Chapter 5 ~ Truth Be Told

Commander Long and his men put up no fight and were filed away in the brig. The scientist, who had not been part of the hostile attack, remained behind to tend to their plants and to the Outpost. The Enterprise warped to the nearest Starbase and secured the prisoners on the base before contacting Star Fleet. "The council will gather in 2 days' time." Admiral Cat said, once again answering the contact. "I would like to speak with the witness."

Kirk summoned Eon to present herself. Spock was with Kirk as they waited for Eon to appear. And when she did, she had once again blown Spock away. Her long, near black blue hair had been left down and touched the backs of her knees. A fitted, pale blue Star Fleet uniform like dress with a rather long train, parting in the front and flowing out behind her showed her fine figure and toned legs. Of course, her feet were bare but a delicate looking vine like chain was around one of her ankles. She bowed slightly, muttering a quick phrase in her native tongue. "Greetings Miss Time. My name is Admiral Atticus J. Cat and I'll be representing Star Fleet as a whole as well as acting on behalf on you people and planet. Would you please tell me what happened so I may know what I am defending?"

Eon told her tale, keeping her voice emotionless but Spock could see her eyes displaying every single thread of anger, pain and liver's-remorse. Admiral Cat nodded occasionally and asked a few questions before saying, "Because you lived through it, I believe that we have a good case. Get some rest Ms. Time and I will see you in a few days. Admiral Cat out."

Eon visibly relaxed and turned to face Spock and Kirk. "You did well Eon." Kirk said, smiling.

"Indeed." Spock agreed, moving towards her.

Eon smiled at him and Spock traced her face with barest touch. Kirk looked around before finding the door and darting out. "What are you planning on doing after the trial has completed?" he asked.

"I already told you, I'm going to try and be an ambassador for Elysium." Eon replied, taking his hand and kissing his fingers. 'But I want to stay with you.'

"Eon…" Spock said, his voice husky but he was cut off by her lips against his.

Spock leaned into the kiss, taking control and backed her up to the nearest wall. He brought his knee between hers and slightly parted her legs, letting himself get closer to her body. She pushed against him, running her free hand up his torso to the back of his neck. Spock took the hand holding her and pressed the back of her hand to the wall, letting his palm touch hers. A wave of emotion flooded into Eon's psyche. She felt Spock's desire, his want, his need … and his love for her. In return, Spock felt her adoration, her lustful passion, and her overwhelming longing for him. Their kiss grew more heated but their hands never parted. "Spock, are you there?" Spock's com said, interrupting the growing moment.

Spock pulled away, making Eon whimper a bit at the lost contact. He spoke quickly into the com before closing it to turn his attention back to Eon. "Perhaps it is best to wait until after the trial to partake in alone company with each other." He said, still holding her hand.

She reluctantly nodded. Spock kissed her forehead, sending her a message through their new link, 'For I will surely continue where this left off… I merely do not wish for you to be bed ridden and bruised during the trial.'

Eon laughed. 'You think you are that good huh?' she asked, placing her hand on his chest.

"Think? Negative my Eon, I know." He replied, sending one final, cascading wave of emotion into her psyche before braking the contact and striding out.

Eon was reeling from that last wave and leaned hard against the wall. She ran her tingling fingers through her hair. "What have you gotten yourself into now girl?" she asked aloud before pushing off the wall and jogging after Spock.

XXXX

The two days flew by. The Enterprise and her crew were enjoying a bit of rest while Kirk, Spock, and Eon were a bit stressed over the trial. Kirk was stressed over the fact that he was the arresting officer, Spock was stressed over Eon being stressed, and Eon was stressed because, despite all the reassurance from Spock and Admiral Cat, she was worried that Commander Long would be found innocent. If he was, Eon was sure that he would pursue false charges against her. To pass the time and attempt to ease her worry, Eon took to visiting one of the Starbase's numerous holodecks. She had quickly found that the holodeck was easy to program and was soon running wild through the lush jungles of her home planet again.

The trial date arrived and Spock went in search of Eon. He had the computer locate her before striding to the holodeck. As the doors swished open, the humidity of Elysium swept him back to the jungle planet. He calmly entered the visual jungle, his gentle brown eyes seeking that fine figured female that had caught his attention merely a week ago. He was suddenly tackled from the side and rolled a bit before ending up pinned by Eon, a wide smile on her flushed face. Spock raised an eyebrow before saying, "The trial shall commence in half hour's time."

Eon's smile faltered and she got off him, offering him a hand. He accepted and stood, straightening his shirt. "I suggest you clean yourself up for the trial." He said, heading towards the door.

"Spock." Eon said, following after him, something in her voice making him stop.

He turned and locked eyes with her. Tracing her face with his sensitive fingers, he felt her fear over the trial. "No matter what t'hy'la, know that I will always side with you." He said softly kissing her, banishing all worry through their mind link.

Eon nodded before heading to her quarters. Spock dusted himself off before heading towards the conference room where the Council had met through video coms. Numerous faces looked back at him as he entered with a polite nod. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Commander Spock, my first officer." Kirk introduced Spock to the Council, having already introduced Scotty and Sulu to the councilors.

"Commander Spock, where is this witness?" One Councilman asked, sounding rather annoyed.

"She will be here at her appointed time Councilor." Spock replied calmly.

The main door swished open and Eon emerged. She had cleaned up and numerous tiny braids had been made in her hair. A royal purple gown covered her body in a beautiful display. Her delicate vine chain around her ankle sparkled as she walked in, carrying herself like a princess. "Miss Eon Time ladies and gentlemen, our witness and accuser." Admiral Cat introduced Eon to the Council.

She bowed slightly before staring straight ahead. "Ms. Time, do you understand the severity of your accusations?" a councilor asked.

Eon turned her head and replied, "The accusation is only befitting the crime Councilor."

"Perhaps the crime should be explained through your words Ms. Time." Another councilor said, shifting in their seat.

Eon bowed her head and began her tale. Even though they were not in physical connection, Spock could feel her waves of undulating emotion. As her tale concluded, Spock could see that her words and tale had swayed many of the council to her side. A few still looked skeptical. "How did you survive?" one asked, a severe looking male.

"I had always been the fastest runner in my people." Eon said, her voice hurt sounding. "I… I held onto my youngest brother's hand and we did escape but he was so badly burned that he died a few days after…"

"Why didn't you help him?" the same councilor asked, making Spock stiffen protectively.

"I tried what I could but… but nothing I did saved him… he begged and pleaded me to kill him but… but I couldn't do that… I couldn't kill my brother… to this day, I wish I had been strong enough to have ended his suffering…" Eon said, on the brink of tears.

"Did none of the other villages help you?" another councilor asked, a female that had already been swayed by the tale.

Eon inhaled sharply, "They didn't know anyone had survived… when they came sometime after, the found me half alive and next to my brother's body. A family took me in until I had grown up but as soon as I could fend for myself, I was turned out into the forest."

The woman councilor nodded solemnly. Admiral Cat could see that Eon was emotional drained and said, "Ladies and Gentlemen, Ms. Time has told me everything she knows. If you would please excuse her, we can bring in the accused."

The councilors agreed and with one final small bow, Eon turned and left, walking slow. Spock also bowed out and went after her. He caught up to her and they paused. He took her hands and brought them to his chest, bringing her closer. He wrapped her in a hug and just held her. She rested her head against his collar bone and breathed in deeply, inhaling his unique scent. "The hardest part is now over Eon." Spock said softly, kissing her braided hair.

"Not true Spock, the hardest part has just begun." Eon said into his chest.

Spock furrowed his eyebrows. 'Who are they more likely to believe? A jungle castaway or a trained, sophisticated Star Fleet Commander? If I didn't live through it, I wouldn't believe me either…' Eon thought, pulling away and staggering back. "I love you Spock. I don't know why or how, but I love you… I love you so much that I couldn't bear to go on without you… But you deserve better than me…" she spoke aloud before turning and running.

Spock knew she was fast and didn't pursue her. He reached out with his link but found nothing but a jumble of emotion. He spoke 4 words aloud and into the emotional jumble. 'I love you Eon.'