Bones supports his friend during a crisis. But when the chips are down, he makes a decision that will either save the day or get them both busted.

I do not own Star Trek.

Big Brother 5

Well, I was right about Jim needing a friend. And that Star Fleet wouldn't take his little Kobayashi Maru escapade lightly. The Board isn't known for its sense of humor.

I usually like it when I'm right, but not this time.

A surprise meeting had been called for all the cadets, instructors included. No one had any idea why we were being called together in the assembly hall, but here we were, waiting in the halls, whispering amongst ourselves and sharing all sorts of speculation.

Finally, we were allowed to take our seats. Jim and I had gotten nearly front row seats, something in retrospect I wished hadn't happened. There were officers of the highest level seated up front, all looking extremely grim. I was shocked when I heard Jim's name being called. I glanced over at him, and noticed him sit a bit straighter, waiting for the reason he was being called up. He gave me a quick glance before rising and making his way to one of the podiums. All I could think was, Dammit, Jim, see what being a smartass gets you. They didn't even notify him of this "trial", so that he could prepare a defense. It just didn't seem right.

Admiral Barnett went on, stating that someone had accused Jim of violating the ethics code. My poor deluded friend gave me one final look before facing the firing squad.

Now if anyone else had been accused of breaking the ethics rules, they would have stood humbly and apologized profusely. But not James Kirk. He demanded to know who his accuser was. I noticed a tall, lean alien, a Vulcan I believe, rise, and approach the other podium. His introduction indicated that he, Commander Spock, was the creator of the Kobayashi Maru program. This was beginning to make sense now.

Admiral Barnett allowed him to issue his claim, that Jim had somehow tampered with the program, thus being able to defeat the test. Now I thought, ok, the kid is going to admit what he'd done and take his punishment. I was dead wrong. In his usual cockiness, he wanted to know the point of the accusation. Admiral Barnett used a word no cadet wanted to be associated with.

"cheated."

They were saying Jim had cheated. I sat there, watching my friend verbally battle with the Vulcan, taking ill-advised potshots with dignity, and pushing back whenever the Vulcan attempted to make Jim seem less than worthy of his place in the academy. All this over some dumb test that wasn't indicative of intelligence, courage, quick-thinking or any other necessary attribute of a starship captain. Of course, I was just a doctor, not a philosophy major, so what did I know. Commander Spock made out that because Jim didn't believe in the no win scenario, he was not worthy of being a starship commander. I knew better, but in this case, no character witnesses were being called to testify.

I really felt affronted by the way Jim's father was brought into the proceedings. I knew him well enough to know that this was one thing you didn't do. Where his father was concerned, Jim was conflicted to the point that he would refuse even to discuss him. And I never pushed him on it.

As the verbal battle continued, I felt that the Vulcan was making valid points, but because it was Jim Kirk they were talking about, I knew the Board and this Commander Spock were wrong. Very wrong. Still, Jim listened, not saying anything, as the Vulcan prattled on about fear and what is expected of a good officer. I didn't realize that I was frowning so hard, until I noticed my forehead hurt. I had to respect the kid for not shouting or otherwise being overly demonstrative. He had no defense other than he felt what he did was acceptable, if not laudable.

The assembly was interrupted by news of a problem on the home planet of Commander Spock. It sounded big, so I stepped down from my seat to stand at Kim's side. Orders were to meet at the shuttle bay for immediate transportation to one of many ships orbiting Earth. Jim looked at me forlornly, asking who the pointed-ear guy was. I admitted I had no idea, but I jokingly said I liked him. It was something I would later regret saying.

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We waited in the shuttle bay, listening for our names to be called. I heard mine called, USS Enterprise, under Captain Pike. Jim got frantic, as he hadn't heard his name called. He ran to an officer to find out why. I followed, hoping it was a mistake. Since he was under suspension, Jim could not leave the academy grounds. There would be no ship assignment for him. Here was an emergency so big that cadets were being placed in service positions prior to graduation. Yet the brightest cadet, in my opinion, was being left behind.

Jim had once told me why he used to get into fights so often. He said that his life was so empty, that he felt so numb to everything around him, fighting was the only way he knew he was alive. It took the pain he felt from getting beat up just to let him know there was something inside him wanting to live. So I looked at him, itching to join his fellow cadets, wanting to help, and he wasn't being allowed the privilege. That was the worst punishment he could have received.

I was torn, but I told him I had to go, and in his charming way, he smiled, wishing me a safe journey as he shook my hand. I started for the shuttle, but took one last look back. I saw Jim standing around, looking pathetic, and obviously feeling like a fifth wheel. He had to keep moving out of everyone's way, and in that instant, I knew where he belonged. But how to get him there. I realized I could use my position as a ship's doctor. I went back to Jim, grabbed his arm, and told him to come with me. Boy, was I going to be in for it if we got caught.