I lied. Sorry, I really did plan on working on this, but what with trying to cover for people on medical leave at work, I've just been too exhausted. But here's a nice long chapter to make up for it. It was a lot easier to write cuz I sort of had a game plan figured out for the whole thing, even if it didn't end the way I orginally planned, but oh well. That's usually how it is with me. Enough of my ramblings, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing...

Someone shook her shoulder sharply, "Hayley!"

Jerking upright, Hayley quickly realized she'd fallen asleep at her desk. Again. Bones was going to kill her. Sure enough, Doctor McCoy was standing over her, scowling.

"What did I say about overworking yourself?" he hissed.

"Sorry," she mumbled rubbing her eyes.

He continued to grumble. Ever since she began working here at all hours of the day she and McCoy had grown close. He was like a big brother to her now. It was nice to have someone looking out for her all the time when she didn't really need to look out for them. She would if she had to, but for now it was nice not to be the caretaker for once. The only other person she felt that way about was Spock, but that was different. Her relationship with Spock was unique to a point that she really couldn't label it anymore. They spent most of their free time together and when others were around spoke mainly in their own language. It was fun to see their friends getting so frustrated with them. Many times he'd come down to Medical to help her work or simply to keep her company. Bones often used him as a way to pull her away from her desk to eat or rest like a normal human. It was like it was when she was younger, yet different. Though for the life of her she couldn't explain why. It bugged the crap out of her to say the least.

"C'mon," McCoy urged her out of her chair, breaking through her reverie. "The Captain wants to talk to you."

She nodded, stumbling after him as he walked out of Sick Bay.

"You're lucky I convinced him to let you sleep a little. You seemed to need it," he continued to grouch as they made their way through the corridor leading to the turbolift.

"You could have woke me earlier," she told him, stifling a yawn. "I wouldn't have minded, you know."

He snorted, "Actually I did try to wake you at first, but then you bit me."

She stopped in the middle of the hall, causing a couple of people to bump into her as she stared in disbelief at McCoy, "I did not!"

In answer he lifted his right hand. Sure enough, there was a crescent moon imprint she was sure would match the shape of her teeth.

"Oh," she said slowly, blinking in shock. "Sorry."

He grunted in response, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, and turned to continue on. Hayley trotted along behind, trying to keep up with his long strides. It wasn't really surprising that she had bitten him. It wasn't the first time she'd reacted to her dreams and ended up hurting innocent bystanders. Bones apparently hadn't learned that just yet.

The tension was palpable as they entered the bridge. Kirk sat in the Captain's chair as usual, but instead of being languidly sprawled out like a cat dozing in the sun, he sat upright, rigid. Everyone sat in their assigned spots, staring at their monitors, though it was obvious they were too still to actually be doing anything other waiting for orders. Only Spock seemed even remotely at ease, though even he held a small amount of tension in his shoulders. He turned slightly from his position standing behind the Captain's chair to watch Hayley slowly make her way to his side.

"What's going on?" she asked quietly in their own tongue.

Spock gave her a look that clearly said "stay calm" before turning to Kirk, "Captain."

Jim spun in the chair to look at Hayley, "Ah, Doctor Spencer." It was never good when he used her official title. "It seems Admirals Pike and Carlson are in a bit of a dispute over who has jurisdiction over your case."

"My case?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Admiral Carlson was in charge of the Titan where your research began, but now you're working on the Enterprise which is Admiral Pike's."

Hayley stiffened, "So basically they're having a pissing match over my hard work."

Jim smirked, "Basically."

"Fantastic," she huffed.

A large lean hand squeezed her shoulder bracingly, steadying her tumultuous emotions. She didn't really need it. After all these years she was an expert (as much as a human can be) on keeping her emotions in check. But it was appreciated nonetheless. She glanced up at him and flashed a quick grin in gratitude. He tilted his head down fractionally in understanding. Another hand suddenly gripping hers had her turning back to the Captain. He smiled charmingly at her, his thumb rubbing circles on the back of her hand.

"Don't worry," he practically purred. "I've already told them that it was your work and only you should be able to dictate who is in control."

"Thank you," she squeezed his hand once before dropping it and folding her hands behind her back. "But I prefer to speak for myself on such matters."

Bones started to cough, trying to cover up a chuckle. Kirk frowned and turned away. Hayley glanced up at Spock questioningly, but he looked just as confused as she, so she looked over her shoulder to where Bones hovered in the background.

"Am I missing something?"

"Don't," Jim warned.

A sly smile slowly stretched across McCoy's face, "He bet me he could make you fall for him."

Spock's hand, which had lingered on her shoulder, tightened.

"I wouldn't hold your breath, Captain," Hayley deadpanned before changing the subject. "Is there any other reason you need me, or may I retire to Med-Bay to continue working?"

"Oh no, you don't," Bones scolded. "You are going straight to bed, missy. I'm not ever trying to peal you off your desk because you fell asleep while working again."

Spock squeezed her shoulder to gain her attention, "The doctor is correct. You must rest in your room, Hayley."

She made a small noise of protest, but it was pointless. There was no winning when Spock and McCoy were in agreement against her.

"I'm afraid that'll have to wait," Kirk interrupted. "The Admirals are about to call again, and this time they insist on speaking with you."

"Oh good," she said calmly, stepping up to stand level with Kirk as they waited for the call to come in. "I want to speak with them."

"Oh boy," she heard Bones mutter.

The tension racketed up a few more notches as Hayley stood, hands still behind her back, waiting patiently. Kirk shifted nervously for a moment and Bones got comfortable leaning against a back wall. The crew went back to staring at their screens like they were working, all the while waiting for the entertainment to begin. Only Spock stayed stoically still beside her, silently giving his support for any and all of her decisions, as per usual.

Sulu, who was sitting at the helm turned and gave their small group a nod, signaling that they were being hailed. He flashed Hayley a small smile before turning back around to set up the call.

Hayley liked to think that she had two circles of friends. Spock, Mikaela, and (most recently added) Bones made up her inner circle, the people she trusted and relied on most. The outer circle was much larger, and seemed to still be growing. Zooey and Vi had been a part of that since Academy, and though she wouldn't admit it out loud, even Jim was a part of that group. And Elba had popped in the moment she woke up and decided to attach herself to the girls' sides. But now Sulu had wormed his way into that circle with great hand-to-hand combat training and perfect listening skills. Not to mention Scotty, who could make her laugh even when being completely serious, and Chekov who was the adorable genius little brother she never knew she wanted. Hayley was almost overwhelmed by how big her social circle had gotten, never having been one to socialize much. And yet here she was, surrounded by people she was slowly considering could become a sort of dysfunctional family-like group. She shook her head. Now was not the time to be lingering on thoughts like that. She needed to be focused on the task at hand if she wanted any say in her work.

The large screen before them which had previously shown the wide expanse of black space flecked with stars and far off planets where they were currently drifting without purpose, flickered and two men dressed in Admiral whites appeared. Hayley recognized the stern expression of Admiral Carlson on the right, but the man on the left, who she assumed was Admiral Pike by default, was completely new to her. He looked kind and relaxed, lounging back in his seat like he hadn't a care in the world. Everything from the way he sat to the small smirk on his lips reminded Hayley of an older, more experienced Kirk. She had the vague notion that she was glimpsing the future as she stared up at the screen and forced a smile on her face when all she really wanted to do was scowl at the men who would decide her fate, along with the fate of her life's work.

"Ah, Doctor Spencer. How nice of you to join us this time," Admiral Carlson sneered.

Seriously? Hayley thought. And he was so amiable last time we spoke.

"I apologize. I'm afraid I'm still recovering from…" she made a vague gesture with her hand, allowing the sentence to hang.

Admiral Carlson merely grumbled something she didn't understand, but Pike's eyes softened and he smiled encouragingly at her, "That's quite alright, Doctor. Just take care of yourself."

Hayley smiled. I like him.

Carlson cleared his throat, "If we could get back to the matter at hand, Chris? How far along are we to a vaccine?"

"The antidote is ready for mass production, sir," Hayley deadpanned, shrugging. "However the preventative vaccine is still in the works. Doctor McCoy and Spock have been kind enough to assist me–"

"No," Carlson growled, cutting her off.

She raised an eyebrow.

"No?" Pike questioned, straightening in his chair to glare more affectively at his fellow admiral.

"No," Carlson continued to scowl. "I don't want anyone else working on this project. You'll be the sole inventor, Doctor Spencer." He chuckled apathetically, "At least we won't have to worry about who to give the credit to."

Whom, she silently corrected. "Forgive me, sir, but it will be far easier and much faster if I have assistance. Not to mention that if the Romulans–"

He gruffly cut her off again, his voice rising above hers, "I'm not sure what you're implying Miss Spencer, but I assure you Romulans have nothing to do with this conversation."

Her brow furrowed in confusion, "But, sir," she paused, taking in the hard narrowed gaze. Crap. She quickly switched to her language so only Spock would understand, "He's part of it. The only way a Romulan could get past all our security protocols to work on the Titan would be if someone at the top helped push his papers through. But it's more than that. We couldn't find his file at all when we did a search. Carlson helped the Romulans plant a spy on the Titan without anyone noticing." She snorted internally, piecing it all together as she spoke, "And that's why he only wants me working on this. He thinks I don't see what he's doing, that I'm still fooled. He doesn't want you or Bones helping because he knows one of you might spot the inconsistencies. He's probably relying on my young age and inexperience in the field to keep me ignorant."

She turned to Spock to see him staring calculatingly at the irate Admiral. Distantly, Hayley could hear Kirk explaining their language to the Admirals. She glanced up to see Pike's smirk growing more pronounced and Carlson's face growing purple with rage.

"I believe you are correct," Spock deadpanned, still staying clear of speaking in English.

"I will not have this," Carlson growled (pathetically in Hayley's opinion). "I demand to know what you two are saying."

"Apologizes," Hayley and Spock spoke in tandem, both refusing to expand their explanation.

Pike's burst of laughter was quickly hidden behind a cough, his eyes twinkling with humor as he gazed at the two Vulcan raised officers. Carlson seemed less than amused. He grumbled some excuse to leave, demanding that Hayley return to working alone before he slinked off screen.

"Well, I have to say," Pike chuckled, "That was kinda fun. I've never really liked that man. Relies too much on the politics of this job." He leaned forward, folding his hands on the desk in front of him, his lips turning down in a frown. "Unfortunately, I've recently found an even bigger reason to hate him." He hesitated, thinking through his words.

"Admiral?" Kirk asked professionally.

"It…appears that Admiral Carlson…may have had a hand in the attack on the Titan."

Hayley turned her head to look up at her friend, "Told you."

Spock nodded thoughtfully.

Pike raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?"

Hayley continued to look at Spock, silently asking his opinion. He gave a small nod in approval and spoke in their tongue, "I have worked with Admiral Pike for many years. He is a trustworthy man."

She nodded and turned back to the Admiral, finding him smiling amusedly at them. "I've had my suspicions that Carlson may have helped the Romulan who attacked me get appointed to the Titan."

"Oh? And how long have you've thought this?"

"About five minutes."

He chuckled, "What?"

"A few minutes ago it became clear," Hayley motioned to the Vulcan beside her. "I asked Spock and he agreed."

Still looking incredulous, Pike turned to him, "Mr. Spock?"

"It seemed the only logical explanation for wanting only one doctor working on creating a preventive vaccine. I believe Hayley is correct in her assumptions." Pike's eyes widened, surprised. Hayley couldn't blame him. Spock never used someone's first name during a professional discussion.

"Well then," he paused still staring at them like they were some interesting new puzzle. "I'll keep an eye on things on this end. For now I would say just continue working. I'll see what I can do about getting you officially under my command. Who else was brought onboard from the Titan?"

"Just myself, Counselor Mikaela Troi, Communications Officer Zooey Storm, and a Sangian refugee we picked up named Elphaba."

His lips quirked, "A Sangian refugee? I definitely have to hear that story when you get back."

She could feel Kirk and Spock tense slightly from either side. They knew something. Something they knew she would not like. "Sir?"

Pike sighed, "I'm afraid the Council has decided to order the Enterprise back to Earth for debriefing and medical leave while they decide if this Romulan threat is something to take into consideration. I'm afraid Admiral Carlson has already began painting it out like it was an accident and you're all suffering delusions from exposure to the toxins you're working with. I'm doing my best to counteract it, but there's only so much I can do. Carlson has been Admiral a lot longer than I have and has a lot of friends in very high places."

Hayley was speechless. They were seriously ordering them back to Earth when the Romulans could be planning God knows what out in the middle of space with no one the wiser. It was ridiculous! They couldn't possibly think this would help. By the look on Pike's face, not everyone did. Hopefully it would be enough to stop whatever this was before it blew up in their faces.

"I would suggest," Pike said, eyes locked with hers, "Spock and Doctor McCoy continue to help you with the vaccine. We may need it soon enough."

"No offense, sir," Hayley allowed a small smirk, "but I wasn't planning on listening to that old grouch anyway."

He smiled, "Doctor Spencer, why do I have the feeling you are getting along famously on that ship?"

She grinned, "You have no idea."