That was such a good story. Fits with the movie perfectly, Carol asked him to stay away, but I never wanted her to be some selfish bitch who just wanted a kid and kicked him out after she got it. I suppose in the 23rd century notions of marriage would be different: they won't need to depend on each other, so people could go about their careers, not seeing each other for months, and reunite every once in a while, then part agains, but no matter how you slice it, it would never work with a kid. Really sad story, but the only solution really.

A most excellent piece giving us Kirk and Carol's background from before he was Captain. Good Job! Well written, shows both the love AND the strength of purpose of both.

'nuff said

whoa... opening wounds it right... damn that was good. Very IC too. _ groovy

This is a wonderfully sad and beautiful story! A Romance with a capitol R! *sniffle* *sniffle* Be suere and have an extra hank ready when ya'll read it heah? The relation ship between the young, ambitious Jim Kirk and Carol is extremely well handled, Ah say! Bravo Syl sugah!:):)

::jaw drops:: I don't think I've ever seen a story about this particular time before... but it was very in character, and very well done.

Have you read BEST DESTINY? It's the story of the young boy Jim Kirk's first journey into space, with Bob April, and the difficult lesson he learns when he makes an error that puts the lives of the crew in his hands ... inadvertantly, of course.

I like the wealth of your dialogue, and I like the situation you pose for the two characters to meet and, perhaps, have one final discussion. However, I wonder might happen if this is just the chapter of a larger work ... what would happen to Carol's point of view if, before the events you describe here, she was actually afforded the opportunity to see the love of her life in action? Would seeing him in action cause her to make the decision that we know she makes?

Plus, in STAR TREK II, we learn poignantly from Kirk: "I did what you asked. I stayed away." Since that specific line isn't mentioned here, again I wonder if Carol and Jim met up at some later point where he actually does try to see her and his child. His reaction (in the movie) was always more of a "my, look how he's grown" look than a "my, this is my son" look, in my opinion. That makes me wonder if they didn't meet after David was born, and what were the circumstances of that meeting?

Food for thought. Still, nice piece.

WOW!