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Title: Old Friends
Author: Hypatia Kosh
Series: TOS
Codes: K/f (Areel Shaw)
Rating: PG-13
Summary: I never could talk you into anything.


 OLD FRIENDS


 Jim ran his hand over Areel's bare shoulder, trying to remember this
 perfect moment for all time. Areel was staring into his eyes, trying to
 memorize every face, every expression.

 "I wish we had more time," she said.

 Kirk made a sad little half-smile. "Me too."

 She rolled over and kissed him. "I always told myself never to get
 involved with space jockeys." She quirked her lips. "I just didn't know
 the reason why."

 Jim stroked her head lovingly as they huddled closer. "I'm sorry," he
 said.

 "I know."

 "You know, you could just give up this whole law business and come with
 me on the Farragut."

 "Who would make sure justice was served then?"

 "Hey, we space jockeys fight the good fight too."

 "I know for a fact they aren't in any need of a lawyer on your ship,
 Jim. Otherwise, I might have considered it."

 Kirk propped himself up on one elbow, feeling boyish and playful. "Stow
 away."

 "Oh, you can't be serious . . ."

 "Once we're ten light years out, what are they going to do?"

 "Courtmartial us both, for starters. And add a nice fine for improper
 use of Starfleet equipment."

 "You'd just accept that? What kind of lawyer are you?"

 "I can't advance my career by flying around the galaxy with you."

 Cognizant that he had gone too far, Kirk drew back. "I'm sorry. I guess
 we're stuck. Three weeks of happiness, and then . . ."

 "And then we go our separate ways."

 "Why is it so much easier for you?"

 "It's not easier for me, I'm just more realistic about it. You're a
 romantic, Jim. You'll probably forget me sooner, too."

 "I will not!"

 "Listen, Jim, just listen. You have your career, I have mine. I like
 you a lot, and there aren't a lot of men like you out here in the hind
 end of space. I think I'm going to miss you a great deal. At least you
 have your friends in the service to console you."

 "Maybe. But it's not what you think. The starship command track is very
 competitive and we're reassigned a lot. I don't have very many real
 friends in the service. Not the kind of guys you can rely on for
 anything or would help you in a pinch. Most of my friends would just
 laugh at me if I got into trouble. And there's no-one you can talk to.
 There is that one doctor I told you about on Starbase 8 who was a great
 friend while I was there, but who knows where he is now?"

 "Now, tell me, it can't be all bad, can it? You're spoiling my image of
 dashing, fearless starship officers."

 "Don't tell me that's why you agreed to go out with me."

 Areel playfully poked him in the side. "Absolutely not," she grinned,
 as if she meant the opposite.

 Oh, be honest, she chided herself. Lt. Kirk had caught her eye because
 he was cute, plain and simple, but it was Kirk's personality, that
 intriguing mix that was part girlish and part boyish, that kept her
 from turning him down at the end of that first night, or at least
 kicking him out the next morning. "I'm going to miss you," she
 repeated, softly.

 Kirk grasped her hand. "Tell me that we'll still be friends. All right?
 I know Starfleet will send us different places, but if we meet again--"

 "Of course." She brushed back a stray lock of hair from his forehead.
 "Someday we'll meet again and I'll have to restrain the urge to jump on
 you and not let go."

 "Me too," he said gently, looking at her face with a kind of awe. He
 wrapped his arms around her, tight against her back. "I've been in love
 a few times, but never like this," he confessed.

 Areel looked at him sympathetically. It was not quite the same for her,
 having had a very serious relationship in her past, but she was sure
 she would feel as strongly as he did if only they had more time to be
 together. The rational part of her brain complained that he probably
 had bad traits that weren't so apparent at present, but she would
 accept the blindness of love for now. What difference did it make?

 Jim waved down the lights and they both settled down to sleep.

 In the morning they made their final goodbyes in Areel's quarters. Then
 Jim left to rejoin his ship with all proper decorum.

 Areel sighed at the thought of her existence, discreet but lonely. At
 least her work was very challenging.



 All things change and soon Areel Shaw was reassigned to a JAG office
 she found much more congenial.

 James T. Kirk continued his meteoric rise to the captaincy. He was
 assigned the Fleet's flagship heavy cruiser, the Enterprise.

 Not long thereafter, Captain Kirk came under suspicion after the
 disappearance and presumed death of an Enterprise officer, James
 Finney, and Areel's and Jim's paths met again.

 In the intervening years they had both wondered if their emotions had
 been true, or if they had just been kindly fooling themselves and each
 other.

 One look and they both knew otherwise. The slow, intimate smile that
 lights the eyes with joy was their secret signal. It was real, it was
 true and best of all, they would always be dear friends.



 Fin.