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seren_ccdChapter Six
She can't go any further.
The pipe is obstructed by a thin metal strut and she can't pull her handcuffs past it.
She's determined not to cry, but as she takes a breath a sob escapes. She rests her head against the cold metal pipe and looks down at the water rising to just above her ankles.
McCoy sighed as he walked out into the corridor. Kirk straightened up, as did the governor. Kirk's eyes were keen and betrayed none of the tension McCoy knew he must be feeling.
“Dr. Owen? How is he?” Xanphar asked anxiously.
“Considering what could have happened if Spock and the captain hadn’t acted when they did? Extremely lucky,” McCoy said. “He’ll actually be up and walking shortly. With a slight limp, of course. The wound was deep enough to cause serious pain, but not deep enough to damage any ligaments.”
The governor sighed in relief. “I am very glad to hear this.”
Spock entered through a door at the other end of the hallway and walked towards the group. “Captain. I have investigated the debris and was able to recover this.”
He held out a small black mass of material. McCoy frowned. “Small, isn’t it?”
“Indeed, it is, doctor,” Spock said. “I believe that the explosion was manufactured to remain small and directed to one specific area.”
“The support beam?” Kirk offered cocking his head to the side.
“Precisely,” Spock said with a nod. “If you will recall, it was the beam directly over the spot Dr. Owen would have to stand to show the workings of the bay.” Here, the commander hesitated.
“Meaning,” Ambassador Ruthan said. “The saboteur would have had to have previous knowledge of Dr. Owen’s movements.”
“That doesn’t exactly narrow things down,” McCoy said. “How many times has Dr. Owen done this tour? The prototype is outside the building, anyone could have made an educated guess.” He chanced a look at Kirk and could practically see the man moving the pieces of the puzzle around in his mind.
“This is accurate,” Spock said. “However, the bomb was also triggered remotely. Someone was watching.”
“Honestly, Rhona, I’m fine, stop fussing so,” Dr. Owen said to his colleague. Christine hid a smile at the warmth underlying the scientist’s words.
“Considering you just underwent a traumatic experience,” Dr. Hall said from her place beside the biobed. “I would greatly appreciate it if you indulged me.”
Dr. Owen smiled. “Don’t I always?”
Christine turned away when she noticed the blush on Dr. Hall’s’ cheek. Well, that was something she hadn’t noticed earlier. Dr. Hall looked over at her and rolled her eyes.
“Is it true that males are the worst patients?” she asked.
“Oh, yes, by far,” Christine said adjusting the readout on the bed. “I also find that the more degrees they have, the worse they are. You should see what happens when Dr. McCoy gets injured.”
Dr. Hall chuckled and shook her head.
“But,” Christine went on to say, gently. “Dr. Owen was very lucky and should be up and around later today. Provided he doesn’t push it.”
“Hand on my heart, I won’t,” Dr. Owen said, placing a hand on the right side of his chest.
“Charles, that’s the wrong side,” Dr. Hall said moving his hand to above his heart.
He clasped her hand in his and smiled. “So it is.”
Christine caught the eye of the infirmary nurse and they both moved away from the area, leaving the two scientists together.
“Funny, that,” the Kalpharian nurse, Grenna, said. “It always takes something dramatic to bring some people together, doesn’t it?”
“That it does,” Christine said thoughtfully. “I hadn’t realized they were together.”
“I hadn’t either, to be honest,” Grenna said. “But, it’s been known to happen. People working together, being close. Well...”
“Yes, well,” Christine said feeling a little uncomfortable and she really hoped her cheeks weren't flushing.
“It is a shame about what happened though,” Grenna said shaking her head. “Terrible to think someone would want to cause so much damage.”
“Do you have any ideas as to who it could be?” Christine asked.
The other woman shook her head. “No, I really don’t. It just doesn’t make sense.”
“It may not be the best time to mention this,” Ambassador Ruthan said as the group outside the infirmary pondered the idea that they had all been watched and the bomb had certainly been intended to hurt Dr. Owen. “But, there is a dinner planned for this evening. Invitations have been extended to several members of the government as well as all those working in the research facility. Should we cancel?”
McCoy cringed inwardly. He hated those glad-handling types of things, but had a feeling he'd be attending this one.
“I see no reason to do so,” Spock said. “Doctor, you said Dr. Owen would regain his mobility soon?”
“Yes,” McCoy said. “He just needs to rest and let the repairs to his leg settle.”
“Then I propose the day continue as planned,” Spock said. The governor nodded, looking relieved.
“It would be a wise choice to show that work is still ongoing and this has only been a minor setback,” Xanphar said. He looked over at his ambassador. “We should meet with the other members of the cabinet to discuss the events of today. Gentlemen? If you will excuse us?”
Kirk nodded and the Starfleet officers watched the other men leave. McCoy sighed again.
“You’re planning on using Dr. Owen as bait, aren’t you?” he asked Kirk, who had cupped his chin in his hand and was looking thoughtful. McCoy could just hear the gears grinding.
“It’s not a bad idea, Bones,” Kirk said. “After all, it’s what the governor is doing. We’ll make sure we’ve got plenty of security in place and wait to see what happens. Whoever is doing this has a deadline, remember? The genome goes public day after tomorrow. They must be getting anxious by now. And what does anxiety cause?”
McCoy snorted and knew exactly where Kirk was going. “It causes mistakes.”
Kirk smiled and crossed his arms over his chest smugly. “Exactly.”
The room where the ‘dinner’ was being held was massive. In fact it resembled the inside of a cathedral more than a room. Its high-vaulted ceilings had intricate carvings and tiled mosaics that weaved in and out of each other creating an effect that attracted and mesmerized the eye.
The food on the long tables looked fresh and colorful with a large variety of fruits and savory hors d’oeuvres.
Christine walked in with Uhura behind the captain and Spock. The other members of the crew were just behind them.
“Nice place,” Uhura said. “Very, ah...”
“Tall?” Christine said, amused.
“That’s the word. I feel like we should break into a song. The acoustics must be marvelous."
Because the evening was formal, everyone had been given outfits in the traditional Kalpharian style. The men were dressed in simple loose trousers made out of a soft material that felt like a cross between silk and cotton. A brightly colored tunic was layered over a simple white or beige button down shirt. The captain was clad in a gold tunic while Spock wore blue and McCoy wore a deep forest green.
Christine noted that the tunic really brought out his eyes and made a mental note to find more reasons for him to wear green.
The women wore long sleeveless tunic dresses in a similar cut to the men's, however delicately embroidered flowers and stars lined the hems and arms. Uhura wore a deep blue that complimented Spock's tunic, while Christine wore a pale green that complimented McCoy's. When they had met in the courtyard outside their temporary living quarters, Christine had flashed Uhura a look that clearly said, 'I see what you did there'. Uhura had simply smiled.
The two women chatted while keeping their eyes on their commanding officers. Christine noted the various security personnel from the Enterprise that Kirk had requested. Wearing similar garb to the rest of the room, they blended in well with everyone present.
“I’m so glad you all are here,” a kind voice came from behind them. Christine turned and smiled at Annha who looked lovely in a lavender tunic dress.
“It’s a stunning building,” Uhura said. “We were talking about how it seems perfect for music.”
“Oh, it is,” the guide said with a friendly smile. “You should be here during the autumn harvest time. We always hold week-long recitals.” She bit her lip. “I'm happy to know that Dr. Owen will be able to join us this evening. People have been talking of nothing else other than what happened earlier.”
“Are people worried?” Christine asked taking a glass from the dark-eyed server who had just approached the women.
“No,” Annha said quickly, her eyes darting away when the server stared at her. “I mean, yes. But, it's only natural.”
Christine opened her mouth to ask another question and noticed the server was still glaring at Annha. The crowd quieted at a slight movement at the door to the hall.
Dr. Owen entered with Dr. Hall at his side. His steps were tentative and slower than usual and he walked with the aid of a cane. McCoy walked over to see if he needed to lend a hand. The scientist looked at the crowd and smiled.
“And I had planned on dancing with all the ladies this evening,” he said dryly. “I'm truly devastated.”
Laughter filled the hall and people went back to their conversations. Dr. Owen joined the captain and Mr. Spock. Christine looked around for Annha, but the guide had disappeared. She shrugged and followed Uhura over to the group.
“Do you have your PADD with you?” Kirk asked Dr. Owen around a sip of his drink.
“I took all your advice, captain,” he said patting his pocket. “Do you honestly think someone would be audacious enough to attempt something in this setting?”
“If I’ve learned anything over the years, doctor,” Kirk said. “People are capable of doing quite a lot.”
Christine caught McCoy’s eyes and could see how difficult it was for him not to roll his eyes. She smiled at him. He quirked his lips and raised a brow. She nodded surreptitiously, feeling relieved that he was initiating contact with her.
Yeah. They needed to talk.
The evening passed in relative peace and quiet. Christine noticed that Annha had returned and was talking with some of the scientists. The guide looked unsure and slightly nervous, but Christine couldn’t tell if it was from something on her mind or the fact that the short scientist with the glasses looked like he was trying too hard to impress her with his stories of genetics.
Christine looked around at those present. The presence of a jovial Dr. Owen had cast a relaxed feel over the crowd. Groups were mingling a bit more than they had. Several Kalpharians were interspersed with members of the research team.
Governor Xanphar finally stood up on a dais at the end of the hall. All the groups quieted down. Only the wait staff continued to move about silently serving drinks. However, the same dark-eyed server from before was standing next to the entrance and was staring at the governor, but every now and then his gaze would switch over to Annha standing with the geneticists. Christine frowned wondering what that was all about. Something in both the server and Annha's manner bothered her.
“I am very aware that it has been a trying and stressful day for many of us,” Xanphar said in his quiet voice. “But, I am also aware that the work being done here on this planet has the potential to be beneficial to many across the quadrant. To know that our little planet has aided so many, has helped so many, brings a warmth to my heart.”
A quick movement caught Christine’s eyes as the server she’d been watching left the room, his stride angry and controlled. She looked over at Annha who was once again biting her lip.
“What’s wrong?” McCoy’s voice broke into her thoughts from his position directly behind her. And darn it, he should not make her skin tingle with the simple sound of his voice and make her want to turn around and thread her hands through his hair and crap, he’d asked her something hadn’t he?
“Nothing,” she said turning her head a bit to meet his eyes. “At least I don’t think so.”
“Good,” he said, “Because you and I need to talk.”
Christine nodded. “I know. After dinner?”
“It’s a date,” he said seriously.
Then he turned his face back to the governor who was still talking. Christine turned back to listen to the speech, and felt disappointed that he seemed to be acting so seriously. She wondered if she'd really screwed things up and her stomach churned nervously. Then she felt his knuckles graze her back as he lifted his glass to take a drink. Deliberately graze her back. Christine shivered.
Damn him.
The governor finished speaking and there was polite applause before everyone went back to their drinks and continued their conversations. Christine soon found herself in a group with Uhura and two other women who specialized in Kalpharian history. They quickly fell into a conversation about Kalpharia's first contact.
Dr. Owen appeared to be flagging after another hour passed and McCoy nodded to Kirk who glanced at one of the security officers. The gentleman nodded back and headed out the door.
“Spock says they’re setting up security all around Dr. Owen’s room,” Uhura said to Christine quietly. “They might try again and the captain wants to be ready.”
“Oh, the almighty they,” Christine said. “Poor Dr. Owen. And Dr. Hall.”
“Well, they’ve got to stay safe until the day after tomorrow,” Uhura said. “After they share that genome, it’s out of everyone’s hands.”
Dr. Owen started to say his good-byes and stopped for a moment to chat with his geneticists. The one with the beard laughed loudly and clapped him on the shoulder, making the scientist stumble a bit.
Christine overheard the shorter geneticist say, “Be a little more gentle, Saller, if you can.”
“Oh, well, we don’t all have your social skills, Burkett,” Saller said giving Annha a significant look. The guide looked embarrassed and excused herself. Burkett flushed angrily his chances with the guide obviously blown.
Dr. Owen just shook his head and Dr. Hall helped him out of the hall, McCoy walking close nearby.
Saller continued to grin at Burkett who glared at him and then left the hall in a huff.
“Goodness,” Uhura said mildly.
“Looks like the day after tomorrow can’t come fast enough,” Christine said, finishing her drink.
McCoy walked with the scientists to their rooms and once inside ran his tricorder over the back of Dr. Owen’s leg. “Looks good. Remember to keep it as still as you can. While the regenerator did most of the work, your skin still needs to heal on its own.”
Dr. Owen nodded but Dr. Hall asked, “Where are the security guards? Captain Kirk said there would be security.”
“Oh, they’re around,” McCoy said. “If we can see them, then so can the bad guys. But, don’t worry, they’re there.”
Dr. Hall nodded.
“Rhona,” Dr. Owen said. “It will be fine. The genome is safe. It’s all working as they wanted.”
“I just don’t like it,” Dr. Hall said. “This waiting.”
Tell me about it, McCoy thought.
He reassured the two once again and stayed for a few minutes with Dr. Owen while Dr. Hall left to go to her own quarters. Then McCoy said good night and gave instructions to use the comm Kirk had given Owen if he felt anything was out of place.
As McCoy walked back towards the wing the crew from the Enterprise had been given, he unbuttoned the top of the Kalpharian tunic. He wondered if he should just go to Christine’s room and ask to talk to her? Even if that meant encountering Uhura and her all-knowing looks that McCoy was positive she’d gotten from Spock from some sort of Vulcan osmosis. Or did he go somewhere and wait like a damned teenager? Maybe lurk in a corner under her window. Hell, maybe he could even throw pebbles at it and hope she came down to talk to him or maybe...
Or maybe he needed to just calm down because there she was, waiting just outside the building where their quarters were.
Of course she was. She always was at least two steps ahead of him.
She was leaning against the wall, still clad in her dress from the dinner; the green one that skimmed her form and left her arms bare. The one he had nearly swallowed his tongue over when she'd appeared earlier that evening. Currently she seemed to be studying the tips of her feet and McCoy wanted nothing more than to stride over there, press her against the wall and kiss her and kiss her and kiss her until they couldn’t breathe.
Easy, man, he thought slowing his steps that had automatically quickened. You are talking. Don’t get your damn hopes up.
At his approach, she looked up and smiled, her mouth quirked in a way that was only ever meant for him. Something flared up inside of him and took over. Damn it, he hadn't been able to touch her in what felt like days. His pace quickened again and he did exactly what he’d told himself not to do.
He walked up to her and framed her face and pressed his body against hers and kissed her fiercely. She made a surprised sound, but caught on fast and dug her hands into his hair and kissed him back.
“I thought we were going to talk,” she said shakily when his mouth travelled down the length of her neck.
“We are,” he said into her skin as his hand skimmed down her thigh. “This is me talking.”
She made a noise in the back of her throat and threaded her hands through his hair and with a sharp tug, pulled him back so she could kiss his mouth. He cupped the back of her thigh and she raised it to hook on his hip and rolled her hips.
“Oh, darlin',” he said as he pressed his lower body to hers. His hand came up to trail down the skin of her throat, then skimmed the length of her collarbone just above the neckline of her uniform. He replaced his finger with his mouth and tongue. One of her hands pressed the back of his head while the other grasped at his tunic. He moved back up to kiss her mouth and as he rocked hard against her, she gasped into his mouth. McCoy growled and hitched her leg up higher on his thigh. She was driving him insane. The taste of her in his mouth, the warmth of her body next to his and each roll of her hips made him want to take her up to his room and put his tongue on every single inch of her.
As he continued to kiss her, a voice in his head started to protest. Saying that they had some unfinished business from the day before and didn’t he want to know what made her so upset that she had to run out on him?
No, he thought as she sucked on his earlobe and his hand found her ass. As long as she keeps touching me, I don’t give a god damn what that was all about.
The voice asked dryly, Really? You sure about that?
He gritted his teeth in frustration and forced himself to pull back. He nearly groaned at the look in her eyes and her mussed hair, but got the words out, “What the hell was with you the other night?”
The lust vanished from her eyes so quickly he was taken aback. She looked down. “Can we just chalk it up to me being weird?”
“Sure,” he said telling himself to not freak out and to stay calm at her odd behaviour. “But you aren’t weird, Christine. You always have reasons and plans and schedules to keep.”
She closed her eyes and it occurred to him that her thigh was still hitched over his hip. He let go and she let her leg slide down. Her hands came up to rest on his chest.
“Len,” she said. The look in her eyes was so lost and confused he wanted to just hold her, but there was something she wasn’t telling him and he couldn’t let it go. “I just don’t know.”
“Don’t know what, honey?” he asked.
She swallowed hard and her lip actually trembled. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Do what? Be with me?” he asked his stomach turning and his head spinning.
“No! Not that! I want you,” Christine said shaking her head and putting her hand on his cheek. "I want you so much, Len. I just...”
Again, she seemed to struggle with the words. McCoy opened his mouth to ask her to just say it, whatever it was, when his comm chimed.
“Oh, goddamn it to hell,” he said loudly, frustrated beyond the telling. He ripped the comm out of his pocket, eyes still pinned to hers. “What?”
“Bones, we need you up here,” Kirk’s voice said over the comm. “Spock is going over some of the evidence and we could use another set of eyes.”
“Fine. In a minute,” McCoy bit out. He shut the comm off just as Kirk tried to say something else.
Christine was standing against the wall and was trying to look calm, but he could see whatever it was she was worried about flashing in her eyes. He looked away.
“I want you Christine Chapel,” he said. “More than I’ve wanted anyone in a very long time. But I’m not going to force the issue. You have stuff to figure out, fine. I can respect that.” He finally looked at her, hoping he was saying the right thing. “Just know that I’ll still be here. Waiting.”
“You will?” she asked softly as though she couldn’t believe it. And somehow McCoy knew this was what she’d needed to hear. He still had no idea why, and the lack of that particular piece of information was galling, to say the least. But reassurances? That he could give her.
“Yeah,” he said meeting her eyes. “I will.”
He leaned in and slowly kissed her forehead. Then McCoy turned and walked inside.
Well.
Leonard Horatio McCoy really knew how to throw a girl for a loop.
Christine pressed her fingers to her lips and let out a deep breath. She started to walk (rather unsteadily, one could say) away from the sleeping quarters, needing to get some air and get the blood circulating in her body.
Not to mention that she was still riding high on McCoy’s kisses and sleep was the furthest thing from her mind.
Well, he said he’d wait. But, she hadn’t exactly explained how long that wait might be. She started to mentally list the things she knew she wanted.
One) She wanted Leonard McCoy. Obviously. The fact that she’d just made out with the man in the middle of a courtyard where anyone could see them was a big clue.
Two) She wanted that doctorate. She’d worked too hard and too long to let it slide by the wayside. She’d earned it.
And (and this was the one that really made her chest hurt) Three) She didn’t want to lose him as a result of going after something else she wanted.
Once again, the image of Roger’s supercilious face asking, no, telling her to wait for him flashed through her mind. He hadn’t respected her enough to even phrase it as a question or cared enough to ask her to come with him. She was not going to put Len through the same thing.
Christine continued to walk through the complex, enjoying the night air and hearing the ambient sounds of a city falling asleep, the continuous sound of falling water from the terraces a calming hum in the background of it all. Her body began to approach its normal state of being, her heart resumed it’s steady pace and the flush in her cheeks softened.
She realized that she had wandered quite a ways when the buildings around her started to look unfamiliar and she rolled her eyes in exasperation. It dawned on her that she should probably let Uhura know where she was. Although the other woman had just smirked at her earlier when Christine said she was going out to meet McCoy. However, as she patted her side, she realized that this particular dress had no pockets and therefore, she had no comm on her.
“Oh, hell,” she said flatly. She looked around and decided her best bet would be to turn around and try to retrace her steps.
But, as she came up to a corner she started to hear voices just ahead of her. She walked a little faster, thinking she could ask for directions. When she rounded the corner, she froze at the sight of Annha talking loudly and gesturing at the man who had been serving drinks earlier at the dinner. Three other men stood nearby.
“You can’t do this, Atro! I won’t let you!” Annha said, her eyes wide and her voice pleading.
“Too late,” the server said, his face pinched and hard. “They’re already in place and the timer is counting down.”
Christine felt her stomach clench and she took a tentative step back into the shadows.
“But it will destroy the whole building,” Annha said.
Damn it, Christine thought. This is why you always have a comm on you.
“That’s the point!” he shouted. “If all the equipment is gone, they have no choice! They will not ruin
this planet for their own gains!”
"You could kill someone! You nearly did!" she cried pressing her hands to his chest. "Dr. Owen has never been anything but kind and that blast could have killed him."
"Just how do you know that was me?" he asked almost teasingly.
"I know! It was you who vandalized their offices. It was always you," Annha said. "You have always despised the idea that there is more to this universe than Kalpharia. But to do so much damage? Why Atro? Why?"
"Because all the Federation wants is for us to comply and turn a blind eye while they steal our land and our technology," Atro said. "And our government does nothing. I know they will turn Kalpharia into nothing more than a food-producing factory ignoring all of our customs and destroy everything that is ours."
"What? Who told you that?" Annha asked, shaking her head. "That's not true. I've seen the agreements--"
"They will destroy this planet!" Atro yelled, finally losing his temper and towering over Annha, leaning over her, his face contorting as he shouted. "They will raze us to the ground and laugh while doing so!"
Annha looked horrified, her mouth fell open and she took a step backwards. "I don't… Atro… My brother. I don’t recognize this person. Who are you?"
"The person who will save this planet," he said trying to regain his calm. "Stay out of my way, little sister. Go home."
"No," she said shaking her head. "No, I won't." She turned and pulled her comm unit out and made to speak into it.
"No! Foolish woman!" One of Antro's men knocked her hand and her comm clattered to the ground.
He grabbed her and she cried out while Atro looked on impassively.
Christine would later be able to say that during her life, she had at least five moments of extreme boneheadedness. Number five was the time she let her sister cut her hair when they were twelve and ten, respectively.
Number one was what she did next.
"Hey! Let her go!" she shouted coming out of the shadows.
As five heads turned to face her, four of them in varying degrees of anger, one absolutely petrified, Christine wondered at her own timing and intelligence. Not good, Chapel. Not good at all, she thought. Crap.
"Get out of here," Atro said in a low voice. "This doesn't concern you."
"That grip your friend over there has on your sister concerns me," Christine said taking a small step forward, still wondering at her own recklessness. "As does the fact that you were responsible for an explosion today that seriously injured one person and threatened the lives of many."
"Christine," Annha said, her eyes pleading with Christine. To either run away or to help, Christine was completely certain which one.
"Oh, you know this woman?" Atro asked raising his eyebrows. Annha bit her lip. "Wait. Let me guess. Obviously a foreigner, likes to stick her nose in other's business and look how high she holds her head." Atro grinned and walked towards her coming to a stop just in front of her. "You must be Starfleet."
"Let Annha go," Christine said with far more confidence than she actually felt. "And tell me what you've planned before this gets out of your hands and more people get hurt."
"And exactly who is going to stop me?" he asked. "You?"
Christine gave Annha a look and the other woman immediately dug her elbow into the stomach of the man holding her. He grunted and loosened his grip, letting her go. Christine slammed the flat of her palm into Atro's nose and heard it crack. He groaned and his hands cradled his face. Christine darted forward, towards Annha. One of Atro’s men made to grab her, but she twisted away. However, another managed to get a hold of her arm and pulled her towards him.
"Annha! Run!" Christine shouted as she struggled in the man’s grasp. Annha hesitated and then grabbed her comm unit off the ground and ran away towards the center of the complex. Christine did her best to fight against the men and she dug her nails into the forearm of the man holding her. He cried out, but tightened his grip, while another man moved to hold down both her arms. She tried to inflict as much damage as she could, but she was outnumbered.
Finally, as two men gripped her arms as she continued to struggle, her hair in wisps around her face and her dress torn, Atro walked up to her, his nose bleeding sluggishly.
They stared at each other. Christine’s eyes narrowed and she swallowed hard.
He looked in the direction that Annha had run and then back at Christine.
"Little sister might be able to stop the bombs. This time. But, no one's going to be able to help you," Atro said nonchalantly. Christine steeled her spine and stared him down, her heart beating fast.
He looked at the men.
"Take her to the basin."
Next
She can't go any further.
The pipe is obstructed by a thin metal strut and she can't pull her handcuffs past it.
She's determined not to cry, but as she takes a breath a sob escapes. She rests her head against the cold metal pipe and looks down at the water rising to just above her ankles.
McCoy sighed as he walked out into the corridor. Kirk straightened up, as did the governor. Kirk's eyes were keen and betrayed none of the tension McCoy knew he must be feeling.
“Dr. Owen? How is he?” Xanphar asked anxiously.
“Considering what could have happened if Spock and the captain hadn’t acted when they did? Extremely lucky,” McCoy said. “He’ll actually be up and walking shortly. With a slight limp, of course. The wound was deep enough to cause serious pain, but not deep enough to damage any ligaments.”
The governor sighed in relief. “I am very glad to hear this.”
Spock entered through a door at the other end of the hallway and walked towards the group. “Captain. I have investigated the debris and was able to recover this.”
He held out a small black mass of material. McCoy frowned. “Small, isn’t it?”
“Indeed, it is, doctor,” Spock said. “I believe that the explosion was manufactured to remain small and directed to one specific area.”
“The support beam?” Kirk offered cocking his head to the side.
“Precisely,” Spock said with a nod. “If you will recall, it was the beam directly over the spot Dr. Owen would have to stand to show the workings of the bay.” Here, the commander hesitated.
“Meaning,” Ambassador Ruthan said. “The saboteur would have had to have previous knowledge of Dr. Owen’s movements.”
“That doesn’t exactly narrow things down,” McCoy said. “How many times has Dr. Owen done this tour? The prototype is outside the building, anyone could have made an educated guess.” He chanced a look at Kirk and could practically see the man moving the pieces of the puzzle around in his mind.
“This is accurate,” Spock said. “However, the bomb was also triggered remotely. Someone was watching.”
“Honestly, Rhona, I’m fine, stop fussing so,” Dr. Owen said to his colleague. Christine hid a smile at the warmth underlying the scientist’s words.
“Considering you just underwent a traumatic experience,” Dr. Hall said from her place beside the biobed. “I would greatly appreciate it if you indulged me.”
Dr. Owen smiled. “Don’t I always?”
Christine turned away when she noticed the blush on Dr. Hall’s’ cheek. Well, that was something she hadn’t noticed earlier. Dr. Hall looked over at her and rolled her eyes.
“Is it true that males are the worst patients?” she asked.
“Oh, yes, by far,” Christine said adjusting the readout on the bed. “I also find that the more degrees they have, the worse they are. You should see what happens when Dr. McCoy gets injured.”
Dr. Hall chuckled and shook her head.
“But,” Christine went on to say, gently. “Dr. Owen was very lucky and should be up and around later today. Provided he doesn’t push it.”
“Hand on my heart, I won’t,” Dr. Owen said, placing a hand on the right side of his chest.
“Charles, that’s the wrong side,” Dr. Hall said moving his hand to above his heart.
He clasped her hand in his and smiled. “So it is.”
Christine caught the eye of the infirmary nurse and they both moved away from the area, leaving the two scientists together.
“Funny, that,” the Kalpharian nurse, Grenna, said. “It always takes something dramatic to bring some people together, doesn’t it?”
“That it does,” Christine said thoughtfully. “I hadn’t realized they were together.”
“I hadn’t either, to be honest,” Grenna said. “But, it’s been known to happen. People working together, being close. Well...”
“Yes, well,” Christine said feeling a little uncomfortable and she really hoped her cheeks weren't flushing.
“It is a shame about what happened though,” Grenna said shaking her head. “Terrible to think someone would want to cause so much damage.”
“Do you have any ideas as to who it could be?” Christine asked.
The other woman shook her head. “No, I really don’t. It just doesn’t make sense.”
“It may not be the best time to mention this,” Ambassador Ruthan said as the group outside the infirmary pondered the idea that they had all been watched and the bomb had certainly been intended to hurt Dr. Owen. “But, there is a dinner planned for this evening. Invitations have been extended to several members of the government as well as all those working in the research facility. Should we cancel?”
McCoy cringed inwardly. He hated those glad-handling types of things, but had a feeling he'd be attending this one.
“I see no reason to do so,” Spock said. “Doctor, you said Dr. Owen would regain his mobility soon?”
“Yes,” McCoy said. “He just needs to rest and let the repairs to his leg settle.”
“Then I propose the day continue as planned,” Spock said. The governor nodded, looking relieved.
“It would be a wise choice to show that work is still ongoing and this has only been a minor setback,” Xanphar said. He looked over at his ambassador. “We should meet with the other members of the cabinet to discuss the events of today. Gentlemen? If you will excuse us?”
Kirk nodded and the Starfleet officers watched the other men leave. McCoy sighed again.
“You’re planning on using Dr. Owen as bait, aren’t you?” he asked Kirk, who had cupped his chin in his hand and was looking thoughtful. McCoy could just hear the gears grinding.
“It’s not a bad idea, Bones,” Kirk said. “After all, it’s what the governor is doing. We’ll make sure we’ve got plenty of security in place and wait to see what happens. Whoever is doing this has a deadline, remember? The genome goes public day after tomorrow. They must be getting anxious by now. And what does anxiety cause?”
McCoy snorted and knew exactly where Kirk was going. “It causes mistakes.”
Kirk smiled and crossed his arms over his chest smugly. “Exactly.”
The room where the ‘dinner’ was being held was massive. In fact it resembled the inside of a cathedral more than a room. Its high-vaulted ceilings had intricate carvings and tiled mosaics that weaved in and out of each other creating an effect that attracted and mesmerized the eye.
The food on the long tables looked fresh and colorful with a large variety of fruits and savory hors d’oeuvres.
Christine walked in with Uhura behind the captain and Spock. The other members of the crew were just behind them.
“Nice place,” Uhura said. “Very, ah...”
“Tall?” Christine said, amused.
“That’s the word. I feel like we should break into a song. The acoustics must be marvelous."
Because the evening was formal, everyone had been given outfits in the traditional Kalpharian style. The men were dressed in simple loose trousers made out of a soft material that felt like a cross between silk and cotton. A brightly colored tunic was layered over a simple white or beige button down shirt. The captain was clad in a gold tunic while Spock wore blue and McCoy wore a deep forest green.
Christine noted that the tunic really brought out his eyes and made a mental note to find more reasons for him to wear green.
The women wore long sleeveless tunic dresses in a similar cut to the men's, however delicately embroidered flowers and stars lined the hems and arms. Uhura wore a deep blue that complimented Spock's tunic, while Christine wore a pale green that complimented McCoy's. When they had met in the courtyard outside their temporary living quarters, Christine had flashed Uhura a look that clearly said, 'I see what you did there'. Uhura had simply smiled.
The two women chatted while keeping their eyes on their commanding officers. Christine noted the various security personnel from the Enterprise that Kirk had requested. Wearing similar garb to the rest of the room, they blended in well with everyone present.
“I’m so glad you all are here,” a kind voice came from behind them. Christine turned and smiled at Annha who looked lovely in a lavender tunic dress.
“It’s a stunning building,” Uhura said. “We were talking about how it seems perfect for music.”
“Oh, it is,” the guide said with a friendly smile. “You should be here during the autumn harvest time. We always hold week-long recitals.” She bit her lip. “I'm happy to know that Dr. Owen will be able to join us this evening. People have been talking of nothing else other than what happened earlier.”
“Are people worried?” Christine asked taking a glass from the dark-eyed server who had just approached the women.
“No,” Annha said quickly, her eyes darting away when the server stared at her. “I mean, yes. But, it's only natural.”
Christine opened her mouth to ask another question and noticed the server was still glaring at Annha. The crowd quieted at a slight movement at the door to the hall.
Dr. Owen entered with Dr. Hall at his side. His steps were tentative and slower than usual and he walked with the aid of a cane. McCoy walked over to see if he needed to lend a hand. The scientist looked at the crowd and smiled.
“And I had planned on dancing with all the ladies this evening,” he said dryly. “I'm truly devastated.”
Laughter filled the hall and people went back to their conversations. Dr. Owen joined the captain and Mr. Spock. Christine looked around for Annha, but the guide had disappeared. She shrugged and followed Uhura over to the group.
“Do you have your PADD with you?” Kirk asked Dr. Owen around a sip of his drink.
“I took all your advice, captain,” he said patting his pocket. “Do you honestly think someone would be audacious enough to attempt something in this setting?”
“If I’ve learned anything over the years, doctor,” Kirk said. “People are capable of doing quite a lot.”
Christine caught McCoy’s eyes and could see how difficult it was for him not to roll his eyes. She smiled at him. He quirked his lips and raised a brow. She nodded surreptitiously, feeling relieved that he was initiating contact with her.
Yeah. They needed to talk.
The evening passed in relative peace and quiet. Christine noticed that Annha had returned and was talking with some of the scientists. The guide looked unsure and slightly nervous, but Christine couldn’t tell if it was from something on her mind or the fact that the short scientist with the glasses looked like he was trying too hard to impress her with his stories of genetics.
Christine looked around at those present. The presence of a jovial Dr. Owen had cast a relaxed feel over the crowd. Groups were mingling a bit more than they had. Several Kalpharians were interspersed with members of the research team.
Governor Xanphar finally stood up on a dais at the end of the hall. All the groups quieted down. Only the wait staff continued to move about silently serving drinks. However, the same dark-eyed server from before was standing next to the entrance and was staring at the governor, but every now and then his gaze would switch over to Annha standing with the geneticists. Christine frowned wondering what that was all about. Something in both the server and Annha's manner bothered her.
“I am very aware that it has been a trying and stressful day for many of us,” Xanphar said in his quiet voice. “But, I am also aware that the work being done here on this planet has the potential to be beneficial to many across the quadrant. To know that our little planet has aided so many, has helped so many, brings a warmth to my heart.”
A quick movement caught Christine’s eyes as the server she’d been watching left the room, his stride angry and controlled. She looked over at Annha who was once again biting her lip.
“What’s wrong?” McCoy’s voice broke into her thoughts from his position directly behind her. And darn it, he should not make her skin tingle with the simple sound of his voice and make her want to turn around and thread her hands through his hair and crap, he’d asked her something hadn’t he?
“Nothing,” she said turning her head a bit to meet his eyes. “At least I don’t think so.”
“Good,” he said, “Because you and I need to talk.”
Christine nodded. “I know. After dinner?”
“It’s a date,” he said seriously.
Then he turned his face back to the governor who was still talking. Christine turned back to listen to the speech, and felt disappointed that he seemed to be acting so seriously. She wondered if she'd really screwed things up and her stomach churned nervously. Then she felt his knuckles graze her back as he lifted his glass to take a drink. Deliberately graze her back. Christine shivered.
Damn him.
The governor finished speaking and there was polite applause before everyone went back to their drinks and continued their conversations. Christine soon found herself in a group with Uhura and two other women who specialized in Kalpharian history. They quickly fell into a conversation about Kalpharia's first contact.
Dr. Owen appeared to be flagging after another hour passed and McCoy nodded to Kirk who glanced at one of the security officers. The gentleman nodded back and headed out the door.
“Spock says they’re setting up security all around Dr. Owen’s room,” Uhura said to Christine quietly. “They might try again and the captain wants to be ready.”
“Oh, the almighty they,” Christine said. “Poor Dr. Owen. And Dr. Hall.”
“Well, they’ve got to stay safe until the day after tomorrow,” Uhura said. “After they share that genome, it’s out of everyone’s hands.”
Dr. Owen started to say his good-byes and stopped for a moment to chat with his geneticists. The one with the beard laughed loudly and clapped him on the shoulder, making the scientist stumble a bit.
Christine overheard the shorter geneticist say, “Be a little more gentle, Saller, if you can.”
“Oh, well, we don’t all have your social skills, Burkett,” Saller said giving Annha a significant look. The guide looked embarrassed and excused herself. Burkett flushed angrily his chances with the guide obviously blown.
Dr. Owen just shook his head and Dr. Hall helped him out of the hall, McCoy walking close nearby.
Saller continued to grin at Burkett who glared at him and then left the hall in a huff.
“Goodness,” Uhura said mildly.
“Looks like the day after tomorrow can’t come fast enough,” Christine said, finishing her drink.
McCoy walked with the scientists to their rooms and once inside ran his tricorder over the back of Dr. Owen’s leg. “Looks good. Remember to keep it as still as you can. While the regenerator did most of the work, your skin still needs to heal on its own.”
Dr. Owen nodded but Dr. Hall asked, “Where are the security guards? Captain Kirk said there would be security.”
“Oh, they’re around,” McCoy said. “If we can see them, then so can the bad guys. But, don’t worry, they’re there.”
Dr. Hall nodded.
“Rhona,” Dr. Owen said. “It will be fine. The genome is safe. It’s all working as they wanted.”
“I just don’t like it,” Dr. Hall said. “This waiting.”
Tell me about it, McCoy thought.
He reassured the two once again and stayed for a few minutes with Dr. Owen while Dr. Hall left to go to her own quarters. Then McCoy said good night and gave instructions to use the comm Kirk had given Owen if he felt anything was out of place.
As McCoy walked back towards the wing the crew from the Enterprise had been given, he unbuttoned the top of the Kalpharian tunic. He wondered if he should just go to Christine’s room and ask to talk to her? Even if that meant encountering Uhura and her all-knowing looks that McCoy was positive she’d gotten from Spock from some sort of Vulcan osmosis. Or did he go somewhere and wait like a damned teenager? Maybe lurk in a corner under her window. Hell, maybe he could even throw pebbles at it and hope she came down to talk to him or maybe...
Or maybe he needed to just calm down because there she was, waiting just outside the building where their quarters were.
Of course she was. She always was at least two steps ahead of him.
She was leaning against the wall, still clad in her dress from the dinner; the green one that skimmed her form and left her arms bare. The one he had nearly swallowed his tongue over when she'd appeared earlier that evening. Currently she seemed to be studying the tips of her feet and McCoy wanted nothing more than to stride over there, press her against the wall and kiss her and kiss her and kiss her until they couldn’t breathe.
Easy, man, he thought slowing his steps that had automatically quickened. You are talking. Don’t get your damn hopes up.
At his approach, she looked up and smiled, her mouth quirked in a way that was only ever meant for him. Something flared up inside of him and took over. Damn it, he hadn't been able to touch her in what felt like days. His pace quickened again and he did exactly what he’d told himself not to do.
He walked up to her and framed her face and pressed his body against hers and kissed her fiercely. She made a surprised sound, but caught on fast and dug her hands into his hair and kissed him back.
“I thought we were going to talk,” she said shakily when his mouth travelled down the length of her neck.
“We are,” he said into her skin as his hand skimmed down her thigh. “This is me talking.”
She made a noise in the back of her throat and threaded her hands through his hair and with a sharp tug, pulled him back so she could kiss his mouth. He cupped the back of her thigh and she raised it to hook on his hip and rolled her hips.
“Oh, darlin',” he said as he pressed his lower body to hers. His hand came up to trail down the skin of her throat, then skimmed the length of her collarbone just above the neckline of her uniform. He replaced his finger with his mouth and tongue. One of her hands pressed the back of his head while the other grasped at his tunic. He moved back up to kiss her mouth and as he rocked hard against her, she gasped into his mouth. McCoy growled and hitched her leg up higher on his thigh. She was driving him insane. The taste of her in his mouth, the warmth of her body next to his and each roll of her hips made him want to take her up to his room and put his tongue on every single inch of her.
As he continued to kiss her, a voice in his head started to protest. Saying that they had some unfinished business from the day before and didn’t he want to know what made her so upset that she had to run out on him?
No, he thought as she sucked on his earlobe and his hand found her ass. As long as she keeps touching me, I don’t give a god damn what that was all about.
The voice asked dryly, Really? You sure about that?
He gritted his teeth in frustration and forced himself to pull back. He nearly groaned at the look in her eyes and her mussed hair, but got the words out, “What the hell was with you the other night?”
The lust vanished from her eyes so quickly he was taken aback. She looked down. “Can we just chalk it up to me being weird?”
“Sure,” he said telling himself to not freak out and to stay calm at her odd behaviour. “But you aren’t weird, Christine. You always have reasons and plans and schedules to keep.”
She closed her eyes and it occurred to him that her thigh was still hitched over his hip. He let go and she let her leg slide down. Her hands came up to rest on his chest.
“Len,” she said. The look in her eyes was so lost and confused he wanted to just hold her, but there was something she wasn’t telling him and he couldn’t let it go. “I just don’t know.”
“Don’t know what, honey?” he asked.
She swallowed hard and her lip actually trembled. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Do what? Be with me?” he asked his stomach turning and his head spinning.
“No! Not that! I want you,” Christine said shaking her head and putting her hand on his cheek. "I want you so much, Len. I just...”
Again, she seemed to struggle with the words. McCoy opened his mouth to ask her to just say it, whatever it was, when his comm chimed.
“Oh, goddamn it to hell,” he said loudly, frustrated beyond the telling. He ripped the comm out of his pocket, eyes still pinned to hers. “What?”
“Bones, we need you up here,” Kirk’s voice said over the comm. “Spock is going over some of the evidence and we could use another set of eyes.”
“Fine. In a minute,” McCoy bit out. He shut the comm off just as Kirk tried to say something else.
Christine was standing against the wall and was trying to look calm, but he could see whatever it was she was worried about flashing in her eyes. He looked away.
“I want you Christine Chapel,” he said. “More than I’ve wanted anyone in a very long time. But I’m not going to force the issue. You have stuff to figure out, fine. I can respect that.” He finally looked at her, hoping he was saying the right thing. “Just know that I’ll still be here. Waiting.”
“You will?” she asked softly as though she couldn’t believe it. And somehow McCoy knew this was what she’d needed to hear. He still had no idea why, and the lack of that particular piece of information was galling, to say the least. But reassurances? That he could give her.
“Yeah,” he said meeting her eyes. “I will.”
He leaned in and slowly kissed her forehead. Then McCoy turned and walked inside.
Well.
Leonard Horatio McCoy really knew how to throw a girl for a loop.
Christine pressed her fingers to her lips and let out a deep breath. She started to walk (rather unsteadily, one could say) away from the sleeping quarters, needing to get some air and get the blood circulating in her body.
Not to mention that she was still riding high on McCoy’s kisses and sleep was the furthest thing from her mind.
Well, he said he’d wait. But, she hadn’t exactly explained how long that wait might be. She started to mentally list the things she knew she wanted.
One) She wanted Leonard McCoy. Obviously. The fact that she’d just made out with the man in the middle of a courtyard where anyone could see them was a big clue.
Two) She wanted that doctorate. She’d worked too hard and too long to let it slide by the wayside. She’d earned it.
And (and this was the one that really made her chest hurt) Three) She didn’t want to lose him as a result of going after something else she wanted.
Once again, the image of Roger’s supercilious face asking, no, telling her to wait for him flashed through her mind. He hadn’t respected her enough to even phrase it as a question or cared enough to ask her to come with him. She was not going to put Len through the same thing.
Christine continued to walk through the complex, enjoying the night air and hearing the ambient sounds of a city falling asleep, the continuous sound of falling water from the terraces a calming hum in the background of it all. Her body began to approach its normal state of being, her heart resumed it’s steady pace and the flush in her cheeks softened.
She realized that she had wandered quite a ways when the buildings around her started to look unfamiliar and she rolled her eyes in exasperation. It dawned on her that she should probably let Uhura know where she was. Although the other woman had just smirked at her earlier when Christine said she was going out to meet McCoy. However, as she patted her side, she realized that this particular dress had no pockets and therefore, she had no comm on her.
“Oh, hell,” she said flatly. She looked around and decided her best bet would be to turn around and try to retrace her steps.
But, as she came up to a corner she started to hear voices just ahead of her. She walked a little faster, thinking she could ask for directions. When she rounded the corner, she froze at the sight of Annha talking loudly and gesturing at the man who had been serving drinks earlier at the dinner. Three other men stood nearby.
“You can’t do this, Atro! I won’t let you!” Annha said, her eyes wide and her voice pleading.
“Too late,” the server said, his face pinched and hard. “They’re already in place and the timer is counting down.”
Christine felt her stomach clench and she took a tentative step back into the shadows.
“But it will destroy the whole building,” Annha said.
Damn it, Christine thought. This is why you always have a comm on you.
“That’s the point!” he shouted. “If all the equipment is gone, they have no choice! They will not ruin
this planet for their own gains!”
"You could kill someone! You nearly did!" she cried pressing her hands to his chest. "Dr. Owen has never been anything but kind and that blast could have killed him."
"Just how do you know that was me?" he asked almost teasingly.
"I know! It was you who vandalized their offices. It was always you," Annha said. "You have always despised the idea that there is more to this universe than Kalpharia. But to do so much damage? Why Atro? Why?"
"Because all the Federation wants is for us to comply and turn a blind eye while they steal our land and our technology," Atro said. "And our government does nothing. I know they will turn Kalpharia into nothing more than a food-producing factory ignoring all of our customs and destroy everything that is ours."
"What? Who told you that?" Annha asked, shaking her head. "That's not true. I've seen the agreements--"
"They will destroy this planet!" Atro yelled, finally losing his temper and towering over Annha, leaning over her, his face contorting as he shouted. "They will raze us to the ground and laugh while doing so!"
Annha looked horrified, her mouth fell open and she took a step backwards. "I don't… Atro… My brother. I don’t recognize this person. Who are you?"
"The person who will save this planet," he said trying to regain his calm. "Stay out of my way, little sister. Go home."
"No," she said shaking her head. "No, I won't." She turned and pulled her comm unit out and made to speak into it.
"No! Foolish woman!" One of Antro's men knocked her hand and her comm clattered to the ground.
He grabbed her and she cried out while Atro looked on impassively.
Christine would later be able to say that during her life, she had at least five moments of extreme boneheadedness. Number five was the time she let her sister cut her hair when they were twelve and ten, respectively.
Number one was what she did next.
"Hey! Let her go!" she shouted coming out of the shadows.
As five heads turned to face her, four of them in varying degrees of anger, one absolutely petrified, Christine wondered at her own timing and intelligence. Not good, Chapel. Not good at all, she thought. Crap.
"Get out of here," Atro said in a low voice. "This doesn't concern you."
"That grip your friend over there has on your sister concerns me," Christine said taking a small step forward, still wondering at her own recklessness. "As does the fact that you were responsible for an explosion today that seriously injured one person and threatened the lives of many."
"Christine," Annha said, her eyes pleading with Christine. To either run away or to help, Christine was completely certain which one.
"Oh, you know this woman?" Atro asked raising his eyebrows. Annha bit her lip. "Wait. Let me guess. Obviously a foreigner, likes to stick her nose in other's business and look how high she holds her head." Atro grinned and walked towards her coming to a stop just in front of her. "You must be Starfleet."
"Let Annha go," Christine said with far more confidence than she actually felt. "And tell me what you've planned before this gets out of your hands and more people get hurt."
"And exactly who is going to stop me?" he asked. "You?"
Christine gave Annha a look and the other woman immediately dug her elbow into the stomach of the man holding her. He grunted and loosened his grip, letting her go. Christine slammed the flat of her palm into Atro's nose and heard it crack. He groaned and his hands cradled his face. Christine darted forward, towards Annha. One of Atro’s men made to grab her, but she twisted away. However, another managed to get a hold of her arm and pulled her towards him.
"Annha! Run!" Christine shouted as she struggled in the man’s grasp. Annha hesitated and then grabbed her comm unit off the ground and ran away towards the center of the complex. Christine did her best to fight against the men and she dug her nails into the forearm of the man holding her. He cried out, but tightened his grip, while another man moved to hold down both her arms. She tried to inflict as much damage as she could, but she was outnumbered.
Finally, as two men gripped her arms as she continued to struggle, her hair in wisps around her face and her dress torn, Atro walked up to her, his nose bleeding sluggishly.
They stared at each other. Christine’s eyes narrowed and she swallowed hard.
He looked in the direction that Annha had run and then back at Christine.
"Little sister might be able to stop the bombs. This time. But, no one's going to be able to help you," Atro said nonchalantly. Christine steeled her spine and stared him down, her heart beating fast.
He looked at the men.
"Take her to the basin."
Next
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2010-10-20 07:10 pm (UTC)Ooooh! CLiff hanger!
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Date: 2010-10-24 03:01 pm (UTC)Also! McCoy unbuttoning the top of his tunic made me think of this (http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l69608zOev1qc9nyro1_400.png). And I just had to share. :D
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Date: 2010-10-25 10:34 am (UTC)