Thirty Four

Morning had arrived far-too-quickly for Emily's liking. Her mind was still drifting in and out of consciousness when she felt warm breath tickling her backside. It only took a few seconds for the fogginess to clear away and for her to register where they were. She stifled a giggle when she noticed McCoy had her pulled against him; his arms were wrapped around her torso in an almost possessive manner. She knew whatever movement she made would only rouse him, so the only thing she could do was feather kisses along his arms.

If we don't get up soon I'll be late for my meeting with Admiral Marcus, she realized.

Fortunately it didn't take long for him to stir. McCoy had always been a light sleeper – mostly out of habit from working horrendous hours at the medical facility or at the hospital. She wasn't much better, but she knew that they would have to get up early if they wanted to reach their destinations in time.

"S'too early to wake up," McCoy grumbled when she finally roused him enough.

Emily rolled her eyes in amusement and began tickling him in response. His response was almost immediate, eliciting a snort of laughter seconds later. She smirked in amusement and continued the process, until he tickled her back. She snorted and kicked him painfully in the groin, earning a groan of annoyance in response.

"I would've thought for sure you'd know better," she rolled her eyes once more when his eyes cracked open.

"Doesn't mean I'm not above breaking the rules," McCoy retorted. Emily smirked when she turned to face him, not missing how mussed up his hair was from the other night. She couldn't help but reach out and smooth his hair, relishing the way his face softened at her touch. "Ya know, I'd rather skip this damn graduation ceremony than go through the pomp and circumstance. I've got more important things to worry about."

"You're not alone in that aspect, Leonard," Emily snorted in response. She climbed off of the couch and searched for her uniform before grabbing it. "I've still got a meeting with Admiral Marcus, and let's not forget that the trials from hell are today as well."

"No need to remind me," McCoy grumbled. He wasn't any happier with the trials ahead than she was. It meant revisiting the darker part of her past, something of which she didn't look forward to. "You sure you wanna go through with this?"

"No, not really," she admitted with a guilty smile. "But he's right… this will bring me a sense of closure I haven't had before."

McCoy didn't look all that convinced that the trials would bring her some closure, but luckily he didn't bother pressing the subject. She knew he would likely want to know more about her past revolving around her parents. After all, he'd only known bits and pieces of the abuse she'd endured while she was aboard the Atlantis and the Kelvin.

She tried pushing those thoughts aside. They quickly showered and changed into their respective uniforms. For McCoy, graduating meant dressing in medical red. For her, it meant dressing in her SHIELD uniform. She wasn't any happier with the notion than McCoy was, but at that point, neither of them could be bothered with arguing.

Once coffee was purchased and ordered from their favorite cafe, Emily quickly made her way to Daystrom where she would be meeting with Admiral Marcus. Graduation was also being held in the same location, but in one of the many lecture halls that were scattered throughout the building.

'I've never met Admiral Marcus before,' she admitted through their mental link.

'Darlin', I've seen you take on an angry Romulan twice your size, and you're telling me you're afraid of someone like Marcus?' McCoy scoffed in disbelief.

Emily rolled her eyes at the incredulous look that followed. She knew he was right… she'd taken on enemies twice her size and never once looked back. Yet when it came to dealing with someone like Marcus, he was technically the unknown variable in her future. He held the key to whether or not she would be able to continue her career as a Starfleet Officer.

'It isn't Marcus I'm afraid of… I'm worried about what he'll say when we meet up,' she retorted. Emily glanced at him warily as she noticed his expression waver. 'There's a chance he could still turn me down.'

He let out a sigh of frustration as he understood what she meant by that. Emily flinched when he suddenly took hold of her hand and kissed it tenderly.

'Like I said, I'd follow you to the moon and back if I had to,' he reassured her. Her heart practically swooned upon hearing those words. 'You're a hell of a lot more worth it than you think you know.'

By now, she was struggling to compose a straight face when she realized what he meant by that. She kissed his hand back without hesitation, knowing full-well this wasn't the last time they would see each other. One final look told her they would meet up for dinner tonight like planned, and everything would work out in the end.

Emily took a deep breath as she headed for Admiral Marcus' room. He wasn't attending the graduation ceremony since negations were underway with the survivors of Planet Vulcan. The fact that he had time in his schedule to meet with her told her something. She knew he would likely turn down the offer to let her work on a ship, but just about anything was better than nothing. She tried pushing away the growing unease as she reached his office.

Admiral Marcus was by definition intimidating at best. With graying hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed colder than chips of ice, she could see why so many Cadets were terrified of seeing him in person. Yet that didn't stop her from maintaining her composure when he finally turned to face her. He rose an eyebrow upon seeing her for the first time in person. They'd sent messages to each other in the past, but never had they seen each other in person.

"Liaison Coulson, it's a pleasure to finally meet you in person after all these years," he greeted her with a curt handshake, which was returned seconds later. Emily's brows furrowed together at the sudden cold chill sweeping between them. Whereas everyone else had been warm and genuine towards her, there was something off about Admiral Marcus. "After seeing the reports your instructors left me, I was wondering if we would finally have the chance to meet."

"I assumed the only reason you wanted to see me was because of my status," she said carefully.

She knew a snake when she saw one, and Marcus was no exception to that rule.

"You are in quite the predicament," Marcus nodded in agreement and gestured for her to take a seat. Emily merely crossed her arms and stood her ground. She was no fool. "As I understand, Cadet Kirk - or as of right now, Captain Kirk - recently gave away to the fact that you work for an agency known as SHIELD during your enlistment in the Academy. After reviewing the footage from the trials and assessing the situation, it has come to my conclusion that you are every-bit-as important to the Fleet as Kirk himself."

Emily stiffened in surprise when he said that. She wasn't sure what to say as realization dawned on her. He was giving her a second chance… one that wouldn't have normally been handed so easily. She knew there had to be an alternative reason as to why he was giving in so easily. After everything she had done, it was far too easy for him to agree that she was suited for enrollment aboard the Enterprise.

"I'm afraid I don't understand… I would have thought that Kirk's explanation would spell grounds for expulsion," she said quietly.

"It is quite the speculation, isn't it?" he quarried. Emily rose an eyebrow as she studied him carefully. His face betrayed no emotion, but she could tell he wanted to get straight to the point. "Actually, there is a little incentive I was hoping you could look into as a thanks… there's a project I've been working on recently, and I was hoping you could provide some insight."

"What kind of insight?" she asked warily.

"After the Battle of Vulcan, it became apparent that the Fleet needs more ships that are suitable for defense and offense," Marcus explained as he paced around his room. Emily watched him warily. She didn't like where this was headed one bit. "I've already got a few engineers on my side, along with some of the Council. But I need someone who has knowledge on both Starships and the agency to work with me. Section 31 is becoming a bigger program than I could have dreamed of."

It only took a split second for her to register what he meant by that. She frowned as she studied the desk thoughtfully. Images were scattered along a holoclip of a man she had only seen pictures of in ancient books. Along with cyro-tubes that were better left sealed off. Her hands balled into fists when she understood the situation Marcus was putting her in.

"Sir, I can't within good conscience follow through with your request," she shook her head and backed towards the door. It meant risking her career as a Starfleet Officer, but she sure as hell didn't plan on letting someone else take advantage of her. "My place is with the agency… and someone who works aboard the Enterprise."

"Doctor McCoy, I presume," Marcus gave a curt nod, and Emily pursed her lips together when she noticed something dark sweeping past those eyes. "He's a gifted doctor, from what I've been told. Maybe even gifted enough to work with my crew."

She wanted to laugh at the audacity of his statement. She doubted McCoy would want anything to do with this man after everything he told her. She shook her head and reached the exit, not missing the cold fury sweeping across Marcus' piercing gaze.

"Leonard wouldn't be caught dead working for another ship," she scoffed. "He and Jim are too close, whether he would want to admit it out loud." She paused for a moment and glanced at the time, relieved to see that the trials were about to start in an hour. "Sir, I need to go… my own trials are underway and I'm expected to be there."

"Until next time, then, Liaison," Marcus nodded his goodbye, though not without giving her a calculated look. "Just don't forget my offer still stands. I can see you doing great things in the near future if we work together."

A shiver of unease swept through her at the thought of working alongside him. She knew nothing good would come out of that. Marcus posed more of a threat than she wanted to admit. She tried pushing the uneasy thoughts aside as she reached the building where the trials were being held. Luckily they weren't too far apart. A crowd of reporters were already waiting for her outside, along with familiar faces she'd seen throughout the past.

Emily swallowed back the growing fear building within her. She'd always known that sooner or later, she would have to face the one part of her past that she dreaded the most. She had been hoping she would have more time to prepare for it, but nothing could have prepared her for the moment she was forced to face them head-on.

"How are you holding up?" Natasha asked when Emily reached her.

The redhead had been waiting outside for her. Emily was grateful to see at least one familiar face among the crowd. Or a familiar face she was friendly with.

"I'm managing," she replied with a shrug. "Had a really… strange conversation with Admiral Marcus. I'm still trying to process it."

Natasha rose an eyebrow in concern when she noticed how uneasy Emily looked. On any normal occasion she hid her emotions well. But the moment Marcus was brought up, it was clear his conversation with her had lasting effects. She tried pushing it back when a reporter approached them, dressed in full-gear and hoping for the scoop of the century.

"Miss Coulson, how do you feel knowing that your parents are at the center of this trial?" he asked. "Or is it Miss Hayes?"

Emily narrowed her eyes at the reporter, realizing with a start that she wasn't in the mood to answer any of their questions. Especially questions such as those. The last thing she wanted was another reminder or connection to her past.

"I'm afraid you will have to find out until the trials to receive your answer," she rolled her eyes in exasperation.

Fortunately they left it at that, though not without jotting down notes in the process. Emily snorted at the thought of them getting anymore information than they already had from recent stories. She knew her parents would simply find another excuse to get rid of her or toss her to the side. It was something she grew to expect from them.

Her heart nearly skipped a beat when she spotted McCoy among the crowd of familiar faces. She was even more surprised to see Kirk and everyone else from the command crew there. Even Spock and Uhura took time away from their schedules to be there for her. It was only then that she began to realize what a family this crew actually was.

"You alright?" McCoy asked when he reached her.

The few reporters that managed to get inside were already taking notes and pictures. Emily nearly rolled her eyes once more when she guessed what they were doing. They planned on writing further details into her life, such as why she was so close to a random-ass stranger. Or how she had become so familiar with the Enterprise command crew.

"Could be worse," she answered truthfully. She knew he would have seen right through her had she lied. Their thoughts were far easier to read when they were close by than she would have liked. "I'm just nervous about these stupid trials… I want to get them done and over with."

McCoy nodded in understanding, though not without kissing her firmly on the lips. She couldn't hide the sheepish grin that followed when her hand reached for his. Despite the fact that the few reporters inside were taking notes, she no longer cared. McCoy was her Imzadi, and she didn't care if anyone saw them together. And it seemed as though the feelings were entirely mutual.

"Knock 'em dead, darlin'," he kissed her once more before they reluctantly parted ways.

Her eyes sparkled with their usual mischief as she gave him a final look. Though she paused in her stride when she spotted Director Fury sitting among the crowd. Maria sat beside him, looking less-than-impressed with the turnout. One nod was all it took for her to guess the real reason behind his presence. He was only there as a reassurance if her parents crossed the line, and she knew that would likely happen.

Once again, Emily took a deep breath as she reached the podium on the left. The crowd had fallen into hushed whispers when her parents finally arrived. Emily glanced over her shoulder to see her father for the first time in over twenty years.

Doctor Matthew Hayes hadn't changed much within the last twenty years she had seen him. His hair was a little grayer than the last time she saw him, and it appeared as though he was sporting a goatee. Though what really caught her by surprise was the fact that he looked angrier than ever… if that was even possible.

A lump formed in the back of her throat when she saw how gray her mother had become as well. Though Selene still held her head high when it came to a public appearance, it was clear time hadn't treated her well. Emily pursed her lips together at the realization that their bodies hadn't coped well with age.

Take a good long look, a thought crossed her mind. That could be you in the next thirty years.

Emily averted her gaze when they finally reached the defendant's podium. The judge had finally arrived as well, looking less-than-thrilled with the idea of being placed in such a predicament. Emily hadn't missed the fact that her father's side of the room had more spectators supporting him than hers did. And the thought left her stomach twisting in a tight knot.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to witness the trials of Doctors Matthew and Selene Hayes regarding the abuse and neglect towards Liaison Coulson," the judge explained once the normal procedures were over with. Emily held her ground when she felt her father's piercing glare bore through her. "Doctor Matthew Hayes, as it stands we have a report from Admiral Christopher Pike regarding the abuse and neglect she has undergone. Do you have your defense?"

"Your honor, jury and those gathered here to witness the trial today," Matthew began after clearing his throat, "I believe I was within my legal rights when I took her down to the labs to study her. As it stands, she isn't human and she was not conceived of normal terms."

She'd heard that song and dance enough times to know he was lying. A shiver of rage burned through her when she realized he didn't give a damn what happened to her. Matthew Hayes was more concerned over his own career and his reputation to give a damn about her. And she was only just beginning to understand what an asshole he truly was for that notion.

"We have been given evidence that suggests otherwise, Doctor," the judge stated. "Regardless, taking an infant to the labs is also strictly against regulations."

"As the Chief Medical Officer of the Atlantis and the Kelvin, I was within my legal rights to take her with me," Matthew defended himself, though even he knew it was a weak defense.

She watched curiously as the judge motioned for someone to approach the stand. Fury stood up just as he did that, and Emily pursed her lips together when she realized what this meant. SHIELD had enough data to make anyone's head spin. The data in question had always been buried simply because of the deal that was made years ago. But now that evidence was needed to approach the stand, Fury was willing to unlock said data and bring it forward.

"Director Fury, I presume," the judge nodded to the director as he stood beside Emily. She wasn't the least bit intimidated by his presence, but it was clear her father was terrified. She almost smirked at the sight, though she knew better than to get too cocky. "I assume you've joined us with the needed evidence?"

"The assessments that were filed by Doctor McCoy have already been placed under lock and key," Fury explained when he handed over the files in question. Emily was suddenly grateful that McCoy's father had been the one to perform whatever therapeutic sessions were needed. She knew in the back of her mind that she wouldn't have opened up to anyone else. "There are also reports regarding the injuries she endured while she was aboard the Kelvin and when the agency found her."

The judge eyed the data in question curiously. What he found would have caused the whole room to spin in disbelief. McCoy's father had been incredibly detailed with his reports, another notion of which she was grateful for. She was closed off to everyone when she first arrived on Earth.

She was terrified of talking to anyone out of fear that she might be beaten like her father would have. The few times she did open up was when the situation demanded it. Eventually she was able to warm up to McCoy's father, but it had taken months for her to fully trust him. The judge's eyes narrowed as he looked between the files and Matthew.

"There is too much evidence here to suggest your claims are true," the judge finally concluded after giving Matthew a hard look. Emily's heart nearly skipped a beat as realization dawned on her. "I hereby authorize that you are guilty of the charges."

"But she isn't even human!" her father exclaimed when he realized what the judge was implying. "She doesn't even have any rights!"

'She's got a hell of a lot more rights than you do, you asshole,' McCoy's thoughts rang loud and clear through their mental link, and it took everything she had not to smirk at that.

"Human or not, there are regulations for a reason, Doctor," the judge snapped. "You had no right to take her down to those labs and run experiments on her. I would also recommend a restraining order if they try to pull off any stunts."

She couldn't help but feel a surge of triumph as realization dawned on her. Despite the chaos that followed, she found herself nodding in agreement. It wasn't long before her parents were dragged out of the courtroom. Her mother went quietly, though it was clear that she was visibly shaken with the judge's decision. Emily watched her mother a little more carefully, not missing the fact that she had become more withdrawn around her father. She tried pushing the unease aside as she finally glanced at Fury.

"Surprised you kept those files for as long as you did," she remarked when the crowd began parting ways.

"You didn't really think I would toss them aside, did you?" Fury replied with a knowing smirk. "Figured they'd come in handy one of these days, even if Coulson thought it wasn't necessary."

Emily gave him a grateful nod as she turned to face the rest of the crowd. Her heart nearly skipped a beat when her eyes met McCoy's once more.

"Thank you for being here," she let out a sigh once it became apparent Fury wasn't there to stay. "Doesn't mean I'm going soft on you."

"Likewise," Fury retorted without missing a beat. "I take it this means you've made your choice?"

As if to prove her point, McCoy closed the distance between them. Emily couldn't hide the smile that followed when she glanced at McCoy thoughtfully. Her choice had already been made long ago. She realized with a start that her happiness was what mattered. And said happiness was felt when she spent her time with McCoy.

"I think so," she replied after giving it some thought.

Fury looked between the two when he noticed that she had changed since he assigned her to enlisting in Starfleet. And while a small part of him regretted letting this happen, he knew there was no denying the cold truth.

"Agency's losin' one hell of an agent," he shook his head before giving McCoy a hard look.

McCoy didn't back down from the challenge, though Emily didn't miss how intimidated he was.

"I'm not about to give up my position entirely," she rolled her eyes in annoyance. "We've already talked things through regarding my position aboard the Enterprise. I'm willing to accept missions when I'm back home on Earth. I'd rather stay busy than be stuck in one place for too long."

Fury's brow rose in surprise at her statement. It wasn't going to be easy switching from one career to the next, but she was willing to pull it off. She and McCoy had already talked about it prior to the trials. Though he wasn't any happier with the notion of her constantly being busy, he knew better than to argue with her. This was one compromise they were both willing to take.

Once that was established, Fury parted ways with her and joined Maria outside the building. Emily had little doubt it was for a debriefing, especially if Natasha was among them. She tried pushing the uneasy thoughts that followed as she and McCoy left the building wordlessly. By now the rest of the crowds had already disbursed, much to her relief.

"Your pop's an asshole," McCoy said once they put enough distance between themselves and the courthouse. Emily grimaced at that, though she wasn't surprised by the accusation in his voice. "Now I know why Pa never approved of his work."

Emily let out a quiet sigh as she led the way back to her apartment. The trials had been one problem that needed to be dealt with. But her talk with Admiral Marcus rang in the back of her head. McCoy rose an eyebrow in surprise when he caught that last thought out loud.

"I'm worried he'll throw my words back at me," she admitted with a heavy sigh. "I know he said I have a place aboard the Enterprise, but that only lasts for however long he feels necessary."

McCoy suddenly took hold of her hand and gave it a light squeeze. He was all-too-aware that she was feeling the stress of everything that happened that day. Seeing her now only confirmed his earlier concern. He let out a quiet sigh and kissed her forehead tenderly, knowing full-well she would need someone to hold her when she broke down.

"Darlin', it doesn't matter what Marcus or anyone else says," he reassured her. "Hell, I'm sure I'm not the only one who would fight for your place on that blasted ship."

She couldn't hide the sheepish smile that followed when she realized what he meant by that. She was so used to fighting her battles on her own. It would take some getting used to knowing that someone else was willing to fight for her. She kissed him back without hesitation.

"You really are amazing, Leonard," she whispered. "Don't ever let anyone suggest or tell you otherwise."

His face lit up with joy upon hearing those words, and Emily's heart swooned when he held her close. She knew these next few months weren't going to be easy. But they would make them work… somehow. One way or another, they would always have each other. And nothing was ever going to change that.