AN: Usual disclaimer, the rights to Star Trek etc belong to someone else. Bit of an epic chapter, I didn't want to break it up.

Chapter 8

Diving into an interrogation room, all around them explosions, the room would shake then still. Just when they thought the bombardment was over, it would begin again. Kirk used his body to shield Uhura from the falling debris. The lights flickered on and off. Determined to hide them from their stalkers, he manoeuvred them towards the back of the room. Hidden by the dark, feet of hurried by. He recalled the events that had passed and hoped Spock was ok. There was no opportunity to check after he screamed at them to run. His friend had saved them…he had also hurt them too.

Casting a glance at Uhura he sensed she needed comfort. She was beginning to shake, the first signs of shock. He tentatively wrapped his arms around her, and she rested her forehead against his bare chest. As he pulled her closer to him, another explosion, more powerful than the others, they both tumbled violently into the wall. The impact knocked the breath out of him, her hips buckled into his as their bodies crashed together. He tilted her face to make sure she was ok. Unexpectedly, she rose onto her tiptoes and hesitantly kissed him, then pulled back, watching for a reaction. He reciprocated the kiss. It was their undoing – the angst, fear, need, all swirled together to create the perfect storm. She hoisted her legs around his hips, his arms came down to grip her bottom with a vice like hold. It hurt and she didn't care. As he pressed his body against hers, groans of desire punctuated the explosions all around. Cables dangled from the wall, sending sparks scurrying across the floor. 'Jim', she sighed against his mouth. She was unsure if it was a command to stop or an invitation to carry on. Frantically they kissed, their tongues battling for dominance, as his hands roamed over her thighs and under her dress. A moment of clarity flashed through his mind. 'What are we doing…Do you want this', seeking reassurance before they crossed that line. 'Yes' she nodded at him as her hands dropped into the small gap between them, rushing to unbuckle his trousers. Just then nothing else mattered, and with an almighty jerk he ripped off her underwear, so desperate to be buried in her he plunged into her. The sensation was incredible. 'Nyota' he said breathlessly, he wanted to savour the moment. She buried her head into his neck and left butterfly kisses along his jaw line. As they rocked together, and knowing they were close, she forced him to face her as they climaxed together. Waiting for his breathing to settle, he let her legs fall from his hips. The madness had passed, and as he moved back he tried to process what had just happened. She sat down on the floor, heart racing. There was a ripple of uncertainty from Kirk. Instead of reassurance, she looked away from him. His face contorted with rage, 'don't you dare push me away'. He crouched down to her level, attempting to control himself. 'We both wanted this!' he hissed at her. His anger dissipated when he sensed her shame - Spock. Suddenly he felt it too.

The sounds of battle broke the tension. He stood up, realising they needed a way out. He looked around at the damage. Tables had turned over, chairs and cabinets laid haphazardly. He needed to find a shirt, and walked over to where he had seen some earlier, taking the opportunity to do up his trousers. Uhura slid back up the wall. Her inner conflict affected both of them. She moved in the opposite direction to him, looking for a comms module. Her foot kicked something, stiffly bending down she found a phaser and tucked it in her waistband. Working around the room, she was conscious she was avoiding him. She knew he was avoiding her too. What they had just done, she couldn't explain it. From nothing to something, she was having trouble understanding what she really felt. 'Captain', his formal title provided the distance they both needed. He grunted, saw the phaser and nodded. Still looking for a weapon he could use, he gingerly lifted a shirt over his battered torso. He muffled his discomfort. The pain was a welcome distraction to the guilt he now felt.

'Fuck!', her harsh voice echoed the now silent room. 'Fuck, fuck, fuck', each time the vengeance behind the word faded. She was lashing out wildly at something. 'Lieutenant!' He shouted at her. She pointed to the broken comms module. 'Lets go', the lull in bombardment offered them an opportunity to slip out the room. 'Ladies first, since you have the phaser'. She almost smiled, this was not the time for chivalry. Scanning up and down the corridor, they chose to go left, lightly stepping over debris, they proceeded silently in single file. Uhura was in the lead. She felt him wince, two of his ribs were definitely broken. She halted, he sensed her fear, then he heard it too. Footsteps, fast approaching. Lots of them. Firefight. 'Run!' He pulled her back and they sprinted in the opposite direction. Hurdling over fallen bulkheads. Kirk slammed into an emergency exit, Uhura skidded in too. They stood in the central stairway. Upwards heralded freedom, with no other choice, up they went.

Déjà reached the grand hall first, focusing on the comms module, she let Spock go. He was in no shape to challenge her. 'Déjà' Zarel shouted as he ran into the room quickly glancing at the Vulcan. Déjà had reached the module and was frantically trying to turn it on. 'Hello brother, what brings you here?', trying to provoke a reaction. He was always the more able telepath, she needed him distracted. He raised his phaser and was about to fire, when McCoy and Sulu rushed in just as the stairway collapsed and collided into him. Zarel lost his grip on the phaser and it flew towards Déjà. Spock tried to intercept, but his coordination was impaired and he fell in front of her. When McCoy saw Spock, his relief was palpable. He looked around the hall, expecting to see Uhura and Kirk. His anguish rose again, they were not there. Sulu rushed to aid Spock. Déjà took her opportunity, and telepathically grabbed Sulu and Spock; at the same time she had her weapon trailed on Zarel and McCoy. 'Stop this madness Déjà', Zarel appealed to her through his mind. 'Now why would I do that? Commander Spock was about to give me the codes', her response was unnaturally calm. She was slowly probing Spock's mind for the information she needed. At last she found what she was looking for, then threw him across the room like a rag doll. A sickening crunch was heard when he landed. Sulu winced and McCoy determined at least two ribs and his arm were broken. 'Great, super strength too, like we needed another challenge' he muttered. 'Sister, the shield is failing, soon that ship you've tried so hard to keep out will stop you' Her beautiful features betrayed no fear. No longer communicating telepathically, 'You're a fool. Nobody is coming to stop me', Waving the phaser at Zarel and McCoy, 'I could kill you all with one thought'. Focusing on Sulu she triggered the pain receptors around his heart, Sinking to the ground he clutched his chest, and let out an anguished scream. Just like that Déjà released him. 'Actually, dear brother, I think you'll find I'm in control here'. A thought brushed against McCoy, 'Distract her'. More aggressively 'McCoy, distract her'. Spock was looking directly at him, he had hauled himself upright. He was breathing heavily, his lungs compromised by broken ribs. Spock knew that he needed urgent medical attention. He had to force himself to stay conscious, and see through his plan. He prayed McCoy had heard him, so waited. Channelling worry for his friends and pent up frustration, McCoy lashed out at Déjà. With all his might he charged at her, and they both fell to the floor. Clawing at him, she screeched, and with her superior strength threw him off her. He landed in a heap near Spock. Sulu and Zarel used the opportunity to attack her, but by then she was back on her feet, and froze them where they stood. 'Enough!' she boomed. There was no way to keep challenging her, they were stuck at her mercy.

'Enough!', echoed down the stairway. Uhura and Kirk, paused and tried to guess Déjà's position. They waited, hoping for another clue. The sound of alarms masked the direction of the sound. Uhura rushed forward, phaser pointing in defensive mode towards the grand hall. 'Spock', she cried in anguish. Kirk had no choice but to follow, without a weapon he was defenceless. Her phaser swung into the room, and she fired at Déjà. 'You!' She rasped. The shot grazed her shoulder, and barely stunned her. As Uhura was about to fire another shot, Déjà mentally slapped her, the force knocked her off her feet, slamming Uhura's side painfully into the edge of the table. Winded she let the phaser fell out of her hand and slide towards Spock. Kirk attempted to get Déjà's weapon, Déjà focus was waning as she attempted to finish off what Tenus and Findius had started. She forcefully probed his mind. He grasped his head, as blood started to trickle from his eyes, ears and nose. The veins bulged from his head. She upped the intensity, and he fell to his knees. Using the thoughts of the people in the room against him - fear, awe, rage, jealousy, love it was too much, he fell to his knees, it hurt so much. Just as she was about to receive her prize, Spock used Déjà's attack on Kirk to stand up. His right arm hung limply against his side, He now had Uhura's phaser in his left hand and without deliberation fired straight at Déjà. On the highest setting, she vaporised. And just like that Kirk, Sulu and Zarel were free. Kirk huffed, but it was too late the mental assault over stimulating his brain. He couldn't cope, and collapsed. 'Noooo!', screamed Uhura, stretching her arm out to him. 'Captain!' Sulu shouted as he slid down to the floor to cradle Kirk. Spock collapsed back against a table, he looked over McCoy who had started murmuring indicating his return to consciousness.

Zarel looked at the spot where his sister once stood, he turned his attention to the enterprise crew. 'We need to get out of here'. Looking at them all blooded and bruised, he realised this was not going to be an easy task. 'I'm going to get help', he picked Déjà's phaser and backed out of the room using the route Kirk and Uhura had taken. Knowing they were in no state to defend themselves he shot the closing mechanism on all the doors, forcing it lock the five of them inside. For the first time in three days the crew were together, only Sulu was relatively unscathed. He had happily hugged Uhura, before returning his attentions back to the Captain. McCoy by now was tending to Spock, he'd looked over at Kirk and knew there was nothing he could do for him at the moment. Keep him comfortable was all he said to Sulu and Uhura. Returning his gaze back to the Vulcan, he wondered what the hell had happened to him, he'd never seen Spock act so feral. At that moment Spock had retreated into a meditative state waiting until he could be cared for on the Enterprise. Uhura was clearly in a state of distress so McCoy wondered over slowly to comfort her. Five long hours later, a set of doors blasted open, fearful for the reception on the other side Sulu pointed the phaser towards the intruders. Relief washed over his face when he spotted the blue uniform of the medical staff from the Enterprise. Assessing the situation, they quickly tended to the injured crew, leaving the more serious injuries till they were back aboard the ship. 'Energise' was the welcome phrase uttered by the medical team.

Back on board, ignoring the pain from his own injuries McCoy had insisted on treating Kirk. For hours he'd tried to find a way to reverse Kirk's coma. Uhura had refused to leave Kirk's side, their earlier discussion had yielded no additional useful information. He had examined her, identified no life threatening injuries and sent her to quarters. 'No', her eyes were bloodshot through lack of sleep, and her voice betrayed the exhaustion she was feeling. He had had to pull rank, and confine her to quarters so she would rest. That and the sedative he slipped in her drink which has knocked her out. She needed to rest, her body had been through the wringer. This was not the time to speak to Spock. The door hissed open, in walked Scotty and Chekov. Concern for their comrades etched on their faces. They had caught bits and pieces from the medical team. 'Will they be alright' Chekov had asked, at the moment McCoy lost it. 'I don't fucking know, there's nothing in my training to deal with mind rape!'. He was wheezing and clenched his fist so tightly his knuckles nearly popped through the skin. Scotty, stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on McCoy's shoulder. 'They're both very strong, they'll be ok', whether or not Scotty believed it, he was not sure. Scotty could see Kirk lying immobile on the bed on the other side of the partition. In the bed next to him lay Spock still in his meditative state. McCoy had summoned help from Vulcan High Command. Whilst he was able to treat the surface injuries, Spock's Vulcan anatomy required specialist treatment. At least two days travelling time in their fastest spacecraft, he hoped Spock would last that long – it was the mental injuries that were of most concern.

Uhura woke up in her quarters, she was wearing clean clothes and felt better than she deserved to. She sat upright, and swung her legs downwards. 'Easy there', came a voice from her sofa. McCoy had been checking on her over the past 48 hours. She faced him, 'how is he...?' Which he, she wasn't sure. 'He's doing better, but still in sickbay, I intend to release him back to his quarters later today'. She sighed, 'how am I?' McCoy listed what he knew about the physical, 'slight concussion and bruising, as for everything else, that will take time'. She stood up, 'lady business', McCoy flushed. 'Since you're up and about, I'll leave you to it. Just so you know, the Vulcan's have arrived and intend to take Spock with them'. McCoy walked out of her room. She shuffled to her bathroom, the sonic shower beckoned her with its hot goodness. She questioned what had happened with Kirk. Without the telepathy and manipulation did she really feel anything for him? After what felt like an eternity, she made up her mind to go to sickbay. A few minutes later, she stepped into sickbay, the lights were down low, and Kirk lay there sleeping. She watched as his chest rose up and down, and walked towards the bed. Taking a seat she faced Spock, He sensed her arrival and his eyelids flickered opened. His voice was weak, 'Nyota, you are well?', 'Yes', she whispered as she brushed his fringe from his face. 'I need to know why Spock, I need to understand what happened', her voice was flat and hesitant; she glanced over her shoulder to look at Kirk hastily. Spock held out his hand for her to hold, and she clasped it. 'I do not know. I was not in control. Despite appearances, I am still not in control now'. She watched his face, his face was more expressive than usual, she felt that she loved him. 'Why are you are going back to New Vulcan?' Her voice was tinged with sadness. 'I need to get better. There is treatment which will help me restore balance to my mind. My emotions…they are so overwhelming', his voice cracked, he loved her and felt an overwhelming sense of shame for hurting her. 'I'll miss you', she simply replied 'Me too…come back to me'. Not knowing when she would see him again. She added 'I'm sorry…', she leant in to kiss Spock lovingly. The last statement was laden with all sorts of meaning. Kirk, having awoke, had witnessed the entire conversation, a single tear slipped down his cheek.

Back in San Francisco, Admiral Kincade had been called in front of Starfleet command. His intel was so badly wrong, questions needed to be answered to about 'the epic fuck up' quote Admiral Pike. As he spoke to Sulu via the comms module , he ordered the Enterprise to 'bring him home'. It was clear that Pike was hurting, it was well known that Kirk was like a son to him. It had taken all his strength and diplomacy not to kill Kincade. His arrogance and thirst to be the one to bring peace between the Klingon empire and the Federation, had made him blind to the obvious ruse set by the Theytans. Sulu received notification that the Vulcan's were ready to leave. 'Admiral, I need to see off Spock'. In the transporter room, the Vulcan delegates moved onto the transporter. Spock was the last to step on, Uhura was holding his hand and didn't feel ready to let him go. He leant his forehead against hers, and abruptly gave her a chaste kiss. He stepped onto the transporter and was gone. Sulu gave the command to the bridge crew to go to maximum warp, they were heading home. He gave a slight smile to Uhura, before leaving her alone in the transporter room. She forced herself to walk out, just as she was approaching the mess hall she saw Kirk limping back to his quarters. She had been avoiding him since leaving sickbay. She didn't know what to say to him. With Spock's departure, she felt even more uncertain. 'Captain!', she shouted but he appeared not have heard her and carried on. 'Jim', she shouted even louder. He stopped, his shoulders slumped. He was not ready to see her. She ran up to him and lightly touched his shoulder. He flinched, and slowly turned to face her. He had promised himself that he would not shout and he would not beg. 'What do you want?', his voice was colder than intended. 'I...I..just wanted to know how you were', she stuttered, she'd never seen him act so cold towards her. She made to grab his arm, but he pulled it away from her. 'I promised myself I would not make a scene, I promised myself that I would leave you alone. I'm going to keep my promise', he attempted to walk by her. 'Jim!' she pleaded. His resolve was weakened, and he could feel all his hurt rising to the surface. 'I know you regret what happened…I overheard you and Spock in sickbay…I saw you and Spock…'. He walked away without looking back, leaving Uhura standing there.

AN: There are only two more chapters after this one.