DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction using characters from the Star Trek universe. I do not claim any ownership over them or any of the many Trek universes. This work is solely for entertainment purposes and is not considered canon (not by a long shot).

Jim grunted as the blast impact made the entire ship shudder.

"What the hell was that?" Jim barked, immediately going into evasive maneuvers.

Spock studied his readouts. "We are being pursued by a D-4 class Klingon vessel."

"I thought this sector was abandoned," Jim protested.

"It must be a random patrol," Uhura ventured.

Of course it is because that's the way these things always go for me, Jim thought.

"Hold on!" Jim called as he pushed the ship into a dive.

"Captain, this ship has no offensive capabilities," Spock warned.

"It's got us, Spock. Give me all six fuel cells," Jim replied.

Jim was grateful that McCoy was not on this particular mission. His omega would not enjoy the flying that was about to follow. Using a combination of instrument and visual flying, Jim dove into a maze of collapsed ruins covering the surface. Beams crisscrossed the air in front of him and he wove his way over and under them, trusting his instincts as he always did.

"They're closing fast, bearing 285!" Uhura announced.

Jim scanned the area ahead of them and spotted what he was looking for – a narrow crevasse between two structures.

"There! We can lose them there!" Jim yelled, aiming the ship for it.

Spock's back was to Jim so the captain did not see his science officer's eyes widen. "If you are suggesting that we utilize the passage ... the ship will not fit."

Jim clenched his jaw. "We'll fit."

"Captain, we will not fit." Spock insisted.

Jim was too far gone into his zone to pay much attention to Spock but he yelled "We'll fit!" even as he turned the craft on its side and slid between the buildings.

Bones gripped the railing on the bridge of the Enterprise as a horrible wave of vertigo and ... exhilaration? ... crashed into the bond he shared with Jim.

I don't even want to know, Jim ... I don't even want to know.

Jim exhaled as they emerged a little worse for wear but intact. "See? I told you we'd fit."

"I am not sure that qualifies," Spock retorted.

Spoilsport, Jim smirked to himself.

They continued on into the bowels of the debris and they did not see any pursuit.

"Any sign of them?" Jim asked.

"No, which worries me." Uhura responded.

What is it with you two? Jim thought with a frown.

"Maybe we just lost them," Jim offered.

"Or they're jamming our scanners," Uhura corrected.

"Or ... We. Lost. Them." Jim said hopefully.

Unfortunately, Jim was forced to admit he was woefully incorrect when they came out into a void and he was forced to pull up short in front of three Klingon war-birds. Bathing the ship in floodlight, a voice began making an announcement in the harsh grate of Klingon.

"They're ordering us to land," Uhura translated. She turned with pursed lips. "Captain, they're going to want to know why we're here. They'll torture us, question us and then they're going to kill us."

Jim frowned. He ran over the possibility that they could survive a Klingon torture chamber ... then he felt concern leaking through the bond between himself and his mate. Bones. His mind immediately went to the only viable option for escape.

"Then we come out shooting," Jim said grimly.

I won't go down easy, Bones. Promise you that.

Turning, Jim realized Uhura was standing next to his chair. "We're outnumbered, outgunned – there's no way we survive if we attack first. You brought me here because I speak Klingon. Let me speak Klingon."

Jim considered and made his decision. He landed the ship.

Watching Uhura walk out to stand toe to toe with a Klingon nearly twice her size, Kirk had to smile.

"She should have been an alpha, Spock," Jim murmured as he set his phaser.

"An opinion she has shared with me often," the Vulcan replied.

Jim chuckled but his humor fled as he read the body language of the Klingon shift abruptly. The warrior's hand snapped out, gripping her by the chin. Jim's entire body tensed and he was heading out the door of the vessel before the rest of his brain caught up to him. He blinked as pulse rifle fire cut the air and several of the Klingons. A hooded figure stood on an upraised pile of rock, a pulse rifle in one hand and what appeared to be a full laser cannon in the other. Jim and the others scattered to cover.

The battle was fierce and Jim spent most of it trying not to get killed and watching the man known as John Harrison decimate every Klingon he sighted. The grace and raw power in his movements was intoxicating. Jim had no idea how Harrison was moving so fast and anticipating shots so accurately. The cannon took down a war-bird and the Klingons that managed to deploy were dispatched in quick succession. Not one shot found Harrison. When the last Klingon lay dead on the ground, Harrison tossed aside his laser cannon and approached Jim, Spock and Uhura with his rifle trained on them. Spock held a rifle taken from one of the Klingons.

"Stand down." Spock ordered.

"How many torpedoes?" Harrison asked, walking up to the group.

"Stand down!" Spock barked.

Harrison shot the rifle out of Spock's hand, startling them all.

"The torpedoes, the ones you threatened me with in your message ... how many are there?"

"Seventy-two," Spock replied to Harrison's question.

The man stared at them in shock and then he abruptly tossed the rifle to one side and said, "I surrender."

Spock retrieved the pulse rifle and aimed it directly at John Harrison while powering it up. Jim pushed painfully to his feet and glared at Harrison. Rage unlike anything he'd ever felt was building inside him, threatening to boil over. His eyes narrowed and every sense seemed to zero in on the killer in front of him.

"On behalf of Christopher Pike, my friend ... I accept your surrender," Jim growled, blue eyes sparking fiercely.

Bones swallowed hard. His hands gripped the railing as he fought the emotion pushing against the bond. Alpha rage. White-hot and blinding, it was a phenomenon rarely seen in an age where omegas weren't claimed by battle. Leonard had only witnessed the aftermath of rage episodes – his trauma center residency had offered him plenty of opportunity to view firsthand the damage an enraged alpha could cause. Bones knew that only something very powerful could have tipped his mate over the edge of control and he did not envy who or what was on the receiving end.

Jim's fist struck Harrison's jaw. The adrenaline surging through his body prevented him from feeling the pain of the strike. Much to his consternation, Harrison did not seem overly affected. Jim delivered another hit and then another. Harrison looked almost amused but he did not buckle beneath the onslaught. Grabbing the other man by the neck, Jim drove his knee repeatedly into his midsection. When there was still little reaction, Jim snarled in anger and grabbed Harrison's hair before sending blow after blow into the smug face.

Uhura watched her captain and friend lose control. It broke her heart because she knew the reason behind it ... Pike. Jim's expression was that of a man lost in grief and anger. Finally, she could take no more.

"Captain!"

Jim blinked. Uhura's desperate cry had broken through the crimson haze filling his vision. He stood shakily before Harrison, staring at the man as if they'd only just met. The dark eyes narrowed and with a taunting smile, Harrison said, "Captain, is it?"

Jim's vision flashed red again when he felt something faint insistently nudging at his bond. A very solid, warm presence demanded his attention. Jim could almost picture his omega glaring at him, arms crossed over his chest and the familiar scowl pulling his brows down. The red faded and Jim could see Harrison clearly again. The urge to spill blood ... to rend and tear with his teeth ... faded to a dull buzz in his mind. With one last growl, Jim turned his back on the fugitive – now prisoner – and snapped, "Cuff him."

Spock walked with Kirk behind the five man security team escorting Harrison to the brig. Jim turned to Uhura.

"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," she replied.

Jim opened his comm and sent a quick message before heading to his ready room. It would take the team approximately 25 minutes to escort and secure the prisoner. He sped up his walk.

Twelve minutes later, Bones murmured, "Welcome back, darlin' ... how was your day?"

Jim sighed and pressed a kiss against the back of his mate's neck. The minute he'd entered his ready room, he'd found Bones already there with his kit at hand, expecting to patch his captain up. Instead, Jim had pressed the lock sequence to the door, torn off his jacket and stalked across the room to the startled, then exceedingly compliant omega. It had taken only minutes to remove only what was necessary to reach one another before Jim was flipping Bones around and bending him over the desk. Leonard's body responded immediately to his alpha and a faint gasp was the only sound the doctor made when Jim entered him.

It had been hard and fast but exactly what Jim needed. His release triggered Leonard's and they came together, whispering soft endearments to one another. Jim's rage stayed at bay. After a quick shower, they both changed into the fresh uniforms that were conveniently kept handy. Jim sent a mental thank you to his yeoman for attention to detail. It had been 23 minutes.

Walking to the brig beside Bones, Jim mentally prepared himself to face the man who'd taken Pike from him and leveled a good part of London.

"Why the hell did he surrender?" Bones asked.

"I don't know," Jim said. "But Spock and I watched him take out a squad of Klingons single-handed – I want to know how."

Bones nodded and they entered the brig and walked up to Harrison's cell. Jim and Spock stood to one side while Bones activated the access portal on the cell's front barrier. The minute the portal widened at Bones' command, John Harrison's scent wafted out. Leonard was momentarily dazed by it. He blinked and forced himself to do his job. Behind him, Jim frowned.

"Put your arm through the hole. I'm going to take a blood sample." Bones said, fighting to keep his voice level.

Harrison did so and Leonard took his arm to steady it before pressing the sampling unit against the man's skin. It was very nearly his undoing. Harrison's gaze narrowed and he regarded Leonard with a faint smile.

"An omega? What an intriguing choice for a doctor – I would suppose your nurturing instincts make you quite good at your job," Harrison murmured.

Bones kept his eyes on the unit and said nothing. The heat coming off Harrison's skin was intoxicating and McCoy had to mentally recite the bones of the human hand to stay focused. He breathed through his mouth to try and mitigate the pheromones but it did little to assist. John Harrison was the strongest alpha Leonard had ever been near. Only the steady – and now anger/jealousy-infused – presence of his mating bond with Jim kept him in control. Everything about Harrison was making his body respond in a way to make him appealing to the alpha – disconcerting Leonard deeply.

Damn omega wet dream with that fucking voice ... God what does he sound like when he – McCoy shook off the unbidden thought and swallowed hard. What the hell was that?!

Harrison looked amused but his expression when he regarded Jim was somber.

"Why aren't we moving, captain?" Harrison asked. "An unexpected malfunction ... perhaps in your warp core? Conveniently stranding you on the edge of Klingon space?"

Leonard looked up from the blood draw with a frown. "How the hell could you know that?"

"Bones," Jim growled.

McCoy stiffened. He could hear the underlying "we're gonna talk about this later" in Jim's tone and he knew his alpha had picked up on his involuntary pheromone spike. He sighed and continued to draw blood.

"I think you'd find my insight valuable ... Captain," Harrison murmured.

The sample taken, Bones released Harrison's arm and gestured for him to retract the limb. Closing the access portal, Leonard looked back at Jim.

"We good, Doctor?" Jim asked, his blue eyes intent.

"Absolutely," McCoy responded firmly.

"Let me know what you find out."

"Yes, sir."

The three men turned to leave the brig when Harrison spoke again.

"Ignore me and you will get everyone on this ship killed."

Jim froze, Bones and Spock flanking him. He could feel the rage beginning to build again. After scenting his mate's obvious attraction to the man, Jim was feeling even less understanding than on the planet. He stood, eyes darkening and his breathing deepening.

Spock spoke softly. "Captain, I believe he will only attempt to manipulate you. I would not recommend engaging the prisoner further."

"Jim, Spock's right – he's just gonna push your buttons again." Leonard whispered.

Jim glared at his mate, his anger flaring. Bones dropped his eyes. His omega response to Harrison was involuntary, not emotional and sure as hell not welcome – but Leonard knew trying to explain anything to an alpha on the verge of a full-blown rage was useless. He changed tactics.

"Alpha, please ... listen to your first officer. I don't want Harrison to hurt you."

Jim's shoulders relaxed slightly. Bones had deliberately modulated the tone of his voice – softening it, making it pleading and submissive. He'd tilted his head slightly to one side, letting his collar show to indicate his willing possession and symbolically showing his throat to the dominant male.

Jim was well-aware of what his mate was doing – and he was grateful. He took a deep breath and let the rage fade. He was still furious, but in control.

"Just give me a minute," Kirk said.

Spock nodded and walked out of the detention area. Bones met Jim's eyes briefly and the alpha saw concern flashing there – along with a surge of fear that Jim was truly angry with him.

"Go, Bones," Jim said softly.

Leonard sighed and left. Jim took another deep breath and then stalked back to the cell. He faced Harrison who turned to face the barrier, squaring his shoulders. If Jim had ever slightly doubted Harrison was an alpha, those doubts disappeared. The two males faced off, the instinctual battle for dominance radiating from their frames.

"Let me explain what's happening here," Jim growled. "You are a criminal. I watched you murder innocent men and women. I was authorized to end you! The only reason you are still alive is because I am allowing itso Shut. Your. Mouth."

Harrison's mouth quirked and he tsked. "Oh Captain, are you going to punch me again ... over and over until your arm weakens? Clearly you want to, so tell me ... why did you allow me to live?"

"We all make mistakes," Jim snarled.

"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 to convince you of the truth," Harrison said. "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," Kirk demanded.

Harrison's face became impassive. "I can give you seventy-two and they're all on your ship, Captain – they have been all along. I suggest you open one up."