Oh good God, I am starting to feel guilty with making you all wait with this whole Nina thing, and I better get a move on. After this chapter, things are definitely going to take off though and I hope to get to more action soon too. This is turning out to be a very plot heavy story, who would have thought?! I for one can't wait for Khan/Nina, though it's always nervous starting out and I hope I do it well once I'm there!

Thanks to WarriorDragonElf54, ShimmeringWater, Mira SeverusSirius Black-Snape, summertower17, Elliesmeow, Guntz, Young-Maiden, kykyxstandler, pjfunnybunny, Medisha, EvilLittleKittys, SharkGurl, Deathcab4kimmie, Skylar the Swifthearted, CLTex, Castiel Angel Heart, Harleyluv, PhoenixRage92, Mei, ShadowsFolly94, Aradien, JBuzz, AvalonTheLadyKiller, JobanaBallack, SemiraBlake and all of the Guests! Wow you guys, you leave me breathless!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the OC

How it was expected for any of them to find sleep at a time like this was beyond her. The base was set on rotation seeing as day and night was pre-determined with the time that was developed when anyone came aboard. It didn't matter either way to Nina, after the briefing it seemed her stress level only doubled and she bet her cortisol levels were staggering. She wasn't alone though, everyone else was on edge and snippy with one another too, so they all thought it best to report to their individual tasks before something unpleasant was said. Nina had spent her day with Bones working on giving medical exams to other members working aboard who had been off planet long enough to need another checkup. Apparently they weren't allowed to go near Khan's crew that was kept away in storage at the moment, and though it wasn't spoken, she knew it was because of the previous accusations thrown again them. Bones knew it too, and he handled it with the dignity of being in a first-class mood of complaining which she was forced to endure all through their work.

Now staring up at the grated ceiling, she was wishing to be back in the medical bay of the Starbase. The room was quiet so she assumed Uhura and Carol were both sleeping. She had managed to go a day without that conversation again, though knew a lost cause when she saw one. It would happen and now she just wanted it over with. Relieving a small sigh into the room, she wished she had something to keep her occupied and thought longingly of her books back in her flat at the base. She always remembered to bring just one, but not this time as other things had seemed more important. Of course, she had also been besieged from many conversations with Khan, every one more confusing than the last. Even still she found they were reminiscent, though she didn't like to think she was yearning for another one.

Sick with herself, she cast aside the wool blanket and slowly crawled her way off from the cot. She quickly noted her two roommates before silently creeping her way to the door, where it slid open without much noise, "Where are you going?" 'Damn', it had still been enough to wake the one person she had been trying to avoid.

She turned back to look at Carol who had sat up straight on her cot, "For a walk around the hanger. I thought maybe I could find some sleep there or at least someone to talk to."

"Well, I'll keep you company, just give me a moment." Carol said as she kicked her covers off and started to slip on her shoes. Her movements were apprehensive, as if suddenly she too discovered that they were about to talk about the forthcoming conversation, "Where would you like to go?"

"Anywhere is fine." Nina agreed as she kept her posture starch.

They slipped through the door and entered the gloomy corridor of the female dorms. They started at a leisurely pace for the large hanger, with guards watching them at their posted stations at every turn. It was a facility where no one ever slept, not really anyways, and Nina wondered why she had even bothered to try, "I thought I'd be happy about being back at work, but as it turns out I feel just as jailed here as I did on Earth."

"Are you still worried, about being accused and everything?" Carol asked hesitantly.

"It's not that, I've just…been going through some things." She said elusively.

Carol caught on though, and raised a brow, "Some things that you can't talk about with the possibility of someone overhearing?"

"Kind of." She agreed.

"Good, then let's find somewhere private." They ended up traveling towards the mess hall as it was a large space and would most likely be unoccupied. The lights were dim and the tables vacant as they each took a seat on adjacent benches, " I wanted to talk too, and I would have brought this up before, but you never showed for drinks."

"Oh yeah, sorry about that." Nina said wincing, "I got held up unexpectedly. It's been happening a lot lately."

She didn't elaborate even though she could see Carol wanted her to, "That's alright." She said finally, "I wanted to talk about Lester Vance actually."

"Hot topic. His name seems to be appearing everywhere despite the fact that he's dead." Nina said while half relieved it had nothing to do with Jim. She wasn't sure whether or not Carol was even aware about the tension she gave off every time she was around the other woman. Maybe she was as blind as Jim, their worlds continuing to spin on while Nina was left to stand on the sidelines with her nose pressed up on the glass. Depressed by her own thoughts, she quickly added, "What did you want to talk about in regards to him?"

"Well, before his transfer to the San Francisco base last year, he had been working in Section 31 for my father."

There was a pregnant pause while the power of the statement hung in the air between them. Nina blinked rapidly before frowning, "What?! Does anyone else know this?"

"No, because his transfer was sanctioned early by my father off record. That's why no one ever came looking for him when Khan was awakened the last time. I believe he had started his research over a year ago into the biological properties of the Augments, but I don't know anything of his discoveries."

"I do." Nina said before she could stop herself.

"You do?" Carol said in bemusement, "How do you know?"

Was she really going to tell Carol the truth? This whole thing seemed bigger than just her 'stupid feelings', and as it was, Carol had taken a risk in even telling her what she knew, "Because I broke into Vance's office and stole what was there. He has a serum synthesized with the blood of Augments, though I don't know what it does exactly."

"Where is it?" Carol looked gravely upset by the news.

"I gave it to Bones to look into. What we think we know is only being backed by a hypothesis at the moment. If we wanted to know the exact properties of that serum, someone would have to inject themselves with it."

"I knew I needed to talk with both of you." Carol said quietly and Nina felt a shred of guilt for having not shown up for drinks that day all because of her petty jealousy, "While I'm glad the serum is in good hands, I have to wonder why you went to his office in the first place?"

Nina rubbed her hands together uncomfortably, "This is where the story gets tricky. I didn't actually know the serum was there because I went to his office for something else…the records of where he had moved the cryo tubes."

"Why would you need that?"

This could be her last time having friends if Carol decided to spout off to anyone, "Because Khan found me and he told me to." There it was, she said it and there was no taking it back now.

Carol gasped and her hands covered her mouth as her eyes filled with remorse. She begun to shake her head back and forth as if she was fighting herself for words, "Nina, I am so sorry!"

"Yeah, you and me both." Nina then frowned. That hadn't been the words she had been expecting from Carol, "Wait, why are you sorry?"

"You misunderstand me. The reason I wanted to talk with you and Doctor McCoy together that afternoon was because you had both been accused. I knew you were innocent because…I was the one who unfroze Khan and his two crew members."

Nina leapt up from her seat with a look of disgust, "You did what?"

Carol tried to shush her with a look of panic, "Please, just let me explain!"

"Explain?! My life's been turned upside down since this has happened. He's been following me, and Bones is being followed too!" The Jim thing was forgotten momentarily in her mind as she had a whole different reason to be upset with the woman before her now. They were talking about her life, not to mention the very state of Starfleet, "Why would you do this Carol?" She asked with a little more reserve as she attempted to collect herself.

"Because I didn't want my father's mistake to be repeated." She said fiercely, "I am still ashamed for what he did. Preserving our way of life is admirable, but why do we have to start a war? I know the way Lester Vance is. I hadn't given him much thought once he'd had his transfer from Section 31, but once I learned he was taking over the study back here, I had to do something."

"But you were in London weren't you?" Nina recalled.

"I was." Carol agreed with a look of guilt, "But I came back earlier then I've been saying. I was already here the night of the benefit for the Kelvin memorial."

Also the night Khan escaped and her and Bones were taken in as chance would have it, "Carol, you need to help me understand. What good did you think it would do releasing him?"

"I didn't want biologic weapons made for a war with the Klingons, and as much as I have every reason to hate Khan, I knew his feelings would be the same. We don't know what the consequences of using that serum could be. Khan didn't know I was the one, who awoke him of course, but I knew if I set him free with help of his comrades; it would bring a stop to everything. I only left him with a portable transwarp beaming device. I didn't realize how out of hand this would get or that he would be a danger to you."

"He hasn't done anything to physically harm me at least, and he did clear me and Bones of all charges as promised in exchange for the records of his crew's location."

Carol seemed astonished by the news, "Wait, he promised to help you?"

"Yes, but I don't understand it either so don't ask me why." She leaned her weight against one of the tables while crossing her arms over her chest. This wasn't exactly how she had anticipated this conversation to go, though sharing with Carol had eased some of her tensions miraculously, "So where do we go from here, seeing as we're in this together now?"

Carol's face sank into a small smile as Nina wondered if she had been worried that after this conversation she was going to rat her out to Starfleet. Nina didn't hate Carol and she liked to think that they had something in common other than Jim Kirk now, "I would like to get a chance to look at the serums if you still have them."

"Well, Bones has the one with him. I didn't actually take all ten when I broke into Vance's office." She said uneasily.

"So then, where are the rest? Are they still back down on Earth."

"They might be down on Earth." She said while scratching her face tiredly, "I don't know if you know, but Vance's office was broken into after I had been there. The vials were stolen and three guesses as to who has them now."

A look of knowing passed on Carol's face and then dread, "Oh dear."

"I don't know what he'll do with them, but I suppose being in his hands is better than of anyone from Section 31."

"No, you're right." Carol complied with a nod of her head, "He won't exploit it for our benefit. He likely won't use them at all."

Which was a relief for them, "We still have to be prepared though. He'll be here eventually, Starfleet can't delay that."

"Did he say anything else to you?"

He had said several things that she didn't understand and for some unfathomable reason, she wanted to keep them private between her and Khan, "Nothing else that can help us here. Why, what were you hoping for?"

Her face clouded over in the dark of the room and Nina thought she saw a tear slip from her eye, "It's just that…he murdered my father. I don't know how I'm supposed to be feeling through all this, and my emotions are a mess. I know I feel guilty for letting Khan escape, but I can acknowledge that my father was wrong too, as was anyone involved in Section 31. Nothing has been easy for me since that had happened. Here I am a weapons specialist with a conscience." She laughed dryly at herself, "I wanted a career where I would be helping explorers in Starfleet, and look at what I've done. What if someone finds out?"

"That won't happen. What we've shared in this room, we won't repeat to anyone…except maybe Bones, because he already knows half of the details."

"Oh, I almost forgot about him! I am so sorry for dragging you both down in this, Nina." Carol's large eyes held remorse and Nina knew it was sincere.

"It's alright." She breathed a laugh, "It's been interesting, if nothing else."

"Come on, we should head back and get rest before our shifts start."

The thought of working had been distant from her mind until now, "What will you be doing?" She asked aloud as they started their way back from the mess hall. Some of the early shifts had already started and the second wave of guards was on duty as they passed by them at every turn.

"I'll be helping Jim—sorry—Captain Kirk." She corrected with a mirthful grin.

'Of course you are', Nina thought wryly. If she could move passed her 'stupid feelings', she might have actually called Carol a friend, but right now they were two people enveloped in the same bad situation and Nina couldn't find a way out for either of them. Her heart grew heavy with fright and though she was able to fend off insomnia and slip into unconsciousness, she dreamed of a day where their friends would not be so forgiving.

Lykel stood resolute with her legs apart and her arms crossed over her chest. She was filled with animosity and if she continued to grind her teeth, she might make it down to the nerves before their work was done. Their work, as if it could hardly be called that. Khan had left them to finish up their end, which she normally would not have questioned if it weren't for his abnormal introvert behavior. In irritation, she picked at the black uniform they had been given to wear. She had tried to get acquainted with the feel of the starchy material against her skin, along with a great deal of other things she had fallen behind on in her slumber. She had wept to be greeted with the light of day again, only to find out Khan had tasted the freedom of this time period before them. He may have tasted a great deal of many other things, though his was a mind barred away into depths no one had treaded and he remained ever closed mouthed about his intimate thoughts.

"Lykel, you need to stop." Her eyes flicked like grass blades over to her partner while he continued with his task. He wasn't looking at her, and he didn't need to, to know she was sinking into her thoughts.

"You are not bothered by his distant behavior?" She snipped while her angular brows furrowed, "It's because of the human."

He brushed a hand back through his blonde fringe and broke into a sly grin, "Yes, beautiful Nina. May we switch the conversation over to her?"

Lykel let her mouth fall into a thin line as she approached the table he sat upon, "She has a familiar face. Anything else is coincidence, Khan has said so himself."

"Of course he has." Adraich stated coldly with his playful demeanor forgotten, "He did not care before, and time has not changed him. His actions are spurred only in regret."

"Khan has never been a penitent man." Lykel said with a frown. Adraich's words were laced with resentment and she was gripped by worry for him. What had been three hundred years spent in harmonious sleep had not changed some things. Lykel could recall events that had happened before she had been induced in cryo as if they had occurred days ago, when in reality time had gone on longer. It would be the same for Adraich which meant his vendetta against their leader was still coursing through his veins and blackening his heart. Even with all of his pent-up rage, it would not be enough to overcome Khan's wrath and she would delay his anger if she could. Adraich's eyes had never been on her though and any of her attempts in the past had gone ineffective, "You're arguing with our chance at liberation rather than working with him. Leave the dead where they belong Adraich." She told him harshly.

"I would gladly do so if it weren't for the arduous reminder that Khan insists on using." His fingers worked quick on the portable device, having learnt to use the advanced technology in a matter of hours after being awakened. Their minds absorbed all Khan was able to teach them in the hastened time they had to work with, and always they were driven by ambition. Three hundred years should have been quite a load to catch up on, though they did not fall under the normal setbacks of humans. Lykel still desired the use of older technologies that had gone beyond account, and while she was adaptable, she was not overly fond of the forceful nature of change. Time had devoured simplicity, transcending into an era of convenience, "For what purpose does he pursue her?"

She brushed her golden hair back while coming back to their original conversation they had been addressing, "I believe he is confused."

Adraich's face contorted into bitter confusion of his own, "That is doubtful. He would not allow such a heinous occurrence to happen, though I would be interested to hear your theory, however incorrect it may be." He goaded.

Her body language was set to a tone of determination and she did not waver so like a branch in the wind, "It is purposeful confusion. He knows this human to be nothing of our kind, but he has allowed himself to become bewitched by hope." The idea suddenly seemed pathetic and had worked better in her mind. If anything, Khan had only grown more savage and contentious since last she had spoken with him. She wondered what had happened in the bitter months he had been alone through his first awakening. There was events he did not speak of, and she dared not ask him without it appearing as her overstepping her bounds. Augments were created equal in physical form, but there was still a hierarchy to be followed, and Khan had never been the sort to share anything with one person. While most in the past had been invested in finding a mate, he had never indicated the slightest interest in any of their females. Many had tried for even a sliver of his attention, but never Lykel. She was content to be at his side for support and had been one of the few he called to as friend.

"You still bleed for him."

Her eyes snapped to Adraich who had ceased in his work to study her, "We are all brothers and sisters alike. I will always stand at his side so long as there is a path before us to walk."

"You are almost as hopeful as she was." He said with a look of pity, "What future do you see for him now—for any of us—if we continue at his side?"

His mercy caused her shame and what's more his blatant lack of regard for their leader stirred unrest in her heart, "Why are you saying this?"

Adraich spoke at great length, "I've come to learn all I can of Khan, in both the war as brothers in arms and while in our exile. We are sticking our necks out too far, too soon, and I am not going to die for that man's honor so he can win back a sense of accomplishment to oaths he left unfulfilled. We were built for war Lykel, but aren't you tired of it, fighting in feuds that we hold no place in? This is a time we were not meant to have lived in and already Khan has found enemies in the humans once more. If they have survived this long without guidance, there must be something superior about them that we have overlooked. Are we not the race doomed to die?"

"You're words hurt." She said miserably.

"That is not their intent, I was simply speaking candidly. You can tell him if you wish, or don't, it makes no difference to me." Adraich turned away from her as he continued his fiddling with the device.

For a prolonged time she merely stood as a statue in her place before leaving wordlessly away from him and the growing dreary mood. There wasn't much escape as they were stuck underground in hiding, waiting to seize the opportune moment to save the rest of their family. Would they too feel the same as Adraich? She found it inconceivable that she would be the only one to take Khan's side and she reminded herself of Adraich's personal feelings. Doubt had planted its seed though, and it forever lingered in the back recesses of her mind. Her distraction delayed her taking notice of Khan's reappearance in the room across from her and she swallowed her worry, afraid he might have been there long enough to overhear the last exchange with Adraich.

"Are we moving forward then?" She asked thinly.

His eyes picked her a part piece by piece as he stalked towards her. She kept her arms at her side, one raised and holding her hip tightly with her hand to give off attitude that he was accustomed to, the trouble was she was having a difficult time maintaining it. He often spoke of her most appealing feature being her masculine personality because of the juxtaposition it created with her otherwise overly feminine semblance. She refused to face him in any other way other than what was expected of her, "We will move forward, unless there are other grievances that I have not been informed of."

She thought his eyes switched to the adjacent room with Adraich and her body crumbled with panic, "Of course not. We are ready to serve you Khan, and our family."

What suspicions he had he didn't voice, though she was not immediately relieved of tension, "Your enthusiasm is encouraging, not like you at all Lykel. I would not have you grovel at my feet."

She let out a sigh and frowned, "You won't see me kneeling for you Khan, you and I both know that."

He smirked faintly, "Then speak your mind."

"I am merely distracted by the human, as is Adraich."

"Well, forget your distractions. She is an issue that you need not concern yourselves with." He said as more of a command rather than as advice.

"But you will concern yourself with her?" She tested, only to receive a dark look of aversion. It served its purpose to scorn her, though she was left feeling indignant of his treatment of her, "Fine, but she is no replacement and I expect you know that."

His grip was tight on her wrist and she hissed in disdain as he tugged her close, "I know this better than you, and of Adraich. I trust you've told him this advice as well before he sinks his claws into her." Her face fell and much to Khan's satisfaction no doubt. He knew of her weakness and as he cast her aside with little force, he bared a look of repugnance, "I would have gladly been landed with your help had your love for him not come with it."

Footsteps traveled away from her and he left her standing alone in the abandoned warehouse like a dog behind glass. Never had she felt so low for having feelings and she would thicken her skin if she could, though it was an impossible task. Khan had never been in love, at least, not with another individual and he did not feel the need to sympathize with her. He was her friend though and she could not bring herself to chastise him or his ignorance on the subject. She merely wished the same feelings upon him, so that he may one day know the hurts that drove deep with the misfortune of being encumbered by love.

A little insight on the three augments and how they interact with one another. It doesn't seem to be going all that well either, at least on a personal level though they'll put that aside for the sake of their family. I think this was an easier way to delve into Khan's past, by having someone else there to do it for him. I know I've probably just messed with all of your heads with the Nina connection again, and I am so sorry, but I swear the truth will come out soon and you won't be left to guess all of that anymore! Also, what the Hell Carol?! Haha, I let you rant in your reviews :)