Cut 'em out, ride 'em in. [Open]

[captain-jtk.livejournal.com]

Even captains need their moments of rest and relaxation. Kirk had retreated to the Sensoriums to try and catch his breath and ease some of the tension from the past few months. This ship was draining, sometimes in the extreme. Not for the first time he missed Enterprise. She had been his ship, for better or for worse and now that she was gone, he found he missed her more then ever. That didn't even account for the crew. Sulu, McCoy, Uhura, Scotty, Chekov - he wished he had them here right now. Their advice and support would meant quite a lot. As it was, Spock had recently arrived, but he seemed different somehow. Something he hadn't been able to put his finger on yet.

Kirk sighed to himself and finished saddling his (virtual) horse. The whole affair with Roxie Schreiber had gotten too far out of control. He'd reacted instead of letting himself think. He'd overstepped his boundaries. In one smooth motion, he slip up onto the horse, settling himself in the saddle. An apology to the crew at large was probably in order. They had a trust in him that he'd violated to a certain degree. He just wished that some of them returned that trust.

Giving up was out of the question, though. There was no such thing as a no-win situation. With a click of his tongue, Kirk flicked the reins and set the horse out into a steady trot. Ahead of him were rolling hills and blue skies. A beautiful day for a ride.

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[trenchcoatange1.livejournal.com]

Castiel lowered his gaze for a moment, staring at the false ground at his feet before looking back up at Kirk and nodded. "There is dissension amongst your people," he agreed and the choice of 'your people' rather than 'the crew' was intentional. "Might I offer advice, one warrior to another?"

[captain-jtk.livejournal.com]

"I know..." Kirk patted the horse again as it lowered its head to nibble at the grass. "Honestly, I'll take whatever advice you care to give."

[trenchcoatange1.livejournal.com]

"In order to lead this crew, you must first be part of it," he said plainly. "Distance will not earn you their trust, nor them yours. They are suspicious of you and the rest of the command staff, they do not trust you for the same reason you do not trust God, because they do not know you. So, like you, they choose to take matters into their own hands."

The angel paused as he prepared to say something that an obedient angel ought not to.

"You and your lieutenants must not make the same mistake He did. No one can afford it."

[captain-jtk.livejournal.com]

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you."

Kirk nodded sincerely. He meant it, too.

[trenchcoatange1.livejournal.com]

Cas returned the nod.

"You know how to reach me if you need me," he offered. Then, just as suddenly as he appeared, he was gone again.