A/N: The new journey begins for the Enterprise. Mr. Spock and Christine try to learn about each other with a few misunderstandings. Families aboard the ship can be comforting, but distracting.
Chapter 3
Out There, Somewhere
The Captain continued to recover and Mr. Spock filled in until he was cleared by Dr. McCoy for short four hour shifts. All disciplinary actions were taken care of as the crew of the Enterprise prepared to leave. There had been many delays in the schedule and tensions ran tight, but with a sense of adventure.
The day they prepared to leave, Captain Kirk returned to the bridge.
Mr. Spock stood up from the captain's chair and said, "Welcome back, Sir."
The crew all around the room smiled and welcomed him back.
Captain Kirk looked refreshed and gave his first orders. " Mr. Chekov, plot our first course."
"Where to, Captain?"
As always the Captain sat down in his chair, pointed out into space and replied, "Out there, somewhere."
Chekov laughed and said, "Yes, Captain."
The USS Enterprise slowly departed from her moorings and left Earth's orbit.
"Attention, all crew, this is the Captain. I hope you are enjoying your new quarters and recreation areas. As we get use to our new posts and how things work, we'll slowly make our way to our next quadrant of 42.37. We'll begin some assessments along the way and once we've reached Exodus, more testing will begin. Welcome back, Crew. Captain, out."
The bridge was busy with the men and women working at their stations. Occasionally Mr. Scott would let out a curse, and quickly apologize when something went wrong with instrument panels or his precious warp engines. He was back and forth from Engineering to his post on the Bridge most of the day.
By late afternoon, Captain Kirk had had enough, "Mr. Scott," he yelled.
Scotty jumped and said, "Yes, Captain."
"You are giving me a headache!"
"I'm sorry, Captain, but you've heard of the acronym K.I.S.S. haven't you?"
Kirk stared at him in confusion.
"Keep it simple stupid? Uh, Sir. It seems Starfleet engineers were a bit bored while we risked our lives for the last five years. Where one circuit was enough, they decided four would make it better, Sir."
Kirk glanced at Spock and said, "I'm going to sick bay to get something for this headache. Spock you have the chair."
"Yes, Captain."
Once inside the elevator, Kirk rubbed his forehead. His vision had been giving him trouble all afternoon. He thought he was just adjusting to the new screens on the bridge. They were bigger and brighter than the previous ones.
He hesitated to go into sick bay, not knowing if Miriam would be on duty, but his head was now pounding. He stumbled as he went through the door. Dr. McKenzie was on duty and was at the desk when he came in.
"Captain, are you okay?" he asked as he came around his desk.
"Yes, yes, I just have this headache that won't go away and it's getting worse."
"Come lay down, I'll get Dr. McCoy."
"No, no that's okay just give me some aspirin."
"No, sir, I wouldn't recommend that, you've recently had a concussion and we have better medications for that."
Dr. McKenzie led him to the bed, "Lay down, Captain. I'll dim the lights."
"I'm really okay, just give me a pill!" he said loudly.
Dr. McCoy heard the commotion and walked in, "Jim, what's the matter?"
"Bones, I have a headache and the good doctor won't give me any aspirin," he raised his voice again.
He motioned for Dr. McKenzie to leave the room. "Jim, lay down for a second and let me exam you."
"Bones," he started to protest.
"I said to lay down," he sternly responded.
"Okay, okay, you're the doctor."
"Finally, you agree."
McCoy ran the assessment device over his body. He looked in his eyes and dimmed the lights more.
"Jim, you're not resting enough, and your body is trying to tell you to slow down. It's important to rest so you can heal. Have you been on the bridge since we departed this morning?"
Kirk rubbed his forehead, "Bones, just give me something."
"Spock can take care of things for a few more days. Now I can give you something to knock you out so you'll stay in bed or you can rest in your quarters. Which would you like?"
"Bones," he said irritatingly."
"I'll be right back."
McCoy left and the door opened again. Kirk felt like he was going to vomit and rolled on his side. "Bones, I'm gonna be sick."
Someone grabbed a pan and held it for him while he retched.
Breathing heavily the Captain said, "Sorry, Bones, this headache is making me sick."
A woman's voice said, "Captain, it's okay, here let me help you."
Kirk opened his eyes and saw Miriam at his side. She wiped his mouth and face with a cool cloth. The door opened and McCoy walked in with the meds.
"Is he vomiting, Miriam?"
"Yes, he said the headache is making him sick."
"I was afraid that would happen."
Kirk grabbed the pan from Miriam and retched again, "Every time I move, it makes me sick."
Miriam wiped his face again. He continued to retch with some ending on his clothing.
McCoy said, "You've got another migraine. I'll give you an injection, nothing will stay down right now, and then I want you to rest here."
Kirk nodded, yes. He laid back down and McCoy gave him the injection.
"Miriam, when his stomach settles down get him some soup and let me know if there's a problem."
"Yes, Doctor."
After McCoy left, Miriam got him clean scrubs and helped him get comfortable.
"Captain, is it okay that I'm your nurse? If not, I completely understand and we'll get someone else."
Kirk smiled and whispered, "I can't think of anyone else I'd rather have."
She said, "Rest now, when you wake we'll see how you feel."
Dr. McCoy went to the Bridge and stood at Spock's side. "Did Jim stay here all day?"
"Yes, Doctor, he did."
"He was on restricted duty of four hours. He's off tomorrow and after that he can only work four hours in a day for a few days. He's laid out in sick bay with a migraine and vomiting. So no matter what he says, do not let him come on duty tomorrow and for no longer than four hours a day afterward, until I say so."
"Yes, doctor."
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McCoy returned to sick bay just as an emergency report came in. An ensign was burned when circuits at his station exploded. "Can you get him here or do you need a stretcher?"
"We're on our way with him, Doctor."
"Very well." He turned to Miriam and said, "Prepare the room for a potential burn."
"Yes, doctor."
Two crewman helped lay the patient on the bed. When McCoy came in and saw who he was, he said, "Oh, it can't be."
Ensign Lucas Kirk looked up and slowly waved, "I made it almost seven months without being here, sir."
McCoy shook his head as he examined his patient who had the record for the most trips to sick bay in two years. He cut off Lucas's shirt and injected him with a pain med. "This is going…"
"I know, Doctor, it's going to sting a little."
"More than a little," he whispered to himself.
Lucas flinched as the injection was given and the cleaning process of burned skin began. Miriam assisted as they cleaned the wound on his arm and hand. Dr. McCoy ran the ultraviolet light over his arm and spread a soothing pain killing gel over the wounds. They wrapped it with a skin growing shield to help the skin rejuvenate.
"That should do it, Lucas. How are you doing?"
"I've felt worse, Doc."
"Yea you've looked worse before, too. You're here for the night and I'll check it tomorrow. I'll report back to Lt. Commander Sedgewick. Oh, by the way, your father is in the next room, too."
"Is he okay?"
"Yes, he just overdid it on his first day. He's got a headache and he's resting. This is beginning to run in the family." He looked at Lucas's eyes, "Do you need a stronger pain med?"
"I'll wait awhile."
"No you won't."
He looked up at Miriam and said, "Fix me another injection."
"Lucas if you wait until the pain gets worse it's harder to treat. Don't be a tough guy, okay?"
"Yes, sir."
After the injection, Lucas fell asleep.
McCoy looked at Miriam and said, "Welcome to the Enterprise, Nurse."
"Yes, Doctor, and my shift is just beginning."
Hours later, Captain Kirk woke up. He buzzed the nurse and Miriam came in.
"Feeling better?"
"Yes, but a little groggy."
"It's the injection he gave you. Would you like to eat something?"
Kirk looked at Miriam teasingly and said, "I sure would."
"James T. Kirk, you better behave or Dr. McCoy will not be happy," she smiled, "Soup or something different?"
"Sorry, yes, soup is fine with black coffee."
She returned with his tray and set it up in his bed. He reached for her hand and said, "How are you doing, Miriam?"
She continued to look down at his tray and nodded. "Good, thanks."
She left abruptly and Kirk felt the weight of her pain on his shoulders.
Hours later, he fell asleep and did not wake until 0600 hours.
Change of shifts and Christine was his nurse for the day. "Morning, Captain, how's your headache?"
"Good, can I get out of here?"
"No, Dr. McCoy said you were to stay here until he could examine you, no matter what excuse you gave us. How about some breakfast?"
"I can eat in my room just as easily."
"And pigs will fly when that happens. What can I get you?"
"Couple of scrambled eggs, bacon and black coffee. Can I get a shower first?"
"Absolutely, but don't think you can sneak out of here when we're not looking," she said sternly.
"Christine, I liked you better in Paris."
"Yes, Captain, the feeling is mutual."
Kirk cleaned up and put on fresh scrubs. He then tried to leave down a small hallway, but two nurses coming in for a research program saw him and blocked the hallway. "Sorry, Captain, Dr. McCoy has warned everyone that if you leave we'll be on the first shuttle to the end of the universe."
"I'll have to talk to his superior officer," the Captain joked with the nurses.
They laughed and walked with the Captain back to his room. Nurse Christine just arrived with a tray and said, "Nice try, Captain. Sit and eat." She arranged his tray near his bed. "Captain, did you know Lucas is in sick bay?"
The Captain stopped mid-sip of his coffee and said, "No, what's he here for this time?"
Always the mother figure she replied, "Captain, it's not his fault. The computer console he was working on exploded and his hand and arm were burned. He's next door, when you're done, he'd probably like a visit."
"How bad is the burn?"
"A third degree burn. It will be painful for quite a while."
"Christine, I'll need a clean uniform when I come back."
"No, Captain, no uniform, and no escaping."
Christine left and Kirk mumbled, "It's going to be a long day." He quickly finished his breakfast and went to see his son.
Lucas was lying in bed struggling with his breakfast. "Morning, Sir."
"Can I help you, Lucas?"
"No, I might as well get used to it."
"Painful?"
"It won't be in a few minutes when the pain meds kick in."
"What did Sedgewick say about the console?"
"I was rushed here before I could talk with him. Mr. Scott was in here last night apologizing for not catching it sooner. The design is a little wonky. We were trying to simplify it and reprogram the board when it exploded. Mr. Scott is talking to the Engineers back at Starfleet and he thinks they programmed a detonating device in case someone tried to interfere with the program. It would have been nice if someone would have written that in the manual they gave us."
The Captain shook his head. "Too many stupid-visors that don't know what the right hand and the left hand are doing."
Lucas nodded in agreement, "How are you feeling today?"
"Good, but I'm Dr. McCoy's captive."
Lucas knew how his father hated to lay around in sick bay. Captain Kirk stood up and started to leave when he said, "Rest up, Lucas. I'll be by later. Maybe a game of chess?"
"I'd love to beat you, Dad."
"We'll see who beats whom."
Around noon the chess match began. Captain Kirk-2, Ensign Kirk-1.
"What makes you think I didn't let you win, Dad?"
"Because you're too competitive," he laughed.
Just then Dr. McCoy came in with Miriam. "Isn't this nice, father and son recreation time in sick bay. Jim you'll have to leave while I redress Lucas's arm."
"I'll stay, Bones."
"You're sure, it's a mess."
The Captain leaned back on a counter top to watch while they sterile draped the area. He handed Kirk a sterile mask.
Miriam brought in a tray of tools, solutions and gadgets Lucas had not noticed before. "Are you using all of that on me?"
McCoy smiled and said, "And more if you don't sit still."
"Aye, sir."
"Now, let me get serious here first. I can give you injections to numb the wound, but that will be as painful as the redressing, and it is painful, Lucas. I can then use the dermal generator and it will heal very quickly."
Lucas swallowed and looked at Miriam, "Uh, whatever you want Doc, just be fast."
McCoy nodded to Miriam and they began to remove the cover and the peeling skin. Lucas cringed and tried to pull away. "Hold still, son, I know it hurts like the devil"
Miriam drenched the skin in saline, but the look of the injury was not pleasing to the Doctor. The odor coming from Lucas's arm was of burned flesh. There was a loud thump and Captain Kirk, was laying on the floor.
McCoy hit the intercom with his elbow, "Dr. McKenzie, come to room 3 with an orderly and a gurney." He nodded to Miriam to briefly check on the Captain.
"He's bleeding from the back of his head, Doctor."
"Jeez, that's all he needs."
Dr. McKenzie and the orderly arrived to assist the Captain.
Lucas looked towards the floor and saw his father being helped to the gurney.
"Jack, be sure you scan his head, he hit it pretty hard on the counter. He's bleeding, too."
"We've got him, Leonard."
Lucas was white as a ghost. Dr. McCoy was peeling off dead skin so Miriam could clean deeper. "Nurse was this Tanton 10 we used on him?"
"I'll check." She looked on their tray, "No sir, it looks like they sent us Tanton 12."
McCoy growled, "That is the last time I will allow anyone to stock my sick bay. Those idiots at Starfleet don't…," he looked at Lucas who had turned more pale.
"Doctor, I'm going to be sick."
"Oh good, it runs in the family."
Miriam handed him a container and put a cold rag on his head. "Just relax, Ensign, we're almost done."
McCoy shook his head when he examined the wound, "This is worse than yesterday. Let's complete debridement and flush the wound. Miriam, call in Joanna and see if she's available to assist she'll welcome the experience."
"Yes, sir."
When she left Lucas asked, "How much longer?"
"Soon. I'm sorry it's so painful. You have the strangest reactions to things, and that's my fault for not thinking ahead."
Dr. Joanna and Miriam scrubbed in and went to Lucas's side. She was in doctor mode and barely made eye contact with Lucas.
Dr. McCoy said, "That section, right there."
Lucas let out a howl and tried to pull his arm away. "Lucas, hold still for me," Joanna said, "Almost done."
Lucas leaned to the opposite side and vomited into the bowl and onto Dr. McCoy's feet. They quickly sterilized and applied antibiotic ointments while he was retching. They ran the dermal generator to heal the skin. Lucas visibly relaxed as the pain subsided.
The two doctors removed their tools and helped Miriam dress Lucas in clean scrubs. The floors were sanitized and a no visitor sign was lit up on his door.
As McCoy removed his boots he said, "Kirk, you owe me a pair of boots," and left to check in on the Captain.
Joanna remained behind. She said to Miriam, "I'll take over from here."
"Yes, Doctor."
Lucas shivered and Joanna checked for a fever. Infection was easily spread through the whole body from a burn wound. She pulled up a chair on the opposite side of his bed and held his good hand.
He whispered, "And to think a short while ago I was playing chess with, Dad."
Joanna smiled, "What happened to the Captain, did he fall?"
"He passed out watching Dr. McCoy open my wound. He apparently is not as tough as he thought he was." Lucas lifted his sore arm and said, "How long before it heals?"
"Another day, but because you have an infection already, it may take a few days to heal. It's so important to do as we say, okay?"
He nodded his head as Joanna reached for a solution to rinse his mouth. "Just spit. He gave you another med to help you sleep. I'll sit here until you drop off."
"It's good to have you here. I thought I'd get to see you more often, but we've both been busy. How are you doing?"
"It doesn't help when your boy friend is confined to quarters," she teased.
"Yea, not exactly my fault."
"Oh, Kirk it's always your fault, haven't you learned that, yet?" She softly kissed his lips. "Close your eyes, you're fighting it."
"Keep me…." he mumbled and fell asleep.
She wasn't sure what he meant.
When Captain Kirk woke up, he was once again startled to not be in his quarters. He tried to sit up but his head pounded in pain. Dr. McCoy gently pushed on his shoulder and said, "Lay still, Jim. Do you remember what happened?"
"I, I remember playing chess with Lucas, and then… I think I was standing by a counter for a minute," he paused, "Oh yea, I looked at his arm and the room began to spin."
McCoy said, "Yes, it spun and the floor jumped up and met you half way down. How's the head?"
"Pounding."
"I'm sorry, it'll take a little more time for that to stop. McCoy shook his head, "You have a two inch gash in the back of your head we had to close up. Spock was here to check on you. Between he, Sulu and Scotty, everything is going smoothly. So you are to rest here until I say you can leave. Understood?"
Kirk nodded.
"And, Miriam is distraught. She knew the sight of your son's arm would upset you. I told her 'phooey, you're a big boy and knew better then to hang around."
"Can you send her in, Bones?"
"Just for a few minutes, Jim."
Miriam returned a few minutes later, "Captain," she whispered.
He opened his eyes and smiled, "It's good to see you on this side of the floor."
She couldn't help but smile, "I feel so bad for you."
He reached for her hand, "You know things like this happen on the ship, you were here for three years."
"Yes," she said.
"Miriam," he looked toward the door to make sure they were alone, "When I get back to command and I have an hour off, I think we need to talk."
She sighed and said, "I'd like that. I have to leave now, Dr. McCoy said two minutes."
He tried to kiss her hand, but she pulled away and left.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The Enterprise sped through space. As the days passed, training was put aside so each department had time to work out problems that had occurred. She was a fine ship, but like any lady, temperamental when life's order was disrupted.
When Spock went on rounds through the ship, he heard Mr. Scott yelling at his crew, "How many times have I told you, the right tool for the right job!"
"Mr. Scott, is there a problem?"
"Not a thing, Mr. Spock, that a little yellin' wouldn't help these youngsters."
"Carry on, then."
"Aye, sir."
Spock had left Sulu in charge of the bridge. He stopped in recreation room five for some water on his way to his quarters. There he over heard a conversation that was displeasing to him. As he walked to his quarters he could feel, an annoying emotion building in him. He was not pleased with himself. He paused to suppress and control the build up.
As he walked through his outer office he stepped into his private quarters and looked around. "Christine, are you here?"
She called from the washroom, "I'll be right out, Spock."
He paced the room, as his annoyance began to grow. It was illogical, but none the less, it was there.
Christine smiled as she went to him. Spock put his hands up and stopped her. Startled, Christine said, "Spock, what's wrong?"
He abruptly turned away from her. "Spock?"
He then faced her and said, "Christine, I just overheard a conversation that involved you and I. It was between three young crew women," he paused.
Christine's heart pounded in confusion. "Yes?"
"They were discussing how you had told one of their friends that I was a 'wonderful lover and should give the human crewmen lessons in…lovemaking'." Spock's brown eyes were penetrating hers.
In shock, Christine said, "What? Spock, I never said that to anyone."
He didn't seem to hear her and said, "You know how private I am. I am second in command and the crew must respect me," he said in a stern voice.
Christine's hurt turned quickly to anger, "You of all people should know how I feel about privacy. I am a nurse and nothing I see or hear in sick bay gets repeated. I also carry that into my everyday life! I never said anything to anyone," she turned and went into their bedroom and the door slid shut.
Spock stood in the silence of their living area. He went over the conversation he had heard and the argument he just had with Christine. He was sure then, that he had made a terrible assumption. To make an assumption is foolish. He had not been fair with Christine.
He walked to their door and tried to enter, but she had locked it. "Christine, let me in."
"Go away, Spock, I'm too angry right now."
He knew the outside combination to the door, but chose to leave her alone. He ordered a small meal and ate alone. After his meal he tried to meditate to calm himself. He had allowed him emotions to take over. A Vulcan should never let this happen.
He went to the bedroom door. "Christine, may I come in?" he said softly.
There was no response. He opened the door of the lock panel and punched in the code. The door opened and he found Christine laying on their new bed.
"Christine, I am sorry. I, I have no excuse for my behavior. It was illogical. It will not happen again." He sat on the edge of the bed, but she was facing the other way. "Christine, may we talk?"
She sat up and turned to face him. Tears had dried on her face. She was still upset and didn't trust her voice. She would not cry in front of him.
He reached for her and pulled her to his chest. "I have hurt you, have I not?"
She nodded her head yes, "Spock…" she tried to talk, but choked up on the next words.
"I am very sorry. I was thoughtless."
"Spock, I think we just had our first argument as a married couple."
"I did not know Humans kept track of things like that."
"Oh, Spock, we have a lot to learn about each other, don't we?"
"Yes, we do. I am sorry."
"How could you think I would ever say anything like that? That's what hurts the most."
"Christine, my mother would not be pleased with my behavior, and I am not either." He held his two fingers up to her. She felt a powerful sense of well being flow through her body. They closed their eyes and remained in union for several minutes. He then kissed her and showed her in the Human way, how much he loved her.
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Several days later Captain Kirk was resting in his cabin when Commander Spock asked to see him. They needed to work out the new schedule due to his four hour shift restriction. After the details had been worked out, Spock paced the Captain's office. Kirk watched as he circled the room and finally said, "Spock, is something troubling you?"
He turned around to face his best friend, "Jim, I'd like to ask you something, it's personal."
"Sit down, Spock, you're giving me a crick in my neck."
Spock didn't even ask the meaning of the Human word and filed it away for another day.
"Jim, the other day, Christine and I had…an argument," he paused.
Kirk tried to contain his smile, "Yes, Spock, that's inevitable."
"Jim, can you tell me why Humans find it necessary to gossip among each other? Is it for entertainment? It is not logical, and it is damaging to say the least."
"Spock, if you could be a little more specific, it might help."
Spock stood up quickly and turned to face his friend again, "I was leaving my post a few days ago and stepped into the recreation room where I overheard a very personal conversation concerning Christine and I. I walked away and went to our cabin and proceeded to ask Christine about it."
Kirk held up his hand and said, "Whoa, Spock, did you accuse, Christine of something?"
If Vulcan's could blush, Spock turned a pale shade of green. He sat down across from his friend and said, "Yes. I did," and looked pointedly at his Captain. He would not back down from his error.
"I bet that didn't go over very good," he said.
"No, sir, it did not. I hurt her tremendously."
"Can I ask what the argument was about?"
"You may ask, Jim, but I can not tell you."
"I see, well, did you apologize?"
"Yes, repeatedly and I thought we were beyond this, but I seemed to have created a void between us."
Kirk chuckled out loud, "Spock, you have a few things to learn about Human women."
"Yes, Jim, I am well aware of that, but I am confused. Will the tension end soon, or am I forgetting a step in the apology procedure?"
Kirk felt like he was giving a talk about the birds and the bees to his son, but he plunged in. "You'll have to understand that men's emotions are more logical than women, and women are wired different than anything you will experience. Women are soft and emotional, their feelings get hurt more easily, while men are strong and intense and sometimes quicker to anger."
Spock stared at him in amazement. "It's so illogical, Jim. I find myself wondering all the time if I have done something wrong."
Kirk chuckled again, "And so the world turns in opposite directions for men and women. Women may say you're forgiven, but they don't forget, for a long time. Men on the other hand when it's over, it's over, that's it, we go on. Women…can't. They have to let it wear off slowly and you will just have to be patient. The most wise words I can offer you to say is, 'Yes, dear.' It will calm her down and life will slowly go back to normal, whatever that is."
Spock looked more confused, "So I am to say, 'yes, dear' whenever we are having an argument and pretend that I agree and go about my business?"
Kirk smiled and said, "Yep, that's basically it."
"Highly illogical, that is dishonest."
"Yes, it is."
Spock was confused by what had transpired, but living with Humans required toleration.
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The following morning Kirk paged Miriam to his office. He knew she was getting off shift and wanted to speak with her before she turned in for some rest.
His door buzzed and a freshly dressed Miriam appeared at his door.
"I had to get out of my scrubs before leaving sick bay, it's a requirement. That's why it took so long." She felt like she was babbling and Kirk noticed her nervousness.
"Come on in, I'll get you one of your poisonous espresso's. Would you care for some breakfast?"
He pointed to his dining room. "Just some…" she started to say and he finished,…" cranberry juice and toast. I remember."
Kirk placed his order and their food was ready in seconds. He said, "Let's sit by the window. Rank does have it's privileges." He carried their trays to a small nook where the galaxy slowly passed by in the window.
Miriam sighed and said, "It's lovely, Jim. I sometimes forget to look out the ports."
"It's important to do that, Miriam. You'll stave off cabin fever.
The observation deck outside of sick bay is the best. It's great for patients who've been cooped up a long time. This I know from experience."
Before their meal Kirk placed his hands in hers and said, "Prayers to thank God for this meal?" She nodded. "Dear God, thank you for the food for which we have before us. Thank you for the company and return our ship safely to port, should it be your will."
"Amen," she replied.
The room was still. A shared love flowed between them, but a wall Kirk tried to penetrate was still up.
"Tell me, Miriam, are you happy here, so far?"
She finished her meal and nodded, "It's early yet, but we have the newest equipment and the best doctors on board."
He continued to look at her sad eyes, "But are you happy?" he asked softly. He watched as giant tears formed in the corner of her eyes. Her pain was too much for him. He stood up and went to her. He picked up all 110 pounds of her and placed her on his lap on the couch. He held her close and whispered to her, "Let it out, Miriam, let it out."
"Oh, Jim, I've made such a mess of things," she sobbed, "You must think I'm this weak, deceiving woman. I fell for an abusive man, not two weekss after our break up, I told him I loved him and then I married him." She turned to his chest to hide her humiliation. "I'm so embarrassed."
Kirk chuckled, "You, young lady, are not weak, and you deceived only yourself. I remember a very angry young woman who knew what she wanted the morning she left, but my old stubborn self would not tell her what she wanted to hear."
She continued to cry and he let her until she was worn out. She fell asleep in his arms and he placed her in his bed to rest.
He worked from his outer office, conferring with his officers on the duty of the day. Dr. McCoy came by to check on his progress and told him he could return to his four hour shift the next day.
Kirk said, "How's Lucas doing?"
"He's healing well, he'll be back on the job in a few days, too. Although Joanna was sad to see him leave sick bay."
Kirk smiled, "She's got better bed side manners than someone else I know."
"Oh she'll learn, it's just a matter of time. Have a good day, Jim."
"Bye, Bones."
Mid afternoon Miriam awoke in Jim's bedroom. She went to the washroom and was embarrassed to look at her puffy eyes and crumpled clothing. "What is the matter with me? I should have never come here." Now she wanted to hide in a closet before Jim came in.
It wasn't long before he came in to check on her. "Miriam?" he called.
"Ill be right out." She splashed cold water on her face and hoped for the best. She couldn't look at him right away, but he pulled her into his arms again.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, I did. I just woke up."
He held her tighter and kissed her forehead. He whispered, "You can stay, if you want."
She looked up at him with her puffy eyes and kissed his lips. Kirk flipped on the Do Not Disturb sign on his door and led her back to bed. He wanted to marry her, but he was afraid that in trying to protect her, he would put the ship and it's crew in danger.
