A "Wee" bit of a problem

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters and make no profit from their use.

Wow, I cannot believe how many months I have been writing this. I certainly never intended it to be this long, just sort of kept growing. Thank you so much for reading it and leaving such wonderful reviews. You were all so inspiring! Chocolate for everyone!

A/N: Obviously, in my universe, Chris Pike was injured but never died.

Epilogue

XXXX

Jim was seated on a hard plasteel chair, back straight, listening to Admiral Bennett drone on. His dress uniform felt uncomfortably confining with the sun shining down on him. He reached up and slid one finger in his collar trying to alleviate some of the discomfort. Admiral Pike elbowed him. Jim glanced at the older man sitting next to him and their eyes met.

"Stop fidgeting," Pike murmured, "It's almost over."

Jim frowned and lowered his hand, trying to sit still. A soft breeze suddenly picked up and he closed his eyes for a moment and inhaled deeply, enjoying the brief respite from the stifling afternoon air.

Every January, for as long as Jim Kirk could remember, his birthday was spent at the Kelvin's Memorial Day service, sitting for hours in the cold winter air. It was different, being at this memorial service in the summer and not on his birthday. Of course, a lot of things were different this year. For one, Jim was seated next to Chris Pike and Admiral Archer. His mother was seated on the opposite side of the platform, to the right of the podium. Every now and then Jim could feel the hairs on the back of his neck prickle and figured his mother must be looking at him. He did his best to ignore her. The next big difference was that this was a rededication ceremony. It had taken the better part of a year to rebuild after the USS Vengeance had crashed into San Francisco, destroying a large part of Starfleet headquarters. The Kelvin Memorial had been among the casualty list, but fixing it had been on the bottom of the agenda. Now, months later, it had been resurrected and they were rededicating it. The situation was inconsistent enough from his childhood, that Jim was able to somewhat relax. His mind drifted back to his earlier confrontation with his mother. He had to admit, it had felt good - liberating...

XX

Jim pushed his way through the crowd. Heading to the platform, he intended to find Chris and sit with him. It was slow going, having to smile, say hello, and shake hands with acquaintances. He finally reached the base of the platform where they were supposed to sit, when a shadow fell across his path. Looking up, Jim's gaze fell upon his mother. She was dressed to a tee and looked particularly noxious, wearing a tight smile on her face. "Hello mother," he said, aware of the photographers standing nearby.

She took a step closer to him, "I'm glad you came to your senses."

Jim smiled a fake smile for the cameras, but it didn't reach his eyes, "Let me make one thing perfectly clear," he said, in a voice pitched only for Winona's ears and still smiling, "I didn't come here for you." He leaned in closer to Winona, looking for all the world like the devoted son, "I am doing my duty to Starfleet. However, I will thank you for signing me over to Chris. I wish you'd done it twenty years ago and saved us both a lot of pain."

Winona gasped, "You're not still going through with that are you? Why?"

"Why? You really have to ask me that 'Mother'? Because I want to be as far removed, from you and your poison, as I can possibly be. Don't forget to smile for the cameras," he said leaning away from her. "Goodbye mother, have a good life." He flashed one more brilliant smile for the cameras and walked away leaving a stunned Winona behind him.

XX

Jim's deliberation was brought to an end when Chris leaned into him and whispered, "Wake up; you're on in a few."

Jim brought his attention back to Admiral Bennett. The admiral was expounding on Jim's career in Starfleet, making it sound like he had been there for at least a decade. When the admiral motioned with his hand, Jim glanced over at Chris' twinkling eyes, took a deep breath and joined him at the podium, standing at attention.

"Captain James T. Kirk, members of your family, distinguished Members of Starfleet, ladies and gentlemen, members of the press; we have come here today not only to rededicate this memorial, but to honor the courage of a very brave young man. His was a very special kind of courage. In the face of death, he risked his life that his remaining crew might live. Of course the details are classified," The admiral said, to a round of laughter. When the crowd had quieted, he continued, "Another man showed this same courage years ago when he piloted the USS Kelvin into a Romulan ship, saving eight hundred of his crew. I guess we should not be surprised that this man was his father, George Kirk. It seems fitting that the first recipient of the Kelvin Award is James Kirk. As we salute the valor of this soldier, we salute the best in the Federation tradition. You have demonstrated indomitable courage, determination, and professional skill. With this medal comes the Federation's enduring gratitude. We thank you for what you have done. You stand as a symbol - reminding all of us of our continuing responsibilities as citizens and our continuing obligations as a federation. If we are worthy of your sacrifice and the sacrifice of those of your comrades, then we shall never forget them.[1] Captain James T. Kirk, it is my honor and privilege to present you with the Kelvin award for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of your life above and beyond the call of duty." The admiral pinned the award to Jim's chest and then all Starfleet personnel stood as one and saluted him.

Jim looked out into the sea of faces and saw his command crew. He grinned at them so hard his face hurt.

Admiral Bennett shook his hand and told him the President sent his regrets that he could not be there to present the award himself. Jim posed with the admiral and smiled for the cameras.

It was almost one hour before Jim could break free. The novelty of all the attention had worn off and he was ready to leave. He turned around and looked for Chris. He found him off to the side, talking with Admiral Archer. As though he could feel his gaze, Chris looked up and smiled at Jim. He raised an arm in invitation and Jim walked over. Chris hugged him to his side and whispered, "I'm so proud of you. I know George would have been too." He took a step away, keeping one hand on Jim's back and turned to Admiral Archer, saying teasingly, "Well, Jonathon, should I keep him?"

The elderly admiral laughed, "I'd say so." Jim blushed a painful red. Only the upper echelon in Starfleet and his close friends knew about the adoption. Jim wanted to keep it that way. This was private.

Jim pulled at his collar, "I'm ready to blow this popsicle stand and get into something a little bit more comfortable."

Admiral Archer laughed, "I'll second that. Good afternoon gentlemen."

Jim stood at attention and saluted, partly out of respect but mostly to tease the old admiral, "Sir," he snapped out, knowing Archer loved it.

"You're incorrigible," Archer grumped, and poked Jim in the chest, "that shiny new medal isn't fooling anyone. Good luck Chris, you've got your hands full with this one," and he walked off, chuckling, ignoring the patently false look of indignation on Jim's face.

XX

"Did you tell your friends where to meet us?" Chris asked, as they turned to leave.

"Yeah," Jim started to answer, when he caught sight of his mother standing off to one side.

"Do you want to talk to her?" Chris questioned.

Jim thought about it for a moment, "No, I've already said all that I want to her."

Chris gave Jim that considering look that made Jim feel like Chris could see into his soul. It gave him a warm feeling inside.

"Go ahead on," Chris said, "I'll meet up with you in a few."

"You sure?"

"Absolutely, I haven't had my chance to say all that I want to her," and he gave Jim a chilling smile.

XX

Winona watched Jim look at her assessingly, speak a few words to Chris, and walk off. Chris then turned to her and started to walk over. He didn't look too happy.

"Winona," he said in way of a greeting.

"Chris. You enjoying playing daddy with my kid?" She said, waspishly.

Chris didn't rise to the bait; instead, he gave as good as he got, "It's a pity you never got to know your own son, Winona. He a fine young man, despite having had you for a mother."

Winona ignored the barb. "He looks so much like George in his uniform," she murmured, with a faraway look in her eyes.

Chris suddenly felt sorry for Winona, she looked very fragile at this moment, "He's not some shadow of George. It's too bad you could never get past that and now you have lost him, Winona. I mean it. It will take a miracle if that boy ever speaks to you again." Chris sighed deeply, "He overheard the conversation you had with Commander Spock."

She looked momentarily distressed and then it disappeared. "Well, I guess it's a good thing he's got you now. I never did know what to do with that boy. He used to get into everything and I didn't have the energy to deal with him," She focused on Chris' face, "You always seemed to understand him though. He was always so eager to spend time with you. Ha, you know, there were times I was jealous of your relationship with Jimmy."

"Jealous? He was right there with you Winona, all you had to do was spend time with him! It wasn't hard for me to please him, he was starved for attention."

Winona's face tightened back into the hardened mien, "That's not my problem anymore, is it?"

Chris' expression turned to one of disgust, "I think we're done here. Goodbye Winona."

"Chris," she said, laying a hand on his arm before he could leave, "why did you come over to speak with me? It wasn't just to tell me what a terrible mother I was. We both already knew that."

"I guess I did want some retribution today, but mostly... thanks for giving him to me, Winona. It was the right decision."

She let go of his arm and looked like she would say something, but in the end, just nodded and turned and walked away.

Chris watched her disappear in the crowd. He shook his head in disbelief and sadness. Shaking off the sorrow, he straightened his shoulders, and left to find his son. He smiled to himself. He liked the way that word sounded - son.

XXXX

The group in the back corner of the upscale vegetarian restaurant filled the air with their laughter.

"This place is pretty good Bones," said Jim, leaning back and patting his full belly, "good choice."

"I figured this was one of the few menus that wouldn't send ya into anaphylaxis. We wouldn't want ta have ta visit the hospital tonight. Not a great way to top off such an auspicious day," he grinned at Jim.

"You're starting to collect quite a few medals now, Captain," Sulu commented.

"I'll tell you what, Sulu," Jim said pointing his glass of beer at the helmsman, "Next time - you can climb into the warp core - and get the medal."

They all hit their glasses together and toasted, "To Sulu's new medal!"

"I must be drunk if climbing into a warp core is starting to look like a good idea," Sulu giggled.

Chekov piped up, "Nyet, nyet. You put on containment suit, then climb in warp core and win medal."

"Yeah, Jim," Sulu slurred, "why didn't you put on a containment suit?"

"The Keptin was not hefing enough time," Chekov reasoned.

Jim just sat back, with a smile on his face, enjoying watching his command crew. It had been a long time since they had any shore leave. It was good to see them relaxing and having fun.

"That's a damn depressing subject," Pike complained, "talk about something else. That's an order!"

"I am in agreement with the admiral," Spock stated.

"Aye," Scotty seconded, "I 'aven't 'ad enough ta drink ta be talkin' 'boot that."

"I know somethin' that will please everah one," McCoy declared. He waved his hand to a pretty looking blonde and she disappeared into the kitchen.

"What's this," Jim snorted, "more liquor? Did you figure out something that everyone here at the table is willing to drink? Cause this liquor tab is killing me."

"What do you mean killing you?" Pike complained, "I'm paying the tab!"

"In that case, bring it on!" Jim cheered and everyone at the table joined in his laughter.

Just then, the blonde returned pushing a cart with a large cake on it. It had white icing and a big sparkler on top, shining and spitting little silver sparks everywhere.

Jim leaned over the table to get a better look. The cake said, 'Congratulations Jim' on it. "Cake? You got me a cake?" He looked over at McCoy, "Is it real cake this time? It's not, like, a giant bran cake, is it?"

"Real cake," McCoy laughed. "Yellow cake. I was thinkin' of you, Mr. Spock."

"Thank you Doctor," Spock replied, "That was most considerate of you."

"Nah," McCoy waved a dismissive hand at him.

Jim turned to McCoy, "Thanks, Bones. That was really nice of you."

"Well, Jim. Considerin' all you been through these last few days, I figured ya deserve to have your cake and eat it too," he said, smiling and handing his friend a large slice of cake.

The End.

XXXXXX

[1] Presentation ceremony at the white house, March 9, 1967.