Captain's Log
Stardate 2261.12.23

The Saratoga is currently enjoying its bi-annual break and is being upgraded at Starbase Libra
Which orbits the 7th planet in the Kovel System. I've decided to spend my vacation on the 4th
planet in system the Federation world of Caprilel.

It's a lush green world very similar to Earth and with a pleasant climate, particularly in the region
around the capital, Delvi, where I'm staying. The inhabitants are known for their love of cosmopolitan
life, as well as their great hospitality and it's a very popular place for tourists. Several of my crew
have chosen to shore leave here as well, including two Nlian crewmen that I'm well acquainted with.

James T Kirk.

Lobby of the Galassa Hotel
6:12 PM

"Still keeping a log, Jim?" Alyen asked with one of his gently smiles. "You are on leave you know."

Kirk grinned back at his Soul Brother "What can I say? Old habits."

He glanced around the huge lobby. He always enjoyed being in the center of the action and
the elegant hotel where they were staying was a great place for it.

Delye was huge city, located on the shores of a vast lake. It had a population of over nine million
and was famous for its graceful skyscrapers and incredible nightly laser displays, which had earned
it the nickname, "The Laser City." It had been a popular place to visit even before a starbase had
been built in the system fifty years before

Several of his crew were also shore-leaving on the planet. McCoy, Filars and Tolliver were staying
in the same hotel. In the five days since they'd arrived, Kirk had made it a point to spend time with
all of them. And it had felt good…good to not be the Captain for awhile. Good to be just a man
on vacation, spending time with his friends.

Today he had spent the day with his Soul Siblings.

While Kirk had quite a few exciting plans for his stay on this world, including mountain climbing
in the Northern Province and some of the "Extreme Sports' in the southern hemisphere, his Soul Siblings,
he knew, planned for theirs to be a relaxing shore leave.

The lifemates had spent much of their first morning sleeping in and when they'd gotten up they
had explored the hotel, its gardens and a nearby park. That had pretty much been their schedule
since: resting, exploring nearby areas of the city, doing a bit of shopping, with an occasional
tour thrown in.

It did L'Naym good to be outside. She hadn't been allowed to go on away missions for some time,
so she'd had to confine her wanderings to the ship. It felt good to be outside, under the sky and
breathing fresh air.

She'd particularly enjoyed the night tour that the three of them had gone on last night. It was a
boat tour that took passengers on a two hour excursion along the lake shore, letting them see
the city lights and stunning laser show from a distance

Today they had visited the Tower Gardens, a huge, many-storied botanic garden that had vaguely
reminded Kirk of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. It was a masterpiece of both botanic, engineering
and hydraulic design. The Nlians had enjoyed every minute of it and Kirk had too. He would always
be an adventurer, but during his command of the Saratoga he had come to appreciate quieter
pastimes as well.

And quieter pastimes had taught him to become more observant as well. Even though his Soul Sister
had enjoyed herself, he had noticed that she often seemed thoughtful. Kirk had often noticed that
in her aboard the Saratoga lately and he and his Soul Siblings had had quite a few talks.

He was having one now with Alyen while L'Naym had stepped into a hotel shop. "How's she been
lately, Tuskaro?" he asked.

"She's been very thoughtful," Alyen said quietly. "It's not sadness or depression, she's just as overjoyed
about our little one as always. It's just…" He took a breath. "So much has changed, Jim. Our baby's
going to change our lives in so many ways. So many changes…so many new responsibilities.
They say that the past is always close at times like this. I suppose with everything that's happening
and will happen, it's natural. She's thinking about the past and the future."

He glanced in the direction his lifemate had gone. "If Shylea's mother had lived she would be constantly
turning to her for comfort and advice now."

"But she didn't and so she can't," Kirk sighed. Things had always been tense between him and his own
mother. But he still called her now and then. Even though he didn't do it often it was a comfort to know
that he could.

"She's been calling her father a lot," Alyen continued. "And she's not without female advice. She's been
talking to all the mother's on the Saratoga. And she's been talking to her Aunt Brimyl back home too.
After her mother died, Brimyl, along with her grandmother, were the only mother figures Shylea knew.
Talking to her always comforts her."

He took a deep breath. "I've been thinking a lot too. About my growing up years. Wondering if I'll be
a good father. Jim... I've loved my son from the moment that he came into existence and I know that
there's nothing that I wouldn't do for him. But sometimes I'm so afraid that I'll do something wrong.
That I'll fail him."

"I think every father worries about that." Kirk smiled gently. "At least the ones who deserve to be fathers."

"I've been talking to the different father's on the Saratoga. "They all told me they thought the exact
same things when their children were on the way."

"See? You're perfectly normal."

Alyen gave one of his shy smiles before abruptly straightening as he looked over Kirk's shoulder.
"Beloved."

Kirk turned to see L'Naym approaching with some packages. "Hey sis."

She smiled at him and then went to her lifemate who gave her a gentle embrace. Both their eyes met
as they silently communed.

"So, you guys ready to head over to head over to the restaurant to eat?" Kirk asked.

"Not yet." L'Naym reached out and took his hand.

Two Souls Touched.
A Joined Soul and a Soul that she and her Other half had touched.

*Jim. Could you come up to our room for awhile? There's something I wanted
to share with you. I've shared it with Tuskaro, but I want you to see it too.*