Ok, it's an addiction. I thought I could go two weeks. I can't. So whatever, enjoy :)

Chapter Three: You Can't Take Me

"You sure I look alright?" Charlie asked for the fourth time, tugging at her long, figure-hugging dress.

After her and Jim had made sure the springs on his bed were adequate, she called Uhura and informed the communications officer of the dinner that night, and her lack of appropriate attire. Within twenty minutes, Uhura was in Jim's flat with several different dresses and pairs of shoes, helping Charlie find the right one appropriate for the dinner. In the end, she decided to borrow a navy blue, one shoulder gown that had asymmetrical patterns woven into the fabric. As the light hit it, it tended to reflect swirls and patterns similar to those of the cosmos, making it fitting for a Starfleet dinner.

"You look beautiful, Charlie," Jim grinned, tugging at his collar as they walked across the grounds of the headquarters campus.

"I still don't know why you're making me go," she complained, brushing her curled hair from her kohl-lined eyes as the wind from the bay blew across the grounds. "I know I have to get used to these dinners, but it's not as if I'm up-to-date on, oh, anything of this century. I'm going to make a fool of myself, and in turn you."

Jim paused as they walked, waving the others to continue ahead. "Hey," he coaxed, pulling up Charlie's chin and forcing her to look into his eyes. "You're not going to make a fool of yourself, and definitely not me. I do that on my own," he grinned. "I'll be with you the whole night, and if for some reason I get pulled away, you'll have Bones, Sulu, and Uhura. Hell, even Spock will probably run interference. Maybe. Okay, maybe Spock's not the best choice, but you get what I'm saying."

"I just don't want to embarrass you," she admitted.

"You won't, I promise," he assured, wrapping her hand around his arm and restarting their trek to the main hall. "I know you're out of your element, but most of those who will be there already know of your situation. They'll understand. Those from the A&A department might even ambush you. Don't forget how old you are," he joked.

"Shut up," Charlie smirked, bumping her shoulder into Jim's.

Sooner than Charlie expected, they were at the steps leading into the massive conference center at Starfleet Headquarters, all manner of respectably dressed personnel filing in or waiting on the steps. As she gracefully ascended the marble staircase, one hand holding securely onto Jim's arms and the other holding her dress up, she couldn't help but find the irony of her situation. After running from the military life her family tried to force onto her, the number of Air Force balls and military galas she was required to attend testament to that, she was willingly walking into one of her own free will. If only her father could see her now.

Once through the glass door, Charlie noted the large number of Starfleet officers, all of varying ranks and in the regulatory dress blues. There were a few civilians among the crowd, most of them the wives or husbands of different admirals and captains, and while she was relieved not to be the only one, she detected the calculating eye sent towards her. Squaring her shoulders and standing taller, Charlie remembered all of the training in posture her mother dictated to her growing up. She may be a civilian, but she knew how to act like a soldier.

Those from the Enterprise were standing off to the side around of the buffet tables, looking just as awkward and annoyed as Jim and her felt walking into the gala. Uhura caught sight of Charlie and waved, the brunette answering with one of her own before pointing them out to Jim. Nodding, they began to steer toward the group when an impossibly tall, dark skinned man stepped in front of the pair.

"Captain Kirk, I didn't expect to see you here this evening," he said, holding his hand out for Jim to shake.

"Admiral Barnett," Jim acknowledged. "Didn't expect to be here, but since the Enterprise is scheduled for upgrades for the next few weeks, we decided to stop by."

"And who is this lovely lady," Barnett asked, turning his attention to Charlie. "No way she's here with you, Kirk."

Jim laughed as he introduced Charlie. "That she is, Sir. Admiral, this is Charlotte Noland. Charlie, this is Admiral Barnett, Head of Starfleet Academy."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir," Charlie smiled, shaking the man's hand.

"The pleasure's mine," Barnett said. "Noland, huh? Not the one from the Boradis System?"

Charlie held her smile, although Jim watched as she visibly frosted at the mention of the space station. "I see my reputation precedes me," she responded dropping his hand.

"More like your family's," he said. "I knew Dr. Spear; I was the one of the admirals to sponsor his doctorate. Intelligent scientist and one of the best physicists to come through the Academy. He will be missed."

"Indeed, sir. Although I didn't have the pleasure of meeting him myself, kin is still kin. But at least the man responsible will no longer be a cause of concern for you, Admiral," Charlie diplomatically replied, although the barest hint of steel undercoated her tone.

Knowing that further talk on the subject would only aggravate her more, Jim politely excused he and Charlie from Barnett, and continued to head to the others.

"You okay?" he asked as they walked.

"Yep! Fine," Charlie said with false cheerfulness.

"Charlie—"

"Not now, Jim," she said out the corner of her mouth when others came to greet the captain and learn who the woman was on his arm. This continued all through the cocktail hour and the following dinner. Jim did his best to introduce or explain who everyone was, but while Charlie's head was spinning with all the information thrown at her, years of going to the same events with her family prepared her to remember at least the ranks of those she met. Most of those he introduced her to, he seemed to have no qualms about, though there was a few that he wasn't entirely fond of. One was a man named Admiral Marcus, Head Admiral for all of Starfleet. Charlie only caught a brief glimpse of him as he wandered through the crowd, but other than the back of his head and his profile at dinner there wasn't much she could glean. When she asked Jim why he didn't like the man much, all he said was "just past history."

Finally, as the dinner concluded, Charlie was more than ready to head back to Jim's apartment and fall into his bed with the hope of sleeping for the next twenty-four hours. However, a man with greying brown hair, smiling blue eyes, and a cane stopped their progress toward the door just as they were about to leave.

"Jim," he greeted, shaking Kirk's hand.

"Admiral," Jim replied, his frost from the contact of the other admirals and captains melting instantly.

"And you must be Miss Noland," the admiral said turning his attention to a confused Charlie. "Jim's told me a lot about you."

"Uh, yea," she said slowly, shaking his offered hand. "I don't mean to be rude, but I'm afraid I don't know you."

The man smiled, the lines around his eyes crinkling merrily. "Christopher Pike. I'm the one who got this knucklehead to straighten up and join Starfleet. Then gave him my ship, although sometimes I question why."

Charlie couldn't help but grin as Jim cleared his throat gruffly and defend, "I think it's because my crew and I get the job done, Sir."

The man's smile remained as she sent a wink to Charlie. "That you do, Kirk, although your style remains to be seen. Speaking of, how's she holding up?"

"In dry dock now," Jim answered. "Scotty and Chekov remained on board to oversee the updates."

"Good to hear. Well, you are obviously on your way home, so I will see tomorrow morning for the debriefing, Captain. It was wonderful to meet you, Miss Noland," Pike said as Charlie took his hand again.

"Please, call me Charlie."

"Well Charlie, I don't know what you see in this one, but obviously he's done something right," Pike grinned. "If you're up for it, I would love for you both to join me for lunch tomorrow."

"I would love too, sir," Charlie smiled.

"We'll see you tomorrow then, Admiral," Jim added.

"Good. Well, until tomorrow." Pike smiled on last time before spotting Marcus and heading over to him as Jim and Charlie finally escaped into the night.

"Well that wasn't too bad," Charlie smirked.

Jim just huffed, and Charlie laughed, glancing up toward the full moon casting its cools light on the grounds. She breathed in the salty air, and for the first time since being kidnapped, calmness overcame the woman and she grinned, staring up the cloudless night with joy.

The next morning, Jim Kirk sauntered into the briefing room at Starfleet, expecting a rather normal, if not long, arduous, and probably very boring session with the board of elite admirals. His stiff, formal uniform was a bit restrictive, and he unconsciously pulled at his collar as the other senior members of his crew took their seats around the large black table in the generic conference room. Bones gave him a quick nod while Rand quickly shuffled to her place to his left.

"Good morning, Captain," Spock greeted, pulling out the chair and taking a seat to Jim's right. "Did you enjoy the festivities last night? Lieutenant Uhura and I rather enjoyed our conversation with Admiral Jones over the colonization of the Benzites in the Nivoch system."

Jim just stared at his First officer a moment before shaking his head. "Yea, Spock. It was great."

"Please convey my apologies to Miss Noland that we were unable to provide 'cover protection' as the Lieutenant put it. I trust she also enjoyed her evening?"

"She's going to keep ordering you to call her Charlie, you know that, right?" Jim pointed out. "And I believe she did. At least, she didn't say anything against it."

Spock was about to continue the conversation, when the door to the conference room opened, admitting several admirals including Pike and Marcus. The crew all stood to attention until Admiral Marcus waved his hand, impatiently gesturing for them to sit.

"Good morning, everyone," the man said briskly as he took his seat, smoothing down the front of his uniform and tucking himself into the able. "Thank you for attending on short notice. I trust everyone has already reviewed their briefing packets?" Everyone nodded around the table, and a chorus of 'ayes' followed suit. "Great. The admirals and I have called this meeting to settle a few inquiries we have before the Enterprise leaves space dock next week."

"Excuse me, Admiral," Pike spoke up. "For clarification, this is in regards to the incident in the Boradis system that occurred on Stardate 2259.05?"

"Yes, Admiral Pike, it is," Marcus answered.

"Admiral, if I may," Spock spoke up, gaining the attention of the room. "All information regarding the events surrounding Doctor Sagan and his attempted coercion of a civilian for use against the Federation were all expertly detailed in the reports sent back to Starfleet. I made sure of it myself."

"And they were very detailed and informative, Commander," Marcus spoke, nodding his head in Spock's direction. "However, I have some issues not addressed in those reports. I would like to know how the man was able to evade our scanners for so long, but my primary concern is why one of the members of Sagan's plot was able to remain behind on the flagship of the Federation without the proper cross-examination by professionals here at Starfleet."

"I'm afraid I don't follow, Sir," Jim spoke after a pause.

"Then let me spell it out for you, Son," Marcus responded gruffly. "The woman in question, this Charlotte Noland," he glanced down at his PADD before looking back into Jim's hard stare, "there is little to no information within our databases on her, and she is virtually an unknown entity. Hell, this woman isn't even from this century, and if your reports are to be believed, originates from one of the most destructive in Earth's history. She very well could have been in league with Dr. Sagan the entire time, and is now just waiting for the opportunity to attack."

"Sir, I don't mean to be rude but that's bullshit," Jim said, his fists clenched tight until his knuckles were white.

"Jim," Pike warned, sending Kirk a 'cool it' look.

The captain took a breath before he continued, glaring into the hard, green eyes of the Head of Starfleet. "Miss Noland asked for our assistance, she was very vocal in her defiance against Sagan, and she even assisted with the destruction of the Klingon warbird. If that doesn't spell out loyalty to the Federation, then quite frankly I don't know what does. And the fact that she did come from the 21st century makes her actions that much more important."

"Listen Kirk," Marcus growled, leaning casually back against his chair as if they were discussing the weather. "I understand you have developed a relationship with this person. Trust me it's obvious," he added when Jim opened his mouth. "And I have to commend you on the loyalty of your crew; none of them gave any indication of it in their reports, but I am still uneasy about a civilian with no real history in our universe having close contact to senior members of your crew. Especially after the events on the Boradis Space station."

"And who then, should she have contact with Admiral?" Jim grounded out. "She has no one here; no friends or family outside that of the Enterprise. We are her family now." Voices of agreement echoed around him.

"Poetic, Kirk," Marcus patronized. "But that still doesn't resolve the fact that she is a young, impressionable woman without any sense of familiarity; a woman who went through a dramatic kidnapping and rescue attempt without the proper training to handle it. Most of those seated here will never go through an experience like what she did, and we've all been through the survival classes at the Academy."

"Then what would you have me do, Sir?" Jim asked sarcastically. "She is within her rights to deny the aid of my CMO, and without being a member of Starfleet I cannot order her to attend sessions with him. All I can do is support which seems to be working fine I might add." Kirk risked at glanced at his First Officer, who, while stoic as ever in his seat, had one brow raised painfully to the ceiling and his lips were a hard line.

"What is your medical opinion, Doctor?" Marcus said, directing his question to McCoy. Jim could see apprehension cloud the doctor's visage as the scrutiny of those around turned to him.

McCoy swallowed, his eyes catching Jim's before he muttered, "Miss Noland is of sound mind and I have never detected anything other than confusion since she was brought to this century." Jim grinned, sending a nod of thanks toward his friend.

"However," the doctor added, wincing at Jim's acknowledgement. "She has in recent weeks exhibited signs of distress, and medically I believe she is suffering from the lasting effects of PTSD."

"Which I have been helping her deal with," Jim forcefully added.

Marcus shook his head, rubbing his eyes and with a sigh he said, "I really didn't want to have to do this, Son."

"Do what, Admiral?" Jim challenged, his heart beginning to race as the implications of Marcus's statements began to connect.

Marcus's green eyes flashed threateningly, and he directed, "By Starfleet order 3963, I am ordering you to hand over Miss Charlotte Noland for debriefing in response to the events in the Boradis system, effective immediately."

"What?!" Jim shouted jumping to his feet, both Bones and Spock following suit, ready to hold their captain back in case he took a leap across the table. "You can't do that! She has her own rights as a member of this Federation to deny aid if she wishes. You cannot hold her without probably cause!"

"But she isn't a member, is she?"

"She is now, the minute she chose to remain here. You can't take her away from the only family she has."

"Alright, Captain, how about this?" Marcus sneered, rising as well. "Until proof can be determined that Miss Noland was indeed a harmless bystander and victim of Doctor Sagan, she will be under Starfleet custody since she seems to be outside her own time. Once she proves herself a valuable member of the Federation community and deemed not a threat, she will be educated as a productive member of the 23rd century and released back into the general population."

Jim felt a panic rise in his chest, echoing the moment when Sagan had taken took a hold of Charlie's arm and disappeared from sight. He had just gotten her back, they were just learning to work as a couple and now Starfleet was tearing her from him without the consideration of what it would do to them.

"Sir, if you just let me—"

"Enough, Captain," Marcus snapped, interrupting Jim. "Now you have your orders, or do you want to be held for insubordination?"

"You can't take her. I won't allow it," Jim glared at the admiral, his voice firm even though his hands began to shake subtly.

The room stilled, a tense silence overtaking the conference table as those presently watched the admiral and captain with hesitant curiosity.

Marcus's eyes hardened, his mouth pursing into a strong, firm line of displeasure. Turning to the lieutenant commander who was serving as the minutes recorder for the meeting, Marcus ordered, "please take note that Captain James Kirk will receive disciplinary actions for his insubordination. Were we wrong in giving you the Enterprise?"

"That is not what I mean, but—"

"Admiral, if I may?" Pike interjected, sending a pointed look to both McCoy and Spock who gently forced Jim back into his seat. "Obviously Kirk is concerned about your plan, although the way he expresses it remains to be seen. Miss Noland is in an interesting situation, one that we haven't handled in the history of Starfleet. If fact, there aren't many of us here who have experienced the turmoil of imprisonment, and having been brought into the future, she's at an even further disadvantage."

"Get to your point, Chris," Marcus ordered, returning to his seat.

"I understand the need for psychological evaluations of the woman, in fact I encourage it, however tearing her away from everything she has ever known in this universe could cause more harm than good," Pike said. "I request you appoint her under my guardianship, that way she has a familiar anchor while she undergoes the tests. She will be under high security with me, reducing the chances of issues holding her under custody and she will probably be more forthcoming in our questions. I am the closest one at this table to understand what she is going through at the moment."

Marcus considered the proposal a moment before nodding his head. "Fine," he agreed. "But I want twenty-four hour security on her, and if she steps one toe out of line, it will be on your head, Pike."

"I understand, Sir," Pike said.

"Good. Dismissed."

As Charlie walked into the square where she promised to meet Jim and Admiral Pike for lunch, she couldn't stop a smile from spreading across her cheeks. For the first time in over a month, she got a decent night's sleep and all of her anxieties of the future were gently wafting away. Jim was especially attentive after the dinner, both of them enjoying the freedom of being off the ship and having true alone time. They spent hours talking, laughing and sharing stories of their respective childhoods, opening up their lives further to each other. Charlie wished the night could have continued for longer, but Jim had to be up early for the meeting with Starfleet, so she had grudgingly gone to bed when he did. Life had felt almost normal.

Pulling up the collar of her black jacket against the rain and wind that was blanketing the city, she searched for the name of the restaurant she was meeting the men. While the majority of people were hurrying through the streets, trying to avoid the weather as much as possible, Charlie was enjoying the feeling of the fresh air on her face and the nip of the cold temperature, even if it was a bit wet. The last time she had been on Earth's surface, she had been living in England where rain and wind was a normal occurrence. Although she had to admit she never thought there'd come a day she'd wish for rain, she was definitely not against it.

Finally spotting the sign, Charlie made her way through the crowd to the dark, wooden door of the old-fashioned pub Pike had recommended. Charlie figured he wanted to make her feel more at home, and walking into the darkened space, empty save for a small group in one corner with the pool tables and antique lightening, she did feel the first bits of familiarity with the place. A large plaque above the bar read Kellar's since 2180 with a list of all the food items served. There were a few things she didn't recognize, but most was the traditional bar food staples including burgers, wings, and sandwiches.

Unbuttoning her jacket and unwrapping her grey scarf from her neck, she stepped further into the room, the wooden planks beneath her feet, darkened with age and god-knows-what creaked under her weight. Heading around the bar, the pub continued further as old style, iron held glass panes let in the grey light from the stormy day, illuminating several tables and chairs. Sitting at one in the back corner were Pike and Jim, their heads bent in an intense discussion.

The admiral glanced up and caught sight of Charlie as she headed toward them, the heels of her boots clicking and echoing around the empty room. She saw him tap Jim on the elbow, nodding his head in her direction. Jim snapped his gaze around, his crystalline eyes locking with hers and for a moment, she read panic before the emotion was wiped so quickly she wondered if she imagined it. The next second a forced smile stretched across his face and he stood, leaning over to place a kiss on her cheek as she came to stand next to him, moving aside so she could slide into the chair next to his. She sent Pike a questioning look, the older man giving nothing away except a genuine smile and welcomed greeting.

"Did you have any trouble finding this place?" he asked, noting the closeness of Jim's body to hers, especially the draped arm across the back of her chair. "It's a bit off the beaten path and not a normal hangout for the cadets or really anyone from Starfleet."

"No problems really," she said, sliding out of her jacket, and resting her arms on the table. "The directions you gave were spot on, although I didn't mind a bit of wandering. There's just so much to see here, I feel like I need one lifetime just for this city."

"Trust me, it gets small really quick," Jim said, a hint of bitterness underlining his tone.

A waiter came and took their drinks, handing Charlie a menu that she could look over. "There aren't any prices on here," she noted confusedly, flipping through the menu.

"That's because we don't use money anymore," Pike explained. "Since we have the ability to replicate almost anything we choose, everything has lost its monetary value."

"That's impossible," Charlie scoffed, her eyes wide. "But Sagan said he was going to use the sale of the Red Matter research to buy his own planet," she remembered, turning to Jim. "How could he do that if you don't have any money?"

"We don't have any," Jim said. "But there are still others in the galaxy that do; he could have tried them."

"So you really don't have to pay for anything?" she tried again, glancing between both Pike and Jim.

"Nope," both men said together.

Shaking her head she admitted, "That's incredible. My world revolved around money, I just can't imagine not having it."

"You'll get used to it," Jim smiled, brushing a piece of hair off her face.

Their drinks arrived soon after and they placed their food orders, the waiter heading back into the kitchen and leaving the three alone.

"So how'd the meeting go?" Charlie questioned, sipping through a straw as an awkward silence grew. Jim stiffened next to her and she noted Pike's quick glance in his direction, both men visibly tensing. "What is it?" she probed, glancing between the men as her own adrenaline spiked by the tangible anxiety radiating from the captain sitting next to her. "Jim?"

"Nothing. It was fine," he shrugged nonchalantly, taking a sip of his drink and not looking the woman in the eye. Pike sent Jim a look that spelled 'really' as he also took a sip of his beer.

Raising her brow, unconvinced, Charlie urged, "So why did they need to see you? Why weren't the reports good enough?"

"It's not that the reports weren't good enough –"

"Then what?" she interrupted, her frustration growing at his evasiveness. She stared hard at Jim, and he could feel the fire of her amber glare. Turning to Pike, Charlie snapped, "Are you going to give me a straight answer?"

Just as Pike opened his mouth to tell Charlie the truth of the meeting, Jim barked, "They want something, alright?"

"There, was that so hard?" she replied sarcastically. "What do they want?"

Jim pursed his lips, shaking his head slowly. While he will be leaving her behind, Charlie will be the one to have to face Marcus and his interrogation squad.

Jim opened his mouth, then closed it again, growling internally that he couldn't tell her. Charlie noticed could see the internal struggle he was having, her confusion growing each second.

"While the admiralty has their reasons, Charlie," Pike began, gaining the attentions of the young woman. "I will say right now, I wasn't aware of what they were going to ask until I walked into that room this morning."

"Okay?"

"The admiralty, and specifically Admiral Marcus is requesting, well they want –"

"You," Jim interrupted with defeat, unwilling to look at Charlie. "They want you and have ordered me to hand you over to them."

Just then, the food arrived, a tense and uncomfortable silence followed as the server laid their plates in front of the trio, leaving just as quickly as he came once he was sure they were all set. Charlie just sat there, blinking at Jim as she tried to understand what he had just said.

"Me?" she voiced with bewilderment. "Why on Earth do they want me? I'm no one."

"You're hardly no one," Pike pointed out with a smile, squeezing out a large dollop of ketchup next to his fries.

"Still," she said. "I'm not someone of high diplomatic, or I don't know, strategic importance that the head of Starfleet should take an interest in me."

"They seem to think otherwise," Pike said.

"And what do you mean ordered?" Charlie asked, her attention turning back to Jim as he poked at his food, Charlie completely ignoring hers. "What do they want that they had to order you to 'hand me over'?"

Jim sighed as he leaned back against the chair. "Marcus is concerned that because you are not in Starfleet or a trained civilian for space exploration, that your connection to me and my crew might be suspect."

"Suspect for what!" she exploded.

"Because of the time from which you came, and how long you were with Sagan . . ." Jim trialed off.

"Does he think I was in league with the Klingons?! That I was helping Sagan?" she growled, her anger and fear peaking in a way it never had before.

"Jim and I know that isn't true," Pike spoke calmly, giving a nod of encouragement in Jim's direction. "I read the reports sent back to Starfleet. There are no indicators that you were involved the Doctor Sagan's plot. But it's Marcus's job to protect this organization, so he wants to make sure nothing is wrong with its flagship."

"But nothing is wrong," she practically whined. "Have I done something that would indicate I'm not trustworthy?"

"No, Charlie, no," Jim affirmed, taking her hand firmly. "You have done nothing, this is just precautionary. Before you know it, you'll be back with me and the Enterprise and—"

"Back on the Enterprise? Why am I not going to be there? Am I not leaving with you next week?" she panicked.

"You'll be with me," Pike said firmly, attempting to calm the woman. "I have already arranged with Marcus that you will be under my guardianship and supervision."

"I am twenty-four years old, I don't need supervision," Charlie spat. "In fact, I'm more like two hundred and twenty-four, so I think I win in that category."

"I agree," Pike placated. "But like I said, Marcus is supposed to be cautious; it's in his job description. As long as you don't try to run away from Earth, or something else drastic," he shot a quick look to Kirk who shrugged innocently, "you won't have anything to worry about."

Taking several deep breaths, Charlie tried to calm herself down, her frustration causing tears to build in her eyes and she quickly glanced away. "I just don't understand. What do they expect me do? Why are they doing this to me? I thought I showed them that I wasn't a threat."

Jim gently brought her eyes back to his, warmth and strength radiating from his hardened blue gaze. "I promise you, here and now I will come back for you. You'll be gone a few weeks tops, but you will soon be back on the Enterprise with me."

"And I will make sure you get back to him," Pike added. "Nothing will happen, and I'll coach you through the debriefing process. You have nothing to hide, and as long as you show that, Marcus will relent. I will take care of you."

Charlie sat there, wiping away her tears and saying nothing. One night, she thought. I only had one night before my world decided to explode again. Taking a breath, she said, "I hope you're right, Admiral Pike. For all our sakes." With a small smile at both men, she picked up a fry and began to eat, and whereas Jim and Pike's conversation turned toward her upcoming departure, Charlie lost herself in her head. What am I going to go now?

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