Chapter Seventeen
Joanna woke gently. It took her a moment to figure out her surroundings before she remembered that she was safe. Her head moved slightly with the slow rise and fall of Salen's chest. Already awake he was softly smoothing out her hair in a comforting manner. She enjoyed the fact that his every touch didn't hold sexual tension behind it the way most of her male encounters did. His relaxed energy spoke only of wanting her to be at ease.
The biobed that Joanna was currently sharing with Salen had the headrest section raised up to form more of a lounge than a bed. Joanna pressed against him harder and closed her eyes once more. She felt Salen lean down slightly to kiss the top of her head.
Smiling Joanna sought out Salen's hand. Finding her prize she ran her fingers against his in a traditional Vulcan show of affection. Joanna's skin tingled pleasantly as he returned the gentle touch. It never failed to amaze her how sensual the usually casual touch could be. She tilted her head back to look at Salen and he smiled at her with his facial scars practically glowing from his deep blushing.
"You know most human children explore their first tastes of sexually by holding hands...what do young Vulcans do to experiment boundaries?"
Salen could see her lips moving so he took his hand away from hers to pick up the small translator tablet that was lying on the bed next to him. He read her question and furrowed his white brow. After a few moments of thought he shrugged.
"I do not know the answer."
"So you never had a crush on some cute little Vulcan girl growing up?" Joanna teased.
"Why would I crush anyone?"
"I didn't mean literally." Joanna chuckled. "You never had anyone you liked more than just friends on Vulcan when you were young?"
"I was not raised on Vulcan. My parents had work that kept them off world."
"So that's how you survived the destruction of Vulcan, you weren't there."
"I was not."
"I'm glad you weren't."
"I have had mixed emotions about the fact that I did not die along side the majority of my species."
"It's called 'Survivor's Guilt', it happens when someone survives a catastrophe and others around them do not. The survivors sometimes don't understand why they were spared, and will even sometimes wish that they had not because they don't feel they deserve to live when others died. It's a perfectly natural reaction."
Salen read Joanna's words on the tablet and thought about them before responding. Having given it some thought Salen nodded solemnly.
"Thank you, Joanna. It helps to know that it is not unusual."
"Speaking of surviving, how is the cut on your chest?"
"It is painful."
"What?" Joanna replied in surprise as she sat up. "Why were you letting me rest my head against your chest?"
"You appeared comfortable and I enjoyed having you close."
"Can I see it?" Joanna asked.
Salen nodded after reading the request. After trying to figure out the best way to get a good look at Salen's injury Joanna decided to simply straddle him. Salen didn't protest as she sat down on his hips, however when she pushed up the white shirt he'd been given he turned his face to the side and closed his eyes. She still didn't know the origin of his scars, but it was clear that he didn't want to witness the birth of a new one.
"Sale...oh, hello, Joanna."
Joanna gasped at the sudden deep voice. She looked over towards the door. At first she didn't see anyone until she glanced down found that Salen's father had just joined them. He had brought his wheelchair to a sudden halt and was already backing up.
"Admiral!" Joanna exclaimed in shock.
"I...uh...I'll come back later." Pike chuckled.
"No, please come in." Joanna blushed bright red. "I...I was just checking Salen's injury...honestly."
"I believe you." Pike moved closer. "Is he really compleltly deaf?"
"Yes." Joanna sighed sadly.
Joanna pulled Salen's shirt down and brushed his cheek to get him to open his eyes again. She got off of him and when he opened his eyes she guided him to look in his father's direction. Salen's face lit up upon spotting his father. He jumped down off of the biobed and knelt in front of Pike. Even after all these years Pike shook his head sadly to see Salen act so submissively. Salen took Pike's hand and held it tightly.
"I am sorry, father, I did not mean to cause so much trouble."
"It's not your fault, Salen. You were attacked and had every right to defend yourself. I'm proud of you."
Not being able to hear his father's words Salen looked back to Joanna for help. She spotted the translator on the bed and brought it over. Pike repeated his last sentence for the translator as Joanna handed it to Salen. He read the screen and smiled.
"I did not murder Langin." Salen said.
"I know." Pike replied. "Don't worry about it right now. How did you end up here at Walter Reed?"
"Walter Reed?" Salen repeated. "I do not know who that is."
"Salen, that's the name of the hospital that we're at." Joanna clarified. "It is Starfleet's oldest and most advanced medical facility. You slept most of the way here."
"Joanna, who brought you two here?" Pike asked.
"A man named Beckett."
"Beckett?" Pike tensed visibly.
"That's right, Admiral." Beckett's voice broke in as he joined them in the room. "Starfleet asked me to help these kids out after the arrests. I'm friends with a great surgeon who believes he can restore Salen's hearing...although he admits he's never tried it on a Vulcan before."
Joanna could feel the chill in the room from Pike's icy glare as Beckett stepped into his view. Beckett smiled brightly and held his hand out to Pike in greeting. Looking around like he expected someone to jump out and attack him Pike declined the friendly gesture. Beckett looked genuinely hurt for a moment, but brushed it off. Salen sensed the tension as well and leaned closer to his father when Beckett put his hand on his shoulder.
"Salen," Beckett tapped on the translator "the doctor is ready for you. Come with me, we'll fix your hearing and then you can get back to the Academy."
Salen looked to Pike for guidance. Joanna didn't like the way that Pike hesitated to give his son permission to go with Beckett. She had not like their mysterious benefactor from the start and the fact that Pike didn't seem to trust him didn't help her opinion of him any. When Pike didn't say anything Salen glanced at Beckett nervously.
"Admiral, you're frightening the boy." Beckett sighed. "Now you don't have to let us help him, but the doctors here have the best chance of restoring his hearing. This is the best facility that Starfleet has to offer and I called in a lot of favors to get Salen seen right away."
"Should I not have the surgery?" Salen asked Pike. "I would not let them touch me until I saw you, I was not sure what to do."
"You need the surgery, Salen." Pike forced a confident smile. "You're in good hands here. I'll take you down to the OR myself."
"I'll let them know you are on the way, just down the hall on the right." Beckett announced and disappeared.
"May I have a moment alone with Joanna?" Salen asked.
"Of course." Pike looked up at Joanna. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Being here for one, and saving his life for the other."
"Is everything okay between you and Beckett?"
"Don't worry about us old men and our petty bickering."
Pike gave Salen's hand a squeeze before he left. Joanna had a knot in her stomach that was twisting painfully. There was something more happening here and she was afraid that even if the surgery was successful that they weren't going to be able to just go back to their lives at the Academy. Joanna jerked as Salen brushed her shoulder.
"I am sorry. I did not mean to startle you."
"It's okay, Salen, I was just lost in thought."
"Everything is going to work out. My father is here now, he'll keep us safe."
"I'm glad he's here."
"So am I. I am sorry for everything I've put you through over the past few days."
"I don't blame you for what happened Salen. I'm honored that you felt comfortable enough to come to me when you were in trouble."
Salen read Joanna's words on the translator and smiled. Tossing the device onto the biobed he wrapped his arms around Joanna and drew her into a soft kiss. Returning the affection she felt the painful knot in her stomach loosen somewhat. Salen broke off the kiss and stared at her intensely.
"Back in the clinic when you were trying to keep me from bleeding to death I told you that I loved you. I do not believe you took me seriously at the time, so I wish to repeat my words to you. I love you."
"Salen...I..."
"No." Salen reached up and put his fingertips against her lips. "I'd rather wait till I can hear your voice before we continue this conversation further. I just wanted you to know in case I do not survive surgery."
"Salen, you are going to survive, even if they can't fix your hearing, they certainly aren't going to kill you!"
"I can guess what you are saying, and if I was human I would believe it. However, anytime a Vulcan is operated on by even the most skilled human there is a risk of death."
"Don't say that, you are going to be fine."
Without the translator in hand Salen could only guess at what Joanna was saying. He smiled and kissed her once more before heading for the door. Feeling sick with worry Joanna followed him. Pike was waiting for them in the hallway and lead them down to the OR. Joanna didn't pay much attention to the doctor as he introduced himself to Pike and Salen. She was too busy watching Beckett who was standing to the side with a mischievous glint in his eyes. There was something about the man that rubbed her the wrong way.
Salen reached out and touched her shoulder to bring her back to the present. Returning her focus to Salen she squeezed his hand for courage. Joanna noticed the detailed diagrams of the Vulcan auditory system on the screens near by and felt better about the doctor knowing what he was doing. The doctor guided Salen to lay down on the metal table and had a nurse hand him a hypospray.
"Is that hydocloritide?" Joanna asked the doctor.
"Yes, that's right."
"It doesn't work very well on Vulcans."
"I realize that, I have plans for a heavier dose."
"Tresimiazole would work better with less side effects." Joanna pointed out.
"Tresimiazole? Where did you learn that?"
"It's what my father uses with Commander Spock."
"You're Dr. McCoy's daughter." The doctor smiled. "Okay, tresimiazole it is."
The nurse exchanged out the hypospray. The powerful drug had Salen in a deep sleep in seconds. While the doctor finished the rest of his prep work Joanna reached out and ran her fingers through Salen's snow colored hair. When the surgeon was ready he politely asked Pike and Joanna to step outside. Once back in the hallway Pike took Joanna's hand gently.
"Can I talk to you?" Pike asked.
"Of course."
"What really happened? All I have is fragments."
"Salen walked me home late the other night. From what he told me he was attacked by Langin and dragged him out to the forest outside the Academy grounds. Salen managed to get away, leaving Langin there. He came to me with a life threatening gash in his chest that Langin had given him. I patched him up, and...uh..."
"You both went back to your dorm where he was arrested the next morning for murder." Pike supplied.
"That's right. I was trying to figure out who had taken him when they arrested me."
"Is that when Beckett showed up?"
"Yes, he said he wanted to help us. However apparently before things went any further a witness stepped forward who claimed to have seen Langin attack Salen initially...basically proving the whole self defense thing. Charges were dropped and Beckett brought us here."
"I can understand Langin assaulting Salen, but why drag him out into the woods?"
"Salen said that Langin was going to sell him to someone."
"I see."
"Personally I think whoever was going to buy Salen is the one who killed Langin."
"Maybe." Pike mused. "Had you ever seen Beckett before you two were arrested?"
"No. Wait...maybe."
"Maybe?"
"A while back there was this older guy on campus that looked like he was watching Salen."
"Was it Beckett?"
"Maybe. I don't really remember, I just recall that at the time I thought it was odd."
Joanna could almost hear Pike's brain whirring with theories and thoughts. Beckett came out of the OR and informed the pair that the surgery was going well. Pike watching him go down the hall and suddenly excused himself from Joanna's side. Going after Beckett Pike followed him until he went into one of the offices.
Without knocking Pike followed Beckett into the office. Beckett pretended to not notice that he'd been tailed and went over to the coffee machine and got himself a cup. He turned around and smiled as he caught sight of Pike. Still smiling brightly he walked over to his guest.
"Admiral, would you like some coffe..."
"Stay away from my son." Pike growled darkly.
"Christop..."
"I mean it, Jack. Leave Salen alone."
"Do you still hate me after all these years?" Beckett asked sadly as he put his coffee down on the desk.
"I let got of the anger a long time ago, now I simply don't trust you."
"Your son might still be locked up in a cell if it wasn't for me, or deaf for the rest of his life. I'm doing everything I can to help Salen."
"That's what worries me." Pike hissed. "What are you really up to?"
"Up to? I'm working my tail feathers off and calling in a great deal of favours to make sure that Starfleet doesn't lose an excellent Officer in the making. Salen is the top of his class...as I'm sure you know, being the proud father and all."
"Cut the shit, Jack. Why wasn't I informed of Salen's arrest the instant it happened? Why did it take three days for me to get that particular phone call?"
"Bureaucracy?"
"Jack..."
"Okay, truthfully? I didn't call you because Salen asked me not to."
"What?"
"He was terrified of what you would think of him if you learned that he was being brought up on murder charges. It wasn't until his name was cleared that he wanted us to contact you."
"That doesn't sound like Salen..."
"Admiral, you know that he worships you, the only thing he wants in this world is to make you proud. Don't blame him, he was frightened and conflicted. I felt it was only fair to give him some time to work everything out in his own mind before calling you."
"You're full of shit, Beckett."
"What were his first words to you when you saw him? Did he say anything about not being allowed to call you? Did he say anything about me mistreating him? What did he say to you first thing?"
"He said...he said he was sorry." Pike admitted.
"Exactly, he apologized to you while kneeling at your feet like a beaten dog."
"Salen always kneels, he is just trying to bring us both to eye level..."
"You don't have to explain your relationship with your son to me, Admiral. I was just pointing out that perhaps he's not as quick to come to you with his problems as you might think."
"Even if that's true, your a goddamn snake in the grass and I don't want you anywhere near Salen ever again."
"That's really Salen's choice, now isn't it?"
"If you hurt him..."
"Admiral, I will politely remind you that I am now a high ranking Officer in Starfleet. I am also not the same man you knew thirty years ago."
"You may have changed sides, but your basic nature hasn't changed."
"How do you know? You been keeping tabs on me?"
"Your service record is pure fiction, and that tells me all I need to know." Pike said evenly. "You got into Starfleet with smoke and mirrors, and I know you're who they come to when they need cloak and dagger work."
"I can assure you that I have never done anything that hasn't been fully backed by the highest ranking among Starfleet."
"That doesn't make it right."
"Yes it does."
"Even murder?" Pike asked seriously.
"What are you talking about?"
"I think you pushed Langin off that cliff yourself."
"Really?" Beckett raised an eyebrow. "Why would I do something like that?"
"To gain Salen's loyalty once your managed to somehow miraculously get him out of the charges."
"Interesting piece of fiction you have there. I suppose you think I paid Langin to attack Salen in the first place?"
"I wouldn't put it past you."
"Admiral, unless you are here to officially press charges against me, and embarass yourself in a joke of a court martial, might I suggest that we end this conversation before one of us says something that we regre..."
Beckett was cut off as Pike lashed out and caught his wrist. With a powerful twist Pike dropped Beckett to his knees. Using his grip on Beckett Pike jerked him closer. Pike bared his teeth an brought his lips against Beckett's ear to growl his sincer threat.
"If I find out you had anything to do with what happened to Salen there won't be a court martial...I will kill you myself."
