So this chapter is a bit short. Next chapter will be nice and long I promise! Btw since this fic is almost over :( I have some ideas for my next fic...I will give out hints in the beginning of each new chapter starting now...here is your first hint: Jeff Bridges... :O

Enough talk! On with the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek...I only own Lara Sheppard

Moments after Kirk's announcement, the bridge had returned to its chaotically organized fashion. Jim was dealing with introducing his companion, Scotty, to everyone and sending him down to engineering while Lara stood at her station and tapped her fingers on her console impatiently. She shook her leg and bit her lip, waiting for her chance to get Jim's attention.

Finally after what seemed like hours of waiting he turned and started to make his way to the lift. Lara followed after him and waited for the doors to close. When they did Lara waited for a few seconds then mashed the stop button. It was at this time that she realized she hadn't come up with anything to say. So ignoring Jim's questioning stare she threw her arms around his neck and started blabbering about everything she was feeling.

"I'm so happy to see you. You're and idiot do you know that? Don't ever do something like that to me again. I was so worried, and I had to deal with Spock and then there was Leo and calibrating weapons for five hours with Sulu and then you showed up and had to be all in Spock's face and he almost killed you again! James Kirk, do you know how hard it is to be in love with a guy like you? I mean…I…uh…"

Lara trailed off after she realized what she had just said. Well at least I said it, that counts right? She thought to herself as she watched Jim's face for a reaction. But his eyes wouldn't show her anything. Jim just stared at her. Beginning to get nervous Lara started to pull her arms from his neck but was stopped when his strong hands gently held her where she was. Jim still wouldn't say anything.

"Jim," Lara said quietly trying to retract what she just said, "I…"

"Lara?" he almost whispered her name.

"Yeah?"

"Stop talking." He said then crushed his lips to hers. Jim wrapped his arms around her small waist and held her close, as if he was afraid she might disappear. Lara had her fingers in his hair and kissed him deeply and passionately.

They parted, gasping for air, and stood there resting on each other's forehead. "So…" Lara said after a moment, "I'm guessing this means you feel the same way?"

Jim smiled and looked into her eyes, "What do you think?"

"I don't know for sure though," Lara said playfully.

"I love you Lara," Jim said to her and kissed her again, "I always have and I always will."

She smiled up at him and kissed him again, then pulled back and said, "We should get back up to the bridge."

"Sure," he said activating the lift, "So this won't change things will it?"

"Well it does change one thing," she said moving to stand at his side.

"What's that?"

"However you're planning to save Pike, I want in and that means that I am going with you."

"Lara, I don't think that's…" he was stopped by a finger on his lips.

"Jim, technically I have to be with you on any ground mission, and I want to go with you, whatever your crazy plan is I want to be there at your side to the very end."

"To the very end of the mission? Or to the very end of everything?"

She smiled and took his hand in hers, "It doesn't matter, either way we'll be with each other."

They stepped onto the bridge and Jim immediately got to work on his plan. He and Lara gathered around a screen with the other officers and of course, they started arguing each other's points.

"Whatever the case we need to get aboard Nero's ship undetected," Jim said with his arms crossed.

"We can't just go in there guns blazing Jim," Leo said standing next to him.

"He's right Jim," Lara pointed at the screen, "His ship is huge, it's almost impossible to get aboard without being noticed by somebody."

"Captain Kirk! Captain Kirk!" she turned to see a very excited Chekov tapping on Jim's shoulder.

"Yes, Chekov what is it?" Jim asked him.

"Based on Nurata's course from Vulcan, I have projected that Nero will travel past Saturn," he said excitedly. Jim looked over at Lara as the young ensign continued, "Like you said we need to stay invisible to Nero or he'll destroy us. If Mr. Scott can get us to warp vector four and if we drop out of warp behind one of Saturn's moons say…Titan, the magnetic distortion from the planet's rings will make us invisible to Nero's sensors. From there as long as the drill is not activated we can beam aboard the enemy ship."

"Aye that might work," Scotty said from behind Jim with a towel in his ear and a thoughtful look on his face.

Jim, with his hands on his hips turned to look at Lara who was chewing her lip but liked the ensigns plan. "Wait a minute kid how old are you?" Leo asked Chekov.

"Seventeen sir," he said proudly.

"Oh…oh good he's seventeen." Leo said crossing his arms while looking at Jim.

"Doctor," they all heard a voice behind them. When they turned they saw Spock standing at the head of the steps leading down to where they were standing, "Mr. Chekov is correct, I can confirm his telemetry. If Mr. Sulu is able to maneuver us into position, I can beam aboard Nero's ship, steal the black hole device, and if possible bring back Captain Pike."

"I won't allow you to do that Mr. Spock." Jim said shaking his head slightly.

Spock looked like he was grinning, "Romulans and Vulcans share a common ancestry our cultural similarities will make it easier for me to access the ships computer to locate the device. Also my mother was human which makes earth the only home I have left."

There was a pause as Jim considered what Spock had just told him. Then he slowly stepped up to Spock, "Then I'm coming with you," he said.

"And…I am too. You're gonna need somebody to watch your backs while you explore the dark corners of that ship," Lara said stepping up next to Jim and placing a hand on both men's shoulders.

Jim nodded at her with a slight smile. Then she heard Spock say, "I would cite regulation but I know you will both simply ignore it."

Jim grinned, "See we are getting to know each other," he said slapping Spock's arm and making his way to his chair.

Lara smiled up at Spock, "This is gonna be fun."

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