I've set this fanfic in an Prime Universe that could happen in this timeline. The events of the Original Series will still happen, with the addition of Decker as the First Officer.

Also, the technology is more futuristic, so as to keep up with our views. All the starships are more detailed, with more futuristic technology compared to TOS. The Enterprise looks more like the JJ Adams version, but with the classical orange Bussard Collectors on the warp nacelles (yes, that's what they're called) and slightly more traditional lines. It was also built in 2262 rather than 2245, just because I like the idea of a new Enterprise. ;-)

22 March 2268 Lunar Orbit Stardate 4209.082

"Captain's personal log, Stardate 4209.082.

We are in high orbit around Luna, the Earth's moon. It's nice for Starfleet Command to let me come back home after years out in the far reaches of the galaxy. I must admit, I missed Earth.

I'm hoping for a quiet birthday this year. I don't blame myself, not after last year's fiasco. We were trapped on a Gorn planet, hiding in underground caves for days. Having a peaceful event this time round is, as Spock would say, only logical.

Captain James Tiberius Kirk switched off his log recorder and spun around in his cabin chair. He was a tall, handsome human male, with light brown hair and matching colour eyes.

Daring, brave, and creative, Kirk was a model Starfleet captain. It was these qualities that had got him promoted to the rank of Captain at the age of 27, the youngest ever person of that rank in Starfleet. It was also his qualities that had seen him awarded command of the Federation's flagship, the USS Enterprise, just a few years after Kirk's promotion.

And Kirk had commanded the Enterprise ever since.

The Starship Enterprise was one of the newest, largest vessels in Starfleet. Over 300 metres long from end to end, she was the flagship of Starfleet, and had the latest state-of-the-art weapons systems, warp engines, and sensors. Under the command of Captain Kirk, she had made first contact with countless alien species and participated in many major space battles, making her the most famous starship in the Federation.

And her captain was also the most famous in Starfleet.

Today, on his 35th birthday, hundreds of birthday messages had come through from hundreds of important people. Starfleet Admirals, the council of the Vulcan Science Academy, the President of the United Federation of Planets, and countless Starfleet captains and officers had all sent holo-mail messages through to James T. Kirk. He had so many messages, in fact, that he did not have enough time to read them all.

Suddenly, a tone from the PA system roused Kirk from his thoughts. "Captain Kirk, you are requested on the bridge."

"I'll be right there," Kirk replied, getting to his feet. Brushing down his yellow Starfleet uniform, he walked through the automatic doors and into the gleaming white, modern corridor.

It was not a long walk to the nearest turbolift shaft, placed close to the Captain's cabin on D-deck so that the commanding officer could get anywhere in the ship quickly in the case of an emergency.

Kirk entered the turbolift code, and stepped into the circular compartment that could race up and down its shaft at incredible speeds.

"Level, please," asked the flat, emotionless voice of the turbolift computer.

"Bridge deck," Kirk responded.

"Thank you."

With a hiss, the turbolift doors closed and the compartment shot up its shaft like a speeding bullet. In only a few seconds, the turbolift slowed and finally stopped as it reached the bridge. The turbolift doors hissed open, and Kirk stepped out onto the bridge…and couldn't help but grin.

The bridge of the USS Enterprise had undergone a colourful decoration. The pristine white walls were now adorned with multi-coloured balloons and banners, and the consoles and railings were draped with streamers.

But it was the crew which made James T. Kirk smile. For every person on the bridge was wearing a small, conical birthday hat on their head, which clashed comically when worn with the proper red, yellow, and blue Starfleet Uniforms.

There was Communications Officer Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, an attractive human female with a black ponytail, dark skin, and a gentle smile. She was an expert in many alien languages, and had negotiated many peace treaties with countless extra-terrestrial races.

Lieutenant Commander Hikaru Sulu, the Enterprise's helmsman, sat at his decorated console. He was a quiet, calm, serious man who could keep a cool head even in the most intense battles, but easily join in the light-hearted, relaxed atmosphere of a party.

The ship's first officer, Mr Spock, stood next to his seat at the science console. Commander Spock was a Vulcan-Human hybrid, having the upswept eyebrows, pointed ears, and copper-based green blood of a Vulcan, while inheriting an appendix (Vulcans don't have one) and feelings (although only simple ones) from his human linage. While he did not understand many of Kirk's behaviours and interactions, Spock was one of the captain's closest and most loyal friends. His focused, neutral face looked extremely comical when paired with the already-amusing birthday hat.

Dr Leonard 'Bones' McCoy leaned against a railing. He was the Enterprise's chief medical officer, and another of James Kirk's close friends. His normally gruff face was now a pleasantly happy one. However, McCoy was the only one on the bridge not wearing a party hat. Apparently, they were 'highly unsanitary'.

Ensign Pavel Chekov sat at the navigator's console. He was a handsome brown-haired Russian with a love of his country, a quirky personality, and a problem with saying 'v's as 'w's. Chekov was very eager about his job, and often the first to sign up for any exciting assignment.

And Montgomery Scott, the Enterprise's Scottish chief engineer, was on the bridge. A humorous, happy man at the best of times, the black-haired Scotsman looked right at home in the cheerful party environment.

"Many happiest returns of the day, Jim," Spock said in his calm, unemotional voice, handing Kirk a small, carefully wrapped package.

"Why, thank you, Spock!" the captain exclaimed, taking the present and carefully unwrapping it.

"I have observed you are a reader of classical Earth literature," the Science Officer continued, "so I thought this would be a particularly good choice."

Kirk finished unwrapping the package, to reveal an antique, real-paper book. The cover read 2001: A Space Odyssey, by Arthur C. Clarke.

"Och, I read it myself," Scotty commented. "Wonderful 20th century science-fiction. Ye cannae beat it."

"It celebrates its tri-centenary this year," Spock pointed out.

Smiling, James Kirk opened the book to the first page and started to read…or, rather, tried to read.

Kirk was longsighted, which meant he couldn't see detail in close-up things. In this case, the text was too fuzzy and blurred to make out. Even when he held the book at arm's length away, the words were still unreadable.

Dr McCoy watched Kirk's struggle to comprehend the printed text in the book. 'Now here's where I come in,' he thought.

"I got you these, Jim," he said, holding out a small bag.

Kirk looked up from the book, and took the bag from McCoy. "What is it?"

"Some more antiques for your collection."

James T. Kirk reached into the bag…and pulled out a pair of reading glasses.

"Bones! How charming," he smiled.

"They're four hundred years old," McCoy said, "and you don't find many of those with the lenses still intact."

The doctor grinned shrewdly. "Normally, I'd administer Retnax V to patients with your eyesight."

"But I'm allergic to Retnax V!"

"Exactly. Happy birthday, Jim."

Kirk fitted the antique glasses on his face, and looked back down at his novel. Now he could see every printed letter on every single page as clear as a crystal.

Mr Sulu handed the captain a large box, which, when opened, revealed a shining brass sextant. "It should go well on your shelf with your naval collection, sir," he suggested.

"Weren't you telling me I should start a collection of spacecraft models?" Kirk asked shrewdly.

Sulu laughed. "That's old now, Captain."

Then Chekov came forward with a small package. Kirk unwrapped the present, to reveal another book. "War and Peace," he read from the cover. "By Leo Tolstoy."

"It's a famous Russian nowel," Chekov explained. "Wery enjoyable. You can read it elewen times and you never get tired of it."

"Did you happen to read it eleven times, Mr Chekov?"

"Twelve, actually," Chekov said sheepishly. "Zen I got tired of it."

Suddenly, the captain realised that someone was missing.

"Wait. Where's Decker?"

"He's been at a Starfleet conference or ceremony of some kind," Uhura explained. "He should be beaming on board…about now, actually."

Just as she finished her sentence, a voice came over the intercom system built into the captain's chair.

"Transporter room to Bridge, Transporter room to Bridge. Captain Decker has just beamed up, and is requesting permission to come aboard."

Kirk noticed a few raised eyebrows in the bridge. The last time they had seen him, Decker had been only a commander.

"Kirk to Transporter Room, tell him that permission is granted," Kirk spoke into the comm.

"Aye, sir," the speakers crackled.

Mr Sulu turned around to look at the captain. "So Decker's got promoted, then?"

"Must have," Kirk said. "I'm sure his actions at the Battle of Organa would've counted towards that."

The captain stood up and turned around to face the turbolift doors…just as they hissed open.

And Willard Decker stepped out onto the bridge.

Decker was a dashing, blonde-haired young Starfleet officer with a quick-thinking mind and sparkling blue eyes. For several years he had been the Enterprise's first officer, and had shown great dedication to his job.

"Happy birthday, Captain," Decker smiled, shaking Kirk's hand.

"Thank you, Will," Kirk smiled.

"I'm sorry for being late," the blonde-haired man said, slightly guiltily. Then his grin returned. "But I have good news!"

His smile widened even further. "I'm getting my first command!"

The bridge exploded into applause.

"Congratulations!" Uhura called.

"That's great!" called Sulu from the helm console.

Kirk clapped Decker on the shoulder. "Which one did you get?"

"The USS Victory," he answered.

"Ah, ze Wictory," Chekov observed. "I serwed on her once. She's a wery fine wessel, if you ask me."

"Indeed," Spock observed. "The Liberty-class starships were built to a very high standard, even of today."

Decker sighed sadly. "And, because of this, my duty on the Enterprise is over."

Kirk smiled kindly, and shook Decker's hand. "Will, it has been an honour serving with you. Good luck."

"It has been a great honour serving with you too, Captain," Decker said, smiling.

"Thank you, Decker," James Kirk smiled.

Then a small hovertable floated over to Kirk, carrying a beautiful chocolate cake. It had rich, thick chocolate icing, and 35 virtual candles blazing bright.

Everybody gathered around as Kirk sat back down in the captain's chair. Then, the familiar tune of 'Happy Birthday to You' filled the bridge.

As he blew out the holographic flames, James Tiberius Kirk could not know that his peaceful birthday was about to be turned upside down.