Taking On Responsibility Stardate 2258.29+

That evening during Beta shift the ship finally docked at Starbase 214. It was the last stop before they began to enter into open space. The ship was taking on more supplies. The crew was invited to enjoy the Station as they wanted save for the engineering teams who had to make a few more repairs and adjustments to the ship.

Kirk had gotten up early that morning for a Video meeting with Starfleet. Spock and Elyse were invited as well though she didn’t know it yet. The rest of the crew were considered to be on leave. The Starbase had just about everything. An entertainment quarter that was actually one of the best Starfleet had to offer.

McCoy had a few meetings as well, unfortunately. He wanted to spend some quality time with Elyse and so they had promised to meet for lunch on the promenade. Kirk had reserved a his and her spa day that afternoon with Kaia. It wasn’t something he was normally into but he could see her digging it and he would dig it because she was. Kaia was infectious like that. That and being alone with her in a hot tub and sauna? Um, yeah?

Every other morning Elyse liked to run around deck 6. The hallways were fairly large and consistent to accommodate that. “Make a hole!” She said loudly as two crewmen moved to the sides as she ran past. Spock came over the intercoms.

“Lt. Turner, please report to the ready room...Lt. Turner, please report to the ready room,” he said.

Kaia was looking forward to spending some quality time with Kirk outside of the Enterprise. He had told her that he had a surprise planned for them, but hadn't told her what it was yet. She dressed in civilian clothes, some skinny black jeans, black boots, and an off white tee-shirt. Kirk had told her where and when to meet him when they had communicated privately that morning. 

Elyse enjoyed taking runs around deck 6. She ran every other morning, just as a way to keep in shape and burn off energy. She always felt her mind clear when she ran. A lot of the crew had already left the ship, but there were still a few people left on board. She had just started her final lap when she heard Spock come on over the intercoms. She was surprised when he informed her that she she was to report to the ready room. She wondered what this could be about. She used the turbolift and then walked down to the ready room. She knocked and waited for permission to enter before stepping inside. She found that Spock and Captain Kirk were there. She felt rather embarrassed because she was in her jogging leggings and a Starfleet Academy t-shirt. Her hair was pulled up and she was sweating a little. "Sorry, I was doing a few laps on deck 6."

"Oh, that's alright," Kirk said. "I just wanted to let you know, you've been invited to a Starfleet meeting at 0900 hours on the Station. There's going to be some big brass there and I just didn't want you to be blind-sided. Spock and I will be there. We'll be representing The Enterprise," Kirk said. "That's all..but...It's dress uniform, I'm afraid. There will be several Admirals there," Kirk said. Elyse could tell he wanted to say more but he didn't for some reason. Spock's face was as neutral as a stone.

Elyse just looked at both Kirk and Spock for a moment as she tried to figure out what was going on. She was being invited to a Starfleet meeting? Why? When they didn't say anything more she just nodded. "Ok. I'll be there. I should go change then." She looked back over at Kirk and Spock as she left the ready room. She went back to her quarters to get changed. As she put on her dress uniform she started to feel nervous. She left the ship and headed to where the meeting was taking place on the station.

There was a man there waiting already in his dress uniform. White and Gray and by his rank, he was An Admiral. He looked familiar but she couldn't quite place him. He had graying hair and was fairly tall though thin. Elyse's dress uniform was a Gray coat with matching skirt with black boots. The admiral's clothes were dark gray and white. Two other officers appeared but she didn't know them, both men and both Captains. Time seemed to move slowly as Kirk and Spock arrived in their dress Grays. She saw that Spock had something in his hand but she didn't get a good look at it when the doors were opened. They were led in and the room was smaller than she would have assumed. The table was crescent shaped and there were about 12 chairs.

"Admiral," Kirk said as the men began to shake hands. "Admiral Adler, this is Lt. Elyse Turner," Kirk said. Elyse's uniform had her commendations on it just like Kirk, Spock and the others did. Kirk had several awards, more than she would have assumed for someone so young. "So, this is Turner's daughter, well, I should have known," He said with a smile. "So, you're a chip off your ole man's shoulder, aren't ya?" Alder said as he shook her hand.

Captain Kirk had warned her that there were going to be Admirals there, but she still felt nervous when she walked in. Of course she had grown up around Captains and Admirals her entire life, but this was different. She wasn't a child. She was an adult in Starfleet now and her family was counting on her to maintain the reputation of their family. 

Finally, Captain Kirk and Spock arrived. Elyse saw that Spock had something in his hand, but she couldn't see what it was. She waited while Kirk and the Admiral shook hands and then Kirk introduced her. The name sounded very familiar and she remembered her father had spoken about Admiral Adler. Elyse smiled and felt her cheeks flush a little at the compliment. "That is a high compliment Admiral, but I'm doing my best to make him proud."

"Quite right," Adler said. Kirk pointed to a seat between himself and Spock when she was free and Alder decided to let her go and sit while the video screen turned on. There were 6 Admirals in the front row then dozens of high ranking officers behind them. Out of the corner of her eye on the left, she saw her father.

"Admiral Pike, did we want to get started?" Admiral East asked. "Captain Kirk, Spock, it's always good to see you. I see you arrived at Starbase 214. You have my sympathies for the death of one of your officers. But your report on the Klingon ships and their cloaking abilities is invaluable," he said.

Elyse stepped away from Admiral Adler and took the seat between Spock and Kirk. As the video screen turned on she saw 6 Admirals in the first row and then dozens of high ranking officers behind them. As her eyes scanned across the screen she suddenly spotted her father towards the left hand side of the screen. She still had no idea what this was all about and why she had been asked to join them, unless it was because they knew her father would be there, but even so she wasn't certain that was the reason. She remained quiet as Admiral Pike began to speak and listened to what was being said.

"We're ready," One of the Admirals said. "Ok, Well, we are all gathered here today to honor one of our own. His family has been an institution of excellence for generations," he said. Kirk smiled at Elyse as they went into the exploits of Captain Idris Turner. The whole speech took about 30 minutes.

"So, without further ado, I'd like to promote Captain Turner with the rank of Admiral," Pike said as everyone stood and began to clap for him. Everyone in the room with Elyse did as well.

As what was happening for her father dawned on Elyse a smile crept over her face and stayed there. Of course she had heard many of the stories that were told, but hearing them told by someone other than her father brought a fresh perspective. Her father always downplayed his actions, but from what was being said her father was a real hero (although she had always known that). By the end of the speech Elyse had tears in her eyes and she wiped them away as she began to clap for him.

Idris shook each of the Admirals hands and he, himself looked like his eyes were watering a little. The moment was a special one and everyone was absolutely thrilled that it was happening to such a fine man and Officer. Eventually the applause ended and he was able to say something.

"To everyone assembled, to Starfleet, to my wife, my family...Elyse, I see you there," he said and pointed at her. "I am humbled...truly humbled by this. I won't downplay my exploits. I've done the best I could in the best manner I know how. I didn't always succeed but each time I fell down, I picked myself up and kept going. And that kind of perseverance is a cornerstone to every good starfleet officer. I am proud of the life i've lived and of the friends I've made. I will continue to do my best in this new post," Idris said. Everyone applauded him again and he moved back to sit down.

Elyse had never seen her father cry before, but she saw he was close to it in that moment. She knew her mother was probably in the audience and she bet that she was crying. Her mother had served as a Starfleet officer, which is how they had met. However, she had been injured and nearly killed during a mission and decided to take an Instructor position at the Academy. That meant that she and her husband were separated for long periods of time and she knew that they missed each other. Now though, they would be able to spend more time together and that made Elyse happy.

"Captain Kirk, you wanted to say a few words?" Captain Pike said. "Ah, yes, I did," Kirk said as he stood. "First of all I want to thank you all for giving me and my crew this opportunity. I know how important this mission is and we will do the best that we can on our 5 year mission. But there is one problem. I am lacking in ranking officers," Kirk said then looked at Admiral Turner and gestured. The admiral stood.

"Quite right but I've been authorized to remedy that. "Lt. Turner, please stand," he said. When she looked around like a deer caught in headlights then stood everyone held back a chuckle.

"Lt. Elyse Turner..you're out of uniform!" Her father snapped. "Captain," Turner said as Spock stood and moved in front of Elyse. He opened the case and Elyse saw Lt. Commander pips in there. "By the authority invested in me as Admiral of the 6th fleet, I hereby promote, Lt. Elyse Turner to Lt. Commander," he said. His face was one, huge smile as everyone rose and clapped for her as Spock put on her new rank. "Congratulations Commander," Spock said. Captain Kirk hugged her and then shook her hand. Congratulations Commander Turner, you've earned it," he said.

Elyse was shocked as she was asked to stand by her father. She stood up and blinked in surprise when he said she was out of uniform. She knew that she was in uniform so she didn't understand what was happening. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Kirk trying to hold back a smile. As Spock moved and stood in front of her, he opened a case and Elyse saw Lt. Commander pips before her. Her head started to spin then. This was a serious promotion and the fact that her father had been the one to give it to her meant a lot. She held back tears as Spock put on her new rank. She hugged her Captain back and told herself to breathe as the reality of what had just happened sank in. "Thank you Captain."

The meeting wound down and eventually they all stood and then dismissed. Admiral Adler remained for an Admirals meeting but Kirk, Spock and Elyse stood outside the conference room as the other Captains left. "Go ahead Elyse, enjoy the Station. And, just so you know, you're number 2 on the ship after Spock," Kirk said and he and Spock moved away and left her to her own designs.

Kaia was waiting for Kirk in the spot where he told her to meet him. He was running a few minutes late, but that didn't surprise her. Kirk enjoyed showing up late. She smiled as she remembered the first time they met. They did a sim together and Kirk was almost 10 minutes late. She was really curious to know what the surprise was that Kirk said he had planned for them. Just the thought of spending time with him made her happy. She looked around then then spotted him walking towards her. She smiled at him. "You wouldn't be the James T. Kirk I know if you weren't always a few minutes late."

"Ofcourse not," he said and, after he took a brief look around he kissed her. It was a quick kiss but he did kiss her in the open. They walked through the promenade and it was packed with people. Men, women and children from many different races. There were starfleet uniformed personnel but mostly just civilians. Kirk and Kaia were dressed in civilian clothes. Kirk wore black denim pants, Dark blue, long-sleeved shirt. He still wore his communicator in his pack pocket. There were vendors and artists and shops of all kinds. There were bars and restaurants and the smells made their mouths water. Finally they arrived at the place he wanted. It was a Vulcan spa called Uzhau, which meant Relax or relief in English.

Kirk looked at her with that knowing smile. "Well, here we are. I hope you don't mind, I registered us as a couple," Kirk said.

Kaia was pleasantly surprised when Kirk kissed her out in the open like he did, but he did make sure that no one from their crew was around first. They walked together through the promenade. They didn't hold hands, but they walked close together and talked as they passed by various vendors and artists. There were lots of bars and restaurants and Kaia decided that they would need to visit at least one before they left. Kaia still wasn't sure where they were going, but when they paused in front of a Vulcan spa a smile grew on her face. It grew even more when Kirk told her he had registered them as a couple.

"No, I don't mind at all."

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Scarlett Wright had been doing micro organism research on Beta Circini 3 for the past 2 years. She had graduated from the Starfleet Academy at a younger age than most graduates as she had entered the Academy at a younger age. Scarlett had excelled in all of her classes, but where she shone was in science and mathematics, which was unsurprising considering that her parents were a Physics and Mathematics Professors at Columbia University in New York City. Scarlett had been enrolled at Columbia University first when she met and fell in love with a young man named Scott Blake. However, when she found out he was cheating on her, Scarlett applied to Starfleet to get as far away from him as possible. It was at Starfleet that Scarlett met and became a mentee of Spock. The pair shared a special friendship and Scarlett became one of Spocks top students. She hadn't seen Spock in several years, although she knew he was serving on the USS Enterprise now as Chief Science Officer and second in command under Captain Kirk. 

Scarlett's research project was winding down and she was starting to seek new opportunities. She had needed a break from Beta Circini 3 and so she had come to the station for some much needed rest and relaxation. She had gotten some food from a vendor and was sitting at one of the tables near the promenade. She was watching the people pass by as she ate.

Spock actually liked the noise. He would never admit it though. A walk around the promenade was an indulgence that he normally never would take. His human side made him miss his mother a great deal. Another thing he'd never admit along with a host of other things. He was about to sit at an open cafe when he saw a familiar face looking at him. Across the way, Scarlett Wright was looking at him. He hadn't seen her since he mentored her at the academy. There was a bloom of emotion that struck him though his expression hadn't changed at all. He decided to go over and talk to and find out what she was doing here.

"Lieutenant Wright, It is...favorable to see you. May I...join you?" Spock asked. Seeing her was indeed a surprise and she hadn't changed at all.

Scarlett smiled at Spock as he approached her table. It was impossible not to recognize him and he hadn't changed at all in the time since she had last seen him. "Not at all," she replied and Spock took a seat. "I heard the Enterprise had arrived at the station and wondered if I might see you. It's wonderful to see you again. Have you been well?"

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Kaia was excited about the spa. She and Kirk were checked in and then sent back to change. They were led back to the hot tub first and given beverages. They were alone in the room and Kaia smiled at Kirk. "I can't believe you arranged this."

"Oh? Why? I...enjoy a bit of pampering, don't you?" he asked. He set their drinks in the drink holders and then moved and undid Kaia's robe tie from behind. As he pulled it off of her shoulders he kissed her right shoulder. "And maybe, I just want to pamper you," Kirk said as he shifted the robe out of her arms and laid it over the back of a chair. She was completely exposed to him and he kissed her neck and she felt him remove his own robe and set it upon the first. She felt his hands upon her. First at her neck then she felt his body contact hers from behind and his hands moved down to her breasts.

He decided not to do more, not yet. He wanted to lounge in the hot tub with her. He took her hand and led her down into the large tub and then followed her down. The jets undulated the water and created a soothing foam at the surface. The heat of the water was sudden and relaxing and he pulled her to sit upon his lap as he sat on the inside edge of the tub. He let her get comfortable on him. To lay her head back on his shoulder and enjoy the soothing waters. He held her by her waste and closed his eyes. He felt her body loosen even as he held her. "I love you Kaia," Kirk whispered.

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"I have. The Enterprise is about to embark on a long mission. As you know the war with the Klingons has been...difficult. We've been tasked with trying to make...new friends," he said with a raised eyebrow. "And...you Scarlett, what have you been up to as of late? I must admit, I've...lost touch on your career. You must tell me about what you've been doing," Spock said.

Kaia smiled as she sensed Kirk come up to her from behind. She felt his hands slowly reach around to undo her robe tie. The robe began to slip off of her shoulders and when Kirk kissed her right shoulder she closed her eyes at the feeling. The robe slipped off of her body and then she felt Kirk remove his. Feeling his body against her own and his hands on her breasts made her sigh softly out of content.

She allowed Kirk to lead her into the hot tub and he followed her down. He pulled her down onto his lap and she felt his arms slip around her waist to hold her. She laid her head back upon his shoulder as she settled against him. "I love you too James...so much."

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Scarlett smiled when Spock asked her about her career. "Oh, well it's extremely glamorous," she joked. "For the past two years I have been studying micro organisms on Beta Circini 3 and writing a detailed paper about them that's about to be published. The project is over though so I'm not really sure what I'm going to do next. I've had several offers, but none of them have really grabbed me."

“Fascinating. I look forward to reading your paper,” he said and saw the way she was looking at him. Spock looked down at the table. “I don’t expect you to forgive me or to understand why I didn’t say goodbye. I felt...I felt doing what I did would have spared you...unnecessary emotion “ Spock said. He was not good at talking like this. And his relationship with Scarlett was far from proper. He had been her mentor. They never...had sex but they had shared intimate moments and he knew full well how she had felt about him. And he had just left without saying goodbye.

Seeing Spock again had brought up quite a few unresolved emotions for Scarlett. She and Spock had engaged in a secret relationship while at the Academy. It had been extremely improper since he was her mentor, but they shared a connection that had been undeniable. They had not engaged in sexual activity, although they had come close right before he had left to be apart of the Enterprise. He had left without saying goodbye and had not been there to see her graduate. She thought about the morning she had woken up and heard that he had just left. She had been extremely upset. The smile that she had had a few minutes ago was gone and she looked at him and then away. As Spock looked more closely he would see the Vulcan necklace he had given her two days before he had left. She still wore it and had never taken it off.

“Unnecessary emotion? Believe me Spock there was necessary emotion connected with that event.”

Spock shifted his eyes up to meet hers. She had said once that she loved his eyes. They were large and dark and she loved them. “You’re angry, that was not my intention,” Spock said. Scarlett was a very beautiful woman and more than once she had ‘affected’ him. She had done a lot to try and get him to show her how he felt. Once she had taken her sweatshirt off and wasn’t wearing a bra. She knew then that Spock had emotions. She felt it and that reaction to her was a huge boost to her self esteem. Especially when he had touched her.

“So, you have completed your study?” Spock asked to change the subject. “I ask because the Enterprise lost a good science officer recently,” he said