Chapter 11 – Hanging by a Thread

She pulled herself out of the darkness abruptly. Her eyes snapped open, her breath drew in gasps, her body shook. Hands came from nowhere and held her down.

Fear flooded her belly. The only illumination came from a lamp to her right and it outlined a clearly male shape bending over her.

"Just kill me and be done with it," she rasped. Bad move. Her throat burst into flames and she exploded into a fit of coughs. Then a straw entered her mouth and she tasted liquid. It must be water, because it soothed her throat and cleared her head.

"At least you've still got control over your throat." The voice sounded familiar. "You're lucky to be alive."

The shape moved into the light, and she saw black eyes and a blue shirt. She would have smiled, but her face ached. "We were rescued."

"Yes, you were." Yeto pressed his palm to her forehead. "You've been unconscious for two days in critical condition."

"What happened?"

"We beamed up the two of you from the planet's surface and Captain Kirk took a team down to subdue those… those things." He pushed her hair from her face. "Doctor McCoy and I have been treating you. There was some concern that you would not wake, but I knew better. And now you have! Your friends will be pleased to know that you have woken. They have been extremely worried."

Now she decided to ask the question that was bothering her. "Where's Spock?"

"He… he is alive, and awake, in another part of the Infirmary. He thought it best for the two of you to be separated until the entire issue is sorted out. The, uh, the barrier has been put up again. Even he is uncertain of whether it was his doing or yours."

She blinked back tears and held out her hand. Yeto gently took it and perched on the side of her bed.

"You should get some sleep," she murmured.

"I cannot do that with a patient in critical condition," he said immediately. "I will sleep once I am certain that you do not need constant supervision, as I do not trust anyone else to take care of you."

His words warmed her heart. "Thank you."

"You are welcome."

As much as she wanted to recover, he couldn't give her what she needed.

o.O.o

The next evening Jamie bursted in, looking as immaculate and beautiful as ever.

She hugged Yeto. "Thank you for calling!"

Yeto pushed her away uncomfortably. "It is no issue. I will remain here while you speak."

Jamie nodded and bounded over to the bed. "How are you doing? Yeto only called me today. I thought you were dead!"

"What did they tell you?"

Jamie explained what had happened, how she'd found Zia's communicator and called Kirk. "I pulled the Orion card and took charge of the interrogation on the informant they'd captured, and he told us exactly where you were." She smiled. "I'm glad you're alive."

"Well, it'll be a while before I'm fully-recovered," Zia replied, "but thank you for your help. We… well, if you hadn't helped then we would…"

"It's okay," Jamie said soothingly. "I just had to know that you were recovering. You're one of the only friends I've ever had that doesn't treat me differently because I'm part-Orion, and I would do anything to help you. That's what friends do."

"I owe you one. If you ever need help, in anything, just give me a call and I swear I'll be there."

Jamie smiled and kissed Zia's forehead. "That's what friends are for."

Yeto stepped forward. "Miss Jamie, Kirk is getting impatient."

Zia tilted her head. "What's this about?"

"Captain Kirk is taking me out to dinner as a thank you for effectively saving both your lives. Yeto called and I told Kirk that I had to see you before we went out."

"Don't keep him waiting then. Kirk really is an honourable man, that much I've learned from Spock." All happiness that this conversation had instilled was torn down as she said his name. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply.

"Are you sure? You don't look so good."

"I'll be fine. You just go and have a good time." She opened her eyes. "Please, it would make me happy to know that you're happy."

Jamie glanced at Yeto, who nodded. She touched Zia's face before she left, looking back once with concern on her face. Zia shooed her, and when the door closed the Vulcan laid her head back and stared at the ceiling. They didn't understand. They didn't understand what this was like.

Yeto stepped forward. "If you wish, I can get you more company. Your friend Tara returned to the Academy two hours ago."

"No." Zia shook her head. "She'll be tired from the trip. Tomorrow is fine. I need the rest anyway."

"Okay. I will contact Tara and Mister Turon tomorrow and tell them to come up. Do you want me to bring them up to speed, or do you want to do it?"

"I'll do it. Thank you for this."

"You are my patient and I need to ensure your comfort."

I would be a lot more comfortable if Spock was here, she thought. Tears formed unexpectedly and poured an alarming rate. Yeto's eyes widened and he raced over to her bed, slid in and wrapping his arms around her. She fell into his chest and cried pain and sorrow, but it should have been Spock holding her. That thought only made her cry harder, her wails echoing around the room. Yeto's arms tightened around her, unwavering in their strength. They were her anchor and she held on for dear life.

o.O.o

Spock walked out of the interrogation room, weariness in his bones. One-hundred Vulcan Hunters had been questioned, all of them imprisoned for life. Kidnapping and torturing a Starfleet officer and cadet was a heinous crime.

McCoy ran a tricorder over Spock's face.

"Damn it man, you're pushin' yourself too hard," he grunted.

"This is something I must do," Spock replied calmly. "I must see these criminals to justice. Has Mister Scott found any information regarding the use of Admiral Marcus' code?"

"Yeah, it seems that he's been funding their little operation outta his own pocket. Stand still man!"

Spock continued up the corridor and McCoy raced after him. "I cannot afford to wait. I must complete this mission to ensure the safety of myself and Zia."

"She's awake."

He stopped. "When did she wake?"

"Yeto called me. She woke a few hours ago."

Spock was silent for an uncomfortable time.

"I will see her when my mission is complete," he said finally. "This cannot wait."

o.O.o

Zia woke and clutched at her throat. She fought back the scream, and instead sucked in ragged breaths. No… no… it couldn't be happening.

Yeto slept in the chair beside her bed. She couldn't rouse him. She couldn't let anyone know that the nightmares were back again.