The comm shrilled, disturbing Spock\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s meditation and Jim\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s concentration. He should have been working and had at least progressed to scowling at the first of a dozen reports that needed to be read and signed and filed. Without looking up from the report on his PADD, Jim switched on the speakers.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Captain, something has come up that I need to discuss with you and Mr. Spock at your earliest convenience,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Commander Paul requested. He was still on the bridge, with fifteen minutes to go until the Beta Two team would take over. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153In your office at sixteen-hundred?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sure,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim replied. He frowned. If Paul wanted to see them the second he got off shift, whatever he had to tell them was a) important and b) unpleasant. And the tone of his voice … Jim didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like it. Paul wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the kindest or nicest officer on board, but as head of Diplomacy he did have a way with words normally. Now, however, he seemed almost beyond politeness.<\/p>\n
Fifteen minutes later, the three of them sat at the small conference table in Jim\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s office. Yeoman Rand served Spice coffee \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Jim had managed to increase his caffeine threshold to three cups a day again, although admittedly with plenty of milk and sugar \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and a plate of tiny sandwiches, before she disappeared again.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, Commander, what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s up?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim asked, leaning forward, hands folded around his cup.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I have received a top-secret transmission from Starfleet Command,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Paul said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153a sabotage warning for all Federation starships.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim went cold. A clich\u00c3\u00a9d reaction, perhaps, but he couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help it \u00e2\u20ac\u201c especially with the warning from Khan in mind that Nyota had relayed to him when they were still in orbit around Arrakis. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What happened?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Two incidents. So far. The first happened three weeks ago when the USS Farragut rendezvoused with the ChR Destrix at the border of the Romulan neutral zone near Miridian to transport members of a Romulan cult to New Vulcan,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Commander Paul explained. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153An extremely delicate situation. The Romulans have made an effort to improve diplomatic relations with the Federation since the Nero incident. Mostly because they fear retaliation for the destruction of Vulcan. Of course that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a less than ideal foundation for political interaction, to put it mildly. As a result, the negotiations concerning the relocation of the veothir s’thaai <\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u201c the Children of Logic \u00e2\u20ac\u201c took almost a year.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What went wrong?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim thought that even without outside \u00e2\u20ac\u0153assistance\u00e2\u20ac\u009d that thing would have gone wrong. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Delicate\u00e2\u20ac\u009d was not the term he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d use for that kind of thing. Disaster spelled all over it? Shit waiting to happen? Yeah, that.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153On the Romulan side, yellow alert for their whole fleet along with orders to proceed to the neutral zone. Falsified inside information was leaked that the deal wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t about relocating some weird philosophical cult, but retrieving Federation spies. On our side it was worse. Along with the veothir s\u00e2\u20ac\u2122thaai<\/i>, a bomb showed up in the transporter room of the Farragut. Sensor readings indicated that the bomb was of Romulan origin. Seemingly it had been beamed on board along with them. The only way to save the Farragut was to beam the bomb randomly into space, at a safe distance from the Farragut and the Destrix. Needless to say, the impromptu fireworks didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t appeal to the Romulans. Thankfully Captain Hendrix kept his head and managed to review the transporter logs before the situation escalated into armed conflict. The logs revealed at least that the bomb couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have been transported with the veothir s\u00e2\u20ac\u2122thaai<\/i>. The captain of the Farragut turned himself over to the Romulans while her science department tried to figure out what the hell happened. Thankfully their navigator \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Max Jones \u00e2\u20ac\u201c is about as much a computer genius as Mr. Spock here. Sabotage. The bomb was based on Romulan blueprints but fabricated on Earth, and a crew member of the Farragut had tampered with the sensors. But not just any crew member \u00e2\u20ac\u201c a crew member who\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d died on the old Farragut during the destruction of Vulcan. Somehow the clearance of the deceased had been reactivated and used to manipulate the sensors.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Holy shit. That\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim broke off, shaking his head as a memory hit him. A minor incident in February, one of the first things he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d had to deal with after he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been released from the hospital to start getting the Enterprise ready for the five-year mission. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And the second incident?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The USS Antares suffered a collapse of the life support systems after the visit from Andorian scientists. A computer virus in the system, and a genetically engineered virus to emulate Andorian shingles in the AC.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let me guess,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153the version control puked up that a crew member who died during the Nero thing had fudged with the system. Same as those issues with the warp core simulator that Scotty reported back in February.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d In October 2259 the version control of the simulator software on the Enterprise had revealed illicit modifications \u00e2\u20ac\u201c entered by a deceased crew member. At that time Jim hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t known yet if he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d make a full recovery or if he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d get back the ship. Scotty had logged the malfunction, filed a report, and Chekov had inserted a trap to catch the perpetrator. As soon as Jim was back in charge in February, the Chief Engineer had approached him about the issue in person. But there had been no evidence that allowed them to take further action, and they had never caught anyone interfering with the simulator again.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Exactly,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Commander Paul acknowledged curtly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d like to think that the guy \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Maurice … Morris something or other \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Iarty<\/i>, wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it? \u00e2\u20ac\u201c who offed himself on Arrakis trying to blow up the Spice crawlers was our saboteur,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Unfortunately he wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t anywhere near the Enterprise in February.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
What a way to hit off the festive season,<\/i> Jim thought, exchanging a glance with Spock. Instead of enjoying a carefree Christmas, they \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and a good number of crew members \u00e2\u20ac\u201c would be tied up in systems checks and more systems checks. Could we have caught them if\u00e2\u20ac\u201d No. I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think like that.<\/i> He took a deep breath. What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s done is done … or rather, what wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t done wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t done. Damn.<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I guess we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d better invite Lieutenant Romaine to join the party. Spock \u00e2\u20ac\u201c you or Elbrun?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim remembered only too well his incredulity when Scotty of all people had approached him in February. Scotty had presented suspicions but no evidence that Lieutenant Romaine had manipulated the warp drive simulator using the access codes of a dead member of Starfleet as well as accusations of attempted sexual harassment (with Scotty as the victim, which seriously?). So not the kind of problem he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d anticipated having to deal with his very first week back on active duty. As neither Scotty\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s investigation of the simulator nor Jim\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s conversation with Romaine had yielded anything substantial beyond the fact that she had indeed worked for Admiral Marcus previously, Jim had logged his own report of the incident and then put it out of his mind.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153As this is not an emergency \u00e2\u20ac\u201c yet,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Spock said calmly, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I believe the correct course of action would be to request Dr. Elbrun\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s aid.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Commander Paul nodded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d prefer that, too. If my understanding of telepathy versus empathy is correct, Dr. Elbrun\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s intervention would be much less intrusive. At this point of the proceedings we must assume that she is innocent of any malfeasance.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Yeah, fuck.<\/i> They should get so lucky that Romaine was the perpetrator they were looking for. Jim punched the comm link. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Dr. Elbrun, I need you in my office. Now.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Elbrun arrived, was brought up to speed, and sat down next to Commander Paul. Spock went to get Lieutenant Romaine himself.<\/p>\n
Jim watched her face carefully as she entered, two steps ahead of Spock. She stopped in her tracks, taking in the scene \u00e2\u20ac\u201c himself, Commander Paul, Dr. Elbrun. She paled and nervously pressed her lips together into a thin line, before she stood at attention. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Captain, you wanted to see me?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, Lieutenant. Do you remember the conversation we had in February, regarding irregularities in the output of the simulator in Engineering that you programmed?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim asked. Spock stepped up next to her. The door hissed shut.<\/p>\n
Next to Commander Paul, Dr. Elbrun\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes blazed like a black supernova as the Betazoid concentrated on picking up on changes in Romaine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s emotional signature.<\/p>\n
Romaine shifted on her feet. Jim thought she turned a surprised \u00e2\u20ac\u201c or shocked? \u00e2\u20ac\u201c gasp into a quick inhalation of breath just in time. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, sir. You asked me if I knew anything about how such a malfunction might have occurred. I described several possible explanations. Then you discussed standards of appropriate behavior between crew members with me.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim nodded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Indeed. Do you have anything to add to that conversation by now?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Her reaction to that question was odd. She should have turned more nervous, not less. And now \u00e2\u20ac\u201c with a sigh, she straightened her shoulders and focused on Commander Paul. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sir, my ID is S31D7009, special agent Amira Romanov, department for terrorism analysis and counterterrorism, five year field assignment on the Enterprise in connection with the Admiral Marcus investigation.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153You\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve got to be FUCKING kidding<\/i> me!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim slammed his palms on the table in front of him.<\/p>\n
Dr. Elbrun shook his head unobtrusively. The harsh lines around Commander Paul\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mouth deepened with displeasure as he examined Romaine\/Romanov with a stony stare, his pale green eyes cold. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, sir. The ID is valid, as is the designation of investigation and department.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim inhaled sharply and balled his hands into fists. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, Lieutenant Romaine \u00e2\u20ac\u201c I assume you prefer to remain incognito? \u00e2\u20ac\u201c I guess you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d better sit down.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Spock opened the wall closet to retrieve an additional chair with calm, precise movements. After he had positioned the chair at the small end of the table, he returned to his seat next to Jim. He must be \u00e2\u20ac\u201c not exactly shielding, but dampening the transference of the Bond. Jim did not feel alone in his mind, but he also sensed no particular reaction from Spock. Probably better. He didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think his first officer was any more thrilled with this development than he was.<\/p>\n
Commander Paul slid his PADD over to Romaine, who scanned the transmissions quickly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sir, my placement on the Enterprise was specifically to investigate the prior sabotage in Engineering during the Marcus conspiracy, as well as to keep an eye on new crew members with access to vital systems. In the light of the recent incidents, I believe there is one officer who should be questioned as soon as possible \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Assistant Chief Engineer Elena Amell.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim frowned. Amell had proved herself to be reliable in a crisis during the rescue of the V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tosh ka\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tur<\/i>. More than that, he genuinely liked her, and he knew that Scotty loved<\/i> the woman. But of course that didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t necessarily mean anything. Oh hell.<\/i> He nodded, indicating that Romaine should continue.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sir, Lieutenant Amell turned down a prestigious lab job at a top Starfleet research facility to take a standard Engineering job on the Enterprise \u00e2\u20ac\u201c grunt work, really. However, just one month after her arrival, she was promoted to Assistant Chief. Although she had no prior experience serving on a starship. Apparently, she has managed to inveigle the Chief Engineer into entering a romantic relationship that is completely out of character for the man. The irregularities of the simulator results occurred when testing dangerous modifications of the warp core she had suggested. I am concerned that this was nothing but a particularly clever ruse to hide serious sabotage.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Romaine fell silent and placed Paul\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s PADD back on the table.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Suggestions?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim requested curtly.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Since Mr. Spock and Dr. Elbrun are already present,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Commander Paul said wearily, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I suggest we ask Lieutenant Amell to join us.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sir, neither empathic nor telepathic interventions are foolproof,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Romaine objected. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Captain, we have reasons to assume that the organization backing both Humanitarians for Earth and Humans First is none other than Terra Prime. If that is true, their \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcsoldiers\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 will be prepared.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim considered the objection, the practical implications. How would an organization like Humans First prepare one of their goons for the possibility of capture? \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Spock?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Most likely a mental trigger to drive them insane, taking out the mind of the interrogator along with their own. Additionally, poison, probably a fast acting nerve gas, hidden in a medical implant,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Spock suggested, perfectly composed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153However, I do believe if I meld with Dr. Elbrun first, and then access Lieutenant Amell\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mind, the danger is minimal. A scan will ascertain if any implants are present; they can be removed before questioning.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Dr. Elbrun nodded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no guarantee it will work, but I think with that precaution it would be a reasonably safe intervention.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim looked at Commander Paul and Lieutenant Romaine. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Any objections?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, sir.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
With a heavy heart, Jim alerted Bones and had him summon Amell to sickbay for the scan. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Take all necessary precautions, Doctor McCoy,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he warned. He knew how much Bones would hate the whole procedure. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s an order.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
If Amell truly was a terrorist, they wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t get a chance to question her, but at least she wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be able to kill anyone else on her way out. Commander Paul commed security. Of course. A necessary precaution. Only sensible. Jim realized that he still had no damn clue just how unpleasant his job as captain could get.<\/p>\n
Twenty minutes later, the door to his office opened, and Bones appeared with Lieutenant Amell in tow. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No implants of any kind, Captain,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bones reported, his expression pinched and bitter. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s clean.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim almost sighed with relief. The fact that she was standing in front of him now, pale and confused, hopefully meant that she was not the saboteur they were looking for. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thank you, Doctor McCoy. Would you please inform Mr. Scott that I need to talk to him? Just send him up.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Of course. Captain.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim hated the way Bones looked at him \u00e2\u20ac\u201c as if he were a stranger \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and left without a word, although he knew that it was better than Bones\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s vociferous objections to mental invasions of privacy.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sir?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Amell asked nervously.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lieutenant Amell, we need your assistance in order to examine the possible sabotage of the warp drive simulator that you reported in February,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim said, attempting to keep his tone as neutral as possible. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do you agree to allow Mr. Spock to examine your memories of the incident?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
For a second, she stared at him, clearly taken by complete surprise. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sure,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she blurted, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Of course I agree, Captain. I have nothing to hide.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim allowed himself a tight smile. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thought so, Lieutenant. Mr. Spock, Dr. Elbrun, are you ready?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, Captain.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Elbrun nodded. Spock approached Lieutenant Amell slowly. Jim realized that Spock didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe that the woman posed any threat, and that he did his best not to scare her and to put her at ease. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lieutenant, I will perform a light mind meld to examine your memories of the incident. Please focus on what you remember. That will help me to avoid seeing any other reminiscences that you may prefer to keep private.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, sir.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Amell swallowed hard and flushed, but didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t flinch when Spock gently touched the left side of her face.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153My mind to your mind,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Spock said softly, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153my thoughts to your thoughts.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Spock didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t close his eyes, but it was clear that he didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see the room anymore, didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see Jim, didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hear Amell gasping for breath.<\/p>\n
Suddenly visions exploded into Jim\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mind, secondhand memories thrust at him through the Bond:<\/p>\n
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u0153None of these make sense, Len,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Scotty said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Your modifications should have resulted in more of these readings to show a change, even if you did \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcfuck up\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 \u00e2\u20ac\u00a6 which you didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t, by the way.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He pointed at the PADD. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s no explanation for the output to the plasma injector to be worse, other than something is wrong with the simulator itself.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s brand new,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Len said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was tested before they sent it up.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i><\/p>\n
…<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153There!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Keenser stabbed his finger at the screen to stop it. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s going on?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Len sat next to Chekov. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I found the routine that seemed to be causing the problem,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chekov replied. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But it was strange, because it didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t match the pattern of the other routines. It was definitely written by an outside person. So we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re checking the version control to see when the update was made, and Keenser just found it. The update was submitted on 2259.275 by Lieutenant Travis Holt.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, it wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Scotty leaned over to look at the screen. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Holt never modified this program.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153How do you know?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Len asked. <\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153He was killed during the attack by Nero,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Scotty said.<\/i><\/p>\n
…<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sabotage?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Chekov shook his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why would anyone want to sabotage Lena\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s experiment?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i><\/p>\n
Len looked up at Scotty. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Romaine installed the software,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I met Lieutenant Boma in the hallway on my way to get the coffee and mentioned the trouble I was having. He said Romaine insisted on installing it herself.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153But that was weeks before the changes were made …\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
As suddenly as the stream of memories had started, it was cut off, and Jim was back in the present with a gasp and a blinding headache. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Son of a\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He broke off, rubbing his temples.<\/p>\n
Spock stepped back from Lieutenant Amell, his face flushed in a delicate sage-green hue. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I beg your pardon, Lieutenant.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Amell blinked. She was now white as a sheet, trembling all over, and she had tears in her eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No problem, sir. Did you \u00e2\u20ac\u201c did you discover what you were looking for?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim shook his head. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Thankfully, no.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He stared at Romaine for a moment. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lieutenant Amell, thank you for your cooperation. Two things. One, Lieutenant Romaine is not under suspicion for sabotage, but we have reason to suspect there is \u00e2\u20ac\u201c or are \u00e2\u20ac\u201c saboteurs on board. Therefore I need you to be on your guard and triple-check all systems as unobtrusively as possible. Please discuss the issue with Mr. Scott and report back to me tomorrow. Two, if you experience any discomfort whatsoever, please report to Doctor McCoy. Any questions?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153N-no, sir,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she stuttered. Flushing again, she turned to Romaine. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u201cI\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry, Lieutenant, I\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lieutenant Amell, I know that when we first met I made you … uncomfortable,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Romaine replied. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I want you to know that was just part of the job \u00e2\u20ac\u201c to suss out saboteurs. Nothing more. And that you reported me, that was your job, too. I won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hold it against you if you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Amell nodded. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Of course not, Lieutenant.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Very good, Lieutenant Amell,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You may go.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Commander Paul quickly rose to his feet and led Lieutenant Amell to the door, dismissing the waiting security men with a low-voiced command. When the door closed behind the Assistant Chief Engineer, Paul returned to his seat.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim said with a sigh, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I have to admit that I am relieved \u00e2\u20ac\u201c I would have hated being wrong about her after the thing with the pirates. But that puts us right back to square one where possible saboteurs on board are concerned.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lieutenant Amell has definitely no knowledge about how the malfunctions occurred and who perpetrated them beyond what she reported,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Spock stated. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I also picked up on memories and emotions associated with her career on the Enterprise and her relationship with Mr. Scott. I believe the motivation for her choosing a starship over a comfortable position in a lab was \u00e2\u20ac\u201c I think the correct phrase is \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcto do her part\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 \u00e2\u20ac\u201c to make up for the atrocities Marcus is responsible for? She witnessed the destruction of the Vengeance and lost many friends in the catastrophe, as well as her home.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim agreed. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I got that, too.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d When Commander Paul frowned at him, he added, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Spock transferred his impressions to me, what he picked up from her thoughts. She\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d never help those fuckers. And I know Scotty. He\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not just loyal to a fault, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s also too much of a perfectionist. If he promoted Amell to Assistant Chief, he did that because she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a damn genius and not because she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s great in bed.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Dr. Elbrun broke the somewhat awkward silence that followed Jim\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s statement. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Her emotional state is stable. She was confused and nervous, but not scared. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s emotional trauma in the background that fits Mr. Spock\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s assessment. I definitely sensed no attempt whatsoever to hide anything. Most of all, no hatred or anger, only fading grief, and a strong undercurrent of love and loyalty.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Very well,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Commander Paul said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Then we can rule her out as a suspect on all counts.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Since the manipulations of the simulator occurred before the launch of the mission, maybe there is no saboteur on board after all,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Spock suggested. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Or not anymore, after Iarty\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s unsuccessful attempt to sabotage the Spice crawlers.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim snorted. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We should be that lucky. No; the Enterprise is the flagship. Everyone knows we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re charged with critical missions. And Iarty wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the one to fool around with the warp core simulator\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The piercing alarm of the fire alert shrilled, an instant rush of hot adrenaline and icy panic. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fire alert on deck four, section six. Fire alert on deck four, sec\u00e2\u20ac\u201d\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Bones!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim was up and running before anyone else could react.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6<\/p>\n
Stardate 2260.359, 1700 hours, Deck 4, CMO\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Quarters (Christmas Eve)<\/h3>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Fire alert on deck four, section six. Fire alert on deck four, section six.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Carolyn had spent a quiet afternoon with T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Peri and the two Vulcan toddlers. She had contributed ginger biscuits, and T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Peri had replicated Vulcan spice tea. Carolyn hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t been sure if Jo would be patient enough with the Vulcans. But she needn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have worried. T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Peri had delighted the children with an impromptu juggling show. Afterwards Thorby and Jo had played with T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Mir and Solok, a kind of Vulcan tetris that was supposed to train the logic of infants, while the adults had talked about Vulcan and Terran culture and the vagaries of life in space. In a typical irony of fate, the alarm sounded no more than five minutes after they had decided to drop that topic and Carolyn and the children were getting ready to leave.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Stay with T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Peri,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Carolyn ordered Thorby and Jo. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Do what she says.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Then she ran to the cabin. Leonard had the afternoon off, and for once he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d admitted that he was exhausted, he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been planning to take a nap\u00e2\u20ac\u201d<\/p>\n
She ran headlong into a wall \u00e2\u20ac\u201c no, collided with a tall, muscular figure jumping out of the turbolift in front of Leonard\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s quarters. Stumbling backwards, dizzy, she would have fallen if the captain hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t caught her arms. He barely waited for her to regain her balance before charging into the cabin. Behind Carolyn, several of the V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tosh ka\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tur<\/i> came running, and half a dozen crew members spilled from the other turbolift, all of them brandishing fire extinguishers<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Leonard,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she gasped and hurried after the captain.<\/p>\n
Fire-suppression foam filled the living area of the cabin up to Carolyn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s knees. Smoke made it impossible to see more than vague shapes of furniture, of people. A spicy scent of forest and resin and fried electronics tickled her nose, and the air was filled with \u00e2\u20ac\u201c a flurry of \u00e2\u20ac\u201c hail \u00e2\u20ac\u201c nails \u00e2\u20ac\u201c needles?<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the godforsaken replicator!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Leonard cursed somewhere out of sight. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The bloody thing just won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t STOP.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153DADDY! DADDY!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jo was screaming in a panic, shrill and hysterical, at the top of her lungs. Of course it had been too much to hope for that she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d stay with T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Peri. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Daddy? Daddy?! Is that snow?<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Computer, emergency shutdown of the replicator, quarters of McCoy, Leonard,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the captain ordered.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Replicator disconnected,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the computer acknowledged.<\/p>\n
The hailstorm abated. Seconds later, the ventilation system sucked away the last swirls of smoke. The scene revealed before Carolyn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes was bizarre.<\/p>\n
In the middle of the room, Kirk stood up to his thighs in fire-suppression foam, damp spots creeping up his ass. Beyond the replicator, Leonard crouched in the corner of the room, protectively hunched over … what even? And in the open door, Jo and Thorby were hanging on to each other, both of them hysterical, laughing and crying at the same time.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Bones?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kirk asked, taking a careful step toward Leonard. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Everything okay?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yeah, fuck you. Bloody replicator bastard scum.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Carolyn blinked. That was strong language even for Leonard. Apparently, she wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t the only one who had that reaction. Kirk stopped in his tracks and stared. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, but thanks for offering. Bones, what the hell were you trying to get out of the replicator that messed it up so badly?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Leonard straightened up, visibly clinging to the last shreds of his dignity. He took a step forward, then he gestured with a flourish to a tall, purple something<\/i> he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been guarding in the corner. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153A Christmas tree,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he said stiffly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was supposed to be a surprise. Someone told me once that you can get everything <\/i>out of the replicator with the correct code.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153A Christmas tree!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d With a squee, Jo plunged into the foam, dragging Thorby along. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Daddy!!!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Emphasis on correct<\/i>,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kirk muttered. Then he turned, addressing the crowd of security guys and V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tosh ka\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tur<\/i> hovering just outside the door. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Okay, everyone, I think everything\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s under control now. Thank you for your prompt reaction. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s exactly what we need in an emergency.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The V\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tosh ka\u00e2\u20ac\u2122tur<\/i> disappeared without comment. The security men hung around another moment or two, torn between captain\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s orders and curiosity. Then they, too, reluctantly withdrew.<\/p>\n
By the time Jo and Thorby had reached Leonard, they had calmed down to occasional giggle fits. Bemused, Carolyn watched Thorby\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s serious face. He didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t look amused at all. But now and again, he would turn to face Jo and … chuckle<\/i>, low sounds of boyish laughter, a little hoarse and surprising in their sweetness. His eyes sparkled and crinkled at the corners.<\/p>\n
Then she heard the gentle rumble of the turbolifts, and fast footsteps approaching. Scotty and Spock burst through the door at the same time. Spock was pale with more than apprehension, Scotty looked livid. Whatever had happened <\/i>to put both of them in such a mood?<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wha\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 the hell, Jim?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Scotty snarled. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How could ya? Ya had no right tae treat her like a criminal!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Then he rounded on Spock, positively shaking with fury, hands balled into fists, ready to strike out. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And you! Wha\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 the bloody hell did ya do tae her?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Oh shit,<\/i> Carolyn thought. She turned to Jo and Thorby. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Jo,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she asked, her voice as calm and firm as she could manage, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153take Thorby and go to stay with T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Peri. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll come and get you later. Now.<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jo gave her a wide-eyed, scared look, but she obeyed promptly. Good girl<\/i>. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Come on, Thorby. Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s go.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The kids ran from the room.<\/p>\n
Kirk met Carolyn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes, a look of painful gratitude in his eyes. Thankfully, the children had also distracted Scotty for a moment. Long enough for Spock to back away carefully. He didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t speak or raise his hands. Only his dark eyes betrayed that he was concerned, both about Thorby and the captain. Just as obviously he wanted to defuse the potential for violence. Kirk for his part stepped directly into Scotty\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s line of vision, protectively drawing the man\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s attention away from his husband, forcing the Chief Engineer to focus on himself. From the corner of her eye, Carolyn saw that Leonard was already gearing up to his usual belligerence, no doubt already pushed to the limits of his temper thanks to the replicator accident. For a moment, Carolyn wondered how the situation could be peaceably resolved \u00e2\u20ac\u201c without brawl between three or even four members of the command crew.<\/p>\n
Once again, Kirk surprised her. He looked from Scotty to Leonard and back. Then he helplessly shook his head, before he slumped down on the sofa, disappearing up to his chin in slowly melting fire-fighting foam. The effect was so ridiculous \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the gesture so disarming \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and Kirk looked so pathetic, that both Scotty and Bones stopped basically midstride, deflating, the proverbial wind taken out of their sails.<\/p>\n
All right. Only one thing left to do now, <\/i>Carolyn thought and hurried to Leonard\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s desk and his private whisky bar. A moment later she handed a glass of Ardbeg to Scotty and Leonard, before she turned to Kirk. Again she glimpsed that grateful, agonized expression in those extraordinary hazel eyes. When she held out the bottle of whisky, he gave the tiniest shake of his head. Thankfully, she had anticipated that reaction, although she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been thinking of Spock when she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d grabbed the small bottle of fancy spring water. Unobtrusively, she handed Kirk a tumbler with water and some ice cubes. Next, she cautiously approached Spock, offering him a choice of whisky or water. Another surprise \u00e2\u20ac\u201c he chose whisky. Carolyn put the bottles on the coffee table. At last she put her hands on her hips and turned to level a stern stare at Leonard and Scotty, with a quick, worried glance at Kirk and Spock.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you think you can behave like actual Starfleet officers now, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll go and figure out how to get this mess cleaned up,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she told them. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re determined to behave like the worst brats in my classes, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll gladly stay here and play teacher. Your choice.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Scotty blinked at her owlishly, too flustered to offer any resistance. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ah…<\/i> aye, sir \u00e2\u20ac\u201c lass.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Great,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she said and pointed at the armchair that was still mostly invisible in the foam. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sit.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
To her surprise, the Chief Engineer obeyed. Must be the Ardbeg. <\/i>She turned to Leonard. Please, <\/i>she thought. I have no idea whatever happened <\/i>now, but he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s your best friend, and tomorrow is Christmas day … light in dark places, hope reborn, and all those ancient clich\u00c3\u00a9s and superstitions. <\/i>And Jo was looking forward to this first Christmas on the Enterprise so much, with the frantic fervor of a much younger child, a little girl who couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t remember the last Christmas she had spent with her father. Carolyn did her best not to sigh with exasperation at Leonard\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s glowering. What would Jocelyn have done in this situation? Because her best bet was to do the exact opposite.<\/p>\n
In the end she settled for a quick touch, briefly clasping Leonard\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s left arm. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll go and talk to Jo and Thorby. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sure they can stay with T\u00e2\u20ac\u2122Peri for dinner today.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Grasping at straws to come up with an excuse to get the hell out of the way, she went on, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Then I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll head down to Maintenance and get a cleaning crew organized. If you need more time than an hour or so, you should relocate.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She smiled at him and escaped from the room with its dank foam, replicated Christmas tree, pigheaded men and all.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6<\/p>\n
Stardate 2260.360, 1700 hours, Deck 5, Captain\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Quarters (Christmas Day)<\/h3>\n
Leonard sat in one of Jim\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s armchairs and nursed hot eggnog. The concoction was gruesome; based on synthehol and replicated in one fell slurp.<\/p>\n
Across from him on the couch, Spock and Thorby sat cross-legged, facing each other, their right hands lifted to gently rest their fingers on the meld points of the other. Their eyes were open, and they were gazing at each other. Thorby\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s pointy little face was very solemn, but peaceful. Spock\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s expression betrayed the most curious mixture of concentration, apprehension, and gentleness. For a moment Leonard wondered what exactly they were doing, how it felt. He shook himself and turned away, focusing his attention on the middle of the room. Jim and Jo had set up the misbegotten Christmas tree and were now busy replicating ornaments and putting them on the crooked, purple monstrosity.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We should have angel hair,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jo decided. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Silver angel hair. It will be awesome.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim took a step back and scrutinized the effect of a twinkling golden shooting star at the top of the tree. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Really, Jo? Are you sure? Purple and silver? Sure you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want a rainbow mix? And what next, baby unicorns and pegasi?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jo stuck her tongue out at Jim. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nope. Mermaids and kittens.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jim shook his head but obediently wandered over to the replicator. The tip of his tongue caught between his lips, he frowned at the panel.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Angels are supernatural beings found in mythologies of various species throughout the universe. The most common depiction presents humanoid creatures with feathered wings and halos. In the Terran Judeo-Christian tradition angels are religious messengers and executioners based on winged Assyrian protection gods,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Thorby piped up without turning away from Spock. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It is not logical to attempt to replicate something that may not exist.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Ah, Thorby, better get used to it,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Humans do lots of illogical things.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The replicator whined and whirred. Then several objects tumbled out of the slot. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sometimes those illogical things even work.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He turned to Jo and held up a number of translucent silvery and golden shapes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Here you go. A sun, a moon, one, two, three … seven stars, a unicorn, a pegasus, a mermaid … and a kitten.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Leonard watched how Jo bounced toward Jim to grab her new treasures. Then his daughter squealed and held out a black silhouette for him to admire. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oh, look, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Pash-yel!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Indeed it is,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Leonard agreed. He scowled at Jim, who was still poking at the replicator. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Why is it that you get assorted Christmas paraphernalia out of the replicator no problem, and I nearly burn down the ship in the attempt to produce one scrawny excuse of a Christmas tree? By rights trying to replicate a non-existent mythical object should have transported us into some kind of freaky alternate universe or at the very least produced a crazy time-space anomaly.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Because I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m a serious hacker and you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re not even a wannabe, that\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s why.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim narrowed his eyes at the replicator screen, then stabbed at the panel again. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153But mostly because your code contained a virus. It put the replicator into an infinite loop after the first execution. So, instead of creating one Christmas tree starting with the trunk and ending with the needles, it started over again, only backwards, and went haywire over the needles. As a result, the primary energizing coil overheated. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s what got you the fireworks \u00e2\u20ac\u201c the last load of needles ignited before the replicator broke down.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Cradling his drink in both hands, Leonard winced. Maintenance had assured him that they could return to their quarters in three days \u00e2\u20ac\u201c when the living area had dried out and the last remnants of smoke and fumes had been purged from the air. Until then, he was stuck in his old quarters along with Scotty\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s super-sekritt and extremely stinky still, and the kids resided in style in the captain\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cabin. It was Christmas, and Jim wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hear of them stuck on camp beds. Jo had decided it was all an awesome adventure, and Thorby had said nothing, as usual. Faced with Jim\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hard stare, Leonard had taken his cue from Thorby and remained silent, too.<\/p>\n
The replicator hissed, and a mess of silvery strands spilled into Jim\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hands. Angel hair. And as far as Leonard could tell, its creation hadn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t triggered any kind of cosmic calamity.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Come on,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Jim said and fluttered the glittering filaments at him. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Help us. Serious stuff can wait for once.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d The tension visible around his eyes hinted at how serious that stuff was, and Leonard felt even worse. When had his entire existence turned into such a clusterfuck? Not enough that he felt professionally out of his depth faced with the assorted complications of Vulcan voodoo messing with people who mattered to him, his private life was going to hell in a hand basket. He sucked as a friend; he was a failure as a father; and he had no damn clue what to do with a woman he actually liked<\/i>.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Yes, Daddy!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Joanna begged, voice and eyes bright. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Help us! And we still need candles, Uncle Jim.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The hell of it \u00e2\u20ac\u201c he couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t even remember the last time he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d spent Christmas with his daughter. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Alright, kiddo.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Leonard put down the cold dregs of the eggnog and got up. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s see what we can do.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He held out his hand to Jim.<\/p>\n
When the tree was done, the wonky purple thing<\/i> looked utterly ridiculous \u00e2\u20ac\u201c adorned with silver lights, silver angel hair, fairy tale ornaments (and a black kitten), and green Vulcan gingerbread men.<\/p>\n
They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d actually needed Scotty to make the lights work. Spock, of all people, had declared the situation an Emergency. Jim, of course, had agreed. The idea that Scotty and his girlfriend might have had plans didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seem to occur to him. Somehow the next step in the Christmas drama had involved Elena drafting Carolyn and her father to help with the lights. Why one of the three most brilliant engineers on board insisted on the presence of people who didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have the slightest clue how replicators or LEDs worked, escaped Leonard. But he knew better than to question the logic of women, no matter which department they belonged to. And although Carolyn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s father war out of his depth where replicators were concerned, he could contribute to a discussion of what constituted a good whisky and was happy to do so, too. Currently, Commander Paul was involved in a serious debate of the merits of blended versus single malt with Scotty on the sofa that not even Carolyn dared to disturb. Where the three bottles on the coffee table had come from, Leonard didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want to know. However, when he heard Scotty\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s grand sweeping statement \u00e2\u20ac\u0153that no sane person can drink whiskey<\/i>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, Leonard was ready to intervene. It was his solemn duty as a Georgian country doctor to defend the reputation of bourbon. At the very least, he wanted to steal a drink for himself.<\/p>\n
But at his side, Carolyn laughed softly. She linked her arm with his and drew him a few steps backwards. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Look,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she whispered. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Really look.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Jo and Thorby sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the Christmas tree. Somehow the black Barque kitten Pash-yel had managed to sneak into the captain\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s quarters and was now curled up in Thorby\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lap. The kids weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t touching, but Thorby was leaning his head at exactly the same angle Jo did to admire the Christmas tree.<\/p>\n
Somehow Spock and Jim had managed to fit themselves into one and the same armchair again, defying the laws of physics. The armchair was conveniently pushed back against the wall on the other side of the Christmas tree. Leonard couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t see precisely what the two of them were doing with their hands over there, but he strongly suspected they would be arrested for doing it in a public place on New Vulcan.<\/p>\n
On the couch, Len raised a mug of hot chocolate so liberally laced with Bailey\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s, he wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t sure if the mixture shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be called Bailey\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s with hot chocolate. When Scotty produced a fourth bottle seemingly out of thin air, she rolled her eyes, laughed, and clinked her mug against his tumbler in Christmas cheers. Commander Paul shook his head at their antics but returned the gesture with his own glass. Then he eloquently pointed at the bottle right in front of him. So far, the great whisk(e)y dispute of Christmas 2260 obviously remained unresolved.<\/p>\n
Pash-yel chose that moment to stretch the way only happy kittens can, languid and long, a slender, sleek black question mark, spilling over into Jo\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s lap. His daughter giggled with delight. How he loved that sound.<\/p>\n
He backed away from the scene and leaned against the wall, blinking hard. When a warm hand touched his arm, he wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t surprised to find Carolyn standing there. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She was such a happy little kid,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Leonard whispered, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153all laughter and sunshine and mischief. After the divorce … not so much. Not that I was allowed to visit often enough to know for sure. And last year, I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve heard her laugh like that once.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He shook his head. This was the wrong time and the wrong place to get so maudlin. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Small wonder,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he added. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153She watched her mother die. Was stuck in a hospital for months. First as a patient and then because I only made it outside Starfleet Medical for the custody hearings. But her stepfather didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want her. Can you imagine not wanting her?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Helplessly, he shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153No, I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Carolyn replied. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153And you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re right.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d She smiled, soft and a little bit sad. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sunshine and mischief. That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the best way to describe her. Now,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she asked, briskly, in a tone she must have learned from Christine Chapel. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153How about some mulled wine? Real one, not replicated.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t say no to that,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he admitted. Then he took a deep breath and sat down on the floor next to Jo. She promptly cuddled against him, ignoring Pash-yel\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s protests. The kitten promptly turned his back on her, focusing his attentions on Thorby. Leonard put his arm around his daughter. Against the back of his hand, he could feel the body heat of her little Vulcan Bondmate.<\/p>\n
This was not what he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d wanted for his daughter if he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d been given the choice. Growing up in such a dangerous environment without a mother. Facing the challenges of a difficult relationship before she was a teenager. But of course life didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t work that way. Already Jo wiggled out of his embrace again, her focus on Thorby and the kitten once more. Purrs and giggles mingled.<\/p>\n
Carolyn pressed a hot mug of spice-laced red wine into his hand. Then she settled down next to him with a contented sigh only to curse under her breath when she spilled hot wine over her hand. Watching her lick the red liquid from her skin made him flush with a heat that had nothing to do with alcohol at any temperature.<\/p>\n
What was that Vulcan saying Spock always annoyed Jim with when he was ranting about fate and fairness and the universe and all the rest? Right. Kaiidth<\/i> \u00e2\u20ac\u201c what is, is.<\/p>\n
It could be worse.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Christmas it seems to me is a necessary festival; we require a season when we can regret all the flaws in our human relationships: it is the feast of failure, sad but consoling.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d
\u00e2\u20ac\u201c Graham Greene, Travels With My Aunt<\/i><\/p>\n\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6\u00e2\u2122\u00a6<\/p>\n
\n\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n
Author\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Notes:<\/b><\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 \u00e2\u20ac\u0153veothir s\u00e2\u20ac\u2122thaai\u00e2\u20ac\u009d <\/i>is based on grammar and vocabulary at the Imperial Romulan Language Institute.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Captain Hendrix and Max Jones are textual allusions to “Starman Jones” by Robert A. Heinlein.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Ardbeg is an awesome single malt whisky.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Background information for this chapter can be found in the awesome tie-in stories for \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Resilience of Hope\u00e2\u20ac\u009d: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hope for Tomorrow\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/a> and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153RoH: Lower Decks\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/a> by Aranel Took.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Regret All The Flaws Stardate 2260.359, 1545 hours, Deck 5, Captain\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Office (Christmas Eve) The comm shrilled, disturbing Spock\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s meditation and Jim\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s concentration. He should have been working and had at least progressed to scowling at the first of a … Continue reading