A/N- Sorry for the delay, this chapter was a little difficult to write. Thanks again to all those who are reading and reviewing this story. It means a lot to me!

The Secrets of Romulus Part Two

M'ara followed Serin out of the vehicle when they arrived at their intended location a hundred miles outside of R'yleh. It was pitch black and the air was damp as if rain was on its way. M'ara watched the two Romulan men who were enlisted to help them with suspicion. It baffled her that Serin was so at ease when this situation was such a blatant trap. She wished that there had been time for them to talk but since Serin returned to the apartment after their argument and its abrupt end, he hasn't spoken a word to her. Granted the preparations had taken up most of their time but she thought he would have at least acknowledged her presence. Regret filled her as she had watched Serin retract from the friendship that had developed between them. There was little that could be done about it if he was unwilling to communicate with her.

Serin motioned for her to stop as they came to a clearing from the underbrush. With his right hand he felt along the moist ground until he came upon what he was looking for. M'ara watched carefully as he imputed codes into a small locking mechanism. So far the information that Serin had collected had been correct. There were no guards on the outside of the underground facility. Everything to be feared was inside.

The door quietly opened as Serin lifted the small hatch that was reveled. There was no light radiating from the entrance so they could slip in with stealth.

Serin slowly went down the latter to the underground. After a few moments, with a small red laser pointer he signaled the others to follow him.

M'ara climbed down next as silently as was possible. She reached the bottom and Serin helped her quietly jumped off the last step. The two Romulans came down next. Serin suddenly pushed M'ara behind him and with more fluid movements than she had ever seen in her life he dropped the two men unconscious.

"They were ordered to lead us here and then alarm the others when we had arrived," Serin explained in a whisper into M'ara's ear. She nodded in acknowledgment. M'ara was too stunned to do anything else and very happy that he was speaking to her again.

Serin took her hand and began to lead her through the maze of steel walls that seemed to go on forever. He had the layout of the underground base memorized and did not make a wrong turn or waste time retracing their steps. M'ara thought that Spock would be proud of his son using a talent that he had inherited from him. It took half an hour to navigate the dark long hallways silently and carefully. Finally that arrived at their intended location, the holding pits.

Ahead of them lying by the wall with his hands and feet bound, was Spock. His dark hair with grey threaded throughout was slick with dark green blood from a gash on his head. He was unconscious and deathly pale. M'ara started to run to him but Serin caught her waist with his hand.

"Force field," Serin whispered as he let her go. He threw a near by piece of metal a few feet ahead of them and it disintegrated with a small flash of red light. Serin walked along the walls until found the control panel. He pulled out wires and rewired them to his own design with haste. After a few moments M'ara could feel the heat of the force field evaporate away. Serin nodded, she was at Spock's side within seconds.

She took out her medical Kit that she had brought for just this kind of situation and scanned the elder Vulcan with the Tricorder. He had a concussion and a spiral fracture in his arm. This is normally caused by struggling and pulling the limb the wrong way. There was something strange about the readings of his neural pathways. It was as if someone had forced their way into his mind. If the readings were true, than Spock's physical damage was the least of her worries. At least he knew enough to put himself into a healing trance before his blood pressure became to low. He was stable for now but he needed medical attention.

"If I treat his wounds now, he will be fine," M'ara reported, she knew that even though Serin did not express it in anyway, he was concerned.

Serin patiently waited beside them as she treated Spock's bleeding head wound first. Once the wound was closed and a stimulant was given, Spock's eye fluttered open. He immediately winced in pain.

"It is a migraine caused by the damage to your neural pathways," M'ara explained putting a hand on his shoulder.

Spock took a deep breath and sat up, trying to get his bearings.

"What are you two doing here? You were supposed to be safely at the academy. When I asked you to take care of my son M'ara I did not mean for you to help feed his illogical path to risk you and him self to come rescue an old Vulcan whose usefulness has depleted long ago." Spock said with clear displeasure in his voice. M'ara noted this, hypothesizing that the damage to his brain must have temporarily inhibited Spock's emotional control.

Serin moved a bit closer to his father and lowered himself so that he could look at his fathers face.

"You did not raise a coward for a son. What kind of Vulkinar would I or M'ara be if we did not come to our elders aide?" Serin replied with logic that his father could not fault.

"The sentiment is welcome but I never meant for you to be put in danger. M'ara there is much we have to discuss," Spock said a little calmer and breathlessly. The half Vulcan doctor did not need a scan to tell her that his migraine was getting worse. Serin without a word stood back up to watch for intrusion.

"Not until your neural pathways are no longer inflamed," M'ara ordered taking out another small instrument and connecting to the back of his head. Immediately Spock closed his eyes in relief as the neural regenerator did its job. Serin worked with his fathers restrains until they released him with a mechanical clank. Spock opened his eyes again after M'ara took off the device.

"The pathways are not completely normal yet but they will now heal completely on their own," M'ara informed, noting with relief that his pain had lessened.

"It is appreciated. However we have to get out of here, immediately. It will not be long before your presence is noticed. Because of the force field they do not keep a guard here. However, they do not completely leave it unchecked," Spock said his normal stoic tone and expression returned.

"Agreed, can you walk?" Serin asked his commander training kicking in. His tone matched his fathers, cool and logical.

"I must therefore I will," Spock said getting slowly to his feet. Serin nodded, for a brief moment a look of pride came over Serin's eyes before he locked the emotion away. M'ara was pleased to see this but remained silent.

The three vulcans traveled their way beck through the maze of steel corridors as they followed Serin's internal map. It did not take long for them to reach the exit. The two Romulan Brikar informants were still lying on the floor unmoved. Serin motioned for M'ara to go up the latter to the outside first.

"If you value life little one I wouldn't take another step,"

A group of well armed Romulan men and women dressed in elaborate battle garments surrounded them. The owner of the voice, a middle aged Romulan man, walked forward. His dirty blonde hair was streaked with grey on each side in an orderly fashion. His face was not rough but calm and smooth. However it was his eyes that caught M'ara's attention. They were the exact same shade of deep blue as hers.

"I am second in command Julius Veckir. I am impressed you managed to nearly escape. However you failed to realize that we do in fact have sensors surrounding this building that you had no way of disengaging. Well Spock I must assume that this young man is your son to have managed this feat. And I also know of the lovely young lady. However this is not the time for introductions." He motioned for a small group of his guards to seize them. No one made a move against the Romulan guards, they were out numbered and trapped. All three of the Vulcans were soon tightly bound and held by a guard.

"Take them to the interrogation chambers. These three are not to be trusted within our normal holding force field. Geniuses we have among us," Julius said with admiration. Without further delay they were dragged along the corridors until they were finally thrown into a large room with numerous torture devices and machines.

"Is that what they used on you that nearly destroyed your neural pathways?" M'ara asked Spock as she nodded her head in the direction of a machine that looked like it attached to the base of the head. She was not really sure if she wanted to know the answer.

"Yes, the longer you fight it the more damage it does. It is designed to drive people mad enough to tell the torturer anything that they are asked," Spock replied taking a deep breath. The memory of its use on him was obviously still quite fresh.

After what seemed like hours Julius along with several other Romulans entered the interrogation chambers. He sat down in a metal chair front of Spock.

"You know we have already tried to get information out of you by using all of the methods you see here and it has been unsuccessful. Perhaps it is time to try a new tactic," Julius said looking from Spock to Serin.

"You will continue to be unsuccessful. My father will tell you nothing. You will be forced to kill me," Serin challenged, his low melodic voice cold and calm. M'ara had heard that voice before when he was on the other side of the interrogation procedures.

M'ara looked at Spock, his expression remained unchanged. She was not so sure that Julius's tactic would be unsuccessful. Her own emotions were hanging on the balance. She could not bare the thought of Serin being tortured, much less witnessing it and hearing his screams. Her breathing quickened and she could no longer control her emotions. It was at this moment that she knew that she would give up everything for Serin. He was more than a friend to her or a prearranged marriage partner. She was in love with him. How this happened she did not know or care at the moment. She had to do what she could to keep him safe.

"I beg you, do not use him. Take me in his place," M'ara said her voice was Vulcan but her eyes were almost panic stricken. Serin looked at her with a bewildered and concerned look in his eyes.

"Well such unexpected strong emotions from one with Vulcan training. Ah, but your not a full Vulcan are you? Perhaps you will be easier to be made to cry out," Julius said coolly now looking intently at her.

"You will not touch her. If it is torture you wish to perform than I suggest you take me and get on with it," Serin said with the same coolness but something in his tone sounded as if he was challenging Julius to get his attention away from M'ara.

"Very well, we will stick with the original plan. Guards you are dismissed," Julius ordered as he made grabbed Serin's arm and made him stand.

"Are you sure sir?" the head guard asked.

"You know I like to have the chamber cleared when I work. Now go before I decide that you questioning my orders warrant punishment," Julius said with a dangerous edge to his tone. The guards quickly exited the chambers and shut the large metal doors behind them.

Julius let go of Serin's arm and went over to a computer panel.

"Spock, what is he doing?" M'ara asked, she had ralized that Spock had neither spoken nor reacted to this whole affair. She had a feeling that he knew exactly what was going on.

"I believe he is turning off the security cameras and listening devices," Spock whispered still staring straight ahead. Before M'ara could ask anymore questions Julius came over and released Spock's bonds.

"I'm sorry, I was only able to divert the others from learning that your friends had gotten inside for so long," Julius said with sincerity.

"I appreciate all that you have done my friend," Spock said as Julius and he got the other two prisoners free.

"So this is M'ara" Julius said with affection in his voice. His face was soft and gentle as he looked her over.

"Yes Julius, this is your daughter," Spock informed him softly.