[ Kirk always has his communicator near by, even when he was using the phone that Mandalus issued him. Which was why he stopped dead in his tracks when he heard Uhura's voice over the communicator. It had been months, but, come on, you don't just forget Uhura's voice. Not unless you want to be ignored for the rest of your life.
He fumbles for the communicator and flips it open. He sits at her station on the bridge, flipping switches. ]