CHRIS
He grinned watching the awe on Jims face as he was beamed on to the ship. He was looking around in barely contained wonder. Already he was at the controls asking the ensign running the transporter how it worked. To his credit Ensign Rogers explained patiently and in ways that the eleven year old could understand. Not that there was much that Jim couldn't understand when he worked at it the kid was a genius.
"You want a tour of the ship." Chris asked with a smile. Jim nodded oozing excitement. He took him up to the bridge to start. Jim asked him and his crew millions of questions about what they did and how things worked. Then he showed him to engineering. If it was possible he seemed even more excited to see the engines than he had been already. After that he showed him sick bay, the mess hall, the rec rooms, the labs, and the observation decks where he could watch the stars to his hearts content. When he watched the stars it was as if watching him fall in love. He chuckled.
"Want me to show you your room now?"
"No can I stay here for a while?"
"Of course I'll let your mom know where you are, so she can find you later."
He nodded and then turned back to stare at the stars. Chris yawned as he turned to leave he was honestly quite exhausted after that tour. Jim asked more questions and wanted more in depth answers than anyone he has ever known. Of course he did he's Winona's son…and he's already as in love with the stars as she is.
He opened the door to his quarters and was surprised to here voices inside.
"Of course that's fine. Take the time you need Jim will be preoccupied with exploring his new home anyway. Take a couple weeks atleast I insist. It doesn't get easier not for a long time I grieve with thee Amanda." Winona hung up with a sad frown and turned to me.
"There was a shuttle malfunction the day we left. It burned up in the atmosphere. Her husband was on it." She explained. "She had called to ask for an additional week off to help her son get through it."
"She's a strong woman she will get through it."
"I know she will but I worry about her son. The telepathic bonds Vulcans have with their children are strong at this age. He's in the hospital from the backlash of it breaking."
He wrapped his arms around her knowing this had to be bringing back memories of when she lost her husband as well. She leaned into his touch taking the comfort he offered.
"They will both be fine Nona. Trust me."
Winona
"Where's Jim?" She asked just now thinking about the fact that he wasn't her and of all the trouble he could cause on a starship. Chris chuckled.
"Mooning at the stars in observation deck 3. He's just like you I heard you spent the whole first week you were on a starship in the observation decks just watching space pass you by."
"It wasn't a whole week." She laughed. "I should go check on him though. Let him know where his room is just in case he decides to go to bed and isn't sure where to find one of us."
She left his Our room with a smile on her face. She was still worried about Amanda and her son Spock, but Chris was right they would get through it it would just take time. Walking through the halls of the ship she felt more free and happy than she had been in months. This was where she belongs. If only Starfleet would allow people to bring their children on missions. Every once in a while their would be exceptions like right now but usually Starfleet was very strict about it.
She didn't see Jim at first when she walked in to the observation deck but then she noticed a small shape on one of the far benches. Jim was curled up asleep still facing the stars with small smile on his lips. She left to go grab him a blanket and covered him with it. She also tucked a communicator under his arm with a note on it telling him to comm her when he woke up.
JIM
Feeling someone touch him woke him up instantly. He barely opened one eye just enough to figure out who it was. It was just his mom covering him up and leaving him a communicator. He relaxed instantly not really ready to get up and not wanting to be social so he pretended to sleep until she left again. Once she left he opened his eyes to watch the stars pass him by. This is where I should be. Surrounded by stars. He loved it in a way he didn't think he had every really loved anything more. He had always known he wanted to be in Starfleet when he grew up, but being here, in space, on a ship, made it all real. It cemented his dreams.
Yawning he slowly got up from the uncomfortable bench. He looked at the communicator in his hand considering asking his mom or Chris where his room was so he could get some sleep but quickly changed his mind and slipped it into his pocket. After all the best way to explore a new place is to get lost in it. He wandered the halls for what seemed like hours before he found himself in engineering. It was much more interesting than most areas of the ship at this hour because it was still very active. People going here and there checking that everything was running properly. Some minor repairs going on, things like that. He wanted to stay and check it all out but he was quickly shooed away when a small fire started. After wandering the halls for a while longer he commed his mom to find out where his room was.
"I'll come show you I'll be at the observation deck in five minutes."
"Umm…I'm actually over by engineering." There was silence followed by a long sigh.
"Of course you are. I'll be there in a few minutes. Stay Put!"
He stayed where he was. Honestly he was too tired to do much else. His mom looked exasperated when she showed up.
"Why were you in engineering? I told you to comm me when you woke up!"
"Oops? I was looking for the bathroom?"
"You are so full of shit." She said with a laugh "Come on you look exhausted."
