AN: So this is a REPOST of Ch 21. I forgot a scene I just had to have in there so I'm adding it. Also I'm too lazy to bother nixing Len's accent in this chapter but from now on he'll only have the missing 'g' on '-ing' words. Okay? Okay.

2259 – April 15th ???? Hours

Liv sighed softly and leaned against the wall, watching Jim. "You know you'll never be able to pick that, right? You're way rusty."

Jim glared at her from the door, a slim piece of hard wood between his fingers and inserted into the lock. "Well you're not helping you know." Jim snapped, almost waspishly. Liv closed her eyes slightly, letting his anger wash past her. She knew he wasn't angry with her, not really. "You got any grand ideas?"

"Not yet." She admitted calmly, fighting back her own terror and anxiousness. Someone had to stay calm. "Jimmy, Spock and Len will come for us." She had to keep telling herself that, over and over again, hoping she'd believe it. She knew they would come for them, it was protocol, but she had to believe in Len and Spock. Working together they could be a really powerful team. She thought with a wry smile. The question, of course, is if they can handle each other long enough to get us out without killing each other.

"I don't like waiting for rescue, Liv." Jim muttered, turning back to the lock. "You can never be sure it's coming. The only thing we have is each other."

Liv closed her eyes, tipping her head back against the cool stone, and let her mind wander. How do you get out of a giant marble box with only one door… She wondered.

0345 Hours

"Doctor McCoy." Spock's voice cut through Len's mild panic, halting his pacing in mid-stride. "I require your presence on the bridge."

"Green-blooded hobgoblin." Len muttered darkly, lashing out in his nervousness and anger. "Ah'm comin'!" He snapped, heading out of his office.

He turbolift doors opened and Len immediately understood why he'd been called for. M'Tal'K's striped face stared out at him from the screen, looking as solemn as a half-tiger, half-human could look to a human.

"Yeh called?" He asked Spock, not taking his eyes away from his alien counterpart's golden-green ones.

"This creature says he has information about the status of Captain and Lieutenant Kirk. He claims truthfulness however he has no proof. He claimed he will only give this information to you." Spock stated calmly.

"Call Chris, she's better with people and she'll know if he's lying." Len snapped, fighting the urge to simply turn back and go to his Sick Bay. "Ah want nothin' to do with this asshole or any other of his species."

"I'm right here Cowboy." Chris quipped from the side of the bridge. "He's telling the truth, as far as I can tell. But won't talk to me."

Len glared darkly at the alien on the screen. "If yeh lie to Meh Ah'll find a medical way to make yeh regret it." He promised M'Tal'K. "Start talkin'."

M'Tal'K nodded slightly. "Your woman, Livine, and her brother, your Captain, are being held captive by my High Lord- not some faction of the people as he has told you." Len felt his mild anxiousness start to grow into something more akin to terror. Warm calm washed over him and he knew Chris was doing her best to keep him logical and steady.

"Why would he lie to us?" Spock asked simply, quickly.

M'Tal'K hesitated but at Len's nod continued. "He wished to keep them until dawn, at which time he shall force them to wed him and your laws will force them to remain here, his concubines for the rest of their existence."

"I'm sorry," Nyota interrupted, "WHAT?!" Len couldn't agree more, "Ye've got to be kiddin' meh." He muttered at the same time.

"Twins are highly desired to my people." M'Tal'K explained. "Particularly identical ones. It is said that marrying twins will give the High Lord great power and longevity."

"They're not identical." Len argued, as if it would help though he knew it would not. "Technically they're fraternal twins because they're not the same sex."

"That matters little, in fact it makes them all the more powerful as they are identical in every way but their sex." The tiger-alien responded, calmly but sorrowfully. "He will never let them go and by your own laws you have less than three hours to free them."

"Why are yeh tellin' us this?" Len asked slowly, realizing that kinship between Chief Doctors wouldn't account for M'Tal'K's sharing such volatile information.

M'Tal'K closed his eyes and his ears twitched backward, an annoyed or upset action. "The High Lord is a greedy and foolish creature. The Prince would be a good Lord but his father will not back down. I wish for you to come, quietly, and steal away your people."

"Makin' the High Lord look foolish and powerless and givin' the Prince a foot in the door." Len finished, suddenly feeling hopeful.

"There will be violence, you will need to kill. But should you do so quietly, cleanly, you may get your people out alive." M'Tal'K said, nodding. "Is this agreeable?"

Len wanted to say 'Hell yes' but he forced himself to look to Spock. For a long moment the Vulcan was silent. Say yes yeh Goddamned Green-blooded Hobgoblin! He yelled in his head, clenching his hands.

"It is. Create an ion particle beckon for us to hone in on in a private place to beam down in. You shall have the spark for your rebellion, all we wish is our people." Spock finally answered, tipping his head slightly.

0450 Hours

Len could hardly believe what he was considering. Ah had nightmares for months last time. He reminded himself, tucking the phaser into a holster on his hip. Am Ah really gonna do this? Ah could kill people. He distinctly remembered what he and Liv had had to do to free themselves, Chris, and Jim last time. He didn't want to be that man again. He hadn't believed he was capable of such violence and rage until then and he didn't relish the idea of going back to that dark, primal place.

Looking about his room he caught sight of the picture of Joanna that hung on his wall. The halograhic image of Joanna it projected and the recording of his baby's voice had been a God send, keeping him sane so far away from his home. Liv had given him that.

"Doctor McCoy." Spock's voice came, bland and annoying as hell, from the comm. "We are ready."

Len nodded to himself, steadying and fortifying his resolve. He was going to get Liv. He was going to go get his PA, his friend, his Goddamned woman, and he was going to let nothing get in his way.

"I'm on my way." Len said calmly though his hands were shaking slightly. Ah'm comin' Liv. Just don't let Jim get yeh into more trouble than yer already in. Turning on his heel Len headed out of his quarters and toward the turbolift to take him to the Transporter room.

???? Hours

Liv heard Jim's muffled curse only half a second after the sharp snapping sound of the wood breaking filled the room. She didn't dare say 'I told you so' though she thought it. Considering what to say to soothe her twin she took a few small steps forward, soundlessly. Liv settled by his side, tucking her hand in his arm, leaning her head on his shoulder. Nothing she could say would soothe the sting of his failure…

I can always make him laugh. She thought with a tiny grin. "Hey, Jimmy?" He grunted. "Weird question…"

He opened his eyes and caught hers. He offered her a bitter, wry smile. "I thought you knew everything." Liv rolled her eyes at him and swatted his side. He yelped but laughed slightly. Success! She cheered herself mentally. "Shoot."

What could I ask… What don't I know about him? It hit her and the instant the thought did she had to know the answer. "You've never…" she let it trail off, not sure how to say it, "with Len?"

For a moment Jim was silent, his brows drawn together. All of a sudden he said, a little loudly, "Bones?! EW, LIVIE!" He shuddered, his nose wrinkled and Liv burst out laughing. "Hell no, Liv! He's way too Southern." He shrugged against her, only making her giggle more. "Besides, he's as straight as they come."

After her giggles at his reaction she said simply, "Oh, okay." Trying to hide her relief.

"Why?" Jimmy asked, his eyes narrowing on her face. "You interested?"

Not knowing how to react Liv blinked. "In Len?" She asked, buying time to figure out how to answer it. Am I interested? Duh, but will I do anything about it? No. And is it sane? No. Jimmy nodded. "Hell no." She said jokingly. "Like you said… He's too Southern." Ignoring the fact his accent makes my knees week. She thought

Jimmy's eyes narrowed further, as if seeing through her. He opened his mouth to argue when a sharp but soft sound of claws clicking on marble filled the air. They froze. The sound was from within the room, but they could see no one.

"Liv?" Jim whispered, turning to look at her, his eyes wide.

Liv looked up, searching the room, her hands curling into fists should she need to fight. From high above her, in the small window easily thirty feet above her, a whiskered face peered down at her.

"Livine." Murmured the gravely voice of the Prince. He let a rope down and motioned for her frantically. "Swiftly, quietly." He called, keeping his voice low and soft.

Jim's hand touched her back and Liv jumped, startled. He steadied her. "We trust him?" Jim murmured into her ear. Liv just shrugged. Do we have a choice? She wondered before walking to the rope and taking hold with both hands, Jim was right behind her. Together they climbed the rope as quickly as they could.

Because of the rush and the need for silence Liv's arms were burning before she reached the top; but she kept going, knowing Jimmy was right behind her. Should she fall she was taking him with her. At the top, as she grasped the granite windowsill she was grateful for the Prince, who grabbed her arm and helped pull her up; her hands were abraded and bloody.

As Jim shimmied up onto the windowsill Liv glanced to the other side of the window arch. No rope, no way down. The space on the sill was cramped but somehow they managed as the Prince hauled up the rope and threw it down the other side. Liv realized it was anchored to his waist. "Go." He urged her after a moments hesitation on her part.

If you say so. She thought with a mental shrug. Hope my weight doesn't hurt you too much… She took hold of the rope, ignoring her bloody hands, and shifted her weight down. Because of the blood slicked hands she slid right down the rope, burning away even more skin on her palms. She didn't yelp in pain like she wanted to, but only because she bit her cheek to stop herself. She tasted blood.

Moments later Jim and the Prince (who had jumped) were beside her. "Go, follow the hallway to the right, do not leave it, do not be seen. My father will realize you are not in the room shortly. Your weapons are in the far door, end of the hall." Liv felt herself nod numbly and saw Jim doing the same. Before the Prince turned away he grasped her cheeks with his weird hands and rubbed his cheek to hers. She thought he said something in his own language but she couldn't be sure. Before she could ask he had turned and was striding rapidly away.

Liv turned and realized Jim was staring at the Prince with a mingled look of awe, shock, and rage. She rolled her eyes. So not the time to be all brotherly, Jimmy. She thought, tugging his arm. "Glare at the Prince later," she whispered, "escape now."

He blinked. "Oh, yeah." He whispered back, turning with her and setting off down the hall at a slow, soundless jog. We need a plan, she thought dimly but followed him anyway. But plan-less and no longer stuck in the room is better than plan-less and still stuck, so what the hell.

Leonard turned a corner just behind Spock, his phaser at the ready. It was set to stun but that could be easily changed if need be, thought he had little intention of doing so unless he absolutely had to.

"This is the room," Spock announced in a low whisper that didn't carry at all. "Open the door." He ordered the Yeoman who had announced he was proficient at lock picking. Len was too but he wasn't about to announce said skill set to the crewmen around him. He knew how Ships gossip could be. It was down right dangerous to say some things aloud, everything got to everyone on the Enterprise.

The yeoman was apparently better at it than Len was. The heavy granite door opened with a little click. Spock pushed on it and the heavy stone moved without much effort. The room behind the door was… interesting. From ceiling to floor, the walls were covered in sheer silk. The room was filled with opulent furniture, including a bed big enough to host a party on. But no where in sight were Jim or Liv.

Len;s blood ran cold as fear shot through him. What did they do to them?! He thought angrily, storming into the room to search for some signs of his Captain and his Liv. The bed was rumpled, but not from a struggle; it looked as if someone has laid there… two someones. Turning he scanned the room. On the white floor something brilliantly red caught his eye. He walked forward, his heart beating rather powerfully and painfully in his throat.

"Ah've got blood," He called as he reached it, realizing what it had to be without toughing it. Half a dozen or so droplets, all small and round, as if dropped from a height without movement. Drip marks, not cast off. He looked up. There was a small window, high, high above him, set into the marble. He heard Spock approach him. "Yeh don't think?" He asked the Vulcan.

"It is highly improbable, nearly impossible." Spock said emotionlessly. Ah know Chrissy loves this Hobgoblin but could he be a little worried? Would it kill him? "However," Spock continued, startling Len, "knowing the Kirk twins, I would not say impossible. Indeed it seems most likely as there would be signs of a struggle should they have been removed."

Len nodded. "So we go to the other side of that window and follow the blood." He said, feeling a little relieved. They were on the move, that was something. He turned and followed Spock out and around the corner. The tiny drops of blood were larger, more substantial, but still drips. Somehow they'd managed a way to get up and down the wall, and the blood was probably dripping straight down as they scaled the walls. There was no blood on the walls themselves, however. When this is over, he thought, I'm going to have to ask them how they managed this.

Keeping his eyes peeled, Len began walking slowly in the direction he had yet to go, searching for another drop of blood to tell him if they'd gone that way. Not too far along he saw another drop, this one had a tail. "This way." He said to Spock, though he was quite sure the Vulcan knew it as well as he did, probably from seeing the same drop of blood. Hell he probably knows how fast they're movin', he thought bitterly.

The team moved slowly down the hall, following the slowly thickening trail of blood drops. So slowly it chaffed on him. Clearly they were close by, the blood drops were still fresh, but they were probably moving fast and if his group didn't speed up Len was afraid he'd never reach his friends before something bad happened to them.

Of course it was that moment when Len heard the scuffling sound of a fight break loose in front of them, around at least one corner. Less than a heartbeat later he heard the first yelps of pain. Goddamnit Jim, Liv! He thought angrily.

Liv felt hard hands close around her shoulders even before she heard the feet behind her, that's how quick and silent the Aliens were; and before she had the chance to fight she was lifted clean off her feet by said hands. Claws prickled into her bare arms as she struggled, "Jimmy!" She called to her twin, who was a few strides in front of her, just as an Alien lunged for him.

Jim dodged sideways and the Alien stumbled past him. To her amusement Jim helped the Tiger-looking man (?) to fall by sticking out his leg. The heavy thump rattled the hallway, making Liv grin. The bigger they are… She thought, remembering the ancient adage. She felt a little guilty when the Tiger-man didn't struggle to his feet but lay still. Liv realized his chin was parallel to the floor, an unnatural angle. Oops.

The sudden death of their comrade spurned the attackers into action. The one holding her backed up a little and two more leapt toward Jim. Liv took the momentum of her captor's steps and helped them along a bit, kicking out backward toward his groin. They had the same genital arrangement as humanoids… He grunted and stumbled, falling backward. She landed on his chest and he released her for just a moment.

It was all she needed. Liv leapt up and turned, driving her heel into his sternum. Bare feet were less effective than boot-shod feet; but with her rage and fear behind it the blow made her whole leg ache. She felt something catch the foot that she had her weight balanced on and a quick thought flashed through her mind. Fuck. And then she was falling backward rapidly, her foot jerked out from under her.

The granite was as hard and unyielding as she figured it would be. It knocked the breath from her lungs and scrambled all her senses as he head struck and bounced. She thought she heard panicked voices from where she'd come from, but she couldn't be sure. Everything faded into blissful black…

Len saw Liv fall backward and panic flooded him. He saw her bounce, saw the blooming of bright red blood that stained the pure white marble flooring and her still glittering hair. He didn't even realize he'd aimed his phaser until the Alien who had tripped her shuddered and dropped back against the floor. The sharp but soft sounds of the phasers being fired surrounded him as the little away team openly fired upon the Aliens attacking Jim and Liv.

He took no head of the danger and all but ran to Liv's side, kneeling at her head and gently reaching for her. He checked himself just a hairs breath from touching her. She could be seriously injured. He placed his phaser by his side and pulled out his tricorder.

Cracked skull, moderate concussion, bleeding around the brain. But no broken neck or other injuries, ignoring the seriously abraided skin on her palms and the sides of her feet. Len pulled Liv into his arms and hugged her to himself for a moment. Relief so strong it shook him to his core flooded through him. She's alive. He thought over and over again. She's alive.

A hard grasped his shoulder and Len grabbed his phaser, turning to whoever had… It was Jim, looking worse for wear but mobile and determined. Len handed his Captain the Phaser without a word. Jim was a better shot anyway. He turned his eyes back to Liv and stared. Only then did her attire hit him.

Dark blue, almost sheer silk covered her breasts (barely) and draped around her waist in a twisted, tangled skirt. If he didn't cover her soon someone would see the scars she was so twitchy about. Gingerly he set her back down and peeled his shirt from his body, removing the comm. badge and attaching it to his under shirt. Quickly, but as gently, as possible he slid the shirt on her and tugged it down, covering her pale, beautiful skin from the eyes of those crewmen with him – and from himself.

Feeling better Len scooped Liv into his arms and stood. His back twinged. Ah'm getting old. He thought bitterly. He wasn't as well built as some of the others on the away team but he was strong enough to carry Liv, and damn it, even if he weren't he was going to carry her anyway. No one's taken yeh away from Meh, Liv. He thought to the broken, bloody woman in his arms. Not anytime soon.

Turning he followed the away team back to the safe place to beam up.

Liv jerked awake, her heart racing, adrenaline flooding her system… Though the lights were off it took only a heartbeat for her to recognize the Private Biobed rooms aboard the Enterprise. She wasn't sure which room she was in, though judging from the arrangement of the room it was the starboard side. Her head ached, her mouth was dry, and her limbs felt like lead.

"Computer, what time is it?" She asked softly.

"Twelve fifty nine hundred hours." The computer answered.

Closing her eyes Liv let herself relax. "Computer, what is the date?" She'd hit her head pretty hard… she might have done some major damage.

"April the sixteenth, 2259." The computer answered again.

"Well thank God." She muttered to herself. Then her mind caught up with her. "Wait, what?" She asked, her eyes flying open again. "April 16th?"

"Indeed." The computer responded.

"I've been out longer than a day?" She mused aloud. "Did I really fall that hard?" She tried to banish the exhaustion that made her limbs so heavy and the dizziness that flooded her each time she moved. "Computer, what is my medical diagnosis?"

"Doctor McCoy has diagnosed a moderate concussion. Care to be bed rest and a week with no duties confined to quarters and the mess for two meals daily."

Liv glared at nothing in particular. Pain in the ass. She thought darkly. It took a few more moments but slowly Liv began taking account of her senses. Her head ached, she knew that, but her hands were fine. Her body aches were minimal. The room was cool but not cold, but to ward off said chill she had a warm, thicker than regulation blanket covering her. She glanced down. It was the one she kept on her bed.

With a little smile she forced herself to sit up completely, letting the warm blanket slide to her waist. She was still warm. Medical robes have those funny tied in the back… shouldn't my back be cold? She looked down again. She was wearing a big, blue uniform shirt. One that was far to big to be her own. The bands on the sleeve were the ones for a Medical officer… a Chief Medical officer. This is Len's? She wondered. When did he give me this? She snuggled into it for a moment and inhaled, wondering…

It smelled like sweat, soap, man, and something she couldn't place but that screamed 'Len' to her. Actually it screamed 'sunlight on a meadow' and 'spring thunder storms' with a dash of 'forest after night has begun to fall' to Liv. But that's what Len smelled like to her. He smelled good, warm, comforting, and inviting. She smiled a little shyly.

Sliding off the biobed, her knees almost buckled under a wave of dizziness but Liv held strong. Determined she took a breath and collected her blanket in her arms, hiding the insignia emblazoned on the shirt she wore that made it all to plain who'd donated it to her. Quietly, meekly, Liv stumbled back to her room, intent on sleeping the full week she was on bed rest, starting immediately.

Len walked into the quiet, dark Biobed room, wondering if Liv was up yet. Her concussion was severe enough he wouldn't be surprised if she wasn't… The biobed was empty.

Surprise flooded Len, followed closely by panic. Where is Mah girl? Where is Liv? He could have asked the computer, were he thinking clearly, but he wasn't. Fuel by his panic Len took off at a near run to Liv's rooms, praying. Lord God let her have snuck out and be sleepin'. God don't let it of all been a dream. Don't take her away from meh…

He didn't bother with waiting for Liv to open her door, he just punched in the EMC and opened the door himself. He glanced around as he stepped through the door, his heart pounding so hard he feared it might rip out of his chest. Then his eyes fell on her and he calmed instantly. Everything was alright.

She stared at him, her big, bleed-me-blue eyes wide with shock. She was still in his shirt, which he'd stubbornly left on her though there were other things available (He'd tried not to analyze that…). It didn't occur to him to relax, to talk to her, or to give her space, though she was probably more than a little jumpy.

Len walked to her in three long strides and pulled her flush against himself. "God woman, Yeh scared meh. Ah didn't clear yeh to leave Sickbay."

He felt her hesitate for only a moment before she wrapped her arms around him in return. He felt suddenly very warm. "Were you there?" She asked, her voice only a little muffled by his chest. "Did I really hear your voice in that palace yesterday?"

"Yeah." He admitted, fighting the urge to thread his fingers through her hair and stroke her back.

"You came for me?" She asked, pulling away just enough to look him in the face. Len flushed but nodded. "Thank you." She whispered.

"Just don't do it again." He scolded, not sure if he was talking about getting caught, AGAIN, or sneaking out of his damned Sickbay without permission, AGAIN. Maybe it was both.

She smiled wryly. Though she was a bit pale still the expression righted every possible wrong in his own personal universe at that moment. "No promises." She said cheekily. He didn't think. He just acted. He kissed her.

His mouth was warm, just as she remembered, and his lips dry, but not chapped. But unlike the last few kisses Liv had given him, this was him kissing her. He was a very active participant. His hands shifted, one cupping her chin and one holding the small of her back, keeping her close.

She felt surrounded, overwhealmed, taken over… And she liked it. The heat of his mouth coursed through her, making her respond before she could possibly think of the repercussions of her actions.

He pulled away and Liv heard a small, annoyed sound. She didn't quite realize for a moment that it had been her. "God Ah am glad yer alright." Len muttered before pressing back against her. Liv's back hit the wall and Len's hand shifted, pining her there. Fear that should have hit her didn't. She just felt like she was drowning in something hot and amazing as his lips touched hers again. She felt her fingers curl around his shirt, pulling him even closer…

"Doctor McCoy?" Came a cool, disinterested voice. "Lieutenant Kirk." It hit Liv like ice water and with it came realization, followed by embarrassment and fear. Len growled and spun on the intruder, Spock, and Liv took the moment to disappear.

"What the hell do yeh want?" She heard Len snap before she closed the bathroom door.

"You're presence is required on the bridge." Spock's voice answered. Liv could hardly hear him through the door…

Len spun to promise to be back. It was only then that he realized Liv was missing. He turned and looked around the room, ignoring Spock's questioning gaze. The bathroom door was closed. She was hiding in there.

DAMNIT! He yelled to himself. Ah scared her! Ah moved too fast and made mah filly run. Shit! He knew better than to press her, else wise she'd just run faster and farther. He just had to trust that they'd built enough of a relationship that she'd come back. After all… she had kissed him back. With a scowl he followed Spock out of Liv's room.

"Yeh coulda rung the bell." He muttered darkly.

"I did." Spock answered. "Multiple times. It was ignored."

Len fought a grin. Ah didn't realize we were kissin' for that long… Maybe he hadn't blown it after all… maybe he was finally getting where he wanted to be with her.