New chapter guys! Read and review! Hopefully I've been getting better with the story! I feel a little bad about the quality of the earlier chapters and probably will go back to revise them.

2258 – May 26 1800 hours

Tactically, Audrey knew that it was most logical to fall back with the main fleet but she also knew that it would result in the destruction of Earth the home world of Star Fleet. It would be disastrous if they were unable to reach Earth in time. It was her firm belief that the Enterprise should go after the Narada. If they were able to somehow get her onto the Narada, she would have a very good chance of being able to overtake the Romulans. It would be hard to find a worthy rival against her strength and intellect. However getting onto the ship without being blown apart would be the most difficult part of the plan. It would be imperative that they would not be seen but how would they be able to do that?

Audrey began to go through different scenarios very quickly in her mind at her position on the bridge when the alarm went off. There was a case of unauthorized access of the water turbine in the engineering bay and it was shock to see Jim?! How the hell did he get back on this vessel in midwarp?

"Who are you?" Spock's anger began to rise without him realizing it.

"He's with me." Kirk said preparing himself, unknowingly to the rest of the crew, to begin his plan.

"We are traveling at warp speed. How did you manage to beam aboard this ship?" It wasn't currently possible, Spock argued. However against all possibilities here Jim and his guest were on his ship during warp speed.

"You're the genius. You figure it out." Jim said flippantly. To all those on the bridge, they were flabbergasted. It was as though Jim was intentionally trying to provoke Spock.

"As acting captain of this vessel, I order you to answer the question." Spock snapped at Jim despite his best efforts to maintain his control.

"Well I'm not telling, acting captain. What now that doesn't frustrate you does it? My lack of cooperation. That, that doesn't make you angry." Kirk took a step forward towards Spock.

Unable to get a satisfactory response from Kirk, Spock turned to the other man standing with Jim. "Are you a member of Star Fleet?"

"Um yes. Can ah get a towel?" The Scotsman asked. It seemed as though he couldn't read the tense situation.

"Under penalty of court martial, I order you to explain to me how you were able to beam aboard this ship while moving at warp."

"Don't answer him." Kirk was really asking for it now.

"You will answer me." Spock growled. At this point, Audrey knew that Jim had something up his sleeve. He wouldn't do this without cause.

"I'd rather not take sides." The Scotsman grinned taking a step back and seemingly enjoying the show.

"What is it with you Spock? Hmm?" Jim took the opportunity to get into Spock's face and to confront him directly. "Your planet was just destroyed, your mother murdered and you're not even upset." He cocked his head to the side as he watched his words worm their way past Spock's wall of control.

"If you are presuming that these experiences are in any way impeding my ability to command this ship, you are mistaken." Spock's words became forced as his fists clenched tightly.

"And yet you were the one who said fear was necessary for command. Did you see his ship? Did you see what he did?" Kirk was now becoming cruel and pushing the buttons he knew needed to be pushed.

"Yes, of course, I did." Spock could barely hold back his emotions now and Audrey knew it. She could see the guilt in Spock's eyes.

"So are you afraid or aren't you?"

"I will not allow you to lecture me on the merits of emotion." Spock attempted to regain control of the situation.

"Then why don't you stop me?" Kirk continued.

"Step away from me"

"What is it like not to feel anger? Or heartbreak? Or the need to stop at nothing to avenge the death of the woman who gave birth to you?" Kirk knew he was close. He was almost there.

"Back away from me-"

"You feel nothing! It must not even compute for you! You NEVER loved her!"

Spock snapped and roared as he struck Kirk putting behind his punch all of the emotions he could not control. Everybody watched in shock as Spock used his superior strength to break Kirk's defenses. Kirk never fought back and simply took the beating. Soon Spock had pushed Kirk against the console wrapping his hand around Kirk's throat. Slowly he was strangling him.

Everybody was afraid of Spock. The man who had such distaste for all shows of emotion had snapped.

Even Nyota was too afraid to reach out to Spock and stop him. His father attempted to stop Spock by calling out his name. It didn't work. Spock was beyond that.

Audrey stepped and laid a hand on his other free hand and actively sought out his mind. As their minds began to meld together, she sent her what calm and understanding she could provide. There was no judgment but compassion. She took away what emotions he couldn't control and helped him to rebuild his wall of control. It was the first time they had ever touched in such a way. Never before had they let their minds touch.

Spock's enraged expression was the first to change and then he let go of Kirk's neck. Kirk's body slumped to the ground as he gasped for breath. Audrey switched her attention to Kirk as Spock stepped away from the two trying to control his horror and embarrassment at his actions.

Audrey caught Spock's eyes and in them, he saw no horror no disappointment but rather understanding. However, her eyes made him feel more ashamed. He had done so much to hurt her and she was… understanding and caring. He felt the guilt rise and began to consume him.

Spock turned on his heel and quickly left the bridge but not before being approached by Uhura. She knew that she had to comfort him but she couldn't mask the look of horror plain on her face and in her eyes. She had never seen him that way. She had never seen the volatility of his emotions before and it… scared her. It hurt Spock to see the look in Uhura's eyes and it haunted him.

Audrey knew not to go after him. He would not accept her and she was afraid as well. She knew that she would not be able to control her emotions and it was imperative that she kept calm now. Kirk was captain now and he would no doubt attempt a rescue for her father.

After Kirk informed the ship that they would be going after the Narada, the bridge flew into a frenzy attempting to plot out a course that would shield the Enterprise from detection. Audrey and Chekov were quietly running through the logistics of a strategy which included navigating the ship by Saturn and the magnetic distortion from one of the moons would make the Enterprise invisible to Nero's sensors. Chekov's brilliant skills in telemetry confirmed that the plan would work as Audrey worked to confirm that they would be able to teleport people from that distance.

Once Chekov announced the plan to Kirk, it didn't take long for Bones to pounce on the poor kid. "Wait a minute kid. How old are ya?"

"Sewenteen, sir" Chekov replied cutely.

"Oh good he's seventeen." Bones couldn't keep the sarcasm out of his voice as he looked to Kirk.

Audrey stepped in before Kirk could say anything in response. "Leo, I can step in for Chekov. He knows what he's doing. I double checked his work."

"Doctor. Mr. Chekov is correct. I can confirm his telemetry." Audrey heard a stoic voice from behind her and knew it was Spock. He came in and discreetly brushed his hand against Audrey's. Instantly she felt the brush of his mind against her and a deep appreciation for her and a relative calm. She knew that he was far from good but he was on his way there. "If Mr. Sulu is able to move us into position, I can beam aboard Nero's ship, steal back the black hole device, and if possible, bring back Captain Pike."

"I won't allow you to do that Mr. Spock." Kirk responded with a slight shake of his head.

"Romulans and Vulcans share a common ancestry. Our cultural similarities will make it easier for me to access the ship's computer to locate the device. Also my mother was human which makes Earth the only home I have left." Spock said calmly.

"I'm coming with you."

"I would cite regulation but I know you would simply ignore it." The remark brought a smile to Audrey's face. Spock was back.

"You see. We are getting to know each other." Kirk slapped Spock's arm as a friendly gesture and walked off. Audrey ran after him to speak to him.

"Captain, may I have a word?"

Kirk stopped to look at his first officer. "Yes, Commander?"

"Captain, I wish to accompany you on the rescue mission." Audrey looked at Kirk with determined eyes.

Kirk sighed deeply as he ruffled his hair. "Audrey I can't let you do that. You're Captain Pike's daughter and I feel… responsibility towards you. This is going to be a dangerous mission."

Audrey couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Captain, you WILL need me on this mission. I have advanced combat training and extensive language training as well. I insist."

It pained Kirk to say it but he just couldn't allow her to come. "No and that's an order, Commander. I won't risk both you and your father on this mission." It infuriated Audrey that Kirk had refused to let her accompany him. However, she couldn't tell him about her status as covert intelligence officer who were used precisely for these missions. Her status was strictly classified and if they weren't already informed, she was ordered to keep that information under wraps. But there was no way that Audrey would simply just sit by and watch her two dearest friends run straight into danger with her.

As she was formulating a plan to beam aboard, Bones placed his hand on her arm and gently tugged to lead her away from the bridge. "Leo? What's up?" Audrey looked up into Bones' grey eyes in confusion.

His hand slipped to her lower back as he led her onto the lift. "You haven't changed that bandage yet. I need to check on that wound of yours." Just as Audrey was about to protest, Bones cut her off midway and roughly said, "Doctor's orders."

She sat on the bio bed as Bones was gently removing the bandage. "Leo, this isn't necessary. We can deal with this later." Audrey was trying to get out of this because she knew that he would ask questions when he saw it. They were questions that she couldn't answer.

Bones continued without a word, but looked up at her in shock when he realized that her wound had completely healed. "Your wound! It's completely healed. It was deep enough to last a few days even with the help of my tricorder!" Bones growled in surprise.

Audrey shrugged trying to keep her calm. "I'm… a fast healer?"

Bones shook his head. "No. No human is able to recover that quickly. Let me take a blood sample. I want to find out how this is possible." He reached for a syringe but Audrey pulled away.

"Leo, let's save this for after. You're busy enough with other patients. This isn't that important." Audrey tried to distract him and hoped that he would accept her excuse. "I'm… just not up to it right now. I'm worried…"

Bones put the syringe down and held her hands in his. "I understand. We'll save this for later. Ya want to talk about it?" he said softly in his deep rough voice. He softly caressed her hands trying to put her at ease.

Audrey slowly shook her head. "I don't think now's the right time… But I want to Leo. I just can't now." She said sadly.

Bones nodded and helped her off the bio bed. "Can't help it then. Ya gotta wait till the lady's ready," he said in his southern drawl.

"Thanks, Leo. You're the best." Audrey wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. Bones, in return, held her tightly back and whispered back.

"Just glad to be of use. Now get goin' before Jim kills me for takin' you away from the bridge." Audrey smiled at him once last time and waved as she took her leave. What she didn't realize was that there was another watching the entire scene.

Spock had been looking to talk to Audrey before they reached Saturn. He had wanted to apologize, to make things right. It might be the last time he ever saw her and that made his chest constrict at that thought. However, when he saw how tenderly the doctor held and looked at Audrey he felt anger. He felt a sharp white pain when he saw the way the doctor touched her. It was illogical of him to feel such anger. He had the sudden urge to ripe Audrey away from the doctor's arms. Why would he feel such emotion towards Dr. McCoy? Spock had no claim to Audrey and only thought of her as a friend. Nevertheless, he hid when Audrey walked past making sure nobody saw him. It took a moment for Spock to control his emotions before he could return and this… upset him further.

Kirk and Spock were both getting ready to beam aboard as Scotty was reconfiguring the transporter. Nyota was saying her final goodbyes to Spock before he departed. Audrey couldn't help but be a little bothered by this display of affection. This was strange to her as she had always supported their relationship but she felt upset as Nyota kissed Spock tenderly.

Kirk was also very disturbed by the scene that was unfolding. Instead of gaping, he decided to busy himself with another gorgeous female: his professor. "Audrey. Aren't you going to say good luck?" Kirk wiggled his eyebrows making Audrey giggle.

She stepped forward onto the pad and wrapped her arms around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist. "It always amazes me when you do that."

Kirk leaned in and whispered in her ear. "That's not the only thing that amazes you about me I bet."

Audrey slapped his chest playfully and smiled once more before getting a little serious. "Jim, get back safely. I need you to do that… for me." She looked deeply into Jim's bright blue eyes as she tightly hugged Jim. As her student, captain, and friend, she wanted him safe.

"I will… look after the ship for me." Kirk murmured into her hair as he tightly held her back.

When the two let go, Audrey gave his hand one final squeeze. She turned to clear the pad when Kirk pulled her back to him once more and kissed her soundly. His lips were slightly chapped but surprisingly very soft.

Kirk laughed at Audrey's stunned face. "I always wanted to get that kiss from you."

Spock watched his captain kiss Audrey and clenched his fists. How dare he? The green little monster reared his ugly head in the back of Spock's mind. It was then Spock caught himself and was surprised at how he was reacting to the kiss. Why was he having these feelings all of a sudden? However, Spock was torn away from his thoughts as they beamed aboard the Narada.