Note: I own nothing involving Star Trek
Leonard 'Bones' McCoy sat on the bed in Lt. Leigh's personal quarters, simply staring at the opposite wall. He couldn't recall how many times he had come here in the past. Sometimes just to talk, sometimes to check up on her and sometimes for other activities. Enough apparently that she had keyed him into her door scanner. Actually when he thought about it, they almost always met here. In fact he couldn't remember if they had ever been in his quarters.
Sighing he lowered his head into his hands, trying hard to wipe the images from earlier out of his mind. While he felt sympathy for the death of Ensign Nelson, he couldn't stop the pure relief that flooded him when Monica had exited that horrible maze. Part of him questioned where she had gained some of her skills, as she had shown more ability than the majority of their security staff. But most of him just wanted the ship to warp there and beam her out.
He almost snorted at his thoughts. Never had he been this worried for someone's safety. Not even Jim and he got himself into a hell of a lot more messes than Monica did. It seemed Jim was right, it wasn't just a 'friends with benefits' relationship, it had grown into something more over the months. In fact he realized just how much he depended on her on an emotional level. She had become the steady rock that he could cling too, yet at the same time she never tried to tie him down. Not like Jocelyn had. If he admitted the truth, even if just to himself, he knew that he loved Monica in a way he had never loved anyone else. He hadn't even considered not having her in his life, a telling factor if ever there was one. Now though, it became an all too real possibility that frightened him.
He looked up, eyes moving over to her bookshelf. While both shared a love for books, hers tended to lean towards the fictional type. Several varieties of novels sat on her shelves, ranging from 20th century fantasy to current mystery novels. Several knick-knacks also sat on the shelves, sharing the space with her coveted books. A few were gifts he had given her; little things he had picked up randomly thinking she might enjoy them. Funny, he had not thought he knew her so well.
Pictures also graced the room. Several of her grandparents and cousins, a few of friends she had gone to school with or served with and even one or two of them both. How and when she got those he didn't know, but he found he didn't mind either. One in particular caught his eye. Standing he crossed the room to her dresser, picking up the small frame. It was a candid photo of the two of them, sitting in the rec. room playing chess. He was laughing at something she said; while she wore her trademark grin that told him she was being mischievous. Examining the photo he noticed the angle, which told him it came from the security cameras. She had found a way to get a photo of them together by going into the security footage. For whatever reason, she had cared enough to go against protocol and risk disciplinary action just to get a picture. The thought warmed his heart.
"Bones?" Jim's voice came through his communicator.
"Yeah?"
"We're coming up on the Neutral Zone, thought you might want to know," his friend and Captain told him.
"I'll be right there," McCoy eyed the photo a minute longer before placing it down gently back in its place. Monica would give him an earful if she came back to find her things out of place.
Allowing himself one last look around her quarters he exited and made his way to the bridge. After the broadcast everyone had been silent for all of five minutes before Scotty had started cursing up a storm. Though the rest had not joined in they shared his sentiments. Uhura had especially been outraged and disgusted to see women subjugated to such barbaric practices. Jim had quietly told her to shut off the connection once Leigh had made it to safety, not wanting to see any more. The rage that simmered in those blue eyes told McCoy that Jim would not rest until the bastards that had taken their crewmates paid for their mistake.
Currently all members of the bridge crew were at their stations, working diligently. Those that had come on shift after the video feed had instantly sensed that something important had happened and chose to keep their heads down instead of stirring the pot further. McCoy didn't say a word; instead he just moved to stand by Jim's chair, eyes staring at the main screen, which showed the space in front of them.
"Keptain, we will be in the Neutral Zone in ten minutes," Chekov informed them.
"Good, Sulu keep the pace steady, but be ready to stop if needed," Jim ordered.
"Aye Captain."
The tension seemed to mount the closer they came. Just as they poised the ship to cross over into the Neutral Zone a Klingon ship materialized as if out of no-where, proving how effective their cloaking technology was.
"Sir! We're being hailed by the Klingon ship," Uhura announced.
"Put it on the screen," he nodded, sitting up straight as he faced the monitor. The screen switched over to show the bridge of the Klingon ship, its captain watching them with a steady gaze. He was large, as most Klingons were, wearing the standard black and silver uniform. Scars traced his slightly aged face and his ridged forehead.
/I am Krakin, Captain of this ship,/ the Klingon announced in their guttural language. Not for the first time Kirk was thankful for the universal translator. /State your business here./
"Captain Krakin, I am James T. Kirk, Captain of the Enterprise," Jim responded with his usual confidence. "We have come tracking a group of pirates that kidnapped two of my crew. It is our understanding that their base of operations is in the Neutral Zone. We are not trying to encroach on your territory in any way. However we would like the ability to pass into this sector in order to find our missing crew members and to take care of the pirates."
The crew of the Enterprise noticed that several of the Klingons had frowned or scowled when they heard of the pirates.
The Klingon captain studied him for a bit before shaking his head. /I am afraid I cannot let you pass. While I understand your desire to punish these cretins I cannot give you leave to wander all over the Neutral Zone in your search. We of the Klingon Empire have also had…issues with these pirates. However they remain too well hidden. There is nothing you or anyone can do for those taken, except to wish them a speedy and honorable death./
"And what if I were to tell you that we know exactly where they are," Jim countered. "Would that interest you?"
The other captain paused, eyes narrowed in distrust. /And how do you have such information?/
"One of our people that was abducted was carrying a small transmitter that went undetected by their 'hosts', the signal is still going strong and we have the coordinates of their location," Kirk waved Uhura to send them the transmitter's frequency. "I'm having my communications officer send you the wave length. You can see for yourself that we are telling the truth."
Krakin's eyes moved from them to someone off the screen. Apparently he liked what he heard, as did several of the other Klingons from their feral smiles. Turning back to Kirk the captain smirked. /I do not suppose that you would allow us to retrieve your missing crewmembers and bring them back./
"While I have no doubt you would honor your word, as Captain, it is my duty to assure the safety of my people. Something I am sure you understand well. So I would not be able to agree to such terms," Kirk stated evenly, completely serious. Once the other nodded in acknowledgement of his words he let a small dangerous smirk slip out. "Besides, I want to explain to these pirates why they shouldn't mess with my crew."
The other snorted. /Words are wasted on these filth./
"Never said it was going to be a verbal explanation," Kirk shot back, receiving new appraising looks from the Klingons. "Come on, Captain Krakin, let's you and I take our ships over to the pirates' hideout and teach them the error of messing with our people."
Krakin eyed Kirk again, a slow smile growing wider on his face before he broke out in laughter. /You are an interesting man, James Kirk. I am willing to let your ship cross the boundaries, however there are two conditions. The first is that my ship will accompany yours. We also have a few things we wish to 'discuss' with the pirates. And second, you must give me your word that while in the Neutral Zone you and yours will not attack my ship or my people and once the job is done you will return to Federation Space./
"You have my word on my honor and my ship that neither I nor any of my crew will attack you and your people. We simply want to go in, get our people, blow up a few pirates and call it a day," Kirk stated dryly. "As for your ship accompanying us, I wouldn't have it any other way in this matter. Though I will hold you to your honor to not attack me or mine, and allow us safe passage back into Federation Territory once we finish with this mission."
/Agreed./
They exchanged further information, including a tape of the event the pirates had broadcasted and the frequency Uhura had found it on. They agreed on the coordinates to warp to and their basic plan of attack on the pirates. A group from each ship would go down to handle the ground forces, while the ships would stay at a good distance to not be revealed. If any pirates tried to escape the ships would pick them off. Once both were satisfied with the plans they cut the main link and warped to the meeting place.
"You think we can trust them, Captain," Sulu asked.
"Don't know Sulu, but it's the best bet we got right now."
'Hang on Monica,' McCoy thought as he watched the ship jump into warp speed. 'We're coming.'