Hi my dear readers!

Thank you so much for the comments and I'm happy that I can surprise you with another chapter that is quickly posted. I know how much you long for 'The Talk' between Jim and his two friends, and here it is!

Therefore no long prologue,

Have fun

Yours Starflight

Chapter 38 – Necessary conversation

As Spock left Kirk's quarters to go to the Engineering, Jim knew his moment had arrived. He glanced at Bones; he was the eye of a hurricane – the calm before the storm. 'Here we go!' he thought. "I think it's time I explained things to you," he began slowly. "Please sit, Bones." He motioned to the chairs.

The CMO walked towards the sofa and the two arm chairs, but remained standing; his eyes were unusually hard. He looked angrier now than when he had found out about 'Drythen's' true identity. Sighing, Kirk repeated quietly, "Please, Bones, sit down."

"If you don't mind, I think I'm gonna stand, Jim," McCoy answered. Kirk's face reddened as if slapped and he looked like a hurt puppy. Leonard inwardly winced, but would not back down from this; he took a deep breath and attacked the topic. "Before we get to 'Khan' I only want one answer from you: Did you lie to me – to all of us – just for a good fuck!? Or is there another reason you covered for a murderer who killed your mentor? Pike was like a father to you!"

"What?" Jim couldn't believe his ears. The vehemence in Bones' voice – it was so wrong.

"Don't. You. Dare!" Leonard snarled. "Don't you dare deny it, Jim! Don't insult my intelligence and do NOT doubt my competence as a doctor! I read your bio-scans – inside and out – ass and all. And I really want to kick it right now. It showed ALL the signs of being thoroughly fucked. For days, Jim! And Khan was the only one around." He stepped closer to Jim, looming over the red-faced captain. He leaned down and pulled the collar of Jim's shirt down roughly. "And this is the mother of all hickeys. He hit this spot a few times – and those aren't the only bruises you 'lover' left. Almost forgot how strong he was – bet you didn't though! But you... Even Khan's enhanced body couldn't hide your romp in the sack!"

Jim gulped. Nien had been right. Bones knew – had known for two days. Kirk moaned inwardly. He didn't want his friend to find out like this, but the horse was out of the barn – and this one wasn't going back. "It just sort of… happened," he began sheepishly.

McCoy exploded. "'It sort of happened?" He watched Kirk lowering his head and hissed, "Have you finally completely lost it, Jim? Not only did you lie to us – and that might, MIGHT hurt the most. You covered for him. You fucked him! Pike would turn in his grave, if he knew…"

"He would understand if he knew what I know," Jim interrupted him softly and rubbed his forehead. He realized how shallow he had sounded up until now. It was about time to give the whole truth – without any embellishment. "Bones, before you pass judgment, please hear me out."

"So, you don't deny that you and Khan slept together?" McCoy growled and Kirk threw his hands up.

"You asked me not to deny it – not to lie. I'm not going to blow smoke. You'd see through it. You're a good doctor."

"Don't compliment me, Jim!" Leonard snapped. "I'm really not in the mood for it! And you'd have to be a blind man or a Vulcan not to see what you two are together – that you sleep with each other!" He turned around and walked away as if he couldn't bear to be near Kirk. He stayed silent, before he quietly asked, "Why!?" He turned back to his younger friend and stared fiercely at him. "Tell me why him, Jim!"

"Bones…"

"I got nothing against two men together – we're long past that now. But why Khan of all people? Because he saved you? Is this your way of rewarding him for a job well-done?"

"That's too far, Bones!" Jim's voice turned suddenly sharp. "I love a good lay same as anyone, but I'm not a whore!"

"I didn't say that!" Leonard answered equally hard. "But excuse me if I have problems imagining you professing your undying love to anyone – never mind him!"

Kirk groaned. If Bones only knew that he had hit the nail on the head. Not at first – it wasn't like that in the beginning. Khan's seduction wasn't exactly what you would call consenting. But later… Dear God, he wouldn't give up that first night for all Credits in the world. And that didn't include the nights and days that followed. Pinching his nose, he closed his eyes. "Bones, you told me to explain, so let me!"

For some seconds, the CMO glared at him; then he stiffly took a seat. "Fine – explain!" he demanded, not caring the slightest that he was ordering his captain around. They weren't captain and chief medical officer now, but two friends. And one of them was hurt – betrayed when you got down to it!

Taking McCoy's sitting as a good sign, Jim sat down too and braced his forearms on his knees. He knew that he had to tell Bones the complete truth, not the masked one he gave Wesley. "You're right. I knew from the beginning, who 'Sunrise' was," he began.

"How?"

"Because he chose a cover name he knew I'd recognize. And I recognized his writing; I knew it was him who warned us of the Klingon's planned attack."

"And how do you know his handwriting?" McCoy pressed.

"I'll get to that," Jim replied carefully. He knew it would be better to make Bones see the real Nien before he admitted how the Augment and he met back in San Francisco. "I recognized his handwriting when Caviw told us about the Klingons' next move. We knew that we were talking to the militia that fought the Orions and Klingons – the one from the outpost that the Orions attacked. So we trusted the information. It was a calculated risk."

"So Khan only sent you the note to let you know that he was with this militia? Why?"

"To make it clear how important the transmission was. I learned later that he only wanted to contact the Enterprise – me – because he knew that I would believe the message's content if I realized that it was him offering the information."

"And now you lost me," McCoy stated. "You two already trusted each other? Why, for God's sake? You knew he escaped those labs and was out for revenge. How is it you are all 'Hi there, nice to hear from you!' instead of 'Find and arrest him!'" He shook his head. "He wanted to kill us, Jim! He hacked in yours, Spock's and my file to get our private addresses. You know what he wanted! Command was up-in-arms over it. Hell, they even sent us away early for our safety and still you trusted him enough to give unconfirmed information about a Klingon attack to Command, just because he told you so?" He bent forwards. "You even vouched for him in front of Bob Wesley, Jim! What if this had been a trap to play into his hand?"

"It wasn't a trap, Bones, as you well know."

"I know that now, but back then it could have been a trap. Why were you so damn sure about it? I can respect that you can't hate him after he rescued you from Klingon hell, but back then, he was still the enemy!"

Jim sighed. It seemed he would have to tell the whole story from the beginning, otherwise they'd be talking in circles. "He wasn't my enemy, Bones. Not by then."

The CMO frowned in confusion. "You told me a minute ago that he informed you he was with The Shadow. So you couldn't know where he was before that – no one did after his escape. That transmission had to be your first contact, but you already believed him; that makes no…" McCoy interrupted himself, as another thought grasped him.

He remembered the minutes in Barnett's office – Jim's outrage as the two scientists talked about Khan as if he were a specimen in a petri dish. McCoy had been disgusted, too. The Augment was a human after all! But Kirk had defended the former dictator like a lion would its mate. He defended Khan's human rights as well as his right to be treated as a member of the Federation – starting with rescinding the order to kill the Augment on sight. Jim had stood up for Khan, then he trusted him, vouched for him, and later was saved by the super-human who risked his own life for Jim.

Kirk's one-eighty must have begun before Khan became 'Sunrise'! It had started back in San Francisco and…

Bones leapt on his feet, his eyes wide.

San Francisco…

The mysterious missing communicator and phaser…

Jim's cleaning up…

Jim's 'rough' night…

Jim's hickey – identical to the one that adorned his neck now, and in the same place…

Jim's admission that he had slept with a man…

"Don't tell me that you met him back in San Francisco!" he whispered. He stared down at his friend whose cheeks began to burn a bright red – a confession all its own. "No!" McCoy closed his eyes. "Jim, please don't tell me that you met the bastard and let him go. That you lied to me back then, when I was scared to death that I'd find you torn in fucking half." McCoy was shouting by the end.

For a long moment, Kirk didn't respond. Finally, in a soft voice, he began, "It was the evening after the memorial speech I gave. I got out of the shower and he was there – in my apartment."

Bones opened his eyes again and glared at the younger man, who continued,

"He came to kill me, there was no doubt about it. I tried to call for help – get to my phaser, but he crushed the communicator and kicked my phaser away. We fought and…" He took a deep breath. "I didn't have a chance against him, Bones. I'm good in a fight; you know that. I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve, Academy training, even Spock has taught me, but it was nothing compared to what I faced then. Khan is too strong. He had me down in a second and then he was just toying with me."

McCoy had turned pale and sat down again. "The bruises you got…"

Jim nodded. "They came from him. He wanted to kill me with his bare hands." He moistened his lips. It was as if he was describing events from another life – reciting facts out of a book. "But it never came to that. We'd made a lot of noise, and Mr. Arnheim heard us. You know him, the old guy, who…"

"Story, Jim, I know who he is," the CMO cut in and Kirk sighed.

"Right! He told us to keep it down. I was afraid Khan would kill him too, so I told him everything was fine and apologized. Mr. Arnheim went away. When the fighting stopped, just for that moment – it was like Khan focused – on me. He smelled his blood in me, and everything changed." He rubbed his neck. "Everything…" he murmured, getting lost in the memory.

Leonard watched him closely. He could only imagine the raw fear Jim must have felt in those minutes. And then his heart broke for his friend. "Jim," he said, his voice turning softer, "I don't want to pry here if you don't want me to, but if Khan did something that you didn't want, then it isn't your fault. And you don't have to rationalize what he did."

Kirk glanced dumbfounded at him. "What?"

A quiet sigh escaped Bones; he was uncertain, but he was a doctor first and foremost, and he loved his friend. "I know victims don't want to talk about it; they'll blame themselves. Especially strong ones – men and women alike. It happens. They think they should have been able to defend themselves. Or they cooperate in hopes that it will end quickly. That's not consent. You don't have to build a relationship around the event."

"What do you implying, Bones?" Kirk interrupted him with a low growl.

The CMO took another deep breath. "Okay, let me shoot straight. Jim, did he rape you?"

Aghast, the young captain, stared at him. "What? NO! No, of course not!"

McCoy looked at him for a long moment. Jim's reaction was an all too typical response. Carefully he replied, "Jim, you don't have to deny i…"

"He didn't rape me. He wouldn't do that – not to anyone!" Kirk cut in harshly; he was angry that someone could think that of his Nien. He didn't even realize that for the first time, he thought of Khan as 'his'.

"You know that he has a… an odd sense of right or wrong and…" McCoy began carefully.

But it wasn't careful enough – it was the straw that broke the captain.

Jim jumped up, ignoring the sharp pain in his hip and Leonard instantly protested, telling him to sit down – for naught. A new fire burned in Kirk's eyes – the fire of someone who would defend is love to his last breath. "He has the same sense of right or wrong as you and me, Bones – perhaps more because he is not afraid to do right no matter the cost. Back then? He snapped. He was falsely accused, trapped, abused, violated, and treated as less than… an animal. That he can love anything is fucking amazing and a testament to the kind of man he is. Why is that so hard to see?"

"You don't have to defend him, Jim," the CMO tried to calm his friend; his efforts had the opposite effect. They seemed fuel for Kirk's fire.

"If I don't, who would, Bones? You? Spock? Starfleet Command? Who is going to defend the man that no one thinks deserves defense!? Who even wants to give him a chance – to see his life from his point of view? Who even gives a shit that he is in pain? I'll tell you! No one except for Bob and me. Because it's a hell of a lot easier to condemn someone – remove them and forget them forever, than to look hard at someone, even the unlovable and figure out why age-old scars still bleed."

"Jim…," McCoy tried to reason with the younger man, but again for naught. Kirk's fired roared.

"Of course it's easy to accuse him of the worst. He has killed – like any other soldier must do at some point. But his genetics make him different. He must be some sort of cruel rapist monster! Makes no difference that he's suffered that humiliation and cruelty himself. After all he is an Augment – evil incarnate – and would do it, himself."

Jim stopped when he saw the shocked expression of his friend. He realized what he'd blurted out in his anger and haste. Groaning, he covered his face with his hands. Guilt gutted him. "Oh God!" he whispered. "I… I promised him…"

He felt a hand on his shoulder and as he looked up, Bones stood beside him – pale, appalled. But he was strong and composed as ever. He'd always been like a stone in a raging sea to Kirk. "Is this true, Jim? Was Khan raped?" he asked softly.

Like a puppet cut from its strings, Kirk's usually proud and erect frame slumped. "I promised him…" he whispered. McCoy wrapped one arm around his friend, his anger forgotten for the moment. He was not only a doctor, but also a compassionate man. The mere thought of rape made his stomach turn. Even if Khan was a criminal, a former tyrant, no one should be subjected to the basest of all violence.

His gaze stayed on his friend and as he saw the burning guilt in those sky-blue eyes, he sighed soundlessly. This talk went every way but the one he expected. He felt sympathy for the super-human – who wouldn't? And he felt like an idiot now, assuming Khan had perpetrated the horrible act. After all, he had witnessed the intense protectiveness and obvious affection the former dictator had displayed toward the young captain. But only now was Bones convinced that this unbelievable friendship between the two men wasn't born out of violence. Still, he was concerned for Jim.

"What you told me is absolutely confidential, Jim. And you know that, not just because I'm a doctor, but because I'm your friend – remember that. If Khan was violated, I'm certainly not going to blab it around. The violation is humiliation enough; I'm not going to add insult to injury. Hard enough for someone to admit it once. A man as strong as him, likely will not admit it twice. If Khan entrusted you; that's saying a lot about – whatever it is you two have." He pursed his lips. "So… This frankly shitty, despicable act... Was it more than once?" he asked softly, and Kirk nodded slowly.

"As a teen – back then. And later, under Marcus' 'care'."

A gasp escaped McCoy; he went rigid with shock and disgust. "As a kid and… And under Marcus!?"

The two friends looked at each other, and Jim sighed deeply. He had revealed already more than he wanted to, so he wouldn't spoil too much anymore by telling Bones everything. Maybe this would make him regard Khan in a different way.

"He told me about his so-called 'childhood'. He was raised in labs and one of the guards…" He had made a short gesture with his hand before he continued. "And Marcus – his tests, if you can call them that, were designed to see how much damage and disease his body could take. He was injected with viruses, starved, you name it. One of the scientists decided to show Khan an Augment isn't always – superior."

Any color had left Leonard's face. "Do you know who it was?"

Jim nodded; hate began to burn in his narrowed eyes. "You know him too. It was Connelly…"

"WHAT?"

"… the same man we met in Barnett's office. The one who described Nien as a 'subject' with no rights!"

McCoy stepped back, shocked to the core. Then his cheeks reddened in fury. "This rotten bastard! Treating another man like a petri dish, stripping him of his rights, abnegating him his humanity. And then sexually abusing him! This is sick – insane! This guy has to be locked up and throw away the fucking key!" He met Jim's burning gaze and tried to calm down. "I won't ask for details, Jim. But – but I'm sorry I accused Khan of doing that with you. It was a rash judgment. After I realized the nature of your relationship and saw how possessive he was when you held onto him, I thought I had it all figured out." He sighed. "I was wrong."

Jim gulped; he felt nausea as he remembered Nien's quiet confession. "Do you understand now, Bones, how much his past hurts him? He didn't ask to be born the way he is, and he has to live with the knowledge that he is and will forever be a monster in the eyes of others – in the eyes of those who made him what he is in the first place! Do you think he liked being locked away as a child? Tested on over and over again? Treated like an emotionless creature? When he wanted nothing more than some comfort and understanding – same as any child? Same as I did once."

"Jim…," McCoy began gently, realizing the parallels between Kirk and Khan, but the young captain didn't let him interrupt – didn't want to hear the pity in McCoy's voice.

"Do you think he wanted to be hunted like an animal, while he had to take care of his 'siblings' – make sure that they would survive!?"

Jim was practically telling his own story from his time on Tarsus IV and McCoy knew it.

"He didn't ask for the war – either of them – this one or the Eugenic Wars. He watched the so-called 'Liberators' slaughter whole villages because the habitants loved 'their Khan' – the man who made their lives better, who protected their women from the atrocities he'd already faced. He gave them hope of a better future. He saw one of his closest friends sacrifice himself so that he and the others could flee. None of them, not even he, knew for certain that the Botany Bay would make it or that they would ever wake up again. And once they slept – he was the one who had to make the decision for them all. Not knowing if one decision or the other would kill those he loved most in the world."

"That's the responsibility of a leader – you know that better than anyone, Jim. And you know I do too," McCoy murmured. Both men made hard decisions that meant life or death to others.

But what Bones missed before, was right in front of him now. Jim and Khan shared a story, shared a history, and shared the most intimate parts of their lives. Listening to Khan's story was like listening to Jim – the first time he talked about being despised by his step-father, abandoned by his mother, and then Tarsus IV. Jim couldn't talk about it sober, and Bones sure didn't hear it sober. He hoped these two men at least had something to take the edge off during those conversations.

Kirk smiled sadly. "You're right. In this case you, Spock, Nien and I – we know what it's like." He swallowed. "When Marcus found Nien's ship…" He stopped; the doorbell buzzed. Jim knew that it was his Vulcan friend requiring entrance. Oh, for the love of God… "Enter!" he called, and the first officer stepped in; his gaze roamed over the two men.

"Captain, we've placed the last order for parts, and Mr. de la Vega is visiting Mr. Singh. He'll stay until his people make the final delivery." He came nearer and looked back and forth between Kirk and McCoy.

Jim sighed inwardly. "Please sit down, Spock. We just got started."

Spock lifted a brow. 'Just'? Certainly not. He had been away for almost twenty minutes and his T'hy'la and the CMO seemed to be on edge already. The discussion must have been none too pleasant thus far as Kirk was standing despite his injury.

Taking the seat opposite Jim, he straightened his posture and looked to his captain and friend who finally sat down with McCoy's help. McCoy remained beside him.

"Jim was about to tell me what happened to Khan, after Section 31 found him," Bones steered the conversation right to the point and made it easy for Kirk to continue.

"Am I right that you received this information from Khan?" the Vulcan asked, and Jim nodded.

"Yeah – and before you doubt him – he told the truth." He took another deep breath. "Marcus, himself, found the Botany Bay adrift during a security patrol after the incident with Nero. Eight cryotubes had already failed, but the others were still functioning – still are so far as I know. Marcus must have known what he found. He woke Khan and let him believe he was the kind, benevolent leader of the union protecting Earth and its allies against nasty aliens out to kill us all. Marcus knew exactly which buttons to push. He played on Khan's protective streak – defend your home – your planet. Only later did Nien figured out Marcus' game. He tried to pull out – he was created for peace, not war. That's when it all fell apart for him – a Marcus-style hell."

"Marcus tried to force him into his service," Spock assumed and Kirk nodded grimly.

"Yes – the torture Nien was subjected to following that... It was too much, even for him." In those next minutes, the Enterprise's commanding officer told his two friends everything he learned from his forbidden lover. He told about the inhumane tests, the starvation, the cold-cell torture, how Khan had been pushed to his limits over and over again. He told them how Marcus finally killed four Augments, four of Nien's family, in front of him, finally bringing the proud super-human to his knees.

"Marcus would have killed them all. Nien realized it and gave in. That was the beginning of all that happened afterward," he said quietly. He saw the shock written on Bone's face and even Spock usually expressionless features showed something close to revulsion.

CMO and first officer continued to listen as Jim spoke of Khan's plotting to save his people, how his plan was discovered and how Marcus made him believe that he had killed the other Augments – murdered them in their sleep. "He snapped," Kirk came to the end. "He lost it and tried for Marcus using the Daystrom gathering. This rest is history."

"This history cost many lives, Jim," Spock said after several seconds of silence. "I accept that Marcus pushed him past a 'breaking point' as you call it. Yet he declared over and over again that he is superior to 'mere humans'. As such, he should have been able to control himself."

Jim looked his soul-brother straight in the eye. "Spock, I don't want to offend you, but you of all people should understand Khan the best."

The Vulcan's frame became rigid. "If you're talking about the loss of my people then…"

"No, Spock, I'm not referring to Vulcan. I'm talking about you." He saw how his friend tensed and added gently, "Nien told me that you did not hunt him down to arrest him, but to avenge me." He held Spock's flickering gaze. "And Scotty said this morning that you lost it after… After I died. You chased Nien through half San Francisco, fought him bare-handed, broke his arm and punched him unconscious. That is hardly the Vulcan way. You, my T'hy'la, found your breaking point, and ran amok right over it."

It was the first time Jim addressed his friend by the Vulcan word for the bond they shared. It took the sting out of the addressing of Spock's indecorous actions.

For a very long moment, the first officer stared at the younger Terran, fighting the unbidden shame that still lingered deep in him. He recognized the truth in Jim's words and nodded slowly. It was almost a relief to suddenly discover an explanation for the actions he had struggled to cope with this past year. His actions a year ago – it was like an overload of a circuit that backed up into the main system and sparked it to fire. But he was no mere human – and neither was Khan. But both, it seemed, found their breaking point, regardless.

"You are right. My… My reaction cannot be described otherwise. It was illogical and inexcusable to my people," Spock said quietly.

"See," Kirk continued softly. "You were broken. You've lost so many, Spock. First your Mom, then the most of your people, finally me – your friend, your brother. It was too much. Everything that had bottled up in you needed a release – and it did. Same goes for Nien."

His Vulcan friend blinked before he accepted this statement. But not without question, "How so?"

"His past was... It was a lot like ours, Spock. So. Much. Loss. For all of us. It's no wonder you and he reacted as you did."

"You didn't," Spock said quickly. "You said 'ours', but you did not 'break' as you say. You lost your people. Your mother left you, your brother left you, your friends – the children you watched over and fed on Tarsus IV. You did not break."

"You didn't see me then – but anyway later I had Pike, then Bones. Then you, T'hy'la." He bowed his head to his bonded brother to show the gravity of his statement.

"You are not a 'mere human', Jim!"

"No. Mere humans don't have what I have, brother." Kirk smiled, before he continued, "Since Nien was a teen, he had only one concern: that his brothers and sisters, those like him would survive. He did everything toward that purpose. He knew only how to fight for their lives – until they were finally taken from him – or so he thought. And the pain, fear and sorrow he experienced pushed him over the precipice."

"The moment he thought Marcus had killed his crew," Spock assumed, and Jim made an affirming gesture.

"He woke alone – without them in the 23rd century and faced all the strange, the new – alone. He knew that his family was near; he felt them. It gave him the strength to take all Marcus doled out to him. And then even this last assurance was taken from him. He didn't even have the comfort of their safety in sleep. He was utterly alone in a strange world full of strange creatures and a military union that had showed him only cruelty. They killed his family, or so he thought, after all he endured and sacrificed to keep them safe. If I had been in his place, with no one to keep me sane, I might've done the same. If I would have been forced to watch you two, Uhura, Scotty, Sulu, Chekov or Carol die just to force my hand... You – you all keep me right. I'd go mad without you all. He did. And we helped to push him." He lowered his head.

Leonard watched Jim closely. He saw the hurt in Jim's eyes for his lover, friend… oh God, whatever Khan was for Kirk now. And Bones' kind heart hurt with him, for the super-human. It must have been a serious culture shock to wake up almost three centuries later, to face real aliens but also the same old hatred and abuse. But that had been Marcus' way, not Jim's, so why… "What do you mean we pushed him? What did we do?"

Blue eyes were clouded with pain. "We made him believe that we killed the people most dear to him." Jim's glance wandered back to Spock. The Vulcan looked calmly back at him, yet there was a gleam in his gaze that Jim couldn't place. "No one told him that his family was still alive. No one informed him that they weren't killed when the torpedoes detonated. They let him suffocate in his grief for them. He was condemned and forced back into cryosleep, thinking everyone he ever loved was dead; that he failed his family."

Spock lifted a brow silently, recognizing the unbearable pressure the Augment had been under for months – years if adding the previous lives and previous centuries; previous wars. Though enhanced – engineered, Khan still was human. Engineered and enhanced control meant enhanced emotions if unbridled. The first officer began to understand what moved the Augment's hands.

Bones took a deep breath, too. Anyone with a hint of compassion in his heart would be moved by the mere thought of Khan's agonizing, twisted path. "No one told him the truth? No one told him it was a ruse Spock thought up?"

"That ruse pushed Nien over the edge – again," Jim whispered, his eyes moistening. "To think you've lost everyone you love with all your heart is the cruelest pain imaginable – and he didn't face this agony once, but twice! He didn't defend himself during his so-called trial, a trial without a defense, because he had nothing to live for anymore."

"What? He didn't have a lawyer?" McCoy stared at him. "But that's – like against the law!"

"As Admiral Barnett pointed out, Mr. Singh is not considered a human being and so he was granted none of the rights, Doctor," Spock reminded him.

Jim nodded. "Nien was condemned and frozen – discarded like a piece of trash. No one told him the family he loved and lived for was alive. He died in that cryotube only to be reawakened to another kind of torture – those fucking tests." He felt a lump rising in his throat. "Most times he was semi-conscious; he knew what they were doing. They infected him with diseases to harvest the antibodies he produced. They tested poisons on him. No one cared how much he suffered or how much pain he was in as his body struggled to heal over and over again." Jim watched as Leonard turned white, and Spock flushed yellow-green with shock. "One of the scientists slipped; he was finally able to escape. All that was left for him was revenge. I can't blame him for that."

Bones chewed at his lips; his mind, heart and soul were in turmoil over the man, made harder and harder to hate. "Well shit, Jim. After all that, I suppose I don't have it in me to damn him – doesn't mean I have to like him, though" he confessed finally. "I know everyone breaks – you know better 'n anyone I come damn close to mine. Concerning his abuse at the hands of those – scientists…" He rubbed his forehead as a headache was beginning to form behind his eyes. "I'll never call them doctors. I'd love to put my fist through all of 'em. I only hope Barnett put them on ice like he said he would." He took a deep breath. "And Khan... I get it – I get the revenge. I just wish it was different for him – for all of us."

Spock cocked his head. "I, too, understand revenge. What I do not understand, Jim, is how Mr. Singh has come to change his attitude about you so much that he would risk his own life in defense of yours?"

Kirk felt his mouth go dry. Telling Bones was one thing. Spock – it was another. Not the sex. It was Pike. Spock regarded Pike as Jim had. Not like a father, but a great mentor. His loss hit Sarek's son hard. The mind-meld made it harder. Telling Spock that he was intimate – that he loved the man responsible for Chris' death was going to be very difficult.

"Things changed – between us," he began lamely, and Spock lifted both brows at that.

"Obviously," he stated wryly. "The questions remain: why and how?"

Jim felt heat rising to his cheeks – and McCoy rolled his eyes. "For God's sake, Jim, tell him!" As he caught the half uncertain, half irritated gaze of his younger friend, he added firmly. "Spock risked his career and his freedom to save your ass. Never mind how much we all worried about you – he worried about you. The least you can do is to tell him the whole truth – him, your brother!"

This little speech brought more blood to Kirk's face, and shame lurked in the background of his conscious. Then he sobered. He would not be ashamed of the love Nien and he shared! Quite the opposite. If love was that needed hiding, then truly the end of humankind had begun!

Jim steeled himself, took a very, very deep breath and moistened his lips before he said in a low voice, "He came to me – that night in San Francisco. I told him his family was alive. Things happened – that night. He – we changed. Nien and I... We're together."

There! He said it plain and clear.

Spock blinked for several seconds not comprehending what his friend was trying to tell him. "Of course you and Mr. Singh are – were – together, Jim. He got you out of Klingon prison, fought at your side…"

Apparently, not as clear as he thought.

"Spock!" Jim groaned; his head dropped to his chest. His eyes closed. Damn the Vulcan taking everything literally! "I… I mean, Nien and I are together!"

Still the Vulcan didn't get the hint – or, as McCoy assumed, he was in denial. He threw Jim a glare. 'Thank you for letting me explain your dirty secret to Spock of all people!' Then he addressed the first officer. "What Jim means is that he and Khan are together, like you and Uhura."

Again, Spock looked blankly at the two other males, as he turned the information over in his mind. Was this terran 'humor'? Both men did not seem to be in a jovial mood. Jim's face was a frightening shade of red now. He was trying to avoid the Vulcan's gaze. McCoy crossed his arms in front of his chest and glanced sternly at Kirk, daring him to continue.

And then the pieces of information slid into place, freeing the Vulcan's understanding.

Were…

Were Jim and Khan really…

Utterly disbelief seized Spock, and for several seconds his Vulcan mask slipped. "You… You and Mr. Singh are – a pair?" he asked, astonished.

Under other circumstances, Bones would have loved to tease Spock mercilessly for his display of emotion, but at the moment he was not in the mood.

"Yes," Jim confirmed quietly; he finally met his T'hy'la's eyes. "Nien and I are together."

Still thunderstruck the Vulcan raised both brows. "But… I was under the impression that you favored female partners."

"Surprise, surprise, Jim Kirk is a bi!" McCoy scoffed. "And of course he decides to save his fidelity for a man." He sighed dramatically. "You know what this means if it becomes public? The whole female population of the Federation will break down in tears; half in relief, finally safe from your flirting, and the other half in sorrow."

Jim frowned at his older friend. "Hey, I'm not that bad!"

"You? You're worse – were worse, to be precise," Leonard replied wryly, then he cocked his head. "Tell me, is this relationship with Khan serious or is it just a lust thing?"

Lowering his head to hide the warmth that instantly welled up and showed in his cheeks, Jim answered, "It's serious. It's – it's it."

Bones nodded slowly. "Do you love him?" He ignored Spock's sharp intake of breath at this question and let his attention rest on Kirk.

"Yes," came the equally quiet, but firm reply.

"And does he? Return it, I mean?" McCoy asked further but gave himself the answer, "He has to. Sleepwalking to your bed when you had a nightmare, the cuddling, his decision to come get you – Jesus!" He sighed. "I always wanted to see the day when you, of all people, finally fell in love. But does it have to be a wanted man – the one the Federation and the entire Klingon Empire is after?"

Jim smiled sheepishly. "I never do easy – and you can't decide who your gonna love, Bones."

"Yeah, I know," the CMO grumbled; then he looked back at the first officer. Concerned, he frowned. "Spock, you're a little bit green in the face. Is that a blush or are you not feeling well?"

The Vulcan ignored him and stared at Kirk. "Have I understood you correctly, Jim? You are in love with Khan?"

"No," the young man said softly. "I'm not in love; I love him!"

Confusion appeared in his friend's dark eyes, but it was Bones who explained the difference to Spock, "In love is the beginning of love. In love wants the person. Love needs the person. In love cares for the person; love cares for the person more than your own life. It is a fullness rather than a development." He shook his head and glared back at Jim. "You know that this is risky – not just because your sweetheart is a wanted criminal. You do realize the responsibility you both have taken for each other?"

Jim nodded. "If I let him down – if I left him, it would break him."

McCoy sighed. "Yeah – and it's gonna work the other way round, too." He sighed. "I know you, Jim. I know that you don't trust easily, and when you do, you go whole hog. This wasn't an overnight thing." He stopped, as Kirk grinned ambivalently and groaned, "Yeah, I get it, it was 'overnight' – literally!"

He heard Spock clearing his throat. He glanced back at the Vulcan, who rose to speak in an oddly flat and neutral tone – more so than his usual. "As far as I understand human love begins with attraction before the relationship can take place."

"Remember how it started with you and Uhura?" McCoy commented.

"My memories are quite clear, Doctor, and I can assure you that it did not begin with an attempt to kill each other." Spock's gaze fixed on Jim. "Did it with you and Khan?" Spock was angry and belligerent unlike him. The tone remained flat, but his words stung. "I saw many love-affairs burgeon at the Academy, aboard, everywhere. Not one of them began with crime and murder. Odd."

"Spock…" Jim murmured, but this time the Vulcan didn't give him the chance to speak.

"Khan Noonien Singh has been cruelly abused. This is a shameful fact I will not deny. But he has in turn – killed. And when he escaped, he intended to do so again as an act of revenge on you, Dr. McCoy, me, perhaps even Nyota. You met him, again, and… And I fail to understand T'hy'la, and it is...distressing. "

Kirk bit his lips. He felt Bones nudging him; he sighed. "Turkana wasn't the first time I saw him after… after what happened last year." Spock's eyes bore into him. He gulped and continued. "He came to my apartment the night before we left Earth. He wanted to kill me, we fought. It was brief – I would've lost. Then he smelled my blood – his in mine to be precise. Then everything changed."

Spock drew himself taut as a bowstring and arrows shone in his eyes ready to fly. "What did he do?" There was a certain, seldom heard growl in the first officer's voice. Vulcan warriors of old were reflected in his gaze and sounded in his voice.

"He… seduced me," Jim admitted; he was a little bit relieved that Spock didn't accuse Nien of a certain violation as Bones had. Well – if he did, he didn't voice it.

Spock's mouth pulled down at the corners. "He – seduced you?"

Jim grimaced. "He wasn't – umm – gentle about it. I think he was angry at himself for feeling the way he did, angry at me for making him feel that way – for the blood. And then it happened. I was furious and scared as hell. Then, well, you know…" He made a floppy gesture with one hand and sighed quietly.

"Hm, sounds like a kind of Stockholm Syndrome if it weren't so short a time together." Bones pondered, "On the other hand, you must have felt something for him too, somewhere down the line. Otherwise, your feelings couldn't have changed that quickly and drastically." He saw the slightest hue of a blush rising in the younger man's cheeks and groaned. "Don't tell me… Fine! He is attractive. Hell, he's handsome. I'm straight through and through, but I know what looks good. Still… um… You're Starfleet's number one playboy…"

"HEY!"

"… and you undress every good-looking female you see with your eyes. I never thought I see the day you did that with a guy. Jesus, never mind Khan."

Jim shrugged. "I told you during a physical that I found some guys – you know. I just never acted on it. And then came Nien and…" He sighed. I sounded so stupidly love-struck that Bones rolled his eyes and Spock nearly winced. "He's so friggin' strong; and I know that he's dangerous, but he is also so… tender and careful," Kirk continued. "I feel safe with him – protected. But still – I can be at ease – with him. No pretense or impressing a girl. As strong as I want to be – am. But at the same secure with someone even stronger. Everything about him just – caught me. What he's done for others since – then. What he's done – what he's been for me. The way he took care of me even then…" Jim moistened his lips. "Yeah – so at first it was against my will, I have to admit that, but he didn't force himself on me."

The CMO shook his head. "I can understand that you see him differently after hearing his sob story, but seducing someone against his will is definitely a violating act – even if you wanted it by the end. I guess you did."

"Not the way he did it, it wasn't!" Kirk murmured, thinking of a way to make his two friends understand. "He was – like I said, gentle about it – took his time to be careful. He realized I'd never done it, and he made sure to make me… want it – want him." He bit his lips. "He knew every trick in the book and I think he added a few pages of his own."

McCoy made a face. "Better at everything," he commented wryly and Jim smiled for a second.

"Yeah, he is!" Kirk rubbed his neck again. "He knew exactly which buttons to press to make me want him."

Snorting, the CMO commented, "And you don't call that a violation? He forced you to do something you didn't want to – maybe to humiliate you before he was going to kill you!"

"He wouldn't have killed me, Bones – not anymore."

"You could not know that T'hy'la," Spock threw in; his whole posture betrayed his state of suppressed anger. He would never admit it openly, but he had been afraid for his captain's life when he got the call from Command about Khan's escape. Learning now that Kirk had been intimate with Khan that whole night and Jim did not tell him... It woke a deep irritation in the Vulcan. He masked it now as he did the other emotions that seethed deep in him – coiling around his warrior nature. "Khan thought you to be one of those responsible for his family's death."

"Show me a murderer who takes care of his soon-to-be-victim like he did!" Jim interrupted him. "He – ugh! He did all the lover aftercare stuff. Wiped us down, took me to shower, washed me, helped me to…"

"Jim, shut up! Too much information," Bones spoke up. "Not just for Spock's tender, pointy-eared sake, but mine too."

Kirk gave his friends another sheepish smile. "Sorry!" He had sighed before he continued. "But after all that, I knew he wasn't going to kill me. Not after he made sure I enjoyed it as much as he did. He still thought that I was responsible for his family's death – along with Spock. But he was still – good. The world may see a monster in him, but he isn't one – not by a longshot." He glanced at the wall straight ahead. "Anyway, I didn't know that – that he didn't know. When I got out of the shower, he was watching TV. We talked, and that's when I knew he didn't know they were still alive." His voice became quiet. "You should have seen him when I told him the truth. At first he didn't believe it; he thought I were taunting him, but then…" He gulped. His mind clearly conjured Khan's reaction down to the most painful detail as if it were yesterday.

"He wept. He absolutely broke down and sobbed. I'd never seen anything like it and I never thought I would from him. It was relief and anguish. All the grieving he did was taken away from him. It was all in vain!" Kirk went on, "You two are going to ask me if I didn't have a chance to get to my phaser or get out, aren't you? The answer is 'yes'. I had a chance to get to my phaser. I couldn't do it. I simply couldn't kill him – he was so miserable. All I saw was a man who had endured so much and was falling apart." He closed his eyes for a moment; he hurt with the memory – with the man he loved now with every fiber of his being.

"I did what you woulda done, Bones. I walked into the kitchen, fetched two glasses and the scotch Scotty gave me as a birthday gift. We drank and then we talked. I learned a few things about what happened to him after he was taken in. No one, not even the guards, exchanged one single word with him. The judge told him the verdict and sentenced him. There was a man grieving deeply for his family and no one cared. No one even conceded him his emotions. They brought him to some facility, sedated him – without much success – and put him back into his cryotube." He glanced back at McCoy. "Did you know that he felt everything? How his cells froze, his heartbeat slowed down, the panic as his respirations slowed, and he clung to the last sane thoughts he could muster before the darkness closed in around him."

Taken aback, Leonard blinked. "He felt it all?" He shook his head. "Dammit, he shouldn't have."

"Yeah! After he and I nearly went to the void, I know how it feels. I asked him if it was like that – cryosleep. He confirmed it – that it was hell. The first time it was of his own free will – for his people and their future and freedom. The second time he was forced without any chance to defend himself and believing he'd lost everything he ever loved."

McCoy pressed his lips shut and pondered all he had heard for a long moment. "I ain't denyin' that what happened to him was wrong! I'm a doctor not a sadist. But he's still a criminal and now a fugitive. If Command ever learns that he was in your apartment, and you didn't alert them as soon as he left... Jim, you know what could happen!"

"I know – still I wouldn't change a moment of it even if I could." He leaned back; the tension was leaving him bit by bit. "After we talked, he… we both did. It was – quite consensual by that point. He was good – I wanted him, and I wanted him to want me back – and he did. I don't know if it was just me or if I was just a respite, a way to forget, the outpouring of relief that they were alive. All of it maybe. I know I'd never been so tired in my life afterward." He heard McCoy clearing his throat again, while Spock frowned. He chuckled softly. "Sorry, guys." He pursed his lips. "Bones, you asked me how I knew that he was Sunrise – how I knew his handwriting. When Nien ambushed me in my apartment, he said he hoped that I had enjoyed my last sunrise because I wouldn't live to see another one. I woke up the morning after; the sun was shining through my window – I was never so happy to have it wake me up. Anyway, I found a handwritten note on my pillow. It was from him, saying that he 'gave' me another sunrise as a gift." He smiled again. "When Uhura showed me the hidden message The Shadow sent along with their first transmission, I instantly realized that 'Sunrise' had to be Nien – I recognized his script. And there was something else I understood; he trusted me enough to reveal himself – practically telling me where he was."

"It was a test to determine whether he could trust you," Spock assumed a businesslike manner now and Kirk shrugged.

"I think so, yes. I think he knew that I would take The Shadow's warning seriously because he wouldn't risk getting caught for information that wasn't important – it had to be crucial."

"So, he trusted you first and you him, then." McCoy cocked his head. "You really have a way with people." He pursed his lips. "What I don't get is why Khan wanted you in the first place. Oh don't look at me like that, you know what I mean. I can understand, almost, that he sensed something familial. But lust wouldn't be a result – shouldn't be a result. So why…"

"He told me that he was attracted to me the moment he first laid eyes on me," Jim said shyly through a smile. "At Daystrom, when I knocked out his ship… He was impressed. And later, on Qo'noS, he recognized me – what I said about Chris. He saw we both knew loss. Then I tried to beat him into the ground; he understood that – said he would have done it too being in my place. When I put him in the brig rather than kill him – thank you, Spock – he knew I was different." He moistened his lips. "That's when he felt something more. I remember – man my stomach dropped – when my helmet cracked, and I lost my display. He came up beside me. I looked over. He didn't look smug like I thought he would. It was more like 'Did you think I would let you down?' or 'We're together in this – I have you!' And then he even smiled the tiniest bit. Christ, I was never so grateful. He saved my ass out there, just like he did on Qo'noS."

Bones nodded slowly. "So he helped you. Guess that made you a bit less pissed. And he was attracted to you from the beginning. That didn't stop him from taking you hostage and attacking us."

"Yeah, well I ordered Scotty to stun him. I backstabbed him, Bones so I can't blame him for being angry. I betrayed him – might as well have been Marcus as far as he was concerned. He was following my lead, waited for my orders, and I didn't see it." He shook his head. "It was my fault. I woke up the warrior in him again. You know how it turned out." He snorted. "I think he still felt something for me – if only some sort of kinship in loss. He easily could have broken every bone in my body when he punched me on the Vengeance, but he didn't. He didn't need me as a hostage. He spared me despite my deceit."

"He beat you pretty bad. You looked about as bad as when we saw you at your apartment. Trying to kill someone with bare hands is seriously personal, though. The victim is obviously valuable to the killer – not in the way you want obviously, but you know what I mean. You told me how Khan killed Marcus. That's as good an example as they come. He could have just shot him. Instead, he squeezed the life out of him. Not unlike what Marcus did to him over a longer period."

Impressed at McCoy's insight, Kirk bent forwards. "And what does it tell you?" he asked, genuinely interested. Bones was not only a damn good doctor, he also had a natural talent for psychology. He could read Jim like an open book, and there were only a few who could claim that. So, maybe Leonard had developed other hypotheses that explained Nien's actions.

"He doesn't attack first," McCoy answered slowly, trying each word. He knew how important that was for what lay ahead for Jim and them all. "He only attacks when provoked or in defense of himself or loved ones. But there is more. There's the outpost and Tammeron; he will defend the weak. I think that sense of purpose – that leader in him provides the groundwork for his sense of morality. I also think deep down he's desperate to be understood. You said he began to trust you during 'Mission Vengeance' as I like to call it. He saved you; followed you, and only snapped after you ordered Scotty to stun him. He not only 'snapped', he lost it. So he wants to trust someone – longs for it, even. You're right, Jim, he is lonely. He's absolutely and utterly alone in a world that's not his anymore. I think it scared the hell out of him – scares him even now – not as bad with you, but I'd hate to see it if he lost you. He's stubborn and proud so he'll deny it."

"Still bothers me that I fucked it up back then," the young officer murmured, sounding miserable.

"You made the right choice in that situation and you know it. It was a classic risk assessment scenario. You didn't know Khan, then, like you do now. And Marcus used the both of you, throwing in another variable."

"He forged a world for Nien – around him – a false one. Nien was convinced that Section 31 was an authorized part of Starfleet's Secret Service; that the admiralty knew about him and his people and condoned Marcus' methods. That's why he attacked Daystrom. All he knew was that Marcus had killed his crew, and the staff officers were aware and acceptant of the actions. He purposely spared the first officers – Spock and me. He could have taken us out with a blast charge in that conference room and killed everyone, but he didn't." Kirk swallowed. "Nien told me that twice he had me in his sights, but he didn't pull the trigger because he recognized the commander's uniform."

Spock lifted a brow again. That detail had slipped his observation as he was busy with helping the injured to safety and then all of his attention was focused on Pike.

Bones had turned pale at Jim's words umpteenth time. He came so close to losing Jim – and Spock that day. It made him sick. He felt grateful - and guilty for being grateful that the Augment took aim only at the senior officers, sparing the men he held most dear. "Can't ever be simple with you Jim. You boys either dance to Death's fiddle or you sleep together. Can't you just do friends?"

Kirk smiled again. "Ha! Told you I don't do easy. I wanted to tear him apart after Chris died. Spock talked me down – made me do the right thing per regulations, of course. I – I wasn't myself, and I don't think anyone but Spock could have made me change my mind."

"I know."

Spock nodded his head in deference at the compliment.

"Yeah, and the move played right into Marcus' hand!" Kirk shook his head. "But fate had other plans for Nien and me. That time I listened to my first officer; I followed regulation. Pike in my heart and Spock next to me – that's what got us here! Because of that, I was able to listen to Nien's story in the brig; hear him out in my apartment. He trusted me with everything – his childhood, his struggles in the 20th century, everything he's been through since he woke up – and he did it because I listened to you, Spock, and Pike – finally. Anyway, he knows his mistakes; he owns them, but he shouldn't bear full responsibility for them. A long time ago Pike gave me a second chance. I don't even think I deserved it, but he did anyway. Khan is more than deserving true justice and I'll see to it that he gets his second chance."

"And he wants one?" Spock cut in flatly.

"Who wouldn't? It's funny – without Chris' belief in me, I would've never been on the in the first place. After Nibiru, I was slated to go back to the Academy. Chris made me his first officer instead. God, I hate that Marcus used that. Chris was right; Nibiru – I endangered my crew, you, Spock. I didn't respect the chair. But Chris took me back anyway; gave me that second chance when I fucked my first one away. It woke me up – made me see just a bit clearer. His death made me see what I was damn lucky to have – you both. I won't take it for granted and I'll never forget the lesson."

Spock nodded slowly. "Hence Khan's second chance," he stated quietly.

A gentle smile spread over the young captain's softened features. "After all I know now – all I've seen; his loyalty to those he deems worthy – The Shadow – this ship. His determination to fight for peace – for me. And how...How he loves me. I do know it's the right thing to help him. In his heart, he's good. Chris would do it. He and Wesley are cut from the same cloth; I'm sure about that."

"Yeah, Pike had a weak spot for hopeless cases!" Bones deadpanned, giving Kirk a pointing look and his friend laughed shortly. Then McCoy shook his head before turning serious again. "You know that you're in some deep water if Command ever figures out you're in a relationship with Khan?"

The look of Jim's eyes became firm. "I don't care! I'm not letting him fall – not for this or anything else. I've saved worlds – we have, so I'm not afraid to go up against the world for this. I'd do it for any of you, and I'll do it for him!"

The Vulcan bent forwards. "It could cost you more than your command, Jim. I could cost you your freedom – allying yourself with a fugitive."

"And that's gotta change! He shouldn't be a fugitive. The trial was a farce!" Kirk stated. "He's a person, a victim, and he was denied due process! Wesley thinks so too, – and it's a good thing. He's on our side; he offered his help. I'm sure he already told you about it."

"Commodore Wesley informed us that Mr. Singh is ready to face a real trial. He will countersue Starfleet. And he will remain on board under the commodore's protection until everything is settled. After learning about Mr. Singh's fate in the hands of Marcus, the commodore's decision to support him is… understandable," Spock stated reluctantly.

Jim beamed at him. "There, you said it yourself. Nien deserves justice for himself and his family. And justice should be served against his tormentors."

Groaning McCoy leant back. "I know that look, Jim," he grumbled. "You're hell-bent on getting Khan out of trouble and getting us into a no-win situation." As Kirk simply nodded, Bones looked to the ceiling; moaning "Sweet Lord, have mercy." He glanced back at his younger friend, who wore his famous boyish grin and rubbed his forehead. "Do you have some brandy here?"

"Something far better," Kirk chuckled. "I've got Scotty's scotch!" He pointed at the cupboard. "Grab two glasses and…"

"Three!" Spock corrected him, taking the two other men utterly by surprise.

"You – drinking alcohol?" Bones gasped, and the Vulcan glanced with a look of exasperation.

"My mother had a special proverb for times such as this: Extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures."

Jim smirked. "Right, three please, Bones."

"I'm a doctor, not a bartender," the CMO grumbled, but did as Kirk asked.

Spock watched McCoy bring the glasses and the bottle. Normally, he saw absolutely no reason to drink – to inhibit his logic and intellect. But just right now he understood, maybe for the first time, why humans took 'a drink' when they were troubled. Not that he would ever admit to being troubled. But he had much information to sort through, categorize and store in his mind.

And he would speak with Nyota. After she had returned from med bay this morning, she had told him gently but sternly that she had an idea concerning Khan's sleepwalking – why he sought out Jim. She also stated that he, Spock, had to figure it out by himself or wait until Kirk explained for himself.

The Vulcan was convinced that his lover instantly realized the affair, and her respect for her captain and friendship silenced her. Spock would not confront. Uhura's loyalty to Jim was appreciated by the first officer, but he would ask her other questions regarding attraction and human emotion.

He was confused – completely baffled was more apt. Jim had mourned for Christopher Pike – he had wept for him. He wanted to kill the man who had murdered the admiral. Now Jim and said man were… a pair. Jim had all but pledged that their destinies be yoked. And how is it that Spock had overlooked his T'hy'la's romantic preference? Romance – so human, and wrongly discounted by the Vulcan. And so Spock was shocked that Jim had developed feelings for Khan at all. Even given the injustice done to the Augment during the last two years, Spock couldn't grasp how Jim was able to feel anything more than compassion toward the former dictator. Perhaps Uhura could explain to him the complexity of combined feelings that formed the foundation of the 'love' Kirk felt for the super-human.

"Spo-ock!"

Startled, the Vulcan glanced up at the two amused faces. Obviously Kirk and McCoy had been addressing him for a while now. "I apologize, gentlemen, I was lost in thought."

"Well, well, first he shows an emotion other than apathy and then he wants a drink. Now he's daydreaming. Should I be worried, Spock?" Bones taunted; the first officer sighed soundlessly.

"Not more or less then is your baseline for such an emotion, Doctor," he replied and lifted his glass as the other two men did.

Just down the passageway, the main topic of the trio's conversation and his Chilean friend were having their own discussion about what the future might hold…

TBC…

There – it's done. 'The Talk' – and Jim's head is still attached to his shoulders (*snicker*). It really was super to write this chapter and the whole thing came easily to me, yet some details were hard to mention because it showed the cruelty Khan went through what led to so much chaos and blood share. It's a good thing that he now found someone he can count on.

Of course the whole 'love-relationship' was a blow for Spock. There he thought he was finally able to understand humans and then came the next shock. Poor Vulcan, he really must think that all humans are crazy (*laugh*).

In the next chapter the waves will be moor calmed down for our love-birds, still there are hurdles they have to overcome. Spock will talk with Uhura about his 'discovery', Diego will meet Jim again, aaaand our boys will have a little go with each other.

I hope the chapter was like you wanted it to go and I'm really, REALLY curious what you think of it.

Have a nice rest of the week and a nice weekend,

Your Starflight