Return to Valjiir Stories
After allowing the unrestrained conversation for some time, Admiral Bradigan rapped his knuckles on his desk. "Gentlemen, you've only got two weeks to get your crews together. Starfleet has taken the unprecedented step of allowing you to hand-pick as much of your Senior Staffs as you wish, and we'll do our best to accommodate any other transfer requests you wish to make. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to submit names for your ships, since this a brand new class."
Spock spoke first. "I would like to keep the name Enterprise, if at all possible," he said.
Jim glanced at him, a little surprised. "Why, Spock?" he asked.
"First, it was my first command, and a difficult one, and I would like to redeem my association with it. Second, there has been an Enterprise in Fleet's registry for over three hundred years. Thirdly, I intend to ask Mr. Scott to be my Chief of Engineering, and it seems a fitting tribute, since he was with the Constitution-class Enterprise from the beginning as well."
"Taking Bones and Scotty, hmm?" Jim returned with a small frown.
"There are, at present, only three engineers I would consider suited to such a position," Spock explained. "Neither of the other two choices are feasible ones."
"Other two..." Jade began.
"Jilla and Del," Ruth answered.
"Ah," Jade said, nodding. "Logical." She looked up at Jim. "Is Commander DelMonde an adequate choice, Captain?"
"Eminently," Jim replied. "And Spock is right, I can't very well take Mrs. Majiir, can I?"
Sulu grinned, his eyes still shining.
"I think, then," Jim went on, pursing his lips, "That with Fleet's permission, I'd like the flagship to be...." He paused, then nodded. "Yes. Lincoln."
"The U.S.S. Lincoln," Bradigan mused. "Lincoln-class Heavy Cruisers. Great choice, Jim." He turned to Sulu. "Captain?"
The Asian laughed. "Hell if I know, Poul. I hadn't even considered it!"
"Well, do so, son. You've only got a couple of days. The hulls have to be stenciled and the ident beams registered.
"James, can we ask Dr. M'Benga to be my..." Jade began on top of Ruth's "Daffy's gonna plotz when I tell her..." on top of Jim's "I think Commander Uhura deserves a shot at..." on top of Sulu's "Hon, I'm gonna ask Jerel Courtland to..."
"Enough!" Bradigan ordered good naturedly. "Give me your lists when you have them and we'll get working on it." He stood up very straight, and executed a smart salute. Immediately, Jim, Spock and Sulu did the same. "Congratulations, Captains. Now get the hell out of my office."
"Hey, let's all have breakfast together," Ruth said as the three couples strolled through the corridors of the Shipyards. "I'm starving! We can fight over personnel!"
"And discuss wedding plans," Jade put in.
"Oh, yeah, I almost forgot. Mazel tov. So what's the deal so far?"
"So far," Jade returned, "there's already a wrinkle."
"Robyn Thomas can't make it," Jim supplied.
"Who?" Ruth asked.
"A good friend of mine, a psycho-cin technician from Jude," Jade answered. "She was going to be one of my bridesmaids."
"One of? How many we talkin' here?"
They reached the mess and conversation stopped while they all got trays of food. Both Sulu and Ruth grabbed an entire pot of coffee each to bring to the table. Once they were all seated, Jade couldn't help but make note of the eclectic array of food; a huge slab of steak for Ruth, an elaborate omelet with toast for Sulu, ham, fried eggs and hash browns for Jim. Spock had a fruit compote, a whole-grain bagel, and a cup of herbal tea. Jilla had chosen oatmeal, apple and cinnamon from the aroma. Jade herself had a short stack of strawberry pancakes.
Ruth devoured the entire steak and was eyeing the serving line before speaking again. "So, I know my strong, wonderful husband is Best Man - and oh boy, is he ever - no offense, Bwana, Roy."
"None taken," Jim returned mildly. Sulu only snorted.
"And I'm guessing from the Beta Niobe Nova of delight over here that Jilla's Maid of Honor..."
"Matron," Jade corrected.
"Ew, that sounds so old," Ruth commented, her nose wrinkling. "And I can make a educated conjecture about Bones, so you'd need somebody to stand with him, which is where the wrinkle comes in." She poured herself a cup of coffee, then scowled as Jilla took the pot, refilling cups all around. "You're not anybody's real mother, Jilla," she said.
"But she is a proper wife," Sulu put in, smiling warmly at her.
"Speaking of proper wives," Spock interrupted smoothly, "I wish to inform you all that Ruth now is." Everyone's attention swung to the Vulcan. He was gazing with clear affection and pride at Ruth, who was likewise grinning at him. "The formal mok farr link was set yesterday by Healer T'Pen at the Vulcan Embassy in Tunisia."
Both Jilla and Sulu were out of their chairs, Jilla embracing Ruth with a delighted, "I'm so happy for you!" and Sulu actually hugging Spock.
"Congratulations!" he said exuberantly.
Jim and Jade exchanged surprised looks when Spock returned the gesture by grasping Sulu's forearms. "I understand your joy, my friend," the Vulcan murmured, "And your certainty."
Something unnamed but very personal passed between the two men, then Sulu said, "You know that if things had turned out differently, I would have been honored to serve as your First Officer."
"Immediately stating that Ruth would hold both jobs effectively cut off that option for Starfleet," Spock said, "and while I am certain our wives would have enjoyed continuing to serve together, I much prefer facilitating another worthy captaincy."
Sulu shrugged, but he was smiling. "Well, we all have to grow up sometime. And I'll bet that with Valjiir, we'll be seeing enough of each other anyway."
"Ahem," Jade cleared her throat. "Can we get back to my wedding, please?"
Sulu and Jilla both returned to their seats, though Jade noted that Jilla was still holding tightly to Ruth's hand. "Okay," Sulu said, taking a gulp of coffee, "Robyn can't make it and you need someone to step out to even up the numbers. No problem, Jade. I think I'm gonna be a little busy picking a crew, a name, packing, moving..."
"Wait, I'm still only on a partner for Bones," Ruth put in.
"I asked Jilla, Robyn, Uhura, Daffy..." Jade began.
"Daffy?" Ruth interrupted with a pout. "Daffy gets picked before me?"
Sulu leaned over to her. "Only so she can claim you're still following her everywhere," he chuckled.
"No, angel," Jim soothed. "Daffy got picked because I wanted Chekov."
"And if you'd bothered to check your messages, I only left seventeen asking you," Jade returned.
Ruth shrugged. "So I was busy."
"So don't get on your high-horse about it."
Ruth eyed the doctor. "You've spent way too much time around Bones, shrink."
"At any rate," Jade continued, nonplussed, "the idea was to have Jilla stand with Spock, you with Sulu, Uhura with Leonard, and Robyn with Scotty..
"It goes unsaid that Daffy and Pavel would stand together," Sulu put in.
"Unless Jade wants a riot at her wedding," Ruth rejoined.
".. and now that Robyn can't make it..."
"I've already said I'll stand out, Jade," Sulu told her.
"Move Scotty to Uhura so I can stand with Bones and you're all set," Ruth said blithely.
"Except you haven't been fitted for a dress yet," Jade said with a frown.
"They are very beautiful, Ruth," Jilla added as a scowl began to cross the Antari's features.
"Really? Not the ‘oh-my-god-I-have-to-actually-wear-this-horrible-example-of-the-bride's-bizarrely-mutated-taste-and-pretend-I-like-it kind of beautiful?"
"It's stunning," Sulu assured, but he was smiling at Jilla.
Jim suddenly leaned over to Jade, whispering into her ear. Her eyebrows rose, her glance flickering to Sulu. Then a smile slowly spread across her face, and she nodded. Jim sat up, grinning.
"Sulu," he began, "I'm sure you know that a captain on active duty on his own ship can perform wedding ceremonies. I can think of no better way to start the command of the Nests than by doing just that. If we can get permission to hold our wedding aboard the NCC 1902, will you do us the honor of joining us in matrimony?"
Sulu blinked. "Me?"
"Well, since you can't stand in the ceremony," Jade said, "and we still haven't found either an officiator or a venue..."
"This kind of kills two birds with one stone," Jim completed.
"Come on, do it, Roy," Ruth urged.
"It does seem fitting, Sulu," Spock added.
"I - I don't know what to say," Sulu returned. "If that's what you both want..."
"We do," Jim and Jade said together.
"That part comes later," Ruth quipped.
"...then I'd be honored," Sulu finished. "Thank you, Jim. Thank you, Jade."
"Now you have to come up with a good name so they can put it in the wedding announcement," Ruth said happily.
"And Dave Calvin will be thrilled," Jim added, then grinned apologetically at his bride, ignoring the groans from Sulu and Ruth. "You said it was inevitable, sweetheart."
Jade sighed. "So I did, James. So I did."
"Oh Daf-fy..."
Gollub turned at the sing-song voice that called to her from the corridor outside the turbolift. Chekov had insisted on checking on the progress of the Nests and Daffy had just as firmly insisted that she come along "Just in case you had any thought about changing our living assignments," the chemist had said.
"As if I would survive such a thing," Pavel had muttered, but his brown eyes had been smiling.
"Hey, you wear out that famous Vulcan stamina already?" Daffy answered as Ruth stepped up to her.
"Hi, Pav," the Antari said, grinning. "I have some news."
"Don't tell me, we'll be subjected to the patter of little hybrid feet," Gollub guessed.
"Not yet," Ruth breezed. "But it could happen. Oh, it could."
Daffy's face lit up. "Does that mean...?"
"Spock got a Nest," Ruth confirmed.
Daffy squealed, hugging her friend impetuously.
"And now it's your turn to follow me," Ruth added.
"Are you serious?" Chekov asked, joining the conversation for the first time.
Ruth nodded. "Captain Spock would like you to be his Chief of Navigation," Ruth said to him, "and Daffy - as insane as this may sound - I want you to be my Assistant Science Officer."
"I'm a chemist, not a..."
"Don't start with me, Gollub."
"Serving on a Nest is a very good thing, Dafshka," Pavel said to her, then turned to Ruth. "I am both flattered and honored, Commander Valley, and will, of course, accept the position," he said with formal grace. "But it is unusual for a captain to be allowed to hand-pick his crew."
"And how often does a brand new class of ships get launched?" Ruth retorted. "By the way, Spock's decided to name ours the Enterprise."
Daffy put a hand to her heart. "Such originality! Such innovation! A person could die of the very creativity engendered in such an outrageous choice of...!"
"Okay, okay, so it's a little - uninspired," Ruth admitted.
"Derivative, hackneyed, commonplace," Daffy agreed.
"But it's what he wants, and..."
"Unimaginative, dull, insipid..." the chemist was going on.
"...Scotty just has to be on a ship named the Enterprise..."
"Mr. Scott will be the Chief Engineer?" Chekov rejoined, clearly delighted.
"Well, we haven't asked him yet, but do you think it's likely he'll say no?"
"...bland, banal, trite..."
"Daffy/Daphne enough!" the two exclaimed together. Ruth scowled and Daffy chuckled.
"Bwana was given the flagship," Ruth continued as if Daffy's annoying thesaurus imitation hadn't taken place, "and he's naming it the Lincoln."
"Fleet would not dared to have done otherwise," Chekov said with more than a touch of pride in his voice.
"Like you had anything to do with it, bubee," Daffy chided. "Who gets the third?"
"That you're not going to believe," Ruth said, her eyes twinkling.
"Well, you already said it isn't me or Pav," Daffy mused, "And if you're tall, green and captain's Chief of Science, it isn't you." She studied the excitement in her friend's eyes. "No. Don't tell me." she took a breath. "Kam?"
"Roy," Ruth nodded.
"Well, I'll be something very light that could be knocked over with a feather," Daffy said. "He's only had his stripes for a year!"
"True, but it keeps Jilla in Fleet and on a Nest," Ruth pointed out.
"There is that," the chemist agreed. "And, not incidentally, keeps Valjiir in the terribly prestigious but non-lucrative Fleet vise-grip."
"Sulu has earned this," Chekov put in seriously. "Fleet would not hand him a Nest otherwise."
"Jealous, bubee?" Daffy asked.
"A little," the navigator admitted.
"Don't be," Ruth said, patting him on the arm. "I'm sure you'll get your chance. If the Nests take off like they should, they'll be needing good captains sooner than Fleet thinks."
"Hence the Assistant's job," Daffy preened. "You're prepping me. How sweet."
"Listen, fruychik, if you can hack it as a Science Officer under me on Spock's ship..." the Antari retorted.
"I'll make the front page of Ripley's Believe It Or Not," Daffy said, then grinned. "And I will."
"You'd better." Ruth smiled.
"So, what's His Majesty going to name his boat?" Daffy wanted to know.
Ruth shrugged, "He just got the news an hour ago. Give him time to think."
"Don't answer it," Tomor growled as the com unit next to the bed made a soft, chiming sound. He was relaxing in the large, comfortable bed, his cigar of Rigellian wafting soothing fragrance from its ashtray on the bed table.
Uhura put down her glass of champagne. "Why not?" she asked. "Whoever it is, they're not interrupting."
"Not interrupting interrupting," Tomor agreed, "but you are on leave."
"It may be about the wedding."
"And you're gonna answer it anyway." The Haven sighed. "Sometimes, Beauty, you're a real Herbert."
Uhura chuckled and reached for the com's controls. "Uhura here," she said.
"See?" Tomor commented.
"Miss Uhura," came Jim Kirk's voice, and the screen resolved to show his smiling face. "I have the great pleasure to inform you that I've been given the command of the Nest flagship, which, by the way, is now called the U.S.S. Lincoln."
"Captain, that's wonderful!" Uhura enthused. "Congratulations!"
"And further, to ask you if you'd be willing to take a position aboard her as..."
"I'd love to be your Communications Chief, sir," Uhura said.
"Well, that's good to know," Jim returned, "but it means you'll be pulling double duty. I want you to be my First Officer."
Uhura stared at the screen. It was Tomor who said, "Spocko got one of ‘em."
"That he did, Mr. Rand," Jim confirmed. "And by the way, hello."
Tomor grunted.
"Well, Uhura?" Kirk asked.
"Captain... Jim..." She stammered. "I hardly know what to say."
"There seems to be a lot of that going around," Jim said, grinning. "I believe the proper response is, ‘say yes.'"
"You heard the man, Beauty," Tomor put in. "Say yes."
Uhura's face lit with a huge smile. "Yes, Captain, I'd be honored."
"Good. "I'll have a briefing for you - after the wedding. Which, by the way, is going to, with Fleet's pending permission, take place on board the other Nest ship."
"Spock's?" Uhura asked.
Jim chuckled. "No. Sulu's. See you later, Uhura." The com clicked closed.
"Sulu's?" Uhura repeated. "Sulu's?"
"There'll be half-Indiian babies before you can say pregnant," Tomor predicted, taking a drag off his cigar. "Congratulations, your Execness."
Jilla turned from the computer in her cabin at Sulu's sudden, one-word declaration. She had been checking on the final inspection of the Nest's engines and Sulu had been busy at the com, contacting quite a number of officers and friends.
"I beg your pardon?" she asked.
"For my ship. The name. What do you think?" Sulu said. His eyes were still shining.
"I do not know if Starfleet would consider it a formal enough name for such a vessel," she said cautiously.
"But what do you think, hon?" he persisted.
She flushed. "It is quite - personal," she said.
"But no one will know that but us."
"And Ruth, and so, therefore, undoubtedly Spock," Jilla demurred.
"You think they'd object?"
"Not object, precisely." The Indiian paused. "She will likely tease us."
"So? It's not like she doesn't have a whole lot of other things to tease us about."
"True," Jilla said. "But I still do not believe Fleet will accept it."
Sulu grinned. "You just leave that to me," he said.
Starfleet Policy Chief Admiral Adam Craigson, Admiral Kalik Sinsani, the Chief of Requirements, and Admiral Fumi Tomiko, Head of Operations all stood in Poul Bradigan's office, and said with almost one voice, "No."
"What's wrong with Seraglio?" Sulu asked innocently.
"Captain, you've got to be joking," Bradigan put in.
"It's a culturally valid Terran name for a close-knit association of..."
"It's a harem, Captain Sulu," Craigson said, folding his arm in adamant disapproval.
Sulu smiled charmingly. "Well, it is a slight slur on my character," he admitted. "But I think the suggestion is all in good fun. After all, this is a Nest, and there will be families, children..."
"Precisely why such a name is unacceptable," Sinsani pointed out.
"Not to mention it's simply rude," Tomiko added.
"But it rolls off the tongue so beautifully," Sulu protested. "U.S.S. Seraglio."
"Captain," Tomiko said, "it is simply not the proper image for a family-oriented ship. It implies a certain - promiscuity - which..."
"I think the Terran Arabian Consortium would object to that characterization, ma'am." Sulu cautioned.
"And we don't want to start a planetary incident," Sinsani rejoined. "The name Seraglio is rejected." The other admirals nodded.
Sulu sighed. "I thought it was a long shot," he said. He frowned in concentration, then brightened. "Does it have to be something deadly somber and solemn and serious?" he asked.
"Isn't that a Vulcan law firm?" Bradigan joked under his breath.
"I mean, after all, this is the beginning of a new era for Starfleet," Sulu continued. "The Nests are supposed to recruit a new kind of people into Fleet, skilled, yes, but more - open?"
"That is one of our objectives, yes," Craigson responded.
"So how about something - oh, I don't know - a little tongue-in-cheek?" Sulu went on. "A little self-deprecating - making fun of ourselves." The admirals exchanged wary glances. "Starslaver," Sulu said.
Every face before him blanched. "Star - Starslaver?" Tomiko squeaked.
Sulu heard Sinsani mutter something about having made an error in the choice of a commander.
"Come on," he said jovially. "Everyone will know it's a joke. A Federation ship called so incongruously an enslaver of the stars? The Havens will love it!"
"Captain Sulu," Craigson intoned, "such a suggestion is beneath even someone with your flamboyant reputation."
"Herbert," Sulu muttered, and kept his laughter inside at the scowl that touched the admiral's face. "Okay," he said thoughtfully. "Not Seraglio. Not Starslaver." He glanced up. "Are you sure..."
"We're sure," Tomiko replied quickly.
"I was told I could name my ship myself," Sulu pointed out. "You let Spock and Jim have the names they wanted."
"The Lincoln is a name of distinction and carries the connotation of freedom and strength," Sinsani said.
"And there has been an Enterprise in Starfleet for over three centuries," Craigson added.
"Yeah, Spock pointed that out," Sulu mused. "But it's hardly fair when I was told..."
"Captain Sulu, if you could present us with a name that is not either insulting to the mission of Starfleet nor an affront to the character of its officers..." Tomiko began.
"I really liked Seraglio..."
"Captain Sulu..." Bradigan began.
"And you won't even consider Starslaver..."
"Poul, this is utterly ridiculous..." Sinsani broke in.
"If this man can't understand how important this is to..." Craigson was saying.
"I'm certain we can come up with a suitable, dignified name..." Tomiko rejoined.
"How about D'Artagnan?"
"What?" Bradigan said, turning again to Sulu.
"The U.S.S. D'Artagnan," Sulu repeated quietly.
The admirals looked at one another.
"It's dignified," Tomiko said.
"A reference from respected Terran literature isn't unheard of," Craigson admitted.
"And it will, as the Captain wished, bring a certain savoir-faire to the aura of the Nest ships," Bradigan agreed.
"And it's a hell of a lot better than Seraglio or Starslaver," Sinsani muttered. More glances were exchanged, then all four admirals nodded.
"D'Artagnan is it, Captain Sulu," Craigson said, giving the final approval.
"You played that well, Captain," Bradigan said when the other admirals had left his office.
"Thanks, Admiral," Sulu replied with a grin.
"Commander DelMonde."
Noel DelMonde turned from his seat at the bar at Jim Kirk's voice. He was more than half drunk, trying to dull the familiar noise of New Orleans with good blues - the musical kind, not the Haven kind - and good bourbon. "I been promoted, Captain?" he asked wryly. "For restraint above an' beyond, I be t'inkin'," he added in a mutter to himself.
Kirk slid easily into the seat beside him, motioning the bartender. "Whiskey, neat," he said, then turned again to the engineer. "How has your leave been, Mr. DelMonde?"
"Loud," Del replied, then looked at his former commander. "I been promoted?" he repeated.
"Well, the recommendation is in, but it's contingent on your acceptance of your next assignment."
"Fleet givin' choices now?"
"I'm giving choices," Jim said. "I've been given command of the Nest flagship."
"Félicitations, Captain. An' on the other news I be hearin'. You an' Jade finally tyin' the knot, non?"
"Yes," Jim confirmed. "And you're, of course, invited to the wedding."
"Merci," Del returned, and he lifted his glass in a salute.
"And I'd like you to be my Chief Engineer."
Del blinked, slightly bleary. "Not Scotty?" he asked in surprise.
"He's Chief for the second Nest."
"An li'l Jilla's on the third." Del nodded. "I honored, Captain."
"Is that a yes?"
"It surely is," the engineer said and gave a faint smile. Then he motioned for the bartender to refill his glass. "When do I report?"
"Not until after the wedding."
Del nodded again. "An' that be...?"
"If our venue's approved, we're looking at four days from now," Jim said.
"Mighty quick to be gettin' a weddin' together."
"With the launch, it's all the time we've got."
Del took another long gulp of this drink. "Lemme know when an' where, Captain. I be there."
"I will," he said. He picked up his glass, raising it to the engineer. "To our continued association, Mr. DelMonde."
"To th' Nests, Captain."
Jim drained his drink, then stood, laying a friendly hand on Del's arm. "Enjoy your leave," he said.
After he'd gone, Del closed his eyes. While he was genuinely glad for both Jim Kirk and Jade Han, he couldn't help but dread the actual ceremony, for he knew, without a doubt, who else would be there.
"Jade, I got the dress!" Ruth exclaimed as she strode happily up to the doctor. "Jilla was right, it's gorgeous!"
"I'm glad you approve," Jade replied. "And congratulations on the bond."
"Well, it was what Spock wanted, and the contract did expire, so we had to do something. Spock said Starfleet couldn't very well have had one of its Nest captains living in sin."
"They gave the third ship to Sulu," Jade commented.
Ruth frowned. "And your point is?"
"Technically, he and Jilla aren't married," Jade said.
"So?"
"You're the one who brought up living in sin."
"No, Spock was the one who brought that up," Ruth retorted.
"He is Vulcan," the doctor conceded.
"If Roy and Jilla could get married, they would."
"I know that."
The Antari folded her arms belligerently. "So?"
Jade sighed. "So nothing. I only meant that where established couples are concerned, I don't think Fleet gave it a second thought."
"Oh." There was an awkward pause. "Any word from Fleet about having the ceremony aboard ship?"
"Not officially, but Commodore Calvin was thrilled." Jade chuckled. "I think if he had his way, all of Fleet would be invited. As it is, he's suggested having it beamed all over the quadrant."
"What does Jim think about that?"
"He's fine with it."
"And you?"
"I'm nervous enough without the added pressure."
Ruth snorted. "You, nervous? That's a first."
"This is the only wedding I plan on having, Ruth."
"Lucky you."
"The bonding ritual wasn't that bad, was it?"
"Like I'd tell you if it was," Ruth said airily, but she was smiling. Jade returned it. "Has Jim decided on what the guys are going to wear?"
"He's taking care of that now."
Ruth leaned forward. "Confidentially, I think they're all gonna look great in red."
Jade's eyebrow rose. "You think that's what Jim will choose?"
"Well, we have to be all matchy, don't we?"
"Black would go very well," Jade commented.
"But black at a wedding? That's so... dark."
"Yes," Jade mused, "black is dark."
Ruth scowled. "Well, they can't very well wear white. That's for you and Jim."
"Why Ruth, I thought you knew!" Jade leaned forward as if to impart a confidence. "Jim's not a virgin."
"Very funny, shrink."
"I thought so. If you'll excuse me, I have a caterer to arrange."
"Food for a billion, huh?" Ruth grinned.
"I shudder to think."
Sulu and Jilla sat at one of the tables in the lounge at the Shipyards, a pot of coffee between them, both working on statboards: Jilla with engineering data from the latest simulations from the Nests, Sulu with personnel lists.
"Hon," Sulu began, and waited patiently until her eyes left the statistics. "I wanted to ask you something."
"Yes, Sulu?" the Indiian replied.
"I want Jeremy to be our Chief of Security."
Jilla's grey eyes softened. "Of course."
"You won't have a problem with that, will you?"
"Should I?" she asked mildly.
Sulu chuckled. "No, I guess not." He paused. "You like him, don't you?"
"I have grown quite fond of Jeremy, yes," was her response.
"And not just because I'm so fond of him?"
"He cares deeply for us both, Sulu."
"Yeah. I noticed."
Jilla's eyebrow rose. "Is that a problem for you, husband?"
"No, it's just..." The captain sighed. "You'll think it's silly."
The Indiian tilted her head. "You are jealous?" she asked.
Sulu frowned. "No, I don't... it's just that..." He glanced down at the table, then back up into Jilla's eyes. "Why would I be?" he said hesitantly.
"Perhaps," she replied carefully, "you are not used to sharing his affections?"
"It's never been like that between us, hon. You know that."
"I know what he feels, Sulu, and what you feel. I know what you do not admit. What I do not know is why."
"What I don't admit?" Sulu repeated, and Jilla sensed a rising dread within him. She chose her words cautiously.
"You do consider him - yours," she said.
A wry smile touched his lips. "Do I?"
She nodded.
He chuckled again. "Well, I guess that makes sense. He's never made any bones about the fact that he does."
"Made any...?" Jilla began, knowing that her ignorance regarding the euphemism would defuse the tension of the situation.
"It means - uh - "
"Had any objection to," came Jeremy Paget's voice. "It comes from the idea of a good soup havin' no portions of bone it in, and therefore no obstacles or impediments to enjoyin' it." Both Sulu and Jilla looked up. Paget stood next to the table, smiling at them. "I asked your staff where you were," he added to Jilla, then turned his smile on Sulu. "And I hear serious congratulations are in order, Captain."
"How did...?" Jilla began.
"A good Security man knows everything, Lady," Jeremy returned.
"Well, since you obviously know," Sulu said, rising from his seat. He held out his arms, and Jeremy hugged him.
"You know I was hopin' for this for both of you," Paget murmured.
"And now I get to breathe for about ten seconds before the shitstorm starts," Sulu returned, grinning. He retook his seat, motioning for Jeremy to join them.
"He means before the intense activity that goes into gettin' a crew together and ready for the launch," Jeremy explained to Jilla before she could ask.
"You're good at that," Sulu said admiringly. He gave Jilla a sidelong glance. She nodded. "And since I'm obviously gonna need someone with that skill..."
"Don't tease, babe," Jeremy broke in. He was still smiling, but Jilla could feel the conflict running all through him.
"I'm not," Sulu said. Then he leaned forward, covering one of Jeremy's hands with his own. "I want you with me, Jer." He glanced again at Jilla. "We want you with us. Be my Security Chief."
The emotion was so plain to Jilla's tia she could almost hear Jeremy's thoughts. You don't know what you're asking warred with yes, yes, god, yes! How can I bear to watch the two of you every day and not end up doing something irrevocably stupid battled against To see you every day, to have you in my life again, god, how I've wanted this!
"Sulu..." he began warily. Jilla ached for the sudden grief that sprang into Sulu's tia. It made her decision for her.
"We know the cost," she said softly, "but wish with all our hearts that you will find what we offer worthy of it."
Jeremy blinked at her, then lowered his gaze to the table. "Can't very well tell a sensitive not to feel," he muttered.
"Please, Jer," Sulu rejoined. "We want this."
"Leaves are gonna be a real bitch," the security officer warned.
"You'll get a pass," Sulu promised.
"Tara isn't gonna like it."
"She's only been my chief for a year. And she's likely to stay with the Drake anyway."
"You think she'd consider a demotion to assistant?"
Sulu laughed. "You can always ask her."
"Please, Jeremy," Jilla said, and flushed slightly, as always, at his automatic shiver. He looked up again, meeting her gaze.
"How can I ever say no to you, Lady?" he murmured.
Sulu broke the mood by punching his friend firmly on the arm. "Oh, but you can say no to me, huh?"
Jeremy laughed, but Jilla clearly heard the never that sounded in his mind.