A/N: Thank you once again to bookdragon01 for beta-ing this. Nope still don't own any of our favorite characters.
Jim hurried into the house following the directions Bones had given them on the shuttle. His instincts were going crazy, and he didn't want Bones to be the first one to find her if they were right, but he hoped to hell they weren't.
Like she'd said the key was in the lock, as he turned it he thought he heard a whimper from inside and hoped that meant things weren't too bad. When he opened the door though he knew that his instincts had been right; Joanna was curled up in a ball under the window as far from the door as possible.
"JoJo?" he called softly trying not to scare her. Her head came up and he couldn't stop the words even if he'd tried, it was like suddenly being in his Mom's shoes fourteen years ago.
"Shit! Sonuva-! Goddamnit!" he swore loudly as he crossed the room. Her left eye was black from the top of her eyebrow to past her cheek bone, and her lower lip badly split. A hand shaped bruise covered her upper right arm with more on her left likely from trying to block some of the blows. He couldn't tell about the rest of her because of her clothes but he'd be willing to bet that there were more.
"U-Uncle Jim?" she whispered, squinting at him as he dropped down beside her.
"Yeah, it's me JoJo. We came to get you Kiddo. Can you get up?" he said with a forced smile while swallowing down the lump in his throat.
"I-I'm not sure Uncle Jim. My ankle, and ribs hurt pretty bad, and my head feels funny, like I'm spinnin'." She said barely above a whisper.
Up close her eyes were odd, but Jim wasn't sure if it was the black eye that was making it look that way or if it was something to do with her head that was making her squint. But her short, choppy breathing wasn't right, he did know that. As he carefully scooped her up in his arms, she whimpered a little at the movement, but settled quickly against him, hiding her face in his neck and clutching a handful of his shirt over his heart.
"JoJo, do you need to ah make a pit-stop before we go?" he asked a bit hesitantly.
"No, but I'm really thirsty." her whisper was muffled slightly against his neck but understandable, as they left the room and headed down the hall to the bathroom. With some careful maneuvering they managed to get her a drink without shifting her too much and headed for the stairs.
"My bags. Please don't leave them." She said as he started down her voice a bit stronger.
"After your Dad checks you out I'll go back up and get them ok? We both want to make sure your ok. Spock and Uhura came with us. Spock's outside and Uhura's at the police station to make sure that we got back with you safe. We also have a lawyer with us named Rhymer, he's a friend of Admiral Pike, and he's trying to fix a few things for your Dad so he can see you when he wants, not just when you mom lets him. We'll get you outta here as soon as we can." he murmured to her as they reached the bottom of the stairs.
Joanna shifted her head a bit and saw her mother standing outside the door. She burrowed back into Jim's neck "I want Daddy." she whispered, gripping his shirt tighter.
He sent a furious glare at Jocelyn and watched with satisfaction as she hastily backed up. "JoJo, it's ok Kiddo, I've got you and your Dad's just outside. I'll give you to him before I get your bags, no one else without your say so." He assured the child he held, no trace of his fury in the soft tone, as he stepped outside. Bones was there almost before he finished speaking.
"Jo, Darlin' I got ya" he murmured laying a hand carefully on her shoulder, as she raised her head to look at him.
"Daddy." she tried to smile but her face hurt too much.
"Yeah Darlin' Girl, I got ya sweet heart." He told her, his voice cracking, running his hand through her hair. He'd always done that when she was scared. He knew he couldn't move her too much not knowing what other injuries she had so he unwillingly settled for gently tipping her head against his chest, instead of taking her from Jim like he wanted.
"Jim, set her down. Spock, get the damn med bag outta the car." He ordered for the moment hiding behind his training, as Jim carefully sat in one of the rockers on the porch with Joanna in his lap.
He began visually cataloguing Joanna's injuries as Spock hurried over with the bag of medical supplies they never seemed to be without when they left the ship, especially if Jim was with them.
Joanna squinted at Spock as he reached them. "Hi, you must be Mr. Spock." she said softly.
Spock looked surprised for a second. "Hello Joanna." He replied. "I am afraid that I cannot stop to talk with you at the moment but I will do so as soon as there is time." He told her gently and hurried back towards the road. He'd seen a lot of disturbing things but nothing had prepared him for the shot of anger at the sight of her bruises and the echoes of her pain he could feel, it was illogical but in a way understandable, as was the need to distance himself from one of those responsible for his own peace of mind.
"Does he always talk like that Uncle Jim?" she asked softly laying her head back on Jim's shoulder as her father began running a tricorder over her, both men nodded.
"Yes, he's actually better than he was when we met. Bones; check her ribs she said they hurt, and she's dizzy between those and her ankle are why I was carrying her." Jim said softly.
"I will, just let me get there will you." He snapped without his usual heat.
As McCoy continued, Jim noticed his friend's expression getting darker at every new injury the tricorder found, though he kept up a good front for Joanna. Jim caught his eye as he put the tricorder down, and the two shared a look of mutual fury over Joanna's head at the circumstances.
As soon as McCoy was finished with the scan he gently gave her a hypo for the pain, carefully wrapped her ribs, thankful they were only bruised, and her ankle, that was more superficial but it never hurt to be safe.
He sat back repacking everything, then carefully slid her out of Jim's lap. "C'mer Darlin'" he said gathering her into his arms as if he'd never let her go. Jo wrapped her arms as tightly as she could around him burying her face in his neck, finally relaxing at the familiar smells of antiseptics and bourbon that always surrounded him.
"I love you Daddy." She whispered brokenly beginning to cry. Bones tightened his grip carefully.
"I love you too my darlin' girl, I'm not lettin' you go again." He whispered back, his voice rough with emotion.
As she stopped crying a few minutes later, he pressed a kiss to her fore head and motioned Rhymer over as Jim handed her a tissue.
"Darlin' this is Lt Cmdr Rhymer. Can I get you to stay with him for a couple of minutes so Uncle Jim and I can talk to your Mama?" she studied Rhymer a moment, and nodded.
"Ok Daddy." She whispered back.
"That's my girl." McCoy said as he and Jim stood, he carefully placed her in the rocker with another kiss on her forehead; then crossed the porch to where Jocelyn was standing seemingly in shock.
"So she's as uninjured as you are, Jocelyn?" McCoy demanded furiously, keeping his voice as low as he could manage. "She should have been in the hospital last night. Bruised ribs, multiple other bruises, black eye, strained ankle, slightly dehydrated, goose egg the size of half a lemon, and a borderline level 2 concussion! Did you even look at her yesterday or just take that bastard's word that she was fine?" He had the satisfaction of seeing her eyes widen in horror, at the list of injuries; even though a small, still in control part of his mind realized that Jocelyn wasn't acting, she really hadn't known Joanna was hurt; but he was too furious to care at the moment.
"This wasn't the first time either I'd bet, was it, that he 'disciplined' her, or whatever you call it, while you were gone?" Jim growled fighting to keep his voice down, madder than Bones had ever seen him outside a fight to save the rest of the crew. "She's 10, how the hell is a child supposed to defend themselves against a full grown man? They can't, it's that simple. What were you gonna do, wait till she died in there to go see if she had food or water, or let her out to use the bathroom? First thing she asked for after I got her out of there was for a drink. The way she drank she hadn't had any in too long." As Jim finished talking McCoy glanced at him and realized that he'd only seen that fire in his friend's eyes once before, against Nero, and then it hit him; for Jim this was as personal as it was for him.
"Jo is comin' with us and as far as I'm concerned Jocelyn if she ever contacts you, you can consider yourself lucky. As for the appeal I'm goin' ahead, and this time it'll be Starfleet that'll judge the case, not your 'friends' at the courthouse. The only things I'm takin' from this marriage are Jo and what should have been mine all along." McCoy told her his voice soft enough that Jo wouldn't hear clearly, but his anger, and contempt for his ex-wife more than plain. "Jim can you get Jo's stuff?" Bones requested never taking his eyes off Jocelyn.
"You got it Bones." Jim responded not really wanting to hear what else his friend might have to say to his ex-wife.
He paused beside Joanna, "Kiddo what do you want me to bring?" he asked mentally cringing at the thought of packing for her.
"The duffel under the bed, and my backpack. Th-that's why I'm like this; he caught me packin' my backpack for the trip with y'all. Can ya get me another drink Uncle Jim?" she asked.
"Sure JoJo, be right back." He hurried to the kitchen and came back with a large glass of water. "Sip on that JoJo. Your Dad will tell you the same thing." He smiled slightly, letting it fall as he turned away and went to get Joanna's bags.
At least everything was still there, there were some things on the bed that he put in her back pack and then added the battered stuffed bear on the pillow on impulse. Holding the duffel in one hand, backpack over his shoulder, he took a quick look around to make sure there wasn't anything else that looked like it should go. When he saw the quilt lying on the floor, it reminded him of the one that his Grandma Kirk had made him so he grabbed it too. If nothing else it would help keep her warm.
As he came outside, Bones had Joanna on his lap again talking to Rhymer; Jocelyn was sitting at the other end of the porch with her head in her hands, Spock was still near the car watching for anything out of the ordinary.
"Captain, Lt Uhura informed me, while you were retrieving Joanna that the police will be here shortly as she has had an unexplained difficulty with them. May I help you with those?" Spock said eyeing the bags and blanket.
"Pop the trunk please, Spock. That's about all for right now. Did she say what kind of difficulty?" Jim replied as his friend opened the door and pulled the trunk release. "Thanks, keep your ears open, I saw the bastard's schedule in the kitchen, and he should be getting off right about now. It could end up being a race here, I don't know whether to hope the cops win or not, I'd love a shot at the guy for what he did to her." He said as he loaded the bags and quilt in the trunk, and took the bear out of her back pack.
"I believe I understand the feeling Jim. And the Lieutenant only said that she was delayed in getting in to see the Captain." Jim looked closer at Spock and could see the banked anger in his eyes and nodded.
"I'm going to talk to Mrs. Parker for a minute. I'll be right back." Jim said taking off at a jog, tucking the bear under his arm.
"Welcome Captain. What can I do for you?" Mrs. Parker asked standing up with a slightly worried smile as Jim reached the edge of her porch.
"Just came to thank you for calling Bones this morning. What you saw was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. She's slightly dehydrated, has a concussion, and a lot of bruises. But we'll take care of her. I wanted to ask what he drives." Jim asked her glancing at the street.
"A silver and black Harley motorcycle, old one too." She replied. "I think that Jocelyn bought it for him. Why do you call Lenny Bones?"
"I started calling him that when we met on the way to The Academy. He claimed that was all he had left, it stuck, he got his revenge in a way, calls me Kid every chance he has. Excuse me, got to let them know." Jim said with a small wave, heading back to Spock.
"What did you learn Captain?" Spock asked as soon as Jim reached him.
"He drives an old silver and black Harley; she also thinks Jocelyn bought it for him. We need to get Joanna out of here, fast." He said as they headed for the house.
"Here JoJo I uh thought you might want this." Jim said sheepishly handing her the bear.
"Thanks Uncle Jim." She said hugging it as Jim and her Dad stepped a few feet away.
"Bones we need to get her out of here before he gets home." Jim said quietly.
"How long do we have?" McCoy asked sensing Jim's urgency.
"Not long. Ten minutes or so from the address on the schedule, and he was supposed to get off at 2:00 and its 2:05. And I don't think we want her in the middle if all hell breaks loose." Jim explained, as Spock's communicator beeped.
"Spock."
"We're about to leave the station, so start loading up. We should be there in less than ten."
"Acknowledged, Lt. make sure the officers know that the Doctor is anxious for Joanna to seek further medical treatment, once we leave."
"How badly is she hurt?" Uhura asked her worry plain.
"She has a serious concussion and multiple contusions. But she is awake and responsive." Spock reported.
"I'll pass that on. See you soon. Uhura out."
"That's good news. C'mon Jo lets go tell Mrs. P goodbye, then we'll pick up Uhura and, get you checked out a bit better. After that we'll see about some food. How's that sound?" McCoy said scooping Joanna up.
"Good Daddy. I'm gonna miss Mrs. P though." Joanna said quietly as they crossed the lawn.
"I know ya will Jo, but you can comm. her if you want to."McCoy told her. She looked up still squinting.
"Really?"
"Yeah as long as it's not the middle of the night or anythin'." he assured her.
As they reached the porch, Jim thought that he heard the rumble of an antique motorcycle, but it was so briefly that he wasn't sure.
Mrs. Parker came down to greet them. "I wish this could have been under better circumstances but, it's good to see you Lenny. I know you have to go but will you at least give me a quick introduction to your friends?" she asked smiling at them.
"I wish it was too. I think you already met my friend and Captain, Jim Kirk. The pointy eared one is Cmdr Spock our First Officer and a good friend, and Lt Cmdr Rhymer from Starfleet JAG, who's helpin' sort this mess out." Bones ignored the raised eyebrow Spock shot him at the introduction. "Lt Uhura is on her way with the police right now. I hate to run off like this but we need to get Jo looked at a bit better than I can with a field tricorder." He apologized as she shook hands with them and hugged him and Jo one last time.
"Don't even think about it you do what you have to. Take care all of you." She scolded with a smile.
"Bye Mrs. P I'll comm. you when I can." Jo promised.
"You do that Honey. Take care all of you." Mrs. Parker said.
"We will." McCoy assured her.
With that they hurried back to the car. Jim turned to follow but Mrs. Parker stopped him with a hand on his sleeve.
"Thank you for looking after him, these last few years. He's really needed you and the Cmdr." She said softly.
"You're welcome and I think we've needed him just as much. He's the closest thing to a brother I've had in years." Jim told her, with a real smile as he turned to join the others at the car.
Sudden motion in the corner of Jim's eye made him turn, all he saw was a man running from behind the house
"Incoming!" he yelled already running as the word left his mouth.
McCoy jerked to a stop and automatically turned to shield Jo against the rear fender curling his body around her as Spock and Rhymer stepped in front of them protectively. The stranger managed to bowl Rhymer over with an elbow to the stomach, and stagger Spock with a full body check. At the sound of a falling body McCoy braced himself for whatever would happen next, there wasn't anything he could do except shield Joanna from the attack, she was more important. With and almost sixth sense he curled further around his daughter, training and instinct making him brace for the blow he knew was coming.
The man started to swing at McCoy and Joanna as Jim reached them. He threw his whole weight into a flying tackle, shoulder first into the stranger's stomach. It felt a bit like hitting a brick wall to Jim as they hit the ground, but the stranger got the worst of it, as his breath left his body in a loud rush from the impacts.
Jim immediately rolled off and stood next to Spock as Rhymer lay on the ground struggling to get his own breath back.
"Bones get in the car!" he barked never taking his eyes off their attacker, as McCoy swiftly turned to see what had happened
"Damnit Jim! Be careful, I already got enough to worry about today." McCoy replied as he got the door open and gently placed Joanna inside. He was torn between staying to help Jim and the need to get Joanna to safety, as he opened the driver's door watching the scene in front of him.
"I will Bones." Jim replied as the stranger started to sit up, shaking his head to clear it he focused on Spock's and Rhymer's uniforms.
"It would be illogical to continue your attempts to pass us. We will be forced to detain you until the authorities arrive in any means necessary" Spock informed him coldly bringing his focus back to them. Jim felt a shiver run down his spine at his friend's cold matter of fact tone; it always made him think of death for some reason.
After a good look at them he chuckled slightly, still getting his breath back and stood. Jim recognized him from the images Rhymer had put together, Victor Donovan. He was about McCoy's age, 6'4" and at least 260 lbs black hair and grey eyes.
"You ain't gonna stop me. Besides I got y'all on kidnappin'." Victor sneered either not noticing or caring that Jim and Spock were ready for him this time.
"Bones; don't worry about us, get Joanna out of here, and get to Uhura. Go! That's an order Doctor!" Jim barked adding the last before his friend could raise objections.
"Aye Captain." He replied sullenly getting in and starting the engine, Jim hardly ever used that tone; it was the hard commanding tone that no one could or dared argue with because it meant following orders was the only way out.
Victor started laughing, "Captain? There's no way you're a Captain, boy."
"And just how would you know what I am?" Jim shot back, fists tightening.
"No one would trust a punk like you with a rowboat, let alone a starship no matter what crazy costumes you're wearin'." Victor said taking a step closer as they heard the car start up and pull away. "The bastard Joss was married to is more likely to be a captain than you, punk." He sneered.
"Do you wanna bet on that, Victor? Do you really wanna bet that Spock and I aren't a Starfleet Captain and First Officer, and Dr McCoy didn't just drive away with his daughter?" Jim said; his voice dropping to a soft, dangerous tone.
"That's right cause it wasn't; you don't know the first thing about ships, you or that phony pointy eared bastard." Victor said taking another step forward. Jim's eyes were starting to blaze with fury.
"I know a lot of things, Victor. Like I know you think you're tuff, taking on a 10 year old girl. I also know you're nothing but a bully and a coward. How are you at taking on someone your own size who can fight back? Or are you too chicken? " Jim replied his voice taking on the mocking tone Spock first heard on the bridge two years before and seemed calculated to infuriate his Captain's opponent.
"I'm more than man enough to take down a stuck up punk kid like you and that fake freak next to you, everyone knows Vulcans don't fight." Victor snarled.
"You wouldn't stand a chance, against Spock; and even less of a one against me you fucking bastard." Jim said, his voice going hard and angry, eyes blazing at the man in front of him. Spock took a cautious step to the right both to give Jim more room and because he could feel the fury surrounding the younger man growing with each taunt from his opponent.
"I'm gonna enjoy this, cause you're the one that don't stand a chance!" Was Victors reply as he threw a right at Jim's head.
Jim shifted out of the way at the last second so the blow went past his ear. Victor seemed surprised that he'd missed and swung with his left, again Jim shifted out of range. Before Victor could try again Jim threw a right hook into his opponents jaw. Victor took a step back in shock, as Jim followed up with a rapid left cross and a right to the nose. They all heard the crunch of bone as Victor's nose broke and blood poured down his face. Victor threw another punch only to miss again as the younger man dodged. Jim threw a right cross at his jaw, knocking Victor back another step, and pressed his advantage in speed with a rapid series of blows and kicks that he'd learned at the Academy, sparing Sulu, Spock and various other crew members as well as in various bar fights over the years. Any serious blow from Victor that he couldn't outright dodge was blocked or knocked off target by a powerful sweep of Jim's arms, forcing another opening at the larger man's body.
An unblocked blow to Jim's left side made him step back slightly and Victor tried a wild haymaker that got lucky, clipping Jim's right ear as he tried to duck. It was enough to stagger him as he shook his head to clear it. But as Victor moved in to try for an easy shot, Jim surprised him with a right upper cut with all his strength behind it, and watched with a bit of pride as Victor's head snapped back as he was knocked to his full height for a moment before he staggered back a couple steps shaking his head. They watched him warily as he wobbled a bit before trying, drunkenly, to take a step forward, stumbling to one knee.
"I'll tell you something before I hand you over to the cops. You just pissed off the command crew of the wrong damn starship, Victor. Dr McCoy's appealing the divorce settlement, and filing for full custody of Joanna. And since Starfleet will be trying the case you and you little sugar mama there will be out on your asses before you know it. I promise you that." Jim held his opponent's slightly foggy stare, his own eyes still blazing, as he made that promise.
As the sound of sirens reached them, Jim glanced at Spock and Rhymer, checking on them as Rhymer stood, hand still pressed to his stomach.
As Jim's attention shifted, Victor let out a roar and slammed into him, sending them both to the ground hard. Jim saw stars, as his head struck the ground, stunned for a moment, and Victor's hands were around his throat, before he could react.
Spock was frozen for half a second at the suddenness of the attack, then his own training kicked in and he reached for the nerves at the point where Victor's neck and shoulder joined. All it took was a fast squeeze and Victor dropped unconscious, over Jim. Jocelyn screamed in shock from the porch as Spock with Rhymer's help quickly pulled his limp body off Jim and dropped him unceremoniously on the grass.
"Mrs. Parker, may I borrow your phaser?" Rhymer called, still slightly winded, as Spock knelt by Jim who rolled onto his right elbow coughing and gasping for breath, left hand gingerly rubbing his throat.
"Are you alright Jim?" Spock asked, tentatively laying a hand on his shoulder. Jim looked up at him as a smirk crossed his face.
"Yeah, - I just forgot how- awful getting chocked- is. It's been- two years since- anyone tried to." Jim said with a hoarse chuckle. Seeing the remorse in Spock's eyes he sat up, gripping Spock's forearm. "I don't mean you Spock. This- brought back Nero's attempt not -yours. You -only used one hand" he finished with a grin and watched Spock nod and relax.
"I did not think I needed more than one at the time," Spock said making Jim chuckle again as the cops and Uhura arrived, followed by Bones and Joanna.
As he pulled away from the curb McCoy shot one last glance back at his friends in the rearview mirror before grabbing his communicator.
"McCoy to Uhura come in damnit."
"Uhura, what's going on Doctor?" she answered sounding worried.
"Tell damn cops to get the lead outta their asses and get to the house!" He snapped into the device. "Jim ordered me to take Jo and get out cause all hell was breakin' lose."
"What happened?" Uhura demanded as a female voice in the background snapped an order.
"The bastard showed up as we were leavin'. He took out Rhymer, knocked Spock around, then tried to attack Jo and me before Jim stopped him." He growled in reply. "Where the hell are you?"
"We're hitting the sirens now, Len. ETA in two." she replied worry more pronounced in her voice as McCoy spotted the first of five cars turning the corner a block ahead.
"I'm pullin' over and followin' you back." McCoy told her as the cars raced by and he pulled a u-turn to follow them back, praying that Jim, Spock and Rhymer were alright though he knew Jim could hold his own in a fight.
Uhura was out of the car ahead of the officers as Spock helped Jim up.
"Are you alright?" she asked as she reached them, worriedly laying a hand on their arms as she saw Jim's neck.
"Yeah I'm fine; slightly sore ribs, headache, a few bruises, busted knuckles and sore throat." he paused rubbing his neck again. "Rhymer got the wind knocked out of him and I don't think Spock actually got hit at all, just body checked." Jim told her as the officers reached them.
"I believe you will want to restrain him before he awakens." Spock advised the officers who were hovering uncertainly over Victor. "I am not entirely sure when he will regain consciousness, as I have not performed the maneuver on so large a human opponent. It has required as long as 90 minutes on occasion but I am uncertain if that will be the case." The officers were staring at Spock like he'd grown another head, making Jim start laughing.
"Excuse me young man but what are you findin' so funny?" asked the officer in charge as she edged through the group. She was probably close to Pike's age, graying brown hair and no nonsense hazel eyes.
"Sorry Ma'am, just a reaction to the fight."Jim told her, a bit sheepishly, swallowing the rest of his laughter and stiffening as Victor began to moan, and tried to sit up.
"I'm Capt. Logan. And you are? Get some cuffs on him" she snapped at the other officers and then looked expectantly at Jim, Spock, and Rhymer. Jim could hear Bones in the street yelling at one of the officers.
"Captain, if you would, please let Dr McCoy and his daughter through. It'll be easier to explain; since they're the reason we're here," Jim asked reasonably, shifting to mirror Spock's parade rest stance as much as his ribs would allow. The Captain motioned for her men to let the Doctor and Joanna through. McCoy hurried over, still holding Joanna, who had the med bag on her lap.
"Jim, what the hell have you done to yourself now?" he asked semi-rhetorically, as he looked him over carefully. Jim chuckled watching Uhura pull her recorder out and start it from the corner of his eye.
"Don't worry Bones, every thing's minor even for me." He turned to Captain Logan, waiting patiently by Spock, and cleared his throat. "Capt Logan, I'm Captain James T Kirk of the USS Enterprise, my First Officer Cmdr Spock, and CMO Dr. Leonard McCoy, and his daughter Joanna, also Lt Cmdr Rhymer of Starfleet JAG, and you've met my Communications Officer Lt Nyota Uhura. We came down here today because we found out that Joanna was injured and not receiving proper medical care. Dr. McCoy has filed an appeal on his divorce with Starfleet, and the papers were to be delivered on Monday I believe along with the paperwork for the Doctor to pick Joanna up immediately. We moved it up to today for reasons of her safety," Jim explained formally watching the Captain as she took in Joanna's appearance gravely. He just managed to suppress a smirk at the look of horror on Victor's face at the introduction.
"And you didn't think to inform me beforehand?" Captain Logan snapped at Jim.
"We learned of her condition this morning, at approximately 0630 Pacific Time, and departed immediately after collecting Lt Cmdr Rhymer and informing Admirals Archer and Pike of the situation. Adm. Pike informed us before we left that he would be getting in contact with you to expect our arrival. In addition, we left Lt Uhura at your headquarters over an hour ago to brief you on any particulars of our mission that the Admiral might have omitted as well as hand over the necessary documentation. That should have been more than sufficient to assess the data and be prepared if we required your assistance," Spock said in a slightly puzzled tone of voice, one eyebrow raised.
"Unfortunately it wasn't, Commander, Captains; because the ba- secretary in the office wouldn't let me in to pass on the information for over forty-five minutes," Uhura explained grimly. "He kept saying that you weren't to be disturbed by and I quote: matters that were unimportant to the APD and could be better handled by the proper authorities, and that I couldn't be in Starfleet because they wouldn't let a distraction like me on board, unquote, Captain," Uhura explained frustration and anger clearly evident to the others. "Commander Rhymer told him that we had important information and I repeatedly told him that the APD was needed to arrest an abuser and or to secure a Starfleet officer's property until proper Starfleet personnel could arrive. He kept repeating himself until I created a distraction and snuck in. Yes Captain I took a page out of your book. If I haven't said so before thank you for the lessons, they do come in handy." She finished shooting Jim a half exasperated half pleased look.
Capt Logan was scowling at the ground in front of her boots. Finally she looked up at Uhura "My apologies Captain, Lieutenant. Officer Gerrard will be reprimanded for this. It's not the first time he's taken his job past the point of common sense. What did you mean about taking a page from your Captain's book Lieutenant? And why are you allowing such free speech Captain Kirk?"
Jim chuckled exchanging a look with Uhura. "I'm sure you've heard the rumors about the reputation I had at the Academy for getting into and out of places I technically shouldn't be. Also we, Lt Uhura, Dr. McCoy and I, were classmates at the Academy as well as the Doctor and I being roommates,"Jim explained with a slightly embarrassed smile. "Besides you can't really argue with your CMO." Capt Logan nodded, she could understand the friendships that had been cemented in the kind of ordeal they'd been through two years ago; she'd seen it before in much less dire situations
"Alright now can you explain what your First Officer was saying as I walked up?" She looked at Spock waiting for him to explain.
"Captain Logan, there is a technique among Vulcans that will render the victim unconscious for a time without harming them. There is a set of nerves at the base of the neck that when pinched in the correct manner accomplishes this. When Mr. Donovan attacked the Captain the second time I had the opening to use it. Though, as you heard me say, I am unused to subduing large humans in this manner, I have on several occasions used it on other humanoid races, but they are also physically much stronger than humans, so I thought it unwise to use the same pressure that I would on a Klingon or Romulan of the same size. I used the same force that I would to render a human of the same size as Dr. McCoy or the Captain unconscious. As you can see it did not work for more than seven minutes but it did allow for his restraint and prevented him from strangling the Captain." Spock explained formally.
"Yeah it just gives you a headache from hell." Jim muttered audibly, with an amused glance at his XO, who returned a Vulcan smirk over the shared memory.
Capt Logan looked slightly bewildered by the exchange until McCoy came to her rescue. "Don't worry 'bout it Captain. Spock and Jim didn't see eye to eye at first, two years ago and the Commander knocked him out that way once to shut him up."
"Alright. Now, what happened to lead up to our arrival?" Capt Logan asked bringing the discussion back to the subject at hand.
"Can I help Len? I know I can't hold her, but I can help her balance," Uhura asked before Jim could start, knowing the Doctor was itching to get a look at what Jim had done to himself this time.
"Ok Uhura, be careful. Jo, stay with Uhura please, so I can check out these two yahoos and Lt Cmdr Rhymer." he half requested with a glance at the other men.
"Sure, Daddy" she said as he carefully set her down so she was leaning against Uhura's side.
As Jim started to explain the last week's happenings, McCoy started with Rhymer, throwing in his account as he worked. Rhymer and Spock were fine, just a few bruises and for once Jim, surprisingly enough, wasn't down playing his own injuries, much to his relief; though he would be checking on the blow to his left side just to be sure there was no damage to his friend's ribs.
After they were finished, Captain Logan turned to Joanna and after a few brief questions about what happened and her father's catalogue of her injuries; she quietly ordered both Victor and Jocelyn taken into custody.
"Captain, Lt Uhura has recorded want we've told you here today. Will that be enough of a statement at least for now or do we need to stop by the precinct as well?" Jim asked as Victor was hauled to his feet, still staring in shock at them.
"I think that will be enough for now but we will need formal statements from all of you at some point," she replied thoughtfully.
"Cmdr Rhymer has statements from all of us covering what happened up to today in the paperwork that Lt Uhura gave you," Jim said.
"That will make this a bit easier then. Thank you Capt Kirk, Lieutenant," she replied as they shook hands and Uhura gave her the recorded disk.
The majority of the cars were gone in minutes and after bidding them goodbye, Capt Logan turned to set up the watch on the house. They got into the car, Spock driving, and headed to Atlanta General, with a police car following.