Chapter Two

"I can't stop, I can't quit, It's in my heart It's on my lips, I can't stop, no I can't quit, It's in my heart, yeah I'm all in Til the wheels fall off, Til the spotlight fades I will lift your banner high, I will lift your banner high And til the walls crash in, For the rest of my days I'll lay it all on the line, Til the day I die..." - Til the Day I Die, TobyMac, FT. NF

Pain stabbed through her as she found herself leaning against the wall of a prison cell. Julia wasn't sure how much time had passed since she woke up in this damned place, but she knew that the creatures who had worked on her were far from finished. The worst part was knowing she couldn't do a damn thing to protect herself. They'd chained her to a wall when she tried escaping, and the cuffs that bound her to the slab table dug painfully into her wrists.

All she could do was hope and pray that somehow, someone would find her. Julia squeezed her eyes shut as she remembered how obsessed she had been with Star Trek. She used to wonder what it would be like to go into space and explore other worlds. Now, she knew that it was just a foolish dream.

"You know, most people already know what they want to do with their lives by their second year of college," she had said to Emily one day when she saw her friend in some kind of slump, "You're the only person I know who will probably stay in college for the rest of their lives."

"Julia, you don't understand," she groaned, leaning back against her seat as she twirled around on the wheelie chair, "My parents expect so much more out of me – all because my sister is going for her PHD. She wants to follow in my father's footsteps, so what else do I have but to follow in my mother's footsteps?"

"How about making your own decisions for once?" Julia countered.

She narrowed her eyes as she realized even that probably wouldn't be enough to satisfy them. Whatever Emily had been through was enough for her to rebel against anything her parents ordered. She wanted nothing more than to help the older woman with whatever issues she had been facing.

"Guess no one has ever given me that option."

There was still so much about Emily that Julia knew nothing about. She often thought of how much Emily had struggled to live up to her parents' reputations. Both as scientist and doctor, it wasn't easy. Julia had never seen parents who were so cold towards their own kid. Then again, she must have lived a pretty sheltered life.

"Hey, how about this, we do something really crazy this year… like, maybe Creation Fest? I mean, I know that's not really up your alley, but you might enjoy it," she suggested after plopping down on the bed beside her.

Emily regarded her with a hard-eyed stare, and for a moment, she was afraid Emily might have considered her crazy. Instead, Emily flashed her a charming smile that had probably won and crushed the hearts of many men.

"You know, that's actually not a bad idea," she decided.

That was how the two of them had decided to go to Creation Fest that year. It was one of the best decisions either of them had made since the Matthew West concert. The best part of that camping trip had to be when Crowder actually went down to the campsites and started singing along.

Julia sagged against the wall as she thought back to those crazy days. She missed them. Hell, she missed her world where everything was fine. While it was anything but perfect, at least she had a loving family and parents who were willing to support her on whatever choices she made. What the heck were they thinking about this whole mess? She knew they wouldn't let it sit well that she was missing. But, the odds of them finding out that she was taken would be one in a million.

She knew that the odds of being found at all were one in a million. She almost wished that she could wake up and pretend this was all nothing more than a nightmare. The moment she opened her eyes again after closing them was when she would keep finding herself in this world. Nothing could have prepared her for it, or the horrors that were likely to follow as one of the creatures approached the prison cell.

"You have recovered well, mortal," it sneered as it opened the door and reached out to her with a bony hand. A shudder ran through Julia as she bit back a scream of terror. She was tired of being treated like some guinea pig. "Perhaps now it is time to set the trap."

"And what trap might that be?" she demanded, trying not to wince at the hoarseness of her voice. From all of the screaming and lack of use of her voice afterwords, Julia was amazed she could speak at all. "All you've done is torture me with those… procedures!"

The creature merely wrenched her forward, and she winced from the sudden pain in her arm as it likely pulled a muscle. How much more pain would she have to endure before this was finally over? She doubted these creatures were finished with her anytime soon, especially if they were so determined to bring back Emily.

"Do not question T'Mhal's authority, mortal," the creature snapped. "He holds more power over you and I, and the rest of this pathetic universe."

Julia narrowed her eyes at that. She was beginning to understand that the idiot had a god-like mindset. And that annoyed her more than anything. These creatures had taken innocent people from their worlds and tortured them. Worst still, she knew that Emily had endured that torture herself.

"Oh, and by T'Mhal, you must mean your wonderfully malevolent leader," she scoffed, "I'm willing to bet he holds no power over this world, especially if the leaders or whoever runs this world know nothing about you."

"Such a foolish child," the creature sighed in mock disappointment. "Your arrogance will not get you far."

"Arrogant I might be, but I'm no fool," she muttered crossly, "Why don't you explain to me what your real purpose is? Maybe that will clear things up for a while."

The creature made what sounded like a guttural sound, almost like a growl. Julia almost smirked as she realized she was getting under its skin… or, if the creature even had skin under those bony fingers of theirs. Whatever the case, she had a way of getting under anyone's skin.

"Do not think we know what you are trying, mortal," the creature growled, and Julia tried not to roll her eyes once more as she was shoved into the room with the operating table she'd been strapped to for hours on end. "This procedure is far from over."

…

"So let me get this straight, they want me to be part of the away team for this unknown planet?"

Emily rose an eyebrow skeptically as she took a seat in the mess hall with Jim after their shifts ended an hour ago.

When Uhura had received the transmission, everyone was surprised that Starfleet wanted Emily, and specifically Emily, to be part of the away team for this planetary exploration. She didn't know what sounded more suspicious, the fact that they had asked for her specifically, or the fact that no one had showed their face during the transmission. Usually when the ship was sent messages regarding away missions, Council would at least show their faces.

This feels more like a threat than a mission, she thought after recalling how many traps were set upon those who weren't cautious.

Jim was sometimes over-confident when it came to handling missions. Emily and the rest of the crew had learned that the hard way when they were sent on away missions themselves. Most of the time, those missions would end in disaster because he didn't take precaution. He was slowly beginning to realize that he needed to be careful, especially around planets that weren't well-known to the Federation.

"I don't like it anymore than you do, but it's not like we don't have much of a choice," Jim rolled his eyes.

"This coming from the Captain who was willing to break the rules every five minutes," Emily retorted, crossing her arms while ignoring that charming smile of his.

She could still remember the days when Jim would constantly get himself into trouble for breaking the rules. Not only at the Academy, but during his first couple of years as Captain of the USS Enterprise. Something had changed. She knew that because of Admiral Pike's death, Jim felt as if he had a lot more responsibility over his shoulders. But, there was something more going on there.

"So, what exactly is dangerous about this planet in question?" Jim asked curiously.

"'Lightning storms that appear out of nowhere, strange plants that resemble Earth, along with a terrain and atmosphere that resembles Earth…' I think that's a little too convenient," she sighed after reciting what the message had read.

Jim rose an eyebrow at that, leaning back against his seat as he thought through what the message had read. He knew she had a valid point about feeling concerned over a random transmission that was sent by Starfleet. But they had chosen her specifically for said mission, and it wasn't as if they could deny it unless there were medical reasons.

"What about the lightning storms are dangerous?" he pressed.

"Jim, these storms conveniently block out communication the minute they start," she rolled her eyes, "Doesn't that seem just a little suspicious?"

Jim looked at her thoughtfully before realizing that something wasn't quite right there. Lightning storms that caused massive blackout through communication was just a little too convenient. Especially if Starfleet had requested for a specific Officer to beam down and observe the planet themselves. He of all people knew that when it was time to be cautious, she usually meant it.

"Mr. Sulu, what's the ETA on M-Delta?" he asked through the com.

"We should arrive within thirty minutes, sir," Sulu replied seconds later.

"Keep me posted when we get there," Jim ordered after letting out a sigh, "Something tells me we might not be in for a warm welcoming."

"Yes, sir."

"Happy, now?"

"Remarkably so," Emily retorted, shaking her head in disbelief as she stood up and grabbed a cup of coffee from the drink station. Jim only smirked in amusement as he did the same, knowing she probably wasn't in the mood for casual conversation. "How have things between you and Carol been going?" she suddenly asked, changing the subject faster than he thought possible.

For once, Jim was thankful she didn't catch his look of confusion before smirking coyly.

"What do you think?" he snorted in amusement.

"Well, considering she's the first woman you've been sleeping with for over a week, I'd say that's a new record," she clasped her hands together, smirking in amusement as she caught the frown that followed.

"Not true, I slept with Gaila for a month before things went south," he retorted cheekily.

"Was that before or after you cheated on the Kobyoshi Maru, using her pass key?"

Jim only cringed at that, remembering Gaila's reaction all-too-well after she found out he was the one who swiped her pass key. Their relationship had broken off shortly after that, with a painful slap across the face and later being reported to the Council. The end-results of that outcome could have been a lot worse. Gaila hadn't been dangerous at the very least, but she also wasn't someone Emily would have wanted to mess around with just to get ahead of the testing center. The Kobyoshi Maru had been created for a reason, and Jim was the one who managed to prove why said test was needed for over-confident Cadets in the Command track.

"You know, it's not exactly fair that you and Bones have been together for five years, now," Jim muttered once they made their way down to rec room 3.

Emily simply brushed that remark off with a shrug. She knew things could go vastly wrong within the five-years they were stuck on the Enterprise. She supposed that was why it was best not to push things. Leonard had remarkable patience, but she didn't know how long that would last when it came to putting up with her. While she was grateful that they managed to put up with each other over the last five years, she wondered how long it would last.

Nothing ever lasts forever, she reminded herself silently.

"You're not jealous, are you?" she asked, smirking in amusement when she caught the look Jim was giving her.

"What? Me? Jealous of the fact that Bones ended up with the hot girl?" Sarcasm aside, she didn't miss the laughter in Jim's voice as she slugged him across the shoulder. "But in all seriousness, what have the two of you been up to since he proposed?"

What haven't we been up to? she wondered while trying to hide the knowing look that followed. The fact that they were on this five-year mission had Leonard riled up enough as it was. He usually took double-shifts in the medbay when there were serious injuries, even though they'd only set out two weeks ago. The stress of work was usually taken out on drinking, or if things were really desperate, sex.

"Discussing wedding dates," she admitted with a sheepish look, "Nothing too serious."

"So, you haven't once thought of starting a family, or settling down?"

Emily nearly choked on the coffee she was drinking when Jim asked that. His smirk said it all – he was expecting that kind of reaction. Not for the first time, she found herself nearly rolling her eyes as she thought of the way Jim had handled their relationship so immaturely. They hadn't even begun talking about starting a family let alone setting a wedding date.

"Are you out of your damn mind?" she snapped. "Last thing on my mind right now is starting a family."

And of course, he was laughing his ass off at her reaction. To which she finally rolled her eyes and slugged him across the arm once more. She wasn't sure how Jim managed to take everything in stride, but he did with the same ear-shitting grin she had gotten used to over the years.

"Same exact reaction from Bones," he nearly choked out, doubled over with laughter.

Emily merely let out a sigh of frustration and shook her head in disbelief. Some things never got old. Such as Jim's childish behavior. Captain he may be, but he still had the heart of a kid. A feature she found both annoying and admirable at the same time.

"Proximity alert, sir!"

Both Emily and Jim froze at the sound of Sulu's voice through the coms once more. Neither needed to be told twice that they had arrived at M-Delta.

"Keptain on the bridge!" Chekov announced once they had reached the bridge.

A view of the planet in question spread across the viewscreen in an almost ominous way. Emily felt her blood run cold as she realized just how similar it did look to Earth. Only it was bigger in size. She wasn't sure what about the planet left her heart racing with dread, but something about it left her feeling uneasy.

"What do we have, Mr. Sulu?" Jim asked once he reached the chair, and Emily had reached her station.

"I'm not sure, sir," Sulu admitted, squinting his eyes as he tried reading the scanner correctly, "It's hard to make out – there's a lot of electrical interference with the scanners."

"Captain, we're being hailed," Uhura announced as her brows furrowed in confusion.

This isn't going to get any better, Emily reminded herself as the sudden uneasiness came rushing back.

"On screen."

Uhura nodded and did just that. What Emily saw next sent shivers of dread through her. She wasn't expecting to see them again. Not this soon. As if things weren't bad enough, she spotted Leonard out of the corner of her eye when he'd finally arrived on the bridge.

"Captain James T. Kirk, of the USS Enterprise, I assume."

Emily could only squeeze her eyes shut at the voice that sounded like nails scraping a chalkboard. She recognized the sound of that horrible voice anywhere. She didn't miss the wary look Leonard threw her as realization dawned on him.

"This is he," Jim replied, sounding more like the serious Captain Emily would have preferred at the moment, "To whom am I speaking with?"

"I go by many names, mortal." Emily flinched at the harsh term that left her wishing a hole would suddenly open up and swallow her. "But to those who have had the honor, I am known as T'Mhal, leader of the Ancient Ones."

"Ancient Ones?" Sulu repeated, frowning as he looked over at Jim warily.

"We are here to speak with one of your crew members. We have transport capabilities and will beam her aboard this ship," T'Mhal added, and Emily could practically feel the cloaked figure's piercing gaze bore through her, if that were possible. "If you do not cooperate, Captain, the consequences will be dire."

Emily understood the threat loud and clear. T'Mhal wouldn't hesitate to destroy the Enterprise and everyone within it. To him, this was nothing more than a game. Watching people suffer was what these creatures got a kick out of.

"And who do you want to speak with?" Jim asked, clearing his throat and sitting up straighter in his chair.

"Liaison Hayes." All eyes fell on Emily. And for a moment, she felt as if everything was a blur.

"Why?" Leonard spoke up for the first time, catching everyone's attention as T'Mhal let out a noise that sounded more like a growl.

"You do not speak to me in such a tone, mortal," he snapped.

Fury flashed across Leonard's eyes when T'Mhal shot him a scathing look.

This is getting us nowhere. She knew T'Mhal wouldn't let his threat go so easily, not unless she was willing to comply with such orders. Letting out a sigh, she knew what had to be done. Leonard wasn't going to like it – hell, no one was except for T'Mhal. But, so long as the rest of the crew was safe, that was what mattered to her.

"Jim, let me talk to him." She didn't miss the look of surprises that followed from everyone. "He is going to destroy this ship, if I don't."

"Em, you weren't lying about those bastards, were you?" he asked, his voice oddly quiet as she caught the look in Leonard's eyes.

"No, I wasn't."

She swallowed back the unease as she glanced at the others on the bridge.

"You said you vould not put your life in danger again," Chekov added quietly, reminding her all-too-soon of what had happened with the housings.

Emily simply flashed him a look that said it all – she knew that those were just empty promises. She would gladly give her life for these people time and time again if it ever came to that. They had become her family, and that meant more to her than she could ever express with just words.

"T'Mhal, I will speak to you, if you promise to let everyone else go, safely," she added, turning to the viewing screen once more.

"Dammit Emily, what the hell are you doing?" Leonard griped as he reached her, and Emily couldn't shake off the knot of anxiety that had formed in her stomach. The moment her eyes met his was when he let out a sigh of frustration, "I'm not losing you again."

"Leonard, I love you," she sighed, "But I have to do this. He will kill everyone on this ship, including you. I can't let that happen. Not on my watch."

Leonard bit back a retort that would only make things worse. He hated this. Hell, he hated the fact that she was so damn willing to give herself up without a bloody fight. She could see the argument in his eyes. But, he knew better.

"You're going to be the death of me, if those bastards aren't," he muttered.

"Then maybe it's good I'm going," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper as Leonard rose an eyebrow and she kissed him on the cheek. "Don't do anything stupid."

Leonard wasn't even given a chance to spit something back when the swirling lights appeared around her. No one dared made a move as realization dawned on them. How one mission could go wrong in flat-out ten minutes was beyond anyone's belief. But, it had happened, and everyone was too stunned to react at the moment she vanished before their eyes.

AN: Thanks Howling2themoon for reviewing!