I am sorry this update came a bit later than expected, I wanted to get this out on Sunday but I was swamped with work -_- . There will be another update next Friday as normal. I have a week off which means I can hopefully get more written (fingers crossed) but I do have a lot of revision left to do. The only thing that I am changing is the dates, they'll be written normally because I was using difference stardate calculators and all the dates got muddled up. I know nothing about hand to hand combat or medicine so half of it is probably made up.

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

Warnings: Nothing for this chapter.

Chapter 4: Not What it Seems

Date: Friday 24th September 2255

Location: Starfleet, Section 31, San Francisco

The room that Skye was seated in was stuffy and silent with only a few whispers shared between the two Section 31 Agents that had come to pick her up. The clock read 23:35, indicating to Skye that she had been here for more than an hour without so much as someone giving her a second glance. Her back was sore and all she wanted to do was go back to her dorm and sleep. It wasn't until Skye began to give up hope that she would be leaving any time soon that Agent Jackson finally made a reappearance. He was dressed head to toe in black with the Starfleet insignia in silver on the left side of chest. His hazel eyes were watching her intently making her feel uneasy, it was like he was trying to unravel her, guessing what she was thinking. He sat down rigidly facing her and put down the PADD he was carrying.

"Thank you for your cooperation Miss Collins, we don't intend to keep you here longer than you need to be," he told her.

Skye had to bite her tongue to hold back her remark. Well I think we already established that I've been kept here for much longer than needed. She waited for Jackson to elaborate but it was as if he was waiting for her to move the conversation along.

"We want to ask you a few questions about the events on Balos V," he asked.

"It depends what version you want of those events," Skye said.

"The truth, were not interested in the version that the Fleet told the world or the other admirals," Jackson told her which surprised Skye.

"I don't know what else that I need to tell you, everything that happened I wrote in my first statement, before we amended them," Skye told Jackson.

"We know what you wrote in those statements Mrs Collins but we want to know more about Commander Denner, we're going to ask you a selection of questions and I want you to answer them as clearly as possible, with as much as you remember," Jackson told her, his hands firmly folded in front of him on the table, eyes never leaving hers.

Skye watched him for a few moments before she finally decided to speak "What does this have to do with his murder?"

"We're not at liberty to discuss our investigation with you but we are looking at every moment in scrutiny," Jackson said maintaining his air of mysteriousness. "Any other questions you would like to before we begin?"

"No."

"You and college Joseph Daniel Sans were on a way to a medical conference before your shuttle craft was attacked by the known space pirate group Klerha'rr, you then were rescued by Commander Denner, aboard the U.S.S. Valiant who were on their way to a routine check of Star Base Beta X, is this correct?'' asked Jackson.

"Yes," replied Skye carefully.

"If you could please take me through the events that occurred afterwards."

"We weren't on the Valiant for long, Joe spent most of the three days in sick bay because he had been injured by our captors, and he regained consciousness at the end of day two. I didn't travel much around the ship,-"

"Were you aware of the nature of their mission?" Jackson said almost with a tone of impatience.

"I was aware that they were going to Star Base Beta X to get supplies to them but they were going to drop us off first to Star Base 4, which was on the way there. On the ship they were developing some sort of vaccine, for what I don't know," Skye said recalling about what had unfolded more than six months ago.

"Did you come into contact with Commander Denner in those three days?"

"Only when we got on the ship and then when we were on the planet's surface," Skye replied.

"What happened on Balos V?" Jackson replied, each question coming like the speed of bullets.

"When we crashed most of the dangerous toxins that they had on the ship leaked into the planet's water system and the natives grew ill-"

"What did Commander Denner do, how did he act?" asked Jackson leaning forwards.

"He wanted to leave as soon as possible, he told us we broke a treaty and that if we were found we would be killed. He was furious with what happened, he kept asking his surviving crew members what had happened to the cargo, he was looking for ages, getting those who were injured to look for something, he didn't even care that people had just lost their lives-"

"Miss Collins whilst I appreciate your sentiments towards those events but I need you to remain objective," Jackson warned dismissively "What else can you tell me?"

Skye felt deep anger begin to boil within her, this was what she hated. She focused on the calm energy within and used it to keep a straight face. To him it was all about how they could cover up their asses and not about those who had been screwed over in the process. "We left and we were pursued by the people of Balos V until a nearby rescue craft entered the atmosphere and Denner was adamant that we leave even though me and Joe wanted to stay to treat those who had become ill."

"When you left, what happened?"

"We left and Denner said he would not go back, he said that he didn't want to risk his life and that he was 'already in enough shit' " Skye said bitterness taking over her tone as she recalled Denner with distaste.

"You then took over the ship with the aid of some of those who shared your sentiments aboard the ship, correct?" Agent Jackson said, glossing over a huge block of events that led up to the 'mutiny'.

"We did, we went back. We could just leave when people were dying. When Denner got word of what we did he tried to spew some bullshit about going against the Prime Directive but we went down back to the surface and we tried to treat as many people as we could, including those who had been injured in the crash," Skye told the agent who didn't seem to register her emphasis.

"Both the fleet and the government began diplomatic talks on what should be the next course of actions, they secured a new treaty and they are now a member of the Federation," Agent Jackson said as he looked at his PADD, more reminding himself than telling Skye.

"Can you be sure of what caused the illness and did you ever come into contact with any biological material from the ship?" he asked.

"No, we didn't and no I'd never seen anything like that before," Skye told him.

"Can you please tell us more about after you came back from Balos V?" Jackson asked, moving the conversation along.

"When we got back we had to make statements about the actual events that took place. After, we were taken into a room with a few other higher officials where we were made to, for our own safety, to change the events to make it look like it was Denner who hijacked the spacecraft against orders and made the decision to go back. This is the version we told the admirals, that we assisted him and then our presence was omitted entirely from the public statement," Skye replied.

"Is it correct that you were suspended from your job?"

"Correct, we were suspended because we mutinied, putting lives in danger and we risked the lives of those on the planet's surface," Skye said repeating a bit of what her superior had told her and Joe on arrival.

"Thank you Miss Collins, that will be all, if we need to contact you again we'll make sure we inform you beforehand."

"Wait, I did come into contact with something from the ship," Skye remembered.

Jackson paused and for a split second she was sure she saw something change in his eye. He turned to meet her eye again.

"Go on…"

"There was one vaccine, that one of the scientists was working, that wasn't right, she told me that they were struggling with getting the formula right. So I helped her correct it, but that was all," Skye said.

"What was its name?" he spoke quickly.

"Sample 1900," Skye said remembering the hand scribbled title on some of the samples.

"That's all, thank you for your time," Jackson said before turning to her again "And I need to remind you that the content of this meeting must remain a secret."

"I understand," Skye said.

The whole of Jackson's stance had changed, he was in a hurry, his movements more rushed as he picked up his PADD, eyes scanning. Skye wondered what she had said that had prompted such a reaction; nothing she had supplied had made any difference. Most of what she had said they had included in the first statement. All she knew was that the person who had killed Denner was probably angered by something that he did, a person like Denner doesn't have the luxury of walking through life and not make any enemies.

The only sound that could be heard was his deep breathing; his eyes were down casted, averting the Director's gaze. He felt like he was being dissected by him, like he was assessing his worth. The Director moved again and placed down the PADD with care so that it made as little sound possible.

"Is this all you found out?" he asked his voice steely.

"Yes sir," replied Agent Ja'cklr standing straight, careful his face did not betray that slight fear that was stirring within him.

"So it was her who we have to be so thankful for, until that fool messed everything up," the Director muttered to himself, raising his eyebrows. "Are you sure she knows nothing?"

"We're watching her carefully Director," Ja'cklr reassured him.

"What about the boy?" the Director asked him standing from his chair.

"He was unconscious for the journey sir."

"Good," smiled the Director.

Ja'cklr turned to leave, glad that he could escape another meeting with the Director. He sometimes wondered himself what he was still doing here, working for this organisation. He found he had no answers.

"I am sorry Agent I can't let you leave,"

"Sir?" Agent Ja'cklr asked, turning to meet him in slight confusion.

"You've been very useful but there is too much at stake for me to let you walk."

The last thing that Agent Ja'cklr saw was the phaser in the Director's hand, pointing straight towards him. He didn't have any time to register the panic within him but one last thought did cross his mind. What have we done? Then Ja'cklr evaporated in a blaze of red and the Director smiled.

Saturday 25th September 2255

Early in the morning Skye was shaken out of sleep by the sound of her alarm going off, the song she had chosen was purposefully one she didn't like so she was forced to turn of the infernal racket. Once she was up she knew that she would have to confront Leonard and his wrath. She stayed in bed for a few more minutes, enjoying the silence and the warmth.

"Computer lights 20%," Skye said quietly.

The lights came onto 20% illuminating the room with a small yellow hue. Skye got out of bed and collected her clothes that she had left on her desk and changed quickly as so not to disturb Nyota who was still fast asleep. After she had changed and gotten ready, she entered the library and finished her paper on Early Warp Theory and completed some of her Multidimensional Calculus before she made her way to meet Leonard. She found his room with no problem and pressed the button. There was a long pause before there was a loud crash from the inside of the room and what sounded like a large string of curses before Leonard's face appeared at the door. He was still dressed in his standard Starfleet issue nightwear, his hair was sticking up in every direction and clearly by the look in his face he was not impressed.

"What time do you call this?" he said tiredly, rubbing his face with one hand.

"Time to practice," Skye said "remember yesterday, we agreed that we would start nice and early," she reminded him, finding his appearance highly amusing.

"Nice and early in my book doesn't mean 6:00am in the morning on Saturday," he grumbled back.

"Trust me we need all time we can get," she teased.

"Alright, give me twenty minutes, come in," letting the door slide open as he turned the lights to 100%. "And don't think I've forgotten about your back, you will go to medical with me even if I have to drag you there myself." He warned giving her a pointed look.

"Fine," she shied.

"Fine my ass, promise," he said whilst organizing clothes out on his bed.

"Scouts Honor," Skye replied.

"I want to know if those wounds have started to clear up," he told her.

Leonard disappeared and she heard the sonic shower start. She sat on his bed looking around absentmindedly, his room lacked any person items and the bed next to him looked otherwise unoccupied.

"Hey, old man, where's your roommate?" she asked.

"He lives with his girlfriend in her apartment, I don't even know why he applied for accommodation," Leonards voice sounded from the bathroom "and quit calling me old man, you do know I am only a couple of years older than you right? I've already got that damned friend of your calling Bones, I don't know what's worse."

Skye laughed to herself and pulled out her PADD to find something to do when she saw an incoming message in her inbox.

Cadet Collins,

You still need to make a statement on the events that occurred on Wednesday night. I know that you have been avoiding doing one. Come today to my office or I will find a way to get you to do one. There is no getting out of it.

Pike

Skye almost smiled as she could see Pike irritated expression as he wrote the message. She typed back a quick reply and sent it off to him.

Pike,

I'll come by later this afternoon.

Skye

She waited for his reply and it came a few minutes after she had hit send.

That's an order cadet

Pike

She laughed before locking her PADD, she could almost hear the sound of Pikes tone. When Leonard finally emerged he was dressed and his hair combed back making him look more presentable than he had when he had first opened the door. Together they left into the slightly cool air of San Francisco, into the meek light of the rising sun. Entering the gym Skye looked around and tied up her unruly red hair and placed her bag to the side.

"Right, we have a week to get you into a position where Matthews won't kill you," Skye said.

"Easier said than done," Leonard replied.

"Right let's start on getting your stance right," Skye said showing him, hands up and feet slightly apart.

Leonard mirrored her but he looked almost limp when copying her. She shook her head and smiled.

"Like that someone coming at you would have to poke you and you'd fall over, put more strength into your arms, like you were expecting someone to charge at you and your going to stop them."

"This feels stupid," he muttered.

"But will save your life if a Klingon is coming at you," Skye replied.

"Then I'll make sure I am not in position where a Klingon is coming at me."

Skye when into for the attack, going slightly easier on him and he blindly pushed his arms out to defend himself.

"Better, now we need to work on different areas they can come from to attack you."

Leonard and Skye began their laborious routine trying to perfect Leonard's stance and his response to different positions for attack. Skye knew he was getting how to respond to different attacks but it was the strength that he was lacking. He was a true Doctor through and through, when she came at him he reacted by trying to defend himself but also trying to not hurt her. He was sweaty and out of breath by the time they were standing still for what seemed like the first time in hours.

"Jesus women are you tryin' to kill me?" he breathed between each deep breath.

"If it isn't me it'll be Matthews."

"There is no way that I am going to be able to shove you the way you shoved that kid away last week," Leonard sighed.

"Me and Jim fight all the time, we're used playing dirty, you need to learn to trust that you won't hurt me," Skye reassured but Leonard continued to look at her skeptically. "Okay, think of it this way, behind you is someone that is really precious to you, you are the only thing between them and an angry…Vulcan."

Without warning Skye lunged forwards and to her surprise Leonard shoved her away with an enormous amount of strength. Unprepared, Skye hit the mat with a thud and she winced slightly as she felt her back hit the ground. Leonard who had seemed to recover from his reaction went into full Doctor mode.

"I told you this wasn't a good idea, let me check you back," without warning he pulled up her T-Shirt and his hand made contact with her skin. She felt this energy build up around her shields, it tingled, dancing its way around them almost begging for entrance, the colour was a delicate orange hue, burning with concern and protectiveness. There was another energy she could feel, one that was smaller, one that was so pure, yet so distant. Her head was spinning and she felt the world spin and she fell backwards. Leonard fell forwards with her and blocker hitting her. Her eyes refocused and she was now face to face with two concerned brown eyes.

"The hell happened?"

"M'fine," she said feeling heat rise to her cheeks, a green tinge starting at the tips of her ears.

"You're not fine," Leonard said pulling her up into a sitting position.

"My shields went funny," she explained.

"Shields?"

"Complicated biology."

"Well you can take that complicate biology right down to medical," Leonard said.

Skye groaned "Again?"

"Yeah, now come on," he said supporting her.

"By the way that was one hell of a shot, whoever you were thinking of, they really made you react," Skye smiled.

Leonard didn't say anything but he tensed and by letting her shields slip a little she could see the colour grey surrounding his from, it was swirling in circles and it made her head hurt from its intensity. They walked in silence together until they made it to medical. Once there he left her in a private medical room before checking her slowly.

"Your wounds infected," Leonard muttered looking at his PADD "One minute."

He returned a second later with Hypo in hand and she frowned, she hated those little cylinders of evil. Before she could protest Leonard injected her with the pain killer. She felt a tingling sensation in her hands

"What was that?" she asked wincing from where she was sure he pressed down harder than he needed.

"Oxaprozin-Phenylbutazone," he told her whilst preparing a cream to use on her back.

As if on que she felt her throat beginning to close up and a boiling sensation in her hands and around her eyes.

"Ahm, alerg-" she tried but she couldn't get her voice out.

"We need a medical team in here now!" Leonard yelled "get me some Anti-leukotrienes in here now!" he commanded.

Skye tried to stay awake but her body was fighting the allergic reaction to the medication, Vulcan and Betazoid biology battling each other. Leonard told her something but she could no longer hear him. The last thing she felt was the coolness of another Hypo and everything ceased to hurt.

When she awoke it was at least mid-day, the sun was streaming in through her room. She sat up, her throat feeling a bit scratchy but she was otherwise fine. A nurse was hovering around her bio bed after she noticed that she was fully awake.

"I'll get the Doctor," she said.

Leonard appeared a few minutes later, a grim expression on his face. He checked her vitals before turning to face her.

"You were lucky, that biology of yours did most of the work," he said.

"Hey don't be too hard on yourself, it's difficult to find something I am not allergic to," she smiled.

"There was no mention of it in the file I pulled up," he said his voice still holding traces of anger.

Skye sat up, knowing exactly why her file was incomplete, her expression became serious "Really, it wasn't your fault."

"I am a Doctor-"

"Who did his best without all the information he needed."

"Excuse me Doctor, Miss Collins has a visitor."

"Tell this kid he can wait," Leonard snapped.

"Doctor, it's Captain Pike," she informed him.

Skye slumped back in bed as Pike entered the room and he had a small smile on his face.

"How are you doing cadet?" he asked.

"Good, Sir," she said.

"That's good because now you can give me that statement, if that's alright with you Doctor," he said with a small smile.

Skye frowned folding her arms, she turned to Leonard.

"That's fine with me, this way you'll make sure she stays put," Leonard said sharing the same evil glint in his eyes as Pike.

It was going to be a very long day.

Jim and Skye walked along the peer, the night air was slightly cooler now the sun had completely vanished down the horizon. Jim leaned against the barrier looking out at the sea, reflecting the light of the moon. Skye stood beside him and she took in the view, relishing in how quiet it was down here away from all the noise and confusion of the party they had just been in for most of the evening.

"It's so fucked up," Jim finally aid breaking the silence.

"I don't know what to think, it was all really weird, the attack and the meeting with Agent Jackson. There was something off about the interview, it wasn't recorded and they didn't ask me many questions about the murder of Denner himself but then again I'm assuming that they were looking at all the events in his life," Skye replied.

"I am glad you're okay. Jesus we've only been here for what, a few weeks, and you've already been attacked and interviewed by Section 31 Agents, and had an allergic reaction!" Jim said with a small smile.

"At least I haven't been banned from any bars-"

"-yet."

"There is no way that I am coming to a bar with you Jim," Skye laughed.

"Oh come on! You know you miss it already," Jim said giving her a side look.

"Dream away," Skye replied hauling her body to sit on the bar of the peer.

"How's your doctor friend?" asked Jim.

"Pissed at me, he blames himself for earlier," Skye said thinking about their unfortunate meeting this evening.

"He really shouldn't, you biology is just weird," Jim said shaking his head.

"Hey, you're allergic to about almost every medication on the planet, so you can't talk," she laughed hitting his shoulder. "Oh, how's that presentation coming along?"

"Haven't done it," James mumbled.

"What scenario did you get?" Skye said.

"A scenario in which a Captain disobeys orders to save the lives of others," Jim replied.

"There's an obvious case study for that," Skye said looking at Jim who was now facing her.

"You sure?" asked Jim.

"Why not, my mother kept all the files, I am sure I can get access to them," asked Skye.

"Thanks, he really expects this damn presentation to be like we were analysing someone for Court Martial," Jim said.

"If you want any help going through all that paperwork," offered Skye.

"Thank you, you're a lifesaver!" Jim said with a smile.

They fell into a comfortable silence until Jim decided it was time to stretch his skills at 'wooing' and he departed to the nearest bar, disappointed that his wing-woman wasn't going to be assisting him. She didn't stay long after he left as she still had to finish some of her paper for Spock who was really fond of handing out long assignments. Skye made it round the last corner of campus, crossing over the greenery to get to the quickest path to her dorm room. There were small amount of groups or individuals laughing staggering drunk or getting home for the night but apart from them there was no one around. She passed the next corner when she saw something move at the corner of her eye. Suspicious, she stopped and looked around, she felt her body get ready for any attack but it never came. She looked around but she couldn't see anyone until there was another movement this time from her other side. Skye turned around quickly but she was not met with any threatening form but with someone she hadn't seen in months.

"Joe?" she asked.

"Skye," he replied almost with a sense of relief.

"You scared the crap out me," Skye said with a smile "What you doing here? I thought you'd moved back with your sister after-"

"I did, but I can't stay there not anymore, look, is there any place we can talk?" Joe asked.

"You can come back to my dorm-"

"Not here, not near Starfleet," Joe said, looking anxiously around at the sudden burst of laughter coming from a group of cadets.

"Joe what's wrong?" asked Skye stepping closer to him, seeing how hollow his face looked as if worry had washed away the spark that she had always recognised with him.

"I- I can't talk here, I need to speak to you, it's about Denner," he said quietly.

"They're already spoken to me about it, it's fine Joe," Skye said.

Joe looked like he was about to break, his eyes becoming glassy. Skye moved towards him, she saw bruises covering the side of his neck.

"Joe what's going on?" she asked, concerned.

"They're watching all the time, they probably are now," he said almost as if he was reminding himself, becoming more panicked.

"Joe you have to calm down."

"They talked to me and I saw papers of you-"

"What papers?" she interrupted.

"I've said too much, meet me at this address tomorrow at six," he said cutting off any attempts to ask any more questions.

With that he was gone leaving Skye standing alone with a sense of impending dread about what was coming.