Only a few more chapters to go! Where will our crew end up? As always, I don't own these characters. Please R and R!

The three men stood unblinking at the sight in front of them. Uhura was leaning against the far side of the cave. Her regulation uniform was torn in multiple places, showing hints of blood across her body. Her legs were bent at an odd angle, one shoe off, the other unzipped, where blood oozed downward. Her hands were suspended about her head, tied together and placed on a hook, swollen and bleeding. Her head hung down, held only in place by the noose around her neck

"My God, we have to get her down, Jim!" Dr. McCoy exclaimed as he made to move toward her. He was stopped by a steel hand on his shoulder. Bones looked up into face that was made of equal steel He heat in those eyes was enough to melt ice. Though he said nothing, the rage emanating from the Vulcan was palpable.

Spock made his way over to the Lieutenant. As he took in the site in front of him, it took every bit of strength he had to gentle his tough. When he was close enough, he reached out his hand to check for his pulse. He wasn't surprised to see it was shaking. He paused just before his made to remove the makeshift noose. He cradled the side of her face in one hand, trying not to notice the bruises and split lip. He loosened the noose with the other. The greatest sense of relief washed over him as he felt the steady, but faint, beat.

Once he had her free of the noose, keeping her upright while trying to untie her hands was going to take some maneuvering.

"Captain," he said without taking his eyes off of Uhura, "Might I ask for your assistance?" Without hesitation, Kirk made his way to help.

Not a word was said as they unbound her hands and brought them to her sides. It unnerved Spock that she had yet to utter a sound. Once she was loose, Spock picked her up in his arms. As he swung her up, a raw sound of agony escaped her dry lips. At this, Kirk and Spock stopped their ministrations, waiting for her to wake. When no other sound or movement happened, they continued onward.

"Spock, we have to get her back on the Enterprise. We can't give her the help she needs here." When Spock made no notion of hearing the Captain, Jim continued. "Spock, listen." When Kirk motioned for Bones to take her, Spock's gripped only tightened.

Bones looked into the eyes of the Vulcan that, lately, he got to know very well.

"Spock, "He started gently "It's alright." Making more headway than Jim.

Spock nodded slightly, clearing having difficulty letting go of Uhura. When Bones had a firm hold, Spock backed away so that Bones could turn. He was now hidden in the shadow of the caves. As Bones turned to leave, he found his way blocked by Raynor, who had a phaser pointed at his head. It was set to kill. The Klingon on behind him could be none other than Warg.

"Captain Kirk, how kind of you to return. I am sure the Lieutenant would be grateful, if she were conscious." Before Kirk could grab his phaser Warg turned his from Raynor onto Bones. More correctly, Uhura. Each man froze. Once he was sure the crew understood his meaning, his phaser switched back to Raynor.

"Warg, by order of the Federation, I…." Kirk started but was cut off by a snarling laugh. He was clear reasoning wasn't going to work.

"The Federation? They have no control here. You have no control here. You are in the neutral zone. Now, you will put her down, and step away."

"Like hell." Growled the doctor.

"Bones, do as he says." Kirk ordered. He noticed Spock lurking in the shadows. Warg had yet to realize that there was a third man in the cave.

"Damn it, Jim, we have to get her back on the Enterprise before…" He was cut off by the loud thud of metal hitting flesh. Bones briefly saw the Klingon lord fall before the phaser was thrust in his face."

Without a word, McCoy gently laid Uhura on the floor.

"Now, step away." As Bones did as he was told. Warg motioned for him to join Kirk in the corner, slowly coming to stand in front of them. Warg looked at the two men, laughing softly. "Just like her," he kicked her for good measure. "Weak. No fighting back. The war coming will be easily won if the Federation is like you. Weak." He raised the phaser, ready to take aim. This gave Spock the opening he needed.

Before Warg could shoot, the unmistakable hum of a phaser was behind his right ear.

"You will lower your weapon." Spock demanded. When Warg made no motion to do so, Spock repeated his question. Warg sudden turn, knocked the phaser out of Spock's hand. Before Warg could level his weapon, Spock made a growling sound low in his throat and body checked the Klingon.

Before Warg had a chance to react, he found himself on this back, phaser knocked out of his hand, and a very angry Vulcan straddling him.

Kirk and Bones were so shocked by the rage being displayed by their Science Officer, that they couldn't react as fast as they should have. This was nothing compared to the beating Jim took after the death of Spock's mother. Compared to this, Spock had been holding back. Kirk noticed that even though the Klingon was now unconscious, Spock showed no signs of stopping Kirk knew that he had to finally intervene.

He slowing approached his friend, but he made no notion of putting his hands on Spock.

"Spock, you have to stop. You can't kill him. He has to pay for his crimes." When Spock continued his beating, not fearing for his own life, Kirk put his hand on Spock's shoulder. Spock stiffened at this, fist raised frozen in the air. "We have her. He can't hurt her or anyone else anymore."

At Kirk's words, Spock took a steadying breath, rose from his position, and without so much a word walked over to Uhura, gently picked her up off of the dirt floor, and left his fellows officers in the cave.

Bones and Kirk shared concerned glances, and with no other choice secured Warg. Kirk pulled out his communicator.

"Sulu, we're going to need you to bring the shuttle closer to the mountain. We have located Lieutenant Uhura, and the Klingon, Warg."

"Yes, Captain."

Once they had Warg secure, Bones went over to the Raynor who had yet to awaken.

"Jim, we we're going to have to take him aboard with us. I can't help him here." Bones didn't notice that Kirk had exited the cave himself. "Jim?" He called louder. When Kirk returned, the grim look from before hadn't left.

"He killed Crowley, and the rest of Raynor's men. What a damn mess. I can only hope peace can still be reached. This, Bones, is exactly why the Klingons and the Federation must reach a settlement." Shaking his head in exhaustion. "A senseless waste of life."

When the men heard the familiar hum of the shuttle, making sure Warg was still out, they went to rendezvous with the rest of their team.

Kirk looked at the spot where he had seen Spock holding Uhura to find that it was empty, and he had already taken her aboard. Once they secured Warg and Raynor, they loaded the bodies of the 4 dead Klingons and Lieutenant Crowley.

The return trip to the Enterprise was just as quiet and fearful as it had been when first coming to Kronos.

The only change from before was the wheezing breath being emitted by Uhura. Bones was scanning her, shaking his head every so often. Spock had yet to release her hand, even when McCoy urged him he was only in the way.

Bones had made sure the crew in the Med Bay were on standby, with a nurse waiting in the shuttle bay to help transport Uhura.

Before Sulu had even started his disembarking maneuver, Spock had Uhura in his arms and out of the shuttle. Followed in suit by Kirk and Bones. Once she was on the gurney, the small group made their way directly to the Med Bay.

Once there, as McCoy began barking his order, Spock could only stare down at the woman on the bed. Her face had begun to lose color, making her injuries stand out more. Both eyes had since swollen shut, and her split lip had doubled twice in size. While the bleeding had slowed down, it was worrying that it had continued this entire time. Before he succumbed the pushing and shoving of the Doctor and Nurses, Spock took her left hand in his, leaned down so that his forehead touched hers. With his right hand, he gently cupped the top of her head.

Unaware, or just not caring that they were not alone, he whispered words for her ears only.

"Sanu hafau, Ashayam." His voice breaking on the last word. He closed his eyes, wishing he could take away her pain and make her whole again. He wasn't aware that Kirk and Bones had been close enough to hear the words. Though they didn't know their meaning, it was clearly and intimate moment between the two. While Bones was aware of the deep feelings shared between these two, Kirk hadn't known how deep that bond went.

Clearing his throat, Kirk walked behind Spock.

"Spock, we have to let them work. Why don't you go get cleaned up? Uhura would be shocked to see you in your present state."

"You are correct, Captain." With great reluctance, Spock rose from his position, pressing a reverent kiss to Uhura's forehead. As he made to leave, Spock looked directly as Dr. McCoy.

"You will save her." It wasn't a request, nor a show of confidence. It was a command, plain and simple.

"With everything I have." Bones squeezed Spock's shoulder in a sign of comfort.

With a nod, Spock made his way out of the Med Bay, meeting the eyes of no one. He avoided contact with anyone as he made his way to his quarters.

Once he was behind closed familiar doors, Spock went straight for his bead, and sat down heavily. As he made to put his head in his hands, he caught side of them. As he gazed down at the myriad of colors, it was then, and only then, that he began to events of that. He didn't focus on the pink of Klingon blood, but rather the red that covered his hands the most. The blood of the woman he loved more than anything. The blood of the woman he wanted to be his bond mate. The blood of the woman who may die.

With that, Spock placed his head in his hands and wept.

What did our amazing Vulcan say...stay tuned. I have also discovered I am not good at writing action scenes! Please R and R!