Uhura was summoned to Kirk's quarters the next afternoon. She suspected he was going to try to convince her to convince Spock to let him take an away team to the planet with "the dinosaurs". Sometimes when the boys butted heads they needed a mediator. That being said, Kirk had changed drastically in the past year. He ended things with Carol and then had not so much as looked at another girl for months. He and Carol were even friends now! Though, Uhura wasn't sure if Kirk knew about Scotty.

She buzzed into his quarters.

"Uhura, good you're here" Kirk said. He seemed nervous about something.

"Captain - what's going on?"

"I wanted your help with something."

"Jim, if this is about the dinosaurs…"

"It's not", he interrupted her, "But DO look like dinosaurs, right?"

Uhura rolled her eyes and he continued, "I was wondering if you knew anything about Crewman Hernandez." He said it very quickly.

"Julie?" Uhura asked - this was unexpected.

"Yeah…her."

"She's great. Engineering, pretty smart, gets along well with most people. Scotty bumped her up to 1st class recently."

"Is she...seeing anyone?"

Uhura looked sharply at him, "I don't think so...why?"

He looked at her like a deer caught in headlights.

"Oh my God, what did you do?" she asked.

"I didn't do anything!" He said defensively. He told her filled her in on the events of the night before. He told her that she had kissed him.

"Annnnd?" Uhura said.

"And…you know what, forget it. This is stupid."

"Jim", Uhura cut in, "Do you like her?"

"I don't know - she's nice…"

Suddenly Uhura realized why she was here. Kirk didn't need her help getting Julie to like him. She had spoken to the Crewman a few times, and was pretty sure they were actually a good fit. He wanted her permission, someone's permission - to forget Lena and like Julie instead. It had been almost a year and they had heard nothing from the Virosa. Lena had probably given birth to her child by now, and was moving towards securing her Queenship. They both knew it.

"Jim", she said gently, "I think you should ask Julie to have dinner with you. Take it slow - she's great, really. And I think she could handle your intense personality. It could turn into something. You never know."

"What about Lena?" It was the first time he said her name out loud since they left Ya-Mo.

"What about her? Jim - she's not an option for you. You can't be with her. No matter what you feel. If you like Julie - date her. Really date - don't do that fuck buddy thing you did with Carol, though, I'm pretty sure Julie wouldn't put up with it." Uhura took his hand, "Lena cared about you - she wouldn't want to never be with anyone ever again. She would want you to move on."

"So I just ask Julie to dinner then… huh?"

"Pretty simple right?"

"Yeah - I guess I'll try really hard not seduce her too. What is that crazy rule girls have? Three dates?"

"It's more of a guideline." Uhura smiled.

"So says Spock's fiancé."

Uhura broke into a wicked grin, "You want to know a secret? - I fucked him twice before we got together officially."

"Wait what?" Spock and Uhura NEVER talked about how they got together. No one even knew how long they had been dating, though Kirk suspected it started when Spock was their Warp 101 professor. Maybe that's how she beat him on the final?

"Enjoy the rest of you day, Jim", and she let herself out.

"Really?!" Kirk asked with excitement. Spock had just informed him that they could beam down to the planet - it's didn't interfere with the Prime Directive - they just couldn't establish contact.

"I believe so - if my understanding of the Prime Directive is correct - which it is. I don't recommend more than two go - I am assuming one of them will be you."

"YES!"

"Perhaps you could take Lt. Sulu with you. He expressed an interest."

"Actually...I was thinking I could take Crewman Hernandez…" Kirk had arranged their dinner date for a few days following - she had been quite surprised and gratified. She heard he had quite the reputation, but she didn't want to judge him too quickly.

Spock contemplated for a moment. Nyota had informed him of Jim's romantic interest in Crewman Hernandez. From what she said, it was genuine. She had asked Spock to encourage him. He pulled up her files. To be considered eligible for an away team, one needed to have a combat training score in the 70th percentile or higher. She was 79th - an impressive score for her small stature.

"I believe she would be an acceptable substitute. I shall inform her."

"Thanks, Spock."

Julie was thrilled. She hadn't expected to be allowed on an away team until she made Ensign; she suspected Kirk had pulled some strings. Though it wasn't totally ethical, she figured dating the Captain had to have some perks. Their dinner was still set for two nights later. She vaguely wondered if she should sleep with him. She definitely wanted to - he was very attractive, but she wasn't sure what wanted out of this yet. Oh well - she would play it by ear.

Kirk and Hernandez beamed down to the surface. They had calibrated their scanners to detect when someone was coming; the species wasn't densely populated, and they existed in a maze of caves, so there wasn't really a need for disguises. Upon entering the caves, Kirk felt his admiration for Julie grow - he had expected her to be more nervous - it wasn't exactly safe, what they were doing, but, then again, neither was space exploration. They had a fairly straight forward mission: collect samples, observe mannerisms of the species, and leave. There was really no reason for them to even be there - Kirk had been genuinely surprised that Spock had agreed, and then not even put up a fight about bringing an inexperienced away team member.

Uhura must have said something to him.

The away team was starting to become a sore spot with Spock. He and Kirk were often led them - which was unusual for commanding officers. Of course, Captains were typically much older than Kirk, but the real reason was combat expertise. Only Spock, Sulu, Kirk and only a handful of crew members were actually competent enough to be on an away team. Even Julie, who had scored in the 79th percentile, should not have been there. He noticed that though she held her weapon expertly, she was moving with far more noise than she should have been. He also knew, from a few nights ago, that she did not have the muscle tone to last in a physical fight. Her score, Kirk was certain, was a remnant of her academy days, like most of the crew. Spock had suggesting implementing combat training to get the crew back up to snuff, but there just weren't enough hours in the day - Kirk, Spock and Sulu were the only ones who could have run it.

Suddenly they realized someone was coming. Ducking into the shadows, they hung back and watched as two 7 foot tall aliens approached. They looked like the velociraptor toys Kirk used to play with as a kid. They were arguing about something. His translator whispered into his ear.

Julie was practically shaking - at first he thought it was in fear, but then he realized she was holding back laughter.

"What's so funny?" he whispered in her ear.

"Jim… Those are talking dinosaurs!" she whispered back. He snorted.

"Oh my God, you're right - I think the seven year old boy in me just died of happiness!"

"I think the thirty-one year old girl in me just died of happiness!"

They both looked at each other and started laughing. Unfortunately they were heard. The strange creatures started toward where Kirk and Hernandez were hiding. They didn't have weapons, but they were dangerous enough on their own. The pair stopped laughing - they had to get out of there! Grabbing her hand, Kirk pulled Julie down a winding maze of caves, but the aliens had heard them, and were in hot pursuit. Suddenly, this all seemed like a bad idea. Kirk wanted to hail the Enterprise to get them out, but he was afraid speaking might attract more attention. They ducked behind a rock. Julie had her weapon out, but they were NOT supposed to fire - they weren't even supposed to be detected. He felt her jab him in his ribs, and point. There was a small exit - small enough for a human to crawl through, but not a "dinosaur". He nodded and covered her while she crawled through.

Once out in the sunlight she breathed a sigh of relief. They were safe.

She started laughing again, "Close one!" she said.

Kirk was glad she wasn't panicking - he had to admit, he was impressed by how she kept her cool under pressure, "Next time, maybe we shouldn't make fun of the locals."

"HA! But, seriously, Jim - I mean Captain."

Kirk smiled, "Jim works", he said.

"Julie"

"Pleased to meet you, Julie."

She giggled, "So what brings you down to the planet of the talking dinosaurs on this lovely da-"

She gasped - something had hit her sternum hard - it came out of nowhere. He looked down and saw that she had stepped on an odd looking plant. It has expelled a small packet of fluid. She briefly collapsed in his arms but then shook her head…."It's OK - it doesn't hurt…"

"Kirk to Enterprise - get us back, NOW!"

Kirk practically dragged Julie through the hall to sick bay.

"I think I'm OK!" she kept saying. She didn't seem to be bleeding. Whatever had hit her was liquid, and had seeped through her uniform. She briefly touched her sternum. "Oh my God! I can't feel my stomach!"

Without thinking Kirk brought her into sick bay and picked her up and put her on a table - he unzipped her jacket without hesitation. Suddenly the strong smell of rotting flesh hit him.

"What the fuck happened down there, Jim?" Bones shouted to him. He quickly pulled up the t-shirt Julie had been wearing underneath her jacket. Julie screamed - the site of impact had turned grey - it looked like it was disintegrating. "But I can't feel it!" Julie kept saying, terrified.

"It's OK - it's OK, you're going to be fine." Bones said to her in a calm voice. "Jim - help me."

"It's OK - sweetie, just lie back - it's just a topical poison - nothing to worry about, just relax."

Julie laid down. Bones directed Kirk to apply pressure at the site on impact while Bones stopped the poison from sinking any deeper into her skin. "I can't save the top few layers of skin, he said, but you'll be OK." Kirk pulled his hand back - the gray patch fell off to reveal new red skin below. "Are you in any pain?" Bones asked her.

"No - I'm not", she was out of breath.

Bones sat down, "Interesting poison - now that you're out of danger I can tell you - it was shutting down your nervous system - and acted as an anesthetic - actually, do you guys think you could get more?"

"You gotta be kidding me, Bones."

"No, really - might come in handy."

Julie cleared her throat, "Um Dr…. do you think you could get me a…" She motioned to her chest. Bones had been so concerned with saving her life he had completely forgotten that she was sitting on the sick bay table in just her bra – which was sheer. Kirk had always been fascinated how Bones could completely detach the skirt-chasing aspect of his personality when he dealt with patients. Kirk, however, was greatly enjoying the view - she had a really nice rack. He hadn't seen a woman in a state of undress (in person) in almost 10 months. That was a REALLY long time.

"Sorry", Bones said and absentmindedly handed her a robe. "Can you stay here tonight? I want to monitor you."

"Sure."

Bones left.

"Hey - Julie", Kirk began, "I'm really sorry about what happened, but you did great! Good thinking, finding that exit - I just wish you hadn't gotten hurt."

Julie rolled her eyes, "I'm fine - I wanted to go - it was fun! Though…next time you come up with an elaborate plot to get me to take my shirt off - I'd prefer it if you used traditional means."

"Oh?" Kirk grinned. "Like what?"

Julie bit her lip, "Usually tequila does the trick - see you tomorrow."

Five minutes to the end of his shift, the following day, Kirk could barely contain his excitement. He still felt a little guilty about liking Julie, but he remembered what Uhura had said - Lena would have wanted him to move on. One of the many things he had loved about her was that she was a realist. And Julie was great! He wasn't in love with her, but he felt there was a connection; potential. Additionally, he hadn't been laid in ten months. She hadn't expressly said it, but he had the feeling she wasn't the type of girl who held out for no reason. If she felt something - she went for it. Kirk oddly respected that - he also made sure to grab some tequila from the mess hall.

He was just about to leave when Uhura turned to him.

"Captain, we're being hailed...it looks Virosan…."

Kirk called it up - he couldn't breathe. An amethyst hail crossed his screen. It was Lena!

"Answer it!" he snapped, his heart pounding.

"I can't!" she said, "It's… it's pre-recorded. I think I can play it - but it's set up so that I have to open it on all frequencies. The whole ship will get it."

"Open it!"

Uhura nodded.

Lena's lovely face appeared on the hail screen - but it was no longer lovely. Kirk heard Marcus gasp. There were bruises covering her face and running down her arm. She had a newly formed, healing gash that slashed diagonally across her face, continuing down her neck. There were black stains on her beautiful translucent wings. Kirk's nightmares were confirmed.

"Hi Jim" she said, "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry for doing this to you, but I …. ". Her demeanor shifted to that of a composed princess. "This is a pre-recorded message. It will only be released to you…upon my death."

Jim collapsed into his chair in shock, while Lena's clear voice echoed throughout the ship. "19 days after you left the Zezians attacked Ya-Mo. We were...unprepared. They overwhelmed us with a fleet we couldn't have predicted. All of the Winged Daughters in my care were apprehended - except Veelia who was still on the other side of the moon.

"The war has begun, Jim. And it's going to be much worse than I thought. I am going to take back Ya-Mo - I don't know how yet, but I will - I have too. Then...I don't know. I am recording this message because I going to free the Winged Daughters tonight. I don't know if I'll survive, but I must try.

Suddenly Lena, his Lena, started to cry, "I don't know what will happen, I don't know if or when I will die, but I know it's practically a guarantee. But I cannot be afraid. But I can't be brave without saying this to you - without saying goodbye.

"I love you, Jim... And I should have told you when I had the chance. But I don't want to die without you knowing...without you hearing these words. And I'm so sorry - I'm sorry I just can't let you go…I can't die without knowing that you know, without saying this to you. I know I shouldn't have done this… but I'm not strong enough. Please forgive me.

"I have attached this message to my heart - when it stops, it will send. I'm sorry. I don't want the Zezians to try and use you against me, and I don't want you to come back. I want you far far away. And I'm sorry I broadcast this to your whole ship - I wanted Spock to hear it - to prevent you from doing anything rash - from attacking the Zezians. Please stay away my love, stay safe. It's already too late for me.

"I love you - I will love you until the day I die, but …." She paused, "Thank you...for everything… I wish you happiness and strength...Lena-out."

The screen faded to blackness. He couldn't breathe - couldn't move… but he had to. He stood. He looked at Spock, who was frozen. He walked to the turbo-left door, listening as the blood rushed to his ears. He instinctively punched the key to get to his quarters. Right before he reached the door, he bumped into Julie. She looked up at him, her eyes shining with tears - she had heard the whole thing.

Unlike the rest the bridge she wasn't frozen in shock. She walked right up to him, and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm so sorry", she whispered.

"Yeah… I…" he started.

"You need to be alone."

He nodded. She pulled back, and watched as he keyed himself into his quarters. He knew where he was going. He went straight to his bedroom and shut the door. Once inside he pulled out the small box where he kept the pendant Lena had given him - his last connection to her. Holding it in his hand, he collapsed on his bed, and for the first time since he held her that night - the night she told him about the Zezians, the night she told him he had to leave her there to fight a war she couldn't possibly win, he cried.