Chapter 22 CHOICES

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CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS

Kate exhales feeling better. Telling Jim about her life was not as bad as she thought it would be. "I am glad I told you about me," Kate smiles. "Not knowing is the worst feeling in the world. I would not do that to you. The least I could do was let you know I am going to be okay when I leave. I figured I owed you that much for all you have done for me."

Jim's forehead crinkles in confusion. "Who says you're leaving? You're my kid. I intend on taking care of you from here on out."

Kirk's response surprises her. "Ummm, because this is not my home," Kate's eyes dart rapidly across his face. "You all have been great. Yes, I am genetically your kid but I have people that take care of me. People that love and miss me. I can't stay here." Kate sees Jim is not swayed by her words. "Did you not hear the end of the story? Han and Leia take care of me. I have a school…friends. Jim I have a whole other life."

"Kate," Jim says softly.

"We can stay in touch. I know Han won't care if,"

He tries to be as gentle as he can with the truth. "I'm your father. Han and his wife took care of you. I will be eternally grateful for that but you are my daughter not theirs." Jim's words slam into her like a punch in the stomach.

"Jim," she licks her lips. "Don't start that. I have a life back there. Think of the Jedi Academy as a boarding school. I can visit on holidays," Kate needs him to be comfortable with her leaving. Jim's calm demeanor increases her anxiety. Kate reads on his face that Jim has meant everything he has said to her. "Han and Leia are not like Jonas or Ouris. They are good people. They," Kate stumbles over her words. This is why Kate never tells the truth. Why she never shows her sabacc hand. It always comes back to bite her in the ass.

"I never said they were," Jim reaches out to stroke her cheek. Jim needs Kate to know this is not personal.

"You are implying it," Kate jerks back like he is about to hurt her. "Don't fucking touch me." Kate gets up from the couch.

"Enough Kate," Jim snaps hearing her curse. "Look we can talk but you need to calm down and be civil. If you will listen to my plan,"

"No you will listen to me," Kate creates distance from Jim by walking to the other side of the coffee table. "I am NOT staying here. You wasted your money and they wasted their time if you think a fancy bedroom and clothes will buy my loyalty." Kate is in full defensive mode. Jim has lost her. All she wanted to do was make him realize she was going to be okay not start a fight.

"I don't want your loyalty. I want to keep you safe." Jim keeps an even, steady tone while speaking.

"I am safe. Ouris is dead. Jonas is dead. Sernpidal exploded. I don't live that life anymore. I am a Jedi," Kate's reasons are sound to her. Why he can't understand this simple conversation is beyond her. It was only to make him feel better when she was gone. Now it is spiraling into a disaster.

"Jesus Kate I am not worried about a two bit thug like Dover. Obviously, Han doesn't have you running scams but I am not so sure about this Luke and the Jedi. I gotta tell you Kate, the part of your story that disturbs me most, is the Jedi. Any group that would place children on the front lines of a war are not people you are going to associating with. If you think you are going back to that war torn galaxy to fight you have a screw loose." For as much as she is beginning to trust him and doubt Zala Tsu, everything the Twi'lek promised has come true. Jim hates the Jedi. Jim won't let her leave. Zala Tsu's last prediction of him abandoning her when she masters her Force skills will come true also.

"I don't blame you. I get it. You had no idea about me and you have no idea about the Jedi. You need to,"

"No Kate I don't need to anything. You are not going back to that galaxy. I will spend the rest of my life trying to find a way for you to talk to them but that is it. You're right. Not knowing is the worst feeling and I owe Han enough to make sure he knows you are safe." Jim's eyes hold the conviction in his words.

"What," she says confused. None of this conversation makes sense. "I can talk to Han but not live with him. This is so unfair."

"Life is unfair. Get used to it," Jim regrets the words coming from his mouth but he can't candy coat this for Kate. Even if Kate refuses to listen, Jim needs Kate to understand she will be okay living here. "You are scared. I get it. Your life has been one shitty home after another until you met Han and Leia but I'll be damned if I am handing you over to the Jedi who have you convinced the only way to help anyone is to fight an enemy that by your own admission is unstoppable. You are not an adult. When you are, you can make any decision you want but not now."

"I'm out," Kate heads to the door. "When you are ready to actually talk give me a call."

"Sit down Kate," Jim says sternly but not yelling.

"NO!" Kate screams. The stress and frustration of the past week bubbles to the surface. Kate can't think straight. Kirk was supposed to hold her. He was supposed to be sad, but relieved she would be taken care of when she left not yelling at her.

"Lower your voice and sit down," Jim struggles to control his patience.

"I can hear you from here," Kate yells louder than before. Not finding anything to throw, Kate kicks the wall trying to vent her frustration.

"Sit down," Jim yanks her back to the couch. "Listen and listen good. We are family. I'm your dad and you're my daughter. Had I known about you, you would have never lived that life. You don't want to give me a chance because you're scared. I understand that. I've been there but you have got to get yourself under control if we are going to talk about this."

"There is nothing to talk about. We aren't a family. I have that. You aren't my dad. I have one. I am sorry you want it that way but that is not how it worked out. Don't make me your hostage. The Jedi are out there and," she challenges him. Jim gives her a look daring her to finish her sentence. Kate's hot headedness gets the best of her. "And one morning I will be gone. I just wanted you to know I was safe when you find me gone."

"Wanna make a bet," Jim leans in. Kate is shutting down. Jim needs to convince her staying is the right decision and not force it on her. "Katherine give this a chance. Trust me. You're a kid. A 12-year-old kid who thinks their 10ft tall and bulletproof but you're not. You're a kid. You are not my equal. You are my child. Act that way."

"I don't know how," she yells. "We don't have swimming parties or sleep overs or play ball. We save lives. It is my job to,"

"To have fun," Jim finishes her thought. "Leave the protection part to me. You're not a soldier."

"Protect me? You did a bang up job with that the first 12 years," Kate yells to hurt him instantly regretting her words. "I didn't mean it."

"I didn't know you existed," he yells. "Dammit Kate why don't you understand."

"I am sorry Jim," she cries. "I am sorry but it hurts. It really hurts," her voice softens. "I have hurt people. I have done terrible things and now I have to pay for it. I have to pay for it the rest of my life and being a Jedi is the way to make ammends."

"No you don't. None of this was your fault," Jim needs a drink. In fact, the first chance he gets, Kate is bunking over with Sulu and he and Bones are getting drunk. Bones was right. Kate is the first problem he can't run away from or solve with booze but he will try.

"Then who stole? Who ran the diversions? I knew exactly what I was doing," Kate's voice is full of conviction.

"You had to survive," Jim knows exactly what Kate is going through. He went through it after Tarsus. Spock went through it after Vulcan. Kate is going through it now. Surviving when everyone you know doesn't makes you doubt your very core.

"That is no excuse. I could have went back to the school. I could have went to the police and turned myself in." Jim sits beside her. "I could have paid for the evil things I did but I chose not to." Jim pulls her to his chest and she cries hard. "I did not want to pay for it but I am now. The Force has given me a way to pay back the universe and you won't stop me. No one will. I will become a Jedi and have a name I can be proud of."

"Oh baby," Jim holds her tightly. In the safety of the Enterprise Kate can heal. She can learn she is good. "We can only go forward. The past is the past. Everyone has regrets but you have your entire life to show the universe what an amazing person you are. Don't try to do it all in one day." Kate cries in his arms until she can't cry any more. Silently she lays her head in his lap as Jim plays with her hair. Kate is emotionally spent. Her eyes grow heavy as she stares at the blank screen on the TV. Jim's mind races processing everything he has learned. A small snore breaks Jim's mesmerized state. It is close to midnight. Jim has no idea how long they sat in silence but it was long enough for Kate to fall asleep. "Just give a chance kiddo. Be a kid. Eat too much ice cream, play video games, and make me crazy. That is your only job," Jim whispers before scooping her up in his arms.

Him lifting her from the couch wakes Kate. "Jim?" she jolts awake pressing back into the couch.

This is the first time she has called his name out from a dead sleep. Kirk doesn't know if it is a good sign or not. "Shhh," he soothes her. You fell asleep. Time for bed."

Kate walks to her room and lets him pull the covers over her. "Can you hold me tonight? " Tears spring to her eyes that she did not think she had left.

Her request shocks the hell out of him. Yes, he comes every night and sits with her after her nightmares but this is the first time she has asked for his comfort. "Do you snore?" His response makes her break out in laughter. "What," he shrugs noncommittally. "I have no problem with a roommate as long as you don't snore."

"No I dream," she admits what they both know. "And it is terrible. They are horrible and I am tired of waking us both up. My sister let me sleep with her. Sometimes it helps."

"Move over," he lies down next to her on the bed.

"I miss them Jim," she lets the tears roll off the bridge of her nose onto his arm.

"You will," he kisses her. He understands what she is feeling. "You will for a long time if not forever but I will listen anytime you want to talk about them. It isn't a perfect solution but it will help. Life has a crazy way of bringing the people you love back into your life." Jim pulls her close to his body. "You will see them again one day. And when you see they again you will have so many happy things to tell them. I promise."

"You're right. I just don't want to be alone again."

"You are never going to be alone again. You have Bones and me. Then there are the O'Neill's. Uhura, Joanna, Erika, Cameron, Sulu, Chekov," Jim lists all the people in her life. Kate nods a silent reply listening to his words. "Now Spock will have to grow on you but he is a great guy. There is also Dawson, and Michaels," he begins to add to the list. If he has to name every crew member he will.

"Okay I get it I am not a stow away," she sniffs back her running nose.

"No you are the captain's daughter and I am damn proud to call you that."

A small smile forces its way onto her mouth. "I can be that for a while I guess," she wraps her arms over his. She is way too old to be sleeping with her father but Han held her like this since she was six watching movies or when she had a bad dream. It makes her feel safe. Kate doesn't care if anyone knows. If Jim is willing to hold her, she will let him.

"A long while," he kisses hair. "Now go to sleep. I will be here when you wake up. I promise."

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CAPTAIN'S OFFICE OFF BRIDGE

Kirk thinks about Kate's perception of her parents getting really pissed. In the privacy of his office off the bridge, Jim vents his pent up frustration. "You get hero worship and I get deadbeat dad. Fuck you, Lauren. You couldn't come up with anything better than I threw you out," Kirk stares at the image from his wallet of him and Lauren on Risa. Jim would be his life that this is the same image Kate has seen in Lauren's wallet. "What happened to you, baby?" Jim traces the curve of her shape in the image with his fingertip. She has to be dead. Lauren was a lot of things, but she would not abandon her child to the streets. Kirk decides Kate needs a good memory of the Enterprise and him. A memory that is extra special to hold on to forever and smile when she thinks about it. Jim places a call to his COS and waits lost in thought. The buzz of his door three minutes later pulls him from his daze.

"Jack I got a problem. Kate wants to go to Adrenaline World. I am not keen on the idea of taking her. The Jedi are still attempting to contact her and we have no idea how to trace or track it. Hell, they got to her on a secure star base," Jim lays out his concerns as Jack takes a seat across the desk. "Problem is she said she wanted to go and I said we'll see. Which as everyone knows to a kid means yes."

Jack gives a breathy laugh shaking his head. Jim is right. The infamous "we will see" comment had haunted his family more than once. Jim's face shifts into Captain Mode informing Jack he is not looking for parental advice but for his security officer to fix something. "After shopping yesterday Kate told me about her past." Jack didn't need to hear the conversation to know it had to be brutal, ugly, and horrific. Even an idiot can see Kate had a tough break as a kid and is struggling to overcome the demons following her. "I want to do something fun with her but under the circumstances now doesn't seem the time for an amusement park. So what's your take? Am I overreacting? Should we go or stay?" Jim settles back in his seat.

Jack's answer is immediate. "No, it's not worth the risk," Jack states flatly. "Aside from the Jedi, Komack and Section 31 tried and succeed at kidnapping Kate. Jim, I used to work for them. They don't give up. They will try again and won't be nice about it," Jack feels sick at the thought their own people would attempt to kidnap her. "The Jedi have tried twice we know of. Stopping them is damn near impossible even without their fancy flashlights. Frankly, if Kate hadn't helped I am not sure we could have stopped them from taking her. I have no doubt they have made contact without our knowledge. The Jedi will keep trying. At some point, they will say to hell with it and make their move. That's when things will get ugly fast. They want her to do or get something. I have no clue what but whatever it is we can't let them have it or Kate. I just know this, my children's safety and well-being are more important than their feelings. Sure she is going to be mad but she'll get over it. Won't be the first time or the last," Jack shrugs. Jim has only been a parent for a week. One of his boys being mad at his decisions is almost a daily occurrence in the O'Neill household and John and Ronin are just fine.

"Thanks for being so damn good at your job," Jim says pissed.

Jack blows off Kirk's comment. His Captain is pissed off at the situation, not him. "What about a smaller event. The bigger the crowd the better kidnappers can hide. Come up with something and I'll have enough security around you two that would make the Queen of England envious," Jack gives Jim a tight smirk raising his eyebrows daring Jim to prove him wrong.

Jim returns it with a smile of his own. Half the reason the universe thinks Jim Kirk is Superman is because he surrounds himself with equally brilliant people who are damn good at their jobs. His assessment was on par with Jim's. Part of him wishes Jack wasn't so through. Suddenly an idea pops into his head. An absolutely crazy one but the boxing thing worked so he goes with his gut. "What about a Drive-In like we did for Ronin's birthday last year. We can set down on a back field of the Starbase. Tag the shit out of everyone and at the first sign of trouble beam out." Jim thinks on his suggestion then shakes his head. Already he is trying to think like a dad and not a captain. He just wanted to give her one decent memory of them that didn't involve armed guards and terrorists.

"Hell I don't know," Jim backs off his idea. "The point is I wanted to do something nice for her. I mean everything we did was warranted but she is a kid and we have treated her like she is Khan. Hell, I wouldn't trust us."

Then let's do the Drive-In. Make it a movie of her choice even if it a chick flick," Jack tries to get Jim to reconsider.

"That's asking too much of people I have already strained to their breaking point. The crew needs down time hence the mass exodus from the ship I have authorized," Jim explains why his previously brilliant idea is not possible.

"You worry about the crew. Let me take care of security."

"That is the exact crew I am worrying about. Maybe we can set something up on the Rec Deck6. You know fake a Drive-In," Jim tries to figure out a way to make it work.

"I can work with a Drive-In. Let me pull some strings getting security, not from the ship. The 79th Ranger Company is stationed here on Starbase 11. Let me make a call. I worked with Col. Loftin back in the day. His men are loyal to the last," Jack offers. He doesn't like the idea of taking Kate off the ship, but the kid does deserve a life. For a week now the adults have ranted that she needs to be a kid, but she is treated like a prisoner complete with guards.

"Your daughter deserves this. Be her Dad and not the Captain. Have some of that fun you are telling she needs to have. I got your back." Jack's tone tells Jim his COS will make this happen if Jim gives the word.

"Do it," Jim commands. "And if they agree send every man that volunteers a case of beer compliments of the Enterprise. Uhura has my Visa memorized."

Silence hangs heavy between the men. Jim feels like Jack needs a reason for his overindulgence of his daughter. "I just…Kate told me about her past. She finally opened up and part of me wishes she didn't."

"Was any of it good or just shades of shitty," Jack looks to Jim for answers.

Jim traces the creases on his forehead with his thumb debating on how much to tell Jack. They are friends but not like he is with Bones or Spock. "Well it depends on your point of view I guess. Kate confirmed Lauren is alive," Jim says trying to swallow his anger. "Or at least was eight years ago. Says she dropped her off at a boarding school and never came back. Kate got tired of waiting for her and snuck out looking for her mom about 6 months later. A street thug named Ouris Dover picked her up. Because she was four at the time, she was used to pick pockets, run scams, B& E's. That is where the shoulder injury came in. Kate said she "wasn't fast enough" and got caught multiple times at the start. I guess after enough dislocations it became a chronic injury."

Jack needs to remind his CO that those events are past. That there was nothing he could do about it and dwelling on what if's can make you insane. "Unfortunately Jim we have something else in common besides golf. You know Ronin is adopted but what you don't know is that I found him in the rubble after the Romulan's attacked Sateda. He was only two but he spent a month doing god knows what to stay alive. It was a rough few months after we brought him home, but kids are resilient. With enough love, they bounce back. I know he didn't have to do what Kate did to survive, but the point is he could have. I spent the first year or so beating myself up for events I had no control over. Don't make my mistake. Take your advice. You can only go forward." Jack looks at Jim hoping he did not overstep his bounds.

"It could have been worse," Jim takes on Kate's pathetic half full attitude. "She was only with Dover for about two years I think. Then it took an upswing as Kate refers to it," Jim's voice doesn't carry the confidence Kate's did when she lied. "Things got shitty when someone attacked the planet she was on. Kate called them the Yuuzhan Vong." Jim pauses to see if Jack had ever heard of the species. Jack's blank stare tells Jim he hasn't either. "If you can believe her, they have some sort of red matter weapon that destroys the planets."

"Damn, good thing we have ours locked down," Jack pushes the thought of a Red Matter war as far from his mind as possible.

"When they hit Sernpidal she was picked up by a family in their personal shuttle. Wanna guess their name," Jim asks unenthusiastically.

"Solo."

"Bingo," Jim pretends to shoot Jack with the stylus he is fidgeting with. "They took her to refugee planet after refugee planet helping people. Apparently these Vong are carving a swath of destruction through their universe. Their fleets or Jedi can't stop them. Kate said all Jedi are on the front lines regardless of their age helping in one capacity or another."

"Kinda makes you wonder how bad ass they are if the Jedi super soldiers can't hold them back," Jack brings the thought brewing in the back of Jim's mind to the floor.

"That thought crossed my mind the minute after she said it. Also the quote "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." We don't know enough about either side to know who the aggressor is. Kate is so blinded with the purity of the Jedi she thinks the Jedi stance of genodice is acceptable. So far, I am not impressed with a group arming kids and sending them into battle but that is a different debate that luckily we are not involved in."

"So after two years on the streets she is now with the Solos's and Skywalkers who have enrolled her in their Jedi schools," Jack sums up the conversation. Both men do not address the thought crossing their mind of what will happen if these Solo's or Skywalker's come looking of her. The answer is clear. The Solo's or Skywalker's will never see or contact her again.

"And that is where it stops. Stops cold. No mention of a mission, kidnapping, nothing," Jim drops the stylus on the desk rubbing his eyes.

"Just like that," Jack hopes Jim is just withholding information but knows more.

"Just like that she went mute," Jim confirms.

Jack knows he needs to press the obvious. "We have something they want and she's the key Jim," Jack leans on the table looking at Jim. "They aren't going to leave until they get it. Did she slip at all about what they want."

"No. I have wracked my mind all night with the same conclusion. For the most part, I'd say we are technologically on the same level. Maybe their ships are faster but we are more agile. The only thing we have that they don't are transporters and replicators which are a hell of a lot easier to get commercially than off a constitution class starship," Jim moans in frustration before getting up to pace his small office.

"Stating the obvious they have been here before if Lauren came from there," Jack says. "The only common denominator in this fucked up mess is her. Did Lauren leave anything behind that they would want that you have? A religious item or weapon maybe," Jack searches for the connection.

"We were in the Academy and didn't have a pot to piss in when she left. I have two pictures and an old sweatshirt of hers. I seriously doubted they came across the universe for a snapshot and ratty sweatshirt," Jim slumps back in his chair signaling the conversation is closed.

Jack has enough to do to right now. Finding the link between Lauren Kirk and the Jedi can wait until the morning. "Jim I want to take Michaels and Paulson off Kate. The ship is on complete lockdown. With shields up no one beams on or off without senior level consent. I just," Jack exhales shoving his hands in his pockets, "think we are sending the wrong message. Kate is smart. All the security tells her we are on edge for a threat we can't contain which we can. The first step in being a happy, healthy kid is not worrying about adult problems. She is going to be with us a long time so I suggest we treat her like the other kids. Besides I can toss her ass in the Brig if she causes any trouble and needs a babysitter," Jack says half-jokingly.

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CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS THAT AFTERNOON

Kate wakes up for the first time in a week feeling like she had slept. She turns her head finding Kirk gone and the quarter's dead quiet. Not being planetside, Kate can't tell if it is 1 am or 1 pm. Checking the clock, she sees his note.

Kate, Comm me when you get up. You were exhausted so I let you sleep. Jim

Kate feels weird reading the word Jim. He is her father, but he is now referring to himself as Jim. Kate must have hurt him deeper than she thought with her story. Kate had always wanted a Dad but over the years, felt Han deserved the respect and love that came with the title. She never called Han dad, but she was sure he wouldn't have cared. Kate decides to ask him about it when she sees him which will be real soon. She has to find the Holocron. No more games or playing around. This is not her home and at least now Kirk believes it too. The sooner she finds the Holocron the sooner she can leave. Kirk and his merry crew are starting to grow on her. Kate is determined not to develop any type of relationship that will cause her to miss them when she leaves. She is a Solo for Christ's sake not a Kirk. Solo means you're independent and can take of yourself. She walks into the empty living room sitting down on the couch.

Kate spies the wedding picture picking it up. Feelings of love flood her from the Force. "You look so happy," she says aloud to no one. "He's a great guy mom. Why didn't you tell him about me? Why didn't you tell me about him?" Kate asks the picture hoping for an answer but instead she feels a slight tingling in her fingers. Inspecting the frame closer she notices the etched glass puzzle motif looks a lot like millions of computer chips. The frame stopped tingling as soon as she stopped talking so she tries again. "Mom? Can you hear me?" There is no tingling and she feels incredibly stupid and angry. Kate's pocket vibrates signaling Zala Tsu is contacting her through the comlink. "Master Tsu," she speaks into the palm-sized communication device.

"Yes, my pet. I am here. Did you find it?" The Twi'lek's silky smooth voice asks.

"No. Well, I don't think so. There are no cubes in his room. The man is actually a minimalist. Just a few pictures, books, and some models of old vehicles," Kate says describing the room feeling weird talking to Zala Tsu from inside his quarters. Seven days ago, Kirk was a mark. Now he is something else but Kate is not sure exactly what.

"It does not have to be a cube you stupid child," Zala Tsu snaps for a moment giving into the dark side. She quickly regains her composure because she needs Kate. "The cube will react only to you for it is imprinted to be protected by your family. Stretch out with the Force child. Find it in the Force," she encourages sweetly.

"What the hell do you mean protected by my family? You never said anything about that before," Kate questions suspiciously.

Zala Tsu silently curses the information she has supplied her. "Use the Force my pet, quickly before he returns," she says trying to suggest that Kirk again is the enemy and time is of the essence.

Kate has more questions but Kirk walking in would cause more problems than she can handle. "Fine," Kate moans trying to use the Force but is so preoccupied with Zala Tsu's confession she can't focus. If Zala Tsu was Luke, or Mara, or anyone else, Kate would confide in her about her difficulty using the Force on the ship. When she is off the ship, the Force flows strongly in her. When she is on the ship connecting to the Force is like trying to understand someone underwater. You can hear the noise but never the exact words. Kate takes a deep, calming breath trying again, but her thoughts drift to Kirk. She doesn't exactly love him, but she doesn't want him to get hurt by Zala or her when she leaves. Her heart aches when she thinks about leaving him and what life will be like without him. Yes, he is Mr. Rules and always is on her ass but he definitely cares about her. Maybe he is just taking the Dad job too seriously she decides. Kate walks back to the picture frame suddenly feeling a slight pulling sensation at the back of her head. It is like when you can't think of the name for something but you know you know it.

"You have got to be kidding me," Kate says to herself. If this is the damn Holocron and it has been in his desk drawer the entire time Kate is going to shoot herself. Kate tries to take the picture out of the frame, but there is no way to open the back. She slides a corner of the wedding picture down with a fingernail and it comes right out. It is then she realizes the frame is made completely out of a solid piece of etched glass. Kate is pretty damn sure that she has found the Jedi Holocron. Now Luke can use all its information to help defeat the Vong and save the galaxy. Kate opens her mouth to speak but the 'react only to you' comment bothers her. Sitting on the couch, she thinks about the entire mission. Why did Zala Tsu need her exactly? Hell, she could control the Force about as much as Han or Kirk. She doesn't have strength or military strategy skills to help plan the mission. What was she good for? The answer engulfs her like a wave at the ocean. They could not access the cube without her. She isn't going home after this. Zala has plans and they did not involve saving the galaxy. Kate is in a lot more trouble than she thought. Han always told her to never show your cards at Sabacc. Kate needs to pull off the bluff of a lifetime.

"Kate my pet. Can you feel it? Do you sense it?" Zala Tsu's tone is slightly agitated.

"I don't, but I will keep looking. How will I get to you when I find it? I can probably beam it down because I don't know when Kirk will take me off the ship again," Kate lies stalling for time. She may have to come clean with Kirk.

"No, you must bring it to me. I promised Luke to bring you home pet."

"Kirk will not just let me go on a weekender with you," Kate states emphatically.

"I will handle the Captain," Zala says and Kate hears nothing but hate in her voice.

"How are you planning to do that?" Kate asks concerned.

"Are you taking a liking to the man that left you? Have you listened to his sweet words? Your mother told me all about his golden tongue and the lies which pour from it before we left," Zala confesses. "Will choose him over your family? Over the Solo's, Skywalkers, and Jedi?"

The mention of Lauren forces Kate to re-evaluate her plan to tell Kirk everything, "You spoke to her? You know how to reach her?" Kate says desperately ignoring the way she is baiting her with home.

"Yes and if you bring it we can see her together. Be ready my pet," Zala Tsu warns.

Kate hears the door slide open. Turning the comlink off, she hastily slides it in her pocket seconds before Kirk enters the room. "Feeling better honey?" Kirk asks.

"Much," Kate says and is unsure what to say next. Kirk will be able to see the guilt on her face for talking to the Jedi. Luckily, he is too preoccupied to scrutinize her at the moment.

"Go change. Put on something warmer to wear, like jeans, sneakers, and a jacket," Kirk commands in a very happy tone. Kate happily complies to get herself under control. She comes back out seeing Kirk in jeans and an old Star Fleet academy sweatshirt. Kate does a double take. "I don't think I have ever seen you out of uniform Captain," she comments smiling.

Kirk smiles his trademark smile which makes the receiver of it very happy. Kate is no exception. "I have a quick meeting and then I have a surprise for you," he starts to lead her out of the room.

"I'm going to your staff meeting?" Kate asks completely confused.

"Nawh honey to Bones' quarter's. I will pick you up there after the meeting," Kirk says pushing her out the door.