When Spock starts talking about his mom, it isn't 'cause she's dead. This is before that, in original series time. He had other stuff in mind.

Note: When Spock starts talking about his mom, it isn't 'cause she's dead. This is before that, in original series time. He had other stuff in mind.

Disclaimer: I own nothing. This goes for all chapters.

Chapter 1

Captain James T Kirk fought the urge to throw himself at his captors. The only thing holding him back was the phaser pressed against Spock's back. Grudgingly he allowed himself through the forced through the pristine halls towards whoever this Malhinan was. Apparently he was the leader of these Delavans, which automatically made Jim not trust him. Delavans were known for trying to push the boundaries of science, though only for the purpose of getting ahead so they could take over the universe. They had to be given points for creativity, though; they always seemed to have some crazy plan up their sleeves. Jim just couldn't wait to see what this one was. Not. Finally they entered the 'throne room' for lack of a better word. Malhinean was sitting proud as a peacock on his fluffy chair.

"All right, Malhinan, you have us. Let's get to the point, and make it snappy, because my crew is going to be down here to rescue us any minute now."

"Your confidence is misplaced." Malhinan uttered coldly.

"You've never met my chief engineer." Jim locked eyes with the ruler, not-so-subtly challenging his authority.

"And he shall never meet you again." The King shot back aloofly. "Nothing can get through our shields."

"Nothing before now. We just got upgrades, Malhinan. Let us go, and save yourself the trouble."

"Nothing can get through our shields!" The monarch howled. Delavan's were also known for being (very) overconfident and emotional. "Take them away!" Jim and Spock were very roughly handled to where Jim presumed was where they would be able to get a taste of the Delavan's idea of 'fun'. He was not mistaken. The two of them were strapped to a very expensive looking machine, with restraints that not even Spock could break through. Jim tugged on them experimentally anyway.

"This is only an experiment, you understand." Malhinean grinned, circling the helpless starfleet officers. "A first time thing. We expect it to be painful. You will definitely fall unconscious, though admittedly that isn't all because of the pain. Have fun." A whirring began, and Jim threw himself at the cuffs, straining fruitlessly. Then some other machine started releasing some kind of energy lightning thing, and ithurtithurtithurtithurt Jim couldn't remember when he started screaming, all he could ever remember was the pain. And as Malhinean had predicted, unconsciousness soon claimed him. When he came to, It was still on the same table thing, his throat raw, and his entire body convulsing. The Delavans seemed immensely pleased, and were carrying on in a truly annoying manner.

Jim could only moan. He flopped his head to the side to check on Spock, and found the Vulcan returning his gaze, not bothering to hide his staring. He must have woken up before Jim, and simply waited for his captain's awakening, probably while the Delavans taunted his with the knowledge that Jim, with his weaker human anatomy, may never wake again. Jim knew how, despite Spock's emotionless exterior, the possibility would have gnawed relentlessly at him, how he would have been convinced that this was all his fault somehow.

Jim managed a weak smile, and Spock returned it, if only with his eyes. Soon Jim felt someone disengage his hands from the offending cuffs. He was thrown to the ground, and could not find the strength to stand. Someone kicked him in the stomach, and he curled in on himself defensively. Then, through the general haze, there came Spock's voice.

"I will assist the captain in reaching our destination." There was some grunt of affirmation. Then Spock's arms reached out, and Jim felt his limp body be drawn into Spock's cool arms. Jim hated this… vulnerability, coupled with the fact that Spock shouldn't be exerting himself any more than necessary. This definitely qualified as unnessary. Oh well. At least his crew would be here soon.

Jim hadn't been lying when he said his crew would be here any minute. He also wasn't worried about the Delavans trying to use that information to their own tactical advantage. The thing that kept Delavans from being a real danger to the Federation was their overconfidence and innate stubbornness. They would rest assured that there transporter scramblers would save them, and then they would get blasted to bits. Jim would have sighed if he could talk. Delavans.

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

Jim and Spock were deposited into separate cells, and both were chained to the wall. When Jim finally got his voice back, he immediately inquired as to Spock's health.

"S-Spock. Are you alright?"

"I am adequate, captain. Yourself?"

"I'll be fine." Spock had pulled himself as close to his captain as he could, and Jim had done the same.

"They told me that you would not awaken. That I had failed to protect you. That you would be plagued with nightmares for the rest of your life, and it was my fault." Spock wouldn't meet Jim's eyes. "I am sorry, captain. Had they wished, it is completely possible they could have carried out their threat. They certainly could have killed you, and still possess the capability to do so. I apologize for my failure to…"

"Spock no. It's not your fault. That's just the drug talking. They poisoned you, remember? Spock, none of this is your fault." Spock seemed to crumple under Jim's forgiving gaze.

"My mother…"

"No, Spock. Don't. You're not yourself right now. You won't want to tell me that stuff later, or if you do, you can tell me then, but I don't want you talking before you're ready." Spock subduedly agreed, and the two of them sat in silence, waiting. Eventually the drug wore off, it wasn't long, and a little after that, there was the all familiar humm of the transporters filling the room.

"Captain." Sulu grinned. "Good to see you again."

"Same, Mr Sulu. Let's get out of here."

"Captain, may I suggest we search for other prisoners? As we are now armed and on guard, it would seem logical."

"Very well, Mr Spock, we certainly can't leave people here, after all. Are there many cells?"

"Negative, captain. There are only 3 cell rooms, and if they are the same size as this one, then any search should be short lived."

"All right, let's go." Two of the redshirts handed out phasers, and the other one equipped them with communicators. They slipped out into the hallway. Jim could almost laugh at the complete lack of guards. Delavans were so overconfident it was really almost comical. Then, suddenly, they got quite the shock. There was a woman there. She had thick blond hair, blue eyes, and, most surprisingly, wore the uniform of a starfleet captain. There were no female captains like that in starfleet. He would have remembered them. They saw each other at the same time.

"Who are you?" The two captains demanded at once. The female responded first.

"I'm Jane T Kirk of the USS Enterprise. You are?" Everyone's jaw dropped but Spock's and… Jane's?

"What? I'm Captain James T Kirk, and I'm the captain of the Enterprise." Jim felt an illogical surge of protectiveness surge within him at the thought of someone trying to take his ship.

"That's impossible! I… is he a Vulcan?" Jane's eyes were locked on Spock. "I thought Ms Spock was the only first officer Vulcan in starfleet."

Everyone's jaw dropped a little farther.

"My name is also Spock." Spock intoned. "And I advise we exit the area as soon as possible, after you explain your unrestrained nature. We were freed by our comrades from our ship. Are you in league with the Delavans?"

"Actually, I always keep a lock pick in my boot. Now we can't leave yet, we have to get my first officer. This way." Jim and Spock exchanged glances.

"It would seen logical to follow." Spock informed his captain. With no further words but a shrug on Jim's part, they followed the female captain. She entered one of the cell rooms, and ran instantly to one of the cages. There was a slim pale woman inside, what must surely be normally pristine hair rumpled, and far more chains around her body than had been around Mr Spock. The woman's ears were pointed.

"Spock!" Jane called fearfully, green blood covered much of Spock's (for that must be who it was) face, and was crusted about of her uniform. She inserted her lockpick from her boot into the lock's hole, and rushed into the cell. Spock raised her face and gave a small whimper, leaning into her captain's hands making small distressed sounds.

"What's wrong with her?" Jane demanded, though quietly so she wouldn't scare her first officer. Gently she moved her fingers over the woman's cheeks, over toward her ears. She stared over her shoulder at Jim, obviously demanding an answer, but it was Mr Spock who gave it.

"She is suffering from a certain drug. It was also used on myself, however she seems to have far more. It should still wear off."

"All right, but what in the meantime?"

"We take her to the Enterprise."

"Mr Spock, what?" Jim cut in. "We don't know if we can trust them yet. They're claiming to be girl versions of us!"

"Captain, my double is obviously suffering. They would not do so unless they truly were against the Delavans. I believe your earth expression is 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend'. I do not understand how friendships can be formed so easily, however the point remains. If anyone has cause for mistrust, it should be them." JIm didn't look quite convinced, but he allowed Spock to take the lead on this one. Jane pursed her lips.

"Will one of you unlock these chains?" Spock stepped forward, and accepted the lockpick. He gently began unlocking Ms Spock's bonds, also getting a sense of the Vulcan's condition. She had certainly been given far more of the drug than he had, explaining her far more decreased state.

"Are you ready for beam up? Spock questioned.

"Yes. I suppose I have no choice but to trust you." Jane admitted reluctantly. "Ms Spock needs medical attention, and I can't give it to her here."

"Do you know if there are any additional prisoners?" Spock pressed.

"There weren't in the room I was being held in. I don't think there are any more in here, so if there weren't any from your room, I don't think there are any more."

"Very well." Spock allowed. "Then, captain, will you contact the Enterprise?" Jane looked at him as if he was crazy.

"I don't have my communicator."

"I was addressing my captain." Spock clarified. This could get confusing fast. Jim took out his communicator.

"Kirk to Enterprise. Kirk to Enterprise. Yes, we're fine, Scotty. 7 to beam up."