xxxx

Chapter Ten

xxxx

Jim slammed his fist onto the table. Anyone who was zoning out was immediately brought back to attention with a jolt of surprise.

"Those bastards- those Klingon bastards."

The inhabitants of the ship's conference room exchanged worried glances. The captain only got angry when they were in really big trouble.

Bones crossed his arms and scowled. "I knew it. I knew they were up to something. They probably knew we were going to try and get the Aronorians to join the Federation all along."

Nyota spoke up, "I informed Starfleet but they haven't replied yet." She then turned to face Jim with a worried expression. "Captain, did you try speaking with the Aronorians?"

Jim released a heavy sigh before replying. "Yes, and they're convinced that what the Klingons have to offer is better than what he have to offer—of course, they didn't believe me when I told them that the Klingons are a bunch of lying snakes."

"I surmise that the Klingons are attempting to further weaken the Federation," Spock said. It was the first word he spoke since the beginning of the conference.

Jim looked at him. He tried to hide his frown as he spoke. "Probably. Vulcan is gone, as is the Federation's most significant ally. In the Klingon's eyes, half of the job is already done. All they gotta do is finish it." He lowered his eyes, but just as he did, a realization occurred and he quickly brought them back up to face his crew. "That explains the attack—the only ship in the quadrant with Vulcan guests is attacked and destroyed, and they didn't stop at just attacking the ship, they beamed aboard to make sure that the Vulcans were dead. They had to flee before we arrived though, so luckily they didn't get a chance to kill everyone." His voice adopted a tone of anger as he continued. "It wasn't enough that Vulcan was destroyed—they want the Vulcans gone completely. I don't know what they're planning next, but my guess is that New Vulcan is moments away from another tragedy."

Jim immediately stopped talking when he saw the slightest change in Spock's expression.

"Spock—I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…" he trailed off. His expression become one of concern again as he looked Spock straight in the eyes. He spoke more quietly this time, "Nero already hurt you enough. I'm not going to let these Klingons take even more away from you. I'm going to make sure that we stop them before they do anything else. I swear to god I won't let anything else happen to you."

Spock's expression softened slightly. He knew that Jim meant every word he said.

Hikaru gave a small cough to peel Jim's attention away from Spock. "Er, Sir, should we be jumping to conclusions?"

"No, but at this point we have no leads, no evidence, and we don't have any other choice. We have to act quickly if we want to save any lives."

"Perhaps ye should try speaking with those Aronorians again," Scotty said. "And if that still doesn't work, then we'll take care of those Klingons ourselves."

"What could I say to make them change their mind? That's our main problem here. If they were humans, we could offer money and the problem would be solved."

"Perhaps some wodka? Ewen nonhumans enjoy their drinks."

Jim had to smile at the kid's humor. "If plans A through U fail, then we'll try the vodka."

"Well, what is plan A?" Bones asked.

"I don't know yet. Once Starfleet contacts us, we'll talk it out with them and hopefully we'll have some sort of plan. Until then, we're going to keep an eye on the Klingon's ship. And with that said, you're all dismissed."

Everyone at the table stood up. Before Spock could get too far, Jim called out his name. "Hold on, Spock." Spock halted and faced him. "We've still got something else to settle."

Jim waited until the rest of the room had cleared, Bones being the last.

"What matter do you wish to discuss, Captain?"

"Jim. No one else is around."

Spock raised an eyebrow. "What matter do you wish to discuss, Jim?"

Jim smiled. He motioned a seat near him. "Go ahead and sit down."

Spock did as he was told and waited for Jim to speak. He already knew what the conversation was going to be about but he waited for Jim to commence it.

"Before we beamed down, you mentioned something about T'Lat."

"I did."

"Well, what about T'Lat? Does she know something? Did she say something to you?"

Spock was ready to spill his guts earlier that day but now he found that he would rather keep everything to himself. "She merely brought up a matter of pressing concern."

Jim's playful expression was slowly disappearing. "Spock, stop beating around the bush. You were going to tell me earlier so what made you change your mind?"

Spock really didn't reply this time, causing Jim to sigh.

He reached out his hands and placed them on Spock's shoulders. "Come on, Spock. You know I won't judge you or laugh at you. Something is bothering you and I need to know what it is. Now tell me—what did T'Lat tell you?"

Spock soon learned that he was going to reveal his thoughts to Jim no matter what, so he might as well make his explanation as long as possible. "T'Lat, like most of the remaining Vulcans, no longer has a bond mate. As you may already know, in order for a Vulcan to have a healthy mind, they must also have a bond mate."

Jim didn't complain about Spock's persistence to still beat around the bush. At least he was speaking. "Yes, I'm quite aware of that."

"Just as I was greatly emotionally compromised after the destruction of Vulcan, I believe that T'Lat may still have difficulties maintaining her control and logic."

"Okay. And?"

"Therefore, I conclude that the task she asked of me is solely out of desperation and confusion."

Jim slightly squeezed Spock's shoulders. "What did she ask you?"

Spock tried to find another way to delay the point of his speech, but when he found no other path to take, he lowered his eyes to gaze at the top of the table and confessed, "T'Lat suggested that her and I become bondmates."

Jim's hands dropped from the warm shoulders. "She asked you to marry her?"

"Although that is not the correct term, it is the basic concept. And yes, she did."

"Did you even know her before we picked her up off of the Washington?"

Spock nodded his head once. "She is the younger sister of my former bondmate, T'Pring."

Jim's head did another cartwheel. "What was she doing on that ship?"

"T'Lat was influenced by my decision to enlist in Starfleet. She just recently graduated from the Academy and was going to visit New Vulcan when the Washington was attacked."

"So she's a member of Starfleet?"

"Yes."

Jim sat quietly with his arms crossed. He watched Spock's face closely for any expression.

"What did you say? Did you agree to bond with her?"

"No. I told her that I required more time to form a reply."

"So you're considering it."

Spock wasn't sure, but he suspected that Jim was just a little angry. "Jim, this is in no way an insult to you."

"Oh, of course it isn't. After all, it's not like you don't already have someone who's willing to meld with you who just happens to have a mind that's completely compatible with yours."

That was definitely anger. "Jim…"

"Don't try to make any excuses. Just don't." He pushed himself out of his chair and was heading for the door when he remembered what Bones told him. Jim sighed and turned around to face Spock. He had to swallow a couple of times before he could speak without sounding too furious. "It's your decision. What you do is your business. If you want to bond with T'Lat, then you can do that. If you don't, then that's okay, too." He looked at the floor as he tried to summon more words to say. When he found that he had said all that he wanted, he then continued his departure from the room. He stopped at the door and said without looking back, "Just remember, Spock. I'm still here for you. Please don't forget that."

Spock quietly watched him retreat. When he could no longer hear the footsteps, he quietly replied, "I know you are, Jim."

xxxx

Jim explained everything he could about their current situation to Pike, including his reasons as to why he believed the Klingons were the ones who destroyed the Washington.

"You can't go jumping to conclusions."

"You're not the first to tell me that."

Pike regarded Jim quietly. "We can't risk this mission. We need the Aronorians. Try talking to them more. Report to me tomorrow if the situation has changed at all."

"Yes, sir."

"Just don't start any fights with the Klingons. Please."

"Hey, that was Scotty's idea, not mine."

"Try to be a little serious, will you? If you fail this assignment, you'll get in trouble, I'll get in trouble—hell, all of Earth will probably be in trouble!" Pike wasn't joking, and his face proved that.

"Sorry. I really do take this seriously, sir."

"Good. Well, it's four in the morning here so I think I'm going to try and reclaim my lost sleep. Don't forget to let me know what happens tomorrow, okay? Pike out."

Jim switched his screen off as soon as Pike's transmission cut off. He lifted himself from his desk and dragged his tired body over to his bed and collapsed on the sheets. His day wasn't a very good one and he knew his next couple of days wouldn't get any better.

If it wasn't Spock, it was the Klingons. It if wasn't the Klingons, it was Spock. His thoughts never stopped running around in a circle.

Not even one day into the mission and he already had a throbbing headache.