and the conclusion to our exciting episode! sorry for the cliff hanger! T_T
oh and still dont own star trek

Episode 1-12 The Menagerie pt2

They new day started and Saya was again in the hearing room wondering if there was anything she could do to help. Spock explained to the captains that the Keeper had taken over control of their screen so they were unable of not seeing the images being sent to them.

They continued to watch the story unfold and Saya wondered if Spock wanted to take Captain Pike to the keepers so that they could have him and that girl be free if only in their mind's. After some time the images stopped because Captain Pike was fatigued. Kirk commented that it meant they cared about Pike and Mendez demanded to know why they wanted Pike back.

They reconvened an hour from the planet and this time the video didn't start. Spock asked Pike to signal for them to wait saying it was his life now. "You keep talking about life, . A chance for life. How? As a prisoner, caged, a zoo specimen, living the illusions that amuse his keepers?" Kirk asked.

Spock again asked for more time and Mendez demanded a verdict. All 3 men voted guilty, though Kirk seemed pained to have to, and Saya didn't know what would happen from there. Still since Spock faced it with attempted calm she would also.

"Talos controls the vessel now, sir, as they did thirteen years ago. You've asked me why. You'll see the answer now." Spock said and the video started again. After it finished Captain Pike seemed more than just enthralled. Saya could see the longing and wondered if it was for the woman or for his former glory.

Kirk got up and started to address Mendez who disappeared. Suddenly one of the Talosians was on the screen mentally talking to them. "What you now seem to hear, Captain Kirk, are my thought transmissions. The Commodore was never aboard your vessel. His presence there and in the shuttlecraft was an illusion. had related to us your strength of will. It was thought the fiction of a court-martial would divert you from too soon regaining control of your vessel. Captain Pike is welcome to spend the rest of his life with us, unfettered by his physical body. The decision is yours and his."

Saya raised an eyebrow at all the planning that went into it and wondered why Spock had asked her to join with the trials. " , even if regulations are explicit, you could have come to me and explained." Kirk asked.

"Ask you to face the death penalty, too? One of us was enough, Captain." Spock answered. Kirk and Saya both smiled at the care in that response.

Suddenly Uhura over the com told them "Message from Starbase Eleven, sir. Received images from Talos Four. In view of historic importance of Captain Pike in space exploration, General Order Seven prohibiting contact Talos Four is suspended this occasion. No action contemplated against Spock. Proceed as you think best. Signed, Mendez, J.I., Commodore, Starbase Eleven." Saya could feel everyone's joy at that information.

Kirk asked Pike if he wanted to go and Pike signaled yes. Spock then thanked Kirk from both of them and Kirk told Spock to see Pike off. "May i say bye?" Saya asked quietly. At Pikes yes she leaned into his ear and whispered "I am glad to have met you and I hope the rest of your life is as happy as possible. Thank you for talking to me all those times we got to talk."

Spock started to push Pike from the room and Kirk added "Er, , when you're finished, please come back and see me. I want to talk to you. This regrettable tendency you've been showing lately towards flagrant emotionalism"

Spock replied "I see no reason to insult me, sir. I believe I've been completely logical about the whole affair." Saya looked from one to the other and started laughing. After a few moments she got herself under control. The laugh had done good to relieve the rest of her nerves.

The keeper showed them an image of young Vina and young Pike hand in hand and happy. "Captain Pike has an illusion, and you have reality. May you find your way as pleasant." The keeper told them before the screen went blank.

Kirk turned to Saya who was still grinning like a fool. "You knew something." He stated.

"Yes, I managed to ask the right set of 20 questions to figure out what was going on… well a little. The whole talos 4 thing and mental talosians thing I could have never guessed but that was doing something against you and the rules at great personal risk to help Captain Pike, I was able to get to with the help of Captain Pike." Saya answered.

"Yet you choose not to enlighten me?" Kirk asked.

"Well, first, you didn't ask." Kirk did a slight head nod to agree "Second, I kinda barely exist so I can't really do anything to help. And Third," Saya paused with a shy smile before again looking at Kirk and grinning "Well, has never done anything to hurt others that I have seen. He was sacrificing himself to help another. I can't stand in the way of that. It would go against what I believe."

Kirk stared at her for a few moments before asking "And what is it that you do believe ?"

Saya looked at the floor a moment then looked up at Kirk with a determined and almost challenging expression. "I believe that if you see wrong and don't stand up for what is right, you are as bad as those doing the wrong. Morality does not have a gray zone. It may have lighter black and darker white but there is no gray."

Kirk examined Saya for a few moments before he suggested "why don't you accompany me to dinner?"

Saya obliged and as they walked Kirk asked "so what do you think of personally?"

"Well, I like him. He is nice and not confusing, just straightforward." Saya answered.

"And what about his appearance?" Kirk asked.

Saya shrugged and smiled "He is quite handsome. Then again I think everyone on this ship is pretty darn good looking. I feel out of place there…"

Kirk smiled at her "You are better looking than you think. You don't hesitate to speak your mind do you?"

"Not really. I tend to be an open book. However on a different note, I'd like to add color to my hair, it's been a while. First, do i still get a rule exempt on it? And second are there any color restrictions for it?" Saya asked.

"Well, I will still exempt the colorful hair, just don't do clashing colors. Try to make it nice." Kirk answered. "I will take you by the salon after dinner if you would like." Saya agreed and they reached the mess hall. Spock soon joined them but once dinner was over Kirk told Spock "I will be borrowing your companion for a while ."

Spock raised an eyebrow but after a glance at Saya nodded and walked back to his room. Kirk took Saya to the salon and informed a beautician there to do as Saya asked even if it was against normal regulations. Saya asked the colors they had access too and soon choose to have a layered look. Green from the scalp fading into blue and then into purple at the ends. She had the underside bottom layer of her hair left it's natural color though.

Kirk watched and waited for her to get her hair done and the beautician even styled it for her so it was curly and bouncy around her shoulders. Kirk smiled at her and let her know she looked quite good as he escorted her back to her room. "Thank you. I know it's silly but coloring my hair bright is kinda a part of who I am so i would really dislike not being able to." Saya told him.

"Well we need to show your new hair now don't we." Kirk told her with a smile.

Saya shrugged but didn't resist. At Spock's door Kirk knocked and at the 'enter' walked in to see Spock at his desk seemingly thinking. Saya followed and suddenly Spock's eyes were on her and his eyebrow was raised. "I approved her dying her hair again and wanted to see what you think ." Kirk said with almost a sly smile.

Saya colored slightly and looked at the floor "I know it's illogical." She started and Spock interrupted "It is part of who you are."

Looking at him again she grinned. "They even styled it for me… though I doubt I will do anything other than a ponytail or twist normally." Kirk quietly excused himself and Spock offered Saya a seat.

"So everything worked out. I'm really glad for that." Spock nodded still examining her. Saya fidgeted a bit before asking "Ummm wanna show me how to play the 3d chess? I know basic but would like to play this type."

Spock turned around and picked up the chess set that was behind him. Putting it on the table between them he set the game up and explained the rules to Saya. "just warning you, you are likely gonna cream me in this so don't laugh at my lack of skill. k?"

"It would be illogical to laugh." Spock asked.

Saya chuckled and said "Forgot, it would actually go against your nature." Making a move they played for a while and Saya regularly felt Spock's eyes on her. After 3 very short but hard fought games on Sayas side, Saya finally excused herself to go to bed.

Saya thought about how stressful the day had been as she read and did her essay. Once done she went to bed happy that no one would be hurt and that Captain Pike was able to be happy too.

Spock was appreciative of the situation resolving in a completely positive way. He thought about the strange woman who came in with styled colorful hair and the fact that it strangly appealed to him rather than distasteful. He concluded it was something in her personality that made the illogically dyed hair not only fit her but seem to be an essential part of who she was.

*END*