Chapter 9: All hell breaks loose ( TRIGGER WARNING ASSAULTS BUT NO RAPES AHEAD, TREAD CAREFULLY)
AOS SPOCK POV
Spock stared silently across the table with steepled overwhelming amount of emotions coursing through him had taken control of his mouth and turned it into an open frown. He could feel how deeply it had drawn down his lips, could sense the tight clench of his jaw. The prolonged strain was edging into a tension headache but he couldn't help himself.
He could either let himself grimace at Chekov or stare darkly in abject horror. The latter while closer to the truth of how he felt seemed less dignified.
Chekov looked like he wanted to run away but managed to stay put. The only tell of concern he gave was the white knuckle grip on his tablet.
Spock exhaled through his nose and straightened his back. " Would you mind repeating what you just said?"
Chekov's adam's apple visibly bobbed in his throat as he looked from the angry Vulcan to his tablet. " What exactly did you miss?"
Spock ground his teeth and flared his nostrils. " I did not miss anything. However what you said before, about having to reenact the time before Nyota was lost to me, bears repeating."
Chekov pursed his lips and quickly nodded his head. " Yes. It would be the safest bet to try and do so. The chances that the Uhura exchange happened during the course of parallel activities are high. As the time approaches for the anomaly to reappear, you and this Uhura should keep it in mind."
Spock closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. He knew he had understood the explanation the first time. He knew exactly what Chekov had been saying but the ensign wouldn't understand what he had just told Spock to do to get his proper mate to return. Or rather who he would have to do.
" Commander?"
Spock opened his eyes and saw the concern etched into Chekov's thin face. He forced himself to relax and rose from the table. " I'm fine. Are the latest calculations on the anomaly still tracking along the projected course?"
Chekov nodded even as he double checked his PADD as Spock stood waiting. " Yes the Enterprise should be in range to experience the effects starting at or around 2100hrs standard Earth time today. The window for the effects aren't as defined that I can place a solid time on them but I believe the shelf life for it would be for only a twelve hour window at the very most."
He shrugged and twisted his lips. " Unless some outside variable acts on the phenomenon and shortens or lengthens it, you and Uhura only have half a day to send her back repeating the actions that happened the night of the exchange."
Spock turned on his heels and started away from the table. He couldn't have Chekov seeing his face. His obvious upset would most likely have the ensign inquiring for the reason behind it. But He could not tell him, not this. Spock didn't want to tell anyone but he would have to explain everything to Uhura when he next saw her.
Spock paused his passage through the deck corridor to settle himself and even his breathing. He was on the verge of hyperventilation. They had yet to do anything and the thought of having sex with this other Uhura, this mirror mate chilled his ka'tra. And thrilled more of his person than he would care to admit.
He straightened himself and went over to the nearest comm port. He paged the Captain and waited for his reply.
" Kirk here."
Spock closed his eyes and pushed the transmission button. " Captain, I need Lieutenant Uhura to report to my cabin."
There was a long pause before Kirk's voice crackled back over the receiver. " The Lieutenant is currently on duty at her con."
" Then I request that she be relieved."
Another pause. " Spock, what's going on?"
Spock tapped the transmission button and tried to hide the irritation in his voice. " Jim I would ask for your blind cooperation at this time."
Kirk grunted. " That's not the answer I was looking for, Spock. What are you up to?"
" I would rather not go into detail. I believe we have found the solution to the Lieutenant's problem and I need her present to attempt to rectify it."
Kirk blew out a relieved sigh and chuckled. " Is that all? You could have told me that! We'll be down there in-"
" -No, Jim." he said, cutting in. " Only the Lieutenant's presence is required."
Kirk groaned and Spock could mentally picture him rolling his eyes. " Required or wanted?"
" Both. The solution has a certain level of discomfort to it."
" ….You're not about to torture her are you?"
Spock grit his teeth. Why did he have to go and say that? He glared back at the wall comm and forced himself to keep holding the line open. " As likely as that would seem, Captain, I assure you that what will happen with the Lieutenant won't be outside the guidelines and perimeters of the prime directive and Starfleet regulations." Somewhat...
Kirk made another sulky noise as he resigned himself. " Alright then. I'll send her down now and put M'ress on and shift the schedule."
" Thank you, Captain."
" Thank me by not having the ship blow up or a mutiny against me. Kirk out."
Spock stepped away from the comm and started towards his cabin. He wanted time to meditate and look for another avenue of opportunity but the moment had passed. All that was left for him was convincing his mirror bondmate that the proposed course of action would be in both their favors.
What a tremendous irony he thought zipping up through the turbolift. His love for Nyota was undeniable. He would do anything for her. He knew it at his decision to bond with her as strongly as he knew it now. How odd though that the anything in question meant cheating on her with herself.
He had settled on the bed when she finally arrived at the cabin. The curiosity he felt from her evaporated into unease as she searched and found him seated shirtless on the edge. Spock looked up from his hands and studied her face. He didn't know what she read from his body language but she paused in her approach.
" Spock?"
" Come here." His voice came out unnecessarily gruff and had her taking a step back. Her body angled towards the door as she hesitated. " Why?" she countered.
His eyes narrowed as Spock slowly rose up from the bed. " I won't repeat myself, Nyota."
A flurry of emotions flew over her face as she debated whether or not to obey him. Spock could hardly blame her at the moment. He wasn't sure if he would follow his commands either if he were in her shoes. Everything about him presented with red flags. Nyota, no matter which one, knew Spock.
She took another step back and he chuffed at her. " No."
Nyota lifted her chin and gave him a slight shake. " I'm not obeying you until I understand what the hell is going on."
Spock leaned forward, shifting his weight from the bed to the balls of his feet. If she ran, he would catch her before she could make her escape. " If you come here, I will help you understand."
Spock ground his teeth as she stood rooted in place, neither speaking or moving. He knew it in his gut she would not come. As much as the bond between them frayed and knotted they were clearly not of one accord. Nyota was wary of him and he was at his wit's end with her. All this and yet they still loved one another in their strange, swap-spouse way.
" Come here." he growled. His raspy command filled the quiet room as if he had been yelling. He pushed his desire for her to go to him within the bond and saw Nyota momentarily sway. She met his gaze in challenge and answered in an equally feral no. Spock took a step forward and Nyota rounded towards the door. She was poetry in motion, a lithe, lean figure cut into the shape of a dash. Spock caught her by the waist just before she crossed the threshold of the door.
" No!"
She shrieked and savagely threw one of her elbows back towards his head. Spock evaded and just missed the following blow she tried to land with a jab towards his ribs. He tightened his grip at her waist and struck out to catch one of her wrists. " Stop fighting me."
She scoffed mid-buck and kicked at the floor. " Like hell I will."
" Be still!"
He wrenched her back and started towards the bed. Seeing where he was headed, Nyota ignited into a flurry of curses. " No!"
They fought viciously. Hammer fists, open palm thrusts and savage elbow throws were cast and blocked and made once more. One deflected blow left Nyota open. Spock took it and shoved her towards the bed. He had always been measured in his sparring with her in the past. Even this Nyota had been handled gently in his firm, physical negotiations but this thrust was not.
Nyota flew backwards and landed askewed on the mattress. She was scrabbling on the mattress to get off and away before she stopped bouncing. Spock was there before she could right herself. He quickly took her wrists in one hand and used the other to fish under her skirt. " Stop fighting me, Uhura!"
" Stop touching me!" Nyota yowled in frustration and tried to bite his face. Spock reared back out of reach and saw her jerk in an attempt to break his hold of her. He pushed her down with his weight and hissed at her. " Do not resist me!"
" Fucking fat chance of that! Wait, what are you doing? Stop!"
Spock slid his hand over her hip and ripped her panties free. Pulling the fabric off her legs, he used the material to bind her wrists behind her. Nyota yelled the whole time he did, shaking with fury as he drew the binds tighter. He huffed in disgust and growled down at her. " There is no reasoning with you."
Nyota's eyes went wide and her mouth fell open. " What the fuck! Me?! How dare you! You fucking Vulcan piece of shit!" Spock scowled but forged on. The sooner he did this, the sooner he could get this whole thing behind.
" I hate you! Fucking bastard!"
He began to unbuckle his pants as he held her down. He couldn't believe her gall. After all the time she had tried to seduce him, this Nyota now rebuffed him? He sneered above her and popped the button of his fly. "You plan to fight me now that I will give you what you have always wanted?"
" Fuck you!" she spat. Spock felt himself within his pants and taunted back at her. " Am I no longer desirable? " He pressed against her leg and bucked against her. " Are you in need of a reminder?"
" Don't flatter yourself, dickhead!" she growled at him. Her movements were becoming less calculated and more erratic now. Her tugging at the bind seemed painful but she did not relent.
Spock ignored her flailing and pulled at his zipper. " You have wanted me and now you shall have me."
A strangled yelp came from her throat as he moved to push down his pants and pull at her skirt. He was just taking himself in hand when he heard her sob. His head jerked towards the noise, startled. He was met with a heart wrenching sight.
There, beneath him, was a tearful, scarred version of his wife. A Nyota with wide-eyes full of pain - directed towards him. He moved to release himself and flinched as she sobbed again.
" Please." she warbled. " Don't. Please don't do this. Don't act like him."
In a show of submission Nyota went limp and exposed her neck. Spock gagged. " Please don't hurt me, Spock."
He just made it to the wastebin before he retched inside it. Monster, sick monster, he roared at himself. Was he really going to force this Nyota, any Nyota for that matter, onto his lok against her will. He heaved again and made a similar sob into the mouth of the waste bin.
Surak, he was no better than his mirror self. The same Spock now doing the same sins. He grabbed at the bin and heaved again. How could he? He wanted Nyota but he hadn't thought about the other version of her.
He stayed in the corner emptying his stomach until the heaving subsided. He leaned against the wall and swallowed thickly. " Forgive me." he said miserably into his hands. " Nyota,...I am wretched."
It took him a moment to see that he was crying. He had wondered why his eyes felt uncomfortably hot when the wet trail made its way down his cheeks. He sniffed at the water running through his nose. The thought that he was the only Vulcan that could cry ironically pitched itself through his mind as he sat there dejectedly. What a horrid creature he was.
Nyota had been watching him all the while. She seemed more puzzled than relieved by his reaction after her submission. She climbed off the bed and cautiously started towards him. Spock looked away as she did, shame still souring his stomach like spoiled food.
He felt her hand light onto his knee and turned back to her. She was braced in front of him on her knees. The memory of how she looked when she came to heal his wounds came to his mind. He dropped his head and relaxed his body.
She carefully moved the waste bin away from them and crawled into his lap. She felt so small against him, so very fragile in her strength. Her arms wrapped around his neck while she rested her head onto his shoulder. Spock cursed himself again as she snuggled closer. How could he have acted against her? Hadn't this Nyota suffered enough?
" I am sorry." he repeated quietly. She snorted against his neck and bit him. It wasn't enough to break the skin but it pinched painfully nonetheless. A chastisement for his behavior. " I know that, dipshit."
Her voice cracked as she spoke. Spock winced within their bond. He felt like such a heel. So much of him wanted to hold her but felt too guilty to move. She sighed into him and held him tighter. " Don't try and run away now, Spock."
" I cannot forgive myself."
Nyota scoffed but he could feel her bitterness slicing at his middle through her skin. " Whatever. You're not the victim, Spock. What the hell were you thinking?"
His throat constricted as he reviewed his plans. He could very well tell her everything behind his assault but no reason to justify himself in doing it. He was going to put the Nyotas back to where they belonged for both their benefits...by sacrificing her will to say no and his vow to remain loyal. Even though he had already broken that.
Nyota nudged his head with her own and frowned at him. " God, I don't know why I thought you would be capable with talking about your emotions here in this universe but here we are. If you're going to verbal clamp your butthole, then tell me in a meld."
" I can't touch you." he said, solemnly. Nyota's frown morphed into a sneer as she pushed his face and grabbed at his hand. " Don't be stupid. You're already fucking sappy. You only get two ways to suck."
She saw his eyebrow furrow and knew he was counting. She sighed and placed his hand at the side of her face. " You're sappy and a nerd about the rules. I can't have you self-flagellating too. Now meld with me...please."
He couldn't deny her even though he wanted to. He fixed his face along her face and was with her in the next breath. Nyota came forward inside of his mind and he laid himself completely bare.
He was tired. Overwhelmed and exhausted he had turn to his horrible but natural coping mechanism of irrational action and cool apathy. Reenact their first moments together and then the exchange would be made. But anger fueled him earlier.
Why Nyota asked into the vastness of his mind. Anger at her?
No. Never, not truly, he rebutted. I am often cross with you but you are undeniably mine. And I-
He paused in his thought, his physical body swallowing at the admission that was on his tongue. Nyota saw it though and Spock felt her steadiness waver. She curled into him like a jagged, blue essence within him.
She surveyed his thoughts, Chekov's theory on the exchange, the theory of both Nyotas. Through it all Spock let her taste the full extent of his emotions. The elation of rescuing Nyota, the horror at sacrificing the other, the hungry longing that welled inside him at the touch of her skin. The abject terror that he was truly no different from the other Spock. She witnessed what he was disgusted but willing resolve to do what he could to right the dimensional tear. Nyota felt the moment his heart broke when he saw the look of heartbreak in her own.
He had been content to love and care for her as best he could manage but he was a creature of full measures. He could no more love her in part than he could will he could will the sun to rise. " Forgive me."
He felt a drop of something hot and wet on his wrist. She was crying. He pulled her closer and shushed her gently. He heard her sniff and felt a hard shove at his shoulder. " Shut up. I can't believe you would be so stupid."
" Then maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do." he said. " I'm prone to stupidity."
" I could never let myself love him." she said quietly. " Not the way your Nyota is able to love you. It's too dangerous to love. And…"
She shook her head and turned her body away. Spock stared at her quaking form and shuffled closer. The pain her hurt caused him went unnoticed. He could not keep himself from her, even if he wished to. Spock pulled her to him, his grip firm and desperate for touch. It was a need for both of them. Bonded as they were, it could almost be classified as a demand. Ignoring their disheveled clothing, he clutched her tightly.
She didn't fight his advances to hold her. She leaned into him, breathing him in. " Maybe, he would have been able to love me, like you do, if I had."
He shook his head. He didn't want to argue but he knew himself. Now more than ever he had come to see parts of him he wished not to explore. " You cannot assume that with such certainty."
" But here, like this you love me, don't you? You didn't force me though you could have. He would have but you didn't."
He nodded but shame burned his throat. " I didn't but I'm not sure whether it was from me being strong or weak. I feel he would have done anything for you. To have you, protect you and I- I can't for mine. If it means hurting, I can't."
It shouldn't be this way he thought mournfully. It should not be that to love her was to hurt Nyota. He had fought what was natural for him to feel for her and made them both suffer in the process.
" I love you." he said aloud. It was quiet and spoke with rank breath but the way that Nyota looked at him was as if she had seen the face of God. She surprised him further when she grabbed his face and kissed him full on the lips. Gone was the frightened resent. Her heart was soaring.
Something sparked between them as she came to an arrangement within herself. " We can. We could if you wanted."
Spock frowned until he realized what she meant to propose. " No. Not after-"
She cut him off and grabbed at his hand. Putting it to her temple, she stared at him with determined eyes. " I love you too. But she loves you the way that I wish I could. Make love to me in the meld and send me back."
Torment roiled within him. Truly, her suggestion was better than what he had planned. He could recreate their meeting approximately and still keep the rest of his body at bay. He could potentially fulfil the need the dimensional tear needed to right itself. But to send him back to the worst part of himself…
Nyota shook her head against his hand and smiled. " You and he, she and I, we're the same. The light and the dark sides of parallel dimensions. You thought it yourself. If we don't try now…"
She paused and swallowed. Her eyes fluttered briefly as emotion flooded through her. Spock sighed and pressed his fingers against her cheek. He was with her in the next breath, sharing the weight of her grief.
Nyota exhaled in relief and sniffed at her returning tears. " I don't want to lose you."
He kissed her physically and caressed her mentally. He didn't want to lose Nyota either. She was just coming into herself here, just beginning to trust him and- Surak...he wouldn't have her returned to that wretched universe the same way she came in.
He kissed her again, mentally this time and appeared bare within her mind.
Show me what you want. I will give you what you want here. Anything. Think it and it shall be yours.
Nyota surveyed the dark nothingness surrounding them and back to Spock. She was undecided. There was the concern over whether a different set of circumstances would work in returning her. And-
Spock stepped forward and placed his hand at the small of her back. Do not be afraid. For once in your life, you don't have to be. Show me what you want. There is no shame here between bonded.
He put weight into his hand and she stumbled into him. She wouldn't meet his eye as she replied. What if it doesn't work?
He took her chin between his fingers and kissed her full on the lips. He continued to kiss her as he replied, not needing his mouth to speak to her here. I was making love to her when she left me. Should I not make love now?
The last dregs of reservation began to fall from Nyota as she kissed him back. A room took shape around them as Spock pulled her up against him. Nyota wrapped her legs around his waist and moaned into his mouth.
Sweet she thought reverently. He was sweet to her. She could kiss him and feel him melt against her lips. Love wasn't a curse here. She could and would and did love him. So much, so very much. She wailed as they joined twisted and grinding on him in a rapturous relief.
Spock returned her gratitude in kind, bathing her in kisses and sentimental words, because Spock, him and all his variations, loved Nyota across every space and time. He loved her so very deeply that they had torn the cosmos itself with it.
And as much as she would have thought him to be the romantic, it was much more moving that every word Spock said he believed to be true. Nyota Uhura was the most beautiful woman to him. Nyota Uhura held him in love and in bond. Nyota Uhura was beloved by him, whether sweet or bitter. Nyota Uhura meant everything to him.
She reached for him, crying his name as she came. He held her closer as she went taunt in his arms and went to the imagined wall of their mindscape. Fabled air left her as he pushed her body up against it. He waited until he caught her eye before resuming his raucous thrusting inside her. Her thighs went tight around him as she sunk into the feeling of acceptance.
" Like this?" he asked gruffly, holding her by her rump. " You want me like this?"
She nodded and he noticed for the first time that she was scarless. She had changed her body sometime during their lovemaking. Whether the morph was for him or her own desire didn't matter she supposed. She was always beautiful. Nyota was always beautiful.
After a while there was no more distinction. He and she were they and they touched and tasted everything. Pleasure was not shared so much as it was just where they were. They were parts made whole. The bond between them thrummed harmoniously, merry to have them of one accord. And then they lost themselves.
Nyota slowly started awake and took in her surroundings. She had fallen asleep on Spock. He was still sleeping, propped against the wall. His hand hung heavily over her shoulder, probably settling there after he fell asleep in the meld. She wrinkled her nose and spied the waste bin over his shoulder.
It hadn't worked. She exhaled and went back to relaxing on his shoulder. She had enough trouble without thinking about the future. She didn't see an outcome where her heart wouldn't be broken.
AOS NYOTA POV: MIRROR VERSE ( AGAIN TRIGGER WARNING/ ASSAULT BUT NO RAPE AHEAD)
How many seconds after Spock left the bridge did it take before Chekov stood up from his station? And how many more after that did it take for Nyota to feel the intense, silent focus that was building up behind her?
Not many but enough time had passed for him and others to reach her. So many, too many. A hand grabbed at the back of her neck and Nyota turned with a punch. Her fist connected with Ensign Faust across the jaw but left her open for another attack. A blinding blow from Leslie had her stumbling back. A shove by Sulu knocked her further off balance.
She landed hard onto her console and they were upon her.
In the next moment, hands came from every direction. Above and below and the sides in between, grabbing, tugging and tearing at her clothing.
Nyota's mind could scarcely believe what was happening. She jerked away from one hand only to be met with another. " No! No! Stop it! Stop!"
Animalistic grunts and yells filled the bridge as Nyota fought the owners of the various palms .
There were so many. God, were there this many people even on the bridge? Kirk and Spock were gone and yet she felt awash in limbs. So bold in their groping, greedy in their need to palm her breasts or squeeze her ass. Nyota's protests went into a shrill wail as someone tore at her underwear. Unspeakable anguish filled her at the potential future such an action held. No, not this.
Nyota bent her arm. She couldn't reach her knife.
Her top was torn open. Hot mouths at her breasts. She flailed and found hair. With a yank she pulled the strands clear of someone's scalp. As the yelp another mouth headed towards her breast. They couldn't. She would not let them. So many but she would - KILL THEM ALL
A murderous rage flooded alongside her own fury. Spock. He was so agitated it was hard for her to breathe around the anger. It lodged itself in her chest, like a burning weight, growing more burdensome with each moment.
He felt her distress the moment she sensed Faust and Chekov behind her. Kill them all. Leave no one standing. You will show no mercy towards them.
She sputtered for air. Pushing hands and heads away from her. Someone's mouth mashed against her own. She bile rose in her throat even as she bit the tongue that tried to snake in.
Another blow to her face and someone yanking at her hair. A warcry tearing from her throat. She would not be subject to this. This would not be her end or her life. She jerked and fought as Spock had been training her but shock was settling in. So many.
Spock's need to assist her was urgent but she could feel- sense the barest hint of pain from him. Someone or many were assailing him as well. She doubted it was in the same fashion but it was no less violent. The bond pulsed brightly between them, struggling to recess the pain but transmit strength. They needed the will of the other to fight. They would live, if they fought hard enough they could manage this.
Hands were gripping her thighs as a body approached where she lay prone on the console. Another pair of hands began choking her as she clawed at the arms above her. Her vision blurred and spotted over the manic faces above her. They didn't even look human. Just monstrous versions of the people she knew and loved from elsewhere.
Fight, Nyota! Spock's will flew across the bond and bit into her own paralyzed one. He knit her hands into stiff caricatures of claws and pushed his intent into them. Destroy them.
Nyota lashed, unthinking, at a face to her left. There was a soft give and then the thunk of bone. A scream, shrill like a pig's. Someone shrieking as they held their eye. She struck again, her body moving reflexively to keep her body to herself. More shouts, more pain, for all parties involved. Someone hit her again and she twisted with the blow to have less of an impact.
The weeks of training like someone desperate to escape this Spock and his world had her completing the twist so she could grab at the knife at the small of her back. As soon as the hilt was in hand, Nyota flung it in front of her. It sank with a dull thump after ripping through the fabric covering the torso she was aiming for.
The man holding her thighs fell back, stunned before collapsing on the floor. Another took his place with a knife of his own.
He held it above him as if threatening to plunge it from overhead. Fear of so many surrounding her gave way to Spock's rage. How dare they.
" Sick bastards!" She leaned back on her elbows and kicked as hard as she could. He flew back, cutting himself and another as they tumbled over the navigation chair.
The rest of the battle past as a blur. Her knees connected with sternums and groins, her fists with chests and faces. She bit and clawed and elbowed and raged until no one moved towards her.
Nyota stood half-braced along her console. Her head throbbed in time with her heart as she tried to settle herself. She looked down at the men around her and swayed. Faust lay crumpled on the floor with his pants around his knees and a knife in his eye. Leslie had wound to in the chest that darkened his reds into ruby. And-
An angry, sorrowful sound left Nyota's mouth midpant. She felt sick. She couldn't even believe that she could feel more voliated than she had been with this mirror Spock. Everyone in this place was like a pack of mad dogs. They were all destined to die but some took what little pleasure could be had with ripping others apart.
She glanced down at her torn clothing and another noise left her as thin and sharp as her nerves. What had happened? Why had it happened? Why?
She repeated the noise again and held her arms over her torso. She wanted to wash so bad. Shower and clothe and hole herself away.
All it was so instinctually appealing but she was no longer that Nyota. This Spock hadn't allowed that. He had honed and sharpened her into the weapon that had killed some and gravely injured the others into submission. He had made her hard and she wouldn't fall back into her softness.
As if conjured from her thought, Nyota felt his hand at her face. She looked up to see him looking like a gory version of the angelic beloved she knew. How long had he been here? Had he fought them too? Blood was splattered across his face. His hands and torso looked worse.
His lips were set in a thin, grim line as he pulled her mind out from under the fog of trauma. It was an odd touch. She could feel how gentle he was being with her and that almost unnerved her as much as the attack did. His light meld...he felt like her Spock.
" Spock?" she croaked, not liking the sound of her own voice. It felt like someone else's, some sacred creature that was trying to be small. She cleared her throat and sniffed back the emotion threatening to break free. God why was this place so miserable?
The dried blood streaked across his face and hair flaked as he lent her a small smile. It was so queer looking in this space of debauched bodies. Of course he could smile in a settling like this. Spock cupped her face and kissed her, softly. She could feel him assessing her even as her own mind was taking note of the metallic taste of his lips.
She was surprised to feel her body accept it after so many others had tried to claim her mouth. Nyota bent her head and found herself melting into it. If safety could be a taste she thought, relishing the feel of his arms wrapping around her. The moment of solace ended much too soon. She felt Spock mentally drag his feet as he pulled away but the urgency behind it as well.
" We must go." he said. He kissed her once more unable to help himself and took a hold of her arm.
Nyota let him pull her along before she or her recent trauma could protest. Stumbling over limbs they ran to the lift , Nyota scanned over the bridge as Spock called for the cargo bay. Her review had a note of finality to it. No matter what happened over the next few minutes she was sure she would never see again. Not the wretched people or the dreary metal grays, this was done for her. This act was the finale.
The doors slid shut and sealed them away. The ride was silent but filled with conversation. Spock was grooming her, smoothing and shaping her severely cut bob to her face. It was meant to sooth her as much as it was to reassure him that she was well...as well as she could be.
His silent apology pushed down after every bruise he gleaned on her and she shrugged it away. She was alive and everyone who had attacked her was either dead or wished they were. That's all that she could ask for right now. All that she could think about.
The turbolift doors opened and had them immediately ducking to the sides from the phaser fire. Spock slammed on the call lever and shouted. " Deck 3!" as he pushed Nyota behind him.
The door rocked closed and the red phaser beams ceased as the pair zoomed up toward the officer's living quarters.
Nyota looked from the door to Spock with her body still glued to the wall. " Spock? What the hell is going on?!"
" Chekov." he answered solemnly. " I should have figured but I was...distracted. Forgive me."
Nyota sucked at her teeth and snorted at him. " Quit! Don't start with that. What are we going to do?"
Spock opened his mouth just as the turbo lift came to a stop. They held their breath as the doors slid open to the corridor beyond. They carefully peered out around the frame of the door and scanned the hall. Nothing.
Spock ran out from the lift and wordlessly beckoned her to his side. Nyota hurried over to him and followed him out of the lift's cabin into the corridor. They scurried along the wall like mice in the direction of his cabin. Her relief grew exponentially with each moment that passed without phaser fire. Whatever was going hadn't occurred here yet.
Nyota gazed behind her towards the turbolift and back towards Spock's stalking figure. She drew closer to Spock and held his shelves to halt his progress. " What the hell is happening?" she whispered.
Spock took a circumspect look for himself before answering her. " A coup. Against me."
Nyota felt her nose wrinkled as she sneered. " What? Against you? Why not Kirk."
Spock uncharacteristically sighed aloud. Whatever this thing was, was taking its toll on him. " Kirk may possess the Enterprise but he did not possess you."
Nyota shook her head. " I'm still not following."
"-Chekov knew you were someone else. Nyota but a different version." he interrupted. " I don't know for how long but he was sure of it. He's been playing people off of each other to keep me from looking directly at him. While others attacked he sought a best way to claim you and eliminate-."
He paused at the corner and flattened against the wall. Nyota followed suit but was surprised when he continued speaking. " This isn't a mutiny. Not in truth. The move is against me personally, not as Commander of the ship, but there were advantages to being rid of me. Sulu could have easily taken my command and Chekov would move up in the ranks as well."
He reached out and caressed her cheek. It was gentle but the emotions behind it were anything but. He moved his hand towards her nape and held her firmly by the neck. " And everyone would have been able to have you. Or so they thought. You trained well."
Nyota felt her throat constrict as her mind dared to review seven minutes before. She was almost gang-raped. By the fucking bridge crew. When it felt like her breakfast was threatening to reappear, Nyota shook the memory away. She couldn't face it right now, not if she wanted to make it out alive. " Thanks but no thanks, for your instruction." She sighed angrily and let the bearest hint of fear seep into her voice. " What are we going to do?"
He thumbed at the hair along her neck before releasing his grip. " We're going to get you home, K'diwa."
Get her home? He started to move again and Nyota rushed after him. " But, Spock, you-"
Spock skirted around the corner and hugged the wall as he ran. " You can't stay here anymore than I can. Once we get to my room, we will-"
" Over there! Get them!"
Spock pushed Nyota down and fired his phaser over her head. She scrambled to her feet as he took up an offensive position in front of her. He spared one look behind him with a wild look on his face. " Go!"
Her body moved as soon as the command left his lips. Yes he had trained her well but she wasn't sure how well that boded for her mental health. She was a bundle of nerves, acting and reacting in a struggle to survive. Concern colored her mind as her legs got under her and sent her into a sprint. What if she returned to her world and no longer belonged there? What if she had become this Spock's creature?
" Fuck it." she spat. Nyota ran ahead while keeping her head low. There was no time for brooding. Spock's cabin was still a distance off. She dove for the nearest door and shouted his name. " Spock! Over here!"
Nyota frantically tapped on the wall panel, mentally urging it to open and open fast. " C'mon on!"
As soon as it was wide enough she dashed in. Her mind grabbed at Spock as she did, silently bidding him to come as he ran up. He slid to a stop, firing one more shot behind him and ducked the phaser fire that followed after.
The door shut and sealed them away in the room. Nyota collapsed against the wall and shuttered. She felt unsteady. This wicked universe was turning her inside out. Never in a million years would she have imagined such a horror for herself. Why was everyone so unconditionally cruel?
She started to cradle her face in her hands when she stopped short. Dark, sticky red coated half her arms and most of her front. The blood wasn't hers but served as a reminder that it could have been. She had killed so many of them. They both had. Because they had- they had
"Damn it." she cursed through gritted teeth. Tears that she had fought back earlier now streamed down her face. Thin scarlet drops thudded soundlessly into her lap as she took a moment to center herself.
She had no choice. That hellish crew pushed her hand and brought this onto themselves. Damn them all. If it hadn't been for her will to live and this demented Spock's training she would have most likely been in their place.
Spock was focused on shorting out the door's mainframe. Donning a pair of gloves he pulled from his pocket, the Vulcan ripped the panel open and yanked the wires loose. He stepped back as electricity animated the ruined wires into sparkling, wriggling worms.
He exhaled, looking from the wires to the door and down at her, accessing the situation. There must have been something Spock saw in her face because he started towards her.
A loud thud sounded at the door and had both of their heads jerking in that direction. Another boom struck across the door but it remained firmly in place. They were safe...for now.
Spock moved to her more assuredly then and gathered Nyota into his arms. Her mind and body fought over whether to embrace him back or recoil from his touch. She didn't want to be touched by anyone after...what had happened but she did want the comfort. Her hands went back and forth between open palms and fists as she struggled to decide. His voice was deep and quiet as he spoke." I failed you."
Her arm flew around him and clung to Spock around his neck. Slowly she willed herself to rest against him.
Spock readily pulled her tighter, smoothing her hair down with a hand as he hummed at her quiet crying. He was doing something but she couldn't say what. She had never felt either Spock do it before. The way he stroked his hand gently over her was balming, smoothing and setting her jagged nerves back to rights. He continued to hum and pet her with an occasional kiss to her wet face.
She wasn't sure how much time had passed but when he finally spoke she was surprised at how steady she felt. " I am going to send you back."
She sniffed and gazed up at him. " How?"
She watched his eyes rise above her head. He looked as if he might cry himself but the need to protect her kept his eyes clear of the emotions she knew he held inside. " However I can. Listen to me. Nyota, whatever happens I need you to keep going. Will you do that for me, little one?"
She nodded and he smiled at her. " Good. Get ready. We're going through the ducts to get to my room and from there, we'll prepare to send you home."
" What about you?"
He scoffed and kissed her on the lips. " Do not go soft on me Nyota. Not after I've worked so hard to make you anything but."