Chapter 6 of 7
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EXT. SPACE
The Enterprise flys in and docks at Space Station 11.
MCCOY (V.O.)
Personal Log, Stardate XXXX.X Three months after the rescue of James Kirk...
INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM
Kirk MATERIALIZES in civvies, with a duffle strung over his shoulder.
MCCOY (V.O.)
...and my patient - my friend - is ready to return to his life...
...and is enthusiastically greeted by Uhura, Scott, Chekov, Sulu, DeSalle, Rand...and others from the main crew.
EXT. SPACE
A commercial shuttle approaches Earth.
MCCOY (V.O.)
Our time at Starfleet Medical has made me realize...
INT. CORRIDOR
Coming from the transporter, Kirk strides easily: but there's a sad reflectiveness as he moves through his familiar ship.
MCCOY (V.O.)
...that life isn't something you run from.
INT. EARTH STATION
The commercial shuttle pulls to a stop, and McCoy - dressed in civvies and carrying luggage - steps out.
MCCOY (V.O.)
...and that when you turn your back on the pain...
McCoy pauses for a moment - then sees a pretty young nurse with black hair. Their matching bright blue eyes meet and they both smile instantly. He drops the luggage, and rushes toward her...
MCCOY (V.O.)(CONT'D)
You can lose the best of yourself in the process...
...and hugs JOANNA MCCOY...like his life depends on it.
INT. KIRK'S QUARTERS
CLOSE-UP on a photograph of Peter and ALEX FREEMAN, being held in Kirk's hand. We HEAR the door swish open.
NORMAL POV
Spock approaches Kirk, standing at the desk with a box of Peter's belongings. He lowers the photograph.
SPOCK
(heavily. A real request.)
Forgive me.
KIRK
Spock, this is space travel. Young men die - and their captains can't do anything to stop that from happening.
SPOCK
Peter died a hero.
Kirk nods and starts looking at things in his cabin reflectively, as if seeing them for the first time.
KIRK
I want to thank you for everything you did. For not giving up...for putting your career on hold. And for keeping my crew together.
SPOCK
I did what was necessary. It was only my wish that Star Fleet would not lose the services of a fine officer...
KIRK
I believe it's called 'stubborn'. Sometimes, you're - Human, Spock.
SPOCK
Too many times in the last years.
KIRK
The last two years...
(beat)
If you hadn't used the mind-meld to erase the fears my memories triggered in my mind, I may not have recovered.
SPOCK
I have also been subjected to the - agony of the Mind-Sifter. I know how to overcome the effects. You did not - you could not.
His voice is too heavy for him to keep using it.
SPOCK (CONT'D)
You are well?
KIRK
Yes.
(beat)
But...not the same.
Spock broaches a subject he's been avoiding.
SPOCK
You received my request?
Kirk nods, and continues looking at items in his cabin.
SPOCK (CONT'D)
I wish to explain...to impress upon you...
KIRK
I understand. Whatever you need to find on Vulcan: well, I hope you do.
The pronouncement surprises Spock. Kirk explains.
KIRK (CONT'D)
I just spent three months finding myself. I'm not going to begrudge you the chance to do the same.
The statement earns Spock's curiosity - and a raised eyebrow. He knows there is something more to this conversation.
Kirk smiles softly.
EXT. SPACE
Enterprise leaves Space Station 11 dock.
INT. BRIDGE
Decker at the conn. Spock, Scott, DeSalle, Sulu, Chekov, Xon, Uhura, Prescott, Sentell at their stations.
We HEAR the turbolift open and close.
Everyone turns with energy, ready to welcome...
ON TURBOLIFT
Kirk stands - wearing a TMP ADMIRAL'S UNIFORM.
NORMAL POV
They're stunned...but somehow not surprised.
Kirk seemingly doesn't notice. He steps down to the command chair, but doesn't rush what was once a familiar movement. Spock steps away and Kirk takes the chair tentatively. He touches the arms, looks around with satisfaction.
KIRK
Mr. Sulu...
He settles into the chair.
KIRK (CONT'D)
...take us home.
ROLL CREDITS...
CUE MUSIC... James Cawley singing, as Elvis, "My Way"
over a montage of behind the scenes photos of the production
then the Enterprise...warping out into space...
THE END
AUTHOR'S NOTES:
Obviously, this ending was written at a time when James Cawley intended to end Phase II. That plan was abandoned and an alternate ending was filmed, which you may find as the "next chapter". In that version the scene where Peter dies is removed, as well as the discussion with Xon and Chekov's comments about beaming the Klingons down.
Shirley had not considered that she was beaming a Russian down to the US during the McCarthy era. We discussed it and it was a facepalm moment for her and she said she would have added that element if she was ever to edit the story. Therefore, I did. I also added Yankee stadium to honor Walter Koenig. I also added the information about the psychiatric hospitals at the time and up until the 1970s, as it is my field (I am a licensed Social Worker) and it was also to honor our resident Klingon's family...John Carrigan, whose father was schizophrenic and had to endure these hospitals at this period of time. The incident with "Eddie" in the cafeteria was one that my brother-in-law endured on a daily basis - fighting each meal to stop the attendants at Monson State Hospital from doing this. He wasn't very successful and left after a short period.
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