I am so sorry that I took so long to update – I've just been really busy and haven't had time for writing. I'll try to be quicker next time. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.

Debate

Jim wakes back in the bridge. McCoy is sitting over him, looking unsurprised. The doctor was obviously expecting him to escape and attempt murder.

"Jim, you're awake," McCoy says, stating the obvious to start the conversation.

"Mmmmm…" Kirk agrees, noncommittal.

"We've arrived at Earth, and we're docked. I thought it was best that you slept for the journey." McCoy murmurs, uncharacteristically gentle. But the words still panic Jim – the plan was to kill Kodos before they got back to Earth.

"Where is he?" Kirk tries not to let the panic infect his voice, but he doesn't quite succeed.

"Kodos has been transferred into Starfleet custody. Spock set up a meeting between you and the Admirals – I'm going along as your doctor to keep an eye on you, and I'll go early to fill them in on everything that's happened face to face. You have to go and get changed and then you and Spock can beam down to Earth. Spock's already assigned leave to a majority of the crew, since we're back home. We'll be staying for a couple of days at least, until we get this mess sorted out." McCoy informs him, looking concerned. The clear information calms Kirk down. The forced sleep has let him get his thoughts straight, and he feels far more rational. In a way, he is glad that his crew stopped him. Bones is right, it isn't worth losing his ship to Kodos. The man shouldn't be taking anything else away from him. The meeting with Starfleet still worries him. He feels the anger flare back up at their deceit; there is also worry that they will let the monster go in exchange for any information about the Klingons.

Kirk doesn't say much after he knows what he has to do. He cleans himself up and beams down with Spock, who seems less distant than usual – he keeps glancing at Kirk to check he is alright. Jim doesn't know if he likes it or not. He doesn't like the idea that people have to worry about him.

The two of them walk to the meeting with the Admirals in a comfortable silence. Before they enter the room, Spock's gaze flickers over to Jim, and the Vulcan gives him a reassuring nod. The small gesture, significant for Spock, fills Kirk with warmth and confidence. Kirk hardens his expression into one of emotional stability, and steps in to his meeting with the Admirals. Bones is already there, looking tired.

"So. Nobody thought that I should know that Kodos was alive." Jim says slowly, trying to stay calm.

"That information was only made available to a small group of individuals." Admiral Archer replies, not looking at all apologetic.

"Now he's threatening to expose that. And me." Kirk retorts.

"It's not a secret that you were on Tarsus. In fact, I'm surprised that there hasn't been a story on it yet. Reporters usually catch on quickly. Now that you're in the public eye it's only a matter of time." Admiral Archer points out.

"It may not be classified information but it has been kept very much on the down low. People don't like to think about Tarsus. That's why it's hardly ever mentioned, or taught. It wasn't even touched upon in the Academy. If people know Kodos is alive then it will be splattered all over the front pages – and people won't care about Tarsus, they'll care about the cover up. I don't want that tragedy to be overshadowed by a scandal." Kirk's voice is low.

"It was hardly a cover up, just protected information. But I see your point." Archer concedes, sighing.

"The point is that we need to get him to tell us how to stop that information being released, and work out if he actually has any Klingon secrets." Jim says, getting straight to the point. He doesn't want this meeting to drag on.

"How do you propose that we do that?" Admiral Beckett asks, sceptically.

"Don't you have people for that sort of thing? Special drugs? We can always go the good old fashioned way and beat it out of him." Kirk states, trying not to sound too enthusiastic about the last option.

"Starfleet doesn't condone that." Admiral Beckett says sharply.

"Come on! Nobody even knows he's alive. We can do whatever to him and nobody will know." Jim says, knowing it's the truth.

"You don't mean that Jim. You just can't think straight. You don't agree with torture, ever. We talked about this years ago," McCoy says, speaking up for the first time. The doctor is clearly anxious about the direction of the conversation. "You said it couldn't be justified, no matter what the end results. You've always been adamant that torture was wrong."

"I remember what I said! Maybe I changed my mind. We need him to give us the information and there is no way in hell we are letting him go," Jim snaps back, his expression unreadable.

"We have some drugs that have been developed. But they aren't particularly effective." Admiral James chips in. "Interrogation drugs don't get funded because they would only work on humans, and we don't exactly have an abundance of Klingon volunteers to change that."

"Anyway, for drugs to work they need to be used in conjunction with other methods. That means we have to go in aggressively." Jim says, throwing his arms up in frustration.

"Kirk. We need to think about this carefully. Are we going to even consider his offer?" Archer questions.

"No," Kirk snarls. "He does not get any concessions. We don't make bargains with war criminals."

"What do you want us to do? We don't have interrogators of the nature you want. Starfleet has always upheld the human rights of captives."

"I want to speak to him," Kirk states.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Admiral Komack, says, although not unkindly.

"I deserve the chance to speak to him. For all you know I could get him to talk," Jim says, voice low.

"You'll hurt him." McCoy whispers, because he is afraid of what his friend could do. He doesn't like the slightly detached look in Jim's eyes.

"I won't do him much damage. I won't kill him. I'm less angry now I've had some sleep. I'm in control. I promise," Kirk says back, quietly, because he can tell Bones is upset by his thirst for violence. But that capacity for damage has always been there – thanks to Kodos, he has killed and maimed. He does it without regret.

"What makes you think you would be a good… negotiator?" Admiral Archer asks, choosing his words carefully.

"Because I know him. He doesn't think you'll let me anywhere near him, so it will throw him if I end up speaking for Starfleet. Plus he knows that I would have absolutely no problem putting him in the ground, which can't hurt," Kirk rationalises.

"That may be, Jim but you forget that he knows you. He seems to be able to get under your skin. You aren't in a good emotional state at the moment," Bones counters.

"My emotional state could be an advantage. It helps me think faster."

"Jim! The man has rights. You will regret it if you hurt him, you know you will. He's an unarmed prisoner."

"Don't talk to me about his rights!" Kirk yells. "He didn't even bother to take prisoners; he just shot people where they stood. And when he did take prisoners, he didn't give them any rights!" He realises that he is shouting, and lowers his voice. "I'm not going to do anything even on the scale of what he did to me. Kodos isn't tough, he hasn't been hardened by violence. It won't take much to turn him. And I'm an expert in pain."

"You've never tortured anyone before." Admiral Archer cuts in, looking confused.

"But I have been tortured plenty. I know what hurts, and what pushes you over the edge." Kirk rationalises. "With him, it won't be about pain. It will be about fear. And a bit of pain."

It's strange, but when the Admirals agree (because it's hard to say no to him) Jim doesn't feel any satisfaction. Just a strange pang of horror and dread and nausea that he pushes away so he can carry on functioning.

Personally I am always against any form of torture – I think it's fundamentally wrong. I think Jim would be against it as a rule but he always does like to break rules, even if they're his own. Anyway please leave a review :)