Thank you to everybody who read our review the last conversation. You were all fabulous.
Warning: Discussions about sexual assault and past suicide attempts.
Day 169: Don't Expect to Get this Message Anytime Soon
From: Kevin KR
To: Spock's_cuddlebunny
Time arrived: 8/9/2260 00:00:01
Subject: Email takes forever in space
OK, the lag time between messages is starting to get ridiculous. If I'm doing the math right, it took nearly 3 weeks for this to get here. I already know that Jeremy will be kicked off your ship, as soon as you guys get to a Star base. Fingers crossed it happens before the September switch out.
I did not need to know about Liz getting you that as a present. Although, I also didn't want to know that you have your own collection of sex toys nor do I want to talk to classmates about the existence of such a collection. Liz was not happy when Julie from my summer diplomacy seminar asked if the Jim Kirk vibrator was to scale. I wasn't happy either because you don't ask somebody that question about their brother even if they're related just through adoption. What is wrong with people sometimes? Please tell me you're suing the red-light district. I'm still creeped out about the whole thing.
The internship is getting better. Okay, the internship is getting better because at least twice a week, I have two small babies with me. People are less likely to act like assholes when there are babies around, especially cute ones. I have baby duty at work because Liz had to spend a few days with the lawyers because Ben needs her. That whole custody situation is just awful. He really needs emotional support and with Sue and his boyfriend in space, Liz is the next best thing.
Oh, by the way tell McCoy that his sister-in-law has moved to San Francisco after taking a job with Shawn's firm. They needed her so quickly that she hasn't even gone back to Georgia to get her stuff yet. I think Liz will volunteer us to help as soon as things are stable up here, whenever that may be. Ms. Lee likes us despite Liz cursing her out earlier on and suggesting severe therapy. Also, we feel like baby D should get to see the world. There's more to it than San Francisco and shiny Star bases. Atlanta must be better than Riverside.
Fingers crossed mom stays good. She's still at the Academy and teaching. More importantly she hasn't shown up at tequila night at Purple Haze. Although Pike has been keeping her busy with brunches and drinking orange juice in solidarity, I'm almost hopeful that rehab will work this time.
Anyway, I have like 300 reports to read while taking care of two toddlers. I'll talk to you later. Taking care of children is hard. Bye, big brother.
From: mental_health_help_desk_Suarez
To: Spock's_cuddlebunny
Subject: Re: Just Checking in
Time arrived: 8/9/2260 00:00:01
OK, now I must know if Jeremy did something stupid or if it was crewmembers fighting. I don't get anywhere near this much good gossip here. My only real source is your father-in-law. There aren't even any other Starfleet officers in my unit. I'm on special assignment essentially. Apparently, my time working with your husband has made me Starfleet's go to person for Vulcan psychology. I'm sure Margarita's number two. I promise I won't let them poach her.
I'm sure you know by now that Spock has a foster sister. She's adorable, but angry. I understand why even if I can't tell you specifics due to doctor-patient confidentiality, but I will say it never ceases to amaze me that a species that claims to celebrate the importance of diversity are a bunch of bigots. According to my colleagues it's better now than it was on old Vulcan. Most of the survivors are people who left Vulcan because they didn't quite fit in. So maybe it's a good thing that they are the ones rebuilding society. Fingers crossed the next generation will be better.
At the same time, there's a lot of anger at anybody of partial Romulan ancestry. It's like everything bad that some idiot of the race did is also the fault of everyone else of that race. Which is absolute bullshit, but that is always how it is, which is just shameful. Being biracial, you see that prejudice is still there.
I mean we try to uphold the ideals of the Federation, but sometimes it's easier to uphold ideals in theory then in practice. I had this professor back at the Academy that said everybody's prejudiced, but it's how we act on those prejudices that makes the difference. Vulcans are still dealing with that.
Sorry for the tirade, I just kind of needed to get that out. So how are things on Enterprise? Did you enjoy your exploratory mission, or did it not happen?
Your mom wrote me and told me about the new job and selling the farm as well. The email got to me about two days before yours even though I think it was written later. How far out are you right now?
I think it's good that your family sold the farm. Other people may see it as a memorial to George Kirk. However, you only see it as a reminder of what Frank did to you. The fact that you are now able to talk about it openly just shows how far you've come. I am so proud of you. I think if you want to create a group for other survivors of sexual assault on ship, I will support you in any way that I can. You're doing a lot of good things, Jim Kirk.
I agree with your husband. I want to keep you happy and healthy and around for as long as possible and I'm glad you want that as well. Knock it off with the suicide by nobility. Although that is an improvement on when we met each other. You've come a long way from being the kid that almost didn't jump out of the car.
Anyway, write me back when you have time.
From: Spock's_cuddlebunny
To: Kevin KR
Time sent: 8/9/2260 06:54:31
Subject: Re: Email takes forever in space
It's just still so weird to read this email now after so much has happened. You probably now know why Pike is only drinking orange juice. Honestly, at this point, the sex toy thing is the last thing on my mind right now. The lawyers can handle it because Spock and I have more important things to deal with like emotionally distraught preteens.
We've even talked twice since you probably wrote this and you know the lag time between emails is going to get worse once we get back into deep space. We're going to do an assessment on a newly discovered planet. It's going to be at least two months of pure exploration and I am kind of looking forward to it. The only reason why it's no longer is because of the September crew switch out.
Spock will be itchy because he won't be able to go down and play. Carol banned him, but I feel like it might be good. I think I'm going to have to get a new science officer soon. Regardless, it will give us time to bond as a family. Also, now that we have Peter, only one of us can participate in an away mission at a time unless I'm needed to play happy spouse. I mean technically that was true before, but because of Peter we will follow said rule.
Peter is getting used to us and starship life. He loves his new bedroom as well as some of the new games and stuff we were able to pick up on Star base before we left two days ago. He kind of went nuts at the Star base mall. There's toys and stuff everywhere. Scotty's going to have to build him some shelves. He really does love comic books. I know he's going to want some hard copies eventually.
Peter begins classes tomorrow and is not looking forward to it. Hey, he should be happy that no one is nearly as bratty as they were back in February. Also, Gina is so good at her job. I am glad that your future mother-in-law was able to talk her into coming because she is good. I'm not sure how she's going to deal with Peter, but hey at least he's somewhat verbal right now. Also not throwing up anymore. In addition, he is no longer clinging to Margarita for dear life. So that's a step in the right direction. Okay he was so nervous before our video conference that he kind of threw up on the Yeoman.
Peter is quiet, very quiet right now and I get that. I mean in the last two weeks his mom died, his planet was attacked by things I can't talk about, and he is now living with an uncle (and Vulcan husband) that he did not know existed until after the other two things happened. So of course, he's not going to be chatty or happy or anything else. He's processing. At least he's doing the art and not driving cars off cliffs. Much better coping mechanism.
So, I guess I'm asking for tips on what to do, but I feel the one year old might be easier. I hope I don't screw this thing up. Parenthood is terrifying.
I didn't think this was ever going to happen. Not after I was told I'm sterile now. That was a stupid thought since my husband still has active swimmers. But we are Starfleet and that rarely mixes with family. However, here we are, Spock and I are raising a 12-year-old. I hope I don't fuck this up.
Anyway, I've got a 12-year-old to wake up and feed before shift. I'll talk to you later.
From: Spock's_cuddlebunny
To: mental_health_help_desk_Suarez
Subject: Re: Just Checking in
Time sent: 8/9/2260 21:46:01
I'm glad I got a letter from you today. I have been meaning to write you for like the last week, but you have no idea how busy I've been. Everything just kind of blew up in the last two weeks. Spock and I have been putting the pieces back together, but I think we're starting to get the handle of it.
I can't believe it's been so long since we talked because the last thing you knew about was Jeremy was being a brat. So good news, he's totally off my ship for good. Shocking news, he was on the ship in the first place to keep the Minors on Enterprise program from being successful. He didn't qualify because he kind of sort of lit his house on fire with people still inside on purpose. There may have also been some animals murdered. Obviously, he didn't qualify and probably needs a lot of professional help.
The problem that day was Jeremy tried to touch Ashley 2 in a bad way and well, the Sulu self-defense training has been paying off. I'm so proud, but that was the push we needed to get him off the ship. I will not tolerate that type of behavior at all. So, after confining him to quarters for several weeks as well as multiple emergency meetings with HQ, Jeremy is off to quasi-military school with lots of therapy and possibly some drugs. Fingers crossed that it will make a difference.
Jeremy's spot has already been filled by my secret nephew that I didn't know about until things on Deneva went fubar. So, do you remember me talking about Sam's girlfriend/almost fiancé that he ended things with before going to the planet of the damned? All those hypos that are needed for colony life deactivated his contraceptive hypo and I am now the foster parent of a Peter. Well, I and Spock are foster parents possibly looking to adopt maybe if Peter wants us to. We're taking it one day at a time.
So, I guess I should start with we didn't get to some nice planetary exploration because of an incident on Deneva that Enterprise had to respond to because we were the closest. Arlene, Sam's ex-girlfriend, ended up taking a job there about a year ago after doing several other off planet research jobs. She was apparently only on Earth for any amount of time to make sure her parents got what they deserved for murdering her sister. Yes, that family was that fucked up.
Anyway, Arlene died after making me promise that I would take care of Peter and keep him away from her family. She neglected to say that he was my family, but that's what DNA test are for.
Because Sam gave his life during the Tarsus fuck up, Starfleet owes him. Even though he's not quite 13 yet, Peter got a spot in the program. Okay Kevin's choice in girlfriends may have played a role in it as well, but I'm not going to complain. He has his own room and Sulu is happy to no longer be sharing with us, however shower sex will not be resuming because Spock and I have a kid.
I have a kid. I'm still trying to wrap my head around that. How did this happen? I am a parent. Should I even be a parent? I didn't exactly have the best examples growing up. Everybody says I raised Kevin, but I'm kind of panicking regardless. Spock is trying to be the calm and collective one, but we're just going to have to see how well that continues. I mean we're raising a kid, a kid whose mother just died and is now being raised on a starship after years of being on various research colonies. I'm positive this will probably go badly. At least Margarita is around to pick up the pieces. Thank you for making sure she doesn't get sent somewhere else. We really need her right now.
Spock is aware of his foster sister. We chatted a few days ago. The father-in-law agreed to be a backup foster parent for Peter in case Starfleet decides that the Minors on Enterprise program should end or just in case Peter didn't get a spot. Spock's foster sister is so cute even if she's constantly scowling. Her and Peter already like each other. I have this feeling that we're probably going to get a new Vulcan colony assignment at some point in the future. Hopefully, it will go better than last time, but you will be there so at least there's that.
Anyway, I must get my preteen off to bed. His first day of school is tomorrow. Fingers crossed that will not be a disaster.
To be continued