Hi! Just a quick update! Sorry it's taken so long. Lots of work getting my kids into school and lots of hiccups along the way. I hope this chapter is ok! Most of you guys voted for the gender so I have acquiesced to my lovely reviewers! Also, at the bottom of your screen is the box. Go on! You know you want to make your opinion heard! Please let me know what you think! They are like cookies and hugs for me!

Tishbing

Chapter Ten

McCoy paced outside the exam room. The lieutenant's explanation had him beyond angry. At heart, he was a southern gentleman. Old fashioned in the respect of how you treat women. Jamie was a hard one to bend a lot of his beliefs, as in when she'd be an idiot and put herself in harms way to protect him instead of the other way around, but you never hurt a woman like how Spock was doing, much less a pregnant one. It was time he picked on someone his own size (if there was much left after Uhura was done with him).

The doors slid open with a quiet hiss and Uhura glided through, her face was a stony mask and she was rubbing her right hand. Stepping forward to help her, Uhura jerked her head and mouthed 'later' before glaring at the door she'd exited and leaving the medbay.

Leonard only had a moment to shake off his confusion before the doors opened to admit a certain vulcan. The commander's hair was ruffled and the left side of his face had an impressive green handprint. He looked...lost and angry, like a toddler who'd been put in a time-out and didn't understand the reason. He took a deep breath to steel himself.

"Commander, I think you and I need to have a word."

Spock straightened and frowned at him, as though he'd just realized where he was.

"My office, Commander."

Spock's hands clenched into fists and his jaw tightened but he agreed and followed him in. McCoy immediately activated the privacy filters and locked the door. This was a private issue and neither Jim nor the Commander would appreciate this becoming ship's scuttlebutt.

Leaning a hip on his desk, McCoy crossed his arms and frowned. It was hard to not just punch him. His hands itched to hurt the man across from him but Jamie needed him and being locked in the brig for assaulting a superior officer would not help her even if it would have been worth it.

"The captain will be in sickbay for the next several days and on sick leave for a while longer while she recovers and as such, you are to be advanced to acting captain during her convalescence."

The words tasted sour in his mouth and it was hard to remain professional. "Also, in the interest of doctor/patient confidentiality, her exact reason for being admitted to my medical bay will not be disclosed. As far as the crew is concerned, she had a ruptured appendix that resulted in complications."

Spock gave a short nod of understanding and McCoy wanted to follow Uhura's example.

"Understood, doctor." Spock turned to leave but McCoy wasn't done.

"One more thing. In the continued interest of Captain Kirk's health, I am issuing a medical directive that states that you stay the hell away from her at all times barring official duties. This includes verbal, written and physical contact. Also, any further communications from your lawyer will be forwarded to Captain Kirk's legal council. Your actions caused her, my best friend and patient and fucking captain some serious harm." McCoy's hands had dropped to his sides into tight fists, his face was hot with anger.

"Understood, doctor." Spock grit out. Turning on his heel, he left without another word.

"Green blooded bastard." McCoy growled.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Everything was dark and peaceful. An insistent beeping started to tug her from her comfort. Jamie didn't want to wake up. Here, she felt safe but the world around her was coming into sharper focus as time went on. Against her will, she opened her eyes.

The lights were dim and she was thankful for that. Her head had a dull pounding and a mouth that was like it had been stuffed with cotton but she felt reasonably well. Bones must have her on the good stuff.

The last thing Jamie remembered was...Oh, God! The baby! Bolting upright, searing pain ripped through her abdomen. It felt like someone had left knives in her and they were cutting her into shreds.

"Whoa! Calm down."

The beeping intensified and alarms shrieked as Kirk struggled against a pair of firm hands pressed on her shoulders.

"Dammit, Jamie! Calm down! Everything's fine. We got to you in time."

"The..the..."

Kirk pushed at McCoy's hands, her heart thudding painfully against her ribs. The knife in her gut intensifying her panic. McCoy scowled. He didn't want to have to sedate her. There were enough drugs in her system as it was. A fist struck out and caught him on the chin before he could catch it. It was a weak punch and he recovered quickly, grabbing both of Jamie's hands in a tight grip.

"The baby's fine but if you don't calm down you'll hurt yourself."

McCoy's words pierced through the haze and Jamie stilled, her breath caught in her throat. "It's...it's ok?" McCoy didn't let go, a careful smile on his face. His hair was disheveled as if he'd run his fingers through it too many times and his, normally calm, brown eyes looked panicked and sad.

"She's just fine. You've got one tough little girl in there." He smiled and let go, patting her hand and moving to grab his handheld scanner. "Just like her mother."

It was like her chest was being squeezed but in a good way. A warmth settled over her and a giggle broke out. "It's a girl? I'm having a little girl?" Her eyes burned and tears spilled down her cheeks causing McCoy to stutter and Jamie to laugh again at his inability to deal with emotional women.

"I'm having a little girl?"

McCoy rolled his eyes but he was smiling as he reached over her and carefully hugged her. "Yes, Jamie-girl, you are having a daughter. If you keep asking, I'm gonna start to worry though."

She held tight, as though it was a dream and if she let go, she'd lose her baby all over again. The image of the custody documents swam in front of her closed eyes and she gripped Bones' scrubs tighter. She couldn't lose this baby and she needed help.

"I need my mom." Her words were smothered into McCoy's scrub clad shoulder but by his nod, he understood. He held her for another minute, rubbing comforting circles on her back.

"One day at a time, Jamie. One day at a time. Ok?"

She nodded and pulled back, wincing at the pain in her middle. Closing her eyes to pull herself together, she jumped at the hiss and prick at her neck. As habit, Jamie glared and slapped a hand at the spot even though her pain level went down to almost non-existent.

"Warn a girl, huh?"

"If I did that, then where would the fun be?" He smiled tightly and Jamie felt a small fission of fear at seeing the doctor twirl the spent hypo one-handed. He really was too dexterous with those things.

Jamie sighed in relief and relaxed against the pillow while Bones checked her incision site, affixed extra sensors to her to monitor the baby and listened while he explained what happened. It was still surreal to her. A daughter.

"Here's your personal PADD. The...documents are loaded and ready to be sent. I already let the bridge know to route your comms through here. It should be about..." He looked up at the chrono and frowned. "...0600 in San Francisco."

The PADD was smooth and cold in her hand and Jamie felt a lump of fear. Even though the documents were electronic, it was like they were a millstone hanging around her neck dragging her down. Her hands shook as she powered up the device and placed the call. It had been six months since she'd last called her mom.

It took a minute to connect and her hands shook in nervousness. Her friend moved closer, a silent form of support which she appreciated.

"Hello?"

The screen lit up with the image of a pink dressing gown, blurring slightly before the person settled into a chair. Winona Kirk peered at the screen from her end. Her blond hair was pulled into a messy clip, hair slightly graying at the temples. A set of glasses perched on her nose did little to hide the vivid green eyes. Even at this early hour, Jamie could see that she had been awake for a while and probably working.

Winona stifled a yawn with her arm, large coffee mug held in her fist.

"Mom?"

The woman squinted and gasped, finally realizing who was calling.

"James? Oh, honey! Are you alright? You never call this early."

Her eyes narrowed and scanned her daughter, taking in the medical equipment, the hospital gown, her pale features.

Jamie could feel her eyes burning again. The primal comfort of mom and home making her wish she was there with her. "Mom, I'm in trouble and I need your help."

Jamie could feel McCoy move closer and hold her hand.

"What's wrong?" Winona's eyes darted around as if she could pull the answers from the room.

"I'm pregnant."

Winona nodded, clearly waiting for more.

"And the father is Vulcan and...he's suing for full custody, mom, on the basis of me being an unfit parent. He's stealing my baby."

"Wait. What?"

Jamie pressed a button forwarding the documents to her mother. A ping sounded signaling they were recieved.

"I have to ask...What happened?"

Jamie took in a shaky breath and explained everything. As the story tumbled from her lips, it was like a poison was being extracted. The stress and heartbreak seemed like it was someone else's. Her mother listened and read the legal papers, her expression turning more serious as Jamie went on. Winona's eyes flashed as Kirk described her reaction to the receipt of the papers.

Jamie waited patiently while her mother scrolled through the evidence, her hand tightening on Bones' in nervous anticipation when Winona's lips thinned and she frowned.

What felt like hours later, Winona finished. Breath held, she waited.

"Bastard. I'm..." She swallowed and took off her glasses, expression solemn. "I'm going to have to look this over better and talk to my partners at the JAG. I don't know how your Commander Spock found a lot of these documents but the way he's pieced this together does make a valid argument."

"Mom?"

Winona held up a hand to forestall her daughter's arguments. "It's not a fair or correct argument, sweetheart. To a vulcan, it is but real life is hardly as cut and dried as this lawyer is making it. There's no damn proof that you are unfit, just suppositions based on your past and that is where our fight is going to be." Winona's hands shook as she tucked a stray hair behind her ear and Jamie waited anxiously. "In any Terran court, this would hold less water than a bucket full of holes but because it's Vulcan, it's going to be harder to fight. There's a lot of sympathy with the Vulcan people currently and, as a result, a lot of people of influence want to keep them happy. This document shows the possibility of an appeal but it's set for a year from now even if we filed the papers today, this minute."

Winona glared at the lit screen. "Mr. Spock's lawyer was very efficient. He even put a gag order in here to stop you and Mr. Spock from discussing the case with the general public 'on the basis of causing the pregnant female discomfort at her distressing past being revealed'. A Terran court would not be able to keep something like this quiet so we would be hard-pressed to follow the gag order. It's a case of who got there first and, unfortunately, he did."

Jamie shifted in her bed, breath coming in short gasps. "He put that gag order in to protect Spock not me!"

"I know. I can read when a Vulcan is evasive and this one is definitely hiding something."

"It's bad, isn't it, mom?"

Winona's face fell. "Yes. It is very bad. We have little to go on. I'm so sorry."

Jamie bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself breaking down. She couldn't.

"I won't lie to you. It's going to be damn near impossible to get a judge to listen to me to try and get the case heard on Earth. Public sympathy is in the vulcan's favor. It's not considered PC to place human beliefs onto an endangered species' culture and that's what we're fighting for. Human rights. The knowledge that our past doesn't necessarily define who we are and what we will become." Winona sighed. "I can promise you, though, that I won't give up. My grandbaby deserves her mother and I won't rest until that happens. I'll have it listed as you wanting to move in with me after the birth to show stability and familial support. I'm also going to talk to Sam and his wife to see if they would be willing to help. We will get through this."

Jamie hiccuped a sob and nodded. "I love you, mom. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I was scared."

A sad laugh from her mom. "Did you know that I hid my pregnancy with you from George til I was five months along? He asked me why I did it and I told him the same thing. I was scared. He laughed and told me that he loved every part of me and that that included any child I had because that baby was a part of me and him. I will love that baby of yours and you no matter what and I will fight for you. There is nothing to be ashamed of, James. Life gets complicated and knocks you down, the only thing is is that you have to be one of the ones who picks themselves up."

"Thanks, mom." Jamie's hand trembled as she reached out to the screen while Winona mimicked her movements. An attempt to touch through the space separating them to bring them closer.

"You always did bring me challenges, sweetheart."

"Can't let your life get too boring, can I?"

"Certainly not. I love you."

Jamie gave a watery smile, her hand dropping as the screen turned black, ending the call.

"She's not going to be able to win this case, is she?" McCoy moved from his position behind her and sat on the rolling stool next to her bed. Shaking her head, it was hard to speak.

"No, but she'll give them hell trying. A lot of people think I got my fight from my dad but they got it wrong. It takes more strength to be a survivor and my mom is the strongest woman I know. She will go down swinging for me."

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Nyota rubbed her palm, the heel of her hand bruising from the slap she'd given Spock. She couldn't believe it was over but, at the same time, it was past due for it to be over. It hurt less than she thought it would. Her quarters were bare and felt strange. Most of her belongings were in Spock's quarters in the belief that their relationship would never end. It was only for propriety's sake that she still held separate lodgings, if only in name.

The custody orders from the Vulcan colony were seared into her memory. She had a special skill in retaining information and, right now, it was a bad thing. The words and images were very specific and she knew Kirk didn't stand a chance at winning. Uhura had studied vulcan law, language and culture obsessively. They were nothing, if not precise in all things. Once something was set in stone, it stayed that way. It was why she'd been hesitant with marrying Spock. Divorce was unheard of. Once you were married, that was it.

There needed to be another way. A third option. Kirk would be laughing at the idea of Uhura considering cheating but she was. She'd seen the hurt and anguish on Jamie's face when she'd read the documents. If she had truly not cared about the child, she would have not had any reaction. If her reaction had been fake, a way to get back at the commander, Uhura would have known. Nyota was just as skilled in reading people as well as language.

The chime of her door brought her out if her musings.

"Who is it?"

"McCoy."

Pressing the door release button, Uhura took in the defeated doctor. His shoulders slumped and medical case held loose in one hand. "Came to look at your hand." He nodded to her and set his case on her desk. "Looked painful."

"You have no idea." Murmured Uhura. She moved to the small love seat and held out her hand while the doctor ran a scan over it, carefully turning the appendage and inspecting the damage she brought on herself.

"It's not too bad. Just a heck of a bruise." He pulled out a deep tissue regenerator and ran it over her causing her hand to tingle and cramp slightly. It wasn't painful but it was uncomfortable.

"There we go."

"Thanks."

McCoy grunted a reply and started packing up, his eyes on his case. "You know you beat me to the punch, literally. I wanted to sock him."

He shoved in his instruments and closed his bag with a harsh snap.

"Jamie's mom's a lawyer. Did you know that?"

Uhura shook her head. Even though McCoy wasn't looking, he somehow knew her response.

"Winona is one of the best attorneys the federation has ever seen and even she can't really help Jamie get a fair hearing. She's lost her child before it even took it's first breath and that isn't right. She would have been happy with joint custody. Hell, she would have welcomed it because every parent needs a break. When they take that baby from her, it will destroy her."

Uhura could see the truth in his words.

"If the agreement had been she move to the colony, away from everyone she loved and everything she knew, she'd have done it. She would have moved fucking galaxies if that had been stipulated. It's not fair."

Uhura moved closer and put her hand on his back. She could feel the tight muscles under her palm. He balled his fists and rubbed his eyes. "God dammit! I can't help her and it's driving me crazy. She's my best friend. I thought her mom would stand a chance but it seems no-one can help her."

An idea popped into her head. An altogether wonderful idea.

"I think I know someone who can."

McCoy's head snapped up, puzzlement and a touch of fear at the lieutenant's smile. "I think it's time we took a leaf out of Kirk's book." She moved to her computer terminal and McCoy followed, his posture unsure. "I think we need to cheat."

Her fingers flew over her keyboard, a blur to his eyes. Uhura's screen lit up, small writing at the bottom showing it was a secure and private comm. "What do you mean?"

Uhura's smile turned into a smirk and a shudder ran down his spine. "Kirk has friends in high places, too. Spock isn't the only one who has his connections."

Her cryptic statement made sense the moment the line connected. The image cleared and a very familiar person greeted them, surprise barely hidden in his expression.

"Ambassador Spock, Captain Kirk needs your help."

The older vulcan leaned forward. "Tell me everything."