It wasn't until after they had done away with the Narada and the Romulans that Jim took five seconds to think about something besides himself, his crew, and his battered ship. Sarek came up to the auxillary bridge, where Jim oversaw the hour-to-hour functions of the Enterprise since the primary bridge had been damaged escaping the black-hole. Spock sat at his station, Uhura at hers, and everyone else was at their assigned posts here when the bridge doors opened.
"Captain." The quiet tone of Sarek's voice drew Jim out of an exhausted stupor, and he almost jumped out of the chair. There was some gentle laughter, but not much. They were all exhausted. He turned in the chair to face the Ambassador.
"Ah, yes, Ambassador. What can I do for you?" Besides tell him over and over how sorry he was about Amanda's death, of course? Sarek looked at his small, frightened burden and then at Jim.
"She has asked many times for you."
"How many fits has she thrown?"
"Only one, and that most recently." Sarek almost smiled. He was probably used to Evangeline's hissy-fits, having raised her as he had. Jim got up from the chair and held out his arms for his daughter, for whom he'd spared a thought while facing off against Nero and Ayel, saving Mankind and the Federation from those freaks. Evangeline, on the extreme tail-end of what had to have been one hell of a fit, was still in tears as she hiccupped with what had been hysterical sobs and maybe a breath-holding spell or two. Poor Bones, Jim would have to thank him later. Evangeline reached for him and he reached back. Jim exhaled long and slow as Evangeline wrapped both arms tightly around his neck, buried her face in his shoulder, and just cried soft tears.
"Captain?"
"Hmm?" He looked up from an all-too-brief bonding moment to see every eye on the bridge was on him. Strangely, Jim didn't care all that much. The one who'd pulled him out of the moment was Spock, who wore the most openly-dumbfounded expression Jim had yet to see on the First Officer's face.
"I was not aware you…had a child, Captain." Spock actually blinked. Jim smiled and kissed Evangeline's curly strawberry-blonde hair.
"Commander, if you wouldn't mind, I'm leaving you the bridge for now. I need to spend some time with my daughter."
"Yes, Captain." Spock watched him leave, Jim could just see the wheels turning in his head. Let Spock think what he liked, Jim had priorities that had nothing to do with the Enterprise.
Alright! Chapter 4 posted! Did you like it? Hate it? I edited Chapter 3 to work with this one, I hope you all liked it. Obviously, Spock and Jim are going to have a chat soon. Yay for the meme!