So I hope everyone watched the movie again last weekend since it came out. It was fun for me, and I took the time to watch the bonus features too! Any who, back on track and inspired to finish this story with what I always had in mind since it begun. Lots of drama to dig through yet, and welcome to all of the new comers :)

Thanks to Le Pleiade, animelover56348, Kristenbazinga, IKhandoZatman, Grey Vipointe, CLTex, Teddy bear 007, XLil MEkoX, AutumnGirl104, Korvescence, Sorceress of the Trees, kykyxstandler, Mira SeverusSirius Black-Snape, WhenTheSaintsGoMarchingIn, sungsi, Mika, JobanaBallack, K9Train, Moonlight Crucible, 252020, CommanderAwesome, VivieAnne and the Guests for joining me on this journey!

I own nothing but the OC's

Things were kept silent between them at first, as it should have been. Amicably he took her to her crew still stored safe in the cargo bay. Taking a moment for herself, she walked between the rows, gazing fondly at the frozen faces she passed. Not so long ago she had been like them as well, though she remained unheeded by that idea. Even surrounded by a room of her slumbering family, she felt very alone. Khan and Adraich were useless to her at the moment, and she needed to conjure up her own plans to negotiate with Starfleet. It was a simple notion for her, for as of now the humans had been nothing but hospitable towards her considering the circumstances. She wasn't entirely without merit after all, and she hoped the Vulcan could see that.

"You're a good one, Commander." She praised, "I'm willing to trust you for these very people we walk alongside of."

He kept his hands folded together behind his back, poised ramrod straight and stoic of face as he chose to meet with her halfway through the row. He was someone who never acted gratuitous, and she favored the controlled consideration in his eyes, "I am of course willing to negotiate an offer with you, but such things will have to be passed to an authority higher than myself. I am curious; is it not Khan who speaks for your people?"

"When he is present." She crinkled her nose in distaste and thought for a moment, "My opinion is valued by him, and I would prefer to settle our terms now."

Spock organized his posture into a stance a little more relaxed as he observed her, "You are attempting to hurry things along, almost as if you do not want Khan to have a chance to arrive. What is it about Adraich and Khan you do not trust?"

"You are an intelligent individual Mr. Spock, and I trust you know my reasons." It felt like betrayal, but she was left with little places to turn to, "Adraich is deceitful and only wishes to hinder Khan's leadership. And Khan…he has allowed himself to become compromised by feelings." She didn't know why she felt she had to explain, but here was a pair of ears willing to listen, and hopefully even assist her.

"His emotions for Nurse Richardson." Spock hinted, "It's as I suspected."

Lykel crossed her arms and raised an incredulous brow, "So it is obvious. I do not fault him of course. I may have rejoiced even, if the timing was better."

"You would have rejoiced for Khan; does this mean you favor Nina?" He raised a brow of his own, and she quickly set her face straight, not wanting to look like reflections of one another with that action.

"It doesn't pertain to her as much as it does about my Prince sharing in something with another. It has taken him far too long to discover love." Lykel wasn't bothered to word it that way, and Spock didn't otherwise look startled by the blatant remark. The situation was rather reversed, after years of being berated for loving Adraich by Khan, he now would know the joys and pains that she too had fallen for. But in love with Adraich; she wasn't sure if that was the case anymore, "I feel it is fair to warn you Commander, now that she has been genetically altered by the serum, finding a place to keep her could be difficult."

"Starfleet will not allow for one of our own to be used as a prize to bargain for. Khan simply referring to Nina as a member of his family will not be enough."

Lykel scoffed, "And that answer you just gave to me will not be enough to make him think otherwise." She got right into his face, speaking lowly even as he remained impassive, "What will Starfleet do to her? Tell me Mr. Spock, if it was up to you, what would you do for Nurse Richardson?"

"Nina needs to be able to make her own decision. We of the Enterprise will respond accordingly to the situation."

"Does that include informing Starfleet of her condition? I know your Captain is something of a rule breaker, and they are close friends, adding incentive for him watch on her closely."

"Where will you go with your crew? With such a history Khan presents, it is unlikely a deal will be reached that satisfies him." Spock carefully studied the cryo tube he was standing beside, apathetically it appeared. Lykel worried for the same reasons he just mentioned. Whatever they brought to the table would go disregarded by Starfleet. They carried with them the reputation of purging groups of weaker species, something Lykel would be glad to be rid of. She had never asked Khan what he had wanted, a critical mistake it now seemed, "Unrestricted freedom shall never be his, but you know this, Lykel."

She was unnerved by his addressing of her name, baffled he had even bothered to uncover it in the last days gone by, "I do know this, but I also know I am willing to bargain for anything for the rest of my people. If we could have the chance to colonize elsewhere, under a trusted eye that would make the Federation comfortable with our existence…well, wouldn't that be something?"

Spock was silent for a moment, and she hoped he was considering her half attempt at a proposal, even if it wasn't written out in black and white, "It is something to mention to our respective leaders."

So not a yes, but definitely not a no either. That's all she wanted, was to be heard and get him thinking. If anything, it was a step in the right direction. If she could make ground with the humans, than perhaps she could stop the verbal feud that would occur when Khan and Adraich would be brought on the ship to work out an agreement, "I appreciate your willingness to work with me." She said honestly.

"You have shown no signs of deception, therefore making it easy to cooperate with you." He remarked as if it was the simplest thing, "However, one detail still needs explaining, and it would be better if you could elucidate it. Why was Nina injected with the serum?"

Lykel frowned, not because he was broaching a subject beyond desire, but because she had no knowledge on the question. She hadn't since been blessed with the chance to speak with Adraich, and Khan remained vague on the matter when she had approached him about it on Kronos. A power play, a connection to Magdalena, or something sinister? "Why indeed, Commander—I'm afraid I have no answer to give you."

He paused a moment before talking, "Not entirely inconceivable, as you previously stated neither male was worth trusting."

She pinned him with a stare, "Well then, if you had to venture a logical guess, what do you think his reasons were?"

"To form a permanent bond between Nina and your people. I have yet to speak with Adraich now knowing this information, but I do not believe his actions were completely selfish. It is also wise to consider how Khan will benefit from this."

Of course she had considered that, heck; she'd been consumed by fear for it. How far would Khan go to take what he wanted? She had witnessed his behavior in the past, never questioning it, but rather encumbered by the sheer brilliance he could formulate to claim his dark desires. Nina was one of those things, and whether it was strange fate, or accidental, she had crossed his path looking so much like one of their own. Not the person he would have ever taken for his own before, but now the chance had come again, and she was embedded deep in his hold. Lykel didn't know if it was pity she felt for Nina, or gratification for giving something to Khan that he had otherwise been without. The strength of his love for his family was boundless, and he had room in his heart for another.

"Commander, communications have been restored with Captain Kirk's shuttle." It was Uhura from the Bridge. With Lykel having made good on her promise to restore them in perfect condition, they made set on getting back to work almost immediately as they had entered the shuttle bay.

"On my way." Spock answered robotically before looking back at Lykel, "Do you wish to remain here with your crew?"

She scanned her eyes over the tubes one last time, satisfied with the way they had been looked after in their absence, "No need for me to be overprotective, I know where they are. I made a promise to Doctor McCoy that I would offer myself up as a reference for him to look over to help with Nina's condition, and I will keep to it."

"A respectable act of volunteering, as I hold no doubts in Doctor McCoy's abilities in Sickbay. Should he require your assistance, I am more than inclined to agree."

Examining each other one last time, they both acted at once and started for the door. She didn't know if it was a gentleman's act, or a Vulcans, but he paused to let her leave first so they wouldn't be trapped shoulder to shoulder in the doorjamb. What with this freedom she felt aboard their ship, she was beginning to dread negotiations all the more. What would be the next step in her life from here? They were augments, they worked together as a family, so why did she suddenly feel the need to be independent? Things weren't exactly turning out well for them, at least, not by the standards she was used to. It was once easy to rule over everything, and surely with their awoken numbers, they could do so again…but she didn't want to. She had to make Khan see that.

Entering the turbo lift with Spock, they each stated clearly their respective destinations, hers obviously being the one they'd stop at first. It was silent, but not uncomfortably so. She couldn't imagine he was a person to waste time on insistent blithering, something she detested. She felt she hadn't given away too much information, at least, not anything valid that he hadn't already deduced from his findings. He was clever, as was his human Captain, and she was sure it would be a battle of wills when fighting for a compromise. The lift made a jerky halt at her deck as she cleared her head from its reverie, giving only a passing glance to the Vulcan before she stepped off. It was eerie how fast she had memorized the layout of the ship, having no struggle as her footsteps led her back down the corridor to Sickbay, where she hoped to surprise a certain Doctor in his waiting.

Nina was warm. Unbearably so, in fact she wanted to shed her clothing. That didn't seem possible of course, as she was still battling to stay alert, slipping into unconsciousness for lengthy periods of time before jolting alive again without her eyes ever opening. This was unacceptable. Her mind wasn't foggy, and she could recall being passed into Khan's arms by Jim before they had taken off from Kronos. No telling how that had turned out; for all she could comprehend, they could still be on the shuttle. Khan's chest had been so solid, it was difficult to make out if she was still against him, or propped on a chair. Had he really kissed her temple, or was that imagined? No, she had been coherent enough to know he had done that, and in front of Jim no less. Explanations were in order for her, but that would have to wait. Something had gone wrong with the serum, and she didn't much feel up to a battle with her superior officer. Soon everyone would know she'd had relations with Khan, and she hated to think what result would come from that. She was hardly alone in the guilt though, as there was still Carol who would be getting the third degree anytime now. Really, out of all the thoughts to be running in her head, she was surprised it was Starfleet matters, and not concern for her own health. Then again, she was a nurse on a star ship Sickbay; she had no time to sulk.

A ragged sigh escaped her, and she realized she had broken out into a cold sweat. Fevering again; great. Her bearings were starting to come back to her though, and she could determine she was laid flat out on a chilly surface with the light material of her clothes sticking to her. She went to move her arms, maybe to make a half attempt to sit up, only to find she couldn't. Quite literally, her wrists were cuffed down to something, and her eyes snapped opened on their own accord to be blinded by white light. She was choked by a gurgled sound of discomfort and immediately someone was at her side, shoving an instrument into her face. The corners of her mouth scowled grumpily up at him, to which he noticed, "Don't look so happy." Bones goaded.

"What the hell is this?" She pulled at the restraints on her wrists as a gesture to signify her irritation.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, also showing signs of stress, "Your hormone levels were spiking. We thought you might awake volatile, so we put those on as a precaution."

"I'm volatile now." She growled, "And who's this we?"

"It was me who suggested the restraints." Lykel was on her other side, quiet until this moment, and as icy as she ever was on first impression, "I'm sorry, Nina."

"Sorry for the restraints, or for getting my name wrong before?" She deadpanned.

"Both." Lykel answered smartly, a trace of a smirk painted her lips.

"No, it's alright." Nina felt her bad mood dissolving, perhaps from fatigue and Lykel's soothing words, "You got my friends to safety, and I'm grateful for that."

"Well…they weren't so awful to deal with I suppose." Her green eyes skirted back to Bones who was walking back from his desk again, looking all business.

Nina sensed a lecture coming from him in her near future. With a quick scan around, she noted that they were the only three in the room, and that left her curious, "Where is Khan—and Jim." She added as an afterthought, though completely left Adraich off her list.

Bones and Lykel shared a look that she couldn't make out, "Well, after some heavy convincing from both Spock and Jim, they got the 'Reliant' to pull out from our location, leaving us stranded with a broken ship. No doubt Terrell is still in range of our censors, but the deal has to be set up by Jim, at Khan's request before we report back to Starfleet. We wouldn't have gotten you both back if Spock hadn't reassured him otherwise."

"Repairs are being made to the Enterprise as we speak. Many of the 'Reliant' personnel stayed aboard." Lykel threw in as well, "So we aren't in any immediate danger."

All of that sounded like a disaster that she was almost thankful for being detained in Sickbay…almost. Bones make quick on freeing her of her restraints, though her head still spun like a top as she was helped into a seated position. Her augmented strength seemed to be failing her for the moment, and she felt more human than she ever had before, "So what's wrong with me then?"

McCoy's eyes darted down to his tricorder, a little perplexed and even hesitant, "I took a blood sample, and I've come to the conclusion that the serum was not ready for human testing. While the genetic enhancements are obvious, it seems the strain was stronger than needed. Your body is rejecting a lot of the changes in attempt to eliminate the problem where there isn't any. Your cells are overcompensating for the augmented genes. Your headaches can be linked to the adjustment of primal instincts because the brain still thinks your human, which isn't the case."

He showed her the results of her own brain scan, and she suddenly felt nostalgic about having wanted to switch her career choice into neuroscience. That dream certainly felt miles away now, "So, am I dying?"

She locked Bones into a devastated stare as she passed him back his tricorder. Even Lykel seemed unsettled by the question as she gave Nina a pointed look, "Not in so many words. My diagnosis is you're suffering from mild symptoms of degradation that have the potential to turn severe. I need a serum to stabilize your condition or it could turn fatal."

"The star that burns twice as bright burns half as long." Lykel murmured.

Nina heard the words, though she doubted if Bones could, "And what about my blood test?"

"Well, in comparison to a pure augmented female." He gestured to Lykel, "You have higher hormone levels due to the fact that you aren't sterile. White blood cell count is normal, and your ferritin levels are immaculate. Your platelets don't appear to have the same strength of regeneration as Khan's did, but you can sustain injuries and be recovered much quicker than before."

He stopped talking then, almost as if he was afraid to continue as Lykel cleared her throat, "She needs to know, Leonard."

Know what? Nina was more nonplussed by the fact that Bones and Lykel were suddenly on a first name basis, "What is it that I need to know?"

"Dammit." He cursed spitefully while Lykel merely smirked back at him, "Nina, your levels of hCG have been increasing steadily. There's a good chance you're pregnant."

She leaned up against the back of the biobed, formulating an answer in her mind as she thought over what Bones had just told. Having kids and not having kids…it wasn't as impacting a statement as it might have been for someone else, and the lines were blurred in the middle to appear as one. She didn't want a family, at least, not with the way her career ate up her free time for such a thing. And she thought of her parent's life back on Earth in Wyoming. Neither of them ever had dealings with Starfleet, they were both retired, and from what she knew from her childhood, they'd never experienced any sort of adventure outside their jobs and home life. To her, that was boring and not a life she saw or wanted for herself. Bones must have thought she was seriously considering this information after she had ceased talking, and she made to answer to pacify him, "Okay."

"Okay." He repeated, "That's all you have to say?"

"Well…" She breathed a sarcastic laugh, "I don't know what else to say. I can't deal with this right now. I just found out I'm dying slowly from an injection I didn't even want, we're still dealing with Starfleet's commands, consulting with augments, and now it's likely I'm pregnant. Where does that leave me Bones?"

"Nothing has changed." Lykel countered before Bones could open his mouth, "Only we three know about this, and I am content to keep it that way if it is your decision."

Nina struggled to come up with an answer, especially with the spotlight shining on her in her exhausted state. Her left hand brushed through her hair while subconsciously her right landed over her stomach, "I don't want to say anything just yet, and the words have to come from me."

"Understandable." Lykel affirmed.

"Is there really a point in me asking who the father is?" Bones surprised her by taking a seat at the edge of the biobed, his face showing stern worry, "I don't know how that happened, and frankly I don't need the details. You need to be ready for the consequences, Nina."

"I know." She mutedly agreed.

With nothing more to say on the matter, he stood and retreated to his desk for a moment, leaving Nina in the company of Lykel. She was thankful there was no pity or scrutiny coming from either of them, though likely the others outside that room would not be so forgiving. Lykel was still watching her carefully, though difficult to read, "You smell like him, you know." She reached forward and tugged at Nina's collar, revealing the love marks once again until she swatted her hand away with a scowl, "Interesting."

"You're actually enjoying this, aren't you?" Nina asked sourly.

"Not for the reason you're thinking. He cares for you in a way I've never seen, so there are endearing qualities about you. I myself have noticed your strong sense of loyalty." She uncrossed her arms to park herself on the side of the biobed where Bones had once sat.

"And now I'm pregnant. That doesn't exactly scream loyalty."

Lykel rolled her eyes, "Your kind is much too concerned with social etiquette. You gave into your instincts, putting aside trifling matters to do what felt right. I am curious how that all worked out."

"It was imperfect. In the middle of it, I even told him I hated him." Just by recounting those moments, she could feel her face heat with shame. It had been one big fight for control to which both her and Khan were guilty. She supposed the end result being a child wasn't entirely unrealistic, but it was unwanted. She dreaded the thought of telling him. She could see no nurturing, fatherly nature in Khan, nor could she see herself as being particularly matronly.

"That was bound to happen. He can be insufferable." Lykel said easily, "I'm sure he treated you well of course."

Nina held up her hand in silence, "I'd rather not discuss that."

"I understand. I was merely trying to keep your thoughts occupied as you have other issues that need to be dealt with, and you should do so with a strong mind. You're of no use to any of us suffering from degradation."

Nina hated to think how everyone would react to the news, which would have to be announced as soon as possible she suspected. She was bombarded with so many questions. If her condition could be stabilized, what would Starfleet want with her? News would spread about her pregnancy, there was just no way it couldn't. She was in a warped relationship with Khan, though escape seemed fruitless now with her bearing his child. She had family and friends, and her career, or so it seemed. Those things might not be a constant with the way her mistakes kept piling up. For her, it was really only one event that had started the chain-reaction of unfortunate circumstances in her life. If only she hadn't been injected with the serum… "I think a strong sense of mind is going to be hard to come by."

"Then I'll help you." Lykel said, looking at her fiercely that both terrified and inspired Nina.

"What do you get out of this?"

"A friend; the kind that I've been waiting for since I was put to sleep three hundred years ago."

Lykel stood again as Bones returned, taking more scans with a furrowed brow, all the while Nina was distracted by the woman in the room. It would be a while for both of them before they could call each other friend and mean it, but it was a step forward in any case. There was a certain disconnect circling around Lykel as she spoke of her augmented companions. The word lost didn't seem to describe her, but she did appear to be lonely. Nina wasn't blind either, even if she was spent from her traversing on Kronos. The avid looks split between the woman and the doctor was difficult to ignor, but not entirely bothersome. Friendship; the idea wasn't so bad once repeated, and after all, Nina felt like she needed a friend too.

So anything surprising there, like, oh I don't know, Nina pregnant?! I had toyed with the idea for so long since starting this story if I were to write one in, and after the way things happened, a baby Khanina (Thanks AutumnGirl104) seemed inevitable. I know I'm not making a sequel anyways, so might as well load this story up with a mountain load of drama. Now seemed a good place to reveal it, as it would seem silly that with Nina going to Sickbay, they wouldn't pick up on the signs. She's also suffering from the serum though, and that's about to break into another tangent yet. Next chapter I'm back peddling to Kirk and Khan, seeing as I have to explain their dealings and discussions before I can have anyone else interact with Nina. We have Lykel making her own plans for the future, the Enterprise crew locked in a struggle with Khan, Jim still has yet to speak with Carol (and Nina with the whole 'feelings') and Nina pregnant/ill. That's a whole lot of trouble for one star ship, so let's see what becomes of it XD

Bonus question: Did anyone notice the quote I directly used from "Blade Runner"? It's an old movie, so I forgive you if you don't ;)