A/N: I apologize about the long wait for an update. I was so nervous about writing this chapter that I finally just walked away for a while and wrote another story, where I take out all my frustration on poor Dr. McCoy. Now, I've sufficiently satisfied all my plot holes and present you all with ch. 9.

Paramount owns Star Trek

Ch. 9

"So, you wanna talk about it?"

"Dammit, Jim, we're supposed to be quiet. You wanna get caught?"

"Please, the door is reinforced Nerillium. You know as well as I do that they're completely soundproof. And it's going to take Pav at least thirty minutes to get back into the system. We've got the time. And we have plenty to talk about, doctor."

James T. Kirk and Leonard "Bones" McCoy, former officers of the USS Enterprise, former confidants, former best friends, glared daggers at each other across the four foot expanse of the prison storage closet in which they were currently ensconced. The space was too small to contain the volume of emotions that were volleying back and forth between the two men but what could they do? Despite his most elusive efforts, Chekov could only stay inside the prison's security system for forty-five minutes at a time before he tipped off one of the sleeper probes that continuously scanned the computer program for hackers. So, while they waited for him to regain entry, they were stuck with each other and their own anger and guilt.

There was much to say and there had been no time to say it. Ever since Jim had realized that Spock was entering an early onset of his next pon farr the command crew of the Aberdeen had been in a race against time. Spock's elder counterpart had sent them all the pertinent information he had collected regarding the prison system and Chekov, in another fit of brilliance had managed to hack the mainframe. With as much raw data as they could muster, the Aberdeen's crew shot off for the tiny colony of Lavanar XII and the free clinic it boasted in the city of Patel.

The service that the older Spock and Sarek had rendered to Bones and Uhura was paramount. Jim didn't like to think about what would have happened to them if they had remained in custody. He also avoided questions about the means of their release. He had a feeling it had cost the two Vulcans quite a bit and he just didn't need any more resentment piling up. Right now, what he needed was Bones and his freakish ability to perform medical magic in the face of impossible odds. He told himself that this was the only reason he was heading for Lavanar, that he didn't have a care in the world for Leonard McCoy aside from the help he could provide in breaking Spock out. But he was lying to himself and that reality came boiling right to the surface the second he found his way to his old friend's office.

He hadn't meant to hit him. Sure he was a hothead but even Jim Kirk knew that it was easier to catch flies with honey than with vinegar. And it was easier to get people to help you plan and pull off a prison break if you didn't split their lip open. But all the sensibility in the universe hadn't been able to stop him when he finally located Bones in the Lavanarian clinic. The good doctor had been facing away from him, sorting through a pile of files that obscured his desk. For a moment, Jim had been overcome at the sight of him and a swirling vortex of conflicting emotions had threatened to suck him down. Rage and betrayal for the friend who had deserted him in his hour of need. Compassion for the pain and guilt he had seen on McCoy's face when he returned to the ship from his stay in the hospital. Gratitude for Bones' decision to come forward and make a confession, at great personal loss, in an effort to rescue him from New Vulcan. The emotions swirled, out of control, and Jim was propelled forward, beyond conscious thought. Wordlessly, he stalked up to his former best friend and jerked him around by the shoulder. Without giving him a second to recover, Jim grabbed Bones is a rib-cracking bear hug, leaning over to whisper in his ear, "I missed you, you bastard." Then, without warning, he shoved Bones back and slammed his right fist into the stupefied man's jaw. Bones flew upwards, somersaulting over his desk and landed in an inglorious heap on the floor.

Without missing a beat, Jim leaned over the desk. "Okay, so here's the deal. Spock is in pon farr." When Bones made to speak, Jim held up his hand, "Yeah, yeah, I know. It's early. So, he wants me to let him die but I think he owes me so I'm gonna bust him out of jail so I can collect. I need you to help me break about a thousand local and Federation laws in order to sneak into a Vulcan maximum security prison, hack their security computer and illegally remove a possibly dangerous prisoner, making us Federation fugitives for the rest of our lives……Oh, and I need you to mix up some kind of potent airborne sedative that can be dispensed through a ventilation system to incapacitate a plak tow crazed Vulan so that we can cart his ass out of jail," Jim paused. "So, what do you say, doctor?"

Bones cocked his head to the side, "Okay."

And it really had been okay. Bones was on board, one hundred percent, and in a moment of introspection, Jim was forced to admit that he hadn't doubted it for a minute. Bones was Bones, loyal, loving and always willing to put himself on the line for a friend. It really only served to confuse Jim more, that Bones would fail him at that one key moment. But that was a long discussion for lazier times and right now there was planning to be done.

Well, actually, there was drinking to be done. Two hours after their departure from Lavanar, Jim had begun to feel slightly flushed and lightheaded. Within the hour, he was completely incapacitated, lying flat on his back on the rec room deck in nothing but his boxers and a t-shirt, desperately trying not to move or breath. Every slight sensation was compounded a hundred fold. Chekov brought him cold towels while Bones secured a line to Vulcan.

Spock's father and counterpart quickly confirmed what they had already feared. Spock was entering plak tow. His ability to shield was completely obliterated. In contrast, his mind was actively searching for Jim. No shit, thought the frazzled human, a little more help than stating the obvious, boys. Groaning and in pain, he was pulled to his feet by Bones and Scotty and plunked down in front of the viewscreen.

"Peace and long life, James." Sarek replied. Jim starred hazily at the man on the screen before him. He'd barely met him, yet they had technically been family for four years. "I am grateful for that which you undertake for my son. Unfortunately, the nature of your bond means that you will be deeply affected by Spock's current situation. A male Vulcan's mate typically experiences many of the symptoms of pon farr, especially once the male has entered plak tow. There are a few shielding techniques that I will teach you in order to make it easier to cope. Are you ready? "

Jim nodded and for the next three hours, he and Sarek worked on putting some protective barriers in place inside his mind. It was tiring and felt wrong, every fiber of his being wanting to reach out to Spock, to comfort him, but Sarek was resolute. If Spock could feel him, it might only serve to accelerate the fever. Jim had to maintain his distance and he spent the next several hours practicing these newfound disciplines. This put planning a prison break on temporary hiatus, so Bones and Scotty decided to take the time to resolve their differences. Excusing themselves to the back cargo bay, the two proceeded to beat the every loving hell out of each other for about an hour. All finally forgiven between the two, they settled down and got rip-roaring drunk.

The next day, shields in place and hangovers subsiding, the quartet got down to planning. They kept it simple, get in, get Spock, get the hell outta Dodge. The one wrench in the machine was Chekov's discovery of the sleeper probes. It was impossible for him to remain in the prison's computer system for more than forty five minutes at a time and that just wasn't long enough for them to get in and out, no matter what way they played it. The plan was going to have be executed in two stages, whether they liked it or not. Jim just shook his head, resignation mixing with disgust. Could they never catch a break?

"So itz like zhis, Jim. I vill open the lower cargo port and you vill sneak in. Ve vill git you to zhe zhird floor holding unit, diwerting all the wisual recordings. Zhen, you vill hide in the closet for half an hour vhile I re-enter the system." Chekov looked up, scanning the other faces for approval.

"Sounds good, Pav."

"Okay, so zhen you vill progress to Mr. Spock's cell. I vill shut all other wentilation units on the floor vhile the Keptin puts Dr. McCoy's medicine into zhe air duct in zhe back of zhe building. Vhen Mr. Spock collapses, I vill open up zhe cell door and you vill get him out. You vill retreat zhe same vay you came in. The Keptin vill return to zhe ship, you vill come out with Mr. Spock, and ve vill leave and go wery far away for a wery long time." Chekov sat back, his expression satisfied.

Jim and Scotty looked equally please but the sentiment was obviously not shared by the good doctor. He glared at Jim with a look of condescending disdain, "Now wait a damn minute. I know you don't think you're going in there alone."

"Bones, I'm not putting anyone else in danger. He is my mate and this is my job. It makes the most sense that I go."

"Yeah, he's your mate, and as his older self so delicately pointed out, that makes you the prime target. What if that damn stuff doesn't work? What if you open the door and he runs you over like a freight train?"

"Well, at least he'll still be alive."

"Yeah, and then Starfleet will have both of you, which is exactly what we don't want to happen! Jim, even if you were to get to him, to satisfy the plak tow, they'd still turn around and kill him anyway. Probably you, too! You clearly aren't grasping just how angry the Vulcan High Council and Starfleet Bureaucratic bullshitters are when it comes to this situation. I saw it first hand!!!!", Bones' fist slammed the table. He starred down, catching his breath, while his three cohorts starred at him with something akin to awe. Finally, he met their eyes. "They tried to kill me, Jim. Uhura, too. Several times. We'd be dead if Spock and Sarek hadn't busted us out. You have to realize that they aren't screwing around here. You CAN'T get caught. And there is no way you are going in there alone, farm boy. I'm coming with you."

Jim starred for a moment, eyes wide. "Okay, Bones, all you had to do was say so." He smiled sardonically, "Boy, oh, boy, it'll be just like old times!!!!"

And so far it had been. The night had been moonless and pitch black as the Aberdeen set down in an open, sandy expanse about a mile from the prison. Jim, Scotty and Bones had bundled up against the cold night, checked their phasers and communicators, and set off on foot across the desert. Jim's gut was twisting with a sickly sweet blend of fear and hope. He needed success, he needed Spock back like he needed air. There was nothing for him if they didn't get Spock out.

He clamped down on those thoughts as they came in sight of the prison wall. "Okay, Scotty, we'll meet you at the rendezvous about one hundred yards back. We'll probably need your help to carry him."

The three men split up, Jim and Bones heading towards the cargo bay. Running up to a seldom used side door, Bones signaled Chekov, who triggered the door. Phasers drawn and set to stun, the two men quietly traversed the halls, carefully timing themselves to avoid the patrolling guards. Carefully, they made their way to the third floor holding unit. They were getting close. Jim could feel a strange, pulling sensation within his gut. It almost tickled but he had to ignore it. This was not the time to lose his composure. They seemed to be making adequate progress when all of the sudden..

"Jeem, Jeem, I'm about to be spotted. I must retreat. Get to zhe closet."

Jim grimaced, "Shit, Bones, run." Taking a brief moment to peer around the corner, the two men sprinted down the hallway towards the third floor storage closet. Chekov popped the door open for them and the two men dashed inside. As Bones pulled the door shut behind them, Jim grabbed his communicator. "Pav, whats going on?"

"I made it out in time, Jeem. It vill take about zhirty minutes to get back in. Don't go anyvhere." He chuckled at his own joke.

And so here they sat, two men who knew everything about each other but suddenly felt like uncomfortable strangers. Bones starred at his young friend, his medically trained eyes taking in the symptoms that Jim displayed despite his best shielding efforts. He was flushed and his hands were trembling. Bones was tentative, but the doctor in him finally won out. "How are you feeling?"

"Shitty," came the blunt response, "I mean it, Bones. Let's have it out. I'm sick and tired of carrying all this extra baggage around. I have to get rid of it. Spock and I have already worked a lot of our shit out. You and I need to do the same thing."

"How have you and Spock been working shit out? He's been in lock up for two years."

"We have our ways. Vulcan marriage bond and all."

"Oh, yeah, right. Look, I will gladly spend all the time in the world hashing out our issues after this is all over, kid. You have my word on that. But this isn't the damn time. You're already fighting to keep a lid on your emotions. Discussing why I hung you out to dry isn't going to make that any easier and you know it."

"I don't know shit. That's the problem. But you seem to. Are you telling me you know why you did it?"

Bones sighed, a deep, huffing breath that blew his untrimmed hair up and Jim inwardly giggled at the thought of how straggly and unkempt the two of them now looked. If Starfleet could see us now. Bones fixed him with a glower. "I have some theories. None of it is proven but it would certainly help explain my frame of mind at the time. But dammit, Jim, it's still not an excuse." He leaned his head back against the wall and closed his eyes.

"I'm not looking for excuses. Just answers. You were my best friend. I trusted you completely. When Spock went all maniac on me, you were the first person I ran too. And you literally fed me to the fucking wolves. I don't get it. That just wasn't who you were and its driving me nuts because I knew you. I know that I knew who you were. I couldn't have been so wrong about you, I know I couldn't have. So would you please just give me some answers already. Tell me why!"

Bones opened his eyes but kept them firmly fixed on the ceiling. "It's funny you should mention wolves. Yeah, I gave you to the wolves alright, but not for eating. What do you know about wolves, Jim?"

"What? I don't know. Aren't they some dog like animals that lived in Northern America and ran around in packs once upon a time? They've been extinct for hundreds of years."

"Yep, you're right. They ran around in packs and it's the pack mentality that I think applies to this situation. In a wolf pack, each wolf had their own rating, kind of like a chain of command. The head wolf was called the alpha. There was always one alpha male and female. In the pack, they were the only ones who mated and when that time came the entire pack did everything in their power to ensure that the alphas conceived." Bones stopped and glanced at Jim, eyebrows quirked, "You do realize that that was his plan for you, right? Vulcans have the ability to shift reproductive status in a mate when necessary."

Jim glared, "Yeah, well, we will cross that goddamn bridge when we come to it. Keep going."

"Well, I thought about our situation. Spock and Nyota were trying to formulate a bond and conceive a child. In this paradigm, Spock would've had the most dominant sex drive. He was also the strongest male on board, having bested you in a physical confrontation. That would, biologically speaking, have established him as the alpha in our little "pack". He chose a mate and attempted to formalize the union but it just wouldn't take. At the time we couldn't figure out why but if my theory is correct than Spock was unconsciously willing it to fail. Animals don't' mate for love or logic. They seek out the strongest and most compatible genetic material in order to create the most viable offspring. Spock's instinct was rejecting the bonding with Nyota because it recognized that there was stronger, more compatible material available for the taking; yours.

As for me and my behavior, I admit to not fully understanding my own actions, especially at the time. I remember that it seemed very, very important to me that you and Spock be together. I told myself I was doing it for Nyota, because I was so worried about her, about her mental state. She'd had three damn miscarriages for Christ's sake. But when I step back and really examine my actions, I know that couldn't have been the reason. Say what you want but I think I'm a pretty practical guy. I would've recognized that if Spock managed to pull it off and you had a kid, it wouldn't have been Nyota's. And I sure as hell should have predicted that he would eventually drive her away. The guy was damn near obsessed with you. No, I told myself it was for Nyota to justify my behavior to my human side. What had actually happened, I think, is that I had fallen into the role of the beta in the pack. I was affected by Spock's hormonal output and just like the beta wolf, I began putting all my effort into bringing my alphas together to mate. And that's about all I got, Jim," Bones went back to starring at the ceiling.

Jim chewed this over for several moments. "Spock says we're soulmates."

"Probably true, don't ya think. And that would only further my theory. Vulcan biology is very tied up with their telepathy and bonding shit. If you're his soulmate, that would definitely make you his most viable mate on the physical level, wouldn't it? No wonder he tore half the damn ship apart."

"Yeah, no wonder," Jim thought. Soulmates, genetic compatability, plak tows that burned hotter than anything he had ever felt in his life. It was no wonder. Suddenly, he felt pretty fortunate that he'd come through the pon farr with only some badly broken bones and internal bleeding. He turned towards his old friend, "Alright, Bones, I get it now."

"You get it now? Do you? Dammit, Jim, you can be so quick to forgive. You'd give me a free pass, wouldn't you? Now that you have some slightly palatable excuse, you'd let it go like it was nothing, wouldn't you? What the hell is wrong with you? It's not an excuse, it's just a reason. It doesn't make it okay."

"Fuck you. It does if I say it does."

"What?"

"Shut up and listen to me. You screwed me over so now I get to make the rules and if I say it's okay, than it better damn well be okay. You find a way to make it okay in your head because I need to let this shit go. I need my friends back and I need to get on with my life. And that goes for the asshole love of my life, too. You both feel so bad? Fine, fix it any way you can. But you don't get to run away and hide from me, or die on me. Just face up to what happened and let it the hell go cause I don't have the energy for this shit anymore." Realizing that he was yelling, Jim clamped his mouth shut and leaned back, carefully examining the floor.

"Fine."

He looked up, "What do you mean, fine."

"I mean fine. I'll let it go. What do you want from me?"

"I want you to stay. I want you to stick with us after we get out of this, cause we ARE getting out of this. We'll go someplace far away where the Federation doesn't pay much attention and we'll build some kind of life. The five of us are going to be wanted men. Just don't do anything stupid, like try to leave cause you think it'd be the noble thing to do. You want to make it up to me than you choose us over your damned nobility."

Bones' lips quirked, "Is this the speech you're planning to give to Spock?"

"Close enough."

"Well, it's affective." He looked up and their eyes met across the tiny room. It was different, the tension melting away, the old camaraderie showing its face again. "So, If I leave, I'll always be an asshole?"

Jim smiled, "I'm glad we understand each other."

The communicator in his hand crackled. "Jeem, I'm in. The Keptin is releasing zhe sedative now. Get to zhe cell."

Jim snapped the device closed, "Come on, let's go."

The two men carefully made their way down the long hall. "Dammit, Jim, there aren't any labels or anything on these doors. How do we know where he is?"

Jim smiled faintly, "Trust me, I'll know." They made a left turn and followed the dim hallway until Jim came to a stop. "This is it."

"You sure." Bones ducked the glare Jim through in his direction. "Okay, we need to tell Pavel. Now, how do we know he's actually out."

Jim placed his ear up against the door.

"Nerillium doors, jack ass," Bones intoned, "Completely soundproof, remember."

Jim took a step back. There was no way to be sure. Pavel had already told him there was no surveillance in the actual cells. Jim pondered this for a second. This was Bones' formula. With the exception of one time, Bones never let him down, especially when it came to pulling medical miracles out of his ass. Turning he asked, "Do you think it worked."

"It should've worked, based on everything I know about the hormone levels in pon farr. Which isn't much, but the other Spock filled in some of the blanks. Yeah, I think it worked."

"Okay, well I trust you." He raised his communicator, "But get your phaser ready just in case. Pavel, open her up."

Jim and Bones pressed themselves on either side of the frame as the door unlatched and swung inward. They starred at each other across the doorway for a full minute, listening intently. There was no sound from within the cell. "This is it," thought Jim, "the leap of faith." Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the door and stepped inside.

When Bones followed less than fifteen seconds later, he found his young friend frozen to the spot only three steps inside the door. Two years. It felt like nothing and an eternity all at the same time. Jim couldn't move but nor could he pull his eyes away from the sight in front of him.

Spock sprawled on his back, feet tangled, arms flopped above his head. His face looked completely peaceful in sleep, lacking any hit of mania or even the rigidity that it wore in consciousness. His hair was longer and much shaggier that Jim had ever seen it and an hysterical thought Oh, good, he'll blend in with the rest of us, surfaced in his mind. No longer concerned with the pending danger, he advanced on his unconscious mate and knelt down next to his shoulder. Carefully extending his left hand, he gently caressed a cheek, lips, an ear. The feeling was incredible¸ so right, so much like home, and before he knew what he was doing, Jim had looped his right arm under Spock's shoulders and pulled him into his arms. Holding him tightly, he allowed their foreheads to touch. And the welcoming sensation almost overwhelmed him when suddenly the piercing shriek of an alarm dragged him back into the real world.

Bones grabbed his communicator. "Pavel, what the hell, kid."

"Doctor, ve have a small problem."

"I can't hear you. Hold on." He quickly stepped into the hall. "What is it?"

"Zhere is a problem in zhe fourth holding quadrant. It has nozhing to do vith you but extra guards are being summoned. I zhink zhey might……Oh, no."

Jim heard the panic in Chekov's voice and tried to stand but before he had time to react, the heavy door slammed shut in front of him. He heard the lock click but petulance won out over practicality and he pulled at the door handle for a minute in frustration. Finally, he turned back to his communicator, "Pav, can you get the door open?"

"I'm sorry, Jeem. I had to leave zhe system again. Zhe whole prison is in lockdown. Ve must vait out the alarm before I can get back in. Doctor, you must go back to zhe closet."

"Shit, I can't leave him in there alone. Pavel, how long?"

"I don't know, doctor. I'm not expert on Wulcan prison regulations. I vill go as fast as I can."

"Pavel, the sedative only lasts for two hours at the max."

"Vell, I vill do my best! Zhe closet, doctor."

McCoy grumbled but grudgingly obeyed. Thankfully, the door remained unlocked and he sat on the closet floor, enjoying the extra room one less full grown adult afforded to him. Minutes stretched by, became an hour, and he felt himself beginning to nod off in the darkness. He had almost completely drifted away when the communicator by his side suddenly buzzed to life.

"Bones…….oh shit, BONES!! I have a big problem!!"

Grabbing the shrieking box, he compressed the comm. "What is it, kid."

"He's waking up!!!"

Bones cursed under his breath. "Did you hear that, you little Russian twit. Where are you?"

"I'm here doctor. I'm almost in. Get to zhe cell."

Bones raced through the hallways, oblivious to any Vulcan prison guards who might be watching. As he neared the door he heard the lock disengage. He pushed inside. Jim was pressed up against the opposite wall, trying to maintain as much distance as possible from the stirring Vulcan. Jim eyed him desperately, "Your damn sedative didn't hold him long enough. Now what?"

Bones racked his brain. "The nerve pinch! You know how to do it!"

Jim rolled his eyes, "Yeah, he showed me how but I can't do it. It's never worked, not once."

"Yeah, well, let's try again." Bones bounded forward and pulled the semi-conscious Vulcan into a sitting position. "Now, Jim, before he realizes you're here."

Jim dashed forward, trying to stay out of the line of sight, ignoring Bones' disgusted expression. He reached forward, carefully positioned his hands, and squeezed with all his might….Nothing. The Vulcan continued to move sluggishly

Jim thought Bones was going to kill him dead with his glare. "Try it again, you moron." Jim complied but with the same results. "I told you I couldn't do it. Here why don't you try?"

"I don't know how."

"Sure you do. You're a doctor. Just press on the nerves all at once. It has to be simultaneous."

Bones grimaced. He was a doctor, not a damn anesthesiologist….no wait……they were doctors, too. SHIT! Okay, grab the trapezius nerve. He leaned in, applying as much pressure as possible. Spock's face tensed momentarily, then slackened once again into unconsciousness. Jim starred, rendered speechless for the moment. "How the hell did you do that?"

Bones shrugged. "Beginner's luck. Now let's get the hell out of here." He stepped to the doorway and glanced in both directions.

Jim contemplated the unconscious figure at his feet. "Well," he thought, "Turn about is fair play, my friend," He reached down and grasped the sleeping Vulcan by his shoulder and the waist band of his loose linen pants. In one fluid movement, he swung Spock onto his shoulder and headed out the door after Bones. They raced through the halls, the possibility of success hurrying them on.

Bones grabbed his communicator, "Pavel, we're almost to the cargo doors."

"Okay, I'm disengaging the locks."

In the distant bowels of the prison, behind them, Bones could hear the sound of excited voices. He caught Jim's eyes. "I think this jig might be up. We need to get out of here."

"Okay, Pav, let's go."

The door popped open. The two men manipulated their burden out the door and across the expanse of sand as fast as they could. They had just cleared the first dunes when the sirens came blaring back to life. Floodlights illuminated the sand behind them. Diving behind a string of bushes, Jim and Bones glanced back at the looming building. It looked like something out of an old terran prison movie. Suddenly, heavy hands fell on both their shoulders.

"Och, waddya waitin for. Do ya want us ta get caught?"

Scotty glanced down while Bones and Jim took a moment to swallow their pounding hearts. "He looks harmless as a wee babe. Lets git him back to the ship while he's still like this, dontcha think?" Hefting along at a steady pace, the three men headed off towards the ship. Speed was a necessity and though Jim hated to do it, he traded Spock off to the other two for the last two thirds of the mile. All that mattered was that they get out of there. They were just too close to fail.

Finally, the Aberdeen appeared out of the pitch black night. Chekov met then at the gangplank. "Ve've got to go. Ve're about to have company."

"Right, fire her up, Mr. Chekov. Dya think you two can handle him?" Without waiting for a reply, Scotty and Chekov raced to the command console. The Aberdeen roared to life and the gangplank withdrew. "Hold on to your hats, friends," shouted the jubilant Scotsman, and the Aberdeen lifted off and sped away into the night.