The Mysteries of James T. Kirk

A.N. Okay so this is my first attempt at writing a Star Trek fan fiction. I've only seen the first season of The Original Series and parts of the second so I guess you could say that I have the gist of most of the info. Anyways, I hope that I have stuck pretty close to the canon and that you seasoned trekkies don't cringe too much while you read this.

Time Period: A few weeks after the end of the movie.

Summary: When Jim mysteriously dies after a routine mission the Enterprise crew is more than confused. As Spock and Bones fight the clock to discover the real reasons behind Jim's death the Admiralty is planning on ways to discover the secrets behind the carefully held mask of the New Vulcan Ambassador (Spock Prime). And what's this about an unauthorized child running through the hallways of the Enterprise?

Pairings: No Slash (I can't write that well ^_^), Canon Pairings Only.

Warnings: OC's (maybe…)

Other: Hurt!Jim…Child fic…Must I say more? O_o

Hope you enjoy!

Chapter One: Death of a Captain

"Fortune sides with him who dares."
~ Virgil ~

The bridge was uncharacteristically silent as everyone stared at their respective stations.

Commander Spock sat in the Captain's chair ignoring the 'covert' looks that every officer kept throwing him every other minute. His fingers stood poised over the built in communicator in the chair, waiting for some type of chatter or command to come through. Waiting noiselessly to hear Dr. McCoy's voice, or even Captain Kirk's voice, to come from the device…

But no matter how many times he calculated the odds in his head, he knew that the Captain would most likely not come stumbling through the lift's doors, whining about why Dr. McCoy treated him so callously when he was supposed to be his best friend.

Despite his conclusion Spock found himself also sneaking covert looks, though not towards himself but towards the lift. A small feeling of anticipation mixed with an ounce of dread was rising up inside of him, and he recognized the feeling as something that he always felt around his brash captain. Anticipation because the Captain has, up to this point, survived countless of situations quite like this one. And the dread was for his logical conclusion.

Nyota had once explained this emotion as hope or faith; and Spock found himself quite agreeing with her deduction. He might be a Vulcan, but that didn't mean that he needed to be completely 'unemotional'. In fact, Spock found that it was completely logical for him to feel hope. The Enterprise needed her Captain. And though Spock was very capable of commanding a Federation ship – as well as some Vulcan ships - he understood that it was James T. Kirk that the Enterprise needed. That it was James T. Kirk that was somehow able to fix any problem, no matter what its size. That it was James T. Kirk that was able to beat the odds, no matter how low of a probability he might have.

Spock also understood that though the Federation's Flagship was painstakingly filled with only the best officers the Academy could find; it was only Captain Kirk who was able to bring these remarkable characteristics together in such a way that it raised his chances of success. It was only Captain Kirk who knew how to, in some way or another, get all these diverse attributes' to combine together in such a superlative way in order to somehow beat the odds.

Not that Spock would ever inform him of his findings. It would be illogical to fill the bravado Captain's head with even more compliments and praises. A captain needed to be sure of himself, not vainglorious and boastful.

Yet it was also that smug Captain Kirk who was lying under a sheet in Sickbay, surrounded by nurses and doctors with every single one of them fighting to keep him alive.

On the other hand, it had been proven medically that encouragement and support was just one of the ingredients needed for the recovery of human beings. So it might actually be productive to inform the captain of his positive aspects.

For which reason Spock was now sitting here on the Captain's chair with his mind racing to find any sort of equation that will end up with the product of the Captain being in good physical shape. Not because of any feelings of attachment and friendship, of course, but because the Captain provided Spock with an excellent example of a human being – an example which Spock intends to study and make his own conclusions about the human race later on in life. And it is for that alone that Spock wishes Dr. McCoy to come barging onto the bridge, as he always does, complaining at how Kirk always jumps before he thinks and that one day he would end up returning too broken for McCoy to fix.

Though Spock couldn't help but add to his conclusion that the Captain was beginning to, in Nyota's words, 'grow' on him. What with the fact that Jim seemed perfectly able to read past his 'Vulcan Mask'.

But Spock hadn't heard from Dr. McCoy in the past 5 hours since they had left that precarious planet. This silence from the normally boisterous doctor was becoming unnerving, and Spock had half a thought to leave the Conn in Lieutenant Sulu's capable hands.

Nevertheless the Captain would wish for Spock to stay at the bridge, instead of making an unreasonable decision and rushing to Medbay to demand answers from the busy McCoy. An action like that would only be a cause for harm, for Spock would only provide a distraction.

A distraction that Dr. McCoy – or Bones as Jim liked to call him – would have no objection on obliterating from the Medbay.

"McCoy to Bridge, McCoy to Bridge. Spock, are you there?" The doctor's voice echoed through the soundless bridge bringing the whole bridge crew's attention to the center of the room immediately. Spock semi-observed that at the speed that the crew's heads had spun around to fix their attention on the communicator should've caused a bit of strain on the neck muscles, and Spock made a conclusion that the crew members would be sore in said muscles anywhere between the next 12-24 hours.

Spock quickly pressed the button that would communicate him with Dr. McCoy. "I am. What news do you have on the Captain's condition?" Spock asked the question he knew everyone was (as Nyota would say) 'dying' to ask.

"I need you in Sickbay at once Commander Spock." McCoy responded avoiding his question.

Spock was instantly put on alert. McCoy never failed to answer his questions when it came to the Captain's health.

Spock folded his hands. For what reason could the doctor want him in Medbay? It seemed completely pointless for Spock to go down there if the Captain was fine. As First Officer he needed to stay at the bridge in order to guide the ship while the Captain was forcibly stationed at Sickbay.

"Now, Spock," McCoy commanded.

Spock fought the urge to sigh. Disregarding the bridge crew's questioning eyes Spock stood up from the Captain's chair and headed towards the lift.

Before the doors closed he quickly ordered, "Lieutenant Sulu, you have the Conn."

It only took Spock a total of 3.056 minutes to arrive at the Medbay, and when the doors opened he found it to be mute. There were no nurses or doctors rushing about like usual after a mission such as the one that he and the Captain had been on earlier that day.

In fact Dr. McCoy was nowhere to be seen. He was not at a bed lecturing Jim about his bad decisions, or screaming at new trainees about their mistakes.

It took McCoy's soft, "I'm in here Spock", to get Spock to notice that, unlike his first guess, the Medbay wasn't as empty as he had first believed.

Spock swiftly entered the CMO's office to find the doctor with his head in his hands. Dr. McCoy looked up once the door shut closed behind Spock.

"Ah…You're here quicker than I thought you would be." McCoy muttered under his breath. Then he stood up with a sigh and faced Spock with a serious face.

The feeling that Spock had earlier labeled 'hope' was quickly replaced by another feeling of the exact opposite nature. Spock quickly labeled this new emotion 'doubt' before placing it in the farthest corners of his mind.

"I arrived as soon as possible doctor. I had supposed that the reason you called me here was to inform me of the Captain's condition. Since it is my duty as First Officer to ensure the Captain's continuing health and utmost capacity of fulfilling his duties, I found it only logical to leave the Bridge and make my way over here." Spock explained knowing that Dr. McCoy was only one of the three people alive to actually be able to see through his 'logical' decisions – the other two being Captain Kirk and Nyota. His mother had once been filed under this jurisdiction of his mind – until her death that is.

The CMO stared at Spock hard, his eyes calculating, measuring his emotional stability. It was quite disconcerting to see the unruly doctor stare at him with those kinds of eyes. It reminded Spock of his father, Sarek, in that way. He supposed that all father's learned this gaze early on in their paternal lives.

Finally, it seemed that Dr. McCoy found what he was looking for. Because he looked down at his desk, reordering some papers with his hands, before staring him straight in the eyes once more – using his eyes to (Spock supposed) try to break the news as softly as possible.

His mouth followed soon after, informing him in the most direct and Vulcan way possible for an emotional human like Bones.

"Jim's dead, Spock."

5 Hours Ago

Jim's P.O.V.

"Sorry I'm late." I smiled at the bridge crew as I swiftly walked out of the lift.

Uhura only shook her head and turned back to her station throwing me a sarcastic look over her shoulder.

"Captain, I must again inform you that it is Federation policy for every officer to be at their stations on time. Thus I must, once again, request that you would arrive on the bridge at your scheduled time." Spock informed me as he stood up from my chair.

I waved my hand distractedly as I took my seat. Rubbing my hands together and looking at Uhura I asked, "So what seems to be the problem?"

Uhura turned around to stare at me in the eyes. "We received orders from Starfleet Command to send a small crew down to the planet Gamma Trianguli VI. We are to take samples of the plants and then head over to New Vulcan. Apparently Starfleet Command has been inquiring the Ambassador for information, which he refuses to disclose to both the Federation Council and the New Vulcan High Command. It has been assumed that the Ambassador has no such negative sentiment towards you considering his attitude to you on Delta Vega. You have been ordered to transport down to New Vulcan and try to convince the Ambassador on providing Starfleet Command with this much needed information."

Spock and I shared a look before I turned back to Uhura. "Lieutenant, please inform Starfleet Command that I wish to speak with them from my waiting room."

"Right away, Captain."

I looked at Spock. "You have the Conn."

Spock moved to follow me but I held up a hand to stop him. "No, this is my fight. I can't let Starfleet or the Vulcan Council force the Ambassador into anything. And I will not be used as a pawn in the Admiralties hands."

I walked back into the lift. Before the Lift's doors closed I caught the bridge crew's eyes. I'll be fine. I told them silently.

I sat down at my desk and opened up the communications to the bridge.

"Uhura, has a reply from Starfleet come in?" I questioned tapping my fingers lightly on the desk.

"Yes, Captain. I am connecting them to the screen right now." Uhura replied.

"Thank you, Lieutenant."

"Be careful, Captain." Uhura replied softly. "The Admiralty doesn't take disobedience lightly."

"Will do." I told her before cutting communications to the bridge.

"Computer, lock the doors and soundproof the room. I don't want any wandering ears to listen to this conversation." I ordered.

"Doors locked and Room Soundproofed, Captain." The computer's voice answered.

I spun in my chair to face the big screen behind me. "Admiral Archer and the rest of the council," I said respectfully. I stared each Admiral in the eye until I reached Pike. He gave me an encouraging smile, though from his somewhat confused face I knew that he had no idea of what this meeting was truly about.

"Captain Kirk, it is always a pleasure to meet you." Admiral Barnett remarked in a tone that could almost be called sarcastic.

I snapped my eyes off Pike and back to the rest of the council. "Of course, Admiral." I paused to get up from my chair and lean on the front of my desk. "I have been informed that you have ordered me to New Vulcan in order to gain some information from the Ambassador."

"You are correct." Pike affirmed with a warning tone. He fixed me with a pointed stare cautioning me from doing something dim-witted.

I held back a smirk. "I must ask, Admirals. For what purpose would you wish the Enterprise to take this long detour away from its scheduled course in order for me to question one Vulcan Ambassador? Whereas there are millions of other more capable politicians who would love to be assigned this mission and would do it gladly.

It was a different Admiral who decided to answer me. "We found that it was the easiest choice."

I raised an eyebrow. It was a new habit that reminded me of the increasing amount of time I was spending around a certain Vulcan. "How so?"

Admiral Archer sighed and laced his hands together. Leaning forward he began, "Once we read your reports on the occurrences of the Narada Incident we decided to start our own investigation into the matter. One certain name that continued to appear within your reports, as well as those of the higher members of your crew, was that of a certain newly appointed ambassador to the Vulcan people. When it was discovered that, like the Romulan Nero, the new ambassador was from another dimension - and the future of that dimension no less…"

"You decided that it was a source of information that would be essential for the growing Federation." I interrupted him earning a glare from Pike.

Archer nodded in a peaceful and 'innocent' manner, "Of course."

"However," Admiral Barnett spoke up. "The Vulcan Ambassador refused to accept any of our requests for meetings. We tried to negotiate a meeting through the New Vulcan government, but were refused as well. And when we discovered that the New Vulcan government had no more knowledge on the Ambassador than our Researching Department…"

"You read my reports on the ambassador and decided that he would welcome me with open arms." I drawled leaning even further onto my desk.

There were nods from everyone – including a half-hearted, disbelieving one from Pike.

I shook my head. "I believe – from what I've observed from the Ambassador – that his help on Delta Vega was a onetime deal. He wasn't exactly one of the friendliest people I've ever met." Lies, I thought mentally towards myself. You know that he would be very willing to speak to you about the other dimension especially if your position on Captain of the Enterprise was on the line.

"We're ready to take that chance, Kirk." Admiral Archer responded. "You are the only Starfleet employee to have ever had a conversation with the man. Your mission is to get a meeting with him and then write a report on the Ambassador's statements. If that fails you are to convince him to at least try to open up communications with a higher ranking Starfleet Official."

"What if I refuse?" I stood up to my full height for emphasis.

Admiral Barnett chuckled. "We took a chance at naming you the Captain of our Flagship." His eyes glinted as they locked on mine. "The least you could do would be to open up communications with the new Vulcan Ambassador."

The message came across loud and clear.

Refuse, and we take away your ship and credentials.

Accept, and your life will continue on its newly found positive track.

I allowed myself to glare at the admirals – excluding Pike who I gave a begging stare – for a few seconds and then bowed my head and responded in the only way possible. "I am pleased to accept this mission."

The council smiled at me (apart from Pike who had a frown on his face). Another Admiral, who had stayed silent throughout the conversation, spoke up and I recognized him as one of my professors who had given me a particularly hard time.

"Didn't I tell you?" He chortled. "Making him Captain of the Enterprise was one of the best decisions we ever made."

Hearing this a bit of my old rebellion, which I had barely started to restrain a couple of days after my promotion to Captain, flared up inside of me.

"Though I must warn you that the Ambassador might refuse my visit," I informed them enjoying the way their positive attitude froze in a second.

Admiral Barnett gave me a false smile. "Then try your hardest. It would be a shame to see your career end so quickly."

Then the communication line was cut off and I was left alone in my waiting room.

End Jim P.O.V.

Present Time…

"I fail to see the humor of your statement, Dr. McCoy." Spock stated after stopping himself from falling into shock.

Dr. McCoy just gave him a sad smile and stood up from his chair. "Follow me." He ordered as he stepped around his desk and out the door.

Spock silently matched the Doctor's pace as he moved around countless of empty beds and machines until they arrived at a door. Dr. McCoy stopped and turned to Spock.

"I wasn't kidding, Spock. I had this entire medical floor moved so that the news wouldn't spread until you decided what the next course of action should be. The only people who know of the Captain's death are you, Nurse Chapel, and I. No one else," He cautioned before stepping aside and giving me pass.

Spock allowed himself a small pause before stepping into the room.

Dr. McCoy had been speaking the truth. Not only was the Captain in a stiller state than Spock had ever seen him in, but his skin tone was incredibly paler than its normally tanned color. The Captain's chest refused to move and Spock could not hear his strong and healthy heartbeat as he usually could.

And the worst was still to come.

How could Spock, an 'unemotional' Vulcan, inform the loyal Enterprise crew that their beloved Captain was dead?

A.N. How'd ya like it? Was it good or terrible? Did I ruin the Star Trek Fandom with this chapter or what? Go ahead and press on that beautiful button down there and tell me. I would love to hear from you.