Okay, I couldn't help myself. Enjoy!

Chapter Two: I Will Always Return

"What do you mean we're going back to Earth?" Charlie's fork was halfway to her mouth as she and Jim shared their customary dinner in the Mess. He had just finished telling her of his call with Pike, and the immediate summons of the ship and her crew.

"The Enterprise has been ordered for a further debriefing at Starfleet Headquarters," he said nonchalantly, taking a bite of his own meal. "It's not unusual, and we have to do a few upgrades on the warp core anyway." He shrugged and continued on with his meal

Charlie sat back, her brow furrowed. "Why now? It's been over a month since you sent your reports, right?"

"I'm not sure. I think it's strange too that they've waited this long, but Admiral Pike has assured me that everything should be fine."

"And you trust this Admiral Pike? I know you and the Admiralty have some issues."

Jim grinned and rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't necessarily call it 'issues' just a difference of opinions."

"Oh, that's what they're calling it these days," she teased. "Will I have to do anything?" she added as she picked at her plate.

"I doubt it, you aren't a member of Starfleet," Jim pointed out. "I'm just looking at this as a nice long shore leave for the crew, and for us. Just think, you and me with nothing to do for hours on end," he added suggestively.

Charlie laughed, her fingers relaxing from around her water glass. If there was something to be worried about, she was sure he would warn her. "That sounds almost too good to be true."

Jim smiled, his eyes sparkling in a way that Charlie immediately read as the love they shared.

"I'm curious has to how Earth looks anyway," she admitted. "I wonder how things have changed since I was last home."

"I don't think it's going to be like anything you left behind."

"Oh I know it won't," Charlie agreed, practically scrapping the finish off the plate as she tried to remove every last bit of chocolate icing that had been on her cake. "Doesn't mean I can't be curious. I wonder what the Headquarters are like, and how San Francisco is different."

"When was the last time you were in San Francisco?"

"Not since I was fifteen," she answered, dropping her spoon and leaning back with a satisfied sigh. "My older cousin was stationed at Travis Air Force base, about twenty miles outside the city, so we visited San Fran when he got married."

"I have a feeling you're going to be surprised."

"I have a feeling I'm going to be very surprised," Charlie agreed with a grin. "But you'll be there, and the rest of the crew. You guys can give me a tour."

"Tour of what?" McCoy asked just as he plopped his plate down in-between Charlie and Jim.

"Bones! I thought you couldn't make it to dinner," Jim said, moving his tray to make room.

McCoy sent Jim a withering stare before grumpily snapping out his napkin and beginning to eat. "Yea, tell that to some of my pushy staff who insist that the CMO should set an example that getting three square meals a day promotes better health, or some other nonsense."

"Let me guess, the experiment didn't go as planned?" Charlie interjected with a knowing smirk, McCoy equaling his quelling glare in her direction.

"Spitfire, now is not the time to be pushing my buttons," he said, using his potato-covered fork as emphasis. "Now, what tour were y'all talkin' about?"

"Jim was just telling me, apparently we are headed back to Earth," Charlie remarked, her arms crossed on the table. McCoy's brows rose in surprise, his stunned gaze turning to the Captain's.

"Is this true?" he asked.

"Yea, it is," Jim answered. "I got the call from Pike this afternoon. We're already en route and should be there day after tomorrow."

"And you were going to inform us when exactly?" McCoy growled. "I've experiments Jim. Important ones. One's that need time and space, and—"

"Okay settle down there killer," Charlie said with a roll of her eyes. "A, I've been helping you out with those 'experiments' and they don't take near the time and energy you think they do. You're just a perfectionist with annoyingly dips into OCD and B," Charlie continued, holding her hand up to stop the spew of curse words she knew McCoy was just dying to say. "This is a time of rest, relaxation and going home to see your family. Just be happy you still have one."

Both Jim and McCoy were stunned into silence, surprised by the venom of her last statement.

"Charlie, I had no idea—" Jim began but was quickly interrupted buy the woman.

"Jim, it's fine." She pulled back the random surge of anger that had randomly spiked. "Jesus," she breathed, her head falling into her hands, her fingers lacing through her dark hair before she brought her head back up. "I'm sorry, McCoy, that was out of line."

"It's alright, Spitfire," McCoy allowed, scrutinizing the brunette and noticing the dark circles under her eyes. "You're right; I should look forward to seeing my family, especially my daughter. But you're wrong about one thing. You have a family. You have Jim, me, and all of us here on the Enterprise, and if you forget it again I won't hesitate to hypospray you into the next century."

"Thanks, Doc."

"I told you," Jim said to Charlie's eye roll.

"Enjoy that, Charming, because it's not going to happen often," Charlie grinned, standing. "I'll catch you two later. I need to see a Vulcan about a test."

The men both said their good-byes and watched the woman leave the mess to take her latest exam.

"She's not doing too, well, is she?" McCoy remarked as he dove back into his dinner, too stubborn to admit his nurse team was right.

Jim, his gaze still trained on the door, sighed and leaned back against the chair. "No, Bones, she's not, but she won't talk about it."

"Well if it's one thing I learned about that little lady, kid, she's not going to do anything she doesn't want to."

"You're telling me, Bones," Jim scoffed. "And who knows why, but I love her for it."

"That's because, Jim, you're a sucker for pain."

Two days after receiving the order from Admiral Pike, the Enterprise slowly pulled into Starbase One orbiting above Earth, its movements unhurried and precise as the docking clamps attached to the mooring ports on the starship's hull. Most of the crew was filled with excitement, the unexpected shore leave and opportunity to visit loved ones and friends was a welcomed gift. The talk all around the ship centered on people's plans, and what they were going to do for the two weeks off while the ship underwent the necessary upgrades in dry-dock. While a select few decided to remain onboard as skeleton crew, many of these members of other planets and colonies from around the Federation, the vast majority were receiving a well-deserved R&R.

The only one not excited for the trip to Earth was Charlie, who despite loving her home planet, and fully believing her choice to remain in the 23rd century was the right one, couldn't stop the fear for the culture shock she knew she was going to experience. This trip was not like returning home after a long absence, knowing things would be different but the overwhelming sense of familiarity keeping the disjuncture of the new at bay. Instead, everything would be different, without that familiarity to ground her as she explored the unknown. In many ways, seeing Earth as it had developed would solidify forever that Charlie was never going home.

Until her outburst at McCoy, Charlie really hadn't thought that she was homesick for her family. The attention she got from Jim, and the support of the crew kept the demons at bay. After all, she never had the best relationship with her father, and her mother, while a commanding force in the intelligence sector of the Air Force, never seemed to understand her oldest daughter. However, as the weeks had gone on, Charlie was beginning to miss the small comforts of home; the weekly chats with her sister gossiping over the latest scandal at the academy, or her brother's incessant attempts to beat her in Words with Friends. She missed going out for a coffee or girls night in with Kate and Philippa. These were small things that Charlie took for granted, but now that they were gone she found she missed them.

Jim had tried to talk to Charlie, and while it took some convincing for her to speak about her homesickness, she found that Jim was more than understanding. In fact he was waiting for it to happen, and was honestly surprised it took so long. Although she never shed a tear over the loss of her home, Jim still held her a bit tighter that night.

However, that didn't stop the dragons from flying round her stomach as she waited for him to return to his quarters after setting up the crew who would be staying onboard, as well as finalizing everything he needed before his de-brief in the morning. Her and Jim, along with Sulu, McCoy, Uhura, and Spock would take a shuttlecraft down to Starfleet while Scotty and Chekov remained to oversee the upgrades.

Finally, after several hours of nervousness, Jim sauntered back to his rooms. As they sat down in their seats, waiting while Sulu went over the checklist with Spock who was acting as co-pilot, Charlie couldn't stop her legs from bouncing up and down as she stared out the shuttle's small window. Suddenly a warm hand landed on her knee, gently stilling her movements. Charlie turned to see Jim smiling at her.

"Relax," he soothed. "Everything is going to be fine. I know it's going to be different, but I think you're going to love it."

Charlie tried to smile back, and took a deep breath to calm herself. "I know, but it's still nerve-racking. I mean, I'm probably going to stick out like a sore thumb."

"You do that already," Jim teased, earning a stern glare from her.

"Don't worry, Charlie," Uhura assured, sitting forward from her seat behind Jim and Charlie. "We'll go shopping. That's a cure for almost everything."

McCoy snorted next to the communications officer, to which her response was a sharp jab to the ribs.

Charlie grinned in response and replied, "You know, I think my grandmother would say the exact same thing."

"Wise woman," Jim smirked, earning a smile from Charlie and McCoy to roll his eyes.

Everyone sat back and fastened their seatbelts as Sulu's voice echoed around the small room, informing them of takeoff, and with her face practically glued to the widow, Charlie watched as the helmsman expertly navigated the shuttle out of the Enterprise and into open space. Her eyes wide with wonder, Charlie watched as slowly, Earth came into view.

The sight of the blue planet with its puffy white clouds and small halo of atmosphere brought tears into the woman's amber eyes, one she had only dreamed of seeing but never thinking she would get the chance. She gripped Jim's hand almost painfully, and while he was beginning to lose the feeling in his fingers, the wonderment and joy on Charlie's face as she observed the surface of Earth move closer was worth the pain. She was almost childlike as she gazed out the window, sitting up in her seat as far as could and pressing her forehead to the glass as she tried to see everything she possibly could. As they passed through the atmosphere and the customary heat from the friction caused the metal to glow, Charlie gave out a gasp of surprise followed but the sound of awe as the light died away and Earth came back into view.

"Jim! Jim, look!" she exclaimed, tugging on his sleeve. "It's beautiful."

Jim leaned over, watching as the California coast slowly roast up under the shuttle as Sulu deftly maneuvered the craft toward the docks at Starfleet. Jim glanced over and couldn't help but smile at the glow radiating off of Charlie. Her eyes were sparkling like jeweled amber, and her smile was wide and toothy.

"Yes, you are," he said, repressing his smirk when he saw a blush rise on her cheeks, even as she rolled her eyes.

"Cheesy, Jim. Really cheesy," she said as they sat back and prepared for landing.

"I thought you told me you like cheesy?" he asked with a grin.

"There's cheesy, and then there's cheesy, and you, Sir, crossed that line."

Jim stared at Charlie confusedly as McCoy snorted behind him. "Don't try to figure it out, Kid," the doctor said as Charlie and Uhura shared knowing smirks. "Women like to create tricks and traps, and just when you think you have it figured out, they switch it on you."

"Well that's just sexist, McCoy," Charlie admonished with a grin. "Almost three hundred years later, and you're still saying women are tricksters."

"Show me a woman who doesn't pull the 'does this make look fat?' card, knowing full well there is no way a man can answer that without getting into trouble, and I'll rescind my comment," he barked as he unbuckled his seat belt, and stood now that the shuttle had landed.

Unbuckling her own restraint and standing, Charlie's heart was beating quickly in anticipation of what she would find once she stepped back onto solid ground two hundred years in the future. She grabbed Jim's hand as they exited the craft, and he gave her a gentle squeeze of encouragement as they entered into the hanger bay. Dodging and weaving around hurrying personnel, the group from the Enterprise made their way from the hanger into the bright sunlight of Starfleet Headquarters.

Charlie stopped mid-step, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open as she looked up at all the skyscrapers, flying cars, and overall changed world she now found herself in.

"Holy crap," she said, continuing to walk as Jim tugged on her hand. "That's a few skyscrapers."

"I thought you had them in your time too?" Jim asked bewildered.

"Yes, but not this tall, and not this many," she answered, pointing toward the skyline. "San Francisco had maybe twenty at most the last time I was here. Now, it looks like two hundred. Is your apartment in one of those?"

"All of ours are," Jim said. "Starfleet provides housing for officers on their home planets. Our building is just outside the Academy's campus and next to Headquarters."

After ten minutes of walking, the crew came to the junction where they split, each group heading to their own respected building to relax before the de-briefing began the next day. Charlie waved good-bye and followed Jim into the tall, glass-covered structure separate from everyone else. Quickly the lift brought them up to the twentieth floor, and before Charlie blink, Jim lead her into his apartment.

She stood in the doorway, stunned, his view over the Starfleet facilities and into San Francisco bay was one of the most spectacular views she had ever seen. The light of the sun reflected off the glass of the other buildings, illuminating the sharp furniture through the asymmetrical windows. In the center, grey couches created an inviting sitting area with a large screen hanging above the fireplace. Behind the couches, a kitchen in white quartz and cold steel was practically untouched, glistening in the warm sunlight that streamed in.

"It's not much, but it's home," Jim said as he scratched the back of his head.. Sure, he has had plenty of women in his place before, but this was the first time he'd be living with one, and while he was used to it back on the ship, being on Earth made it different. It made it much more solid and committed. "Here, let me to take your bag to my . . . I mean our room," he smiled awkwardly.

"Okay," Charlie said slowly, releasing her bag and watching as Jim disappeared down the hallway. Not knowing what else to do, and suddenly feeling uncomfortable, she shuffled to the windows, wanting a better look at her new home world. It was insane how the future Earth looked like hers, only magnified. She could see the traditional train cars of her time shuffling along the road below her, while above those different makes and models of cars flew to their destinations. Men, women, and aliens of varying species roamed below her, and Charlie noted large groups of individuals dressed all in red, and figured those must be the cadets at the academy.

She had noticed the clothing of those around her as they had walked to Jim's apartment, and Charlie felt slightly out of place with her use of bright colored blouses and denim trousers. Since there were replicators, she was able to complete her wardrobe based off her previous style from the 21st century. Noticing the others, especially the women, she was reevaluating her clothing choices and seriously considering taking Uhura up on her offer to go shopping.

"So what do you think?" Jim asked, coming back into the living room, noticing Charlie standing off to the side. She hadn't removed her jacket, and still wore the black, knee-high boots she had come to Nimbus III in.

"What do I think about what?" she said, turning around to lean back against the window, crossing her arms. "Your place or outside?"

"Both," he shrugged, walking over to the fridge, and upon finding nothing inside closed the door with another sigh. "Sorry, forgot to have someone restock before we came back."

Charlie smiled, shaking her head. "I guess it doesn't matter the century, some things never change," she mumbled. "It's nice, both your place and outside," she stated louder. "Although your apartment doesn't really looked that lived in."

"That's because it's not," Jim said, leaning against the kitchen island. "I think I've spent a total of a month here. My home is the Enterprise. Always has been."

"And always will be, huh?"

Jim grinned, "something like that." He shoved himself off the island and sauntered over to Charlie, wrapping his arms around her shoulders as he brought her in for a kiss.

"You know, we have this whole place to ourselves, and nothing to do until tomorrow," he whispered, pulling her against him, his arms wrapping around her.

"Whatever are we going to do with ourselves?" she teased, running her hands up and down his chest, fisting her fingers into his uniform.

"Well I was thinking—" Suddenly, Jim's communicator started ringing, interrupting his sentence. With a sigh, he rested his forehead against hers for a moment before pulling back and answering, mouthing a quick, "sorry."

With a shrug and acknowledging nod, Charlie turned to head to bedroom to change when she heard Jim say, "Tonight?! But we just got back!"

Curious, she spun on her heel and headed back to the living room as Jim ran his hand through his hair. "Yea, alright we'll be there. Yes. We. Put me down for plus one. Yea, I know, I'll explain it later. Bye."

"What was that about?" she asked, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall.

Jim took a deep breath, rubbing his eyes tiredly as he felt a headache beginning to build. "So scratch that thought at having nothing to do tonight," he sighed dropping his hand. "Apparently Starfleet is hosting a dinner for senior officers and since this is the first time in a while we've been back planetside, we're all expected to attend."

"We as in Bones, and Spock, and all them?"

"Oh hell yea, I'm not going to this stiff dinner without some form of support. Which is why you're coming with me," he pointed.

"Jim," she tried to argue only to have Jim interrupt.

"No, you are not getting out of this. If you're going to be with me for the long haul, which I feeling you might, you're going to have to get used to this. Besides," he added quietly, coming to stand in front of her, and gently rubbing her arms as she kept them crossed not looking at him. "I want everyone to know you're with me, that we're together. This is the first time I've ever had any form of relationship like this."

"Like how?" she questioned, turning her eyes back to his.

"One that I gladly want to show off."

"Cheese, so much cheese," she teased with a smile, rising up on her toes to lay her lips against his.

"The good kind?" Jim teased in return, pulling her closer.

"The very best," she answered, her arms going around his neck. "Now c'mon, Captain. I think we have a few hours to kill before this dinner, and I have some ideas to really help you prepare for tonight."

Jim's smiled widened as he followed behind Charlie while she led him to his bedroom. Maybe this dinner wouldn't be so bad after all. "I get you in a slinky dress tonight, right?"

Charlie's laugh was his only answer.