Disclaimer: I don't own anything Star Trek it is all property of Gene Roddenberry, J.J. Abrams, Paramount, and whoever else owns rights to the franchise. I am not making any profits off of this so please don't sue me.

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Chapter 6

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Spock and Bones careened into Observation Deck 3 after what seemed like an eternity of running with everything they had in them. The sight that greeted them when they did seemed to have been ripped from the beating black heart of Hell itself. It had both Spock and McCoy stopped dead in their tracks with the emergency medical team stopping a couple of feet behind them.

There by the far wall of the observation stood a monstrous looking Antarian, all blue and green scales and sharp looking spines about him. He was the Antarian that the base was in full alert and hunting for, the rapist.

It'vek.

And to Spock and McCoy's absolute horror, there trapped between the monster at the Observation deck was the person It'vek had just last night brutally violated, a pale and alarmingly sick looking Captain James T. Kirk. There was fresh blood rapidly turning the slashed up cloth of his dress uniform over his left shoulder a deep red. The Antarian bastard had sunken his sharp claw-like nails into Kirk's flesh and added fresh new cuts to the ones he had already left last night.

Jim for his part was still valiantly putting up a fight against his attacker even though he looked like death warmed over and seemed to be steadily growing worse with each second that passed. It was Spock who managed to recover his voice first.

" It'vek." He growled.

The creature in question turned and leered at the two Starfleet officers. Then with frighteningly fast movements It'vek yanked Jim away from where he had been pinning the human to the wall. One beefy, scale covered arm wrapped itself tightly around Jim's neck in a tight one-armed chokehold while the Antarian's other had produced a wicked looked serrated blade from the folds of the robes he was wearing.

Spock and Bones both took a step forward instinctively only to freeze when the sneering Antarian held the blade menacingly close to Jim's throat.

" I will slit this pretty little thing's throat if any of you so much as twitch." Hissed It'vek.

Jim clawed at It'vek's arm, which was cutting off the majority of his ability to draw in air. And the scales were hurting him too.

" Release Captain Kirk this instant and surrender peacefully." Said Spock calmly though his eyes still burned with murderous intent.

" And if I don't?" Hissed It'vek as he took a small step backwards towards one of the five entrance ways to the Observation Deck.

" Then force will be used against you." Answered Spock in a hard matter of fact tone that also held a small hint of promise.

Then Bones finally spoke.

" Give it up, every single Starfleet officer is out looking for you, Hell A'tal and some of the other delegates are helping. This entire base is on lock down, there is no way you are getting outta here. Let the Captain go, please." Said Bones, his voice shaking for just a split second on the last word.

All it did was make It'vek's sneer grow and his hold on Jim tighten.

" How pathetically you beg for his life, well he just so happens to make a rather fine bargaining chip as well as a body for me to take my pleasures from. So no your plea is to no avail. I am getting out of here, one way or another. And if you value you precious Captain's life you will not hinder me in any way." Said It'vek venomously.

From where he stood Spock was trying his hardest not to pounce on the scum that was holding his human hostage. Spock felt a molten hot spike of guilt go through him as he thought of Jim as his human. He had done a bang up job of taking care of that what was his hadn't he? Feeling self-loathing mingle with the cold rage that had risen up inside of him at It'vek evil words, Spock's eyes went to the vile It'vek's still valiantly fighting hostage.

Furious dark brown almost black eyes met those of pain-filled icy blue.

In that moment everything else from It'vek, to Mccoy, to the Star base itself all faded into the background.

There was only Jim and Spock.

As he looked into the agonized blue eyes of his Captain Spock felt his heart almost literally split in two. Spock knew that he was just a responsible for the unimaginable pain Jim was in as It'vek.

Spock could see every emotion that filled Jim's eyes. In the human's gaze there was already naked pain, then there was anger, the cold fury that was rightfully his to feel, there was only a small hint of fear and a lot of disgust, most likely because of the fact that It'vek was touching him. And behind this plethora of volatile emotions there was one other emotion that had Spock feeling a small jolt go off inside him.

Love, it was still there buried beneath the anger and the hurt.

Spock realized that to Jim, if these were to be his last moments alive, he was telling Spock that he still loved him. Even after all that had happened he still loved Spock. But then, Jim's pained eyes hardened as they stared back at Spock, dashing the minuscule wisps of hope that had risen up inside the Vulcan. It was like cold hard reality had literally slapped Spock across the face.

Jim may have still loved him, but he was not going to forgive. Not him and not the others. Definitely not now, not when this hostage situation was resolved, maybe not ever. And he had every right not to, after how they had all treated him it was a wonder Jim could even look at any of them, especially Spock himself.

With his eyes now hardened and looking like two orbs of ice, Jim broke the gaze he had been holding with Spock and focused his attention back to struggling against It'vek's tight hold. Now he was an angry hostage and he really didn't want to stay locked in the arms of his rapist for a second longer. With gritted teeth Jim turned his gaze back to the group of people standing across from him and his attacker.

" Shoot him." He said loudly enough.

This had everyone else freezing for a moment before It'vek growled and brought the knife he was holding in his other hand dangerously close to Jim's eye.

" Shut up or I will end you, bury this knife into one of those pretty little blue eyes of yours." Hissed It'vek menacingly as he tightened his hold around Jim's neck, causing the young man to sputter and gasp a little as his airway was that much more closed off.

" No, just take it easy It'vek, there's no way any of us are gonna shoot!" Cried Bones, feeling helpless and angry that he couldn't do anything, take any steps to end this standoff and get to Jim.

This was true, there was no way to get a clear shot of the Antarian scum without risking Jim, even if the phasers were set to stun, the damage could be catastrophic to the already well-injured Captain should any of the shots hit him. They couldn't risk it, not with Jim Kirk being used as a shield.

Then out of nowhere the sound of several fast approaching sets of feet had everyone in the Observation Deck coming to alert. A few seconds later a massive swarm of people all converged on the place. Uhura, Scotty, Sulu, and Chekov all came rushing in with A'tal and the other Antarian trackers and the Starfleet security guards. All were armed and all were looking ready to kill. And when their eyes fell of the sight of It'vek the fiery rage that was already in their eyes turned into a full of hatred for the evil scum. But fear passed through everyone when they caught sight of the Antarian's hostage. And unfortunately, they hadn't been able to surround the hostage taker completely. He and his struggling hostage were standing at the mouth of the corridor that led to one of the docking areas.

All the Starfleet personnel had their phasers out and ready but It'vek held the knife menacingly at the Captain as he spoke.

" Any of you so much as take a step towards me I will slaughter you precious Captain and leave you his carcass. No tell them to unlock this base." Demanded It'vek.

" The Commander of this base will not permit the unlocking of all docks and exits under any circumstances. Just stop resisting It'vek for it is futile, you will not be able to escape. Just surrender peacefully." Said Spock with relative calmness, though he was finding it very hard at the moment to keep himself from careening across the room as fast as he could and getting his hands of the Antarian's scaly neck. He really wanted to strangle something right now and the perfect outlet was standing just a few feet across from him.

It'vek growled and glared at the massive group of very angry looking people standing across from him when his eyes met the pale milky red orbs of a very murderous looking Ambassador A'tal.

" What the Hell are you staring at old man?" Sneered It'vek.

" A stain upon the entire Antarian race." Growled A'tal as he took a small step forward and glared back at the shameful excuse for an Antarian.

It'vek scoffed and then spit on the ground in insult to the Elder. This had the other three younger Antarian's instantly growling low in renewed anger. Even the Starfleet personnel were gritting their teeth at what It'vek had just done.

Then everyone watched helplessly as It'vek began slowly backing into the corridor, dragging Jim with him.

Everyone was feeling their anger fade for a moment and be replaced with grave concern and fear as they took in the USS Enterprise's young Captain current condition. Though he was still pulling at It'vek scaly arm, Jim looked paler than a corpse, there was a light sheen of sweat over his skin, his eyes had grown more pained and were glazing over, his struggling was beginning to weaken. And most disconcerting was the deep red that was steadily spreading from his shoulder to nearly all of the top of his gold dress uniform.

Jim Kirk had lost too much blood and was continuing to loose the precious liquid. If they didn't do something quick things were gonna end really badly.

It'vek for his part was slowly growing less cocky and confident with second that passed as he stared around at the many murderous faces that were glaring at him.

Then in a split second, enraged and hateful, It'vek decided that if he wasn't gonna get off of the Star base, he could at the very least have the satisfaction of taking Jim Kirk away from the ones who wanted him so badly. At least he could have the satisfaction of sending the young man to the underworld knowing that the last person to touch his body had been he, It'vek.

There was a collective gasp from the Starfleet personnel as they watched paralyzed where they stood as It'vek raised the knife in his hands high above his head and then began bringing it down in a deadly arch straight for Jim Kirk's heart. This was it, this was the killing blow.

Then Spock and Bones were striding forward with Uhura, Sulu, Chekov, and Scotty behind them. They were as one trying to achieve the impossible.

" JIM!" Yelled Spock as he ran.

" JIM NO!" Screamed Bones as he ran with his hand outstretched.

" CAPTAIN!" Shrieked Uhura with tears gushing from her eyes.

" CAPTAIN!" Yelled Sulu from beside Uhura.

" CEPTEN!" Cried Chekov as he raised his phaser in futility.

" NO, STOP YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Screamed Scotty desperately as he too raised his phaser.

From where he stood gazing at his impending death as it seemed to come at him in slow motion, Jim Kirk ceased breathing all together and stood stark still.

He could vaguely hear the voices of his crew, his best friend, and his lover. They seemed so far away on the distance because all Jim could truly see now was the glee filled face of It'vek and the knife he was bringing down to bury to the very hilt into his captive. Jim watched in a daze as the knife slowly drew closer and the screams grew louder inside his head. Then with a soft exhale Jim let his eyes fall shut and waited for the pain of a violent death to come and wash over him.

And he could take solace in knowing that the pain would all fade and darkness would claim him into its deep abyss.

Then after several seconds Jim wondered why there wasn't the searing pain of a blade entering his body because it should've happened by now. Then Jim heard a very loud crack, like the kind wood makes when splintered into pieces. Jim's eyes were flying open as he heard It'vek scream loudly in clear agony. Before he could see what happened Jim Kirk felt the scaly arm around his neck loosen substantially before he was yanked sideways and out of the Antarian's grip entirely.

The next think Jim Kirk knew he was staring into a pair of bright amber eyes that were blazing with a savage light that made them look more red, like to fiery stars about to go supernova. They were encased in a pale caramel, heart shaped face that was framed by flaming red hair that color of deep red blood itself. ( Think Nariko from the Heavenly Sword Video game.) Jim gawked at this young woman despite how his body seemed on the verge of collapse and he tried to speak but his throat seemed like it had swollen shut. The unknown red-haired woman's eyes softened into sadness and guilt for a split second before they hardened once more.

Then Jim felt himself being pushed backwards and the woman turned away from him and shot away after something he couldn't quite make out. Jim fell backwards and he expected the cold hard floor to meet him at any moment so it was a slight shock when he felt his back impact with a warm and familiar front. Strong arms wrapped around him and all but lifted him off his heat. He felt himself being carried for several long moments before he was being slowly eased onto the floor.

Jim looked up and felt a jolt go through his heart at the face that swam into his line of vision.

Spock, looking paler than was even normal for him and with his jaw clenched tightly.

" Spuh." Jim began to whisper before another familiar voice cut him off.

" Shush Jim, don't try to talk. Easy, just take it easy. You're safe now, we're gonna fix you right up." Said Bones as he loomed over his fallen Captain and frantically ran a scanner over him.

" Shit, we gotta get him to sick bay now. He's bleeding internally too, that bastard hurt him bad and enough times been wasted!" Cried Bones.

Spock carefully lifted Jim into his arms and stood to full height before he spoke.

" Then let us hurry to the Enterprise, it is closer to us then the Star base's medical facility." He said lowly before he turned and ran down the corridor that would lead to the docked ship in question. Bones and the rest of the medical team all ran with the Vulcan.

This left a still pretty large group of people behind to stand in attendance for what was still happening in Observation Deck 3.

To be audience the awesome power that was Lieutenant Mirna Bansali's rage.

Yes, she was the red-haired woman who had seemingly materialized out of thin air and pounced on the vile scum that had been holding the Captain of the Enterprise hostage and who she had been hunting through this entire Star base for.

Now she was raining down justice on Captain James T. Kirk's behalf.