Jim pulled a chair out for me, and I sat, smoothing my dress out. "You look gorgeous." I complimented his mother.

She smiled brightly. "Oh no, you are stunning."

I blushed slightly as Jim sat down, looking between the two of us. "So," Jim began. "This is my mother, Winona Kirk, Mom, this is Artemis."

"So this is Artemis." Winona smiled. "The one that lived with you?"

"The very same." Jim smiled, picking up the menu.

"Why did you keep her hidden?" She asked, picking up her menu.

I raised an eyebrow. "I was hidden?"

Jim coughed and muttered someone under his breath. Winona reached over and smacked his arm. "James, behave."

I chuckled under my breath as he exhaled deeply. "Mom-"

"No," She smiled, looking at me. "Well, how did you guys get together?"

"It's a long, complicated story," I smiled, looking at the ground.

"You weren't together while living together?" She asked, eyebrows raised.

I shook my head. "No, It was after joining Starfleet." I clarified. "It kind of just… happened. It was after Nero was dealt with, but before we came home."

She nodded. "I am relieved that Nero didn't take Jim like he took George." She seemed to be far away. Jim reached under the table and held my hand as the waiter came in and took our orders. The rest of the meal went off fine, we made small talk, but then dessert happened.

The waiter dropped off dessert, and just as I took a bite Winona turned to Jim. "So is a proposal in sight?" I gasped and choked on my food slightly before chasing it down with some wine. Jim had a small smirk on his face once he saw my reaction, but Winona looked slightly concerned. "Are you alright?"

"Fine." I coughed. "Fine, just swallowed wrong."

"Well, mom," Jim began. "We haven't really thought about that yet…"

"Our careers just began." I added.

Winona smiled. "Didn't stop George and I."

"Well… we haven't been together that long…" I trailed off not sure where to go with this.

Winona shook her head. "You lived together for a year, and have known each other for 5… you know, Artemis, you didn't tell me where you were from."

I felt the blood rush from my face. On one hand I didn't want to lie to her, but on the other I didn't want to tell the truth right now. "It's pretty complicated."

"I'm sure-" Winona began, but Jim cut her off.

"It isn't something that we should discuss here." He smiled to show his mother to show that he would talk about it later. "But, I'm sorry, we should be getting back." He looked at the check and pulled out his wallet.

"I've already got it covered." Winona said, plopping down a stack of cash.

"Oh," I said, pulling my purse up. "No, please-"

Jim frowned and pushed the stack of cash back to his mother and grabbed the check. "No."

"Jim," His mother frowned. "I hardly see you as it is, please-"

"No." Jim said. "If you had brought dear, old step-dad, then he could have paid. But I am paying." He shoved the receipt in his pocket and stood. "Thank you for coming tonight, mom." She stood and he wrapped her in a hug. She hugged him back as I stood. She came over to me and I was expecting a handshake, but she pulled me straight into a hug. I hugged back awkwardly and she pulled away.

"Make an honest man out of him, please." Winona whispered, then walked away.

I turned to Jim. "You ass." I mouthed, as he wrapped his arm around me. I swatted at his chest with my clutch. He chuckled and led me over to the hostess. He reached into his pocket and patted around. "What's wrong?" I asked, slightly concerned.

"The bill is gone." He said, patting all of his pockets. "Excuse me, but do you have another copy of the check for-" He pointed our table. "That table."

The hostess tapped a few things on her tablet and shook her head. "It's been taken care of."

Jim rolled his eyes and thanked the hostess leading me outside where I began laughing uncontrollably. "Were you just-" I took a deep breath. "Pick-pocketed by your mother?"

"I think so." He watched me, letting me get it all out. "Are you ready to go home?"

"Don't be pouty." I laughed, squeezing his face. "It's funny." We began walking back to the ship as I calmed down. "So do you have and issue with dear old step-dad?"

"It's a long story." Jim avoided.

I nodded. "I have time if you want to tell me."

"Once we get back." He said. "I want to make sure no one over hears."

I leaned into him. "Alright."

He stopped and leaned down, giving me a long tender kiss. "Let's get back." He breathed, pulling away. I pulled him back in and kissed him once more. He smiled and we made our way back to the ship.

Author's note:

I apologize for the short chapter, but I am still getting over the illness and this is my only day off for the next week and I was spending it with family. For better updates, or to contact me (either with wuestions or just for a conversation) follow me on twitter Pandora_Dawson. Thank you for reading this and understanding!