Chapter 27 I hope you respect me in the morning.

Kirk shares a look with Riley and Gala… She gives him a look of sympathy. He doesn't say anything just picks up the clear crystal closes his eyes and concentrates. Eventually he notices that the room has gone quiet again and opens his eyes. He sees everyone is once again staring at him or rather the crystal in his hand. That had started off clear but was now emanating a soft golden glow. Anyone who had melded with Kirk, would recognize that as the color of his thoughts or Katra.

"I know that you have lots of questions. And I will answer them. Still, we can't forget the reason why we are here and that's what's happening on vafer-tor. This—

he indicated the crystal.

"Will answer some questions. While most likely, simultaneously creating more. Despite this, I firmly believe in putting all the cards on the table once and for all. Is for the best, both personally and professionally. I don't want there to be any more secrets between me and the people in this room. I want us to trust each other. We're going to need to trust each other. If what is happening to Spock is any indication. Hopefully after you see the truth… I hope you still want me as your Captain. After you watch this, it should give you a better idea of what question to ask. I will do my best to answer. Hopefully this will help the doctors and the rest of you help me be able to formulate a plan. Once we have some idea about that. I will talk to you about Tiggy and his universe. Come to think of it, that probably will be quite large a factor going forward. We will get to that after you have seen what there is to see. You can ask questions. I have already lived through this once. So, while you watch I'm going to take the opportunity to attend my mate in the room next door."

Kirk looks over at ambassador Selek. Standing up he gestures for Selek to take his seat. Squeezing Selek's shoulder. "You've used one of these before… So, you get to play attendant in case they want to slow down or go back over something. Seeing how we're connected; you can manipulate my energies within the machine. However, when the show and tell is over. I want the crystal smashed. Kirk said holding Spock's gaze. "Of course, Ashaya. Don't worry! YOU have nothing to be ashamed of." Witnessing the exchange, people around the table including bones exchanged wary looks with each other. Kirk just held Elder Spock's gaze for a long minute, then turned on his heel towards the lounger fully aware that every set of eyes in the room was watching him. He decided not to pay them any mind. He shucked off the marriage robe laying it out beside Spock. Vaguely noting the gasps around the room as he deftly picked up what would be a heavy Vulcan to a normal human and deposited him on the open robe. Then maneuvering his arms in the holes with practiced ease. He swiftly picks Spock up, stopping for just a second to crouch and find the balance. Then standing up straight, carrying Spock almost like a child his other hand free to pull the robes hood over Spock's face. He turned just enough to see shock on all faces; out of the corner of his eye before turning to face the door. That connects this room to the conference room next door. This door has a thumb scanner because it is secure and soundproof for important meetings just like the room, they are in. Jim presses his thumb to the pad and the door opens with the hiss. He walks through still carrying Spock. He stopped and turned around just inside the door, holding his hands so the sensor doesn't let the door close. He takes one last look around the room as if to memorize each of their faces. It's Bones. Who says. "Jim…" Tentatively.

Jim just shakes his head.

"No Bones, you need to be there to see what there is to see and you need to see it without my presence, so that if you decide you want to transfer or whatever you need to be able to do it without having to face me. That's only fair." Kirk shrugs. "Besides, there are things I need to talk over with my mate. In private. This will give us the chance for that and still allow us to work on the problem at hand; because unfortunately, everything wants to come all at once. I will say this once again for the record any of you who feel the need to request a transfer, after you see what's on the crystal, I won't hold it against you. Just… for your own safety, and for reasons that soon become clear. I asked that you don't divulge the information you are about to become privy to. Although I sincerely hope that you'll respect me in an hour and a half."

Kirk gave everyone around the table a watery smile. Then pressing his lips to Spock's Temple. Some in the room noticed how effortlessly he was holding Spock like a small child. Then he stepped back, letting the door close.

"Oh my God! Dramatic much. — Nyota starts.

"Nyota—

"Cut him a break, aye Lassie? —

"Da, I agree with Meestir. Scott. I no, understand why you're so hateful toward the captain. He's never said anything bad about you, ewen when you deserve to be written up for disrespecting him. He still tells eweryone your, the best communications officer.

"Oh my God?" Nyota scoffed. "How does he do it? Not even pheromones could work that well and certainly not on Vulcans… Mind tricks…"

At that last comment. The room erupts into a cacophony… Of chaos.

"Really this jealousy thing you got going on over Spock is getting ridiculous—

"you're really going to start accusing Kirk of mind tricks—

"If this is about that time, at the bar Lassie, you should really let it go. He explained he was having a bad day and apologized. It happens—

Elder Spock raises his hand. After watching the chaos for a few minutes. Knowing it's just going to devolve even further. But he keeps watching Nyota because she is the chaos factor here there is something wrong. He just can't put his finger on it.

When simply raising his hand did not cease the noise. He decided to take a page from Jim's book. Raring back and bringing his fist down on the corner of the table with full force. Causing a satisfying crack. Forcing everyone to stop and watch the corner break off and fall to the floor. That had the desired effect of shutting everyone up and giving him their full attention.

"Ach, I knew Vulcans were strong, but Christ man did ye have to break the table? Gonna be a mite hard, to convince the quartermaster at Star-base seven that I guest Vulcan, done went and put his fist through it."

"My apologies. Mr. Scott." The Ambassador. Spock tilts his head to the side considering. Mr. Scott is the quartermaster on Star-base seven's name Trask, Davin Trask?"

"Aye. And a right pain in the arse he is to, acting as if he has to personally pay for all the requests like it's not covered by Starfleet. That is if he can even be bothered."

Ambassador Spock looked contemplative for a second. "Yes, I seem to recall my Mr. Scott expressing some of the same sentiments when he needed parts or certain furniture fell victim to the captains temper..."

Spock crossed his arms and leaned back in the chair. "If I recall correctly, I believe my Mr. Scott said something about a bottle of Johnny Walker blue. Having a positive effect on the situation. If I recall."

Mr. Scott smiled. "Really now? I will keep that in mind."

Spock took in all the smiling faces. Aside from his father and grandmother's raised eyebrows, which he just returned. He was well past the time in his life where their approval would have any effect on him.

The only one that really bothered him at this point was Nyota for some reason she insisted on harboring such negative feelings toward the captain and he just didn't understand. He didn't think anybody did. Well, as the saying goes, there's only one way to find out.

"Now that everybody is settled. I would like to start the viewing—

"I would like to know why you're the one starting the viewing instead of our captain. After all, it's supposed to be our captains' memories in such which frankly I don't see how anything Our captain could remember could be so important to some crisis on Vulcan—

"For Christ's sake." McCoy interrupts. "Jeff as CMO I'm asking you to run a psych eval on Lieut. Nyota Urhura as soon as possible. I want you to do it because that way. There can be no question of conflict of interest due to my relationship with the captain. I don't know about you, but I personally am beginning to wonder if maybe Lieut. Urhura is not suffering from some sort of unhealthy fixation on the captain. —

Dr. M Banga, having been quiet for quite a bit, simply nodded at McCoy. I'll run the test for propriety's sake, "but I find myself leaning towards agreeing with you."

"Excuse me doctors?" Nyota asks. Sounding truly shocked.

Dr. M Banga raises an eyebrow at her worthy of a Vulcan. "I'm sorry, Lieut., but I fail to see how you can justify Sounding shocked at the idea of having to have a psych eval… Frankly, I at a loss as to explain why the captain hasn't formally reprimanded you. Your attitude toward your commanding officer has been deplorable and as far as I can see… You have no valid grounds for it. It is my understanding that your relationship with Cmdr. Spock has never had a solid foundation. As Cmdr. Spock's physician, I know from our talks that he made you aware, before the destruction of Vulcan that he had other commitments. So therefore, your relationship was not considered shall we say long-term. I know this because as his physician, a human and someone who understands certain things concerning Vulcans. Mr. Spock came to me seeking the best way to handle the situation. I also know that he broke things off with you before returning. To serve As first officer on board the enterprise. You have top marks in Xeno-linguistics and Xneo-culture. Therefore, you should understand the concept of bond mate's you told Cmdr. Spock that you were perfectly okay with the fact that he may or may not have had to honor a betrothal. So?

your problem with Captain Kirk can't be solely jealousy of his relationship with Cmdr. Spock… If you have a problem with serving under Captain Kirk, why did you except a post on the enterprise?

"Because… Because… Fine. You want the truth. I earned my place. I speak and understand more languages than any communications officer in Starfleet. I replaced a seasoned officer on the bridge of the enterprise because I speak three different Romulan dialects. I am not going to give up a post I worked for just because; some barely literate backwater legacy fleet brat managed to use pheromone enhanced skills, he learned during his two years as a professional Orion trained, piece of ass to Fuck his way to the top at the Academy. Then use the same manipulative skills to steal the captaincy away from the person it rightfully belongs to. somehow everybody ignores the glaring fact that he failed to save one planet; and by sheer luck nobody else died. And they decide to give him the fucking captaincy a captaincy that rightfully belong to someone else! And yet you all follow him. He's even admitted he hasn't told the truth and you're still defending him —

most everyone in the room was to shocked to respond to the vitriol spewing from Nyota's mouth. Even the Vulcan's were speechless.

"Christ- I'm racking up apologies with Jimbo." McCoy says.

"First, and foremost it's no fucking wonder he didn't tell the truth. Do you even hear yourself? —

"No shit!" Sulu exclaims.

McCoy looks at ambassador Spock. "I think Jimbo might've been onto something which means this will be what the fifth apology today?"

"Tell me Nyota," McCoy says slowly. "Was it Adm. Commack who told you that Jim spent two years as a pheromone enhanced Orion whore?"

No one in the room missed her facial twitch. "What the hell does that matter? It's true! How else could he graduated from Starfleet Academy in just a little over two years? When it takes everybody else four? He couldn't unless he was earning—

this time it was surprisingly Sarek that spoke. My son, Spock is only a year older than you, yet he's been a professor at the Academy for two years. Because he graduated two years and six months early. Just as James. Are you suggesting that Spock earned his place. How did you put it.? On his back?"

For the first time Nyota looked truly shocked.

"n-n-n-o of course not. But Spock's a Vulcan. You can't possibly be comparing Kirk, a backwater white trash hic from Iowa—

this time it was Chekhov that spoke up. "You hawe newer looked at the captain's transcripts, hawe you?"

Nyota crossed her arms defiantly. In McCoy cocked his head. Oh, I bet she looked at the file. Probably Jim's juvenile arrest record where he was busy trying to get attention or stay away from home because he was being abused. I bet; his pet cave Vulcan could only do so much to protect him without drawing attention to himself. Attention, he couldn't afford. Seeing how it would be a little tough to explain being from another universe. And having an interest in protecting Kirk. Without interfering in some major way in possibly making things worse. I bet that's the file she was conveniently given by our good buddy Commack."

"You keep making comments about Adm. Commack, so what if he did show me a juvenile record it proves my point. Kirk is always skated by. He should've been on a penal colony long before he joined Starfleet. Somehow, he avoided that. Stolen cars, hacking, multiple assault charges. For Fuck's sake. He got kicked off the planet Vulcan. And sent to Tarsus where—

it was then that Elder Spock finally found his voice.

"For your own good; and in name of the woman, I once thought of his family who apparently you only share a passing resemblance with unfortunately. I give you this warning, Do not finish whatever you were about to say." Elder Spock said lowly.

"Especially, when you know not of what you speak." The last was by, T'pau herself Nyota's eyes snapped to T'pau who penned her with a cold stare.

"By all rights, either Ambassador Spock are within their rights Cmdr. Spock and should be bringing slander charges, against thee according to Vulcan law However, they have shown that they are prone to emotionality when it comes to their T'hy'la. Which cannot be improper. Thy should know, I am troubled by no such hesitation. However, I believe that James would be distressed where I to take such action... Though to me it seems illogical. He seems to value you even though you apparently do not return the courtesy. I have no idea why this Adm. Commack is determined to make trouble for my James, but I intend to find out. as he is a part of my house; he was willing to stand up for my house. I can do no less for him. I will do you a favor for James's sake. I tell thee now to recognize your error. It has been brought to my attention that James had a troubled home life as a youth. Despite that, he managed to earn a place at the Vulcan science Academy—

Nyota's eyes widened. And she looked to Chekhov and then McCoy seeing them nod. "That's not possible. How- at the cocked eyebrow. She closed her mouth. The same way any other applicant did my scoring James would've been the first human to tie for the top spot of the Vulcan science Academy. With one S'chn T'gai Spock. Both James and Spock scored the same in all categories except one James scored one point higher opposite Spock, so they were considered tied both would've been allowed to attend. However, Spock chose to turn down the posting for his own reasons. James was mistakenly punished which is illogical, it is I will freely admit I regret that particular mistake. James got an altercation in defense of Spock, he learned who Spock was and sought to set it right. He even went as far as to request an audience with myself when he realized that Spock was going to allow himself to be punished wrongly. However, unbeknownst to myself. The parties responsible for James took this opportunity to punish him illogically."

Nyota looked lost for a minute. "None of this makes any sense. If what you say is true, then… I don't understand why—

McCoy put in. "Why would dear old uncle James lie about your Captain? That is the question."

Nyota's eyes snapped to McCoy.

"You knew?" McCoy shook his head.

"No, not until just a little earlier when Jim told me. He asked me not to speak ill of Commack because he was your uncle."

Nyota's mouth fell open. McCoy just nodded. That's Jimmy for you.

"Look I know you're confused and have questions. I was to; still am actually, but I think will start finding some of the answers if we just watch whatever's on that crystal thingamajig. As far as why we're watching it and Jim is not here. I think it's just easier for him to share this with us if he doesn't have to watch us and worry about what we think. Also, I think he's worried that we won't be honest about how we feel about it. If he's sitting, there watching us. He wants to give us time to consider if we can still serve with him, still trust him."

Spock nods. "Being true to yourself has always been important to Jim, freedom of choice, in what he refers to as the scheme of the universe."

"Let's get to watching and I don't know about the rest of you; but I want answers. I want to know more about those people. I want to help the hob - the Vulcans. There's more to this than Jim is explaining right now we have to go through this. I have a feeling he has more to tell us he's just sharing this little bit to see if we can be trusted not to run screaming. Like almost everybody else in his life has; except for a few crazy Vulcans."

Spock nodded solemnly. "I fear you may be right. Leonard... Jim Kirk is not one to trust easily. No matter what front he may put on. Now once he gives it, his trust is an awesome thing to behold. There's nothing quite like it."

As they all took the places around the table. Sulu spoke up.

"I want to think that ambassador Spock's words are biased but here is something that I can't stop thinking about, after having listened to him talk about the captain and trust. I find I must agree… That man did not even stop to contemplate not jumping, he jumped straight off the drill platform after me no question. And we barely knew each other. We'd seen each other at the Academy sure here and there; but we didn't know each other. He only knew me as part of the enterprise crew. When he took a header off the drill platform after me, without a second thought… I just keep thinking if he would do that. What would he do for somebody…," Sulu let the question hang as he and the ambassador stared at each other.

It was Scotty who broke the silence. "I get that the captain said that this here contraption was gonna show us, sort of A holo- vid of whatever, he put in that there. Wee crystal. You mind telling us what those bobbles are for lassie you were gonna pass out until, the captain told you put them on the table."

For a moment. Gayla was startled with surprise at being addressed. Then she smiled.

"Oh yes, sorry! I sort of forgot, with all the talking. Everything! She picked up one of the shiny luminescent crystals. These are focus crystals there usually used in conjunction with the machine when viewing a memory or communicating especially for psi-null people like we were speaking before. One thing you have to understand is very, very few species are completely psi-null. Most humans are considered psi-null because they can't actively start telepathic communication to the point of clear thought patterns and speech. However, there are some humans Who, have incredibly honed intuition or are incredibly sensitive to other people's emotions. These humans have a higher psi ability. Naturally, then the average human. These crystals were created so that non-sensitive individuals could get clear impressions to go along with the visuals. So that you are not in effect watching a communiqué with no sound or hollow with sound, but no picture. Generally, the stones are passed out when the machine is ready, like I was about to do. However, the captain once again didn't want anybody to feel forced; or feel like they're having their brain invaded whether they wanted the full experience, or not. So, he bid me put them in the middle of the table so those of you who would like to experience what he felt, heard all of the above. can do so by picking up a crystal.

Those who would not want to share in his feelings and experiences any deeper than just watching the pictures. Will not be affected. so long as you don't make contact with the crystal. Let me be clear. You will feel whatever he felt at the time of memory that is showing. So, if he's not having a good day. That's what you'll feel his emotions. How strongly His feelings his inner thoughts may come to you through the crystal varies. How much you receive, and how much you comprehend is individual experience, based on each person. Your own openness, or any reservations you may have will affect your experience. Fair warning to the Vulcans since you are naturally already sensitive. You may, or may not need the crystal, to experience the details. I'm not sure. However, if you do use a crystal, it will be very visceral. Please remember, that you can let go of the crystal if you become overwhelmed. Jimmy would never forgive himself, if one of you were to become permanently traumatized, or scarred. He's not doing this out of malice. He truly wants to make sure you understand."

She said the last holding the gaze of the three men. Whose oath he promised to accept if after they knew everything if they still wished to give it.

Chekhov spoke up. "Da this is because he's an honorable man." Gala smiled wholeheartedly. "Oh, I know! Riley and I would have died long ago; same for our Lady Amanda, and yours would've definitely had a worse time of it, if she made it off Tarsus, at all, were it not for the fact that Jimmy is an honorable man.

Gala flinched at the way Sarek's head snapped up. MY Amanda was on Tarsus? Gala tilted her head. "I thought you knew that didn't she ask you to get help?"

"She did," Sarek says slowly. "She came home from visiting her sisters … And—

Gayla just looks Sarek little Sadly. Then turns to Elder Spock. "I think now would be a good time to get started. She says quietly."

Elder Spock. Meets T'pau's gaze. They both look at Sarek. "I believe you're right."

With that. He addresses the room. "Okay, everyone who is going to take a crystal, take one so that you may have the full experience; do so now. Jim may not say it, but I believe that it would be well for everyone to take a crystal. So, that you have the most truthful experience, and less information would be lost, allowing for better understanding. Just keep in mind that if you become overwhelmed. You can set the crystal down anytime. It's best if you start with the mindset that you're watching a film or fiction of some sort, even though we know it's not. This way of thinking will help those not as familiar with telepathic communication to keep themselves separated from that which they will be seeing and experiencing. As the captain said. Should you need to review something simply say so." Spock was filled with pride and not at all surprised when everybody around the table, including Nyota, picked up a crystal, even Dr. McCoy. Although he did study it as though it were going to bite him.

"Since this is your first experience that may be slightly disorienting to see someone else's dreams from their point of view to fill their emotions with the crystals. Worry not. This is not exactly like a Vulcan mind meld, there is no risk to your physical being. Emotionally, you may be upset by some of the things simply because you find the content disturbing, but no more so than the person whose experiences you are witnessing. And unlike the original person, you have the ability to stop anytime; by releasing the crystal. Keep that in mind at all times."

Spock let his eyes travel around the table making sure that everyone understood what he said and also checking that they were ready when the last person nodded.

"As the captain would say, buckle what boys and girls here, we go." The last thing they all heard sounded like a snort from McCoy.

Then everyone around the table sucked in a breath as their senses were flooded with sunlight and the smell of corn, Wood and hay.

Anyone standing inside the room watching would've been able to hear the sharp intake of breath as everyone at the table was slammed with anxiety and fear.

As a little boy looked around the door of an old farmhouse. Cradling an injured arm. That so hated voice ringing in their ears.

"Where the Fuck you think you going? I didn't tell ya ta go anywhere you lazy little bastard! If you know what's good for you. You'll get the Fuck back here and bring me another beer. Before you fool around out there. An Break ya other arm! Don't think that will get ya outta your fucking chores you hear me."