Cousin Charlie (Part 9)
Kirk sat in his quarters in deep thought. He read the message again that he had just received from Admiral Peary. He debated for a moment and then sent a message to Spock to report to his quarters. He rolled the yellow transmission card between his fingers as he tossed around the facts as he knew them.
Spock entered his quarters within a few minutes of being summoned.
"Captain." he said walking over to him.
Kirk turned around and faced Spock tossing the card on the desk.
"Spock, I've just received a transmission from Admiral Peary. I think now is the time to fill you in with what's going on."
Spock stood in front of him with his hands behind his back. He raised an eyebrow at the captain's comment, but did not reply.
"Spock, it was no coincidence that we were the ones instructed to pick up your cousin. It is no coincidence that both your cousin's band and the Enterprise are headed for Alpha Seti I and will arrive in the morning. The truth is that even though we will officially be on shore leave, this is still a mission of sorts."
He paused a minute looking at Spock and then continued.
"It appears that Justine Graham is on Alpha Seti I and she is a person of interest. This woman, Starfleet believes has obtained sensitive information that they are sure that the Romulans will be happy to pay top price for. They believe that this is why she stole it in the first place. They want this information returned at all costs."
"How did she obtain this information?" Spock asked. "Do we know who this woman is and what she looks like?"
Kirk leaned back in his chair.
"It appears that she wormed her way into certain men's affections, subdued them and stole their identification without their knowledge, duplicated it and then used it to get clearance in order to obtain the information. It appears that the men slept with her and when they woke up she was gone. Nothing was missing at that time, but later it was discovered that their security clearances had been compromised. They still don't know how she got past the retina scan that all of them had to go through in order to get into the most secure areas. Starfleet is very interested in that!"
"Fascinating!" Spock replied. "However, I fail to see what that has to do with Charles and his party. Are they involved with this woman?"
Kirk stood up. "Yes, in a way. This woman is Hailey's mother. The fact that Charlie and his band are headed to the planet that Starfleet believe she is hiding out on raised a red flag. Not only that, Hailey told Chekov that she was twenty three. Starfleet has her original birth certificate and she is in fact twenty seven, a fact that shocked me for sure because she looks so young. In fact, our intelligence has discovered that both she and her mother have had numerous false identifications in the past since she was a small child. I don't know how Hailey is mixed up in this or your cousin, but I have every intention of finding out."
Spock straightened up. "Captain, could it be that Charles is unaware of what this Justine Graham and perhaps Hailey are up to? I must confess that I do not believe that espionage is my cousin's forte. I personally checked out his story on Hailey and I found that he in fact, did pay for her to go to school and that the school records coincide with his belief that she is twenty three. He stated that he helped her to become emancipated which was something totally unnecessary if in fact he knew her true age."
"True" Kirk replied. "Perhaps we need to have a talk with Mr. Charles Grayson. I found it also very interesting that when Hailey became emancipated that she changed her name from Graham to Grayson. It could be that she broke all ties with her mother and now her mother is reaching out to her and plans to use her in some way. In fact, this is what Starfleet believes because as far as they can tell there has been no communication between the two since Charlie sent her away to school."
Spock nodded his head. "I will send a message immediately to Charles-"
"No." Kirk snapped. "I know that they are practicing in the Officers Dining Hall. We will go there and feel him out. I don't want to alert Hailey if in fact she is involved in some way."
"Is this why you do not wish Mr. Chekov to continue his relationship with her?"
"Exactly. Her mother wormed her way in with her affections in order to obtain information. I have to ask myself if daughter is like mother. Does Hailey have some other motive? I'm not sure. I just don't want Chekov to get hurt, but I can't tell him what's going on either."
"Affirmative" Spock agreed as they walked to the door.
"We'll continue to observe the situation. We'll keep an eye on things once we arrive at Alpha Seti and I am sure that if she is involved, she'll show her hand." Kirk replied. "This is not the shore leave I had planned on having!"
Kirk and Spock quickly got on the lift. Spock tried to maintain his calm demeanor even though there was a turmoil brewing inside. Could his cousin be involved in some way? He hoped not. He wanted to believe that he was an innocent victim. How would this new information affect their relationship? He knew that Charles loved Hailey. If she had used him from the beginning, his cousin would be devastated. Yes, they would have to tread on this one both logically and carefully.
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Charlie continued to practice while Chekov continued to sit in the back of the hall and listen. Some of the music was instrumental and Hailey also sang a few numbers.
Spock and the captain walked into the hall while they were in the middle of another number that Hailey was singing. She walked back and forth dancing and smiling at Chekov. No one in the room had a doubt that she was singing to him.
Click to view"Kiss me, talk to me. I won't tell anybody else" she whispered during her number, continuing to sing and dance. Kirk looked at Chekov who was mesmerized.
"A bit of a seductress, I see" Spock said watching Hailey.
"Makes you wonder if that story about being abused is true." Kirk said dryly. "At this point, I don't know what to believe about this young lady."
The number ended and Chekov clapped enthusiastically. Kirk walked by him and approached Charlie as he was talking to Luke. Kirk watched Hailey run over to Chekov and hug him.
"That was quite impressive" he said looking at Charlie.
"I'm glad that you enjoyed the bit you did hear, captain." Charlie said smiling. He turned to Spock. "Did you enjoy it, Spock?"
"It was rather...stimulating." Spock said raising an eyebrow. "I was surprised that young Hailey had such a mature voice for someone her age."
"Yes, she's something else, isn't she" Charlie replied beaming.
Kirk cleared his throat. "Are you through for now, Charlie?"
"Yes, we're taking a break for now, but we'll be back later on."
"Good, then let's have lunch. I'd like to talk to you." Kirk said.
Charlie was immediately suspicious. "About what?"
"Well, about your band. Spock here tells me that you're a genius. How in the world did you get this band together? And of course, Hailey. I know you practically raised her from what she's told me. Did you realize that she had such a voice? Has she thought about going solo?"
Charlie immediately relaxed and laughed.
"I doubt if she wants to go solo, captain. However, if she does I won't hold her back. Sure we can do lunch."
He then turned back to Luke and Rory. While they were talking, Kirk leaned over to Spock. "I'll take him to the Officer's VIP Private Dining Room. Why don't you find out what Chekov and Hailey have planned and then meet me there. Hopefully they are going to the cafeteria and not back to their quarters."
Spock nodded and walked over to Chekov.
"I'm ready, captain." Charlie replied.
"Good" Kirk responded. "Spock has ordered our meals and they will arrive at the Officer's VIP Dining Room. You can relax there and enjoy your meal."
Charlie looked at him surprised. "Captain, you are quite generous. That is really not necessary. I can eat in the cafeteria with Hailey and Chekov."
"I insist!" Kirk said leading him to the door. "It will also give you some quality time with Spock. You two need to get to know each other again."
Charlie nodded. "That is very kind and thoughtful of you captain."
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Spock asked Hailey if she was planning to have lunch with Charlie. She had looked at him surprised.
"I was going to have lunch with Pavel, unless you have some objection." she said coolly.
Spock looked at Chekov. "Not at all. I was merely asking as the captain wished to have lunch with Charlie. He did not wish to interfere with any plans you two may have made."
"We've made no plans with Charlie, Mr. Spock" Chekov replied.
"Very well then. I will see you two later" Spock said nodding.
He then left the hall and sent a message to the culinary staff that they were using the VIP Dining room and ordered the lunch.
He was headed to the cafeteria when he ran into Nyota. He had not forgotten what he had seen earlier and wondered if she was now on her way to try to find his cousin.
"Spock." she said surprised. "Are you on your way to lunch?"
"I am meeting the captain and my cousin" Spock replied carefully baiting her. "Would you care to join us?"
Nyota stared at him curiously. "No, Spock. I wouldn't want to intrude."
"Perhaps you wish to be in a more private setting when conversing with Charles" he ventured. He knew that he was pushing the issue, but he wanted to know what was going on between the two of them.
Nyota stared at him a moment. What was he talking about?
"Private? What makes you think that I want to be in a private setting with Charlie?"
Spock straightened up. "I was merely asking a question. It seems that you and my cousin have grown quite close in a short span of time."
He waited for her to deny it, but she just stared at him. She did not protest or deny his statement. Were they in fact planning to spend some time together when they reached their destination?
Nyota's mouth fell open in surprise. Surely the stoic Vulcan could not be jealous!
"We're not that close Spock." she said trying to hide her smile. "Why in the world would you make such a statement?"
"Forgive me if I have spoken out of turn. Now if you will excuse me-" He attempted to walk by her but she quickly grabbed his arm. Perhaps he had said too much. Now was not the time to pursue this line of conversation. The captain and Charles would be waiting on him.
"Wait a minute!" she snapped grabbing his arm. "You can't just say something like that and not explain yourself. Why would you care anyway?"
Spock turned and looked at her. "Lieutenant, I know that you invited him to your quarters earlier. Obviously you two have grown closer."
Even as he said the words, he felt turmoil trying to bubble to the surface. He was in control, however and was sure that she could not tell.
His eyes revealed a hint of emotion that normally would have evaded her. She knew for sure now that he was indeed jealous.
Nyota laughed. "You assume a lot, Mr. Spock. Tell me...why are you so interested in who I invite to my quarters?"
"I was merely making an observation." Spock replied his voice defensive.
She stared at him a moment and before she would lose her nerve, she quickly caught him totally off guard and threw her arms around his neck pulling his face to hers giving him a kiss.
Spock pulled back from her shocked. "Lieutenant! I am stunned by your wanton display of affection! May I remind you that I am on duty!"
The kiss which had lasted seven point five seconds had sent sparks of fire though his groin. He had pulled away from her quickly trying to get himself together. Had she kissed Charlie too? Was she making some sort of comparison? He wanted her to kiss him again, but he would never admit such a thing!
Nyota looked at him and smiled. "It was only logical, Mr. Spock. I had to show you in some way that I was not interested in Charlie romantically."
Spock stared at her a moment and she knew that he was processing what she had just said. She had kissed him and had said that she wasn't interested in Charles!
"Lieutenant, I am sure that there was some other way to convey your sentiments!" Spock said looking around. "What if someone else walked down the corridor? I am appalled at your public display!"
Well appalled was too strong a word actually. He was shocked and if he was appalled, it was because they were not in private where the kissing could have continued for longer than seven point five seconds.
Nyota brushed an imaginary speck from her uniform as she listened to his protest. She knew he had liked it. She felt his lips respond to hers.
"Are you so appalled that you can tell me that you did not like it? After all, Vulcans do not lie."
she quipped looking him in the eye.
There! Let him wiggle out of that one! He knew he liked the kiss. She waited to hear what he would say in return.
"This is neither the time nor the place to answer your query, Lieutenant. I must leave immediately. The captain is expecting me. We will discuss this at a future time."
He then walked off, his back straight leaving Nyota standing in the hallway. It was all she could do not to burst out laughing as she watched the retreating figure quickly get on the turbolift.