"Just relax, Captain…have a drink of water, take a deep breath, and close your eyes. Try to imagine what you are describing." Uhura passed the tablet across his desk to Kirk and smiled slightly. In an effort to attract more recruits in the wake of recent events, Starfleet had decided it needed a spokesperson who had actually been through the fire. Someone young, charismatic, and enthusiastic. Naturally, they'd chosen Kirk. Who else? He smirked to himself. The request and script had been sent over from Recruiting this morning, and as the lieutenant had received the message, she took it upon herself to help him get his enunciations right. Or, as she had tactfully put it, "make sure you don't totally mess it up."

"No problem." He studied it for a few seconds, nodded, and reached for the bottle of water. As he lifted it to his lips and drank, he caught McCoy's eye. The doctor smiled easily at him, before making the "okay" sign with his right hand. You'll do fine, Jim. Kirk swiveled the chair side to side, before leaning forward and looking at the script. It was actually quite poetic.

"Beyond the white-capped mountains, golden prairies, and impossibly blue oceans that once defined our explorations…there is space…limitless…vast…full of adventure and infinite possibilities. The pioneer heart that drove us onward still beats inside us to this day. Join Starfleet and be a part of this unimaginable journey. A myriad of unknown worlds call your name."

He drew in a deep breath, pausing for effect. McCoy's eyebrows quirked upwards as he sank back in his chair, evidently surprised. Uhura, whose eyes had been closed as she listened, leaned forward slightly and opened her mouth. Before she could speak, he held one finger up in the air. She nodded, deferring to him. He shook his head, lay the tablet back on his desk, and gave his trademark winning smile, the kind that made the ladies swoon and the men smoulder in envy. IMHO, anyway…

"My name is James T Kirk, and I improve this message."

He watched in amusement as McCoy jolted forward, his eyes pinched in scrutiny, head cocked to one side as though he couldn't believe what he just heard. Uhura's eyes, on the other hand, rolled back in her head as she let out a little huff, as if to say, "Oh, brother." She grabbed the tablet and skimmed the text, before looking up at him. "It doesn't say that," she frowned.

Kirk pinched his finger and thumb together. " Yeah…I added that last part myself."

McCoy, who had regained some of his composure, tsked. "Really? And besides, Jim, even if it did, it's supposed to be "approve", not "improve".

Kirk grinned, pointing at his chest with his right thumb, pleased as punch. "Not from where I'm standing."

"Oh, please," Uhura sighed loudly, crossing her arms over her chest.

"You know, you almost nailed it cold, Jim. But, noooo, you just couldn't resist the call of the wild ego." McCoy shook his head.

"What, you think you could've done better?" Kirk stabbed the air in front of McCoy lazily. "I know exactly what you'd say; 'Join Starfleet. If you're darn lucky, maybe you'll come back alive…but probably not.'"

McCoy's face turned bright red. "That's not funny!"

"Oh, yes it is…" Kirk smiled.

Uhura leaned forward and took his hand in both of hers. "Look, there's a reason why they chose you for this. People respect you, your opinions, your courage. They'll listen to you, not some 'stuffy old man'."

Kirk lazily let his mouth droop open. "Soooo, if I'm right, what you're saying is…technically, I do improve this message." He pointed forwards with both index fingers.

Uhura huffed out a sigh. "All right, yes…"

Kirk turned to face McCoy, who was still sulking, arms crossed, turned away. "Say it."

McCoy tipped his head forward. "Say what?"

"You know what."

"No."

"Say it."

"No. I won't."

"SAY IT."

"Is that an order?"

"Maybe…maybe not. You decide. Do you like scraping asteroid bits off the outer hull?"

"I-" McCoy paused, finger pointing upward in the air. He covered his face with both hands, muffling his speech. "Ergh. Fine. You improve this message. Heaven knows you improved my life. Happy?"

Kirk sighed. "Much."

McCoy spun his chair to one side, frowning. "Mind you, when I say 'improve', I mean 'complicate'…" he muttered under his breath. Uhura laughed softly.