Doctor McCoy and Chief Engineer Scott paced in the small brig, waiting the end. Things had changed so drastically. It was truly beyond comprehension that the takeover had gone on this far.

"I can't believe it, Scotty. How could I not see her for who she really was. Spock did?" McCoy was fuming as he continued to pace, wearing out the carpet.

"Doctor, dinnae blame yersel'. That lassie pulled th' wool ower baith oor een. If it wasn't fur Mr. Spock's mynd meld he did, thare wid be na ither wey tae prove it." Scotty responded his accent getting thicker as he got more and more agitated.

"She actually passed the exam I gave her. I can't believe it."

"Mr. Spock kens th' Captain. Even though thare kin be sae physical proof, ah kin assure ye, that th' Vulcan wid ne'er lie aboot something lik' this. He's telling th' truth. Even though tis ferr hard tae hawp. Bit, we've seen oor fill o' streenge happenings. This is juist anither yin. Ah dae hawp th' Captain, 'n' Mr. Spock huv thair thinking caps oan, 'n' thay huv a plan tae git that lassie."

"Well, I do hope it's soon Scotty. For all our sakes." McCoy looked at Scotty dreading of what lay ahead.

James Kirk, the man we all came to know was now in the body of a woman. The Captain of the Enterprise didn't want to accept it. His mind was desperately trying to find a solution to the problem they were facing. It wasn't only himself he had to worry about, but his crew. What could this mad woman do? She managed to pass the exams that Doctor McCoy had given her. She was so very determined to stay in the center seat. And there was no way in hell she was going to budge.

Jim sighed as he found it comfortable to rest his head against his first officer's chest. Fingers still entwined together.

"Mmm, I think I'm going to like getting used to this," Jim replied smiling, his smaller hands entwined with the tall Vulcan.

"I also find this most relaxing, despite our dire situation." Spock smiled, burying his face in the nape of the lovely neck exposed to him. It belonged to Doctor Lester, but in his mind, he could feel it was indeed Jim.

She turned looking at him, her eyes blue, but for one instant, Spock swore he saw Jim's hazel eyes staring back.

"You mean the world to me. You know that right?" Jim replied applying pressure to their hands.

"I do. But, at the moment, we truly need to focus on a means to escape." Spock spoke softly, but there was a purpose in that voice.

"I know. I could pretend that I am sick, and you call for the guards. We've done it before. They come in to see what the problem is and..."

"Jim, that will not work." Spock cut Jim's words in mid-sentence.

"Why not?" Jim's voice rose slightly not understanding Spock's defiance.

"Because of who you are at the moment. I cannot let anything happen to you."

"What are you talking about? Is it because I'm in this body. For Pete's Sake I can take care of myself. It's still me, Spock." The anger in the woman's voice, sounded so much like the Captain's that it made Spock smile. This was not going to be easy. James Kirk was not a man, in any form, willing to back down.

"Jim, this body is not yours. You cannot expect it to move, like you are accustomed to. You are of smaller stature, and you do not have the musculature that could enable you in a hand to hand combat. You could damage this body."

The petite form carrying the mind of James Kirk slowly got up from the security of his first officer's embrace.

"I almost wish I could damage it. No, that came out wrong. I do understand what you mean, Spock. I feel so damn helpless. I suppose she was right what she said on Camus II. She said I would feel the indignity of being of woman. She told me it was better to be dead, than to live alone in the body of a woman."

"That statement is from a delusional mind. She has always wished for a position that she could never truly attain. Because of her compulsive nature, she did not seek out to be a man in power. She truly wished vengeance upon you, Jim. She sought an opportunity to pay you back for your success."

"You got that right," the female voice spoke sadly. "She could never accept the fact that I made it. That I achieved my goal, and she couldn't. She was so obsessed. She loved me so much, and she hated me in the same breath. We could have roamed among the stars she said, we would have killed each other. It wasn't going to work between us. I should have seen it coming. She kept pressuring me into making waves for her acceptance in a command position. Maybe she thought if we'd get married, she could somehow manipulate the system."

"Perhaps. What she needed was therapy." Spock also rose from his seated position.

"Therapy." Jim laughed at the word.

"I agree from your tone of voice that she would not have accepted."

"That's an understatement, if I ever heard one. No, Janice was a very complex woman. She wasn't stupid, despite the behavior she is showing at the moment. She went toe to toe with me, on every level. But, she lacked integrity. She was selfish. Thinking only of herself, and what it would mean for her career. It's not just sitting in that chair, and feeling omnipotent. There is a bigger picture. You have 430 lives on board a Starship. You have to think of their safety."

Spock came up to the female and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Jim smiled as their fingers entwined once again.

"That is why I truly felt a difference when you came on board. There was something missing while you were on the bridge. Your very essence. I am grateful, that no matter what happens here, we have this moment together. And I shall treasure it."

She turned around and their lips met once again.