((Chapter heading is from Wonderful Life by Black.))

Chapter 5

No Need to Run and Hide

Spock did not like to admit it, but for the past three days, meditation was eluding him. McCoy had found that hilarious when he told him, mumbling something about cold feet. He knew what the phrase meant, and he also knew that it wasn't the case. After all, Jim and he were already bonded. All that remained to do was to make that entry into their Starfleet files, and that could only be done by a healer who confirmed the bond was there. His problem was something more primal.

In all his life, Spock had spent more time off his planet than on it. He felt at home on a ship at Jim's side. He had almost felt at home following in his father's steps as an ambassador. He had never felt at home on Vulcan. Perhaps not even before his departure, certainly not after. Whenever he had returned, it had been because of something horrible. If he had elaborated, McCoy would have patted him on the shoulder and told him that it was small wonder but that there was nothing he had to worry about. And he would have been right.

And yet there it was, something a human might call a gut feeling, a sinking sensation that something would go horribly wrong. 'Illogical,' he said firmly. Checking the rhythm of his breath, Spock tried to focus again. The signal of the computer vanquished any chance he might have had. Pressing his lips together, he rose and answered. Perhaps he had sounded a little grim, because when Blanik requested to speak with him, he seemed slightly intimidated. On the other hand, he had been that way ever since Spock had dressed him down a while ago.

Giving up his meditation for a bad job, Spock went to engineering to be greeted by a harassed looking Lieutenant Jakub Blanik, who was fussing over a computer next to Charika. The young man looked completely nonplussed. 'Is there a problem, Lieutenant?' Spock asked. Blanik swallowed.

'Well, I don't know. It's weird.'

'Please elaborate.' Blanik gestured vaguely to Charika, who flushed crimson.

'Someone's been messing with the computer, sir. They haven't been very subtle. But so far all they've done is alter the language banks.'

'Indeed?' That would be Leonard's doing, but he could hardly tell the two engineers that. 'Any damage?'

'No,' Charika said slowly. 'But there's an entry. I … sir, it defines a … I think it's a practical joke, to be frank. But I'd better check if there's anything else wrong, if you'll excuse me.'

'Yes, Charika. Carry on.' Turning his gaze to Blanik, he continued. 'Can I see that entry?' Blanik shrugged.

'Sure, sir.' Spock glanced over his shoulder to the screen and read: 'Tilak. A human stereotype for anyone, particularly a Vulcan, with a conceited or arrogant demeanour. The term is considered offensive and xenophobic.' Raising an eyebrow at Blanik, he prompted him to speak. 'I don't know. I don't like it. Especially that it's appeared now, with three Vulcans on board.'

'I do not believe that there is a threat to them,' Spock said quickly. He doubted Leonard was able to hide his traces in the system if the entire operations department put their heads together. 'I think it would be best if this is not discussed by a large amount of people.'

'Yes, sir.' Blanik smiled slightly. 'He's doing better, you know. Charika. Whatever McCoy or you told him, he seems to be all right again.' He paused. 'I had the boy all wrong, you know. I really scared him when he first arrived here. But he's brilliant all right.'

'Have you told him that?'

'Yeah. Sure. Sir, about that entry. You don't want to heighten security? For the Vulcans I mean.' Spock glanced at the entry again.

'I do not believe that this is necessary. I also insist that you do not to investigate further.' He decided to explain his order even though he did not have to. He had learned long ago that humans were exponentially more likely to follow a command they understood. That aside, if he wanted the crew to develop a sense of loyalty to him, he could not make seemingly arbitrary and incomprehensible decisions. 'I was … aware of the entry.' He looked directly at the engineer. 'It is there for a reason. At this moment, I cannot tell you more.' If Blanik was confused by that, he hid it well.

'Understood. Sir … there's one more thing. Charika asked if he could go down to Vulcan, too.' That was not really a surprise.

'I see no reason why he should not. If you can do without him for a few days, he can come with us. I will inform you when he may beam down.'

ϡ

The huge smile on Jim's face refused to go away, no matter how hard he tried. The Vulcan priestess would certainly not approve, but he was far from caring. Once this was done, their bond was official. Once it was official, no-one would be able to separate them. Bones and T'Kray were already in the transporter room when they arrived, the former looking a little uncomfortable. Knowing him, it was both the transporter itself and the prospect of visiting anywhere full of Vulcans. On the planet surface, they were received by a Vulcan female in a uniform Jim didn't recognise at once.

'She belongs to the Vulcan Science Academy,' Spock substituted on their way out. 'There is a shuttle waiting to bring us to the United Earth Embassy. After that, someone at Academy would like to speak with you.'

'With me?' Jim asked. 'What … why?'

'I assume your unwillingness to decide if you will let T'Kray help prompted them to see you. Stal, Sinek, and T'Lin will leave the ship in the next half hour and arrive at the VSA ahead of us.'

'Well, perhaps we'll finally get a little more information. What about you? Do you want to help?' Spock considered for a moment.

'I have not decided,' he said at last. 'Should they ask for my help, I do not believe that I will refuse.' Jim sighed.

'You both know I'd never forbid you, don't you?' T'Kray smiled slightly and Spock sent a wave of warmth through their link. 'Good.'

'We are there,' Spock said.

The sight that greeted them as they left the shuttle was impressive. The building was a cut off pyramid created from huge slabs of sandstone. There was no trace of the destruction that was wreaked on the building a long time ago. Even though it no longer served as an embassy, the building was still referred to by that name, it seemed. If it hadn't been, Jim would still have recognised it. 'I didn't know that building was still in use,' he said. His voice sounded as awed as he felt.

'It is for bureaucratic purposes.'

'Figures,' Bones muttered. 'The one thing your people have on us: You're straight forward.' Before Jim had a chance to answer, the doors opened, revealing a human. For what it was worth, her expression was as blank as a prototypical Vulcan's.

'You are here for the Reldai?'

'Yes,' Jim said.

'She will see you now.' With that, the woman turned and led the way inside. Jim and Bones exchanged a glance.

'Perhaps people have to counterpoint the heat on this planet by being extra cold,' Bones mused.

'You think so?' T'Kray asked softly.

'You're an exception.'

'Not as much as you believe, Doctor,' Spock said. Their guide gestured silently at a door at the end of the corridor.

'Can we all go in?' Jim asked.

'As you wish.' Shrugging, Jim led the way inside.

The Vulcan standing at the window had her back to them. White hair streaming freely down to the small of her back. Although probably within an inch of Spock's height, she was gaunt, giving her a fragile look. When she turned to look at them, Jim encountered dark green eyes with a sparkle he had not expected. She seemed a lot more lively than the human who had brought them. 'Peace and long life,' she said. If she was surprised that there were two humans or that they had all entered together, she didn't show it. 'I am Vires. You need not introduce yourselves, I am well aware of your names.' She looked at them all in turn, and Jim wondered if she actually had to touch them to sense everything they were. The power she exuded was uncanny. 'This is very unusual. Are you aware, humans, that you are part of a very small group?' Bones was the first to catch himself.

'Yes. Yes, we know that.' He smiled, shyly and not at all with his usual swagger. 'We're … honoured.' Jim wasn't going to protest at being included in that statement. It was true. Vires looked Bones up and down.

'Are you?' Leaving her place by the window, she stood directly in front of them. 'Strange. What I meant was not that you should be grateful to whatever powers have turned the eyes of a Vulcan on you.' There was laughter in her eyes and a levity in her voice that Jim hadn't heard in any Vulcan before. Not even T'Kray. 'I meant that you must indeed be remarkably intelligent and strong-minded. Do you have questions?'

'Just one,' Bones said. Her piercing gaze was boring into his, but he stood his ground. 'I … struggle with mind melds. Not with T'Kray. But with others.'

'Is that so?'

'Reldai, he has been forced into mental contact with various living and mechanical entities.'

'And yet you are able to maintain a bond-link. You impress me already.' She shook her head. 'Do not fear me. I shall not go deep, and your bondmate will be with you. Look to her if you need help.' She folded her hands. 'Perhaps I should commence with the other two. You can witness that no harm is done to them. Although from what I know of humans, that knowledge will not quell the fear in your heart.' Bones made a non-committal grunt. 'Are you both ready?'

'I am,' Spock said solemnly. Jim nodded.

'Yes, Reldai.' She raised an eyebrow at him, either in amusement or commendation. When she touched his temple, he expected the sensation he knew as a meld, but it was nothing like that. Mostly, he felt Spock. Then there was a power trying to nudge them apart. The attempt was gentle and over before he could consciously fight it. Without commenting on what she had done, Vires turned to the other two.

'That's all?' Bones asked.

'That is all.'

'Oh, well. I'm ready. As much as I will be, anyway.'

'So am I.' Jim realised that he was leaning into Spock and quickly brought half an arm's length distance between them. Spock's cool hand on his elbow told him that he, too, felt some aftershock from the meld. The moment the Reldai made contact with both T'Kray and Bones, the doctor's eyes went wide, and for a moment, Jim thought he would scream. Then he relaxed, grabbing T'Kray's hand, apparently also shocked by the foreign power pushing at them.

'I believed that I would struggle to find a bond,' Vires said completely unfazed. 'But I found that your links are very deep. Perhaps humans are not given enough credit. Perhaps … perhaps you are different.'

'It is the latter, Reldai,' Spock said in a warm voice Jim didn't usually get to hear from him unless they were alone. 'Humans generally value their freedom too much to allow a bond of such depth.'

'Then they do not understand.'

'Indeed.'

'I will send my report to your Federation immediately,' Vires told them briskly. 'You may leave.' And just like that, the old Vulcan turned her back on them again to stare out of the window, standing in precisely the same spot as before.

ϡ

Since she had met him, T'Kray had learnt much about James Kirk. One of the first things that had struck her was how carefree the man was. After what would amount to a miracle had been performed on him and his friends, he had just continued as if nothing had happened, grateful, yes, but by no means awestruck. By now, she was fairly certain, he was incapable of awe.

One of the next things she had realised was his sheer intelligence, closely followed by the fact that he was perfectly aware of it. He knew he was sharp and that threatened to make him arrogant.

This was counterpointed by an innate gentleness she had not expected to find in a man like him. He cared deeply about the people surrounding him and would do anything to protect them.

Right now, something else was apparent: His occasional blindness to the infeasibility of his actions. In this case, charming a Vulcan. He was wearing that smile many couldn't resist. She wondered if Spock could. The individual representing the Vulcan Science Academy wouldn't give a millimetre unless he wanted to, that much was certain. 'State your request,' he said coldly. She knew what was coming, and the request would be granted. Not because of the infamous James Kirk smile, but because it was something trivial.

'One of my crew has expressed an interest in your people and this establishment. He comes from Dainam.' That last probably did a lot more good than the charming. Someone from a planet that had been off limits until recently was an intriguing guest.

'The Vulcan Science Academy is an educational institution that is as much part of the Federation as it is a part of Vulcan. Anyone in Starfleet may access it. If he wishes a tour, he should come in an hour. Someone will be available then.' T'Kray smiled very slightly. Someone would be made available. To them, Charika would be almost as intriguing as they were to him. After agreeing on a time and place at which Charika would beam down, they entered and were led to what was little more than a broom cupboard with a table for four people. Now they were seven: the four of them, plus the three scientists they had brought here. The latter were already inside. Perhaps this room had been chosen to indicate that only four of them were welcome while the other three were merely being tolerated. Or perhaps she was becoming paranoid.

'Cosy,' Leonard commented drily.

'Indeed,' T'Lin said. 'One might think that whoever chose this room likes it that way.' Stal shot her look that confirmed T'Kray's suspicion. Why he antagonised them so much eluded her.

'We have some more information and we extend our request for help to Mr Spock and Dr. McCoy.'

'What?' he asked. 'Why?'

'Because you are here,' T'Lin said honestly.

'Status?' James asked.

'The condition is not contagious. That much is confirmed by now. An environmental influence can be ruled out as well due to the pattern of the outbreaks; or, should I say, the lack of a pattern. Since this only affects unbonded males, you should all be safe.'

'Our best shot at the moment is a neurological effect,' Stal said. 'I was informed you have developed the commonly used grafting technique, McCoy.' Leonard blinked once.

'Yes.'

'You will work with me.'

'If I choose to, and if Jim chooses to allow it,' Leonard replied, leaning back in his chair.

'We will manage without you, if you wish us to beg.' T'Lin merely pursed her lips, but Sinek stood and looked down at Stal with a barely disguised threat.

'This is enough, Stal,' he told him, in Vulcan no less. 'You either work with all of us, or it is you we can do without. This way, you do us all more harm than good.' For a moment it looked as if Stal would give in. Then he rose too and stared back, grabbing a fistful of Sinek's clothes.

'Well, then do that. I did not ask for this summons. I refuse. And if you find some loophole to force me back here I will not move a finger. I do not work with … them.' Sinek watched Stal go with raised eyebrows. Then he turned his attention on Doctor McCoy and addressed him in Standard as if nothing had happened.

'Of course the decision is yours. We cannot guarantee your safety, but it is our belief that none of you can be afflicted by whatever this is.' Leonard rubbed the bridge of his nose.

'I'll need to see a patient.'

'I didn't say yes,' James said carefully. 'I would also like to see one of these patients.' T'Lin nodded.

'You will. More than one. Sinek?' He considered for a moment.

'You go with them. I shall call security and go after Stal. He must be examined.'