Authoress' Note: Man, this chapter was a TON of fun for some reason. I just love wrapping things up. I'm sure some of you are confused though. You probably thought I was really going to wrap this story up good and tight. No way. I gotta leave some stuff to your imaginations, right? This isn't the last chapter, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the next chapter is going to be an epilogue. You'll just have to wait and see.
An Almost Magnificent Seven
James T. Kirk lowers himself into the captain's chair, leans back, and closes his eyes. There is nothing in the world quite like being alone on the bridge of a starship. There is a silence that is impregnable to the chaos going on only a few decks below. It washes over Kirk as he languishes in the full intensity of the space around him. He can feel the ship thrumming and pulsing beneath his fingertips, and he marvels at the power of her ability to over ride even his commands. He shivers involuntarily at the thought and smiles to himself. He is home.
Dr. McCoy breaks him from his reverie as he exits the turbolift cursing the personnel he has been assigned, as usual. He stations himself right next to Kirk's chair, and the Captain is forced to pay attention.
"Really, Jim, after all I've done for you and this ship," he begins, and then pauses, shaking his head, "but mostly for you, you'd think Starfleet would be kind enough to send me some experienced people. But nooo . . . thank God for Nurse Chapel is all I have to say. She does a fine job of keeping me semi-sane."
"That is no small feat, Doctor."
Both Kirk and Bones turn abruptly toward the turbolift to see Spock standing before them, his hands clasped iconically behind his back, with one eyebrow arched precariously at the two of them. A broad grin spreads over the Captain's face, and it is obvious that he is trying very hard to hold in the urge to jump up and embrace his Vulcan friend. The good Doctor scowls.
"Impeccable timing as usual, Spock," he says sarcastically as the Vulcan takes his place on the other side of the Captain's chair.
"Why thank you, Doctor."
The Doctor's scowl deepens as he mutters something that sounds like "pointy-eared bastard". Kirk holds up his hands, looking at his two friends in turn.
"You two do realise that this is a five year deep space mission, don't you? That means you'll be in close contact with each other for some time. If you can't be nice to each other, then just don't say anything at all. Okay?"
"Did I say anything, Jim?" McCoy says, both eyebrows shooting upward. "Trust me, I know what I signed up for. If Spock's got a problem then that's news to me. By the way, you're due for a pre-flight physical later today. I've got enough to get done without wasting my time bickering with you two."
With that, the Doctor abruptly leaves the bridge. Kirk shrugs at Spock, who raises his eyebrow again.
"It's all a joke between you two anyway, isn't it?" he asks.
Spock gives him a quizzical look. "A joke, Captain?"
Kirk waves his hand and shakes his head, still smiling. "Never mind. Don't worry about it."
"I am a Vulcan, Jim. Worrying is illogical."
"Of course, how could I forget? Ya know, I'm surprised Bones didn't stick around to find out what you've been up to for the past couple of years. He seemed interested only a few days ago."
"I believe, Captain, you can read what I have been "up to" in the files concerning Admiral Pike's last mission. You may find them to be an interesting read despite the fact they contain no near death experiences that are so commonplace in your own logs."
Kirk puts a hand to his heart and makes a pained face. "Spock, you wound me. Are my experiences really any more abnormal than the next persons?"
"I don't think you have any idea, Captain."
Kirk's grin widens at this pronouncement, and then he takes on a reprimanding tone.
"I'll have you know Mr. Spock that Doctor McCoy and I had a very pleasant trip to see my mother which resulted in no broken bones, high speed chases, or bar fights. I am proud of myself in that respect."
"Yes, it is a comfort, Captain, to have you here in one piece. I admit, I was looking forward to playing a game of 3-D chess against you at the earliest possible convenience."
"3-D chess with me?" the Captain acts incredulous, but it is obvious to Spock that he is extremely proud of himself. "You're on. Meet me in my quarters at 1900."
"Montgomery Scott to bridge. Cap'n are ya there?"
Kirk punches the comm button on his chair hard. "Scotty!"
"Yes, Cap'n?"
"I didn't think you were arriving till tomorrow!" Kirk says, a look of unadulterated surprise on his face.
"And leave my crew in charge? You're barmy! Only over my dead body! Do ya know what would happen if I were to – Och, I cannae imagine!"
"Point made, Scotty," Kirk says apologetically, "I won't mention it again. But really, what are you doing here so early?"
"Just doin' some maintenance check ups is all. No harm in that, is there?"
"No, of course not, carry on."
Kirk swivels around in his chair to face Spock, who is bent over his station, already hard at work preparing for their departure. The Captain clears his throat, and the Vulcan looks up at him expectantly. Jim Kirk looks down at his booted feet, twiddling his thumbs, and quite unsure of how to broach the topic of Nyota Uhura.
"Mr. Spock, have you spoken at all with Lieutenant Uhura since you last saw her? She will be returning as communications officer, and I –"
"There is no need for any worry or anxiety on your part, Captain. I last spoke with the Lieutenant only a week ago while waiting for a flight from Starbase 6."
Kirk swallows hard and gestures noncommittally with one hand. "And?"
Spock fights the urge to shrug. "Any past conflict we might have had will not interfere with our duties aboard this ship. Though we have chosen to go our separate ways, she will remain one of my closest confidantes."
"A most reassuring sentiment, Spock."
Kirk jumps in his chair, startled, and whips around to face Uhura who has just exited the turbolift, her datapad already in her arms and a stylus tucked behind her ear.
"Shit! Why the hell does everyone feel the need to sneak up on me like that?"
Uhura glances down at the Captain with a stern gaze, and he looks up at her hopefully. She remains stone-like though her eyes soften a bit as she responds, "I see you haven't changed a bit, Captain."
"And I see you're not exclusive anymore, Lieutenant."
"What's that supposed to mean?" she asks, settling herself down at her station and fiddling with a few of the knobs and buttons.
"It means I can get in your knickers without having to worry about Spock wringing my neck."
Uhura chuckles, her peal of laughter like the tinkling of bells echoes around the bridge. Kirk is very happy to have her aboard once again.
"Spock, please remind me to lock my door at night, would you?"
"Of course, Lieutenant," Spock says, nodding his head at Nyota, a slight smile curving the corners of his lips, "I would advise the Captain to keep his night time wanderings out of your general vicinity unless he wishes to suffer the consequences."
Kirk pretends to look crestfallen. "Damn you two."
---
The following day is one of the most exhilarating and stressful days of James T. Kirk's life. It is a marvel to him that they even make it into space at the appointed hour. Only minutes till leaving orbit, the bridge hums with life as everyone makes last minute changes from his or her assigned stations. Spock streams a non-stop update of ship-wide activity, while Scotty and McCoy takes turns harassing the Captain via the comm system. All that's missing are Chekov and Sulu, both key components of manoeuvering the ship.
"Any idea where they could be?" he asks for the fifth time to nobody in particular. There are five minutes to take off and still no sign of the navigator or helmsman. Kirk drums his fingers on the arm of his chair restlessly.
"Becoming agitated will not make them arrive any sooner, Captain," Spock cautions, but Kirk ignores him.
Suddenly, the turbolift opens and a harried looking Hikaru Sulu skids onto the bridge carrying a small suitcase by his side. He throws himself into his seat and pushes the case out of the way.
"Sorry Captain," he says, his breath coming out in a rush, "I was running late, and I didn't have time to stop by my quarters to deliver my personal items."
"Yes, I can see you're late, Mr. Sulu. We have the entire crew waiting on you and Mr. Chekov. Do you have any idea of where he could be?"
Sulu perks up. "Chekov, Sir? He's still in Russia, at the academy. I think he wanted to continue his studies a bit more. Lieutenant Ryans is supposed to fill his position, but I don't know where he is. Perhaps he didn't get the memo."
Kirk scoffs slightly and settles back into his chair. "Well, I certainly didn't get the memo. When can we expect to see our Russian friend again?"
Sulu shrugs, "Within the next year I'm sure. We'll have to take some shore leave on Earth at some point."
Kirk nods, and again the turbolift doors open and a tall, blonde lieutenant walks briskly inside, a paper in his hand as he surveys the scene.
"Apologies, Captain. I only just got the memo."
Kirk makes a grab for the paper as Lieutenant Ryans walks by to take his seat next to Sulu.
"There really is a memo," the Captain says, scanning the first few lines, "And I thought you guys were just making this shit up," he tosses the paper aside, laughing to himself, and leans forward in his chair, "So ladies and gents, I think it's time to get this show on the road."
A chorus of "Aye, Captain" meets his ears, and he can't help smiling to himself gleefully at the sound.
"All right, Mr. Sulu. Warp six, and punch it."