Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek or any of its characters, only my OC - Rachel Reed.
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A Shot in the Dark - Perhaps instead of shaking his hand, she should have shot herself . . . it would have been so much easier than everything that followed.
Chapter 6 - Repressed memories have a tendency to return.
A Shot in the Dark
Chapter 6 - Repressed memories have a tendency to return.
Rachel looked out the shuttle window at the approaching Section 31 station around Jupiter and frowned slightly. She took a slow, deep breath and tried to will her trepidation away. She glanced toward Khan. His eyes were closed, but she knew he wasn't asleep. "Captain Wheeler will meet us when we arrive. He will give us each a PADD with the layout of the station and the ship, then he'll show us to our quarters. Be thinking of where you would like to start inspecting." she suggested.
Khan watched her as she spoke, she had a far-off look in her eyes and her voice wavered slightly. "Undoubtedly we will have guards following us where ever we go." he sighed. They would be a hindrance and slow down his inspection of the ship.
"No."
Khan raised an eyebrow at her reply.
Rachel shrugged, "They will always know where we are with these - and they monitor both the station and the ship visually and with patrols. There is no need for guards to physically follow us around." She looked at the metal bracelet on her wrist and was momentarily mesmerized by the slow blinking light. She glanced at Khan's bracelet, then up to his face. Did he really mean it when he said he needed her - or was it just to calm her down earlier? She had been so stupid to let her imagination run - she couldn't believe she'd actually contemplated jumping off the building a few hours ago. She would figure out a way to get out from Admiral Marcus - she just had to. Why did she even care what Khan thought of her? Because you care a great deal for him, her mind furnished. She could feel her face growing hot and quickly looked away.
Khan wondered what she was thinking - he'd never seen her blush like that before.
They stood up and picked up their bags as the shuttle landed and the door opened.
Captain Wheeler was waiting. The middle-aged brown hair man nodded to Rachel, "It's good to see you again, Commander Reed - especially in much better condition than when you left us." He turned his attention to the man beside her. "Welcome aboard, Commander Harrison, I'm Captain Wheeler and I'm in command of this station." He pulled out two PADDs and handed one to each of them. "We have all been advised that the two of you must travel together." He indicated their bracelets, "I suggests that you do so." He turned and started walking, "Come with me."
He led them down several corridors, stopped at a door and had it open. "Your quarters." He waved for them to enter.
"Who's?" Rachel inquired as they stepped in.
Wheeler turned to her, "Both of yours. Because of your tether, we took out a wall between two Officer quarters' living rooms. We were told you'd need an office - this was a way we could meet all of those requirements without setting those off." He looked at Rachel carefully as he stepped closer to her, "We will not have any problems this time - will we?" he queried.
Rachel lifted her chin slightly, "No, Sir."
"Good, because Admiral Marcus informed me of the consequences that would occur. He wanted me to remind you that last time was nothing in comparison to what will happen if you disobey his orders again." Captain Wheeler didn't like to have to repeat what the Admiral had told him, but he'd rather be upfront with her. He remembered the shape she'd left here last time - and he didn't want to see her go through that again. She'd made a very bad choice and went against Marcus and had a relationship with Khan. He glanced at the solid built man beside her. Yes, he knew who Harrison really was - he'd been in charge of this facility back then. He hadn't had any personal contact with the Augment, but he'd seen the amount of damage he was capable of dishing out. Admiral Marcus had Khan's memories wiped, but he wondered if they would stay repressed. The Augment's eyes were cold and calculating - just like they'd been over a year ago. Khan's mere presence was intimidating, but then that was probably why they were created the way they were. "If you will plan out where you will be inspecting, I'll arrange for the Engineer in charge of that section to meet you."
Rachel stepped in, "Captain, I would suggest that Commander Harrison inspect the various areas of the ship first - in order to formulate the questions for the Engineers, before we actually meet with any of them."
Khan knew what she was suggesting was wise. If he inspected an area and the modifications were installed incorrectly - he might just kill the Engineer responsible if he were within arm's reach. "That is a rational suggestion."
Wheeler nodded, "Very well. Inform us when you're ready to meet with them." He looked over both of them, "I hope I don't have to see you again until you leave."
Khan watched as the Captain left them alone. He looked around the room, then headed for the bedroom to the right and put his uniforms and belongings up. He came back into the living room a few minutes later and looked around. He headed to Rachel's room and found her hanging up the last of her uniforms in the closet. "I suggest we begin with the weapons system relays."
Rachel nodded and picked up her PADD as they headed out.
XXXXX
They had just finished crawling around and inspecting the relays from the power hub to the weapons system and Khan was furious.
She didn't understand everything Khan had started cursing about. But, she realized that whatever the technicians and engineers had done would cause a blow out of most of the systems when the weapons were fired at warp. She found the possibility of firing at warp unreal, but she knew that if anyone could figure out how to do it - it would be Khan. She raced to catch up with him as he took off down another corridor.
Khan stopped at a cross corridor and looked around slowly. Something. . . Something about this particular spot. He ran his hand along the metal wall and found an impact point. The dent was the size of a normal human head. He blinked as he got a flash in his mind of him slamming someone's head - an engineer's - into this exact spot. He stepped back quickly as his brows furrowed. How was this possible? He'd never been here before, so why was he seeing such things in his mind? But then again, this ship felt very familiar. He glanced around the corridors carefully. He looked back and noted Rachel watching him as she approached slowly.
Rachel briefly glanced at the spot and tried to remain calm. She distinctly remembered the sickening sound the engineer's skull had made when it impacted the wall. The engineer had died instantly. When the guards had tried to apprehend him, Khan had severely injured five more of them. Khan had only stopped his rampage because Marcus had come on over the comm and told Khan that he would kill one of his crew for every person that he injured. Rachel saw something cross Khan's features, then it quickly vanished. "Is something wrong?" she inquired.
Khan stepped closer to her and narrowed her eyes, "You tell me."
Rachel closed her eyes briefly as she took a calming breath. She looked up at him slowly, "I know you're upset that they've screwed up the relays to the weapons systems, but we need to rationally come up with a solution to the problem."
Khan analyzed her features carefully, then stepped back as he clenched his fists. "Yes, we need to come up with a solution. I need to go to the gym - now!" he demanded, then quickly headed off in that direction. He tried to contain his anger. Not only was he upset that the weapons relays had been installed incorrectly, he had the distinct impression that Rachel was keeping information about this place from him. He headed directly to the hanging bag in the gym and started taking his frustration out on the bag.
Rachel stood off to the side and watched as Khan pounded his fists on the hanging bag. She slowly looked around the large gym and noticed that Khan was garnering a lot of attention. Other men continued their own workouts, but they kept a wary eye on Khan. It was evident they had been forewarned to give Commander Harrison a wide berth and stay away from him, because no one dared to approach him. She also noted that a few eyes kept wandering over to her. She took a deep breath and tried to focus on her PADD as she brought up a few personnel files to start reviewing.
About twenty minutes later Khan stepped away from the hanging bag. "I'm done." he announced loudly. He didn't even wait for her to come to the door before he headed out.
Rachel quickly followed him. Damn, he was fast - and he wasn't even running, just speed walking. She knew he was still angry, but she didn't know how to calm him down this time. She reached their quarters and had the door open. She heard his bathroom door close and the shower start. She sighed softly. He was so angry that he wasn't thinking about the bracelets. She'd managed to keep herself within their one hundred feet range this time - but what if he ran off again. Was this what her days were going to be like here? Running to keep up and trying to figure out ways to keep him from taking his anger out on others? She sank down into the chair and took another deep breath. She leaned back and closed her eyes tiredly.
"Why are you here with me?" Khan questioned as he came out of his room. He was only clothed in a pair of grey sweatpants and his skin was still glistening from the shower.
Rachel looked at him puzzled, "I don't understand the question." She could feel her pulse quicken as he walked over to her.
Khan sat down on the coffee table in front of her, "You know who I am - what I'm capable of. Why are you here with me?" he repeated his question as he reached for her hands and held them in his.
Rachel looked into his eyes and gave him a small smile. "Because you need someone to even you out. You need someone to remind you why you are doing what you're doing. Someone to keep you in check."
He gave her a small smile, "You have been keeping me in check, haven't you?" He looked over her face slowly, "How is that possible?" he questioned himself quietly. "I hardly ever take anyone's counsel - yet I listen to you. Why do you think that is?" he inquired.
Rachel shrugged slightly, "Isn't it because you have to? Because of what he threatens you with if you don't?" She leaned forward. She wanted to know his reasoning - needed to know why he complied.
He shook his head, "No, it's something else. Something more than that. There's a pull in me to you, and I don't understand it. Something. . ." Khan touched her throat and smiled at her elevated pulse. "You feel something too - don't you?"
Rachel nodded. She wasn't going to deny it, but she wasn't going to act on it either. She stood up, "On that note, I think I'll be leaving for the evening." She got a few feet away, then she was pushed against the wall.
Khan had his body blocking her in, "Why?"
Rachel raised an eyebrow at his antics, "You know why."
Khan leaned down and placed a light kiss on her forehead, "Don't go."
She could feel her body wanting to give in to him. She shook her head.
He lifted her chin, "I need you."
Rachel blinked.
This wasn't now - this was back then. She looked around the room quickly as her blood started to turn cold. She had to wake up. She didn't want to relive this again! She'd managed to always keep it in the farthest recesses of her mind.
The room changed in an instant.
She opened her eyes and immediately felt Khan's warm body beside her in the bed. She sat up quickly. "Get up!" she demanded. She jumped out of the bed and started putting her clothes on as fast as she could.
Khan sensed her heightened fear and began putting his clothes on. "What's wrong?"
"They're coming." she said as she pulled her pants on.
"Why? They don't know you're here. We've been careful. I've got all of the security feeds taken care of." He came around to her and ran his hand down her arm. "We'll be fine. You just had a nightmare - that's all." He kissed her gently as he pulled her closer to him.
Rachel leaned her head against his chest as she could feel her body bracing for the next few minutes. If only he were right, if only they hadn't been caught. She looked up to him as a tear slid down her cheek. "I'm sorry. I will miss you. I will always be thinking of you and what we could have been. I'm sorry." She closed her eyes as the door opened with a hiss.
"So - this is what you've been up to." Admiral Marcus stepped into the room and watched as Khan stepped in front of Rachel to shield her.
Khan narrowed her eyes, "This has nothing to do with you. This is personal."
Marcus shook his head, "It is also against the rules that I laid out for Commander Reed. She knew she was not allowed to get emotionally involved with you - I never thought I'd have to specify for her to not get physically involved with you either." Admiral Marcus took a deep breath as he looked over Khan, "Well, I guess this has just sped up my timeline by a few weeks. The ship is coming along fine - we won't be needing your assistance for awhile." He indicated for the guards to step in the room. "Commander Reed, come with me." he ordered.
Rachel frowned. She knew Marcus' was going to put Khan back in cryostais.
"I won't let you take her." Khan stated firmly.
Admiral Marcus grinned, "Yes, you will. She is but a single human. You still have a crew of seventy-two. Is she worth all of them? I'll let you make the choice." He crossed his arms and watched the Augment's face falter.
Khan turned to Rachel, confliction evident in his eyes. "I don't want to lose you." he whispered.
Rachel gave him a small smile, "I know. I'll be okay." She kissed his cheek gently, "I promise I will not make another mistake. I will keep you and your family safe - no matter what the cost." she whispered against his ear.
Khan nodded as he took a deep breath. "I believe you." He looked at her once more, then left with the guards.
Rachel swallowed as Admiral Marcus shook his head slowly.
"Where did this go wrong?" he questioned her.
"When I realized that you aren't doing this just to protect Starfleet - when I realized why you were really using him." Rachel shrugged.
Marcus stepped closer, "You are going to regret your decision to go against my orders." he promised her as he grabbed her arm.
She jerked awake.
Rachel looked around their shared living room on the station and tried to calm her racing heart. For a moment, she thought she'd be re-living what had happened after Marcus had caught them. She looked up and found Khan watching her curiously from his open door.
"You were about to start screaming." he pointed out as he pulled on his shirt. "I heard you mumbling, then your body tensed up."
Rachel tried to relax, but her body was still tense. "I'm fine."
He came over and stood before her, "A nightmare - about this place?" he inquired.
"Yes." she nodded and stood up. "I suggest we go eat dinner, then we can come back and work on our projects."
"You won't tell me about it?" Khan questioned as she headed for the door.
She paused at the door and closed her eyes tightly, "I told you what happened the last time I was here. No point in me repeating myself." She had the door open and started to walk down the corridor.
Rachel focused on eating her food while Khan observed the rather full Dining Hall.
He noted that Rachel was getting a lot of curious glances. "Does it bother you when men stare at you?" he questioned her.
"Yes. I've just learned over the years to ignore it. I'm just a curiosity because I'm the only female here." she pointed out.
"The only female?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Admiral Marcus believes that women are a distraction - hence, no women work here." she shrugged.
"That's ridiculous. I've seen the files of many female officers that are far more qualified than some of the imbeciles here."
Rachel gave him a small smile, "Perhaps, one of those women would have followed your orders and the weapons systems would have been installed properly."
Khan took a slow breath. He didn't want to get angry again, but she had a point. He would suggest to Marcus that he get the most qualified people here to work on this ship to get the job done properly and point out the amount of time that would have to be used to correct the improper installs. He wondered how much more needed to be fixed. They would begin to inspect more areas of the ship in the morning. He glanced at Rachel. She needed to rest. He could tell that her nightmare had shaken her up. Her hands still trembled slightly. They ate silently for awhile longer. "Finished?" he questioned.
They went back to their quarters and each worked silently on their projects for a few hours.
Rachel looked at the time and stood up from her desk. She walked over to Khan at his desk, "Have you worked out a solution?"
Khan nodded as he sat back, "Yes. I calculate it will take the technicians and engineers four days of working round the clock shifts to repair that section. We will have to inspect the other section tomorrow to see if the same mistakes were made there."
"What will they need to do?"
"You wouldn't understand." he said as he picked up another PADD and read over the information on it.
Rachel frowned. The insult reminded her of how he had treated her when they'd first worked together, before he'd come to trust her. She crossed her arms over her chest, "Fine." She turned and started straightening her desk before heading to bed.
Khan looked up at her curiously when he noted the attitude in her voice. "It's not an insult - just a fact." he pointed out.
Rachel stood at her desk, "Sounded like an insult." she muttered quietly.
He heard her. He wondered why she thought he was insulting her. Then, he realized why. The past few months, she'd been working hard to be able to understand how things worked and what need to be done for the design and construction process because she had to explain it to others. She'd even stepped in a few times to explain things to the engineers so he wouldn't be tempted to strangle some of them. He walked over and stood beside her. "I know you're tired. Why don't I explain the process to you in the morning?" he suggested.
She nodded, but didn't look at him. "I'll take notes so I won't forget anything." she said quietly as a huge lump formed in the back of her throat.
Khan watched as she traced the metal bracelet absently, her shoulders hunched. He was tempted to reach for her, to hold her, to kiss her. He took a deep breath, "Good night." He turned and headed to his room.
Rachel straightened up and pushed back all of the emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. She had to stay in control - for both of their sakes, and their families.
XXXXX
TBC.
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