The Impossible Probability - A Doctor Who & Star Trek story

Chapter 18

*** Kate P.O.V ***

We bowed our heads as the coffin was carried into the church, flowers perched carefully on top. I smiled sadly as I felt a hand wrap around mine. I looked up from the floor, Pike squeezing my hand in reassurance. I mouthed my thanks as the whole congregation once again sat down. I spotted many familiar faces, including Scotty and Bones, Uhura and Spock, Kirk and Chekov. Sulu was still recovering from the attack, as were many of the crew members who couldn’t attend the service. Somehow they had found a church large enough to house most of the Enterprise crew and other guests. The service was beautiful and fitting, conducted perfectly. As we all filed out of the church I couldn’t help but overhear whispers, it seemed no-one could understand how such a vibrant presence was snatched so cruelly from the world. I rushed into the air, hoping to clear my racing thoughts. It felt so good to be back on Earth, no matter the circumstances. “Kate.” I turned to Pike, smiling. Before I could defend that I was feeling fine he pulled me into a hug, wrapping his arms around me. I relented and let him hug me, realising it wasn’t that bad. He pulled away and looked down at me, his smile reaching his eyes. “Whatever you need, I’m here for you. Ok?” “I know that, Sir.” He laughed, planting a light kiss on the top of my head. “I know it may seem like a bad time, but, are we still on for that dinner?” I paused, considering what to say. Pike seemed to take my hesitation as a no, I could see the hurt in his eyes. “That’s fine, I understand if you don’t want to-“ “No, I do. Just, let me say goodbye properly and have some time to myself. Is that ok?” He smiled again, and I couldn’t help but return it. “Yes. I’ll pick you up around 7:00.” As we went our separate ways, something struck me. “Pike? Where will we be going?” He turned to face me grinning. “Now that, Miss Kate, is a secret.” Shaking my head I went back into the church, feeling much better.

*** Doctor P.O.V ***

He slipped out of the church unnoticed. The Doctor walked briskly back to the Starfleet Academy, where the crew of the Enterprise were staying while on ordered leave. He began to whistle as he made the way back to the room. Reaching the door he knocked quietly. “Come in.” He did so and saw she was sitting on the bed, staring out the window towards the church. “How are you feeling?” Kerry turned to him, smiling. “Better now, I just wish I could’ve gone to his funeral.” The Doctor plonked down onto the bed next to her. “I’m sure Matthew knows that you wanted to be there.” Suddenly the Doctor jumped up excitedly. “Now then! Where to next, Miss Forth? The glass sands of Jacaffa are beautiful just around now! Or we could-“ “Doctor.” She said quietly, bringing his rambling to a halt. “Yes?” “I’ve been thinking about things. “Oh?” The Doctor sat back down next to her. “Bones says that the poison isn’t entirely gone from my system, it’s almost become part of me now. Meaning that I can’t physically exert myself too much anymore.” He caught her meaning immediately, smiling sadly. “Like running around with me?” “Yeah, like that. I don’t want to do this but I’ve decided it’s best if we stop travelling together.” The Doctor turned to face her, and saw in her eyes that she thought he would be mad. “Kerry, I understand. It’s fine. I couldn’t lose you like that. Now, I’ll drop you off home and be on my way.” “Actually, there’s more.” “Oh?” He raised an eyebrow in amusement, grinning. “I can’t just sit at home all day, not after everything I’ve seen. And my mum would never let me join U.N.I.T. So I’ve decided to stay here, in the future, with the Enterprise. I’m sure Kirk wouldn’t mind having a security officer with plenty of field experience.” He took her hand in his. “Are you sure? Once I’ve gone you have no way back home. You’ll never be able to see your family and friends again. Your own mother.” The Doctor’s mind briefly flashed back to the same conversation he had once had with Rose. “I’m sure Doctor. I have friends here, I have….. people.” “Chekov?” Kerry blushed, looking down before simply nodding. “Alright, if this is really what you want?” “Yes, but I have one condition.” She got up, and the Doctor noticed that she was still unsteady on her feet. She returned and handed him a mobile phone. “What’s this?” She laughed. “Aha! I have finally stumped the mighty last of the Time Lords! It’s a phone. I want to be able to still talk to you, if that’s okay?” The Doctor smiled, whipping out the sonic screwdriver, giving his new phone and Kerry’s phone a quick blast each. “There, now we can talk no matter where, or when, I am.” The Doctor handed Kerry back her phone before hugging her. “Right, care to escort me back to the TARDIS one last time, Miss Forth?” “Gladly.” She looped her arm through his, both of them grinning like mad.

*** Chekov P.O.V ***

After Matthew’s funeral we all walked back towards the Enterprise in silence. Boarding the Enterprise we were heading for the bridge when Sulu approached us. “Hey guys, I just saw The Doctor and Kerry walk past, said something about returning to the TARDIS.” Without hesitating I ran towards engine room 2, Kirk calling out my name. “Out of ze way! Out of ze way!” I didn’t care about running into people, I just had to reach her in time. I burst into the room, just as the mysterious blue box disappeared from view. “NO!” I sank to my knees, staring at the spot where the box had just been. “Chekov?” My head whipped around, it couldn’t be. “Kerry!” She was standing to the side of the room, I hadn’t even seen her there. I jumped up, instantly pulling her into a hug. “I vhought you vere gone.” “No, I’m staying. For good now.” She smiled as I stared into her eyes. Without hesitating I brought my lips down to meet hers. She gasped in surprise and I smiled nervously, wrapping my arms around her. Pulling away to breathe I rested my forehead against hers. “How about I give you a proper tour ov ze ship?” “I’d like that, a lot.” I took her hand, planting a quick kiss on her lips before leading her out of the room.

*** Kate P.O.V ***

“Thank you.” I sat down as Pike held out the chair for me. He had arrived on time and we were now in The Winchester, one of the poshest restaurants in California. As Pike sat down opposite me I nervously tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. Murderous aliens and near annihilation? I can handle. A date with Pike? I’d take a bunch of Lozmar any day. “Kate?” I zoned back in to realise that Pike was staring at me. “Hm?” “I asked what you would like to drink?” I smiled, glancing over the menu as Pike’s drink arrived. “You look lovely this evening, if I may say so.” I glanced down at myself, I hadn’t been entirely sure when Uhura had suggested the black cocktail dress that cut off below my knees. I hadn’t been entirely sure about the black high heels either. “Thank you. You don’t scrub up too badly yourself either.” I had been mildly surprised when Pike had turned up in what looked like a very expensive suit. He laughed and took a sip of his water. “A gentleman tries his best. Ah, here comes the waiter.” I looked up at the waiter, smiling. My smile vanished as I saw the mark on his neck. “You.” I whispered, carefully rummaging through my purse for my gun. “24601, did you really think you could run forever? You knew we’d catch up eventually, you shouldn’t have gotten so cosy.” I saw the confusion on Pike’s face as I continued to hold the waiters gaze. “Pike, why don’t we re-schedule for another time?”

*** Pike P.O.V ***

“Pike, why don’t we re-schedule for another time?” I went to question Kate when she gently touched the mark on the side of her neck. It then dawned on me; it was related to her past. “Of course, another time.” Slowly I got up, eyeing the waiter warily. Before I even took a step Kate launched up, drawing her gun on the man. Slapping it away effortlessly he laughed, chucking away the tray he had been carrying. “Come on Zelais, let’s see if you still remember our lessons.” “Pike! RUN! Fetch the others!” Kate yelled, throwing a right hook followed by a swift left kick. Without hesitation I ran through the now empty restaurant towards the exit. Bursting through the doors I was immediately cornered by three more men with similar marks on their necks. I quickly drew out my phaser, which was just as quickly knocked out of my hands. “Be still. We won’t hurt you. We just want 24601.” “I won’t let you take her!” Without another word I swung at the nearest attacker, and missed completely as he suddenly wasn’t there. I grunted as my arm was forcefully twisted behind my back, keeping me in place. “Impressive enough, for an old man.” I continued to struggle as one touched something in his ear. “Boss, we’ve got him.” Five minutes later Kate emerged, with a gun pressed against her back. Sweat covered her forehead and her dress was torn in places. I noticed cuts on her arms and under her lip. “Kate, no.” “Pike, it’ll be ok. Trust me.” She rushed forward, her lips crashing into mine. I wrenched my arm free and wrapped it around her waist, drawing her closer. She pulled away, breaking the kiss. “I love you Kate, I want you to know that.” She nodded, smiling sadly. “I- uh. I know.” “Alright, times up. Come along 24601.” The waiter dragged her backwards roughly, smirking. Another one pushed me to the ground. As I sat up my eyes were drawn to Kate. “It will be alright.” She whispered sadly before the whole group vanished in a burst of blue light, they had been beamed up. I got up, dusting myself off. Sighing I unclenched my fist, gazing at the object in my palm. Before she had been pulled away, Kate had slipped something into my hand. Now I saw it was a beautiful silver necklace, with a strange charm attached. Flipping the charm over I noticed strange symbols on the back. Grabbing my phone I hit speed dial. “Kirk here, is everything alright Sir?” “No, it’s not. Gather the crew and meet me on the bridge. We have a problem.” “Sir?” I paused, briefly gazing up towards the stars. “Kate’s been kidnaped.”