Dear readers,
I'm so sorry that I somehow missed to publish this chapter. Yes, this is the real chapter 25 and no. 26 you already know, comes afterwards. Heck, this is the outcome of too much stress: Chaos. I'm truly sorry and I hope this chapter makes up for it – especially the last part (*snicker*).
I promise an incredible talk between Spock and Bones, sweet fooling around of the two love-birds and at last something you all certainly waited for.
Have fun
Yours Starflight
Chapter 25 – Bonds of friendship and love
The morning brought no fairer weather than the night before. It was still raining and windy, but finally the thunderstorm had exhausted of this place and moved on. It didn't matter the weather though, the two men in the small cottage at the Silver Bayou sensed nothing that wasn't his pleasure or his partner. Khan spooned against Jim; both were still deeply asleep with smiles playing around their lips. They had talked until late, made love again and had finally drifted off – for once not caring about anything outside of their little world.
Aboard the Enterprise, another man lay still in slumber; he slept right through the alarm clock. It wasn't often that Leonard McCoy got himself drunk, but last evening had been one of those occasions. Worry, frustration, and anger had caused him to forget that he had duty early in the morning. He knew that as the ship's doctor and staff officer he ought to be a model of control and responsibility. His concern and irritation over Jim's 'idiotic, foolish and frankly sudden trust in that blasted superman' caused his reaction.
Saurian Brandy was as strong as its Terran twin and its high sugar content ensured that the alcohol entered the blood system quickly. It was no surprise that McCoy didn't register the alarm clock. At the same time, there was a very distressing (to his pounding head) noise repeating over and again, until it finally reached his drowsy mind; the door buzzer finally registered.
Opening one eye and then the next, Bones needed a moment to account for his continued existence and where that existence might be.
Was he in a bed? Yes!
Was it his own? Maybe. Good enough.
Was he in his quarters? He looked around, just to be sure.
Why was everything in a blur? Mmm, likely the headache.
What was that awful taste in his mouth? It could have something to do with the reason for his headache. Which might also have something to do with the empty bottle and tumbler over on the table. Well, that was good; at least his vision was beginning to clear.
What was this evil noise? – It sounded like a doorbell, didn't it?
As his mind came finally to the conclusion that he was indeed in his bed and that he felt like dying, he realized there was someone at his door demanding entrance; Leonard McCoy lifted his head carefully.
Not good!
Really not good!
He felt like a hypertruck had run him over.
His foggy gaze found the alarm-clock. 0830… Well, it was morning and…
Morning!
His shift started at 0800.
Ooooohhhh…. SHIT!
"One moment!" he called. Well, he wanted to call, but what came out of his mouth was something that sounded like a mixture of Chinese and Rigelian, spoken with a hot potato in his mouth.
Somehow he managed to throw the blanket off and swung his legs over the bed to rise. Promptly the walls around him started to move, and he had to hold himself steady with one hand on the nightstand as nausea washed over him. Sweet Lord, he hadn't had this bad of a hangover since his divorce! Staggering towards the door, he ordered the computer to let in the visitor. And as if the morning hadn't started out bad enough, Spock stood at the threshold; his raised brows and his gaze transformed him into a kind of Vulcan avenging angel.
The science officer stared at the pitiful man in front of him, took in the red eyes, the pale face and the glassy gaze, and crossed his hands on his back. "Good morning, Doctor!"
McCoy rubbed his face – there were times he wished this ship could make him disappear. Unfortunately, he hated the beaming device. Of all people, it had to be Spock who caught him in this state.
"'Morning, Spock," he greeted with a heavy sigh. "I'm… I'm sorry that I overslept but…"
The Vulcan simply entered the quarters and while the door slid close he interrupted the CMO calmly. "It appears you are not feeling well, Doctor. Maybe you should take the day off."
Bones shook his head – a bad idea because all of sudden there seemed to be a little dwarf in his skull wielding his ax against the good doctor's skull. Groaning, McCoy closed his eyes and pointed towards the living area. "Please, have a seat and…" He stopped as the alarm clock buzzed again and cursing, he returned to his bed and switched it off.
Spock had been in McCoy's quarters only a few times before, but he knew the doctor to be fastidious. Right now though, it looked as though a bomb exploded. The CMO's day-old uniform lay on the floor, his right boot was by the bed, his left boot at the door to the bathroom. An empty bottle and a likewise empty glass sat on the nightstand; some books had fallen off of the table, and the most of his blanket hung over the bed's edge.
"Your frustration seems to have grown, Doctor," he commented almost wryly and McCoy rolled his eyes.
"It's nothing," he shrugged and pulled the blanket back on the bed. God, he felt horrible.
"I wouldn't call it that," the Vulcan replied. He watched the other man very closely as he carefully chose his next words. He was going to take what humans would call 'a shot in the dark'. "That Jim is with Khan is certainly not 'nothing'."
If someone had frozen time, Leonard would not have been more surprised. He stopped dead in his tracks; his eyes went wide and shock was apparent on his expression. "What?" he somehow managed; his voice not more than a squeak.
Spock lifted a brow. The CMO's reaction told him all he needed, and for a moment a sinking feeling passed over him that he quickly suppressed. Nyota's and his thoughts had been right. Sunrise was Khan! And McCoy had known it. For how long, he was not sure, but at least since his last conversation with the captain.
"Doctor, if you know something about Sunrise's true identity – if you confronted the captain with your knowledge yesterday and Jim talked you out of passing this information to me or Starfleet Command, it is best to say so now." The calm tone didn't fool McCoy. The Vulcan was irritated. There was no doubt about it by the look in his nearly black, stormy eyes. And Bones was in deep water now. He willfully omitted passing valuable information to the ship's acting captain and could face court martial.
Sighing again, Leonard sat down on the bed's edge and looked up into the emotionless face. Still, he thought he could feel hot anger burning deep in the Vulcan – anger that began the moment Khan had taken Jim hostage aboard the Vengeance. It found its apex when Jim died on the other side of the warp core chamber's safety glass. Vulcans may state that they had no feelings, but McCoy was convinced that this was a lie. They had repressed feelings and emotions at the very least, and Spock was only half Vulcan. His human side was in constant battle with his Vulcan side. 'What happened when the human part of him broke through and unleashed its fury,' Bones mused as Khan had been brought in unconscious state to his med bay? A mere human wouldn't have survived the Vulcan's wrath, and as Leonard looked into the black abyss of the first officer's eyes, he saw a spark of this furious flame again.
Taking a deep breath, he bent forwards slightly. "Jim is in no danger," he began carefully. "He was alone when I spoke with him, and he… He asked me to keep this – development – to myself, at least until he's back. He promised to explain everything, but right now… Now he wants to enjoy his little timeout with…" He made a short gesture with one hand.
"With Khan?" Spock asked icily; both brows raised. Jim was indeed somewhere alone with the Augment, and McCoy stated that their friend and captain wasn't in any danger? For a long moment, the acting captain of the Enterprise thought back to those minutes when he found the only friend he ever had, broken and dying, untouchable behind the glass in the Engineering. Jim was afraid and pleading with him to help him to face death without fear.
His human side had flooded him with unfamiliar emotion in those moments. As he had faced a mortal situation within the volcano on Nibiru, he had decided to feel nothing at all and after he had witnessed the emotions of Pike in his last moments he had thought he had made the right decision on Niburu. Nyota had accused him of diminishing her – their relationship then, but he hadn't. It had been a logical thing to do. To suppress any emotions in the face of the one's impending death. But Jim did not have that option. Nor would he take it if he did. Jim was that kind of man. And so Spock longed to reach his friend – to share his mind with him and offer him strength and during the last minutes of his life as he had with Pike. But he could not. Jim had died alone, separated from his friends and without the comfort of just a touch. He could only feel life dripping out of his body and soul.
In the second Kirk's gaze broke and the light left his eyes, Spock had felt hatred for the first time in his life. Real and burning, it seemed to consume him from within in hot flames. Pursuing the man responsible for the loss of his only friend had been something from which he could not stop himself. Logically, he knew he had to capture an immensely dangerous criminal to prevent any more death and destruction, but in truth he had chased the Augment down to avenge Jim's death.
Afterwards, Spock needed many hours of meditation before he was even ready to admit that he had sought revenge – something a Vulcan should never allow himself. And he had needed even more time still to accept it.
Khan Noonien Singh had driven him to and behind his limits, had provoked the worst in him and had brought him a terrible loss that had shaken him no less as the destruction of his home planet. And the very same man was now with Jim. Yes, Khan may have saved Kirk, but the reasons for his doing were certainly no charitableness.
And he doubted that McCoy was that naïve to believe that Khan had found all of sudden a 'golden heart'.
McCoy massaged his neck as he watched the quick change of expression on the Vulcan's face before it was blank like always. He knew that he couldn't deny this little secret any longer. "Yes," he admitted and looked up at the first officer. "Yes, you are right. Jim is with Khan." He watched how the first officer pressed his lips into a thin line before continuing calmly, "But It was Khan who recovered Jim from the Klingons, and it was Khan who warned us about the planned attack on Tammeron. He also saved the Lexington." He shook his head. "I don't know what happened. I don't know why the bastard is all of the sudden so eager to keep Jim safe. But one thing is certain, the Klingons would have tortured Jim to death by now if not for Khan."
Very slowly Spock nodded. 'Nyota has been right!' he thought. 'Khan tries to protect Jim. The question is still: why!?' He cocked his head."How did you find out about Sunrise's identity? Why are you so sure that the captain isn't in any danger?"
Bones rolled his eyes. "As I told you, Jim was alone as I finally had him in the line. He wasn't forced to say anything he doesn't want, still he almost begged me to stay silent about Khan's presence. He fears that Section 31 will get its hands on the Augment again and that Khan will be handed back to the labs. He is very concerned about him. Don't ask me, why. Aside from the fact that Khan saved his ass and fought on the right side this time, I honestly don't know why Jim is all of sudden so protective of our special 'friend', but he is."
Observing the CMO, the Vulcan lifted one brow again. "And how did you find out about Khan? Because of Mr. Scott's hint that 'Drythen' means 'lord' or 'king'?"
"So he told you this too?" Bones pursed his lips for a moment; then he snorted. "I'm wondering that Scotty didn't put two and two together and figured out by himself, but maybe he is too busy with his machines." He sighed again. "I already had a suspicion that it could be Khan because everything Sunrise has done can't be done by one human working alone. Still I couldn't imagine Jim covering for Khan; therefore I thought I was following a wrong thought." He grimaced. "After Scotty revealed the meaning of 'Drythen' I… did some researches. I compared Sunrise's voice with the record of Khan while he had been in my med bay last year, and… Well… After I had the computer transfer Sunrise's voice into that of Khan, I had no doubt that it was him."
Spock looked at him, and his eyes widened ever so slightly. "Fascinating!" he commented. "Even Nyota didn't think of this way."
McCoy grinned shortly. "As you see, this doctor can do more than patching up careless crew members." Then he turned serious again. "As I realized that all hints are pointing at Khan, I contacted Jim, confronted him and then…" He shrugged, clearly frustrated. "This damn Iowa-kid knows exactly how to persuade me to do things I rather don't want to."
The first officer made an affirming gesture. Oh yes, he knew exactly how persuading his T'hy'la could be. "And you are sure that the captain is not in any danger? It seems to be doubtable if Khan is involved."
McCoy threw his hands up. "Jim was outside in the garden and Khan was inside fixing dinner just as Jim told me he would be safe. He sounded like he was on vacation with a buddy." He frowned and chuckled for a moment. "I imagined Khan in an apron stirring a pot on a stove. Somehow that struck me as funny." This time Spock had no problem understanding human humor. He pictured moment the Augment in a domestic setting, and it was – unsettling. Then he turned his attention back to the problem at hand. "What isn't funny, Doctor, is you withholding such information from me."
Even with the mother of all hangovers and tired as a bear at the beginning of winter, Bones knew exactly how he could get away with something that just this side of insubordination. "Jim asked for it and he is, even in his absence, still the captain of this ship. I just followed his order and…"
"As you already pointed out, Doctor, Jim asked you to stay silent. He didn't and couldn't order you in this particular situation." He took a deep breath and suppressed a grimace. Even if the air conditioners worked flawlessly, he could still smell the alcohol on the CMO. "Khan is a wanted criminal. Starfleet Command had classed him as 'highly dangerous' and the last time I checked the status, there was still Admiral Barnett's order to shoot Khan at sight. Why Jim covers for him now is beyond my understanding. He has all reason to be wary of the Augment and…"
"This Augment saved our friend and captain, Spock! He protected more than 18 million lives and helped Wesley; probably saved his life. Shooting him on sight would be a hell of a way to repay this man's help – even if I want to kick his ass from here to the next week for what he did last year. I still have nightmares of the moment the Red Shirts brought me the body bag. And only after I opened it could honestly believe that my best friend lay dead inside of it!" For a moment, Bones went silent before continuing. "But somehow Khan switched sides, or his plans mesh with Jim's, I don't know! But Jim deserves a chance to explain everything. He deserves everything we have to give him and you know it! If after all Khan has done to him, he is standing up for him now, protecting him, then he must know something we don't. That's good enough for me!"
The Vulcan crossed his arms in front of his chest. "I am still wary. Yes, the captain owes Khan his life – again – but the question is: Why did Khan come to his aid all of sudden? Why did he risk himself to rescue Jim? And why does Jim cover for him and refuse to hand him to the authorities?"
"Section 31," McCoy answered without hesitation. "Jim is sure that not all members have been removed, and he thinks they'll use Khan again as a lab rat. That man should be in jail, no doubt, but running illegal tests on anyone is a crime. So I can understand why Jim that he is hell-bent on sparing Khan that fate."
Spock pondered these words for a minute. He had his own thoughts and they went mostly along with the CMO's musing. "You and Jim are confident that Section 31 somehow… still exists," he suggested, and Leonard nodded.
"Yes. Just think of the SBI's reaction when it got your report of Jim's capture. They gave us some bullshit about how sorry they were, but couldn't do anything to help him. Then Barnett returned from the conference and ordered Wesley to start a rescue mission. It was unnecessary because Khan had already recovered Jim, but none of us knew it. Luengo was ready to sacrifice Jim; Barnett did the opposite when he learned about it." He bent forwards. "Luengo was or is a member or a sympathizer of Section 31. He knew about Khan's transfer to the secret lab and Barnett was about to put him and Norton in custody for misconduct. But Luengo is still free and leading the SBI as we speak. And when Jim was in trouble, he didn't lift a finger to help him. It's as though he's trying to get him back sullying his good name." The doctor thought for a moment. "Or he's trying to keep Jim quiet. Dead men tell no tales. I'd bet my last shirt that Section 31 is still operating, but staying well off the radar. And they want Jim out of the way. He ruined them once, rightly; he could do it again – maybe even with Khan's help. The Augment worked for Section 31. He must have a few ideas of his own on how to take them down, permanently. Maybe that's why Jim is covering for him."
Spock couldn't deny the logic. "You mean that Khan and the captain made a deal. Khan testifies against members of Section 31 and in return he gets a reduction in sentence."
"Something like that," Bones nodded. "Khan was sentenced to cryosleep – a really odd sentence if you ask me. But then it isn't if you consider what happened afterward. It was the only way they could use him as a lab rat again. And there was not consequence to that abuse of power. But that's not all. He can't be put back into cryosleep without it killing him. Twice he's been frozen and re-awoken; a third time would be too much. Even his engineered body has its limits. The Federation will repeat his trial. They only use the death penalty under a very specific set of circumstances. And after all Khan's done for the Federation and Starfleet over these last weeks, the death penalty is out of question. They'll sentence him to cryosleep again, and he won't survive. It's the death penalty without the name. He's the real victim here."
"A victim?" Spock lifted his left brow. "Concerning the illegal tests he had been forced to endure and the blackmail by Section 31 – helping Marcus develop weapons and a warship. I suppose you can call him a 'victim', but nevertheless he is still a murderer and criminal."
McCoy cocked his head. "Jim said something about how he didn't know Khan as he does now – that he learned something that changed a lot. This could be the reason he's covering for Khan. Maybe they have some sort of deal – I help you; you don't turn me in." He fixed the first officer with a look. "And that brings me back to Jim. We should give him the chance to explain himself and his decision. If you inform Command now about Khan, you also have to tell them where you got it. And then you'd put Jim at risk with Starfleet. Think of Nibiru and…"
"I am aware of the unfortunate chains of events that led to Jim's temporary demotion, and it is not my intention to cause him another," Spock replied firmly. "It was not my plan to inform Command about Sunrise's identity without speaking with the captain first, yet… I am concerned about Jim's well-being. Khan may have saved him, but the Augment is dangerous and…"
"Jim feels safe with him, as crazy as it sounds. And I think he can judge the situation better than we, after all, he's the one out there." Bones shook his head. "I have to agree with you though. Khan is as harmless as a tiger on the hunt. I hope Jim doesn't do anything stupid like provoke him. On the other hand, Khan seems to need Jim; otherwise he wouldn't have rescued him. They must have declared a kind of truce, and I don't think it would be wise to destroy it by doing something rash."
Before Spock could answer, Uhura's voice sounded through the intercom, "Bridge to Commander Spock!"
The Vulcan stepped to the terminal on McCoy's desk and activated the link. "Spock here. Go ahead, Lieutenant."
"Sir, I was able to backtrack the transmission," the young Bantu woman reported; a wave of uncertainness tainted in her voice. She didn't know if the matter was official now or still private.
Recognizing his lover's dilemma, Spock made his decision. "What did you find out, Nyota?" he asked quietly, indicating the private nature of the matter by addressing her with her given name.
A sort of relief sounded in her next words, "The transmission was answered from a comm station in the orbit of Aldebaran III and was transferred to a private communicator on the planet's surface."
Bones and Spock exchanged a look. They had been there only two days ago; never would they have thought that their friend was somewhere down on the planet, only a few kilometers away from them!
"Well done, Nyota, thank you," the Vulcan answered and switched off the link, only to see that another call had arrived – this time from the med bay. Observing the tired and hangover CMO again, Spock called the med bay, told M'Benga that McCoy was still in a meeting with him and that the doctor would arrive later in the morning, barring an emergency.
Bones listened and smiled at Spock; grateful that the Vulcan more or less covered for him and gave him time to get sober. "Thanks, Spock," he said quietly and the first officer lifted his brow and he switched off the terminal.
"There is nothing to thank me for, Doctor. As you say, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Your – indulgence, I hope is only a reaction to the captain's current situation."
"Of course," Bones beamed. "It's not my style to get drunk on a regular basis."
"I am aware, Doctor," the first officer replied and went to the door. "Because we cannot report officially on Sunrise's true identity without giving Jim trouble, this stays private for now. Therefore, I can't order a disciplinary action for withholding relevant information from the commanding officer of this ship, but if you're slipping into the role of the literature detective Sherlock Holmes again and have success, I expect your report." He saw the slightly guilty expression on McCoy's pallid face.
"Sorry, Spock, but I only accepted Jim's…"
"I know, Doctor. Under normal circumstances, I would have done the same, but we are speaking about Khan here. To use a human phrase: This is all a 'bit not good'. Still you are right about giving the captain the credit of his discernment."
Curiously, Bones looked at the Vulcan. "What will you do now?"
Spock hesitated a moment, before he carefully replied, "I will give the captain two days. If we haven't heard anything from him by then, we will observe the former Neutral Zone near the Aldebaran system and pick him up during this mission. And if Khan gives us any problems, I will have no other choice than to arrest him." He lowered his head in greeting. "Good day, Doctor!"
With those words, he was gone, and McCoy sighed deeply before he fetched some painkillers and readied a hypospray that would help him to get the alcohol out of his system.
ST***ST***ST
On Aldebaran, the two lovers weren't aware of the fact that at least in part, Jim's friends uncovered his secret. Khan was the first to wake up this morning, and a smile played around his lips as he realized that it was him this time who used the other one man as a make-shift pillow. His head lay on Kirk's shoulder, one arm wrapped around his beloved's waist, and their legs were entwined. He listened to the rain that still wept from the skies, to the steady heartbeat of his mate and to the soft noises of the wooden cottage. He could smell the cooling ashes of the fire that died during the night, the red wine left in one of the glasses and Jim's ever present and now familiar scent.
Nien moistened his lips; his eyes remained closed. The Augment relished in the peace of the new day – a new day they both would use to find some rest. The super-human didn't want to admit it, but he felt slightly tired after the last night full of sweet passion, sheer devotion, all-consuming ecstasies and soaring aftermaths. And even his engineered nature hadn't been able to make all evidence of his and Jim's lovemaking vanish – those blooms left on his body and the sore muscles within. He was certain that his James would suffer even more for some hours.
No, today they would laze around, do some very necessary laundry, read, talk, cook – whatever they had mind to do. It wasn't as if the weather would allow them to leave the cottage. There was no reason to get drenched.
The former dictator pursed his lips. He couldn't remember when he had ever spent a day loafing before, now there had been several days that he did nothing but relax. Paolo would certainly call it a waste, but Khan was glad for the timeout. Even he needed time to recover. And the last two years – and the years before he and his family had to flee Earth – had been more than exhausting. An ordinary human would have already broken under the brutal emotional (and also physical) pressure he had to endure. And indeed he would have reached his limits by now if it hadn't been for the boy-captain who offered him a place in this strange world, his friendship and, above all, his trust and even his love.
Khan wasn't aware that he snuggled closer to the strong, yet so fragile body of his mate, who responded in sleep by tightening his hold around the Augment. Nien felt safe – secure; an odd thing considering he was the stronger of them.
Deciding that it was too early to start the daily routine, the former dictator allowed himself to drift back to sleep and only woke later in the morning. He listened to Jim's soft snoring and disentangled himself finally from his lover's limbs. A quick look at Kirk's upper body and arms showed him that the healing wounds had not re-opened and that the most of them were nothing more than some reddened stripes on the new skin. The captain's healing abilities were indeed incredible, and it pleased Khan that it was due to his blood in his beloved's body. 'You saved my soul and my heart last night, James. I'm glad that I can give you something back, even if it is only a little bit of my blood.'
He rose and stretched himself and felt the tell-tale aches of his posterior; that was a new one! Then he spread the blanket carefully over Jim and went to the bathroom to do his morning routine. He finally returned clad only in his shalwar trousers and still damp hair. Kirk sat in the puddle of blankets and carpets on the floor, and his hair was tousled as though he had been out in the wind and his expression was still groggy.
"Good morning, Pyāra," Nien greeted, chuckling as he got a spat of incomprehensible words as a reply. "Slept well?" he asked innocently, and Kirk shot him a glare before he massaged his left shoulder and said the first clear word he'd uttered all morning, "Ouch!"
"Oh, poor boy," Khan teased him. "You're in need of a stretching session."
Promptly, Jim let himself fall back into the blankets. "I'm no glutton for punishment. I'm on vacation anyway," he mumbled and pulled the blanket higher and closed his eyes. For a beautiful, long minute, he laid there and was about to enter dreamland again when something very wet and very cold was thrown toward his face. Cursing he started up, his right hand caught out of reflex the washcloth that had ended his slumber. With big eyes, he stared at a broad grinning Khan; then he hurled the wet 'alarm-clock' back at the Augment, followed by a loud "Are you crazy?"
The super-human didn't even need to look at the terry cloth 'missile' to catch it as he laughed. "Laying will not help you to get the tension out of your muscles." In two steps, he was beside his beloved and pulled the protesting captain to his feet. "Up and be ready for some training," he said, and then he looked at the mess that still covered the younger man's skin and lifted a brow.
"I think a long hot shower is more important now, and – by the way – that will take care of the relaxing stuff," Jim stated triumphantly. "So, thank you for the offer, but you have the training area all to yourself." He made an inviting gesture to the room and slipped away before Khan could stop him.
"No good morning kiss?" the Augment called; his gaze fixed on his lover's firm but quite generous...butt as he made his way towards the bedroom door without a hint of inhibition.
Jim gave him one of his brightest smiles, as he answered, "Washcloth shooter don't get any good morning kisses out of principle, sweetheart!" Then he turned away to go to the bathroom. He didn't get but one step before two strong arms wrapped around his waist from behind and he was hauled up in the air; he yelped in shock.
"What the…? Nien, let go!" he called, trying to wriggle free, though he's learned by now that he couldn't escape his Augment-lover in a grip like this – not that he would want to.
"What did you call me?" Khan asked with a low growl, and Jim began to snicker.
"Sweetheart!" he repeated, squealing as the super-human turned with him around, and he found himself back on the makeshift bed a second later. Laughing, he rolled on his back just before Nien dropped down on him. The half full glass of red wine beside them tumbled and spilled over the floor – ignored by the two men. Kirk bolted upwards as his waist was pinched – more startled than anything else.
"Hey!" he protested and caught the evil gleam in Nien's eyes. "That's not nice!"
"Are you ticklish, my James?" the Augment purred, and Jim had to laugh again, his sore muscles long forgotten.
"No, sorry to disappoint you, sweetie, but…" He gasped as all of sudden Khan gripped his wrists, and he found his hands forced over his head within a blink of an eye. Damn it, he had almost forgotten how incredibly quick the super-human could be. Unafraid and still laughing he glanced up at the dangerous, glistening eyes above him and wriggled seductively under the lean, strong body that covered his now. "Do you have a problem with sweet things, honey?" he asked full of mischief and Nien's expression even darkened more. It only made Jim smirk more and continue to poke. "Nope, no chance! You can't fool me, baby, you're not angry. I can tell!" Kirk grinned. Khan rolled his eyes while shaking his head.
"I've been called a lot – even in bed – but never 'sweetheart'!" He made a face as if he had bitten into something very sour.
"Well, then your former bed mates didn't know you like I do," Jim answered. He slipped one leg out from beneath the Augment and wrapped it around his hip, pressing them closer together. "You can be sweet like royal jelly and cuddly as an oversized cat, my dark lion," he purred seductively before he arched his head up and nipped carefully at Nien's left earlobe.
Khan gave in. He couldn't even pretend to be irritated with this reckless churl of an officer. One look at this beautiful, soft but so masculine face, and this beaming grin and he melted like butter in the sun. "You're impossible, James!" he stated and let go of Kirk's arms which snaked instantly around him.
"And you love it," Jim teased.
"Not only that," the former dictator whispered, his heartbeat quickened before he caught his beloved's lips with his and deepened the kiss instantly. All too willingly, Jim's mouth opened and allowed him entrance while the eager hands of the younger man began to explore the Augment's body anew; fondling him just above the waistband of his light trousers. Both felt their blood rush south and smiled into the kiss, as hardened against one another. Sweet Lord, they would never get enough of each other!
Pulling the shalwar down from Khan's slender hips, Jim's hands wandered over the Augment's soft skin. With a low groan, Nien replied by rubbing his length against Kirk's, slotting himself just right before he wriggling out of his trousers. He reached for the nearly empty bottle of lube beside the makeshift bed. They would need a lot more of it before morning's end…
ST***ST***ST
Lord Kor stared with wide, disbelieving eyes at the small screen in his private quarters that showed a staff general answering the High Council and the Chief Counselor. For a moment, the younger Klingon thought the general had made a joke, but General Kargan, Son of Keppa, was not known for humor – quite the opposite. He was cold, sober and given only to fact. Therefore, Kor could be sure that the news Kargan gave him was accurate.
"The Federation wants to send a delegation for peace talks?" The Klingon lord snorted. "Do we have them already in fear so much that they are driven to save their skins with rhetoric? Is that the only weapon they have left?"
Kargan bared his teeth. Unlike most other aristocratic clans, his family hadn't joined the experiments with human Augment-DNA and hadn't been infected with the virus that resulted from it. His forehead showed the sharp ridges typical of the Klingon race, his dark silver hair fell down to his waist, and his eyes were a piercing brown. Like many HemQuch – 'the proud forehead' as what the common Klingon called themselves. It gave him a menacing appearance. He usually looked down on the QuchHa', the 'unlucky ones', whose appearances were almost human. Kor was an exception. After all, he was not only the last descendant of the imperial family, but he was also a famous warrior – a hero of sorts.
So, Kargan used the Klingon high standard as he spoke to the lord. "I do not think that we've driven them to their knees just yet, my lord. Their president made no secret that he thinks the Federation can withstand our forces for years if necessary, but he also sees no sense in spilling blood. And even if it pains me to say this, but we haven't gained much territory since the war started. The Borderland was given freely to us by the Orions, who hope for our support. And those few star bases we conquered are unimportant strategically speaking. The attack against Tammeron was useless and cost many ships. Starfleet is strong in power and number."
Kor cocked his head. "So… we will accept the offer?" he asked carefully and Kargan shrugged.
"The counselor has not made his decision and there are many voices in the council demanding more forceful and greater forces against our enemies." He bent forwards slightly. "How has the Aldebaran mission progressed?"
"Koloth and his men are on the planet. They spoke with our contact man and are observing the two targets. Our fleet is ready to annex the planet as soon as the spaceport and the Starfleet base are eliminated."
"Very good! Maybe then they will be ready for 'peace-talks', but under conditions," Kargan nodded. "What about your prisoner?"
Kor felt heat of anger rising in him, but he kept his expression neutral. "There is no news to share, General. Kirk escaped and his supporter too."
"The Augment!" the other Klingon all but spat and the lord lifted his bushy brows.
"We have not confirmed that the man who broke Kirk out of prison is indeed an Augment, but he was well trained and one of the best warriors I ever saw. He can't be pure human, this is for sure, still…" He had bared his teeth, before he continued, "The ship that picked up Kirk and his… friend wasn't to locate anymore. I ordered a complete check of all sensor functions. I manually reviewed available data when the computer couldn't match the emission signature to known ships. Everything is working, and the information isn't there. The Federation must have a device designed to thwart our sensors from detecting their vessels."
For a long moment Kargan went silent, then he growled, "Then I must ask myself why they want peace talks when they can move invisibly until they want us to see them. They could ambush and attack us before our units are readied for battle. Why not using this advantage?"
"Humans and Vulcans – what do you expect?" Kor's voice betrayed some mockery directed at the Federation, and the general laughed shortly before he turned serious again. "That the terrorist Kirk escaped is… unfortunate. Not only could we have presented him to the council as a gift, but we also would have been rid of him. He will give us some trouble in the future, of that I am sure."
"But not just yet," Kor continued calmly. "He is weakened significantly and won't be able to do anything other than convalesce!"
ST***ST***ST
"Don't think that I am going to move anytime soon for you so-called training!" Jim Kirk's slurred voice betrayed his fatigue. Khan lay beside him, still caught in a pleasant combination of endorphins and sweet exhaustion, despite the fact that he and his James slept more than three hours after they sated their newly awoken hunger for each other.
It was midday; the wind blew northeast now, and the rain vanished too. The sun fought to send its rays through the thinning clouds, but the two men in the cottage could care less.
"Like San Francisco?" Nien asked, and Kirk began to chuckle.
"Yeah!"
The Augment lifted his head and looked around. "Well… the windows are smaller; we didn't upend the living room furniture, and the wall seems intact." He grinned. "There is only a large amount of laundry to be done and we ran out of lube."
"Shame," the young captain murmured.
"Which one? The laundry or the lack of lube?"
The two lovebirds looked at each other and started to chuckle. "Both!" they said in unison and laughed. Then Jim rolled carefully onto his side, wrapped one arm around Khan, put his head on the Augment's chest and snuggled closer with a contented sigh.
"You do know that we can't lie the whole day," the super-human murmured after several minutes while his hands caressed the younger man gently.
"Why not? We are on a vacation, baby. No duties, no…"
"Laundry!" Khan reminded him. "I refuse to sleep in the mess we made in the bedroom and the blankets aren't in any better shape."
Kirk stretched himself a little bit. "Feel free to do whatever you like, tiger," he yawned and closed his eyes.
"Really?" the former dictator asked slowly.
The captain should have known better than to ignore this particular tone in his lover's voice, but sleepy as he was, he simply mumbled a "Yes."
Big mistake!
He realized it the moment he found himself quite suddenly pushed aside and lifted into the air. "Wha…?" he began betraying his intelligence as he was carried away – straight to the bathroom.
"A problem shared is a problem halved," Khan replied and stepped with his beloved into the shower where he put Jim onto his feet as he switched on the water. "We get cleaned up and then we both take care of the mess we made!" Nien stated, and Kirk shook his head.
"I'm too tired – which is totally your fault by the way, and…" He yelped in shock as the Augment switched off the warm water, and the shower became icy. Gasping, Kirk tried to move back but to no avail.
"I'll wake you up, Pyāra, somehow!" Nien grinned and wrapped his arms around the young Starfleet officer.
"Aaah hell, you're mean – and cruel!" Jim sputtered, shivering beneath the cold shower.
"You will thank me later," the super-human drawled, but allowed his lover to turn as he sought a bit of warmth in his arms.
For a minute, they remained beneath the cold spray; then Khan added hot water again to it and took care that they both warmed up before they leaving the shower cabin. Still, Jim shivered and shot his beloved a dark glare. "What is up with your sudden desire to hit me with something cold and wet – Ttwice?"
"I have learned that this is the quickest yet gentlest method to tear someone out of sleep," Nien answered wryly.
"Really?" Jim slipped in his boxer shorts and reached for his jeans. "And what it the 'not-so-gentle' method?"
"Waking up to the alert that your home and loved ones are under attack," Khan answered calmly as he slipped into his kurta, looked around, frowned and went to the living room to get his shalwar.
Pursing his lips, Kirk took one of his sweaters and followed the Augment. He had learned a lot about Nien's past during the night and the early hours of the morning, so he knew immediately to what events former dictator referred. But he didn't want to douse the light mood, so he stayed silent and just nodded.
He saw the super-human standing beside the make-shift bed with a deep frown on his face, and as Kirk followed Khan's gaze, he saw the dried, deep red spot on the floor. "Uh-oh, not only will Diego get a water bill as long as the Enterprise's preflight checks, we left him a gift that isn't."
"With salt and lemon-juice you can reduce the red wine stains until they're nothing more than a grey spot," Nien answered before he looked towards the kitchenette. "Do we have some lemon left?"
Jim shrugged. "Yeah, you are asking the wrong captain. You are the cook here, tiger!"
Khan rolled his eyes. "You had to heal, and regarding your usual fare, your doctor friend's knives would be out and pointed at me if I fed you some noxious fast-food. I thought it best for both of our health to prepare the meals myself."
A large grin appeared on Kirk's face. "You wouldn't reject my filet mignon with my special barbeque sauce! People give their eye teeth for it." He caught Nien's mocking gaze and chuckled. "Wanna bet?"
"You would ruin a filet mignon with barbeque sauce?"
"Hey!"
"Yes," Khan nodded. "I'll take the bet. What are we wagering?"
Jim pondered this for a moment. "If you don't like it I… I give you a full body massage with a massage oil of your choice and special attention paid to the – tenderest of places."
The Augment smiled. "Sounds good. And if I lose, then you'll get the same from me." He caught the skeptical glance of his beloved, laid one hand over his heart and lifted the other one to an oath. "I swear that I play fair! I like it – you get the massage. I do not – I get your hands on my back and my…you said tenderest places. I must admit, sabotage is tempting"
"Deal!" the young captain beamed, and they shook hands. "And now we should make a shopping-list. When we're in New Aberdeen tomorrow, we can get whatever we need."
"Right!" Nien replied wryly. "But first we have to rob a bank – or try to win a lottery. Your wallet is now Klingon war booty and I don't even have one."
Jim scratched his head. "Shit – I forgot about that!" He pursed his lips. "Should we ask Diego to front us some Credits?"
Khan sighed. "I hate it to contract debt, but I don't see another way." He snorted and nodded finally to himself. "Diego it is then." A grumbling noise from Jim's belly woke his attention. "But first we need a decent breakfast, before you get thin."
"Ha! If I lose any weight then it's because of our – extracurricular activities," Kirk joked and went to the kitchen. "So, some scrambled eggs, bacon and toast?" When he got no answer, he looked back over his shoulder at an amused Augment.
"And you call that a healthy breakfast?"
"Honey, it's already midday, so look at it as a kind of brunch!" Cheerfully, Kirk gripped the pan and switched on the stove. He felt Khan step beside him before he saw the movement.
"Right, brunch – but not without some fruits and fresh juice. Honey!"
Kirk laughed. "See, I knew you'd like being called something sweet!" Whistling, he looked in the fridge for the bacon. "Where are the eggs?" he asked, pulling out the bacon.
"In the cupboard. Eggs stored in a fridge taste… funny."
Jim looked at him. "Really? I didn't even think about that." He opened the cupboard. "Do we have salt and some synthetic garlic to…"
Khan frowned at him and chased him away, "Let me do the breakfast, otherwise you'll never get anything decent in your stomach. If you want to make yourself useful, then start with the bedclothes!"
Jim pouted before he promptly saluted, "Yes, sir!" and he turned to his task. After a little tussle with the automatic washing machine, he joined Nien at the table and they had a tasty but in Kirk's eyes a far too 'healthy' breakfast. Afterwards, they worked to bring some order into the chaos they had left during the night, and only then as the clean sheets and blanket went back to the wardrobe and the bed was made, they relaxed on the sofa, read, and talked.
Sometime that afternoon, Diego called and spoke with them about their planned sight-seeing trip the next day. He offered to beam them over from one of the official transporters within New Aberdeen or they could use his hyperbike that was in the shack beside the cottage. If they chose the longer way to New Aberdeen, they could meet at the edge of the town at a pub he knew.
The weather report said they'd get sunshine, even if the temperature would be lower than the days before. So Jim and Khan knew how they wanted to get to New Aberdeen. Kirk loved a ride on a hyperbike and Nien wanted to feel the wind of freedom on his face again. They agreed to meet Diego at the pub near the spaceport around at 1100 – that was 1230 regular time. They bid the Chilean farewell after he gave them again the code to unlock hyperbike.
During the afternoon, the sun won its battle against the clouds and the two men finally left the cottage and went to the shack to charge the bike's solar battery. The air was still cold, nature glistened with the last drops of dampness and both lovebirds took pleasure in the fresh air after the thunderstorm.
The hyperbike was a two-seater. And after they wheeled it out of the shack and put it in front of the cottage to charge the battery, they took a walk along the lake, passing the spot where they had sat yesterday and had talked about the things that still tamped the bond between them. That was gone now. Out of instinct Jim entwined his fingers with Khan's who smiled at him. Yesterday had been full of revelations and painful memories, but it led to a kind of salvation for them both that peaked in this playful and peaceful day.
They passed by the spot where they sat yesterday as they left the past behind them, and walked along the shore. They returned to the cottage as the dusk settled. Despite their parkas, Jim was shivering and drank the tea Khan prepared for them eagerly. After a light dinner, they lounged on the sofa, Kirk had his head in Nien's lap and listened to the deep, soft baritone as Khan read to him from the PADD he had activated only to find an excellent selection of literature.
Jim sensed the relaxed state of his lover, and the inner warmth with which the Augment seemed to radiate. He pursed his lips in thought. It was as though he could feel Khan deep in his soul; as if the two flowed together through him.
And then he realized it. Their souls were entwined!
Not like a Vulcan mind-meld, still there were some similarities. He sensed another presence in himself, but it didn't felt like an intruder. Rather it was like something had been added to him – made him…more. It was woven with an invisible cord tying his soul to another. It was… strange, but not unpleasant.
He thought back to what Khan told him about the 'marking' and 'bonding' in the process. Did he mean this? Was he now bonded to Khan Noonien Singh? He pondered this for a moment. There were little details and hints that answered his question with a resounding 'yes' and he wasn't certain what he should think about that. His heart began to beat quicker and his soul felt a wave of bliss, yet his mind began to whisper complications. But James T. Kirk listened to no one, but even his own mind if his heart was set on something – or someone in this case. He knew that he had never felt like this. He'd never had such strong emotions for anyone before – and he would stand to his feelings and Nien, no matter what! Though, Kirk normally decided his endgame before he knew the way to the end.
"Stop thinking. It's too loud," Khan's rumbling voice murmured at his ear, and Jim began to chuckle, looking up. The super-human had put the PADD aside and observed him with knowing eyes. "What is it, James?" he asked and Kirk hesitated a moment, before he beginning, treading carefully.
"You told me about the marking thing and that… that there is a… a bond." As he saw the Augment nodding, he continued, "I… I don't know, if I'm excited or if I'm saying this right, but… I have the strange feeling as if… you… you're swimming in me. I don't mean physically, but I do! I feel… different." He added quickly, but this time Khan wouldn't use the chance to tease his beloved. This topic was far too serious to make light.
"You are right, Jim," he answered quietly. "As I explained, to mark, to bond with each other is in our nature. But even I don't know why this is so. Most Augments are my age or younger and some of them were only about to choose a partner as we fled Earth. So I don't have much practical experience in this matter, still I learned that we somehow bond to our mates. Two members of my family married. They told me later that they were linked mentally to each other after they had coupled and true feelings for each other surfaced." He cocked his head. "And I remember Jonas, an Augment from Scandinavia. I met him a year before the Eugenics Wars broke out. He was attached to a young woman – a common human. He asked me if it was normal that he could feel her even when she wasn't present."
Jim stared at him. "Augments and humans had relationships?"
"Some of them," Khan confirmed. "Those who saw in humans, an inferior race that had to be eliminated condemned them as 'traitors' and I heard that some of those dictators even executed them – something I deplored. Kabir had fallen in love with one of the service maids in my palace and I had no problem with it." He took a deep breath. "She died during a violent uprising several days before my palace was attacked. I think Kabir's decision to stay behind, to suspend our enemies long enough to give the rest of my family and crew a headstart was rooted in the loss of his beloved. Her death struck him hard and his inner fire was nearly out; it only to flared up again as he fought against those who took his mate away from him."
His hand began to stroke through Jim's short, blond hair, as the young captain murmured, "I can understand that. If someone killed you – or Bones and Spock – I, I would lose my mind and…" He stopped and their eyes met. Not only that he had mentioned Nien first, he also had set him in the same line with Kabir and the man's lost love of his life. This meant only one thing: His soul and his heart saw in Khan its other half – its mate.
"Are…" He moistened his lips. "Are we … bonded?" he asked quietly.
Nien's face was carefully steeled as he replied, "We are linked by my blood – and mentally."
Kirk frowned. "I can understand that I'm tied to you because of the blood in the serum McCoy put in me. It … changed me; I know that. But the mental thing…" He fingered the blooming bruise that was the mark.
Khan's free hand gently cupped Kirk's fingers; his skin was warm and soft. "My people's mental abilities are stronger than those of the ordinary humans. We are not telepaths like the Vulcans, but there is a cord that binds us together as family. When we take a mate from among our own, this bond strengthens. That is what occurred in the moment to you and I..."
Jim blinked. "You… you consider me your mate?"
"Yes, I do!" Nien said seriously. "You are my mate. There will not be another for me."
A lump rose in Kirk's throat. He knew both of their emotions ran deep, but that Nien truly regarded him as his mate! The prospect shocked and warmed him at the same time. "You mean because we're sleeping together, have feelings for each other and…"
"It's not just that, Pyāra. You opened your soul to me, James, and I did likewise. Understanding and compassion are all part of love. The three together form the three legs of empathy. And enhanced mental abilities in the partners can lead to an empathic bond, not unlike the Vulcan bond of brotherhood. In our case, it is the bond of mates." He bent down and brushed his lips over the younger man's mouth. "I'm a part of you now. We left our mark on each other; I staked my claim the moment I realized that you are my other half, my Pyāra – my heart in your body. It was unintentional at first, I admit, but there is no going back for me now. My mind, my heart, my soul, even my body chose you!" His hand slid slowly down over Jim's temple and fondled the side of his face. "And when you are ready for it, you will claim me – leaving your mark."
Jim felt a wave of uncertainty. Permanence seemed to allude him. It was never in the cards – or so he thought. "So… the whole bonding thing is still in progress?"
"Yes! The bond must want and accept the bond, only then it will be complete." Nien kissed the forehead of his beloved.
Kirk felt his mouth go dry. "And it will last for the rest of our lives, won't it?" As the Augment simply nodded, he took a deep breath. Bound to another for good. Christ, he was halfway there. If halfway felt like this, he couldn't imagine what all the way would feel like. A mate to this glorious, dangerous creature who had a part in his temporary death, resurrected him, rescued, protected and healed him; Khan was already in his heart and soul to stay there, bond or no bond. Jim didn't know if he should be thrilled or terrified.
Khan sensed the hesitation in his beloved and forced himself calm. He expected that Kirk would be confused. Still, trepidation – fear lurked at the edge of his mind. What if it was too soon or worse yet, unwelcome? What if James rejected the prospect of their bond and…
"So, do I have this right? We will be bonded – sort of married to each other when I claim you – when I leave my mark on you?"
"Yes." Khan said slowly. "How do you feel about it?" Nien whispered now. His augmented mind didn't mock him for his trepidation now. This was too important. This…This was his heart.
How did Kirk feel about it? He didn't know quite yet and so he listened deep inside himself. Being bonded to Khan would bring him a whole set of new problems – a mountain of them. Nien was a wanted man; half of Starfleet was after him. His family was somewhere locked away and if certain bastards got their hands on him he would be nothing more than a test subject, a tool to be used until useless and tossed away. And if Command learned that he not only covered the Augment, but was his lover – his mate! – he'd be jailed and left to rot, his heroic rescue of Earth be dammed.
The question was, though, did any of that matter?
No!
All that mattered was the man in whose lap his head lay; this man freely offered his trust and now his love – a love Jim refused to miss out on! He was bound to his Nien – body, heart and soul. The mere thought of losing it, of losing this feeling was unbearable. Being part of someone else and having them… He looked up at his mate. And having him, Khan, inside of him was like nothing else he'd ever known. Losing what Khan offered terrified him more than the Klingon torture he'd endured several days ago. He'd go through it all again if it meant he could have this. Oh God if he could keep this. The subliminal knowledge that his great love was always with him, even when separated, gave him strength and comfort; it made him feel stronger than he ever had before.
He smiled up into the face with adorably blushed and impossibly high cheekbones. Those ocean eyes spell-bounded him. He lifted a hand and cupped an alabaster cheek. For a fleeting moment he saw a spark of fear and hope in those eyes, and he knew that he could destroy this fierce, powerful man with one single word. But he had something else in mind – other words.
"It feels right," he said softly, but firmly. "Being…" He swallowed hard. This was serious, certainly no time to jest or tease. "Being bonded to you feels, right! Being bonded to you is right. It's like I've waited for it, for you all of my life. I only feel right, settled, you know whole – when I'm on my ship. She puts me right. But I feel that way now, with you. With you, I'm whole."
Khan let his held breath escape. Jim didn't reject their bond – didn't reject him! He wanted to be his mate – his beloved – for good. He never thought he would find someone who would accept him, want him, even love him knowing who and what he was.
Bending down, he captured James' mouth with his own; the kiss deepened quickly. Reaching up, Jim held him close; his fingers wove through the night-dark, silken strands as Nien wrapped his arms around the young captain; he thought he might never let go. Their tongues fondled and caressed one another slowly and sweetly, savoring the closeness of the body, heart and soul.
As Nien finally let Jim free, the men locked eyes in loving looks. All of sudden Kirk began to grin. "I can imagine Bones – oh God, when he learns that I'm bonded to you – to you of all people!"
A soft chuckle echoed in Khan's chest. "I don't know if I like you thinking of another man while in bed with me, but I'll allow it this once. I think your doctor friend would have his own head examined."
Jim burst out laughing feeling happy, completed all at the same time. The he pulled the other man's face down until their lips met again…
TBC…