Chapter 27

Chapter Twenty-Seven - Identified Heartbreak

Bones and Jim agreed that Carol was to be taken off rotation for the next week. He had talked to his parents, oh how he loved that word, about what was going on. He knew that they were aware of the situation and would offer any help they could. They offered him advice and gave him tips that he used to help his friend. He received word four days after he broke the news to her that they had made a positive identification. He knew that Carol and Christine were together, so he started getting the paperwork ready for both woman. He also figured that she would want to be with her and help her through this tough time. He called their quarters and Christine answered the call.

“Morning, Captain.”

“Morning, Nurse Chapel. Would you and Doctor Marcus please come to my ready room?”

“Of course Captain, we will be there shortly.”

“Thank you, Nurse Chapel.” He cut the call and sat back to wait.

Christine sighed heavily; she knew just from that brief look at his face that it was indeed Admiral Marcus’ body, this would crush Carol all over again. There was no hope for it so she went and got her ready to bring to the Captain.

Ten minutes later found the two outside the ready room, before they had even pressed the chime the door opened and there stood Commander Spock. “Doctor Marcus, Nurse Chapel, please come in.” He stepped back to allow them entrance. He led them over and had them sit in the two chairs before the Captain’s desk.

“Doctor Marcus, I’m afraid that the body found in the home was proven to be that of your fathers. I’m so sorry, Carol.” Jim stood up and walked around his desk and knelt before her. “I have filled out paperwork for you and Christine to take time and go back to Earth to deal with this. I also wanted to let you know, that there will always be a place on the Enterprise for you two if you wish to come back.” He leaned in and gave his friend a hug.

“Thank you, Jim,” she whispered.

“Take the time that you need but just remember that we are here for you if you need us.”

“I’ll remember,” she said and gave him a sad smile.

“Alright, baby girl. Go back with Christine and get everything you need in order. I have arranged transportation for you two. The USS Mauser will be passing by New Vulcan on their way back to Earth. They will take you back.”

She looked at him and nodded. Christine nodded to the Captain and Commander and helped Carol from her chair. She lead the devastated young woman from the ready room and back to their quarters. Jim slumped back against his mate who had moved to stand behind him. “I think that was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do,” he whispered to his mate.

“She will recover, Jim. It will take time but she will recover,” he tried to reassure his upset mate.

“I hope so. I may not have liked the man, but I would never have wanted this to happen.”

“I know, Ashayam. I know and so does she.” They stood there for a few moments lost in thought. After a few minutes they straightened up and went back onto the bridge to resume their shift. Technically they should still be on maternity leave but since Admirals Pike and Archer agreed they were able to go back to light duty. Jim sat in his chair lost in thought. It would be a while yet before they were dispatched back to full duty, but he would take the time and recharge. He sighed and focused back on his work as Ensign Rand came up to him and gave him paperwork to work on. It never ended.

**********

Christine led her girlfriend back to their quarters. She set her down on the chair in their lounge area and went in and started packing for them. She knew that Carol would not really be up to doing anything right now as she was lost in her pain. She also knew her girl had hoped to make up with her father over their fight and now would never be able to do so. Plus on top of it, her house had burned to the ground and lost all her mementos of her father and their time together. Her PADD dinged and she took a look. It was a message from the Captain letting her know that the Mauser would be there in two hours. It gave her enough time to get them packed and to the transporter room to beam over. She looked over at Carol in sadness; she sat there looking lost and forlorn. Her eyes bruised from lack of sleep and pale. She sighed and continued to work on getting them packed.

An hour later she had everything done and managed to get Carol to take a shower and change into more comfortable clothes. They would not need to wear their uniforms as they headed back to Earth, so they both were in civilian attire. She had talked to Doctor McCoy to let him know that she would be on leave and was relieved to find out that the Commander had done it for her. She sent a silent blessing out to the command team for all their help. She looked at the chronometer and saw that they needed to be at the transporter room. She grabbed their bags and got Carol moving. They arrived at the transporter room with time to spare and moved to the transporter pad. She nodded to the ensign on duty and he nodded back. She felt the familiar tingle of the transporter beam and soon the transporter room of the Enterprise was replaced with the one of the Mauser. The First Officer of the ship was there to greet them and helped them to get settled in. Through all of this, Christine noted that Carol was barely coherent; she sighed as she knew they had a long road ahead of them.

They settled into their quarters and Christine felt the familiar jerk of the ship accelerating into warp. She watched the stars blur past their window as the ship on silent wings brought them ever closer to their destination and her loves heartbreak.

Vulcan translation:

Ashayam - beloved