The Final Frontier 9/Final Frontier 9 (Disk 2 of 3).adf/LCARS/TextFile/STAG/For_Love_Of_Julia_1.pp/For_Love_Of_Julia_1

Text File | 1995-11-09 | 38KB | 948 lines

TF01
3,For Love Of Julia - Pt 1
4,by Sylvia Billings

Kirk entered the room,  it  was  like  any  other office at Starfleet
Headquarters, but to  him  seemed  like  a  prison  cell.   He walked
towards the desk - his desk - if he accepted the promotion.

They had all said he should accept,  it  was way overdue, but how the
hell did any of them know  how  he  really felt?  Spock probably came
the closest to really knowing... and even he had said, 'Not to accept
would be most illogical, Captain.' Damn the lot of them!

He sat down and gazed  out  the  window,  but  he didn't see the busy
Space Headquarters, he saw his past mirrored before him...

He stood, looking up at the imposing building, here lay his future...
if he were good enough.  Checking he  had all the relevant papers and
other documents they would require, he entered.

He wasn't quite sure what he had expected, but all that was there was
a medium sized reception area, a  number  of chairs and several young
men and women.  He walked up  to  the  desk,  where sat a dark haired
woman - who, after a moment looked  up  at him and asked, "Can I help
you?"

"My name's James T.  Kirk,  I  received  these,"  he  put some of the
papers onto the desk, "and was told to report here today."

The woman looked through the offered papers,  then at a list in front
of her.  Finding what she wanted she  made some notes then handed the
papers back to Kirk.   "Thank  you,  Mr.  Kirk.   Will  you wait over
there, we won't keep you long."

Taking the papers, Kirk picked up his case and moved to sit on one of
the remaining two chairs.  Moments later  the door again opened and a
young fair haired man entered.  He  walked  to the desk, his papers -
like Kirk's  -  were  quickly  processed  and  he  came  over  to the
remaining vacant chair.

"Hi!  My name's Finnegan, what's yours?"

"Jim Kirk."

Shaking Kirk's hand, he said,  "Hello,  Jim  Kirk.   Well now we both
know someone here."

Kirk smiled, "Yes, I guess we do."

At that moment they were called  by a Starfleet Officer, and followed
her through to the  inner  part  of  the  Academy  to start their new
careers.

                                 ***

It had seemed so strange at first,  so different from the life he had
been used to.  Gradually  his  life  slipped  into  a routine and his
years at the Academy seemed to fly by.

He was a good student and  took  his studies seriously, following any
given task through to it's  satisfactory  conclusion.  Because of his
attention to his work, he often left  himself wide open for all kinds
of jokes to be played on  him.  He  took  them all in good part, and,
often with subtlety, payed back  his  tormentors.   The worst of whom
was Finnegan.

Many times the  two  of  them  had  been  on  report  for  some minor
misdemeanour or other,  losing  passes  for  home  visits  often as a
result.  Although more often than  not  their pranks involved others,
they were still  the  most  popular  members  of  their classes right
through the Academy - much to  the  despair  of their tutors.  One of
whom was heard to remark.. 'It's  a pity we don't administer corporal
punishment to the two of them.  It's  about the only thing left which
might stop them.'

Now a trick had backfired on  them  both, and an Admiral's aircar had
been damaged as a result.   They  were  now  both waiting outside the
Admiral's office.

"Finnegan, I always felt one day  we'd  go too far.  What d'you think
will be the punishment this time?   We're  only  a few weeks short of
graduation I hope it's nothing to jeopardise that."

"Jimmy me boy, you worry too much.   Now do you really think they are
goin' to throw two  such  bright  lads  as  us  out  into the big bad
world?"

"Finnegan, I just  wish  for  once,  you'd  take something seriously.
Admiral Ansell would have been mad enough if his aircar had just been
damaged, but to end up  in  a  flowerbed surrounded by sweet smelling
violets...!"  Suddenly  the  sight  of  the  Admiral  sitting  in his
wrecked aircar up to his neck in violets, was too much for them both,
and they began to giggle.

At that very moment the  door  opened  and  a Lieutenant told them to
follow him into the Admiral's office.

The first thing they saw  was  that  Admiral Ansell wasn't alone, the
Academy Principle along with  their  class  tutor  were also present.
The second thing was a  cane  lying  in  a  promenent position on the
Admiral's desk.

The blood rushed to  Kirk's  face.  'They... wouldn't... cane... us?'
He thought, he glanced at Finnegan who also looked a lot less sure of
himself now.

They stood there for what  seemed  like  eternity,  the two young men
wondering what fate had  in  store,  and  the officers simply letting
them worry.  Eventually the  Academy  Head  got  up  from  his desk -
picking up the cane as he did so.

Kirk watched his every move.

He moved the cane up and down as if relishing what was to come.  Then
quite suddenly he replaced the  cane  on  the  desk and spoke.  "Well
gentlemen, what have  you  to  say  for  yourselves?"   The two young
cadets looked at each other, but neither replied.  "I am waiting..."

"I'm sorry, Sir.  We  didn't  mean  to  damage  the aircar... or hurt
Admiral Ansell," added Kirk quickly.

"No, Sir, we certainly didn't," said Finnegan.

"Then what were you proposing to do?"

"Well Sir,  we  thought  it  was  your..."  Finnegan  stopped,  as he
realised what he was saying.

"Do go on Mr. Finnegan."   When  Finnegan  didn't reply, but began to
study the floor around  his  feet,  Admiral  Perry  allowed himself a
slight smile, which neither Kirk nor Finnegan saw.

"Lost your tongue now, have you?  Well it doesn't matter."  He looked
at his two fellow  officers,  then  back  at  the young men, standing
before the desk.  "You  two  have  caused,  one  way  or another more
trouble during your four years at the Academy than any other cadets I
can remember.  We have tried every kind  of punishment - and it would
appear to no avail - now we  intend to try a different approach."  He
stopped, as  Kirk  and  Finnegan  now  looked  up  at  him,  then  he
continued.  "It has been decided you will be given the choice of your
punishment."  At this a look of  utter astonishment crossed the faces
of  them  both.   "This   decision   has   been  reached  after  much
deliberation on our part, and we consider this the only way."

Kirk moved slightly, maybe it  was  apprehension  or just nerves, but
whatever it was, he stopped as the Admiral looked at him.

"The choice gentlemen is simple, and  you  may  each make up your own
mind, which means the punishment need not be the same," Admiral Perry
again picked up the cane,  and  Kirk  knew  instantly what one choice
would be.  "You may either  repair  the  aircar  and replant each and
every flower damaged, or, receive ten  strokes of this," and he waved
the cane in front of them, "before  the entire Academy.  I might add,
that should you chose the latter, you  will be the first cadets to be
corporally punished in the past 20  years.   I doubt that many people
know this punishment still  exists."   He  again stopped, waiting for
one of them to speak.

At last Kirk asked, "Do we have to decide right now, Sir?"

"Yes, Cadet Kirk, right now."

"Then I'll repair all the damage  we  caused, Sir," answered Kirk, he
knew there was no way he would stand the humiliation of being caned.

"Me too, Sir," added Finnegan.

"You are both certain this is your choice?"

"Yes, Sir," they answered together.

"Very well," he turned to their  class tutor, "Commander the uniforms
if you please."

Kirk and Finnegan exchanged quick glances.

Commander Gizan, picked  up  two  'jump-suit'  type  coveralls from a
chair behind the desk, and handed them to the Admiral.

"These gentlemen,  are  to  be  worn  at  all  times,  while  you are
repairing the aircar or  replanting  the flower-beds, and considering
the amount of work there is to do, it will take you up to graduation.
There are by the  way,  three  sets  each,  as  we  thought you might
accidentally get one set -  damaged  -  shall  we say."  So saying he
handed the  violet  coloured  coveralls  to  the  highly  embarrassed
cadets, who took them as if they were about to explode.

Before he could stop himself  Kirk  blurted  out, "Sir, how could you
know which we'd chose?"

"Cadet Kirk, I've been  Principle  of  this  Academy  a long time and
believe me, although you have caused so  much trouble you are not the
only ones to have been given a choice of punishment, and in all cases
the easiest way out has always been chosen."

"But Sir, this isn't the easiest  way...  it will be more humiliating
wearing... bright violet coveralls,  than  being corporally punished,
at least that would have been over quickly."

"Exactly," smiled  the  Admiral.   Then  turning  to  the  other  two
officers asked if they had anything further to add.  When neither man
had, he dismissed the two dejected looking cadets.

                                 ***

Their first spare time had  come  during  the afternoon the following
day.  Commander Gizan  had  informed  them  at  the  end  of the last
lecture of the day, they were to begin their tasks.  All of the class
knew of their punishment, and  some  gave  them  a smile of sympathy.
But none knew of  the  violet  coloured  coveralls  they had to wear.
Kirk knew this state of affairs would not last for long.

As they made their way to  change,  Finnegan suddenly began to laugh.
Kirk looked at him in astonishment.  "Finnegan, what's so funny?"

"We are, Jimmy me boy, we are!"

"Eh?"

"Listen.  As I see it we've got two choices."

"No Finnegan, we had two choices."

"Will you be quiet and listen?"

"Okay, okay, I'm listening."

"Now, we can either  wear  those  coveralls  and  become the laughing
stock of the whole Academy, OR, we  can  wear them and NOT be laughed
at."  He stopped and looked  enquiringly  at Kirk.  "Well, which will
it be, Jimmy boy?"

Kirk looked at him for a  moment  and then said, "You've finally done
it, you've gone mad!"

Ignoring the remark completely, Finnegan  continued, "Do you remember
the exact words the Admiral said when he gave us these... things?"

"Yes.  We had to wear them  each  time  we  went to repair the damage
we'd done."

"That's not it exactly, but it'll do."

"So what?"

"Don't you see yet?"

"See what?  All I know is we have to wear the coveralls."

"Yes, but Admiral Perry didn't  say  they  had to be seen!" concluded
Finnegan in triumph.

Kirk stopped  in  his  tracks,  looked  at  Finnegan,  then  grinned.
"You're right, he didn't!  We'd never get away with it... would we?"

"How do we know, till we try?"

"We don't, but I have a  feeling  if  we're found out, he'll think up
something worse for us."

"Where's your sense of adventure?  How are  you ever gonna make it in
Starfleet without a sense  of  adventure?   That's  what's needed you
know."  He stopped and looked sideways at Kirk, then said, "Still, if
you're afraid..."

"Who said I was afraid?"  Countered Kirk, quickly.

"Then you'll do it... wear those violet things under a normal Academy
coverall?

Kirk nodded, realising as he did so,  how easily he had been trapped,
and knowing as he agreed,  the  consequences  would be worse than the
original punishment.

                                 ***

For three days, in their spare  time,  they both worked diligently on
the aircar, wearing normal  Academy  coveralls  over the violet ones,
and as each day passed so their confidence grew.

The repair section of the  Academy  was  some  distance from the main
buildings and so they  worked  under  the  supervision of an engineer
from this section, and saw no  one  else, except the occasional cadet
who might come on some errand or other.

On the fourth day, as they  walked  into report to the engineer, they
saw standing waiting for them Commander  Gizan and Admirals Perry and
Ansell.  Kirk's stomach did a somersault and settled somewhere around
his feet.

"Come in gentlemen, I'm glad to  see  you  are at least punctual when
reporting for duty,"  Admiral  Perry  said  acidly.   "Where  are the
coveralls you are supposed to be wearing?"

"Under these, Sir," answered Kirk in a subdued voice.

"But we were  going  to  take  these  other  coveralls  off before we
started work, Sir," added Finnegan swiftly.

"Shut up, Finnegan!" said Kirk,  "You're  only  making it worse."  He
looked at the three officers,  "We  didn't  intend to change, Sir, we
meant to keep the violet ones covered."

"Knowing the idea was that you  were  to  be seen in these clothes as
part of the punishment?"

Kirk nodded his head, saying, "Yes, Sir," as he did so.

"Then you realise there is only one alternative left?"

"Yes, Sir."

"Which is?"

"We'll be dismissed from the Academy, Sir."

The Admiral smiled, "Oh no you won't!   It won't be that easy for you
both."  He turned to his fellow officers, "Bring them along, please."

They were taken back to the  main  Academy building, and as they were
crossing the campus, both realised there were no other students to be
seen.  Enlightenment dawned on them both simultaneously.  The rest of
the Academy were assembled and they  were being taken before them.  A
desire to run was suddenly uppermost  in both minds, although neither
tried it.

They reached  the  Academy  and  entered,  being  taken  to  the main
assembly hall.  As they walked to  the  raised  dais at one end, they
saw all the department  heads  and  tutors  were also assembled.  The
hall went quiet as the students waited to see what was to happen.

Admiral Perry wasted no  time  and  began  speaking, "Cadets, you see
here," and he indicated  Finnegan  and  Kirk,  "two fellow cadets who
have been the cause of a great  number of misdeeds during their years
here, for which I  might  add,  they  have  suitably punished.  Their
latest escapade caused damage to Starfleet property and discomfort to
Admiral Ansell.  For this it was decided they would repair the damage
caused and also  to  a  lesser  degree  be  caused  slight discomfort
themselves.  It now appears  they  have  even  tried  to turn this to
their advantage - and been discovered."   He paused and looked at the
two young men, who both looked  a  little flushed.  "Now they have to
pay the penalty for that  rash  act.   Cadets  Kirk and Finnegan were
given the choice as to the  form  of punishment, but having chosen to
repair the damage, saw fit  to  change  part of that punishment."  He
now spoke  directly  to  Kirk  and  Finnegan.   "Cadets,  remove  the
coveralls."

A gasp was heard all  around  the  assembled students as Finnegan and
Kirk complied.  A gasp which  turned  into  giggles and then outright
laughter as the violet coveralls were  seen for the first time.  Kirk
and Finnegan could do little except stand there.

When the laughter finally stopped the Admiral continued, "Their other
choice was a seldom used  form  of  punishment,  but  one which I now
intend to carry out."  He moved to  a  nearby table and picked up the
cane, "Gentlemen - it was 10 strokes each I believe."

The next few minutes were ones Kirk would never forget.  Finnegan was
first,  which  meant  he  had  just   that  bit  longer  to  wait  in
anticipation and fear.  Yes, he  admitted  to  himself he was afraid.
Not of the pain, although no doubt  that would be bad enough, but the
fear of the humiliation that at 20 years of age he was being caned.

Later that night in his room,  he  lay thinking.  He had deserved the
punishment, not because  of  the  original  misdeed,  but  because he
hadn't had to agree with Finnegan, so  it was his own fault.  He also
resolved then, never to be led into things by others ever again.

He often wondered  later,  how  either  of  them  lived through those
remaining weeks at the Academy...

He was suddenly brought back to reality as the office door opened and
a Lieutenant entered.

"Oh!... Captain... I'm sorry... I thought  this room would be empty."
She looked at Kirk's flushed face.  "Are you alright, Sir?"

Kirk caught sight  of  himself  in  a  mirror  and  realised he still
blushed at even the thought  of  that  incident  of years ago.  "Yes,
Lieutenant, I'm fine.  Did you wish to use this room?"

"Well... yes, Sir.  This room  is  usually  empty  and I come here to
study and work whenever I can, it is quieter than most other rooms."

"Very well, Lieutenant, you go right  ahead, I have to leave anyway."
Getting up he crossed the room and with a smile at the girl left.

He began to  walk  through  the  corridors  of  the Headquarters, not
really going anywhere in particular.  As he turned a corner he almost
knocked down someone coming the other way.   Not seeing who it was he
just mumbled, "Sorry," and went to carry on.

"Not so fast, Captain," said a familiar voice.

Kirk stopped and  looked  into  the  bright  blue  eyes  of his Chief
Medical Officer.  "Sorry, Bones.   I  just  didn't  see you.  Are you
okay?"

"Sure, but are you?"

"Yes.  Why do you ask?"

"You look a bit... flushed.  What have you been up to?"

"Up to?  Nothing... I've just  been  sitting  quietly in an office...
thinking."

"Your past catching up with you, Jim?"

"That's a funny thing to say, Bones."

"Not really, it happens to us all at sometime or another.  When we're
worried or undecided  we  often  fall  back  on  the past... possibly
hoping to find an answer.   You  are  undecided about this promotion,
aren't you, Jim?"

"Yes, I am.  One part of me says  I  should take it, but then I think
of being 'desk bound' and all that goes  with it, and I know I'd hate
it."

"Do you want to talk about  it,  Jim?   I'm a good listener, it might
help to clear things up in your mind."

"Yes... yes, I guess maybe I do, Bones.  Come on let's find somewhere
quiet."

They made for the  outside  of  the  building  and  into the grounds.
Finally they found a  fairly  sheltered  area  where  they could talk
without being disturbed.

They sat on the seat for  several  minutes with neither man speaking,
then McCoy finally broke  the  silence.   "Jim,  you've  got to begin
somewhere, if we're ever going  to  sort  this  problem of yours out.
Tell me what you were thinking... just before you bumped into me?"

Again Kirk coloured slightly,  and  McCoy  noticed immediately, "That
bad, eh?  Come on Jim, tell your friendly family Doctor."

"I was thinking about my  first  years  as  a Cadet at the Academy...
some of the things which happened. Bones... how I ever graduated I'll
never know."

"You worked hard, passed all exams  and graduated with honours, if my
memory serves me correct."  He gave Kirk a quick glance, "Even if you
were... a little 'over  exuberant'  about  certain things, you always
paid the penalty, and were no worse for it."

Kirk gave a small gasp and  looked  at McCoy. "Bones... I'd forgotten
you came to the  Academy  that  last  year...  you must have known...
about... everything, all this time... but you'd never...?"

McCoy smiled, "Don't worry, Jim, your  past  is  safe with me, no one
will ever know.  Of course, I may  remind you from time to time... if
I fell the need arises..."

Grinning, Kirk replied, "Yes, I'm sure you will."

"Now come on, Jim, let's talk  about  what's bothering you - here and
now.  You do know if you accept you'll be the youngest Admiral in the
Fleet?"

At this Kirk almost exploded, "Oh,  yes,  I know.  First the youngest
Captain, now the youngest  Admiral.   Why  can't  I  be the oldest at
something... just once?"

"Jim, if you turn this down you could be turning down a whole future,
and not only in Starfleet."

"What d'you mean, Bones?  They don't dismiss you from the service for
turning down promotion."

"I didn't mean that.  What about Julia...?"

He looked at McCoy, "Yes, Bones, what about her?"...

His mind went back to his early days as a Lieutenant.  He had been on
shore leave and doing the  usual  things, drinking, eating, relaxing.
He lay by the swimming pool  of  a  luxury beach hotel....then he saw
Cathy.  She wasn't stunningly  beautiful,  but  had  - something - he
couldn't describe it then or now,  and  she was with some people from
his  ship,  so  getting  up  he  walked  over  to  where  they  were.
Introductions were made, and soon he was sitting talking to her.

He discovered she was a nurse on the base hospital, but would soon be
transferring to Starship duty.  Her  ambition  was to become a Doctor
in Starfleet, and to achieve this  she needed not only Starbase duty,
but actual Starship service, with all it's dangers and unknowns.

He was soon telling her of  his  ambitions and dreams, and before the
day was through they felt as if  they  had known each other all their
lives.

She was a year older than Kirk, but this didn't matter to them.  They
enjoyed each others company, and for  the  rest of his leave Kirk saw
her everyday.  By the end of the three  weeks he was in love with her
and she with him.

Both knew it was hopeless to even think of marriage, as both were too
ambitious for their  own  careers,  to  hope  of  making  a  go  at a
successful marriage.

"Cathy, will you wait for me?  Till I've made it to Captain."

"Jim, we both know it won't work...  not yet anyway, and possibly not
even then.  We'll still see each  other  - whenever we can.  Oh, Jim,
don't look so depressed, we can keep in touch."

"It won't be the same."

"No, it won't, but it  will  have  to  do.   Who  knows when you're a
Captain and I'm a Doctor, we  could  end  up  on the same ship.  I do
love you Jim."

"I love you too, Cathy."  Suddenly what she had just said hit him and
he brightened  considerably.   "D'you  suppose  you  could  get  your
medical training experience on the same ship I'm on now?"

She laughed, "Oh, Jim, it would  never  work.  You know neither of us
would be able to concentrate.  But it is a lovely idea."

"Yes, I guess you're right."

The rest of the leave passed too quickly and they soon had to part.

                                 ***

During the next three years they  saw  little of each other, although
they kept in touch constantly,  or  as constantly as conditions would
allow.  He knew she had been  on  Starship  duty  and was now back at
Headquarters at the base hospital.  Then  Kirk received orders he too
was to report to Starfleet Headquarters.

He was no longer a Lieutenant, but had reached the rank of Commander,
and knew this summons probably meant a change of ship and he hoped it
meant to one of the large 'Constitution' class Starships.

He entered the office and was  told  to  go straight through.  In the
inner office was  the  head  of  this  sector,  Admiral Wrenbury.  He
looked up immediately Kirk  entered  the  room.   "Come in Commander,
please sit down."

"Thank you, Sir," Kirk answered as he took the proffered chair.

When he was seated, Admiral  Wrenbury  began.   "Commander, I am sure
you are well aware this summons  means  only  one thing - a change of
ship and promotion."   Kirk  inclined  his  head  in acknowledgement.
"There are several positions open  at  the  present  time and you are
being assigned one on the Enterprise."   Kirk hoped he kept any trace
of delight from his  face,  but  his  eyes  betrayed  him - they were
gleaming, and Wrenbury continued,  "I  see  you  are delighted at the
prospect of a Starship after the small ships you have been on."

Feeling this warranted an answer, Kirk  replied, "Yes, Sir, I am... I
hardly dared to hope... but, yes, I am delighted."

Smiling, Admiral Wrenbury  continued,  "You  will  do  one mission as
Assistant First Officer, at the  end  of  which you will become First
Officer.  In  a  few  months  time  Captain  Pike  will  be  due  for
reassignment and  promotion,  that  is  when  we  hope  you  will  be
conversant enough with the ship  and  her  crew  to  take over as her
Captain."

Kirk was astounded, he knew  he  was  more  than  capable, but he was
young to be made Captain.

"You seem somewhat surprised Commander, were you not expecting this?"

"To be honest, no, Sir.  I  wanted  a  Starship posting - but I just
didn't think I'd become a Captain so soon."

"Why not?  We are  quite  sure  you  are  able  to perform this work.
Don't you feel that you are?"

"Yes, Sir, I'm sure I'm well  up  to  this  work... I just thought my
age..."

He was stopped mid-sentence.  "Age has nothing to do with it, ability
is what matters.  Although there is one thing."

"Yes, Sir."

"Attitude also goes a long way in making good Commanding Officers."

He didn't know why, but thought the remark was meant as a mild rebuke
and took it as such, answering quietly, "Yes, Sir."

"Your record states you have some  shore leave due, as the Enterprise
isn't due here for 18 days I suggest  you use some of this period for
just that purpose - shore leave."

"Thank you, Sir.  I will."

"Very well Commander, when  you  have  your  leave arrangements made,
leave word where you can be reached."

"Yes, Sir."

"Is there anything else you wish to know?"

Kirk thought for a moment, then  shook  his  head, "No, I don't think
so, Sir."

"Very well, your new  assignment  will  begin  in  19 days time.  Oh,
there is one other thing."

"Yes, Sir?"

"How do you feel about Vulcans?"

"Vulcans?  I don't think I feel  anything  about them.  I haven't had
all that much contact  with  many  of  them.   May  I enquire why you
asked, Sir?"

"There is a Vulcan aboard the Enterprise, and once you are Captain he
will be your First Officer and you  will be working closely with him.
He has been aboard a number of  years  and knows the ship better than
most."

"Then he should be invaluable to me."

"He will be totally loyal  to  whoever  is Captain of the Enterprise,
but his respect will  have  to  be  earned."   With this he dismissed
Kirk.

                                 ***

On leaving the office he made his  way  to the records section of the
building.  It didn't take long  to  discover exactly where Cathy was,
and he made his way towards the Hospital looking for her.

Her duty period still had over two  hours  to go, so having had a few
quick words with her, he went off to make arrangements for his leave,
arriving back at the Hospital just as her duty period ended.

They made their way back to  Cathy's apartment, which although on the
base was not part of  the  Hospital  complex.   Once they arrived she
almost fell into one of the chairs with exhaustion, and Kirk realised
it must have been a busy spell on duty.

"Tired, Cathy?"

"A little, but my feet and back are the worst, they ache so."

He moved over to her, "Here, let me massage some of the tension."  He
gently applied pressure to the  back  of  her  neck,  and after a few
moments felt her relax a little.

"Hmmm, that's nice, I didn't know this was one of your talents."

"You don't know half of them."  He laughed.  "How about lying down so
I can try and relax you some more."

"I don't truly think I can move.  First  of all I doubt my legs would
hold me, even if my feet were willing to walk that far."

"Come on then," he  said,  as  he  moved  from  behind her and easily
lifted her from the chair, and then looked around.

"That one is the bedroom,"  she  said,  pointing  to one of the doors
which were in the room.

As he carried her towards the door, he asked, "Do you think you could
open it, otherwise I could drop you if I try?"

"Some Knight in Shining Armour you are!"  She laughed.

"Always did believe in making women do their share."

"And more, if I know you, Jim Kirk."

"Watch it young  lady,  you're  in  a  precarious  position right now
remember."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning this," and he changed course and headed for the open door of
the bathroom, and carried her towards the bath and shower.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Wouldn't I?"

"Jim... No..."  She began to wriggle and struggle in his arms, but he
only held her tighter.

With one swift movement he  placed  her  unceremoniously in the bath,
and turned the shower on full force, moving out the way as he did so.
Unfortunately the force of the water had splashed over onto the floor
and he slipped, losing his balance  he  made a frantic effort to save
himself, but didn't succeed and landed with  a  bump in a heap on the
floor.

Cathy, seeing him sitting there with a  look of utter surprise on his
face, collapsed into a fit of giggles, and within seconds Kirk joined
in.  Luckily the shower was  set  at  a tolerable temperature as they
were both soon quite wet.

"Cathy, we can't sit here all  night,"  said  Kirk as he scrambled to
his feet.  Reaching over he turned off the shower and helped her from
the bath.  As they stood there,  dripping  water onto the already wet
floor, he pulled her  towards  him  and  kissed  her.  Then once more
lifting her into his  arms,  carried  her  into  the  bedroom.  As he
neared the bed he gently stood her onto the floor.

"Jim... the floor...!"

He looked down and  saw  the  water  slowly  seeping into the carpet.
"Guess we'd better get out of these wet clothes."

She smiled, "Yes...I guess we had."  So  saying she began to peel off
her soaking uniform.  Kirk quickly did the same.

When the last of his clothes were off  he looked around for a robe of
some kind.  Cathy laughed, "Feeling embarrassed, Jim?"

"No... slightly ridiculous to be honest.  And please stop laughing."

This statement only brought on a  further attack of giggles.  At this
he picked up their clothes tossed them out of the way and made a grab
for her.

She managed to avoid him the first  time, but he was quicker than she
had imagined and he soon had hold  of her.  They tumbled onto the bed
still laughing and giggling.  After  a moment their laughter subsided
and he turned on his side and looked at her.

"I love you Cathy... you do know that, don't you?"

"Yes, Jim, I know," she whispered.

He reached over  and  drew  her  towards  him  and  kissed  her.  She
responded to his every touch  and  movement.  Finally they lay there,
each waiting for the  other  to  break  the silence.  Several minutes
passed before Kirk said, "Cathy, marry me... I need you... I..."

"No, Jim."

He sat up and looked directly at her. "Why... is there someone else?"

She smiled at him, "No, Jim, there's no one else."

"Then why?"

"There's no need," at his look  of surprise she continued, "I've been
transferred  to  Starship  duty.    I'm   going   to  be  aboard  the
Enterprise."

"The Enterprise?!  But... but that's my ship."

She laughed, "Yes... I know."

He hugged her to him.  "Cathy, I  could kiss you and whoever gave you
the posting."

"Me, you may kiss," she said,  "But Admiral McCabe might object," she
finished with a giggle.

"Thanks for the offer, I'll accept."   So saying he kissed her again.
After a few minutes he asked, "Would you like to go out to dinner?"

"Mmmm, that'd be nice.  Where shall we go?"

"There's a nice quiet little  restaurant,  I know..."  He stopped and
looked at her, "What's the matter... what're you smiling at?"

"Do you think they'll let you in dressed in a bath robe?"

He coloured, "Oh... yes... well... my uniform..."

"...Is still very wet," she finished for him.

"Don't you have anything I can wear?"

"Well let me see... there's my  purple dress... No that wouldn't suit
you.  How about my navy and lime trouser suit?"

"Oh, very funny Miss Lennox.  I mean men's clothes."

"Jim Kirk!  What do you mean?  I'm  not married and live alone."  She
said in mock severity.

"Okay, then we stay in.  Now what can we do all evening I wonder?"

"First we'll dry your clothes, then  maybe  later  we can still go to
the restaurant you mentioned."

"Oh, I don't like that idea at  all.  Just think if my clothes aren't
really dry I could catch cold.   No,  we'd  better stay in.  I'm sure
we'll think of something."

"Yes, I'm sure we will," she replied.  Getting up and crossing to the
wardrobe she removed two  bath  robes.   "Here,  it will probably fit
you, if not..." she shrugged her shoulders.

He caught the robe and put it  on.   As Cathy had said, it did fit...
just.

                                 ***

They spent an enjoyable evening together.   Cathy cooked them a light
meal and afterwards they sat watching day turn into night through the
windows of the apartment.

Finally it was dark and still  they  sat,  happy just to be together.
Then as if by telepathy,  they  both  moved.  Holding hands they made
their way towards the  bedroom,  entered  and  closed the door behind
them.

                                 ***

Kirk twitched his nose, there it  was again, something was irritating
him.  He moved his hand and  swatted  it away, then settled back into
the pillows.  Back came the irritation.  This time he opened one eye,
staring at him was a large  Blue/Red  eye.   He quickly shut his eye.
Again it happened.   This  time  he  opened  both  eyes.   At last he
focused on the object, he saw it was a tail feather of a bird similar
to the Earth Peacock.

"CATHY!"  He shouted.

"Yes, Jim," she replied, close to his  ear, nearly scaring him out of
his wits, but continued before he could say anymore.  "Would you like
some coffee?  And how do you like your ham and eggs cooked?"

"What?"  He rubbed his eyes, now more fully awake.  "Coffee?  Oh, yes
please, but just toast, nothing more."

"You should eat a proper breakfast, sets you up for the day."

"Yes, Doctor Lennox."

She pulled a face at him as  she  went to fetch his coffee.  Bringing
him back a cup she handed it to him.  "Your uniform's dry."

"Thanks.  I've got 18 days leave due  before the ship arrives, do you
have the same?"

"No, I only wish I did."   She  saw his crestfallen look, and thought
how like a little boy he  looked  with  his  tousled hair and the one
piece falling over his eye.

"Have you any leave at all?"

"Yes," she noticed he brightened considerably at this.  "In four days
I begin two weeks leave."

He did a rapid calculation in his head then said, "That means we beam
aboard at the same time."

"Naturally.  It would  be  rather  pointless  for  only  you  to beam
aboard, when we are both being transferred to the same ship."

He grinned at her, "Yes, I do realise that."

With a sudden change of  subject  she  asked,  "Where are you staying
while on the base?"

"I haven't really  decided  yet.   I  did  make  some enquiries while
waiting for you yesterday, but nothing definite."  He stopped and let
his eyes wander around the bedroom  and  then towards the rest of the
apartment.

She watched him, then laughed.  "Oh no... you're not staying here."

"Why not?  You must admit it would be more convenient."

"For you maybe, but what about my reputation?"

"You'll be leaving here soon, so what will it matter?"

A sudden  thought  crossed  her  mind,  "Don't  you  need  to  inform
Starfleet where you are?"

"Damn!  Yes, you're right I  do.  I  don't  suppose it would look too
good if the future Captain was  living  with  one of his future crew,
would it?"  She shook her head, as he continued.  "Never mind, I have
four days to fill until you're  on  leave  so that gives me plenty of
time.  Speaking of time, what time does your duty start today?"

She looked at the chronometer  on  the  bedside  table, "Oh my god in
three quarters of an hour."  She was a blur of activity.  Tossing her
bath robe onto the floor  she  dashed   into  the bathroom to shower.
Some ten minutes later she reappeared dressed in a towel.

"Very becoming... new uniform?"

"If I had the time I'd throw  something  at you.  If you're not going
to do anything constructive to help,  such  as pour me some coffee...
then just stay in bed and keep quiet."

He  grinned  at  her,  "Yes,   Doctor,"   and  settled  himself  more
comfortably amongst the bed covers.

"You mean you are just going to stay there?"

He nodded, "Yes."

"MEN!" was her only explosive  comment  as  she removed some clothing
from the wardrobe.  It took her  only  minutes to dress and brush her
short dark hair into place.  She  now looked every inch the efficient
Doctor in her white trouser suit.  "When you do get up, will you tidy
around before you leave, please."

"Sure.  What time will you be home?"

"Same time as yesterday."

"I'll meet you... if that's okay?"

"Yes, that'll be fine.  Now I must go.  Have a nice day."

"You too, Cathy," he blew her a kiss as she hurried from the room.

About an hour later Kirk  leisurely  got  up, took a shower, dressed,
then surveyed the apartment.  It wasn't  too untidy, he collected the
coffee cups and put them into  the  unit in the small kitchen, looked
around once more and decided that would do.

Letting himself out of the  apartment  he  walked into the fresh air.
The sky was a delicate lilac/blue colour  and the air was quite warm.
A thought suddenly occurred to him,  so turning he retraced his steps
to the building where Cathy lived.   Looking up the apartment list he
found the one he wanted and made  his  way there.  The owner, when he
answered the door,  didn't  seem  in  the  least  surprised  to see a
Starfleet Officer standing there.

"What can I do for you, Sir?"  He asked.

"My name's James Kirk, and as I'm on shore leave I wonder if you have
any apartments you lease on a two or three week basis?"

The man began to shake his head,  then stopped.  "Not usually, but it
just happens another officer has  been  transferred elsewhere and his
apartment will be available in two days  time... if that would be any
use to you?"

Kirk jumped at the chance.  "That will  be  fine.  I can book into an
hotel for two days."

"Right, if you'll come back in two days we can fix up the details."

Kirk nodded his thanks, and with a smile  he left.  He felt on top of
the world - any world.  He would have his own apartment, even if only
temporary, and it was near Cathy.

                                 ***