Ch 18 FAMILY TIME

.

CAPTAIN QUARTERS NEXT MORNING

"I can't wait for him to say so. He makes my heart go bam bam bam. What would he say, mmm-mmm. I know what I'd say, mmm-mmm. Why can't we date? I don't want to make him wait," Kate sings out loudly from the couch, wearing earphones while reading something on Kirk's PADD. She is singing loud and totally in her own world. It is not like she has a bad voice, but apparently she only likes one song in this whole galaxy because this is about the 10th time she has listened to it in the last 30 minutes. Kirk looks at her from his desk propping his chin on his fist. If he did not have so much work to do, he might really be enjoying this moment. He tries to block her out going back to the mountains of reports before him.

"I'll walk right up to him. Kiss him on the chin. I got his number on the line. My heart says it's time," Kate continues eyes closed, nose scrunched up, rolling her shoulders and body dancing on the couch.

Kirk opens the botany request for repairs and instead of actually, reading the reports begins to wonder, "Dating. I am so not ready for that. Did she date before? God no. If there is a God then no. There have to be rules for dating even under that rock she was from. Han wouldn't let her date at 12. Jesus, would he?" Kirk's mind wonders instead of reading.

"Hey, hey, hey. You think I would do this just for fun. I expect you are the one. The one to take me down. Wown wown wown," She sings the next lyric stopping Kirk again from reading the Botany report.

"What the hell does that mean? I mean I know what that means but does she? If she does know then how the hell did she find out," Kirk's mind asks drifting again away from his reports.

"My ex-boyfriend brought his new girlfriend and were just gonna rock it out. For everyone to see," Kate plays some sort of instrument while rocking her head back and forth.

No, he is definitely not ready for anyone 'getting down wow wown' with his daughter for at least four more years. However, hey he's the Captain. Who would be stupid enough on his crew to try to date his daughter? He ponders this for a second as an image of a dark-haired kid with feet propped up on a table smiling at Kate pops into his head. John O'Neill. Jack that lucky bastard got two sons. His only fatherly advice has to be 'keep it covered boys' but he'd probably have some witty way to say this Kirk decides. He's gonna have to watch that kid a little more closely. Kirk glances at the clock and realizes that another fifteen minutes has passed and he hasn't got past the first two sentences of the Botany request. He quickly scrolls down to the bottom, signs it and moves on.

The next report is duty rosters. Spock has taken the liberty of completing the next two weeks of duty rosters for him. Jim notes that Spock has tried to match Kirk and Kate's schedules. He can just hear Spock's little Vulcan inner voice saying, "It should promote maximum efficiency if the Captain and his daughter's schedules coincide as closely as possible. This will help to eliminate disruptions for unexpected events." What Spock doesn't realize is that he can't get shit done when he's around her.

Kate breaks into snapping her fingers while singing the next lyric as if to emphasize his point. She is even louder, if that's possible, singing that damn song. "I never miss a beat. It's like lightning. And now they will see, mmm-mmm. Oh yes they will see, mmm-mmm."

He can't take it anymore. "Kate," he calls from across the room getting no response. "Kate," he tries again snapping his fingers at her but still nothing. She is completely engrossed in her music. "Katherine!" he yells loud enough to reverberate in the room but still nothing. "How fucking loud does she have it," he thinks both grateful for the headphones but annoyed that he told her to keep the volume down so she won't go deaf. He gets up from the desk narrowly missing being kicked by the foot moves she is adding to her couch dance. "Katherine," he screams knowing they have to hear him in Engineering by now. He finally caught her attention and she looks up at him with those Jade green eyes reminiscent of Lauren's.

"What," she yells back at the same volume to hear herself over the music.

He reaches down taking the headphones off. The volume blaring out of them could rival any Saturday night club. "Jesus Christ loud enough," he says. Kate turns the volume down with a swipe of her hand and gives him the 'I'm busy what do you need' look. "Why don't you go do something with one of the kids?" He suggests trying to get rid of her for at least an hour or so to complete some of his work.

"You let everyone go planet-side with their parents," she states simply. Things had quieted down over the past seven days. They had implemented Jack's fishing net idea all up and down the neutral zone but still no sign of the Jedi. With the Section 31 play yesterday and the Jedi threat still looming, Kirk has no plans to let Kate off the ship. The crew of the Enterprise has been under considerable stress so Kirk gave everyone he could shore leave. That is everyone but he and Kate apparently. "The kids were all so excited. Sam asked if I wanted to go with them, but I figured they might want some family time alone. I also figured you were never going to go for it after yesterday, so I didn't bother to tell you they asked." Kate looks down at the PADD and starts scrolling the pages of whatever story she was reading without purpose. Kate is by no means proficient at reading their language, but school is helping her learn it faster. So far, no one has caught on that Kate can't read. Kate has been able to avoid the teachers finding out by not turning in any assignment that requires writing.

Kirk suddenly feels like shit. When he authorized the shore leaves, he had scheduled his for late that night after she was asleep. He had planned to get a couple of drinks and unwind in quiet. The threat to Kate was just too great to take her dirt side for now, but to Kate's credit, she wasn't throwing a tantrum or screaming about how unfair if was. A buzz at the door pulls Kirk's attention from Kate. "Come," he turns to greet his guest. He hopes it is Uhura with his Visa card. "Bones," Jim says happily. If the doctor is onboard so is Joanna solving one problem today.

"Morning Kirks," he says cheerfully. His expression turning dour, McCoy motions to the hallway. "Can I speak to you a minute Jim?"

"Sure," Jim follows Bones into the hall. Jim prays it is not about the medical situation from yesterday.

"What the hell is wrong with you," Bones immediately lets into Jim. "Get that kid off the ship before I have to declare it a medical necessity."

Jim balks at the rebuke. "And take her where Bones? With the play by Komack and the Jedi running loose, her ass isn't leaving the ship," Jim crosses his arms.

"Shopping, lunch, the movie, hell the library for all I care but get her off the ship. Michaels, Paulson, and Dawson are waiting to go as an escort and Jack will meet you on the planet when you decide the location. We are not taking no for an answer. This has been a fucked up week and everyone, including the Kirk's, need a break," Bones tone grows softer the more he speaks. "It will also make you Dad and not Captain if you are doing something normal. Jim you both need this."

Bones is right. This has been a rough week, but life on the Enterprise is not a pleasure cruise. There will be danger and each parent has accepted it. Maybe a little family time in a normal setting with each other is what they both need. The reports can wait. He'll pull an all-nighter if he has to. Jim walks into the room standing in front of Kate. "Hey why don't you go get dressed and in about 90 minutes," he checks his watch while talking, "we can go down to the planet. I don't know, ugh," he says as she jumps off the couch and grabs him in an unexpected hug.

"Oh my god yes, yes, yes," she says holding him jumping up and down. She raises herself on her toes and with a little jump, kisses him on the cheek. Kirk is stunned. For the most part, she is super easy to please with little things, except when her temper is up, but that was just like her mother. The more he gets to know her the more he realizes just how much he had loved Lauren and why. From her bedroom comes the song again with Kate singing her heart out. "I will meet him late. Don't care what people say, mmm-mmm."

Jim makes a mental note to add some money to her GCN tunes account. Hopefully, she will find at least one new song.

An hour and a half later, they are in the transporter room ready to beam down. Kirk fixes a little pin to Kate's shirt that she doesn't pay much attention to. It is a specialized communicator that tracks Kate's every movement. Kirk can't keep her in a bubble, but Dawson assured him this is damn close. Jack will be pissed when he finds out Jim dismissed the security detail, but Kirk and Kate need some time alone.

"Mr. Chekov prepare to beam us down," Jim steps onto the transporter pad. "Ready," Jim asks seeing Kate still standing on the floor. "Come on," he gestures broadly with his hands for her to stand next to him.

She is a little pale and mumbles "I… um," but doesn't move. As marvelous as the transporter is, Kate doesn't like the idea of her body being torn apart on the molecular level. She also isn't overly fond of the idea of being taken against her will at someone else's discretion.

"You'll be fine Kate," Chekov says realizing she appears to be nervous. "It is very fast and you von't feel anything. It's quick," he snaps his fingers, "like dis."

Jim is shocked. "Honey are you scared," he asks walking back down to her.

"No." She snaps. This isn't her first transporter trip, just the first she is willingly volunteering for. "I just figured we were taking a shuttle or something. That's how we do it back home. Umm, I mean Han's ship. I mean," she stumbles with her words. Kate knows Kirk isn't all that thrilled when she refers to Sky River as her home or Han as her father. He wants the Enterprise to be home, but she still isn't there yet. She doesn't know what to say.

Kirk drops down into a crouch in front of her. "Transporters are the main form of transportation here. You'll be fine. We'll go down together."

"But what if we get separated? What if I materialize with an arm for an ear? You know some kinda malfunction or something. What if we can't get back? What do I do without a way off the planet," she asks and Jim has his answer. She isn't scared of the transporter or transporting. She is scared of being stranded.

"I can do this Sir," Chekov tells him proudly and Kirk nods. Two signals on one transporter pad are tricky, but he knows Chekov can do it. He has done it before and they were hurtling at a planet going hundreds of miles an hour. This would be a piece of cake for him even though it was highly against regulations.

"Come on," Kirk says taking her hand tugging her up the platform. "We gotta get tight though Ok," he says wrapping his arms over her shoulders and pulling her close to his body. He knows it was a cheap way to hold her, but Kirk just wanted to. Kirk has noticed Kate finds some form of comfort at his touch. He wasn't sure she would have let him do it if he asked instead of lying. "Energize," he orders quickly before Kate loses her nerve feeling her body go rigid.

Kate felt like she blinked and then she was there. "How do we get back?" she asks a little desperately.

Kirk taps the pin he attached to her shirt and Chekov cheerfully announces, "Enterprise here".

"Just showing Kate how to call home Chekov. Thanks," he says and the message clicks off. "Now it's not going to happen, but if you get lost or separated just tap here and it'll call the Enterprise no matter where you are." He sees her visibly relax and scan the town market. He is lying a bit. Kate has no chance of getting lost with the communicator. A single word from him will immediately transport her back no matter where the hell she is.

"Looks like Dellalt," Kate remarks taking a deep breath of fresh air.

"Dellalt?" Kirk says as they begin to walk down the street.

"No, it was not the rock I was living under." Kate jokes making him laugh aloud. "It was a small colony we got stuck on for a few days while making repairs to the Falcon in the Corporate Sector. There was nothing there but at least no one knew us so we could just be a normal family," she says.

"Ouch," Jim says to himself wincing slightly. "There's that word again. Family." He knows he shouldn't be jealous of the people who took care of her for so long. He just can't stop hoping that she will use that word to refer to her life here. "Could be worse. She could be calling Han daddy," he decides silently and then suggests a store. Kirk prepares for a long wait sitting down in a chair at the girl's section. Jim has had enough experience with women that Kate should be able to occupy herself for hours in here. He pulls out his communicator and scans for any messages. After about 5 minutes, Kate comes back with a single pair of jeans and two shirts. He reaches out taking the items laying them in his lap. Kate just stands in front of him waiting. "Need something?" he asks and sees her shift her weight from foot to foot nervously.

"Nope I am done," Kate looks around the store. On the planet, unlike the Enterprise, she feels the Force everywhere. She feels the happiness and joy from the little boy clutching a new toy at the counter. She feels frustration by the young girl in the corner that she can't buy the dress she has chosen because her father thinks it is inappropriate for her age. She feels joy mixed with trepidation as the couple at the counter select wedding rings. Kate allows all the emotions to fill her and flow through her. It overwhelms her sense, but she enjoys the emotional chaos. It has been almost a month since she has felt anything but the cold, chill of the dark side. Kate turns the Force on, Kirk. He is radiating every emotion possible through the Force. Confusion, annoyance, frustration, and disbelief come off him as he looks at the clothes; however, this is because he is out of his element shopping for teenage clothes. Much stronger are the emotions of love, optimism, hope, and pride he feels when he looks at Kate. They are the same feelings she gets around Han only stronger and more primal. At that moment, Kate knows beyond a shadow of a doubt Jim's love for her. Kate also feels a thin chill in the Force like the icy bottom current in a stream. The Jedi are close. She needs to get off the planet. She is not scared of the Jedi but she doesn't doubt a battle would ensue if Kirk finds them or vice versa.

"Done? How can you be done? We have been here ten minutes and you have a pair of pants and two shirts," Jim sets his personal communicator down. "Kate it is not like we never get off the ship, but you need more stuff than this. I thought I'd be telling you put stuff back rather than pick out more," he jokes playfully. "It might be several weeks before we get shore leave again so unless you want a Star Fleet uniform go get more. You need shoes, a coat, more clothes, a bathing suit, pajamas," he rattles off everything not in his lap.

Kate forces a smile to her face. Accessing the Force on Jim was wrong. His feelings of love and support amplify her of dread and guilt. "How can you possibly expect me to spend your money and then leave," Kate thinks. This trip makes Kate feel like she is stealing from him. "We had very little personal things at the Jedi academy," Kate lies. "We don't need possessions to be happy in life."

"So let me get this straight. You need a personal PADD, but clothes are considered indulgences? Do you run around naked," Jim grins affectionately. Kate breaks into a huge smirk shaking her head. The austere life of the Jedi is not what she had with the Solo's. She never lacked for the essentials or the luxuries in life.

"Having fun?" Sam O'Neill cheerfully says coming in the store. Both Kate and Jim are thrilled for the distraction.

"Loads. Better than fishing. Great day hon'. And thanks Captain for letting me have this wonderful experience clothes shopping with my wife," Jack says with the largest fake smile Kate has ever seen. He raises his arms up which are loaded with bags as Sam rolls her eyes.

"Sam, Jack, boys," Kirk acknowledges each O'Neill in turn.

Sam instantly sees there is something wrong between the Kirk's. In the past week, they are either bantering playfully or full on arguing. One thing the Kirk's are is not silent. "Shopping?" she says indicating the clothes on Jim's lap with a quick side nod of her head.

"Yeah," Kate says biting her lip obviously upset about something. Knowing it can't be that Kirk is vetoing things, Sam puts her arm on Kate's shoulder moving them away for some privacy. Kate doesn't give Samantha a chance to inquire about the situation. "I don't understand your money or how much he makes," Kate confesses looking like a huge weight is being lifted off her shoulders. "He wants me to spend his money like a sailor on leave."

"You are a sailor on leave," Sam teases cheerfully with a soft grin.

"Yeah but money was never a problem for Han and Leia with her being a princess and Chief of State and all," Kate says like everyone has that problem.

"Princess?" Sam says wrinkling her forehead in confusion. "Your mom is a Princess?"

"Yeah, long story," Kate says playing with the hanger of a nearby shirt. "I'll tell you about it later if you want. The short version is she was the heir to a planet that was destroyed kinda like Vulcan was. Even though the planet was gone, most of the money was on Coruscant so it wasn't like she was destitute. Besides being Chief of State, doesn't pay bad either. Anyways I don't know what to do," Kate kicks at the ground with a shoe. "I don't need as much as he thinks I do."

"Well that is my second specialty after physics," Sam proclaims placing her hands on her hips. "Hope you got paid Sir," she announces happily pulling Kate down some aisles.

"The name is Kirk, James T. for all future purchases by that blonde woman," Jack yells to no one in particular taking a seat next to Kirk. "Not sure which one of use she was referring to. Calls me sir all the time at home," Jack says making Jim laugh.

"Oh my god how long do we have to stay here," Ronin bitches flopping into a third chair. A sharp glare from Jack silences his oldest son instantly. Jim feels Ronin's pain. No man enjoys shopping for clothes.

"I figured you would show up," Jim stares at his chief of security. "I would order you to keep a thousand-yard radius and spend time with your family, but I am floundering her and need your wife. I will make it up to you boys I swear." Jim fist bumps John. "There is a reason women and shopping are not a courses at Star Fleet. No one would take it."

"There is. It is called hostage negations," Jack corrects his captain. All four guys recline back in their seats pulling out their various electronic diversions waiting for the girls to return. "Already," Jack says shocked seeing the girls return. "How have you outfitted her from scratch," Jack stabs a finger at Kate, "in less than thirty minutes, but took four hours buying six pairs jeans?" Jack leans forward locking eyes with Kate. "You are now assigned this duty as part of the Enterprise crew." His comment makes Kate's face light up in a smile.

"She doesn't complain," Sam reprimands severely. "She just tired on what I gave her and made a decision."

"For crying out loud that is what breaks this one. Shopping? You are one strange kid," Jack pokes fun at Kate.

"Where are the boys," Sam asks looking around.

"I thought we were going to be here longer. I sent them outside with the football," Jack hooks a thumb at the grassy strip in front of the store.

Jim takes a long look at Kate and is speechless. She is not wearing sweat pants and t-shirt but a blue dress. "Sir," Sam jumps to Kate's defense seeing Jim's reaction to Kate's dress. "She is a girl and needs to look like one."

Jim waves her comment off. "Call me Jim, please. You just saved my ass here Sam," he says reaching into his back pocket to get his wallet. He hands the card to the store clerk. "Beam it all up to the Enterprise," Jim orders the clerk. "Do I have anything left," he jokes smiling at Kate who just shrugs her shoulders. "Let me get lunch?" he offers but Sam and Jack quickly start protesting making up polite adult excuses. Well, at least Sam's excuses were adult-like Kate decides.

A heavy chill engulfing Kate ends her enjoyment. Kate scans the store not finding the lurking Jedi anywhere Kate needs to move the adults out of here. If the Jedi make their move, Kate needs it to be as clear of civilians as possible. With trigger happy Jack on the scene, the situation will get ugly fast. "Oh please," Kate begs Sam. "I think they have real food here not the crazy stuff made of thin air like on the ship."

"Hey don't be picking on my ship," Jim says pretending to strangle her causing her to laugh uncontrollably. They walk outside seeing the boys playing football in the square.

"Lunch," Jack yells as Ronin throws the ball to John. John however seeing Kate coming out of the store does not pay attention to the ball. It hits him square on the nose with a sickening thud. "Ahhh," Jack cringes seeing blood pouring out of John's nose.

"John!" Sam screams running over to help.

Both fathers are confused for a moment at John's lack of athletic skills, but Kirk makes the connection first. Jack is a split second behind. He looks at his boss and then yells "Ronin" for no clear reason walking away. Ronin doesn't realize Jack is trying to escape Jim. He begins protesting how stupid his brother was for not catching the ball.

"Think it's broken?" Kate asks watching the O'Neill's. Jim is at a loss for words. He looks at the little girl next to him realizing how much time he has missed. What he doesn't miss is the attention Kate is drawing in her spaghetti strapped blue sundress from non-adults. He takes a hard look at her dress again. Jim can't decide whether it's the length or neckline that is concerning him most right now. "What the hell Sam. You are a genius in physics but did you really go to the Academy. The regulations clearly state all female cadets have at least 2 inches below their fingers tips for skirts and shirts showing nothing below your collarbone," Jim wishes he could rant. This "dress" definitely would have resulted in a cadet being written up for indecent exposure. He will definitely be keeping an eye on the O'Neill boy now judging that his bloody nose was due to ogling Kate and not a football.

They find the nearest restaurant, Mc Duffy's Sports bar and Grille that everyone agrees on and goes in. "What do you want? They've got," Kirk starts looking over the menu.

"Whatever Ronin is eating? After that oatmeal incident I don't trust you anymore," she states rolling her eyes pretending to be pissed.

"Fair enough," Jim concedes. The meal is filled with small talk and jokes. Kate misses her brothers and sister so much watching the interactions between Ronin and John. As the adults order coffee, Kate feels the cold chill stronger than she has all day. She locates the feeling coming strongest from the store across the street. Jim reads the dread washing over her face as the comlink set to vibrate wiggles in her new purse.

"You okay Katie bug," Jim zeros in on Kate making the table direct their attention on her. He may not understand this Force thing, but he is picking up on when Kate is using it. This concerns Kate greatly.

"Yeah just not ready to go back to the Enterprise," Kate lies. She has to find a way to meet with the Jedi alone. The pull of the Force has steadily increased throughout the day. Zala Tsu and the other Jedi are going to find her if she doesn't find them first. "I don't want to sound ungrateful, but I wouldn't mind checking out a store that sells something besides pants and socks. Kate points across the street. "I'm going look around the Bargain Barn," she informs everyone.

Jim narrows his gaze. Kate's previous life may have been more free range but now it comes with boundaries. "You asking or telling," Kirk challenges her.

No one at the table misses the annoyance flash on her face. "Can I go to the Bargain Barn," Kate rephrases her previous statement.

"Yes before we go," Jim settles back in his seat foolishly thinking the conversation is over.

"Oh please. Just for a minute. I'll be right there." She says standing up. "You can see me from here like the entire time."

"After," he responds as the waitress brings the coffee.

"Ugh," she sighs loudly.

"First warning," Jim says leveling a 'don't piss me off' stare at her. That icky feeling in her spine is returning and she squirms to make it go away. The entire table is silent watching the battle of wills occurring.

"It is right there," Kate groans between gritted teeth. "On Coruscant, I went anywhere I wanted. Even at night," Kate adds personal experience to sway Kirk. "Coruscant is huge. This is across a street."

"And when we are on Coruscant we can re-evaluate," Jim states firmly indicating for her to sit her ass down. When he sees Kate not complying, his tone turns sterner. "Not without us so park it."

"But they got to go outside alone when I was shopping," Kate presses dragging John and Ronin into the conversation. "I am five times the fighter they are. I can take care of myself."

"Damn you are worse at this than I am," Ronin thinks at the way Kate is managing Kirk. Kate might be oblivious to the hammer about to fall from Kirk, but John and Ronin know that look by heart.

"We can handle Miss Ninja warrior Mr. Jim. It is going to be a long six years keeping her out of trouble so now is as good a time as any right," Ronin offers shocking everyone at the table. Ronin will kill Kate if the look he just received from his father gets him grounded later tonight. "I mean I have back up," Ronin hooks a thumb as John and if she causes any trouble I will just pick her up and carry her back. What do you weigh…50 pounds at best."

Kate's stupefied expression at being considered the weak one at the table generates snickers. "How about it Mr. Jim? You can set a time for us to be back and trust me she will report," John adds to the playful banter. Hopefully, Kate separating from Jim will keep her out of trouble for the next ten minutes by not pissing off her dad.

Kate is annoyed at the boy's choice of words but eager to go. "Pleeeeeease," Kate begs. "Ten minutes. I won't leave their side."

Jim sets his cup down angrily with a clink before changing his mind. He is not looking to fight today. He has no doubt the place is swarming with plain clothed security from the Enterprise. In addition, Kate forming an attachment to the kids has gone a long way in her adjusting to her new life. "Ten," he warns. "Jack," he asks looking for confirmation of his decision. Jack gives a quick shrug and the kids fly from the table. "I have a feeling I am going to regret that."

"Jim you have to give her some rope to hang herself on," Jack lends his parenting advice to his friend. "She has the communicator on right?" A nod by Jim lets Jack continue. "The boys know what to do if there is trouble."

"Yeah I just hate letting her out of my sight with the Jedi around," Jim trains a hard stare on Kate as she enters the store.

"Yorkie at the Bargain Barn," Jack notifies his men on the ground. Once he heard Jim was going dirt side, Jack asked for volunteers to discreetly chaperone the Captain and his daughter. Every available man offered his services. "What?" Jack leans back in his seat. "So I am a paranoid son of a bitch," Jack curses with his son's well out of earshot. "Keeping track of her on the Enterprise is a full-time job. I don't even want to think about the nightmare it would be finding her on a planet."

"Good call sign…Yorkie," Jim smirks. "Kate is gonna hate it when she finds out." His comment makes Sam and Jack laugh.

.