It’s been a long few months for the crew of the Farragut. Jim can see it despite the professionalism they maintain. Shore leave is well and truly earned, and he wants to make it something special for those who have been hinting at a certain activity since Les’s last visit. He’s kept largely mum about it until the last minute, where he lets it be known that he’s found a non-Federation shuttle that’s been donated for their decorating purposes. He couldn’t let them decal and modify one of Starfleet's, not without some red tape hassle eventually, but this seems like a decent workaround. Not that Jim is against cutting through red tape, but he tries and saves those meetings with Starfleet Admiralty for when it’s life and death matters.

The shuttle had been originally designed on Mariposa, a member of the Federation. Ultimately it was determined not to be optimal for medical transport and they allowed Kirk to transport it over to the current starbase hangar where the Farragut is residing. What will be done with it after his crew and Les turn it into a haunted shuttle he has no idea, perhaps donating it. For the moment he’s just concerned about letting them let their hair down, so to speak, and getting to see Les again. They stay in touch via communicators, but it’s not the same as getting to see a friend in person.

He’s waiting for her to be transported aboard the Farragut now, arms crossed and an anticipatory smile on his face. He wouldn’t be surprised if she came with her own supplies to add to the ones he and the crew have gotten. From here he’ll take her to the shuttle. Once she materializes, he moves forward to give her a hug in greeting. “Hey, stranger.”