captain why he was kissing my wife."
McCoy turned to the two security guards and said, "Take him to the brig until further notice, Captain's orders."
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Commander Spock interviewed Dr. LaDuke in the brig and his story reflected the same as Captain Kirk's. His next interview was with Miriam. He entered sick bay and asked to see her.
Dr. McCoy walked up the hallway and motion for Spock to come towards him. "She's very upset right now, can't this wait, Spock?" he grumbled.
"Dr. McCoy, sometimes interviewing the victim at the beginning is more informative than later. If there is a medical reason why I should not, I will come back later."
McCoy looked up at his sometimes irritating friend and said, "Go ahead, Spock, but make it quick."
Spock slowly entered Miriam's room. He spoke softly, "Mrs. LaDuke, would it be okay if I asked you for your side of the story?"
Miriam looked at Spock with exhaustion. "I really don't remember much after John entered the room. I'm told he hit me and that's the last I remember."
Spock looking uncomfortable said, "I, uh understand you and the Captain, had shared an embrace before Dr. LaDuke entered."
She looked down and nodded her head yes. "But I advanced on him, Mr. Spock. He hesitated and he was the one who ended our embrace."
"I see. When you are feeling up to it, please enter your report of the incident. I hope you recover quickly. You'll be given a copy of my report to sign."
"Yes, Commander."
As Spock left her room, his bride waved him to her work desk. "Spock, I hope she leaves that, that... He doesn't deserve her."
"That is a decision she must make, and she must make it quickly. We will be leaving in two days."
Christine reached for his hand and he returned the squeeze. He had little discipline around Christine. The human side of his heart was completely smitten and he struggled to maintain control.
"I'll see you after shift, Christine."
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Captain Kirk walked into sick bay and went to Miriam's room. The room was quiet as he walked up to her bedside. He reached down and took her hand. "I'm sorry, for the trouble I've caused you, Miriam."
"No, Jim. It's my fault. It's all my fault."
Jim smiled and said, "It always takes two, but I have to inform you that I can not have you and Dr. LaDuke serving together on the Enterprise. It would not be good for any of us. I will have to ask you to transfer."
"Jim, I want to divorce him. When it's final, may I return to the Enterprise?"
His eye brows raised and he said, "Is that what you've decided?"
"Yes, I could never live a life like this. Christine will help me get the proper papers started."
"Well, as long as the proceedings have started and there is no discipline from the Admiral, for either of us, you may remain here if you wish. Dr. McCoy would have to okay it, also."
"Thank, you, Captain."
For Captain Kirk the unusual day had just begun.
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Spock's voice came across Kirk's intercom, "Spock to Captain Kirk?"
"Yes, Spock."
"Captain, may I meet you in your quarters?"
"Yes, come now."
A moment later Spock buzzed at Kirk's door.
"Enter."
"Captain, here is the file for the report. I'll need your signature after you read it."
Kirk opened his computer and slipped in the file. As he read it he smiled and said, "She threw herself under the bus, didn't she?"
"Bus, Captain?"
"Spock, it's just a saying, meaning she took the blame herself."
"And shouldn't she have told the truth, Captain?"
"It always takes two, Spock." He signed his signature and returned it to Spock.
"I will send this on to Admiral Clark."
Quietly Kirk responded, "Good, and thanks Spock."
"Captain, I will never understand why you humans find it necessary to thank each other for jobs that are required duty. It is not logical."
Kirk laughed out loud, "Oh, Spock my dear friend, you have a lot to learn yet. I'm leaving to take Dr. LaDuke to Earth myself. You have the con."
"Is that wise, sir?"
"I'll have a security detail with me. I'm sure the Admiral will have a few words to say to me and I'd rather get it over with, sooner than later."
"Yes, sir."
Kirk spoke into the intercom, "Kirk to Lt. Commander Sedgewick."
"Sedgewick, here, Captain."
"Have a shuttle ready for me. The transporter is down. I'm taking a", he paused, "crewman back to Earth. I'll be there shortly."
"It will be ready. Captain."
"Kirk, to the brig."
"Yes, sir."
"Meet me at the shuttle dock with Dr. LaDuke and one security officer in five minutes."
"Yes, Captain."
Kirk rubbed his forehead again and wondered how he should have handled the incident better. His headache was getting worse. He knew the Admiral would want a full investigation from his end. More paper work and more delays.
His crew was trained and ready to depart from Earth for the next two years. He did not like leaving them in suspense while small distractions delayed their leaving.
Kirk stood at the shuttle dock door waiting for the pressure to equalize. Dr. LaDuke looked in Kirk's eyes with unbidden hatred. Kirk's favorite security guard, Lance stood at attention.
When the door opened Kirk found Shuttle No. 12 ready to be boarded.
When he took the co-pilots seat and turned to greet the pilot, he laughed, "Ensign Kirk, I didn't know you would be my pilot today."
"Ready when you are, sir."
His father smiled and asked, "Are we belted up back there?"
Lance replied, "Yes, Captain. We are ready."
"Your command, Ensign."
Ensign Kirk spoke to Lt. Commander Sedgewick on the intercom, "Shuttle 12 is ready to depart."
"Bay doors are open."
"Acknowledged and departing."
The shuttle took off smoothly and traveled to Earth.
"Captain, we should be there in fifteen minutes."
"Thank you, Ensign."
It was a quiet ride to Earth. Both Kirk's enjoyed one of the last views of mother Earth that they would see for two years.
"Ensign Kirk to Port Huron 2560, requesting to land in the shuttle bay."
"Port Huron 2560 here. Shuttle Bay 10 is ready for your landing."
"Approaching Shuttle Bay 10."
Large bay doors were opened as he aligned their shuttle. Ensign Kirk made a smooth landing. The captain smiled at his son as he unlocked his seat belt.
The ensign heard a commotion from behind him when Dr. LaDuke jumped from his seat and hit Captain Kirk in the jaw. As the captain flew onto the control panels his head hit the edge. The doctor went to grab him again when the security officer pulled him backwards. Ensign Kirk reacted quickly and jumped at LaDuke sandwiching him on the floor between he and Lance. Kirk jumped up and grabbed LaDuke by his shirt front and beat him repeatedly in the face.
Lance yelled, "Ensign, stop it, stop it."
Lucas kept beating the doctor when Lance rolled to his side bringing the doctor with him to protect him from the Ensign. "Lucas, stop. Get another security officer and help for the Captain."
Lucas turned on the intercom breathing heavily, "This is Ensign Kirk, send medical help to the shuttle and a security guard, immediately. Out."
Lance braced the unconscious doctor against the wall of the shuttle, and Lucas went to his father. He gently pulled him out from under the control panel.
"Captain, sir, are you okay? Dad?" He stretched his father out on the floor. He grabbed the first aid kit and placed gauze on his bleeding forehead.
The side shuttle door opened. A security guard leapt in to assess the situation. He pointed for the port's doctor to enter. The medical team placed Captain Kirk on the stretcher and raced him to sick bay.
The two security guards also put the unconscious doctor on a gurney.
Ensign Kirk yelled to Lance, "I'll shut down the shuttle and I'll be in sick bay in a minute." Young Kirk quickly went through the shut down procedure. He then remembered to contact Mr. Spock.
"Shuttle 12 to the Enterprise."
"Spock here, what is it, Ensign?"
"There will be a delay, Sir. Dr. LaDuke attacked the Captain when we landed. They are both in sick bay. I am on my way and I'll report back to you shortly."
"Dr. McCoy would like to speak with you."
"Lucas, how bad is he?"
"I don't know, but he was unconscious and bleeding from the forehead. His head hit the control panel."
"I'm beaming down."
"Yes, sir."
"Ensign, Spock here. Have you contacted the Admiral yet?"
"No, sir."
"I suggest you do so before you leave the area."
"Yes, sir. I will"
Lucas looked down at his knuckles. Blood was dripping from both hands, he could only imagine the damage he had done to the doctor's face. He was still breathing heavily when he put in a call to the Admiral.
"Ensign Kirk on Shuttle 12, to Admiral Clark."
A pause and then, "This is Yeoman Simmons, may I take a message for the Admiral?"
"Sir, I just shuttled in with Captain Kirk and a Dr. LaDuke with a security guard. When we landed the doctor attacked the captain. The security guard and I subdued him, but he and the captain are on their way to your sick bay."
"One moment, Ensign."
"Yes, sir." He shook his head and said to himself, "and the day started out so normal, too."
"The Admiral wants you to come to his office after reporting to sick bay."
"On my way, sir."
He was unaware of what had transpired between his father and Dr. LaDuke previously on the Enterprise, but standing before the Admiral was not a chore he looked forward to.
Ensign Kirk left his shuttle and found his way to sick bay. He asked to see the captain.
A nurse answered, "The doctor is with him right now. You'll have to wait. Let me see your hands."
The ensign held up his bleeding hands. The nurse pointed to an empty bed and began to clean the wound. "This part is going to sting a little."
Lucas said, "I always hate it when the nurses say, ow! That's more than a little sting!"
The nurse smiled, "It probably hurts less than what you did to the doctor. You are the pilot that beat him up, aren't you?"
Lucas began to sit up, but she pushed him back down. "Stay put. I need to wrap your hands."
"There was a reason, nurse."
"So I hear." When she was done she said, "Keep these wrapped and dry for a couple of days. Then report to your ships physician for a recheck. Sign here."
With puffy hands wrapped in two inches of gauze he struggled with the electric pen. "Gee, thanks, Nurse." When she left he mumbled, "Great bedside manners."
Lucas went down the hall where he heard more voices. He saw the captain laying on the bed. He stood back and watched as they glued the injury to his forehead shut. He could see his father's hands move occasionally and he was relieved.
Dr. Shermeko looked up. "Are you the pilot that came in with the Captain?"
"Yes, sir. I am. How is he?"
"Lucas, I'm okay." the Captain answered.
Dr. Shermeko looked at the Captain, "You must know him, sir?"
Captain Kirk tried to focus on the conversation, "Yes, he's my son. He's ..."
Dr. Shermeko walked towards Ensign Kirk, "I understand there was an issue before coming here, but your treatment of Dr. LaDuke has put him in serious condition'"
"And what about the Captain? He doesn't look that great either."
Captain Kirk raised his arm and said, "Ensign. That's enough." And that was all the Captain remembered.
Dr. Shermeko looked sternly at Ensign Kirk, "Get out of my sick bay. Now."
Kirk spun around and mumbled, "Gladly."
He was standing in the hall and waited for Dr. McCoy.
"Lucas?" a females voice said.
He turned and coming from a room was a friend of his girl friend. "Anastasia. It's good to see you. How's med school coming?"
"Almost done, Lucas. I hear Joanna is aboard the Enterprise and working with her father. What are you here for?"
"It's a long story. We were transferring a crew member back to Earth when he attacked the Captain."
"Thus the wrapped hands?"
He looked down and nodded. "The doctor kicked me out."
Anastasia laughed, "Your Captain is in great hands, but Dr. Shermeko hates fighting of any kind."
"I have to call my ship and report in, but can you point me to the Admirals office."
"Yes, he's on deck 2. When you get there someone will show you to his office."
"Thanks, Anastasia. I'll tell Joanna I ran into you."
"Tell her I hope to join her someday."
"Will do."
Lucas turned to leave when Dr. McCoy turned the corner of the hall. He tried not to look sheepish, "Dr. McCoy."
"Lucas, what the devil happened?"
"When we landed and unbuckled ourselves, Dr. LaDuke hit him. Dad hit his head on the console. The security guard grabbed him and I proceeded to..."
"I think I can see from your hands what happened next."
"Yes sir. Dr. Shermeko won't allow me back in."
Dr. McCoy knowingly nodded his head. "Lucas, I hope one of these days you will learn to think before you act."
"But, Dr. McCoy,"
McCoy held up his hand. "I don't want to hear it."
"Sir, why did he attack the Captain?"
"Lucas, I'll have to let the Captain, tell you. That's privileged information."
Dr. McCoy entered sick bay and Ensign Kirk went in search for the Admiral. Entering deck 2 he was escorted to the Admiral's office.
"Permission to enter?" Kirk asked.
"Enter," the Admiral called.
The Admiral was tall in height compared to most men. His dark hair and stern look shook most captains to their souls. Lucas was not sure if his career had ended this day.
"Ensign, I just got a report from Dr. Shermeko. He said your father will be transferred to the Enterprise shortly. He has a severe concussion, a broken rib and many bruises." He paused and looked the ensign up and down. "Dr. LaDuke on the other hand has a concussion, broken jaw, broken teeth and many lacerations to the face. I have spoken to the security guard, Cpl Lance and he said you helped to subdue the doctor, but you wouldn't stop hitting him."
Lucas went to answer, but the Admiral held up his hand. "I know he is your father, Kirk, and your Captain. However, you went overboard. I want a copy of your report by tonight. I will leave the discipline up to your own Captain. Now go back to your shuttle and wait until the Captain is ready to leave. Is that all clear, Ensign?"
"Yes, sir." Lucas said and left the room.
Lucas let out a sigh of relief. He knew that if the Captain had not been his father he may have had to spend the night in the brig himself. A fact that his father will not let go unsaid...many times. He returned to the shuttle with Lance and waited to hear from Dr. McCoy.
He and Lance sat in silence. Lance had done his job and Kirk could not be angry at him because of the report he gave to the Admiral.
"Lance, it's okay." He looked at the guard.
Lance responded, "I had to tell the truth."
"I know. I would expect nothing less." he paused. "You don't happen to have a candy bar or anything with you, do you?"
Lance laughed and shook his head, no. "You're an idiot, Kirk."
Lucas replied, "I've been told that."
Half an hour later with Captain Kirk on a gurney and Dr. McCoy next to him, they returned to the shuttle. When the captain's gurney was strapped in, young Kirk got up to see his father.
"Sir. How are you feeling?"
Captain Kirk said, "I feel like I've been kicked in the jaw by one of our horses. We'll talk later, Ensign. Take us home."
"Yes, sir."
Lucas began pre-flight checks. Lance sat in the co-pilot seat.
"Port Huron 2560, Shuttle 12 is ready to depart."
"Shuttle bay door is open. Command is yours."
"Thank you, sir. Acknowledged and departing."
Gently, Ensign Kirk lifted the shuttle off the deck and returned for the short flight in space. As they approached the Enterprise, work was still going on, on the outside of the Enterprise. However, progress was being made by the hour. All of the crew were anxious to start their journey.
"Ensign Kirk, to Enterprise. Permission to land?"
"Enterprise to Shuttle 12, permission granted, bay door is open."
"Acknowledged."
Ensign Kirk landed the shuttle as if landing on a pillow. His father hardly stirred. Medical support waited as Dr. McCoy departed from the shuttle with his father. Mr. Spock was also in attendance.
After shut down procedures were ended, Cpl. Lance and Ensign Kirk disembarked.
Mr. Spock thanked Cpl. Lance and Spock motioned for Kirk to follow him. In silence they went to Deck 5 to Spock's office.
"Come in, Ensign Kirk."
"Yes, sir." He stood at parade rest in silence with his heart beating so loud he knew the Commander could hear it.
"You were not aware of the previous altercation between the Captain and the doctor. Without going into details, there was a disturbance involving your father, the doctor and Nurse Miriam."
"Miriam, sir? She's aboard?"
"Yes, Ensign, but that is all I can tell you. Although you were correct in helping to subdue the doctor when he attacked the Captain, the vengeance with which you used, to say the least, was extreme. As of now you are confined to your quarters. I need your report and one copy to the Admiral, of whom, I spoke to in great length this afternoon. Any questions?"
"No, sir."
"Dismissed."
Ensign Kirk gladly went to his quarters where he flung himself on his bed. An hour later he awoke to someone buzzing his door.
In a daze he yelled, "Enter."
His good friend Spock Jr. whom they referred to as SJ entered his room.
With the similar looks of his father Spock, he questioned his friend, "What did you do, it's all over the ship that you beat up a doctor!"
Kirk groaned. "I'm confined to my quarters right now, SJ, so you can't be here. Let's just say I had due cause, but the higher ups seem to think I went above and beyond the call of duty."
SJ smiled, "I'll go, and you can fill me in later."
Kirk waved at him and grinned, "Hey, SJ, can you do me a favor and see how my dad is tonight. I have a report to work on."
"Yes, typing with those hands should be fun."
"Don't make fun of me, SJ. You're just jealous you weren't there to lend a hand," he called to his friend.
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Kirk ordered the biggest hamburger he could order, with a cold chocolate malt and a tiny tossed salad from food services. It arrived in minutes and was devoured in the same amount of time.
Kirk finished his report as ordered and sent it on to the Admiral and Commander Spock.
Close to 22 hundred hours there was another buzz at his door.
"Enter."
Dr. McCoy with his daughter Dr. Joanna McCoy entered. Kirk stood at attention because he hoped someday Dr. McCoy would be his father in-law.
"Ensign, I'm here to let you know your father is resting and will be resting for many days. He says he'd like to see you when you are no longer confined to your quarters."
A cough was heard from Dr. Joanna. A stare from her father quickly silenced her.
"Further more, Lt. Commander Sedgewick would like to speak with you, also when you are released. Now, I'm going to leave here and I expect my daughter to follow within one minute of my exit. Is that clear you two?"
In unison they replied, "Yes, sir."
"Just remember, Lucas, if you hurt my daughter, whatever piece of your body touched hers, I will remove it."
"Uh yes, sir."
The door slid shut and the two embraced with a quick kiss. "Joanna, I think he means it. I'm in big trouble this time."
"Don't worry about, Dad, but I hear there was quite a fight."
He nodded and said, "Something happened between my dad and Dr. LaDuke ."
"Yes, Lucas, there is more to it, but I can't say anything."
Ensign Kirk kissed her as he slowly walked her backward to his door. "I ran into Anastasia on Earth. She said she hoped to be following you, soon. Now, if you don't get out of here, your father will have my hide as well. I doubt my father wishes to thank me for my help. I'll see you...sometime."
She kissed him one last time and left his room.
Kirk said to himself, "Cold shower time, again."
Before he retired for the night a call came in from S J listing the Captain in fair condition."
It had been a long day.
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From the bridge Mr. Spock spoke to Lt. Commander Sulu, " Mr. Sulu, you have the con until morning."
"Yes, sir, " he replied as he took the Captain's chair.
Mr. Spock entered his quarters where Christine waited for him.
"Hello, Spock. It was a long day."
"A day I do not wish to repeat." He reached for his bride and held her close to his chest. "How was, Jim when you left."
"Asleep with a wake up call every two hours. He'll be grumpy in the morning. How is young Kirk?"
"Young Kirk, is just that, young. He must learn to control his emotions appropriately if he wants to remain in Starfleet."
Christine looked up into Spock's eyes and Spock's half-human heart betrayed him once again. He slept well that night.
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Ensign Kirk was awake early doing some morning stretches when Mr. Spock called him.
"Spock to Ensign Kirk."
Kirk flipped the intercom on, "Yes, sir."
"Report to my office, please."
"On my way, Sir."
Lucas brushed his hair and threw on a clean uniform. He was at Mr. Spock's door in less than five minutes.
He buzzed and Spock answered, "Enter."
Kirk stood in front of his desk. Spock walked slowly from around his desk, placing his arms behind him, he said, "Ensign, I have thought of all of the disciplinary actions that you deserve, but none will achieve the results needed. However, once the Captain has recovered he may bring about the results so desperately need. I have decided to have you return to duty until the Captain has healed."
"Yes, sir. Also, my apologies for embarrassing the Enterprise."
"Again." Spock replied.
"Yes, sir, again."
"Dismissed."
Kirk left Spock's office.
Now, Ensign Kirk had to deal with his deck officer, Lt. Commander Sedgewick. He waited outside of the commanders office until he was called in.
"Ensign, Kirk, I am at loss for words."
The Ensign remained quiet and waited.
"Commander Spock and I had an interesting conversation yesterday afternoon and this is what I'd like you to do."
"Yes, sir?"
"I want you to take a bucket, rags and disinfectant and clean out the inside of your shuttle, and when you are done, I want you to do the same to shuttles 2 through 8. I will inspect them when you're done. Dismissed."
"Yes, sir." Visions of having lunch with Joanna flew out of his mind.
He also knew the Lt. Commander would not care about his bandaged hands.
Three days later Ensign Kirk was called to sick bay. When he arrived no one would look at him. He whispered to himself, "I feel like I'm walking on death row."
He walked quietly to the Captains side and cleared his throat.
"Attention, Ensign," and that's when he knew the Captain was feeling better and he was beginning to feel sick.
Lucas thought the half hour would never end. After the Captain made it clear what he thought of his actions he was sent away.
Afterward, everywhere he turned every senior officer made him do 30 push-ups. There were days he knew he did 500 push ups. His arms were like jelly. After day 7, he returned the Captain's quarters..
Ensign Kirk stood outside the Captain's door, reluctant to buzz. Feeling foolish he finally pressed the buzzer.
"Enter."
He knew his father could see him in his security camera, and he waited at attention in his outer office until the Captain came out.
"Yes, Ensign?"
"I came to see how you were feeling, sir."
The Captain walked up to his son and said, "You also wish I would call off your disciplinary action."
Lucas did not respond.
"You could have killed that man, Ensign. Dr. McCoy said his injuries were brutal. Look at your hands, even after a week they're still swollen."
Ensign Kirk continued to stare ahead, but said, "Captain, may I interrupt and speak freely?" Lucas was flustered and didn't know where to begin.
"Go ahead, Ensign, I'm waiting."
He tried to read his fathers face, "You were being attacked from behind and we are trained to respond quickly!" Getting louder he said, "I apologize for embarrassing the Enterprise and you, but if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing. Sir."
The Captain said to himself, "you remind me of someone I know well."
The Captain looked at his son and quietly told the story of the original fight between he and Dr. LaDuke.
When he finished, Ensign Kirk nodded his head. "I'm sorry, sir. For Miriam and for you. This will go no further, sir."
Captain Kirk said, "No, this is very personal. And now, Lucas, I will speak to you as father to son. After a review of the situation, I can see why you reacted the way you did. I know it's very difficult having your father as your Captain, but I can not have two standards."
"Yes, Dad, but sometimes I feel like...never mind, sir. We've been over this a thousand times."
"And I'm sure it will not be the last, my son. Starfleet never wanted family members to serve together, but they found on these long voyages, it makes for a happier crew. I'm beginning to wonder, though."
Lucas stood thinking, "It always came down to this same conversation with his father. He had wanted to transfer before this two year voyage began, but he could not leave the best ship in the Starfleet, his friends and the best Captain to learn from."
The Captain said, "You're dismissed," and his father extended his hand.
Lucas held up his red and swollen hands.
"If you don't mind, I'll pass on the hand shake."
The Captain smiled as Lucas left.
The Captain gave his formal report of the two incidences to the Admiral. The incident in his quarters would be left in his personal file. Dr. LaDuke was discharged from the service and Miriam remained on the Enterprise as part of the crew. He promised himself to stay as far away from her as he could, but he wondered how long it would last.
He was looking forward to seeing how his newly trained crew would respond in the situations that they'd face. Of the 430 crew members there were 18 new marriages that had taken place while on shore leave and 24 of the 25 airmen were promoted to ensigns. One officer passed away unexpectedly and Kirk had attended the funeral.
"Captain's private journal," he spoke into the recorder, "It was the best of times, in Paris, and also the worst of times. I grieve, and I am confused. It is so true, it is lonely at the top. Kirk out."
