Chapter Nine: I See Where You Get It From:

They had returned to San Francisco, only to return the car; file a report, and get official time off from Starfleet, and then a quick stop at Spock's resulted in them travelling down the highway in the Vulcan's car at a steady and cautious speed.

The scenery of Iowa hadn't changed at all, sandy patches of farmland and long stretches of practically abandoned road were welcoming and memorable. In fact, a small giggle escaped him as they drove passed the same stretch of dirt track where he'd driven his step-dad's car off the cliff.

Part of him regretted inviting Spock. He was grateful for his company and his advice, but he was also the biggest cock-blocker in the galaxy, and if there was one thing he really wanted after defying death, it was Khan to himself.

He sighed inwardly, tousling his hair restlessly. Spock's car smelled funny. Like a mixture of space dust and woodchip.

In the back of his mind, as they turned off the main roads and began the more bumpy trek towards where he knew his mum's house was, he considered the idea that he should call ahead and warn her of their arrival, but he could see that conversation going one way only.

He really didn't want to have to talk to his step-dad, and the idea made his gut churn with sudden regret over his rash decision of vacation choices. What had he been thinking?

It was too late, as the car pulled up onto the drive way, nice and smoothly thanks to Spock's careful management, he took a moment to gather himself, looking out of the window at the familiar farmhouse, the white wood porch where a single chair was positioned looking out of the naked landscape around them.

"You never said your home was so beautiful." Khan breathed, also taking in the sights, "I mean as Earth goes, its really nice."

"Yeah... It's not bad." he admitted, a small smile playing at his lips as he climbed out of the car, breathing in the familiar homely air.

He plodded around to the boot and popped it open, grabbing the duffel bag from inside, strange as it may have seemed, he kept a bad of clothes and essentials at Spock's place in case of emergencies, and for the first time he was quite thankful for their arrangement.

Jim went to through the bag over his shoulder, but paused as it was taken off of him; he turned and found himself looking at Khan with raised eyebrows.

"I'm not going to break, you know." he stated calmly.

"I know," Khan smirked, "But I want to make the right impression with your mother."

"Was that sarcasm?" Jim asked exaggeratedly, "The broody superhuman cracked a joke! Let me make a note of that in my diary."

"Broody?" he repeated sceptically.

He opened his mouth to say something smart and witty, but stopped when he heard a door open, followed by a gasp of surprise; he glanced around the car slowly and a soft, honest smile found his face as he cast his gaze over the willowy woman stood on the porch.

Her hair had gone more curly with age, still mostly blonde though mixed with some grey and white strands now, her sky blue eyes now assisted by rimless glasses, but there was no mistaking the elegant and intelligent face of Winona Kirk.

"Hey mum." he waved at her.

"Hey?" she repeated, "Hey?! Is that all you've got to say to me, after four years!" she exclaimed, sweeping down off the porch and striding over to him, hands on hips, "No phone calls, no emails, no contact whatsoever, and then you turn up here, unannounced, looking as though you've been run over, and you say hey?!"

She had a valid point, of course, he still looked like a walking advertisement for safe driving.

"Well, I wasn't quite run over, it was more of an acrobatic stunt gone wrong." he offered, sarcasm dripping from his voice.

Khan and Spock watched the exchange, the former believing that Jim's attitude was going to earn him a slap; he was bewildered therefore when instead, the woman laughed loudly and threw her arms around her son with nothing short of admiration and pride glowing in her eyes.

"Still a little shit then?" she asked with a wide grin as they parted.

"Of course! Being Captain just gives me a long leash." he smirked right back at her, now glad he'd come home.

Winona chuckled and patted down his tattered clothes, "I was incredibly proud when I heard about your success on the Enterprise. I'm merely disappointed I had to hear it second hand, I had expected a call from my smug son telling me how he had beaten Christopher's bet and become a Captain! Spock's version of the story is far less colourful than I wanted!"

He sighed and shrugged, "Life has been a busy bitch, you know what it's like. Speaking of which, I believe you know Spock, my First Officer, and friend." he threw a thumb towards the Vulcan before he glanced at Khan, "And this is Khan Noonien Singh, former Captain of the... Well... He's a friend." he trailed off.

Spock approached the woman and they shared the traditional Vulcan greeting, "It is a pleasure to meet you again, Mrs Kirk."

"It is good to see you again, Spock, please call me Winona," she smiled sweetly before looking a little sadder, "I was most sorry to hear about Vulcan, I visited once when I was aboard the Kelvin, I was most upset to hear of its' destruction. I hope you will accept my condolences."

"Thank you, for your words and your kindness." he bowed his head and stepped aside, appraising Jim with a look which clearly suggested he had no idea how such a ruffian had come from such a well mannered woman.

Khan could feel Jim's eyes on him, and knew why. Winona had worked for Starfleet until quite recently, and would know all about Admiral Marcus' crimes, and his own. She had likely lost friends because of his actions, would she had him on principle, or give him a chance?

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Jim is a remarkable young man and I am sure you are just as remarkable." he met her gaze, trying to appear as unthreatening as possible, which was actually rather hard for him to do.

"You speak very well, for a terrorist." she met his gaze, unflinchingly, "My son certainly keeps strange company."

He nodded slightly, "I'd agree with that. But I can assure you I mean your son no harm, and if you'd be willing to listen, I would appreciate the chance to explain myself."

Winona appraised him for several heart stopping moments, she glanced at her son and almost giggled at the adorable expression of concern on his face before she sighed and looked at Khan again, "Very well, come in. I'll make some tea and you can tell me all about it. I am nothing if not a patient listener."

Khan was really starting to hate tea. He'd believed Jim's particular brand to be the worst of the worst but apparently he'd learned it from his mother. Bitter, milky and somehow slightly chalky on his tongue, he wanted nothing more than to teach them both how to brew a proper beverage, unfortunately, he had better manners and drank it with a grateful smile.

He told her everything. Hiding no detail, no matter how horrendous it was. If Winona was anything like her son, she'd value honesty above tact. It still pained him to talk about his crew, there wasn't a day that went by when he didn't miss them, but that seemed to show, as she rested a hand on his as he talked about them. He wasn't a man who usually regretted anything, all of his actions being planned to the last nano-second, but if there was one thing he had learned from James Kirk, it was humility.

Finally, after so long, he was able to speak of Marcus and his domination of his willpower without that surge of anger he'd grown so accustomed to, his mind no longer raced with a desire for revenge against a man who couldn't hurt him any further. It was a surprising, yet welcome, change.

He noticed Jim become reserved as he reached the end of his tale, recounting those moments flying over the San Francisco skyline in combat with Spock, before discovering that the Captain of the Enterprise had passed away, only to learn that he could save him. There was a look on Winona's face, gratitude perhaps, that she hadn't lost her son.

All was silent as he finished his story, he allowed his tongue to flick against his lips to wet them, sitting back slightly and waiting for her judgement on the matter. In his peripherals he saw Jim glancing his way and he offered the blond a small smile, just to let him know that he was alright. To his chagrin he still hadn't been able to rid himself of Spock's watchful eye either.

"I think..." Winona began softly, "I understand."

"You do?" he asked, honestly surprised.

"If someone used my son against me, I'd move heaven and Earth to get him back safely. It is what you do, for the people you love." she smiled at him softly, "You took many lives, and caused much suffering, but I believe even the most broken people can find peace, and deserve a chance to change."

Khan took a breath and felt his shoulders slump a little, he hadn't even realised he had been so tense, "You and your son are a rare breed of humanity. I've met next to no-one else who would even try to understand my actions. I am... Honestly, grateful."

"People are fickle," the blonde woman got to her feet slowly and began gathering the empty mugs, "My son and I are realists, I raised him to see through the bullshit. At any rate, it sounds as though I owe you a debt for saving his life."

The super soldier looked at his hands, trying to hide the smile threatening to spread across his face at her acceptance. Of course, in his mind, there was no debt to be repaid. He'd done his deed because it had been the right thing to do, not because he wanted to claim obligations from the people involved.

"However," her voice turned stern as she looked at her son and his Vulcan friend, "I would like to know why I wasn't informed about any of what has been happening. I would have liked to know my son had been in hospital for so long."

"I didn't want to worry you." Jim muttered.

"Bullshit. I haven't had a phone call from you in four years, I was beginning to think you'd forgotten I exist. But you, Mister Spock, I expected better of you." she scolded.

Khan was deeply amused by how uneasy the two men became.

"I apologise, Winona," the Vulcan said awkwardly, "I was under the impression that the Captain kept you regularly informed of what goes on."

"Hmm." was all she said, pausing on her trip to the kitchen, "Jim, what exactly did you do to get in such a state?"

The blond glanced himself over again and sighed deeply, "There's been some... Terrorist attacks in the city. Directed at Starfleet. I was chasing the culprit and things got a little messy. It's nothing to worry about."

"He died." Spock stated as though it was the simplest thing in the world.

"What?!" she shrieked, eyes nearly popping from her skull.

"Spock!" Jim hissed, gritting his teeth before he looked back at his mother, "It's really nothing, I'm fine, one hundred percent fine. I... I died for like twenty minutes. Khan managed to kick start his DNA again and I'm all fixed. My injuries are healed, I'm fine mum... Honestly."

She tutted at him for trying to hide things from her again, but her gaze shifted to Khan, "It seems I owe you twice over. Thank you for saving him."

"Please, it was nothing. I couldn't just let him die... It was luck more than anything." he held his hands up, really not wanting more praise from her; his eyes moved to where Jim was sat and made contact, they held each other's look for a long moment before ducking their heads.

Winona sighed softly and smiled as she watched the pair act like nervous teenagers, she knew her son and she knew he had never been overly particular with the company he kept relationship wise, but there was something in her son's eyes which she hadn't seen for a long time. When he looked at Khan a deeply hidden part of him seemed to come to life, and she could see the darker haired man cared for him in return. There was a warmth in his face, when he looked at Jim, a warmth which was other wise absent.

"Well I can't have you sat there looking like death warmed up. Go and have a shower. Your room is just how you left it." she smiled sweetly and ruffled Jim's hair, "You're all welcome to stay as long as you wish to."

"Thanks mum." he stood slowly and stretched, his back still popping slightly from the strain of what his body had been through.

"No need to thank me," she disappeared into the kitchen, but her voice echoed after her, "And do take your bag to your room, I'm sure your friend doesn't need to lug it around on your behalf."

Kirk looked at the duffel bag positioned between Khan's feet and shot the man a playful glare as he snatched it off the floor and headed for the stairs, "Yes mum."

Khan watched him go, chuckling under his breath as he witnessed his bossy arrogance wither and die in the presence of his mother, a much more compliant version of the man slipping into the breach. His amusement was short lived when Spock approached him, however.

"We need to talk." the Vulcan said sternly, eyes narrowed.

"No we don't." he replied stiffly, getting to his feet so he could meet him eye to eye.

"I beg to differ." Spock was persistent.

Khan glowered at him, jaw clenched, "There is nothing to discuss, Mister Spock. I suggest you forget whatever it is, which has been troubling you."

"Khan," the other said calmly, not flinching under his murderous expression, "This is not going to simply disappear."

"I am going to tell you once more... Drop it." he let out a huff, turning on his heel and heading up the stairs after Jim, determined to put as much distance between himself and the Vulcan as possible.

Jim sat on the edge of his old bed, towel around his middle and his hair still damp from showering. There was nothing left on him to suggest he'd been involved in such a bad road collision, except for a single bruise on his back which was stubbornly refusing to heal as fast as the rest of him.

He allowed his eyes to wander around his bedroom, true to his mum's word it hadn't changed at all, it was good to see some of his old possessions; posters and ornaments which littered the walls and shelves, books and journals stacked neatly on his desk.

Now things were settled, Khan had been accepted by his mum, and they were definitely welcome to stay, he began wondering where his step-dad was, he hadn't seen any sign of him in the house, nor had his car been in the drive. Come to think of it, there had been no wedding ring on his mums' hands any more either. Perhaps they had divorced? If that was true, he was even happier to stay.

Finally getting himself dry, he pulled on a shirt and jeans, hanging his favourite leather jacket on the back of his chair until he needed it, and laid back on the bed, staring up at the slightly cracked ceiling. He was sure that crack hadn't been there when he'd left home.

"James?"

He sat up as he heard Khan's voice, and smiled slightly, seeing the man leaning against the door frame, "Yeah?"

"How are you feeling?" the man walked in slowly, nudging the door shut with his foot before sitting beside him.

"I feel fine, I'm glad I decided to come here. It's good to... Reconnect." he mused, taking a breath, "I haven't had a chance to thank you properly for... Saving my life again."

Khan's nose crinkled slightly, "You don't need to thank me. I didn't really do anything, it was luck."

"I don't care what it was, luck, fate or choice. I'm here because of something you did. And I'm grateful." Jim smiled softly and tilted his head, leaning in and pressing their lips together.

The former convict wanted to argue the point, he didn't feel comfortable being the hero, but as sweet kisses turned deeper he allowed himself to be distracted and laid back, pulling Jim with him. There were gasps and touches, gentle tugging on locks of hair, teeth knocking slightly in clumsiness.

Khan pulled back for breath, stroking Jim's face in thought, "I'm never letting you go, you know that right?"

A smirk, "I would hope so, I'd be worried at this point if you changed your mind."

"I mean it. Can you live with what I am?" he whispered.

"If you can live with my faults, I can certainly live with yours." the blond said honestly.

"We both have faults," Khan chuckled, kissing his forehead, "What a pair we make."

Jim relaxed in his grip, staring up at the crack in the ceiling again and letting out a dark chuckle, "God, we could probably rip worlds apart if we wanted to."

"Undoubtedly." the other breathed.

They shared a look, long and serious, and Jim realised in that moment that it was true. Khan had destroyed civilisations with his crew, and had nearly destroyed San Francisco without them. He began to wonder just how much of the other's power he had actually seen, and how much was still hiding below the surface. Would his own power match that, if he changed completely?

"For now," Khan spoke quietly, his expression thoughtful, "Just know that it would take an army to rip me from your side."

He felt his lips twitch and nodded slightly, "Just know that it would take the same for me to leave your side as well."

Spock lingered silently outside his Captain's bedroom door. He disliked lurking in such a manner, and had great distaste for eavesdropping, it had been unintentional. The Vulcan had intended to knock on the door and announce himself, but something in the conversation on the other side of the barrier prevented him from doing so.

There was something different in Jim's voice. Something different in Khan's voice. And he believed, at last, he was beginning to piece together, at least, one very small part of the enigma, which was their connection.

It unsettled him, greatly. But putting together everything he had seen, everything he had witnessed, he was left with very little doubt in his mind. That doubt, as small as it was, could be easily quashed with a phone call.

Communicator in hand, he silently slipped back downstairs and into the garden, determined to confirm his suspicions once and for all.