Two Months Later
Corriene swung her racket forward hitting the tennis ball clear over the net, Evans who was sweating profusely launched himself towards it but missed by an inch.
"Forty Love!" Corriene shouted happily.
"Christ Lees! When did you get so good at Tennis?" He asked, panting.
"I've always been good at tennis, you were just always playing with Emily, she was carrying you every game!" Corriene shouted over the court. The pair walked to the side and picked up their water bottles, taking large long gulps respectively.
"When is she is back from the Science Station?" Corriene asked as she wiped the sweat from her face.
"Six more weeks." Evans answered looking glum.
"Aww, you'll be okay. She'll be back to look after you soon enough." Corriene teased, rubbing his arm patronisingly.
"You're definitely in better shape than you were though." Evans continued with their previous conversation as he put his racket away.
"I do go to the gym more often now."
"Is that the influence of the Boyfriend?" Evans asked, winking his eye.
"Partly, but it was also something I wanted to do. It kept my mind occupied, you know?"
"Yeah I get it, I was telling you for ages before to get fitter. I was fed up of having to watch your fat ass climb slowly up a Jeffries tube." Evans deadpanned, Corriene's jaw dropped and she whacked his arm with her racket.
"Ow!"
"Don't ow me! You deserve it! Honestly, I hope you don't say things like that to Emily?! How did you manage to even get married in the first place?!" They left the court and started walking down the corridor as they carried on joking and joshing with each other.
"Don't ask me! I'm still shocked she said yes." Evans made a funny face that made Corriene laugh. "You know she got offered the U.S.S Gallant?" He added.
"No I didn't! Is she going to take it?"
"She's not sure, I said she should." They entered the turbolift and Corriene leant against the wall.
"What would you do?"
"Hope that she'd give me a job when she's Head of Department!" He answered jokingly. "Neither of us wants to have a family, we might as well see how far we can get out here." Evans commented, his arm outstretched as he spoke representing the expanse of space.
"Let me know what she decides."
"I will, well this is my stop. I'll see you later." Evans gave her a wave and stepped out of the turbolift. As Corriene carried on to her deck she thought about her own future, what did the universe have in store for her?
In her quarters she showered and then settled down at her desk, seeing that she had received a message she tapped lightly on the console. It was from Starfleet Headquarters. Her stomach churned slightly, for the most part she hadn't consumed herself with knowing what was happening with Lucignano. The investigation into the stolen data was running concurrently with a separate panel deliberating his sentence for his charges relating to the attack. Corriene remembered when Kirk told her about the charges, initially believing he would be charged with assault with attempt to commit great bodily harm, however after McCoy had provided evidence of the extent of her injuries Starfleet's Judge Advocate General had fought for attempted murder and won.
It had come as quite a shock to her and for a good week or two it had unsettled her to think that the man really could have wanted to kill her. Focusing back on her console she read the message, it was notification of his sentence relating to the stolen data. Twelve months rehabilitation and dishonourable discharge, sitting back in her chair Corriene let out a long slow breath; it was what she was expecting. She opened a comm with Kirk, knowing he was in his own quarters.
"Hey Cookie, what you up to?" She smiled when she heard his voice.
"Twelve months, dishonourable discharge." She stated simply, there was a pause before Kirk spoke.
"It's what we expected." His voice was tight.
"It is."
"Do you want me to come round?"
"No, I'm okay."
"You sure?"
"Sure, well I guess that's round one over with." She stared at the comm as she spoke, she regretted saying he didn't have to come round to see her but she knew it wasn't a good idea. She was on an early shift and he'd just got back from an away mission.
"It's a clear cut case Co, it'll be over before you know it."
"You promise?" She asked teasingly.
"Promise Co, I'll see you soon."
"See you." Ending the comm Corriene let her head rest on her desk. She was tired, she'd had enough. She hoped Kirk was right, that it would be over soon. Knowing he was somewhere getting the help he needed and not a danger to others would be the last piece of the puzzle for her.
Pulling the large fleece hood over her head Corriene exhaled deliberately, watching her breath cloud white and drift away in front on her. The snow covered the streets and houses, families walked along the avenues laughing and smiling. It was a beautiful city on a beautiful planet. Corriene had always wanted to visit Muohta and she couldn't believe her luck when Kirk had mentioned whilst shaving that they were passing and he was thinking of allowing a couple of days of shore leave.
"Beatriz! Over here!" Corriene shouted across the road, Beatriz King was a Phytologist on board the Enterprise and the pair had hit it off when they had found themselves sitting next to one another on the shuttle ride out to the Enterprise for the first time. The woman stopped walking and turned her head in the direction of Corriene, spotting her she broke out into a smile and waved enthusiastically. As the woman approached Corriene she stretched out her arms so that they could embrace.
"How gorgeous is this?" Beatriz asked in her usual excited tone.
"It's beautiful! Do you still want to visit the caves?"
"Of course, one of the locals was telling me that if you tip them a little extra they'll take you into the ante chamber and you're not normally allowed in there." The two women had hooked arms, one to keep together in the crowd and two to keep warm. Corriene kept finding herself sniffing it was so cold. "I also heard the restaurant where we're staying is excellent." Beatriz continued, it had started to snow and Corriene wriggled her nose when a snowflake landed on her cheek.
"We should eat there then, after the caves." Corriene suggested.
"That would be great, as long as you don't already have any plans?"
"No, no plans."
"Jim! What the hell is going on? I have no idea how to play this game?" McCoy was scowling at Kirk, the pair jostled in a crowd that stood round the large gaming table. Tokens were being thrown everywhere, cards were being flipped and pulled away or handed out. Looking above him Kirk saw through the smoke filled air that there was another floor and from there, leaning over a balcony more people were bidding and gambling, letting small wooden buckets on string travel up and down so that their bets could be placed on the same table.
"Neither do I Bones but it's fun as hell!" Kirk grinned widely, he watched McCoy shake his head and squeeze out of the crowd away from the table. "Bones! Hold up!" Kirk shouted after him. They made their way to a quieter spot in the gaming house and watched the crowd, the atmosphere was electric.
"Gentleman." Kirk turned to see who had spoken to them; an old woman dressed in black robes bowed her head stoically. She was immaculately coiffured and smelt of cinnamon, she had obviously been a great beauty in her time as she still held an air of splendour around her. "Can I interest you in a more refined, quieter game perhaps? Something more to your liking and expertise?" McCoy put his hand on Kirk's shoulder and pulled him back slightly.
"Thanks Darlin' but no thanks, come on Jim I think it's…"
"Hold up Bones, let the woman speak. My apologies, my friend here is a little rough round the edges." Kirk smiled and lathered on the charm.
"If you'd like to follow me, I'll show you to one of the more private rooms. Please, let us ensure your stay is a pleasant one." Kirk beamed at McCoy.
"My god man! Are you damned insane?" McCoy whispered harshly as he followed behind.
"Lighten up Doctor, you might even find you have some fun."
"Fun? Fun? You'll be lucky if you wake up with your internal organs still inside you!" The woman in front opened an enormous door revealing a large round table in the middle of the room. Around it sat a myriad of aliens, all quiet and staring at both Kirk and McCoy.
"Take a seat Gentleman." Kirk followed eagerly and took a seat between what looked like a Sasquatch and a fish-like person. "Enjoy." Bowing her head she left the room leaving Kirk eager to begin and McCoy looking for the exits.
Corriene finished her glass of wine between tears of laughter, the two women had gone to visit the famous caves of Muohta which turned out to be nothing more than a glorified pothole with a couple of paintings on the wall that Beatriz was sure had only been done a couple of years previously. They'd felt so sorry for their tour guide that they'd dutifully listened for over an hour about how supposedly the meaning of life emanated from the cave and when it came time to leave they had given him all the tokens they had left.
"Oh Beatriz bless him, I don't think I could have handled him saying "Behold the wonder of the caves!" one more time!" Beatriz wiped her eyes with the back of her hands.
"Stop Corriene, stop I'm going to wet myself!" That just sent the women into a bigger fit of giggles until the waiter who was stood nearby coughed loudly and they realised how obnoxious they were being.
"Come on, let's go." Grabbing their coats they made their way out, every now and again sniggering to themselves when a funny thought would come to mind. The wine wasn't helping either.
"That was great Beatriz, thanks for going with me." Corriene gave the petite woman a tight hug.
"Thank you too, I loved it!" Watching her walk away Corriene felt a small yawn tug at her mouth so decided the best thing for her to do was go to bed herself. Making her way to her room she opened the door as quietly as she could. They hadn't agreed on a time to meet so Corriene wasn't sure whether or not Kirk was back or not. Peering round she saw that the room was untouched except for just his bag that lay at the foot of the bed. Letting herself fall back onto the bed she closed her eyes and willed away the spinning in her head. The third bottle had definitely been unnecessary, kicking her boots off she didn't bother getting changed but simply turned onto her side and closed her eyes.
The incessant beeping of her comm badge finally made it through Corriene's thick head, opening her eyes she could see that it was daylight outside and she was lying diagonally on the bed still in her clothes.
"Jim?" She spoke into the empty room but the only thing she could hear was the comm badge still beeping, tossing herself onto her back she groaned as she reached above her head and picked up the device from the bedside table.
"Yeah?" She groaned out.
"Lieutenant Lees, this is Commander Spock." Well if she wasn't awake before she certainly was now, clearing her throat and sitting up she tried to clear her head too.
"Yes Sir, can I help you?" Her mind was spinning.
"I have been unable to make contact with the Captain, are you aware of his location?" That woke her up.
"No Sir, I haven't seen him since yesterday morning. Is his communicator working?" She shifted to the end of the bed and slowly eased her legs and feet onto the floor.
"Affirmative Lieutenant but the Captain has yet to answer."
"Have you tried Doctor McCoy?" There was a pause.
"I have not." Came the simple response.
"I suggest you do Sir, I believe the pair of them was planning on spending the day together." She was pulling on her boots as she spoke.
"Thank you Lieutenant, I'm sending a Security team down to the planet."
"Alright Commander, I'll take a look myself if that's alright?"
"Yes Lieutenant." As soon as the communication ended Corriene dashed to the bathroom, quickly brushing her teeth and running cold water over her face. Her hair was even more chaotic than usual but she didn't have the time nor the inclination to worry about it. Quickly looking through Kirk's bag she pulled a tricorder and phaser out and tucked them into her coat. Grabbing a small toolkit from her own bag she left the room walking down the corridor briskly.
"Doctor McCoy!" Banging on the door Corriene already knew he wouldn't answer, he wouldn't answer because he wasn't there. As she made her way down to Reception Corriene pulled her lips tightly together in thought, of course he'd bloody got lost! Or worse still kidnapped!
"Good morning." The sweet looking woman behind the desk greeted her.
"Err hi…"
"I hope you slept well?" Corriene felt flustered.
"Yes, thank you. I was just wondering if…"
"Breakfast is served between seven and…" Corriene had had enough of the woman interrupting her.
"I'm not bothered about the bloody breakfast!" She almost shouted, the Receptionist looked shocked but composed herself quickly and plastered on the fake smile from before.
"How can I help you Madam?"
"If I wanted a good night out, drinks, gambling…where would I go?" The woman hesitated and looked nervous, peering left and right she leant over the desk beckoning Corriene to come closer.
"Houlkers, two streets down." She whispered, Corriene gave her a wink and thanked the woman and then headed out into the cold air.
"For goodness sake Jim!"
Corriene stood outside Houlkers, it reminded her of the Casinos in Monte Carlo with its gilded trimmings. The place appeared to be open so she climbed the steps towards the large wooden doors, walking through her senses were assaulted with the smell of liquor, smoke and perfume. It didn't have the feel of some cheap saloon, the clientele were clearly well off and the number of cameras she spotted in the ceilings and walls ensured that there was probably very little trouble. She began walking round the parameter of the Casino floor, at that time of the morning the places was quite quiet. Corriene spotted just a few old ladies sinking their coins into the machines, slowly dragging from a cigarette and sipping their coffee. Seeing a very tall large gentleman who was wearing a casino uniform, Corriene decided to bite the bullet.
"Excuse me, Sir?" She spoke politely.
"Yes Ma'am, how may I help?" The very tall large man had an unusually soft tone and it took Corriene by surprise, she decided that he must have been a gentle giant and instantly took a liking to him.
"I'm looking for two friends of mine; they came here last night and didn't make it back to the hotel." She tried to keep her tone light, rolling her eyes as if it was no big deal and she was use to this type of behaviour.
"Forgive my crudeness Ma'am but they might have got lucky, you know?" He said, giving her a wink. Corriene couldn't help but squish up her nose in disgust.
"Yeah maybe, is there anywhere else they could have gone do you think?"
"We could go and check the surveillance footage?" He suggested, Corriene nodded her head enthusiastically and thanked the man. "There's not many places they could have gotton to, I wouldn't worry too much about your friends." Corriene just smiled tightly in response.
Corriene sat and watched the entire night's surveillance footage, she watched Kirk and McCoy arrive, gamble, talk to some women and then talk to an older woman.
"Who's that?" She asked.
"That's Madam Sirvain, she runs the private rooms." He answered, Corriene watched Kirk and McCoy follow the woman and enter another room.
"Can we look at the footage from that room?" Corriene began to panic when the man started shaking his head no.
"There isn't any." He confirmed, Corriene thought for a second, not knowing what to do next.
"Can we look at the exits?"
"Yeah of course, now I know who they are I'll run their faces through the system and it will automatically pick them up leaving. Save you a bit of time at least!" He chuckled, typing away on his console.
"Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it."
"Don't mention it." The footage paused and Corriene could see clear as day McCoy and Kirk leaving with a group of people.
"Dick." She whispered under her breath, it was a singular insult but it applied to both men.
As always, thank you for the follows and favourites! And as always the reviews, LLAP ;-) XOXO
