Slow Way Home
Chapter 7

[Day 13 of 45]

Jamie Tabitha Kirk sat there in Spock's quarters in front of the Comm. unit. On the screen was the entire admiralty though the sound was turned off so they could discuss what she'd told them. Part of Jim wished she'd listened to Scotty when he offered to drag out repairing long range communications. But they needed them up and working – in case something happened. Plus, the admiralty needed to know what had happened.

Still, her nerves were tense, her heart pounding in her chest. She'd told them everything – minus the fact of the other Spock's existence. She'd given them the facts, gave them the blatant truth. Now she was waiting for them to make a decision.

From the looks a few threw her way she knew they would throw the book at her. She would be out faster than she could say Enterprise and maybe even get jail time for what she'd done.

Saving the earth wouldn't get her out of anything. She knew that. Gaila and Pike both said it would – it'd help but she didn't believe it. Not with her luck.

Whatever her next internal thought would have been it was broken by Komack's voice which was a rude awakening at that.

"And everything you've said is true?" he asked and she nodded her head.

"Yes Sir," she told him, vocally knowing a head nod wouldn't be sufficient.

"Well, then you are to remain command as Acting Captain until you return to earth. Commander Spock is to continue being your second. If, by some miracle, Pike is able to recover it will be his decision who should be his second," one of the female admirals – a former science officer if she remembered correctly – told him.

"On a side note… have you and Commander Spock worked through your marital issues?" another admiral asked. Another woman though she'd been a Pilot.

"For the most part," She admitted, trying to conceal the blush that spread across her face. The woman raised a brow.

"I see… well, make sure you do… also, we thank you for the lists you ordered your communications officer post. It has helped alleviate congestion here," that woman said. "Though, the families of the survivors are trying to communicate with them… your children leading the pack I might add."

"Yes, they've been here pushing since that drill fell demanding answers," Barnett said sounding very annoyed though there was the corner of his lips turning up.

"I apologize for them. They… didn't take to rules and boundaries," she told them and they all shared a look.

"Like mother, like children," they told her and she blushed again.

"Yes sir," she told him.

"Make sure you speak with them soon… and bring back that ship in one piece. We don't have many left," Komack told her gruffly and she nodded.

"Aye sir," she told him. Then they signed off and she turned off her end before standing up. She couldn't help the little ridiculous happy dance she did right then. Of course she was caught by Spock walking in. He stopped a moment, raising a brow.

She didn't think before bouncing over and kissing him. He seemed confused but she pulled away.

"I'm retaining command," she said happily, her smile beaming and the corner of his mouth turned up. "I was so sure you'd be ordered to throw me in the Brig but, nope, I'm retaining command. I'm pretty sure I won't get arrested or court marshaled anymore when we get back to earth. Hell, maybe they'll let me graduate with my year…"

"Why would they not?" he questioned and she gave him a look that questioned where his mind had gone.

"I cheated on the Kobyashi Maru, I incited mutiny, I was subversive toward a senior officer, I snuck back on board after being snuck on the first time, shall I continue," she asked and he shook his head.

"I can see why you would be worried. But you also saved the earth and risked your own life to retrieve the rightful Captain which nearly got you killed," he stated. Something was wrong. He hesitated – enough anyone would have seen. She pushed open the bond which was still blocked and slid into his mind.

It was warm, familiar, and full of life. A memory was so close to the surface that it shocked her.

"I hope Ayel is having fun with your wife right now," Spock heard Nero say and he felt both fear and anger well up in him. "He is the one with her I do believe and she is so… exotic. Hope he doesn't break her too much." The man was taunting him but it was working. Then the screen went black.

She walked forward. She felt guilt, anger, and fear. He had not been able to protect her. She'd been in a position where she could have been violated and hurt, and his mind was going through the what-could-have-beens.

"Nothing happened," she told him as she touched his cheek. "I'm safe. I'm here. Nothing happened."

"It could have," he whispered, sounding guilty which he felt.

"But it didn't. And it won't," she told him before kissing him again, softer this time. He returned it. Slowly the kiss built to something more passionate. Then he was picking her up her legs wrapping around his waist. They didn't pull away before he carried her into the bed room, where he laid her down, hovering over her. Their tongues fought for dominance as she moved her hands toward his belt, moving to unfasten them.

"We should stop," he said as he pulled away. "Until Dr. McCoy states you are no longer in danger of injuring yourself."

"Then we may be waiting a while since he thinks I'm always on the verge of something reckless and life threatening," she teased and he raised a brow. "I'm still an adrenaline Junkie… just had to be more careful because of the twins… plus, I'm pretty sure I have a few orders to give at the moment." Then she rolled out from under him and he let her go.

"Orders?" he asked.

"Yeah, since the list was posted a few hours ago the families of the survivors have been trying to communicate with us. I'm going to set aside a few Comms. for the crew to speak with their families while ensuring a few remain free for messages from Starfleet," she told him. He nodded his head. "You'll be able to speak with the twins…" He perked up, visibly.

"I would… appreciate that," he told her. She kissed his cheek before walking away. But she wished she could just get laid already. She loved that he worried – but it had been five years without a good lay. She needed sex.

~Slow Way Home~

"Daddy," McCoy heard Joanna say over the screen and he smiled while looking at his little girl. She was smiling. Her brown eyes were happy as she bounced in her seat. "I miss you, when are you coming home?"

"Not for a while baby… are you being good?" he asked.

"Uh-huh, I spend all day with Joey, Mandy, and Providence," she said. "Joey has been helping me with my Vulcan. Some of the people from the Consulate said I have almost no accent… is that good?" his daughter rambled and he smiled, glad she was having fun.

"That's very good," he informed her. "Has your mom tried to contact you?" he hoped she hadn't. Right before they left the orders had come through the court – the day before actually – that he had full custody of his daughter. His ex-wife and her husband were going to prison for fraud and money laundering, as well as child neglect.

"Nope," she said. "When are you and Miss Gaila coming home?" his daughter asked again.

"It'll be a while, but I'm sure Jory will help entertain you… and maybe you can do me some more drawings… you know I love those," he told her. She frowned.

"Dad, drawings are for babies. I'm seven," she told him and he could only imagine what she'd be like as a teenager.

"I know… I still love your drawings," he told her. She beamed.

"Alright – but only because you like them," she said and he couldn't help but feel proud that he'd managed to get a brilliant daughter. "I love you daddy."

"I love you too," he told her.

~Slow Way Home~

Vera was sitting in her room, crying. The person she was bunking with was on shift so she had the room to herself. She could grieve alone.

She knew once she got back to earth she couldn't grieve, not fully, not when Providence would need her strength, need to be able to rely on her. She wanted to help her daughter but right then she was grieving. It had just come in that her husband had been aboard The Feragut as a senior officer. He was dead, killed in the destruction of the ship.

Now it was just her, raising her daughter alone. Her husband – the chief engineer of the Feragut – had been killed so she was alone.

So many were dead. So many had been killed senselessly. A crazy romulan. She sat there, crying. She had to get it together before she talked to her daughter. Providence needed her mother strong.

[Another Chapter down… plenty more to go… I hope you like it… I know it's slightly sad but… a lot of people died and the movie glossed over all of the cadets that died… so I'm trying to show how many truly were killed… anyways, thank you to everyone who has favorited, subscribed, and or reviewed. A special thanks goes out to Fire Dolphin, MirrorFlower and DarkWind, BetahimeTsukiko, RubyHair, Yana5, Abandoned123, Fernsfairie, CHANCEGAMBIT, beauty0102, jharr93, medafo, and Kassandra J for your reviews… also, a side note. A few mentioned my spelling and grammar was off and I would like to apologize. My cousins, who normally proofread my work, are out of state doing this whole – summer trip across the country thing with their friends so I am having to do all the correcting myself… so I apologize for any mistakes… anyways, thanks again…]