CH 14 FIRSTS
CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS
At 0630 hours, an annoyingly rhythmic buzz begins to permeate Kate's head. "What IS that?" she thinks groggily. Her body starts to rock slightly and she hears a voice. She struggles to open her eyes. She did not sleep much last night even though she was exhausted. She had lain in bed from 2030 hours until at least 0200 hours thinking about her situation. How was she going to get home? Why did she leave? What was she going to do about Kirk? Each question that she thought about generated another four until her mind and heart were racing. Kate wasn't scared that Kirk or the others on the Enterprise would hurt her. They all seemed nice enough and in a different world, she probably would have really liked them. In many ways, they were like the people she was so desperately missing now. No, she was scared that she might actually like this new place. That this new place was safe and warm and filled with people who wanted to care about her for once.
"That's not fair," she scolded herself as the thought filled her mind. Han, Leia, and Luke cared about her: Cared desperately enough to be scouring the galaxy for her. She would wait for them. "I won't be nice. I will just not be so mean anymore. I won't get close. I will play nice until they get here and then it will be back to normal," she finally decides. "But what about him," Her inner conscious asks? Kirk is her biggest problem. He seems nice enough but no blood test will EVER make him her father. Regardless of what he said in the gym, he wasn't there and leaving once means you can do it again. "Keep your distance. Don't get close. Think of him as the ship's captain Kate, someone to get you from point A to point B." He obviously does not want the daddy job. He does a good job at hiding it, but Kate can see that fatherhood was never a desire for him. He could married again and started a family after he left her mom but he didn't. He was driven by his career. "Still it was nice waking up both times and seeing him there at your side," she admits to herself. Kirk is becoming a predictable presence in her completely erratic life and that scares her.
"Come on sleepy head. You need to get up and get dressed for breakfast," Kirk says shaking her softly.
"Go away," she moans and hides her head under the pillow. Kate pries an eye open. She has never had to be up at 0630 except sometimes at the Jedi academy for special events. Kate prays this is a special event and not a normal occurrence on the ship.
"No can do kiddo. I have Alpha shift on the bridge and you have school at 0800," he says walking out of her room.
"I am good with a correspondence school. You have that here? You know where you do all your work via the Holonet,"she says sitting up in bed craning her neck to see out the door and into the living room.
"Here we call it the Internet," he yells from somewhere in the next room. "Just one more reason you need an education and today is as good a day as any to start."
"I did not live under a rock ya know even though you have been so fond of telling me this for two days. I did go to school."
"Really? Where?" he asks from the other room.
"In the common room of the Falcon with a robot," Kate giggles. There is no way she can tell him this. He already thinks 90% of what she says is bullshit. Instead she opts for, "I can read and write several languages. I can fix a sub light engine, and I am up for my official piloting test for X-wings," Kate tries to get him thinking about the specializing idea again. It would be fun to tinker around with the mechanics of the Enterprise.
"When was the Federation founded," he asks fumbling around in the next room. She slightly leans out of bed trying to see what he is doing and suddenly he is back in her room. She sits up straighter trying to pretend she didn't care where he was. "I'm sorry I didn't get that. I asked when the Federation was founded and you said," he draws the last word out waiting for her to fill in the blank. She sighs annoyed and starts playing with a fingernail. "No. Ok then how about when was warp drive invented? Who are our allies? Who are we at war with? What is," Jim peppers her with questions.
"Look if I were at home I could ask you a helluva lot questions you wouldn't know the answer to. Make you look dumb," She snaps.
Kirk sits on the bed finishing off his coffee. "I was not trying to make you feel dumb but to simply point out why you need to go to school." He gets up and turns around at her door saying, "besides look at school as a way to point out how vastly inferior we are to you. Instead of you finding things to point out, I am giving you seven hours a day to find our flaws. Then you can suggest the improvements directly to the top minds of the ship," Jim's sarcasm is not missed by Kate. "Now move it. Breakfast in 5," he says leaving to let her to get dressed.
"Aghh," she groans and falls back on to the pillow staring at the clock. For her entire life, Kate has survived by critically analyzing her surroundings. She needs to make Kirk understand this. "Kirk I am not saying you are inferior just that some of your tech is…antiquated," Kate explains getting out of bed.
"And that is the positive, can do sentiment that will utterly endear you to my crew," Kirk comments making his second cup of coffee.
After a long minute, she pulls out a pair of blue pants and a green t-shirt from the dresser. She ties a thin gray coat around her waist and brushes her hair. "Look I know you think I believe Skyriver is better than the Milky Way,"
"Oh Katie bug I don't think that. I know that," Jim calls her out. "Every damn thing you see or touch, except the replicators,"
"And the transporters," Kate adds helpfully.
"You still don't get it Kate do you," Jim adds silently. He tries thicker sarcasm to make his point. "Damn we have two things that impress you. The Enterprise is on a roll," Jim pretends it is the best news he has heard.
Kate slumps into a kitchen chair. Jim leans back against the wall drinking his coffee. He can tell Kate is gearing up for some Earth shattering revelation. "It is just that I have seen a lot of things. When something is better I call it like I see it," Kate takes a deep breath before continuing. "Not everything is great in Skyriver. Unlike you, we have robots and tech everywhere." Kate bites lip not wanting to share the next part but must for Jim to understand. "We also have hunger and poverty everywhere. Me comparing everything is so that I can find what is better and bring it back home. Like your replicators," Kate continues passionately in her speech. Jim sees her eyes sparkle when she talks about helping others. "Replicators could alleviate hunger in my galaxy. I lived through being hungry and destitute. I never want to be in that situation again," Kate shares an intimate detail of her prior life.
Jim tries not reacting to her statement. "Hungry and poor? When? You act like Han and Leia are loaded? Please be shitting me Katherine," says to himself. He will avoid this topic now but plans to address it later.
"I just want to do something good with my life. Something that helps people instead of hinders them. With the power and status of my family, I can achieve this with hard work and dedication to the cause." Kate sums up her reasons why she is tearing apart the Enterprise. She hopes Jim finally understands.
Kirk is impressed with Kate's desire to help those in need; however, he is not sure he buys every word. "Your goals are admirable but your methods to achieve it needs some work. Brush your teeth," Kirk orders. "We are going to be late." Kirk walks to his desk for his PADD as Kate disappears in the bathroom. Two minutes later, they leave their quarters. Kate stops seeing Michaels and Paulson standing outside their door. She leans against the wall waiting for Kirk to deal with whatever security concerns they are bringing to him. "You coming," Jim turns to Kate.
"Yeah I just thought you wanted to deal with them first," Kate points to the red shirts waiting in the hall.
Jim can't believe the security detail slipped his mind. He turns to Kate explaining the situation. "Michaels and Paulson are your escorts until further notice Katherine," Jim doesn't pull any punches. Kate feels sick to her stomach. "Wherever you go they go for the time being."
"No. No way," Kate protests stopping in the hall. The security detail is like a slap in the face. It will draw so much attention to her that she doesn't need.
"I have to follow regs on this Kate. You did do a lot of damage and helped the Jedi escape. I told you there would be consequences," Kirk begins to walk to the turbo. "So for the time being,"
When the security detail doesn't follow Kirk, Kate finds it is not a joke. "Because you made me," Kate pleads. "Didn't we go over this last night?"
"Yes and you failed to see the point of that conversation," Kirk steps into the turbo.
"I will lose them. I will make their life a living hell. There is not a team here that can keep track of me," she challenges Kirk stepping in the turbo. Kate slightly blocks the entrance with her body.
"Do that and I will make your life 5 times as worse," Kirk pulls her to the side allowing Michaels and Paulson in the turbo.
Kate flops against the wall pissed. "How can it get any worse?"
"By reviving an ancient Earth custom called a spanking. It is reserved for younger children that are spoiled and obstinate but works well. Do anything that they need to physically write a report on and you will see how well. Don't test me on this Katie bug. You will lose and this is not a threat."
Kate backs down immediately. "How long," she asks meekly biting her lip.
"Until you can prove to me that they are not needed," Kirk stares straight ahead. This decision is killing him but it is required for her safety.
Not making eye contact Kate asks for clarification. The implications of the security detail are dawning on "So I go from school to the room until further notice," she asks. The idea of not seeing the other kids is really upsetting her.
"No you are free to go anywhere on the ship. Hang with the kids, go to the rec decks," Jim lists all the things she can do. "This is your home. Go anywhere you want but they will be your shadows." Kate looks like she is about to cry. "Kate," Jim begins in a soothing voice. His stomach is in knots. Kate doesn't deserve this.
"Can we not talk about it anymore," Kate pipes in quickly her cheeks red in embarrassment.
"Okay no more," Jim agrees. They walk to the mess hall in silence.
.
MESS HALL
Kirk never believed Kate was incapable of ordering from the replicators until last night. Still haunted by the comment of her being hungry, Jim is determined to make sure that will never be a concern of hers again. "Lemme will show you again how to use the replicators to get something eat." Kate follows him to the back wall. Jim again reviews the finer points of food replication. "You use the keypad to type in what you want to eat or just press this button and say it. I have written down a list of things kids typically like. This should help you with finding the names of our foods. Try it," Jim encourages handing her a PADD. Kate pretends to look over the lists of foods Kirk has complied. She is getting better with reading their language but still is only reading like a preschooler.
"I appreciate the list but can you order for me. Once I have eaten a few more things I will have a reference for your baa gels," Kate picks a word off the list that seemed easy to ready.
Jim crinkles his nose. "You mean bagels," he asks confused. "The bread with the whole in the middle."
Kate lets out a laugh. She has always been a good little actress. "See like that. Baa gels are green roots with slimy centers not bread with holes. So not the same thing," Kate giggles hoping Jim buys her lie.
"Okay so no green roots with slimy centers," Jim tries to hide his revulsion. No wonder why Kate is so skinny. Kirk looks her up and down for a minute and then says, "You look like a waffles type of girl." Kirk orders and then with a flourish says "tada," as the food appears.
"That machine is fucking amazing?" Kate says eyes wide with shock.
"Watch your language," Kirk reprimands ordering several more items. "But it is cool huh," he says walking to a table in the back.
"Yeah but baa gels aren't so bad," Kate lies. She doesn't want to enjoy anything here. The more she enjoys stuff the less she may want to leave.
Kirk sees the funny, happy Kate sliding back into the moody, confrontational Kate as he sits down at the table. He ignores her comment diving into his breakfast. "Do we need to switch plates or are you past the crazy idea that we are trying to poison you?" Kirk's smart-ass comment to get Kate to eat pisses her off.
She picks up a fork and tries a bite. "Oh my god this is good," she thinks and lets her shoulders relax for a minute while she chews.
"Uh huh," Kirk stares at her. "I knew you would like it," he flaunts smiling. "That's three things we got that you don't back in Skyriver."
"It's fine," Kate pretends to be disinterested in eating when all she want to do is shove it in her mouth and get more. Kate is always hungry for some reason. Without food stores to raid she is reliant on waiting until others eat. She could ask but that would mean she needs them and Kate needs no one.
"Ya know Kate you could for just one second let your guard down and try to enjoy even the smallest thing aboard the ship," Kirk insists staring at her while drinking his coffee. "It's only waffles. Not a life commitment there kiddo and I can tell you want more."
Kirk stares long enough that Kate figures a response will at least make him eat his breakfast and leave her alone. "Fine. They're good alright. Happy," she says feigning interest in her breakfast. Kirk laughs shaking his head and begins to review his schedule on the PADD drinking his coffee.
"So how are we doing this morning?" Bones asks walking up to the table. Joanna smiles warmly at Kate.
"Ready for a fun filled day of learning!" Kirk answers enthusiastically waggling his eyebrows causing Joanna erupt into a fit of giggles.
Kate rolls her eyes grumbling, "You really aren't as funny as you think you are."
"Yes I am," Kirk says smiling sending Joanna in to another fit of giggles. "You just lack a sense of humor."
Joanna sense Kate about to say something stupid. "Come on Kate. I'll take you class" Joanna offers handing her tray to her dad. Kate is glad the McCoy's showed up. Having a security detail is bad enough but to also have the Captain walk her to school would be mortifying.
As if he can read her mind, Jim adds as Kate gets up to leave, "or you can be extra cool today. Have your Dad walk you to school," he says emphasizing the word cool.
"You are so infuriating," Kate laughs in spite of herself. She tries to wipe the half smile off her face but is unable to do so. Kirk winks letting her know it was a joke. The girls start to walk away but Kate runs back to the table. "20 questions right?" she states. Kirk leans back in his seat crossing his arms. "Who are we at war with?"
"Klingons," he states matter of factly.
"Thanks," she smiles hurrying back to Jo.
"That's what you call bonding conversation?" Bones asks incredulously.
"No. We were talking about the merits of education when it came up but at least she's talking to me?" Kirk says finishing off his coffee.
"Give it time." Bones states simply watching the girls leave the mess hall.
.
READY ROOM
Jim hides his annoyance he is late again to his own meeting. He hates being late. Late means sloppy and irresponsible, which are two things, he is not as Captain of the Enterprise.
"Girls take forever," Sulu makes an excuse for him. "Piece of advice? Set Kate's alarm clock back fifteen minutes. I know it makes no sense but works like a charm with Erika. Those fifteen minutes can be gold when her hair is not right or the left shoe is missing."
"Thanks," Jim smiles back before turning serious. "We are dropping out of warp to send a communique to Star Fleet. It should only be for twenty minutes or so but everyone be on alert. We have no idea where the Jedi are lurking but stopping would be a good opportunity for them to show up again. Uhura still no attempts to contact Kate?
"No sir but they could be transmitting on a frequency we are not familiar with," Uhura explains. "I have given orders for any transmission out of the ordinary to be sent to my station."
Jim has each department reports on what they have learned or not learned in the past twenty-four hours. He stares at the hard copies of their reports on the PADD's in front of him. He will review them again before calling Star Fleet. For having the most brilliant minds on his ship, Jim has few answers. "Dismissed," he orders standing up.
Jack slowly makes his way to Jim's side. "Hey Captain," Jack shifts uncomfortably next to him.
Jim knows the topic before Jack brings it up. "It is necessary at this time Jack. Kate may think the security detail is to contain her but we both know it is for her protection. Until the Jedi threat is neutralized I don't want her alone."
"Yeah but she is taking it different than I thought," Jack shoves his hands in his pockets. "I thought she would be fighting them but she looks miserable. She barely spoke to me when I saw her going into the classroom. I told Michaels and Paulson to hang back as far as they can to give her privacy when she is with the kids or one of us."
"I trust your judgement Jack," Kirk gathers up the PADD's and walks to his private office. He drops heavily in his seat. Kate is finally the prisoner she wanted to be four days ago and no one is happy about it.
.
SCHOOL
The girls make it to the classroom before running into Jack and his boys. "Morning Kate, Jo," Jack says before nodding to Michaels and Paulson. "You ready for the first day of school Kate," Jack shoves his hands in his pockets.
"Morning Mr. Jack," Joanna chirps happily. Kate stares at the ground blatantly ignoring Jack.
"Choosing the brooding teenager route today I see Kate," Jack pokes fun at Kate.
"Choosing to read your memos today I see," Kate snippily retorts. "I thought you never read memos but you sure read the 'Kate needs a security detail memo' alright there didn't you Jack."
"Kind of hard to miss when it's in bold writing," Jack scowls. Kate pushes past him into the classroom. "A word boys," Jack motions for Michaels and Paulson to meet him outside the classroom.
Kate looks around the Enterprise's idea of a classroom. The room is set up with four tables each having two chairs facing a large desk with a huge conference screen behind it. There are several large worktables against the walls with various papers, books, and PADD's on them.
"Do you want to sit in the front of back," Joanna asks before busting out in laughter. "You are so a back row chick Kate," Joanna sets her PADD down in the back row.
"Not this time. I plan on having as much distance between me and the red shirts as possible," Kate takes a seat in the third row.
"Good luck with that one," John sets his PADD next to Kate taking a seat.
"Careful or I will add you to my list of O'Neill's I don't speak to," Kate threatens playfully.
"Oh come on. You are smarter than that Trouble. I saw itcoming a mile away." John points a finger at her. "Don't pretend you are shocked." John moves his chair so he can prop his feet up on the desk behind him.
"Saw what…that I was right. That no one trusts me," Kate says facetiously.
"Kate that is bullshit and you know it," Cameron calls her bluff. "You can't take over the ship, insult the Enterprise, break into the Brig,"
"Stow it Cam," John quickly jumps to Kate's defense.
"Give it time. They won't be around long," Erika tries to be encouraging sitting in front of Kate.
"I bet if you can go two days without breaking someone's nose Kirk will call off the guards," Ronin assures Kate with a wide grin.
"I know I shouldn't laugh but my dad was cussing up a storm that night which he never does when I am around. It was kinda funny because he thought you were so helpless and all," Joanna giggles.
"Bet old Kirk went nuts on you when you got home. I wouldn't have sat for a week if it was my dad," John stops smiling and takes his feet off the desk sitting up straighter.
"He's so cute," Kate thinks looking at John. "He really didn't say anything about it except that I had to listen to adults and if I ever did it again yada yada yada." She waves her hand when speaking like come on finish up already.
"And that YOU wouldn't sit down for a week," Kirk startles Kate. With her cheeks flaming red and her heart pounding in her chest, she turns to see the Captain standing behind her.
"Ugh," Kate stammers at a complete loss of words.
"Forgot your PADD at breakfast," he says handing it over to her, his eyes locked on hers.
"Thanks," she manages hoping her hands aren't shaking when she takes it from him.
"Have a great day sweetie," he says and finishes by kissing her forehead.
Kate sucks in an audible breath of air because she had forgotten to breathe during the exchange with Kirk. "Ass hole," she mutters when she is sure he is gone.
"Whoa dude. That's like mutiny talk," John shoots back. "Kirk's cool if you give him a chance."
"OK take your seats," Lt. Uhura orders walking into the room. "I'm sorry I'm late but let's get started. Everyone start interpreting the Klingon phrases in chapter two of your book. Kate I am going to load beginner Vulcan on your PADD. You can follow along after when we finish with our Klingon lesson."
"You're our teacher?" Kate asks surprised.
"Well one of them. I teach languages and communication. Several other members of the crew teach the other subjects on a rotating basis," Uhura explains. "Now if someone says,"
"So why can't I start Klingon," Kate interrupts her.
"Due to linguistic complexity, Vulcan is the first language introduced. Once you get it down, then you learn Romulan followed by Klingon. Vulcan and Romulan have similar grammatical structures so they tend to be easier to learn. Just read the PADD and we will be with you soon. Okay repeat after me 'NuqneH,'" Uhura starts teaching again.
"But from what admittedly little I know isn't Vulcan our ally?" Kate asks interrupting again
Uhura sighs loudly before responding. "Diplomacy is covered later in the day."
"I don't care about politics except to know who my friends are. If I gotta learn another language I should really learn the one who we're currently in a pissin' contest with," Kate states matter of factly.
Uhura is speechless with Kate's persistent boldness. "Look we can discuss increasing your language studies after school with your father,"
"Don't call him that. I refer to him as Kirk, Jim, or Captain and anyway I'm the one doing the work so it shouldn't matter what he thinks." Kate states back hotly.
All of a sudden she feels a sharp jab in her side and hears "Shut up," whispered from beside her.
Kate gives John a sharp look before turning back to Uhura. "Look I am fluent in Huttese, Shyriiwook, Selonian, and Rodese. I am passable in Illodian and Traders Argot. If I can understand and speak Shyriiwook I think I can handle Klingon," she challenges.
"Fine follow along then," Uhura says sharply starting to teach again for the fourth time today. By the end of the hour, she has to admit Kate has an ear for language acquisition. The school day continues with several people teaching History, Engineering, Physics, Math, Xenology, and Xenobiology. Her day was going good until they began studying Diplomacy.
"Seriously. You could've told me at lunch that he was teaching diplomacy," Kate grumbles to Cameron as Kirk moves to the front of the class.
"Your dad is the coolest for diplomacy. I'm not sure the Star Fleet will ever make him an ambassador but his stories are the greatest and he doesn't give much homework," Cameron responds.
"Day going fine Kate," Kirk asks from the front of the room. His smile is forced and he doesn't have the jovial tone he had at breakfast.
"Been a blast," she replies settling in for Kirk's view on diplomacy. Considering what she saw firsthand with the Jedi, Kirk has no skills in diplomacy. Five minutes into his lecture, Kate thinks Han is teaching the class. It's giving her a great insight into Kirk's non-dad personality. She had to admit it is crazy all the things he has to know to keep other people from killing each other. Class ended before she realized it with Joanna was asking her to come with them to Rec Deck 6. It doesn't sound too bad and her only other option was to sit either alone in Kirk's quarters or worse sit with him. She gathers her stuff up and takes a step to the door before telling everyone to wait for her outside. "You promised to be nice last night remember," Kate says to herself approaching Kirk. "Hey everyone's to Rec Deck 6 so I am gonna go?" she states.
"Are you telling me or asking me?" Kirk leans back in his chair.
"Asking I guess? Is that a problem?" Kate suddenly feels a little uncomfortable alone with Kirk. He seems a little pissed but she hasn't been around him all day so it could be anything.
"An hour. Then home for dinner and homework," he states giving Kate her first chance at building trust.
"An hour," she whines. "Two I promise to be home before 6." She bargains.
"We are not bargaining. Take the hour before I take it back," he says a little stiffly.
"Fine," she agrees and walks out the door. Once the room is clear, he puts his head on the desk.
Two hours later Uhura enters the classroom. "Tough day sir," Uhura takes a seat at one of the tables. She has been looking for him forever.
"You have no idea," he mumbles through his arms. "That conference call to Star Fleet sounded like we were on drugs or had gotten drunk on Romulan ale. I had no idea how insane the Jedi situation sounded until I had to explain it. The best part was the answers I had to their questions. 'No I can't answer that sir.' 'Yes we're working on that one to Admiral.' My particular favorite was 'I understand I have the top minds in Star Fleet but we have no idea Sir.'" he groans dropping his head back into his hands. "So what did she do?" Kirk asks sitting up crossing his hands in front of him and waiting for Uhura to add just that extra bit of special to his day.
"Nothing. I ugh forgot my PADD," she quickly states getting up. Everyone knows how hard this has been on the Captain. Maybe Uhura can cut him a little slack.
"And you are such a liar," Kirk says falling into his off duty voice that makes Uhura want to pull her hair out. "Come on. I plan to drink myself into a stupor after the kid goes to bed leaving this day behind me. Hit me with it so tomorrow there are no surprises."
Uhura always being direct explains how Kate was belligerent and interrupted several times because she did not get her way. Uhura feels like a tattletale but Kirk said to keep a tight rein on Kate. Any problems with her were to be brought to his attention immediately.
"I'll talk to her tonight and I promise it won't happen again," Kirk's irritation that he did not know this before she went gallivanting off with the other kids is evident on his face. He looks at the clock on the wall cursing to himself that he must have fallen asleep. He briskly walks back to his quarters fully expecting to have to go find Kate somewhere on the ship but is surprised to see her at the table doing homework.
"Ughh," she moans as he walks in. Kirk tenses ready for a smart-ass comment but Kate surprises him. "Thank god you're finally here. I was almost desperate enough to find Spock to help me with this math. And I would have to be pretty desperate to do that." Kate raises her eyebrows, purses her lips and imitates Spock. "It would be illogical to not show your work. For if you make a mistake how would one know where to start to correct that mistake." Kate goes back to her regular voice. "I can figure it out but not the way he wants me to. Unless it is money or coordinates getting the right answer in math is more of a suggestion to me," Kate fiddles with a stylus as she talks.
"There is your first problem. Math is nothing but a series of steps with a predictable outcome. There is never any guessing in math," Jim lectures Kate. Kate blows the hair out of her face tuning him out. Jim sees he has lost her. He walks over to the table placing a hand on either side of her body looking over her shoulder. "Lemme see it," he spins the PADD. It takes him a minute to figure out what exactly she is supposed to be doing. It has been years since he actually had to figure out a quadratic equation systematically. Jim sits down grabbing a stylus. "Okay Kate the Quadratic Formula uses "a", "b", and "c" from "ax2 + bx + c", where "a", "b", and "c" are the numerical coefficients you are looking to solve. Now to solve it set the equation to zero and divide it by…Kate are you following this," Jim asks noticing Kate is playing with a strand of her hair.
"Nope," she admits still playing with her hair. "You lost me after okay Kate the quadratic equation is," she brushes the loose hair behind an ear.
Jim takes a closer look at Kate's attempt to solve the problem. "That's because you never used the formula to solve it. See x = -b plus or minus the square root of," Jim drones on in Kate's ear like an annoying insect. Unfortunately for Kate, Jim doesn't complete her math homework. After the first problem, he slides the PADD in front of her. Jim makes her work out the next nine problems with him at her side. After an hour of "ok's,", "whatever this sucks,", "I don't care what you say I still don't see how this works," Jim gets the "I get it," response from Kate. The remaining problems are solved efficiently and correctly once Kate realizes they must be completed before he is going to let her leave the table.
Kirk has forgotten about the conversation with Uhura. "Okay so I know I said no more fast food but it is bowling night so we need to eat so we can go." Jim replicates a couple of fish sandwiches for him and Kate.
"I don't want to go bowling so leave me here with Michaels and Paulson," Kate replies eating her dinner.
So far the one thing Jim can't complain about is eating. Kate eats anything he gives her. "No can do Katie bug. I have to go and I won't leave you sitting here alone," Jim explains. "The kids will be there." Jim hopes this sweetens the deal. From the eye roll, he can tell Kate is annoyed to not be getting her way again. "Come on you are going to have fun. Bowling is easy."
"Look Jim it has been a long day and I am not interested," Kate finishes eating tossing her napkin on the plate. She crosses her arms staring at him.
"It wasn't an invitation Katherine. Don't be so obstinate. You might actually have fun," Jim challenges her walking to the door. Kate groans but follows him.
.
CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS
"Well I'm gonna take my shower and then go to bed. See you in the morning," she says walking into the bathroom.
"It's only 9:30," Jim says dropping his bowling bag in the closet. Bowling night was not the smashing success he hoped it would be; however, Kate did just sit in the back reading a PADD. Bones told him to give Kate some space but next week he is going to have her play.
Leaning out the bathroom door Kate says, "Yeah but tomorrow's gonna be another 'fun filled day of learning!'," she says enthusiastically waggling her eyebrows like he did earlier. "Besides Spock is soooooo monotone I can barely keep my eyes open when he's teaching."
This causes Jim to laugh aloud almost spitting out the beer he was drinking. Jim sits down on the couch and turns on the telepresentor. Kate comes out about 20 minutes later and walks into her room. Jim gets up following her there ready to bring up the Uhura incident, but before he can start she groans and says, "You're seriously going to tuck me in." Jim feels like he can't breathe but quickly recovers. This is the first time she is initiating any real contact with him and he follows her lead. Maybe Kate did get more out of the bowling alley than he thought. The more she is around the crew the less hostile she is.
"First day of school, first night of homework issues, first tuck in," he says pulling the blankets up under her arms and tucking it in around her body bouncing her up and down. She laughs and he sits on the edge of the bed not sure what to do.
"Mom used to do that," She says still laughing
"She did," Kirk says hoping for more but he can see the sparkle in her eyes and smile rapidly fading.
"Before she took off like a big ass bird in the night," Kate says solemnly, her eyes filling up with tears. "Quick do something," she screams in her head. Memories flood her mind of the last time her mom tucked her in bed. Of all the nights, she had to tuck herself in when Lauren left her at the boarding school. Of the nights, she was cold, alone, and prayed for someone to hug her like her mom used to and Kirk does. "Don't you dare cry around him. You don't need him. He did not need you before and doesn't need you now. You don't have the Holocron and that's all he wants. When he realizes you have nothing he needs, you will wake up and he will be gone. You will be alone again because no one can find you here," Her sub-conscious reminds her.
"Kate," Jim says soothingly. She has to decide right now whether to fight him or give in for just moment. Then all of a sudden, she throws her arms around Jim surprising him. He holds her in their first real hug. He is enjoying the embrace so much he misses that she is sobbing softly in his shirt. "Hey," he says trying to lift up her face.
"No," she says sharply burying her face deeper into his chest. She is ready to fight him. Throw him out like he did to her mom but then he does something. Something that Kate has needed for a long time.
"Go with your gut," a voice whispers in his head. "Move over," Jim orders. Kate slides over still holding him tight. He lies down on the bed letting her slide into the crook of his arm against his side. She continues to cry softly and he lets her. Lauren always curled up like this when she 'needed a good cry' so Kirk goes with what worked with Kate's mom. He pats her leg with the arm surrounding her until the cries stop and she is asleep. "Fuck you Lauren and I hope you can't sleep tonight wherever the hell you are," he thinks holding their daughter.