Hello everyone! It's been a long time in coming, but here it is. This chapter is a long one, consisting of several scenes. I hope that my scene separators work this time (they didn't last time for some unknown reason), and I apologize for that. Sorry it has taken so long, but I have been working out of town for nearly a month and my focus had to be on my job. However, I worked it out in bits and pieces and finally put it all together. I hope you enjoy it. I look forward to your responses concerning the chapter. I gathered that some do not like the Spock/Christine pairing, and I do respect that. Sometimes, I have not liked the idea as well, but now that their characters have matured more, I think that it is a plausible scenario.
The last part of this chapter is taken from the movie, when they are approaching spacedock. It is word per word, according to that scene. This particular scene is what inspired the name of my story. The last two sentences are my all time favorites of any movie. The Scripture verse that Kirk quotes is from the Book of John, Chapter 15, Verse 13.
Again, the usual disclaimer. I do not own Star Trek, Paramount does.
I hope you all enjoy. Please let me know your thoughts. They are appreciated very much!
LuWanda
Chapter 6
Dr. McCoy and Dr. M'Benga had worked diligently on making the body of Spock presentable. The time for the funeral was less than three hours away. He had just completed ,the report on the autopsy and was getting up to prepare for the funeral. McCoy had made a quick call up to the bridge to ask Kirk if he wanted to see Spock one more time before the funeral, but he was not on the bridge. Uhura said that he had gone to his quarters.
"I'm going to get one of Spock's dress uniforms," McCoy said, turning to M'Benga.
M'Benga silently nodded.
McCoy buzzed Kirk's door, but no answer came. He tried once more and still was unable to get an answer. It occurred to him where Kirk was. McCoy walked over the few steps towards Spock's door.
Entering Spock's quarters, McCoy stopped just inside the door, looked to his right and stared at the forlorn figure sitting on the foot of Spock's bed in the adjacent room. Jim Kirk sat, leaning over, head in hands.
Ah, Jim," McCoy stuttered, not really knowing what to say for the first time in his life. He walked over to Kirk's side, sitting down beside him.
They sat quietly, side by side, for several minutes. McCoy looked over at the area where he knew Spock meditated; right next to the beautiful, wall-sized, IDIC symbol that he knew was made of the finest silver and gold. Looking at the cold, meditation pot that had housed countless flames throughout the years, his eyes grew misty, knowing that from this day forth, it would forever remain dormant and cold.
McCoy took a sideways glance at Kirk.
Kirk looked up at McCoy, a myriad of emotions gracing his hazel eyes. The most prominent of the emotions McCoy could detect was guilt. Kirk raised his hands in exasperation.
"I have lost people in my lifetime… family members and friends," Kirk murmured. "Not them… not anything ever has felt like this."
"This is different, Jim," McCoy responded, knowing well what Kirk was feeling. "Spock was with us from the very beginning. He worked with us, ate with us, lived with us. He 'was' one of us… and our dearest friend."
"I feel like I have this enormous hole in my chest," Kirk whispered. "I don't think I can do this anymore."
"Yes, you can, Jim," McCoy reached over and grabbed Kirk's shoulder. "Spock would have wanted you to."
"I can't do it without him," Kirk's voice wavered, fighting back tears. "He was the one with all the right answers. He was my anchor, in the storm of life."
Bowing his head, Admiral James T. Kirk stopped holding back the unbelievable hurt and truly began to mourn. McCoy put his arm across Kirk's shoulders, pulling him close.
"Jim, you have always been strong, much stronger than you give yourself credit for. Don't take the pain you feel at losing Spock or your reaction to it as a sign of weakness. It's not," McCoy whispered, losing his own battle against tears.
"I wanted to go before both of you," Kirk admitted. "I knew that it was possible that one of you might leave me, but I have always prayed that it wouldn't happen."
"Well, Jim, I know that is what I've always wanted too… for me to go first before the two of you. I can bet you money that Spock felt the same about himself… concerning you," McCoy said, giving Kirk's shoulder a firm squeeze.
"And you," Kirk looked McCoy firmly in the eye. "Spock loved you… you know that."
"Yeah, I guess you could say he did," McCoy nodded, a slight chuckle escaping. "That damned, green-blooded hobgoblin, reminded me of a chigger… he sure knew how to get under someone's skin. And he dug in deep under my skin and stayed there, hell or high water."
"I loved him too…," McCoy whispered as a tear traced down his cheek.
"But, damn it! I wasn't finished arguing with him! He better enjoy his peaceful bliss while he can, because when I get there, I'm making up for lost time!" McCoy's emotional rollercoaster ride swiftly bringing him from humorous to melancholy to aggravation.
"Oh, Lord," Kirk chuckled, wiping the tears off his face. "I guess some things will never change."
"Jim, you want to see him one more time before the funeral," McCoy asked, turning serious.
Kirk hesitated, not knowing what to say. He was afraid… afraid if he saw him, he might never be able to let go. But if he didn't, then he would regret it for the rest of his life.
"Yeah, Bones," Kirk, replied hesitantly.
"I came to get one of Spock's dress uniforms to put him in," McCoy rose and started looking through the closet.
Jim walked up to McCoy, reaching to the far left corner of the closet, grabbing a black robe. "No, Bones. Spock gave me instructions long ago, that if he died while serving on our ship, to bury him in this robe."
McCoy looked at the intricate Vulcan symbols that graced the front of the robe, running his finger over the silver threads, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.
"I've always wondered what these symbols meant. I've seen some of them on Sarek's robes," Kirk pondered.
"They are who I am, my clan, and my station in my clan," McCoy said, pointedly.
"Huh?" Kirk said, startled from his musings. "What did you say?"
"What?" McCoy turned his eyes to Kirk, confused.
"You just said that the symbols indicated who you were, your clan and your station in that clan," Kirk said, his concern evident. "Bones, you ok?"
"Jim, I don't know what you think you heard, but I didn't say anything. I think I need to be the one asking 'you' that question," McCoy frowned.
Kirk and McCoy stood, staring at each other for a few seconds. McCoy reached out to take the robe from Kirk. However, Kirk wouldn't let go. Looking at Kirk, McCoy frowned.
"Jim, I need to get Spock dressed. It won't be long before the funeral service begins. I need the robe."
"I'm coming with you… to help you," Kirk countered.
"Jim, I don't think that's a good idea. It's bad enough for you to see him in this condition, as it is," McCoy said, concerned. "But to get him dressed, and see all that I had to do to him…"
"It is the last thing I will ever get to do for him," Kirk interrupted, his voice wavering with pain. "I have to."
McCoy looked into Jim's eyes. He knew that he wouldn't be able to change Jim's mind. However, he was afraid of Jim's reaction, once he would see all the incisions from the autopsy.
"Ok, you win, Jim," McCoy said, giving up the battle of wills.
Jim continued to hold the robe, looking down, now running his own fingers over the beautiful silver symbols.
"He was special," Kirk pulled the robe close to his chest, embracing it.
"You got that right, Jim," McCoy gripped Kirk's shoulder. "He 'really' was something special… and he always will be."
Both Kirk and McCoy turned to leave Spock's quarters. Before they left, Kirk stopped to open Spock's little safe, removing two sealed envelopes marked for McCoy and himself. Kirk handed McCoy his envelope, as McCoy looked up, dread in his eyes. This was all he needed… to see Spock giving him an 'after death' speech. He would look at it later… much later.
Calling the bridge from Spock's computer console, Kirk sent orders for someone to come and seal Spock's door. If he needed to get into Spock's quarters for anything, he could access it through their shared bathroom.
McCoy and Kirk walked in companionable silence to Sickbay. Heading back to the farthest private room, they entered. In the center of the room, lay a shrouded figure. Kirk bowed his head, pursing his lips, as dread crawled up his spine. He had to see it through, though… had to do it for Spock.
They both stood, no words passing between them for several minutes. McCoy turned to look at Kirk, reaching for the robe.
"Jim, I can do it myself," McCoy pitied his friend.
"No. This is something I have to do for him," Kirk voice reflected conviction. "How many times did he willingly go above and beyond the call of duty for me? It's the least I can do for him."
McCoy pulled back the sheet to Spock's shoulders, revealing his face. Kirk's face became pallid as he stared into the face of death. The face, although as familiar as his own, seemed foreign in the state of death… belonging to another, not his friend. The radiation burns marred the refined features, disfiguring part of the face. Watching Kirk's reaction carefully at seeing Spock for the first time since they had brought his body to Sickbay two days earlier, McCoy walked around the gurney and grabbed Kirk's arm.
"Jim?" McCoy began to question.
"I'm alright, Bones," Kirk responded, shaking off the shocked response. "Let's get this done."
Pulling back the sheet to Spock's waist, enabling them to start putting the burial robe on, Kirk gasped at the sight. Evidence of the trauma Spock had endured presented itself for Kirk's inspection. Burns of varying degree covered his arms and upper torso in addition to the neatly sutured 'Y' incision from the autopsy that started at his shoulders and continued below the sheet's edge.
"My God," was all Kirk could manage to get out.
"I know, Jim," McCoy looked sympathetically across the gurney. "He suffered unbelievably before he died."
"Is he like this… everywhere?" Kirk asked, not really wanting the answer. He had heard what McCoy had told him earlier, concerning the autopsy report, but he still couldn't imagine the magnitude of damage until his own eyes witnessed it.
McCoy nodded, not raising his eyes.
Kirk raised his hand, placing it on the forehead of his friend. His hand met the icy coldness of death. Tears began to well up, as he gently ran his fingers through the soft, black hair. Spock was dead… his dear friend was gone.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry, Spock," Kirk choked on the words, as one hand rested on Spock's forehead and the other hand clutched the soft fabric of the burial robe.
Raising his eyes to meet McCoy's, he nodded and began to unfasten the robe. McCoy reached for the robe, but Kirk held onto it fast.
"Jim, let me have the robe," McCoy said, reaching once again.
Kirk shook his head, continuing to hold onto the robe. McCoy wanted to spare him seeing Spock's back, which he knew by now would be a horrible sight.
Kirk took Spock's left hand in his and slid the sleeve up the arm, applying pressure to the left shoulder and hip; he gently rolled Spock over on his side so the robe could slide behind his back and hips. Kirk bit his bottom lip in anguish, having seen the extensive burns on Spock's back and hips as the sheet slid down farther with the movement. Spock's burned back and buttocks were greenish black from the gravitational pooling of his blood.
Kirk gently lay Spock's body back down on the gurney so McCoy could mimic his actions with the right side of his body. McCoy turned Spock onto his right side and pulled out the remainder of the robe, sliding his arm into the other sleeve.
Kirk pulled the sheet completely off to pull and straighten out the robe over his hips and legs, gasping at the burned lower abdomen, groin, thighs and feet. Kirk lowered his eyes, now seeing what McCoy had explained to him earlier. There wasn't one part of Spock's body that had escaped the deadly effects of the radiation bombardment… inside or out. Straightening the robe so painstakingly careful, as if the slightest movement would cause his friend additional pain, Kirk turned back to fasten the robe's hidden clasps.
McCoy helped Kirk finish the clasps. Kirk walked over to the wall, opening frequency to the comm. unit.
"Scotty, is the photon tube ready?" Kirk inquired.
"Admiral, Commander Scott is on his way with the tube," a cadet responded. "He should be there any minute."
"Thank you," Kirk ended, pushing a button on a panel, opening the doors and allowing the double doors to remain open.
Kirk looked up, his eyes clouding up once more as he looked upon the faces of Sulu, Scotty, Chekov and Uhura. All were standing outside the door, waiting to gain entrance once Kirk and McCoy had finished dressing Spock.
They had all come to pay their final respects. Kirk stepped to the side, allowing them entrance.
The group of six officers, who had grown so close to the one whose body lay on the gurney, gathered around and looked upon their fallen brother and dear friend for the last time.
"I love you so much," Uhura whispered, as she ran her fingers through his soft hair, leaning down and kissing his temple.
"Your friendship was a precious gift that cannot be measured. I'll never forget you," Uhura lay her cheek against his, tears trickling off her face to his.
"I'll miss ye, laddie," Scotty placed a gentle hand on Spock's arm. "Ye may have felt out of place on your home planet when ye were but a wee one, and I think I know why. It is because your real home was supposed to be here with us, all along."
"Most everything I know today, you taught me. You vere the best teacher I have ever had. Thank you for all you did for me, and not giving up on me vhen I frustrated you," Chekov squeezed his eyes shut, unable to stop the flow of tears as he gently grasped Spock's hand between his. "You vere an inspiration to all who knew you. I'll never forget you, Keptin, sir."
"Scotty is right," Sulu said, placing a hand on Spock's other arm. "I was glad when you came back from Vulcan when you went to undertake the Kohlinar. It wouldn't have been right for you. You found the perfect balance between your human heritage and your Vulcan heritage. And, I'm grateful that you finally found peace within yourself. I'm thankful you decided to stay with us. You may not have realized it at first, but you were part of us all along and always will be. Nothing can change that… not even death. You will always be living on in our hearts."
McCoy cleared his throat. He knew he should say something, but his feelings for Spock ran deep… way too deep to express in a few sentences. Gifted hands in the art of healing came to rest upon the lifeless body of the one who had been gifted with the ability to frustrate him, make him laugh and feel all was right with the universe and most of the time, make him madder than hell.
"Spock, you touched my heart in so many ways. You and I, and all those surrounding you, have been through a lot of good times and a lot of tough ones, as well. But, we all went through them together… as one. We all have been close friends for over twenty years, more like a family. Yeah, I'd say we are definitely a family, because blood ties are not the only way to classify someone as family. Anyways, if you are lucky, there is someone who you feel even closer to… what on Earth, we call a best friend. Well, I was blessed with not one, but two best friends… Jim and you. A best friend, you can laugh with and at, although I would laugh and you would smirk. You may have had that smirk on your face, but I knew you were laughing inside. At least I knew that the joke wasn't lost on you. You got it, sometimes with some coaching… but you still got it."
"You can raise hell with a best friend, and mean it, without harm coming to that friendship. I sure did raise a lot of hell and you kept coming back for more, giving me that flippant expression, like 'I'm ready… hit me with your best shot' look. Yeah, I may have given you a lot of hell, but you gave back as good as you got… sometimes, even better."
"I don't even know how it all started, the friendship between you and me. I never imagined myself having a pointy-eared hobgoblin for a best friend. Not that I'm a racist or anything like that. You knew I wasn't a racist in the least bit. But the idea never crossed my mind, considering I'm fractured with illogic and too highly emotional for my own good, as you so kindly put it more than once. Anyways, it happened and my life has never been the same since. You, my dear Vulcan friend, were a joy to know and equally a pain in the ass, but I loved you… loved you more than you knew. I'll always love you," McCoy's voice choking, brushing back the soft bangs.
"Ah, hell," McCoy growled, wiping his face as he turned his back to regain some composure.
Kirk stood still, staring at the body of his friend. So many thoughts flowed through his mind, of days past. He thought of the times that Spock had willfully put his life on the line to save him. Images of countless chess games they played together and quiet talks as they sat in the dark observation lounge, gazing at the stars, flashed through his mind… of the simple beauty of spending time together. Kirk remembered the few times they had joined minds. What a beautiful mind Spock had.
"I couldn't save you," Kirk whispered, sorrowfully. "You always managed to find a way to save me… to save us all. But I couldn't save you."
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends," Kirk quoted from the Bible, bowing his head.
"Goodbye, my friend," Kirk said, closing his eyes.
Kirk looked up and Scotty nodded towards the open doors. Looking over, Kirk could see a shadow by the door. He walked over to the door and found Lt. Saavik facing the corner, her forehead and hand against the wall for support. She had heard the individual and very personal eulogies given in private and was overwhelmed by the intense feelings that these officers had for her mentor, her friend. She was struggling to control her own emotions and hearing such kind and touching words caused her to falter controlling her own personal pain.
"Saavik," Kirk said, gently. "Come inside with us."
Saavik couldn't respond. Her eyes tightly shut, she struggled to gain control over her emotions and was failing. She knew it was illogical for her to be ashamed of that which she could not control. Spock had told her that, to accept who she was and that she should not struggle to be the consummate Vulcan, as neither could he. He had learned to accept who he was and from that acceptance came harmony within himself. Still, she did not wish to sully his memory by losing all the control he had taught her.
"Lieutenant, there is an old Vulcan saying. 'The cause is sufficient' and I do believe that the cause of your pain is more than sufficient. You shouldn't be ashamed or feel like you are incapable of controlling your emotions. Even your mentor lost control from time to time. It's ok to hurt. Come and join us," Kirk said, softly.
Saavik turned pained eyes and looked at the Admiral. She still could not utter a word, seeking and finding none that would form an appropriate response.
"Come on," Kirk gently placed a hand on her shoulder and led her into the room towards the small gathering.
Saavik stood and stared down at the face of the one who cared enough to save her from a nightmare childhood and provided her with food, shelter, an education and a promising future she would not have had, had he turned a blind eye to the plight of the children of Hellguard. He was the first and only one to care what happened to the half Romulan, half Vulcan children who were left on that world to struggle to live.
Gently running a hand over Spock's forehead, Saavik's eyes began to shine brightly with unshed tears. "You saved me… cared for me. You never gave up on me. You were the first person never to hurt me. I have never let anyone into my life but you. I will never forget you," Saavik bowed her head, as the tears she fought so hard to control, fell.
Kirk, ignoring the unwritten rules concerning touching Vulcans, reached out and wrapped a comforting arm around Saavik's shoulders. Pulling her gently towards him, she turned and buried her face in his uniform, clearly overwhelmed by the sorrowful burden that they all shared.
"Jim, it's near time. We only have about a half hour left before it's time," McCoy whispered.
Kirk nodded, dreading the approaching hour. Releasing Saavik from the embrace, he turned to face the rest of the small circle. A faint smile of understanding graced his face, realizing that none of them intended to leave him and McCoy to their task. They would all do it together, as they had done everything… together.
All seven gently lifted the body of their friend and brother, placing him into the burial tube. Each took one last look at Spock, and sealed the lid. They walked on either side of the burial tube, Saavik walking ahead of it, leading the way.
The funeral
"We are assembled here today to pay final respects to our honored dead. This death takes place in the shadow of new life... the sunrise of a new world…a world that our beloved comrade gave his life to protect and nourish. He did not feel this sacrifice vain or empty. Of my friend, I can only say this. Of all the souls I have encountered in my travels, his was the most… human."
After the funeral, Jim Kirk and the command crew dispersed and silently made way to the bridge. It felt strange not to feel the familiar presence of their Vulcan brother and friend… their First Officer, walking side by side with them down the corridors. So very soon after his death, all felt the lack of his presence.
Arriving on the bridge, Kirk sat hard in his chair. He stared at the planet that had formed from the detonation of the Genesis torpedo, and the brilliant sun, with a backdrop of an endless star field behind it. Kirk was immune to the aesthetic beauty of the scene. It was a continual reminder to him of the agonizing loss he felt due to its creation… and of the lone torpedo tube that had served as a casket for the body of his dearest friend, descending in a decaying orbit around the new planet. He looked around the bridge. The command crew was on the bridge with him, along with a variety of cadets at different stations. Yet, he felt alone… so very alone. He secretly wished that he had gone out into that decaying orbit as well. At least it would have been a means to end the broken heart that he knew would never mend.
Soon, it would be time for them to watch a recording of the memorial service that was being sent to them, courtesy of Admiral Morrow. Because the service coincided with the timing of the actual funeral service, they had not been able to watch the galactic broadcast of the memorial service that had aired.
The conference room
Eight hours later, Jim Kirk sat with the rest of the command crew in the conference room, stunned. Kirk had Saavik sit in with the Commanders, knowing how distraught she was, not wanting her to watch the memorial service on the bridge and wanting to offer her as much moral support as possible. Saavik was just as shocked, if not more, than the Commanders present.
At first, Kirk had wanted to watch the memorial service in the privacy of his quarters, but had decided against it, noticing Saavik's tears as she tried to hold up during the funeral, and failing. Everyone of his command crew had shown signs of distress during the funeral of their friend and brother.
They had just finished watching the poignant memorial service and all were visibly moved and simultaneously shocked. None of them were aware of Spock and Christine's relationship, save McCoy. None of them knew of the unborn child she carried… until now.
"What are we going to do? Poor Christine!" Uhura shook her head, tears falling freely.
"You knew?" Kirk said to Bones, accusingly. "You knew and never told me anything?"
"Jim! I couldn't tell you. There is such a thing as doctor-patient confidentiality!" McCoy said, angrily.
"You could have said something about Spock and Christine's relationship!" Jim snapped back. "I don't think their relationship would be covered by the doctor-patient confidentiality clause. That was not a medical issue."
"Jim, Christine asked me not to say anything. I couldn't betray her confidence. I don't operate that way, and you know it! It just wouldn't have been right," McCoy's voice reflected the impotent frustration he felt.
"Did Spock ever mention anything to you?" Kirk pushed, still angry and somewhat jealous.
"Damn it, Jim! No he didn't! You know how he was about personal issues. You would have had to pry it out of him," McCoy glared. "Anyways, you would have been the first one he would have told… when he was damned good and ready."
"Why didn't he want me to know?" Kirk said, affronted.
"I don't think it was a matter of not wanting you to know. I think it was a matter of timing, that's all. He was so damned busy with making sure all the last upgrades were completed and with his teaching schedule and everything else he was doing, I don't even see how he had any time to sleep, much less talk about his personal life."
"Damn it, Bones! I was talking to him, alone, right after the Kobayashi Maru test! He could have told me then!" Kirk's exasperation was apparent.
"Good God, man! Couldn't Spock have a private life at all? What?" McCoy questioned, watching Kirk's indignant expression. "Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about! Spock couldn't blow his nose or wipe his butt without you knowing about it, and you know damned well I'm right! WHY!"
"Ah, Dr. McCoy, maybe we should change the subject. I'm verra worried about Christine," Scotty quickly interjected, trying to prevent a full-blown explosion at the conference table, effectively cutting off Kirk's explosive response. "I'm verra worried about the lass."
"I'm worried too. She is going to need all the support she can get," Sulu added.
"I don't like the thought of her being alone," Chekov said, worriedly.
"I can't imagine what she is feeling right now. I remember how much she loved Spock all those years. To have captured his heart only to lose it would be more than anyone could bear. When we get back to Earth, she's going to need all the moral support she can get, especially with her now carrying their child. We've got to help her," Uhura continued to cry for her friend.
"It is going to be two days before we can get back to Earth without pushing the ship too hard. Spock may have got the engines back on line, but the hull is something else. She'll fly apart if we go any faster," Scotty's face reflected the dual-edged worry he felt. "Do ye think that Admiral Morrow can get someone to watch out for her?"
"Commander Akhara is a close friend of Christine's. I'm sure she is going to be watching out for her. I'll send a communiqué to her just in case, though," Uhura responded, sniffing.
"Good," Kirk said, still fuming at McCoy. "Let her know that we are getting back as quickly as possible. Make sure that she's watching out for Christine and we'll help her, once we arrive."
"It makes me think about Spock and what he felt when he made his decision to die for us. He made some powerful decisions within a split second. I can imagine what he was thinking when he was in that chamber," Scotty said, shaking his head in sorrow. "For once in his life, he was happy and he had to throw it away."
"Spock died not knowing he was going to be a father…" Jim's voice choked. "At least he didn't have that pain to bear when he was dying."
"We're going to give Christine all the support we can possibly…"
The intercom signaled, interrupting the conversation.
"Bridge to Admiral Kirk," Lieutenant Anderson called out.
"Kirk here."
"There is a real-time transmission from Admiral Morrow, Priority One," Anderson continued.
"Send it through to conference room two."
"Yes sir," the lieutenant answered, transferring Morrow.
"Jim, I'm not going to ask you how the funeral went," Morrow said, still depressed from the memorial service.
"It was a short but touching ceremony," Kirk replied, tense.
"I see all your key commanders and Lieutenant Saavik are present. No matter, they all need to know what's going on. It's best that they all know," Morrow stated, concern in his eyes.
Saavik rose in deference to Admiral Morrow. "Admiral Kirk, may I be excused, sir?"
"Why?" Kirk queried.
"I am not of the key command personnel, sir," Saavik cocked her eyebrow in response to Kirk's question.
"No, Lieutenant Saavik. I'd really like you to remain present. Captain Spock informed me that you show exceptional abilities to command and I know that when the time comes, you are going to demonstrate those exceptional qualities he spoke so highly of," Morrow said, smiling. "And I always trusted his judgment."
Saavik bowed her head and graciously accepted the compliment. "Thank you, Admiral."
"Lieutenant Saavik," Morrow looked at the budding officer. "All of the Commanders here know this, but you may not be aware of this yet. This is a closed staff meeting. This means that all information that is discussed in here, stays within the boundaries of the persons present… no exceptions, for some of the information you are about to hear will no doubt, be very disturbing. No matter how angry you get from hearing this disturbing information, you cannot let your emotions rule you. Do not think that because of your Vulcan blood that you cannot be moved emotionally by this… for you can. As you already are aware of, Vulcan emotions can be extremely volatile… more so than humans. Even with adherence to the Vulcan philosophies of emotional control; they still exist within the person, and can be provoked to surface. Add in your Romulan heritage, and you have double trouble. I have seen it happen to Captain Spock several times, so do not be upset if you do respond emotionally, but do your utmost to control it. You must remain silent concerning the information discussed, only speaking about it to those within this room and I, myself of course, is allowed. Even if an admiral asks you; you know nothing. It is extremely important that you understand and adhere to this. Am I clear on this?"
"Yes sir, I understand," Saavik responded to Morrow's statement.
"Good," Morrow smiled slightly, knowing about Saavik's half Vulcan, half Romulan heritage. He knew she adhered to the Vulcan philosophies, but Spock had once told him that she still had difficulties with the volatility of her Romulan blood at times, as well as coping with her Vulcan side. Despite her difficulties, Spock had assured him that she had great potential for a command appointment, once she had completed her training at Starfleet. Nevertheless, knowing how protective Saavik had been of Spock, he knew that after she heard what he had to say, Jim and the rest of them were going to have their hands full.
"Jim, I have found out a little more concerning Sedgwick," Morrow said, looking down at some notes. "I followed him. He met someone at the landing strip on the SW side of Starfleet. You know the one that we don't use anymore?"
"Yeah, I know the one you are talking about," Jim continued to look at Morrow. "Did you get to hear what they were saying?"
"Jim, there is no easy way to put this. Sedgwick sold Spock's body to someone. He is sending a team to retrieve Spock's burial tube. I need to know what area you sent it, so that I can catch him in the act."
"What the hell!" McCoy exploded, as Kirk sat staring at Morrow, shocked speechless. "What the hell for?"
"Dr McCoy, I wish I knew. All I know is that Sedgwick wasn't planning on you following his orders and performing the autopsy. He was expecting you to defy his orders so that Spock's body would have had to be brought back to Earth. Now that you did the autopsy, and Jim, because you didn't plan on bringing his body back to Earth to begin with, he has to send a team out to find Spock's body," Morrow said, shaking his head. "That is one sick son-of-a-bitch! First, he orders you to do an autopsy, which wasn't necessary. Next, I hear their conversation and hear that somebody by the name of Dvorak has already paid Sedgwick half of the price. And what really pissed me off is that through their whole conversation, both of them kept referring to Spock as 'it', not 'him'… like he wasn't even a person, but a thing. I had to fight down the urge to take him out, right then and there."
"Admiral, Spock's burial tube trajectory was on a decaying orbit. His tube should have burned up in the atmosphere," Kirk assured.
"What if it didn't?" Morrow countered. "We have to make sure that if it did indeed soft land, that Sedgwick doesn't get his hands on Spock's remains."
"That's highly unlikely, that it soft landed. It had to burn up," Kirk insisted.
A low throaty growl reverberated throughout the conference room, causing all to turn eyes in the direction of the sound. Saavik, sat gripping the table edge, a verdant hue colored her face as angry blue eyes narrowed in all their Romulan glory, ready to strike.
"Lieutenant, it's going to be alright," Kirk tried to calm her. "They will not succeed."
"They cannot take him! I WILL NOT LET THEM!" Saavik roared as she bolted up, her chair sailing through the air, crashing into a bulkhead.
"STAND DOWN, LIEUTENANT!" Morrow bellowed, not giving Kirk the chance to issue the same order.
"Control, Lieutenant, remember to control your feelings," Morrow said, firmly, feeling a familiar sense of déjà vu, remembering a similar incident involving him and Chris Pike calming down a very young, Cadet Spock.
Saavik's breath came fast and hard as she leaned on the conference table, fighting to garner some control over her rage. Cautious eyes watched her, wondering if she was going to gain a measure of control.
"Lieutenant, they won't win. This, I promise you. You have to trust us," Kirk said, trying to quell the rage that he felt as well. "Saavik, you are dismissed. But don't go back on duty. Go to your quarters and try to calm down. Remember, we won't let Sedgwick win. Trust us, please."
"Yes sir," Saavik responded through clenched teeth. She turned on her heel and walked swiftly out the door.
"Jim, the Grissom is on her way to rendezvous with the Enterprise. Lieutenant Saavik will be transferring over temporarily to assist them in the monitoring of the Genesis planet's progress."
"Do you think that's wise?" Kirk queried. "It's going to be difficult for her."
"If there is a chance that Spock's tube soft landed, can you think of anyone who would be more protective of his remains?" Morrow countered.
"With the exception of the six around this table or Sarek and Amanda, I'd say no," Kirk responded, understanding Morrow's strategy.
"Now, you see my point," Morrow smiled.
"I'll see if David wants to go with her. He helped create the planet. I imagine he wouldn't pass up an opportunity like this to monitor its progress," Kirk mused.
"Damn, Spock wasn't kidding when he said that Saavik could be rather explosive. She rather reminds me of him in some ways when he was a kid. He had one hell of a temper," Morrow chuckled at a particular memory. "Me and Chris Pike were trying to calm him down and Spock slammed his fist down on Pike's desk and it broke in two."
"Tell me about that temper," Kirk smiled. "Once, a long time ago, Spock threw me across a conference room table. In fact, we are sitting at the one he threw me over."
"I've never seen you report anything about that," Morrow gave a wry smile.
"Nah, I had it coming to me. I provoked him," Kirk laughed, rolling his eyes. "I started it, and he finished it."
Morrow laughed heartily at the mental image of Kirk flying across the conference room table. "Well, it seems that his protégé has got the same, bad ass temper."
"I know what you mean. I canna wait to see what her quarters is going to look like after she cools down," Scotty interjected, looking over at the mangled remains of her chair.
"Sort of like having a tiger by the tail," McCoy added. "Or should I say, a LeMatya?"
Revelations and Christine
Christine sat at her desk, staring at her computer monitor. She had cried until there were no tears left, so she thought. Now, she continued to look at the encrypted file. It was for Sedgwick, but the information was from Dr. McCoy. That could mean only one thing. The information contained within the file was about Spock. She knew that she shouldn't open the file. It was not intended for her eyes. She had been informed of the manner in which Spock had died… that he had died from radiation. What additional information had been transmitted to Sedgwick?
"Christine, what are you doing in here?" Alia quietly looked at her, wanting to get her to go home. "Come on, you need to go home."
"Leonard sent Admiral Sedgwick an extensive file," Christine's voice halted.
"What? Why would he be sending anything to him?" Alia said, knowing McCoy's aversion of Sedgwick.
"It has to be about Spock. I know it's got to be," Christine said, her eyes still riveted to the flashing file name.
"Don't look at it, Chris," Alia cautiously said, approaching. "Don't do this to yourself."
"I have to know why," Christine said, typing in the command override code.
Alia pulled up a chair next to Christine. She knew that this couldn't be good and she determined to be near her friend and offer as much support as she could.
Christine's eyes grew wide as the file opened, revealing the beginning of a detailed autopsy on her beloved. She had witnessed autopsies and had performed some as well. However, seeing an autopsy being performed on the one she so loved was more than she could handle. Tears began to flow as she saw Dr. McCoy remove the sheet, revealing the horrible burns on his body.
"My love," she whispered, now realizing how much agony he had endured before his death.
Alia wrapped her arm around Christine, reaching over to close the file.
Christine reached out a staying hand, causing Alia to pause. "No, don't close it," Christine said, trying to regain some composure but failing. "There has to be a reason for Leonard to do this. I want to know why."
TWO DAYS LATER
"USS Enterprise, Captain's personal log."
"With most of our battle damage repaired, we're almost home. Yet, I feel uneasy… and I wonder why. Perhaps, it is the emptiness of this vessel. Most of the trainee crew has been reassigned. Lieutenant Saavik and my son, David, are exploring the Genesis planet, which he helped create. And Enterprise feels like a house with all the children gone. No, more empty even than that. The death of Spock is like an open wound. It seems I have left the noblest part of myself back there on that newborn planet."
"Status, Mr. Sulu."
"On course, Admiral. Estimating spacedock in two point one hours."
"Very well."
"Mr. Chekov, I'll need a pre-approach scan. Take the science station, please."
"Yes, sir."
"Uhura, any response from Starfleet on our Project Genesis inquiries?"
"No, sir. There is no response."
"That's very odd."
"Scotty, progress report."
"It's almost done, sir. You'll be fully automated by the time we dock."
"Your timing is excellent, Mr. Scott. You fix the barn door after the horses come home."
"How much refit time until we can take her out again?"
"Eight weeks, sir. But you don't have eight weeks, so I'll do it for you in two."
"Mr. Scott, have you always multiplied your repair estimates by a factor of four?
"Certainly, sir. How else can I keep my reputation as a miracle worker?"
"Your reputation is secure, Scotty."
"Mr. Sulu, take the con. I'll be in my quarters," Kirk turned to enter the turbolift.
"Aye, sir."
"Sir, I was wondering… are they planning a ceremony when we get in…I mean, a reception…?" a cadet inquired.
"A hero's welcome, son. Is that what you like? Well, God knows it should be. This time we paid for the party with our dearest blood."