Chapter 4 Questions Answered

.

STAR FLEET COMMUNICATION

Jim enters his private office taking a moment to get himself together. He takes a large drink of the coffee Rand has placed on the corner of his desk. Jim straightens his shirt before answering the comm. "Admiral Pike," Jim nods.

"Captain Kirk," Pike responds back formally.

"We made contact with the alien vessel at precisely 0300 hours on star date 2259.219. The four aliens were beamed aboard where they branished weapons and are now in the Brig. Commander Spock, Colonel O'Neill, and I have attempted to speak with them but they were reluctant to speak. We are planning to re-open talks later this morning. When we get some hard intel I will report it immediately to Star Fleet," Jim tries to sound as formal as possible.

"And the fourth being? You said that four were beamed over," Pike states.

"In Sick Bay, "Jim lies smoothly. He hopes his anxiety and frustration do not show. He just found out ten minutes ago that the fourth being is his daughter and is not ready to share that information with anyone right now even Chris Pike. "I am going down to speak with Dr. McCoy as soon as our conversation is completed."

Pike can tell Jim is on edge. "Do you need backup," he asks unsure how to proceed.

"No sir not at this time. Their shuttle is being docked and then we will proceed to Star Base 11. Upon our arrival we will turn over the alien beings to the authorities. I will comm you with any more information as soon as it becomes available," Jim replies stiffly.

"Understood. Pike out," he says ending the comm. Pike leans back in his seat staring at the trees beginning to turn on the trees outside his window. Something is bothering his young protégé. Chris Pike has learned over the years to trust Kirk to share only when he is ready otherwise you get casual lies like he did just now.

Jim sits staring out at the blackness of space form his small office window. He regrets not talking to Pike about his current situation. Eventually everyone will know but for now he wants to protect Kate as much as he can. Jim gets up striding onto the Bridge. He never tires of hearing "Captain on the Bridge" called out as he enters. Jim takes his seat in the command chair picking up his PADD. Even with everything that has occurred there is other matters Jim has to attend to on the Enterprise. He reviews the ships log noting that Uhura, Sulu, and Chekov are still dealing with the alien ship in orbit. Spock is attempting to ascertain the Jedi's point of origin. Jim flips to the files containing the daily routines of the ship but can't concentrate on anything but the young girl in Sick Bay. He jumps when McCoy's voice comes over the ship's comm.

"Jim, she's awake," McCoy says simply.

Jim is on his feet before even he realizes it. His body is on auto-pilot as he orders Spock to take the conn and heads for Sick Bay. To his surprise Spock stops him before he enters the turbo. "Sir if I may have a word," Spock requests.

Jim looks at this friend stunned. "Kinda on a time crunch here but go ahead," Jim waits for his XO to speak. The more Spock searches for how to begin the more Jim becomes concerned. Jim pulls into the turbo for some privacy. "Out with it Spock," Jim orders.

"Dr. McCoy informed me of the genetic relationship you share with the child in Sick Bay," Spock finally says what's on his mind. He can see Jim wince slightly at his words. "I do not wish you to feel it was a violation of your parental rights but due to the current situation, Dr. McCoy felt I should be aware."

Jim scratches his forehead with his thumb uncomfortably. He is going to have to tell the crew at some point but it seems to be happening so fast. Kirk is glad Kate is isolated and protected by McCoy until he can speak with her. It will be enough of a shock without some crew member calling her Kate Kirk. "Yeah, I was going to make an announcement at the next staff meeting and she is my daughter Spock. Genetic relationship sounds like you are referring to a distant relative. I don't mind you knowing but I would like to keep this information under wrap until we find out if the Jedi truly knew this or if it is a ploy."

"Yes sir and congratulations," Spock says. Jim tries not to laugh knowing the Vulcan can't process how to handle this new appropriately.

Jim opens the turbo door. "Thank you Mr. Spock. The conn is yours until I return. Keep me informed of any changes," Jim smiles not knowing how to respond to the congratulations.

.

SICK BAY

"Just in time" Bones says as Jim enters the med bay. Kate is softly moaning as she struggles to wake up from the hypo spray induced sleep.

"What should I do?" Jim asks desperately looking for guidance.

"Talk to her. Hold her hand just don't upset her. She has been through a lot in the past four hours. Did Jack tell you she tried to take us hostage," Bones says with a small chuckle. Jim nods but doesn't say anything. Bones suddenly gets very serious. "Do you know how you are going to tell her about the blood test?"

"No but my gut is telling me the Jedi knew it before they got here. I'm just not sure if the kid is in on it or not," Jim analyzes the situation critically.

"The kid," Bones growls grabbing Jim's arm. He pulls Jim into his office. "You mean your daughter right." Bones settles an icy glare on his best friend. Jim shoots Bones an irritated look. "Look Jim you need to get your head in the game. Regardless of how she got here, Kate is here. You need to make a decision right now. Are you taking responsibility for her or not because what you decide is going to affect my next move."

Bones' words snap Jim out of the daydream trance he came into Sick Bay with. "What the hell are you talking about your next move," Jim says tersely.

"I mean if you aren't ready for this fine but don't expect me to let you walk away with a clear conscious. You are not going to tell her you're her biological father, pump her for information, and then walk out." Bones can see the hurt on Jim's face. In a softer tone her adds, "I can see you are scared to death but maybe go into that Captain mode thing to do to hide it from her. I don't like the idea of keeping her sedated but I think she may need something after you are done with her. Try not to fuck this up," Bones squeezes his friends shoulder in support before taking a seat behind his desk.

"Thanks for the damn vote of confidence" Jim says and then makes a mental note to watch his language around this new guest. "I guess you're minekiddo." The voice in his head says as he walks toward her med bed.

"Han…help me," she mumbles from her dream. Her labored breathing and moans lets Kirk know she is probably having a nightmare.

"Two guesses who the villain is," he says to himself. Lauren used to do this during nightmares when they were married. Jim sits on the bed next to her taking Kate's small hand into his. Her eyes fly open at his touch. Kate turns her head on the pillow to face him with a half scared, half stunned expression on her face. "Hey sweetheart…..Just relax. I have been hypo-ed more times than I can count. Sometimes it can take a minute to wake up." Jim kisses her hand in reassurance. As soon as he does it, Jim feels panic bubbling up inside him. "Why did I do that? Are you okay with that? Where have you been? Where is your mommy?" The questions flood his mind as he drags a chair over with his leg so that he is eye level with Kate. He never releases her hand.

Kate just stares at his face blinking to clear the fog from her brain. Her body keeps telling her to go back to sleep. To go back into her dreams where she is safe and at home but her mind fights to wake up. Her arm is sore telling her fight was real and not imagined with the man in the red shirt.

"Come on baby," he says and begins to stroke the hair around her face. His mom used to do that when he was sick. Well when she was home when he was sick, but either way he remembered it just felt good. "Wake up. I'm here. You are safe and warm. No one is going to hurt you."

The sound of his voice and not Han's jars her fully awake. She pulls back slightly debating her next move. "This is really happening," she thinks. "I wish you were Han but you never will be. Why did I do this?" She blinks back the tears forming in her eyes before remembering Zala Tsu's words. Kate knows they must have run the blood test and from the change in the Captain's demeanor. Sadly she accepts that it must be positive. That he is her real father. Large tears spill from her eyes that she can't stop. Her life is over. He will not let her go home. Maybe it would be better for him to find out she is a Jedi. At least then he can exile her and she can find her own way home.

"Hey, hey, hey, Katie bug don't cry. I know you're scared but everything is going to be fine. I promise," Jim reassures her wiping the tears away gently with his fingertips. It surprises him how natural the gesture was and how easy it is to be with her. Just like it was with Lauren. "You're safe and warm here. Just relax and wake up slow." He commands softly and begins to stroke her hair again.

Kate takes a moment to study him in quiet. His hair, nose, jaw, and face match the holo hidden in her mother's wallet. Kate had to sneak glimpses of it when Lauren was not around. It was an image of this man smiling with her mom on a sunny beach from long ago. Kate feels her chest tighten with resentment towards him. This is her father but she will never let him know she knows. Zala Tsu said not to be fooled by his sweet words and handsome face. That he will leave her at the nearest habitable planet the first chance he gets if they do not complete their mission. Zala Tsu had told her he is not what he seems and to be wary. That he had thrown her mom out when he found out she was having a Jedi baby. If he got rid of his wife why would he keep you Zala had reasoned? Kate was also smart enough to read between the lines. Don't complete the mission and we will leave you here with him. Kate will not be left again by anyone else. Why did she not listen to Luke and stay where she was supposed to. "They will never find me here," she thinks as tears threaten to spill again. Kate decides then the only way home to Han, Luke and Leia is to complete the mission at whatever the cost. Kate has no loyalty to this man. She takes a deep breath and tries to sit up but Kirk's hands hold her hand and head in place.

"Easy does it honey," he says gently cupping his hand behind her head helping her sit up. "You need to take it easy for a while until you get your bearings back. Do you want anything? Water? An extra blanket? Something to eat?" Jim asks realizing the panic is gone from his body and is being replaced by a sense of relief that she is fine.

"Water?" Kate says softly and gives a little cough to clear her throat. She is only going to get one chance to find Zala Tsu and the other Jedi. She has to make this count. It is her part in this plan. Zala was right. The Captain did not engage the Jedi but arrested them. She will have to be "the diplomat" like Leia and broker their release. "Druk. Is Leia ever this scared," she wonders staring at the blonde Captain.

"Hold on," Jim smiles walking across the room to the replicator for her drink. When he is at the replicator, Kate flings the blanket aside and tries to run for the door. The sedative has her slightly off balance and Kirk is on her before she takes two steps. "Whoa there Katie Bug where do you think you're going," he says sweeping her up and back into bed. "You little girl need to rest," he says and tries to cover her back up with the blanket.

"Droyka," she mutters. She missed her chance. That bastard stopped her from finding the other Jedi. Anger begins to build up in her chest. She will have to find another way out of here. Leia's way didn't work so maybe she will try Han's brand of diplomacy. "Get your hands off of me you kriffing, sleemo Sith spawn," she yells at Kirk staring into his eyes trying her best to intimidate him.

"Bones, she is having some speech problems. Get over here," Kirk calls out concerned. As McCoy walks across the room Kirk looks up at him and asks "Is it an allergic reaction? I haven't ever been unable to speak after waking up have I?" Kirk looks at McCoy concerned about his daughter. Bones raises a tricorder to scan her.

"Speech problems!" Kate snaps "I don't have speech problems you stoopa di'kut."

Bones and Kirk look at each other, smile, and chuckle realizing she is bitching them out. It is highly inappropriate but hearing the stream of what has to be vulgar expletives coming from the little patient is more than Kirk can handle at the moment. Relief flows through his body that she is okay and not suffering from some stroke or neurological condition. "I'm a big boy. I can take it. This isn't the first time a girl has bitched me out," he thinks.

The sight of them laughing just makes her angrier. "E chu ta! There is nothing wrong with me. Take me to the Jedi. You kriffing piece of bantha poodoo," Kate ramps up for another round of vulgarity. Maybe this will wipe the smiles off their faces.

"OK this is not so cute anymore," Kirk thinks as she starts cussing again. Although he doesn't know exactly what she is saying he knows grammar and these words are definitely something that should not be coming out of a child's mouth. "Settle down kiddo," Kirk interrupts her with a paternal tone but she keeps going.

"Settle down," Kate yells. "You Floobing…"

"Stop!" Kirk says adding a little more authority to his voice than he initially intended. This is not going to be as easy as he first thought. Where the hell was she living before this: Some seedy space bar at the edge of a galaxy with a bunch of pirates and rogues. "Oh hell no. I gotta nip this in the bud real quick," he thinks. "I know you are scared and confused but using language like that..."

"You wanna hear language? I can go on all night until you let me out of here and reunite me with the Jedi," She retorts. Their eyes lock. Kate waits for any sign of capitulation but she clearly does not know who she is dealing with. When he doesn't move she starts again speaking very slowly to make sure he understands each word. "I will make your life a living hell you kriffing droyka until I see Zala and…"

"Enough," Kirk bellows using his command voice. He releases her hand and stands up: His full 5'11" frame staring down at her. "You are going to calm down and speak to me reasonably and courteously or I am going to come back later when you are able to manage that. Understand me. You DON'T speak to adults that way young lady." Kirk sees Kate wince slightly at his words. He sees this belligerent behavior is not real but for show. Kate backed down way too fast for it to be real. If this was her personality she would have kept going and not taken the reprimand so hard. She may not respect authority but understands who has it and who doesn't. Suddenly a new thought floods his mind. "Shit. Dammit. What am I doing? Nice job there Jim. Scare the shit out of her before saying you are her father. Way to go." Kirk reprimands himself. He takes a deep breath relaxing into the chair. "Now let's start over. Do you still want that drink?" He asks calmly.

"No and I know why you are here," she spits back. Jim can see Kate has learned early that yelling doesn't hurt. Jim is learning verbal reprimands only grab her attention but not keep it. "You are NOT my dad. I don't care what some blood test says. I have a father. He takes care of me and loves me. He is there when I get hurt or am sad. That is a father Captain not some genetic repository who gives a shit less if he has a kid," Kate's words are venomous but underneath Jim can see she is just hurting. "You violated my trust and privacy with your stupid medical tests. You will never get it back." Kate clenches her hands into fists to hide that they are shaking.

"Okay let's take each question one at a time okay," Jim is calm and reasonable. Part of him is glad Kate brought up the subject. He had no idea how to but now maybe they can move on from the shock. "Your right. I have not been your father for twelve years." His confession momentarily stuns Kate. "Whether you believe it or not I did not know of your existence until four hours ago. That is no excuse but simply a fact. I have no idea why your mom left me or," Jim is cut off sharply by Kate.

"Do you even know who my mother is," Kate asks haughtily.

"Yes it is Lauren Kirk or maybe Shan. I don't know which name she is going by but you definitely have her spunk and eyes. She was my wife," Kirk tries to explain.

"Don't ever talk about my mother," Kate snaps sitting up. "She never loved you. She never spoke of you. She never regretted leaving you." Kirk can tell Kate is lying and feels betrayed. She is defending her mother only to hurt Kirk. Someone has mentioned him to Kate in the past. Kirk may not understand the strange language Kate and the Jedi were using in the transporter room but the meaning was clear. Zala Tsu shattered Kate's world at 0300 hours and Jim is ready to kill the blue skinned alien for it. Kate may have only been his daughter for five hours but this point forward he will protect her with his life.

Jim sees Kate channeling all her emotions into hurt and anger. This is a very Kirk trait and one Jim is familiar with. He used to do the same thing to his mom after she returned from extended absences. Jim tries to show the patience his mom did with him. "Okay so maybe we go slowly huh. Maybe we should find out a little bit about each other that's not a lie. Can you tell me where you are from and why you came here?" Jim asks softening his tone reaching for her hand. Kate folds her arms across her chest and turns her head. "Jesus Christ is she pouting," he thinks. "Great." Jim stares at her for a minute until a new idea crosses his mind. "Kids are basically dumb right. Why do they pout? To get what they want. So let's give it to her," he thinks. Jim leans back in his chair locking his heads behind his head matching the exact opposite of her body posture. They stay like this for several minutes before Kirk makes his move. "Let's play 20 questions. It's a game from Earth where you ask each other 20 questions and they have to answer honestly. You go first. Ask me anything?"

When she does not respond he tries again. "OK, I'll start. Let's see. Do you want to go see your friends?" he asks knowing he will get a rise out of her. Once she is talking Kate tends to not shut up. Jim just has to get her talking.

Kate's head snaps around. "Are you serious? Yes I'm ready. Can we," she says uncrossing her arms.

"Bup bup bup," Jim says playfully. "You didn't ask a question. That was more of a declarative statement. Much different game. Try again?

"Wha….." Kate stares at him dumbfounded and then shakes her head. After a deep sigh she asks, "Can I go see the Jedi?"

"No." he replies and then adds quickly "Not yet at least. We have to finish the game first. What's your favorite color?"

His response and question came so fast that Kate is rattled for a moment. "Blue," she states and stares at him thoroughly confused.

"Your turn," he encourages. "Ask me anything you want?"

"Um uh." Kate's mind goes blank. She was prepared to fight him not engage in mindless conversation. "What's your favorite color?" She finally manages to ask.

"Green. What's your favorite animal?" Jim asks her another question rapidly. Kate is very smart and he can't give her time to think. If he does she will ask a question he may not be ready to answer.

"Dog," she says.

"No Shi….kidding. No kidding" Kirk says trying to eliminate the profanity. This no cursing may be harder than it seems. "Mine to. I had a dog back in Iowa as a kid. A border collie named Ariel. What's your dog's name?" Jim sees Kate's face drop slightly. "Oh come on," he curses himself. Every kid has a dog right or at least some kind of pet once in their childhood.

"I don't have one. I always wanted one," Kate replies wistfully. To Jim's surprise Kate continues the conversation. "I almost did once. I had Han right there and then Leia reminded me of it being this huge responsibility," she says rolling her eyes. "But Jacen had a rock lizard."

"Good girl. Keep talking," Kirk thinks and makes a mental note to figure out who this Han, Leia, and Jacen are later on. They had to be important to her because she was calling his name when she was waking up. "Hit me with another one?"

"Ummm." Again her mind goes blank. Kate tries to think of a way to get him to talk about the Jedi but takes too long.

Jim sees Kate trying to find an angle and jumps his turn. "Slow poke," he grins. "I'll go again until you think of a question okay. Coke or Pepsi?" Bones watches the interaction from across the room and marvels at the ease Jim is bonding with Kate. He didn't doubt his best friend. Hell Jim is a hero to any kid he meets. All kids love him and worship the ground Jim walks on. It is probably because he acts their age half the time Bones thinks to himself.

Kate decides to play along with his stupid game. At least she will learn a few things to help her fit in. "I ugh… I don't know what that is," she says wrinkling up her forehead in thought.

Jim is floored with her admitting this. "Seriously! They don't have Coke where you're from? You have been missing out kiddo. Bones get us two Cokes. You are going to love it." Kirk assures her as Bones brings over two glasses filled with a dark bubbling liquid. "Try it. You'll love it…..well most kids do anyway," Kirk drains the glass in a single gulp.

Kate picks up the offered drink and smells it before taking a tentative sip. "It's a fizz," she grins taking a big sip. "I love fizz but Leia never lets me have it for dinner."

"Yeah same here kid. Parents must be the same everywhere," Kirk chuckles. Kate gives him a quick smile and takes another sip. Zala Tsu told her not to eat or drink but she is so thirsty.

"Water IS a better choice. That stuff will rot your teeth and has no nutritional value" Mc Coy mumbles standing next to Jim.

"This," Jim claps McCoy on the back, "is our Chief Medical Officer. You can call him Bones. He barks a lot but is really an old softie. Just ask his daughter Joanna. When you get out of here I'll introduce her to you."

"We met but not formally," Kate says staring at the doctor. Kate does not want to get into a discussion of her failed escape attempt earlier. She broaches a new subject. "There are kids here?" she asks suspiciously. "There were never kids on the Star Cruisers or Star Destroyers. Well sometimes there were but it was mostly when we were transporting refugees."

"Star Cruisers. Wow that sounds like a big ship," Kirk whistles. "Come on baby. Give me something to work with," he pleads silently and she does.

"They are. They are about 1600 meters on average but can get as large as a kilometer or two," She says taking another drink of the soda. Kate sees Jim doing the math on his ship against hers. "Yeah we are about twice as big as you," Kate offers with a belittling smile. Kirk keep his temper in check. Once this Jedi situation is resolved and things settle back into normalcy, he and Kate are going to have a long talk about manners.

Realizing her glass was nearly empty Jim raises his hand like in a bar and says, "Bones, two more." Jim ignores Bones' grumbling about being a doctor and not a waiter. "You'll get used to him," Kirk whispers getting a small smile from Kate. Kirk needs to keep her talking and this is one thing he KNOWS how to do. Start asking women about a topic they like and they can go on all night. "So your ship is about twice as big as mine? I don't believe it," Jim teases as McCoy brings over two waters.

Jim looks at Bones' quizzically. "She hasn't eaten anything and doesn't need to fill up on soda. She's already had 8 oz. Take it or leave it," Bones glares at Jim. "I will get her something to eat."

Kirk picks up the bottles of water offering one to Kate. "He gets all grumpy when you eat bad so you need to find ways around the doctor's orders. I'll get you a Coke after you eat," Jim winks drawing another smile out of Kate. Jim has given Kate too much down time. He can see her brain is working on overdrive. In the past thirty minutes Jim has also realized Kate likes to be right. "You know my ship is pretty big," he baits her.

"Not like a Star Destroyer. Your ship would almost fit in its cargo hold." She challenges playing the mine is bigger than yours game but Jim's doing silent calculations in his head about the exact size a ship would have to be to "dock" the Enterprise. Kate sees Jim processing everything she has said. Zala Tsu is right. He can be so easy to talk to that Kate is telling him what he wants without something in it for her. That will stop now. As Jim is lost in thought Kate asks "Can I see the Jedi now?"

"No." he says snapping back into reality. "I still have like 16 questions left and you have 19. Who is your favorite Jedi in the group?"

Kate decided to play along for a little while longer. "Rogan. Definitely. He's from Corellia like Han. He's actually very funny when he is in a good mood. You'll like him when you let him out of the Brig," she states emphatically. "Now I want to see the Jedi," she asks again.

"Ah….No…The bastard kidnapped my daughter and invaded my ship. No sweetie. Daddy and Rogan are not going to be friends nor is he getting out of the Brig," he thinks. "Do the Jedi live with you on these ships?" he asks hoping to engage Kate like he has been.

"No," she snaps angrily. Her patience is wearing thin with each question he asks her. Jim Kirk doesn't want to know about her. He only wants information. Zala Tsu may be wrong on many things but not about him. "We use them to go to planets that need help. I have answered your questions so take me to my friends," Kate's voice begins to rise as Bones walks over with a tray of food.

"Not now Kate. I don't think," Jim says gently as Bones sets the tray on her lap.

Kate feels frustration building up inside her. Kirk is already doing it. He is trying to act like her father and she will not tolerate it. With a swipe of her hand the tray and food go flying spattering her, Kirk, and Bones. "I have made it twelve years without you thinking for me so don't start now," Kate fires at him. "I want to see the Jedi!"

"Jesus Katherine what the hell was that for," Kirk demands brushing scrambled eggs and fried potatoes from his shirt.

"I am not hungry. I am not thirsty. I want to go home. I don't want to answer your questions or get to know you," Kate starts off angry until the shock of the past hour kicks in. Kate feels her chest tighten and eyes start to fill as her anxiety increases. "I want my daddy. I want to go home. You are not a bad person Kirk. I can see that but I want to go home. Please take me to the Jedi so I can go home. If you really are my father you would want me to be happy and feel safe. Please, please let me talk to the Jedi so I can tell him how to find me," Kate begs allowing herself to turn into a child. She knows this assignment is way out of her league now and just wants to undo the decisions she has made. Kate knows she isn't a Jedi. She was played plain and simple.

Kirk's heart breaks at the sight of her crying on the med bed. "Sweetheart we both know you are here for a reason. The Jedi are not just going to walk off the ship if I suddenly released them," Kirk lays out the situation. He knows Kate is aware of everything he is saying. Jim just hopes that with him saying it out loud it will sink in. "Look if you tell me what is going on I can help you," Jim takes a step towards her.

"Kriff you," Kate chokes back a sob. "I have nothing to say to you until you let me see them." Kate lies down on the bed turning her body away from Jim. Pouting will not get her what she wants but Kate can't think straight. She needs some time to process things. Her head hurts and she feels like vomiting.

Jim stares at her a few seconds before turning away. "I'll be back after I change my uniform. Maybe you will feel like talking then," he says in a neutral tone. He can't be too mad at her. So Kate throws things when she gets mad. Jim punches things. Maybe both Kirks need to work on anger management,

"Find out anything useful?" Bones inquires as Jim approaches him.

"Well if she's right about those ships they have to be huge. I can't even fathom the firepower…"

"Captain, I have given Sulu the conn and am waiting in your ready room." Spock's voice comes over the speakers.

"Be there in two minutes." Jim responds heading for the door.

"I meant about her," Bones clarifies.

"There's time for that later," Jim comments walking to the door.

Bones can't believe that Jim is so distant and still treating Kate like a guest. "Jim. Wait. What are you planning to do with Kate? She can't live in Sick Bay you know," Bones' tone is joking but he is dead serious.

"What do you mean what am I going to do with her?" Jim asks incredulously.

"Well Captain Obvious, as her father I assumed she would live with you," Bones crosses his arms over his chest. "So when are you taking her home. Physically there is nothing wrong with her so she can't stay here," Bones replies smartly.

"Bones, I can't take care of her now. Let her go home with you and meet Joanna. Call it a sleep over! I don't care," Jim tries not to yell. He can't let Kate think he doesn't want her. He does but right now he can't give her the attention she needs and take care of the ship.

"She is a child you asshole not a puppy you play with for ten minutes and then pass off to someone else. I don't mind her meeting Joanna but you gotta come up with a longer term plan. It's best to start off early with clear expectations. Besides, this is going to be a hard enough transition so I suggest you take home some light reading material. I have down loaded several things for you. Oh and have maintenance move a bed into your office. She is going to need a place to sleep unless you are planning to give her a blanket in the corner." Jim looks at Bones in shock. He had never thought past being with her when she woke up or finding out any intell she might know. This is getting permanent and it scares him to death. Bones sees this clearly on his friends face. "Go. Go to your meeting. I will keep an eye on here. I'll comm you if we need you." Jim stares at the PADD Bones thrusts into his hand. "How to Talk So Your Kids will Listen", "Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother", "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Pre-teens", "Star Fleets Guide to Happy Children on Constitution Class Starships", and "Parenting the Strong Willed Child" are the first few titles he sees. "I'd start with the Strong Willed Child by Jean Lidloff. I knew her at the Academy. I can put her on speed dial if you want," Bones smirks but is greeted with a dirty look.

"Captain," Spock comms again.

"I'm coming," Kirk growls heading out the door.

JOANNA MCCOY

"Hey dad," Joanna McCoy says happily walking into Sick Bay. Kate watches the girl walk into Bones' office as she figures out her next move. Joanna is the first kid Kate has seen on the ship. After several minutes Jo and Bones come out of his office coming towards her.

"Dammit," Kate mumbles not wanting to pretend to be friendly. She debates on whether she should pretend she fell asleep or not. Since they know she is awake Kate resigns herself to meeting the doctor's daughter.

"Kate this is my daughter Joanna," Bones smiles placing an arm around Joanna's shoulders.

Kate looks the girl up and down. Joanna shares her father's brown hair, hazel eyes, and warm smile. "Hi I'm Kate prisoner of Sick Bay. Pleased to meet you," Kate smiles giving a small wave of her hand.

Joanna doesn't seem phased by her joke. She drops a bag of clothes on the bed. "You have no idea what being a prisoner of this place is until you actually get sick," Joanna confides pulling shirts and pants out of the bag. "He can be a real pain let me tell you," Joanna says seriously getting a raised eyebrow from her dad. "Don't look at me that way you know it is true," she laughs holding up a sweatshirt. "Do you like things tighter or baggier," Joanna asks making eye contact with Kate. Kate is speechless. It has not been a half day since she arrived and now they are moving her in. Kate wonders if everyone knows about Kirk being her biological father. "I see you as being sleeker in style myself but I brought a variety of things. My dad said you were my size but I think you are way smaller than me. Oh by the way I love your boots."

Kate looks at Bones for answers not wanting to be rude to his daughter. She can't believe she was the topic of the doctor and his daughter's conversation. "We just figured you might want to wear something besides a hospital gown while your clothes are being washed. You're going to have to take them off at some time right," he jokes good-naturedly. Kate sits quietly as Jo fills the bed with sets of clothes for her to choose from. "Okay this set is mine and this is Erika's. She is Sulu's daughter. You will probably meet her later tonight. She is super excited to meet you. We all are," Jo smiles warmly. "Take anything or all of it. We're girls and have way more clothes than we need."

"Thanks," Kate smiles not wanting to be an asshole to Bones' daughter. Jo seems really nice. Kate knows that if they were home on Coruscant they would definitely be friends. "Can I take a shower first?" Kate asks Bones selecting a pair of dark blue jeans and a long sleeved black shirt. Maybe a hot shower will get her head back in the game.

"Yeah through there," he indicates a small door to her left. "I'll have breakfast ready for you when you get out. If you throw it this time you're cleaning it up."

Kate picks up the clothes and heads to the bathroom. Kate stares at the controls on the wall. She is used to sonic type showers but not this model. Kate rapidly presses several combinations of buttons eventually getting the device to work; however, it does not feel warm and relaxing like on the Falcon. Instead it feels like icy pins stabbing her skin. Kate debates on asking for help. The longer her hand is in the icy sonic waves the more it stings. Kate steps in allowing the freezing temperature to clear her mind. She can't focus on her problem when she can only think about how cold she is. Kate feels better after the shower. Her head feels clear even if she is shivering. Kate exits the bathroom to see Joanna gone but the guards are still at the door. She walks to the bed waiting for Kirk to return.

I used various curse words found in the Stars Wars galaxy she came from. Look them up if you can't derive their meaning from the context in Wookiepedia. I have defined several below to get you started.

Droyk: A Corellian expletive

Stoopa: Huttese for "fool."

Di'kut: A Mandalorian expletive meaning "idiot

E chu ta!: A Huttese insult.

Floob: A Sullustan expletive describing one who has upset the speaker

Please read and review if you want. Love feedback.