"Tomorrow is Today - Part II"

Star date: 3024.1

Jeanine and Natalie could only look shocked at the older James T. Kirk standing in front of them. They couldn't protest or even ask what was going on for their mouths were still covered by someone else. Kirk held up his hands in front of him as if to offer himself for a truce. "We don't mean any harm. And when you find out in a minute, you will know that to be a fact. We are from the future… About twenty-five years in the future to be exact."

But as he was talking, Jeanine looked down at the hand over her mouth. It was a left hand, but she noticed something familiar about it. It didn't seem threatening because it wasn't holding such a tight grip on her. But as she stood there, she could feel something metal on this man's hand. A ring? She was thinking at first that this man was married, but realized it wasn't on his ring finger. It then all of a sudden hit her that it was on his pinky. Her eyes went wide when she saw the old Kirk smile, "Gentlemen? You can release them now."

The hand dropped from her face as well as the arm from around her midsection. She and Natalie pulled away immediately and whipped around. They saw two men similar in age to the old Kirk, but it was so dark, yet they had the same silhouettes as Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy. They both gasped and Jeanine clapped a hand over her mouth to prevent herself from screaming.

Just then they saw these two men slowly coming over to them into the light when the old Bones spoke to Jeanine, "Jeanine. It's okay. It's me. It really is, dear. Please don't be frightened."

Jeanine hadn't realized that she had been slowly backing away from him as he came toward her. She stopped once she noticed and then she put her hand on his wrinkled face, touched his graying hair, and felt the same familiar ring on his now bony pinky finger. She looked into the face of her Dr. McCoy, only he was much older. She looked deep into his bright blue eyes like she was seeing his soul. "It is you," was all she could say while shock and wonderment hit her face.

Natalie watched this happen and then looked into the old Spock's face, also seeing the wrinkles, but whilst seeing the real him. "Yes, Natalie, it is me." That was all the reassurance she needed when she immediately jumped into Spock's arms hugging him tightly.

"It is!"

The old McCoy just smiled as he took his wife's hand looking deep into her eyes. "Hello."

She laughed, "Hi." A tear almost threatened to run down her cheek.

"How are things on the old Enterprise?"

She kept giggling, "Fine. How's the future?"

"Pretty darn good," he moved his eyebrows up and down insinuating something that she understood.

"So I can safely assume that we're still married…?"

His face was shocked, "Of course! Why wouldn't we be?" He began to laugh at the idea.

She just shrugged not wanting to bring it up again, "I was always hoping never to get divorced that's all." She laughed.

He just nodded in agreement and hugged her. It felt good to hug her again back when their marriage was in its prime… and she was young again.

He released, "Oh! And hows—"

"Doctor, perhaps we should inquire that the star date is around 3025 since Natalie has just informed me that we have recently been married," Spock immediately interjected.

McCoy's eyes went wide for a quick second and then continued awkwardly, "Hows… Chapel? Yes! How is that nurse of mine? Haven't seen her in ages."

"She's good, we're still good friends." She then looked over and saw Scotty come over near the Captain when Jeanine and Natalie became ecstatic, "Scotty!" He smiled warmly and they both ran over and hugged him.

"Hello my dear Lassies. How are ya?" He just latched onto them both. The three of them have been so close and it brought them comfort to know that it remained so for the next twenty-five years at least. He was like their older brother.

Jeanine saw Kirk smiling at the reunion that was taking place when she said, "But why are all of you here?"

Kirk spoke up, "We have come back in time twenty-five years because someone from our time that we have been after has gone backwards through time to change something. This is prohibited, so the Federation has sought us out to bring this person back with us to the future. And he doesn't plan to change this event in a good way either. So we need both of you to help us since you'll be our liaisons for this time period on this Enterprise. Especially since no one on this ship will be allowed to see us, you two will have to be our eyes. Are you up for the task?"

Both the girls looked at each other coming to an answer and Jeanine then said, "What do you need us to do, Captain?"

Kirk smiled and immediately began telling them their plan.

Star date: 3024.5

They would get to work on the plan in the morning. In the mean time, since it was so late, most of the crew was off duty. And the girls couldn't just let the four of them bunk in the cargo bay. So they all quietly and quickly made it to the transporter room. Jeanine and Natalie were going to have them beamed into each other's quarters: McCoy and Scotty in Jeanine's quarters, and Spock and the Captain in Natalie's.

They would get the guys all set and then the girls would walk there so it wasn't so conspicuous. Someone had to shut off the transporter alert so that it would be possible to use it without anyone noticing. Then they would switch it back on again.

Once inside, Scotty immediately got behind the controls and smiled while looking like he was going to cry.

"Scotty, you alright?" Natalie walked over and looked at him.

"It's just… I haven't seen this beauty in so many years, just like this lovely ship. I've missed her."

Everyone smiled, except Spock.

"Okay. Spock, Captain, you're first," Natalie said as her older husband and Captain Kirk stood on their usual pads.

"Energize," Kirk said as Scotty moved his hands over the controls.

They all heard the buzz of the transporter and then Captain Kirk and Spock were gone.

"Alright, Leonard. You next." She smiled at him while shooing Scotty away from the controls, "You too, Scotty. Now I better not catch you two going through any of my drawers," she winked at McCoy.

"Oh, please. It's not like it's anything I haven't seen before," he snapped back as she laughed and then he realized it was a joke for him. He chuckled a little.

She and Natalie now worked the controls when Scotty said, "Energize." They were gone.

Jeanine looked at Natalie and said, "Is this what we thought our day would end up being? Saying goodbye to our husbands, knowing that they were going to be gone for five days, and then finding our husbands from the future in our cargo bay needing our help?"

"What, you weren't expecting this?" They laughed together as they put the transporter alert back online and headed for the lift looking forward to seeing how the guys were doing in their new… or old surroundings.

In Natalie and Spock's quarters, Captain Kirk and Spock were looking around at everything, Spock remembering each and every item.

"I am having great satisfaction in seeing everything from my past. Mine and Natalie's past," he looked around admiring everything while Kirk smiled. "Look," Spock pointed to the floor, "that's the stain Natalie made after spilling her coffee the morning after we were married," he pondered the memory. "And there are all her history books scattered around the reading alcove," he walked over and picked up one of the books. Kirk could swear there was a smile threatening to show itself slightly on Spock's face.

"It seems that you have a very… interestingly organized wife, Spock." They looked at each other and Kirk laughed with them both knowing the Captain's meaning.

"Yes, but I never minded. I'm not quite sure why, but I have always admired her work ethic. She's very determined."

"Very much so, Spock."

Natalie and Jeanine had just entered and Kirk said, "Ah, ladies. Thank you for allowing us your quarters, and for putting up with such old men," he smiled.

"It's no trouble at all, Captain," Natalie said, "Now, I can arrange a bed for you in the alcove once I've cleaned up a little, and Spock, you may sleep wherever you'd like. Either in the bed, or also in the alcove. I don't know what you'd prefer since I'm younger than you now, or if you'd like to stay near the Captain. Whatever you'd like."

Spock just raised his eyebrow at her and walked closer, "You are my wife, are you not?" He held her hand in his.

She smiled, "Well alright then." She gave in, but was silent for a moment while her husband's elderly hand held hers when she looked up at him again, "I still can't believe it's you," she whispered.

"Well, since you both are settled, I'd better go see what Leonard and Scotty are up to and get them straightened out. Good night Captain, Spock, Natalie." She turned to leave but spun around again, "Captian? I know we'll figure this thing out," she smiled.

"Thank you, Lieutenant. Thank you both of you."

She walked out of Natalie's and Spock's room headed to the lift.

She couldn't stop thinking about how much Leonard had changed… how old he became. 'Well, I guess he's not that old. He's only sixty-five now,' she thought to herself. Yet she could still see how dashing he is. She was pleased to get a glimpse of what he would look like when they would grow old together. She couldn't help but smile at the thought.

At this, she entered her quarters and found Leonard and Scotty making a toast with two glasses of McCoy's private stores of Saurian Brandy about to take a gulp. She stopped in the doorway, folded her arms and looked at them like a mother staring at a child who had just done something bad.

McCoy looked confused, "What? It is mine." He defended himself while Scotty looked defeated.

She had the look that she was about to scold them, "Yes, true, but the younger you will want to know where it went." She strummed her fingers on her arm.

McCoy was trying to come up with an answer when his eyes lit up, "Well, just tell… me that you and the girls had a night cap," he smiled looking smug and delighted with his solution.

She just rolled her eyes and proceeded to grab blankets and pillows for Scotty to be set up in their reading alcove, "Alright, proceed gentlemen. Couldn't be any worse could it?"

Scotty's spirits immediately lifted as he gulped down that Brandy in one swallow. "Aye, Las, ya truly are a saint."

Jeanine just smiled and shook her head, "Okay, Scotty, you're all set up over here." She gestured to the bed she had just made as he stood up and came over. "Thanks, Lassie," he put his hands on her shoulders.

She put her hands on his arms, "It's no trouble," and smiled. Then she looked over to what seemed like her husband in an older man's body, "Alright, you."

He just sat on the bed, leaning back on his hands, "What? I can still sleep here, right?" He pointed to their bed.

She just laughed and sat down next to him, "Of course, you can sleep here. It's still as much your bed as it is mine," she smiled at him.

He took her face in both his hands and smiled, "You are so beautiful."

"What about in the future?"

He laughed, "Even better with age, my dear."

"Oh you liar," she laughed as she lightly swatted his hand.

"No! I mean it. I don't know who else could be more beautiful than you, especially twenty-five years from now, or even fifty years from now."

"You know? You are a very good liar, but I love you anyway. This is so strange. I just said goodbye to you this morning when you were going to be gone for five days and here I am talking to you, but twenty-five years older, from the future," they both laughed.

"Well, here I am. It's a reunion for the both of us," he smiled. He started to lean in, but stopped, "May I?" He wasn't sure how she would take him in this state. She merely nodded with a smirk as she closed her eyes and leaned in. She thought it would be so different kissing with this older Leonard, but she was pleasantly surprised. It was almost the same. With her eyes closed she imagined it was the young Leonard, the man she married. It only made her miss him more.

She started to laugh once they pulled away and this alarmed him a little, "What? Am I that bad when I'm older?" He was truly worried.

"No, Leonard," she chuckled, "I just realized that I feel like a gold digger." They both laughed out loud when they heard a loud snore from across the room forgetting about Scotty. They were reassured when they realized he was fast asleep, not noticing what they were saying.

"Well, my dear, then it's a good thing I don't have any gold," he winked as they laughed once again.

Star date: 3025.2

Jeanine woke up the next morning suddenly realizing what had happened the night before. 'It wasn't a dream!' she quickly to herself as she looked over and saw the older version of her husband next to her. She knew that it was strange, that this man she was married to came from twenty-five years in the future. But she was oddly comforted by him. He was still the same man and it was his same presence, so she felt safe instead of feeling alone for five days.

But then she remembered that they had a job to do, so she got up and got three cups of coffee from the replicator. As soon as the warm, soothing aroma filled the room, she noticed that they started to stir. She sat at a small table, leaning back so her feet were crossed resting on the chair beside her.

They both got up at the same time and Scotty said, "What is that alluring fragrance, Doctor?" He smiled and closed his eyes as he happily sniffed the air.

"Please, gentlemen, won't you join me?"

They looked at each other with delighted faces.

As the morning progressed, she showered, and dressed in her red uniform. Then the buzz at her door sounded. They all stopped and stared at it not knowing who it was, for the older Scotty and Bones could not be seen by anyone else no matter what. Jeanine went to see who it was as both of them hid themselves off to the side. They heard her voice then, "It's Natalie, Spock, and the Captain! You're good!"

They came back out and McCoy said, "So what's the plan, Jim?"

"Well, we need to look for this man that we came for."

"I must remind you, Captain, that we four are the only ones who know what he looks like," Spock said.

"Ah, yes. That's right," then he looked to the girls, "Do either of you have a tricorder on you?"

"Yes, I do," Jeanine went over the other side of the room and grabbed hers. She handed it to Kirk when he gave it to Spock. He put in a disc and handed it back to her and Natalie. There was a man's face on the front with a whole record followed by a long list of warrants for arrest.

"His name is Toby Wexler. We're not sure what his plans are here, but we need to find him. He may be on the Enterprise, he may not. That's what we need to know."

Jeanine spoke up, "Well, I do have to be on duty for a few hours today up on the bridge, so I can secretly do a scan if he's on the Ship or on the planet's surface below. Then we would at least know where to start."

"But, Jeanine, what if Chekov notices?" Natalie asked.

"Then I'll just tell him that Leonard lost his communicator, and asked on the Captain's if I could scan to see where it was."

"Good idea, Lieutenant," Kirk said delighted with the answer.

"Hey!" McCoy scowled at Kirk.

"Well, Bones, you have lost it before."

McCoy just stood there with his arms crossed, still scowling.

They all laughed and Jeanine said, "Okay, well I'm going to head up to the bridge. I'll let you know if I find anything. See you in a few hours." Then she was out the door.

Natalie was left with the four of them and she said, "So, what can you tell me about the future," her eyes brightened as they all looked at her trying to think of something that would be safe to tell her since future information is off limits. They needed to be careful so that they wouldn't say anything that would alter the timeline.

Up on the bridge, Jeanine was at her station computing astronomical projections while secretly scanning the Enterprise. But as soon as Chekov would get near enough she would stop it, and then continue after he'd left her area. She was only on duty for the total time of three hours for the day, so she was only able to scan seventy-five percent of the ship.

She walked back to her quarters with a stack of folders and other things when she found all four of them in different spots throughout the room reading, having a drink, etc. She could tell they were bored out of their minds not being able to go anywhere or do anything. Although, Spock was conducting some sort of electrical device at the table. Natalie was on duty by now for a few hours herself until dinner.

"Jeanine!" Kirk noticed her first as all of them, but Spock, came right over and crowded her, "Well?" They all stared at her as if waiting to hear the cure for cancer.

"I was only able to scan seventy-five percent of the ship. Chekov was strangely hovering today. But so far, nothing on the Enterprise."

They all deflated a little and turned to walk away back to whatever they were doing, which wasn't much. Jeanine said, "Now wait a minute, I'm on duty a little longer tomorrow so maybe then we'll get our answer."

"Hopefully. We all depend on that. We must have the answer though before the five days are up. If we're still here when our younger selves return, it could be drastic," Kirk said sounding alarmed.

She understood the importance of their situation, but there wasn't anything she could do until tomorrow, so she tried to brighten up their spirits, "Alright, I understand your predicament, but I noticed that you all have nothing to do, besides Spock," he looked up with his eyebrow raised, but then continued working as she finished, "So I took the liberty of picking up a few things on my way up here."

She started taking out some of the items she was holding, "Leonard, I got some medical logs and records that you have done recently. You can… critique your own work if you will."

His eyes lit up as he came over to get them, "Thank you, honey," he kissed her on the cheek.

"And Captain, I brought some books of yours from your quarters that I know you've told me that you had hoped to read once you got the time."

"Well thank you, Lieutenant. That was nice of you," but all of a sudden his smile turned to puzzlement when he said, "Wait, how were you able to get into the Captain's quarters? And how did you know where I kept them?"

"You forget that I'm married to Bones."

"Oh. Right."

"Scotty," he came over and she handed him some folders, "Here's some of your engineering works that you were saving to work on from your office. They let me right in since they know we're close. In case I needed anything, I have access."

He smiled his warm smile as he put one arm around her shoulders, "Aw, thanks Las."

"Now I don't want to hear any more excuses about being bored. Alright?"

"Got it," they all said in unison.

"And I will continue to scan tomorrow. I will make sure that we have the guy before the five days are up even if I have to scan in the middle of the night."

"Thank you, Jeanine. You have no idea how much you and Natalie are helping us. We come and dump our problem on you and sit back in hiding while complaining. I don't see how you put up with us every day," Kirk said with remorse.

"Don't worry. You are my Captain and my friend and I would do anything for you. You just needed to ask." She smiled. "Now, I shall go and get dinner before Natalie gets off and we'll all eat together."

"Sounds good," McCoy said from sitting at the table.

Star date: 3027.1

It was now day 3 and Jeanine was on duty again trying to scan, but she wasn't even done with the Enterprise yet when Chekov said, "Lieutenant Simmons, you may go off duty. Thompson vill take over from now on. You can go relax or contact Doctor McCoy if you vish," he smiled thinking he was doing her a service, when in fact she was frustrated, only wanting to finish her scan. They needed to find that Wexler guy within a couple days. As much as she'd like to talk to Leonard, she has one of them in her quarters right at that very moment.

She didn't want to go back and tell the guys. They would only get stressed out more. But then she had an idea. It would only work if she went in the middle of the night, but she must do it; try Auxiliary Control.

She arrived back to her quarters now, and Natalie was there as well. She was conversing with Spock. She was, after all, the only one he could talk about his gadgets with. She didn't mind.

As soon as Jeanine walked in the door, McCoy was right there, "Well? How'd it go?" He saw her frustrated look, "What is it?" By this time, Kirk and Scotty had come over.

"I couldn't finish scanning the last few percent of the Enterprise, Chekov kicked me out early."

"He what?" McCoy was astounded.

"Well, I guess he didn't exactly kick me out, but he let me leave early so that I could go and contact you 'if I vish'," she mocked the acting Captain.

"Oh," McCoy said knowing how inconvenient Chekov was sometimes.

"Well we've got to find Wexler by tomorrow," the Captain was getting anxious.

"Don't worry, Captain. I've got an idea." He listened carefully as Jeanine spoke. But she looked right at Mr. Scott, "Scotty, I'm gonna need your help on this one."

"Just say the word, Las! I'm here fer ya."

"Well, we need to get down to engineering. That way, I can use Auxiliary Control to finish scanning tonight when everyone's asleep."

But Spock, sitting over at the table, interjected, "There will be at least a couple of security officers on duty which would prevent you from entering the Engineering section, Lieutenant. Just because you are an officer on the bridge, doesn't mean you'll get in. You must technically be a senior officer to gain access."

They just stared at him like their dreams were just taken away.

"Well, there goes our whole mission," McCoy said as he started to walk away.

They were all silent when Spock said again, "Perhaps I could be of assistance?"

They all immediately looked at him, their eyes lighting up again.

"Yes! I forgot about Spock's Vulcan pinch!" Jeanine was ecstatic. "We'll head to Engineering at midnight. Most of the crew is off duty by eleven. That way, it'll give us enough time to make sure no one is wandering the halls."

"Excellent," Kirk said.

12:03 am…

Jeanine, Scotty, and Mr. Spock slowly started making their way through the halls toward Engineering. They got in the lift and headed downward. The only plan they had so far, was that Spock would pinch anyone they met. And Scotty should have the means to gain access to Auxiliary Control. The lift whooshed open and they began to stealthily walk toward the Engineering doors. Sure enough, they saw two red shirts guarding the entrance, and they ducked around the corner to think of how to get past them. Jeanine came up with one. She ducked into a room right there and grabbed a stack of papers. She then came around the corner holding them, while also pretending to read one, and 'accidentally' tripped right in front of the two guards. They both knelt down to help her, "Oh gosh, I'm such a clutz."

Spock quietly came around the corner. He slowly went up behind them and pinched them both, laying them gently on the floor. Scotty then joined them and he turned to Spock, "I almost forgot how useful you were."

Spock just looked at him with his eyebrow raised.

"Alright, gentlemen. Let's get our job done."

All three entered Engineering and headed straight to Auxiliary as Scotty gained access to each door. Jeanine immediately got behind the controls and engaged the scanner once again to finish the last ten percent of the Enterprise in search of Toby Wexler. About Twenty minutes later, a beeping on the console erupted and Spock and Scotty came right over as Jeanine said, "Well, he's not on the Enterprise." She just kept on adjusting the scanner just in case it missed something. "Nope, he's definitely not here. He must be on the planet," she looked over at them, "with your younger selves." She suddenly felt worry for the younger four on the planet's surface… her husband… her Leonard.

They definitely pinpointed his location to be within the same mining outpost as Captain Kirk and his landing party.

They all just looked at each other with worry on their faces when Scotty said, "We've got to tell the captain."

Back in her quarters, Natalie, Captain Kirk, and Dr. McCoy waited impatiently.

"What the hell is taking them so long?"

"Doctor, please." Both McCoy and the Captain were pacing in opposite directions.

Then the doors hissed open as the three returned. McCoy went right to Jeanine and saw her worried expression, "What is it? Is he on the Enterprise?" Kirk also waited and listened.

She merely said with an uncomfortable sigh, "He's on the planet's surface…" she paused as the rest of them took in the information when she continued with a more worried tone, "with the four of you."

McCoy held her hands to keep her from worrying. They all knew then that their younger selves were possibly in danger, not even knowing it, which meant they were too.

Star date: 3025.8

Day four now, and they needed to get Toby Wexler off that planet. Kirk was starting to get anxious as they all crowded in Jeanine's quarters getting ready in the morning.

"Don't worry, Captain," Natalie tried to reassure him, "I'm on duty this morning and I'll figure out a way to pinpoint his location so we can secretly beam him up this afternoon, and you'll be outta here before dark."

"I hope you're right, Lieutenant." Kirk put his hand on her shoulder in confidence.

"Don't worry, Captain. It'll work." She smiled and left through the door once she said goodbye to Spock and he kissed her on the cheek.

Jeanine was left with them now and she and McCoy sat close together on the bed to try and come up with a plan in case Natalie's wouldn't work. "Well, I can't just sit here, so I'm gonna go up to the bridge and pretend to check up on things but see if there's anything up there we can use," she kissed Leonard on the cheek, stood up and walked out the door.

Up on the bridge, she went over to her station and Chekov noticed her, "Lieutenant, you aren't supposed to be up here. You're not scheduled to be on duty."

"I know, Captain, but I'm just checking on a few things. Then I'll be outta here."

"Wery well."

She continued to 'look' at her instruments when a call to the Captain immediately came in. She strained to listen and heard that someone from the mining camp that the Captain and his landing party were at, named Sean McFinnley, who wants to beam up to get supplies and hopefully get a tour of a starship. They had asked specifically for a historian to escort him to tell him the history behind the ship. Jeanine thought that sounded really odd. "Of course, Outpost Seven. Proceed." Then he pushed another button on the chair, "Transporter room, prepare to beam up the head miner," then another button, "Lieutenant Hurst, report to the Transporter room immediately to escort our guest."

Jeanine definitely knew something was wrong now, so she pretended to finish up her checks and said to Chekov, "Done, sir. I'll leave the bridge."

She went to Deck five, and waited around a corner so she could still see the transporter room door. She waited for Natalie. She finally appeared coming down from the opposite end of the hallway.

Natalie approached the doors and they slid open before her. She then gasped when she saw the transporter controller unconscious or maybe even dead on the floor, she couldn't tell. Then she looked up to see the face of Toby Wexler glaring at her from just a few feet away. She tried to turn and run, but he was too fast for her when he grabbed her tightly. She wouldn't be able to get out of his grip no matter how hard she thrashed.

"You're Toby Wexler! But the Captain said you were the head miner, Sean McFinnley!"

She struggled and grunted against him, "Yeah, well… I lied," he gave a sinister smile.

"What do you want!"

"I want the Romulan cloaking device that you stole!"

"We don't have it on board!" Natalie was not assigned to the Enterprise when the said cloaking device was taken from the Romulan ship by Captain Kirk those years ago. She wasn't aware of its location. "But if it is, then it would be in the Cargo bay."

"Alrighty. We're going to go on a little trip to the Cargo bay, Lieutenant." He put sarcastic emphasis on her title. "And you're going to escort me there." He started to drag her out of the Transporter room when Jeanine, having heard all of this, turned back around the corner and took off back to her quarters. She needed to warn the Captain… both of them. She bolted down the corridor once out of the turbo lift, not stopping or slowing until she reached her quarters.

She burst through the doors, all four of them jumping up from their seats not expecting her and coming over. Leonard saw her expression, "Jeanine, what happened? What's going on?" He tried to grab her shoulders but she lunged out of them to her communicator.

"Simmons to Captain Kirk! Captain Kirk do you read me!" By this time the older Kirk came over with a worried look on his face. She looked at him with a disgusted face when the younger Kirk answered, "Simmons? What's going on?" She also heard Leonard's worried voice, "Jeanine! What happened? What's going on?"

"Captain, are all four of you together?" She heard a faint and confused 'yes.' "I'll bet you can't find the head miner, the one you call Sean McFinnley." She awaited his answer.

He was surprised, "Why, yes, Simmons. How did you know his name?"

She looked at all the older four when she said, "Because he's on the Enterprise. His real name is Toby Wexler. He's a convict from the future with ill intent on the ship," she paused before speaking, knowing that eight people close to her heart were about to hear bad news, "And he has Natalie Hurst." She looked at Spock.

Kirk answered on the communicator, he was in full 'Captain mode,' "Where, Lieutenant?"

"Cargo bay, sir."

"We'll beam aboard immediately! Kirk out."

She closed the communicator and started to head to the door when Leonard stopped her holding her shoulders, "Jeanine!" His look was horrified.

"Leonard, Captain, all of you. You must stay here. You can't allow anyone to see you. The four of you are about to beam aboard. I'll meet you personally and we'll get Toby Wexler. I shall have him brought to you. Then you will be allowed to bring him to the future with you." She looked at Leonard's face, "Leonard, please. Remain here, for me. I should like to say goodbye," she gave a quick smile and she was out the door.

Spock slowly walked toward the doors and stopped. With the smallest whisper he said, "Natalie."

McCoy came over and put his hand on Spock's shoulder from behind, "They'll get her back, Spock."

Jeanine reached the Transporter room while running and went inside right when the younger four were lunging off the pads. "Captain! Leonard! Scotty! Spock!"

Leonard immediately ran over and gave her a very tight hug. Then they all started running toward the Cargo bay. "What happened, Lieutenant?" Spock said in a very tense tone.

Jeanine, running beside Leonard, told them what happened, "Natalie was instructed to escort a guest miner to get supplies, Commander. I was on the bridge, having heard the order. I thought it was a little odd so I followed. I heard everything that happened to her. Then I called you from my quarters."

"I thought I heard other noises from your end of the communicator, Lieutenant. Was there someone else in your quarters?" Kirk was a little confused.

"I'll explain later, Captain. We must concentrate on Toby Wexler. He wants the Romulan cloaking device that you stole those years ago from the female Romulan Commander."

"The Cloaking device…?" Kirk was confused, but then it hit him, "Of course, they want it in the future for other enemies of Star Fleet. We can't let this happen."

They reached the Cargo bay now and all five ran inside finding Toby holding onto Natalie, yelling at her about not knowing where the device was. She screamed once when Kirk interjected, "Sean!"

"Spock! Captain!" Natalie cried out in desperation.

"I want the Romulan Cloaking Device, Captain!" Wexler was angry.

"I don't have it! It's with the Federation. It seems your trip was futile, Wexler," He put angry emphasis on his real name.

"It can't be!" He proceeded to grow more furious each second, when he pushed Natalie to the ground off to the side and took out his weapon. None of them had seen it before. They all figured it to be of future design. He pointed it at Kirk when all the other senior officers tried to stop him. Spock and Scotty lunged for Wexler, but he fired anyway. Jeanine saw what had happened, but it was all so fast. And then she realized when she heard Natalie screaming, and Kirk yelling, "NO!"

She ran over to see that Leonard had been shot by this weapon. He had jumped in front of Captain Kirk to save his life. Her worst fears were realized when she lunged for her husband to hold him. She started hysterically crying when Kirk yelled, "Sick Bay NOW!"

Spock helped Natalie to stand giving her a slight hug and she followed with Jeanine as the others carried McCoy to Sick Bay. "What kind of weapon was that!" Kirk was furious.

Scotty then said with a shocked expression, almost breathless, "Perhaps a different design, Captain. Notice how it didn't stun or kill the Doctor. It was meant to inflict pain".

Wexler was left in the girls' charge. Jeanine's crying tapered off a little when she all of a sudden became furious. Natalie had already communicated to the older four back in Jeanine's quarters that they had Wexler. By the sound of her voice, they could tell something had happened, but they weren't sure what.

They had already proceeded to the Transporter room. The girls were headed there now with Wexler. They entered the doors as Spock and Scotty took him from their grasp leading him up to the pads where the rest were, not being gentle about it either.

Leonard wanted to say goodbye, but he was taken aback when he saw Jeanine had been crying. He could tell. But then Jeanine suddenly thought of something as she ran up to the older McCoy still crying.

"Leonard! I need you!"

"Jeanine, what is it?" He definitely knew something was wrong, for he knew her.

"You've been shot by Wexler's weapon! They brought you to Sick Bay, and they're doing all they can, but you are the best Doctor on the Enterprise! There's no way you'll survive unless you do it yourself!"

His facial expression turned to horror when she finally said again, "I need you!"

He looked into her eyes and saw that they were overflowing with the love she has for him. He held her weeping face gently in his hands as he smiled, and he knew then what he had to do. The other four also looked horrified at hearing what Jeanine said. McCoy looked back at them and said with assurance, "Gentlemen, this'll have to wait a little while longer. I'm needed in Sick Bay." He took Jeanine's hand and they both ran toward Sick Bay.

Natalie and the younger Kirk, Spock, and Scotty were standing around watching and waiting for the Doctors and Nurses who worked under McCoy to operate and heal him. It wasn't working. They didn't have the knowledge and expertise that he did. "We can't close the wound!" Nurse Chapel's voice echoed around the operating room. Natalie was crying now and besides Spock, the others were in horrific shock. "We need Doctor McCoy himself! There's nothing else more we can do!" Chapel almost started crying herself.

But all of a sudden they heard the Sick Bay doors whoosh open to hear a very familiar voice booming around the room, "Over my dead body!"

They all looked around at the very familiar man with Jeanine who had just entered. He came right over to where his younger self was passed out on the operating table, looking him over. Everyone in the room just looked astounded as Kirk said with uncertainty, "Bones…?" He looked his elderly friend up and down to reassure himself that he was definitely real.

"Yes, Jim! Now if you please, I've got a patient to save! All of you did say that I was the only one who can save him! So move!" He then looked Kirk right in the eye, "Please, Jim. Jeanine will explain." The four of them left the room, leaving Jeanine behind to watch in horror.

"Leonard, I'm staying here! With both of you!" She had run over to her younger husband's side holding his hand.

"Jeanine, go! Now! You know that both of us won't be able fight if you're here! Go to your quarters, and explain to them what happened!" His tone suddenly grew soft, "Jeanine, please." He looked at her, pleading.

She couldn't say anything, but after a few difficult seconds she agreed and went over to Leonard's unconscious body on the table. She whispered in his ear, "I love you, Leonard Horatio McCoy… More than anything in this entire galaxy. Don't you dare leave me, or I'll never forgive you," she cried a little harder now as she kissed the side of his head by his ear, and then on the lips lightly once. She looked at his eyes that were failing to open and touched his hand as she walked out of the room.

She went up to her quarters and found younger Kirk, Spock, and Scotty there with Natalie. She started to explain the entire story of what had happened the last few days. After a half hour, she was finished when Kirk said, "Wow. I had no idea. Are they still here?"

She went over to the door as it swished open, "You can come in now, gentlemen."

Kirk, Spock, Scotty, and Natalie all stood as one by one, old Kirk, old Spock, and old Scotty filed into the room. The younger three were astonished to see themselves. It was like looking into a very strange mirror to their future. All three were standing facing themselves when old Spock went right over to hug Natalie. He looked down at her, "Natalie, are you quite alright?"

She smiled, "Yes, Spock." She just clung to him. The younger Spock was a bit confused. Then the older Spock joined the rest again in their line, putting his hands behind his back.

Jeanine went over to sit with Natalie as all six of them got acquainted. Jeanine couldn't help but think of the two men who weren't here… the two men she loved, and yet, they were the same person. She didn't know if she would lose Leonard, but she knew that if she did, she would lose them both.

About another half hour later, younger Scotty came over to both his girls and sat down next to Jeanine. He put his arm around her comfortingly and said, "It'll be alright, Las." His tone was somber and she immediately rolled into his embrace and cried into his shoulder. He then put both his arms around her and everyone saw the heartbreak. Young Kirk and Spock came over and Spock took Natalie's hand to help her up so Kirk could sit next to Jeanine. The Older Kirk, Spock, and Scotty all stood a few feet away watching. Kirk held her hand and sympathetically said, "Jeanine, why don't we take you to Sick Bay? Leonard would want you there when he wakes up."

"If he wakes up," she pessimistically retorted.

He then became stern, "He will wake up, Jeanine. There's no one in this galaxy that I can think of who is more stubborn than McCoy. He won't give up that easily… Especially with his older self curing him. He's in good hands," and he smiled as he kissed the top of her hand.

She got up and headed for the door slowly but stopped, "As long as you all come with me," then she looked at the older three, "Everyone." They all nodded as Natalie and young Scotty held each of her hands.

Once at Sick Bay, she entered first, slowly. She had no idea what would greet her. Would Leonard be dead? If so, would the older Leonard have disappeared? Would he still be dying anyway wanting to tell her goodbye? She all of a sudden stopped and did not wish to go any further toward her fate. Without him, her world would not function… Could not function. She closed her eyes and a tear fell down the side of her face when she heard a familiar but more husky voice, "Jeanine."

She immediately opened her eyes to reveal her older husband in front of her. He came over and immediately comforted her in the tightest hug. "He'll…I'll be alright. You can go in now." He pulled away and looked into her eyes again with a small smile.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"We have to go now, Jeanine." He then hugged her tightly again. "I'll see you in the future." She smiled and they pulled away, "I love you," he said subtly one last time.

"Goodbye," she said and smiled.

"Now wait just a darn minute, you're still my wife, and you deserve to know something from the future that should give you some peace of mind. Especially considering what we put you through this week," he smiled down at the confused look on her face.

"Leonard, what are you talking about?"

"Jeanine, I know what the star date is and so I know you're dilemma… or our dilemma. I remember quite well, and I remember telling you the awful news of the aftermath from your illness…"

She looked down, "Yes, I know."

He pulled her chin up with two of his fingers and continued still smirking, "Well, I'm just gonna tell you a little tidbit of information that might be helpful."

"Yes? What is it?"

"Well, let's just say that sometime down the road… soon… you're gonna want to set up an appointment to come and see me." He smiled wider now but she was still confused.

"Is something wrong?"

He chuckled, "No, nothing is wrong, honey. I'm just saying that sometime soon, when you'll be finding yourself not feeling well… let's just say it's definitely not space sickness," and he winked.

WHAT! She couldn't believe this! It's not possible! Her eyes went so wide and she couldn't help but smile with shock taking over her face. He then leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I guess I'm not the only one who's stubborn." He lauged. "Now, I obviously didn't tell my younger self because, well, that'll be your job, my dear. So I'll just save you the worry of my reaction, because you are gonna make me the happiest man in the entire galaxy." He smiled and they kissed each other one last time. "Now take care yourself. You're going to have to."

She still was so shocked that she could only nod at him in reply. "Thank you," was what she managed to get out.

She turned and took one last look at the old four as they all smiled and waved. She waved in return as she saw Natalie and the younger three escort the older four to the transporter room along with Wexler. Then she turned her attention back to her own Leonard.

She found him lying in a bed complaining to Nurse Chapel as she changed out an IV. She could tell he was weak, but he was still his old self and nagging nonetheless. It brought joy to her heart just seeing him acting like his old self again. She had missed that… his stubbornness.

He then looked over at the doorway and a large smile came across his face when he took Christine's arm and she noticed too, also smiling. "I'll leave you two alone, Doctor." She squeezed Jeanine's shoulder as she passed.

"Hi, stranger," he weakly said.

She immediately started crying subtly as she came over to his side. She grabbed his hand, kissed it, and put one of her hands on the side of his face, "I can't believe it," she whispered, "You're alive."

He took her hand in his and replied, "Well, now I couldn't let you not ever forgive me could I? I had to stick around just a little while longer," he winked and she knew he heard her whisper to him before. She then touched her lips to his.

They pulled away but she still stayed a couple inches from his face, "I'm not goin' anywhere," he said comfortingly.

"You better not be."

"Nah. Besides, without me, Jim wouldn't ever find his way back home," he smiled and they both laughed.

He then pulled the covers back as an invitation to her. She crawled in next to him and he put his arm around her as they cuddled together in his Sick Bay bed. She then knew that she never wanted to leave his embrace ever again. She wanted to stay that way forever, and never think of anyone else but him.

However, she now had someone else to think about in the near future. But it just made her world all the more brighter. She just smiled and took in the surroundings of her heaven on Earth… or in this case, the Enterprise.