Chapter 7

Spock stood at the foot of the biobed watching Jim sleep. The image of Jim's piercing scream and body writhing in agony filled his memory. He glanced down at the casted broken hand, the fingers were severely swollen, a shade of an angry dark purple. An enormous bruise covered the majority of his cheek, he was pale and his skin was sunken in slightly with dark rings around his eyes. The dark veins had faded, but Spock knew his external injuries were not the immediate problem.

Spock's eyes darkened as a smile crept across Jim's face.

"What's wrong, Mr. Spock?" Jim's voice cooed, his honey eyes opening slowly to look at the Vulcan. "Does it not please you to know he still lives?"

Spock's eyes narrowed down at him and Jim laughed, but it wasn't his laugh.

"Oh, don't look at me that way. You should be proud; you've helped begin a revolution. Imagine the universe without illogical beings such as 'humans', where Vulcans would be viewed as equals instead of minority creatures."

"Vulcans are highly recognized by the Federation—"

"Don't be a fool, Mr. Spock. Are you not treated differently? Are you not approached with caution, or bared witness to any derogatory remarks concerning your race?"

Spock neatly folded his hands behind his back, clenching his fists tightly. Anger pulsed through his body, staring down at the man he cherished, an imposter peeking out from amber eyes.

"You will not succeed." Spock's voice growled.

"Are you threatening me?"

Spock felt his stomach tighten as Khan issued the familiar "Jim" smile.

"You can't stop me, Mr. Spock. I hold your bond-mate captive. His mind is weakening now, I have gained more control."

"I believe you are underestimating his strength, Khan."

"Am I? Keep in mind the consequences if you try to interfere." Jim's smile widened and it reached up to his eyes.

Before Spock could retort, Jim's eyes fluttered shut at the presence of McCoy's entrance.

"Dammit, you're still here? I thought I gave you a direct order to rest?"

Spock didn't acknowledge him, staring intently at Jim. He could hardly bring himself to the look at the doctor, he felt ashamed that he had failed them both.

"Hey? You all right, Spock?" His voice softened as he placed his hand gently on Spock's arm, concern weighing heavily in his cerulean orbs.

"I am well, Doctor. I do not require rest at present and I am needed here."

McCoy let out a frustrated huff.

"Listen, I know you want to stay near Jim but you were injured too. Now get out of my Sickbay before I give you a hypo and drag you out myself." There was no malice in his tone but it was firm.

Spock turned to face him and felt a twinge at the sight of him. McCoy was still pale and his body trembled as it attempted to heal from the abuse it had endured. The doctor didn't understand that he needed to rest and Spock couldn't tell him to with understanding that the doctor would question the reason as to why.

"I insist I stay until he is conscious, Doctor." He reached out and gently gripped the doctor's arm and McCoy's eyes widened in alarm. It was rare that the Vulcan would initiate physical contact with the doctor, but he hoped this gesture would convey the seriousness of the situation.

"Spock, what aren't you telling me?" McCoy whispered, eyeing him suspiciously.

Spock jerked his hand back nearly forgetting the doctor had a heightened sense of observation. He couldn't risk the doctor's life any further. He glanced back to Jim, trying desperately to reach him through the bond but it was blocked. Ripping his sight from him, he brushed passed the doctor without saying a word and headed directly for his quarters.

He stood on the bridge watching over the crew as they were busying themselves with Starfleet's new orders. It had been several days since they arrived back onboard and Jim still lied in Sickbay. Spock attempted to meditate on the imminent danger but found his thoughts obscured and the harder he tried to focus the more he found himself distracted.

"Course laid in for Star-base ten, sir."

"Thank you Mr. Sulu." Spock said flatly. "Engines set to warp factor six."

"Aye, sir."

"Belay those last orders, Mr. Sulu."

Spock whirred around at the sound of Jim's voice. He stood there at the turbo lift, arms folded behind his back, honey eyes scanning the room. A hope sprung up inside Spock, he let that feeling rush through him, fighting the urge to run to him, reminding himself to be cautious. Could Jim have recovered his control?

"Sir?" Sulu asked tentatively.

"Set course for one-eleven, mark fourteen." He demanded shifting from his position at the door down toward the chair where Spock stood rooted to the spot. The spark of hope faded away quickly as a darker emotion filled the void, eyes narrowing at him as he approached.

"That would put us inside the neutral zone, Sir!" Sulu exclaimed, "We're currently on route to Star-base ten as ordered by Starfleet."

"I gave you an order, Mr. Sulu. Change course." Jim approached the Vulcan until he was uncomfortably close. Spock didn't flinch away as Jim's functioning hand reached out and gripped his wrist tightly, a mischievous smile playing upon his lips.

Spock jerked his hand from Jim's grasp, his body shook in anger. From the small skin contact, he could feel Jim's mind crying out in pain. His conscious had been shoved back from the front of the mind where Khan now reigned and was being ravaged with negativity. He could feel Jim's fear and desperation.

"Aye, Sir?" Sulu hesitantly stated but set the course he was instructed.

"Captain, should I inform Starfleet of the change?" Uhura piped up, glancing nervously at the scene of Jim sizing up Spock.

Jim turned away from Spock and propped himself proudly onto the chair. The smile never wavered as he stared ahead in the vast emptiness of space, ignoring the deathly glare from the Vulcan who remained motionless beside him.

"No, you are to close all communications with Starfleet command immediately." Jim snapped quickly and Uhura looked taken aback.

"Belay that last order, Uhura, the Captain has misspoken." Spock quickly interjected. "I believe you have not reached optimal health as you are making illogical decisions and insist you should retire to your quarters, Sir." His brown eyes bore down on him, squaring his shoulders and keeping a firm stance.

Jim laughed and the room tensed. It was not full of mirth; it held a sinister ring to it. His fist hit a button on the right armrest and a small chirp echoed throughout the ship.

"This is Captain Kirk. Any crew member who follows Commander Spock's orders will be promptly locked in the brig and tried for mutiny, this order is effective immediately."

All movement ceased on the bridge at the announcement, nervous eyes lay heavily upon them, curious and worried.

"Miss Uhura, close all communications and Mr. Spock," he trailed off looking amusingly to the Vulcan, "Return to your station and do not speak unless spoken to. Understood?" Jim rose from the chair and stepped closely to the Vulcan once again whispering, "They will die, Mr. Spock. I will force Kirk to watch as he kills those he cherishes most, one by one if you do not obey me."

Spock's fist shook violently. He fought the urge to reach out and kill the man before him, but quickly eradicated the thought and reminded himself it was not Khan's body, it was Jim's. He nodded before stiffly walking to the science station, feeling the weight of dozens of eyes on his back. His mind reeling, trying to formulate a plan to end this, there had to be an option he was overlooking.

He remembered Jim's words, "I don't believe in no-win scenarios."

Entering Jim's unconscious mind proved to be difficult, he was met with such restraint he nearly pulled himself back out of the meld. But before retreating, a familiar figure materialized before him in the emptiness around him that forced him to linger. Jim stood alone, frantically searching for something. Spock could feel his loneliness, fear.

"You are not alone, Jim." He called out softly and saw him whirl around to him.

As Jim tried to step toward him, he suddenly plummeted below the shimmering surface. Spock felt panic course through him as he realized that this image was Jim's mind, his entire being. He strained against an invisible force that was attempting to pull the Vulcan away, feeling the weight of another conscious upon him.

Reaching the gaping hole in the translucent floor, he focused his thoughts on his T'hy'la, willing this void to make him visible. It worked as he saw Jim thrashing, his pale hand reaching upward, saw Khan pulling him under. Without hesitation, he reached his hand into the icy liquid, grabbing ahold of his hand and began to pull him but found the weight was incredible but refused to give in. Jim was close to the surface, if Spock could break him free of the liquid barrier, he could save him. He could save him!

A giant flash of light appeared from nowhere and it collided with Spock, he felt an electric jolt and was thrown backwards from the hole. He could feel Jim's terror, watching helplessly as the hole sealed itself. Spock broke the meld with a painful snap.

Jim came to consciousness gasping for air. His body wriggled as he attempted to breath. Spock and the doctor reached out to hold him down as his body seized.

"Jim! Breathe! Snap out of it!"

He couldn't answer, his lips beginning to tint blue, his eyes rolling in his head. Spock knew there was no logical physical explanation to his suffocation; he quickly deduced it had to be a result from the vision in the mind meld.

"He appears to suffering from an acute hallucination." A hint of panic underlined his mild tone.

"Do something!" The doctor barked at him, grunting as he tried to keep Jim's body pinned.

Spock knew Jim needed air and felt the most logical decision was to preform CPR quickly. Even though his mind told him Jim was not physically drowning, something in his consciousness informed him that this action was necessary. He released one hand front Jim's shoulders and pinched his nose closed, pressing his lips to his and blew air into mouth. After a moment, he felt Jim's body begin to relax below him and once he felt Jim exhale, he moved away from him.

Jim's eyes shot open, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion.

"Bones? Spock?" His voice cracked slightly.

The doctor released his grip on Jim, shifting his trembling body, his jaw clenched with anger.

"You're awake, good."

Spock couldn't recall a time the doctor had sounded so hostile with Jim. He arched an eyebrow at him, contemplating if he should attempt to calm him before the conversation could progress.

"Bones, what's going—"

"You almost murdered her, Jim!" Bones spat angrily at him. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Fear washed over his amber eyes as they grew wide with panic, his mouth hung open, darting his sight between the two of them. For a moment, Spock wondered if Jim had forgotten the previous events. He wanted to reach out to him, to ease his distress, but he knew he couldn't draw suspicion upon himself with the doctor present. Khan was watching.

"It wasn't me." Kirk whispered.

Spock's body jerked slightly at his comment.

"You've got to be kidding me." McCoy's fist hit the side of the bed, inches away from Kirk. "I'm a doctor not a blind man! I watched you strangle her with your own hand!"

"I-It was Khan!" He stuttered, "I swear, I would never—"

"Khan is dead,Jim!" He ripped his eyes away from Kirk and glared at Spock. His stare was hard, but a hint of fear swam beneath his eyes as he bristled at the Vulcan's lack of emotional display. "You wanted my medical opinion? Your lover-boy has lost it! First by his outrageous orders and now he's rambling on about someone who's long since been deceased! He needs to be in the brig before he tries to hurt somebody else on this ship! We'll keep him in there under surveillance until he can be seen by a psychiatrist back at headquarters."

Spock contemplated his words carefully. It pained him to picture Jim being locked up in the brig but the doctor's idea was sound. He could monitor Jim easier there. Khan would not have as much free reign on the ship or its crew. But were there underlying consequences to this action?

"I will have to agree with you, Doctor. His condition has become too unstable."

A hard lump formed in his throat as he saw Kirk's pained expression, noticed as his eyes dampened. He felt the guilt of betrayal stirring inside of him, how could he do this? It was his fault Jim was in this state. Jim was suffering because of him. His hand clenched until he felt his fingernails digging into his skin, sharp pain shooting from his hand.

McCoy angrily glanced back to Jim before pivoting on his heel and marching from the room. Spock didn't move. He couldn't. He was lost in his thoughts, overcome by his guilt and what he could possibly do to help him.

"S-Spock, please!" A panic cry brought him back to his senses. His stomach clenched as a tear slid from the side of Jim's eye. He wanted to comfort him, to let him know that he would not abandon him. How could he do that without giving away Khan's plans, allowing Khan to cause Jim more harm? Quickly glancing up to make sure the private room in Sickbay was empty, he leaned down, his mouth hovered over his hear.

"Dva-tor, t'nash-veh T'hy'la. Than fam ptha."

He knew Jim wouldn't understand, but he hoped it would bring him a form of comfort and not allow Khan to know that he was contemplating a scheme to defeat him. His mouth moved from Jim's ear and he lingered by his face, laying a soft kiss upon his cheek. A fear in his mind that this could be the last time Jim's conscious could be aware. He let his fingers gently stroke Jim's hand.

I love you, T'hy'la. I will find a way, believe. He thought as he pulled himself away. Without another glance at his beloved, he hastily rushed from the room, leaving Jim baffled behind him.

A/N: This chapter was hard for me to write, not sure why, just wouldn't come out right. I think I rewrote this a couple of times, I hope it turned out okay. It's not as suspenseful as the last chapter but I hope it was still worth the read. Sorry if there are any misspelling or grammar errors, I kind of hurried to finish this with a migraine (that's how much I appreciate my readers!) and really wanted to get it posted. Please remember to review because reviews make me happy and want me to update quicker!