Chapter 3

"Spock, we have a problem."

Spock looked up, momentary fear stabbing in his chest. What was the problem? Was he unable to survive on this planet? Was Julie somehow causing some sort of radiation that was killing him? The second option was illogical and unfounded; he had no reason to believe such a thing. It showed unseamly emotional attachment to this newfound human girl; an attachment he didn't know how to handle.

"Something... in your trip changed you. You phraseology can't support you; if we can't find some way to strengthen it you're going to die. And we have to do it quickly, I don't think you have much time left. It should hit you all at once."

Spock's eyebrows flew up. He was appreciative of the man's honesty, however... that he was going to die... and so soon!

"Is there anything we can do?" If there was, he would like to know about it.

"I would assume so. If we can just find some way to strengthen your body... but it would have to be a good bit; you'd have to be far stronger than you are now."

"Mr Richards, you said you were experimenting with a machine... something used to transmit physical elements of one biomass into another?"

"I am."

"Well, could we use it on me and Spock? I mean, if we could transfer my alien energy that I got from the Kymellians into Spock, then it would probably upgrade his body."

"That's possible… it's untested…"

"Do we have a choice?"

"Not that I can think of. Spock? Is it alright with you? We'd be replicating and transferring Julie's energy from herself to you. It might save you. It might do nothing. It will almost definitely hurt."

"I am a Vulcan. I can control the pain. This is a logical option. Shall we proceed?"

"I suppose. Julie… this will hurt you too. Not as much as Spock but you will be in agony. I doubt you'll ever have experienced anything like this before."

"Sir, this is Spock's life. If we can save him… we have to try."

They walked over to a separate room, and Julie began hooking Spock to a device while Mr Fantastic began programming something into the computer.

"Alright, Lightspeed, you'll need to be over here." Mr Fantastic positioned Julie, and walked over to Spock, making the final adjustments. Julie, unable to hear for the helmet thing she was wearing couldn't hear their conversation. "You know, Spock, it's a good thing you're half human or I don't think this would work."

Spock reasoned that Mr Fantastic had encountered the specifics of his unique genetics in his scans. It still didn't make sense. "Sir?"

"If you were all vulcan your DNA wouldn't be compatible enough with Lightspeed's for this to work. If you were all human I don't think you'd survive this. This will hurt, Spock. I won't give you any illusions on there. This will be excruciating."

"The alternative is death. This seems preferable."

"All right then." Mr Fantastic walked out of the room and into the separate control room.

The machine whirred, and came to life. The circle behind Julie glowed yellow, and lightning shot out, striking Julie in the back. She screamed. Spock's eyes opened wide as something clenched in his chest. Then from Julie's chest the lightning came through, seeming strained through her body; not as large as what was going into her, but brighter. It hit Spock, and he didn't know anything else from the pain.

WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

When Spock came too, it was on a bed with Julie looking down on him. She looked exhausted.

"Are you alright?" Spock's voice was cracked, but Julie seemed glad to hear it.

"Mr Fantastic, he's waking up." She looked back down at Spock. "'Bout time you woke up, Pixie. We were getting worried."

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Tired, but fine. Also, I have to get home soon. Or my parents will freak out. You're going to be fine; it worked. We're not sure what kind of side effects it'll have…"

"This young lady," Mr Fantastic interrupted "needs to get home now. She should be asleep, and better be for a long time. She'll also need a ride. My wife, Susan, the Invisible Woman, will take her in the Fantasticar. She's in no condition to fly. In fact, she shouldn't even be here, but she wouldn't leave."

"I had to stay." Lightspeed protested. "I couldn't just leave Spock…"

"Very admirable of you, but you'll do yourself damage if you try staying awake for too long." Mr Fantastic took Julie from under the arms and helped her to her feet. She swayed and looked on the brink of collapse.

"Spock, he's going to want to run more tests. Are you okay, or…"

Spock knew she was offering to stay. Or to try to. She was in no condition even to stand, let alone attempt to remain conscious and be there for something as unnecessary as emotional support. Spock was now very definitely feeling the human emotion of guilt. How could Julie offer to stay there when it was so obviously detrimental to her health? She probably wouldn't suffer any long term effects unless she fainted and hit her head, however even that was a risk. How could she even consider staying for him?

"I shall be fine, Lightspeed. It is imperative you rest."

Lightspeed moaned, and went limp in Mr Fantastic's arms, whimpering slightly. Mr Fantastic turned as a blond woman walked in, in the same outfit as he was in.

"Hello Susan."

"Oh Lightspeed." Susan (also presumably the Invisible Woman) sighed. "It's alright, Spock, I'll take care of her."

Spock nodded. Susan took Julie into her arms, and walked out of the room. Mr Fantastic moved over to some medical instruments, no doubt for more tests, but somehow Spock found he didn't care as much anymore.