*Jim POV*
Jim had just started to believe this might actually work when the Klingon Uhura was talking with grabbed her by the neck. Before anyone could react someone opened fire. Jim was the first one out of the ship. He immediately fired directly at the Klingon closest to Uhura first. As everyone spread out, the air quickly filled with phaser fire. At some point someone shot down one of the Klingon ships. Taking cover in some of the ruins Jim kept moving as he continued to scan the area. Stumbling backward Jim barely missed getting caught by the bat'leth the Klingon was wielding. After being knocked to the ground Jim finally managed to fire several shots into the Klingon attacking him. Standing Jim took aim at a hooded person firing into the melee. Before he was able to get a shot off, he was tackled.
Struggling with the new threat Jim managed to elbow the Klingon in the gut. Spinning quickly he stunned the Klingon. He turned just as another Klingon caught him in the side of his head. Still struggling to free himself, Jim was momentarily stunned as the Klingon was shot and fell to the ground. Seemingly from out of nowhere Spock and Uhura were there pulling Jim to safety. As the hooded figure shot down a Klingon ship Spock ran out to grab a phaser rifle. When the man removed his face-covering Jim stared in shock. Harrison? The three of them watched as Harrison methodically dispatched the rest of the Klingons. Having neutralized the Klingons, Harrison grabbed a phaser rifle and aimed it at them as he approached.
"Stand down," Spock ordered as he aimed the weapon at Harrison.
"How many torpedoes," Harrison yelled still aiming a phaser at them.
"Stand down," Spock repeated.
Harrison fired knocking the gun from Spock's hands.
"The torpedoes, the weapons you threatened me with in your message. How many are there?"
"Seventy-two," Spock answered.
There was a brief pause and for a moment no one moved.
"I surrender," Harrison said unexpectedly, throwing his weapon down.
A second later Spock reached down and grabbed the phaser rifle. Slowly, Jim stood and walked over to Harrison.
"On behalf of Christopher Pike, my friend, I accept your surrender," Jim growled.
No, Spock thought at Jim mere seconds before Jim swung on Harrison. Harrison didn't show any signs of feeling the punch. Jim began punching the renegade repeatedly. Spock had been prepared to step in and pull Jim off of Harrison before Jim beat him to death. He was startled that none of the blows seemed to affect Harrison. Something was definitely wrong here.
"Captain," Uhura cried out.
"Captain," Harrison repeated with a knowing sneer.
Breathing heavily Jim finally looked around at the others present. "Cuff him."
.
"Bones, meet me in the brig."
"Be right there," Bones answered.
"Lieutenant, contact Starfleet. Let them know we have Harrison in custody, and we'll be on our way once the warp core is repaired."
"Yes, sir."
*Spock*
"Why the hell did he surrender," McCoy asked.
"I don't know. But he just took out a squad of Klingons single-handedly. I want to know how."
"Sounds like we have a superman on board," McCoy noted.
"You tell me," Jim told the doctor.
Jim was 'antsy'. There was just no other way to phrase it. Something was setting Jim on edge. Fearing it was his own apprehension Spock carefully suppressed his own emotions hoping it would ease Jim's. No such luck. Whatever was going on, Jim felt it as well.
The doctor walked over to the holding cell and inspected the prisoner for a second before addressing the man. "Put your arm through the hole. I'm gonna take a blood sample."
"Why aren't we moving, Captain," Harrison asked as he complied. "An unexpected malfunction, perhaps in your warp core conveniently stranding you on the edge of Klingon space?"
"How the hell do you know that," McCoy demanded.
"Bones," Jim ordered.
"I think you'd find my insight valuable, Captain," Harrison stated calmly.
"We good," Jim asked the doctor.
"Yeah," McCoy answered.
"Let me know what you find," Jim told McCoy as the group began to leave.
"Ignore me and you will get everyone on this ship killed," Harrison continued.
"Captain, I believe he will only attempt to manipulate you. I would not recommend engaging the prisoner further," Spock informed his mate.
*Jim*
"Give me a minute," Jim told Spock before stalking back to the holding cell. "Let me explain what's happening here. You are a criminal. I watched you murder innocent men and women. I was authorized to end you! The only reason why you are still alive is because I am allowing it... So shut your mouth."
"Oh, Captain, are you going to punch me again over and over till your arm weakens? Clearly you want to, so tell me, why did you allow me to live?"
"We all make mistakes."
"No. I surrendered to you because, despite your attempt to convince me otherwise, you seem to have a conscience, Mr. Kirk. If you did not, then it would be impossible for me to convince you of the truth. Two three, one seven, four six, one one. Coordinates not far from Earth. If you want to know why I did what I did, go and take a look."
"Give me one reason why I should listen to you."
"I can give you seventy-two. And they're on board your ship, Captain. They have been all along. I suggest you open one up."
*Scotty*
Scotty downed his drink and looked back to Keenser. "You know what really bothers me, though? It's the modifications. You know, the enhancements? Right? And then like that, I'm off the ship! Just for trying to do what's right! And what did you do anyway? You just stood there like an oyster, looking at me!"
Beep, beep.
Rolling his eyes Scotty grabbed his comm. "What," he shouted over the noise of the bar.
"Scotty, it's Kirk."
"Well now, if it isn't Captain James Tiberius Perfect Hair! Did you hear that? I called him Perfect Hair."
"Where are you?"
"Where are you?"
"Are you drunk?"
"What I do in my private time is my business, Jimbo."
"I need you to help me out with something. Will you take these coordinates down? Twenty-three, seventeen, forty-six, eleven. ... Are you writing?"
"What, you don't think, I can remember four numbers? Ye of little faith... What was the third one?"
"Forty-six. I don't know exactly what you're looking for, but I have a feeling you'll know it when you see it. You may have been right about those torpedoes."
"I will consider that an apology. And I will consider that apology."
"You are the one who quit," Jim said evenly.
"You made me quit," Scotty declared indignantly before cutting the conversation. "The nerve of that guy! I am not doing that man any favors! ... No! ... Ach, all right, then!"
*Jim*
"Are you out of your corn-fed mind? You're not actually going to listen to this guy? He almost killed you, and now you think it's a good idea to pop open a torpedo because he dared you to."
"Why did he save our lives, Bones?"
"The doctor does have a point, Captain."
"Don't agree with me, Spock. It makes me very uncomfortable," Bones muttered irritably.
"Perhaps you too should learn to govern your emotions, Doctor. In this situation, logic dictates-"
"Logic? Oh, my God! There's a maniac trying to make us blow up our own damn ship and-"
"That's not it," Jim interjected. "I don't know why he surrendered, but that's not it. Look, we're gonna open a torpedo. The question is how."
"Jim, without Mr. Scott on board, who exactly is qualified to just pop open a four-ton stick of dynamite?"
"The Admiral's daughter appeared to have an interest in the torpedoes and she is a weapons specialist. Perhaps she could be of some use," Spock offered.
There was a moment's silence.
"What Admiral's daughter," Jim asked.
"Carol Marcus. Your new science officer concealed her identity to board the ship."
"Exactly when were you going to tell me that?"
"When it became relevant, as it just did."
Jim shook his head and deliberately pushed every bit of his exasperation through the bond.
"We really need to discuss what's relevant and when Spock."
.
"Are the torpedoes in the weapons bay," Carol asked quickly.
"Loaded and ready to fire. What are they," Jim asked as they rushed to the weapons bay.
"I don't know. That's why I forged my transfer onto your ship to find out. I do apologize for that, by the way. If I caused you any problems, I am sorry. I'm Carol Marcus."
"James Kirk."
"Torpedoes," she reminded him. "My father gave me access to every program he oversaw, then I heard he was developing these prototype torpedoes. When I went to confront him about it, he wouldn't even see me. That's when I discovered the torpedoes had disappeared from all official records."
"And then he gave them to me."
"You're much more clever than your reputation suggests, Captain Kirk."
"I have a reputation?"
"Yes, you do. I'm a friend of Christine Chapel's."
Jim's mind drew a blank at the name so he improvised. "Christine, yes. How is she?"
"She transferred to the outer frontier to be a nurse. She's much happier now."
"That's good."
"You have no idea who I'm talking about, do you?"
"What are we doing in here," he asked changing the topic.
"Is this shuttle prepped to fly?"
"Of course it is."
"Would you please turn around?"
"Why," Jim asked completely confounded by the request.
"Just turn around."
Annoyed he turned around as she continued speaking.
"It's too dangerous to try and open one of these torpedoes on the Enterprise but there is a nearby planetoid. I can open one up there but I will need some help."
Glancing back over his shoulder Jim stopped and stared. Having removed her uniform Carol stood in nothing but matching forest green bra and panties. Jim blinked several times trying to find something to say.
"Turn around," Carol ordered. "Now!"
.
"Captain on the bridge."
"Mr. Sulu, have Doctors Marcus and McCoy landed on the planetoid yet?"
"Yes, sir. They're moving the torpedo into position now," Sulu answered.
"Good. Any activity from the Klingons?"
"Not yet. If we're stuck here much longer, they will find us."
"Lieutenant Uhura, did you let Starfleet know we have Harrison in custody?"
"Yes, sir. No response yet."
"Engineering to bridge. Hello? Captain, can you hear me?"
"Mr. Chekov, give me some good news."
"We found the leak, sir, but the damage is substantial. We're working on it."
"Any idea what caused it?"
"No, sir, but I accept full responsibility."
"Something tells me it wasn't your fault. Stay on it."
"Shuttle is standing by, Captain," Spock announced.
"Bones, thanks for helping out. Dr. Marcus asked for the steadiest hands on the ship."
*McCoy*
"You know, when I dreamt about being stuck on a deserted planet with a gorgeous woman, there was no torpedo!"
"Dr. McCoy, may I remind you, you are not there to flirt."
Ignoring Jim McCoy asked, "So how can these legendary hands help you, Dr. Marcus?"
"Bones!"
"To understand how powerful these weapons are, we need to open the warhead. To do that, we need to access the fuel compartment. Unfortunately for us, the warheads on these weapons are live."
"Sweetheart, I once performed an emergency C-section on a pregnant Gorn. Octuplets. And let me tell you, those little bastards bite. I think I can work some magic on your missile."
"Dr. McCoy, there's a bundle of fiber optic cables against the inner casing. You'll need to cut the twenty-third wire down. Whatever you do, do not touch anything else. Do you understand?"
"Right. The thought never crossed my mind," McCoy assured her.
"Dr. McCoy, wait for my word. I'm rerouting the detonation processor. Are you ready?"
"And raring."
"Good luck."
*Jim*
"Sir, the torpedo just armed itself."
"The warhead's gonna detonate in thirty seconds, sir!"
"What the hell happened? I can't get my arm out!"
"Target their signal. Beam them back right now."
"The transporter cannot differentiate between Dr. McCoy and the torpedo. We cannot beam back one without the other," Spock stated as he stood and moved closer to Jim.
"Dr. Marcus, can you disarm it?"
"I'm trying. I'm trying."
"Jim, get her the hell out of here," Bones ordered.
"No! If you beam me back, he dies! Just let me do it," Carol insisted.
"Ten. Nine. Eight."
"Standing by to transport Dr. Marcus on your command, sir," Sulu stated.
"Four. Three."
"Shit!"
"Deactivation successful, Captain," Spock informed him.
"Dr. McCoy, are you all right?" No answer. "Bones!"
"Jim? You're going to want to see this."
*Scotty*
Coordinates 23-17-46-11
Jupiter
What am I even doing here, Scotty thought. Checking a random set of coordinates for my former captain? Who was he kidding, Jim Kirk would always be his Captain. He still couldn't believe he had let himself be talked into this nonsense. Making his way around the edge of Jupiter he stared in shock. Moving in for a closer look a comm transmission startled him.
"Delta team, deliver your thrusters to loading dock twelve."
"U.S.S. Vengeance, bridge crew requesting entry to construction hangar."
"You are cleared to enter the hangar."
When the Vengeance requested entry Scotty followed the ship inside the hanger.
"I need a welding team on the number one nacelle."
"Holy..."
*Jim*
"What have we got," Jim demanded.
"It's quite clever actually," Carol said turning to Jim. "This fuel container's been removed from the torpedo and retrofitted to hide this cryo tube."
"Is he alive," Jim questioned.
"He's alive but if we try to revive him without the proper sequencing it could kill him. This technology is beyond me," Bones admitted.
"How advanced, Doctor," Spock asked.
"It's not advanced. That cryo tube is ancient," Carol said.
"We haven't needed to freeze anyone since we developed warp capability, which explains the most interesting thing about our friend here. He's three hundred years old," Bones stated.
.
"Why is there a man in that torpedo," Jim asked glaring at the man standing calmly in the holding cell.
"There are men and women in all those torpedoes, Captain. I put them there," 'Harrison' told him.
"Who the hell are you?"
"A remnant of a time long past. Genetically engineered to be superior so as to lead others to peace in a world at war. But we were condemned as criminals, forced into exile. For centuries we slept, hoping when we awoke things would be different. As a result of the destruction of Vulcan, your Starfleet began to aggressively search distant quadrants of space. My ship was found adrift. I alone was revived."
"I looked up 'John Harrison'. Until a year ago, he didn't exist."
"John Harrison was a fiction created the moment I was awoken by your Admiral Marcus to help him advance his cause. A smokescreen to conceal my true identity. My name is Khan."
"Why would a Starfleet Admiral ask a three hundred-year-old frozen man for help," Jim asked.
"Because I am better," Khan stated arrogantly.
"At what?"
"Everything. Alexander Marcus needed to respond to an uncivilized threat in a civilized time. For that he needed a warrior's mind, my mind, to design weapons and warships."
"You are suggesting the Admiral violated every regulation he vowed to uphold simply because he wanted to exploit your intellect," Spock said doubtfully.
"He wanted to exploit my savagery. Intellect alone is useless in a fight, Mr. Spock. You? You can't even break a rule. How would you be expected to break bone? Marcus used me to design weapons; to help him realize his vision of a militarized Starfleet. He sent you to use those weapons, to fire my torpedoes on an unsuspecting planet. And then he purposefully crippled your ship in enemy space, leading to one inevitable outcome. The Klingons would come searching for whomever was responsible, and you would have no chance of escape. Marcus would finally have the war he talked about... The war he always wanted."
"No," Jim shouted. "No, I watched you open fire in a room full of unarmed Starfleet officers. You killed them in cold blood!"
"Marcus took my crew from me."
"You are a murderer," Jim accused.
"He used my friends to control me. I tried to smuggle them to safety by concealing them in the very weapons I had designed, but I was discovered. I had no choice but to escape alone. When I did, I had every reason to suspect that Marcus had killed every single one of the people I hold most dear. I responded in kind. My crew is my family, Kirk. Is there anything you would not do for your family?"
"Proximity alert, sir! There's a ship at warp heading right for us."
"Klingons," Jim asked.
"At warp," Khan asked smugly. "No Kirk, we both know who it is."
"I don't think so. It's not coming at us from Kronos."
"Lieutenant, move Khan to med bay. Post six security officers on him."
"Yes, Captain."
.
"Captain on the bridge!"
"ETA of the incoming ship," Jim called out.
"Three seconds, sir," Sulu replied.
"Shields," Jim ordered.
"Aye, Captain."
"They're hailing us, sir," Uhura stated.
"On screen. Broadcast ship wide, for the record," Kirk ordered.
"Captain Kirk," Admiral Marcus greeted.
"Admiral Marcus, I wasn't expecting you. That's a hell of a ship you got there."
"And I wasn't expecting to get word that you'd taken Harrison into custody in violation of your orders."
"Well, we... We had to improvise when our warp core unexpectedly malfunctioned. But you already knew that, didn't you, sir?"
"I don't take your meaning."
"Well, that's why you're here, isn't it? To assist with our repairs? Why else would the head of Starfleet personally come to the edge of the Neutral Zone?"
"Captain, they're scanning our ship," Sulu informed him.
"Is there something I can help you find, sir?"
"Where is your prisoner, Kirk?"
"Per Starfleet regulation, I'm planning on returning Khan to Earth to stand trial."
"Well, shit. You talked to him. This is exactly what I was hoping to spare you from. I took a tactical risk when I woke that bastard up, believing that his superior intelligence could help us protect ourselves from whatever came at us next. But I made a mistake. And now the blood of everybody he's killed is on my hands. So I'm asking you, give him to me so that I can end what I started."
"And what exactly would you like me to do with the rest of his crew, sir? Fire them at the Klingons? End seventy-two lives? Start a war in the process?"
"He put those people in those torpedoes! I simply didn't want to burden you with knowing what was inside of them. You saw what this man can do all by himself. Can you imagine what would happen if we woke up the rest of his crew? What else did he tell you? That he's a peacekeeper? He's playing you, son, don't you see that? Khan and his crew were condemned to death as war criminals. And now it is our duty to carry out that sentence before anybody else dies because of him. Now I'm going to ask you again, one last time, son. Lower your shields. Tell me where he is."
Jim hesitated. "He's in engineering, sir," Jim lied. "But I'll have him moved to the transporter room right away."
Spock frowned as he felt his mate's mind working.
"I'll take it from here."
Jim motioned for them to cut the channel.
"Do not drop those shields, Mr. Sulu."
"Aye, Captain."
Spock stood and walked closer to his mate. "Captain, given your awareness of Khan's true location in the med bay, may I know the details of your plan?"
"I told Marcus we were bringing a fugitive back to Earth. That's what we're going to do."
"Mr. Chekov, can we warp?"
"Sir, if we go to warp, we run the risk of seriously damaging the core!"
"Can we do it?"
"Technically, yes, but I would not advise it, Captain."
"Noted."
"Mr. Sulu, set course for Earth."
"Yes, sir."
"Punch it."
*Carol*
"Well, at least we're moving again," Dr. McCoy said sounding relieved.
"If you think you're safe at warp, you're wrong," Khan stated.
As understanding hit Carol rushed out of the med bay.
*Jim*
"Lieutenant Uhura, contact Starfleet. Tell them we were pursued into the Neutral Zone by an unmarked Federation ship."
"Comms are down, sir."
The turbo lift opened and Carol exited. "Permission to come on the bridge," she said breathlessly.
"Dr. Marcus," Jim acknowledged.
"He's gonna catch up with us, and when he does, the only thing that's gonna stop him destroying this ship is me, so you have to let me talk to him," Carol said in a rush.
"Carol, we're at warp. He can't catch up with us."
"Yes, he can. He's been developing a ship that has advanced warp capabilities-"
"Captain! I'm getting a reading I don't understand," Sulu interrupted.
Suddenly the Enterprise rocked as they came under fire. They took numerous hits before the Enterprise was knocked out of warp.
"Where are we," Jim asked immediately.
"We're two hundred thirty-seven thousand kilometers from Earth," Sulu reported.
"Damage report!"
"Weapons are way down."
"Shields are dropping."
"We're defenseless, sir."
"Sir, we have a bulkhead breach."
"Where's the damage?"
"Major hull damage, Captain."
"Evasive maneuvers! Get us to Earth! Right now!"
"Captain, stop," Carol ordered. "Everybody on this ship is going to die if you don't let me speak to him."
"Uhura, hail him."
"Sir. It's me. It's Carol."
"What are you doing on that ship?"
"I heard what you said. That you made a mistake and now you're doing everything you can to fix it. But, Dad... I don't believe that the man who raised me is capable of destroying a ship full of innocent people. And, if I'm wrong about that, then you're gonna have to do it with me on board."
"Actually, Carol, I won't."
The yellow-white tendrils of a transporter beam began to snake around Carol. Stunned she looked up and met his eyes.
"Jim?"
"Can we intercept the transport signal?"
"No, sir."
"Carol," Jim called, reaching out to her as she disappeared.
"Captain Kirk, without authorization and in league with the fugitive John Harrison, you went rogue in enemy territory, leaving me no choice but to hunt you down and destroy you. Lock phasers."
"Wait, sir. Wait, wait, wait!"
"I'll make this quick. Target all aft torpedoes on the Enterprise bridge."
"Sir, my crew was just following my orders. I take full responsibility for my actions, but they were mine and they were mine alone. If I transmit Khan's location to you now, all that I ask is that you spare them. Please sir, I'll do anything you want. Just let them live."
"That's a hell of an apology. But if it's any consolation, I was never going to spare your crew. Fire when-"
As the view screen cut off Jim turned and slowly took one last look at his bridge crew.
"I'm sorry," he told them honestly.
Turning, he met Spock's eyes one last time. I'm sorry, he mouthed silently. Clinging tightly onto their bond Jim waited for the end.
*Admiral Marcus*
"Our weapons won't fire, sir!"
"Our shields are down! We're losing power!"
"Someone in engineering just manually reset our systems!"
"What do you mean, 'someone'? Who," Marcus demanded.
*Spock*
"Their weapons have powered down, Sir," Sulu said.
"Enterprise! Can you hear me?"
"Scotty!"
"Guess what I found behind Jupiter?"
"You're on that ship!"
"I snuck on. And seeing as I've just committed an act of treason against a Starfleet Admiral, I'd really like to get off this bloody ship. Now beam me out!"
"You're a miracle worker! We're a little low on power right now. Just stand by. Stand by."
"What do you mean, "low on power"? What happened to the Enterprise? Call you back."
"Scotty! Spock. Our ship, how is she?"
"Our options are limited, Captain. We cannot fire and we cannot flee."
"There is one option... Uhura, when you get Scotty back, patch him through."
"Yes, sir."
"Mr. Spock, you have the conn."
Following Jim off the bridge Spock grabbed him by the shoulder and turned him around. "Captain, I strongly object."
"To what? I haven't said anything yet."
"Since we cannot take the ship from the outside, the only way we can take it is from within. And as a large boarding party would be detected, it is optimal for you to take as few members of the crew as possible. You will meet resistance, requiring personnel with advanced combat abilities and innate knowledge of that ship. This indicates that you plan to align with Khan, the very man we were sent here to destroy."
"I'm not aligning with him, I'm using him. 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.'"
"An Arabic proverb attributed to a prince who was betrayed and decapitated by his own subjects."
"Still, it's a hell of a quote."
"Then I will go with you."
"No, I need you on the bridge."
"I cannot allow you to do this. It is my function aboard this ship to advise you on making the wisest decisions possible, something I firmly believe you are incapable of doing in this moment."
"You're right! What I'm about to do, it doesn't make any sense, it's not logical. It is a gut feeling. I have no idea what I'm supposed to do. I only know what I can do. The Enterprise and her crew need someone in that chair that knows what he's doing, and it's not me. It's you, Spock."
"I cannot lose you, Jim," Spock said quietly.
"I trusted you on Nibiru," Jim reminded him. "You have to trust me with this."
"I love you," Spock whispered.
Jim gave a sad smile. "I love you too."
*Jim*
"Tell me everything you know about that ship."
"Dreadnought class. Two times the size, three times the speed. Advanced weaponry. Modified for a minimal crew. Unlike most Federation vessels, it's built solely for combat."
"I will do everything I can to make you answer for what you did," Jim assured Khan. "But right now I need your help."
"In exchange for what?"
"You said you'd do anything for your crew. I can guarantee their safety."
"Captain. You can't even guarantee the safety of your own crew."
"Bones, what are you doing with that tribble," Jim asked without looking back over at the doctor.
"The tribble's dead. I'm injecting Khan's platelets into the deceased tissue of a necrotic host. Khan's cells regenerate like nothing I've ever seen, and I want to know why," Bones informed them.
"You coming with me or not?"
.
"You want to do what?"
"We're coming over there. Sulu's maneuvering the Enterprise into position as we speak."
"To this ship? How?"
"There's a cargo door, hangar seven, access port one-oh-one A. You need to find the manual override to open that airlock."
"Are you crazy, whoever you are?"
"Just listen to him, Scotty. It's gonna be all right."
"It is not gonna be all right. You want me to open an airlock into space, whereupon I will freeze, die and explode!"
*Spock*
"Lieutenant, from our current position, is it possible to establish contact with New Vulcan," Spock asked.
"I'll do my best," Uhura replied.
"Thank you."
"Mr. Sulu, what is the status of the other ship?"
"Their systems are still offline. I'm aligning our ship now," Sulu informed him.
*Jim*
"Scotty, how we doing over there?"
"Captain, I wish I had better news. They've locked out access to the ship's computer. They'll have full weapons in three minutes. That means next time I won't be able to stop them destroying the Enterprise. Stand by."
*Spock*
"Commander, our trash exhaust is aimed at access port one-oh-one A of the other ship."
"Captain, the ships are aligned," Spock informed Jim.
*Jim*
"Copy that. Scotty?"
"I'm in the hangar. Give me a minute. I'm running. Stand by. Whoa, whoa, whoa hold on now, Captain. This door is very wee. I mean, you know, small. It's four square meters, tops. It's gonna be like jumping out of a moving car, off a bridge, into your shot glass."
"It's okay. I've done it before." Jim paused and inspected the others staring at him. "Yeah, it was vertical," he explained. "We jumped onto a... it was a... it doesn't matter."
"Did you find the manual override," Khan interrupted.
"Scotty the manual override."
"Not yet, not yet."
"Captain, before you launch, you should be aware there is a considerable debris field between our ships."
"Spock, not now. Scotty, you good?"
"It's not easy! Just give me two seconds, all right, you mad bastard!"
*McCoy*
"Tell me this is gonna work, Spock."
"I have neither the information nor the confidence to do so, Doctor. Okay, Captain, stand by."
"Boy, you're a real comfort," McCoy grumped.
*Jim*
"Come on, come on, come on. Yes! Okay, okay! I'm set to open the door."
"You ready?"
"Are you," Khan challenged.
"Spock, pull the trigger."
"Yes, Captain."
Spock*
"Launching activation sequence on three, two, one."
"Sir, Kirk is headed for collision at point four three two!"
"Captain, there is debris directly ahead."
"Copy that."
"Whoa! Jim, you're way off course!"
"I know, I know! I can see that."
"Use your display compass, Captain. You must correct precisely thirty-seven point two four three degrees."
"Got it. I'm working my way back. Scotty, you're gonna be ready with that door, right?"
*Scotty*
Scotty strapped his left wrist to the console as he continued to work.
"Don't move."
Scotty froze at the unexpected voice behind him.
"What are you doing in here?"
"Wee bit of maintenance on the airlock console," Scotty answered. He turned and inspected the man behind him. "You're big," he observed.
*Uhura*
"Mr. Scott, where are you?"
"Captain, he can't seem to hear you. I'm working on getting his signal back. Stand by."
"Damn it."
"Captain, what is it?"
"My helmet was hit. Uhura, tell me you have Mr. Scott back."
"Not yet. I'm still working on a signal. His communicator is working. I don't know why he isn't responding."
*Scotty*
"Mr. Scott!"
"What is that?"
"Are you Starfleet or private security?"
"Show me your other hand," the man ordered.
"Because you look like private security," Scotty continued ignoring the man.
*Spock*
"Imminent collision detected!"
"Khan, use evasive action! There is debris directly ahead."
"I see it."
"Mr. Sulu, did we lose Khan?"
"I don't know, Commander. I'm having trouble tracking him in all this debris."
"Was Khan hit," Jim queried.
"We are trying to find him now. Captain, you need to adjust your target destination to one eighty-three by four seventy-three degrees," Sulu informed him.
"Spock, my display's dead. I'm flying blind."
"Captain, without your display compass, hitting your target destination is mathematically impossible."
"Spock, if I get back, we really need to talk about your bedside manner."
"Commander, he's not going to make it."
Spock gave serious consideration to ordering his mate to turn around and head back toward the ship. No, he decided. He had to have faith in Jim. His mate would be alright. He had to be.
"My display is still functioning."
Khan... Spock wasn't sure how he felt about Khan's reemergence. As long as it helped keep Jim safe he would tolerate Khan for now.
"I see you, Kirk, you're two hundred meters ahead of me at my one o'clock. Come to your left a few degrees and follow me," Khan said.
"Scotty, we're getting close. We need a warm welcome. Do you copy? Do you copy? Scotty?"
"If you can hear us, Mr. Scott, open the door in ten, nine..."
"Scotty!"
*Scotty*
"That person counting down, what is that?"
"Eight..."
"I think you're hearing things, mate," Scotty told the man.
"...seven..."
"Mr. Scott, where are you?"
"...six... five..."
"Eighteen hundred meters. Sixteen hundred meters."
"Scotty, where are you?"
"...three..."
"Do you copy, Scotty? Please!"
"...two..."
"Sorry about this," Scotty apologized.
"About what?"
"Mr. Scott, open the door," Spock stated.
"Open the door," Jim yelled.
"Mr. Scott, now!"
*Jim*
"Welcome aboard," Scotty greeted the captain.
"It's good to see you, Scotty," Jim said with a relieved grin.
"Who is that?"
"Khan, Scotty. Scotty, Khan."
"Hello," Scotty greeted Khan.
Khan ignored the greeting. "They'll know we're here. I know the best way to the bridge."
Jim reached out and handed a phaser to Khan. He kept his hand on it and locked eyes with Khan. "It's locked to stun."
"Theirs won't be."
"Try not to get shot."
*Spock*
"Commander, I have that transmission as requested."
"On screen, please."
"Stand by."
"Mr. Spock."
"Mr. Spock."
*Admiral Marcus*
"Admiral."
Marcus turned and eyed his daughter. "I'll deal with you in a-" The rest of his sentence was cut short when Carol reached out and slapped him.
"I am ashamed to be your daughter."
"Sir, we just had a hangar door open on deck thirteen."
"Khan," Marcus announced.
*Scotty*
"They're going to have full power and we're walking," Scotty asked.
"The turbo lifts are easily tracked and Marcus would have us in a cage," Khan stated simply. "This path runs adjacent to the engine room. They know they won't be able to use their weapons here without destabilizing the warp core, which gives us the advantage."
Turning to his captain Scotty asked, "Where'd you find this guy?"
"It's a long story."
*Spock*
"I will be brief. In your travels, did you ever encounter a man named Khan?"
"As you know, I have made a vow never to give you information that could potentially alter your destiny. Your path is yours to walk and yours alone... That being said, Khan Noonien Singh is the most dangerous adversary the Enterprise ever faced. He is brilliant, ruthless, and he will not hesitate to kill every single one of you."
"Did you defeat him?"
"At great cost, yes."
"How?"
*Scotty*
"I don't mean to tempt fate here, but where is everybody," Scotty asked.
"The ship is designed to be flown by minimal crew, one, if necessary," Khan stated.
"One? I-"
Before he could finish the sentence Khan was attacked. Backing up Scotty and the captain were also attacked. By the time they managed to dispatch the men Khan was gone.
"You all right?"
"Yeah. Where's Khan?"
*Spock*
"Lieutenant, I need you to assemble all senior medical and engineering staff in the weapons bay," Spock ordered.
"All right," Uhura acknowledged.
"Dr. McCoy, you inadvertently activated a torpedo," Spock said. "Could you replicate the process?"
"Why the hell would I want to do that," the doctor asked loudly.
"Can you or can you not?"
"Damn it, man, I'm a doctor, not a torpedo technician!"
"The fact that you are a doctor is precisely why I need you to listen very carefully."
*Jim*
"Where is he?"
"Shit," Jim cursed.
"This way," Khan said stepping into view. Taking off down the hall he left the other two to follow or not.
"The minute we get to the bridge, drop him," Jim whispered.
"What, stun him? Khan," Scotty asked wide eyed. "I thought he was helping us."
"I'm pretty sure we're helping him," Jim muttered.
*Admiral Marcus*
"Power coming online, sir!"
"Retarget the Enterprise now," Marcus ordered.
"Aye, sir."
*Jim*
The second the doors opened Jim rushed onto the bridge. Within seconds they had the crew neutralized. Jim glanced over to Scotty and nodded; Scotty instantly turned and stunned Khan.
"Make sure he stays down," Jim ordered.
"Excuse me," Scotty said politely as he made his way past Carol and over the bodies of stunned crewmen.
"Admiral Marcus, you're under arrest."
"You're not actually going to do this, are you?"
"Admiral, get out of the chair."
"You better stop and think about what you're doing, Kirk. You better think about what you did on Kronos. You made an incursion onto an enemy planet! You killed a Klingon patrol. Even if you got away without a trace, war is coming. And who is going to lead us? You? If I'm not in charge, our entire way of life is decimated! So you want me off this ship, you better kill me."
"I'm not going to kill you, sir. But I could stun your ass and drag you out of that chair. I'd rather not do that in front of your daughter." He glanced to Carol. "You all right?"
"Yes, Captain," she answered. "Jim," Carol exclaimed.
That was all the warning he had before Khan leapt over the console and tackled him. Pain exploded as Khan's fist connected with his face. After another punch Khan grabbed his hair and yanked to his feet. Jim winced against the pain. Khan's knee struck him in the stomach, knocking the air from his lungs.
"Listen! Wait," he heard Carol yelling.
There was a sickening crack and Carol screamed. Groaning Jim desperately tried to breath.
"You... You should have let me sleep."
Carol yelled again and Jim turned onto his side in time to see Khan pressing his hands against Admiral Marcus' head. No, Jim thought, I have to do some thing.
*Spock*
"Where is the Captain, Mr. Sulu?"
"Our sensor array's down, sir. I can't find him."
The view screen activated. The scene on the screen momentarily stunned Spock...
"I'm going to make this very simple for you."
"Captain!"
"Your crew for my crew."
"You betrayed us."
"You are smart, Mr. Spock."
"Spock don't-"
Khan knocked Jim unconscious and Spock fought to maintain his control. Jim was alive, he could still feel him through the bond. If Khan killed Jim... He couldn't think about that right now. To ensure Jim's safety he had to focus on dealing with Khan.
"Mr. Spock, give me my crew."
"And what will you do when you get them?"
"Continue the work we were doing before we were banished."
"Which, as I understand it, involves the mass genocide of any being you find to be less than superior."
"Shall I destroy you, Mr. Spock? Or will you give me what I want?"
"We have no transporter capabilities."
"Fortunately mine are perfectly functional. Drop your shields."
"If I do so, I have no guarantee that you will not destroy the Enterprise."
"Well, let's play this out logically then, Mr. Spock. Firstly, I will kill your Captain to demonstrate my resolve. Then, if yours holds, I will have no choice but to kill you and your entire crew."
"If you destroy our ship, you will also destroy your own people."
"Your crew requires oxygen to survive, mine does not. I will target your life support systems located behind the aft nacelle. And after every single person aboard your ship suffocates, I will walk over your cold corpses to recover my people. Now, shall we begin?
"Lower shields."
"A wise choice, Mr. Spock."
Khan turned and made his way to the ship's controls. On his way past Khan gave Jim a hard kick to the ribs if the feelings through the bond were accurate. Spock pressed his lips together and, shaking slightly, tried to control his emotions as they screamed for vengeance against he who had hurt his mate.
"I see your seventy-two torpedoes are still in their tubes. If they are not mine, Commander, I will know it."
"Vulcans do not lie," he told Khan evenly. His voice was surprisingly calm considering the torrent of emotions vying for control. "The torpedoes are yours."
"Thank you, Mr. Spock."
"I have fulfilled your terms. Now fulfill mine," Spock ordered.
"Well, Kirk, it seems apt to return you to your crew. After all, no ship should go down without her captain."
"He's locking phasers on us, sir," Sulu announced.
*Jim*
As they finally materialized Jim realized they were in a holding cell on the Enterprise.
"Let us out of here now!" Scotty kicked at the force field trapping them and the ship lurched.
*Spock*
"Shields at six percent," Sulu called out.
"The torpedoes! How much time, Lieutenant," Spock asked.
"Twelve seconds, sir!"
*Jim*
"Crew of the Enterprise, prepare for imminent proximity detonation."
"What's he talking about? What detonation," Scotty asked.
"The torpedoes," Jim said as it dawned on him. "He armed the damn torpedoes!" Supporting Carol between them he and Scotty continued making their way towards the med bay.
"Doctor," Scotty yelled as they entered the med bay.
"Bones," Kirk called out.
"Nurse," McCoy yelled.
"I got you. I got you," the nurse said as she took Carol from Jim and Scotty.
"Dr. Marcus," Uhura said as she ran up to help the nurse.
"Good to see you, Jim," Bones stated from where he was working on an injured crewman.
Jim made his way over to the doctor. "You helped Spock detonate those torpedoes?"
"Damn right I did."
"He killed Khan's crew."
"Spock's cold, but he's not that cold. I've got Khan's crew. Seventy-two human popsicles safe and sound in their cryo tubes."
"Son of a bitch!"
*Spock*
"Sir, the central power grid is failing," Sulu announced.
"Switch to auxiliary power," Spock commanded.
"Auxiliary power failing, sir."
"Commander, our ship's caught in Earth's gravity," Sulu declared.
"Can we stop?"
"I can't do anything. Sorry."
*McCoy*
"Engage emergency lock down! I hope you don't get seasick," McCoy told Dr. Marcus.
"Do you," she asked him.
"Yeah," McCoy admitted.
*Spock*
"Lieutenant, sound evacuation, all decks."
"Aye, sir."
If they didn't stabilize the ship anyone remaining on board would die. Jim would never abandon his ship. If his mate was destined to die here then Spock would not abandon him. "As acting Captain, I order you to abandon this ship. I will remain behind and divert all power to life support and evacuation shuttle bays." When no one moved Spock repeated himself. "I order you to abandon the ship!"
"All due respect, Commander, but we're not going anywhere," Sulu stated defiantly.
Spock felt an irrational sense of pride as he watched the rest of the bridge crew refuse to leave as well.
*Scotty*
"One day I've been off this ship! One bloody day!"
"Gravity systems are failing."
The ship shifted and they slid down the walkway. "Hold on! Hold on," Jim ordered Scotty as they grabbed onto the railing to keep from sliding off.
"Attention, all decks. Evacuation protocols initiated. Proceed to exit bays and report to your assigned shuttle."
"There won't be time for evacuation if we don't get power to stabilize the damn ship," Scotty yelled.
"Can we restore it?"
"Only from engineering. We have to get back to the warp core."
When the ship temporarily righted they took off down the walk way once more. "Scotty, we got to get the power back on! Come on!"
They were racing down a hallway when the ship tilted again and they had to run along the walls. "Scotty, we got to jump!"
"What?"
"Jump! Jump!"
"Oh, God."
"Attention, all decks. Evacuation protocols initiated. Proceed to exit bays and report to your assigned shuttle."
As they raced towards engineering the ship pitched again. They braced themselves against the safety railing until debris from above them struck the catwalk they were on. Both of them slipped through the guard rail.
"Hold on," Jim yelled.
"I can't."
Scotty's hands slipped from the railing and Jim reached out grabbing the engineer's right wrist.
Must hold on, Jim ordered himself. Despite his best efforts he could feel his own hand slipping from the bar. When the weight finally became too much his hand lost it's grip. Before he could even process that he and Scotty were going to plummet to their death a hand gripped onto his wrist and Jim's head shot up. Chekov. Thank God!
"I've got you, Captain!"
"Chekov!"
"Don't let go," Scotty called up, still dangling from Jim's hand.
As the ship righted Chekov managed to pull them up enough for Scotty to grab onto the railing. Jim spared a few second to be grateful for the decrease in weight before pulling himself back up. After a short rest the trio resumed their trek to engineering.
"Even if we get the warp core online, we've still got to redirect the power," Scotty informed him.
"He's right, Captain," Chekov agreed.
"What are you talking about," Jim asked.
"Someone has to hit the manual override," Scotty said. "Laddie, there's a switch-"
"Behind the deflector dish! I'll flip the switch," Chekov volunteered.
"Let's go," Jim ordered.
*Spock*
"Evacuation protocols initiated. Proceed to exit bays and report to your assigned shuttle."
"Mr. Sulu, divert any remaining power to stabilizers," Spock ordered.
"Doing what I can, sir. Doing what I can."
*Jim*
"Core misaligned. Danger, core misaligned."
"Oh, no, no, no, no."
"What," Jim asked Scotty.
"The housings are misaligned! There's no way we can redirect the power! The ship's dead, sir. She's gone."
There was no way even half of the crew had managed to evacuate. With his own absence Spock would still be manning the bridge. If they didn't do something, hundreds would die including Spock. He absolutely refused to accept that situation without making any kind of effort to rectify it. "No, she's not," he announced as he took off for the reactor.
"Wait, Jim! If we go in there, we'll die! Do you hear me? The radiation will kill us! Will you listen to me? What the hell are you doing?"
"I'm opening the door. I'm going in."
"That door is there to stop us from getting irradiated! We'd be dead before we made the climb!"
"You're not making the climb."
Jim paused for only a second before punching Scotty and knocking him unconscious. He took a few seconds to make sure Scotty was situated in one of the chairs before turning to leave. He made it four steps before reversing his course. Pressing a few buttons he ensured Scotty was buckled in. Punching in the code he opened the door to the area that housed the reactor.
"Danger. Core misaligned."
Crawling through the access tunnel he finally made it to the reactor. He could already feel the radiation affecting him. His extremities were tingling. Forcing himself onward he crawled and climbed his way up the warp core. Grabbing a bar at the top he swung forward and kicked the bottom half trying to force it forward. Desperation grew with each of his failed attempts. The radiation steadily sapped his strength and the desperation intensified exponentially. Slowly his limbs began to numb. He had to get the housing aligned, he had to! When one kick finally forced the core back into alignment the energy flowing between the housing units flung him backward.
*Spock*
"Warp core is back online," Sulu announced.
"Maximum thrusters, Mr. Sulu," Spock ordered.
"Thrusters at maximum! Stand by! Stand by!"
"Shields restored!"
"Commander, power online."
"Mr. Spock, altitude stabilizing," Sulu reported. "It's a miracle," he said looking backward over his chair.
"There are no such things," Spock said quietly as he unbuckled. Checking to make sure Jim was alive Spock frowned. The information he received through the bond was strange. Jim seemed alive, but the more he focused on the bond the more odd he felt. Spock's body tingled strangely as if various parts had gone numb.
"Engineering to bridge! Mr. Spock?"
"Mr. Scott?"
"Sir, you'd better get down here. Better hurry."
Spock stood up and raced off of the bridge. When he finally made it to Engineering, Scotty was waiting for him. His feeling of apprehension grew as he met Scotty's eyes. The engineer shook his head but didn't speak. Spock rushed over to the warp core. Jim was sitting in the decontamination chamber leaning against the glass; the inner door was still open. Spock swiftly turned back to Scotty.
"Open it," he demanded.
"The decontamination process is not complete. You'd flood the whole compartment. The door's locked, sir.
For a moment all he could do was stare at his mate. Dropping down Spock placed a hand on the glass. He watched as Jim struggled before finally closing the inner door, sealing the decontamination chamber. Finally Jim turned and met his eyes.
"Spock."
"Jim?"
"How's our ship?"
"Out of danger. You saved the crew."
"Good."
"I can sense your thoughts."
"I know."
"How?"
"Does it matter? You used what he wanted against him. That's a nice move."
"It is what you would have done. I love you."
"I know... Love you too. This is what you would have done. It was only logical."
Jim's breathing grew more labored. Spock could feel his mate's body shutting down... Dying.
"How is it possible that I can hear your mind?"
"Probably because... the bond is... the only thing... I can feel anymore. I'm scared, Spock. Help me not to be. Don't want... to leave you. How do you choose... not to feel?"
"I do not know. Right now I am failing. You will be fine, Jim." Jim would be fine; he had to be. Spock would not accept the possibility that his mate might not survive.
"No, listen. I have... to tell you."
"You are not going anywhere. You will be fine."
"I want you to know... why I couldn't... let you die."
"Shh. Do not speak Jim."
"Why I... went back for you."
Spock gave a sub-audible whine. His mate was dying and he could do nothing to prevent it. "I know why. Because you are my friend. My friend. My love. My mate. Taluhk nash-veh k'dular.* I cherish thee."
Jim gasped trying to get his breath. He struggled before finally managing to place his hand on the glass between them. Spock placed his hand against the glass where Jim's hand was, his fingers spread in the Vulcan salute. He watched as his mate struggled to arrange his fingers the same. As their hands mimicked each others Spock glanced back to his mate's eyes.
"You will be fine, Jim."
"No. Don't start... lying. Not now..."
"I love you." Spock desperately sought for some thing more to say to his mate. Some thing that would express how much he loved Jim. His mind refused to cooperate.
"I..."
"Jim," Spock yelled to his mate's mind.
"Love..." Jim's mind whispered.
Spock watched as Jim's hand slipped from the glass. The bond thinned and Spock clung to it more tightly. Like grains of sand falling through his fingers the bond continued to thin until, finally, it disappeared completely.
"Jim!"
There was no response... There would never be another response... The gaping hole where the bond should be ached. Jim was gone.
*Uhura*
Rushing into Engineering, Uhura stopped just behind Scotty. Spock knelt on the floor next to the decontamination chamber and Kirk lay pressed against the glass. Gasping she brought her hands up and covered her mouth. They were too late, Kirk was gone.
"Khan!"
*Khan*
"Set destination, Starfleet Headquarters," Khan ordered the ship.
"Engines compromised. Cannot guarantee destination. Confirm order."
"Confirm."
*Spock*
"Search the enemy ship for signs of life," Spock ordered as he rushed onto the bridge.
"Sir, there's no way anyone survived," Sulu said.
Spock turned to glare at the helmsman. "He could."
"Yes, sir... Whoa! He just jumped thirty meters," Sulu stated, shocked.
"Can we beam him up," Spock asked.
"There's too much damage. I have no incoming signal," Chekov informed him. "But it may be possible to beam you down, sir."
Turning, Spock met Uhura's gaze.
"Go get him," she ordered.
Spock rushed off the bridge and down the hallways. "Stand by for coordinates," he said as he raced into the transporter room.
"Yes, sir."
"Enter three five one seven by two five nine eight," Chekov stated over the comm.
"Coordinates confirmed."
As soon as he beamed onto the streets of San Francisco Spock scanned the area. The second he spotted Khan he took off running after him. Spock followed Khan into a business and through a glass door Khan broke exiting the building. Racing down stairs he pursued the man responsible for his mate's death. As Khan ran across two streets Spock continued to chase him.
*McCoy*
Unzipping the body bag McCoy stared at his friend. Not now, he thought. Not when things were finally going right for once in Jim's miserable life. Why? Why Jim, why now? Slowly McCoy made his way over to a desk and sank into the chair. Resting his elbow on his knee he placed his forehead into his palm. A soft noise caught his attention and McCoy turned to the desk. Unwilling to believe what he was seeing he leaned closer and the tribble cooed again. Jumping up he checked the monitors. Alive... The tribble that he had injected Khan's blood into was alive...
"Get me a cyrotube, now!"
*Spock*
Rushing across a veranda Khan jumped over the railing and onto a passing garbage scow. Spock made a running leap and managed to grab onto the bottom of the scow as it lifted higher. Climbing up the side he raised the phaser and took aim. Khan kicked Spock's arm and the phaser went flying. Khan lifted him and threw Spock through the air. Spock landed hard on the other edge of the scow. The two exchanged blows each dodging the other as much as they connected. Spock reached out and gripped Khan in the beginnings of a Vulcan neck pinch. He didn't apply the necessary pressure required to knock someone unconscious. Instead, he chose to apply just over half of the pressure needed. The cry of pain from the man who had caused his mate's death satisfied something deep inside of Spock. Khan reached up and pried Spock's fingers out of the pressure point and the two began exchanging blows again.
*McCoy*
"Get this guy out of the cryo tube," McCoy ordered. "Keep him in an induced coma. We're gonna put Kirk inside. It's our only chance to preserve his brain function."
"How much of Khan's blood is left," Carol inquired.
"None." McCoy rushed over to the comm. "Enterprise to Spock! ... Spock!"
*Spock*
Spock struggled as Khan lifted him by his throat. As Khan slammed his palm against his chest Spock flew backward and landed hard. Khan suddenly placed his hands to the sides of Spock's head and lifted him to his feet. Spock reached up and jammed his fingers against the pressure point just below the jaw line. The pressure against the sides of his head increased temporarily before Khan raised a knee and jammed it into Spock's ribs. As Spock struggled to regain his footing Khan took one last look back and jumped over the edge of the scow. Spock stood and peered over the edge. Another scow had passed below them. Calculating the other scow's speed in his mind Spock rushed to the front of the scow he was on, paused, then jumped.
He landed hard on the lower scow and rolled. As he rolled off the back Spock struggled to grab something, anything. Breathing hard he pulled himself up. Before he could stand Khan kicked Spock in the ribs sending him sprawling backward. They grappled for a few moments, Khan getting in a few well placed punches. Suddenly Khan lifted Spock and tossed him. Spock landed hard on his back, knocking the wind out of his lungs. As he tried to stand Khan kicked him again catching Spock dead in the face. Spock rolled to avoid another immediate blow.
*Sulu*
"McCoy to bridge. I can't reach Spock. I need Khan alive. You get that son of a bitch back on board right now! I think he can save Kirk."
"Can we beam them up to the ship," Sulu asked.
"They keep moving! I can't get a lock on either of them," Chekov explained.
"Can you beam someone down," Uhura asked.
*Spock*
With Khan's hands once again against either side of his head Spock struggled to break free. He was unable to do anything that would force Khan to release his grip. Still struggling Spock started to make peace with his imminent demise. At least he wouldn't be stuck living without Jim. He would never have to worry about finding a way to cope without his mate. Jim was gone and, for better or worse, soon he too would be dead. Suddenly Khan released him and Spock gasped for air. Shifting he saw Nyota firing a phaser at Khan. Khan jerked every time he was hit but the phaser seemed to do almost no damage. Rolling onto his side Spock grabbed the first thing he could get his fingers around and yanked. A manual opening lever and the metal it was attached to broke off of the scow.
As Nyota continued to fire at Khan Spock stood and stumbled over to them. Grabbing Khan's shoulder he pulled Khan back around to face him. When he and Khan were finally face to face Spock swung the heavy make-shift weapon, catching Khan across the face. The rage inside of him howled in triumph. Dropping the metal, Spock reached out and grasped Khan's arm. Yanking the arm over his shoulder Spock heard the satisfying crack of Khan's arm breaking.
"Spock," Nyota cried out.
He was too far gone to care about what she might want right now. Right now, all that mattered was hurting Khan. Spock would make sure Khan felt every bit of pain possible before killing him. Spock slammed Khan down onto the hard metal of the scow and began punching him repeatedly. It was this man's fault his mate was dead, Spock would make him suffer before killing him.
"Spock, stop! Stop," Nyota yelled.
Spock ignored her.
"He's our only chance to save Kirk!"
Spock froze. Save Jim? They still had a chance to save his mate? Spock glanced back down at Khan. Reaching down he grabbed the front of Khan's shirt, lifted him and knocked him unconscious. He could continue to hurt Khan later, right now he needed to know more. If there was a chance to save Jim he would do anything.
*Jim*
"What is it?"
"It's a boy."
"Let's call him Jim."
"Your father was captain of a starship for twelve minutes... He saved eight hundred lives... I dare you to do better..."
Gasping Jim's eyes flew open, every muscle tensing. Scanning the room his eyes came to rest on Bones.
"Don't be so melodramatic, you were barely dead. It was the transfusion that really took its toll. You were out cold for two weeks."
"Transfusion," Jim whispered.
"Your cells were heavily irradiated. We had no choice."
"Khan?"
"Once we caught him, I synthesized a serum from his super blood. Tell me, are you feeling homicidal? Power mad? Despotic?"
"No more than usual..." Though he allowed himself to lay back against the bed his muscles would not relax. "How'd you catch him?"
"I didn't."
Bones moved to check on something and Jim watched as Spock took a few cautious steps forward. For a moment they watched each other, neither speaking.
"You saved my life," Jim whispered to his mate.
"Uhura and I had something to do with it, too, you know," Bones interrupted.
Jim gave a small smile and rolled his eyes at his friend.
"You saved my life, Captain. And the lives of-"
"Spock, just... Thank you."
Spock paused. "You are welcome, Jim." Moving forward he ran a hand down Jim's cheek. "Ashau nash-veh du*, I love you."
Jim smiled as he felt Spock's love for him through the bond. He basked in the warmth of that love and, finally, he was able to relax. Gathering all of his love for his mate Jim sent it through the bond to Spock. Whatever had happened they had both made it through, they were both still alive. Every thing else could wait, for now there was only him and Spock.
*Later /McCoy*
"You really shouldn't be getting up yet," McCoy stated.
"Bones, I'm going," Jim argued.
"Damn it Jim, I'm telling you, get back in bed."
"I'm going Bones. Now get out of the door way."
"He's probably not even awake," McCoy said exasperated.
"Then I'll sit in a chair and rest until he wakes up, but I am going. Either help me get there, or get out of my way."
"Fine." McCoy threw his hands in the air in resignation. "Sit here, I'm going to get a wheelchair."
"Bones..."
"You want to go, we're doing this my way," McCoy insisted. Damned hardheaded kid, McCoy thought.
*Jim*
James crossed his arms and glared down the hallway as Bones pushed the chair.
"This isn't exactly dignified for a captain," Jim growled.
"Shut it kid. Captain or not you're still my patient. If you want to visit him then you're just going to have to deal."
Jim just glowered.
Rounding the corner they heard the sound of a nurse yelling. "Fine, you deal with him."
Stopping where they were, they watched as a nurse exited the room and stormed down the hallway.
"Harassing the staff again," Jim asked as Bones rolled him through the door.
"Well, Captain, if they knew what they were talking about I wouldn't have to harass them."
Jim smiled at his mentor as Bones rolled him closer.
"I swear if you get out of that chair..."
Jim waved a hand dismissively. Bones engaged the wheel locks and moved to check the monitors.
*After Jim healed /Jim*
"There will always be those who mean to do us harm. To stop them, we risk awakening the same evil within ourselves. Our first instinct is to seek revenge when those we love are taken from us. But that's not who we are. We are here today to rechristen the U.S.S. Enterprise, and to honor those who lost their lives nearly one year ago. When Christopher Pike first gave me his ship he had me recite the Captain's Oath. Words I didn't appreciate at the time." James gave a nod to Pike. "Now I see them as a call for us to remember who we once were, and who we must be again. And those words?"
.
"Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Her five-year mission, to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before."
.
"Captain on the bridge," Chekov called out.
Jim smiled, happy to be alive and happy to finally be back about the Enterprise.
"It's hard to get out of it once you've had a taste, isn't that right, Mr. Sulu?"
"'Captain' does have a nice ring to it. Chair's all yours, sir."
"Mr. Scott. How's our core?"
"Purring like a kitten, Captain. She's ready for a long journey."
"Excellent. Come on, Bones! It's gonna be fun," he said placing both hands on either shoulder of his friend and giving a light squeeze.
"Five years in space. God help me."
Jim made his way to Carol.
"Dr. Marcus. I'm glad you could be a part of the family."
"It's nice to have a family," she replied.
Finally he made his way over to his mate.
"Spock."
"Captain."
*Spock*
Both watched each other for a second reveling in the mere presence of the other.
"Where shall we go," Jim asked grinning.
"As a mission of this duration has never been attempted, I defer to your good judgment, Captain."
With a smile Spock pressed the back of his hand against the back of Jim's hand. For a moment there was no one else but them. Finally Spock turned and made his way to his station. Jim sat and turned to his helmsman.
"Mr. Sulu, take us out."
"Aye, Captain."
Maybe, just maybe, they actually would be alright, Spock thought to himself.
* Taluhk nash-veh k'dular - I cherish thee.
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*Ashau nash-veh du - I love you.
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The end of part: 2 of the "Long December" series. Part: 3 Leave Out All The Rest