captain_jtkirk | .004

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.004 - video

I don't think these things are malfunctioning at all but if it's just an excuse to roll call, then I'm Captain James T. Kirk. My friends call me Jim.

[He tips the communicator to the side, and there's Spock. Looking stoic as always.]

And that's Spock. Don't worry kids, he always looks like that. He won't bite.

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I am certain. We are already aware that there are phenomena that can alter the timeline, this is merely another.

[He would have, but it would have been for sentimental reasons. Sometimes that's the bad thing about growing up in the society he did, you toss out the good with the bad when it comes to sentiment.]

I will be returned to the precise point in time from whence I left. If you are from further down the timeline, I request you not divulge any information.

[Sulu already did and while he can accept that, he doesn't think he'll be able to stop himself from asking if he sees she's been hurt by something that happens.]

[She nods her head once.]

Of course. When you're returned, will you remember the time you spent away? Is there any way I can determine which of us is further along by observing the you that's still here?

[Or, you know, they could trade stardates. But that would be easy, and then the logical thing would be to stop talking for fear of saying something one of them shouldn't. And this... feels strange. She just saw him, but he appears to have not seen her in quite a while. She doesn't want to deprive him of a link to their life on Enterprise. Perhaps to a reminder of what he's working to keep safe?

She's not sure if he'd call her assumption of her own importance in this equation arrogance or common sense. That actually makes her smile.]

[To him, it's common sense. He is not quite used to that yet, but it is.]

Mr. Sulu informs me that it is you who is further down the timeline. I have not been briefed on the Enterprise's current mission or the circumstances surrounding it.

[Whatever she chooses to tell him (or not), he will trust her discretion.]

I think it's entirely possible that someone up the chain of command just wanted to get Kirk away from the cameras and reporters at the press conferences. Not that I don't appreciate it. My cheeks were beginning to hurt.

[The brave heroes. Pride of the Federation. It had soured in her stomach, after a while. Kids, almost every one of them. Scared and desperate, in the right wrong place at the not quite worst time. They weren't necessarily heroes because they were the best. They were heroes because they were the only ones left. She doesn't see that as a victory.

But it's easier to handle, here, in space. It's easier to pretend that there's a fleet out there somewhere, that they aren't quite as alone as she feels.]

But I think we can both agree on the prudence of no details.

[Call her on this, and she will not be happy, but she reaches out and lays two fingertips against the screen, on the edge of Spock's cheek.]

[He nods. She has always understood perfectly - always. It is... relieving, and his shoulders shift subtly, as though a weight has been lifted from them.]

We can.

[Very briefly, he rests two of his own fingers where hers are, on the screen, before his arm falls to his side.]

[It's brief, and all she can feel under her fingertips is the smooth surface of the screen. But that isn't the point, is it? They can look at each other and speak volumes. Physical contact is secondary. For someone like Uhura, it took a long time to learn that, to learn how precious such a connection could be.]

You do realize that this leaves us in the extremely rare situation of you bearing the burden of conversation?

[See? They're fine. Totally fine. They will talk and she will lightly tease and he will do everything to maintain his straight face, and they will be fine.

Her hand drops, but the smile stays.]

Tell me about The Barge.

[He tilts his head to the side, and smiles, in his own way.]

It is a most fascinating vessel. There are cultures from the far future, as well as the distant past. I have not yet been able to meet all the passengers.

It sounds exciting. Aren't you worried about contaminating the timeline yourself when you get back?

[It sounds like a very real risk. She's sure that Spock has the discipline to refrain from conversing with anyone who poses a danger in that regard, but surely not everyone on board is so careful. They took Kirk, after all.]

[It is a very real risk and Sulu just proved why :c]

I have taken steps to ensure this will not be the case.

Of course you have.

[Coming from anyone else, it might sound doubting, sarcastic, but Uhura means it. Her faith in Spock, while not unshakable, has areas of extreme certainty just as vast as the areas of doubt. The things she believes he can do, she believes absolutely.]

Are you getting along with the people around you? It's been a long time since you've had to socialize on your own.

[She knows Kirk is there. He doesn't count. He has all the subtlety of a photon torpedo.]

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