Now that the Narada and Nero have been destroyed, and Earth has been saved, the Enterprise limps home. Bones gets an official promotion, and watches as his friend gets one too.

I do not own Star Trek.

Big Brother part 11

The Enterprise was headed back to Earth, with Jim still sitting center seat. I had made my report to him that Captain Pike was out of surgery, and out of danger. We had to remove the slug-like creature from his brain stem, and purge the toxins from his body, a several hour procedure. But the prognosis was good. One side effect I noted in my report was that Captain Pike had no feeling in his lower extremities. He had indicated that he couldn't move his legs. My concern was that the slug had damaged some of the nerves in the spinal region on entry, while making its way to the brain. On second examination, I determined that any damage was temporary. Captain Pike may be paralyzed until his body thoroughly had healed, but he would walk again. Jim was happy to hear this.

For much of the trip back home, the crew discussed the events they had experienced in between making what repairs could be made. Since for many of the crew, this being their first deep space assignment, it was very much a bonding experience. Untried teams found themselves working together with a smoothness that comes from years of togetherness. The urgency of the situation forced us cadets to grow up faster, that was for sure. And perhaps Jim had to grow fastest of all. He went from being a reckless, impulsive anti-authoritarian, to a leader. Oh, I still think he will be all those things, or at least, I hope so. But I imagine those traits will be more focused now. I saw in Jim the potential to be a great commander. The way he pulled the crew together in Pike's absence proved that.

With only impulse power, it was slow going, but we finally reached Earth spacedock. The entire ship's complement disembarked, while repair crews set about cataloguing the damage. We cadets returned to the academy to finish up on a few things, but because of what had happened, many were given accelerated promotions by the academy board. We'd lost many good ships and crewmembers to that bastard Nero, and now those crews would have to be replaced, so soon as new vessels could be built. The whole incident had been a blow to both the academy and Star Fleet.

I was one of the Enterprise crew to be promoted. I had already informally been put in the position of CMO by then acting captain Spock. Now it was official. From here on out, I was Chief Medical Officer of USS Enterprise.

The biggest surprise came when James Tiberius Kirk was promoted to the captaincy of the Enterprise. Captain Pike was still recovering from his disability. He himself, had been promoted to the admiralty. It was his recommendation that had pushed the promotions board to Jim's side. The ship's log verified all that Jim had done, with eyewitness testimony from the crew being the final factor that gave him the position. I didn't think I'd ever seen anyone more proud. There was an assembly with all cadets, instructors and officers in attendance. Jim was slightly nervous at being the center of attention, but for different reasons this time around.

"Bones, the last time I was here, I thought I was going to be dismissed from the academy. Funny how things work out." He kept tugging at his uniform jacket. I think the waiting was getting to him.

"I just want you to know I'm proud of you, kid. You really proved to them all what kind of man you are, and what kind of commander you can be. I'm just glad we'll be serving together."

"Do you really think I'd take out my first command without you as its Chief Surgeon?" He smiled and winked.

"No, I guess not. Not that you could. I'd be right there, demanding a post, even if it was Chief Bottle Washer." I held out my hand, which he took, warmly shaking it. "Congratulations, Jim."

It was then that we heard the assembly bell. I took my seat while Jim went to stand up front where the officers were seated. Admiral Barnett called the meeting to order, and walked over to Jim, and while we all watched, issued the edict that would give James Kirk the command of the Enterprise. He gave him a small box that contained a medal, given for his valor, dedication and inspiration. He pinned it on Jim's jacket and shook his hand. I wanted to see what this medal looked like, and decided I would ask to see it later.

As was traditional, Jim then went over to Captain, now Admiral, Pike, who issued his final order as captain of the Enterprise, in which he would be relieved of duty in place of the new captain, James Kirk.

"Your father would be proud of you," Admiral Pike said, a very genuine smile on his face.

We all applauded enthusiastically, although my thoughts were thinking ahead. Now what would we do? What we had gone through was not typical. A year's worth of experience wrapped up in a couple of days. It was mind-boggling.

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I was still sitting in my quarters, sipping my Romulan Ale, when the door buzzed.

"Come in," I called out.

"Are you busy, Bones?" Jim asked before entering.

"Just busy nursing my ale. Sick Bay is being refit, so I don't have a lot to do right now. Join me, if you have the time." I noticed he was wearing his new gold uniform top. "So you decided to come on up."

He grabbed a glass from the shelf and poured some of the blue liquid into it. He took a drink, and almost choked.

"Hey, Romulan Ale is strong stuff, kid. You've gotta be careful. Sip it, don't swig it." I'd learned my lesson years ago. It really was too bad about the embargo against the Romulan Empire. Their ale was the best I'd ever tasted.

Jim sat opposite me at my desk, setting down his glass. He regarded the ale with suspicion, before taking another sip. "I decided to check out some of the repairs and refits. Got my quarters in order too." He picked up his glass, but didn't drink from it, instead, swirling the blue liquid around. "I also have to check the crew assignments. Scotty, Sulu, and Chekov have all indicated they want to stay aboard. Uhura hasn't yet given me her decision, but I'm hoping she stays. I think I've had almost a dozen requests for transfers. Maybe because I took over from Captain Pike, maybe not." He looked me in the eye. "I'm glad you're staying, Bones."

"And where else would I go, kid? Hm, I guess I can't call you that anymore."

Jim laughed. "Why?"

I said, seriously, "Because you're not. You are James T Kirk, captain of the USS Enterprise, newest flagship of the fleet. It'll be the example by which all other ships will be measured. And so will you." I took a deep drink from my glass. "Now me, I'm just a old, jaded, country doctor."

"No, you're not," Jim retorted.

I smiled at my friend. "Ok, I'm just a doctor."

He nodded at me, satisfied.

I hated asking him my next question, because it had to do with that pointy-eared Vulcan. But I went ahead and asked. "So what about Spock. Have you heard from him yet? I actually thought he might resign his commission."

Jim sighed. "I thought so too. And no, I haven't heard from him yet. I've started looking into alternate First Officer candidates, just in case. But I was really hoping he would agree to stay."

I looked at Jim with surprise. "You want him to stay? Dammit, man, he tried to kill you!"

Jim shrugged. "Extenuating circumstances. Admiral Pike said I couldn't have a better man as my Number One. The fact that he made a damned good Science Officer doesn't make it any easier not having him aboard."

I looked at Jim suspiciously. What made him change his mind this way? After everything that had happened between these two, and here was Jim being all forgiving to the point he was ready to accept the Vulcan as part of his crew. So I thought, what the hell, I'll ask him. "Jim, what do you want him for so badly anyway? There are other officers just as qualified, and without the oh so logical attitude."

"I have a hunch, Bones, that's all. I think we'll...work well together."

I had the feeling Jim was holding out on me, but again, I didn't push for an explanation. "So why don't you contact him yourself. Let him know that he would be welcome back." I swallowed the last of my ale, setting the glass down. I was beginning to think that Jim really liked Spock. It was beyond me, but in any case, it was his ship, and he could have anyone serving aboard that he wished. "Do you know where he is?"

"Last I heard, he was supposed to be seeing to supplies for the Vulcan refugees. They've already chosen a new world to colonize, I think."

"So he could be going with them," I suggested. "Maybe he feels that's where his loyalty should lie, Jim." I didn't want to bring up the possibility that Spock didn't want to serve under this new captain. They had butted heads frequently during the whole Nero incident. Yet I had the distinct feeling that Jim wanted his crew intact. I watched him stand, obviously ready to leave.

"I guess I should get down to Engineering, see how things are going there."

I stood too. "Jim, I know how you feel, in a way. We went through some very dicey things together, and you want to think that the crew should stay the same. You know how it is, with the same people you've already come to trust. But you can't force anyone to stay."

"Bones, I can't explain it to you, but I know this ship has a great crew. It just won't be complete without Spock. It's that simple. Hey, I'll see you later." He smiled and winked.

I gave him a small wave, and went to wash up the glasses in the bathroom sink. I kept asking myself, would the ship be better off with or without that green-blooded.......

**********************

It took over three weeks, but the Enterprise was finally ready to go. Jim had yet to choose a First Officer, or a Science Officer, for that matter. He'd told me he had it narrowed down to two candidates, but for some reason, I didn't believe him.

I was waiting on the bridge, and I noticed Lt. Uhura at the communications station. So she had decided to stay after all. Jim had earlier asked me to join him. I figured he wanted me to share the moment with him. It would be the first time he would sit in the center seat as the official captain of the Enterprise, with an actual mission at hand. Every station related system readiness, just as Jim entered the bridge. He came right up to me, and slapping me on the arm, said, "Buckle up, Bones." I could hardly wait.

Just as the Helm was about to set a new course for the ship, the turbolift door slid open. To everyone's surprise, out walked Commander Spock, in uniform, looking ready to take his position. "Permission to come aboard, Captain," he asked Jim.

I saw Jim smile as he responded, "Permission granted." I wondered if he had known Spock was coming aboard, or if it was a surprise to him too.

When Spock pointed out that we still didn't have a First Officer, and that he would like to submit his candidacy, Jim asked for nothing more, even after the Vulcan made a small joke about providing references. At least, I thought it was a joke. With Vulcan's, who can tell. I had to admit though, with the pointy-eared hobgoblin aboard, the ship felt complete.

My life had taken an unexpected turn, but I knew most of it had been due to my knowing Jim Kirk. Without him, I'm sure things would have been very different. Just as I had pointed out his new position on the Enterprise, I was CMO on that same flagship of the fleet. And the pressure was on, but I wouldn't have had it any other way.

A/N: I hope my readers liked this story. I have Captain Pike in recovery mode because I'm hoping Bruce Greenwood is in the next movie, and healed. Wishful thinking on my part.I loved Karl's portrayal, and hope to see more of the irascible Dr McCoy in the next film. Thank you all for reading. It was fun!