Okay, a lot happens in these next few chapters. I find I tend to write long chapters (average is 5000-6500 words). The last few have been like 3500 to 4000 words. I would love feedback on what is the best for you readers. Oh, and a review wouldn't hurt. I would also love your opinion on Kate. The first time I wrote it Kate come off spoiled and a brat. This was not what I intended. I re-wrote the story into what is it now with more detail about what Kate is thinking and her past. Please vote in my poll on how you see Kate on my profile page. I would love to know if you have the same take as I hope to convey in my writing.

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Ch 36 Putting the kids to bed

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CAPTAINS QUARTERS

Jim takes a deep breath before entering his quarters. The conversation with Bones outside his cabin about Kate's injuries was hard enough. Facing Kate will be worse. Since his daughter miraculously showed up in the middle of the night a little over a week ago, the only promise he made to her was that she was safe and no one would hurt her. Tonight that promise was broken. Her injuries were superficial but the psychological damage has yet to be seen. Both Jim and Bones know these wounds are deep and almost to the point of hemorrhaging, yet Kate pretends they don't exist. McCoy's expert advice to Jim was to lavish attention and comfort on Kate the rest of the night and that is what he plans to do.

"Hey there's your daddy," Uhura whispers affectionately when Jim enters.

The scene on the couch hits Jim hard for two reasons. One is that Kate looks so little curled up under the blanket with Uhura stroking her hair. It is the classic image of a sick or hurt child with a mom providing unconditional comfort. This leads Jim into his second thought of where the hell is your mother. Although this question is burning in his mind like a smoldering fire, it can't be answered tonight. "How are you doing baby girl," Jim squats in front of the couch at her eye level. Kate gives him a small nod and shrug. Bones told him Kate was exceptionally quiet. He encouraged Jim to talk about the incident because deep down, Kate needed answers but would be too scared to ask. That she was concerned Jim would find fault with her. Jack also said this to Jim in the shuttle. The difference is that unlike the other times she has gotten into a tangle with the crew, this time, she did not provoke it. As an adult, Jim finds it hard to believe Kate can't differentiate the events. Seeing her face, he knows he is wrong. "Honey, I am so sorry about what happened. Hyden and Slayton are going somewhere where they will never be able to hurt you or anyone else again," he says softly. He sees her eyes dart to him before sitting up and fiddling with her shirtsleeve. Jim knows about the huge bruise she is trying to hide there but he also notices that she is subconsciously drawing attention to it.

Kate looks at her sleeve knowing McCoy opened his big mouth in the hall. Why he couldn't just let is go like she wanted pisses her off. Now the Captian will ask her all kinds of nosy questions . The problem is Kate wants to explain to Jim what happened but thinks about her options. She has been in this position before. Adults say that it is not your fault and they are sorry but ultimately find a way to blame you. In Dover's group on Sernpidal, there were no excuses for failure. Kate learned very fast to keep her head down and mouth shut. She knows Kirk and the crew won't beat her, starve her or make her sleep outside in the cold but they can isolate her. The thought of being the one person no one wants to socialize with makes Kate feel sick. The crew on the ship is tight and Jim is the Captain. He will do what is expected of him and find a middle ground: only Kate isn't sure what this means for her exactly. She decides to find it for him. "It was a simple misunderstanding. No one got hurt so alls well that ends well right," Kate looks at her sleeve as she talks. "I will be careful to avoid them which won't be hard because I think you scared the shit out of them," she finally looks up with a smile. This is not what her gut tells her should happen but she is almost a Jedi and Jedi don't hold grudges.

"Not happening sweetheart," Jim says firmly. Kate opens her mouth to reply but after looking at Uhura she shuts it.

"Well I should go," Uhura says standing. It is obvious that Jim and Kate need to talk. Later tonight, she will come back and check on Jim. He looks almost as shook up as his daughter does. For the past week, everyone's attention has been on Kate. Jim has appeared the self-confident Captain but she knows him too well after all these years. The radical change to instant father has not been easy for him. He is doing great but it is taking a toll. What he needs is an old-fashioned night away from the kid. She makes a mental note to talk to Spock about playing chess, which the two men had done on a regular basis. The Vulcan may not be the best conversationalist, but before Kate Jim always appeared happy and relaxed after playing a game of chess. "Come here pretty girl," Uhura stretches out her arms. Jim moves so Kate can hug her goodbye. Instead, she offers a quick thank you and again fiddles with the cuff of her shirt not making eye contact with either adult in the room. "You don't get off that easy," she jokes taking it upon herself to complete the interaction. Leaning over, she takes Kate the best she can in her arms from her seated position on the couch. Jim hears her whisper something in Kate's ear that produces a half smile for the briefest second.

"I can't thank you enough for sitting with her," Jim says in a low voice walking Uhura to the door. "I am still getting this multi-tasking thing down which you know men suck at."

"Ever heard the saying it takes a village to raise a kid," Uhura says with a twinkle in her eyes. "And on that note, the village is taking her for a night so you can do whatever you want." Jim casts a glance at Kate on the couch wondering if this is what has Kate so upset.

"Thanks but," Jim says rubbing the back of his neck uncomfortably.

"No buts, "Uhura firmly cuts him off. "Kate and I talked about it and agreed. She, Erika, and Jo are coming over to my place for a little girl time. We don't care what you do but we have planned an evening of pizza, movies, and hanging out. You can go do something insanely boring like play chess while we have some fun, not in the gym." Jim lets a slow smile creep across his face at Uhura as they exit his quarters. Once they are out of earshot, Uhura turns serious. "Jim I know how rough things have been since her arrival and you need some down time too. Not everyone can be a parent 24/7. How many times have you taken one or all the kids to free up time for Sulu, Scotty, or the O'Neills? Kate also needs to know that you are not the only one on the ship for her. I get you want to be a good dad, but that also includes letting her break away and finding some independence."

"Nyota she just got here after being gone for twelve years," Jim says dryly, "and our goal is less independent remember. Give me some time to think about it?" Jim quickly re-enters his cabin hoping his absence wasn't too long for Kate to wait. He finds her sitting on the couch in the same position he left her.

"I don't want to go with her Jim," Kate continues to fiddle with her sleeve.

"You don't have to baby," Jim says taking a seat next to her on the couch. "Uhura only wants to be your friend and it was meant for you to have fun not worry about. When you are ready, you can go. How does that sound?"

Kate nods and shifts her attention to her fingernail instead of her sleeve. This withdrawn, sullen Kate is a lot harder for Jim to deal with than the mouthy firecracker she normally is. Just as he is about to open up a conversation about the shuttle, Kate clears her throat loudly. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure thing kiddo," Jim shifts his body on the couch to face her. "Ask away."

"Why did you order them to detain me?" Kate looks at Jim's face for an answer but sees only confusion wrinkle his brow. "I heard you on the comm ask if they had detained me and I just wanted to know why?"

Jim feels sick. "Baby I did not order them to detain you. Quite the opposite in fact. I was stunned when I heard Hyden over the comm. It was a rhetorical question and not a command." Jim sees his words are not getting through to her. "Kate you did nothing wrong understand me. Typically, kids aren't allowed in the hangars because it can be dangerous but it was not like you are forbidden to go there. What Hyden and Slayton did was inexcusable." Jim takes a breath feeling himself becoming angry. With Kate not understanding the situation, he needs to keep his emotions in check. "Can I ask you a question," Jim asks gently. "Why didn't you fight back or comm me?"

His question seems innocent enough. What she is worried about is Kirk's reaction to her answer. Kate sighs heavily. She can go with a straight up lie. That they were bigger, stronger, and tougher than she was so she lost. The problem is that she has successfully taken on Jack and the trio of Bones, Michaels, and Paulson. Saying she won a fight against these men isn't entirely accurate but she was able to get away from them. If she could get away from them, she should have been able to get past Hyden and Slayton to the hangar deck. Kate wants to go with this but it is risky. He might see it as a lie and become angrier. She could go hostile and blame Kirk and his stupid ysalamir that negates her ability to use the Force. If she had been able to use the Force, she would have flung the two officers like rag dolls across the deck. Kate makes a mental note to find the ysalamir Kirk has tucked away on the ship. To her knowledge, that is the only thing that creates a Force bubble neutralizing her skills. Once she finds it, Kate has no idea how to handle that problem. She can't just kill in cold blood. The only time she has ever killed someone has been in self-defense, but that is a problem for another day. Kate looks up at Kirk waiting patiently for her answer. The look on his face tells her he is not moving until he gets one. She looks into his eyes and finds that although he is pissed off beyond all reason; his eyes hold a gentle look full of concern for her. She decides to begin with a middle of the road response. "I didn't fight back because I didn't want to piss you off and I didn't comm you because I didn't know if you were busy," Kate shrugs looking away. Regardless of his response, she won't have to see his eyes change from caring to hostile at her answers to his question.

Kirk hides his shock at her response. Things have been exceedingly tense between them but the last thing he as ever wanted was for Kate to be afraid of him. "Oh honey," Kirk says in a soft but pleading tone taking her hands in his. They feel so warm to her. His touch makes her want to crawl into his arms so she can feel it throughout her body instead of just her palms and fingertips. "If someone is ever trying to hurt you, you fight back." His words are angry but the tone and volume are full of love for her. Kate sneaks a side-glance at his face and finds his eyes still hold the softness as they did a minute ago. "That being said,"

"Here is comes," Kate thinks and begins to tune him. Anger and disappointment fill her for opening up to him even with a half lie.

"We both know this time was different from the last time I read you the riot act for getting in a fight. When you fought Bones and John, you were the aggressor. Whoever taught you to fight like you do, also taught you to know when to fight and why. I know you know the difference on why I got pissed over the fights in Sick Bay and the turbo just like you know why I would not have been angry if you fought back in the shuttle." Kate refuses to look at Jim. His response is worse than she imagined. She knows exactly why he was pissed over breaking McCoy's and John's nose. He also is getting inside her head, which scares her more than being punished for her actions. "No friend of mine will ever hurt you but if they do knock them on their ass until I get there. As for the comming me, I am never too busy for you ever. You need me…comm and I will help you. Hey, you hearing me baby girl," Jim says in a gentle but firm tone as he turns her face to look in her eyes. "I mean that and I need to know you understand it."

"Another reason I didn't fight back is because I don't want people scared of me. I don't want them to think I am a freak or a monster because being a Jedi doesn't make me a monster." Kate blinks rapidly after speaking stunned at the words that have left her mouth. This was a personal fear she had dug down deep and locked up tight yet somehow Kirk has her babbling like an idiot. "I mean I," Kate stutters.

"No one thinks you are a freak or a monster," Jim gently puts an arm around her shoulders. "You're none of those things Kate except maybe slightly crazy and you can't help that. You're my daughter and that can't be helped." Jim shakes her slightly in a playful manner to lighten the mood. "Kate, I don't understand this Force thing but I have seen how you use it. If what you have told me is true, one day you will be as strong as Zala Tsu only you will use it to help people. You will be like a tiny blonde superman kicking ass and taking names for the power of good. Learning about the Force sure explains a lot about your mom also. She is just like you only sometimes I think she used her powers for evil. Like when she would somehow convince me to get her coffee at three in the morning. On the other hand, maybe it was just because I loved her like I love you. So no convincing me you should be drinking coffee kiddo. I am onto your sorcerer ways." His comment makes her giggle. Kate leans forward and snuggles in his arms laying her head on his shoulder. Neither of them moves enjoying the moment of peace the universe is giving them. Kate closes her eyes letting the slight rocking motion in his arms relax her. She listens to the sound of him breathing and the feeling of his warmth of his breath on her neck every few seconds. If she could bottle this moment, Kate would not mind staying here forever.

"I know McCoy is drugging me," Kate says in a sleepy voice.

Glancing at the clock Jim is surprised she has stayed awake this long. McCoy did tell Jim he gave Kate a mild sedative in the hall. "He wouldn't do that you. You just had too much excitement. Maybe we should call it an early night huh," Jim kisses the side of her head letting her go.

Kate lets her face go neutral to hide the disappointment she feels with him letting her go. Deep down she hates that she craves this kind of emotional and physical attention from him. She has fought it, but the need grows in her with each passing day. Tomorrow she will work on distancing herself from him but tonight she is bone tired. "You going to bed too," she hopes her words don't come across as desperate as they sound. She hates to go to sleep knowing Kirk is not awake in the next room.

"I have some captainy things to deal with first," Kirk uses her newly invented adjective with a smirk. The anxious look on her face tells Jim the nightly bedtime ritual is about to begin. He has too many things to do and is just as tired as Kate is to dick around with her waking up screaming from a nightmare. "So you bunking with me or going to your room," he asks already knowing the answer. Kate doesn't give him an answer but heads directly for his king-size bed on the opposite side of the cabin from her room. Kate begins to peel off the layers of clothes dropping them as she walks to his room. Shaking his head, Jim follows her picking up each sock and finally the sweatshirt she has dropped like a trail of breadcrumbs. He dumps her dirty clothes in the laundry bin before walking over to tuck her in. Luckily, she was already in her PJ's under the extra clothes. As she raises her arms for him to tuck the blankets around her, Jim sees the large handprint bruise turning her bicep purple and green. Anger builds up at Hyden as he gingerly sits on the bed and takes her arm into his hand. He puts a gentle kiss on the bruise not thinking. He remembered his mom doing this and although it didn't ever make it stop hurting it felt good to know she cared about him.

"It's not like he broke my arm," Kate watches Jim kiss her bruise like her mom did years ago. She is not sure if she liked it but lets it go for now. "It is fine. I am tough. McCoy said so," Kate tucks her arm under the blanket. Injuries on arms and legs are the easiest to forget if you don't see them and Kate wants to forget about today as quickly as possible. "It is nothing to get upset about. I've had worse," she attempts to start a conversation. "There was this one time,"

"Enough Kate," Jim says firmly. "Being beaten up by a man ten times your size should not be something you rank as there was this other time." Jim takes a deep breath not wanting his anger to seep out on Kate's innocent comment. "And being pissed about this is a forgone conclusion angel. How could I not get mad at anyone that did this to you?"

Kate changes the subject rapidly not wanting to think about what his comment really means. Han and Luke worry about her, not strangers. "Jim… John said something that scared me and I was wondering if we could talk about it?"

"And what was that," Jim tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear. As much as he wants Kate to talk about her feelings, part of him is selfishly glad she is not hysterically crying. Crying women are one thing Jim has trouble handling.

"He said he not everyone can fly a shuttle and you only have like ten shuttles with 30 seats and 432 people on board," Kate explains letting her response be more of an open-ended question than a comment. She desperately hopes he will give her an answer she can accept. When he doesn't answer, she tries to clarify it for him. "So you can only take 300 people maybe 350 depending on weight specifications. This is why I need to know how to fly."

At first, Jim is confused as to how a conversation went from a bruise to shuttle specifications. It takes only looking into her eyes and sees the fear lurking behind them that he understands what she needs from him. Remembering Kate's confession about the Sernpidal incident lets Jim connects the dots easily. "While it is true not everyone is trained to be a pilot, you are forgetting about our escape pods."

"Why would you have escape pods when you have transporters," Kate is genuinely perplexed with his response.

"Are we going to beam people into space?"

Kate shrugs and gets a small smile. "The bad ones maybe or the slow ones or the ones no one likes. That's how it was on Sernpidal."

"Well, that's not how it is here. No one gets left behind ever Kate. No one," Jim kisses her head as if to physically plant the idea in her head. He places his hands on the bed to get up as Kate continues the topic forcing him to sit back down.

"I just," she takes a deep breath. "You are the Captain right?"

"Last time I checked," he settles back on the bed propping himself up on one elbow.

"I read about you dad," Kate says hesitantly. This is not entirely the truth. Most of the stuff she found on George Kirk was too difficult for her to read right now, but she did find a child's version of the story titled George Kirk: Hero of the Kelvin that gave basic, simple facts about the event.

He is mildly surprised Kate is doing research on him but the more he thinks about it, it makes sense. Kate is looking for answers about her past. Fortunately, the events of Tarsus IV are confidential. "What did you read honey," he probes gently. Kirk never speaks openly about this topic; however, Kate shared her painful past with him. It is only fair he is honest with her.

"That he left you and your mom to make sure everyone got off the Kelvin. That he saved many of people's lives," she fiddles with the comforter as she talks.

"And you are worried that that could happen to me," Jim fills in the blanks. Her sudden concern for his welfare flabbergasts Jim. Half the time she acts like she wishes she could kill him and jettison the body.

Kate shrugs noncommittally. "It is just everyone has a job and knows their role in an emergency. We go to Sick Bay. The adults do their thing. If we have to evacuate we go with the medical staff," Kate shocks Jim already having the procedure for evacuations memorized. The kids must be doing a far better job acclimating Kate to the ship than they thought. "But what if there is a hull breach and we get separated. It wouldn't be their fault but I just...I need to be able to take care of myself."

"Tell you what," Jim sits up patting her leg. "How about I teach you how to fly a shuttle? Will that make you feel better?"

"Really," she sits up smiling not caring about hiding the bruise any longer.

"Pinky promise," he holds up his pinky. Realizing she has no idea what to do when she simply holds up a pinky next to his, Jim intertwines their fingers and shakes it.

Kate smiles happily at him. "We do Wookie swears," Kate gets in front of his face and rubs her nose back and forth over his. Jim instantly recognizes the gesture as an Eskimo kiss. His mind flashes back to the conversation in the observation lounge over peppermints vs. sparklemints. Maybe Kate was right when she said their differences were mainly semantic. "We call it a Wookie swear because you really have to be telling the truth to get that close to a Wookie."

"Then I guess we are telling the truth huh," Jim winks at her.

"So when can I get a glimpse of our home…your home...when can I see the Enterprise from space," Kate tries to cover up her stumble.

"You had it right the first time kiddo and soon," Jim indicates for her to lay down by lifting the blanket up.

Kate lays her head back on the pillow as Jim adjust the covers. "Even though I say I don't like it here it is just because I am homesick. I am trying, though. I really am."

As crazy as it sounds, maybe Kate being attacked by Hyden was a good thing on some level. She is talking tot him about something other than fighting or what she wants for dinner. Jim hopes it is her being comfortable enough to open up and not a ploy to stay up later. "I know you are. What do you like the best," he winds the conversation down watching her yawn.

"My room," she says.

"The room you don't sleep in," Jim tickles her. It has the opposite effect of putting her to sleep but he likes hearing her laugh.

"It is huge. I only had a bunk on the Falcon because space was at a premium. This one time I tried to make the smugglers compartments my bedroom when I got mad at my brother," Kate shares. "Only Han said no because I was too noisy to be smuggled goods. It was also under the floors so dust fell every time someone walked over my bed." This is one of the first happy memories that Kate has shared causing Jim to laugh. It is a normal moment compared to the hellish ones she typically shares making Jim laugh.

"Okay go to sleep," Jim puts an end to the conversation for the night.

"Will you be long," Kate rolls on her side watching him leave.

"I'll be in once I file some paperwork. Now go to sleep," Jim points a finger using an overly exaggerated stern face and voice causing Kate to smile. She stares at the empty doorway but hears the sound of Jim sitting at his desk. The soft swoosh of the air leaving his leather seat as he settles down to work is comforting. She pretends as she does most nights, that he is her guard and will protect her against anything in her sleep. She inhales deeply relaxing into the pillow smelling his sheets. She loves the smell of his sheets. They smell just like him.

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O'Neill QUARTERS

Jack walks into his quarters finding it dead quiet. Normally at this time, the boys are on the couch either playing video games or fighting over what to watch on TV. Instead, the room is empty except for Samantha sitting at the table reading a PADD. "Boys here," Jack says dropping into his favorite chair.

"In their room. You want coffee or something stronger," she asks Jack walking to the replicator.

Noticing the glass of red wine on the table, he replies, "something stronger like whiskey strong." Taking the glass his wife brings to him, Jack takes a huge gulp holding it in his mouth. When it has created a hot, numbing sensation, he swallows it wishing it could numb his whole body. He thinks about getting another but he still has things to deal with tonight. "Johnathon Jacob O'Neill front and center," he yells setting the glass down with a clink. Samantha studies Jack and lets a warning expression take over her face. She has a sneaking suspicion all of Jack's anger from the hangar incident is bleeding into their home. She refrains from saying any more waiting to see how this plays out before intervening. Jack avoids all eye contact with her locking his eyes on the door of the boys bedroom.

Her attention is pulled from Jack as her youngest son begins to speak. "Dad I didn't think," John starts to explain but is sharply cut off by Jack.

"No, you didn't. What possessed you to take Kate to the shuttle bay," Jack stands not quite yelling. John looks at his mom and then the floor not sure if his Dad wants an answer or is talking to hear himself talk. After waiting for what Jack considers a long time he speaks again. "When I ask you a question I expect an answer young man," Jack repeats sternly.

"She was sad," John shrugs looking up.

"Sad? Sad," Jack's voice thunders through the quarters with pent up anger. "Why the hell were you on that level anyway? You were coming back here to play video games not troll the decks. Are we going to add lying to the shit you are in trouble for too?"

John stiffens feeling anger course through his body from being called a liar. He will take the blame for making a bad decision but he won't be called a liar by anyone. "We decided to go swimming and were heading to the pool. Kate saw the door open to the hangar and actually looked happy for once."

"Don't raise your voice to me, John," Jack threatens ready to snap.

"Jack," Sam says softly but in a warning tone. She gets her husband is still pissed but taking it out on John won't solve anything.

"She asked if we could go in," John continues ignoring his father's warning using the same tone and volume. "I was going to say no but she told me it was okay. She knows we don't trust her and I wanted to show her she was wrong. That is why I said it was okay. She's not a total idiot Dad. I mean no one does trust her. We can see that and we are twelve."

For once, Jack wished his youngest son was not so perceptive. "I applaud the fact you think you know what the hell you are doing but there are lines John," Jack snaps. Part of Jack knows why John said yes. It is clear he has a slight crush on Kate. Unfortunately, John is about to ln two lessons at one time. The first is no to break a rule made by your father. The second is girls can make you do stupid things that you pay for in the end. "You don't know,"

"Tell your Dad what you were doing in the shuttle," Sam intervenes before it gets any uglier than it has. Jack is about to get on a tirade and she needs to keep the conversation focused.

"We were playing a game," John says letting embarrassment creep into his words instead of hostility. Jack doesn't miss the slight red appearing on John's cheeks. His stomach drops thinking of what he was doing hidden away with girls at his son's age. Jack flashes Sam a quick look. If John was playing touchy feely in the shuttle with the Captain's daughter this whole situation is about to get more complicated than Jack is prepared for. "We were pretending we were in Sky River and she was giving me a tour of her home. She was flying me to some place called Centerpoint Station and I was her co-pilot," John smirks feeling like an idiot. He hopes Ronin is not listening to this but knows he is. At this moment, John is dreading being alone with Ronin more than his dad.

Although he is not as religious as his wife, Jack silently thanks God for not letting the situation be what he thought. "If you were part of the crew I'd have you on sanitation duty but you're not so,"

"Jack," Sam says sharply ending her husband's rant.

He holds up a finger indicating for his wife to back off. She promptly replies by crossing her arms over her chest and sending him a death glare. "I am so paying for this later. Guess there will be no hiding the zucchini tonight," Jack thinks but continues. He can always try to make up with her after this. Her anger also makes Jack rethink his punishment for John. "While I admire you attempt to show her trust you choose the wrong place and time. No PlayStation for a week. Go to your room. I don't want to hear any more about this."

"But Dad,"

"John go to your room," Sam butts in and sharply adds, "now," when he doesn't move. "I mean it," she follows up sending him a sharp glare which makes John turn and disappear through the door. Now that her son has been dealt with she can focus on Jack. "Jack bedroom," she commands walking in ahead of him.

"Well this is just fucking awesome," Jack thinks as he enters the room watching Samantha pace waiting for him. "Let's do this," Jack says sarcastically closing the door.

"What the hell was that," she snaps instantly enraged at her husband's flippant tone.

"Me being a father," Jack shoves his hands in his pockets rocking back on his heels. If he doesn't use sarcasm night now he will lose his cool. Hopefully, it will piss Sam off enough that she leaves him alone to decompress. "He broke a rule and is being punished for it. Seems perfectly clear to me what the hell that was darling."

"He was being a friend to Kate and he is not going to be grounded for it. I don't know how you are going fix that but you had better come up with a plan," Sam locks eyes with her husband.

"The plan is for him to not have the PlayStation for a week because but he broke my rule about entering the shuttle bay without permission. What part are you having difficulty with hon," Jack raises his eyebrows pissed she is not providing the united front they use when punishing the kids. Maybe she is just pisssed off he beat her to the sentencing part. Typically, he is the one blindsided when the boys get into trouble; however, he always sides with her and agrees even when her reasoning is stupid. He would just like the same courtesy now.

Even though the sarcasm makes Samantha want to punch him in the face, it is better than him being angry. "Fine I get it but I think a stern reminder of the rules will be enough," Sam sits on the bed.

Jack shakes his head not believing what he just heard. There is no way he is negotiating with his wife over something like this. Rarely does he take the initiative with discipline. That is Sam's job while he is the enforcer and he is about to enforce this whether Sam likes it or not. "Losing the PlayStation for a week is a punishment he will remember. It's fair. I could have taken all his techy toys."

"It was a lapse of judgment like you are having now. He is 12, not 38," Sam counters not giving an inch.

"What the hell you talking about," Jack throws up his hands. "If I had any idea Hyden or Slayton were going to do that do you think I would have let it happen!"

"No your lapse of judgment is using the kids to acclimate Kate… and I am using that word in the nicest way possible," Samantha gives Jack the look that he knows means she is on to him. Usually, this comes when he schedules golfing or fishing and knows she has something else was planned for that day. Jack opens his mouth to refute her claim but she interrupts him. "So that is why John gets a stern warning and not grounding. Now just go in and tell him you were stressed out and overreacted."

"Three days… no PlayStation. There must be a consequence to breaking rules," Jack replies leaning against the wall. "Hey wait am I compromising? I am not compromising on this. I give on 99.99999% of all things in this house. I am standing my ground," he thinks as Sam keeps talking.

"Give him the whole if I ever catch you again speech if that makes you feel better," Sam ignores that he is trying to compromise with her.

"Three days," Jack replies. "Take that," he thinks struggling to keep the smirk off his face. "You are not going to win this babe. Give up."

"And if you think we are negotiating with me Jack you are sadly mistaken," Sam smiles knowing what Jack is thinking. She has been married to long not to know what is going on in his mind. "Now, go in and fix this," she says standing up," because I am sure you really don't want to push me on this.

"Push you," Jack pushes off the wall approaching her. "Did you just say push you?"

"Yes, I did," Sam crosses her arms. "The last week and a half have been hell for everyone, not just you."

"And those two yahoos in the brig being transferred made today a real made it a humdinger." Jack reads the stunned expression on her face. "Oh yeah. Hyden and Slayton are being transferred to the Nomi Colony. Jim sent the order himself. It is signed, sealed and being delivered as we speak. Oh and Dawson, Michaels, and Paulson assaulted them in the turbo and are confined to quarters so maybe cut me a little slack tonight."

No wonder why her husband is so upset. "Your right," Sam wraps her arms around his waist laying her head on his chest. "Why don't you get a beer, put on the Simpsons, and I will handle this."

Jack stops swaying her and leans back to look down at her face. She tilts her head up giving him a devilish smile. "I see what you are doing here and it won't work. I am going into John's room and telling him work spilled over and he is not in trouble," Jack says sternly. "Then I will get a beer, watch the Simpsons, and end the night making love to a beautiful blonde." Jack slaps her on the ass walking out making her giggle.

"John," Jack gives three quick knocks on the door. "We need to talk. Can I come in?"

"Sure," John says. "Not like I can say no," he thinks as his Dad enters the room. Not surprisingly, Ronin is on the top bunk tossing a football while John sits at his desk.

"John I slightly overreacted and let my anger spilled over from dealing with Beavis and Butt-head. I'm sorry."

"Slightly overreacted…try total freak out," John thinks but says, "it's okay."

"Did he just call them Hyden and Slayton Beavis and Butt-head," Ronin thinks. "I have the coolest dad ever."

"Just promise me you'll never do that again and... there won't be any punishment."

"What," Ronin yelps swinging his legs over the top bunk. It is not that he wants John to get into trouble but if he and Erika were caught in a shuttle alone not having the PlayStation for a week would be the least of his problems.

"You uh have a problem with that," Jack sits on the edge of John's desk looking at Ronin.

"Nope no problem here," Ronin tosses the football to his dad.

"Dad, how do you control girls? I mean they are always getting us in trouble," John asks diverting the attention off his idiot brother knowing exactly why Ronin is annoyed.

After tossing the football back to Ronin, Jack replies. "Women rule the universe and get in your mind making you crazy. The secret is the baseball cap," Jack places his hat on John's head, "and the reason why I never take mine off." It is as good an answer as Jack has for the night. "Go to bed," Jack says leaving the room.

In case you are not as big a Star Wars Junkie as me:

Ysalamiri were furry, lizard-like creatures known for their ability to repel the Force by creating a Force-neutral bubble. This information was found on Wookiepedia.