Story [Star Trek] An Unofficial Captain's Log. (DDC2015) Complete & AN 01/03/16.

Two scoundrels relishing in their ways with their women.

 

Jim Kirk is a lucky man

It's nice that he has no problem with his best friend dating a sort-of ex!

 

I saw Areel Shaw at a recent stopover. She helped me in my legal studies courses. Translated the more esoteric legalese. She was an attractive Ethics and Legal Studies specialist who also presided over special investigations.

We had casually dated, that is - went to dinner and the theater. Mostly combining pleasure with academic stuff.

Her warm clear eyes were full of surprised pleasure as she greeted me.

The Base we were on was in close proximity to a large cluster of natural satellites which rose and set at varying times. The planet they were attached to gravitationally thus was treated to quite a luminary display nightly.

"Areel, you're looking wonderful!"

"And you're as fit as ever." She grinned, clasping my hand briefly.

We caught up on former mutual classmates. I asked her about her brother Kyle and sister Vivien.

She tucked her arm in mine in a friendly fashion and we made our way to the cluster of vendors on the mezanine.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Audrey at a stand selling hot stuffed pastries.

I made my way over and introduced Areel and Audrey.

"Areel kept me from literally flunking out," I confessed, and Areel laughed.

Audrey was studying Areel with deep speculation.

"Audrey, do you mind splitting that with me? It looks delicious." I asked.

"Hmm! Get your own." She teased and broke off a section.

The pastry was flaky and filled with a Marinera sauce and vegetables and meats.

"It was fortunate personally and professionally when Audrey was able to get reassigned after a temporary berth away." I told Areel. "She is a valuable asset to the crew and the only one who is able to keep me sane and on-track."

Areel beamed with genuine pleasure at hearing this. We chatted amicably and then she excused herself.

**

Audrey was thoughtfully quiet as we took a stroll in one of the done-up park-like areas.

I asked her what she was thinking.

"The way you described me to Ms. Shaw." She replied. "It was so natural, so hand in glove." Her eyes shone. "You could have been heavy handed or minimized things, but you struck the right balance."

I grinned. "Glad to hear it."

"I think you're really serious ... not that you weren't before, but for keeps and always." She observed.

I smiled with a wink. "Looks like."

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nice to see Areel in this

 

Areel sounds like a nice sweetie.

 

So, despite the fact that I promised myself that for Audrey's sake I'd be more careful - I still wind up in the medward more often than either of us would like. She scowled at me and fussed & I knew it was out of concern and affection. "You really need to stop rushing headlong into situations Jim."

"Audrey ..." I said giving her my most innocent look.

"Can you tell me honestly that I'm wrong?"

"No, not really."

"Good!" She said with a triumphant smile. There was a pause. "You will irregardless though won't you."

"I don't go looking for trouble."

"No it finds you!" She rolled her eyes and finally laughed. "Nerf herder."

I laughed. "Thanks for the compliment."

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James Nerf-herder Kirk reporting for duty.

 

The Nerfherder should meet the Star Wars fans in the medbay 'less' often

 

It so transfers onto the inimitable Solo as well, Don't go looking it just finds me.

 

I don't believe that he doesn't go looking for trouble

 

Insubordination - I prefer to call it on the scene resourcefulness. It is all very well for theoreticians and stylus pushers to moan and grouse about regulations whereas I have to deal in contingencies & every-in-flux situations. Some of the higher-ups are more flexible and realistic & I like working with them & I will take their admonitions and directives more in stride and with more advisement than some others. Nogura and Noguchi are two such examples, as was Pike. Strangely, as I commented to McCoy on one occasion, the more inflexible ones seem to be women. McCoy called it power tripping or a bit of reverse self-image, where they had low self-esteem than was warranted so compensated by becoming dogmatic & autocratic.

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Kirk is going where none has gone before and has to bend the rules. And on women

 

LOL Until he finds the one the first, last, and only.

 

Insubordination - I prefer to call it on the scene resourcefulness.

Of course

 

I don't understand why Areel beamed with pleasure at a compliment aimed at Audrey?

 

Hi there. A good question! She and Jim dated a bit but were friends more than anything else. That's why she was happy he had found someone to love and be with. The equivalent of Jim is growing up and committed to someone who makes him happy. Areel was not, and probably never would have, saw Audrey as a competitor for Jim's affections.

 

Cool. Good explanation.

That log entry was very good. Nice little extra bit, the pastry breaking encounter.

 

Using "Stroll in a Garden"

~!

Audrey ran into a former love while we were on Xanos V. They went for a stroll in one of the botanical gardens to catch up. At least I hoped that was all they were doing. Her elation and surprise at running into Vaughn again had been undisguised.

So, later after the shore leave was concluded, I asked her over scones & cream: "What was that you were talking about?"

My tone was casual and yet she still caught an undercurrent.

"Jim, it was just catching up on where we both are and reminiscing about old times. Like you would with an acquaintance or friend you hadn't seen in a long time and encountered unexpectedly." She reached for a second scone. "I told him I was with someone special and ..."

I felt relief and gladness. Not that I didn't trust her, but she was not obliged to disclose such things spontaneously. "You think I was going to rush off with him like a foolish adolescent?" Audrey teased laughing. "He's not my type. He's too self-absorbed, for one thing. I found that out when we were involved years ago."

"Hmmm. Am I your type, then?"

"You'd better be." She grinned. "You're stuck with me."

We laughed.

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Audrey sure can tease Kirk

 

I have no fond memories of the Guardian of Forever. Not one ... no oversight to guard against inadvertent or unscrupulous use... Timestreams that can be turned on their heads in a blink!

It did make me grateful for the time I am inhabiting and for the second chance Audrey has given me. She could have tossed me over or said too bad, you had your chance. I can't say what small gestures must've won her over, but I was nothing if not honest when I said I never stopped caring for her, not for a moment.

So it was only with a tiny qualm of uncertainty that I "popped" the big question!

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