Plugging: Witch of the West's Story, Home Repairs. Its just starting out, but hot damn is her main character awesome! Kirk and a few others meet a friend of Scotty's when Enterprise needs repairs and end up recruiting her. She's spunky, hilarious and good with a wrench! As to this chapter, well, standard disclaimer applies. In addition, a shout out to Laminator for pointing out Bones' eyes are hazel not blue! So onwards we go.

Chapter Eight: Negotiation Plans

"Captain, I believe you should see this," Spock said from his station. Starting to become more aware of the nuances in the Vulcan's voice, Jim knew something important was about to be told. Walking over to his shoulder, he stared at the lines of Vulcan in front of him.

"Okay, I'm here, what is it that I am seeing? Cause so far all I see is strange characters that have no meaning whatsoever."

Spock gave him an exasperated look. "These symbols are Vulcan and have meaning, saying otherwise is illogical as Starfleet cadets are supposed to have basic understanding of the language."

"Best sleep I ever had during those classes." There was the faintest twitch that ticked in the Commander's eye. The golden haired Captain immediately remembered the last time the Vulcan had that twitch. With Nero, just before he took over Captaincy. His ribs gave a phantom ache in protest of the memory. "So! The symbols, what are they saying?" he asked hastily.

His shoulders itched as Spock glared at him. Annoyance lapped at him for a moment before returning into Spock's body. "I found the race Anwamanë somewhat familiar but I could not recall where I had heard it last. Entering the name into the Vulcan Database, it came up with this: The Mercantile State of Planetary Systems." Jim found himself staring blankly at his friend.

"…huh."

Behind his back, Sulu and Uhura shared an eye roll. Their commander was highly tempted to join them.

"In order to get to the Anwamanë race, we must first petition with their government for greivance. However, I highly doubt they will recognise our complaint for they believe the parasitical race deserve the chance to procreate." Jim's jaw tightened with annoyance. It wasn't exactly what he wanted to hear.

"What are their borders? Surely they were out of their regulated space."

"Sir," Uhura spoke up. "We passed out of Federation space a week ago. We're in Federation uncharted territory."

The Captain walked back to his chair and slumped into it. Resting his jaw on his fist, Jim stared at the view screen in thought. "Surely the fact that they tortured her before bugging her is cause enough for complaint." He looked over to Spock for confirmation. The Vulcan was contemplative before he turned back to his computer and typed for a moment.

"They will require proof, and it is a gamble to see if it will work however there may be a slim chance."

"Great! You get to tell Bones!" Jim said quickly with his cocksure grin. "I would also like you to send me a copy on their Greivance protocol and anything about the races of people we'll be seeing on my private computer, in English if you don't mind, and Uhura if there is anything on their languages, see what you can do about translating them." The two nodded and set to work. "Sulu, get the location of the Government and set a course to there, Warp Two, we need time to set up our complaint."

***

"And what do you remember?"

Cassia stared at Bones for a moment, committing him to memory. He sat up right close to her, his hands warm and welcome as they trailed over her skin, checking her health. His beautiful hazel eyes were focused and alert. Occasionally they drifted to meet hers and explode into warm caresses. Bags were underneath them, however, and she itched to smooth them back with her fingers.

"Not a lot, I remember working with you then being taken, what they did to me, I know Jim, but not sure how, I know you and you asking me to marry you," her voice sunk low as she mentioned them. Bones' attention snapped to her as what she said sank in.

"What do you remember of us?" He was no longer the Doctor checking the patient. He was the aching man who had his whole world torn apart and the promise of it returning dangling in front of him. She touched his cheek softly.

"I remember saying yes; I remember what I feel about you…" she closed her eyes as her head started to ache. "There are so many memories bubbling, but I can only get phantom ones drifting up. Its like something is holding them down." Bones turned back to being Doctor.

"Like the voice Jim said you mentioned?"

Cassia nodded. "It's like they're waiting for him to come back." she gave a frustrated sigh. "I feel like I know who the voice is, but for the life of me I just can't recall him!" A warm hand settled on hers.

"Don't try and force yourself, you could cause more damage and lose what you have gotten back." She brought her knees up to her chin, resting the heel of her feet at the edge of the bed. The light blue scrubs pulled up at the ankle slightly.

"You mentioned that there was a way that you could get my memories back faster, but you had to ask Jim." Bones was caught in her hopeful eyes. "What is it and can you start now?"

A nurse walked over to them before he could answer. Touching his shoulder the woman whispered in his ear for a moment before returning to her own patient. Cassia stared at him with curiosity. They were both quiet for a moment. "I need to go to my office for a moment. Wait here," his voice was oddly subdued as he got up and walked away, not once meeting her eyes.

She pouted for a moment. He was meant to be there healing her. Sighing, Cassia rested her head against her knees. She was being childish and selfish. There was obviously a reason why he had to go. If he didn't want to tell her that was completely up to him. It could have been a confidential call for all she knew. Looking up, she caught the curious gaze of Nurse Hemmings. The woman stood in front of her with a paper cup of water and a gentle smile.

"Thank you," she murmured, accepting the glass and downing it in one swallow. "I know you don't I?" the woman nodded.

"You and I work together…" Before she could say anything else, loud swearing erupted from the room Bones had walked into. Wide eyed, the two women looked at each other before darting towards the office.