Once the peace activist finally entered his office, though, Kirk’s immediate thought was that she was very much worth the wait. Her beauty was intoxicating in a way he’d begun to fear he’d outgrown. It wasn’t just the flawless delicacy of her features; he could sense the intensity and keen intelligence behind her dark, piercing eyes.

He chastised himself, striving for focus as he rose to greet her. He was letting Bones’s incessant matchmaking get to him. There might be time for that later, the Great Bird willing, but he had greater responsibilities to concentrate on right now.

“Doctor Janith-Lau.” He shook her hand, and it was dainty and refreshingly cool to the touch, but with a strong, decisive grip. “I’m glad you could come in to see me. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. Doctor McCoy speaks highly of you.”

“And of you, Admiral.” The pediatrician gave a small smile; a larger one might have blinded him. “I admit, I find that surprising. The Leonard McCoy I knew eight years ago seemed to have put Starfleet behind him rather decisively—indeed, he seemed to have little use for modern civilization altogether. I never would’ve expected him to go back to military service, or to remain in it now that he’s living on Earth again.” She examined Kirk curiously. “He gives me the impression that you’re the main reason he chooses to stay.”

Kirk returned her smile. “Doctor McCoy and I have known each other for seventeen years, almost all of them in Starfleet. Our friendship began with an argument—one that saved my life when he diagnosed me with Vegan choriomeningitis in the nick of time. It wasn’t the last time he’d save my life—and it was far from the last time we argued.”

Janith-Lau laughed. “I’m not surprised. My friendship with Len started with an argument too.”

“In my experience, most of his friendships do.” Kirk gestured her toward the couch to the side of his office, taking the armchair opposite her as she sat. He wished to set a more inviting tone than he could from behind his desk. “I value that as a reminder that people can disagree strongly, yet still work toward a common goal.”

She tilted her head. “I see. And you’re hoping you and I can find common ground on the Warborn issue.”

“I’m hoping I can convince you that we already share it.”

“Oh? How so?”

“The goal of enrolling the Arcturian Warborn in the Academy is to help them find a peacetime role. Arcturian law and tradition forbid them from participating in combat except in defense of their homeworld. Naturally, Starfleet respects that prohibition.”