This is for lukeybabe68  (for some reason noTHING WILL TAG) cuz they liked all my Kirk chapters and I have been sitting on this idea for a while. Enjoy!

"(Y/n)!"

You turned at the sound of your name. You were surprised to see Doctor McCoy make his way over to you. "Yes, Doctor?"

"I'm glad I caught you. Jim is in a meeting and I need help getting people together for a little birthday surprise for him." He looks at you with a smile.

You look at him with a touch of confusion. "But what do you need me for? He doesn't know me very well." And you would like to keep it that way. You have liked the Captain for as long as you could remember. Working two different shifts causes for special attention during routine checks, but that doesn't mean he remembers you. "I am not even a senior officer yet." You let out a nervous laugh at the end so it didn't sound accusing.

"You are part of the crew, aren't ya? Well, then you didn't hear this from me." He leans in a bit closer, causing you to lean back just a bit. "You may or may not be mentioned in said meeting." He chuckled, standing straight as he clapped you on the back. "Now, you think you can gather any if the crew that you see to meet in Conference Viewing room eight in twenty minutes. We are just going to have some drinks and remind our Captain to relax a bit." He nods his head at you and walks off in the direction he came from, you watching his retreating form.

You mutely nod your head and turned to walk back in the direction you were going, now completely forgetting the reason you were going that way other than to find crew members and point them in the direction of Conference Viewing room eight. As you walked around the artificial planet, the idea of the small birthday get together was becoming something you were looking forward to. Maybe then you can tell the Captain about your feelings toward him, hear his obvious disgust and then your heart can learn to shy away from him. Hopefully.

You nodded, smiled, and told the Enterprise crew that you came into contact with about the small get together. You made one more pass around a small area by the room before spotting the doctor walking in your direction with the captain talking enthusiastically beside him. McCoy catches your eye and nods. Your eyes widen and you remember that the captain didn't know about it, so you nodded back and quickly entered the room, alerting the crew inside that they were on their way in.

You spot Mr. Scott grab a drink for himself and one for either the doctor or captain. You walk over to him and do the same, standing to his left. The doors to the room sound and the two men walk in. They were greeted with a chorused "Happy birthday!" as Mr. Scott and yourself walk up to hand them their drinks. You try to keep an unbidden blush from growing as you noticed the Scotsman hand his extra drink to the doctor, leaving you to service the captain.

You walk up to him and smile. He smiles wide at you, taking the glass from you gently as you blush a bit more when his hand grazes yours. You quickly drop your hand and nodded to him before you quickly turn away, walking to some secluded table. You contort your face into a huge grimace as you bury your face in your hands. Stupid cheeks, blushing at everything like at ten-year-old school-girl.

You heard everyone talking and laughing but you made no movement to join them. You sipped at your drink, looking out the huge windows in front of you of the Enterprise being repaired. Well, more like remade. You hear voiced draw closer, so you glanced behind you to see the captain, doctor, and first officer come together to look at the ship. Others joined them as they all stood there just looking at it and making comments. Ensign Chekov said something and the group laughed as they all slowly departed.

You noticed the doctor lean over to say something to the birthday boy, glancing and nodding in your direction. Your face blanched and you swallowed hard when you realized he caught you staring at him. The captain turned to look at you, sending you a dazzling smile. You sent him a weak smile before quickly turning back to your now empty glass. You bite your lip and internally groan as you hear footsteps growing behind you. You close your eyes tight and lean your head back a bit, doing your best to gain control of your emotions.

You hear the footsteps stop and a man clears his throat. Your eyes snap open and you turn around, hoping you didn't look crazed. James Kirk stood just behind you, holding two full glasses, looking at you with a pleading gaze.

"Mind if I join you?"

Your heart skipped at his words. Mutely nodding, you step a bit to the side as to make a show for him to walk over. He smiles again, setting the glasses on the table, clasping his hands with a breath of air. Glancing at you from the side, he attempted to start a conversation.

"Crazy mission, right?"

You sent him a half-hearted smile as well as a small nod, not exactly sure how to respond to that. Crazy wouldn't be the word you would describe what you just went through. You lost many friends.

He nods too, taking a drink and trying again.

"I'm glad you made it out alright (L/n). I hear from Bones that you helped put this together." He raises his glass as well as his eyebrows to you. "Thank you for that. I had a feeling it had a woman's touch to it. Bones isn't sensitive enough honestly." The captain chuckles to himself.

You let a small smile pull at your lips but you look down at the table before glancing back at him. Taking a fortifying drink and letting out a small breath, you turn back to  watching the construction before glancing at him.

"You are welcome. The Doctor happened to catch me on the way here. But I'm glad you liked it." You take another small breath. "But I am not so sure if I am all too happy about coming out of all that unscathed." You gestured toward the small beginnings of his ship. "I lost many friends." You risk a glance at him. "We almost lost you, Captain."

He looked at you with kind eyes. "Jim."

You blink, not understanding. "I'm sorry?"

He lets out a small chuckle. "You can call me Jim, (Y/n), we are off duty and I do happen to see us as friends, are we not?"

You can't help but smile, letting out a quiet laugh. "If you say so sir. Jim." You correct yourself.

Jim nods, smiling. "Better." He takes another sip, turning to look at  you fully. "You are right, though. We did loose a lot of friends and family. But don't think that they will be forgotten."

You about choke as you turn to him, raising a hand in worry. "Oh no, I meant no offense. I didn't mean to be so sad and at your celebration. I just don't think I can forget about all that happened." You look down bashfully. "I'm sorry. I am sure you think me weak, but that's why you are the Captain and I am a petty officer." You crack a small smile.

Jim furrows his brow, reaching over to lift your face with this fingers, looking at you with his glowing blue eyes. A smile filled his face. "Don't. I know exactly what you mean. I understand. But let me tell you something you are wrong about, though." He dropped his hand from under your chin and reached into his pocket to grab something. He opens his hand and in it, you find two pips, promotional pips. You let out a small gasp and look up at his smiling face. "I am happy to promote you to Commander, Senior Officer of Security." He leans in and bit and looks around as if sharing a secret. "You don't have to work two shifts now. And you get to boss people around." He winks.

You laugh and take the pips from his hand, holding them to your heart. "Thank you, Jim. But I thought it was your birthday, shouldn't you be the one receiving gifts?" You sweetly cock your head to the side, stashing your new pips in your dress pocket.

Jim laughs loudly, looking at you with kind eyes. "I think your reaction is gift enough, let alone having such a decorated officer on my ship." He winks again then drinks the last bit of his drink.

You nod and smile, taking in his relaxed state. They way he easily smiled, his light laugh and the way he stands, like nothing could make him feel threatened yet he would be ready in an instant. You smile to yourself then realize he was watching you practically check him out. You clear your throat and nervously pull at your dress. Looking anywhere but at Jim, you slowly make your way away from him.

"Excuse me, but I'm sure there are others you want to talk to. I'll let you go."

You quickly step around him and almost stop when you hear him attempt to call yo back but he lets you go. You take a few steps away from him when you stop on your own, closing your eyes tight and silently cursing yourself for what you are about to do. You quickly turn around and step up to him, standing close and then up on your tip toes. Jim stood still as you gently placed a kiss on his cheek. Slowly you take a step back and give him a shy smile.

"Happy birthday, Jim. I am honored to have you as my captain." You look up at him and smile, nodding in respect before you turned back around. Your face feels like it's on fire and you try not to think about the stupid thing you just did.

"Wait, (Y/n)."

You freeze. Your mind goes blank as you slowly turn around. Jim took a few long strides to come toe to toe with you. He reaches up and cups your cheek in his hand, his fingertips reaching into your hair. He searches your eyes and your breathing hitched as you watched them moved down to your lips.

He looks back up to your eyes and whispers, "Mind joining me as I go star gazing in the middle of a park, where it's quiet?" He smirks as he then moves his thumb to caress your cheek, his other hand taking your hand in his.

"I would love to." You whisper back, letting a smile take over your face.

He smiles back and takes your hand to fold it onto his arm as he walks you out of the conference room. You spot Bones in the corner talking to Spock and he sends you a wink as he lifts his glass. You let out a small giggle as you roll your eyes. He turns back to his conversation as you look up at Jim, finding him already smiling down at you.

You smile in return and rest your head against his arm, readily anticipating the evening of nothing but stargazing and relaxing with an amazing man.