I am so sorry this didn't come out yesterday. I've been so busy with school I completely forgot it was Saturday!
Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek
Jim returned to active duty on schedule, three days after his escape from Medbay. Most of the crew was just happy to see him back on the Bridge; it was only the command crew who really had any insight to just how messed up everything had gotten, so thankfully they were the only ones Jim felt like he had to actively avoid for any real period of time. Not that he would put it like that. He didn't actually avoid any of them, unless you counted his near single-minded focus when it came to escaping any situation that might turn personal.
He and Carol spent a lot of time together, as Jim made every effort to show his healthy, happy face to the crew over his forced three day recovery – he honestly thought he was able to return to work after a day like everyone else who had been caught in the attack, but he knew better than to question McCoy when the doctor was in this kind of mood.
Stories and rumors had circulated, and Jim was on the receiving end of more awe-inspired looks than usual in the days following the attack. When he cheered Sulu on from the sidelines in the gym as the pilot grabbed any security officer who was willing be used as a stress reliever in the hand-to-hand training ring – since McCoy had banned Jim from participating himself, and he was usually the one who fought against Sulu in the ring – people stared. When Jim and Carol spent evenings on ODs and in the rec rooms on various levels, people whispered.
Jim knew what they were saying; the rumors were getting out of hand, promoting him to an even more exalted status. He had held up against K'miri rebels, kept his mouth shut and not broken in the face of torture.
Jim just hoped the hype would die down eventually. He didn't want his crew to treat him like a god. He wasn't. He wasn't perfect and he hated being looked at like he could walk on water. He had made so many mistakes in his life, and knowing that people thought him to be more than he was just made him uncomfortable.
Fortunately, things seemed to be going back to normal as Jim stepped onto the Bridge three days after the incident, still looking tired, but overall healthy, with an easy bright smile for the crew who all looked incredibly relieved to see him back. Spock was a decent stand-in, but Jim was their Captain. He was the one they felt comfortable with in the chair, calling out orders and offering them a calm and steady presence to lean on.
Just hearing the rumors of what he had been through on that planet had been distressing. More than one person contemplated sneaking down to exact revenge on the group of K'miris who had hurt their Captain. And more than one wondered why they were still even in orbit. Shouldn't they leave? It seemed like this race didn't want Starfleet involved, so why fight that?
But Jim was adamant that they not condemn the whole race for the actions of a few individuals. He had spoken with the Emperor briefly, and accepted apologies along with an invitation to attend a banquet held in Starfleet's honor the next evening. He would go down earlier in the day with a few officers to begin the process of petitioning for admittance to the Federation, and then others would beam down for the banquet later on.
Jim couldn't get out of the security detail Spock forced on him ("It is the duty of the First Officer to ensure his Captain's wellbeing, no matter his superior's erroneous views"), so it was with well-hidden resignation that he dutifully beamed down with Uhura and half a dozen guards.
The Emperor was waiting with his own contingent of guards, and both appeared to share a disinclination for the extra security as they made their way to the K'miri's office.
The Emperor was incredibly apologetic, and very grateful that Jim was still willing to pass along their petition, despite everything.
Jim just smiled and assured the Emperor that he didn't believe in holding someone accountable for something unless it was actually their fault.
Relieved, the Emperor spent the rest of the day with the two Starfleet officers and several advisors and political members, working out wording and details.
By dinner time, everyone was happy with the initial document. Jim and the Enterprise wouldn't be staying much longer – they were due to leave the next day – but another Starfleet representative would be in contact, and the K'miri would likely get another visit from the Federation within the next few months.
XXX
As the Enterprise pulled away from the planet the next day, Jim felt some of the jubilance that came from a successful mission creep over him. Sure, things hadn't exactly gone to plan, but they left on good terms with the K'miri, the Emperor was pleased and eager to be included in the Federation, the Federation would soon have access to a planet rich in dilithium, and other than Jim, no one had been seriously hurt. Jim knew that attitude annoyed the hell out of Bones, but the truth was, as long as no one other than Jim got hurt – or at least, badly hurt – he would always consider that a win.
"So what's next?" Sulu asked as they all gathered for dinner that evening. Everyone looked to Jim, but the Captain just shrugged, taking a sip of his water.
"No orders yet," he informed them. "I think Pike's keeping Komack off our backs for a bit, to give us a break. So until a new mission comes in, we're exploring."
McCoy grumbled a little, but they all knew that was just the doctor's way of making sure everyone knew how unhappy he was with being in space.
Joanna glanced up at her father and frowned at him with an expression so like Jim, that the entire group stared at the seven-year-old. "Daddy, you know you don't hate being here as much as you pretend. You said you liked the view."
Jim snorted, while the others all hid their smiles, and McCoy gaped at his daughter.
Joanna just continued to give her father the patronizing look he was so used to seeing on his best friend. Had he been letting Jim babysit too much? "Uncle Jim says that complaining is how you communicate, but I think that's just his way of saying you like the sound of your own voice."
Jim looked suddenly wary as McCoy leveled a fierce glare in his direction, but Joanna just smiled sweetly and went back to her dinner.
Jim fidgeted uncomfortably as everyone continued to look between him and Joanna for another minute, wondering if he should beat a hasty retreat. After a long moment of silence, McCoy looked around the table and gave everyone a wide-sweeping glare, before returning to his meal. The others, still smiling, followed suit. Jim breathed a quiet sigh of relief as he continued eating his own dinner, glad to have avoided any loud yelling. Though Bones could just be waiting until they were alone. He wouldn't rule that possibility out.
Jim resolved to be hyper-vigilant for the foreseeable future, just in case.
XXX
Jim knew he was right in his estimation that Chris was probably running interference back on Earth – either him, or Jon or Richard. Either way, someone was keeping Komack from handing the Enterprise another mission as the next few months passed quietly.
They drifted for a while, slowly making their way in the direction of the Romulan-Federation border of the Neutral Zone. While they had received no official orders, Jon had contacted Jim privately a few weeks earlier and requested he start heading over there, 'just in case'.
Sure enough, less than three days after that call, Komack finally contacted them, fully disgruntled and less agreeable than usual, as he demanded the Enterprise remain at the border for the next two months, mapping the space and keeping an eye out for any anomalies.
Jim knew why their presence could do some good there, but it still set the entire crew on edge, to spend so much time so close to the borders of the race that had decimated the Vulcans and Starfleet over two years ago. Starfleet had been good about putting their officers out there, showing their faces to the Federation and assuring members that they were still strong. In particular, Starfleet had been making an effort to step up patrols along the Romulan and Klingon borders of the Neutral Zone, assuring border colonies and planets in particular, that there was nothing to worry about.
Having the Enterprise, especially, on the border, told the Federation and its enemies that they weren't broken, and they wouldn't be cowed by the actions of a few crazy Romulans. It also told both the Romulans and the Klingons that the Federation wouldn't tolerate any additional attempts.
For the most part, it seemed to be working; having Federation ships out there showing their faces to the public – allies and enemies – had done a great deal of good to those members who may have been concerned that such a horrible massacre would cause the Federation to crumble. Sure, they had had a few species attempt to defect, and the Yorktown had had to make it very clear to one race that if they continued to deal with Klingons under the table the Federation would dismiss them, but for the most part, there were no major issues.
Fortunately, everything was quiet as the next two months passed, and the crew breathed a sigh of relief when they finished up and received new orders to study a star closer to the border between Alpha and Beta quadrants. Apparently, it was scheduled to go super nova soon, and Komack wanted them to make sure no nearby planets would get caught in the explosion.
Since there was no real rush – Jim had read the reports, and despite Komack's demands that they get it done, the star wasn't supposed to have any real activity for at least another two years, and more likely, five years – when Scotty asked him privately if they could slow it down a bit, to give him time to run some system checks and upgrade a few things, the Captain agreed, with only a little apprehension.
Scotty was very cagey when Jim asked if the upgrades were really necessary. "We were upgraded on Earth within the last few years," he reminded the Engineer. "Surely we haven't gotten that out of date yet."
Scotty shrugged sheepishly. "I promise it's nothing harmful," he said evasively. "Just a few things that could be better."
Jim wasn't entirely convinced, but he trusted the Scotsman with his ship, so he agreed, and told Sulu to set their course at Warp Two, giving them a little more than a week of travel before they arrived at the star.
Everyone was very happy to have the quiet time. True, life on a starship could get boring at times, but with the most recent excitement, people were just happy to have no major crises, as they slowly traveled to their next assignment.
XXX
April glanced up as McCoy let out yet another sigh, his fifth in two minutes. His attention was fixed on the PADD in his hands. She looked over and saw that Joanna was immersed in the children's educational program that was playing in the living area. She turned back to her… boyfriend? Things always got complicated when superior officers were involved, but she didn't think they had really had that conversation yet, so she had no idea what to call him. Come to think of it, they had been dating for months, maybe it was time to discuss the status or their relationship. Every time she tried to bring it up, she lost her nerve, afraid that Leonard didn't want to make any more commitments, after what had happened with his ex-wife.
"Everything all right over there?" April asked curiously.
McCoy looked up sharply, almost surprised to see someone sitting next to him. He had gotten so caught up in reading about a new medical study, he had completely forgotten that April had come over that afternoon. The two had spent the last few hours in silence, McCoy reading medical journals and April studying for a test she had to take within the next couple of days, while Joanna watched entertainment programs.
Shrugging noncommittally, he glanced down at the PADD in his hands. "Rumlow's an idiot," he grumbled.
April chuckled lightly. "Rumlow's one of the top surgeons in the Alpha Quadrant," she countered. "His methods may be unorthodox, but I thought you liked that."
Leonard rolled his eyes, tossing the PADD down on the table. "When it's necessary, sure. I believe in doing whatever it takes to save the patient, even if it bends regulations."
April's chuckle turned into more of a laugh as she smiled widely. "That's why you and Jim get along so well," she told him amusedly. "You've got the same view of rules and regulations."
Leonard scowled slightly, though he wasn't really mad. "Jim enjoys setting the rule book on fire and throwing it out the window," he retorted.
April was the one to roll her eyes this time. "He believes in doing whatever it takes to get everyone back alive."
"Except himself," Leonard muttered under his breath, but April heard him, and winced as she knew he was right. Jim really did have a skewed view of his own self-worth.
"So he focuses on getting everyone else out, and you focus on getting him out," she amended. "Not ideal, but it seems to be working so far. Anyway," April forcefully changed the subject, not wanting to think about Jim in danger anymore, "what is it that's got you so annoyed?"
Leonard sighed again, and shook his head. "It's nothing," he assured her. "A controversial study he conducted is getting mixed results."
"Anything interesting?"
Leonard jerked one shoulder in a facsimile of a shrug. "The neurological effects of the Kamaraazite Flu if left untreated. Nothing fascinating, but the study's come under a lot of fire for their methods in conducting research. Like I said, not very interesting," he shook himself off and put the PADD down. "How're your classes coming?"
April let out a soft groan, lowering her own PADD. "I am so ready to graduate," she groused. "I mean, I am so thankful to Starfleet for setting this up for me, and to Jim for really being the one to make it happen, but what the hell was I thinking? Doing all of this from a distance while still keeping a full-time job? I must be crazy."
Leonard chuckled, reaching over to grasp one of her hands lightly. "Jim would probably tell you to suck it up, and that if he could complete all the requirements to graduate in two separate tracks, command qualified, in three years, you can do this no problem."
"But what would you say?" April asked archly, throwing him a soft glare at the notion that she could even compare to Jim. The guy was a genius, of course he could do all that without issue. She wasn't anywhere near his level.
Leonard rolled his eyes. "I say that you're doing a great job, and I don't think you have anything to worry about. Just keep doing what you're doing, and if you ever need a break, let me know. I'm happy to schedule you for a few days off if you feel the pressure getting to you."
April smiled lightly, grateful that he was so supportive. "Thanks," she said, leaning into his side and letting the PADD drop to the floor. She had done enough studying today. Leonard was right; she shouldn't worry so much. She already knew most of what she was studying. For Christ's sake, she had already graduated medical school and completed her Residency. She had been working as a doctor for years. She didn't know why she was stressing out so much over these classes.
Leonard had no problems letting his own PADD go as well, much more interested in relaxing with April than he was reading about a study conducted by an asshole. He had met Rumlow once – he was honestly surprised the guy could fit through doors, his head was so big.
April let out a contented moan, and Leonard wrapped his arms around her gently, placing a kiss on the top of her head.
After several minutes where the sounds of Joanna's entertainment program filled the silence, April sighed resignedly and propped herself up slightly, so that she could look Leonard in the eye. "Can we talk?" she asked hesitantly.
Leonard raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't sound good," he replied slowly.
April grimaced but forced herself to continue. "It's just… we've been seeing each other for a while now, and I feel like we should talk about… you know…" she blushed and looked down. "I'm no good at this," she admitted under her breath. Looking back up, she swallowed and shook her head slightly. "I like to know where I stand with people, and I feel like we should discuss where this relationship is going. Is it a relationship? We spend a lot of time together, we kiss, we have sex, I look after Joanna when you need a babysitter, but what are we?"
McCoy pursed his lips in thought as he tried to think of something that would settle April's nerves. He did understand why they needed to discuss this – they had been dating for months, and had yet to even say the words, really. But he was just wary of any romantic relationship, after his disaster of a marriage.
"I know you've had a pretty bad experience," April rushed on when it looked like Leonard wasn't going to speak. "I don't want to push you or anything, but I need to know –"
She was cut off as Leonard leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss. "I'm not mad," he assured her. "You're right, we do need to talk about it. For better or worse, you're in my life now, and you're in Joanna's life. She's become pretty attached, and I don't want to disappoint her."
April smiled weakly. "I don't want to disappoint her either. I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing," she admitted. "I don't really have a whole lot of experience taking care of kids." Well, she had some, but that had only been for a short period of time after Anya had died, when Jim had had to go on a food run or during those hellish few weeks after he and Tom had been captured; and considering it had been in the middle of a genocide where the kids all knew that they had to be on their best behavior or die, she didn't think it really counted too much.
Leonard smiled reassuringly. "You're doing a great job," he promised. "Joanna loves you." He bit his lip contemplatively, wondering if he should mention the times she had ask him if she could call April 'mom'. It was probably too soon to have that conversation. Instead, he grasped her hand gently and pulled her closer. "I didn't think I'd ever want to commit to anyone else after what happened with my ex-wife. Jocelyn was more interested in the money that could come from being married to a successful doctor, and me as a person was just a secondary consideration. We got married when I was still in med school, and I don't think she ever really asked about my personal ambitions, or whether I'd prefer to actually help everyone, rather than just those who could pay. It pissed her off when I spent so much time volunteering at clinics, and that stint with Doctors Without Borders nearly had her signing the divorce papers before Joanna even came into the equation." She probably only held off on those papers because Joanna had been conceived right in the middle of that period of time.
He had worried about his wife's desires and her lack of concern over his own, and wondered if he should give the volunteer work up, but he had loved the service with the charity organization; it was one of the oldest continuing nonprofit organizations around, having been formed back in the twentieth century. They had expanded with the advent of space travel, but there was still plenty of work to do on Earth for those who, like him, weren't too keen on outer space. It had been a wonderful experience to do some real good in the world, while also gaining skills and practice. His boss back in Atlanta had told him that his three years with the charity had given him the edge on every other applicant for the position he had filled at Atlanta General Hospital, and he found himself using a lot of the same skills from Doctors Without Borders in his position here on the Enterprise. There were a lot of the same requirements for thinking outside the box, acting quickly, and sometimes knocking a few heads together to get people to do what was necessary.
McCoy shook his head to clear it of errant thoughts, and snorted disgustedly. "I don't know why she was so insistent on getting Joanna in the settlement, considering she was never that eager to have kids. It was probably just because if she got her, I didn't, and she's a vindictive bitch."
April winced sympathetically. "I'm sorry you had to go through that," she offered, wondering what she could say. She had no experience with this. Her last relationship had ended badly, sure, but there were no kids involved, so that made it easier. Just her, leaving the space station cursing her bad taste in men as she angrily wished her ex-boyfriend luck with his new girlfriend. It would have been nice if he had broken up with April first.
McCoy shrugged. "It is what it is." He shook himself off and gave her another smile. "So yeah, I haven't exactly had the greatest luck with relationships in the past. Not that I regret being with Jocelyn, because I got an amazing daughter out of it." He grimaced. "I don't know exactly what to say here. We settled into this pretty easily, and other than the increased amount of time in bed together, it doesn't seem like too much has changed from before. But if you want me to say it, I will. April, I don't want to see anyone else. So what's say we do this thing, for real. Exclusive."
April snorted at the awkward way he stumbled through that last sentence. "Sounds great to me," she smiled brightly, leaning in to give him a kiss.
Leonard chuckled weakly, and then glanced over at where Joanna was sitting. He saw her quickly turn her head back to the vidscreen, and shook his head slightly, knowing that she had been watching them kiss. "You know," he hedged, turning back to April, "I could probably get Jim to babysit, if you want."
April raised an eyebrow, but didn't speak, instead choosing to push her now official boyfriend down onto his back, straddling him as she kissed him intensely.
Leonard had just enough presence of mind to call out, "Jo, you're spending the night with Uncle Jim, I'll help you pack a bag in a few minutes," before he let April draw him back into the kiss.
Joanna grinned eagerly, and quickly hopped off the couch to go to her room. Her daddy was busy, after all. She didn't need him to help her pack, she was almost eight years old, after all. She could get herself to Uncle Jim's quarters by herself. He was only a few doors down, really.
XXX
Just like Jim had thought, the star was in no danger of catching anyone unawares in the near future. The Enterprise stuck around for two weeks monitoring, and the entire stellar cartography unit backed him up in their report that there was no need to do anything for another three years, but that they might want to consider alerting a nearby planet, the only one with life that could potentially be affected, to warn them to start thinking about their options, and let them know that Starfleet would assist with evacuations and the setup of a new colony on another planet if they chose.
There wasn't much for anyone else to do, and while the crew had enjoyed the quiet time after the excitement with the K'miri, they were getting a little bored.
A week after they finished their study of the star, a distress call came in from a planet near the Klingon border. Since the Enterprise was the closest ship, they quickly wrapped up and went to assist.
When they dropped out of warp above the planet, they barely had time to blink before the ship rocked from the force of a hit.
The crew may have been young, but they were all professional and used to putting aside their fears to do their jobs.
Jim straightened in his seat. "Status," he barked.
"Shields holding at seventy percent," Lieutenant Ham reported from the Tactical console.
"Weapons systems ready to fire," Carol added.
"Do it," Jim replied, and didn't wait for her confirmation as he glanced over at his First Officer. "Spock?"
The Vulcan immediately stood up and moved to stand in his usual spot directly behind Jim's right shoulder. "The planet is nearly deserted, Captain. A trio of Starfleet officers mans an outpost on the surface. The planet is suitable for humans; however, it is inadvisable to spend more than fifteen minutes breathing unaided outside of the outpost. Thermal scans indicate a concentration of at least five bodies at the outpost."
Jim pursed his lips, as his eyes ghosted over the crew on the Bridge. Carol was coordinating with Chekov and Sulu to fire at the Klingon ships. "Chekov," he ordered, and the teenager immediately began his report.
"Three ships, sir. All using cloaking technology, so it is hard to get a lock."
Jim nodded sharply, and reached over to open a comm. "Lieutenant Hendorff, Doctor McCoy, meet me in the transporter room." He straightened up and looked at Spock again. "You have the con. Keep them occupied. I'll be back."
Spock clearly didn't like Jim taking this mission on himself – probably considering what had happened the last time he had left the ship – but as First Officer, he would never question his Captain in the midst of battle. They were too busy and this wasn't the time.
Jim's expression softened minutely, as he seemed to understand Spock's hesitation. "We'll be fine, Spock," he said softly, his voice carrying only to the Vulcan's sensitive ears.
Spock inclined his head and let Jim make his way briskly to the 'lift, heading down to the transporter.
When he arrived, the two requested officers were waiting for him. Jim glanced briefly at McCoy, wondering if he was really making the right call in having the doctor come along. But they had three officers on that planet, probably being held captive by Klingons, and it was more than likely that at least one of them was injured, so they should have a doctor come along, just in case.
Bringing the CMO wasn't Jim's first choice, but April couldn't technically participate on away missions just yet – not until she officially graduated, which would happen the next time they stopped at Earth, whenever that was. And at his last performance review with M'Benga, the doctor had indicated that he did not believe his skills could be best used on missions. McCoy had backed him up, saying that the younger doctor was better in an OR and in the Medbay, not in the field. Jim had observed him a few times, and knew that M'Benga was calm and collected under pressure, but he didn't feel comfortable going down to planet surfaces if it could at all be helped.
Hendorff was growing on Jim, which was why he had selected the up and coming Security Officer for this assignment. The man had been furious with himself at letting his Captain be injured on his watch during that whole incident with the K'miris, but Giotto's reports had spoken very highly of Jim's former classmate. Jim remembered him vaguely from that incident with Nyota at the bar, before he had enlisted, and knew that Hendorff had been a friend of Garth, the man who had kept hitting on Nyota even after she told him to stop. But Hendorff hadn't participated in the fight that had taken place when Jim had stepped in, and he had always seemed like more of a quiet presence at the Academy – he was part of Garth's group of friends that always seemed to be getting into trouble and picking fights, causing trouble whenever they felt like it; but he wasn't an active participant. After Jim had been given Captaincy and selected his crew, Hendorff had actually sought him out to apologize for his friends' actions at the Academy. Jim had been impressed, especially since he knew that Hendorff hadn't really been involved. The other man had actually apologized for that as well, for not doing more to stop them.
Scotty arrived as Jim was explaining the mission objective to the two, and butted in as soon as the Captain finished.
"There's an electrical storm producing activity between us and the surface," the Engineer reported. "We can get you down, but it won't be a quick beam out if you need it. I estimate a two minute window every half hour, where we can safely use the transporters. The next window should be in approximately ninety seconds."
Jim nodded and gestured for them to get on the transporter pad. "Will communicators work?" he asked hurriedly.
Scotty shrugged helplessly. "Uncertain, sir. Best bet is to do what you need to do within half an hour. We'll monitor your frequencies, and beam you back then, whether or not you're done."
Jim rolled his eyes at the overprotectiveness, but didn't reply as the transporter activated. In a whirlwind of lights, the trio vanished from the ship, to reappear on the surface of the planet.
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