Chapter Text
“Do you know how irresponsible your decision was? How can you stand here and tell me that you took the necessary precautions? You may have jeopardized an entire civilization’s future and you almost got yourself, Spock and your entire crew killed. You justify your playing God, with blind luck.”
Jim felt the last sentence as if Chris had just struck him across the face. Chris really thought him to be that shallow and stubborn. Didn’t he understand his actions? What motivated him to save that civilization? After everything? “Dad, I understand-”
“No. Here I am your commanding officer, not your father.” Chris’s migraine increased ten-fold knowing that right now he was making the hardest decision he has ever made. “If you don’t respect the rules set in place, how are you going to respect those under your command? Judging the situation per Starfleet regulations, you know the consequences. Your actions show you are nowhere near ready to sit in that chair. The admirals and I will make our decision at our meeting today. Your father and I expect you for dinner at 1800 sharp. Do not make me hunt you down. Dismissed.”
...
“I know he made some bad decisions, but this doesn’t seem like something Jim would just decide on a whim. Chris, that does not sound like our son.”
“Honey, trust me, I know. I know our kid. I know that Jim had a very good reason for doing what he did, but it was not the way to go about things. He almost got himself hurt, I can’t just sit here and watch him hurt himself, no matter how subtle he thinks he’s being. I can't lose him again, Phil.”