Hello my lovely readers! Thanks so much for sticking with me 3 Hope you can put up with my sentimental ramblings in this chapter it sort of got away from me.
Anyway, read, review, enjoy!
Chapter Thirteen: Who Am I?
"You're h-hair lo-ooks so soft! M-May I t-touch it?"
Jim tried to ignore the high pitched giggle of a yeoman as Ran'Chaah stroked her long, silky green hair. He gave out one of Spock's wide, wondrous smiles and the Captain cast his eyes down to his work again, ignoring the feeling that was highly reminiscent of a burning coal in the pit of his stomach.
This had been going on for almost three days as the Enterprise shot through space on an intercept course with the Theta, a location they would reach some time the following afternoon. It was a long trip, and if they were wrong…
'You're being paranoid, Jim,' Kirk chastised himself, but his thoughts were interrupted by a bright laugh. Ran'Chaah covered his mouth as many eyes turned to look at him, but the shock had faded after the first days of his occupation and some actually smiled at his outburst.
Jim shook his head and tried to refocus on the paperwork he was supposed to be reading. Being a captain wasn't all fun and games and near death experiences; he had plenty of boring menial things to do too.
The comm whistled at him for his attention, and Carol Marcus' voice came onto the speaker.
"Captain, would you come down to the Biolab please? We have some business that needs attending to."
He glanced up to see the ridge of Ran'Chaah's spine stiffen, and knew that the subject of interest had to be the Theta the Vulcan had tried to attack days before.
"Thank you Dr. Marcus, I'll be right down."
Kirk assigned Sulu to the Conn and strode to the door, a dark haired shadow falling in familiar step beside him. On the turbolift he turned to face the alien who had gotten on without a word.
"Ran'Chaah, I don't think it's a good idea for you to come with me," he said softly, and Spock's face was stoic as it gazed back at him.
"I-I am emo-otionally stable, C-Captain. I ha-ave necessary informa-ation," he assured, and Jim shook his head.
"Can you prove that?"
"No. I-I ask only tha-at you tru...ust me."
They stared at each other for a moment, blue eyes clashing with dark brown, both flecked through with spots of gold. Jim sighed as the doors opened.
"Fine. But you're on probation."
The duo strode out into the hall and through the double doors to Biolab 2 where Carol Marcus, healed from her ordeal with the exception of a thin pale scar down her left cheekbone to her jaw, stood by the containment chamber. The fiberglass had been replaced and the creature within had grown considerably since the last time the Captain had seen it. He glanced sideways at his companion, but Ran'Chaah seemed perfectly put together and almost Spockian in his manner.
"How is the little tyke?" Jim asked, approaching the glass, and Carol joins him with a cautious glance at the alien behind him.
"Who's with us?" she inquired softly, although they both knew that Spock's sharp ears would pick up their conversation.
"Ran'Chaah," he replied, and her expression turned a bit concerned. "I have it under control," Jim promised, but neither he nor Carol were sure if he was lying.
"The creature will soon outgrow its container," Ran'Chaah commented, staring down at it with a strangely sad expression, and Carol nodded.
"That's why I called you down here, Captain. What do we do with it? And the other one, for that matter. We can't just keep them here forever."
"Can we move it to a larger containment?"
"That sounds like avoiding the problem to me."
"Well do you have any suggestions Doctor?"
"If I did, I'd have taken care of this on my own."
Ran'Chaah knelt down in front of the chamber, dark eyes meeting the multi-prismed golden orbs of the small creature. His expression saddened, and he placed Spock's undamaged hand up against the glass.
"He is frightened," he said softly, and Carol and Jim turned to the sound of his voice curiously. The Theta trembled and made frightened chittering sounds, and Ran'Chaah rested Spock's forehead against the glass and closed his eyes.
"⌅ ⌲⌇?¬リヘ⌆⌢⍫⍛ ⌮ ϕ," he began to murmur in a strange musical language, one the universal translator devices implanted in the communicators and in the brains of each member of Starfleet were unable to decipher. The Theta began to sway back and forth to the sound of his voice, and he nodded.
"I...have e-explained the situa-ation to him. He will coo-ooperate with...with us."
"How did you do that?" Carol demanded, "We've been trying to get it calm enough to move for days."
"It is...the la-anguage of my pe-eople. It o-often has a...ca-alming effect on less-sser beings." He unlatches the door and reaches into the tank, gathering the insect-like alien that was now the size of a large cat into his arms.
"Thi-is creature is kno-own to my people a-as the Shri'lak Ta. The-ey are the...more intelligent ha-alf of the The-eta species. They ha-ave language, reli-igion of sorts, and advanced hive-mi-inds. This you-oungling was never conne-ected to his people."
The Theta child curled into Spock's chest and allowed its fellow being who had been left behind to cradle it.
"So it's male. Will he be able to be raised in our society?" Carol asked, a new alternative bursting to light in her mind's eye. This was something she had never expected.
"He is per-erfectly sentient, bu-ut it would take ti-ime to accl...accum… make hi-im used to you-our world."
"I don't know if that's a good idea," Jim said contemplatively, and Carol turned on him with angry eyes.
"We should at least try! We could save this one life. Isn't that enough?"
Jim's blue eyes iced over and he turned away.
"Not always. Do what you will with it, I have things I have to do."
Ran'Chaah and Carol watched him go with sadness or confusion, and the alien sang soothingly to his charge.
The comm whistled at Jim as he sat filling out paperwork in his quarters, and he called, "Come."
A tall, lean figure entered the room, and he felt tension roll off his shoulders.
"Spock."
The figure faltered, slanted brows puckering in confusion.
"N-No, Captain. It is I, R-Ran'Cha-aah," he corrected, and Jim nodded, rubbing his eyes wearily.
"I see. What's been decided about the Theta?"
Ran'Chaah sat down smoothly in the chair across from him, eyes leveled firmly on his Captain. He reached out a hand and rested it gently on top of Jim's.
"Your a-aura is ve-ery unhappy, Jim. I-Is there anything I ca-an do to e-ease your pain?"
"I'm fine," the Captain retorted a bit sharply, and the alien smiled sadly.
"Of co-ourse."
They sat in unnerving silence for a moment before Jim broke it.
"So the Theta?"
"We wi-ill ho-old it as a pote-ential bargaining piece wi-ith its pa-arents."
"Good. We can use all the advantages we can get," Jim decided with a nod. "And the other one? You said they were dangerous."
"The o-other...is known as Duun. They...cannot be tra-ained. It can only...kill. It knows o-only Death."
"Hm. We don't have a choice then do we? It has to be euthanized before it can kill anyone."
Ran'Chaah turned his gaze down.
"I sup-ppose...the-ere is no other way."
"I'll send the order later. You can go back to the Bridge to make sure Chekov is still on course."
"Yes, Captain."
Ran'Chaah rose, bowing his head and heading for the door. Jim tossed the pad away with a frustrated sigh. He wanted to talk to Spock right now, he always knew what to do. He was trustworthy and honest and loyal and fiercely intelligent, and Jim felt a little lost without his steady presence.
"Ran'Chaah, wait."
The being paused at the door, looking back with inquisitive eyes.
"Yes, Captain?"
Jim motioned him back, and the alien came to stand at his side obediently.
"Can I...would it be difficult for me to talk to Spock for a minute?" He asked a bit self consciously, and a smile flickered across Ran'Chaah's face.
"No-ot difficult...but it ma-ay take ti-ime for S-Spock to rega-ain consciousness."
"If it would be stressful for either of you it's not important. Go back to your business," Jim replied quickly, a strange flush of heat creeping up his neck. Ran'Chaah's knowing smile made him uncomfortable and he waved the alien away.
Before he went, Ran'Chaah bent close to the Captain and rested his forehead against the side of Jim's skull.
"He m-misses you too, J-Jim," he said softly, and before the Captain could take stock of the fluttering of his heart the Vulcan was already to the door and then he was gone.
"Bones may be right about him," he muttered to himself and returned to his work much more distracted and unsettled than before.
.
Bones was extremely uncomfortable with the present situation.
He was minding his own business working on some lab tests when a familiar face poked into the room, asking if he was busy.
"Yes, Ran'Chaah, I'm busy," he retorted, measuring out some of the formula which they were using to nourish the fledgling Theta.
"Wha-at are you do-oing?"
"Making baby formula."
Bones paused, thinking over what he'd just said. He shook his head.
"Damn fool job. I'm a Doctor, not an insect nursemaid."
"Can I be-e of assistance?"
"You can get out and let me work!"
"And t-this would b-be considered he-elpful?"
"In my world your absence is the most helpful thing of all."
"I do not u-understand. E-Earth is we-elcoming to no-on terrestrials."
"Congratulations, you understand sarcasm as well as Spock."
"Thank you, Do-octor. You a-are as k-kind as you are ha-andsome."
Bones stiffened, a chill crawling down his spine. He turned to glower at the all too cheerful alien sitting on one of his examination tables.
"You better watch your step, rainbow-cloud. I don't take kindly to fooling around."
"Tha-at is a shame. I wa-as under the impre-ession that 'fooling around' was a ve-ery enjoyable enterpri-ise."
"Dammit, man, stop misinterpreting everything I say!"
"I only li-isten and understa-and, Doctor."
"The hell you do. Get off that table and go back to where you're wanted, you green blooded, cloud headed mutt!"
Ran'Chaah's eyes widened slightly, his expression changing from a gleeful smirk to devastated shock.
"You say such hu-urtful things to us, Mc-cCoy," he murmured, and Bones felt his heart sink. Great, now he'd offended the all-powerful alien inhabiting the deadly Vulcan host.
"I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, Ran'Chaah, Spock and I joke like that sometimes. It's all in fun," he quickly amended, and the alien looked at the human with sad eyes.
"You should no-ot assume that is always t-true. Mr. Spo-ock does not ap-preciate your painful co-omments on his he-eritage. His hu-uman mother loved him de-early, and he her. He does no-ot comment on yo-our unfortunately ro-ound ears, nor on you-ur failed attempt a-at human ma-arriage. He do-oes not point out tha-at your only compa-anions on this ship and a-anywhere else are himse-elf and the Captain. Thi-is is because he ca-ares deeply fo-or you, and ho-olds your friendship in hi-igh esteem. Yo-ou and Jim are all he has, and they are a-all you have."
Bones reeled for a minute from the barrage of truth, insult and revelation, and Ran'Chaah stood up with a haughty flip of his head.
"I will no-ow go back to where I-I am wanted."
He swept from the room in a huff, and Bones leaned against the wall staring moodily at the floor.
"The hell he is. I've got friends besides Spock and Jim. Plenty of them. I don't need him."
He stared out the window into empty space contemplatively for a while, trying desperately to conjure up the names of friends or drinking buddies. After he split with Jocelyn, none of them had bothered calling him. He pulled an old fashioned locket from his back pocket, flicking it open and looking sullenly at the smiling face of his young daughter. How long since he'd seen Joanna? Five years, give or take. She'd be nine now. She probably didn't remember him.
He clicked it closed and angrily shoved it back in his pocket, heaving a resigned sigh.
"The hell I don't."
.
A man doubled over in the hallway, leaning back against the cool walls and sliding to the floor, breathing heavily.
Something was wrong. He felt strange, was only responsible for half the motion of his body. Someone else made him try to stand, but neither were strong enough and they both collapsed.
What have you done? The younger, darker presence demanded, struggling angrily for possession. The multicolored consciousness was curled in the corner of their conjoined mind, crying softly. These tears manifested in the body they shared and rolled down the high Vulcan cheekbones.
Stop it! What is wrong with you? The darker demanded again, and the lighter wailed something unintelligible.
What? Tell me what you require to stop your pain!
Amre'kaa! Amre'kaa! The telepathic being sobbed, streaks of anguished purples and greys snapping in the darkness of their conjoined mind.
They both stumbled upright, the darker trying to regain control forcibly.
The hissing of an opening door barely drew the attention of the bridge crew, all hurriedly preparing for the interception that would be taking place in a few hours. The figure who passed through the doorway walked as if in sleep, seeing everything through strange, half-owned eyes.
"Ran'Chaah, I vas looking for you!" Chekov chirped, and the dark gaze that landed on him flickered with confusion.
"I am not-"
"Oh, Ran'Chaah, you ran off before we could finish talking about that experiment you were explaining! Are you busy? We can talk about it now!"
"Ensign, I do not-"
"Ran'Chaah! Where have you been?"
"Hello Ran'Chaah."
"Will you check my work on this?"
"Ran'Chaah!"
"KROYKAH!"
The conjoined minds, both raw with the brighter's pain, recoiled from so much attention and the body, which had been backed into a corner, now hunched in on itself like an animal. The command had come in Vulcan, tinted with desperation and an anguish only one understood.
"Ran'Chaah, what's wrong?"
"Are you alright?"
Everyone crowded in around the body, concerned and trying to help, but the whirling colors and voices closed in on both consciousnesses.
"What the hell is going on here?"
Then a golden streak of light cut through the confusing darkness and they both reached out for it blindly.
"Get the away from him. All of you, back!"
Two open arms, blue eyes, the smell of safety and strength, and both presences collapsed into him gratefully.
Jim carefully cradled Spock's shaking form against his chest, trying not to panic. The Vulcan fell still, his cool face resting in the dip of Jim's neck, his breathing unsteady.
"Get Bones in here," he ordered, resting a hand in Spock's silky hair. He turned to look down at his incapacitated First, brushing the stark bangs back from the sweaty forehead. His dark eyes roved behind closed lids, seeking something he could not find.
"What's happened now?" Bones grumbled as he appeared on the bridge, then his face tightened as his hazel blue eyes fell on the twitching form in Jim's arms.
"What's wrong with him?" The Captain asked softly as the physician took the Vulcan's vitals. His brow crinkled, and he sighed in frustration.
"His vitals are going haywire again. I can't tell if he's in trouble because of Ran'Chaah's fool influence. Let's get him to Sickbay."
McCoy tried to help support the alien's head but he curled in on himself in Jim's hold with a whimper. The Captain hoisted the taller frame of the Vulcan into the air, startled by the lightness of the desert dweller.
"Amre'kaa," Spock whispered softly, and Jim glanced down questioningly.
"What does that mean, Spock?" he asked, and the science officer shook his head, unable to answer or unwilling Jim couldn't tell.
"Lay him here," Bones indicated the bed where the dark haired male had been sitting less than an hour earlier, and Jim settled the Vulcan's weight on the bed. He tried to pull back but an iron Vulcan hand caught his shirt, and a soft voice directed partly by the dark spirit and part by the bright whispered, "Don't go."
"I won't," He replied softly, sliding his hand into the fist and urging it loose. The hand clutched his when it came free almost painfully but he held it back tightly, trying to direct calming thoughts through the telepathic link the minds inside would doubtless be receiving.
"Let me give him a sedative," Bones nudged Jim to the side, rolling up a sleeve to reveal Spock's pale forearm. He administered the hypo and soon the Vulcan's body went slack and his breathing calmed. McCoy shook his head with a low whistle.
"They're going to tear each other apart trapped together in there," he commented, and Jim pressed the cool Vulcan hand to his forehead.
"This is my fault," he murmured, and Bones rolled his eyes and cuffed his Captain upside the head. Jim started and looked up at his friend in surprise.
"It's not your fault, dumbass. They wanted to do this. We'll be confronting the Theta in a few hours and we need Ran'Chaah whether we like it or not."
Jim sighed, glancing down at his unconscious friend.
"Then I guess all we can do is wait."
*Kroykah: Stop!
This chapter brought to you by The Glitch Mob's album Drink the Sea. Soooo addicted.
