Title: Dear Sam 17
Author: Istannor 
Series: TOS
Part: 1/1
Rating: [PG13]
Codes: 
Summary: Kirk closes the chapter on Charon.

Disclaimer: These are the characters of Paramount and
Viacom, they own them, I only check 'em out from the
library. I promise to bring 'em back.

Feedback to Istannor @Aol.com






Captain James T. Kirk
USS Enterprise NCC-1701
C/O Starfleet Operations
Earth Central



STARFLEET DIPLOMATIC COURIER, CODED SECURE
George Samuel Kirk Jr.
Bioagricultural Industries, Kirk Inc
Deneva Central
17 Junque St.
Deneva, UFP
Dear Sam,

Bones gave his speech to all three of the shifts. He did a
good job. I think he has learned a lot from the experience and
I don't anticipate any problems from his direction in the future.
He really feels bad about what happened to everybody on the
away team, because he didn't want to eat humanoid flesh. I'll
give him credit for one thing, when he sees he's wrong, he
really tries to make it right. That counts for more with me than
almost anything else I can think of.

We're supposed to go pick up an Ambassador with the ever
present entourage and transport them to Starbase 9. It
shouldn't be too hard a task to complete. I'm actually looking
forward to a mission that doesn't have any serious
repercussions.

Who knows, we may actually be able to get through this
without any complications. I know that's alot to ask. The good
news is, we get three days of leave on Starbase 9. I'm
heading straight for the Binary Bar. I'm going to screw until I
am raw. Almost getting killed makes me horny.

To answer your question from your letter, Spock and I are
getting along just fine. I don't pressure him, and he doesn't
pressure me. It works. I'm actually discovering that he has a
really good sense of humor, but it's very subtle. He keeps me
on my toes. I can't tell you what the end point of our friendship
will be, but I'm content with the way it's progressing.

I'm not sure if I want to let anyone get as close to me as Gary
was. I almost screwed up and made the wrong decision
because Gary was my best friend. It blinded me to who he
had become. I don't think I want to put my ship at risk again,
because of my emotions. It might be better for me to keep
McCoy and Spock at a slight distance, if that will preserve my
ability to make the right decisions.

Loneliness is not a big price to pay for survival.

I saw all your data on your new research project. Most of
those chemicals are very volatile, Sam. You need to be
careful with them. I can remember using some of them and
having them blow up in the middle of my experiments. I know
you're very comfortable with these types of investigations, but
sometimes too much comfort is a bad thing. Watch out and
don't let the ambient temperature exceed 70 degrees
Celsius.

I've been having long conversations with both McCoy and
Spock. Bones is very special. Sometimes I forget that. He is
so busy trying to play the country doctor, that it's easy to
overlook how brilliant he is. It was good to remember that and
to see his mind at work. We talked about everything he
wanted to talk about. You know what's really strange? He
didn't ask me anything about myself and what you told him. I
think he is really trying to wait until I volunteer the information. I
don't know why I'm so frightened, no, reluctant to tell him. I
think it's because I value his friendship so much, that I don't
want him to look at me like I'm a freak.

You keep asking me about Spock. Why is that? Why do you
ask me more about him than about Bones? They both are my
friends. They both are brilliant. They both seem to be loyal to
me. So, why do you ask me more about Spock's reactions
than about Bones? What is it you saw in him? I know you
have a gift that is different than mine, and I trust you. Just give
me some insight, if you can.

Mom sent me a letter. She told me to expect a visit from the
family. She didn't tell me who it would be...or when. You know
that makes a lot of difference. The person I see could mean
life or death to me. I hope, at least, it's someone I care for.
That way if they kill me, I'll know that it was difficult for them.

It's strange, Sam. I no longer care whether I live or die, as
long as they leave my crew and my friends alone. I'm pretty
sure they will. So, I've just decided to not fret over it.

If they kill me, please make sure that David gets his
endowment. Oh, and write to Spock and McCoy for me,
especially Spock. I worry about him. 

Love, Jim




July 22, 1999
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