THE NAIL
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I'll be finishing up this tale in possibly two or three more chapters. I hope that you have enjoyed the ride. Sorry for the delay. My muse is busy with an original work of fiction.
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Chapter Ten
Trish and Joanna worked out a route so that they wouldn't collide with any of the doctors or nurses. They hurried back and forth fetching the non critical supplies. The head nurse Christine Chapel was the only one of the nurses permitted to unlock the medical supply cabinet.
Word had spread among the Trans that the gruff human doctor had the power of life and death. The death goddess and the demon goddess moved at his beck and call.
Meanwhile up on the bridge Nyota had her hands full translating Klingon.
"We natural want the Federation citizens being held captive." Captain James Kirk had put on his game face. He was channeling Pike being authoritarian. He still had some adrenaline burning through his veins.
The Klingon Kluge grunted and nodded. He wasn't about to mention that his beloved spouse had threatened to disembowel him if he didn't get their fourteen year old son back alive. The very real promise that if he failed he'd better not go to sleep had made him agreeable with what the young human wanted.
"What would we want with puny humans." He added with a growl. It wouldn't do to let his crew knew he felt threatened by his lovely Ka' Laa.
Ka' Laa stepped into view. "Where is my son?" She demanded.
It was all that Jim could do not to stare at the voluptuous Klingon woman. Her low cut blouse reveal an ample cleavage that kept screaming for Jim's attention. Sweat started to dampen his forehead and underarms as he valiantly struggled to remain professional.
Spock heard Nyota's warning throat clearing. He stepped from his console where he'd been overseeing the various rescue operations. "Mr. Sulu, see to it that our people are beamed aboard the Enterprise." He stepped over to the captain's chair.
Jim's campus reputation, remembering Nyota's comments on their captain, the sight of the well endowed Klingon woman, the smirk and increasing hostile stare of Kluge all came in one inhale. "Sir," Spock had maneuvered himself close enough to the captain's arm resting/gripping the armrest that his hip made contact with Jim.
"I have located a large number of Klingon captives on the Trans carrier Placid." Spock could feel Jim's struggle through the fabric of his uniform.
Jim took a deep breath. Spock's appearance at his side had given him some strength. He kept his eyes on Kluge as he found himself able to beat his libido into submission. "The Federation has no problem with the Klingon Empire retrieving its citizens."
Kluge grinned revealing sharp teeth. He'd noticed the human struggling not to stare at his Ka' Laa. Puny human would never survive a mating with his mate. He nodded. He made a gesture to cut communications. His men were ordered to retrieve the captive Klingons.
Ka' Laa had made certain that all knew her son better be among the rescued or there would be disembowelment and force feeding of entrails to dying disgraced warriors.
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Enough energy hung in the atmosphere to made Bailey need to scratch his scratching pole. The need to hunt, kill, do something turned up his energy level. He swatted several fabric mice out of his way. Usually when Joanna and Moseley left him alone he was fine.
Not today.
Being a cat Bailey could use his paws in ways that usually astounded people. Being a Pixie Bob meant on the intelligence level that he was a really really smart cat. Joanna had forgotten to lock the quarters doors. Bailey had watched enough to know how to open the door.
The thing that Bailey had learned about humans was that when they were in a hurry they tended to overlook things and small cats. Several times he had to plaster himself up against the smooth cool walls to avoid the deadly large human feet.
Just as he rounded a corridor corner Bailey's whiskers twitched. He spotted it laying forgotten near a wall where it had been kicked. A tingle went through his compact muscular body. The hunt was on.
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If the Klingons were a little ready to kick some pirate ass the wives of the asteroid miners were more so. They wanted husbands and older sons returned to them pronto.
Several armed women had beamed aboard the slave ships to retrieve their loved ones. While Captain Kirk and Captain Sarin worked to patiently restrain more women from beaming over the Sickbay had to treat several confrontations.
"Never get between a mamma bear and her cub, son," Dr. McCoy snapped security officer Kendall's nose back into place. The man winced in pain.
The said mamma bear hovered over a sixteen year old boy currently having his broken arm attended to by Dr. Elizabeth Stone.
While the thirty something woman didn't look at all apologetic. Her son had eyes only for Trish.
Trish blushed as she brought a clean up packet for Nurse Lily Armstrong. Lily quickly ripped open the cleaning packet. She gently wiped down her patient's face.
Hugh Crammer kept flickering his dark eyes in Trish's direction.
Dr. Stone's lips pressed together. Hugh's mother had also noticed. She was viewing Trish through narrow slit possessive eyes.
Nurse Lily calmly addressed both Hugh and his mother. "Perhaps it would be better if you wait outside. The sickbay is getting crowded. I'm sure that Dr. Stone's thirteen year old daughter would like a break from the sickbay to show you the mess hall."
"I'm not leaving," Shelia Crammer said firmly.
Hugh gave his mother an embarrassed exasperated look. "Have they got dad yet?" He avoided looking at Trish. He sorta had a girlfriend. Jackie was sixteen. She was definitely more mature than a thirteen year old kid.
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"We've got an injured Klingon boy," Hendorff's voice had a worried tone to it. The boy had apparently put up a fight. He'd been knocked and kicked by full grown men.
Jim swore under his breath. The Klingons were killing every Trans pirate they ran across on the slave carrier. He turned to Nyota, "Let the Klingons know we're beaming an injured Klingon boy aboard the Enterprise."
Aboard the Klingon ship Ka' Laa had quickly learned that the Trans pirates had split up the boys they had taken captive. Her son Kory being small for his age had been put with several human boys earmarked for sale to Orion slave trades. The Orion scum sold women and children to brothels.
Ka' Laa vented her frustrations in screams. She wanted her boy back.
Worry coiled in Kluge's gut. Ka' Laa had had several miscarriages before the very difficult pregnancy that had resulted in Kory. Most warriors would have disposed of the tiny barely alive infant at birth. One look at the rapture on Ka' Laa's face had been enough for Kluge to allow the boy to live.
He'd already killed a perfectly good warrior for allowing Kory to be kidnapped by slavers. He almost sighed. So he'd have to kill more men to get the boy back. Any other Klingon would have dissolved the marriage and found another mate to give him worthy heirs. He wanted Ka' Laa by his side. He squared his muscular shoulders.
"Commander," a growl from his communications officer got Kluge's attention. "The human captain Kirk has your son."
Ka' Laa spun around lips pulled back to reveal sharp teeth.
Captain Kirk's youthful image appeared on the screen. "Commander Kluge, I believe that we have rescued your son."
"Where is my son," Ka' Laa snarled.
Jim blanched. His eyes went wide at the sight of the suddenly frighteningly fierce Klingon woman.
Kluge felt a swell of pride at the fear that his mate had produced in the famous saver of Earth.
"Your son," Jim actually stuttered. "He's being treated by Dr. McCoy for broken ribs."
Ka' Laa howled. The Klingon males on the Klingon bridge shrank back. They had witnessed horrible things when Ka' Laa was in protection mode.
Nyota flanked her captain. She thought fast. There was no time to translate. "You may beam aboard."
"What did you say, Uhura." Jim turned to face her as the screen went back to a view of the ships.
"They are worried parents."
Jim sucked in a breath. He rose. "Nyota," his voice was even but everyone on the bridge felt the sudden chill, "Never forget that I am captain."
Spock raised an eyebrow. Nyota had stepped over the line. His loyalty to both his captain and his girlfriend battled inside of him.
Nyota's lower lip trembled. Her knees were suddenly weak. She could be-.
"Captain," Chekov's voice had an edge to it. "Two Klingons have just beamed aboard the Enterprise."
"Why aren't the shields up," Jim demanded.
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The sudden appearance of two Klingons sent Sickbay into chaos.
Mosley leaped between Kluge and Dr. McCoy. His growl was met by the Klingon's growl.
Ka' Laa spotted her son. "Kory," she moved forward to toss aside the human who dared to touch her child.
Joanna saw the Klingon woman's arm move to backhand her father. She leaped forward grabbing the woman's arm. "Don't you hurt my father!"
The weight of the human girl clinging to her arm was barely enough to cause Ka' Laa to stumble. Instincts prevented her from hurting a child.
"SoSoy," Kory shouted. Pain knifed across his broken ribs. He sucked in a deep breath.
Dr. McCoy eased Kory back down in a reclining position. "Easy, kid." He shot a look at Joanna hanging on with deadly determination to the Klingon woman. "Joanna, let her go!"
Joanna's action had slowed Ka' Laa down enough for her to see that her son was being treated and not hurt. She shook Joanna off of her arm. "You will release my son," her English heavy accent was understandable enough.
"Your son has a number of broken ribs that must be treated." Dr. McCoy nodded to Nurse Chapel. "We've got to get this boy's ribs pulled back into place before one of them pierces his hearts."
Jim, Spock, Hendorff and several security officers stormed into Sickbay.
"This is a Sickbay not party central!" Leonard snapped. "I want all not injured parties out of sickbay!" His eyes meet Joanna. "Joanna, you can stay." His eyes soften. She flashed him a smile.
Kluge has seen how quickly Joanna rose to defend her father. He grunted a nod. A young girl worthy of a warrior. A frown tugs at his lips. He eyes the way his son is looking at Joanna. A thought begins to circulate in his crafty Klingon mind.
Trish has ducked behind her mother. Joanna rubs her hip. She hit a bio-bed when she was flung from the Klingon woman's arm. One command and a well trained Mosley assumes the sitting but alert pose.
Ka' Laa notices the look her son has for Joanna. She a puny but spunky human girl. Pink stripped hair and a mostly shaved head, perhaps the girl is a warrior in training. Ka' Laa moves to allow the doctor to work on her son.
As the humans and Klingons leave Sickbay Bailey trots by. His prize is gripped firmly in his jaws. He has to walk slightly bowl legged to avoid stepping on the prize dragging on the floor.
Jim had grown up on a farm. Some things register far faster in his mind. Cat normal but cat dragging, "Joanna McCoy! Your cat is a thief!"*
Joanna shot out of Sickbay.
Bailey's ears rotated at the sudden shout. His heart leaped in a wild beat. His legs pumped quickly. Bowl legged he ran dragging the shiny silver necklace as fast as possible towards home.
Kluge and Ka' Laa exchanged looks. Each in their own way had worried that their only son would never find a true mate. Now strange as it seemed fate had put a warrior girl who clearly commanded a warrior pet and had a pet that stole in their path. Such a girl even though she wasn't wearing a Jinaq* obviously had a heart of a true Klingon. They both nodded at each other. Arrangements would have to be made to secure their son's future wife.
Both Spock and Leonard felt a chill go down their spine. Leonard frowned. "Damned," he muttered. Maybe the convent idea of Clay's was on the right track. Maybe a rehab center for Bailey might work too.
Half an hour later Hendorff had a greatly amused look on his face. The pile of jewelry that the little cat had stolen was incredible. "Most of it was in the far corner under Miss Joanna's bed." His eyes sparkled as he looked at Commander Spock.
Spock stood with his hands clasp behind his back. He looked from the impressive pile of personal jewelry to Miss Joanna and her cat. Bailey wearing a bright pink harness crouched at Joanna's feet. The cat seemed to be keeping his eyes on the jewelry on the conference table.
"Pixie Bobs like shiny stuff." Joanna said worriedly. Fidgeting nervously she doesn't want to leave the Enterprise. She doesn't want Bailey sent away. The naught cat would be lost without her and Mosley.
Spock's dark eyes drift to a small assortment of socks. "Apparently Bailey also has an affinity for footwear," he said dryly.
"I'll make sure that Bailey doesn't get out of our quarters again." Joanna nervously bites her lower lip. "You can't send him away."
Even a Vulcan heart can soften. "Perhaps it would be a good idea to consult with the veterinarians on staff." Spock says.
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Back in Sickbay Dr. McCoy insists on checking Ka' Laa's arm. "I apologize for my daughter. She's very protective."
"No need to apologize," Ka' Laa is pleased that Kory has had his ribs healed by the doctor. "I would be proud of such a daughter." Regret tings her words. She would have loved to raise a worthy daughter.
A frown appears on Dr. Leonard McCoy's face as he studies his tricorder. "Ma'am, you should be lying down." He looks up. "You are in danger of miscarrying your twins."
Hope and fear fill Ka' Laa's dark eyes.
"I need to prep you for surgery if we're going to save the fetus," he turns to Dr. Stone. "We need to get Jim and her husband back here!"
Trish escorts Kory out of Sickbay. "Dr. McCoy and my mother are the best doctors in the universe."
Kory looks around for Joanna. "Where is she of pink and white stripped hair?"
Jealousy rears its head. Trish shrugs pretending to be indifferent. "Joanna is probably getting a chewing out." Her lips set in a firm line. It was so unfair. Joanna had everything. The first really cool alien their age and now he only has eyes for Joanna.
"Captain Kirk might send her back to earth." Trish has been told to take Kory to the mess hall. She just wants to pack up all the hand me downs that Joanna had given her. Rich girl wanting her to take charity, Trish starts to fume.
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All of the captives from the Trans pirate ships have been set free. The Dray claim one captured ship is needed to take their people home. Jim is fine with that. Kluge claims two ships as spoils of war. Again Jim is fine with that. He and Captain Sarin have agreed that some of Captain Sarin's crew will man a captured ship to cart home the humans.
The Dray want the pirates put on trial and put to death. The Klingons have killed every pirate they got a hold of. A message from Star Fleet Command is simple. Let both the Dray and Klingons have their share of the pirates but bring home several for trial. Captain Sarin puts pirates in his brig.
"I'm not releasing her for three weeks." Dr. McCoy has his arms crossed over his muscular chest. "I barely managed to keep her from miscarrying. I'm not letting my patient leave Sickbay until she's strong enough to keep her babies."
Jim sighed. Kluge however appeared to be delighted. "My son Kory will remain also." He grins at his mate. They both know that the sooner Kory and Joanna spend time together it will be easier to arrange a marriage in the future.
Spock isn't happy. For whatever reason he finds himself wanting to keep Miss Joanna out of the sight of the Klingon boy.
Nyota finds her self alone with her captain. "I apologize for over stepping my authority, Captain." A reprimand will put future promotions on hold.
Jim sighs. He stretches. It has been a godawful day. "Nyota, I'm not a country bumpkin who has sex with farm animals." He gestures for one of the seats in the conference room.
Nyota's lips form a half grimace half smile. She sits trying to blink back tears.
The doors open. Spock enters. He fears for Nyota. "Captain," he is unsure of what will happen. Nyota tends to emotionally compromise him.
"Spock, sit. I wanted you here," Jim wants dinner. He turns to Nyota. "We're family. Family tends at time to assume things. I'm not going to put you on report as long as I have your word that you will never overstep your authority again."
"Yes, Captain." She is grateful.
Jim looks to Spock. "Let's not put anything in your report."
Spock's eyebrow raises. He looks at Nyota. He nods.
"I am however," Jim says calmly, "putting you in charge of keeping an eye on Ka' Laa and her son Kory." He rose. "I'm hungry. Anyone interested in a trip to the captain's mess?"
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Atlanta, Georgia
Clay sat at his desk. It took several minutes to compose himself.
"Are you alright, Clay?" Jacklyn appeared at the doorway of his study. She was due any day now. Her hand rested on her baby bump.
"I'm going to send a message to Star Fleet. Joanna needs to know about Uncle Jeddah and Sara and her mother." Life could be so unfair. "You need to rest, Jacklyn."
"I'll have Mrs. Dawson bring me some tea in the parlor. Join me, Clay?"
"Of course, dear." Clay flashed a small smile at his wife. First he'd have to do his painful duty. Tomorrow they had to visit the hospital. He sighed. He looked at his wife. "Have Mrs. Dawson set out a light supper in the breakfast nook instead, please. We might as well eat something. It's going to be a long night."
Jacklyn might not be a McCoy any longer but McCoy relatives would be calling. He had to make sure she got plenty of rest.
TBC
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*According to a number of Pixie Bob websites Pixie Bobs like to steal shiny objects.
Klingon names were generated from a Klingon name generator.
Jinaq—bracelet given to young Klingon girl who comes of age to be courted for marriage.