2 weeks later Jim woke up in a hospital bed to find Bones hovering over him with a scanner and groaned loudly.

"Oh don't be so melodramatic…you were barely dead. It's the transfusions that really took a toll. You were out cold for two weeks."

"Transfusions?"

"Your cells were heavily irradiated we had no choice."

"Khan."

"Once we got him back on board I synthesized a serum from his super blood. His instructions were precise and I had no choice but to trust him. We also had to do a direct transfusion of blood. Tell me…are you feeling homicidal, power mad, despotic?"

"No more than usual. How did you catch him?"

"I didn't."

Bones moved and Spock stepped forward.

"When Lieutenant Uhura beamed down and informed me that we needed Khan to save you…he incapacitated me in my momentary shock. Lieutenant Uhura informed me that he asked her what happened and when she told him he ordered her to take him to you. Once aboard the ship he headed directly to the med-bay and instructed Doctor McCoy how to synthesize the serum to bring you back."

Jim gave Spock a thoughtful look before speaking again.

"His trial?"

"Has been postponed until you are able to testify. The Admiral's council insisted upon it."

"Good…I want to testify…on his behalf."

"Captain?"

"Jim what the hell?"

Later Jim sat before the Admiral's council, and a room filled with cameras as he told them exactly what he had told his friends.

John Harrison, formerly known as Khan, acted out of justified fear for his own safety and that of his former crew. Admiral Marcus' actions towards him gave him no reason to believe anyone else in Starfleet would be different. When he met myself and my crew his opinions began to change. He saved our lives, twice, and saved my own twice as well. If not for his help Admiral Marcus would have succeeded in starting a war with the Klingon's, a war we do not need nor want. The crashing of the Vengeance into Earth was merely an accident caused by the malfunction of the ship, The Enterprise herself nearly had the same fate. I ask you to please consider a light sentence for him considering what he went through at the hands of Admiral Marcus."

The Admiral's council deliberated quietly amongst themselves while Khan gave Jim a surprised look from his place in the center of the room.

"We agree with you Captain Kirk. We will allow Mr. Harrison to be released so long as certain conditions are met. Firstly we will not be waking any of his fellow crew members until he himself can prove he is not a threat. Secondly, Captain Kirk, you and a select few you choose will take him to New Vulcan to be treated by their mind healers. Thirdly, once that is completed he will join with the crew of the Enterprise when she heads out on a 5 year mission. And lastly, if he takes any further actions against Starfleet…trying to destroy or take over in any way…he will be put back to sleep for good. Kirk…he will be your shadow aboard the Enterprise, and will do anything you require. These are the terms…Is that clear to both of you?"

Both men gave the affirmative and Khan was released to Jim's supervision. Jim stood, still shakey as he hadn't completely finished healing, and nearly fell over. He would have met the tiled floor if Khan hadn't caught him and commed Bones.

"Dr. McCoy…I have been released to Jim's supervision…I am sure he will give you all details later but right now he is nearly falling over…he has not finished healing yet."

Khan listened to the rather inventive string of curses from the doctor before he and Jim were both beamed back into the hospital room, much to Jim's rather vocal displeasure. Bones attempted to order Khan out of the room but he and Jim both protested the idea.

"He can't leave my side Bones…it's a condition of his release."

Bones let off a few more creative curses before finishing his scans and leaving the room. Khan sat on the edge of the bed next to Jim and gave him a fond look.

"James…do you realize what has happened to you?"

"Yeah…you helped Bones save my life…again."

"Not only that. By infusing you with my blood a bond was created. You and I are linked to each other Jim. If you are in pain I will know. If you are in danger I will know. I can feel what you feel and you can feel what I feel. Even Vulcan mind healers cannot erase it because it is in our blood.."

Khan managed to actually laugh for the first time in a long time when Jim cursed in multiple languages. He knew Jim wasn't truly angry about it…he could feel something more akin to resignation and a tinge of ironic amusement.

"I will protect you Jim…from now on you are mine."

"Only if you are also mine Khan…you realize officially you're known as John Harrison right? There is no way I can call you that unless in an official setting though."

Jim was nervous so he was rambling, he always rambled when he got nervous. Only this time he was cut off by Khan's soft lips pressing against his own. A muffled whimper came from Jim as he started to kiss back, making Khan reward him with a pleased purring sound. Jim pulled back, panting heavily as he looked up at Khan, a slightly dazed look on his face.

"Why…you…I don't…"

Khan placed one long finger over Jim's lips to silence him.

"Hush now…You know I will not harm you Jim."

"I know…but…I'm confused. Why would…someone like you…have any interest in me?"

Khan's gaze softened and he pulled Jim into his arms, smiling softly when the younger male curled into him like a cat seeking warmth.

"I had an interest from the moment I saw you trying to take on a group of angry Klingons by yourself Jim. Not many would be so bold, let along be able to hold their own for so long on sheer stubborn willpower."

Jim snorted in amusement and fell back onto the bed.

"Stubborn runs in my family Khan. It's a Kirk family trait."

Khan gave Jim a raised eyebrow and placed one hand over Jim's as Spock came into the room. Jim laughed at the obvious look of shock that passed over Spock's face.

"Relax Spock…he's been released. We're going to take him to New Vulcan to see some mind healers though…and there are other conditions too."

"One of which is that I am to remain by Jim's side from now on and assist him with anything he asks of me…not that I require orders to have that desire."

Jim blushed a bit and cleared his throat as Spock looked at him again.

"Everything's going to be fine now Spock…no worries right? Is Scotty still mad at me?"

"Negative Captain. Mr. Scott would like to convey his upset at you giving your life to save the ship, but he holds no ill will towards you."

Jim let his head rest on Khan's thigh and failed to stifle the snickering that burst forth.

"You can't just give a simple yes or no can you Spock?"

"Affirmative."

Jim burst into another fit of giggles and glared at the bag of pain meds he was hooked to.

"This stuff makes me act funny…I hate hospitals."

Khan gave Jim a fond look as he whined softly about his current state and location. He ran his long fingers through Jim's hair, smiling gently as he felt the younger man relax and drift into much needed sleep.

"Sleep well…my Captain."

Spock watched the exchange and saw the bond between them as most others would not be able to, heard the love in Khan's voice…something he hadn't thought possible with the super human. He backed out of the room and nearly gave a small smile of his own. His friend and Captain had gained a powerful protector, and it made him worry just a bit less for the reckless man's safety.