CH 26 REPROCUSSIONS
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CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS
Kate wakes up to a still dark room. It has to be early for Kirk not to be awake. One of the hardest things for her has been the dawn wake up calls. The clock read 0430 hours as she crawls out of bed. Creeping into the living room, Kate makes her way to his desk. She doesn't have the time or privacy to leave the ship now, but she can at least secure the Holocron. As she opens his desk drawer, Kate hears Kirk stirring. She walks to his door staring at him unsure what to do. If she does not give Zala Tsu the Holocron, she will come for it. Many will be hurt or injured without a way to stop the Sith as they tear through the ship. This is not something Kate will let happen. Although she hasn't seen the Enterprise in action, Kate knows the ship is more than likely able to defend itself against the Beacon of Light. This creates her other problem. If Kate comes clean with Kirk, she will never see her family or deliver the Holocron to Luke. One week ago, she was terrified at the thought of being stranded here. Now the thought she may never come back scares her. For the millionth time this week, Kate wishes she never listened to the Sith. "You're up way too early Katie bug," Jim's voice cuts the silence of their quarters like a knife.
"I..uh…" Kate stammers not sure what to do. Last night was rough. She isn't sure that Kirk is the type to hold a grudge, but Han would still be pissed over her actions.
"Come here," he says lifting the covers up on the bed. "We have another 90 minutes to sleep." She hesitates for a minute before crawling into bed with him. This is the first time she has ever slept in his bed. All the other times Kate has awoken from her nightmares he has come to her. For the first time in a long time, Kate just wants to be a kid. She wants to feel safe if only for a minute. Her decision on which group she should ally with feels like a weight pressing on her body. Even at 12, Kate understands how powerful the Holocron could be to any side. As Kirk slips his arms around her Kate feels so safe and warm. She relaxes her head on his outstretched arm feeling him tuck his other arm firmly around her waist. She enjoys the embrace aware that this could be the last time he holds her. Kate jumps as his voice fills the silence. "Your mom and I used to do this every Saturday and Sunday morning," he remembers sleepily with his eyes closed. "Sometimes we stayed like this 'til noon or later. Safe and warm," Kirk kisses the top of her head. She can feel his warm breath on her neck. Everything about this morning makes Kate long for what she has lost. If her mom never left, things would be so different. They might have even been happy like the O'Neill's. Kate misses her mom more now with Kirk than she ever did when she was alone.
"What does that means safe and warm? You've said that every time something bad has happened to try and make me feel better. You said it when I first woke up in Sick Bay, then when the Jedi escaped, and after Jack got me drunk," Kate lists the events. "What does it mean?"
To avoid fighting, Kirk doesn't set the record straight that Kate helped the Jedi escape and was found by Jack on her bender. Like his daughter, he is relishing the quiet moment between them. "Well I was in a bad situation once as a kid. I was cold, hungry, scared and alone. I remember thinking that all I wanted was to be safe and warm again. It became my goal to survive. When I finally got home and woke up in my bed for the first time after being rescued, I remember feeling safe and warm. It made me feel good and I wanted you to feel that way when you were scared." Jim rarely thinks about Tarsus IV yet with each stage of his life the implications and horror of it still haunt his mind. As a teen, it was about survival. In his twenties, it was about seeking revenge. Now with Kate in his life, he thinks about all the parents that had to watch their child die. Jim makes a silent promise that will never happen to Kate.
"It's a good feeling. I feel like that right now. Do you," Kate says fighting back tears as he kisses her head again.
"Yeah baby I do," Jim confirms with a big squeeze. At that moment, she decides to tell him everything about the Jedi and the Holocron. Against her better judgment, she is beginning to trust her dad. She thinks for a minute about how to broach the topic. "How do you make an impossible decision?" She asks with a shaking voice.
"I don't think about it," he says simply. "I just go with my gut at decision time. Maybe it's not the best way, but things have always worked out for me."
"Can we do that," she asks. "Move forward."
"Of course. You can't go back only forward," Jim's voice is soft and reassuring. Kate decides to take his advice. She closes her eyes not thinking about her problem for the moment. The comlink is OFF and across the room. It will be there when they get up. Kate enjoys the peace of the moment accidently falling back to sleep.
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SECURITY OFFICE 0700 hours
"Hey Jack, how is the new posting," Kowalski says into the comm line. "It's been almost two years on that flying tin can. You ready to come back or not. I can shoot your replacement. No one really likes Zander Wallis. Let me cut his break lines, bury him in the woods, and you can have his desk back."
"It's nice to be missed Charles," Jack reclines back into his seat. He has spoken to Charles a few times since he left his old job but not with any regularity. This call, under the current Jedi chaos, leaves Jack looking for the angle. "The tin can is great. Almost like a cruise ship. Samantha and I are on better terms now. We spend more time together as a family so I'm good." Jack takes a long draw on his coffee waiting for Charles to play his hand. Both men are adept at making people talk. The difference is Charles made the comm call, not Jack. A long pause fills the air as Jack waits Charles out.
A tapping sound fills the line instead of words, as Charles rhythmically taps a stylus on his desk waiting for Jack to speak. "You aren't going to make this easy for me are you buddy," Charles thinks looking at Jack reclined in his chair sipping coffee on the comm screen.
Jack has better things to do than stare at his old friend like a lovesick teenager. He needs Charles to start talking now. "Well it has been great hearing from you but someone is stealing the little shampoos from the maid's cart. I need to go check it out before Consuela goes ape shit," Jack continues the inside joke that the Enterprise is just a glorified cruise ship with big honking space guns. "See you at the next bar fight. O'Neil out." Both he and Kowalski know Jack has no intention of ending the call but only forcing the conversation forward.
Defeated, Charles gets to the real reason he called. "Yeah, this is a bit more than just a social call Jack," Kowalski admits. "Have you seen this guy? He was one of ours."
The image of Justin Donalds flashes across Jack's video screen. He studies it for a few minutes focusing on anything that would set him apart from anyone else. Not surprisingly, Justin Donalds is an average Joe: average height and weight, brown hair, green eyes, with a boy-next-door smile. This is how Section 31 always recruited their field agents: hard to remember but easy to slip into any situation. Jack shrinks the image to half the screen so he can look at it while he is debriefed. For Kowalski to send it, it has to be important. "Don't ring a bell," Jack says placidly. Like Jim, Jack knows every face on the Enterprise, but to be on the safe side he runs it through the internal computers looking for a match.
"You sure he is a good looking kid. Passes for like 16 on missions," Kowalski probes.
"Sorry, buddy. Haven't seen him," Jack answers honestly. The flashing bar on the bottom of Justin's image tells Jack what he knew all along. This kid is not on the ship or a part of the crew.
Kowalski isn't sure Jack is being honest. Both men are trained to lie so well they could be professional poker players. Charles decides to press the one button he knows is Jack's poker tell. "Jim's kid is cute. She looks older than 12…almost close to 16 when she isn't fidgeting." Although Jack's features remain neutral, Charles sees the slight tightening of Jack's jaw indicating he has struck a nerve. "Think Jack this is important. You sure you did not see Justin when Kate and Jim went shopping."
At least now, Jack has a location as to how Justin is involved. "Cut the shit, Kowalski. What's going on and how does it involve Kate and Jim," Jack allows a hint of frustration edge his words.
"Come on buddy you know I can't talk about it. You were the one who left the company remember."
"Charles I'm being honest. I have not seen the kid, but I need to know the risk he poses to the ship or my people." Jack is over being civil. Kowalski would not call him up without a reason. Justin Donalds is a threat. How big of a threat is what Jack needs to know.
"Look all I can say is I hear those constitution class ships have a LOT to do on them. I'd seriously think about not letting the kids, especially Kate, off the ship until you hear back from me. "The kids can keep themselves entertained on the ship correct? I hear the latest parenting magazines say recycled air is far healthier than fresh air," Kowalski knows Jack wants more, but his answer will keep Kate safe until he and Sam find out more.
"I get it Charels," Jack's sarcasm is thick. He stares down his longtime friend wishing Charles would tell him what he needs to know. It will make the next few hours so much easier.
"Look Jack I got to go. You will hear back from me when fieldtrips are back on the board," Kowalski says disconnecting the line. Jack flings a stylus across the room. He stares at the wall deep in thought. Charles may not have been able to tell him the exact details, but with Jack's training and codes, he can find out what he needs to know. Several minutes later, Jack has hacked into the planet's security web using Star Base 11's mainframe. It will take time, but soon Jack will find out all the needs to know about Justin Donalds and the threat he is facing. Jack leaves the computer to run its scan as he gets more coffee.
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CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS
At 0830 hours, Kate's peace ends with Jim shaking her slightly. "Baby girl it's time to get up." Kate stretches sleepily not wanting to leave the warmth and security of the bed. "I got breakfast on the table. Come out so we can talk." Kate watches him leave the room. Their quiet moment is over. He is dressed in his uniform slipping from his role of father to Captain. Kate feels all her troubles mounting on her with each step to her bedroom. She throws on the first shirt and pants she finds not caring if they are clean or dirty. Kate runs scenario after scenario in her mind on how to tell him the reason she is here. After brushing her hair and teeth, she sits at the small table. "I have thought about last night," Kirk begins talking before she can, "and have made a decision." Kate pokes at her waffle shoving it around the plate. Her stomach is in knots waiting to hear what else Kirk has to say. "After breakfast we are going to the planet to return the money." Kate's feels the room spin at his words. "Hopefully the store clerk at the Bargain Barn will be able to give it back to the owners," he says finishing his coffee and breakfast like they are talking about a daily event.
"No!" she screams dropping her fork. Kate is in full panic mode. If she goes to the colony, Zala Tsu is there. It would solve the problem of getting her the Holocron, but Kirk is not going to let her out of his sight for a minute. There will definitely be a conflict when he sees Zala Tsu. Kate isn't sure she wants to leave Kirk, but she is positive she doesn't want him to see Zala Tsu. "Maybe we can like send it back to the store. Maybe they will think they lost it and we found it."
"Not likely," Jim sets the cup down scrutinizing her. Clearly, Kate has never had to answer for her behavior until now. "Katherine this is called learning a lesson. Might make you think twice before you do something. I will be with you but, you are going to personally take it back to the store and admit what you did."
Kate's heart races as she forms a new plan in her head. "They were customers! It was not like I held the clerk up at gunpoint," Kate squeals.
Kirk is amazed that she still is not getting the point. "Katherine Kirk you are going to admit you stole the money. That is final." Jim can feel his temper reaching a critical level. It is bad enough she stole but to feel no remorse over it except that she has had privileges revoked is making him insane. Jim thinks about what he knows about his daughter. Maybe there are worse things than being raised by thugs and scoundrels. Maybe being the daughter of a rich politician, who never makes their children accountable for anything, is worse.
Kate sees Jim reaching his boiling point. Eager to stop the pot from bubbling over, she comes up with a new plan. "I get it you want me to feel humility, but I have more important things to do right now." Jim just about comes out of his seat but waits as Kate continues. If she wants to dig the hole deeper, he will let her. "I was thinking. People are not as poor as you were trying to make me believe last night. They won't go hungry because they have replicators. I am willing to donate it to a children's home. That I will do personally. It's not like you can put me in jail," she laughs like the idea is the most ridiculous thing in the world.
Jim loses all patience with his daughter. He snaps fingers setting his coffee down with a clink. "You know Kate that is a great idea. Walk with me," he says striding briskly to the door.
Kate walks with him happily. Finally, Jim is seeing the bigger picture. "See trust in the Force and everything works out. I mean how do you know I wasn't supposed to steal it for a children's home. When you think about it, was is really that wrong to steal the money," Kate rationalizes her actions.
"Yes, because it wasn't yours," Jim stops so fast Kate plows into him as they leave the turbo. How Kate can find anything positive about this situation astounds him. In the week she has been here, Kate has shown Jim her world is filled with two colors: Black and white. Everything in her life falls into these two categories except for theft or illegal activities. Apparently, this is her only gray area. If he has to beat it into her thick skull, by the end of today she will understand that stealing, lying, and whatever else she has in her gray area is going to be moved into black.
"Well yeah," she quickly agrees, "but since I did it is going to a good cause so things worked out for everyone."
"Do I need to find a corner Kate because there's several to choose from," Jim gestures. "Things did not work out for the people you stole from!"
"Point taken. I was wrong all wrong," Kate says quickly cringing at the idea someone will see her in the hall with her nose in a crack.
Jim continues his brisk stride with Kate almost running to keep up. "You stole the money because you were scared you will be left again," Jim points out the reason Kate won't. She licks her lips nervously. "Kate I will never leave you behind ever. I will be there for you good or bad. I would prefer good, but we can work through the bad." Kate snickers at his comment following him into the brig. "Dawson throw Miss Solo in cell 4 please," Jim says in command mode.
Kate isn't sure if she is more stunned by the use of her real name or that Jim just told his security officer to place her in the Brig. "Excuse me," Kate and Dawson say in unison.
"Did I stutter," Jim looks at his NCO hard.
"No sir you did not," Dawson opens the cell door.
"You have got to be kriffing kidding me," she whines as Dawson leads her into the cell. "You are arresting me?" The hum of the force field activating informs Kate that Kirk is serious. "Jimmmmmmm?"
"Kaaaaaaaate," Jim matches her whiny shocked tone. "You are not living under a rock any longer. Here there are consequences for your actions. Today is as good as any day for you to realize this. Actions seem to speak louder than words to you so enjoy."
"Jim," she slams the force field getting a mild shock. It radiates through her palm and up her arm. "Ouch," she shakes her hand.
"I wouldn't touch that if I were you. You still think jail is fun," Jim stares at her like she is part of a cadet review. "You asked for this. You said I couldn't put you in here right? Well, guess what I did. Now you can spend the day thinking about what could happen to you if you were caught stealing."
"What? No! No, I," she thinks back to how she got here.
"This was your idea not mine," Jim turns to leave.
"Since when do you listen to anything I say," Kate yells at his back.
"Since you finally had a good idea," he responds walking to the door. "Give her until lunch," Jim states to Dawson on his way out.
ONE HOUR LATER…
Even though Kate will never admit it, Jim's plan to make her think about what could happen if she went to jail was working. Several people were pinched when she was with Dover's gang on Sernpidal. At five years old, she was under the silly notion; Dover Ouris would go to the detention center and claim them. After a week passed and they did not return, Kate and the other kids learned a valuable lesson. Never get caught or you are on your own. In the two years, she was with Dover's street gang the police caught her twice but she managed to get away. Jim's plans to make her understand what prison was like has only made her think about the day the planet was destroyed. Convicts and criminals were the last thought on anyone's mind as they scrambled to be evacuated. Kate can't think of a worse fate than to be a trapped rat on a sinking ship.
"So what finally landed you in here? B & E, destroying public property, armed robbery, stunning helpless red shirts drinking coffee," John's voice cuts the silence of the Brig like a knife.
Kate looks up seeing John, Cameron, and Ronin outside her cell. Kate's face lights up letting a smile slowly creep across it. "Um, I tried to take over the ship," Kate smirks with a sheepish grin. Somehow, the brown-haired boy before her always seems to show up when she is at her lowest.
"I see your mutiny plans failed," John whispers eyeing Dawson at the control panel watching them.
"It was more of an escape," Kate amends her statement. John is a good person. He would never steal or lie. For the first time, she is ashamed of her actions. Kate prays John doesn't know the real reason she is in the Brig.
"Taking over a ship is mutiny," Cameron laughs. "What kind of pirate attempts a mutiny without a crew?"
"Yeah, Kate everyone knows you need friends to pull off a real mutiny," Ronin grins.
Whether they are hiding the fact they know the truth about why she is incarcerated or truly don't know, Kate plays along happy for the distraction. "Want to join me in a mutiny?"
"No I came down because I thought they said there was a pirate in the Brig but I only see you," John pretends to securitize the other cells.
"Ugh," Kate groans. It really is getting under her skin that these kids don't know the difference between piracy and smuggling. "I am a smuggler get it right."
"I don't see a difference," Cameron shrugs.
Kate is appalled at their inability to differentiate the two words. "Piracy is the act of robbing or committing illegal violence on others. Smuggling is the act of to importing, exporting, or conveying goods in secret. Sometimes the cargo is in violation of the law but a smuggler can choose what they want in their holds. I look at it as a form of capitalism as long as you aren't transporting slaves or other sentient beings against their wills. Everything else is really fair game."
"Wow," John looks shocked. "Your interpretation of cargo is broad." He debates on bringing up that guns, drugs, and human trafficking are all equally crappy cargo in his book, but Kate seems to have enough headaches for now.
"Ah, but both wear an eye patch right matey," Cameron jokes.
"I am not PIRATE dammit," Kate closes her eyes counting down from ten to control her frustration.
"Arg mate hand over your bounty or ye walk the plank," Cam says doing a mock sword fight with Ronin. John snickers watching them mime a sword show until Cameron fakes being stabbed by Ronin. Kate looks less than enthused with the inordinate amount of time it takes for Cameron to stop twitching about and fall dead to the floor.
"Cute. Real funny," Kate claps sarcastically. "You all can leave now. When you need help taking over the ship I will be busy."
"Oh they are just bored," John waves them off centering his attention on Kate.
"So am I," Kate sighs slumping down the wall. "I mean ever been in here. There is not a lot to do." John averts his eyes smiling as he scratches his head. Kate does a double take. There is no way the squeaking clean kids here have ever been in her position. She looks to Ronin to call John's bluff, but his brother is wearing the same sheepish grin. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. You are telling me you have been in here," Kate gestures to her austere cell.
"Water under the bridge but um yeah twice and it was all his fault," John points to Ronin.
"Was not," Ronin leans up against the wall. "At least half was your fault."
"Bite me," John recoils annoyed.
Kate can't believe what Mr. Perfect could do to land him in the clink. She lets the boys trade jabs at who was most at fault until she can't stand it anymore. "Will one of you shut the fuck up and tell me why," Kate says highly intrigued.
"The reason I was in here," John starts but instantly the comm system to the cell mutes him.
Dawson's voice replaces John's voice over the intercom. "On Enterprise Air the use of vulgarity is not permitted. Your mode of verbal communication has been terminated Miss Kirk. The use of vulgarity will prevent future visits," Dawson says trying to act sternly. "Are you prepared to contain your colorful metaphors?" John, Ronin and Cameron snicker. Dawson is never serious. Hearing him trying to be is almost as funny as him cutting the speaker on Kate and her not knowing it.
Kate stands with her hands on her hips with her mouth moving giving Dawson an earful no one can hear. John shakes his head sadly as Cameron and Ronin point at her and laugh. It takes Kate several seconds to realize Dawson must have cut the communication system. Kate's gestures become more animated as her temper increases. John motions for her to settle down pointing to Dawson.
"Excuse me passenger Kirk you are not coming in loud and clear at this time. Please take a deep breath and try again," Dawson captures the sing-song twang of a pilot speaking to a plane of travelers. "Do you need a refresher on the rules? A simple nod will indicate yes."
Kate exhales loudly before nodding in an exaggerated motion.
"And thank you for following the rules of Enterprise Air. I know you are not enjoying your flight but please try to do so. It is unclear at this time how long your flight will be," Dawson makes a shhh sound before clicking the comm line open.
As soon as Kate hears John and the other boys in hysterics, her temper ignites. "What the hell Dawson," Kate snaps. John hangs head hiding a smirk. Kate is about the most stubborn person he knows. Why she thinks she will ever win an argument or fight with an adult on the Enterprise astounds him. The look on her face is priceless as Dawson continues to torment her.
"I am sorry for the inconvenience again passenger Kirk. We are getting a ruling on the word hell to see if it is considered a colorful metaphor. Please stay in your holding pattern." So that Kate understands what is going on, Dawson allows the comm system to remain open. "Gentlemen," he indicates to all in the room, "is hell a violation of the colorful metaphor clause?"
Kate can't believe he is doing this to her. It is like a bizarre nightmare. "Yes," Paulson instantly agrees.
Recognizing Micheals from the security detail she stunned in Sick Bay. Kate sees her chances of winning this mock trial sliding through her fingers. "Oh hell yes," he uses the word in question for emphasis.
"Ronin," Dawson turns the game on to the kids. Kate becomes concerned as a slow, evil grin spreads on Ronin's face. "Oh yeah," Ronin gets a huge smile as he gives his answer. Forgetting the force field is not glass, Kate slaps at the invisible barrier receiving her second shock of the day.
"Kate, honey this is not looking good," Dawson says in a normal voice. "Since John and Cameron have not voted and we pride ourselves on fairness here at Enterprise Air, I am going to change up the rules." Dawson makes a shhhing sound turning back into his pilot voice. "Attention other passengers, attention other passengers. If I can get one, one person to vouch that hell is not a curse word I will turn on the speakers for passenger Kirk. She is the angry blonde in cell four if you are wondering. Cameron you're up. Aye or nay," Dawson poses the question.
Cameron stands erect holding his hand out with his thumb to the side deadpan. Kate looks at him semi-begging for his support. Like an Emperor from an old time gladiator movie, he slowly rotates his thumb up flashing a brilliant smile to the group. Kate zeroes in on John waiting for his answer butterflies filling her stomach. Dawson smiles from his station. Kirk wanted her to learn a lesson and she is. Dawson changes his voice from an airline pilot to that of a baseball commentator. "And we are at the bottom of the ninth with bases loaded and two strikes. All rests on young O'Neill. Tension is high as he approaches he plate. He is looking at the ground wondering what play he will make. Will he alienate our beautiful young truck driver or not. Kate doesn't get the reference, but she does get the meaning. All is riding on John. She makes a praying motion with her hands. John shakes head giving the thumbs down sign. "Oh and the crowd is stunned," Dawson commentates as John bears the brunt of good-natured heckles from the other players in the room. Dawson turns serious again. "Kate in baseball you get three strikes. You have two. Don't make it a third." The adults might make her crazy, but Kate is really starting to like the kids. Dawson cuts the comm long enough for John to finish what he is saying just for fun.
"And that was what I did to get in here," John scratches his head telling her the end of the story.
"Whoa wait! Start from the beginning. Dawson cut me off dammit," Kate claps a hand over her mouth shaking her head as Dawson makes a slow motion dive with his finger to the control panel to cut the comm. Kate watches wide-eyed as Dawson makes an explosion sound missing the cut-off button. He gives her a stern stare holding up three fingers before making a slashing motion across his neck. Kate waits but the sound never cuts out. She makes a zipping motion with her lips and throws away the key.
John rolls his eyes. Hanging with Dawson and Kate is like hanging with his Dad and brother. "Anyway the point you need to grasp is my mom sprung me and Kirk let it slide on good behavior. This will happen the same way for you."
"Then I will be here for a while," Kate sighs loudly letting a sad, frustrated look cross her face. "Without a Mom and no chance of parole for good behavior based on my current actions I'm screwed." Kate thinks about how the situation might play out if her mom was actually here. Everything would be different if her mom was here.
"Nawh you'll get out soon. Trust me," John smiles as Kate slides to the floor looking miserable. "They are pretty reasonable and fair here. It's not like you killed someone."
"No, I only broke onto the weapons locker, freed some prisoners, and attacked the crew," Kate starts to laugh. "They need to be very reasonable to overlook that."
Ronin walks up to the cell. "You're right. You screwed up so buck it up princess. The parental units are just proving their point. You'll be out before dinner to run free and incite more revolutions." Kate likes Ronin's brand of honesty. It is annoying but full of truth.
"Not on this ship. I heard Jim talking about options to some guy named Pike when he thought I was asleep. I don't think I am staying here for long, but I am good with it," Kate fakes a smile. "Stay in one place too long and you get attached. My last name says it all…S.O.L.O," she spells it out.
"Well you aren't hanging Solo anymore," John says. "Trust me. You're his kid. He's not going to send you away and attachments aren't a bad thing."
Kate smiles at the three boys. She really likes him. He reminds her of her brothers. They all do. In a different life, Kate knows she could be happy here. A familiar voice breaks the silence. "Hey Dawson," Jack says then after a considerable pause, "boys."
"You look like shit, sir? You and the misses fighting," Dawson asks staring at his CO. He and Janice Rand have an on again-off again relationship. It is fun, easy, with no strings. He has no desire to be wearing the expression Jack has now. "What did you do it her?"
"Disagreed with her in a meeting," Jack answers before realizing it. He is not one to share his problems but is more preoccupied with finding Jim than pretending things are fine in the O'Neill house.
"How did that go," Dawson asks with a sly smile. Few people agree with him, but Dawson is under the firm belief that Samantha O'Neill is not a lady you want to piss off.
"Cold war ring a bell?" Jack looks at cell number four, cocking his head to the side. "Is that," Jack points to Kate in the cell.
"Yes, it is," Dawson says not missing a beat. "Cap'n said to leave her here until lunch."
"Huh," Jack stares at the kids several more seconds. Tapping his comm badge, Jack waits for Kirk to respond. "Hey Jim, got a question for you," Jack says still watching Kate in the Brig. "Why is your daughter occupying a cell in the Brig and entertaining guests?"
"To prove a point. She got lippy. Said I couldn't put her in a cell so I did," Jim reclines in his command chair. He gets several looks from those on the bridge, but his command staff reigns in the other staff with stern looks and throat clears. Jim suppresses the smirk trying to form on his face. The Enterprise is one big family, but there is the core family and then the in-laws. The senior staff is the core and everyone else is well everyone else. The bridge shift quickly goes back to his or her stations except for Uhura who is absorbed with some communication relay.
"Hmmm," Jack lets it roll off his mind. "I am good with that. Hey, you got a minute. We need to talk in private."
"I have ten minutes exactly," Jim checks his watch. "Can you do it in that?"
"No, but when I start talking your meeting in ten minutes will be put on the backburner," Jack thinks. "On my way," he replies.
"Oh and Jack, tell Dawson that if Kate is calm to send her back to our quarters. I will be there when we are done. Kirk out."
Jack walks up to Kate's cell. The closer he gets the laughter begins to die down among the kids. "So how's our mutinous pirate," Jack asks her. "Behaving?" Jack shoves his hands in his pockets looking at her with a neutral expression.
"She is the picture perfect prisoner," Ronin smirks.
"No escape attempts? Huh," Jack probes forcing his expression to remain placid as Kate shoots him a look of disgust. He knocks on the non-electric side of the force field creating a dull thunking sound. "Well Miss Hormonal preteen, this cool your heels any?
"Oh my god that was so funny I forgot to laugh," Kate gives Jack a condescending smile before walking over to the small bed and turning to face the wall. Kate does not intend to let Jack see how much she hates being alone in here. Before the boys came, she did a lot of thinking. Jail sucked. There was a small toilet and sink but no door. Luckily, Kate went before Kirk threw her in the cell. There was no TV, radio, or computer so she quickly became bored. She was about to start exercising before the boys arrived to occupy her time. Now that they are leaving, Kate hopes she can at least fall asleep to give her some relief from the boredom.
"Well come on kids. It's lunch time," Jack announces. John looks at his dad unsure why Kate is not being included. He knows they are going to feed her, but is a little shocked Dawson is not dropping the force field. John opens his mouth to say something as Jack points to the door cutting him off before he can utter a sound. John sighs and heads out with Ronin and Cameron. Jack turns his attention back to Kate. For Jim to throw her in here, Kate had to have done something insane to push the captain over the edge. Jack is tough on his boys, but a smart-ass comment has other ways of being dealt with. Thankfully, Kirk has given the order for her to be released. "Aren't you coming Kate," he asks, "or do you really, really like it in here?"
"Jim is turning me over to the authorities," Kate says attempting to keep a neutral tone. This is just one more obstacle in her sucky life that she will overcome given time. She can't believe Jim is not at least coming to say good-bye. Zala Tsu is right. He was only looking for a way to get rid of her and Kate gave it to him by stealing. No one will blame him for not wanting to keep a juvenile delinquent on his ship. Her only comfort is that Han Solo will come for her. She just has to remain strong until then.
Her confession stuns Jack. There is no way Jim would do this, yet Kate expression tells him, she believes every word she is saying. He knew tensions were high between them at the end of the Drive-In, but this is ridiculous. "Well I am meeting with your Dad and I do the prisoner exchanges personally so why don't you go get some grub with the other kids while I try to work this out okay," Jack suggests sympathetically signaling for Dawson to drop the force field. When Kate doesn't move Jack decides to try harder. Whatever happened between the Captain and his daughter has upset her greatly. He walks next to her sitting down. "Look I don't know what happened but I can guarantee you are not leaving the ship. Come on kid…lets go get some grub." Kate reluctantly sits up and follows Jack out of the cell.