“I can keep the wolves at bay while we travel at a pace your ship can
handle.” He smiled again, this time the cocky grin of a young captain, his
eyes sparking. “They owe me that much for saving the galaxy, again.” The
look Spock had beside him was very near rolling his eyes - as close as a
Vulcan might get anyways. Kirk just continued to look pleased with himself
as he glanced at his Number One. “What? We might as well play off the good
will while I still have it.”
Which seemed to signal the end of the meeting as both men rose. They shook
hands with Pike and the other Spock, and after a quick conversation over
the comms, it was determined that McCoy would remain on the ship to help
with the injured and his slightly more advanced Medical supplies. That he
was his usual growly, quippish self suggested he had seen nothing
suspicious while they were talking, which soothed Kirk’s nerves further.
Questions still rattled his brain, a million at a time. He had wanted to
ask them all in the meeting, to reach out and really touch the man who said
he was Pike, whom he believed was a Pike. But there was a mission right now
- get this ship to safety. He needed to complete that mission, and his
personal desires could come after. But god it had been hard not to cry, to
bleat out all the apologies and the sorries he had kept inside after the
attack. Blaming himself for many years, even now. This Pike could not offer
him absolution, he knew that. But it still felt like a small chance, a new
chance to get closure.
Spock had merely squeezed his shoulder as they rode back up to the deck,
and he gave his number one a grateful smile before returning to business as
they stepped onto the command deck, barking his orders to get ready to
guide the Discovery to Yorktown.
That bit of travel, at least, was uneventful, though he liked to think that
the sight of Yorktown would prove impressive to their new residents (and he
was sure Sulu would be excited to get time with his family again, he could
see the man shifting slightly in his seat in that way that indicated his
excitement over something).
Calls to Command were made, explaining the situation. There was disbelief,
but also a sort of resignation over believing it to be true because of who
he was. He had a habit and reputation of bringing these sorts of things to
their doorstep after all. He requested a short shore leave for his own
people as well, and repairs to his ship, minor though they were. Might as
well while they were here, after all. Transports were dispatched, and Kirk
along with his upper command team went to meet them, along with those of
the Discovery. Debriefs all around before shore leave, of course. An
annoyance, but more or less routine for Kirk himself.
By the time Pike would be released from his, Kirk was waiting outside of
Yorktown HQ, dressed down in his civies - white T-shirt, leather jacket,
jeans, boots. He would never admit he had been waiting there for the better
half of Pike’s debriefing, almost nervously pacing. Most people thought he
was awaiting his lover by the cute smiles he kept being shot. It felt
almost that nerve wracking, the barrier of a mission removed, nothing to
brace himself against as he prepared to meet Christopher Pike for the
second time that day.
no subject
“I can keep the wolves at bay while we travel at a pace your ship can handle.” He smiled again, this time the cocky grin of a young captain, his eyes sparking. “They owe me that much for saving the galaxy, again.” The look Spock had beside him was very near rolling his eyes - as close as a Vulcan might get anyways. Kirk just continued to look pleased with himself as he glanced at his Number One. “What? We might as well play off the good will while I still have it.”
Which seemed to signal the end of the meeting as both men rose. They shook hands with Pike and the other Spock, and after a quick conversation over the comms, it was determined that McCoy would remain on the ship to help with the injured and his slightly more advanced Medical supplies. That he was his usual growly, quippish self suggested he had seen nothing suspicious while they were talking, which soothed Kirk’s nerves further.
Questions still rattled his brain, a million at a time. He had wanted to ask them all in the meeting, to reach out and really touch the man who said he was Pike, whom he believed was a Pike. But there was a mission right now - get this ship to safety. He needed to complete that mission, and his personal desires could come after. But god it had been hard not to cry, to bleat out all the apologies and the sorries he had kept inside after the attack. Blaming himself for many years, even now. This Pike could not offer him absolution, he knew that. But it still felt like a small chance, a new chance to get closure.
Spock had merely squeezed his shoulder as they rode back up to the deck, and he gave his number one a grateful smile before returning to business as they stepped onto the command deck, barking his orders to get ready to guide the Discovery to Yorktown.
That bit of travel, at least, was uneventful, though he liked to think that the sight of Yorktown would prove impressive to their new residents (and he was sure Sulu would be excited to get time with his family again, he could see the man shifting slightly in his seat in that way that indicated his excitement over something).
Calls to Command were made, explaining the situation. There was disbelief, but also a sort of resignation over believing it to be true because of who he was. He had a habit and reputation of bringing these sorts of things to their doorstep after all. He requested a short shore leave for his own people as well, and repairs to his ship, minor though they were. Might as well while they were here, after all. Transports were dispatched, and Kirk along with his upper command team went to meet them, along with those of the Discovery. Debriefs all around before shore leave, of course. An annoyance, but more or less routine for Kirk himself.
By the time Pike would be released from his, Kirk was waiting outside of Yorktown HQ, dressed down in his civies - white T-shirt, leather jacket, jeans, boots. He would never admit he had been waiting there for the better half of Pike’s debriefing, almost nervously pacing. Most people thought he was awaiting his lover by the cute smiles he kept being shot. It felt almost that nerve wracking, the barrier of a mission removed, nothing to brace himself against as he prepared to meet Christopher Pike for the second time that day.