If you're reading this, then you have the patience of a saint, and the tenacious goodwill of a true Khan/Cumberbatch fan ;)

I am very sorry for leaving you in the lurch with this story, especially at such a critical moment (if anyone remembers!)

Thank you for picking up this story again - my situation is now much more relaxed after a crazy 6 months or so, and I promise I will be finishing Darker Wet, and I'm very grateful to anyone still interested in reading it :)

Also, a special thank you to everyone who sent notes of concern and encouragement - it meant a lot and I really hope you enjoy this latest installment!

So... now... we pick up exactly where we left off, with Beth's brother, Simon, hosting a dinner party for his mother and stepfather, with Beth, Khan and Lucy...

Chapter 35

Beth took her seat again as the two masked guards pushed Deanna into the chair beside her. She stared at her mother, barely recognizing her. Deanna's appearance had changed, but it was more than that; the defiant spirit that had made Beth feel safe as a child was barely hanging by a thread.

"Mom, did they hurt you?" she whispered worriedly.

But Deanna didn't look at her. "Beth, I'm sorry…"

"She's fine," Simon answered as he slowly circled the table, pouring red wine for all the "guests", including Khan. Finally Simon took his seat at the head of the table, on Beth's other side. He picked up her hand and Beth gave an involuntary shiver before pulling it back.

"What's going on, Simon?" she demanded, forcing the involuntary tenderness out of her voice. "Why is he here?"

She couldn't look at the man who was supposedly her father. She had grown up with many different fantasy versions of him, but none of them were anything like the real Chairman Henry Cross. Earlier, Khan had described him as charming, but Beth didn't see it. He was elitist and arrogant and obviously felt entitled to everyone and everything he desired, including Beth and her family.

Simon's smile was calm, but his eyes were tight as he held his hand, palm up, on the table, waiting for Beth to take it again. "He was hurt by Deanna as much as I was. He has a right to his closure."

"Closure?" the Chairman asked with a dismissive laugh. He pulled his chair close to Deanna's and stared intently at her face. "I'm not here for closure, boy; I'm here for what's mine." He placed one hand on Deanna's bare leg, and touched another to her shoulder, pushing the tips of his fingers against her skin, through the fragile black lace. He leaned even closer, his hand moving across her back, and then he reached past her towards Beth. "Everything that's mine," he said pointedly, looking at Beth, but she just stared at his hand, leaning away from it. He rested it on the back of her chair, and then whispered to Deanna, perhaps thinking no one else could hear. "I told you I would never let you go."

But Beth heard the words, and she knew Khan had as well. She looked up at her husband and he was staring at the table, his brow furrowed deeply. Perhaps he saw her movement, or just felt her eyes on him, because he looked up at her then with a face full of guilt.

Beth knew what he was thinking: about those very same words, which he had said to her more than once, usually as a reassuring promise, more recently as a threat, and occasionally in the heat of passion, to help them both reach their climax. Did he think he was the same as her father? Beth tried to tell him with her eyes that she disagreed, but then Khan glanced at Simon and she realized they were being watched.

She wanted to scream, but she turned calmly to her brother and took his hand. "I don't want our mother going anywhere, Simon. I want you to know what a complete and loving family feels like."

His smile grew warmer as he raised her hand to his lips. "I'll leave that up to Deanna," he said, and there was a knowing laugh in his voice as he looked to his mother. "What's it to be, Deanna?" he asked. "Do you want to go with Henry, or do you want to stay with me?"

Beth knew it was a no-win choice. "Can't Henry stay with us as well?" she asked quickly. If Deanna chose either man, she would be piling fresh rejection on top of the past thirty years.

"I'm not staying on this God-forsaken planet," the Chairman answered immediately. "And don't call me Henry," he added.

"But Simon…"

"Has no respect," Beth's father hissed. "He never did, despite my… best efforts." He said the words darkly, making Beth wonder just what his best efforts entailed. "But you will be different, young lady. You will call me Father, or Sir."

Beth saw Khan shift out of the corner of her eye, bristling at the Chairman's condescending tone, or maybe the suggestion of the word Sir.

So did Simon, behind her. He put an arm around her chest, pulling her back against him. If he was being protective or possessive, she wasn't sure, but she held onto his arm, aware of just how warm and strong and good it felt. "She won't be calling you anything, Henry. I already told you, Beth is staying here."

"We'll see about that," Henry said with a smirk. "As we speak, the Federation President is receiving a Bill to put your Department of Extreme Threats under the jurisdiction of the Security Council."

Simon laughed. "That will never happen." But Beth felt his muscles tense and his grip on her became almost painful.

"There are many… concerns," Henry continued. "About the way you've been running things here."

"What kind of concerns?" Simon demanded.

"There is too much talk…"

"No doubt started by you!"

"About your practices and ethics, or lack thereof."

"No!" Simon shouted, standing up and banging his fists on the table. "I won't accept it. I'll go to Earth myself and put a stop to your Bill."

Beth tried to stay still and not to react to that suggestion. With Simon gone, surely Khan would be able to get them out of the prison: her, the twins and all of the Augments. It would be their best chance – possibly their last chance – to all escape together. Beth felt a nervous excitement at the possibility, but also a stab of fear that she might never see her brother again.

Pushing that irrational, hormonal reaction aside, Beth risked a quick glance at Khan. He was staring at the table again, apparently not even listening, which meant that he was taking in every word and hesitation and inflection of the two men.

Henry leaned back in his chair, enjoying Simon's blustering. He picked up his wine glass and sipped from it slowly. "By this time next week, you'll be working for me. And if you don't mind yourself, you'll end up in here as one of the prisoners."

That would be justice, Beth couldn't help thinking, for Simon to end up at the hands of his much-abused prison population. She knew it was the least he deserved, but she couldn't help feeling another stab of fear as she thought of them hurting him, or killing him, or worse.

Perhaps Simon was having the same thoughts, because he suddenly fell quiet, and in the silence that followed they heard a series of small explosions outside the room.

"What was that?" Henry asked, turning his head towards the sound.

Simon walked towards the door, but stopped when Khan began to speak. "That is the sound of controlled energy bombs, blowing the hinges off a bolted titanium door."

Simon stared at him for a moment, and then turned to Henry. "Is this your doing?" he demanded.

"No," the Chairman said, seeming just as confused as him.

Beth looked at Khan. Was this their rescue? Was this the Augments breaking into the Commissioner's quarters?

But Khan did not look relieved or hopeful. He kept his seat and just watched as Simon tried to make a call on his communicator, and then when that failed, crossed the room and called his Security Team from a panel on the wall.

Beth looked back at her father, who was heading towards the door. At that moment, the door flew open, and Spock entered, bleeding from his eyebrow and brandishing a phaser.

Beth opened her mouth, but Lucy beat her to it. "Spock!" she shouted, in surprise and relief and something like joy. She stood, or at least tried to. Something made her sit down quickly, as though in pain, turning white as a sheet and gripping the edge of the table.

"Are you hurt?" Spock asked her as half a dozen Starfleet security officers filed in behind him. They were followed by an older man wearing an Admiral's uniform. Beth recognized him vaguely from her time in Starfleet, but couldn't recall his name.

Simon knew him. "Caine!" he growled angrily. "What is the meaning of this?"

Admiral Caine glared at Simon. "Commander Spock has filed a serious complaint about prisoner abuse at this facility. As the highest ranking officer in the vicinity, I am obliged to conduct an inspection." Caine looked around the room. He seemed to recognize Lucy, and Beth realized that Caine must have been involved in the invasion of her home in Alaska.

He also recognized Khan, and did a double take to see the prisoner sitting at the table like just another guest, unrestrained and wearing a DET uniform.

He seemed doubly shocked when he noticed Henry standing off to the side, wine glass still in hand.

"Chairman Cross!" Caine exclaimed incredulously. "What are you doing here? Don't you realize who this is?" he asked, pointing at Khan. As if to underscore how free he was, Beth saw Khan pick up his own glass of wine and raise it like he was toasting the furious Admiral. "You're sitting down to dinner with a convicted terrorist!"

Henry laughed smoothly, with an arrogant air. "Don't you think I know that? What do you think I am?" He set down his wine glass. "You're interrupting a very important and sensitive summit, Admiral."

Simon stepped forward, his eyes glowing with resentment as he stared at Spock. "Based on the accusations of an officer who was recently declared unfit for duty."

"A… summit?" Caine asked, suddenly confused. "With Khan Noonien Singh, and…" He looked around at Beth and the two other women, all dressed like high class prostitutes. "What kind of summit?"

"It's highly confidential," Henry told him. "Dismiss your men and have them wait on your ship. I'll explain our business over a drink, and when it's concluded you can escort me back to Earth."

Beth watched her father closely. He did not seem nervous at all. His smile was patient and friendly and his drawl was extra warm. This was the charming Texan Khan had described, and knowing what he was really like, Beth felt her skin crawl.

But Admiral Caine nodded, clearly convinced that it was worth hearing his story. As Simon called down to his security forces to come up to his rooms, Caine turned to his men, about to dismiss them.

Spock stepped forward to stop him. "Sir, I recommend we continue this discussion onboard your ship."

"And further interrupt the Chairman's business?" Simon asked.

Spock ignored him, and implored to the Admiral, "Considering the resistance we met when entering this building, I think we should relocate to more secure…"

"This is a high security facility," Simon argued defensively. "And you were unannounced. Of course my men are going to resist."

"Accusations of prisoner abuse are always met with surprise inspections," Spock shot back.

"Were you abused in your time in the infirmary?" Simon asked.

Spock arched a disdainful eyebrow. "I was not aware I was a prisoner."

"Does anyone here look abused to you?" Simon insisted, waving a hand over the table. "I am serving them a five course meal and the finest Bordeaux…"

"Enough!" Caine shouted over everyone else. "All of you, do as the Chairman says. Return to the ship and await my orders."

"Admiral," Spock implored as the officers filed out of the room.

"You as well, Commander Spock."

"No!" Lucy suddenly cried, and then clapped a hand over her mouth an instant too late. Beth felt a knot tighten in her stomach – that single word was as much a declaration of love, and betrayal, as Beth had ever heard. She looked over at Simon, who turned his head slowly to look at Lucy. He narrowed his eyes and stared like he was seeing her for the first time.

Spock looked at Lucy as well, and then at Beth and Deanna. "I request permission to take the women with me."

"The women?" Caine asked, also looking at Lucy, who had turned a sick shade of gray as silent tears started to stream down her cheeks.

"If this summit is confidential, they should not be present," Spock said calmly, but he was staring at Lucy with obvious concern.

The admiral nodded his agreement. "You must admit, Chairman, their presence is highly unusual."

Henry shrugged, sipping his wine. "Take them if you must, and deliver them to my ship."

"Your ship?" Spock asked, tilting his head curiously. Beth knew he didn't buy the claims of any summit, and he was trying to figure out how the Chairman fit into this mess.

But before he could say anything else, Simon lurched and there was a confusing flash of movement beside Admiral Caine. As Beth's eyes came into focus, the Admiral fell forward on the table, a long steak knife sticking out of his back.

Beth couldn't move as she watched the admiral's face contort with pain and then go completely slack as he died. As his eyes rolled back, she pushed herself away, sickened and horrified, and screamed as she felt something around her wrist, pulling her down onto the floor.

She slid under the table, where Khan was already crouched. He caught her and placed a hand over her mouth. In the few seconds that everyone above the table shouted and ran around in confusion over the admiral's murder, Beth stared at Khan with wide, panicked eyes as he reached under her short dress and pushed something hard and cold inside the warm, wet entrance of her vagina.

She struggled reflexively at the invasion, but he just held her still, breathing hotly against her ear. "It's for Allister," he whispered before releasing her and looking deeply into her eyes. "Whatever you have to do, keep them safe for as long as you can."

"What…?" Beth started to whisper back, but Khan pressed his mouth over hers, crushing her with the weight of his kiss, communicating infinite love and fear and desire in that singular moment. Beth closed her eyes, knowing that Simon would never be able to kiss her like this.

When she opened her eyes again, Khan was gone and a hand was grabbing her roughly by her hair and pulling her out from under the table.

"Beth!" Simon panted, trying to catch his breath. He pulled her into his chest, clamping his arms around her like a vice. "Please don't hate me, I did it for you!"

"What happened?" she asked, genuinely confused. She looked down at the Admiral's body. "You killed him!" she realized, trying to push Simon away.

"I did it for you," he repeated, sounding desperate. "Please don't be scared, Beth, don't you see? He knew the location of your home on Earth. Caine and Spock and Lucy were the only ones beside me. As long as they're alive, you can't go home. Don't you want me to take you home some day?"

"Home?" Beth asked, still shaking. "But there were other men. Your guards. I saw them in the forest."

"The men on the ground had no idea where the transport dropped them off. Most of them probably didn't even realize they were on Earth."

Beth suddenly stopped struggling as she felt the object Khan had put inside her move a little. As afraid as she was of Simon, she was more afraid that whatever Khan had hidden would come sliding out, or maybe Simon would somehow sense it was there. "Let me go," she hissed quietly, turning her head away from him, and she saw Spock lying on the floor. "No!" she shouted. "What did you do?"

Simon looked over her shoulder "He's just unconscious," he said, relaxing his grip. "He was preparing to fire at me."

Simon tilted his head as he looked down at Spock's motionless body. "Where did his phaser go?" He looked around at the others in the room and let out a sudden roar of frustration. "Where the hell is Khan?!"

Beth looked around as well, noticing that Henry had pulled Deanna off to the side and was still hiding behind her like she was a human shield. Lucy was still in her chair, crying quietly onto the table. Simon looked under the table again, and Beth expected him to drag Khan out by his hair as well, but Khan had disappeared.

Simon strode through the door and Beth followed him into the living room. A handful of masked guards were coming in from the opposite door, where the hinges had been blown off earlier.

"Khan is missing!" Simon yelled at them, going to each one and ripping their masks off to make sure Khan wasn't among them. "Did you see anyone else leaving this room?"

"No sir," one of the men answered. "What happened to the door?"

Simon sucker-punched him in the chin as a reply. "Fuck the door!" he growled down at the man's unconscious body before turning to the others. "Find the fucking prisoner! No more masks, and put your phasers on maximum kill. He's armed and he's an Augment, so shoot him on sight." Simon pointed at two of the men. "You both raise the alarm and pass on my instructions. I want Khan dead!"

He whirled around to Beth, still shouting. "Do you have a problem with any of that?"

Beth wanted to scream "Yes!" and beg for Khan's life, but she meekly shook her head, no, and looked at the floor. Simon was exploding and imploding at the same time. She couldn't afford to anger him any more.

"And you three!" Simon continued shouting at his remaining guards. "The Chairman and my mother are in the dining room. Take them and the Vulcan and lock them all up downstairs."

"Yes sir," the men said in unison.

"And when you're done, send Lucy up to the keep. I'm transporting there with Beth right now." Simon grabbed Beth's arm and started to walk her towards his burned out bedroom, then he stopped, having another thought.

He turned back to the guards, and Beth was disturbed to hear a sliver of malevolent excitement slide into his voice. "And send her brother, Leo, as well."

Eugh, that can't be good, not for Leo, nor Lucy, nor anyone else! I promise you won't have to wait six months again to see what Khan is up to, nor what goes on in the "keep" ;)

I hope you liked this chapter - thank you just for reading :) Feel free to leave a review, or yell at me, or say pretty much anything you like. I have been working pretty hard on a non-FF writing project since last year, and one of the things I've been really missing is interaction with the readers :) I even miss the occasional accusations of torture porn lol

And speaking of such generous souls, a giant huggy thank you to Benedict'sZombieGirl for the recent plug on her amazing, beautiful tumblr (benedictszombiegirl :)

And lots of love and gratitude to these readers for their reviews and notes and support since last time: Sassiebone, TheJewellersHand, Cordelia123456, Benedict'sZombieGirl, cstab, WhitneyG, FecklessFemale, Destiny Rain Evans, trastogi345, Ladybrae, Carlypso, Bilbo Baggins Is My Hobbit, tavingtonsbeauty, chacha73, Sinister Bunny, CLTex, StarlitStar, Just Pam, TheoR8, becherovka, baby-kitsune9, Xelako, Ixia, HolyThisNerd and all the Guests!

xo