gilda_elise (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
gilda_elise) wrote2010-06-08 04:24 pm
gilda_elise) wrote2010-06-08 04:24 pm
Entry tags:
A Common Odyssey (K/S) Pt 4 of 5
Title: A Common Odyssey
Fandom: Star Trek (TOS)
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Notes: Kirk and Spock end up in a Romulan prison after the ship they are passengers on is taken by Orion slavers.
Originally published in First Time 57 by Merry Men Press (July 2003)
The steam that billowed out to fill the shower room served to mute the chatter that invariably took place between the prisoners as they relaxed under the cleansing spray. Kirk stood and let the water pound against his back. It no longer stung the scars that crisscrossed his back, a few snaking down to mar the top of his buttocks. Rather, it helped to release the tension that knotted his muscles and pulled the skin taut.
It had been seven days since his talk with Spock, yet he still hadn't come to terms with the twists and turns that had developed in their relationship. He glanced at Spock standing three feet away. The Vulcan's long sinewy body now brought desire, but it also brought a sense of well-being that had been there for almost as long as they had known each other. He and Spock were as sword and shield. Still his shadow, still the loyal first officer who watched his captain's back. But no longer the subordinate who unquestioningly obeyed his orders. Kirk almost grinned. Had Spock ever been that? Truthfully, no. But it had never been so blatantly obvious.
He turned and grabbed one of the bottles that sat in the shallow plate circling the pole that held the ring of shower heads. He squeezed out a dollop of soap and started to vigorously massage it through his scalp. Showers were scheduled every other day. If all went according to plan, this could be his last for a while.
He certainly hoped so. The strain was beginning to show on both of them, but especially Spock. Hoben had left them alone, which only reinforced their worries. Tal was probably right. The older guard had to be planning to make his move the next day.
Kirk's own withdrawal from his lover hadn't helped matters. But he couldn't help himself. It hurt in some undefinable way, knowing that Spock could contemplate disobeying his direct order. He didn't want to be left behind, knowing that death awaited him. But he couldn't stand the thought of Spock dying needlessly just so he didn't have to die alone.
Kirk stuck his head under the full spray of water and closed his eyes as the soap ran down his face and off his body. He felt a hand settle gently on his neck to wipe away the last trace of soap. Without a thought, he reached out to take it in his and squeezed the warm fingers before letting go.
He wiped the water from his eyes and found the Vulcan standing next to him. There was so much love in Spock's eyes. Love mixed with hurt and regret. Kirk wanted to pull his lover to him and forget the anger that was keeping him at a distance. He almost did. But at the last moment the words came back to him and instead he only nodded and turned to finish his shower.
The silence remained between them as they toweled off and dressed. In the next row of benches Ranulf sat and studied them. Kirk saw the smile of satisfaction on his face. Was their dissension so obvious?
The young Romulan noticed Kirk watching him and stood up to walk over. They had told him of Tal's warning, but it had made even less of a difference to Ranulf than it had to them. His attention focused on Spock as the Vulcan worked his tunic on. Spock's chest, patterned with lean muscle and swirls of dark hair drew the young man's gaze.
"What do you want, Ranulf?" Kirk couldn't keep the anger out of his voice.
Ranulf pulled his attention away from Spock. "I was just going to walk with you back to our cells. That's not a problem, is it, Kirk?"
Kirk grabbed his jacket and with a nod to Spock started out. "Suit yourself."
The Romulan had to hurry to keep up, but managed to insinuate himself between them, fueling Kirk's anger. But without missing a step Spock casually moved next to his captain.
Kirk didn't even try to hide his smile. But it faded as he realized that Ranulf's infatuation with Spock was something he should be encouraging. If he wanted the Romulan to get Spock away in the event of something happening to him, he'd have to accept the fact that Ranulf would be the one there for the Vulcan, the one to gather up the pieces of Spock's broken dreams.
The three entered the building and took the long corridor to their cells. When they got to their respective doors, Spock stepped aside to allow Kirk to enter first.
"No, Spock. You go ahead. I've got a few things I need to discuss with Ranulf. I'll only be a few minutes."
Both Spock and Ranulf gave him a startled look. But after a moment, the Vulcan merely nodded and entered their cell.
"You want to talk to me, Kirk?" There was amusement and surprise in the Romulan's voice.
"Not here. In your cell." Kirk waited for Ranulf to argue with him, but the Romulan merely shrugged and then motioned him in with a flourish.
"Have a seat." Ranulf made himself comfortable on his bunk.
"I think you know what I want to talk about." Kirk hesitated, but then took a seat.
"Do I?" He seemed disinclined to make things easy for his rival.
"Let's not pretend, okay? I know you want Spock. I don't think you have a clue as to who he really is, but that's another story. If anything happens to me he's going to need you to get out of here. I'm going to need you to get him out of here."
"So what's the problem?" Ranulf answered. His offhand manner disturbed Kirk.
"The problem is that he won't want to go. And telling him that you'll be his lover isn't going to make things better. It'll probably make things worse. He doesn't need to hear that. At least, not right away." Kirk rubbed his forehead. He wondered what it would take to make the young Romulan understand. Out of habit, he stood and began pacing the small room. He had always found it easier to think on his feet.
"He already knows, so why pretend that I don't? Maybe if you had let him go at the first, this wouldn't even be a problem. He'd already be with me."
Kirk scowled. "You don't think much of me, do you? Do you honestly believe that if that would have worked I wouldn't have already done it? Spock would have known right away what I was doing. He's not stupid, Ranulf."
"I'm not saying he is. But you certainly didn't do anything to discourage him. These walls are thin, Kirk."
This wasn't the time for modesty, and Kirk didn't have to fight off a blush. He was too angry to feel embarrassed. "I'm not going to apologize for taking what I wanted. Especially since it might be all we have."
"How romantic. So now he has the memories," the Romulan sneered.
Kirk halted his pacing, stunned at the anger. "Yes, he'll have the memories. Was it so terrible of me to give him that?"
"It would have been easier on him to not have them. Then he could have walked away from here instead of having to be forced to save his own life."
"It's not that simple."
"Isn't it?" Ranulf scoffed. "You're just two men who happened to have fallen in love with each other. No different from all the other men who have. Spock will get over you in time."
Kirk looked up to gaze out of the high window. From this side of the building the mountains were visible, their forested peaks still slightly dusted with snow. "No. No, he won't. You don't understand."
"Then make me understand. You talk like he'll want to die if he loses you. Nobody dies from a broken heart." The words were heavy with sarcasm, yet there was an underlying thread of pain.
"That's where you're wrong. If two people share what Spock and I do, it'd be like losing half of your soul." Kirk quieted at his own words. What exactly was he asking of Spock? If the situation was reversed, would he be capable of leaving his lover to a certain death while he took off with a man who wanted to take Spock's place?
He didn't even have to think about it. They were two halves of the same whole. Two people linked in every way possible. He could no more leave Spock than stop breathing.
Kirk smiled, and almost laughed at his own folly. He'd been so wrapped up in being Spock's captain that he had totally lost sight of the fact that that relationship was only a very small part of what they were to each other. Spock wasn't being an insubordinate first officer. He was protecting himself from a devastation of unimaginable scope.
"What's so funny?"
Kirk looked at the Romulan. Ranulf's anger had dissipated as fast as it had arisen. Kirk shook his head. "Nothing. Nothing at all."
He walked across the cell and opened the door, but stopped before it could close behind him. "Never mind what I said, Ranulf. I'll take care of Spock."
"What are you going to do?"
"What's best for Spock." He closed the door and walked the short distance to his cell. His lover was waiting.
~~~~~
The rain pattered gently on the roof and ran down to fog the window of the cell. Ranulf sat with his knees drawn up against his body and hugged his pillow. Only hours now. At first light he would be called to help distribute breakfast. He wished he could fall asleep until then.
It had stormed through most of the night yet sleep had not come. He hated storms. They always reminded him of that day when they had come to drag Senius away, out of his arms and out of his life.
Senius. He closed his eyes and tried not to think overmuch of his dead lover. He had fallen out of the habit as time had gone by. But with his plans so near to fruition, it was hard not to think of what might have been.
Once before he had been hours away from freedom. But the plans they had made had come to naught. They were waiting for lights-out to make their bid. They were so sure that with the entire night ahead of them they would have more than enough time to reach the forest and safety. But then the guards had burst in and put an end to their dreams. The keys so meticulously made were confiscated, proof of Senius' guilt. He was the one who worked in the metal shop. Ranulf had been whipped until his back was in ribbons, but Senius had been taken and executed two days later, his death turned into a long drawn-out torture for Hoben's amusement.
Ranulf remembered lying in this very bed, his back on fire. But the pain in his heart had been a hundred times worse. All he had wanted was the death that had ultimately been denied him.
He slid down to lie on his side and pulled his pillow tighter still. With time, the pain had lessened. There had been days when he couldn't remember what Senius had looked like. Until the Vulcan had arrived, and memories long buried had stirred to life.
Spock could have been Senius' long lost brother, they were so alike. From the strength that hid in the slender body, to the slight tilt of the head to convey curiosity that had almost broken Ranulf's heart the first time he had seen Spock do it. From that moment, he had been lost.
Ranulf knew his obsession with the Vulcan was unhealthy. Especially since Spock was obviously deeply in love with the human. But he couldn't help himself. He wanted Spock, needed Spock to fill the huge gap left in his soul. For so long he had only existed. Spock had brought him back to life.
He had always known about the tunnel, but the final needed information had only been discovered a little over a year ago. Too late for him and Senius. So he had waited, and hoped the right person would show up. When he saw Spock, he knew his wait was over.
Spock of the dark eyes and hair that shone like starlight. Spock of the brilliant mind without which there would have been no way to overpower the guard. The Vulcan had prepared the needed anesthetic and managed to slip out a hypo from the infirmary the day before. Spock, whose strength of will and conviction had drawn Ranulf to him from the first, while at the same time keeping the Vulcan firmly at Kirk's side.
He closed his eyes. Sleep was finally within his grasp. But then he heard the sounds from across the corridor and any hope of rest faded away with the soft moan of pleasure Ranulf knew was the Vulcan's gift to the human who owned his heart.
~~~~~
Kirk came awake as a sound of bliss slipped passed his lips. Lying on his stomach, he felt the hot Vulcan tongue glide over his buttocks. He squirmed, and tried to get more of the delightful caresses. But Spock's hands held his hips down as he continue his oral explorations.
Hot fingers probed between his ass cheeks, pulling them apart. Kirk felt wetness touch the ring of muscles as Spock played his tongue at the entrance to his body. He moaned again and tried to lift his hips, but Spock allowed very little movement from him.
Kirk felt the teasing tongue enter his body. Spock licked at him. The smooth and wet penetration set Kirk on fire as his insides were bathed.
"I desire you," Spock whispered as he came up to lie on top of his lover. The hot, full cock nestled between Kirk's buttocks. Sharp teeth nipped at Kirk's neck, and then the Vulcan's tongue swirled out to lave his ear.
Kirk gasped, the hot probe in his ear and the one pushing against his ass sending shards of delight down his body. His own cock was now heavy and needing. "Yes, whatever you want."
Spock fumbled for the tube of lubricant Kirk had placed on the other bed hours before. Kirk had walked back to their cell with every intention of giving himself to Spock. But worry and anger had drained them both, and sleep had won out against their ineffective attempts to stay awake.
He was ready now. Ready to give Spock what he wanted, all that he wanted. If they were to die, so be it. They would die as they had lived, side by side, together. So when the Vulcan rose to kneel between his lover's spread legs, Kirk pulled his hips up and settled on his hands and knees.
Spock's hands came to rest on Kirk's hips. The Vulcan's fingers spread out to hold him in place while his thumbs pulled at the taut cheeks.
Kirk felt pressure against his anus, a slight twinge, and then the glorious fullness as he was entered. "Don't stop. God, don't stop." He pushed back to take the thick cock all the way inside of him.
Spock sighed as he slid his organ into Kirk's body, stopping only when his balls came to rest against Kirk's buttocks. The Vulcan slowly withdrew, until only the tip of his cock remained imbedded, then plowed forward again. He repeated the motion, each time a little faster, a little harder, until his hips were snapping forward and back, and he was pounding into Kirk with a frenzy only matched by his lover as Kirk shoved back to meet the impaling shaft.
"Yes, god, yes." Kirk threw his head back as his body rocked to the force of Spock fucking him, the hot, Vulcan cock taking his body, his soul. The touch of fingers wrapping around his own hard shaft pulled a cry from him. He gasped out his pleasure at the dual sensations, the flare of the ridges of Spock's organ as it plundered his body and the hand at his groin skillfully milking his cock.
The thick shaft caressed his prostate and Kirk felt the first shiver of orgasm race through his body. He reached back and grabbed Spock's free hand to place it firmly on his face. "Meld us. Make us one."
Whatever Spock might have thought at that moment was lost in the sheer joy that raced through their contact and settled in Kirk's mind. His universe exploded out. He was human and he was Vulcan. He was Kirk and he was Spock. He felt the spreading warmth in his bowels and in his hand as both of who he was lost themselves in the ecstasy of their complete joining of body and mind.
They fell forward onto the bed, still coupled. Finally, Spock pulled his hands away and held himself up on his elbows. He rested his head against his lover's back. "Thank you, t'hy'la." The words were barely choked out.
Kirk smiled. How could he have ever thought that they were made for anything but this? "Thank you, love. For waiting."
He felt Spock's body pull from his, while Spock's mind nestled ever deeper. He turned over to allow the Vulcan to clean him and then they lay together, Spock's arms holding him close. He rested his head on the Vulcan's chest. The rain had slowed to a steady drizzle. Kirk almost laughed. God, he loved storms.
~~~~~
Kirk sat at the table and drummed his fingers against its top. Spock was at the door. Any minute now, Ranulf and the Romulan guard would be bringing their lunch.
"Do you hear anything?" Kirk asked. He hated the waiting.
"I believe they are near." Spock held the hypo filled with the homemade knockout serum.
Kirk rose and came over to stand behind Spock. From his new vantage point, he could hear the clatter of trays and the slide of the door slots opening. He placed his hand on Spock's back as the Vulcan tensed and leaned forward. Voices could be distinctly heard from the other side of the door.
The slot cover pulled away and a tray was shoved through. Spock grabbed it and pushed the hypo into Ranulf's waiting hand. A second later, the opening was covered over again. Spock stepped back and took a seat at the table.
Kirk started to pace. It was up to Ranulf now. If all went as planned, they would be free within the hour. If the guard hadn't noticed the exchange. If Ranulf could administer the drug without the guard sounding an alarm. So much depended on the young Romulan.
The minutes dragged by. Their supplies were stacked on one of the bunks. They were ready to go.
"What's taking so long?" Kirk hissed. He went to the door and tried listening, but there was only silence.
"It has only been seventeen point five minutes. He will come." Spock had not moved.
The rain had started again and Kirk threw a look up at the darkened window. All he could see was the cloud-heavy sky. He started to pace again. "It's taking too long. He should have been back already."
"There are several cells past ours and the cart is large and cumbersome. It may take longer than we originally surmised." Spock sounded like he was trying to convince himself.
Kirk moved to sit across from his bondmate. "I don't think he's coming back. He doesn't need us anymore."
"Jim, do not say that. He will come. I—"
They both jumped up at the sound of a bolt being thrown. Keys jangled, and then the door flew open.
"Come on, we don't have much time!" Ranulf hurried into the cell and threw his burden on the spare bunk. The guard fell in a relaxed sprawl.
Kirk grabbed the bundle filled with the food they had managed to hide, while Spock shouldered the pack that he;d the extra clothes and blankets taken from the laundry during the last few days.
"Did anyone see you?" Kirk asked. He worked at getting his pack secured. The straps Spock had devised would keep it in place like a knapsack.
"I don't think so. I didn't see anyone." Ranulf finished tying the unconscious guard to the bunk and then stuffed a rag into the man's mouth. "That should do it. As long as he doesn't try to swallow it, he should be okay. Let's go."
They slipped out of the cell, furtively checking up and down the corridor. It was empty. Ranulf hurried to his cell to grab his own pack, and then the three men hastened down the long hallway.
Once outside, Kirk was glad for the cloud cover. The darkness of the day gave at least the illusion of protection against prying eyes. He wished it would start raining again. They had wrapped their gear with the raincoats each prisoner was given. It would be easier to dry off their soaked clothes rather than the blankets or food that comprised their loads. There were no guards in the central tower, or along the walkways that topped the high walls. Yet Kirk still felt they were being watched as they ran through the rain-soaked prison yard.
Kirk didn't even know where they were going. He glanced at Spock, only to see the same unease on the Vulcan's troubled face. They were going in blind. Regardless of Ranulf's professed desire for Spock, the Romulan had kept the location of the tunnel to himself.
"Quick, hide!" Ranulf barely whispered before he grabbed Spock's arm and pulled the Vulcan into the space between two of the buildings. Kirk followed, and ducked down to kneel in the mud next to his bondmate. Across the yard, one of the guards had stepped out from the commissary. He looked around from under the sheltered verandah that fronted the building. After a few minutes, he returned inside.
Kirk's heart was pounding as they slowly edged out of the narrow space. "That was close."
"I hope he's just bored and not wondering where his coworker is. Come on, We're almost there." Ranulf led them to the fence that separated the prison yard from the administration offices. He pulled out the set of keys taken from the guard and unlocked the gate. He motioned them through and locked it behind them.
"Where to now?" Kirk nervously looked around the small courtyard.
"We need to find a supply room," Ranulf answered.
"Why?" Kirk was unable to hide his growing annoyance.
"Do you imagine the tunnel is conveniently lit?" The Romulan sneered.
"Gentlemen, this is neither the time nor the place for an argument." Spock's exasperation with both men was more than evident.
Kirk shrugged and gave his lover a self-conscious grin. Even Ranulf had the good graces to look abashed.
"Perhaps, Ranulf, it would behoove all of us if you were to tell us where exactly it is we are going," Spock intoned.
They were walking down one side of the courtyard, hugging the building. "The warden's office. The tunnel's in there. But we're going to need some portable lights first."
They tried several doors before finding what they needed. The small room was stocked with a wide variety of supplies. The men hurried through the room, taking what they thought they might need. Spock threw a rolled-up rope onto his shoulder while Kirk picked through the shelves.
"Look at this." Kirk grabbed a small box and showed it to Spock. "Matches, or the Romulan equivalent."
Ranulf walked over from where he was searching. "That's good. We might need them. If you can find some flares, it'd be even better. But we've got to hurry."
They picked out a few more things, and then each grabbed two lanterns from where they sat near the door. The warden's office was on the other side of the enclosure, and they continued to look around as they hurried across the area. The door was locked, but once again the keys lifted from the guard opened the way for them.
The room was dark. They edged in and closed the door behind them. All three fumbled around for the light controls. Spock flipped the switch to the left of the entrance and the room slowly filled with light.
"Spock, over here." Ranulf had moved to the center of the room and knelt down on the mosaic that dominated the office. He seemed to be searching for something, lightly passing his hands over the design.
"What it is?" Kirk followed the Vulcan.
"The way out. Kneel over there." Ranulf motioned to Spock. "When I tell you, press the red star just to the left of the big yellow one with the three planets circling it, then the yellow one itself."
Spock walked over and knelt down. He scanned the mosaic until he made out the two stars. "The yellow star is this planet's sun?"
"Yeah. Touching in sequence the stars that are in a line between here and Romulus activates the opening to the tunnel." Ranulf placed one hand on the Empire's home star and his other on a giant red a foot away from it. He shifted and, lifting arm over arm, repositioned his hand on a small white star further on. "Now, Spock."
Spock reached out and settled his hand on the red star and then on the piece that represented the star above them.
Nothing happened at first. But then suddenly the ground below them shifted, and a line appeared zigzagging down the center of the mosaic. All three men jumped back as the floor opened up to expose a flight of stairs that disappeared into the black hole.
"Okay, let's go." Ranulf switched on one of the lanterns and cautiously started down the stairs.
"That's far enough."
They turned in shocked despair to the man standing at the doorway. Manius maneuvered it closed, while keeping the phaser trained on them.
"What are you doing?" Kirk asked angrily.
"Stopping you. What does it look like I'm doing?" The old man motioned Ranulf away from the stairs. "All three of you, stand over by the desk."
Kirk backed up. "Why are you doing this? And where did you get the weapon?"
Manius chuckled. "Ever in charge, aren't you, James? I'm really rather sorry that your death is part of the plan. I really did come to like you. But we can't allow one of the Empire's greatest criminals to get away, now can we?"
"You knew we were planning to escape?"
"Of course we did. But we wanted to know the location of the tunnel. This area has a high concentration of minerals that interfere with sensors. So the only way to find out was to allow Ranulf the opportunity to try to use it. When you and your first officer were brought here, placing you in the cell across from his was the perfect solution. We would get the information we needed and Hoben would get you."
"And you?" Spock interjected. "What is your reward for this betrayal?"
The older Romulan laughed. "This is my job, Vulcan. I have served the Empire for more years than you have been alive. After I retired from active duty, this position was offered to me to continue that service."
Ranulf took a step toward Manius but stopped when the phaser was momentarily swung his way. "You mean you allowed yourself to be imprisoned? What kind of monster are you? Those men out there think you're their friend. You've always been treated with affection and respect. Yet all this time, you've been betraying—" The young man suddenly went white.
"Ah, you understand." Manius shook his head. "Poor Ranulf. To find that you were indirectly responsible for the death of your lover. I believe Senius warned you to be more careful. But you, like everyone else, thought I was a harmless old man. What could it hurt if the old fool saw you stashing supplies?"
"So now what?" Kirk queried.
"We wait. I was supposed to notify Hoben when you made your move, but unfortunately he is not here. I left a message in his office. He should be back soon. He's very eager to get his hands on you, James. Whatever he plans for you won't be pleasant. But the Vulcan's fate...let's just say he'll serve Hoben and his henchmen very well."
"And me? What of me?" Ranulf's words were soft, lacking emotion. The young man was in shock.
Manius smirked. "You? You're nothing. A means to an end. You're usefulness is over." The older Romulan lifted the phaser and pointed it directly at Ranulf. "In fact, there really isn't any reason to keep you around any longer."
His finger was starting to squeeze the trigger when he disappeared in a flash of light, and Tal walked forward from his place by the door.
Kirk looked at him is surprise. "Not that I'm not happy to see you, but what are you doing here?"
Tal glanced at the three men and then down into the tunnel. "I conveniently took sick this morning. I knew they wanted the information from Ranulf, so I assumed you were being set up. When Hoben tried to get me to go to the ceremonies in his place, I figured something was happening. My not coming in forced Hoben to go with Traccus, and left me free to carry out my own plans."
"Why did you not just tell us? Why the veiled warning?" Spock asked.
"Because I needed to know who was helping Hoben."
Ranulf shook himself, as if trying to clear his head. He glared at the guard in anger. "You should have let me kill him. You had no right taking that away from me." The young man was trembling. "He killed Senius. Just as if he had been there with Hoben while they beat him to death. It was my place to avenge his death. He was my lover!"
Tal nodded sadly. "Your lover. My brother."
"Your brother?" Kirk stepped closer, amazed at the turn of events.
"Yes. When Senius was first arrested, I had just entered the army. I was being groomed for the service also. But the stain of his 'crime' spread over all of us, and I was expelled. When he was killed, I had a new identity created for myself and applied for this job. I knew sooner or later I would find the one responsible. And when I saw you," he stared meaningfully at Spock, "I knew the time had come."
"What will you do now?" Spock moved to stand next to Kirk.
"I'll stay at the prison until after the investigation into your escape. No one knows I'm here right now, and I can get out just as easily. There's no way for them to connect me to your escape. All they'll have is a mystery. How did four prisoners disappear from the prison and where did they go?" Tal shrugged in amusement.
Kirk frowned. "Four prisoners? Won't Traccus wonder about Manius?"
"No, not unless Hoben tells him, which I doubt he will. Traccus didn't know about Manius, no one did except Hoben. I know, because I've spent the last two years trying to find out who the informer was. Now that I have, it will be Hoben's turn next."
"It was you, wasn't it?" Kirk asked. "The one who beat him up."
"Yes. I found great satisfaction in that particular duty." Tal peered down at the pit at their feet. "But you'd better get going. I'll wait here and make sure nothing's out of place."
Kirk nodded and, grabbing Spock's arm, moved next to Ranulf at the step's edge. He looked back at the young guard. "I can't thank you enough for this."
"No thanks are necessary, Captain Kirk." Tal stepped back and raised his hand in a clumsily made but sincere attempt at the Vulcan salute. "Live long and prosper, Captain, Mr. Spock." He held the Vulcan's gaze a long moment before looking to Ranulf and giving him a cryptic smile. "You, also, one with my brother."
Kirk turned to go, but stopped when Tal called his name.
"Captain Kirk." The Romulan tossed his phaser at Kirk, who easily caught it. "You might need this."
Kirk grinned. "Thanks, we just might."
The three men moved as one. They quickly took the steps into the pit. Halfway down, the light above began to fade as the floor slowly came together, closing the entrance.
Kirk snapped on one of his lanterns and they proceeded the rest of the way. The stairs ended a few feet further down and a wide tunnel opened that swallowed the light. "How long is this thing?"
"Several miles. It exits in the forest." Ranulf was coming out of his shock. "But you'd better let me lead. The tunnel is only partly man-made. Most of it consists of a series of caverns that branch off in several directions."
"Do you know how long it will take us to reach the end?" Spock asked.
"I'm not sure. Probably the rest of the day. We can spend the night at the mouth of the cave and then get a start in the morning. Come on." Ranulf quickly started forward, not waiting for an answer from either man.
Kirk looked at his lover. Spock was looking back at him, an expression halfway between annoyance and resignation on the Vulcan's face that mirrored his own. He chuckled and fell into step, Spock at his side.
~~~~~
They walked for several hours until Kirk called a halt. They had already depleted two of the six lanterns, but he felt that they could chance a ten minute rest. Undoing the strap that held his pack in place, he let it fall and then sat on the ground next to it. After a moment, Spock hesitantly followed suit and positioned himself next to his captain.
Kirk opened the bundle and pulled out some bread and dried fruit. He shared it with the other two and then started munching on his own. The bread was as hard as the fruit, but he was hungry. In the excitement of their impending escape their lunches had gone uneaten.
Ranulf took some food, but chose to sit a few feet away. He hadn't talked much, and Kirk figured the young Romulan was trying to come to terms with what he had learned that morning. None of them were really in a talking mood, anyway. The dark was oppressive and the uneven terrain was tiring them.
The small meal was finished in silence, and Kirk sighed as he pulled out the small bottle of water. They had had limited options when it came to storing it. Ranulf had managed to sneak out a few containers from the kitchen, but they would run out before too long. Finding a source of fresh water would be their first priority.
"Jim?" Spock quietly spoke his name.
Kirk turned to his lover, raising his eyebrows in question.
"Have you given any thought to what we will do now that we are free?"
"Not really. I guess find a place to hide out until we can figure a way off this planet." He took a few sips of water and then passed it to the Vulcan.
"I know a place," Ranulf quietly said. "It is in the mountains, deep in the forest. We will be safe there."
Kirk thought about it. "I guess that will do for now. Maybe after things die down we can head for a city, somewhere with a spaceport."
"You, Kirk? You think you'll be able to freely go wherever you wish?" Ranulf shook his head. "You'll be picked up the first time you show your face."
Kirk grimaced, but tried to keep his anger under control. "We'll worry about that later. Right now," he stood up and began to shrug his pack back on. "I think we'd better get going."
They started off again, but the way was getting rougher as the caverns twisted back and forth. Several times the path would split off and only Ranulf's knowledge kept them from getting lost. They stopped to rest twice more, both times eating just enough to keep hunger at bay.
"How long have we been at this?" Kirk asked. His feet hurt, and he felt like he'd been walking for days.
"Fifteen point seven hours." Spock gave him a small smile. "I would think it will not be much longer, Jim."
"at least we're free, now." Kirk couldn't help wondering about their benefactor. "I wonder how Tal made out."
"A most amazing young man. To methodically plan and carry out the search for his brother's killers shows a maturity and determination far beyond his years."
"Yes. The Empire doesn't know what they gave up when they forced him out of their service. I wish there was some way to help him in that."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "I do not believe our recommendations would do him much good."
"No, I guess not. But I'd like to know that he's safe. That his helping us didn't put him in jeopardy."
"He seemed to have the situation well in hand. He would have..." Spock's voice faded out.
"What is it?" Kirk slowed and grabbed Spock's arm.
"Do you feel that?" Spock tilted his head in concentration. "Fresh air."
Kirk turned his head and peered ahead into the dark. Ranulf was about ten feet in front of them and his lantern illuminated only a short distance.
"Ranulf, do you see anything?" Kirk asked.
They all stopped. The stillness was deafening as they strained to hear or see anything. The light suddenly moved as Ranulf started swiftly forward.
"The entrance must be up ahead," the Romulan shouted over his shoulder. The lantern bobbed in the darkness and then stopped a good hundred feet ahead.
"Idiot," Kirk muttered. He turned on his remaining lantern and he and Spock made their way forward. When they finally caught up with him, Ranulf was standing at the mouth of the cave, staring out into the night sky. The air was decidedly colder.
Kirk turned to Spock and saw the same thought on his face. It was so dark out there. I man could get lost scant feet from the entrance. They'd be traveling only during the day. He looked back into the cave. "It's warmer further in." He motioned to Spock and the two men retreated thirty feet or so before depositing their loads on the cave floor.
Ranulf was still standing where they'd left him, but after a few minutes he turned and retraced his steps back into the cave. The three men undid their packs and spread out the blankets for sleeping.
It was an awkward situation that Kirk had not thought about before. Would it be better for them if he and Spock slept apart? He frowned and moved slightly away to set up his bedding. Whatever his lover thought of the situation was left unsaid. The Vulcan was busy with his own preparations, removing any small stone that protruded from the dirt before rolling out his blanket.
With a disgruntled sigh, Kirk lay down and covered himself. It might be warmer here than outside, but not enough to make up for the loss of his bed partner. He reached out and turned off the lantern. The cave was pitch black except for the dim glow from its entrance. He hugged the blanket tighter and closed his eyes.
It couldn't have been much later. Kirk felt sleep gradually taking hold when a second blanket was added to his, and a warm Vulcan body slid in next to him.
"I do not wish to sleep alone," Spock said in a low voice, as he pulled Kirk tight against his chest.
Kirk smiled. It was as it should be.
~~~~~
Ranulf slowly woke and blinked at the light filtering into the cave. He sat up and stretched. Hunger gnawed at him. The shortage of nourishment the day before was catching up to him. They'd have to find more food. It was at least nine days to the cabin, and their supplies would run out long before then.
He glanced at his companions and frowned. Spock had the human in an embrace, and his head was buried against Kirk's neck. A slow burn started as he thought about what he might have to put up with, watching as they shared all the small things that lovers shared. Gestures that only the other was privy to, the casual touches that proclaimed ownership. Ranulf wasn't sure how much of that he could stand.
He threw his blanket aside and got up. He walked over to where they had stacked the foodstuff and knelt down. There were still four full containers of water. He opened one and took a deep drink. He untied the blanket sacrificed to hold their food and pulled out a chunk of bread. Sitting on a flat rock nearby, he contentedly ate his breakfast while going over the previous day's events.
He hadn't even known that Senius had a brother. His lover had been somewhat reticent about his family. More than Ranulf, he had felt the sting of their new status as pariahs. Perhaps because Senius had been from a well-to-do family, he had taken their rejection to heart. Unlike Ranulf, whose family had been more than supportive.
Thinking of his family always helped to lift Ranulf's spirits. His mother had done everything in her power to aid his rebellion. And after his arrest, had worked behind the scenes to make his bid for freedom possible. It was she who had finally discovered the secret to the tunnel's use. She waited even now for him at the home she had made deep in the forest. He smiled, wondering what her reaction would be to their two guests.
He glanced over at the two men and saw that both were stirring. Kirk had come up on one elbow and was blearily looking around at their surroundings. Ranulf was sure the human was going to be a hindrance in more ways than one. Not only did he own Spock's affection, keeping Ranulf from what he wanted, but he'd hold them back with his lesser strength and stamina.
Spock had sat up and was neatly folding their blankets. Ranulf smiled, once more taken by the Vulcan's uncanny resemblance to Senius. It was if fate had returned his dead lover to him. He would do anything to have that love back. His smile turning to a frown, Ranulf slowly leaned over and picked up the phaser resting next to the lanterns.
"What are you doing?" Kirk's eyes had gone wide when the phaser was swung around in his direction.
"Do not move." Ranulf's voice was cold.
"Ranulf, do not do this." Spock instinctively started toward his captain.
"I said, don't move!" Ranulf slowly stood and moved closer until he was standing at their feet.
"Put the phaser down, Ranulf," Kirk ordered. "This won't get you anywhere."
Ranulf didn't answer, but the click as he set the weapon echoed through the cave. He aimed and fired.
The beam sliced through the air directly above them. Both men turned to see a small creature caught in the powerful ray tumble to the ground.
Kirk jumped to his feet. "What the hell is that?"
Spock had rolled in the other direction, but now moved back to peer at the animal as Ranulf hesitantly stepped forward and nudged it with his foot. The Vulcan looked up. "You did not kill it."
Ranulf shook his head. "I didn't know if either of you would be caught in the beam. It's only stunned, so don't get too close."
Kirk had walked up behind him and now squat down to get a better look. "Looks like some sort of reptile."
"It's called a craycas. It's usually not out during the cold, but its burrow is most likely around here somewhere. Your body heat probably drew it." Ranulf looked pointedly at the small animal. "Its bite kills within seconds."
Both men drew quickly back and Kirk glared at Ranulf. "You could have said something sooner."
"I didn't have the time. Besides, if you'd moved, it might have gone for you." He walked back to their supplies and started repacking them. "You two might want to eat and get your things together now. I don't know how long that thing will be unconscious. So unless you want to just kill it, I recommend we get out of here."
It didn't take long for the three men to gather their gear. Deciding it would be safer, the two late risers planned to eat their breakfast on the move. So minutes later they stood at the cave entrance, packs strapped to their backs, ready for travel.
"Where to now?" Kirk asked.
Ranulf looked around. The land began a gentle slope a hundred or so feet away as the mountains rose above them. Behind them, the forest thinned out to the plains that stretched to the horizon. The prison was a distant smudge on the barren landscape. He turned back to his companions and pointed to the peaks ahead. "That way."
~~~~~
They had been walking for several hours when Spock first noted the berries on the large, thick bushes that grew in the meadow they were passing through. He picked one, smelling it hesitantly. "Ranulf, are these edible?"
Ranulf stopped and turned. He had been in the lead all morning. "Polmonds. Yes, they are. It also means that we're nearing water. There'll be even more the closer we get to it."
Spock nodded and they began walking again. He thought about it a moment and then bit into the purple fruit. It tasted like a cross between peaches and oranges.
"Any good?" Kirk asked.
Spock picked another one and handed it to his lover. "I think you will find it most palpable."
Kirk eyed the small berry and then popped it into his mouth. His eyes opened in surprise and he smiled. "I could get used to these. Looks like food and water's not going to be a problem."
The bushes did get more numerous, and after another thirty minutes Spock heard the unmistakable sound of running water.
"Up ahead." Ranulf quickened his pace.
The two men followed and soon came upon a stream that ran through a small ravine in the center of the meadow. About ten feet across, the shallow flow of water was surrounded on both sides by bushes loaded with the succulent fruit.
Kirk looked around. "This looks like as good a place as any to take a break. We can refill our water containers, and maybe figure out how to carry the berries." He turned to Spock. "You think you could rig something up?"
"I shall endeavor to do so." He started toward a nearby stand of trees, only to find himself with company.
"I thought you might need some help," Ranulf answered at Spock's silent inquiry.
Spock looked back at his lover. Kirk had knelt down to refill their water bottles. But his head came up at that moment, as if knowing that Spock was watching him. He smiled and waved.
"Are you afraid he doesn't trust you?" The Romulan gave Kirk a dismissive look before returning his attentions to Spock.
"He trusts me, Ranulf. It is you he has misgivings about."
"I can't do anything you don't want me to."
Spock studied the young man a moment. "Then there is nothing for him to fear." He turned and started searching through the underbrush, looking for anything that might act as a container.
Ranulf sighed, and then joined in the hunt. Eventually, they found some flat, broad leaves that could be woven together to form adequate containers. They returned to the stream to find Kirk resting on one of the blankets, an arm thrown across his face to block out the sun.
"With the sun out, it's not really that cold." Kirk sat up at their approach to make room for them.
"Don't let the warmth fool you." Ranulf sat on the corner of the blanket and started filling the makeshift basket with berries. "It's going to be plenty cold tonight." He looked up and scanned the sky. "It's about midday right now. I'd say we have another five, six hours of walking before we need to find some shelter."
"Where's this cabin you mentioned?" Kirk asked. He took the basket Spock had just completed.
"We follow the stream until it meets the Gelidus River. Six, maybe seven days. A little further on the river narrows enough for us to cross it. Once on the other side, we follow the river for another few days. It'll lead us past a small box canyon. The cabin is there."
"How do you know of this place?" Spock inquired, stopping his interlacing of the fronds for a moment.
Ranulf smiled. "I grew up around here. My family has always been somewhat unorthodox. It became a source of pride that so many of us ended up in trouble." The smile faded and his voice grew wistful. "Of course, none of them gained as much notoriety as I did. I only wish I hadn't taken Senius down with me."
"I thought Manius said Senius pulled you into it?" Kirk interjected.
"No, it was the other way around." The Romulan became thoughtful. "I don't know why Senius went along with me. He came from a wealthy and powerful family. Maybe he thought that would protect him. But look what happened. It ended by destroying all they had."
Spock could only imagine what that would feel like. To cause, however indirectly, the death of your lover. These last months of worry, wondering if Kirk would survive, had given Spock only a taste of what Ranulf must have lived through. He hesitated a moment before speaking. "Being from a well-placed family, Senius must surely have had firsthand knowledge of the Empire's excesses. It must have been his wish also, to rebel against your government."
"I don't know. Maybe." Ranulf shook himself, as if physically pulling away from the memories. "Anyway, you don't have to worry about us getting lost. I know these mountains too well for that to happen."
Spock wondered at the Romulan's ability to switch emotions so readily, but then he caught the look that passed over Kirk's face. Sympathy, and a deep understanding of what it was to take on the burden of someone's death, and then go on. His lover's gaze slid from Ranulf to Spock, and for a moment it was just the two of them. Without words, Kirk was asking forgiveness for what he had almost demanded of Spock. And without words, Spock responded that there was no need.
~~~~~
Ranulf had been right. Though the days were getting warmer as spring progressed, the nights were bitterly cold. Kirk lay against his lover and looked out from their lean-to. Every evening they would pile dead leaves against a fallen tree, and then lay branches thickly over it in a weave pattern. Leaving one side open, it made a cove just big enough for them to lie in. The Romulan had laid claim to the inner spot, knowing that Kirk would insist on taking the outer one. His lower body temperature gave him an unexpected edge over his traveling companions, both of whom were having difficulty with the cold. The shared body warmth helped, but he could tell he was getting more sleep then they were.
They had completed three days of travel, and each was more difficult than the one before. Their original cache of food had run out, and the only other edible fare they had managed to find was a root that grew along the stream's bank, and a nutlike substance Ranulf called maucins.
Kirk grimaced. Neither had tasted as good as the berries or were as plentiful. But like most fruit eaten in large quantities, the polmonds had had an unfortunate side effect. They learned soon enough to eat them sparingly. He didn't know which was worse. The purging that had followed that first day, or the constant ache of a half empty belly that had been their lot ever since.
The terrain had steadily climbed, and the thickening forest made travel even more difficult. To add to their difficulties, the shoes they all wore had not been made for this kind of walking. Blisters had formed, slowing their progress. Luckily water was plentiful. The cool flowing spring felt good on sore, aching feet. By the end of the day, they were all tired, hungry, dirty, and out of sorts.
Kirk thought of their original destination of months ago. Amazing that he had thought this exact situation a great way to pass a shore leave. They would have been better supplied, naturally. But he didn't think he'd ever see a walk in the woods in the same way.
He snuggled back against his bondmate and felt Spock's arm tighten possessively. His lover had reacted to Ranulf's attentions by often acting as if Kirk were the one being courted. He supposed it made an odd sort of logic. Ranulf could not help but see that he stood no chance when Spock was being so solicitous of his bondmate.
Tempers had flared more than once. Kirk tried to remember the sympathy he had felt when Ranulf had spoken of his dead lover. But it wasn't easy. The young Romulan did everything he could to get between him and Spock, literally. When they foraged for food, Ranulf would invariably remain at Spock's side. During their rest stops, he made sure to sit as close to Spock as the Vulcan would allow. Worse, he gave them almost no privacy. The few times they had thought to have alone had been disrupted by the young man's appearance at the most inopportune time. Kirk was with his lover all day, yet he missed him desperately.
And the warm, firm body pressed to his at night was difficult to ignore. Tired, hungry, filthy, Kirk still craved the touch of those strong hands and the sensations awakened by them. What he wouldn't give to be back on the Enterprise, sharing a bed in the comfort of a warm cabin.
He turned in Spock's arms and pulled himself against his lover. The days were bad. The nights were worse.
~~~~~
McCoy stood next to the Enterprise's acting captain and watched on the view screen as the ship slipped into its berth. A month before the official end of their mission, they had been recalled to Earth. Both men knew the chances were that this was their farewell.
The Scotsman had been given the reins for the ship's refit, a task that would take a year and a half. McCoy looked over at his friend. He knew that Scotty had never cared for the job he had been handed these last five months. And it showed. There were lines on his face that hadn't been there the day Jim and Spock had left, looking for adventure but finding death instead.
As for himself, he still didn't know what he was going to do. They had offered him a position on another ship. Trouble was, it just hadn't been the same on this ship. He couldn't imagine it would be any better anywhere else. Jim and his Vulcan shadow had made the Enterprise what it was. Second best just wasn't in the cards for this Georgia son.
He'd thought about going back into regular practice. Maybe head out for some new colony world that wanted doctors to be doctors; treat their injuries and illnesses, not fill out forms and attend seminars.
He pushed it all to the back of his mind as he thought about what he had to face first. As soon as the ship was secure, McCoy was beaming down to meet with Jim's mother. Together, they'd decide what to do with her son's effects; the apartment Kirk had hardly lived in, and the boxes McCoy had shipped to Earth that now sat in that silent dwelling.
"I'll see you later, Scotty." McCoy put his hand on his friend's shoulder and squeezed.
"Aye, Doctor. Give my best to the lad's mother."
McCoy nodded and headed for the turbo. All the way to the transporter room he kept wondering what he would say to the woman. They had kept in contact these last months. Stargrams had flowed back and forth as if trying to create a bridge held up by memories of her son.
He was still thinking about it after he transported down and entered the apartment building. He took the elevator up to the twenty-sixth floor. The front door was wide open when he got there.
"Mrs. Kirk?" He stuck his head in. Seeing no one, he walked in and surveyed the room. Everything was just the way it was the last time he had been here, some long ago shore leave that Jim had talked him and Spock into. They had stopped here on their way out of town. He felt his chest tighten as he remembered how happy his friends had seemed, content in their very special friendship. And even if he hadn't been to them what they had been to each other, he missed the warmth and affection they had all shared.
"Dr. McCoy?"
He jumped and turned to see the petite and attractive woman he recognized only from photos step off the balcony and walk towards him. "Ma'am."
"Oh, please. Winona, or even Mrs. Kirk if you must. 'Ma'am' makes me sound like your great-aunt." She extended her hand and took his in a firm handshake.
"All right...Winona. But then I insist you call me Leonard." He noticed that the balcony doors were all opened wide. "Have you been here long?"
"About an hour." She motioned to the couches positioned near the fireplace. "Do sit. I think we've got a lot of talking to do."
They took their places, sitting across from each other. But once there, neither seemed to know what to say next. Several awkward moments passed as McCoy wracked his brain for anything that might get them by this.
Winona hesitated, and then unwrapped the thin package McCoy hadn't noticed her holding. She handed it to him.
"I found this in Jim's bedroom, on his dresser. Do you know when it was taken?"
He looked at the photo framed in a simple but expensive frame. It was of his friends. They were sitting together, looked like in one of the rec rooms. They seemed to be listening to someone out of range, or at least, Spock was. His arms were folded and his focus was intent on the unknown speaker. But Kirk was almost laughing, leaning forward in his chair, one hand resting on the Vulcan's shoulder as he gazed at his first officer.
McCoy handed it back. "I don't know when, exactly. But judging from the the way they're sitting, I'd say sometime in the last year."
"Then you see it, too?" Winona gazed at the picture resting in her lap and gently touched the image with her fingertips. "Jim was in love with this man, wasn't he?"
He cleared his throat. "I believe so, yes. But it was returned in full measure. I'd stake my reputation on that."
She looked up, puzzled. "But he's Vulcan."
"Well, there are Vulcans, and then there are Vulcans." McCoy gently laughed. "Besides, Spock was only half." He looked at the woman in mild surprise. "You never met him, did you?"
"No. Jim talked about him quite a bit though."
"Yeah, I'll bet." McCoy thought about it a moment. "Jim and Spock were like...one person born in two bodies. I know that doesn't make any sense. You'd have to have seen them in action. Sometimes, they could have a conversation without saying a word. This look would pass between them, and they'd know exactly what the other was thinking. And what one of them lacked, the other one made up for."
"Like what?"
The doctor chuckled. "You know your son. Headstrong, goes after what he wants." McCoy didn't even notice that he had spoken of his friend in the present tense. "Spock tempered that. Spock was a thinker. Maybe too much so. But combined with Jim, it was an unbeatable combination. He kept Jim from doing things that maybe weren't such a good idea if you thought about it. And Jim kept Spock from overanalyzing everything. Taught him to trust his instincts."
"You cared for both of them, didn't you?"
McCoy sighed. "Yes, ma'am, I did." He grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. Old habits die hard."
They were quiet after that, but now it was a comfortable silence. A silence between two people bound together by a common loss.
"So," Winona finally exclaimed with false cheerfulness, "what do you think I should do with the apartment?"
He looked around and frowned. "I don't know. I thought about buying it from you, but I think it'd be too painful to stay here. Is it something you need to deal with right away? You could hang on to it for a while."
"I suppose I could. That's one of the things I wanted to talk to you about." She motioned to the room around them. "But all his stuff. What do I do with it? I thought you might like something from here. And Starfleet Academy has asked for a few things to display. They're going to have some sort of memorial for him."
"That's what I've heard." He pondered a moment. "I wouldn't mind a copy of that picture."
She smiled. "I thought you might. I'll have one made up. As for the rest, I think I'll take your suggestion."
"You're going to keep the apartment?" He nodded in agreement. "I think that's a good idea. Wait until the thought of him doesn't go through you like a knife, until the pain dies down some." But as he said the words, McCoy realized that this woman was on intimate terms with this particular pain.
She answered softly. "It never does, Leonard. It never does."
~~~~~
Continue to part 5.
Fandom: Star Trek (TOS)
Pairing: Kirk/Spock
Notes: Kirk and Spock end up in a Romulan prison after the ship they are passengers on is taken by Orion slavers.
Originally published in First Time 57 by Merry Men Press (July 2003)
The steam that billowed out to fill the shower room served to mute the chatter that invariably took place between the prisoners as they relaxed under the cleansing spray. Kirk stood and let the water pound against his back. It no longer stung the scars that crisscrossed his back, a few snaking down to mar the top of his buttocks. Rather, it helped to release the tension that knotted his muscles and pulled the skin taut.
It had been seven days since his talk with Spock, yet he still hadn't come to terms with the twists and turns that had developed in their relationship. He glanced at Spock standing three feet away. The Vulcan's long sinewy body now brought desire, but it also brought a sense of well-being that had been there for almost as long as they had known each other. He and Spock were as sword and shield. Still his shadow, still the loyal first officer who watched his captain's back. But no longer the subordinate who unquestioningly obeyed his orders. Kirk almost grinned. Had Spock ever been that? Truthfully, no. But it had never been so blatantly obvious.
He turned and grabbed one of the bottles that sat in the shallow plate circling the pole that held the ring of shower heads. He squeezed out a dollop of soap and started to vigorously massage it through his scalp. Showers were scheduled every other day. If all went according to plan, this could be his last for a while.
He certainly hoped so. The strain was beginning to show on both of them, but especially Spock. Hoben had left them alone, which only reinforced their worries. Tal was probably right. The older guard had to be planning to make his move the next day.
Kirk's own withdrawal from his lover hadn't helped matters. But he couldn't help himself. It hurt in some undefinable way, knowing that Spock could contemplate disobeying his direct order. He didn't want to be left behind, knowing that death awaited him. But he couldn't stand the thought of Spock dying needlessly just so he didn't have to die alone.
Kirk stuck his head under the full spray of water and closed his eyes as the soap ran down his face and off his body. He felt a hand settle gently on his neck to wipe away the last trace of soap. Without a thought, he reached out to take it in his and squeezed the warm fingers before letting go.
He wiped the water from his eyes and found the Vulcan standing next to him. There was so much love in Spock's eyes. Love mixed with hurt and regret. Kirk wanted to pull his lover to him and forget the anger that was keeping him at a distance. He almost did. But at the last moment the words came back to him and instead he only nodded and turned to finish his shower.
The silence remained between them as they toweled off and dressed. In the next row of benches Ranulf sat and studied them. Kirk saw the smile of satisfaction on his face. Was their dissension so obvious?
The young Romulan noticed Kirk watching him and stood up to walk over. They had told him of Tal's warning, but it had made even less of a difference to Ranulf than it had to them. His attention focused on Spock as the Vulcan worked his tunic on. Spock's chest, patterned with lean muscle and swirls of dark hair drew the young man's gaze.
"What do you want, Ranulf?" Kirk couldn't keep the anger out of his voice.
Ranulf pulled his attention away from Spock. "I was just going to walk with you back to our cells. That's not a problem, is it, Kirk?"
Kirk grabbed his jacket and with a nod to Spock started out. "Suit yourself."
The Romulan had to hurry to keep up, but managed to insinuate himself between them, fueling Kirk's anger. But without missing a step Spock casually moved next to his captain.
Kirk didn't even try to hide his smile. But it faded as he realized that Ranulf's infatuation with Spock was something he should be encouraging. If he wanted the Romulan to get Spock away in the event of something happening to him, he'd have to accept the fact that Ranulf would be the one there for the Vulcan, the one to gather up the pieces of Spock's broken dreams.
The three entered the building and took the long corridor to their cells. When they got to their respective doors, Spock stepped aside to allow Kirk to enter first.
"No, Spock. You go ahead. I've got a few things I need to discuss with Ranulf. I'll only be a few minutes."
Both Spock and Ranulf gave him a startled look. But after a moment, the Vulcan merely nodded and entered their cell.
"You want to talk to me, Kirk?" There was amusement and surprise in the Romulan's voice.
"Not here. In your cell." Kirk waited for Ranulf to argue with him, but the Romulan merely shrugged and then motioned him in with a flourish.
"Have a seat." Ranulf made himself comfortable on his bunk.
"I think you know what I want to talk about." Kirk hesitated, but then took a seat.
"Do I?" He seemed disinclined to make things easy for his rival.
"Let's not pretend, okay? I know you want Spock. I don't think you have a clue as to who he really is, but that's another story. If anything happens to me he's going to need you to get out of here. I'm going to need you to get him out of here."
"So what's the problem?" Ranulf answered. His offhand manner disturbed Kirk.
"The problem is that he won't want to go. And telling him that you'll be his lover isn't going to make things better. It'll probably make things worse. He doesn't need to hear that. At least, not right away." Kirk rubbed his forehead. He wondered what it would take to make the young Romulan understand. Out of habit, he stood and began pacing the small room. He had always found it easier to think on his feet.
"He already knows, so why pretend that I don't? Maybe if you had let him go at the first, this wouldn't even be a problem. He'd already be with me."
Kirk scowled. "You don't think much of me, do you? Do you honestly believe that if that would have worked I wouldn't have already done it? Spock would have known right away what I was doing. He's not stupid, Ranulf."
"I'm not saying he is. But you certainly didn't do anything to discourage him. These walls are thin, Kirk."
This wasn't the time for modesty, and Kirk didn't have to fight off a blush. He was too angry to feel embarrassed. "I'm not going to apologize for taking what I wanted. Especially since it might be all we have."
"How romantic. So now he has the memories," the Romulan sneered.
Kirk halted his pacing, stunned at the anger. "Yes, he'll have the memories. Was it so terrible of me to give him that?"
"It would have been easier on him to not have them. Then he could have walked away from here instead of having to be forced to save his own life."
"It's not that simple."
"Isn't it?" Ranulf scoffed. "You're just two men who happened to have fallen in love with each other. No different from all the other men who have. Spock will get over you in time."
Kirk looked up to gaze out of the high window. From this side of the building the mountains were visible, their forested peaks still slightly dusted with snow. "No. No, he won't. You don't understand."
"Then make me understand. You talk like he'll want to die if he loses you. Nobody dies from a broken heart." The words were heavy with sarcasm, yet there was an underlying thread of pain.
"That's where you're wrong. If two people share what Spock and I do, it'd be like losing half of your soul." Kirk quieted at his own words. What exactly was he asking of Spock? If the situation was reversed, would he be capable of leaving his lover to a certain death while he took off with a man who wanted to take Spock's place?
He didn't even have to think about it. They were two halves of the same whole. Two people linked in every way possible. He could no more leave Spock than stop breathing.
Kirk smiled, and almost laughed at his own folly. He'd been so wrapped up in being Spock's captain that he had totally lost sight of the fact that that relationship was only a very small part of what they were to each other. Spock wasn't being an insubordinate first officer. He was protecting himself from a devastation of unimaginable scope.
"What's so funny?"
Kirk looked at the Romulan. Ranulf's anger had dissipated as fast as it had arisen. Kirk shook his head. "Nothing. Nothing at all."
He walked across the cell and opened the door, but stopped before it could close behind him. "Never mind what I said, Ranulf. I'll take care of Spock."
"What are you going to do?"
"What's best for Spock." He closed the door and walked the short distance to his cell. His lover was waiting.
The rain pattered gently on the roof and ran down to fog the window of the cell. Ranulf sat with his knees drawn up against his body and hugged his pillow. Only hours now. At first light he would be called to help distribute breakfast. He wished he could fall asleep until then.
It had stormed through most of the night yet sleep had not come. He hated storms. They always reminded him of that day when they had come to drag Senius away, out of his arms and out of his life.
Senius. He closed his eyes and tried not to think overmuch of his dead lover. He had fallen out of the habit as time had gone by. But with his plans so near to fruition, it was hard not to think of what might have been.
Once before he had been hours away from freedom. But the plans they had made had come to naught. They were waiting for lights-out to make their bid. They were so sure that with the entire night ahead of them they would have more than enough time to reach the forest and safety. But then the guards had burst in and put an end to their dreams. The keys so meticulously made were confiscated, proof of Senius' guilt. He was the one who worked in the metal shop. Ranulf had been whipped until his back was in ribbons, but Senius had been taken and executed two days later, his death turned into a long drawn-out torture for Hoben's amusement.
Ranulf remembered lying in this very bed, his back on fire. But the pain in his heart had been a hundred times worse. All he had wanted was the death that had ultimately been denied him.
He slid down to lie on his side and pulled his pillow tighter still. With time, the pain had lessened. There had been days when he couldn't remember what Senius had looked like. Until the Vulcan had arrived, and memories long buried had stirred to life.
Spock could have been Senius' long lost brother, they were so alike. From the strength that hid in the slender body, to the slight tilt of the head to convey curiosity that had almost broken Ranulf's heart the first time he had seen Spock do it. From that moment, he had been lost.
Ranulf knew his obsession with the Vulcan was unhealthy. Especially since Spock was obviously deeply in love with the human. But he couldn't help himself. He wanted Spock, needed Spock to fill the huge gap left in his soul. For so long he had only existed. Spock had brought him back to life.
He had always known about the tunnel, but the final needed information had only been discovered a little over a year ago. Too late for him and Senius. So he had waited, and hoped the right person would show up. When he saw Spock, he knew his wait was over.
Spock of the dark eyes and hair that shone like starlight. Spock of the brilliant mind without which there would have been no way to overpower the guard. The Vulcan had prepared the needed anesthetic and managed to slip out a hypo from the infirmary the day before. Spock, whose strength of will and conviction had drawn Ranulf to him from the first, while at the same time keeping the Vulcan firmly at Kirk's side.
He closed his eyes. Sleep was finally within his grasp. But then he heard the sounds from across the corridor and any hope of rest faded away with the soft moan of pleasure Ranulf knew was the Vulcan's gift to the human who owned his heart.
Kirk came awake as a sound of bliss slipped passed his lips. Lying on his stomach, he felt the hot Vulcan tongue glide over his buttocks. He squirmed, and tried to get more of the delightful caresses. But Spock's hands held his hips down as he continue his oral explorations.
Hot fingers probed between his ass cheeks, pulling them apart. Kirk felt wetness touch the ring of muscles as Spock played his tongue at the entrance to his body. He moaned again and tried to lift his hips, but Spock allowed very little movement from him.
Kirk felt the teasing tongue enter his body. Spock licked at him. The smooth and wet penetration set Kirk on fire as his insides were bathed.
"I desire you," Spock whispered as he came up to lie on top of his lover. The hot, full cock nestled between Kirk's buttocks. Sharp teeth nipped at Kirk's neck, and then the Vulcan's tongue swirled out to lave his ear.
Kirk gasped, the hot probe in his ear and the one pushing against his ass sending shards of delight down his body. His own cock was now heavy and needing. "Yes, whatever you want."
Spock fumbled for the tube of lubricant Kirk had placed on the other bed hours before. Kirk had walked back to their cell with every intention of giving himself to Spock. But worry and anger had drained them both, and sleep had won out against their ineffective attempts to stay awake.
He was ready now. Ready to give Spock what he wanted, all that he wanted. If they were to die, so be it. They would die as they had lived, side by side, together. So when the Vulcan rose to kneel between his lover's spread legs, Kirk pulled his hips up and settled on his hands and knees.
Spock's hands came to rest on Kirk's hips. The Vulcan's fingers spread out to hold him in place while his thumbs pulled at the taut cheeks.
Kirk felt pressure against his anus, a slight twinge, and then the glorious fullness as he was entered. "Don't stop. God, don't stop." He pushed back to take the thick cock all the way inside of him.
Spock sighed as he slid his organ into Kirk's body, stopping only when his balls came to rest against Kirk's buttocks. The Vulcan slowly withdrew, until only the tip of his cock remained imbedded, then plowed forward again. He repeated the motion, each time a little faster, a little harder, until his hips were snapping forward and back, and he was pounding into Kirk with a frenzy only matched by his lover as Kirk shoved back to meet the impaling shaft.
"Yes, god, yes." Kirk threw his head back as his body rocked to the force of Spock fucking him, the hot, Vulcan cock taking his body, his soul. The touch of fingers wrapping around his own hard shaft pulled a cry from him. He gasped out his pleasure at the dual sensations, the flare of the ridges of Spock's organ as it plundered his body and the hand at his groin skillfully milking his cock.
The thick shaft caressed his prostate and Kirk felt the first shiver of orgasm race through his body. He reached back and grabbed Spock's free hand to place it firmly on his face. "Meld us. Make us one."
Whatever Spock might have thought at that moment was lost in the sheer joy that raced through their contact and settled in Kirk's mind. His universe exploded out. He was human and he was Vulcan. He was Kirk and he was Spock. He felt the spreading warmth in his bowels and in his hand as both of who he was lost themselves in the ecstasy of their complete joining of body and mind.
They fell forward onto the bed, still coupled. Finally, Spock pulled his hands away and held himself up on his elbows. He rested his head against his lover's back. "Thank you, t'hy'la." The words were barely choked out.
Kirk smiled. How could he have ever thought that they were made for anything but this? "Thank you, love. For waiting."
He felt Spock's body pull from his, while Spock's mind nestled ever deeper. He turned over to allow the Vulcan to clean him and then they lay together, Spock's arms holding him close. He rested his head on the Vulcan's chest. The rain had slowed to a steady drizzle. Kirk almost laughed. God, he loved storms.
Kirk sat at the table and drummed his fingers against its top. Spock was at the door. Any minute now, Ranulf and the Romulan guard would be bringing their lunch.
"Do you hear anything?" Kirk asked. He hated the waiting.
"I believe they are near." Spock held the hypo filled with the homemade knockout serum.
Kirk rose and came over to stand behind Spock. From his new vantage point, he could hear the clatter of trays and the slide of the door slots opening. He placed his hand on Spock's back as the Vulcan tensed and leaned forward. Voices could be distinctly heard from the other side of the door.
The slot cover pulled away and a tray was shoved through. Spock grabbed it and pushed the hypo into Ranulf's waiting hand. A second later, the opening was covered over again. Spock stepped back and took a seat at the table.
Kirk started to pace. It was up to Ranulf now. If all went as planned, they would be free within the hour. If the guard hadn't noticed the exchange. If Ranulf could administer the drug without the guard sounding an alarm. So much depended on the young Romulan.
The minutes dragged by. Their supplies were stacked on one of the bunks. They were ready to go.
"What's taking so long?" Kirk hissed. He went to the door and tried listening, but there was only silence.
"It has only been seventeen point five minutes. He will come." Spock had not moved.
The rain had started again and Kirk threw a look up at the darkened window. All he could see was the cloud-heavy sky. He started to pace again. "It's taking too long. He should have been back already."
"There are several cells past ours and the cart is large and cumbersome. It may take longer than we originally surmised." Spock sounded like he was trying to convince himself.
Kirk moved to sit across from his bondmate. "I don't think he's coming back. He doesn't need us anymore."
"Jim, do not say that. He will come. I—"
They both jumped up at the sound of a bolt being thrown. Keys jangled, and then the door flew open.
"Come on, we don't have much time!" Ranulf hurried into the cell and threw his burden on the spare bunk. The guard fell in a relaxed sprawl.
Kirk grabbed the bundle filled with the food they had managed to hide, while Spock shouldered the pack that he;d the extra clothes and blankets taken from the laundry during the last few days.
"Did anyone see you?" Kirk asked. He worked at getting his pack secured. The straps Spock had devised would keep it in place like a knapsack.
"I don't think so. I didn't see anyone." Ranulf finished tying the unconscious guard to the bunk and then stuffed a rag into the man's mouth. "That should do it. As long as he doesn't try to swallow it, he should be okay. Let's go."
They slipped out of the cell, furtively checking up and down the corridor. It was empty. Ranulf hurried to his cell to grab his own pack, and then the three men hastened down the long hallway.
Once outside, Kirk was glad for the cloud cover. The darkness of the day gave at least the illusion of protection against prying eyes. He wished it would start raining again. They had wrapped their gear with the raincoats each prisoner was given. It would be easier to dry off their soaked clothes rather than the blankets or food that comprised their loads. There were no guards in the central tower, or along the walkways that topped the high walls. Yet Kirk still felt they were being watched as they ran through the rain-soaked prison yard.
Kirk didn't even know where they were going. He glanced at Spock, only to see the same unease on the Vulcan's troubled face. They were going in blind. Regardless of Ranulf's professed desire for Spock, the Romulan had kept the location of the tunnel to himself.
"Quick, hide!" Ranulf barely whispered before he grabbed Spock's arm and pulled the Vulcan into the space between two of the buildings. Kirk followed, and ducked down to kneel in the mud next to his bondmate. Across the yard, one of the guards had stepped out from the commissary. He looked around from under the sheltered verandah that fronted the building. After a few minutes, he returned inside.
Kirk's heart was pounding as they slowly edged out of the narrow space. "That was close."
"I hope he's just bored and not wondering where his coworker is. Come on, We're almost there." Ranulf led them to the fence that separated the prison yard from the administration offices. He pulled out the set of keys taken from the guard and unlocked the gate. He motioned them through and locked it behind them.
"Where to now?" Kirk nervously looked around the small courtyard.
"We need to find a supply room," Ranulf answered.
"Why?" Kirk was unable to hide his growing annoyance.
"Do you imagine the tunnel is conveniently lit?" The Romulan sneered.
"Gentlemen, this is neither the time nor the place for an argument." Spock's exasperation with both men was more than evident.
Kirk shrugged and gave his lover a self-conscious grin. Even Ranulf had the good graces to look abashed.
"Perhaps, Ranulf, it would behoove all of us if you were to tell us where exactly it is we are going," Spock intoned.
They were walking down one side of the courtyard, hugging the building. "The warden's office. The tunnel's in there. But we're going to need some portable lights first."
They tried several doors before finding what they needed. The small room was stocked with a wide variety of supplies. The men hurried through the room, taking what they thought they might need. Spock threw a rolled-up rope onto his shoulder while Kirk picked through the shelves.
"Look at this." Kirk grabbed a small box and showed it to Spock. "Matches, or the Romulan equivalent."
Ranulf walked over from where he was searching. "That's good. We might need them. If you can find some flares, it'd be even better. But we've got to hurry."
They picked out a few more things, and then each grabbed two lanterns from where they sat near the door. The warden's office was on the other side of the enclosure, and they continued to look around as they hurried across the area. The door was locked, but once again the keys lifted from the guard opened the way for them.
The room was dark. They edged in and closed the door behind them. All three fumbled around for the light controls. Spock flipped the switch to the left of the entrance and the room slowly filled with light.
"Spock, over here." Ranulf had moved to the center of the room and knelt down on the mosaic that dominated the office. He seemed to be searching for something, lightly passing his hands over the design.
"What it is?" Kirk followed the Vulcan.
"The way out. Kneel over there." Ranulf motioned to Spock. "When I tell you, press the red star just to the left of the big yellow one with the three planets circling it, then the yellow one itself."
Spock walked over and knelt down. He scanned the mosaic until he made out the two stars. "The yellow star is this planet's sun?"
"Yeah. Touching in sequence the stars that are in a line between here and Romulus activates the opening to the tunnel." Ranulf placed one hand on the Empire's home star and his other on a giant red a foot away from it. He shifted and, lifting arm over arm, repositioned his hand on a small white star further on. "Now, Spock."
Spock reached out and settled his hand on the red star and then on the piece that represented the star above them.
Nothing happened at first. But then suddenly the ground below them shifted, and a line appeared zigzagging down the center of the mosaic. All three men jumped back as the floor opened up to expose a flight of stairs that disappeared into the black hole.
"Okay, let's go." Ranulf switched on one of the lanterns and cautiously started down the stairs.
"That's far enough."
They turned in shocked despair to the man standing at the doorway. Manius maneuvered it closed, while keeping the phaser trained on them.
"What are you doing?" Kirk asked angrily.
"Stopping you. What does it look like I'm doing?" The old man motioned Ranulf away from the stairs. "All three of you, stand over by the desk."
Kirk backed up. "Why are you doing this? And where did you get the weapon?"
Manius chuckled. "Ever in charge, aren't you, James? I'm really rather sorry that your death is part of the plan. I really did come to like you. But we can't allow one of the Empire's greatest criminals to get away, now can we?"
"You knew we were planning to escape?"
"Of course we did. But we wanted to know the location of the tunnel. This area has a high concentration of minerals that interfere with sensors. So the only way to find out was to allow Ranulf the opportunity to try to use it. When you and your first officer were brought here, placing you in the cell across from his was the perfect solution. We would get the information we needed and Hoben would get you."
"And you?" Spock interjected. "What is your reward for this betrayal?"
The older Romulan laughed. "This is my job, Vulcan. I have served the Empire for more years than you have been alive. After I retired from active duty, this position was offered to me to continue that service."
Ranulf took a step toward Manius but stopped when the phaser was momentarily swung his way. "You mean you allowed yourself to be imprisoned? What kind of monster are you? Those men out there think you're their friend. You've always been treated with affection and respect. Yet all this time, you've been betraying—" The young man suddenly went white.
"Ah, you understand." Manius shook his head. "Poor Ranulf. To find that you were indirectly responsible for the death of your lover. I believe Senius warned you to be more careful. But you, like everyone else, thought I was a harmless old man. What could it hurt if the old fool saw you stashing supplies?"
"So now what?" Kirk queried.
"We wait. I was supposed to notify Hoben when you made your move, but unfortunately he is not here. I left a message in his office. He should be back soon. He's very eager to get his hands on you, James. Whatever he plans for you won't be pleasant. But the Vulcan's fate...let's just say he'll serve Hoben and his henchmen very well."
"And me? What of me?" Ranulf's words were soft, lacking emotion. The young man was in shock.
Manius smirked. "You? You're nothing. A means to an end. You're usefulness is over." The older Romulan lifted the phaser and pointed it directly at Ranulf. "In fact, there really isn't any reason to keep you around any longer."
His finger was starting to squeeze the trigger when he disappeared in a flash of light, and Tal walked forward from his place by the door.
Kirk looked at him is surprise. "Not that I'm not happy to see you, but what are you doing here?"
Tal glanced at the three men and then down into the tunnel. "I conveniently took sick this morning. I knew they wanted the information from Ranulf, so I assumed you were being set up. When Hoben tried to get me to go to the ceremonies in his place, I figured something was happening. My not coming in forced Hoben to go with Traccus, and left me free to carry out my own plans."
"Why did you not just tell us? Why the veiled warning?" Spock asked.
"Because I needed to know who was helping Hoben."
Ranulf shook himself, as if trying to clear his head. He glared at the guard in anger. "You should have let me kill him. You had no right taking that away from me." The young man was trembling. "He killed Senius. Just as if he had been there with Hoben while they beat him to death. It was my place to avenge his death. He was my lover!"
Tal nodded sadly. "Your lover. My brother."
"Your brother?" Kirk stepped closer, amazed at the turn of events.
"Yes. When Senius was first arrested, I had just entered the army. I was being groomed for the service also. But the stain of his 'crime' spread over all of us, and I was expelled. When he was killed, I had a new identity created for myself and applied for this job. I knew sooner or later I would find the one responsible. And when I saw you," he stared meaningfully at Spock, "I knew the time had come."
"What will you do now?" Spock moved to stand next to Kirk.
"I'll stay at the prison until after the investigation into your escape. No one knows I'm here right now, and I can get out just as easily. There's no way for them to connect me to your escape. All they'll have is a mystery. How did four prisoners disappear from the prison and where did they go?" Tal shrugged in amusement.
Kirk frowned. "Four prisoners? Won't Traccus wonder about Manius?"
"No, not unless Hoben tells him, which I doubt he will. Traccus didn't know about Manius, no one did except Hoben. I know, because I've spent the last two years trying to find out who the informer was. Now that I have, it will be Hoben's turn next."
"It was you, wasn't it?" Kirk asked. "The one who beat him up."
"Yes. I found great satisfaction in that particular duty." Tal peered down at the pit at their feet. "But you'd better get going. I'll wait here and make sure nothing's out of place."
Kirk nodded and, grabbing Spock's arm, moved next to Ranulf at the step's edge. He looked back at the young guard. "I can't thank you enough for this."
"No thanks are necessary, Captain Kirk." Tal stepped back and raised his hand in a clumsily made but sincere attempt at the Vulcan salute. "Live long and prosper, Captain, Mr. Spock." He held the Vulcan's gaze a long moment before looking to Ranulf and giving him a cryptic smile. "You, also, one with my brother."
Kirk turned to go, but stopped when Tal called his name.
"Captain Kirk." The Romulan tossed his phaser at Kirk, who easily caught it. "You might need this."
Kirk grinned. "Thanks, we just might."
The three men moved as one. They quickly took the steps into the pit. Halfway down, the light above began to fade as the floor slowly came together, closing the entrance.
Kirk snapped on one of his lanterns and they proceeded the rest of the way. The stairs ended a few feet further down and a wide tunnel opened that swallowed the light. "How long is this thing?"
"Several miles. It exits in the forest." Ranulf was coming out of his shock. "But you'd better let me lead. The tunnel is only partly man-made. Most of it consists of a series of caverns that branch off in several directions."
"Do you know how long it will take us to reach the end?" Spock asked.
"I'm not sure. Probably the rest of the day. We can spend the night at the mouth of the cave and then get a start in the morning. Come on." Ranulf quickly started forward, not waiting for an answer from either man.
Kirk looked at his lover. Spock was looking back at him, an expression halfway between annoyance and resignation on the Vulcan's face that mirrored his own. He chuckled and fell into step, Spock at his side.
They walked for several hours until Kirk called a halt. They had already depleted two of the six lanterns, but he felt that they could chance a ten minute rest. Undoing the strap that held his pack in place, he let it fall and then sat on the ground next to it. After a moment, Spock hesitantly followed suit and positioned himself next to his captain.
Kirk opened the bundle and pulled out some bread and dried fruit. He shared it with the other two and then started munching on his own. The bread was as hard as the fruit, but he was hungry. In the excitement of their impending escape their lunches had gone uneaten.
Ranulf took some food, but chose to sit a few feet away. He hadn't talked much, and Kirk figured the young Romulan was trying to come to terms with what he had learned that morning. None of them were really in a talking mood, anyway. The dark was oppressive and the uneven terrain was tiring them.
The small meal was finished in silence, and Kirk sighed as he pulled out the small bottle of water. They had had limited options when it came to storing it. Ranulf had managed to sneak out a few containers from the kitchen, but they would run out before too long. Finding a source of fresh water would be their first priority.
"Jim?" Spock quietly spoke his name.
Kirk turned to his lover, raising his eyebrows in question.
"Have you given any thought to what we will do now that we are free?"
"Not really. I guess find a place to hide out until we can figure a way off this planet." He took a few sips of water and then passed it to the Vulcan.
"I know a place," Ranulf quietly said. "It is in the mountains, deep in the forest. We will be safe there."
Kirk thought about it. "I guess that will do for now. Maybe after things die down we can head for a city, somewhere with a spaceport."
"You, Kirk? You think you'll be able to freely go wherever you wish?" Ranulf shook his head. "You'll be picked up the first time you show your face."
Kirk grimaced, but tried to keep his anger under control. "We'll worry about that later. Right now," he stood up and began to shrug his pack back on. "I think we'd better get going."
They started off again, but the way was getting rougher as the caverns twisted back and forth. Several times the path would split off and only Ranulf's knowledge kept them from getting lost. They stopped to rest twice more, both times eating just enough to keep hunger at bay.
"How long have we been at this?" Kirk asked. His feet hurt, and he felt like he'd been walking for days.
"Fifteen point seven hours." Spock gave him a small smile. "I would think it will not be much longer, Jim."
"at least we're free, now." Kirk couldn't help wondering about their benefactor. "I wonder how Tal made out."
"A most amazing young man. To methodically plan and carry out the search for his brother's killers shows a maturity and determination far beyond his years."
"Yes. The Empire doesn't know what they gave up when they forced him out of their service. I wish there was some way to help him in that."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "I do not believe our recommendations would do him much good."
"No, I guess not. But I'd like to know that he's safe. That his helping us didn't put him in jeopardy."
"He seemed to have the situation well in hand. He would have..." Spock's voice faded out.
"What is it?" Kirk slowed and grabbed Spock's arm.
"Do you feel that?" Spock tilted his head in concentration. "Fresh air."
Kirk turned his head and peered ahead into the dark. Ranulf was about ten feet in front of them and his lantern illuminated only a short distance.
"Ranulf, do you see anything?" Kirk asked.
They all stopped. The stillness was deafening as they strained to hear or see anything. The light suddenly moved as Ranulf started swiftly forward.
"The entrance must be up ahead," the Romulan shouted over his shoulder. The lantern bobbed in the darkness and then stopped a good hundred feet ahead.
"Idiot," Kirk muttered. He turned on his remaining lantern and he and Spock made their way forward. When they finally caught up with him, Ranulf was standing at the mouth of the cave, staring out into the night sky. The air was decidedly colder.
Kirk turned to Spock and saw the same thought on his face. It was so dark out there. I man could get lost scant feet from the entrance. They'd be traveling only during the day. He looked back into the cave. "It's warmer further in." He motioned to Spock and the two men retreated thirty feet or so before depositing their loads on the cave floor.
Ranulf was still standing where they'd left him, but after a few minutes he turned and retraced his steps back into the cave. The three men undid their packs and spread out the blankets for sleeping.
It was an awkward situation that Kirk had not thought about before. Would it be better for them if he and Spock slept apart? He frowned and moved slightly away to set up his bedding. Whatever his lover thought of the situation was left unsaid. The Vulcan was busy with his own preparations, removing any small stone that protruded from the dirt before rolling out his blanket.
With a disgruntled sigh, Kirk lay down and covered himself. It might be warmer here than outside, but not enough to make up for the loss of his bed partner. He reached out and turned off the lantern. The cave was pitch black except for the dim glow from its entrance. He hugged the blanket tighter and closed his eyes.
It couldn't have been much later. Kirk felt sleep gradually taking hold when a second blanket was added to his, and a warm Vulcan body slid in next to him.
"I do not wish to sleep alone," Spock said in a low voice, as he pulled Kirk tight against his chest.
Kirk smiled. It was as it should be.
Ranulf slowly woke and blinked at the light filtering into the cave. He sat up and stretched. Hunger gnawed at him. The shortage of nourishment the day before was catching up to him. They'd have to find more food. It was at least nine days to the cabin, and their supplies would run out long before then.
He glanced at his companions and frowned. Spock had the human in an embrace, and his head was buried against Kirk's neck. A slow burn started as he thought about what he might have to put up with, watching as they shared all the small things that lovers shared. Gestures that only the other was privy to, the casual touches that proclaimed ownership. Ranulf wasn't sure how much of that he could stand.
He threw his blanket aside and got up. He walked over to where they had stacked the foodstuff and knelt down. There were still four full containers of water. He opened one and took a deep drink. He untied the blanket sacrificed to hold their food and pulled out a chunk of bread. Sitting on a flat rock nearby, he contentedly ate his breakfast while going over the previous day's events.
He hadn't even known that Senius had a brother. His lover had been somewhat reticent about his family. More than Ranulf, he had felt the sting of their new status as pariahs. Perhaps because Senius had been from a well-to-do family, he had taken their rejection to heart. Unlike Ranulf, whose family had been more than supportive.
Thinking of his family always helped to lift Ranulf's spirits. His mother had done everything in her power to aid his rebellion. And after his arrest, had worked behind the scenes to make his bid for freedom possible. It was she who had finally discovered the secret to the tunnel's use. She waited even now for him at the home she had made deep in the forest. He smiled, wondering what her reaction would be to their two guests.
He glanced over at the two men and saw that both were stirring. Kirk had come up on one elbow and was blearily looking around at their surroundings. Ranulf was sure the human was going to be a hindrance in more ways than one. Not only did he own Spock's affection, keeping Ranulf from what he wanted, but he'd hold them back with his lesser strength and stamina.
Spock had sat up and was neatly folding their blankets. Ranulf smiled, once more taken by the Vulcan's uncanny resemblance to Senius. It was if fate had returned his dead lover to him. He would do anything to have that love back. His smile turning to a frown, Ranulf slowly leaned over and picked up the phaser resting next to the lanterns.
"What are you doing?" Kirk's eyes had gone wide when the phaser was swung around in his direction.
"Do not move." Ranulf's voice was cold.
"Ranulf, do not do this." Spock instinctively started toward his captain.
"I said, don't move!" Ranulf slowly stood and moved closer until he was standing at their feet.
"Put the phaser down, Ranulf," Kirk ordered. "This won't get you anywhere."
Ranulf didn't answer, but the click as he set the weapon echoed through the cave. He aimed and fired.
The beam sliced through the air directly above them. Both men turned to see a small creature caught in the powerful ray tumble to the ground.
Kirk jumped to his feet. "What the hell is that?"
Spock had rolled in the other direction, but now moved back to peer at the animal as Ranulf hesitantly stepped forward and nudged it with his foot. The Vulcan looked up. "You did not kill it."
Ranulf shook his head. "I didn't know if either of you would be caught in the beam. It's only stunned, so don't get too close."
Kirk had walked up behind him and now squat down to get a better look. "Looks like some sort of reptile."
"It's called a craycas. It's usually not out during the cold, but its burrow is most likely around here somewhere. Your body heat probably drew it." Ranulf looked pointedly at the small animal. "Its bite kills within seconds."
Both men drew quickly back and Kirk glared at Ranulf. "You could have said something sooner."
"I didn't have the time. Besides, if you'd moved, it might have gone for you." He walked back to their supplies and started repacking them. "You two might want to eat and get your things together now. I don't know how long that thing will be unconscious. So unless you want to just kill it, I recommend we get out of here."
It didn't take long for the three men to gather their gear. Deciding it would be safer, the two late risers planned to eat their breakfast on the move. So minutes later they stood at the cave entrance, packs strapped to their backs, ready for travel.
"Where to now?" Kirk asked.
Ranulf looked around. The land began a gentle slope a hundred or so feet away as the mountains rose above them. Behind them, the forest thinned out to the plains that stretched to the horizon. The prison was a distant smudge on the barren landscape. He turned back to his companions and pointed to the peaks ahead. "That way."
They had been walking for several hours when Spock first noted the berries on the large, thick bushes that grew in the meadow they were passing through. He picked one, smelling it hesitantly. "Ranulf, are these edible?"
Ranulf stopped and turned. He had been in the lead all morning. "Polmonds. Yes, they are. It also means that we're nearing water. There'll be even more the closer we get to it."
Spock nodded and they began walking again. He thought about it a moment and then bit into the purple fruit. It tasted like a cross between peaches and oranges.
"Any good?" Kirk asked.
Spock picked another one and handed it to his lover. "I think you will find it most palpable."
Kirk eyed the small berry and then popped it into his mouth. His eyes opened in surprise and he smiled. "I could get used to these. Looks like food and water's not going to be a problem."
The bushes did get more numerous, and after another thirty minutes Spock heard the unmistakable sound of running water.
"Up ahead." Ranulf quickened his pace.
The two men followed and soon came upon a stream that ran through a small ravine in the center of the meadow. About ten feet across, the shallow flow of water was surrounded on both sides by bushes loaded with the succulent fruit.
Kirk looked around. "This looks like as good a place as any to take a break. We can refill our water containers, and maybe figure out how to carry the berries." He turned to Spock. "You think you could rig something up?"
"I shall endeavor to do so." He started toward a nearby stand of trees, only to find himself with company.
"I thought you might need some help," Ranulf answered at Spock's silent inquiry.
Spock looked back at his lover. Kirk had knelt down to refill their water bottles. But his head came up at that moment, as if knowing that Spock was watching him. He smiled and waved.
"Are you afraid he doesn't trust you?" The Romulan gave Kirk a dismissive look before returning his attentions to Spock.
"He trusts me, Ranulf. It is you he has misgivings about."
"I can't do anything you don't want me to."
Spock studied the young man a moment. "Then there is nothing for him to fear." He turned and started searching through the underbrush, looking for anything that might act as a container.
Ranulf sighed, and then joined in the hunt. Eventually, they found some flat, broad leaves that could be woven together to form adequate containers. They returned to the stream to find Kirk resting on one of the blankets, an arm thrown across his face to block out the sun.
"With the sun out, it's not really that cold." Kirk sat up at their approach to make room for them.
"Don't let the warmth fool you." Ranulf sat on the corner of the blanket and started filling the makeshift basket with berries. "It's going to be plenty cold tonight." He looked up and scanned the sky. "It's about midday right now. I'd say we have another five, six hours of walking before we need to find some shelter."
"Where's this cabin you mentioned?" Kirk asked. He took the basket Spock had just completed.
"We follow the stream until it meets the Gelidus River. Six, maybe seven days. A little further on the river narrows enough for us to cross it. Once on the other side, we follow the river for another few days. It'll lead us past a small box canyon. The cabin is there."
"How do you know of this place?" Spock inquired, stopping his interlacing of the fronds for a moment.
Ranulf smiled. "I grew up around here. My family has always been somewhat unorthodox. It became a source of pride that so many of us ended up in trouble." The smile faded and his voice grew wistful. "Of course, none of them gained as much notoriety as I did. I only wish I hadn't taken Senius down with me."
"I thought Manius said Senius pulled you into it?" Kirk interjected.
"No, it was the other way around." The Romulan became thoughtful. "I don't know why Senius went along with me. He came from a wealthy and powerful family. Maybe he thought that would protect him. But look what happened. It ended by destroying all they had."
Spock could only imagine what that would feel like. To cause, however indirectly, the death of your lover. These last months of worry, wondering if Kirk would survive, had given Spock only a taste of what Ranulf must have lived through. He hesitated a moment before speaking. "Being from a well-placed family, Senius must surely have had firsthand knowledge of the Empire's excesses. It must have been his wish also, to rebel against your government."
"I don't know. Maybe." Ranulf shook himself, as if physically pulling away from the memories. "Anyway, you don't have to worry about us getting lost. I know these mountains too well for that to happen."
Spock wondered at the Romulan's ability to switch emotions so readily, but then he caught the look that passed over Kirk's face. Sympathy, and a deep understanding of what it was to take on the burden of someone's death, and then go on. His lover's gaze slid from Ranulf to Spock, and for a moment it was just the two of them. Without words, Kirk was asking forgiveness for what he had almost demanded of Spock. And without words, Spock responded that there was no need.
Ranulf had been right. Though the days were getting warmer as spring progressed, the nights were bitterly cold. Kirk lay against his lover and looked out from their lean-to. Every evening they would pile dead leaves against a fallen tree, and then lay branches thickly over it in a weave pattern. Leaving one side open, it made a cove just big enough for them to lie in. The Romulan had laid claim to the inner spot, knowing that Kirk would insist on taking the outer one. His lower body temperature gave him an unexpected edge over his traveling companions, both of whom were having difficulty with the cold. The shared body warmth helped, but he could tell he was getting more sleep then they were.
They had completed three days of travel, and each was more difficult than the one before. Their original cache of food had run out, and the only other edible fare they had managed to find was a root that grew along the stream's bank, and a nutlike substance Ranulf called maucins.
Kirk grimaced. Neither had tasted as good as the berries or were as plentiful. But like most fruit eaten in large quantities, the polmonds had had an unfortunate side effect. They learned soon enough to eat them sparingly. He didn't know which was worse. The purging that had followed that first day, or the constant ache of a half empty belly that had been their lot ever since.
The terrain had steadily climbed, and the thickening forest made travel even more difficult. To add to their difficulties, the shoes they all wore had not been made for this kind of walking. Blisters had formed, slowing their progress. Luckily water was plentiful. The cool flowing spring felt good on sore, aching feet. By the end of the day, they were all tired, hungry, dirty, and out of sorts.
Kirk thought of their original destination of months ago. Amazing that he had thought this exact situation a great way to pass a shore leave. They would have been better supplied, naturally. But he didn't think he'd ever see a walk in the woods in the same way.
He snuggled back against his bondmate and felt Spock's arm tighten possessively. His lover had reacted to Ranulf's attentions by often acting as if Kirk were the one being courted. He supposed it made an odd sort of logic. Ranulf could not help but see that he stood no chance when Spock was being so solicitous of his bondmate.
Tempers had flared more than once. Kirk tried to remember the sympathy he had felt when Ranulf had spoken of his dead lover. But it wasn't easy. The young Romulan did everything he could to get between him and Spock, literally. When they foraged for food, Ranulf would invariably remain at Spock's side. During their rest stops, he made sure to sit as close to Spock as the Vulcan would allow. Worse, he gave them almost no privacy. The few times they had thought to have alone had been disrupted by the young man's appearance at the most inopportune time. Kirk was with his lover all day, yet he missed him desperately.
And the warm, firm body pressed to his at night was difficult to ignore. Tired, hungry, filthy, Kirk still craved the touch of those strong hands and the sensations awakened by them. What he wouldn't give to be back on the Enterprise, sharing a bed in the comfort of a warm cabin.
He turned in Spock's arms and pulled himself against his lover. The days were bad. The nights were worse.
McCoy stood next to the Enterprise's acting captain and watched on the view screen as the ship slipped into its berth. A month before the official end of their mission, they had been recalled to Earth. Both men knew the chances were that this was their farewell.
The Scotsman had been given the reins for the ship's refit, a task that would take a year and a half. McCoy looked over at his friend. He knew that Scotty had never cared for the job he had been handed these last five months. And it showed. There were lines on his face that hadn't been there the day Jim and Spock had left, looking for adventure but finding death instead.
As for himself, he still didn't know what he was going to do. They had offered him a position on another ship. Trouble was, it just hadn't been the same on this ship. He couldn't imagine it would be any better anywhere else. Jim and his Vulcan shadow had made the Enterprise what it was. Second best just wasn't in the cards for this Georgia son.
He'd thought about going back into regular practice. Maybe head out for some new colony world that wanted doctors to be doctors; treat their injuries and illnesses, not fill out forms and attend seminars.
He pushed it all to the back of his mind as he thought about what he had to face first. As soon as the ship was secure, McCoy was beaming down to meet with Jim's mother. Together, they'd decide what to do with her son's effects; the apartment Kirk had hardly lived in, and the boxes McCoy had shipped to Earth that now sat in that silent dwelling.
"I'll see you later, Scotty." McCoy put his hand on his friend's shoulder and squeezed.
"Aye, Doctor. Give my best to the lad's mother."
McCoy nodded and headed for the turbo. All the way to the transporter room he kept wondering what he would say to the woman. They had kept in contact these last months. Stargrams had flowed back and forth as if trying to create a bridge held up by memories of her son.
He was still thinking about it after he transported down and entered the apartment building. He took the elevator up to the twenty-sixth floor. The front door was wide open when he got there.
"Mrs. Kirk?" He stuck his head in. Seeing no one, he walked in and surveyed the room. Everything was just the way it was the last time he had been here, some long ago shore leave that Jim had talked him and Spock into. They had stopped here on their way out of town. He felt his chest tighten as he remembered how happy his friends had seemed, content in their very special friendship. And even if he hadn't been to them what they had been to each other, he missed the warmth and affection they had all shared.
"Dr. McCoy?"
He jumped and turned to see the petite and attractive woman he recognized only from photos step off the balcony and walk towards him. "Ma'am."
"Oh, please. Winona, or even Mrs. Kirk if you must. 'Ma'am' makes me sound like your great-aunt." She extended her hand and took his in a firm handshake.
"All right...Winona. But then I insist you call me Leonard." He noticed that the balcony doors were all opened wide. "Have you been here long?"
"About an hour." She motioned to the couches positioned near the fireplace. "Do sit. I think we've got a lot of talking to do."
They took their places, sitting across from each other. But once there, neither seemed to know what to say next. Several awkward moments passed as McCoy wracked his brain for anything that might get them by this.
Winona hesitated, and then unwrapped the thin package McCoy hadn't noticed her holding. She handed it to him.
"I found this in Jim's bedroom, on his dresser. Do you know when it was taken?"
He looked at the photo framed in a simple but expensive frame. It was of his friends. They were sitting together, looked like in one of the rec rooms. They seemed to be listening to someone out of range, or at least, Spock was. His arms were folded and his focus was intent on the unknown speaker. But Kirk was almost laughing, leaning forward in his chair, one hand resting on the Vulcan's shoulder as he gazed at his first officer.
McCoy handed it back. "I don't know when, exactly. But judging from the the way they're sitting, I'd say sometime in the last year."
"Then you see it, too?" Winona gazed at the picture resting in her lap and gently touched the image with her fingertips. "Jim was in love with this man, wasn't he?"
He cleared his throat. "I believe so, yes. But it was returned in full measure. I'd stake my reputation on that."
She looked up, puzzled. "But he's Vulcan."
"Well, there are Vulcans, and then there are Vulcans." McCoy gently laughed. "Besides, Spock was only half." He looked at the woman in mild surprise. "You never met him, did you?"
"No. Jim talked about him quite a bit though."
"Yeah, I'll bet." McCoy thought about it a moment. "Jim and Spock were like...one person born in two bodies. I know that doesn't make any sense. You'd have to have seen them in action. Sometimes, they could have a conversation without saying a word. This look would pass between them, and they'd know exactly what the other was thinking. And what one of them lacked, the other one made up for."
"Like what?"
The doctor chuckled. "You know your son. Headstrong, goes after what he wants." McCoy didn't even notice that he had spoken of his friend in the present tense. "Spock tempered that. Spock was a thinker. Maybe too much so. But combined with Jim, it was an unbeatable combination. He kept Jim from doing things that maybe weren't such a good idea if you thought about it. And Jim kept Spock from overanalyzing everything. Taught him to trust his instincts."
"You cared for both of them, didn't you?"
McCoy sighed. "Yes, ma'am, I did." He grinned sheepishly. "Sorry. Old habits die hard."
They were quiet after that, but now it was a comfortable silence. A silence between two people bound together by a common loss.
"So," Winona finally exclaimed with false cheerfulness, "what do you think I should do with the apartment?"
He looked around and frowned. "I don't know. I thought about buying it from you, but I think it'd be too painful to stay here. Is it something you need to deal with right away? You could hang on to it for a while."
"I suppose I could. That's one of the things I wanted to talk to you about." She motioned to the room around them. "But all his stuff. What do I do with it? I thought you might like something from here. And Starfleet Academy has asked for a few things to display. They're going to have some sort of memorial for him."
"That's what I've heard." He pondered a moment. "I wouldn't mind a copy of that picture."
She smiled. "I thought you might. I'll have one made up. As for the rest, I think I'll take your suggestion."
"You're going to keep the apartment?" He nodded in agreement. "I think that's a good idea. Wait until the thought of him doesn't go through you like a knife, until the pain dies down some." But as he said the words, McCoy realized that this woman was on intimate terms with this particular pain.
She answered softly. "It never does, Leonard. It never does."
Continue to part 5.
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject