Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed faved and followed :D! I have a feeling that part 1 of this story will be considerably a lot longer than planned, I don't want to rush past three years so I might just skip a few months in between mini plots to be able to get to the movie plot without making this part too long. I actually managed to finish half of chapter 4 so there may be an early update on Sunday, all depends on how much revision I get done XD.

To the guest who reviewed, I defiantly will add her :).

Without further ado here is the next chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek (unfortunately) all rights go to Gene Roddenberry, CBS and Paramount Pictures.

Warnings: Just some very mild violence.

Chapter 3: The Man in the Mask

Location: Starfleet Academy, San Francisco

Two weeks later

The steady hum of the nearby instruments were like second nature to her ears. Skye stood over the patents bio bed with her Tricorder in hand, scanning for abnormalities. She scanned the data paying attention to each number that was presented to her on the screen. She gave a small smile to the woman who was fast asleep but clearly making a swift recovery, after being bought in having contracted Lillipan Needles Syndrome, after her trip off world. Her light rash which did in fact look like she had been pricked by many needles was starting to fade around her face and arms. Skye turned to place away her belongings and snuck a glance at Leonard who had been appointed as head Doctor for this ward, as he had already had his qualifications. He was arguing with a nervous student who had just recently started working here and he looked like he was about to melt into the floor from embarrassment. Skye looked away when Leonard caught her gaze after the student scuttled away in a hurry. Skye sent him a look that clearly said, stop being so grouchy. Leonard looked exhausted; she could see it in his eyes and from the dark circles that were forming. She had thought she felt tired with both the courses keeping her on her toes with deadlines and assignments flooding her but she was enjoying her courses and it felt damn good to be back in uniform. The ward was quiet, apart from the occasional chatter between patient and staff. The last person she had to check before she handed over to the night staff was already asleep the small girl finally being able to get some peace. Skye cleared some clutter away and she realised that she had left the hollo on. She pulled the blanket closer to the girl's chest and leaned for the control but what she saw on the screen captured her attention. Skye tuned up the volume slightly, careful not to distract the sleeping girl.

"…his body was found earlier this evening by his wife, Michelle Denner. Police have yet to release any details surrounding his death," the news reader announced "We now turn to our correspondent, Ayesha Sahir, who is in front of Head Quarters, Ayesha can you tell us a bit more about how this has been received by Starfleet."

"Yes Tara, It's come as quite a shock to the Fleet, he was a valued officer who was at the height of his career, it was only a few days ago that he was in the news about his heroic deeds on Balos V-"

Skye looked at the screen as a picture of a smiling Commander Denner appeared. The news readers drawled on about his successes. Skye felt bitter inside, she couldn't help remember her last encounter with Denner. We are not going back, that's an order, and I am not risking my life. She remembered him and how he had looked at her when they had landed and she remembered that smile he had flashed. Before she could sink further into her musings, she felt a slight tug at her arm that sent little telepathic pin prickles travelling upwards. Leonard was standing behind her studying her.

"Shifts over," he whispered.

"Okay," Skye replied in acknowledgement.

She looked back to the hollo screen and shook her head, the man was dead and that was that. Skye stifled a yawn, it was nearing 11 and tomorrow she had Warp Theory and then Vulcan studies and she still hadn't finished her paper that Spock had wanted on early forms of Logic. Skye put her stuff away in her locker and changed back in to her Academy uniform and exited to wait for Leonard. The night air was slightly frigid with a light drizzle dancing in the slight breeze. Her thoughts drew over to Leonard, in the last two weeks they had quickly become acquainted as he was in all her med classes but there was something unsettling about that deep sadness that was surrounded the grouchy doctor. A crashing sound behind her caught her attention as she turned around. Her eyes scanned the empty surroundings but she found nothing untoward so she turned back around. The more time went by the deeper the feeling of uneasiness became as it swept across her, she could feel this murky almost purple energy pushing in her mind. This time a small scuffling sound was all that could be heard, Skye tuned in and listened intently and before she could move someone jumped at her from behind. Two talons clamped down on her, squeezing down on her shoulders causing pain to erupt as something was injected into her. Her shields became fuzzy as she tried to push her attacker from behind.

"Khlaarrr, whoeeverk!" the being roared as Skye manged to knock him slightly.

The talons ripped through her skin and trailed down her back as the being tried to get back into her. Whatever it had injected into her was causing her sight to blur but her shields were held strongly in place. Mustering her strength she managed to swerve and kick the assailant who roared in reply. Now faced directly with it she could see that it was green and scaly, with huge talons and he adorned a mask, one half was painted black and the other white.

"Khlaarrr, whoeeverk!" it bellowed again but Skye could feel desperation in this being, which looked a deep dark purple with swirling lines edging forwards to her mind. She placed her shields up again and the colours faded.

"I don't understand," Skye replied, her voice sounding restricted.

"Khlaarrr whoeeverk, khlaarrr whoeeverk, khlaarrr whoeeverk, khlaarrr whoeeverk," it chanted over and over.

The being lunged at her again knocking her off her feet and fled in the opposite direction. Skye heard an 'opmf' sound emitted from someone who was close by as they made contact with the floor. Her vision was being further distorted as she saw the watery outline of Leonard.

"Jesus Christ," he cursed "What the hell happened?"

"M'fine," she replied her head spinning but managing to stand with Leonards support.

"Fine my ass," he said leading her back into medical.

Skye felt the weird effects of the venom fade from her body as she continued walking but her back stung as she felt blood soak into her torn uniform. Leonard helped her through the corridors until they reached a private room and he helped her on to the examination table. He examined her back gently so not to cause any more pain.

"Lacerations on your back are deep, you'll need stitches. What happened?" asked Leonard.

"Somebody came up from behind me and attacked me, I don't know what they wanted," Skye explained.

He proceeded to cut her uniform off to carefully remove it, leaving her only in her bra. Whilst his back was turned Skye looked at her back touching her wounds.

"Ow," she muttered.

"Quit touching them," Leonard scolded "You'll make them worse."

"You do know that I am a Doctor," Skye replied.

"One who dint finish her training, so that makes me more qualified than you," he retorted.

Skye rolled her eyes "This is coming from the man who didn't know that humans couldn't catch type B Andorian Singles," Skye said.

Leonard rolled his eyes as he proceeded to take off her bra. Skye stopped suddenly and flinched.

"I need to take it off," Leonard stated, awkwardness entering the room.

"Don't look!" she warned.

"How the hell am I meant to treat you if I can't look?" Leonard complained, turning slightly red.

Skye had usually no problem with nudity but all of a sudden the idea of exposure made a green tint spread across her face, she felt reduced to an embarrassed little girl. It's just a stupid medical examination. She nodded and Leonard carried on as he disinfected her wounds and numbed them. He then stitched up the wound, eyes averted. It was one of the most awkward medicals she had ever had and she had quite a few in her life time.

"There, you need some skin regeneration after its healed but you should be fine, now we have to report this to the officials," Leonard said.

"I am fine, I need to finish my paper," Skye said as she quickly put on a spare T-Shirt that Leonard has given her.

"You just got attacked an your worried about a paper," He countered raising his eye brows.

"You're not going to let his go are you?" Skye shied getting up but wobbling in the process.

"Woah, damn it, take it easy, you just had y'back ripped in half by a giant beast," Leonard said reaching for her hand.

Her shields were not on full defence and as soon as his hand came into contact with hers, she got a few of his surface thought. Suborn woman. Skye scowled at him but didn't say anything, accepting his support.

"Can you walk alright?" he asked.

"Yeah I am fine," Skye confirmed, now slightly more stable.

Together they walked through the quiet streets to get back to Starfleet main headquarters. Leonard was hovering over her and she was more aware of the energy radiating off him and she found it oddly reassuring as her mind ran through the details of her attacker. What struck her more was that he seemed desperate, as if they had wanted something from her but the annoying thing was she didn't know what. The light piddle got slightly heavier as they walked along the campus and made it finally inside. Skye was leaning slightly on Leonard as her vision was beginning to slightly blur again. Just when they were about to make it any further, Pike miraculously appeared with a bunch of other junior officers in mid conversation. Skye winced after she saw his face when he took in her state.

"Len?" she whispered.

"Yeah?" he replied.

"I think I am going to faint," she whispered back her voice just audible.

"Oh no you don't."

With that Skye fell into Leonards arms and everything went dim.

The next day, Leonard walked quickly with Skye, who should have still been in bed but she insisted on not missing class, up the stairs, entering the afternoon class he hated the most - basic hand to hand combat. He had no idea why he needed it, he was a doctor not a not a security officer. He was abysmal at it and it only made that kid laugh at him even more. Cadets were weaving in and out of each other in small groups and he was trying his best to avoid bumping into anyone but his attempts were futile as he clashed with another cadet. Think of the devil and he shall appear. Standing in front of him was none other than Kirk. He was grinning at him as he readjusted his bag.

"Hey Skye, Bones," Jim greeted.

"Bones?" asked Leonard with a questioning look on his face.

Next to him Skye didn't say anything but she wore a small smirk on her face as she pretended that the ground was suddenly more interesting to her.

"Yeah, Bones, it's your nick name," explained Jim.

Leonard still looked confused "Where the hell did you get Bones from?"

"All I've got left is my Bones," Jim said mimicking Leonards accent.

"That was awful," Skye said never losing that smile.

"One comment on divorce and I am 'Bones'?"

"It suits you or it could be Saw-Bones-"

"I'll take Bones," Leonard said shaking his head.

"I knew you'd like it," Jim said smiling clapping Leonard on the back.

He did nothing but simply rolled his eyes as they continued on to their class with Jim chattering away and Leonard wondering what he had done to be stuck with this ball of imperishable energy. Next to him Skye walked slower than them, back clearly still hurting her. He kept a careful eye out on her and he didn't know why but he felt as if he needed to because if he didn't she would run straight back into the arms of trouble. She did make the quickest recovery that he had seen with the injuries that she had, she had gotten up at 10am and protested that she needed to get to class and hand in that damned paper. They entered the one by one and saw cadets already changing into their combat gear. Leonard hated this class and couldn't wait until his torture was over.

"I hope you don't expect to take part in-"

"Yes Mr McCoy, I promise not to engage in any fun activities," she mocked.

"Makes me sound old," he replied.

"You are, you have the spirit of an old country Doctor," Skye replied before the class fell silent.

Leonard turned to face the teacher who entered the room, the door slamming heavily behind them. The person who walked in was all too familiar. Officer Matthews stormed in and surveyed the room of cadets who had all fallen dead silent; she eyed each one of them until her eyes fell on Leonard, her eyes narrowing. You have got to be kidding me. She crossed her arms and let the silence get awkwardly uncomfortable before she finally spoke.

"Right cadets, Officer Finelly is not here for the rest of the term so I'll be taking over her class this semester. I will have no slacking off in this class. Hand to hand combat is needed to defend yourself in the field, I don't care if your going into Botany, this class is obligatory, do you understand?" she boomed.

"Yes Mam," came a chorus of replies.

Office Michaelson went on about the importance of defence but Leonard zoned out.

"I think she likes you," Jim said nudging Bones back to reality.

"Gee how can you tell?" Leonard whispered back.

"Cadet McCoy, do you have something you would like to say to the rest of the class?" Matthews snapped.

"No mam," Leonard replied.

"I didn't think so. Now because you are clearly enthusiastic for this class why don't you come here and help me demonstrate what a basic defence position looks like!" her voice resounded.

Leonard looked around as if someone was going to help him out but everyone was just staring at him uneasily. Without any choice he walked forwards to the front of the class. He had signed his own death warrant now he may as well just gladly step onto the bloc. He turned around to see Skye who was giving him the thumbs up which oddly gave him some comfort that he had one less person he couldn't make a fool of himself in front of. He had already spectacularly proven that last night by acting that he had never removed someone's bra before.

When he reached the front of the class Matthews directed his position to the standard defence, hands up and ready to block her attack. He felt foolish standing in position, waiting as Matthews came

"Right now, if someone is going to come at you, they are going to try and target your weakest area, you want to be able to block there attack," she explained.

Leonard knew what was coming but he was unprepared for the full force of it. Matthews came charging at him, knocking him onto his feet. She looked like she had put no effort into the manoeuvre as she stood casually glaring at him.

"And that cadets is how not to defend yourself, if that was an attack you'd be on the floor cadet and if that was an enemy you'd be dead."

"With all due respect Mam, you need to teach him first and not expect him to have it perfectly the first time," snapped a voice that distinctly belonged to Skye.

"Cadet Collins, from last week if I remember correctly you already covered basic defence, I expect you to take this class seriously and whilst its admirable you chose to stick up for your cadets, I do not tolerate slacking," Matthews said in a serious tone "Am I clear?"

Leonard ignored the pain in his chest and prayed to whatever deity that there was that Skye would just say 'yes Mam' and move on. He just knew somewhere deep down that it would be ineffective and that she would do something stupid.

"No, it's not all clear, you can't just expect someone who has never practiced hand to hand combat before to get it right first time," Skye replied.

"Well, cadet since you seem to be such as expert why don't you come up and demonstrate?" Matthews said indicating to where Leonard was standing looking even more frustrated.

Skye stepped forwards without hesitating and Jim had this glint in his eye as if he knew something that everyone was soon about to find out. Matthews took her position and Skye took defence. As Matthews launched herself at Skye ducked unexpectedly and her fist collided with Matthews' face in a few second flat. Matthews brushed herself up quickly and gave Skye a smile.

"Now that cadets, is how you defend yourself," Matthews said much to everyone's surprise even though she would be showing a nasty bruise soon "you did that so well that I am leaving you in charge of making sure that Cadet McCoy learns an adequate defence position for next week."

Leonard and Skye walked back to Jim, once everyone had calmed after they had just witnessed a cadet punch Matthews and get away with it to tell the tale. But Leonard was angry, he had told her not to strain herself but she just had to prove a point. Damn stubborn for her own good.

"Why the hell couldn't you just let it go? I told you not to strain yourself!" he whispered harshly.

"It wasn't that bad, my back hurts a little but I am fine," Skye reassured but it did nothing to calm him.

"You seem to be forgetting that I spend last night draining unknown alien toxin from your body which also happened to be allergic to the medicine that we administered! You should have just let it go. " he said shaking his head.

Skye looked at him and her eyes flashed with annoyance "No, I couldn't let it go because there is no way you can treat someone like that."

Leonard studied her for a minute before sighing and running a hand through his hair "Alright damn it but at least let me look at your back and run a few tests," he grumbled, still irritated at her lack of sense.

"Looks like we have a week to perfect that defence of yours," Skye said with a small smile.

"You have a better chance of seeing cows fly, I am doctor, I heal people not hurt them," Leonard said.

"Whilst that is admirable Matthews isn't going to accept that," Skye said back as the cadets got into groups to practice.

Leonard looked at Skye who was in thought "How about we start tomorrow, we'll g to the gym after our Xenobiology Toxicology class," Skye said.

"It's going to be a long week," Leonard replied but Skye simply smiled and began to walk away when Leonard touched her shoulder "Don't think you've gotten away with getting out of it, I still want to see you in medical!"

"Yes old man!" said Skye as she went back to sit down, Leonard shied and walked back to Jim who was probably going to knock him down to the floor again and have fun for a whole week teasing him about it.

The rest of the day passed in a blur for Skye, she did manage to avoid Leonard and he was no doubt furious and sulking around the corridors for her with a hypo in hand. She had survived the day and now her back was incredibly sore. She was lounging around her bed, Nyota next to her as they tested each other on the history of the development of logic, after Nyota had explained what she had missed in her morning class. Glancing at the clock she shied heavily, she needed to go and see Pike, who she had also been avoiding, to give in a statement.

"I need to go," Skye said getting up wincing.

"You sure you don't want be to come," Nyota asked looking at Skye concerned.

"It's okay, I just want to get rid of this," Skye shied; still bothered by the alien's emotions she had felt.

A knock sounded on the door before Skye could hear Nyota's reply. Puzzled both women looked at each other and Nyota shrugged also getting up. Skye went to open the door and she was faced with two men dressed in Starfleet uniforms.

"Miss Collins?" asked the taller of the two men.

"Yeah?" replied.

"I am Agent Jackson and this is Agent Ja'cklr, we're with Section 31, we need you to come with us to answer a few questions," Jackson asked.

"What is it about?" Skye asked.

"It's about the events that transpired on Balos V and the murder of Commander Denner," replied Ja'cklr.

Skye froze on the spot, only a few people knew what truly happened on Balos V and as far as the world was concerned she had never even been there.