The Verdict.
Thanks to Le Pleiade, SaintsFan1, Benedict'sZombieGirl, CLTex, Teddy bear 007, FreeSpiritSeeker, Black Thorns Entangled K, Moonlight Crucible, JobanaBallack, K9Train, XLil MEkoX, tahmtahm, Sorceress of the Trees, jbuzz, Mira SeverusSirius Black-Snape, Poodle warriors, DoctorGiggelstheMouse and LookAliveSunshine03 for keeping me going through the holidays!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the OC's
The verdict. Did it have to be this painful? Of course it did, there was no other way for them now but to trudge through the mud and hope enough of them made it through to the other side. The residual effects were staggering, no one quite sure on what to say or think of next in the aftermath. Carol was fighting back from crying, her eyes red from the strain as her lips puckered into a thin line. Jim's forehead was held in his hand, and it hadn't changed from that position for a while now. Everyone else was caught between wanting to argue, and knowing that the effort was fruitless if they tried. That wasn't to say things were particularly horrible, destroyed beyond recall or desire. It was vanilla. Somewhere the lines of more and less had blurred, and the sentencing fell right in the middle on that dotted divider. While it felt very much like the short end of the stick for them, wanting for more was just greedy, and avarice had no place in court. Neither did emotions, but there had been plenty of that.
"All rise." The council ordered as they entered the chamber, after a few hours of debating. They had been forced to stay in and around the chamber for the time remaining, the air so tense you could taste it when you breathed. Avoidance had been the strategy Adraich had fallen back on, not staying around any of them to be forced into explaining his betrayal. As Nina reflected more on it, she wasn't sure it was a betrayal. To Khan it certainly felt that way, but Adraich didn't owe anyone on the Enterprise anything and it was obviously the easy choice for him to abandon them to capitalize on their loss. "You may all join at the stand as one, hearing each sentence as it is given."
One by one they descended from the pews before the council; standing in formation in a straight line, the black uniforms of the augment's clashing against the white and gray of Starfleet. The council, who was now short one member, took in the group before them. The missing Admiral in question was the willowy old woman, heart of stone, who had cracked down on their crew. It was explained that her part in the verdict would not be taking place because she had worked closely with Admiral Marcus in the past. With her career so closely entangled with his, it was a unanimous decision by the council that her opinion held the potential to be biased against Khan and his crew, so she was ejected from the verdict at the last moment. Nina recalled something Khan had said to her before about the council being filled with liars and traitors. Maybe this was what he meant.
"Captain James T. Kirk. The Council acknowledges your efforts, and the efforts of your crew in this matter with the augments. This information that has been passed to us comes at a time in which Starfleet is at unrest. An alliance at this time would be the prudent option, though certain terms are to be laid as foundation before we may move forward."
"What are the terms?" Jim asked in commanding voice.
"Council, as well as the rest of Starfleet, has agreed that while the five year mission into deep space is necessary, we would like to keep your ship grounded for the next year before leaving. At this time, you and your crew will continue work here at the base where assigned and when you are needed." Jim looked thoroughly put-off by this decision, as did a few of the others. An extended shore leave hadn't been what anyone was hoping for, and there was a nagging thought that Starfleet could find a ship to replace them on the mission in the next year before their chance, "We are reassigning Doctor Marcus from the Enterprise. While it was debated whether or not she should lose her career in Starfleet completely, it was decided that hers is a knowledge we can't afford to lose. However, her time will be spent in other areas off the Enterprise in contribution to the Federation. Starfleet has also ordered the destruction of your designs on the phaser, and the prototype. Do you have anything you wish to add, Ms. Marcus?"
Carol, whose face had fallen into despair, inhaled a deep breath as she nodded her head, the blonde bob bouncing as she did, "I am at peace with the terms, and am indebted to Starfleet for giving me this opportunity to continue further in my work. After the actions of my father…and myself, I understand this wasn't an easy agreement for you to come to."
"Thank you Doctor Marcus. As severe as your crimes were, we acknowledge your importance, even looking passed your decision making as of late. Were we content to sit quietly, this problem would have eventually risen, and these changes in circumstances have left Starfleet in a rather fortunate position to have an alliance with augments as we press forward with our negotiations for peace with Klingons. Furthermore, the Federation has made the goal for sustained peace throughout our exploration, and we hope any future developments you send our way help with this plan."
Carol returned to her place in the line-up as the council started on their next order of business, "Please don't misunderstand us and assume we are tearing your crew apart Captain, but we have also felt it is in the best interest for everyone if Nurse Richardson was transferred off of the Enterprise."
Dammit, Nina cursed in her head. She suspected as such. After pulling Carol from the Enterprise, there hadn't really been much hope that she would be allowed a pass. Unlike Carol's important job in weapons development, nurses were quite common and there was no shortage of them in Starfleet which made her situation all the more disturbing to her ears, "Jim, you can't let them do this!" Bones refuted.
"Easy." Jim demanded with a hand gestures as he attempted to quiet the doctor, "But Council, Nurse Richardson was in line to be promoted to head nurse on Sickbay. There isn't anyone else on board who is qualified for that role."
"We won't be leaving you without a nurse Captain. Transfer papers will be organized at the time of your next mission. We aren't permanently reassigning Ms. Richardson, and she may return to the Academy if she wishes to further her learning. The council is in agreement that she may rejoin the Enterprise after your return from the five year mission into uncharted space."
So while everyone else had to wait a year to return to the Enterprise, she would be away for six years. What was she supposed to do in that time? She hated hearing that they would have another nurse already in line to replace her spot, but that was their privilege with power. Her life was complicated at any turn she took because of the pregnancy and her condition, but her initial thoughts were she would have her friends by her side. That wasn't the case anymore.
"But council." Bones cut in again, ignoring the warning look from Jim, "I need to be able to monitor her condition from the serum. It's stabilized, but I don't know for how long."
"We will have other doctor's here for her after you have gone Doctor McCoy, and we ensure you that Nurse Richardson is in capable hands."
"Yeah, capable hands, my ass." Bones grumbled under his breath, but a few of them heard him as the council went on further to speak about what options she could take as her crew left on the mission without her. Perhaps her dream of branching off into neuroscience was in reach now, one positive thing to take from this day.
"Do you have anything you wish to say Ms. Richardson."
Because Carol before her had been humble about acknowledging her mistakes, they were expecting the same of her. Too bad it wasn't going to happen. Not that she was a particularly proud person who held tightly to her image, but she didn't have anything to apologize for. She wasn't sorry for helping Khan, and quite recently, she realized she never was. "No." She answered blankly, her face devoid of emotion as she squared her shoulders.
The scowling faces of the council were well worth it with that answer, though not every one of them looked disgruntled by her bluntness. One face in particular seemed charmed by her response. The very same Admiral who time and again had come through on sound advice for them during the trial. He stood out amongst the many. What was it about him that made him understanding towards their plight? It took a special kind of person, and his worth was visible in his unprejudiced assessments.
Nina was ignored once again as the council started to explain the verdict they had been waiting all week to hear, "A decision has been finalized in the placement of the augments in a secure location for them to begin colonizing once more. It was suggested to us by Commander Spock that the augments would need isolation from humans, but would still be needed in close range for contact as we continue to observe their growth and success in this century. To give their people stability and the independence they crave, we have decided to place them on New Vulcan."
It was odd to think that the chamber could fall into such a silence, the devouring kind that ate up all sound and feeling. It was difficult to determine if minutes had passed by, or hours as everyone had the chance to process what they had been told. Lykel and Spock had decided this location on their own, and while in theory it should suit the augments better than they could hope for, there was once large foreseeable problem. Khan. His hatred for Vulcan's was apparent, because of Spock, and being placed on the planet that was inhabited by what was left of the race seemed fatuous. Both races had many similarities and could thrive on assisting one another if it was allowed, but that was the dream of a sanguine person, and reality was often more pessimistic.
"So is New Vulcan the planet for recycled races?" Jim asked thoughtlessly, his tone conveying the distaste present on his face as his voice echoed in the chamber, "I apologize, but I don't see how that can work. There must be something else to your sentence that I don't understand."
"We are aware of the matter you speak of Captain. Mr. Singh has expressed his dislike of the Vulcan race, and we discussed over these potential problems with Commander Spock. The right course of action we feel would be to alter Mr. Singh's memories back to the time of his awakening. He will have no memory of Admiral Marcus and the events that have taken place since his unfreezing into our century, giving him an equal start along with his crew."
"I refuse to have my memories altered by your scientists." Khan objected aggressively.
The council shared unimpressed looks, no one surprised by his reaction, "We understand your objections, but the only way the Federation will spare your crew, allowing them freedom, depends on your consent to this procedure. Too many others are convinced by fear that you would break this truce in the future, and convince your crew to revolt against Starfleet because of our shared history with Admiral Marcus."
Their fears were justified, and it would be redundant to not confess that thought had played on a few of their minds as well. Jim turned to Khan, his side facing the council as he spoke in a hushed tone, "You have to agree. You've come this far for your family; don't lose them now because of pride."
A good leader makes sacrifices for those he loves, and Khan would be no different. He didn't need for Jim to tell him this, but everyone was worried for his refusal because of Nina. Her unexpected importance to the augment was still something others were still sorting and adjusting to, and any protests he had would be made with her in mind. She didn't look in their direction, nor did Khan set his eyes on her. "What will happen to my other two crew members who have assisted me?" He asked the council, practically spitting out the words. He hated everything in that room it seemed, wanting for their suffering because he was forced to lose.
"It was also deemed necessary that Adraich's memory be altered completely, and sticking with his request of leaving your kind, we will attempt to integrate him in our society with no recollection of his past life."
The first bit of emotion was finally showing on Adraich's face. A smile, which spoke of his relief of finally breaking free from his feud with Khan. Had it been such a strenuous task, or did he truly detest fighting with his own Prince? His body language spoke to the latter being true; caught in the middle of his love and devotion for Khan, while hating him because of Lena and their past. It seemed more likely to everyone that he was the loneliest creature in the galaxy, and no longer Khan who held that title.
"Our proposal for Lykel is separate, and we will leave the decision in her hands when she is informed privately on the matter." The council said, people's gaze straying to look at the female augment in question. "But now we need your answer Mr. Singh, before we can officially make the announcement to push this motion forward and draw this trial to a close."
A wave of heat rushed at Nina, her eyesight momentarily going up in white light as she practiced remaining steady on her feet, keeping both knees locked tight so she wouldn't sway on the ground. Her actions felt too large not to go unnoticed, but no one stopped to look or even address her in the incident. With this she could say with great certainty that the sudden rush of blood to her head had nothing to do with her condition or the pregnancy. Only the comprehension of Khan's words, "I accept to your terms."
Nina hadn't seen him since then, nor had she heard from Lykel about what offer Starfleet was presenting to her. She needed solitude, and she had gone back to her quarters at the base alone, not even standing to be with Bones right now. Grief was an odd thing, always had been for her. She didn't cry. It wasn't that she didn't want to, but she found summoning up mist and tears to her eyes to be physically impossible at the moment. Had the impact of the truth not hit her yet, or was she cast in a state of shock? Neither seemed likely, and it was more that she was encumbered in dull numbness as it became all too real that she was on her own.
She moved about her quarters, tidying up of all the things to be doing. That ugly painting of her grandmother's clung on the wall, reminding her that she still had Khan's blood hidden in the safe behind it from a few months back. It gave her pause, her body falling on to the sofa as she stared at the colors, and then saw through it where she wasn't really looking at anything anymore. Obnoxious words kept pounding in her head, reminding her of her own situation. Single mother, no career and probably no friends either. Was she scared to face this reality companionless, or was she too late in her acceptance of loving someone she couldn't have a future with? These answers eluded her.
A sound emanated into the room, her paying it no heed the first time because she knew it was someone at her door, likely Bones or Jim, both of whom that knew she wished to be left alone. It persisted, alluding to the fact that it might have instead been Lykel to talk about her offer. As her feet moved without her consent, she had a quick thought of anxiety that her parents had ignored her request and had come to San Francisco early to pester her. She was pleasantly surprised when none of her presumptions had turned out to be correct, though her emotions quickly shifted to concern at the sight of Khan at her door.
"I don't think you're supposed to be here." She said softly. Probably not the greeting he was expecting, but under the circumstance, it had been the first thought to pop up into her mind.
"Would you prefer if I left?" He kept his voice steady, no hint of emotions of any kind.
"No." Please don't leave me. She thought the second part in her head, her heart racing and filling with tears that her eyes couldn't shed. She stood aside, this being the first time for her to invite him in instead of finding him there by accident. Words were failing her as they stood in silence unwelcomed by them both. Maybe there just wasn't anything more to be said between them, "Jim let you come here." She said, now realizing how this visit was possible.
"Yes." He said simply, and just one word held such an effect over her, "It won't be long now..."
He let that sentence go unfinished, but she could make up for the gaps herself. It wouldn't be long before he would lose his memories of Marcus, of Starfleet…of her. She didn't want to waste this time making a memory out of cheap words, one that she would have to carry for the both of them when he would be gone. Because everything was so wrong the first time, she wanted to correct one mistake to give them both peace, and he welcomed her gladly in his arms as her lips met his. Her strength seemed to soar with renewed vigor from the feel of him, and she was lifted up in his arms as her back met the wall of her quarters. Something cracked as it hit the ground, and she subconsciously realized without breaking contact from the kiss, that it was the antique mirror fallen to the ground. She thought of the seven years of bad luck superstition and realized she would have taken seven hundred years of bad omens in that moment if it meant never giving him up.
His hands blazed trails over her skin, memorizing her one last time with roughness and patience. Her lips coerced his to continue with the fevered union, their bodies guiding them around the room, knocking against furniture until the floor looked to be the most inviting. They had made their first connection on the floor of her quarters, and that memory became visible in her mind for a quick second before she was pulled back into the present with Khan above her between her parted legs. They both were dressed in too much clothing separating their skin from meeting. The passion that had been missing from her before was in full-swing, no longer just a response to primal instinct, but an answer to the love she was feeling. His lips only left hers so as to create enough distance to start tearing at their clothes, scattering the useless articles around the sitting area of her quarters. It wasn't long before they were completely naked and her legs were wrapped around his waist while he nipped and sucked gentle trails down from her jaw to her neck. In the privacy of her quarters, she was allowed to make all the sounds she desired without consequence, and she wasn't shy in expressing her pleasure as his hand lightly worked her dripping core. Her fingers lost themselves in his hair, enticing him to never stop for as long as she could take it. She felt herself nearing her end, his fingers pumping while his thumb traced circles over her clit with her juices until she cried out, gasping and panting.
Her heart pounded at an unnatural height and she refused to be brought down from her high. With an unexpected burst of strength from her, she managed to switch their positions with her on top, straddling his waist with her legs on either side. Her eyes, still dilated from ecstasy, popped in surprise at the display of power she hadn't taken advantage of last time. She let out a breathless chuckle as her lips met his in a searing kiss. A deep velvety rumble also escaping from him at her bold actions as his tongue left a hot brand against her parted lips. His hands were firmly on her hips, squeezing into her flesh with the pads of his fingers, nails slightly grazing her skin as she rose up on her knees to brush her slick entrance on his tip. He emitted a soft growl as she teased him, his teeth nipping at her bottom lip in warning as she kept up with rolling her hips against his shaft before escaping again. It wasn't until he bit at the skin on her neck, pinching the flesh between his teeth, did she finally succumb to temptation, allowing them the nearness they were searching for as she brought herself down on his length taking him all in. She began a steady rhythm, him allowing for her to take charge for the moment as his mouth encircled one of her nipples, hands tracing up her back as he held her close while she continued to slide up and down his cock. Her heated walls gripped him tightly, connecting them as they felt every groove of one another with the bucking of her hips.
They continued at a slow pace for a while until the tension built, and it wasn't enough to satisfy them in their thirst for one another. He dominated her again, her gladly letting him continue as he lifted her up, ankles locked around his waist as they hit the wall. He withdrew almost completely before slamming back into her, both of them releasing moans as her fingers played with his hair at the nape of his neck, loosely clinging to him as she trusted his strength to keep her from falling. His thrusts continued at a hard, vigorous pace, the sound of skin snapping together every time he drove his hips forward. She was sure his grip on her hips would leave bruises, but she hardly gave a thought to that as she healed so much faster now. Her skin was already marked again from his mouth, and she wanted to leave one of her own on the ivory column of his neck as she leaned forward. With scorching action, her wet lips lapped and suckled at the flesh, his taste never to be forgotten in her mouth as she tasted his sweat with her burning tongue. Her efforts managed to muffle her cries with her face buried in the crook of his neck as her second orgasm came in waves. Her walls pulsated around him, milking him with her essence when he followed after, his seed shooting into her, coating her insides with liquid heat.
He eased up on his grip, being careful with her as he held her for a moment, his breath coming out in soft puffs against her chest as he rested his head upon her. She rested her chin on his head, brushing back his hair that had fallen into disarray while softly murmuring sweet-nothings. Her legs were starting to grow tired from latching on to his waist and he slowly lowered them both down to the floor, him still encased inside her as he allowed for her to stay seated on his lap. She lost the height advantage, his head now rested on hers as he held her to his chest with his arms encircling her in a sheltered embrace. She listened as their hearts thumped at the same pace in unison, the time falling away as they lost its favor.
"Nina." He spoke despairingly as the mood grew somber.
She closed her eyes, her throat tightening, threatening to crack as she answered him, "Please don't say it. Not now."
"I'll have to ask for your forgiveness once more it seems." He went against her request, not sharing in her fear that it would destroy them both if the words were uttered much too late, "I love you."
Her voice was small as she replied, the grief finally coming through the walls she had built up around herself when her eyes brightened with tears that slipped down her cheeks and onto his chest for him to feel. "I love you too."
I think I'll get some sad faces for this chapter, so I'll make this short. Nina and Khan will talk more next chapter, I felt they needed this moment as did you guys for being such great readers. The story isn't over yet because we have to talk about Adraich, Lykel, Nina and her parents, the rest of the crew and their thoughts on the pregnancy, and of course Khan being forced away from Nina. I think it's easy to see a high dose of angst is ahead for the time being so if you feel the need to send some virtual pitchforks my way, by all means :)