Chapter Twenty Two: Sympathy for the Devil
There was a long time they wasted in silence while the battles around them occurred. Marla certainly felt useless. She wasn't patient like Khan. She was sure he knew that now. He was holding her rather firmly, in the best way he could considering they both had been cuffed.
She hated feeling helpless with nothing left to do, but they had to bid their time. The ship Khan had designed for Marcus was firing at them in warp. Carol had let them be. She tried to focus forward, but her eyes always shifted downward. Marla tried not to look at her hands. She tried to make it seem as though she wasn't emotional about anything, but when she diverted from her hands she looked to her stomach.
Khan didn't need to say anything about her failure. She knew by how strongly his fingers crushed hers that he was feeling with her or even for her. He may have even been doing both. He never wavered. He continued to stare forward even as her head drifted downward. She could hear the doors open. Khan squeezed her hand tightly before releasing it.
Sentiment. She recalled the word as her head lifted up to see the captain enter. He didn't look well. Kirk looked as if he would fall apart at any moment. Marla felt herself try imitate Khan's posture, to look as though she were his equal. The augment's eyes shifted very briefly over to her. There was a ghost of a smile on his face at her appearance before Kirk approached him with vigor. He shifted his weight looking to Khan for a long while before his eyes fell to Marla. The captain's head shook for a moment before he finally looked to and addressed the male prisoner.
"Tell me everything you know about that ship." The captain asked in nearly one breath. Khan's head had been facing slightly away from her. His eyes slowly shifted to the Entrprise's captain.
"Dreadnaught class," He lifted his head with pride in his work. "Two times the size. Three times the speed. Advanced weaponry. Modified for a minimal crew." His eyes looked more sternly at Kirk in that moment. "Unlike most federation vessels it's built solely for combat."
She continued her stare forward listening to the conversation, but was aware when Kirk's eyes flickered to her after he spoke. As if to ask her the reasons why any human being would align themselves with such a monster. He then stared at Khan for a while before taking a hard breath.
"I will do everything I can to make you answer for what you did." His eyes were locked to his. "I will make her answer too." Kirk didn't look to Marla when he spoke of her. She didn't react. She hoped Khan hadn't. He wouldn't. He was smart. If he did feel anything for her in that moment he most certainly wouldn't let it show.
"But right now I need your help."
"In exchange for what?" The augment's retort was quick in the barter.
"You said you'd do anything for your crew," Kirk responded. Marla watched the guards shift a bit uneasy as their captain spoke. She could have done a number of things beside sit there in that moment, but she had to follow Khan's lead. "I can guarantee their safety."
"Captain," He said it with such malice and sarcasm. "You can't even guarantee the safety of your own crew." She let her smile go.
Khan didn't think Kirk was worthy to even be in his presence. She had never heard him so unwilling to even hear out a plan. When it came time for their discussions he always listened. When she had proved herself by killing Verma Khan took in everything she said. He stopped treating her like a child and started seeing her as a woman. He never undermined her the way he was doing with Kirk now. She let that fact keep her hopeful for now.
"She'll be safe." Kirk let out shifting his eyes briefly to Marla. Her eyes peered to him in that moment.
"Dr. McGivers is fully capable of protecting herself." Khan put in. "More so then anyone else aboard this ship." The two men's eyes locked harshly. She wanted to see how Khan's face contorted perhaps at the thought that the woman he had allied himself with could be considered weak. "Did you not see her brilliance on Kronos?"
He'd been watching her. All that time he was enacting a one man army, his eyes had held in what she was doing with the enemy. More importantly he was in awe of her actions. He was savoring them in his mind. Khan was letting this man know now that she was not capable of being anything other than superior.
"Bones," Kirk chose to focus on something else. "What are you doing with that tribble?"
While Kirk was distracted talking with Bones about Khan's superior blood. She managed to let her eyes go to his. She needed to talk to him. If Kirk planned on taking the augment from her she needed to at least know how he felt about everything. They each still had a bargain to uphold. She'd have to stay on the ship to make sure the torpedoes were not harmed. He'd have to go aboard Vengeance, take out Marcus, than perhaps he could take over the ship and . . .
"Are you coming with me or not?" Kirk's question caused Khan to turn his head.
"I need a moment alone with Dr. McGivers." His voice was monotone and unfeeling. Marla actually was slightly surprised he had asked.
"They've already talked." Bones insisted. "Dr. Marcus suggested they not be left alone together. I would not recommend seeing how that turns out." Khan looked down his lips twisting a bit.
"You've already discussed what needed to be discussed." The captain insisted despite not being present for it. "I can't allow you to –"
"Has Dr. McCoy alerted you to my medical situation, Captain?" She felt disgusted saying the last word at Kirk. Her back went straight as she gained the confidence enough to address him properly. Kirk had his eyes on her almost shocked that she knew how to talk.
"He said you –"
"Had a miscarriage." She tried not to allow her voice shake at the words. "Under your watch, Captain."
"Now hold on a second," He approached her shifting so he was in front of her rather than Khan. "You snuck aboard this ship."
"Starfleet regulation states that any crew member in need of heightened medical attention should not be allowed to board a Starfleet vessel and that if such a thing happens that the captain is responsible for what happens to that individual." She was glad she knew at least that part of her handbook.
"You are aware that you're a criminal aboard this ship, right? That you don't really have any rights besides the one to a fair trial." Kirk wondered looking her over.
"I lost a child, Captain." If she sounded sincere, if she made the pregnancy seem more then it was she could get him to feel for her as well. "Just because I'm a criminal doesn't mean I still haven't loss. That I don't feel." She saw his eyes search over her then go downward.
"You've got five minutes. And not alone." He motioned for the guards. "These guys will be watching you." He then faced Khan. "I'll come back for you in five minutes."
"I want permission," Marla said valiantly. "I want permission for him to be able to touch me. And vice versa." Kirk looked confused over at McCoy.
"Carol didn't think it was wise for them to touch." He explained.
"You shoot them if anything happens. And I mean anything," Kirk addressed the guards. "You shoot him first." He motioned to Khan who's eyes were focused on Marla's thighs.
"Shackles?" Marla raised her hands and feet forward.
"Nice try, but no." With that he started to leave the room, Bones tagging along beside him.
"A girl can try." He was gone before she could say it.
Khan wasted no time. He stood up causing the guards to point their weapons at him. He looked to them sternly before facing Marla seated on the bed. Her eyes were down. With all the other higher ups gone she suddenly felt shameful once more. Her hands clawed at her thighs. He pushed his cuffed hands over her head before he pulled her to a stand in front of him. She rested her body to his chest feeling how warm he was. Her temple relaxed on his chest as she breathed him in. His heartbeat was calming and low.
"You can still hold up your end of the bargain." She whispered to him. Marla felt his hands settle on the small of her back. Her chin leaned forward between his pecks as he looked down at her. He almost seemed indifferent to her presence, but she detected the tiniest bit of relief to have her in his arms again buried deep in the lines of his brow.
"You haven't changed your mind?" His brow arched slightly. It wasn't a serious question. Marla knew that he only wanted to hear her confirmation because he desired it. Perhaps it would even turn him on a bit to hear her need it.
"No." She swallowed shaking her head. "Never."
Marla knew she should have been watching the guards around her. She should be more aware of the way she acted, but in that moment she didn't think. Instinct over took her. She went on her toes to kiss him. He met her distance pushing the cuffs from around her waist to the back of her head to grip her harder. She crushed against his body feeling every muscle flex in his chest at the satisfaction of holding a woman he was attracted to. His tongue slid easily into her mouth. She didn't wait to play her lips across his giving into the small nibbles she had wanted to give those lips.
"You are mine." She told him with certainty when she found the courage to release him and speak. "Do not let anyone forget that." Marla pressed closer to him. "Your body belongs to me and me alone." She watched his expression. His eyes looked from side to side before leaning forward. He took his lips to her ear to whisper.
"No one will ever touch you like I have. No one will ever be worthy." His lips kissed her ear before hissing. "You. Are. Mine. Marla." He bit her ear lobe gently.
His head leaned back to take her in. She wondered what exactly he was thinking. She decided to do the same. In that moment she had forgotten the grief. She knew there was a beginning after these events unfolded. It would be a good beginning for her. She wouldn't have to face death so unknowingly anymore. She could control her fate.
"I don't want to be weak." She let out. "I don't want you to see this loss as a failure. I didn't know." If she had known she had been pregnant, she would have exhibited more care. Augment DNA was valuable. The loss of a new augment hybrid was devastating not only in losing a new world, but she had loss her potential child. Khan's potential heir.
"You were never weak." He insisted. "The loss couldn't be helped." His eyes weren't kind or caring. He was very scientific about the thing until the next words he spoke. "No one will mother my child other then you, Marla. I promise." He swallowed slowly at the words. She knew those words had unhinged him. He was swearing himself to her. He was choosing a direction. He was choosing to keep her.
"I am honored." She kissed him softly, but he begged for more. Khan deepened their kiss again struggling to make it last longer. She heard the footsteps. Her heart was quickening. Her body wobbled in his arms. The guards raised their guns. He held her to him softly.
"I will see you on the other side." He whispered with a smile when he slowly let her lips free.
"I," She struggled to find the words. Those words had been spread across debris in many languages across the 20th century. They were the farewell the augments only spoke to one another. A hidden comforting message that goodbye was not forever. She had written a passage in her book about those words. How they were a symbol for hope amongst those lost men and women when they went into battle. "Why?" Why was he counting her as superior when she had done so much wrong?
He let his chuckle out.
"Because," Khan still held her to him. "You've always been one of us. You stand by your decisions. You stand by me. You are the superior woman."
Author's Note: So I've officially mapped out sort of kind of the rest of this story. My estimations before may have been a bit off. As of right now there will be two chapters and a two part epilogue to finish this off. Then the sequel will come about a bit after it's finished. Then perhaps, if I can muster up the courage to dive into the head of Khan, this story from his view point will get out there.
As for this chapter, it was weird. I had to go back and analyze how Khan treated Marla in the beginning. That's when I realized just how much their relationship has changed since they first met. Also I kind of realized just how mocking Khan was being toward Kirk in Into Darkness. Just had to have Marla point that out because I always found it a bit funny.
Thanks again for reading. Hoping the next installment will be up sooner rather then later.