DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of these characters, they still and will always belong to the writers:)

NOTE: I apologise for the super late update. I'm not as happy with this chapter as I have been with the others, but tell me what you guys think :D
NOTE: Thanks again to TheLonelyMonstersCompanion for editing my work :)

Chapter 8
Star Date: 26/07/2262
Time Remaining: 22 hours

I must admit the reaction of the army doctor was a lot less severe than I had originally thought. All he did was stare at Uhura for a couple of seconds, before nodding shortly and staring straight ahead. Uhura was right in saying this man was a soldier. He held himself like a military man. I feel a light tap on my shoulder and I notice Uhura has joined me in observing the man.
"He took it a lot better than I thought he would. Are you certain he's the right man?" I glance at her quickly, then return my gaze to the short man on the bed.
"Yeah. He's our man." I'm interrupted by the loud bang of a swinging door hitting a wall as three officers walk in, escort formation. In the middle of them is Holmes. He pushes through the guards and walks over to his friend. The extremity of the death stare that Watson gives the man is so severe that I almost start laughing. Uhura and I stand together awkwardly as the two men have a hushed conversation until Holmes straightened up. Watson leaned around his friend and looked me in the eye,
"In that case, then yes. I accept." He speaks directly to me, ignoring the shocked face of his friend. I nod at him and look at Bones for confirmation; he too nods and then continues on with his work. Holmes looks from Watson to me before saying,
"John, what are you doing?" The look his friend gives him seems to confuse the taller man further, and he stands impatiently, waiting for an answer.
" I thought they told you, Sherlock." Watson replies, "I'm taking up the role as their doctor's assistant. I'm going to work for The Enterprise."

This time the incredulous look of confusion on Holmes' face is too much for me and I attempt to cover my amused snort with a cough, earning me a sharp elbow in the ribs from Uhura.
"I'd keep your mouth shut unless you want to be punched in the face by an angry 300 year old man." She hissed in my ear as Holmes turned on me,
"What the hell does he mean he is working for The Enterprise?" I knew it wasn't a question, but despite the warning look from Uhura I answered,
"Your friend has the capabilities and doctorate qualifications that we need in our medic bay. Even if a little 'out-dated' we still thought we should offer him the job. So we did, and he took it." The simplicity of the plan seems to confuse the man further. As he continues to look incredulously from me to Watson, a cool voice from directly behind me almost makes me jump. Almost.
"Captain, you wanted to see me? I have left Sulu with the comm." Spock doesn't bother to keep his voice down and the deep monotone catches the attention of Holmes, who turns around and glares at Spock. I step back, this is about to get interesting.
"Of course you have something to do with this." Holmes said, leaving his friends side and walking towards Spock. Being stopped only by the two guards that step between them. "I know you enjoy the idea of having an intellectual advantage over the rest of these people. These 'ordinary' people. But don't think for a second that I am one of them." This seemed to stump the Vulcan and I almost laughed. It was a rare sight for Spock to be caught speechless, and he obviously was not enjoying the sensation. Turning to me he spoke starkly and quickly,
"Captain I would advise that you make Mr. Holmes aware of the situation immediately. We have twenty-two hours and counting." Right. The countdown. Shit. Sending Spock back to The Bridge I turn to Holmes, who is still fuming after his little spat at the Vulcan.

"Look. Holmes. Whatever you and Watson have to figure out, it can wait. We've received a…message from someone who seems to be interested in you. Now, don't worry we…"
"The name you are searching for is Khan." Holmes interrupted me. I stare at him for a second, not too sure if he's kidding or not but Holmes holds my look levelling. Until finally I break eye-contact and pull out my communicator.
"Chekov? Send Commander Spock down immediately. Tell him it's urgent." I don't wait for the reply as I spin around to face Holmes,
"So you mean to say, that while you were being held in our brig, our soundproof brig, a man who is supposed to be asleep in a chryo-tube got onto this ship and spoke to you?" The sarcasm is clear in my voice, but obviously not clear enough for Holmes.
"Yes." His voice is a monotonic drone, this man isn't kidding around.

"You have to be joking! There is no way on earth that Khan could be out of those tubes. And even if he was there is no way that he could be on this ship!" Holmes rolls his eyes at me, and then focuses his attention on something behind me.
"I am sure your Vulcan friend will be able to explain the clearly over-intellectual way that Khan contacted me, seeing as it seems too much for you, Captain." His voice was dripping as I resist rolling my eyes and turning around to face Spock, who seems almost, if only a little, shocked.
"Holmes is telling the truth. Mister Chekov and I checked the security tapes of the holding brig and there was a holographic image projected into that room. We traced the image back to its original point of creation and managed to create an image of the said holograph. He's back." Spock didn't drop my eye contact as he spoke, and swearing under my breath I turned back to Holmes, who had a satisfied smirk on his face.
"He gave you a request didn't he." It wasn't a question, but Holmes nodded. Advancing quickly on the still smirking sociopath I spoke quickly,
"Whatever the hell you are thinking, whatever sort of incredible deal he gave you, you have to listen to me. Do, not, take it." But the man only smirked, locking his blue-grey eyes on mine,
"I have 24 hours to consider his request. Give me a good reason to stay by then and I will. But let me tell you Captain, that if you don't give me a decent reason to stay on this ship I will take Khan up on his offer. And he, will, destroy you."

End of Chapter 8! Thanks so much for being patient with this story and again I'm sorry about the late update :/
Reviews and any feedback is awesome!
Next update will be ASAP