Authoress' Note: Sorry for taking so long to update. For those who were asking, this chapter is a bit longer, and I apologise for the last chapter being a bit short. It's hard to know sometimes where to cut these chapters off. Anyway, we've finally come to an interesting shift in the story that hearkens back to TOS, so I hope you enjoy what I have in store.

Moving in Opposite Directions

The Enterprise's arrival back at Starfleet is unmarked and seemingly under-appreciated. After landing in San Francisco via shuttlecraft Captain James Kirk and his crew of roughly four hundred men and women meet once again with one of Starfleet's senior officers. The meeting reviews the situation found on Caldos IV, the actions that were taken, and the end results. Kirk is praised for his ingenuity and ability to keep his head in difficult situations, although he states humbly that it was his crew who kept their heads when they weren't receiving any contact from their captain down below.

"Overall, a successful first mission. I will now turn all of you over to be briefed by Admiral Pike."

The entire crew perks up at the mention of such a familiar and deeply admired man. Kirk waits on tenterhooks as the officer gathers up his PADD and other belongings before exiting the room. Hardly a second passes before Admiral Christopher Pike enters, walking on his own two feet once again. Kirk stands up and offers forth his hand, which Pike shakes enthusiastically, a smile on his face.

"I didn't think we'd be seeing you so soon, Admiral!" he says, lowering himself back into his chair.

Pike nods at Kirk and the crew in turn. "It didn't take me long to recover. Physical therapy nowadays is highly efficient when you put your mind to it. As such, I am here to ask a special favour of you, Captain."

"You name it, Sir."

"It is in Starfleet Commands interest to send the Enterprise on a deep space mission to visit Talos IV and other planets in its system. They have asked me to lead the expedition, and I said I would only go if I had your permission," Pike smiles at Kirk kindly, waiting for an answer.

The smiles slides off Kirk's face as he forces himself not to frown at this sudden change in events. He had hoped that he would be the one to lead such a mission, but it seems that Starfleet had other ideas in mind that he didn't know about.

"Just one last mission for an old man like me?" Pike asks, the tone of his voice suggesting that he will respect Kirk's decision either way.

Kirk is relieved. For a moment he thought he was going to be forced out of his position as captain of the Enterprise, but now he understands that Pike only wants one more chance to serve aboard the ship he originally commanded. Kirk owes him that much at least. The young captain nods in concession.

"Go for it, Admiral," he says, and Pike beams.

"Don't worry, Kirk," he says, "I'll bring her back in one piece for you. She'll have to be ship shape if you want to take her out into deep space when I get back."

Kirk nods, a tangled mass of sadness twisting in his stomach. He swallows hard, happy with his decision, but also saddened that it will be some time before he sees his beloved ship again. For the first time since he left Iowa, James Kirk feels homesick. Starfleet has never really been his home, but the Enterprise is. He has always known that she will be there when ever he needs her to be. But now, he won't see her for some time. Already he misses the captain's chair and his familiar sleeping quarters.

Admiral Pike speaks again to wrap up the meeting. "If anyone is interested in becoming part of the crew for the mission to Talos IV please see me after the meeting. I'm looking for a science officer, as well as some security and tactical personnel. We will depart within the next three days, so rest up. This isn't going to be an easy trip."

The briefing concluded, the majority of the crew files out of the room to go back to their residencies, visit family, or see about getting other assignments. Only a few members of the crew linger behind to speak with Admiral Pike. Nurse Chapel is one of them standing at the end of the line.

Kirk looks around for Spock, and just as he is about to ask Bones if he's seen him, McCoy points. The two stare, wide eyed and mouths open, at the young Vulcan talking with Admiral Pike. When he finishes, he glances at the two humans and continues on his way. The two men look at each other, and then launch themselves after him. They catch up quickly, flanking Spock on either side.

"What the hell are you doing?" Kirk says, gesticulating wildly.

"Admiral Pike expressed the need for a science officer, and considering we will not be going on any missions ourselves any time soon I thought my time would best be served under his command."

"Spock . . ." Kirk begins, but the Vulcan raises a hand to silence him.

"I have already submitted my candidacy, and he has accepted. I depart in 3 days."

"Damn it, Spock, now what am I supposed to do?" Kirk says grumpily.

"What do you mean, Captain?"

"I mean, now I don't have a science officer or first officer."

"I was not under the impression that you had released me from my duties, Captain. If you wish to find another first officer and science officer I will be understanding."

Kirk stares at Spock for a minute, dumbfounded, and then shakes his head.

"No, no, I merely meant that I thought you wouldn't want to serve under me anymore."

"That would be illogical, Jim. What would prevent me from doing so?"

Kirk shrugs, but grins anyway; pleased with himself at how his first officer reacted to his question. He puts his arms around the Doctor and the Vulcan's shoulders, much to Spock's annoyance, as they walk out over the campus bathed in sunlight.

"What will you and the Doctor do in my absence, Captain?" Spock says, discreetly shrugging Kirk's arm from around him. He doesn't even notice.

"Well," he drawls, squeezing McCoy's shoulder, "I thought Bones and I could take a trip to Iowa to see my mother. I haven't heard from her in ages, and I think it's about time I owe her a visit. What do ya say, Bones?"

McCoy shrugs his shoulders. "It's either that or fight the ex-wife to see my daughter for a couple of hours."

He holds out his hands, weighing the options, and nods at Kirk. "Yeah, I'll tag along. Besides I've always wanted to meet the mother of the infamous Jim Kirk."

"I'm flattered, Bones, really," Kirk says, and McCoy's eyebrow shoots into the air and is almost lost in his hair.

---

"There he goes."

McCoy and Kirk watch as Spock's shuttlecraft taking him back up to the Enterprise shoots into the air and out of sight. They have already changed from their regulation clothes and are ready to catch the next shuttlecraft to River City, Iowa. As the shuttlecraft carrying the young Vulcan away becomes a mere white speck in the sky, Kirk picks up the two pieces of luggage and begins walking away.

He turns a few seconds later, realising that the Doctor isn't following him. McCoy is still staring up at the sky, his shoulders slumped, and one hand shielding his eyes from the sun. He lowers his hand and looks at Kirk who gives him a look that says what's-up-with-you? McCoy sighs and trudges over toward Kirk. He takes his luggage from Jim and slings it up and over his shoulder. They continue to walk in silence for a minute before McCoy suddenly bursts out "Damn it! Why do I feel so empty without that green-blooded hobgoblin trailing after us?"

Jim pats his friend's shoulder and gives him a sympathetic look that only makes Bones scowl, as he lifts his luggage higher on his shoulder.

"Have you fallen under our dear Spock's mysterious Vulcan spell also, my friend?" Kirk asks as seriously as he can while attempting to stifle a laugh.

"Jesus Christ, I hope not."