A/N: So, I had a dozen alerts, plus a couple of "favorites", which is the most I've ever gotten for a first chapter posting before. Thanks! For the ones who pointed out the typos, thanks. I promise I do check these things before I post them, but on occasion I miss them. They're all mine, no beta to blame.
Disclaimer: Again, I don't own them. More's the pity.
Jim stalked angrily down the hall, his mind racing. M'Benga had gotten Bones onto a biobed. Thankfully, he'd had the foresight to clear out Sickbay, so it was empty of staff when they arrived. Bones didn't need anyone else to see him like this. Jim had to sit by as his best friend underwent a rather unnecessary rape examination. M'Benga's questions went unanswered, so Jim was now on his way to the brig. He wanted a damn explanation.
Jim entered the brig to see Spock sitting motionless on the bed in his cell. Jim looked to Ensigns Giotto and Roberts, the security team who'd brought Spock to the brig, and now stood watching over him.
"Has he said anything?"
"No sir. He hasn't spoken, or moved, except to get dressed."
Someone had thought to give Spock a pair of sweats and long sleeved shirt, so that he wasn't in just a towel. The brig was already cooler than the majority of the ship, by virtue of its location relative to the central temperature controls, and the Vulcan couldn't take the cold as well as the rest of the crew. Jim stepped directly in front of Spock's cell, and waited until his first officer looked up at him.
"What the hell, Spock?"
"I regret that I do not have a satisfactory explanation for what happened, Captain. How is Dr. McCoy?"
Spock had been expecting the captain-he could not call him Jim, not after what he did to the doctor, his best friend—to come. He knew that as soon as the captain saw to his friend, he would want answers.
"You don't have an explanation? You don't have an explanation!"
"I do not. Much as I would prefer otherwise."
Jim couldn't believe his ears. Spock didn't have any sort of explanation?
"I never would have believed you capable of rape, Spock."
Spock actually winced at the word, but did not defend himself.
"Damn it! He was your friend! How could you do something like this!"
How dare the man simply sit there, his face a mask? He didn't even show remorse for his actions.
"It was never my intent to harm him, Captain."
"Not your intention to-!" Jim interrupted him, not caring what reason the other man might give. He'd raped a man, brutally, but he never meant to harm him? This was not the Spock he knew.
"I know you will not believe me, Captain, but I never meant to harm Leonard."
For once, Jim could hear emotion in the Vulcan's voice. He could hear guilt, and sincerity, and he found himself wanting to believe Spock, which only made it worse.
"Then help me understand it, Spock. Why would you do this?"
A fine shaking coursed its' way through Spock's body, and he huddled in on himself. Jim frowned. The brig wasn't that cold, especially when Spick was used to the entire ship being too cold for comfort.
"What has happened to him, Captain? I can not feel him through our bond. Please, tell me he is well."
"M'Benga had to sedate him, so his body can finish healing. Did you just say you're bonded to him?"
This was even more concerning. Contrary to what Bones said, Jim did pay attention to his xenobiology and xenopsychology classes at the Academy. Vulcans did not form random bonds with people. They valued their privacy too highly. The only bonds Jim knew of were the bonds between immediate family and bond mates, or spouses. Not even close friends, unless they shared some great event or experience, shared a bond. None of this made any sense. Spock was beginning to shake even harder.
"Captain, I fear I am unwell. I believe I may need to see Dr. M'Benga."
He did look bad, Jim could agree with that. However, he wasn't calling M'Benga away from Bones a minute before he was done healing the man. Spock could wait a bit longer.
"I'll get M'Benga down just as soon as I can, but you have to tell me what happened, Spock."
Spock looked up from his shaking, the look on his face helpless, perhaps even scared.
"I do not remember, Captain."
"You don't remember?" Jim repeated, unable to keep the disbelief from his voice. "Do you really expect me to believe that? You magically can't remember?"
"I am aware of the likelihood of such an occurrence, but it is the truth. Prior to waking in my quarters with Leonard beside me, I have no memory of these events."
If it was anyone but his first officer, Jim would have called bullshit. But Spock, however good he was at implication or omission, couldn't outright lie. He was terrible at it.
"Alright, Spock, what is the last thing you do remember?"
Spock closed his eyes for long minutes, thinking. Jim had to tamp down his impatience as it was becoming clearer by the second that something was wrong with the man. Jim gave the guards a quiet order to comm M'Benga and have him come as soon as possible.
"I remember your insistence that I join the crew for my allotted shore leave on Tesla III. I made certain, per your orders, to spend the first half of my shore leave partaking of the various activities offered for one's entertainment on the planet's surface. Once I fulfilled your edict I then met with several of the science officers from both the planet and the USS Madison."
"And that's the last thing you remember?"
"Yes. A group of us had chosen to partake of an evening meal together. That is the last thing I remember."
Jim's jaw dropped, and he knew it. He didn't care. The last thing Spock remembered was dinner with a bunch of blue shirts? If that was right after he'd "fulfilled Jim's edict" of spending at least half his shore leave away from Enterprise and ANY science labs—
"Spock, that was seven days ago. We're scheduled to leave Tesla III in twelve hours."
"Impossible."
It could not be. Surely he hadn't put Leonard through seven days of—no. The captain had to be mistaken. The Plak Tow—the only point during Pon Farr that he would have been too frenzied to remember, never lasted for more than a day. It could not be; even mated and bonded, no full Vulcan would be able to survive a seven day plak tow, let alone a half blood.
"You lie!"
With a cry of rage, Spock sprang from his seat on the bed, and lunged at Jim. He was, of course, stopped by the shield holding him in.
"I know you want him, Captain!" he yelled in Vulcan. "You will not take him from me! He is mine! My mate!"
With no further warning, Spock collapsed onto the floor, shaking violently. The doors to the brig opened, allowing M'Benga inside. The doctor took one look at Spock on the floor and ordered the cell to be opened. Within seconds, he had the Vulcan sedated, and he turned to the guards.
"Get him up to Sickbay."
They picked the unconscious man up and carried him out between them.
"What happened?" M'Benga turned on Jim.
"He tried to attack me. Accused me of trying to take Bones from him."
"And he just collapsed?"
"He'd been shaking, badly, before he flew at me. That's when he collapsed."
"And you didn't think to call me? Or at the least stop interrogating him? He needs medical attention!"
"So did his victim, M'Benga. And in case you hadn't noticed, I'm trying to find out what the hell is going ion! He called Bones his mate! He said they were bonded! That sounds a lot to me like a mating bond, and I know Bones would never agree to that!"
"I would say it's obvious he didn't agree. Now, I have to get back up to my patient."
Jim shot an arm out, blocking the door frame.
"Doctor, you are going to tell me everything you know, and you're going to do it now."
"Captain, doctor/patient privilege prevents me from—"
"Doctor/patient privilege only applies when a condition will not adversely affect the crew. When a patient is a danger to themselves or others, confidentiality doesn't apply."
"The Chief Medical Officer is the only person who can make that call."
"Unless the situation involves a violent crime against the CMO. I know my regs, M'Benga. Now tell me what I need to know!"
Jim took a deep breath to try to calm himself before continuing. Fighting with M'Benga wouldn't do Bones or Spock any good.
"Look, I'm not asking you to violate Spock's privacy just for kicks, M'Benga. I need to know what's going on."
M'Benga looked ready to refuse, but Jim held his ground. He was getting his damn answers. M'Benga sighed.
"I have theories, but I need to confirm the data. Come with me to Sickbay."
Jim followed M'Benga back up to Sickbay. He was happy to see that Bones was still asleep. Spock had been laid on another biobed, and blankets were draped over him. The shaking seemed to be subsiding. Jim watched his First Officer in concern.
"Do you have any idea what's causing this, Doctor?"
"This is the reason I was trying to find Dr. McCoy."
A small vial filled with a green liquid came flying at Jim. He caught it reflexively, and then looked back at M'Benga.
"This is Spock's blood?"
"It is. Dr. McCoy drew several vials of it seven days ago and ordered testing. The results were—disturbing."
"How so?"
"He had adrenaline levels that would kill a human. And a foreign substance that I'm not familiar with. I've looked over the results of the tests, and it was determined that the substance was not a natural occurring one."
Jim took a moment to process what M'Benga was telling him. Something man made was in Spock's blood. That wasn't normal for Spock. He was hesitant to use even medication from Sickbay, preferring his Vulcan healing trance. And even if Bones had given him something, there wouldn't be anything that M'Benga couldn't identify, as a doctor.
"Are you saying that my First Officer was on some sort of drug? I don't have to tell you how unlikely that is, Doctor."
"That he intentionally ingested a drug? I would say damn near impossible. But that someone gave him something without his knowledge? That is entirely possible."
Jim looked from the vial to the Vulcan, who was now sleeping more peacefully. If Spock was on some sort of drug, that might explain the shaking. It could be some sort of withdrawal. Who knew how something would affect his hybrid physiology?
Could whatever he'd taken have caused this catastrophe? Was Spock a victim as well? If that was the case, how could they possibly handle this?
"Does this have anything to do with what Spock did to Bones?"
He wasn't sure he wanted the answer, but he needed to know. If Spock's actions were the result of some drug, then they had two victims to deal with, and would have to begin an investigation on the planet immediately. If the drug had nothing to do with the attack, they would deal with Spock to the fullest extent of Federation law.
"I think it has everything to do with it, Captain. What do you know about Vulcan biology?"
"Only what they taught in Xenobiology. They're stronger than humans, on average three times stronger. Their body temperature is higher, believed to result from how hot Vulcan was, and their need to adapt to the harsh environment. They're touch telepaths, and the nerve pinch hurts like hell," he finished ruefully. The look on M'Benga's face as he recited the list told him he was missing something.
"Do you know what Pon Farr is, Captain?"
Jim sorted through all the facts he knew about Vulcans, everything he'd ever read or heard about the race. He was drawing a blank.
"Never heard of it. I'm guessing it's not good."
"Damn Vulcan secrecy," M'Benga muttered to himself when Jim answered as he'd expected. He really didn't want to have to explain Pon Farr to the captain. In his opinion, none of this was Jim's business, and Geoff didn't feel right exposing so much about the Vulcan race, when they valued their privacy so highly. After suffering the losses that race had suffered, they should be allowed to keep what tradition and honor they had left.
Unfortunately, the captain did know his regulations. And since McCoy was involved, the captain could order the break of doctor/patient privilege. He really didn't have an option.
"Pon Farr is the Vulcan mating drive. For adult males, it occurs every seven years. During that time, if they do not mate, they die. Are you with me so far?"
Jim glared at M'Benga, finding that he really disliked the man. Bones was mean to everyone, and he loved to complain about the incompetence around him, but he never actually treated anyone like an idiot unless they actually deserved it.
"I think so. Every seven years, Vulcan males go into heat. Start making your point, M'Benga."
"The final stage of Pon Farr is the Plak Tow, or Blood Fever. This is the point at which it can become deadly. The body produces an overload of adrenalin, which they must burn off through mating, or it can kill them."
"Adrenalin. The kind of levels you found in Spock's blood?"
"Actually, I've never heard of levels as high as Spock experienced. He should not be able to function at those levels."
"They why didn't he say anything? Why'd he let it get so far out of control?"
"Captain, Spock is not due to enter Pon Farr for another two hundred ninety four days. Vulcan biology, like everything else about them, is very precise."
"So, you're saying that if this was Pon Farr, which you're pretty sure it is, it didn't happen naturally. Do you think it was this drug in his system that caused it?"
"That is exactly what I think. I think this drug not only caused it, but intensified it. Adrenalin levels at the onset of Pon Farr are much, much lower. They don't reach a level even close to what we found until the Plak Tow is reached. And those results are from seven days ago. The plak tow has never in recorded history lasted beyond a day. Pon Farr itself, yes, but the blood fever? Never. And this lasted a full seven days."
"But why Bones?"
That was the important question. Whatever caused Spock to go into Pon Farr early, why did he attack Bones? Why not Uhura? Weren't they still dating? Why would he have gone after Bones when he had a girlfriend who would be more than willing to help him out in this situation?
"With his mate unavailable, he would have to mate with someone whose mind is compatible enough with his to form a bond. My guess? When Spock noticed something was wrong, he contacted Dr. McCoy, and that McCoy was simply there when the fever hit. It's just a theory, however. We'll have to wait for McCoy to wake up to hear his version of events."
It made a sickening sort of sense to Jim. If Spock felt something was wrong, he would have gone to either the CMO, or M'Benga for help. Bones would have been closer, since they were both planet side, and likely in the same general area, as neither of them could actually let themselves enjoy a full shore leave.
He could just see the unfortunate timing that would cause the "Blood Fever" to hit, when Spock and Bones were alone, leaving Spock in the frenzy to either mate or die. Bones, strong and fit though he was, wouldn't stand a chance against such a determined Vulcan, although judging from the state of Spock's quarters, he put up a tremendous fight.
"Exactly what type of bond are we talking about here, Doctor?"
Jim thought he knew, but he wanted M'Benga to confirm. Better yet would be to hear a flat contradiction, but he knew that wouldn't' happen. He was a genius; he could put two and two together to get four. If they were right about what happened, and Jim was certain they were, then they were talking about a mating bond. The Vulcan equivalent of marriage.
"If I'm right, Captain, then this is a permanent marriage bond."
M'Benga didn't look any happier about it than Jim, but Jim had other issues to worry about. He needed to call Admiral Pike. Their mission to Deep Space 6, to drop off supplies picked up form Tesla III and to pick up the Tholian ambassador and transport her and her entourage home would have to be put on hold. Jim wasn't leaving the system until they could find some answers.
A beeping noise broke Jim's thoughts, and he watched as M'Benga left his two patients, going over to a portion of Sickbay Jim had never really seen up close, to return seconds later with a new PADD.
"Anything useful, Doctor?"
M'Benga looked up absently at the question, before burying his head in the screen he held up to his face.
"It is definitely man made, Captain. There are chemicals here that I don't recognize, but the chemicals I do know are similar to drugs Orions have been known to use on their sexual partners. They've also recently shown up in humans as a date rape drug, due to it's affects as an aphrodisiac. This particular combination would also inhibit memory retention, and has been known to increase stamina, which is why the Orions like it so much. That particular chemical may have been the reason this was so intense—"
M'Benga trailed off as Jim jumped from his seat and started walking out of Sickbay, giving him instructions to comm him the moment either man woke up. The rest of what M'Benga was saying didn't matter quite so much to Jim. He had reason enough to make the call to Pike. Spock had been drugged, pure and simple. Whatever else M'Benga might go on about, while doubtless scientifically fascinating, was unimportant at this moment. Later, Jim knew a full report would be needed, but right now, he had a call to make from his quarters. The ready room just wasn't secure enough for the conversation he needed to have.
"Tell me this is some kind of sick joke, Kirk."
Pike look sickened, and Jim could sympathize. He remembered that Pike had hand picked both Spock and Bones for his crew. He cared about both men, just as Jim did. This was not easy to hear.
"I wish it was, sir."
"Do you have any idea how Spock could have been drugged?"
"My best guess is that it came from someone he had dinner with that night. Unfortunately, that was a week ago, and the Madison has already shipped out. I'm going to have Security track down all of the planetary scientists, and we'll go through them before I contact the Madison about this."
"Good. How-how bad was it?"
Jim left his desk, taking his video screen with him, facing it away from him as he entered Spock's room.
"My God," he heard Pike through the vid screen. None of the mess had been cleaned, so Pike was seeing the same destruction Jim could no longer bear to look at.
"And you think this is—"
"I think all this is from Bones trying to fight him off."
"Dear Lord. Alright, Kirk, I've seen enough."
Jim was more than happy to go back to his room. He set the vid screen back on his desk, so that he could look Pike directly in the eye. This was a hell of a situation to be in, and they had to decide how to handle it.
"I'm not sure what to tell you, son. We could prosecute Spock, which would end his career in Starfleet. That's even if he isn't convicted, which is likely if what you believe about him being drugged is true. No panel would convict him when he was not in control of his body. Someone used his own biology against him."
"I have no doubts about that, sir. It's not possible that Spock would knowingly ingest a foreign substance, not even in the name of science. Believe me, we've all tried."
"We also have to think about what's best for the both of them. It may not seem like it, since McCoy was injured so badly, but Spock is just as much a victim as he is, if he was in fact drugged. We can't just treat him like a criminal."
"I know, Admiral. I just—I don't know what's best for them, either of them."
Pike was watching him carefully, and the look on Jim's face told him that there was more they needed to discuss, more he probably wasn't going to hear. He had a sneaking suspicion of what that might be.
"Kirk, I'm going to ask you a question, and I need you to answer honestly. Are they bonded?"
Jim winced, and Pike knew he'd hit the nail on the head. This complicated everything.
"I believe they are, Sir. Spock called Bones his mate, and the evidence…..Dr. M'Benga is of the same opinion, that Spock managed to form a marriage bond with Bones. But we won't be able to confirm that until they wake up.
"Damn. Alright Captain, I'm changing your orders. I'm sending the USS Carver to pick up the Tholian ambassador. You are to stay at Tesla III and investigate this incident. I'll have to notify Ambassador Sarek that his son was—"
"Sir, I really think we should leave the ambassador out of it right now, at least until we have more facts."
"It's not my call, Kirk. Spock is a member of an endangered species, and from what you're telling me, he was purposely attacked. The Vulcan High Council has to be notified."
"Sir, we should keep this quiet, for both Spock and Bones' sake. The last thing either of them need is Starfleet and the Vulcan government coming down on them. Please—"
"My hands are tied, Captain. You have your orders. Find out who did this. Pike out."
Pike ended the call before Kirk could object again, leaving the younger man gaping at the now blank screen. Having Sarek on board could only end badly, especially for Bones. He would have enough trouble wit Spock, especially if they were bonded, without adding Spock's father to the mix. Jim threw a PADD stylus at the wall before he commed Giotto and Roberts to his room. This was only going to get worse before it got better. Fortunately, the security team arrived within minutes.
"Good, you're here. I don't need to tell you that what you witnessed tonight remains strictly confidential."
"Of course, sir," Giotto answered for both of them.
"Good. Dr. M'Benga believes that the Commanders actions were a result of a drug found in his bloodstream. We are certain that it was given to Spock without his knowledge. As soon as the Commander wakes, you're to get the names of the people he remembers last being in contact with, and then I want you to go to the surface and start looking into it. Quietly."
"Yes, sir."
Jim was glad that Giotto, fondly known as Cupcake, would head this up. The man might occasionally be an asshole, but he was the best at his job. He would be thorough, and discreet.
"Sir, will the Commander be returning to the brig? I'll need to call one of the other security teams to watch him."
"No." Jim didn't want to bring anyone else into this fiasco. "The Commander will be confined to quarters once he's released from Sickbay."
"How long will we remain in orbit around the planet?"
"The admiralty has cleared us to remain as long as needed to solve this. Dismissed, gentlemen."
Giotto and Roberts nodded, and left Jim alone. As soon as they were gone, he pulled out a bottle, and a glass. The bourbon Bones had given him for his birthday. He really needed a drink. No, what he really needed was Bones, awake and whole, here to drink with him. Too bad that wasn't happening. What was he going to do now?