AN: Usual disclaimer, the rights to Star Trek etc belong to someone else.

Chapter 26

It was 1000 when Uhura surfaced. Sleepily looking around the room she ordered the lights to illuminate at 40% brightness. Rubbing her eyes, she had an appointment to keep with McCoy. Laying on her side her senses attuned into the heavy breathing from behind her. Kirk was spooned up against her, arm possessively thrown over her stomach. As she wiggled out of reach off the bed snuffling sounds protested her absence. Having rolled onto his front (into her space), he looked at peace for what must have been the first time in many weeks. Arms now splayed under his pillow, he was still out of it. It was not surprising, he had been through alot and his body craved a well earned rest. He would be out for another few more hours at least.

Quietly she crept to the bathroom to prepare for the day. Hurriedly clearing the steam from the mirror, she squinted at her reflection and sighed. Nothing was going to be easy from this point forward. So they had talked, kind of worked things out (the ring felt odd on her hand), and now had to face the outcome of her court martial (more than likely suspended for a really long time). Officially relieved of duty she couldn't wear her uniform. So pulled on a pair of jeans and green v-neck long sleeved jumper; and matched it with a pair of black heeled lace up combat boots which elevated her from her standard 5 ft 6.5 inches to 5 ft 9 inches. Running a comb through her hair, she lazily thought about cutting it. Her hands manipulating the long length into various shorter styles, eventually settling on letting it hang loose. Exiting the bathroom Uhura tiptoed across the floor towards the bed, gently kneeling in the space she had vacated some 50 minutes earlier she pressed a kiss against the now softly snoring Kirk's forehead.

'Computer, lights to off when I leave the room', she whispered backing away from the bed, confident her order could be heard.

Palming the door open button, Uhura came face to face with Routledge's guard. Placed squarely in her way, his expression questioning what she was doing. Given that the captain had already barged his way in, nothing would surprise him about those two anymore.

'I have to see Dr McCoy for a check up, look it up' nodding towards the control panel. Waiting for him to confirm her story, she caught the approach of another guard - a female. It was only when they were both satisfied she was telling the truth, and Dr McCoy had verbally confirmed did they allow her to pass. She plastered on a warm smile just for the guard and timidly asked if he would inform the captain where she had gone when he woke up, assuming she had not returned by then. His non-committal grunt was assumed to be a yes, and she strutted towards sickbay, with the female guard in tow. It was time to find out more about McCoy's declaration.

'Len, freaky mind mojo...really?' She shuffled onto the biobed refusing help from a passing member of the sickbay staff. McCoy fussed over her vitals, plugging details into his medical PADD, whilst vials of blood were drawn for analysis. Femzilla, as Uhura had christened her shadow, stood quietly in a corner appraising the scene. Other patients were being tended to, and from the comforting murmurs of reassurance everyone seemed to be in tip top form. Unexpectedly she was jabbed with a hypospray full of pregnancy vitamins.

'Thanks', she sarcastically mouthed rubbing the impact sight. Tipping his hand from his head in a mock salute he conferred with one of the other doctors about her readout, before they took away the PADD for further review.

Pulling up a chair he confidently announced Jr was fit and healthy, none the worse after her adventure on Perpetous. She on the other hand was run down, bordering on anaemic and should be resting. From the look on her face, he acknowledged there was little chance of that happening anytime soon. So forcefully advised her to take it easier when she could.

'So, how is any of this possible and what does it mean', straight to the point she needed answers.

'Well, when a man loves a woman and they decide to spend more time together...'

'Len...'

'Ok, ok, your relationship with Spock honed your latent telepathic and empathic abilities. Best I can tell, since you split everything has been dormant since that part of your brain is no longer stimulated. I think your changing hormone levels have somehow reactivated those abilities, hence the stonking headache. To what end I don't know, but if I had to hazard a guess I'd say it's some Vulcan throwback to allow you to monitor the development of the baby. Typically both bond mates would have that ability...'

'But neither of us are Vulcan, we're not bonded, and Jim's not even remotely telepathic'. Uhura clearly doubtful.

'Ye, well what can I say. What Spock did to Jim could have changed him, brought forward his potential. Even now, there is still a lot we don't know about the human brain. Maybe we all have this ability and need to right motivation to access it. Hell, I don't know, as a physician there are still things I can't explain, even with access to Vulcan high command's research. What bonding other than being in a exclusive relationship and dealing with each other's shit. Last time I checked that was called marriage...'.

'Why only dreams. Why not the fully fledged ability. Would have saved us a whole lot of hassle...'

'It's not just dreams. Spock told me Jim is broadcasting loudly, and between you and me, he finds it's very annoying. Anyway, you'll have to figure out how to deal with this. My guess, your skills are rusty and he doesn't know how. It's not as if you sat there and practiced together like you did with Spock. Maybe it will all pop off over the course of the pregnancy.' Grabbing her hand within his to allay the fears she must have, 'this is unprecedented as far as I am aware, so we'll have to take each day as it comes'.

'So this is permanent?' unsure about that level of connection with another person again. Even Jim. It was one thing to be constantly aware of the ordered mind of a Vulcan, but trying to organise and hold herself apart from Jim would be challenging. Many a time Spock had chastised her for allowing her thoughts to descend into what he considered chaos. And the one time he had shared with her that feeling, well it took her breath away how frenetic the human mind could be.

'I don't know Nyota. The brain is like any other muscle. You train it and it gets better, stronger. Question is do you want that level of intimacy again? And an even better question is does Jim want that kind of connection. It's one thing him wanting to marry you, it's another thing for you to be in his mind 24/7. Remember, humans crave privacy. I'm not sure how cut out we are for this being at oneness'.

Now quite anxious, she stared at him with her soulful brown eyes, 'Len…I don't know what to do'

Hugging her, 'I've got your back. All of your backs, including Jr here. Anyway I need to be on top of this. Can you imagine an all seeing all know Jim Kirk parading around the ship' McCoy involuntarily shivered ' it doesn't bare thinking about, and dammit it will totally ruin Friday night poker...'

Playful smacking him on the arm, she murmured 'thanks' into his chest.

'Since you've not totally freaked out about my suggestion, I'll tell Jim the same thing. He's bound to have some questions'.

Subtly pushing her away McCoy looking downwards curiously asked, 'Nyota, what the hell is that thing on your hitching finger?'

Two days later it was time for Uhura and Scotty to face the music. Getta had been sentenced the day before; dismissed, he would serve a 3 year sentence in a Starfleet correctional facility.

The audience watched impassively, made up of their peers from the ship - McCoy, Sulu, Carol Marcus, Spock, and of course Captain James T Kirk to name a few. Low murmurs could be heard from the crowd, but of respect for their captain they were mostly comments of support and surprise. The room was overcrowded, and soon it was standing room only. Everyone intently focused on the screen, the backs of Uhura and Scotty unmoving and still. McCoy purposely sat next to Kirk, wilfully threatening to incapacitate his superior officer should he even so much as sneeze out of turn.

'Today is not about you Jim, don't make this any worse for either of them', McCoy had counselled before they entered the room.

Kirk uncharacteristically settled into his seat without comment, preoccupied with his own thoughts. Disconnected from everyone, except Uhura. To her he was more connected than he ever could be. A baby. A tiny hybrid encompassing the best, he hoped, of both of them. It was peculiar that his mind chose that very moment to process the information. For it to sink into his psyche and take root. He was going to be a father to this unknown entity. The baby needed a name, they had never discussed names before, they had never really discussed children before. Always an abstract concept given the lives they led up until this point. Projections of the future swirled around his head, comforting the newborn, teaching his son how to ride a bike, fire his first phaser, share his first beer, witness his first heartbreak. A ghost of a smile settling on his face.

For Uhura and Scotty, it could have been worse, Routledge certainly was gunning for it - they had to be made an example of. As trials went, this was one quick and just. Over sub-space the decree would be passed by three of the most senior Starfleet officers, Uhura didn't catch their names, or if she did she filed it away under something useful to know another time. Facing her accusers she dispassionately watched as they listed every one of the regulations she had broken, there were many.

Surreptitiously she glanced sidewards and spied Scotty in full grey formal uniform, cap just offset to his elbow. Together they sat at a table which faced the split screen of the three people passing judgement. Both with their hands resting in front of them, casually clasped on the metallic surface. It was the first time Scotty had seen her since their return from Perpetous, and instinctively he was drawn to the ring on her finger.

'WTF?' he mouthed.

'Later...' a promise to explain the latest addition to her jewellery collection.

As evidence was presented, occasionally Uhura would make notes for her own reference. It was obvious what needed to happen, yet they seemed to be avoiding the inevitable. Scotty listened attentively, his mouth slackened into an ever bigger 'O' as more charges came her way. He couldn't quite believe just how much trouble she was in. Demoted down to Lieutenant and on probation for twelve months. His own sentence was more lenient - 6 months suspended pending probation. Warned, if he should be even be late to duty, his sentence would be activated.

'Jim?', McCoy prodding him out of his revelry. The trial over, Uhura stood talking to Scotty and Spock as others filed out of the room. Fully revealed in her dress uniform, grey buttoned up blazer, short skirt accenting her shapely legs, and black knee high boots, cap tucked under her arm, hair tied back into a ponytail.

'Yep, Bones. I think I am', confidently gathering his cap from his lap. Coming up behind her, the others watched his approach and made their excuses leaving them alone. Uhura none the wiser spun around to see what had scattered her friends so quickly. Face to face with Kirk, a look of tenderness befell her as she brushed of fluff from his shoulder.

'Always did need help getting dressed for these occasions', teasing him as she brought her hand away.

'Looks like we're alone...' the screen was blank and his crew had dissipated in record time leaving the room for just them two. 'Suppose it could have been worse...' uncertain of what to say. His looked upon her pensively. He knew the charge was coming, but still it was shocking to witness it.

Uhura halted him with a palm to his chest earnestly gazing at him. 'I knew what I was doing. I would do it again, in a heartbeat...' sure that he understood her meaning.

Placing his cap on the table, his hands found their way to her waist as he cast a furtive look downwards at her stomach. She was beginning to show, and he inexplicably wanted to palm her stomach, feel the growth inside.

Turning aside making sure they were really alone, he apprehensively began 'So what next, what about us, him' pointing down at her bulge 'you ready to move back in with me?'

Hesitatingly, she whispered 'yes, I think I am'. They had spent the past few days talking about everything. Things would never be quite the same, but that was a good thing. Relationships changed and developed, it was for the better.

Now leaning against the table they remained in silence, until he uttered 'So, Bones explained I can use my powers for good as well as evil. Guess, I can spy on you whenever I want too...'

Both sniggering, she called him a jerk and pointedly refused to help him develop that part of his ability.

'Ah but Spock will. He seems quite intrigued about our ability'

He carried on in a serious tone, 'So McCoy reckons we should see a councillor. Go figure, something about undealt issues...I guess there are things that need to be resolved' Kirk looked her directly in the eyes. He was willing to do whatever it took. Not open by nature, and certainly not to anyone other than Uhura it was a big step for him to take, and even bigger for him to admit. She realised this and conceded if he could do that, so could she.

'Sounds like you have a smart friend there...'

Rolling his head in mock consternation, he lifted her right hand to his face to examine the simple ring on her finger. The promise of things to come.

The End