Shore Leave

U.S.S. Enterprise, 2273.122, 2021 hours. Not for the first time in it's illustrious 15 year career the Enterprise was heavily damaged and limping home toward Earth for repairs, this time six months ahead of schedule. The night the news came down Spock, Kirk and McCoy headed to the Captain's quarters for a quiet drink, as was their custom.

"They estimate seven, seven and a half months for repairs," the Captain announced after a long sip.

"Which means that we will be re-launched on our next five year mission in nine months time."

Jim sat back and laughed while McCoy nearly choked on his drink. "My God," the Doctor said, "Never thought I'd see the day you finally got a sense of humor, Spock."

Inwardly Spock smiled. "I am not displaying a 'sense of humor' as you call it, Doctor; I am merely taking into consideration our previous dealings with Starfleet Command. After submitting the paperwork requesting the necessary equipment and personnel to begin repairs there is an average delay of 4.3 weeks. Upon reviewing the extensive damage done to the ship during our engagement with the Krakatoans I have added another month to my calculations, thereby setting our re-launch date in approximately nine months' time."

"Alright, alright. Never meant to imply you weren't anything but logical."

Jim rolled his eyes and took another sip of his drink. "Either of you have any special plans while we're on Earth?"

"Yes," McCoy answered immediately, slamming his drink down on the side table. "First, I'm goin' to get as far the hell away from this flyin' hunk of metal as possible; then, I'm takin' my girls home to Georgia. Becca'll finally get to see the family ranch and meet my Mom and Chris' Mom in person." He took another long sip of his bourbon then smiled broadly. "And Joanna's finally settled on a school so we're goin' to help get her properly settled too."

The Captain's eyebrows shot up. "Is that so? I never thought I'd see the day our little Jo-Jo would leave us."

The Doctor glared. "Our little Jo-Jo? While I don't disagree with you, Jim, if she ever hears you callin' her that you're liable to get an earful; and if you think I'm bad…"

"Which University did Joanna choose to attend?" Spock asked, heading off what promised to be the beginning of a long argumentative 'discussion' between Captain and CMO.

Again McCoy smiled and it was a most disconcerting sight. "She's going to my alma matter, Ol' Miss. She got accepted two years ago but has been puttin' it off because she wasn't ready and didn't know what she wanted to study. After everything that happened with her mother and Doug and then the whole experience of comin' out here to live with us I don't blame her for waitin'."

"Not to mention you loved every minute of having her here with you," the Captain added.

"I'll never deny lovin' my girls, Jim."

"What is to be her field of study at 'Old Miss'?"

"Psychology," he replied without missing a beat. "We McCoys, we're healers. We come in all types." The Doctor looked thoughtful a moment as he swirled the ice around in his glass. "I can't believe she's goin' to college already. Seems like just yesterday she was Becca's age."

"Seems like just yesterday we were on our first mission, now we're finishing our third," Jim said. Behind his hand the Doctor muttered, "Christ, we're getting' old." The Captain raised his glass. "And in honor of that and before Bones gets all maudlin I think I'll make a toast. To the Enterprise."

"To the Enterprise," both men echoed.

McCoy downed the rest of his drink and set the glass on the table. "What're your plans, Jim?"

"Hmm?"

"Well you can't honestly think you're goin' to spend the whole nine months shuttlin' between San Francisco and space dock, do you? You've got little kids now, not to mention Taline…you can't micromanage the repairs like you used to."

"While I admit the situation is rare," Spock added, "I too agree with the Doctor. You must better delegate your responsibilities in order to see to the needs of your family."

The Doctor chuckled. "Watch out, Spock. Keep this up people might start to think we're friends."

"Actually, I have a few ideas in mind…" Jim's voice trailed off and his eyes locked on the wall on the other side of the room. "Oh hell, I was going to wait but—just wait right here, ok?" He got up and walked right out of the room.

"You got any idea what's going on with him?"

"Negative."

"Didn't think so."

They both stared intently at the door, waiting on the Captain. Spock could hear him banging around in his closet and curse when he stubbed his toe; he soon re-emerged with a jewelry box in his hands. "I didn't want to say anything until she said yes…if she says yes."

McCoy slapped him hard on the back—a sign, Spock had been informed in the past, of congratulations. "Oh she'll say yes. The girl's crazy about you, Jim. I'm actually surprised she's put up with you this long without a ring."

Jim nervously ran his fingers through his hair. "Yeah, you and me both. I figure if she says yes we can get married in San Francisco, fly her folks in from the colony, then maybe take a little family trip out to Iowa so the kids have plenty of space to run around." He looked at the ring again and exhaled slowly. "If she says yes."

"Ms. Rinali has no logical reason to refuse you, therefore a positive response is most assured."

"That's Spock speak for she'll say yes," McCoy interjected.

"I believe I was perfectly clear the first time I spoke, Doctor."

"Clear as a gaseous solar discharge in the Beta Quadrant, you mean."

"That is in itself a contradiction in terms. A solar discharge can only…"

Here the Captain closed the ring box loudly and intervened. "And what are you and Nyota and the kiddies up to, Spock? Got anything special planned?"

He turned to speak directly to the Captain. "Our family will take up residence in the house my father keeps in San Francisco until Nyota and I have discharged with our duties. After that time we intend to take the children to institutions of cultural relevance throughout Europe as well as spend approximately six-to-eight weeks in Africa visiting with Nyota's family."

"Interesting," Jim replied, nodding along thoughtfully before taking another sip from his glass. "Sounds like it's gonna be another good shore leave." They sat together in silence staring out the viewport at the slow procession of stars as they made their way home.