0Title: Exhibits A to D (4/4)
Author: klmeri
Fandom: Star Trek AOS
Pairing: Kirk/Spock/McCoy
Summary: There was a time when Jim Kirk wanted nothing more than to be alone. Now he can’t stand the thought. It doesn’t help matters that his situation is of his own making, since he is the one who expressed the exact opposite of his real feelings to the two people he needs most in his life. Now Jim’s mistake has cost him a chance at happiness—and possibly all three of their lives.
Parts: 1 | 2 | 3
“How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them.”
-Benjamin Franklin
now
McCoy feels the hum of the Enterprise through the floor of the transporter platform, which seems to be more noticeable on a crewless ship. He glances at the man beside him to judge Kirk’s reaction and is met with a concerning empty expression.
The only person gloating about their present circumstances is the Yegedin faction leader, Barac. From the top step of the platform, Barac surveys the transporter room with an almost palpable possessiveness. Since Spock brokered a deal wherein the Enterprise is to be exchanged for Kirk and McCoy, thinks the doctor, technically Barac has the right to act like he owns the place. With less than a handful of Starfleet officers still aboard and the ship functions clearly on auto-pilot, she is ready for the transfer of ownership.
Do the Yegedins even know what to do with a starship? They are not a space-faring race. But McCoy suspects such details do not much matter, for what Barac wants is a way to shame the Federation as well as provoke them into ceding their hold on the planet. Capturing Kirk and then the flagship is likely only the beginning of Barac’s nefarious plan.
Barac moves off the platform, waving the phaser taken from Kirk at their group in a silent command to do the same. Kirk and McCoy are herded down the steps by more armed Yegedins.
“You,” Barac calls, pointing at the motionless Vulcan beside the transporter console. “You must be Commander Spock. The shape of your ears are unlike any I have ever seen. Come here.”
Spock steps away from the station, leaving Mr. Scott there with Chekov, who is manning the console itself. Both officers avoid looking anyone in the eyes.
Spock moves to stand before Kirk rather than Barac. “Captain.”
Kirk meets Spock’s poker-face with his own, and a sensation Leonard doesn’t like crawls along his spine.
“Mr. Spock,” Jim says after a long silence, “you are relieved of command.”
Spock looks to the Yegedins, then, skipping McCoy’s gaze entirely.
“Not quite the touching reunion I expected,” remarks Barac. “Of course, your captain is quite unhappy with you, Commander.”
“My captain’s feelings are irrelevant at this time. It is his well-being which takes precedence.”
Leonard clears his throat, sparing a brief glare for a guard who lifts his sword in warning at the doctor. “Not that I don’t thank you for saving Jim’s life, Spock, but giving up the Enterprise isn’t right.”
“It is only a ship, Doctor.”
Jim sucks in a breath all of a sudden, fury flashing through his blue eyes. His tone of voice turns deadly. “Only a ship? You’re offering our most advanced technology—and a weapon of mass destruction—to an organization with a known grudge against the Federation!”
“I have not the same regard for the Enterprise which you do, sir,” Spock counters with frosty politeness. “I do not expect you to understand my decision, but it would be common courtesy to express gratitude for your rescue.”
“Gratitude!“, the shout explodes from Kirk, causing Scotty and Chekov and a few Yegedins as well to visibly flinch. “Spock, I’ll have you COURT-MARTIALED for this!”
“You are emotionally compromised, Captain.”
Kirk jerks forward with a fist raised.
The Yegedins don’t seem to care if Jim rips a chuck out of Spock but Leonard certainly does. He plants himself in between them, pushing Jim back a step and demanding, “Stop it, both of you!”
Barac snorts and meanders toward the transporter station. There he stares first at Mr. Scott then Mr. Chekov. “If a trusted officer failed to protect my most prized possession, I would extract personal revenge.” He turns back. “I could kill these men for you, Kirk.”
Jim’s hands land on McCoy’s arms as though by holding onto Leonard, Jim is also restraining himself. His staunch refusal makes the doctor almost giddy with relief.
But then Jim comments coldly, “It isn’t revenge if someone else takes it for you.”
Barac grins. “Excellent point.” He addresses Spock. “Show me the command center.” Barac indicates Scott and Chekov. “But first be rid of these two—or I will have them dispatched.”
Spock orders, “Gentlemen, proceed to the transporter.”
Mr. Scott looks to Kirk. So does Chekov.
Jim gives a terse nod, backing up the command. “Go, both of you.”
Spock walks to the console and, under the Yegedins’ watchful gazes, uses it to send the last remaining officers except the three of them to the planet below. Leonard’s heart thumps hard in his chest when the transporter is once again empty. Just him, Kirk, Spock, and a group of dangerously armed enemies.
As the Yegedins press them to move forward, he leans into his captain slightly, dropping his voice to a whisper. “Jim.”
Kirk pushes the doctor a step ahead none-too-gently. But he replies in an oddly soft tone, “You can do this, Bones.”
Something in McCoy relaxes. Somehow, without anyone providing a hint, Jim already suspects things are not as they appear.
And the man is right. This mess is one big gamble, and Jim Kirk is the trump card that Spock and McCoy are counting on to turn the odds in their favor.
then
Like every other person in the conference room, Leonard McCoy is watching Spock with a hopefulness that belies his fear and uncertainty. Something needs to be done to help Kirk, but what?
“Are we telling anybody?” one voice pipes up from the circle of officers, echoing in words that same blend of hope and uncertainty running through McCoy.
Spock folds his hands on the table in front of him. “Are you inquiring if I intend to initiate a priority one call, Mr. Scott?”
“In this situation, it is protocol, sir,” Uhura advises quietly.
Leonard dips his head slightly to catch Spock’s eye. “At the very least, someone at Headquarters needs to know you’ve taken command of the ship.”
Of course, there have been times Leonard can remember that they neglected to mention such a thing at all, given the kind of insane trouble they’ve run into in the past. That one time Jim forgot who he was and Spock had to call the shots for a week? Leonard shudders at the memory.
Sulu seems to be of a different opinion. “If we alert Command, we will be forced to explain how Kirk ended up in Yegedin custody.”
Everyone but Spock audibly express some form of dismay at this. While they might absolutely disagree with what Kirk did, the loyalty to the man is, and always has been, unshakeable. Avoiding getting Kirk in trouble? That’s their usual modus operandi.
But Leonard decides it might not be a bad thing to play devil’s advocate. Spock is allowing them to voice their opinions not simply because he respects them; it may be he has hope of hearing an idea he hasn’t thought of yet.
The doctor observes, “There could be an advantage to having an officer with clout involved. What if it was someone we could trust to raise the alarm but keep certain details to himself? Then we could call out for assistance, on record. I mean, who knows what this faction is planning next? If they get in contact with the authorities before we do and make a ransom demand…” He opens his hands as if to say What good could we do then?
Uhura looks thoughtful. “The only admiral Kirk trusts is Pike.”
“It may be that Captain Kirk has already engaged Pike on the matter of Yeged,” Spock theorizes. “The Captain had certain reservations about this assignment and an apparent agenda to ‘draw out’, as it were, any parties with conflicts of interest with Yeged. Jim would know the value of intel from a reliable source.”
“And he does have a long-standing relationship with Chris,” adds Leonard. “I think you’re right, Spock. Chances are Admiral Pike would be Jim’s confidante—if Jim didn’t decide to go it alone in every sense of the word.” Would Jim have been that foolish? Leonard couldn’t say. Kirk has surprised him before.
“Hold on a second,” Scotty says, folding his arms across his chest, his look of concern deepening. “How is calling in the cavalry going to help us get Jim away from those crazy bastards? You know as well as I do, any ship but our lovely lass here would take at least two days at top warp. Once there is a commander on-site who outranks Mr. Spock, he will take charge of negotiating the hostage situation.”
“We could do something now,” Chekov agrees. “Given ze Yegedin’s known tendency toward violence, arguably it is natural we would be pushed to take action before another commander arrives.”
“Define ‘something’,” Sulu says warily, eyeing his friend.
Chekov retorts, “Well, what would Captain Kirk do? I ask myself zhis all the time.”
“Jim wouldn’t wait,” Leonard says softly. “He’d take a tactical team to the planet and try a good old-fashioned jail break.”
“Yet, as a Federation representative wielding the highest authority, he would need to face the Yegedin Council directly to maintain control of the situation,” Spock muses. After a slight pause, he adds, “Whether or not a secondary operation may be in progress.”
Leonard recognizes that look in the Vulcan’s eyes. He leans forward in half anticipation, half dread. “What are you thinking?”
Some of the others seem to have caught on, for Sulu mutters, “The illusion of negotiation—yeah, it could work,” while a strangled noise issues from the engineering chief.
Leonard looks around, his gaze finally catching and holding Uhura’s. The steeliness of her gaze shocks him slightly, making him realize there is no idea Uhura—and the others—wouldn’t entertain if it meant getting Kirk back. Like him, they are all past the point of sitting this particular mission out.
That decides McCoy. “If you need the Yegedins distracted, I’m game.”
“Doctor,” Spock says sharply at the same time the others around the table turn their stares on him.
Uhura nods imperceptibly. “You would have to be convincing.”
McCoy snorts. “What’s more convincing than a doctor treating a patient?”
“I could go with you,” Chekov volunteers.
“Thanks, kid, but two of us is twice as many targets.”
“You can’t go alone,” Sulu objects.
The doctor shakes head, turning to Spock who hasn’t said anything one way or another. “You know I’m right. The Yegedins have healers, who comprise the only neutral caste in their society. I guarantee no one in that faction will see me as a threat; by practicing medicine I could never be a warrior in their eyes.”
“Doctor, you would still belong to the enemy. In order not to raise their suspicions, there would be little choice but of you going alone and unarmed.”
Leonard almost smiles. “I’ll do you one better, Mr. Spock. I’ll go against orders.”
There are various reactions from the rest of the group, but collectively everyone appears to be seriously considering his suggestion.
“So, if Dr. McCoy goes planet-side as a rogue healer, what will we be doing, then?” Scotty wants to know.
“Negotiating,” decides Chekov. “And rescuing the Captain?”
“As Mr. Sulu insinuated, maintaining an illusion better suits our needs. We would be at a disadvantage to attempt an infiltration of an unknown compound. A logical alternative would be to bring the Yegedins here.”
“On the ship?” Uhura’s voice sharpens. “That would put the entire crew in danger and at risk of a takeover.” As she speaks, however, her expression changes subtly. “Unless no one is aboard.”
The Vulcan commander inclines his head ever-so-slightly. “Precisely, Lieutenant. A vacant ship.”
Sulu and Chekov exchange a long look.
Sulu says, “Mr. Spock, if you intend to evacuate the ship, are you planning to forfeit her?”
“No!” gasps Scotty. “Ye can’t hand over—!”
But Spock simply cuts in, “The Enterprise will not fall into enemy hands.”
“A bluff, then,” Leonard surmises. “But why go to that extreme, Spock?”
“I considered how one might answer Mr. Chekov’s earlier question, Doctor, and realized we do not need to imitate Captain Kirk when in fact it is more effective to engineer a scenario in which he can utilize his particular skill set for our benefit.”
Scotty leans forward in excitement. “We could trick the Yegedins into bringing Kirk back to the ship. That’s a crazy strategy if I ever heard one, but I like it!”
“When faced with an impossible decision, Jim would say the only choice is to change the playing field. In this case, the playing field is one which we hold absolute control over.”
“Aye, Mr. Spock, the Enterprise is our best weapon.” Scotty hums for a moment. “But afterward Jim might demote us all for playing a betting game with her as the collateral.”
“Betting is what the Captain would do!” Chekov points out.
“So,” Uhura summarizes, “we have the makings of a plan. What needs to be done now?”
“Following Dr. McCoy’s suggestion by contacting Admiral Pike,” supplies Spock.
“You’re going to tell him what crazy thing we’re planning?” Leonard asks, slightly alarmed.
“I rather suspect I should not,” the Vulcan admits. “However I am certain having Pike navigating the official channels for us will likely place the odds in our favor.”
Sulu adds, “And buy us needed time.”
Leonard sighs. “Then what are y’all waiting for? Let’s get this show on the road.”
“Indeed.” Spock looks to Uhura. “Please contact the admiral and have the transmission relayed to the Ready Room.”
“Yes, sir.”
Uhura, along with others, recognize the dismissal to return to the bridge. Leonard stays behind, knowing that Spock has more to say to him which likely needs to remain private between them. He isn’t wrong.
Spock faces him after the Ready Room door slides closed. But to Leonard’s surprise, he only remarks, “I cannot change your mind.”
“Is that a question?”
“Negative.”
“Spock…” McCoy sighs again. “You need to know Jim is okay as much as I do.”
“And you can go where I cannot.” Spock pauses. “I am not happy with the idea of placing you in danger, Doctor, but nor can I ignore the advantage it might gain us.”
Leonard allows for a brief silence before asking, for some reason needing to know, “Does the idea of me doing this make you hesitate because I’m the CMO?”
“No,” Spock replies softly, “your position is irrelevant. I simply wish that you come to no harm. To entertain the possibility leaves me… unsettled.”
The doctor smiles. “You like me.”
“Have I not made that clear?”
“I like you too.”
They look at each other for a long moment.
“I’ll be careful,” Leonard promises at last.
“Very well.”
“Mr. Spock,” Uhura comes online, “I have Admiral Pike for you.”
As Spock responds to the call, Leonard takes his leave, buoyed by an inexplicably warm feeling. Despite everything—Jim’s absence, the danger ahead, and the many unresolved questions about his relationship with Kirk and Spock—he steps onto the bridge with the tiniest of smiles, thinking one thing: hope has not deserted them after all.
now
The faction leader strolls across the bridge, the rest of the party having barely crowded onto the upper deck before Barac’s voice booms out into the empty space, smug and victorious. “Today is momentous for all Yegedins!”
Barac removes himself to the lower level before rounding on his audience and casting his arms wide. “The Chairman and his councilors wanted to throw away everything we built upon in order to ally us with the Federation. And for what? A time of peace? Peace is the extinction of a warrior race!” He pounds his chest, clearly fevered. “The end of who we are! No, we will not stand and do nothing in the face of such dishonor! We will never be tamed!”
Barac’s followers roar their agreement, some of them enthusiastically punching the air with their weapons.
McCoy says for Kirk’s ears only, “This man’s out of his mind.”
“He’s a fool,” Kirk replies quietly, grimly. “The dangerous kind.”
Barac levels a finger at the only figure in the crowd notably unresponsive to his speech. “Commander Spock, come forward. Now you must pledge the Enterprise to me!”
The Vulcan simply raises an eyebrow. “A deal must be honored on both sides, Mr. Barac.”
Barac narrows his eyes. Following a dismissive, almost disgusted look at his human captives, he orders them released. Jim and Leonard are unceremoniously shoved down the steps by the other Yegedins. Immediately McCoy wants to turn around and go back up to fetch Spock, who is standing alone among the enemy, but he becomes distracted by the way Kirk is eyeing Barac. Sighing internally, he shifts on his feet, prepared to stop his captain from doing something foolish.
After Kirk and McCoy’s release, Spock inclines his head to Barac and lifts his voice. “Computer, this is Acting Captain Spock. I relinquish command of the USS Enterprise.”
Kirk’s head snaps around, and the man stares at the Vulcan commander askance. Then a light dawns in his eyes.
“Working.” The disembodied voice of the ship’s computer makes the Yegedins tense and look around for its source. “State successor, name and rank.”
“There is no such designation,” Spock tells the computer. “Starfleet ceases to command this ship.”
A stiff moment of silence ensues.
Finally, the computer responds. “Acknowledged.”
Locking his hands behind his back, Spock casually puts distance between himself and the others. When he reaches the curved end to the upper deck’s railing, he faces the Yegedin leader once more. “There was one detail I failed to mention concerning our arrangement, Mr. Barac. While I can offer you this ship, the Enterprise herself will never surrender.”
Because McCoy has been expecting them, when the klaxons blare to life he isn’t startled; but the Yegedins clearly are, and in that moment they must no doubt realize something is about to go very, very wrong.
The computer declares: “Ship command unknown. Warning. Self-destruction protocol initiated. Warning. Countdown sequence to commence in… five, four, three—”
“What is this!” yells Barac over the noise, backing up into the captain’s chair.
“—two—”
“A natural failsafe,” the Vulcan calmly explains over the shrill of the red alert. “No outsider may commandeer a Starfleet ship. The Enterprise is programmed to denotate itself in the event of an authorized officer cannot assume command.”
“—one. Self-destruct mode engaged.”
On the main viewer, a ten-minute countdown begins.
Barac spins on the nearest person, which is Jim.
“Careful, Mr. Barac,” Kirk says, lifting his hands slightly as the enraged Yegedin trains his stolen phaser on him. “If you kill any one of us, there will be nobody to reverse the countdown.”
Spock adds, “Nor will you be able to leave the ship on your own.”
Gaze still fixed upon Barac, Kirk offers warm congratulations. “Well done, Mr. Spock.”
“Thank you, sir.”
Leonard cares about these two idiots way too much. He wants to hug them—and also remind them to this nasty confrontation has only just begun.
Barac points the phaser from Kirk to Spock and back again, his mouth twisting in a snarl. “You think you’re clever. You WILL give me this ship!”
Leonard laughs a little breathlessly. “Somebody remind this man we don’t have to do jack-shit.” He waves a hand the countdown on the viewscreen. “At least, we don’t have to do anything for the next nine minutes and twelve seconds. Then it’s KABOOM.”
Barac’s phaser hand trembles suddenly. “This is a trick. Kirk won’t allow the destruction of his precious ship.”
Kirk snorts, stating, “Been there, done that,” as he approaches the captain’s chair. His eyes crinkle at the corners as he almost reverently takes a seat there. Then, crossing one leg over the other, Kirk adopts the bored expression he does when facing another uneventful shift on the bridge; it’s as if they aren’t in the middle of a standoff that could end with everyone’s atoms scattered across the universe.
During all this, the computer continues, relentless with its warnings. “Self-destruct sequence to commence in eight minutes thirty seconds.”
Kirk smiles and pats a chair arm fondly. “Once we hit the five-minute mark, she’ll remind us every fifteen seconds of the impending detonation.”
“Definitely bad for the nerves,” quips Leonard, stepping up to the side of the chair. “Comfortable, Jim?”
“Best seat in the house.” Jim glances over to the quiet Vulcan. “It’s a fine day to die, wouldn’t you agree, Mr. Spock?”
“In this instance, we do not have a choice, Captain.”
Kirk’s smile drops away as he swivels around to look at the Yegedins. “I warned you, this is what we do best in Starfleet—die for a cause.”
“You don’t want to d—” Barac begins, only to amend quickly, “—want your officers to die.”
Kirk looks at the Yegedin pityingly.
“Jim’s a good man,” Leonard explains, “but, yes, he will have us die. Why do you think Spock was particular with his wording? He told the ship’s computer he could no longer command the Enterprise—” Leonard meets Barac’s gaze. “—which naturally means Jim is now your only alternative for disengaging the countdown.” His eyes shift to take in Spock’s dark gaze. “Mr. Spock and I have every faith in Jim Kirk. We know our captain won’t let us down.” Glancing at the man in the chair, he murmurs with a touch of sadness, “Sorry, Jim.”
The look in Kirk’s eyes is unexpectedly soft. He lays a comforting hand on McCoy’s forearm. “It’s an honor to carry out this duty for you.”
“Warning. Self-destruct sequence to commence in six minutes thirty seconds.”
The Yegedins begin to look a bit wild about the eyes. McCoy wonders if what happens next will be catastrophic enough that it causes them to completely freak out.
As if that thought is the perfect cue, the door to the turbolift slides back and red-shirted officers flood the upper deck. Every man has his phaser drawn. The closest Yegedin automatically swings his unsheathed sword in a swooping arch, but the security officer at the forefront, Chief Giotto, is quicker with his reaction, stunning the fellow. The Yegedin hits the floor with a thud.
“Nobody move!” Giotto growls.
Barac apparently has no intention of obeying for he leaps aside in the next instant—right at Kirk. Leonard gives a shout of alarm but Jim has already dived out of his chair to avoid being caught, instead landing a hit to Barac’s side that sends the Yegedin sprawling. Kirk then darts around the chair and grabs McCoy’s arm, hauling them both out of range of a second attack.
When Spock suddenly appears behind him and Jim, having somehow abandoned the upper deck in record time, for a split second McCoy wishes he had been paying better attention. By god, did the Vulcan just jump that railing?
Spock stalks toward Barac (to do who knows what) but Barac rolls to his feet, the phaser in one hand and a dagger in the other. Each man freezes as the security officers not holding the other Yegedins at bay hurriedly form a half-circle behind Barac.
Kirk’s gaze slides sideways. “Excellent timing, Mr. Giotto.”
Never taking his eyes off his target, Giotto clears his throat. “Technically we’re early, sir.”
Kirk steps forward, past Spock to stare down his former captor. “You’re outnumbered. Lay down your weapons and surrender.”
“Never!” snarls the Yegedin.
Jim smiles thinly. “Fine. I’ll give you a choice then. Surrender—or die.”
Barac looks unconvinced. “This is trick of yours won’t work, Kirk. You wouldn’t kill us all simply to prevent me from having your ship!”
“As Mr. Spock said, I don’t have a choice.” Kirk’s contemptuous gaze takes in his enemy. “You clearly wouldn’t understand.”
“Warning. Self-destruct sequence to commence in four minutes.”
“I don’t believe it. I won’t!” Barac yells. “You’re bluffing!”
Abruptly Kirk turns back to the center of the bridge, reclaiming the captain’s chair. “You have less than four minutes to decide.”
“There is no decision to make. A warrior always chooses death!”
Kirk ignores them, then, facing the viewer and allowing a heavy silence to envelope the bridge.
The computer warns them all, “Self-destruct sequence to commence in three minutes.”
Recognizing they’ve reached a tipping point, McCoy drags out a chair from the navigation console and plops down into it sideways with a gusty sigh. He declares with finality, “It was nice knowing y’all. Spock, come over here. You’re going to want to sit down for this next part.”
Spock obediently occupies the empty seat next to McCoy. As the two men turn toward each other, their expressions mirror a calmness one would never expect in the face of imminent death.
Kirk leans toward the pair, settling his elbows on his knees and locking his hands together. “Since this is our last —” he flicks a look at the countdown, “—two minutes and sixteen seconds together, I think I should apologize.”
Both Spock and McCoy raise an eyebrow.
Jim’s tone turns grim. “I made a mistake, and my actions almost cost us our friendship. I’m sorry.”
Leonard barely bats an eye. “So you don’t regret being friends.”
“Never,” Jim says. “The only thing I regret…” The man’s throat works momentarily. “…is not being honest about how much you both mean to me.”
McCoy grins. “This might sound strange but I’m glad we’re dying together.”
“That is remarkably strange, Doctor,” Spock observes in a dry tone. “One would assume you were in favor of death.”
“Hush up, hobgoblin.” Leonard flaps a hand and drawls, “And don’t even think about following me to heaven! The last thing I need is you pestering me for all eternity.”
“I believe it is you who does the pestering—regardless of which, no one cannot be certain of where you will end up.”
The doctor gasps. The captain presses a fist to his mouth, which does little to suppress his chuckle.
And Barac cries, as the countdown onscreen changes to fifty-nine seconds, “ENOUGH!”
The three men twist around to stare at the sick-faced Yegedin, who suddenly opens his hand and drops his phaser. The other Yegedins immediately follow suit, disarming themselves in such haste their weapons make a clattering racket hitting the durasteel floor.
“Warning. Self-destruct sequence to commence in forty-five seconds.”
“I concede, victory is yours,” Barac says, his voice strained.
Kirk snaps to his feet, but his response is only a mild “Oh? In that case, have these gentlemen escorted to the brig.”
As the security team moves to comply, Barac raises his voice, for the klaxons are still wailing. “Kirk!”
“Warning. Self-destruct sequence to commence in thirty seconds.”
“KIRK!” yells Barac again. “Stop the sequence!” His desperate movements toward Kirk are thwarted by Security boxing him in.
Jim just blinks and shrugs one shoulder as if uncomprehending of the urgency inherent to the request.
“Warning. Self-destruct sequence to commence in fifteen seconds.”
McCoy reaches over and taps Spock’s arm, looking at him with the unspoken question,Is it time to do something?
Spock rises from his chair. “Captain, your orders?”
“Stand down, Mr. Spock,” Jim says, smiling slowly, almost wolfishly, as the Yegedin entourage being herded away start to panic in earnest.
“Warning. Self-destruct sequence to commence in ten seconds.”
Barac screams at them as he is bodily dragged to the upper deck, “What is this madness! SPARE ME!”
Leonard shakes his head. “Jim, this is almost cruel.”
“But just desserts, wouldn’t you say, Bones?”
“Warning. Self-destruct sequence to commence in five seconds.”
“KIRRRK!”
“Four seconds, three seconds, two seconds—”
The prisoners are hauled into the turbolift, Barac struggling wildly, as the computer announces with finality, “One second.”
McCoy holds his breath.
The viewscreen goes blank.
Then the klaxons shut off. A moment later, a peaceful image of Yeged’s surface appears.
At the end of the bridge, the lift’s door closes on Barac’s stunned face, leaving Leonard to chortle. “The galaxy’s most terrifying screensaver,” he says. “Gotta love it.”
Jim drops his fists to his hips and grins. “Well done, you two.”
Leonard stretches his legs out so his boots find the chair Spock had vacated. “Not too bad if I say so myself.” He squints up at Spock. “What’s that look for?”
“I do not recall explaining this portion of the plan to you.” The Vulcan’s gaze finds Kirk. “Either of you.”
Jim huffs. “You wouldn’t blow up the ship, Spock.”
“Based on what reasoning?”
Kirk and McCoy share a look. Does Spock really not comprehend that they know him as well as he knows them?
Leonard announces, “We’re psychic.”
Spock looks unimpressed. “I see. I should not have asked.”
Jim pats his second-in-command’s shoulder as he drops into the captain’s chair again. “Could you contact the Council for me, Commander?”
Wordlessly the Vulcan goes to the communications console.
“Any idea why he’s miffed?” Leonard asks Jim.
“Nope, but he’ll get over it.”
Spock breaks in to their conversation, his voice raised slightly to carry from the upper deck. “Transmission to Yeged accepted, Captain.”
“Onscreen.”
When the solemn visage of Chairman Oqlah forms on the viewer, something like heartbreak flashes across Kirk’s face before the man locks down his expression.
“Captain Kirk, it is fortuitous to hear from you. You have found a way to subdue the faction?”
“With no help from the likes of you,” mutters McCoy.
Jim’s gaze touches briefly upon Leonard before returning to the main viewscreen. “Mr. Barac and his associates are on their way to my brig, Chairman, and will remain there until I am able to transfer them to the proper authorities for trial.”
“As it should be,” the elder councilman replies. “We are aware to take hostage a Starfleet officer, particularly an officer of your rank, is a capital offense under Federation law. Contrary to Barac’s belief, as a member of Yeged he is also a citizen of the Federation. The Council acknowledges his crime and wishes to cooperate in every way.”
“I see,” Jim says. “Then you are prepared to hand over the remainder of his following?”
“Naturally we would… except such action is unnecessary now,” Oqlah states matter-of-factly. “When your admiral informed us of your intentions to deal with Barac directly, we took measures to handle the ones who stayed behind. Those men are no longer a concern to the Federation or to Yeged.”
“My god,” Leonard says, sitting up in shock, “does that mean what I think it means?”
Oqlah goes on, “The Council as a whole had no knowledge of the attack on the Temple. However, there were members who were aware of the possibility of an incident—they too have been dealt with.” After studying everyone’s expressions, the chairman surmises, “The news I have shared surprises you.”
Kirk’s mouth forms a thin line. “The Council’s retaliation… was it revenge for Onred?”
The councilman says nothing for a long moment. Then, “To attack a man where he stands without first inviting him to do battle is dishonorable; yet to attack the designated heir… that, Captain, is one of the most heinous acts on Yeged. Barac and his followers were doubly guilty. The Council plans to officially denounce their rebellion as heresy against the Old Ways.”
“And Onred?” Kirk questions quietly.
“If the gods are merciful, my nephew will live.”
“I owe him my life.”
“An escort’s duty is to protect. Onred acted with honor. Take heart, Captain. Should my family mourn for Onred, our grief will be untainted by shame.”
“But you have said he isn’t dead yet,” Leonard says, partly to Kirk, partly to the chairman. “You should let us do what we can to help him. I’ve worked with species similar in biology to the Yegedins. I am willing to assist your healers in treating his injuries.”
“A most generous offer.”
But Jim lifts a stalling hand. “There is one condition: Onred must be treated aboard the Enterprise. You are free to send staff as well so that you feel assured of his safety among any offworlders. However I will not risk sending my chief medical officer to the surface—not without a fully armed escort and that, Chairman, I am certain would only heighten the tension still existing between us.”
“I understand your point of view. It is shaming for us, what you have experienced. Still, I must speak with my brethren. The safety of the heir is of paramount importance.”
“Not if he’s dead!” McCoy snaps.
“They’ll agree, Bones,” Jim tells him quietly.
He harrumphs his opinion of that before relenting. “Guess I better see to it there are actual doctors and nurses in Sickbay.”
Jim calls to Spock, “How long before the crew is re-boarded?”
“Their return is already in progress, Captain. Mr. Chekov and Mr. Scott are overseeing it.”
“Good.” Finally, Kirk turns back to the Yegedin on the viewer. “Oqlah, I have an additional request for the Council. When your people became part of the Federation, you agreed to abide by certain tenets—one of which is ensuring a fair and democratic vote for all Yegedins regarding their future. Clearly there has been undue influence affecting your process, and a reason for your people to fear casting an honest vote. I speak for the Federation leadership when I say we have no intention of stopping Yeged from seceding if that is your wish—but you must come to your decision honestly. Allow us to help you oversee the voting so we feel comfortable—and you as well—that Yeged’s future is represented by those who will live it.” Jim hesitates, then adds, “It would also be an opportunity to rebuild a trust which has been lost.”
“I will speak your words as you have delivered them. Until we meet again, Captain Kirk.” The image of Oqlah fades from the screen.
Kirk rises from his chair.
Leonard tells him, “I still don’t have a good feeling about that Council, Jim.”
“I know.” Jim claps a hand to McCoy’s shoulder as the doctor joins him. “But we have to try.”
“Jim?” Spock inquiries, tilting his head as he swivels away from his station to watch Kirk and McCoy’s leisurely approach.
“Who wants to visit the brig with me?” Jim says, a glint coming into his eyes that makes Leonard’s stomach flip upside down.
He complains, “Can’t we wait at least half an hour before antagonizing the bad guys again?”
“I still have questions I want answers to.”
“Barac’s a headcase, Jim. Not to mention the fact he all likely wants to do right now is rip your face off.”
“I concur with Dr. McCoy’s assessment. There will be time and place to conduct a thorough investi—”
Spock’s speech falters, for Kirk is already moving toward the turbolift with a determined stride. After exchanging a short glance, Spock and McCoy simply give up and follow him.
later
“You’re saying to take the chance. If I do that—”
Jim Kirk breaks off and glances up from his desk as his office door whistles open to reveal McCoy and Spock standing upon the threshold. Jim waves them forward even as McCoy asks politely if they can enter, turning back to his computer screen. “Chris, can I call you back?”
Pike offers up a thin but amused smile. “Son, for once let me savor the hope you won’t call back.”
All of a sudden, McCoy is too close, leaning over Kirk’s shoulder and looking frighteningly inquisitive. “You know, I thought only I had the ability to make Jim look like he sucked on a lemon. What are you fellas talkin’ about?”
“Jim can explain,” the admiral replies, to which Jim literally tries to throw a punch at Pike’s smug face onscreen but McCoy intervenes with a grin and a “You can bet he will, sir.”
Spock has drifted to Jim’s opposite shoulder. “Captain, is there some concern we are unaware of?”
“I’m hanging up now,” Pike warns them all, obviously on the verge of laughter. “Kirk, remember what we talked about. Use your words.” And the communication cuts out promptly.
With resignation, Jim flicks off his computer screen and pushes back from his desk in an attempt to force McCoy to step away and give him some breathing room. McCoy doesn’t budge at first, instead sharing a long look with Spock. Then lazily the doctor circles to the opposite side of Kirk’s desk. Spock follows at an equally casual pace, leaving Jim with the sudden impression the one about to come under fire is him.
No, nope, definitely not on his watch. Being captain has to count for something.
Arms folded across his chest, Kirk fixes his most intimidating stare on Spock and McCoy, stealing the opening line to their little three-person drama. “What can I do for you gentlemen?”
“This is about what we can do for you,” McCoy counters. “Spock and I chatted about your proposal.”
Jim stills. “What proposal?”
Spock’s eyebrow rises at that. “Your personal remarks on the bridge during the encounter with the Yegedins.”
Kirk nearly drags a hand down his face. “That was an apology.” He clears his throat so his voice doesn’t sound too strangled. “What proposal am I supposed to have made?”
Spock turns to McCoy. “It seems we were mistaken. Jim in fact has no interest in us.”
Jim’s mouth opens. All that comes out is an unintelligent “What.”
“Oh,” Leonard returns, sounding and looking quite disappointed.
Jim leans forward, hoping against hope he hasn’t misjudged the sincerity of their expressions.
Spock turns for the door. “To avoid further embarrassment, we should leave.”
Jim’s heart starts to pound of its own accord. His fingers tighten against his chair’s arms.
When Leonard trails dejectedly after the Vulcan, Jim’s body jerks, and he half-rises from his chair, blurting out, “Wait!”
Spock and McCoy pause, then slowly turn around.
“Something the matter, Jim?”
It isn’t until the doctor has spoken that Kirk realizes he had frozen in place under their expectant stares. The words startle him into sitting back down. Only then do Spock and McCoy return to the desk.
Jim takes a moment to punch down any nervousness. “I, ah, may not have expressed a proposal explicitly but I am not opposed to one?” He ends that remark on a hopeful, if questioning note.
When neither man responds right away, Kirk breaks into a cold sweat. Now more than ever it seems imperative not to squander to this unexpected opportunity. He has been looking for a way to broach the matter—had even stowed his pride and called Pike up for some guidance (and received a lecture instead, per usual)—yet here Leonard and Spock are, apparently already interested in the very thing Jim has been far too cautious to bring up on his own.
He releases his chair and rises to his feet, moving around the desk to stand in front of them. “Would you be willing to hear me out?” he asks respectfully.
“Affirmative,” Spock says at the same time Leonard points out, “We’re all ears.”
Then, smiling impishly, McCoy turns to the Vulcan and flicks a finger at the air above one of those pointed ears. “Some of us quite literally.”
Spock arches an eyebrow at the doctor.
That exchange is exactly what Jim needs to relax.
He launches into an explanation. “On the bridge, I said I made a mistake. Truthfully, I made two mistakes—the first being that I walked away.” He raises a hand, barreling ahead quickly before either man can speak. “I acted like a jerk. More than that, I acted like I didn’t care. Bones, what you said was something I didn’t want to hear. That didn’t mean it wasn’t true. I was acting cowardly. I was afraid of what else you might say… and since Spock had already pushed for confrontation, I was apprehensive about his motive for doing it.” He pauses, his mouth twitching in amusement briefly. “Sometimes I forget how formidable you two can be when you decide to join forces. But regardless of why I did what I did, I know you weren’t trying to hurt me.”
“Jim, you were hurting already. Spock and I—seeing you in pain is just not something either of us can tolerate. I’ll admit, we went about that chat in a ham-handed way, but then…” McCoy huffs out a sigh. “Discussing emotions has never been any of our strong suits, has it?”
Spock admits, “I acted prematurely in revealing your feelings to Leonard.”
“You did drop quite the bomb, mister,” he agrees.
Leonard snorts. “That’s an understatement.”
Jim smiles a little then sobers. “I’m sorry. Being caught off guard doesn’t excuse my behavior.”
McCoy squeezes the man’s upper arm. “I’m sorry too, Jim.”
Kirk releases a slow breath. “My second mistake,” he continues a bit more hesitantly.
Spock is quick to state his opinion. “Leaving the ship without an escort.”
McCoy, too. “Tricking everyone.” The doctor says with the Vulcan nodding, “And being damned brazen about it.”
“Indeed. I am still undecided as to whether or not Jim’s uncharacteristic duplicity requires an official reprimand.”
“Okay, okay!” Jim can recognize a losing battle when he sees one. “While what you’ve said is true, that is not what I was going to say.”
“Why not?” demands McCoy, clearly not willing to let the matter go. “You scared the hell outta us!”
“Dr. McCoy’s statement, though overdramatic, is accurate. We were quite shocked.” Spock delivers his advice matter-of-factly. “Now would be the optimal time to offer your sincere apology.”
Leonard echoes, “Yeah, and Spock won’t report you… probably.”
These two don’t know how to pull their punches at all—and damn but the guilt trip is working. Jim takes a stab at contriteness. “I’m sorry.”
The doctor snorts. “Sorry you got caught, you mean. Try again.”
“I am sorry,” he repeats with more heat. “I could have used some backup when things went to hell.”
This complaint clearly impresses no one.
“Doctor, I sense the Captain does not fully understand our reason for requiring an apology.”
McCoy thrusts his finger in Kirk’s face. “You could have gotten yourself killed!”
For a second, Jim goes cross-eyed staring at that menacing wagging finger. “Bones, that was Barac’s doing, not mine.”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t push those Yegedin bastards’ buttons instead of acting with some damn common sense for once.”
Jim presses his mouth. “Kirks don’t surrender.”
“Bullshit! I’ve seen you defuse a sticky situation faster than a one-legged man quits in a butt-kicking competition.”
Jim sputters, not sure if he wants to laugh or yell.
Leonard goes on, oblivious to the increasing pitch of his Southern drawl, “You were walking into a political hotbed, Jim. You had no reason to assume you would be safe!”
“Yeah but—”
“If you attempt a mission alone again,” Spock intervenes too calmly, “I will ask Command to restrict your access to off-ship assignments. It is already uncommon for a captain to place himself on a mission roster where the risks are largely unknown.”
Jim stares at the Vulcan, floored. “Y-You can’t do that!”
“Would you care to test my capabilities?”
Leonard crosses his arms over his chest, looking smug. “Spock knows a lot of obscure regulations. I wouldn’t push him, Jim.”
“Fine,” Jim forces the word out. “I won’t go alone again… unless one of you knows about it.”
“Unless we both know about it, and have discussed and approved your request to go without either of us,” amends McCoy.
Request? So he, the captain, the man with the highest authority on the entire ship, has to ask permission to go somewhere by himself like a troublesome child requiring adult supervision?
This is what Pike must have been talking about when he said Jim would have to face the consequences of his actions. Did Chris know McCoy and Spock were going to be such hardasses over one minor error in judgment?
“I’m sorry,” Jim says, really meaning the words now that he has a reason to regret riling up his senior command team.
“Do you agree to our terms?” Spock presses.
Jim sighs through his nose, knowing he is out of options. “Yes.”
A moment of silence ensues. Then McCoy wants to know, “What was the second mistake?”
Jim grumbles, “I might have to rethink it.”
Leonard rolls his eyes. “He’s chickening out again. Do we even have time for this?”
“We have approximately ten point two minutes left. Unfortunately delaying the mission debrief would not be well-received by the Admiralty. They appear anxious to discover who gave the orders for Yeged.”
“Whoever he is, he’s an idiot.” Leonard eyes Jim. “Did Pike already tell you who did it? No, wait, don’t tell me—I can wait to be shocked with everyone else.” Suddenly, the doctor’s gaze narrows. “So, ten minutes—less now, actually. Hurry up with that proposal, Jim.”
“Bones, I’m trying here—whoa, what’re you doing?!” His hedging turns to a near-squeak when Leonard reaches out and snatches up the front of his tunic.
“Your trying is killin’ me, kid.”
Jim’s heart starts pounding in his ears. “Huh?”
“Forget the second mistake. I’m out of patience, and clearly we’re out of time.”
“Okay?”
“So pucker up, I’m going to kiss you now.”
Jim’s ability to think comes to a halt.
McCoy, eyeing his captive speculatively, must decide one warning is fair enough and proceeds to plant his mouth over Kirk’s. As far as kisses go, it isn’t the most mind-blowing Jim Kirk has ever had; but it is certainly, almost literally, enough to stop his heart.
“Gah,” he gurgles nonsensically afterward, half-aware that McCoy has pushed him up against Spock with instructions for the Vulcan to prop him up.
Then McCoy pats Kirk’s cheek. “Jim, you with us? Don’t pass out now.”
“You kissed me.”
“You bet I did.”
“Bones…” Jim needs a second to find more words. “Did you mean it?” He looks sideways at Spock. “Did he mean it?”
“Idiot,” Leonard says fondly, straightening to his full height. “Do you even know what your proposal is supposed to be?”
Jim replies instantly, “I propose we kiss more.”
“Accepted.” Leonard looks at their third companion with a twinkle in his eyes. “But you gotta include Spock in this deal. He’s starting to look cranky that he hasn’t had his turn.”
Jim finally twists out Spock’s hold to turn and fully face the Vulcan. He blinks at Spock, and Spock blinks back. “You knew?”
“If you are referring to the fact that your attraction extends to myself as well as Dr. McCoy—of course, Jim.”
“Oh.” Jim thinks about that, then thinks some more. And curses. “Wait a minute, was this a setup?”
“Do you think we came in here without a plan?” Leonard demands.
Jim narrows his eyes. “I didn’t make a proposal on the bridge.”
“You should have,” Leonard counters.
His eyes narrow even more.
Spock looks between Kirk and McCoy. “Is this argument necessary at this time?”
Jim meets and holds Leonard’s eyes—and suddenly all his apprehension and irritation melt away. The light in McCoy’s eyes is a touch humorous but also full of affection. Spock’s is the same.
A tingling sensation starts in his fingertips and spreads throughout his body. He thinks the feeling might be happiness.
Stepping closer to his two favorite people, Jim slides an arm around the doctor’s waist and drops a hand to the Vulcan’s shoulder. “Have I told you how much I need you two around?”
Leonard shrugs, but he’s smiling. “We know, but I think we could stand to hear it again.”
“Agreed,” Spock chimes in. “I am told the basis for a successful relationship is communication.”
“Yeah but tell us only the good things, Jim,” Leonard teases.
Jim mock-gasps. “Honesty, Bones, honesty.”
McCoy snorts.
Spock remarks, “We have four minutes and three seconds remaining.”
Kirk grins. “We can be late.”
And though McCoy groans and Spock looks dubious, neither one dismisses the suggestion.
The End
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