[Discovery] -- [Kirk's Office] -- [Open for Official Business]

[kirktastic]

It was so heavily backlogged. Messages, paperwork, reports, news - all of it was backlogged. Kirk had holed himself up in his office, trying to get through it all. Okay, the paperwork was at least not seriously backlogged and he saw Spock's hand in that. Spock was good at that sort of thing, even if Kirk wasn't entirely surprised to see some things hadn't been done. The internal complaints and notices were personal touches that Kirk liked to do himself instead of shuffling it off to someone else and Spock wasn't the sort of person to do that.

So he sat at his desk, chewing on the end of a stylus as he read the latest complaint. It was someone going on about the lack of space on the ship and having to bunk up with someone else. He groaned to himself, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Grow up, he thought at the officer in question and gave a quick reply back that was the professional version of 'suck it up'. The officer, Kirk had to admit, did have a point. There were just too many people on the ship now. They were over their short-term limit of crew, and he had already gone through several complaints from Starfleet itself about the rising cost of keeping the over-crewed Enterprise in food, supplies, and pay.

It was a choice he had to make. The stylus slid from between his teeth and he tapped it on the desk, staring down at the console in front of him. He nudged aside a report with a swipe of his finger and drew up a new document. This one would be going straight to the big wigs in Starfleet. He kept it short and sweet, without going into serious details.

It was a request to lighten the crew of the Enterprise by removing crew and transferring them to other ships. In a way, Kirk hated to do it. He knew people had signed on with the ship because of its fame, of him, of Spock, of Bones... and had stayed despite some serious issues already with the time-whatever was happening. There was just no choice. He figured the smallest amount of people he could get away with was about 80 people. It would free up a huge chunk of space and let people spread back out into single rooms instead of being forced to bunk up. It would also leave some more spare rooms, along with the twenty or so that were regulation to keep open for emergencies (which they seemed to be one giant emergency half the time anymore).

Sent, Kirk switched to the next document. One thing that he hated to do but he had little choice was in dealing with leave requests, either it was a straight out 'no' until they dealt with Nero and Ayel, or it was a 'request granted, but'. He wanted to be able to give them an 'of course, go ahead, you deserve it' but it was impossible right now with everything happening.

He had saved one set of documents for last, and with a sigh got to those. It was all stuff having to do with the Romulans.

What he started reading just about stopped his heart in his chest. What the fuck!? Nero had hurt himself (tried to kill himself!?) in his cell with a knife. How did the Romulans have any weaponry!? Kirk's fingers flew as he pulled up his orders to the head of security (dammit, Alex...) and he re-read it. There, down in the second paragraph. The Romulans were supposed to be searched, if security had to stun them to do it. Either Security had issues with knowing what a weapon was, or no one had gotten the balls together to search them.

Chapel had ended up going into the cell to save Nero's life (or heal him...). Kirk's eyes narrowed and he felt his teeth grind together. Immediately he sent out a message.

To: Christine Chapel (headnursechapel)
Nurse Chapel,

I need to speak to you in my office immediately unless you're in surgery.

Captain Kirk

He had to get more information on what had happened down in that cell. If he thought that was bad, it just got worse. He read about the Narada being on board, talking to her masters. Shit, shit... As if all of it couldn't get worse. He read Starfleet's orders for them to go straight to the New Vulcan Colony, and his brows vanished into his hairline. It made sense, of course, as the Vulcans were the ones the most hurt by Nero's actions.

There was someone on the colony he needed to talk to. Wanted to talk to. It made his heart beat flutter in his chest in a strange mixture of knowing, wanting. Spock, the one that had started it all, had never fully left him. Too many memories, emotions... left behind too many questions. Maybe he could get answers to them.

It would also be the site of Nero's trial, Kirk could only assume. He wondered how it would be worked out to try someone like this. Note, go back and read any history I can get on any sort of similar situation. He wanted to go into a trial prepared with what might happen, what they could ask of him, the story he would have to tell (again, with tons of additionals).

He already started to schedule a meeting with security for after his talk with Chapel. Heads would roll for what happened down in the brig. He saw a mention of Jim going down there with the Narada - he'd have to talk to Jim too.

To: James Kirk (original_fine)
Jim,

I need to speak to you in my office immediately about the Romulans.

JTK

He was going to find out what the hell was going on with his ship, before they got to the Vulcan Colony. How does a week as a kid end up with everything breaking down without me there? ...I think I need to talk to Spock.

To: Spock (cso_spock)
Spock,

As soon as you can, I need to talk to you in my office about what happened while you were acting captain.

JTK

Comments

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

In a strange blast of synergy, Jim had been on the point of sending a message to Jim. He went immediately, dressed in a gold command uniform and no pants. Crazy, what girls got away with calling a dress.

He buzzed for entry.

[kirktastic.livejournal.com]

Kirk had thought about it once before, the concept of the two of them sharing something a little more than what was normal. He had known it was at least somewhat true... something had definitely happened when he was on the Narada and only semi-conscious.

Kirk looked up from the console, "Come in."

When Jim came in, Kirk's mind had to work to keep from thinking at least a few perverted thoughts. He didn't let it show - this was strictly professional. "Jim. Have a seat. I have a few questions for you."

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Jim sat, crossing his legs. Kirk was all business, which was fine, except for the part where they hardly ever spoke anymore. Ah well. Jim would find out what he wanted, and go from there.

"Sure," he said.

[kirktastic.livejournal.com]

It wasn't like Kirk didn't want to talk to Jim about non-business, but... well, sometimes there were things more important than that on the table. Part and parcel of being captain. There were questions definitely outside the range of their captain-ness that Kirk wanted to ask.

"First..." He gave a small grin, "Not that I'm not enjoying it, but with Starfleet coming, when are you and Spock getting yourselves fixed? Scotty's got it figured out how to turn you back to your normal selves." He hesitated, "...Someone's told you that, right?" Fuck if he knew anymore what people were telling each other. "I feel out of the loop a little," his grin turned sheepish.

[dctr-mccoy.livejournal.com]

Deep down, Bones was a just gossipy old woman. Maybe it was the heat that brewed something extra meddling curious in Southerners, that they loved to be the purveyors of information. 

So when Bones finished his  lunch with Nyota (http://just-uhura.livejournal.com/9615.html), the  first place he headed was Jim's office. 

Bones practically bounced into the familiar room and flopped down into a chair.

[kirktastic.livejournal.com]

Bones was never denied entry unless he set a specific code to lock the door (used for when he was meeting with someone in private), so Kirk just raised an eyebrow as his CMO practically skipped into his office.

He had to contain a laugh, "Can I help you?" As if trying to be professional about it with a huge grin on his lips.

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

"They... he did?" Jim's surprise was obvious and genuine. Then his eyes narrowed. "I think someone's playing a dirty trick," he said. "I guarantee that whoever was supposed to tell me will swear up and down they did. But mysteriously, I never got the message."

[kirktastic.livejournal.com]

Kirk.... facepalmed. "I end up a kid, and somehow the communication around here breaks down... who was supposed to tell you it was fixed?" He had to know, so he could go chew them out.

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

"I don't know," Jim said. "I know Scotty was working on it, and I thought Spock was helping. It doesn't matter--it hasn't impeded what function I have here, and we'll get it squared away. I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding."

[kirktastic.livejournal.com]

Confused, Kirk tilted his head, "As far as I knew, Spock was helping..." He gestured to wipe the thought away, "Yea, you're right. Probably just everything happening... well, it's fixed. Turns out something was corrupting the information the computers were holding when people were beaming up, but not down. Scotty managed to find old transport records and you'll be good as new."

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

"I am as good as new," Jim said. "Probably someone's sabotaged communication because they haven't had a chance with me and my new girl parts yet." He tilted his head. "It was you."

[kirktastic.livejournal.com]

...Wait. What? Kirk had to actually follow that line of thought more than once to figure out where Jim had gone with it before he blinked, "You think I sabotaged communication?"

...So much for trying to be professional. His mind was already going somewhere he hadn't meant it to.

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Jim's expression sobered, and he straightened in his chair.

"Sorry," he said. "Sorry. I get... flirty. It's the cabin fever. I'm sure we'll sort it out; no harm done, at any rate, and it'll be nice to be myself again, for sure."

Not that he wasn't now, was the point.

[kirktastic.livejournal.com]

"Nothing wrong with being flirty," Kirk grinned. "Bet Spock'll be happy to hear it's been fixed. Also one less thing to attempt to explain to Starfleet... they have us on a course for the New Vulcan Colony. That's where the trial will be held."

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Now Jim was all business, too. He leaned forward slightly.

"New Vulcan," he said. "What can you tell me about the trial?"

[kirktastic.livejournal.com]

"Not a lot. I think I'll get brief on what they've decided when we get there. We have a day to get there... then Starfleet will have control of Nero and Ayel. I'm still not even sure how to explain the Narada to them, who's been following us like a puppy evidently." Kirk shook his head with a sigh.

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Jim paused, wondering how to say this, or how much.

"Jim," he said. "I know this hasn't been easy for you. Believe me, I know more than you might imagine. And... I think you've done the right thing. I'm sorry if you've felt unnecessarily pressured by me--we all have to fight for what we think is right. And I've been wrong before."

[kirktastic.livejournal.com]

"The only thing I'm worried about is that if you're wrong, it means people die." His tone was blunt, his eyes dark. "Maybe you just think I'm too young, too angry... maybe I don't believe in every last thing the Federation totes as their laws." His shoulder lifted in a shrug. "I know what I lived through. I know what I saw that night when Vulcan was destroyed, with dozens and dozens of Vulcans that had been... shattered."

He gestured upwards, then tapped his temple, "Their skies oblitered, on top of losing everything they had ever known... because of one angry man and his ship. I accept the fact that maybe I'm wrong, that there is a reason for saving him... but my heart still tells me that even if he was 'fixed' somehow, nothing he could do, or say, or have done will ever come close to fixing what he did. Maybe that's why I don't see a point in a trial for Nero."

He did hesitate, "...Ayel... he isn't ... at least as crazy as Nero. Not nearly as much. He followed orders willingly, when he could have rebelled against them. The only one I can even seen as needing a trial is the Narada. We need to find out if she was sentient when the destruction of Vulcan happened, or how sentient she was."

He sighed. It was an old argument. Maybe he just did have too much anger in his heart for the Romulans that had destroyed everything for one species and very nearly another. "No matter what I think, you've got your way. Nero, Ayel, and I guess the Narada will go on trial before the Federation and whatever happens will happen."

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

"It's not about getting my way," Jim said grimly. "It's not about following laws, either. Do you know how many times I've been brought up on violations? What I believe in are the principles of the Federation. Of the ultimate good that's being attempted. I've been wrong before, and people have died, and I feel every single one.

"It's not even about fixing Nero. I don't think he can be fixed either; I certainly don't think he can ever be released. But as I've said before, revenge is sinking to his level. It hurts you more than him. Defense is necessary, and lethal force is, too, at times. But we captured them without it. Trials aren't always about determining guilt. Vulcan needs this trial. The Federation needs it. As a symbol of what we stand for, of how we do things. Of what separates us from monsters like Nero."

He relaxed forcibly. "I'll get off my soapbox--but it's not about rubbing your face in it, Jim. I want you to succeed. I want you to get beyond this. If I didn't care, I wouldn't be here."

He'd be James. Jim still felt sick, thinking about him.

[dctr-mccoy.livejournal.com]

"Your chief communications officer is sporting some new jewelry." He could barely contain the smirk.

[kirktastic.livejournal.com]

"As long as Nero's alive, I can't Jim. I can't just... get past it. It'll always be there, in the back of my mind, the idea that he's out there and somehow he could get free. He could kill again, because I failed." Kirk shook his head, "He's like a rabid dog. I don't think there's a cure, and he can still hurt someone. That's all I'm really worried about in the end. More people being hurt. I don't care about what it does to me, or did to me. The Federation was fine with the knowledge that the Narada was destroyed until it reappeared. THEN it wanted a trial."

He leaned back in his chair, slumping. It was a topic that never failed to drain him of everything. "What can you tell me about the ship following us? I'm going to have to talk to Starfleet about it."

[kirktastic.livejournal.com]

...Silence.

"...and?" Was there something he was supposed to say to that?

[dctr-mccoy.livejournal.com]

Fuck, that clueless expression got him hot every time... "On her left hand." Bones wiggled his ring finger.

He waited to see his second favorite look on Jim's face, the 'lightbulb' moment, to use an archaic expression his grandma loved.

[kirktastic.livejournal.com]

It took a second to put two and two together. Slowly his eyes went absolutely huge and he stared at Bones. "...No way." He started to grin, "Spock didn't. You're yanking my chain."

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

"The rules of war, Jim," Jim sighed. "The heat of battle isn't the same as... well, anything else. You know that."

He offered a smile.

"The Narada is a hybrid, of sorts. She's made up of different ships, different technology, that, because she's sentient, she's found a way to integrate herself. She can literally consume material and improve herself in the process. Psychologically and emotionally, she's a child, rapidly maturing into her own autonomy. In the time I've spent with her alone, she's moved from blind following of orders to the acknowledgment that she is her own being and her decisions--and therefore the consequences of those decisions--are her own."

Jim found that significant. She was undeniably dangerous, but there was hope, there, too. For what, Jim did not know. But adaptation was key.