"There's no pulse doctor!"

"I know there is no god damn pulse! Get me a cardiostimular and a hypospray of adrenaline"

The frustrated shout was torn from breathless lungs. The wheels of the metal gurney protested their abuse loudly as four men ran determinedly down a medical wing corridor.

Two of those men were dressed in the pale green garments of Star Fleet Surgeons. They each had firm holds of the metal transport, pulling the portable bed quickly towards the waiting doors of the open surgery ward.

With his knees braced either side of the patient's hips, Leonard McCoy leaned forwards, bracing one hand next to the man's head and pressed a small silver hypospray firmly against his neck. The device hissed loudly, shooting the desired drug directly into a carotid artery. The medical scanner held in his free hand bleeped, before the continuous flat line pitch of an unresponsive heart sang from the device.

"God damn it!" McCoy swore, his face contorting into a wide grimace.

"Give me another spray. Increase the dosage!" The Doctor snapped. The gurney jerked violently as it span around a corner, nearly unseating McCoy as they flew towards their destination. A hand gripped his belt, keeping him upright.

McCoy did need to look behind him to know who had gripped his belt. Commander Pike had not left Spock's side since he had stormed into the communications laboratory fifteen minutes earlier. Uhura had been transported directly to another section of the infirmary as soon as the medical team had arrived. Her mental state was very weak, but thankfully her wounds were superficial.

Bado had not been so lucky. His testicles had been torn from his scrotum, which had caused a serious amount of bleeding. Nothing a clotting device and some morphine couldn't fix. He had been taken to the academy's holding cells, where he would wait until McCoy could be bothered to visit him. Right now,he had more pressing matters to deal with.

Another hypospray landed in his waiting hand, which was instantly pressed against the green tinted skin on Spock's neck. As before, his medical scanner bleeped in recognition of the induced drug. It took two point four seconds longer for the unresponsive tone to show there had been no effect.

"DAMN IT!" The profanity was voiced as an aggravated shout.

"Still no response! Come on you pointy eared bastard!" McCoy swore, clenching his hand into a fist and brining it down firmly against Spock's left side – directly over his heart. Not exactly a professional method, but McCoy was getting desperate

"Pull faster! Run as if your mama's are after you! MOVE!" McCoy snapped at the two surgeons. They complied, breaking into an awkward sprint. At the end of the corridor, the main doors of the open surgery laboratory swung open, revealing the white clad frame of Doctor Piri and two other surgeons.

"Any response?!" Piri shouted, running down the corridor to meet them.

"None at all" McCoy snarled, running his tricorder desperately over Spock's torso. Behind his white mask, Piri's face scrunched into an angry scowl. He took hold of the side of the gurney, tugging against it as he broke into a run.

"Damage assessment?" Piri said, his eyes focused on their destination.

"Second degree burns to his left kidney and a deep laceration to his gallbladder. First degree burns to his stomach, evidence of internal bleeding. Severe bruising to the epidermis and papillary dermis over his pancreas and stomach" McCoy responded, listing off the injuries quickly. Piri said nothing, turning himself around and backing into the waiting room. McCoy squinted as the bright electrical lights glared from the ceiling, turning his head in annoyance.

"No immediate damage to his heart?" Piri asked. The small group wheeled the gurney into the room, McCoy swinging his legs over Spock's body and jumping down onto the floor to help Piri and the two surgeons pull Spock's body over onto the waiting medibed. As soon as he was comfortably placed, the sensor screens fastened into the wall opposite the bed flared to life, instantly registering the Vulcan's non existent life signs.

"Nurse Castell, I want you to find every available scrap of information we have on Vulcan physiology and anatomy in our database. I need to know everything! Nurse Baker, I want three vials of adrenaline induced with Phenylephirne and Deferoxamine. I'm initiating a Code White Resuscitation. Commander Pike, out" Piri snapped out his orders with a clipped tone. The two nurses rushed in opposite directions. In the corner of the room, McCoy slipped into his white overalls, fastening the strings securely.

Pike stood next to Spock's bed. Looking down at his friend with a face aged by stress. Dark bags hung under his eyes, contrasting violently with the grey tone of his skin. When he had heard the security alarm blaring across the academy, his heart had damn near fallen through his feet. He had not needed the hurried and panicked report from Sergeant Hallows to know that something had happened to Uhura. He had been out of his door and sprinting across the grounds before the name of the second casualty had registered in his mind.

Spock...

Pike had not known what to expect when he had flung himself into the communications laboratory. He only had to look at the three individuals in the room to know what had happened. Bado had infiltrated the academy, tried to attack Uhura – and Spock had protected her. Getting himself shot, twice, in the process.

"Commander...get out" Piri's voice forced him to turn from his solemn thoughts. The elderly doctor's dark eyes glared at him from across the room. Pike momentarily thought about refusing. He was the superior officer in this room. Yet he knew he had no place in an operating theatre.

With a deep sigh, Pike turned – heading towards the doors. He stopped. Glancing over his shoulder to level a purposeful glare at the scowling Doctor.

"Do what you can Piri. I'm holding you personally responsible for what happens to Commander Spock from this point on" Pike said quietly. Piri's eyes widened slightly, before he lowered his head in a hesitant nod. Pike returned the gesture, and stepped from the brightly lit room.

The large wooden doors swung closed behind him.

Two days later

There was a hand stroking her hair. Warm, large, and so socomforting.

Uhura felt herself sighing, relaxing at the familiar gesture. When she was very small, her mama used to do this for her. Stroke her hair until she fell into a content sleep. But she knew it was not her mother beside her hospital bed. Her mama was still in Kitui. She would be arriving tomorrow with her Papa.

They were here to take her home.

She wasnt leaving Starfleet...after all she had done, had been put through to gain her place at the academy, there was no way she was going to allow herself to run. To simply flee from her memories and the experiences that came with them, but...even though she had already planned to spend her Spring Break back home - having her family here to pick her up made her feel as though she was taking a deliberate break. Like she was being forced to rest and leave the academy grounds. She needed that...to be taken care of...

She had been put into a prolonged dreamless sleep the moment she had arrived in the infirmary. She could not remember how she had gotten there, or even for how long she had been sleeping. All she could recall was a hissing pressure of a hypospray pressing against her neck, and then she had woken up. Heavy and disorientated, her eyes protesting the bright glare of the sun shining through her window.

Only a few minutes after she had woken up, McCoy had come to see her. He had not told her anything about Spock. Purposefully avoiding the subject when she had asked. In the end, Uhura had been so distraught, she had thrown the vase of flowers next to her bed directly a McCoy's head. Forcing her friend the make a hasty retreat. When he had quickly left, Uhura had wept. Screaming painful sobs that burst from her lungs as pathetic wails.

There was only one reason McCoy would not tell her about Spock.

He was dead.

Killed protecting her.The most honorable and decent man she had ever met had died for her. How on earth was she supposed to deal with that?

Uhura did not want to open her eyes. If she did, she would have to face the reality that would meet her. The harsh glare of the hospital rooms lights, the metallic and scented aroma cleaning products and medical equipment. She did not want to see the curious and pitying looks the hospital staff gave her as they past her room. Nor the darkly clothed shoulder of a the security official standing outside her room. He had been there for the last twenty four hours. She had overheard him talking to one of the receptionist. It was for 'the patient's safety' he had said. He was only there to keep a watchful eye until the prisoner was transferred off planet.

Uhura had deliberately turned away from the door. Folding her pillow over her ears to shut out as much noise as possible. She couldn't deal with all this. When the unknown cadet had died in the canteen after Bado first 'attack' on her, it had taken every ounce of mental strength she had to keep herself composed. Even though she didn't know it, Gaila had been her rock during those first few days. Her friend's unwavering support and trust had allowed her to keep her head held up. But back then...there was also another who had held out a hand and become a impenetrable wall of comfort. Someone who had stood by her and hadn't needed to say anything.

Uhura did not try to hold back the anguished tears that fell down her face. Spock was dead. And it was all her fault.

The hand caressing her hair stilled, and a large warm finger brushed along her cheek, scooping up her tears gently.

"Shhh little star..." The voice was soft. Deep. Frowning, Uhura turned her head slightly towards the speaker, her brows furrowed. She knew that voice...but there was no way he could be here...

"Kamau?" The name crept from her lips as a whisper. The presence on the side of her bed moved, becoming closer, warmer. A hand cupped her cheek, the pad of his thump rough as it brushed under her eyes.

Uhura let her eyes peek open, frowning as they refused to focus. The burred and distorted features of a man swan into view. A pair of heartbreakingly familiar brown eyes looked back at her.

"Kamau!" Her brother blinked in surprise as Uhura suddenly rolled herself over onto her back, her spine bending as she sat up and laced her arms tightly around his neck. There was more soft movement from the other side of the room. With her face buried into Kamau's neck, Uhura did not see the other person until a small weight sat beside her on the bed – and another pair of warm arms embraced her.

"Oh...oh my sweet girl" Kamau's deep voice rumbled through him, his arms tightening around her body. Uhura wept quietly into the side of his neck, her body shaking weakly as she clung to her beloved brother as tightly as she could.

As individual as humans and Vulcans were in terms of physiology and mental stability, the two humanoid species had a few things in common. Appearance was one. An intolerance to certain foods was another.

McCoy had only intended to make a quick visit to the replicator in the staff room, he was in desperate need of a strong coffee - and no creature on the planet (human or nort) was going to stop him. That was before he caught site of her.

It seemed a unadulterated fear of a rampaging woman was another thing his race and those pointy eared bastards had in common. McCoy halted his purposeful march down the hallway, lowering his clip board to watch the small woman charging towards him. A tall man followed closely behind her, his face calm and detached, yet his hurried pace and stiff posture told of his annoyance.

McCoy flattened himself against the wall as the woman past him, her features tight as she looked in each of the rooms she passed. Frowning, McCoy raised his hand, intending to call out to her and inform her that all visitors had to sign in at the reception. A quick glance from her husband as he hurried passed the confused doctor was all the warning McCoy needed. He quickly dropped his hand, turning his scowl on the receptionist leaning over her desk instead.

Frowning, McCoy sent a longing look at the visible replicator before walking towards the reception desk, leaning on the hard surface. The receptionist (Julie, according to her name tag) returned his glare with equal fever.

"And who was that?" McCoy asked. Julie shrugged, lowering herself back into her seat.

"I don't know. They didn't tell me" The woman replied airily. McCoy frowned, and rubbed his hands tiredly across the bridge of his nose.

"Are they registered in the computer?" He said slowly. Julie raised her head to scowl at him.

"I'd know who they were if they were registered, Doctor"

McCoy let out a soft growl, resisting the urge the hit his head against the table. He had no idea how this women had even been given the job of a hospital receptionist. She had the personality of a goat. He'd hate to think of what she'd be like as a Doctor. He had always been slightly prejudice towards Julie. Through no fault of her own. She simply had the misfortune of having the same colouring (and personality) of his ex-wife. He had tried – really tried, to ignore that fact. Thankfully, Julie gave him enough reason on her own for him to dislike her.

"Well, just for shits and giggles, how about you have a look at the computer?" McCoy snapped. Julie ignored him, focusing on straightening the small pot of pens beside her. The thin nerve holding his polite reserve in place snapped. He placed his hands firmly on the desk, standing himself upright and sending a heated glare at the woman below him.

"Julie, as your superior officer, I am ordering you to find out who that couple were – and who they are here to visit. I don't need to remind you there is a mad man locked up in this very building. Everyone who comes into the infirmary needs a level 3 security pass!" McCoy ordered, his voice raising. The glare Julie sent him could have melted ice.

"Of course, sir" Julie sneered, purposefully drawling out the title. She slowly turned her chair towards the computer console, using one finger to enter her login details.

"Belay that order" A voice behind McCoy called out. Scowling, McCoy turned. His frown instantly disappearing from his face as the tired features of Christopher Pike looked back at him.

"Commander?" McCoy asked. Pike smiled weakly and nodded his head in the direction the unusual couple had disappeared.

"Ambassoder Sarek and his wife, Amanda Greyson. They are Spock's parents" McCoy felt his heart sink.

"Oh..."

"A coma?" The word was whispered through a throat that was constricted by tears. With his face grim, Sarek stepped forwards, placing his hands on his wife's shoulders.

The room they stood in was small. The majority of the space taken up by the large medibed his son lay on. Barely an inch of Spock's body was not covered in plastic tubing or bandages. Nearly all of the latter stained a pale green with fresh blood. His complexion was very pale. The usual porcelain tone of his skin was a sickly lime green – an indication that his blood was not circulation his body properly.

Amanda had found their sons room before he had. Charging through medical staff and Doctors alike until she skidded to a halt with a loud gasp.

The view that had greeted him when he had stepped next to his wife was no one any father should have to see. His family followed the teaching of Surak strictly, never once wavering from their pursuit of knowledge and understanding of those around them. They had learnt to never allow their emotions to rule their minds. Sarek had faced the death of many of his kinsmen and relatives with the same cool detachment he gave every other aspect of his life.

The sight of his only son's body lying unmoving before him was nearly enough to shatter years of training. His heart constricted painfully, causing an ache in his side. There was a Doctor in the room when they entered. He had looked up in startled annoyance, a scanner held in his hand.

Amanda stormed right past him, bending over Spock's body and placing a small hand on his forehead.

"What's wrong with him?" She whispered. The Doctor cleared his through, turning to observe the quiet vulcan standing in the doorway. Seemingly coming to the conclusion that they were his patients parents, he sighed and placed his scanner carefully into the pocket of his white jacket.

"Due to the severity of his injuries, we had to put him in a coma forty five hours ago" The Doctor replied solemnly.

"A coma?" Amanda whispered. The Doctor nodded and stepped forwards to stand next to the woman's.

"His injuries were severe. However, we managed to repair the damaged organs and stop all internal bleeding in surgery"

"So why is he in a Coma?" Amanda asked. Piri looked slightly uncomfortable.

"We were forced to remove his gallbladder due to forth degree burns. Ah...we did extensive research into Vulcan anatomy and physiology to make sure the organ was not as um...'needed' as it is in the human body. During this operation he flat-lined for thirty eight seconds. We restarted his heart with a cardiostimular. Unfortunately, this procedure caused a blockage in one of the arteries that carries oxygen to the brain. We placed him in a medically induced coma and put him on an artificial stimulator to keep him breathing whilst we removed the clot" Piri explained, attempting to keep his voice even.

"And then what?" Amanda asked quietly. She had not turned during Piri's speech, her fingers busy gently brushing the hair across Spock's forehead. His left eyelid twitched slightly.

"...We are waiting for a EEG response from his frontal lobes" Piri explained weakly. Sarek stepped further into the room, frowning at the none responsive lines on the monitor above the bed.

"EEG tests are used to diagnose a coma" He stated. Piri nodded, turning towards the older man. He tilted his head in a gesture of greeting and respect.

"We are using the EEG to monitor his brain waves"

"Monitor them?" Amanda asked softly, finally turning away from her son.

"His cerebral cortex and reticular activating system are still active. But they are weak. To weak to show up on the monitor. But they are still functioning, which is a very good sign. He just needs time..." Piri said softly. He lifted his arm to place a comforting hand on Amanda's elbow.

"He just needs time..."

AN: A little shorter than the others, but its an update! Yeay! I could'nt leave you guys in suspence for much longer. :D I hope I really confused/surprised you guys with this one xD I know I made my darling BETA's testers jaw hit the floor in a few places.

Sorry about the delay. I suck. :D