AN: Usual disclaimer, the rights to Star Trek etc. belong to someone else. The entire story is complete on my PC, and I'll try to load up a new chapter every few days. Please read and review – constructive feedback will help me finalise the remaining chapters.

Chapter 12

Earlier in day, before the theft of the Sunstones...

Spock vigilantly watched Shyloh as she prepared to lead them via the new route. Waiting for the crew to wake up, he had poured over all the available maps, reminded of the sheer number of recorded routes. The cave system was vast, at least 400 square kilometres, and within their relatively tiny portion each route Shyloh said was affected by seismic activity seemed centred near an unexplored portion of the network. The cavern he wished to explore was approximately 6 kilometres from that void.

Without adequate scanning function he did not know what was so unstable about that region. A test, he advanced towards Shyloh, 'I've decided this cavern may actually be more suited for my needs...'

She paled, and her reaction intrigued him, she is purposely keeping me away from that area. On he continued, 'my team will go ahead with you. I will follow the map there and join you later...' He began collecting his equipment ready to set off towards the unknown.

'No!' much more firmly than intended, holding him back. She composed herself, as the guards inched ever so slightly forward. She had no doubts they were reporting everything to Samson and Freedan. Realising her reaction was rather dramatic, 'I mean, it's not safe...' The quiet chatter was now replaced with silence. The Vulcan halted, Shyloh's slender fingers still clenched around his bicep, Spock noted the change in atmosphere. Suddenly, the Starfleet crew congregated as one behind him.

'Nothing indicates there is any instability in that area...' responding as he faced her. The guards stood to attention, alerted by the accusatory tone of his voice. 'What are you trying to stop me exploring this area Shyloh?' He challenged, in his peripheral vision catching the subtle change within the guards.

Stiffly dropping her hand, 'Commander I can assure you that is not my intention. As your guide I know the area, you don't, so it is in your best interest to follow me...' She dogmatically persisted. The last thing she needed was for the situation to escalate beyond her control. She imperceptibly motioned to the guards to back off. Ignoring her, they drew their weapons. 'What do you think you are doing?!' She screeched as the guards pointed their phasers at the crew. Alarmed, she found herself between them and their target, 'Stop! I am ordering you to back off now!' Behind her Spock and his crewmates had drawn their phasers in response to the threat.

'Everyone calm down now!' Shyloh pleaded 'we are in a cave, there is seismic activity and any shooting will bring tonnes of rock down on us all...' She slowly spun around, attempting to reason with all of them.

'We'll put away our weapons once they do the same...' one of the crewmen behind Spock spoke up. His eyes jumping from one Perpetuan to the other.

'My colleague's request is valid', Spock directed to the guards 'put your weapons away-'. He stopped mid sentence, drawn to the arrival of several more Perpetuans. Out of the darkness they appeared, surrounding everyone. Spock and the crew bunched closer together, the situation having escalated beyond what he could have imagined. Outgunned and outnumbered, they had no other logical choice but to surrender. Dropping his weapon, the crew followed suit.

The guard closest to Shyloh painfully grabbed her, and shoved her towards the Commander and his crew. With her palms up, she quietly stood beside Spock. Bewildered by the scene playing out in front of her, she was in two minds about what to do.

'Come!', the unfamiliar authoritative voice ordered; they followed in single file. Unsure where they were being taken, Spock took the lead, followed by his two crew mates, then Shyloh. She nervously wondered what her reception would be. There was no doubt where they were being taken...

Present time...

Freedan unsettled Kirk as they walked in relative silence through the locked down complex. Kirk's hands rested in his pockets, curiously he spied the guards accompanying others guests to their rooms. The complex was unusually quiet, the swish swish sound of Freedan's jacket the only indicator Kirk was not alone. Yet again things conspired to keep him and Uhura apart.

'What about the intervention tomorrow?' Kirk slowed, waiting for Freedan to respond.

'This changes nothing...you will still meet,' he choose his words carefully, all the while assessing the captain.

Subtly twisting back to scan Freedan's features, Kirk unexpectedly placed the voice. Freedan had been the one raising the alarm, however more worryingly he was also the one in the garden he overheard early that morning when running. Rapidly his synapses started making new connections. Behan's assertions about a male Perpetuan possibly involved with the theft. Then he thought about the immediate situation - Samson's reluctance to allow him to help, practically assaulting him to keep him out of the way. Were they involved somehow? It was a big leap and he had absolutely no evidence, but his intuition told him he was on the right track.

Wanting rid of Kirk, Freedan picked up the pace. 'Captain, the sooner you are back, the sooner I can rejoin the search efforts...'

'Of course, look I don't need you to follow me. My room is at the end of the corridor', hoping Freedan would read between the lines and let him go. Freedan's distrust was replaced with curiosity, he knew the human was up to something but could not figure out what. However, he had more important things to worry about.

He bent his intimidating frame to crowd Kirk, 'please go straight to your room. If I find out you have disobeyed Irin's request I will not be happy'. To make sure there would be no misunderstanding or underhandedness, he signalled the guard nearest Kirk's room to alert him to the captain's arrival. 'Goodnight Captain...' He glibly replied before backing away.

As Kirk entered his room the lights automatically adjusted to his presence. His tunic landed on the chair nearest the door, as he strode over to retrieve his personal PADD. Finally a response from Uhura - Ok, we do need to speak about things. Don't worry I'm fine. Rand had updated him throughout the day, saying Carol Marcus was keeping Uhura company. That surprised him, pleased him a little if he were honest. She needed more female friends, Uhura had not been close to another woman since Galia's passing all those year's ago. It also didn't hurt Carol was his closest friend's partner. He sighed, as he composed a response updating her about his inability to make it back to the ship, that he hoped she would be willing to talk via the comms screen. It wasn't ideal, but he was tired of waiting to clear things up. He needed her back by his side, he felt hollow and incomplete without her.

Finally sitting down, he accessed the communications department secure drive, scanning through the latest recordings before finding what he was looking for. Out loud he listened to the comms highlighted by Behan. Without a sample of Freedan's voice he could not be 100% certain, but could at least reassure himself he was not mistaken. The disembodied conversation filled the room, it sounded like Freedan, but he needed a second opinion. He could not risk alerting Samson to his discovery, and was unsure Uhura or McCoy had ever spoken to him. Getta, he saw them talking at the brunch event. Summoning the communication officer, there was no time for formality so keen to get confirmation he desperately needed.

He demanded 'is this male voice Freedan's?' Silence greeted Kirk, 'Getta, did you hear me?' puzzled by the lack of response.

'Yes, sorry sir. Go ahead...'

Kirk played the recording once again, 'well?' impatient for a reply.

'I would say it sounds like him. However, I haven't really spent that much time in his company. But - '

'No matter. That's all that I need. Kirk out'.

Back on his feet he deliberated his next move. He had to let Sulu know, and it was vitally important this information was shared with Irin without Samson finding out. He sent an encrypted message to his first officer. Samson's potential involvement had far reaching consequences. He had seen how she commanded her teams, they had demonstrated unwavering loyalty. How many of them were also part of the conspiracy? The unsettling thought troubling to say the least. With nothing more he could do, taking a deep breath he moved towards his bedroom and settled down cross legged on the bed; summoning Uhura, hoping she had received his message.

A few moments passed and he almost gave up, then she materialised on screen dressed in casual attire sat at the desk in their quarters. Having been put on bed rest by McCoy there was no need for her to be in uniform. Unbeknown to Kirk, Uhura had spent the last hour with Scotty planning what to say to Kirk, how to tell him about the baby. She had listened to majority the messages, and to say she was confused and upset was an understatement.

Apprehensively, he stared at her, wondering if he should make the first move. The tension was palpable.

'I didn't mean to hurt you...hurt us...' he spoke in a quiet apologetic voice.

'Why did you then?' harsher than she intended.

He flinched at the question and deliberately he stood up. Having mentally rehearsed what he would say, how he would make it right; now it was time, nothing sounded justifiable.

'I don't know...' A plea for understanding as he focused his attention on her. 'I'm so sorry'.

Bitterly she laughed out loud. Those three little words...a sure fire cure for everything. Hands clasped in front of her, 'so you keep saying. How about you tell me something I don't know...like who you talk too late at night when you think I am asleep, Jim...'.

Silence filled the room, he pushed his hands through his hair, before rubbing his face. It wasn't what she thought.

'Well?!', she angrily demanded.

'...my mother!' he choked out.

Taken aback she timidly shifted in her seat. He had not said in any of his messages that she had heard so far.

'I needed to know what it was like for her...' he paused struggling to find the words, '...for her when my father died in leaving her alone with me and my brother...'

'I don't understand...' encouraging him to continue.

'I see my life with you, I see the children we'll have and I am scared that something will happen to me...or you...I need to keep you safe. I can't lose you. He allowed everything over the past six months to fall out into the open. Finally verbalising the dark and frightening thoughts that had kept him from her.

She felt her pulse quickening, it was all too fantastical. They were Starfleet officers, they both knew the risks. She was not oblivious to those same fears, she had them too, but she rationalised them because the odds of anything happening were low. Spock had told her once, the exact figure forgotten over time. She considered what to say next, the pep talk from Scotty had not prepared her for this. The idea she might be able to tell him about the baby long forgotten.

'I'm hurt Jim. You took away my confidence...made me second guess myself...interfered in my career. Justified all those rumours spread about me and the preferential treatment I allegedly get'. She exhaled all the pain, it felt cathartic to let him know the true extent of her feelings. 'Why didn't you just tell me?'

Crestfallen he agonised how to respond, because truth be told he really didn't know. She had never ever been unapproachable, she had questioned him time and time again, but he had pushed her away.

'Nyota...' his voice broke, 'Tell me we still have a chance.' Then he blurted out earnestly, 'marry me', he had never wanted anything as much as he wanted her to say yes.

'You're not thinking straight Jim!' She exclaimed, trying to find a rational reason for his question. A proposal, she gawped at him stunned, maybe she has misheard him.

'I want to spend the rest of my life with you', none of his concerns seemed so significant anymore. 'I know I have a lot to do to regain your trust, but marrying you feels so right...'

Wistfully looking into his expectant eyes, before turning away from him, 'I'm sorry Jim...but the answer is no...' Tears silently falling. She knew he would be crushed.

'Guess I should have expected that. I will make this right', he confidently told her trying to hide his dismay.

Gazing into those watery blue eyes, 'I do love you, but I need time. I need to understand...'

He tensed preparing himself for the inevitable as she continued, sadly she breathed out '...and I can't do that with you right now'.

He wearily nodded, as she disappeared off screen.

The silence filled the room. Numb from the revelation this was a situation he couldn't fix all, even though it was early he forlornly slipped into bed and pulled the covers over him before drifting off to sleep. He hoped a solution would come to him.

The balcony doors to Kirk's room still ajar, in the early hours the unseen intruder stealthy entered. Light on their feet they crept towards Kirk's bedroom. Standing mere inches from the bed, they looked down on his sleeping form as a syringe sunk into the fleshy part of his neck. Kirk's eyes jerked open; before he could react everything slowed down. His voice unresponsive, the words felt like toffee in his mouth. He tried grabbing his attacker, but nothing was in focus, his arms felt like lead. He rapidly blinked trying to see who was attacking him, then passed out.

'...Fine, I want her in my room...I don't care, in one of the cells...' Freedan rudely ended the call, narrowing his eyes in contemplation. He avoided Samson's reproachful gaze as he slouched back in his chair. Alone in her ground floor office at the Prime Minister's residence, she had yet to hear the full extent of his remedial actions. Her office was the antithesis of Kulj'ita's, where his was gaudy and loud, her space was small and functional. Almost minimalist, it was painted white the only furniture her desk and chairs. She spent as little time as possible there, so it made no sense to fill it up with unnecessary items. It's location allowed her to slip in and out relatively unseen. The day after the theft, the Sunstones were safely ensconced within their hideout, all Samson need to do was direct the search.

'Time is of the essence. How soon can we move them? questioning her cousin. Tapping away at her computer terminal; reports had to be filed, alibis provided...

'32 hours. Something about organising the containers that will hide the stones', now playing with his dagger, he smirked.

'What's so funny?'

'Nothing...', leaning forward in the chair, ready to inform Samson about his latest escapade. He had no doubt she would be pissed. 'Shyloh was unable to fulfil her usual function...' Letting the statement hang in the air. Samson stopped and settled back into her chair, familiar with her cousin's impulsiveness she readied herself for the news. Her posture inviting him to continue. 'The situation has been contained...' he casually informed her.

Samson inhaled deeply, 'What do you mean?', swiftly rising to her feet and approaching Freedan. The severe look she was gave him, enough to drop the temperature in the room by a few degrees.

Freedan bullheadedly continued, 'The Vulcan was in the way. I did what was necessary to safeguard the operation'. He watched as she came ever closer, now perched on the desk directly in front of him. He was not stupid, she was liable to lash out, however he had no qualms putting her down, cousin or not. He stood too, but wisely moved away before revealing more.

'Are you fucking insane? We will have the might of Starfleet sweeping through the cave looking for the Vulcan. What were you thinking?!', exasperatedly slamming her hand down on the desk, incensed he would be so reckless.

Freedan nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders, he didn't care. What she did not know was he too would be off the planet once the sunstones were gone. A lucrative offer made for his services, his skills were highly sought after. 'We will have Shyloh tell everyone he ventured off during the night, obviously in a direction no where near us...that she tried to find him. By the time the search begins, he'll be found...dead or alive, depends on how he co-operates over the next few days...' Smirking once again, he impassively observed Samson's reaction noting she had made no attempt to charge at him.

'What about his crewmates. How will that be explained? They all wouldn't have wandered off in the night...'

'A tragic rock fall took their lives as they gallantly searched for their comrade...' He dramatically pulled his hands to his face in mock horror. He reasoned he may as well finish his confession - surprise the best form of defence. 'So I guess it's not a good time to tell you that the Captain suspects about our involvement in the theft and has alerted his first officer to contact Irin', churlishly he leant against the wall, 'that too has been handled...'.

Samson's head swam with the news that Freedan had kidnapped two high ranking Starfleet officers, murdered another two and her involvement in the theft might be exposed. Her anger stifling her ability to speak, she could not look at Freedan. Carefully, and controlling her natural instinct to wipe the smug grin off his face, 'Is the captain alive?' she hissed not at all surprised at the response he might give.

'Of course he is, what do you take me for!', he snapped genuinely insulted, settling down in his seat once again. '...however...his disappearance will be more difficult to explain', he steepled his hand under his chin deep in thought, oblivious to the volcanic rage radiating from Samson. 'I confess I did not think that one through...' impishly gazing at her.

Now gripping the desk edge for support, Samson quickly ran through the various scenarios to explain Kirk's disappearance. The only thing that came to mind was to have Freedan shoulder the blame. It would be easy to deny any wrong doing, as her second in command and cousin she would graciously accept conjecture that she too was linked to his heinous activities, but firmly deny them and lead the efforts to find the sunstones. It was becoming clearer to her that the sunstones may actually have to be found in order to reaffirm her story. Her client would be incredibly annoyed, but she had to control any potential fallout. Refocusing on Freedan 'where is the captain now?'

'On his way to the cave…' her lengthy silence had not gone unnoticed. 'Why? What are you thinking?'

'You my dear cousin are now a fugitive or will be within the hour, the captain's disappearance inexplicable linked with your own...' his startled reaction was satisfying, 'evidence will suggest you've left Perpetous...' Swooping over, she grabbed her secure receiver and entrusted her most trusted aide with tasks to implicate Freedan.

Taken aback by her machinations, he quickly thought of a rebuttal whilst drawing out his dagger, but before he could say anything, the complex alarms rung out. Piercing and shrill, Samson screamed in a pained voice, 'help me, help me...he's attacking me...please!'

His first instinct was to silence her; he stood in front of her she gave him a tight smile. Swiftly she grabbed his wrist and plunged the dagger into her stomach. The white hot pain brought her to her knees, carefully extracting the weapon, she applied pressure to stem the flow of blood waiting for 'rescue'. Signalling Freedan to leave via the closest exit - a window. The shards of glass sprinkled off him as he frantically made his escape across the grounds to his personal vehicle. Angrily cursing his cousin with every foul expletive he could recall, dust kicked off behind as he sped out of the complex.