For some reason, walking away from Bones had left Kirk feeling uneasy. He chalked it up to not being able to ground himself with his mate's scent. He frowned and stalked down the hall with Khan at his side while they outlined their plan to Scotty, who Uhura had finally managed to reach.

"You want to do what?" Scotty hissed in disbelief over the comm.

"We're coming over there ... Sulu is maneuvering the Enterprise into position as we speak," Jim said.

"To this ship?" Scotty ask. "How?"

Jim held his comm up to Khan. "There is a cargo door, hangar 7, access port 101A," Khan told Scotty. "You need to find the manual override to open that airlock."

"Are you crazy? Um ... whoever you are?" Scotty replied.

Jim sighed. "Just listen to him, Scotty. It's gonna be all right."

I hope, anyway.

The engineer did not sound convinced. "It is not alright. You want me to open an airlock into space, whereupon I will freeze, die and explode!"

Jim and Khan quickly changed into their flight suits and descended into the expulsion tube. Jim again wished he had his omega's scent on him. He felt unsettled but he couldn't say why.

"Scotty, how we doing over there?"

"Captain," came the reluctant reply. "I wish I had better news. They've locked out access to the ship's computer. They'll have full weapons in ... three minutes." Scotty sighed deeply. "That means that next time I won't be able to stop them destroying the Enterprise. Stand by."


Bones had gone to the bridge not long after Jim and Khan left sickbay. He knew there was little he could do other than worry over his mate and his willingness to follow this latest harebrained scheme of Khan's. It made Bones uneasy thinking of the two alphas on a mission together. Alphas could work together easily, but tempers sometimes grew short under stress. Khan was genetically enhanced and he'd made advances on Jim's mate. McCoy's uneasiness grew.


Sulu announced. "Commander, our trash exhaust is aimed at access port 101A of the other ship."

"Captain," Spock announced. "The ships are aligned."

"Copy that," Jim replied. "Scotty!"

Over the comm came, "I'm in the hangar, give me a minute ... " Sounds of panting came across the channel. "I'm running! Stand by!"

Jim was about to impatiently demand his status when the channel was filled with the indignant Scotsman's voice. "Whoa, whoa, hold on, now, Captain ... this door is very wee – I mean, you know, small. It's four square meters tops." Scotty protested. "It's gonna be like jumping out of a moving car, off a bridge ... into your shot glass."

Jim huffed a laugh. "It's ok. I've done it before." Khan gave him a look with a cocked eyebrow. Jim shrugged. "Yeah, it was vertical. We jumped onto a – you know what, nevermind. Scotty have you -"

"Did you find the manual override?" Khan spoke over Kirk, eliciting a growl from the younger man.

"Not yet, not yet!" Scotty said breathlessly.

"Captain, before you launch, you should be aware that there is a considerable debris field between our two ships."

Kirk shook his head as if to clear it. "Spock, not now. Scotty, you good?"

"It's not easy! Just give me two seconds, you mad bastard!" Scotty barked. He wondered if perhaps he shouldn't have just stayed on Delta Vega.

Jim's lips quirked. He looked over as Khan crouched in preparation for the launch. Jim frowned and followed suit.


Bones had listened to the exchange between Scotty and Jim with growing tension. He pressed against the bond one last time before he would have to back off. He felt the reassuring response and ran his fingers along his collar.

Damn it, kid ... of course saving our asses is going to require you to jump into open space with an ego-driven superman and what's left of the ship floating in front of you. Bones thought with a heavy sigh.

Moving beside the captain's chair where Spock sat, Bones crouched down. "Tell me this is gonna work."

Spock glanced at his captain's mate. The omega was watching the view screen but his entire body radiated tension and no small amount of fear. He wondered briefly if this was what Nyota's expression had been during the Nibiru incident.

"I have neither the information nor the confidence to do so, Doctor," Spock replied evenly.

McCoy sighed. "You're a real comfort, Spock."


"Okay, okay! I'm set to open the door," Scotty announced.

Khan continued to look at the hatch while they waited. He murmured, "Dr. McCoy is ... formidable ... for an omega."

"Noticed that, did you?" Jim replied without looking at Khan.

"Should you decide to relinquish -" Khan began.

"Not gonna happen," Jim broke in.

"I wonder ... would the good doctor agree if I were to press my suit, Captain?"

Bones stood with his arms crossed over his chest and rolled his eyes at Khan's insinuation. He hated it when alphas talked about him like a piece of furniture. He wondered if Jim was going to bother with a reply or if they were going to have to scrape two alphas off the inside of the trash chute.

"Bones can make up his own mind about his choice of alpha," Jim responded. He shrugged, eyes glued to the seam of the hatch doors. "You know ... if you're still able to ask him after I rip your fucking throat out, that is."

Bones chuckled and, against his earlier resolve, sent his amusement and affection along the bond. He got a wave of possessiveness and love in response that sparked something deep within him. Bones decided at that moment that he was going to make Jim request some downtime after this little cluster was done. He took a deep breath as the link fell silent. It was time.

"You ready?" Jim asked Khan.

"Are you?" Khan replied.

Kirk activated his helmet's headsup display and ordered, "Spock, pull the trigger."

"Yes, Captain," Spock replied.

Beside him, Leonard's hand pressed against the collar as he watched the display. He wanted more than anything to feel the link between himself and Jim but he could not chance the distraction to his mate.

You better come back in one piece, kid, Bones thought anxiously.

"Launching activation sequence on three ... two ... one ..."

The door opened, firing Jim and Khan into space as though shot from a cannon. Bones loudly released a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. Spock looked over at him.

"Doctor, it is not logical to be so anxious over an event which you cannot control," Spock advised.

Leonard's eyes were dark with controlled fury when they met Spock's. "When it's your mate playing tag in a vacuum with what used to be pieces of the Enterprise while trying not to become a damp spot on the side of another starship, then you can tell me to not be anxious, Spock."

McCoy anger faded and he tensed when one of the crewmen behind him warned, "Sir, Kirk is headed for collision at .432!"

"Captain, there is debris directly ahead," Spock relayed.

"Copy that," Jim said. Pressing his thruster control, Jim shifted position and managed to zip around several large pieces of jagged metal.

Leonard had moved to watch on a smaller screen. He frowned. "Whoa, Jim! You're way off course!"

"I know, I know! I can see that," Jim barked.

Leonard winced. The bond had flared momentarily with irritation at the distraction. He clenched his hand tightly into a fist to keep his attention focused and the reaction from the bond.

"Use your display compass, Captain," Sulu said easily. "You must correct precisely -37.243 degrees."

"Got it. I'm working my way back," Jim said.

"Scotty, you're gonna be ready with that door, right?" Jim shouted. When there was no response, he said worriedly, "Mr. Scott, where are you?"

"Captain, he can't seem to hear you. I'm working on getting his signal back. Stand by." Uhura's soft voice informed Jim.

A strange popping and cracking sound came over Jim's channel. Bones suddenly felt as though there wasn't enough air in the room. Jim cursed softly.

"Captain, what is it?" Spock inquired.

"My helmet was hit," Jim explained. The spiderweb of cracks seemed to grow with every breath he took. "Uhura, tell me you have Mr. Scott back."

"No captain, still working on a signal. His communicator is working, I don't know why he isn't answering."

"Imminent collision detected!" Someone called out.

"Khan, use evasive action! There is debris directly ahead," Spock warned.

"I see it," the alpha responded, his voice oddly even and calm for the situation.

Leonard watched the signal beacon marking Khan's position suddenly wink out. He blinked – was his mate alone out there now?

"Mr. Sulu, did we lose Khan?" Spock asked.

"I don't know, Commander. I'm having trouble tracking him in all this debris," Sulu replied.

Jim glanced over as he sped on toward the Vengeance. "Was Khan hit?"

"We are trying to find him now," Spock replied.

"Captain! You need to adjust your target destination to 183 by 473 degrees," Sulu advised.

Jim did so, zipping in and out of the chunks of flotsam between him and Marcus' ship. He squinted to see his readout when suddenly it disappeared. Jim cursed again.

"Spock, my display's dead. I'm flying blind."

Bones swallowed hard. His collar suddenly felt cold around his neck. He longed to touch the bond but refrained. Leonard could not help the open-mouthed look of despair he shot at Spock when the Vulcan said, "Captain, without your display compass, hitting your target destination is mathematically impossible." He lost his fight to hold back.

Jim felt a sudden surge of fear and heartsick pain flow through the bond followed almost immediately by an apologetic retreat. Jim held onto the presence before Bones could withdraw completely even as he said, "Spock, if I get out of this we really need to talk about your bedside manner." Jim tugged on their link. He wasn't going to hold on to foolish ego ... he needed his mate right now.


On the bridge, Leonard McCoy was at war with himself. On the exterior, he looked worried but not unduly so – a proper Starfleet officer's reaction. Stepping down to stand beside Spock, Bones crossed his arms and a frown deeply etched itself into his brow. Anyone looking at the omega would never have guessed he was screaming inside, wanting to call out to Jim. Bones didn't know how to comfort his mate right now when he needed support almost as much. Leonard settled for just allowing his presence to flood the bond. He was surprised to feel intense relief at his presence and received to assurance he needed to calm down. He felt the strength being with Jim always gave him – the courage to deal with any situation.

Jim knew his mate was afraid for him – personally, he was more than a little worried himself. But feeling his omega's solid presence in the link, Jim was able to stay focused and run through various scenarios while dealing with the real possibility that he was about to flatten against the side of the ship that had crippled the Enterprise. Still, with his mate's unwavering faith in him, Jim believed it would work out. Bones grounded him no matter the situation, now was no different. He'd make it.


Sulu turned to Spock. "Commander, he's not going to make it."

Sulu caught movement from McCoy. He met the omega's eyes as the doctor ran his trembling fingers over the collar. He suddenly understood what Leonard's comment earlier meant. Sulu realized his own omega might someday have to watch helplessly while he fought for his very life. Every action he took was going to affect his mate from the moment he claimed until one of them was dead. Sulu swallowed with the weight of the responsibility he would be accepting and the burden he would bestow. A sudden beeping pulled his attention back to the console. Khan's signal had reappeared.

"My display is still functioning," Khan's voice said calmly. "I see you, Kirk, you're 200 meters ahead of me at my one o'clock. Come to your left a few degrees and follow me."

Dr. Leonard McCoy thought he might actually kiss the alpha when he came back on board. He loathed the man's attitude but if he saved Jim's life, he could work around that. The spike of irritation that hit the bond told him he'd let his emotion bleed through. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. He had a reputation to maintain after all.

Kirk met Khan's eyes though the helmet and his jaw tightened at the smug expression on the other alpha's face. He swallowed a growl, but he forgot the link between himself and Bones was open. He received the equivalent of a smack to the back of his head and sighed.

Mine, Jim thought. Never going to give you up.

Bones heard the captain's faint sigh and knew his annoyance at the possessive anger that jittered along the link had reached Jim. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Fucking alpha pissing contests, Bones thought.

"Scotty, we're getting close," Jim announced. "We need a warm welcome ... do you copy? Do you copy? Scotty!" Jim's eyes widened as the side of the Vengeance approached very quickly.

"If you can hear us, Mr. Scott, open the door in ten, nine, ..." Spock began the countdown.

Bones' hands were shaking as the Vulcan's countdown continued. He kept his eyes focused on the small dot that indicated his mate on the view screen. The world narrowed to that blinking beacon.

"Scotty!" Jim called out.

"... eight ... seven ..."

"Mr. Scott, where are you?!"

"... six ... five ..."

"1,800 meters ... 1, 600 meters ..."

Leonard thought he might go mad as the sounds of his lover's imminent death echoed around him.

"Scotty where are you!"

"... three ..."

"Do you copy, Scotty? Please!"

"... two ..."

"Mr. Scott, open the door!"

"Open the door!"

"Mr. Scott, now!"

Jim's yell continued as he and Khan flew through the port and into the starship's hangar. McCoy let out another harsh exhale when he saw Jim's life-signs continue past the moment of impact. His mate was alive. Spock looked over at the doctor who bristled at getting another lecture. Instead, the Vulcan gave a much softer but no less obvious exhale. Bones' mouth quirked.

Go get 'em, Jim.


Jim and Khan slammed into the deck and tumbled pell-mell, coming to rest at Scotty's feet almost. Jim groaned as he pushed himself up to a kneeling position.

"Welcome aboard," Scotty said, breathing quickly.

"Scotty, it is very good to see you," Jim said fervently.

"Who is that?" Scotty asked, nodding toward Khan.

Jim winced and motioned at the man. "Khan, Scotty ... Scotty, Khan."

"Hello," Scotty said amicably.

Khan regarded his companions. "They will know we're here. I know the best way to the bridge."

Jim nodded and he and Khan quickly divested themselves of the flight suits. From his backpack he pulled three phasers.

"They're locked on stun," Jim warned.

Khan powered his up. "Theirs won't be."

Jim met the other alpha's eyes. "Try not to get shot."


On the bridge, Bones stood, calming himself as the link between himself and his mate went quiet. He could no longer feel Jim's emotions. He sighed and glanced over when Uhura spoke to Spock.

"Commander, I have that transmission as requested."

"Onscreen ... please," Spock replied.

The screen coalesced into the figure of a very old Vulcan. Bones blinked in surprise. Spock Prime. His Spock was grasping at straws in an attempt to survive the situation they were in – still, Bones was impressed at the Vulcan's ingenuity. He wondered what the time-trapped Spock would have to offer.


Scotty groused, "They're going to have full power and we're walking?"

"The turbolifts are easily tracked and Marcus would have us in a cage," Khan explained as though talking to a small child. "This path runs adjacent to the engine room. They know they won't be able to use their weapons here without destabalizing the warp core, which gives us the advantage."Khan ran off after checking a console.

"Where'd you find this guy?" Scotty asked Kirk.

"It's a long story," Jim replied as he followed the alpha. He thought that Scotty was lucky he was a beta ... he couldn't scent Khan's duplicity.


"In your travels, did you ever encounter a man named Khan?" Spock asked the elder Vulcan.

Spock Prime regarded his younger counterpart impassively. "As you know, I have made a vow never to give you information that could potentially alter your destiny. Your path is yours to walk and yours alone."

Bones felt his chest contracting against his lungs. They were going to die because an old Vulcan from another timeline had to pick now to have scruples? Even his Spock looked almost disappointed.

"That being said," Spock Prime continued. "Khan Noonen Singh was the most dangerous adversary the Enterprise ever faced. He is brilliant, ruthless, and he will not hesitate to kill every single one of you."

"Did you defeat him?" Spock asked.

"At great cost ... yes," Spock Prime replied.

"How?"


"I don't mean to tempt fate here, but where is everybody?" Scotty whispered.

"The ship is designed to be flown by a minimal crew, one if necessary," Khan explained.

"One?! I -" Scotty began.

Neither Jim nor Scotty heard the crewman that attacked Khan at that moment, but they both witnessed the sudden and alarming shift in Khan. It was as if someone had turned a switch. Jim had seen Khan fight before but this was different. This was one-on-one in close quarters – and the man was savage. He slammed the man into a wall and proceeded to deliver several crushing blows to the man's midsection. Both the captain and his engineer took several steps back in shock ... Khan's scent was hot, fierce and very deadly at that moment.

As they did so, other crew members came out of the darkened engine room. Jim barely saw the one that attacked him before the first blow landed, snapping his head around – and that was it. Jim's control over his rage splintered – he was on edge already due to Khan's taunting and his overwhelming worry and fear for his ship and crew. Khan's very potent pheromones successfully finished pushing Jim over the edge and red clouded his vision. With a growl, Jim waded into the fray and began delivering a few savage blows of his own.

When in a rage, Jim couldn't control the link between himself and Leonard. Bones clenched his hands into fists as the fury boiled over into their bond. He pushed back with as much calm as he could, reminding his mate of where he was and what his mission was – it seemed to work, the pressure against his mind faded somewhat.

Blinking, Jim stared down at the crumpled bodies before him. Scotty tentatively touched his shoulder and he jumped, but did not attack. He could feel his mate insistently pushing soothing emotions at him and he exhaled sharply.

"Scotty, you alright?"

"Yes," the beta replied. "Where's Khan?"

Jim looked and saw an empty hallway looming in front of him. This was not good.


Leonard watched Spock walk over to Uhura and ask her to assemble all senior medical and engineering staff in the weapons bay. Since that would include himself, the omega wanted to know what the hell the Vulcan had in mind. He frowned as Spock turned to him.

"Dr. McCoy, you inadvertently activated a torpedo. Could you replicate the process?"

"Why the hell would I want to do that?" Bones asked.

"Can you or can you not?" Spock demanded.

"Damn it man, I'm a doctor not a torpedo technician!" Leonard growled, his anger flaring.

"The fact that you are a doctor is precisely why I need you to listen very carefully," Spock said, meeting the doctor's eyes.

After listening, McCoy had to admit, the Vulcan was learning how to be more human every day.


"Where is he?" Scotty asked as they ran down darkned hallways trying to find Khan.

After a moment of searching with no luck, Jim cursed. Without Khan, there was no way they could make it to the bridge before the power returned and he destroyed the Enterprise. Mind racing, Jim tried to think up an alternate plan.

"This way," came a soft voice from behind them.

Jim and Scotty turned to see Khan standing at the end of the conduit row they were in – he recharged his phaser and moved off. Kirk sighed, but then he stayed Scotty for a moment while they reset their own phasers.

"The minute we get to the bridge, drop him," Jim ordered softly.

"What, stun him? Khan? I thought he was helping us?" Scotty asked, confused.

"I'm pretty sure we're helping him," Jim replied and moved to follow the man who held his crew's fate in his genetically superior hands.