I wasn't really sure how to do this chapter but I gave it my best shot.

Chapter 12

The next morning, before the sun even has time to rise, I'm shoved roughly into the court room.

"Meira Stone." The judge says tonelessly. "The court hereby finds you guilty of your crimes."

What crimes? And why wasn't I here for my own trial? Doesn't my story count? Don't I have a right to know what I'm being accused off? This is ridiculous? Who does this guy think he is? Who died and made him all powerful?

"Go run into traffic." I say firmly. Loudly.

His cold eyes narrow and then a cruel smile curls itself onto his wrinkled face. Oops.

"You have two choices." He says calmly and I wait. He waits for me to speak and I cross my arms over my chest irritably. The judge sighs quietly and shakes his head in disappointment.

"Well?" I yawn.

"Death by firing squad," He intones and my heart drops instantly. What? DEATH? "Or…you could serve Star Fleet for three years."

I don't even have to think about my answer. With these options it's a no brainer!

"Death." I say.

…

"You are here earlier than expected." Spock says disinterestedly as Khan steps into the labs.

"Is this a problem for you, Commander?" Khan says carefully and Spock raises an eyebrow at him.

"No." Spock says eventually and then he looks back into his microscope.

"And what is you are doing, pray tell?" Khan takes the stool in front of the Vulcan and watches him carefully. For a moment, it seems as if the man hadn't heard the Augment but slowly, painstakingly, he glances up.

"I am developing a serum to fight against a host of viruses. If you would like to be of use, grab a microscope from storage and get to work. Samples of the illnesses are stored in the fridge." Spock looks back into the microscope without further comment and Khan sighs inwardly. That was it? It sounded…boring to say the least, but he got the needed materials nevertheless and promptly got to work.

For hours, they worked in silence. Occasionally, pushing a slide or sample to the other but never once allowing their hands to touch. When the clock chimed, signaling lunch, Spock put his things away and then started to walk out of the room.

"When will I learn the fate of my companion?" Khan asks, sparing the Vulcan a glance.

"I have been here with you all day. You would have learned her fate, the exact moment that I would have. It is a difficult case, I believe. They may still be deciding."

"And will she die?" A small hint of the anguish he was feeling inside washed over into his words and Spock cringes inwardly.

"I do not know." And then Spock leaves Khan alone.

For a minute, Khan stares down at the table and scrutinizes its perfectly flat, metallic surface. He analyzes his blurry reflection and thinks quickly. For a moment, he considers escaping the Enterprise and rushing to save Meira…but to do so would only put his family in danger. The terms of his parole stated that any violation—no matter how small—would certainly place members of his family—or all of them, he didn't know….it didn't matter—in the hands of knowledge hungry scientists, who would descend upon them like rabid dogs. He cared for her, but not that much. One life was not worth nearly a hundred others…no matter what debt he owed her father. His family always came first.

Always.

…

Again, I try to open the door by slamming by shoulder into it and again I fail. I can feel the hot sun grabbing my metal box in its hand and squeezing just hard enough to suffocate me with its intense heat. If I don't get out of here, I'll die from a heat stroke…or is that their intentions?

"You ready to reconsider?" I hear the judge shout from outside and I lean my head against the door wearily and shake my head. Beads of sweat slip down my skin and I draw in a shuddering breath as another wave of heat crashes in.

"No." My voice is barely louder than a whisper. "Never."

"What?" Something hits the door near my head from the other side but I don't flinch away.

"No!" I shout louder and my voice booms painfully off the walls.

"Suite yourself, girl." He snaps. I never hear his footfalls, but I know with utter certainty that he had left me alone to melt.

"Well, well, well," The guard says smoothly and my eyes snap open. I know that voice. "Looks like you've done it now, huh? Man, he doesn't look happy. Not. One. Bit. " His fingers drum against the hot metal and I find myself listening carefully to the chaotic sound. Ed. What was he doing here?! "Well, wish I could stay and chat, but I've got work to do, freak. Good luck." He laughs and then silence.

Freak, the word ignites in my brain and I slowly sink to my knees as the memory hits.

…

'Watch your back, freak!' Some bully—I don't remember which one (there had been so many)—screams at me. 'You'll pay for this!'

I had maybe ten years old. Which city was this? What had been my name? Who was I here? I dismissed the thoughts. They didn't matter.

I had broken his noise; he had broken Adva's toy. It had seemed like a fair trade—more than fair; after all, I had allowed him to live. What was one broken bone to a life? He made her cry, I sent him crying home to Mama; what's wrong with that? I didn't understand.

But he was cruel.

All kids are cruel.

The next, he had thrown rocks at us as we ran to school. I put myself between Adva and the sharp projectiles, but we had both been hit.

'Freak!' he yelled at me, laughing the whole time.

'What happened to your nose?' I had shouted back. 'I think I like that look! You should look like that none often!' I taunt. By now, we're insight of the building and there is nothing he can do but glower and plot his revenge…but I would win. In the end, I had always won.

It would seem like he finally got his checkmate after all.

…

"Where is my companion. Captain?" Khan growls at Kirk.

It had been a week and still Khan had heard nothing about her. No trial details. No verdict. Nothing. Where was she? Was she even alive or were the monster ripping her apart, limb from limb?

"Hm…?" Kirk says groggily and then he sits up abruptly. "Khan? What…what are you doing here…? How did you even get in?!"

"My companion, Captain, Due try to keep up. Where is she?" Irritation burns in his chest. He should have known the outcome days ago!

"I don't know. I think they're still reaching a decision." Kirk blinks wearily and glances up at Khan. "How are you doing in the labs? Any progress yet?"

"I believe there would be more progress if I weren't so preoccupied," the Augment glowers at him and Kirk shrugs nonchalantly.

"I can't speed up the process. Sorry. They have to hear both sides of the story. You went through this, remember? All the evidence and witnesses are presented. The jury listens to it all and deliberates in the back room…? There's not much I can do."

"And when will there be news?"

"Maybe when there actually is news?" Kirk says sarcastically and Khan considers snapping the man's neck. Kirk swallows, sensing Khan's mood and then tries again, more carefully this time. "It's a long process. When they tell us what's happened, you'll be the first to know. Now can you please get out of my quarts? It's like three in the morning!"

"As you wish." Khan, with a heavy heart strides out of the room.