Chapter 14: The Enterprise

The time in Georgia went by fast. Leonard hated having to say goodbye to his daughter. But Joanna and Eleonora were just happy, that they could look forward to seeing both of them still a few times before they would leave Earth.

Eleonora kept the secret about the Enterprise and, so far, Joanna only knew she would be able to meet with her father regularly and could comm him as often as she liked.

Leonard and Jamie chose the last possible moment to return to Starfleet Academy. They beamed directly outside the assembly hall. Some others were also there.

The doors were wide open and they could see students and teachers looking for their places. Some glanced to them and whispered. Jamie even thought she heard the word captain somewhere in the conversations. She wondered if the grapevine already spread word about her promotion.

"Can I give you my application as helmsman now or do I have to wait until after the ceremony?"

Jamie turned around and saw Hikaru Sulu grinning at her. She kept a neutral expression. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

His grin got broader and she finally cracked a little smile.

"But if there was some possibility that I would know…" she added. "… I'd say that decision would be a no-brainer."

"I'll start packing right after the ceremony", Sulu replied with a wink and went into the hall.

Leonard chuckled. "This must be the worst kept secret in Starfleet. I think everyone knows already. I just wonder who's the tattletale."

"Lassie!"

Both of them turned around and saw Montgomery Scott heading towards them with fast steps. He suddenly pulled Jamie into an embrace.

"This is so great!" he enthused. "I saw the name plate at the captain's quarter's door. I hope you still need a Chief Engineer. I'm already in love with that ship."

Jamie laughed. "Name plate?" she echoed amused, raised her eyebrows and exchanged a look with Leonard.

The doctor rolled his eyes. "Bunch of idiots…" he mumbled.

"We'll talk after the ceremony", she told Scotty.

His face lit up and he turned his head to the left. "Keenser, we'll start tomorrow with those modifications we were talking about!" He looked at Jamie again. "You'll love what I have in mind for the warp drive!" With a grin he gestured Keenser to join him. They headed inside.

Leonard chuckled again, stepped closer and slid an arm around Jamie's waist. "Your crew will be complete in no time."

She smiled. "I hope Uhura and Chekov also want to be on the Enterprise. But I'll have to find a First Officer. I guess that won't be that easy."

"Will it?"

Jamie and Leonard looked to the right. A elder Vulcan was stopped near them.

"Sp– … Selek", Jamie greeted him.

Leonard just nodded.

"We both know who should and will be your First Officer", the old Spock told Jamie.

She sighed. She remembered how it was on the bridge when they defeated Nero. They certainly worked well together. And she'd seen the memories of the elder Spock. But… was that enough? This reality was so different from his. "I'm not sure about that", she finally said, spelling her thoughts out aloud.

Spock tilted his head a little. "You will be."

She gave him a questioningly look.

He nodded reassuringly.

"I haven't seen him or talked to him since our return to Earth. I have no idea what his plans are. I only know that on our voyage to Earth he was thinking about leaving Starfleet", Jamie explained.

Spock nodded again slowly. "He will stay in Starfleet. I am sure of that. And since he has seen how you can work together, he will request the Enterprise." He didn't want to tell her about their conversation in the hangar. He just laid enough convincement in his words, so Jamie could be sure about it.

The corners of her mouth formed a little smile. She was still torn, but wanted to believe him. Thinking about it now, she came to the conclusion that she would like Commander Spock to be her First Officer. Although it might be a little strange since he'd been a teacher at the Academy and had more experience as a senior officer that she had.

"We should head in", Leonard interrupted them.

"Congratulations, Captain", the elder Spock said, nodded and turned to leave.

"Thanks", she replied and watched him leave.

Leonard and Jamie took their places in the assembly hall.

After a few short speeches and honors for the cadets and officers who'd fought Nero, Jamie got her medal last. It was the finale and big reveal of the news everyone seemed to already know.

"This assembly calls Captain Jamie Tiberia Kirk", Admiral Barnett proclaimed. "Your inspirational valor and supreme dedication to your comrades is in keeping with the highest traditions of service, and to reflect utmost credit to yourself, your crew, and the Federation", he said while pining the medal at her uniform. "It is my honor to award you with this commendation."

She smiled.

And without much ado about it, Barnett added casually: "By Starfleet Order two-eight four five five, you are hereby directed to report to Admiral Pike, USS Enterprise, for duty as his relief."

The whispered were relatively quiet. But almost the entire audience grinned, because what they'd heard turned out to be true.

Jamie walked to Christopher Pike who was sitting in a wheelchair. She was just glad it wasn't permanent. She knew his therapy had already begun, but his legs were yet way too weak for standing.

"I relieve you, Sir", she stated in a firm voice.

Pike smiled. "I am relieved."

Jamie returned the smile. "Thank you, Sir."

"Congratulations, Captain. Your father would be proud."

The room erupted in applause, cheers and people shouting congratulations and "Captain Kirk!" over and over.

Leonard was standing between students in the middle of a row. He was incredibly proud of Jamie and wanted nothing more than make his way to her and kiss her. But their kissing at the press conference had already been public enough, especially for a first kiss. He didn't want that attention now.

The people next to him, however, had something else in mind. They gave him nudges encouraging him to go to her.

Jamie, Pike and the brass noticed what was going on.

Jamie grinned and waited for Leonard to give in.

Reluctantly he let himself gently push towards Jamie. His heart skipped a few beats seeing how brightly she was smiling at him and how her blue eyes were sparkling. He finally walked faster and couldn't bring himself to stop. In one swift motion he stopped in front of her, slid one hand around her waist, the other into her neck and pulled her into a passionate kiss.

When the following applause and cheers finally calmed down, Pike called: "Ladies and gentlemen, meet the new CMO of the USS Enterprise – Doctor Leonard McCoy."

More applause followed.

Pike chuckled. He saw Leonard blushing when the kiss ended. Jamie was grinning again and pulled the doctor right back into another kiss.

The Admirals watched the scene in as much amusement as Pike. But he knew they would say something, if the kissing went on. So he discreetly cleared his throat.

The couple parted and Jamie gave him a short cheeky glance.

"Well then", Barnett raised his voice. "Since everyone is now in the mood of celebrating the medals and new appointments, we should do that. So I declare this assembly closed. The reception in the celebration hall is hereby open."

After some more applause the hall cleared quickly.

Some doctors and nurses crowed around Leonard and took him away from Jamie. Questions about the Enterprise and the medical staff rained down on him.

Jamie watched them for a few moments, then walked to Pike.

"Congratulations", he said again.

"You already said that", she teased him.

"I didn't mean the promotion." He winked. "I mean you and McCoy."

"That isn't new either."

He chuckled. "No. But it shows how serious this relationship is. And that's something some people might have their doubts about."

"I see", she replied with a chuckle.

"So… what's in the future?" Pike asked curiously.

"Is that question aiming at a certain promise I made?"

He tilted his head. "Has anyone ever told you that it's rude to answer a question with a question?"

Jamie grinned, remembering how she told Leonard exactly that when they got secretly engaged. "Wouldn't stop me."

Pike laughed. "I wouldn't have assumed anything else. But you still owe me an answer."

"Well… I have something in mind, but I need your permission for that", she answered with a conspiratory smile.

The reception only ended in the early morning. Jamie and Leonard were talking all night to former fellow students, teachers, guests and future crew members. They fell into bed and asleep after some sleepy kissing and fumbling.

In the morning, Leonard awoke alone. He found a message from Jamie on a PADD. It explained that she was doing some captainly things and that they could already beam their luggage on board. So Leonard went to his old dorm room and packed the stuff he didn't need the remaining time on Earth. He made the necessary arrangements and finally beamed on the ship himself.

He hoped to meet Jamie for dinner in the ship's mess hall or even on Earth, but first wanted to take a look at the CMO's quarters. He doubted that he would spend much time there, but they were his quarters after all.

He caught himself thinking about how nice it would be to live with Jamie. After all that would be the case some day. But sadly, for now he had to move into the official CMO's quarters and she was of course assigned to the Captain's quarters.

When Leonard entered the CMO's quarters and the doors closed behind him, he stopped dead. The room was empty, save for the furniture. His bags and boxes weren't there.

He walked a few steps, but nothing around the corner in the sleeping area either.

His first instinct was to call the transporter room and complain about a possible malfunction. But he decided to talk to Jamie first.

He huffed a little, grabbed his communicator and opened it. "McCoy to Kirk."

"This is Kirk", Jamie's voice sounded casually.

"My luggage got lost."

She laughed. "Why would you think that, Bones?"

"Why would…" he echoed, getting a little annoyed. "My quarters are empty. That's why."

"No, they're not."

"Yes, they are. I'm standing in my empty quarters."

A giggle was the answer. "No, you're not."

He rolled his eyes. "Dammit, Jamie. Of course I am."

"Nu-uh. You're standing in the CMO's quarters."

He huffed. "Yes, that's what I said."

"So, you're not in your quarters."

"Jamie…" he started, but interrupted himself when it finally dawned on him.

Another giggle.

"Darlin', what did you do?"

"You already know. So get your ass up here. Kirk out."

Leonard snapped his communicator closed with another eye rolling and started walking with fast steps. He went to a turbo lift and requested the deck where the Captain's quarters was. He wanted to storm in with his medical override, but the words failed him, when he noticed the name plate next to the door. Beneath Jamie's name and rank was his own.

He silently cursed – and unwillingly smiled. He made a step forward and the door slid open, recognizing him as one of the inhabitants.

Jamie was sitting on the couch with a PADD in her hands. And he saw his bags and boxes in a corner.

"You're insane", he just stated.

She brightly smiled at him and put the PADD away. "I love you too, Bones", she replied, rose and walked towards him.

He took her in his arms and his lips found hers.

"I was just thinking practical."

He laughed. "Is that so?"

Jamie grinned. "You would have spent all your time here anyway. So why have separate quarters?"

"People will talk."

"So?"

"They'll ask questions about the next step in our relationship."

Jamie shrugged. "Let them ask. We just won't answer."

"So we'll live officially together, but keep the engagement still secret for a while."

"Yes."

Leonard chuckled. "Fine. But is the Captain and the CMO living together even allowed? The CMO's quarters are near Medbay for a reason."

"I told Pike he can either approve this or he won't be allowed to officiate our wedding", she coolly replied.

Leonard's mouth fell open. "You told Pike about our engagement?"

Jamie laughed. "No, no. But when he told me I that they're making me Captain of the Enterprise, he asked to be the one to officiate when we get married some day."

He laughed. "So, you used that as leverage."

She grinned. "Well, he would've approved it anyway. But I wanted to tease him a little."

Leonard slightly shook his head, then glanced to his stuff. "I assume there's enough space in the wardrobe for both our clothes?"

She nodded. "Yes. But you have to choose."

"Choose what?"

She seductively smirked. "If you now wanna unpack your boxes – or me", she said and slowly headed for the bedroom area, starting to open the zipper of her uniform dress.

He caught up with her before she reached the bed.

The remaining repairs of the ship were done earlier than anticipated. So the first mission started also earlier.

Jamie beamed happily when she entered the bridge in her golden command dress. She walked past Leonard who was on the bridge. He had his arms crossed and showed a grumpy expression. Jamie was highly amused. She knew by now that he didn't hate space as much as he still claimed to do.

"Bones, buckle up", she told him and shot him a glance full of love. She already planned a nice evening together for their first night in space.

"You're in luck that I love you so much", he mumbled.

But more people heard than he wanted to.

Jamie sat down in her chair and glanced to the chronometer after talking to Scotty. It was five minutes before departure and she still had no First Officer. She didn't want to chase Spock, but she had already inquired with the brass and knew that he didn't leave Starfleet and that he didn't intend to stay at the Academy. So him showing up last minute was a safe bet. Especially when she received that very moment a notification from the transporter room that the belongings of another crew member had just been beamed on board.

A minute later, Commander Spock entered the bridge and it took only moments for him to ask for the position of first officer and for Jamie to grant it.

Smiling the captain ordered Sulu to take the ship out of space dock. As the ship jumped into warp she looked to Leonard and their glances locked.

The doctor smiled at her and walked closer. "So, we're in the end at the beginning…"

"Starting out on a journey", she cited a line of the song he was referring to.

"Yeah…"

They shared a long look. Then he bent down in order to give her a chaste kiss before he left for Medbay.

Jamie looked after him, biting her lip and suppressing a sigh at the sight of how hot he looked in his uniform. She shook off that thought and decided to go after the next best thing.

"Sulu", she started cheerfully. "Let's put the warp core modifications to a test and see what our girl's got."

Sulu grinned. "Aye, Captain."

The End