((Chapter heading is the first few words of the System of a Down song Thetawaves. The full line is 'The unsettled mind is at times an ally', but that's awfully long for a chapter heading so I decided to castrate it. Also the full title would make sense in the long run – like quite a few chapters later – while this here works even now. Yay!

In other news, I'm still on an R.E.M. trip that started like two months ago and may or may not have an impact on my chapter headings. It certainly spawned something I'll post in a bit over a month. So be warned.))

Chapter 4

The Unsettled Mind

'So,' Jim said. This meeting was a private one with only Spock, T'Kray, and Bones. 'Sinek and T'Lin will arrive tomorrow, which is why I asked you for this.' Bones frowned.

'Is this an official debriefing?'

'No. This is private.' He grinned. 'That's why it's outside our shifts.'

'Blanik wanted the room for a meeting with his department,' Spock said. There was a slight note of reproach in his voice, which Jim blasted into oblivion with a smile.

'I've come to like the observation lounge.' He leaned back in his chair. 'Why do you ask, Bones?'

'Like Spock said. Because you hijacked a room from an officer. Not saying that you can't, I was just wondering.' Jim shrugged.

'I did it because I can. Happy?' T'Kray smirked.

'Missed being in command, did you?'

'Got me. So. Scientists. T'Kray, you met Stal.' Her expression turned slightly disgusted. When they were among themselves, she rarely bothered checking her facial expressions. Jim took that as a sign that she felt comfortable in their company.

'I did. But like I told you, I didn't feel like chatting that much with him, James.' He smiled. She told him about how that conversation had gone in quite some detail, but he had to ask.

'No. I don't assume he told you what we are supposed to do.'

'I don't think he knew more than I do.' T'Kray lowered her voice slightly even though there was no-one else in the room. 'Which only makes that stranger. He didn't even seem to know that I had been invited.'

'Question, Counsellor. Do you intend to work with the VSA?'

'If Vulcan recalls scientists, it means that they need help. I would like to offer that, if possible.'

'I got a message from the embassy, asking that I extend my stay so that you may assist. It remains your choice. I do have permission from Starfleet to remain there until either a solution to whatever is the problem is found or until something more urgent comes up. Apparently they're exerting some pressure to get Vulcan to be more specific about what the hell is going on.'

'I have a really bad feeling about this, Jim,' Bones said suddenly. 'I think … you know, I think we should just get our own business sorted out and run as fast as we can.'

'I want to agree, but I cannot run from it, whatever it is,' T'Kray said quietly. 'I hope you understand, Len.' By means of an answer, Bones took her hand and held it.

'Talking about our own reason to go to Vulcan,' Jim said. 'What do we have to expect? I was once caught off-guard by Vulcan customs and I don't feel like repeating that experience.'

'Planning to reject Spock?' T'Kray asked with an innocent expression Jim didn't buy. 'Not that you still could.'

'Like I ever would. Just … what will happen?'

'Very little,' Spock said unhelpfully. Leonard snorted.

'God, Vulcans! Why is it so damn hard to get a straight answer out of you people?' T'Kray shot Leonard a sideways glance.

'Maybe you ask the wrong questions.' He huffed and shook his head, but it was more than clear that he wasn't really angry. Their hands were still joined, and a slight smile creased Bones's eyes.

'We shall meet a Reldai. That is a priestess. She will meld with us and see if there is a bond and if she needs to do anything to complete it. That is all.'

'Just a forbidding Vulcan stranger groping around in my head, nothing worse than that,' Bones said. 'What if I can't let her?'

'Can't let her?' Jim echoed. 'I don't think you could stop her.'

'Oh, don't be too sure,' T'Kray said. 'But don't worry, she'll meld with both of us at once. You won't be alone in this, I'll help you. And the Reldai will do nothing more than what Spock said.' Looking only marginally less shocked, Bones nodded.

'Well, in that …'

'Bridge to Captain, please come in.' Zh'Rane sounded as harassed as he had ever heard her.

'Kirk here.'

'There's a … an altercation.' Jim and Spock exchanged a glance. Without a further word, both ran out of the room.

ϡ

The first thing they heard when the turbolift doors opened, was Blau. '… did not ask for your opinion. No, you will listen closely now.' Neither she nor Melav had noticed them. When Jim wanted to interrupt, Spock stopped him gently. Without questioning why, Jim remained where he was and observed.

'There is no reason to …'

'Ensign, I do not have to tell you why I want something done.' Blau towered over the Tellarite, her voice sharp enough to shut him up. 'If I give you an order, you follow it. Is that clear?' Judging from the look on the Tellarite's face, he wasn't going to give up. It seemed that she had come to the same conclusion. 'Niall,' she said simply. Jumping from his thrilled observation of the two, Doherty went to his feet.

'Yes, Lieutenant Commander?'

'Brig. Till morning.' Melav opened his mouth, but this time a glare from Blau was sufficient. 'Use that time to think. Get him out of my sight, Niall.'

'I know this isn't my shift,' Jim said when he thought Blau wasn't likely to breathe fire anymore, 'but … just what was this about?'

'A scan. I had them done regularly, to see if we detect any sign of a cloaked vessel.' She shrugged. 'So far nothing's come up, but I'd rather be careful.'

'Good. Keep doing those scans. They can't do any harm. Carry on.' Back in the lift, Jim allowed himself to look as confused as he felt. 'I didn't know it was that bad.'

'I consider this an improvement,' Spock told him.

'Well, perhaps a few hours in the brig will do the trick. I wonder if it'll help, though.'

'Melav has to learn that he has to follow orders of his senior officers, regardless of his personal opinion. He has to learn that failing to do so has consequences.' Jim nodded.

'I doubt that Blau will find anything. That vessel, if it ever was there, is long gone.' He shook the thought off. 'About those scientists. I want a formal dinner when they come aboard.'

'I know what you intend to do, Jim. It will not work.' Jim looked at Spock with what he thought was an innocent expression.

'Why? What would I try?'

'To wheedle information from them. If they have it and are disinclined to share, you cannot goad them into doing so.'

'I know Vulcans aren't going to slip up and say more than they should,' Jim answered, leading the way into his quarters. 'But I can try to let them know that all I mean to do is help.' He glanced up at Spock. 'And that is even true. I want to help. I want to let T'Kray help. But I need to know the risks first.'

'Such as they are,' Spock said reasonably. 'Perhaps one of the scientists does have more information. If that is the case, and if they are allowed to speak, I am certain they will.'

'You are? I wish I were.' Spock grabbed Jim's shoulders and leaned down, pressing his lips to Jim's. He didn't even try to resist, instead closed his eyes and enjoyed.

'We still have three point two hours before their arrival,' Spock said when he pulled back. 'Unless you had other plans?' Jim glanced at the computer where files were waiting for him to review them. It wasn't a difficult decision.

'Um … I'm not sure. But it can't have been important.'

ϡ

Leonard tugged at his collar for the eighteenth time. It didn't make him feel any better. He had always hated dress uniforms. If he weren't built the way he was, he might have wondered if losing a few pounds could help. But no-one could ever accuse Leonard McCoy of being overweight, so that wasn't it. He couldn't point his finger at it, but these things made it hard to breathe.

There was a gentle tug at his mind. Not the first one this evening, and nothing more than an attempt to return his focus to the conversation.

T'Kray, of course, seemed completely unperturbed. So did Spock. Jim's scepticism was clear to him, but the three strangers at the table would have a harder time recognising it. Leonard felt more out of place than he ever remembered. He and Jim were clearly outnumbered by the four sombre-looking Vulcans at the table. Stal was pointedly ignoring T'Kray's existence. Leonard felt a lot like punching him, and if it weren't for Jim and his plea not to antagonise the Vulcans, he might have given him a piece of his mind.

'I would like to ask a question,' Jim said. 'Does one of you know why you were recalled?' T'Lin and Sinek exchanged a glance.

'We do not,' Stal said. 'We were merely informed that our services were required.' Maybe Leonard imagined it, but he thought he saw a frown dart over T'Lin's face and a split second later Sinek's.

'Curious,' Sinek said.

'Indeed. We did receive some information. We were asked not to share it with an uninvolved third party.' T'Lin kept her eyes on Stal when she spoke, her expression calm and settled and yet a challenge. Stal didn't show any reaction at all. In fact, it surprised Leonard that he was able to detect anything in the other two. Spending so much time around Vulcans seemed to have taught him how to read them, at least to an extent.

'Excuse me if I ask,' he said and leaned forwards slightly, 'but are we an uninvolved party? After all, one of our crew was asked to help out.'

'You are not Vulcan,' Stal said simply. T'Kray raised an eyebrow.

'I was not informed, either.'

'We received what information we have only eight days ago. Since Starfleet did not allow the summons to be extended to you and you declined when you were first asked to come, they would not inform you. If your Captain allows you to assist, you will be more than welcome.'

'What help is needed can be covered by us,' Stal insisted. 'This is a matter of science.'

'Psychology is a science, Stal,' T'Lin informed him coolly. 'And it may well be that it is precisely the science we need. So far no-one could find an answer. So far, no-on asked a psychologist.'

'Were there no other options? Why do we have to take the one without self-control?'

'Just what is your damn problem, man?' Leonard asked. He was almost startled himself. 'What sort of Vulcan are you, anyway? Have you ever gone by the name of Tilak, by any chance?' That question was followed by a heavy silence. T'Kray wore a pained smile, Jim looked shocked. Their guests seemed confused. He couldn't blame them.

'That is the most illogical question I have ever heard,' Stal said. 'But thank you, it offers me an example for a hypothesis I have formed.' Leonard ignored his words.

'You lied to T'Kray. I'm sure you have the same information the other two have. Yet you didn't say you can't share, you said you don't know. Why?'

'Why indeed?' T'Lin asked with a genuinely interested voice.

'Who is Tilak?' Sinek asked at the same time. Stal stared at Leonard.

'Yes. Who is Tilak?' Jim raised his hands.

'Doctor McCoy was making a reference to a stereotype,' he said smoothly.

'Why is he even here?' Stal demanded.

'Because I asked him to.' Jim's answered in a voice that said clearly that he wasn't going to discuss the matter. Stal continued.

'And you, Captain? You are both human. This concerns Vulcan, not outsiders.' Jim took a few seconds to answer, a clear sign that he was getting dangerously close to losing his temper. T'Lin spoke before Jim could.

'Two men bonded to Vulcans can hardly be considered outsiders, Stal.' Jim nodded towards her.

'Thank you. I'll explain why I am so inquisitive anyway. If T'Kray is to assist, I wish to know precisely what she is helping with. Not because I want to pry but because I want to clarify if there is any danger to her or my crew.'

'We cannot say for certain,' Sinek said quietly. He looked at Stal for a moment, then turned his gaze on Jim and continued. 'There has been an outbreak of some sort of insanity. So far, only unbonded Vulcan males were afflicted. Some of them have died, others have fled into the desert and started a settlement there. We cannot determine the cause. The effect seems to be irreversible.'

'How much opportunity did you have to examine them?' Leonard asked.

'None that were alive, two dead ones, but they had both killed themselves. We do not know what came up so far. All we know is that there is this epidemic and that so far we have no cause.'

'And therefore no way to stop it.'

'And no way to predict how dangerous it will be for T'Kray or perhaps the non-Vulcans of your crew,' T'Lin supplied. She, too, shot Stal a look. 'Captain, with your permission, we would retire.' Jim rose.

'Certainly. Lieutenant T'Kray will show you to your quarters. Dr. McCoy, please stay here with me for a moment.' Spock, too, stayed behind. As soon, as the other Vulcans had left, Jim rounded on Leonard. 'Are you out of your mind? What were you thinking?'

'I wasn't,' Leonard said at once. 'It just came out. Jim, he's obnoxious!'

'Yes, he is. And he lied. I noticed that, too.' He deflated visibly. 'I thought the same thing. But I didn't warn him by shouting it out. Imagine you were right and he is a Romulan in disguise, either working with our special friend or really him?'

'I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say.' Jim offered a vague smile.

'You know, if it were Spock he was talking about like that I'd have snapped, too. I can't blame you.' Spock looked at Leonard with an odd expression.

'Perhaps we should ascertain that Jim's explanation is valid.'

'How d'you suggest we do that?' Leonard asked.

'By manipulating the language banks. You have some experience with that, I take it.' Jim grinned.

'Good idea. Consider it your atonement, Bones.'

'Just to make sure I hear you right. You want me to enter the name Tilak as a stereotype for … what exactly? A lying Vulcan?'

'It's your invention, Bones. Just make it plausible.'

ϡ

T'Kray escorted the three scientists to their rooms in silence. Stal was the first to leave, and she was glad to be shot of him. 'His behaviour is regrettable,' Sinek said. T'Kray only just caught herself before she could shrug.

'It is of no consequence.'

'Accusing you of emotionality when he is so obviously ridden by prejudice is highly unjust,' T'Lin supplied. 'Let me assure you that your help would be more than welcome.'

'Thank you. I will try to convince the Captain. These are your quarters, T'Lin.'

'Where is Sinek?'

'Three rooms further down.' Then it hit her, and she wondered how she could have failed to notice. 'This one was prepared for you, but the cabin adjacent to Sinek's is currently uninhabited. They have a shared bathroom, which is why we avoided placing anyone in it at this moment. You can, of course, have that other room.'

'The rooms we have will be sufficient.' Which read that Sinek was not in or close to pon farr. T'Kray wouldn't have missed that, she was sure. Although she had failed to see that they were a couple.

'It is your choice, T'Lin.' Some Vulcan couples didn't want to share rooms, let alone a bed, but somehow these two struck her as close. Perhaps a choice they made themselves rather than an arrangement of the parents. 'If we had been aware of your marital status, we would have asked in advance.' She smiled, and unlike Stal, these two didn't seem bothered. 'It really is no trouble if you do not mind that the bed is not made. You find covers in the closet across from the bathroom, should you require them.' Which, in turn, would read to them that they were welcome to share as much space as they wanted – or not to.

'Thank you.'

'You are welcome. Here it is. The door to the bathroom on your side is currently locked, of course, but I shall remedy that in a moment. Good night.'

'T'Kray,' Sinek said before she could leave. She nodded at him. 'Doctor McCoy is not a Vulcan, but he is a medical doctor who has experience with us. Should you decide to aid us, do you believe that he would assist as well?' So apparently, while T'Kray had failed to notice that these two were bondmates, they had understood what she and Leonard were. If they did not at least suspect that much, if would be strange to ask her to speak on their behalf, counsellor or not. She had clearly spent too little time among her own kind. If more of them were like Stal, she might find that it was for the better, but she refused to believe that.

'Oh, I am sure he will, if he is permitted. Captain Kirk is very protective of his crew. If he thinks there is a danger, he might as well not allow it. But I will ask him. And I will try to convince the Captain.'

'It is appreciated. Good night, T'Kray.'

((Tilak was someone from Water. Bones's experience with language banks is from ST:V. I believe I read somewhere that in the books he manipulated them so that Spock, trying to learn about human customs surrounding camping, got a wrong word: marshmelons. Which explains the smile on McCoy's face. I figured he'd have come clean at one point, so the other two know about it. Oh, and I love that movie and the bleeding camping scene in particular. So sue me.))