Chapter 18 I've never lied, yet never told all. Some say ignorance is BLISS. you DON'T AGREE, Be CAREFUL. what you WISH FOR BONES. fOR You can't un-see WHATs SEEN. Nor un-hear WHAT'S HEARD. Gala's been listening, your wish, is her command
Alright Gala, mind telling me why you and Riley were in my quarters that just happened to be locked?"
"Indeed, I would like the answer as well."
Spock chimed in.
Was that jealousy? Nah…
"Well, we couldn't very well stand out in the hallway waiting on you to return it would draw too much attention especially with me being Orion. Everyone thinks we're stluts. Hell, if I stood outside your door to long somebody would probably report to Starfleet command a lowly Ensign…"
"Gala, you know I don't believe you are a slut. You know those people say the same thing about me.-"
Suddenly there is a rumble Sounding in the room it took Kirk a minute to realize it was coming from Spock. Once Spock noticed Kirk staring at him the sound stopped the only evidence a darker green tinge across his cheeks. Kirk continues on as if he hadn't heard.
"We both had to do, what we've had to do. As far as I'm concerned none of their opinions matter unless they walked in our shoes as a human saying goes."
"Wait… You are not bonded? Oh no… Riley said but… These Vulcans seem different. I didn't think I thought maybe we were just being paranoid. With the quarantine and everything. Did they take you from earth? In order to get to Spock? You had to fight, I'm so sorry Jimmy! I know you hate the pits. Obviously, you won though so… Oh no! How could this happen? We were supposed to be safe? It was supposed to be over with Tarsus. Now-
"it's not what you think—"
Jim tries to interrupt.
"Gala it's not what you think-
Oh no, Jimmy! We have seen the craziness in just a small group on Tarsus. Without a communal link. Now with the destruction of T'Khaisi the links are damaged it will spread. I don't understand, he had his reasons for doing it, but he didn't want the same mistakes happening. He didn't want Spock, or the Lady Amanda harmed. He felt sorry for Spock, and he respected Lady Amanda because she treated him well. Like a son the best way she knew how. What happened her counterpart was the whole reason he started his quest if you remember he has a theory about repression. Why-"
"Gala!" Kirk finally resorts to just yelling over top Gala.
"Cease speaking!"
Kirk waits a few beats to make sure she's not going to start up again then nods his head and motions for Riley to set the Med- kit down.
They both look like they're about to open their mouths. Before they can though Kirk snaps.
"No! You both will remain silent!" Kirk notices Spock watching him with a look that says he definitely has questions and knows there are some things that have been left out thanks to Gala's rambling which annoys Kirk even further.
"I am going to attend these wounds on our hands. Because they are very distracting when I finished that. I expect an answer that makes sense as to why you were both in my quarters. What that has to do with the fact that Gala seems to think it's okay to speak of things which were agreed not to be spoken of without express permission to anyone other than myself or his Lordship. Is that clear?"
"Yes, my Lord Sir!" This time they both answer, and this time gala also gets to her knees. Jim can't help the eye roll. But this time he's annoyed with them. So, he doesn't correct them. He pops the lid on the "special" med kit.
Taking out a small rectangular object. Examining it with a frown.
"Now wait a god damn minute! "Bones burst out. Nobody missed the frustrated sigh from Kirk... Or the fact that he and young Spock flinched simultaneously.
Followed by… A look of sympathy to Kirk from ambassador Selek. Also not missed by the doctor. Kirk taking a deep breath. "My apologies. Commander." Jim couldn't help a twitch of lips, when he was answered with that eyebrow.
This appears to incense. The doctor even further. "See! What the Fuck is that?" Jim opens his mouth to answer, but then reconsiders realizing that McCoy has finally just gotten started, and it would probably be better to let him wind down little bit before trying to respond.
However, ambassador Selek either not sharing that point of view or trying to take some pressure off Jim answers.
I believe it was mentioned earlier. Before we were sidetracked by the lieutenant's hysterics. The captain offered a blood vow as assurance to the Vulcan Council so that he may share details of import to the situation at hand, with those he considers family. In case you missed it, for those that do not know. For someone of the house to announce before counsel head T'pau that you are considered family. He in effect, made all in this room Vulcan citizens. Some of the Council raised issue with this. So, in order to let's say, expedite matters or should I say attempt to expedite matters— I don't think anyone at the table was particularly shocked by the slightly annoyed look ambassador Selek shot Lieut. Urhura. "The captain employed the ancient right of the blood vow. This is rarely used because it requires the slicing of one's palm. This served two purposes. The first being to help validate the fact that S'chn T'gai Spock and James Tiberius Kirk are, indeed, T'hy'la. Again, as you may have picked up from the lieutenant's hysterics the slicing of the palm. For a human while uncomfortable is not life threatening. Where it can be for a Vulcan. As one half of a T'hy'la pair James Kirk could not offer such a vow alone. For what happens to one happens to both. That is the way. The mere fact that young Spock was willing to accept the vow aside his captain . Serve the second purpose as proof enough for most of the Council that all is well, and James could be trusted. A Vulcans hands, especially the palms are highly sensitive. The higher the psi factor the more sensitive the palm. The males of the house of Sarek are quite talented. It's one of the reasons the house of Sarek is the leading house. As most of you know my true identity. Trust me when I say. You should be amazed. It truly is a testament to the strength of your captain. That either of these men can still set here much less hold conversation. So, those of you who are slightly confused. I pray thee have patience ; it is quite taxing to shield someone from that type of pain. For a prolonged period and continued to compartmentalize. —
Sarek cut in. "which is why, I spoke to the Council. Stating that it is my belief that such a vow is an unnecessary and counterproductive measure. As they are T'hy'la. It would be a logical and serve no purpose. As I told the Council other than to serve as a distraction. As you know, and I have come to understand James T Kirk will not allow anyone. He cares about to be harmed in his stead when it can be helped. So, it was decreed that the vow is unnecessary though the penalties will remain and so will the honorary citizenship of all claimed by James T Kirk. Normally, the slices to the palm would be allowed to heal slowly over time without medical attention. As a reminder this is impractical."
Bones snorts. "Impractical he says. Try fucking barbaric and that's not even counting the fact that this whole pain swapping thing is ridiculous. I know that you hobgoblin have some sort of mystical control over your bodies. That makes my poor medical profession obsolete..." McCoy says, shooting Dr. M'Banga a look a look. "However, Jim is human!" Jim groaned.
"Booooooones! Two words. Sensitivity. Training."
This time it's bones's chair that hits the floor as he jumps up.
"Send me to fucking sensitivity training then! I don't give a shit. I'm supposed to be your best friend and your CMO on this fucking ship and yet I had to call the first officer back cos' yer busy frogging off with some doppelgänger on some supersecret mission, for a planet- full of hobgoblins. They've got some shit going on that could be some sort of fucking space disease. You show up, dressed like a native. I'm supposed to be the fucking doctor, nobody told me what's going on. we get called down here then all of a sudden, I hear about marriage bonds, and blood vows; and secret kids… Kids. kids in another universe. Kids in another universe, who apparently are bonded to another universe's version of my fucking daughter. and yet, and yet this is the first time I'm finding out about it. I don't think you would've said anything. Had we not been sitting here all this time listening to some sort of drama; Nyota throwing a fit because she and Spock broke upper or whatever. Now, suddenly you to go from trying to kill each other to picking out China patterns. and you don't think I should think there's something wrong? Then, you're talking about psychic abilities, no human has. Along with some supersecret Vulcan mumbo-jumbo nobody really knows anything about; anything. you put me off; and put me off. Sitting there holding hands, bloody hands. that you have refused to let me treat. now insinuating that it could be deadly. Plus, all this other shit. I'm supposed to be the CMO. what the Fuck Jim? Let's not even start with this my Lord shit. Care to explain? This "my Lord" , and my Lord that. This from two supposed Starfleet officers. We haven't even got into the fact that you know everything there is to know about me. You helped me when I needed it. You told me some things; did you lie? Did you make it up? I thought we were friends? How the Fuck, am I supposed to trust anything you fucking say?"
By the time bones finished he was red in the face and breathing hard. Practically laying across the table.
Could've sliced the tension in the room with a knife. Which was made worse when a very low growling voice said.
"Backoff Doctor!"
"Fuck you hobgoblin! This is between—
"No, k'diwa, he has a right to be angry." Said Kirk to the table, instead of meeting. Bones' his gaze, I think everyone in the room knew that Kirk was keeping Spock from doing more than just growling at the doctor. Though I don't think anybody aside from the Vulcans heard the dejection in his tone, or the haunted look to match. Jim raised dejected eyes to the room. I think that more than anything shocked the doctor into calming down. Kirk always fired back at McCoy. As McCoy slid off the table back towards his seat. He locked eyes with Jim. And there were sharp intakes of breath all around the room.
As everyone watched a tear trailed down Jim's cheek.
"Jim…Awe…fuck I—
