The Nemesis Factor

                     THE NEMESIS FACTOR

There was a theory that our sun, Sol, had a dark twin.  The name that was given to this hypothesized twin was “Nemesis”.  Every millions of years or more it was speculated that this underdeveloped star would come close to our solar system and wreak havoc on our Earth.  It may have brought with it a trail of meteors that showered the Earth and caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.  The Mirror Enterprise was like “Nemesis” in the effects of the interactions of the crew from both universes.

Time frame:  Immediately after “Mirror Mirror” and before the “Journey to Babel”


Turbulent waters ran deep below the icy blue surfaces and formed whirlpools that pulled him into a dark vortex.  Distorted images flashed in his mind and cacophony of screams and cries echoed around him.  A deluge of emotions hit his mind hard, painfully breaking the barely raised shields in his mind.  Extreme hatred, anger, lust and overwhelming self loathing saturated the flood; but there was no compassion, no gentleness nor concern for any of the targets that his emotional arrows wounded. 

The Mirror McCoy had grabbed Spock’s face with his left hand and spread his fingers in a mock meld position, his fingers dug in cruelly.  McCoy’s face betrayed none of the caustic thoughts that he was hurling at Spock through the contact, his blue eyes were dull and opaque.  The suddenness of the action paralyzed Spock briefly and delayed the erecting of his mental shields.  The Doctor was sending images of his victims that had been tortured and butchered by his hands; the images were replayed with gruesome precision.  Some of the victims were Vulcans and McCoy’s knowledge of Vulcan physiology was extensive.   Spock was surprised by the Vulcan’s of the Mirror universe; they were a blend of the ancient pre-Surak era and the Vulcans of this era.  Logic still was front and foremost but to respond violently and seek revenge was considered a logical reaction.  Spock was able to dam off some of the torrential thoughts and follow the source back to McCoy’s mind.  It was chaotic; there was no organization of his thoughts, no mental discipline and no patterns.   Then he was able to focus on images of his mirror self and observe the influence he had on this McCoy.  The repeated mind melds and physical assaults performed by Spock and his Vulcan body guards on the Doctor had damaged his mind.  Not only them but McCoy had been mind raped by a Romulan and the Mirror Sylvia and Korob. This chaos was also a coping mechanism to keep the Vulcan from controlling his thoughts.  However, this coping mechanism would come at a great price, this McCoy was very close to insanity and his lack of compassion and responsibility for his actions had turned him into a psychopath.  Spock felt a loss for the person this McCoy could have been.  McCoy immediately picked up on this and hurled wave upon wave of hateful, murderous obscene thoughts at him and what he would do to him should he get the chance.  The unreadable and dead blue eyes stared at him and this McCoy’s face was more deeply lined and his complexion sallow.  Then there was a pause in the assault, McCoy picked up on Spock’s feelings for his counterpart and then he revealed what the mirror Spock was doing to the gentle, receptive and vulnerable McCoy at this time.  Scenes from the mirror Enterprise where Spock had tried to bend McCoy to his will and how he desired a submissive, tamed and sentimental lover; he would have all he ever wanted in the other McCoy.  Then there was the faintest glimmer of desire for this McCoy to be cared for by the Vulcan in his grasp. Spock nurtured this desire, fed the hunger that calmed the storms raging in McCoy’s mind and it gave him the opportunity to fully erect his mental shields.  He grabbed the wrist of the hand on his face and broke the contact, he squeezed McCoy’s wrist hard in warning.  McCoy lunged at him with his right hand but Spock was too fast and he felled him with a Vulcan neck pinch.  He picked up the unconscious limp body and placed him on the cot in the brig.  The other Scotty yelled at him and swung out to hit him but Spock caught his hand and shoved him back.  The other Kirk had done nothing during this confrontation with McCoy; he had stood still with his arms across his chest and glared at Spock.  Then he slowly walked over to McCoy and stood by him, his chest heaving with anger.  There were too many Security guards present for him to attack.  Spock left the brig and he heard Kirk and Scotty screaming insults at him.

He went to the quiet serenity of his quarters and changed into his meditation robe.  The red glow of the firepot was the only light in his quarters, the recorded sounds of the winds on Vulcan provided a white noise and then he could lower his mental shields.  He had trouble settling and meditating.  The alternate McCoy had known that he was a touch telepath and used this as weapon against him.  Not only a weapon but the pornographic images of him and the alternate Spock and the wonton desires that this Doctor wanted to perform with him was disturbing.   His McCoy always respected the fact that he was a touch telepath and only during medical treatment did he touch Spock.  There were many times when Spock would touch McCoy’s  bare  arm and sometimes Spock would read the honesty, genuine concerns and the tenderness that were present in the doctor’s core being.  Spock had his concerns for the away team but especially McCoy.  What was happening to McCoy at this moment and what damages was the alternate Spock doing to his mind or body?  The brutality of that universe, the constant need to be hypervigilant for a surprise attack or assassination attempt and the lack of preparation for such an environment made the away team’s presence over there perilous and their immediate return to this universe was imperative.  Spock was finally able to focus on his meditation and the solution to returning his shipmates became very clear.

After the away team materialized on the transporter platform and he saw the looks of relief on their faces, Spock relaxed inwardly.  McCoy appeared to be unharmed and the brightness and energy in his blue eyes was reassuring.  Spock looked deeper into those cerulean eyes and saw the compassion, strength and stability that they usually possessed.  Kirk recounted briefly what had taken place and that the mirror Spock had been “a man of integrity”.  Spock wondered if all of the painful and twisted images were just the paranoid thoughts of an insane man. 

The next morning in the staff meeting, Kirk, McCoy, Scotty and Uhura discussed in more depth the events of what had happened.  Kirk did most of the talking and McCoy was unusually quiet; however, so were Uhura and Scotty.  Spock studied the group’s expressions and body languages further and he noticed that McCoy seemed to be distracted or for a better word nonreactive.  There were times when the Doctor would stare off in an unfocused way, his face blank and his mouth slightly slack.   Kirk had directed McCoy’s attention back to the meeting several times but did not appear to be concerned by the change in his friend.  McCoy was very sensitive to the mistreatment of life forms from all races; this could be his way of dealing with all of the brutality he had witnessed in the Sick Bay and on the ship.  After the meeting, Spock and Kirk talked further.  Spock relayed to him what he had noticed and experienced from the other McCoy’s memories.  Kirk informed him of what he had seen in the Sick Bay and McCoy’s anger at the torture chamber that his mirror self and the staff had been conducting.  Some areas of Sick Bay were filthy with dried blood, body fluids and the stench that permeated the place was overwhelming. 

“Poor, Bones, the conditions in Sick Bay really hit him hard.  I’m going to have to ask him how the acid spill on one of the tables happened, the same acid spill was in the exact location in the other Sick Bay.  He’s probably scrubbing the floors of Sick Bay right now.  He’s so obsessive about his domain, it’s always spotless.  One could eat off of the floors they’re so pristine.”  Kirk said, and then he laughed at Spock’s raised eyebrow.  “Not that I’ve done it myself…Oh, it’s good to be back here, Spock.  So what was my counterpart like?”

“You were very aggressive and wanted to control everything around you.  You were not pleased to have our versions of uniforms and you were very disturbed not to have your body guards.  From what I gathered body guards were a necessity in that Universe.”  Spock replied.

“Very much so, although you couldn’t trust them if you were a low ranking officer, it pays to be at the top.  Now your body guards were Vulcans and they were the most impressive body guards over there.”  Kirk took a sip of his coffee. “What were Bones, Scotty and Uhura like?”

“Uhura reminded me of a panther, sleek and agile but with the ability to strike quickly and deadly.  Mr. Scott was quite verbose, more muscular and extremely cunning.”  Spock paused before he talked about McCoy.   “Dr. McCoy was exactly like the status of his Sick Bay.  He is a psychopath and he is on the verge of insanity.”

“What….Bones?”  Kirk asked incredulously.

“Yes, he is a product of that universe.  One has to kill to stay alive, one has to be loyal to the Empire and to the Captain and survive on whatever means it takes.  However, his mind had been violated so many times by my mirror self and others that it has permanently altered his mental status.”

“You were almost the same, but as you said the Empire came first.  It was a death sentence not to follow the orders of the Empire.”  Kirk said.  “The means by which that Kirk assassinated his rivals and enemies was ingenious but sneaky.  I like this universe, at least you can try to argue about orders and assignments and the food is so much better.”

“I am greatly relieved that you all returned safely, Captain.”  Spock said with a faint smile.

“Me, too.  Let’s go over our new assignment and orders.”  Kirk said and they pulled up star Fleets latest orders.

In the afternoon, Spock stopped by Sick Bay to check on McCoy.  Christine Chapel was updating some crewmen’s medical files.

“Mr. Spock, what can I do for you?”  She asked smiling.

“Is Dr. McCoy available?”  He asked.

She stood up, “Are you sure they sent the real McCoy back or an imposter?”

Spock’s eyebrows shot up in alarm, “Why do you ask?”  He inquired sternly.

Chapel’s smile quickly faded, “I’m sorry, Mr. Spock, I’m just joking.  He gathered the entire staff this morning and praised us for our hard work, our commitment and our professionalism.  Then he gave me a big bear hug and a kiss on the cheek and said I was the best nurse he’d ever had.  He’s never remiss in his compliments but it’s usually during an evaluation or after a very hard shift.  I don’t know what he encountered over on the other Enterprise but it must have been awful.  He’s cleaned his office twice and I’ve stopped him several times from scrutinizing the whole Sick Bay.”

“Where is the good Doctor at this time?”  Spock asked.

“We have three patients with minor illnesses and injuries.  He insisted on taking care of them himself.  He’s in the patient area.”  Chapel said and returned to her work.

When he entered the main Sick Bay, McCoy had his back to him and he was talking to a female from Engineering, Ensign Fisher.  She had her right arm exposed and McCoy was treating some burns on her forearm.  McCoy was talking softly to her and by her expression his touch was gentle.  Suddenly, McCoy stopped and Spock could see concern displayed on the Ensign’s face.

“Dr. McCoy, are you alright?  Dr. McCoy….um, Dr. McCoy?”  She said louder.  Spock almost went to the bedside, but the Doctor shook his head.

“What?....I’m sorry did you say something, Laura?”  He asked his voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes, sir, are you okay?  You seemed to drift off.  Is my injury boring you?”  She laughed nervously.

“No, Ensign Fisher, you injury is not boring in the least.  Now I don’t want the crew to go around getting hurt just to get off duty or to keep me entertained.”  McCoy said with a snort, “That was a second degree burn and I’ve healed the skin.  The site is going to be tender for a day or two…so don’t get a tattoo on that arm.”  She giggled and McCoy finished his discharge instructions.

Ensign Fisher walked past Spock on her way out.  “Good afternoon, Mr. Spock.”

Before he could reply, the sound of a tablet pad hitting the floor drew his attention back to McCoy.  The Doctor was staring at him wide-eyed with panic and then the expression was gone and McCoy had that blank stare again. 

“Dr. McCoy?”  Spock asked as he walked closer to the Doctor.

“Mr. Spock, what brings you to Sick Bay?”  McCoy asked as if nothing had happened.

“I was checking on the landing party.  Uhura’s account of Lt. Sulu was quite disturbing.  Mr. Scott’s reports are concerning as well.”  Spock said quickly.

“The whole blasted universe was disturbing and bizarre.  Sick Bay was right out of a horror story, I can still smell the place.  I can’t believe the entire staff could be so cruel, savagely brutal and negligent.  It’s good to be back here with my staff.  But I’ll tell you one thing; you don’t want to mess with the Nurse Chapel over there.  I know she could’ve beaten the crap out of me or even the other Kirk.  Is there something else, Spock, you have that look on your face?”  McCoy asked.

“What look is that, Doctor?”  Spock inquired.

“Your scientist’s face or rather your detective face.”  McCoy said with a smile.

“I do not have such ‘faces’” Spock said.

“Yes, you do.  Oh, now these faces are not to be confused with emotional expressions.  I know you don’t have emotions.”  McCoy said as he bent over to pick up the tablet from the floor.  McCoy was wearing his short sleeved tunic and Spock saw dark bruises encircling the Doctor’s left wrist.  When he stood up, Spock stepped closer to him and stared into his eyes intently.  Suddenly the same blank expression washed over McCoy’s face and he met Spock’s gaze without blinking.  Out of curiosity, Spock slowly reached out and placed his fingers on the Doctor’s face.   Spock gently peered into McCoy’s mind and was immediately confronted by a strong presence that denied him entrance.  Spock felt a force that elicited sharp pain to his brain and McCoy let out a startled cry and fainted into his arms.  Spock carried him to a biobed, set him down and he called for Chapel’s assistance.  She hurried over looked at her boss’s pale face.

“What happened?”  She asked.

“Dr. McCoy has been acting differently since his return.  Have you noticed any changes?  When did he receive the bruises on his wrist?”  Spock asked staring at the vital sign monitor.

“He’s been more considerate than usual, less verbal.  I noticed the bruises this morning and he couldn’t remember how it happened.  He noticed them last night and thought he had bumped into something on the other Enterprise.”  She said as her finger tips gently brushed over the bruised areas.  “These appear to be finger marks, see the four parallel lines.”  She scanned the bruises with the Feinberger, “There are no broken bones but there are broken capillaries and soft tissue injury.  Whoever did this was very strong.”

McCoy groaned and slowly opened his eyes.  His brow immediately furrowed and he sat up.
“What the hell is going on?  How did I wind up on the biobed?”

“You fainted, Doctor, don’t you remember?”  Spock asked.

“No I don’t remember; I was discharging Ensign Fisher and then nothing.”  McCoy replied.

“You have bruises on your left wrist, how did this happen?”  Spock asked.

McCoy quickly hopped off of the bed with a huff.  “Now listen here, dammit.  I’m the doctor in this Sick Bay, not you.  I don’t know how the hell I got these bruises, so what.”

“If you study the pattern of the bruising you will observe they appear to be from someone’s hand.  The grasp had been strong enough to cause soft tissue damage and you cannot recall how you received them?”  Spock said and he grabbed McCoy’s left wrist and squeezed firmly.

“Ouch, dammit…..”  Then it happened again, McCoy just stared vacantly and then he lost consciousness.  Spock caught him again.

“Dr. McCoy!”  Chapel looked at Spock.  “What’s wrong with him?”

“I shall attempt to find out.”  He placed McCoy on to the biobed once more and Christine performed several neuro scans and a brain wave analysis.  Afterwards, Spock raised his mental shields to protect himself and then reattempted to meld with McCoy.  Despite the erected shields, the force was still able to inflict pain.  He tried to study it as long as he could but the barrier proved to be too powerful.  He immediately removed his fingers from McCoy’s face and the pain persisted. 

“Mr. Spock, Mr. Spock, what’s wrong?”  Chapel asked and she grabbed his hand.  Her concern and strong affection were able to stop the influence of the barrier in his mind.  Spock was not familiar with this type of obstacle or its independent ability to act on its own.  “His brain wave patterns are different; they show alteration in the Beta and Delta patterns.  There’s another wave form not usually found in the human brain, the analysis is not complete yet.  There are no bleeds, swelling or bruising inside of the brain indicating traumatic injuries.  It’s like he’s been hypnotized or given a strong mental suggestion.”  Chapel reported.  “The brain wave analysis is complete; the unusual pattern is…..”  She gasped, “It’s a Vulcan brain pattern, Mr. Spock.  The pattern is very similar to yours.  How could that have happened?”  She called for Dr. M’Benga who studied the analysis with intense interest and concern.  He ordered for the scans to be done for a Vulcan and the results were confirmed. 

“Nurse Chapel, give Dr. McCoy 50 mg of VC-552.  It’s an anticonvulsant for Vulcans and it may slow down the influence of this barrier on his brain.  When did he come in contact with another Vulcan with your specific brain patterns?”  M’Benga asked.

“The other universe, my alternate self had probed the Doctor’s mind and may have implanted this obstacle. I will have to consult with the healers on Vulcan and investigate this unfortunate occurrence, if you both will excuse me.”  Before he left, Spock placed his fingers over McCoy’s face and memorized the pattern and design of the barrier. 

Spock contacted his father, Sarek, and relayed the details to him.  His father voiced great concern and he would contact some of the Vulcan healers as to what if any measures could be taken.  While he waited for his father to supply him with some information, Spock talked with Uhura and Scotty again about what they had noticed.
Uhura told him she remembered Spock bringing McCoy to the transporter room, but she was so concerned with returning to their Enterprise that she did not notice anything else.

Mr. Scott provided more details.
“Aye, I remember.  The other Spock walked in ta tha transporter room holdin’ McCoy’s arm and guidin’ ‘im.  He passed tha Doctor or’ ta me and I helped ‘im on ta tha platform.”  Scotty said.

“How did Dr. McCoy appear, Mr. Scott, what was his mental condition?” Spock asked.

“He seemed drugged, he could walk o’ his own but he was vera quiet for McCoy.  I thought it was a wee bit odd at tha time, I had ta support ‘im until we materialized over here.  Now that I think o’ it, McCoy should hav’ been cussin’ up a storm normal like.  Is there somethin’ wrong with McCoy?” Scotty asked concerned.  “He did nae seem ‘imself this mornin’ either.  Afta’ all o’ that action over there he would ha’ been talkin’ a lot more and swearin’, too.”

“Did you notice any bruises on his left wrist?”  Spock asked.

“No, I did nae see ‘is wrist but there were some red spots o’ ‘is face.”  Scotty replied.

“Where on his face?”  Spock asked.

“I think o’ ‘is right side, they were gone when we arrived ova’ here.”  Scotty informed him.

“Thank you, Mr. Scott; your keen observations have helped greatly.”  Spock said.

Sarek called Spock later in the evening.
“Spock, how is Dr. McCoy?  What is his condition?”  He asked.

“The reports from Dr. M’Benga have not changed.  The Vulcan anticonvulsants seemed to have dampened the effects of the implanted mind barrier.  The Doctor remains unconscious.  The exact cause is not known, his depressed mental state is apparently due to the bond.   What have you learned, Father?”

“The mental obstacle is an old mind meld used before the reforms of Surak.  This type of meld was a way of controlling one’s tersu and preventing any other Vulcan from forming a bond with their partner, it was a barbaric way of mind control.  In the archives it describes the person who received the meld as becoming pliant and at the will of its creator.  It inhibits independent thoughts and actions and it appears to be permanent.  Removal of this bond will result in the death of the recipient but also the Vulcan who attempts to dissolve the meld.  Do not attempt to remove this bond, Spock; it can be very harmful to you as well.  You have performed other superficial melds on McCoy and his brain is familiar with your pattern and because of its familiarity McCoy’s brain received it easily.  Your report stated that this meld was forced upon McCoy; it will be extremely difficult to remove. You alternate self may have placed this meld in McCoy’s mind to destroy you.  Apparently this shield has touch telepathic abilities in addition to its other characteristics.  The Healer T’Sarsa will be heading to the Enterprise shortly.  T’Sarsa stated that M’Benga’s use of VC-552 was a very wise choice.  Her transport will meet up with the Enterprise in 22 hours.  Goodnight, Spock.”  Sarek said and the communication was terminated.

Spock joined Kirk in Sick Bay to check on McCoy.  The Doctor’s face was smooth without his usual animated expressions.  It appeared he was in a deep sleep but there were no indications on his brain wave patterns that he was asleep or dreaming.
M’Benga informed them despite using the anticonvulsant; the Vulcan bond was still spreading throughout McCoy’s frontal cortex and heading into the limbic system.  If McCoy were awake, he would have little will of his own; his emotions would be suppressed and his actions would be controlled by the suggestions of the meld.  The other McCoy was correct; his Spock had found the perfect person for his desires.
Kirk’s brow was creased with concern and he gently stroked his fingers over the bruised areas on McCoy’s wrist.

“Bones stayed behind to take care of the other Spock, he insisted on taking care of him even if it meant he could not return to this universe.  Spock, I know it seems like he doesn’t care about you and he is hypercritical at times, but Bones is quite fond of you.  He risked his life to take care of your counterpart.”  Kirk looked over at Spock, “Bones is going to be okay, isn’t he?  Oh, Spock I should have ordered him to leave Sick Bay with us.  I should have known something was wrong when there was a delay in his arrival to the transporter room.  Then I saw Spock entering the transporter room with McCoy and that he had him by the arm.  I did not make the connection that anything was wrong.  I agree with Scotty, McCoy normally would have been fighting and cursing, but he was so damned quiet.”  Kirk rubbed his chin, “Before he took me to Sick Bay, Spock found me in the transporter room.  He had a phaser drawn and stated that my mind was too disciplined to give him any information but he mentioned something about Bones.”

“What did he say about the Doctor, Captain?”  Spock asked.

“He said something to the effect that McCoy was full of human weaknesses and that he was soft and sentimental.  He knew that we were not from his universe; and I fell into his trap.  When we arrived in Sick Bay he acknowledged who we were and that the entire landing party was present.  Spock ordered Bones to give him some answers.  From what you have said about the other McCoy, the words soft and sentimental do not seem to apply. “

“Do not blame yourself, Captain, we both are aware of the depth of dedication Dr. McCoy has for his patients.  Had you stayed and debated the issue with him, none of you would have returned.”  Spock said encouragingly.

Kirk looked back at McCoy’s deceptively peaceful face, “What kind of bond did the other Spock create with McCoy?”

“From the old Vulcan language it is translated a ‘shield bond’.  In essence he implanted a mental shield and it claimed McCoy as his property.  This is not a bond that a Vulcan would make with a lover; it is more of a partner-concubine bond.  The shield prevents any other Vulcans from bonding or melding with the recipient of this bond.  It also actively redirects the recipient’s will to the Vulcan.  It was used to control conquests, slaves and unwilling partners to the wishes of the master.  The puzzling notion is why Spock placed it in McCoy’s mind since he knew he was returning him back to his own universe.  Perhaps this was directed at me to prevent me from establishing a bond with McCoy.”  Spock said.  “When I looked into the other McCoy’s mind, he and Spock had once been lovers and in spite their differences they were compatible in their shared interests in science and research.”  He looked down at the Doctor, “Dr. McCoy and I both share the same interests and appreciation of biology, physics and other aspects of science.  We have shared many gratifying discussions on scientific matters.  The Doctor despite his human limitations is highly intelligent and he has a wealth of scientific knowledge.”

“You said you had made contact with Vulcan and they are sending a healer. Will they be able to save Bones?”  Kirk asked.

“I hope so.  The healer’s name is T’Sarsa.   The Vulcan Council informed me that she was familiar with the ancient Vulcan customs and some of these customs are still being used by the Romulans today.  T’Sarsa is revered by many of the Vulcan healers, priests and physicians. However, she has very little experience with humans.”  Spock said.  Spock was not ready to tell Kirk that his father was the Federation Ambassador for Vulcan.

“And what a human she will be working with!”  Kirk said with a light laugh and then his face clouded with worry, “Is there any sign that Bones is fighting this bond, could he help prevent this shield thing from taking over his mind?”

“I do not know, Jim.  From what I could detect from McCoy there was little he could do to prevent the changes in his mind.”  Spock said with a sigh. Kirk and Spock stayed a little longer and then they both went to their quarters.

T’Sarsa arrived at 7:30 am and she was shown to her guest quarters and afterwards was escorted to Sick Bay.  T’Sarsa was approximately 160 years old and silver hairs were interlaced in with her long dark hair.  The healer was tall and she wore a flowing blue colored robe with Vulcan script embroidered in metallic copper thread along the collar.    Dr. M’Benga and Spock met with her in McCoy’s office and reviewed what had taken place in the Mirror Universe.  Spock shared what he encountered with his mind probe of the mirror McCoy.  He also informed her of McCoy’s behavior after his return and what Spock had perceived when he attempted to peer into McCoy’s mind.

T’Sarsa and M’Benga stood on either side of McCoy’s bed.  On the monitor below the Doctor’s vital signs was a continuous reading of the shield bond’s (Mirror Spock’s brain) wave form and Dr. McCoy’s brain wave forms.  T’Sarsa closed her eyes and silently mouthed mantras in preparation for the assessment of the shield bond.  She opened her eyes and placed her long elegant fingers on McCoy’s face.  It became evident that she had to concentrate harder and her brows knit together.  There was a change on the shield’s wave form and McCoy’s blood pressure and heart rate increased.  As the shield’s effects spiked higher, so did McCoy’s blood pressure.  Suddenly McCoy’s body arched and then it was caught in violent convulsions from seizures.  T’Sarsa removed her fingers from McCoy’s face but the seizures continued.  M’Benga administered both Vulcan and human anticonvulsants without any effect.  Then McCoy’s body became still and his heart rhythm went into an unstable arrhythmia.  M’Benga called a ‘Code Blue’ and Chapel came to the bedside.  She applied the Cardio-stim unit to McCoy’s chest and the facemask respirator over his mouth and nose.  She delivered the medications that M’Benga ordered and McCoy’s heart resumed its normal rhythm and his other vital signs resumed their normal parameters.   Chapel wiped the tears from her eyes, it had been a close call but the Doctor that she had worked for years with was not going to be the same.  If he made it physically it would be of little consequence due to the changes occurring in his brain.

“I think we’ll stop the attempt to disengage the shield bond for today.  Dr. McCoy’s brain and body will not tolerate any more.”  M’Benga said sadly, “I’ve never seen anything like this before.  Have you encountered any bond like this before, T’Sarsa?”

“Not in my personal practice but I have read texts from the ancient archives on the effects of such a bond.  However, these were a Vulcan to Vulcan bond not a Vulcan to human bond.  To have placed such a bond in this human’s brain, this alternate Spock has a deep obsession with the Doctor’s counterpart.  I believe the human term is ‘unrequited desire’.  Vulcan’s are sometimes not able to fully comprehend an emotional race.  The solution is apparently to control the emotional area of the human’s brain, eliminating the emotion variable and transforming the brain into something that is comparable to a Vulcan’s.  You had mentioned the damages that were done to the alternate McCoy; it was a different type of bond that was attempted with him.  The alteration of his frontal lobe basically disenabled the emotional control and allowed the limbic areas of the human’s brain to become dominant and this also explains why he had transformed into a psychopathic personality.  How very tragic for that human and for that Vulcan; neither can be at peace nor can they fulfill their desires for one another.”   Her dark eyes met Spock’s eyes.  “It is possible for a Vulcan to have a fulfilling and pleasurable bond with a human or a person of another race.  This is the reason why Surak forbade the further use of this bond on a partner or lover.”

Kirk ran in out of breath, “Uhura reported that there had been a ‘Code Blue’ in Sick Bay.  Was it Bones?”

“Yes, Captain, it was but he is stable now.” Spock said.  “We are stopping the separation process at this time.  The bond is too strong and Dr. McCoy’s brain and body have weakened.”

Kirk went to McCoy’s side and picked up his right hand and held it between his own. “You fight this thing, Bones.  Fight it hard!”  Kirk yelled at McCoy, more so for his own frustration at the situation and then he stood quietly holding McCoy’s hand.  After a moment he talked with M’Benga and Chapel who were busy stabilizing and monitoring the Doctor.  Spock walked over to T’Sarsa. 

“I will take my leave for today and return to my guest quarters.” T’Sarsa said, “I must meditate further on this. To separate this type of bond between a Vulcan and a Vulcan would be difficult.  The human is too fragile and vulnerable to the effects of the bond; separation may not be possible. If we were to leave the bond in place, Dr. McCoy would live but not as himself.  The bond would eventually replace all of his knowledge and memories to that which the other Spock had designed for him.  I cannot reveal what the content of the bond, only what it can do.  I am sorry, Spock.
From what I could perceive from the Doctor’s mind, he has a deep affection for you and holds you with the greatest respect and honor.  His knowledge of science compliments yours and though it appears that he thinks illogically his mind is very is compatible with yours also.  What one universe could not achieve, you and Dr. McCoy could have been a successful and logical couple.  Perhaps in my meditations an answer to this question will arise.  Good day.”  She bowed and left Sick Bay. 

“What was all of that talk about you and McCoy being a couple?”  Kirk asked.  “You two fight like an old married couple but I don’t understand what she means.  McCoy has said nothing to me on the matter and you haven’t demonstrated any signs that you want to bond with McCoy.  She also mentioned that he has deep affection for you, I told you that he cares.”

“I believe what T’Sarsa was referring to was the relationship between my alternate and the other Doctor.  They were lovers at one time but due to McCoy’s emotionalism and the damages done to his brain by my other self trying to control him their bond and relationship could not be achieved.”  Spock said.

“So this other Spock puts this shield bond in Bones’ brain to keep you from having what he could not.”  Kirk said.

“His motives are only speculation; he might have considered keeping our McCoy and leaving the other Doctor in our universe.  When I had contact with the alternant, his mind was soothed by a more gentle approach.  It is hard to arrive at answers when there are so many variables.”  Spock said as he watched the rise and fall of McCoy’s chest as he lay on the Biobed.

Kirk and Spock stayed at McCoy’s bedside for a short time later and then returned to their duties on the bridge.


It was close to 1900 hours (7 pm) when Spock was contacted by T’Sarsa.  A solution had occured to her in her meditations.  He met her by McCoy’s bedside; Dr. M’Benga and Chapel were waiting for him also.

“This will be a joint meld with you and me, Spock.  I will maintain the link between the bond and McCoy’s mind.  You will meld along side of the bond producing a waveform echo.  Once your wave form is synchronous with that of the meld; you will take over the shield bond.  I will remove the alternate Spock’s bond from McCoy’s mind.  After this is achieved, we will monitor the Doctor for his tolerance of this action.  If all goes according to my calculations, the Doctor can be free of the shield bond.  I will repair Dr. McCoy’s mind and I will need your assistance in restoring some memories.”  T’Sarsa said.

“Has this been performed before?” Spock asked.

“No, it has not.  We shall be the first to attempt such a bond exchange.”  She looked over at M’Benga and Chapel, “Are you prepared to intervene if a similar reaction occurs?”  She asked.   They both nodded.  “Spock, shall we begin?”

After the mantras were silently spoken, T’Sarsa placed her fingers on McCoy’s face.  Five minutes passed before she nodded to Spock, indicating that it was time for him to mimic the bond signature.  M’Benga and Chapel watched the monitor closely; they could see the third wave form move in and perfectly mirror the shield bond.  Slowly Spock could feel the presence of T’Sarsa’s protective energy around the shield and ever so slightly an opening appeared and Spock was able to enter.   Spock monitored McCoy’s brain around T’Sarsa’s barrier.  The Doctor’s mind was blank except for the autonomic functions of his body; the sensory and motor aspects of his cerebrum were perceived but were not active.  Now he directed his focus on the opening in the energy field.  Inside, he was in contact with McCoy’s frontal cortex and he was amazed at the strength that resided in this area of his brain.  McCoy always had a ‘humanitarian’ view of events and people but the amount of empathy Spock was confronted with gave him insight into how McCoy was a natural born healer.  His knowledge of anatomy and physiology balanced the desire to relieve pain and correct alterations caused by injuries or diseases.  There was intolerance against injustice, brutality and needless suffering.  The façade of being illogical at times was now apparent to Spock, McCoy’s mind was well disciplined, ordered and structured.  As she promised, T’Sarsa kept McCoy calm and Spock was able to view McCoy’s memories.    Then the Alternate Spock’s encounter with McCoy appeared.  He watched as the Vulcan sat up from the Biobed in Sickbay and grabbed McCoy’s wrist, he could feel McCoy’s pain and he could witness McCoy’s courage.  He saw through McCoy’s eyes as his mirror counterpart brought his hand to the Doctor’s face.  He could feel McCoy’s panic and how he struggled to keep it in check.  He felt the Doctor attempt to erect his own mental shields, but they were easily breached. 

“Try to think that this is our Spock, he would not intentionally hurt…”  McCoy had thought.

The alternate Vulcan quickly flooded McCoy’s mind and probed deeply with his psychic fingers, pulling at memories of the landing party and their universe.  After he had achieved this, the Vulcan scrutinized the mind he was in and he explored meticulously.  As he delved deeper the harder he pushed and McCoy perceived that his brain was being infused by a thick substance.  It was like he was drowning; the process was painful, uncontrollable, suffocating and abrasive.  He tried to fight the meld but he was paralyzed in the mental force that had filled his brain.  Suddenly, the Mirror Spock unlocked his desires for a relationship with his Spock, his longing for a physical and a ‘soul’ contact.  He viewed the attributes that the Doctor treasured in his Spock: the handsome sculpted face, the elegant muscled body, the upswept eyebrows and pointed ears, the gentleness, immutability and the unwavering faithfulness.  The strength of the meld intensified; the alternate Spock’s desires mirrored his.  McCoy witnessed the failed relationship with his own counterpart and the madness that plagued the Doctor’s mind.  McCoy sensed the Vulcan’s appreciation of his healthy mind, his knowledge, his past commitments to those who had loved and this Spock’s desperate hunger for the physical and psychological joining.  Images of being forced into fulfilling this Spock’s physical needs and being the unwilling recipient of a mental bond added to the panic that was overtaking McCoy.   Then the meld took on a new dimension, he felt a hot molten sensation in his head and as it poured in it solidified.  The Doctor’s head throbbed from the pressure, he could hear his blood rushing near his ears, there was intense pressure behind his eyes and his heart rate quickened.  The pain was so powerful that he felt ill and there was darkness creeping in on the periphery of his mental perception.

“Stop, dammit stop!  The pain is too much…my head is going to split open…back off!  You’re pushing too hard…” McCoy thought in vain as his mind was being crushed.  “If Spock were here he would save me…Spock would never….”  Then McCoy felt the brush of the silky mustache and the hot lips claim his mouth and then he gave into the darkness. 
 

There were no further memories from McCoy; this must have been the point where Spock placed the shield bond.  With the shield gone from McCoy’s mind, there was no confirmation of this hypothesis.  T’Sarsa helped repair the Doctor’s mind and she left an impression in McCoy’s mind that he had been searched only and no damage had occurred as a result. 

She and Spock terminated the meld, both were exhausted.  The steady beat of McCoy’s pulse on the monitor brought Spock out of his trance.  He looked over at T’Sarsa who had placed her hand on the Doctor’s forehead.  Her dark eyes met Spock’s.

“There is hope for this universe.  He is indeed worthy of being a T’hy’la.   To answer your inquiry before I removed the shield bond, your alternate wanted to keep McCoy.  He would have completely claimed him but he feared that McCoy’s gentleness, humanitarianism and empathy would have been his death sentence.
He would have lost both McCoy’s.  However, from what you said about the alternate Doctor responding to the gentleness of your mind, there may be a balance in both universes.  Your mirror self responded to the memories of you that this McCoy had.”  She said, “You did well, Spock, your father will be pleased.”  She quietly left for her quarters.

Spock watched McCoy for a while; there was a stirring of an emotion he did not know existed in him.  It was akin to anger at the actions of his alternate self.  To be confronted with mental rape and given the image of physical rape was a great offence on Vulcan in this universe.  The temerity of that Spock to kiss McCoy on the lips was another assault.  Spock was aware that his hands were clinched so tightly that his finger nails had broken the skin.  Dr. M’Benga walked over to him.

“Mr. Spock, you must come out of this mind frame.  Your palms are bleeding and you are breathing heavily.”  He said firmly.

Spock released the obsessive thoughts and slowed his breathing, relaxed his hands and meditated on slowing his heart rate down.  M’Benga administered to his hands and stopped the bleeding on his palms.

Spock went to McCoy’s bedside and unconsciously touched his fingers to the Doctor’s lips.  He had always appreciated the sculpted lips, the lower lip especially.  McCoy’s lips were soft, pliant and cool to the touch.  A soft pink tongue slipped out in response to his lips being touched and licked the tips of his fingers.  He gasped; this was phenomenally stimulating to Spock.  He watched McCoy’s face in earnest as expressions of awareness played over the Doctor’s face.  Then the dark eyelashes fluttered open and the blue eyes were focused and clear. 

“How did I wind up on the Biobed again?  How long have I been out?”  McCoy asked groggily, looking at them staring at him.  M’Benga placed a restraining hand on his shoulder to keep him laying still.  McCoy noticed Chapel was smiling despite the tears running down her face and Spock standing strait with his hands behind his back.  “What the hell happened?  Dammit, I’ve got the worst headache.”  He pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers and grimaced.

“We caught you slacking off again, Boss.”  M’Benga said.  “You’ve been napping on the Biobeds again.  Chapel is going to have your hide.”

“I’ll let you off this time, Dr. McCoy.”  She said sniffling, “But you had better break this habit soon.”  McCoy saw her look up at his monitor and her eyes welled up with tears again.  Christine excused herself.

“Will someone please tell me what the hell happened?  Why are ya’ll standin’ around me for, gawkin’ at me?   I can tell somethin’ did happen, Geoff.  You wouldn’t have me on all of these blasted vital signs and neurosign parameters…when did I have a seizure?  When did ya’ll have to Code Blue me?”  McCoy asked his southern accent strong.  He squinted at the monitor summary.  M’Benga switched it off.  “Hey, turn it the hell back on! ”

“It appears that during your trip to the alternate universe the other Mirror Spock mind melded with you to gain information on the landing party.”  M’Benga said, “You had an unusual delayed reaction to this.  You’re okay now.”

“I remember I was treatin’ him for a head injury and then he grabbed me.  Did you check my head out, Mr. Spock?  Is everything in order?”  McCoy asked Spock.

“I would not go as far as to say it is in order, since previously it was not.”  Spock said using their familiar banter, McCoy weakly smiled at that remark. “Your mind is unharmed at present but it would be wise to rest for the next day or so.  Would you not agree, Dr. M’Benga?” 

“Definitely at least two or three days, Leonard.  You’ll spend tonight here with us.  Chapel’s on the night watch so I know you’ll adhere to my orders, unless you want to argue with her.” M’Benga said as he turned the monitor back on and saved the previous information to his computer until he and Spock decided when and if they would share what had just happened with McCoy.

“I am going to retire to my quarters for the night. “  Spock said as he nodded to McCoy and M’Benga.  “I will see you tomorrow morning, Dr. McCoy.  I trust that you will rest well and recover.”  He turned to leave.

“What the hell happened to your hands, Spock?”  McCoy asked concerned.

“It was a minor accident, Doctor.  It is time for you to rest.  I will visit you tomorrow.”  Spock said.

“You’d better come and see me.  Someone will have to deliver me from Chapel’s clutches.”  McCoy yelled after him.

As Spock headed for his quarters, he ran into Kirk who pressed him about McCoy’s condition.  Spock informed him that T’Sarsa was successful in removing the shield bond and the Doctor was back to his usual verbal and emotional state.

“Thank you, Spock, for saving Bones.  I was so worried.” He said.

“T’Sarsa mended his mind but left a memory that my alternate only inquired as to your identities, the shield bond is gone.”  Spock said.

“Thank goodness, to have Bones’s mind wiped out in that manner was horrible.  Is he awake?”  Kirk asked.

“Yes, Jim and I think all of Sick Bay would appreciate your visiting the Doctor.  He will be in Sick Bay overnight.  Unfortunately, he was able to read his treatment for seizures and his needing resuscitation.   Dr. M’Benga was able to remove the information from the bedside monitor away from the Doctor’s inquiring eyes.  We must discuss if we should inform him of all that transpired or have that information sealed.”  Spock said.

“Damn, that is something to think about.  We had to bring T’Sarsa from Vulcan to assist in his care that will be in the ship’s record.  Let’s discuss this tomorrow; I know you must be exhausted and don’t tell me Vulcans do not get exhausted.  You did an incredible job Spock.  If Bones knew all that had happened he would thank you as well.  Well, I’ll go keep Bones entertained and out of trouble.  Have a good rest, Spock, you’ve earned it.”  Kirk squeezed his arm affectionately and headed for Sick Bay.


Spock dressed for his nightly meditation.  There were many events of the day that needed sorting and assessing.  The comments that T’Sarsa said about McCoy having deep affection for him and the fleeting sensual effect of the touch of McCoy’s tongue on his fingers were the images and information that he concentrated on.  All could have been lost if they had not been able to remove the shield bond.  What if his counterpart had kept McCoy over there and his broken alternate had stayed here.   The anger stirred in him again that McCoy would have been violated in mind and body.
Spock quickly dismissed these thoughts since they would not come to pass.  After his meditation, Spock slipped under his sheets on his bed.  T’Sarsa’s words echoed through his mind, “He is indeed worthy of being a T’hy’la”.   Kirk had mentioned McCoy’s feelings for him, T’Sarsa had perceived them and his mirror self even acknowledged them.  How could he have not been aware of McCoy’s desires for him?  He had sensed that the Doctor was a compassionate man when he had touched him or when he briefly melded with him.  The answer lay in his Vulcan heritage and customs, a Vulcan did not probe beyond the surface.  Humans on the other hand always looked deeper into another’s mind; they were not telepaths as a whole.   What made Kirk a strong Captain and McCoy an astute physician was their tendency to ‘get into another’s mind’ or ‘read the minds’ of other humans or beings in a non-telepathic way.  Spock reflected back on his experiences with McCoy and how he always wanted to protect him and was vigilant to any harm that might befall the Doctor.  He would talk with his mother in the morning and obtain a human’s point of view as to McCoy’s feelings, the unusual but entertaining verbal sparring that they shared and T’Sarsa’s observations.


“I am relieved that T’Sarsa was able to help Dr. McCoy.  After your talk with Sarek, your father filled me in on the violation of the doctor’s mind.  Being a human and living on Vulcan for many years, I am aware of the healing and damaging effects that a mind meld can have.  Also, I am bonded to your father; our bond is strong and comforting.  To feel your father’s presence when he physically is not around is a reassurance, it is a loss for humans that they cannot achieve this same mental contact.”  Amanda told her son as they conversed through his computer in his quarters.  “What is it that you wanted to talk with me about, Spock?”

“It is a matter of understanding a human’s tendency to not be direct in how they feel toward another person.  The negative thoughts are so easily conveyed where as the more intimate, positive emotions are hard to perceive or not spoken of at all.”  Spock said.

“Are you asking about a particular person, Spock?”  Amanda asked.

Spock paused and looked down at his hands, and then he returned his gaze at his mother’s image.  “Yes, I am inquiring about another person.”

“Is this person Captain Kirk?” She asked, her expression betraying she knew that it was not Kirk.

“No, it is not Kirk; he is one of the few humans who is openly honest about his thoughts and emotions.  This particular individual has kept his desires buried but often tries to get an emotional response out of me.”  Spock said.

Amanda smiled warmly, “Spock, my dear, you are half human.”  There was a pause but Amanda could see her legacy to Spock faintly expressed on his Vulcan face.

“Yes, Mother, I am. However, you know that I have adopted the training and discipline of Vulcan.  My Vulcan heritage is known and accepted on the Enterprise.  I do not encounter this type of action from any other members of the crew.   But this particular person continues to press my human side.”  Spock said.

Amanda’s forehead creased, “Does this person do this to undermine you or is this a form of bigotry?”  She asked.

“I do not think so, Captain Kirk has assured me that this not the true intent of this person’s actions.  I have some verbal confrontations with this person, some are very challenging and most of the time they are entertaining.  Captain Kirk has referred to our verbal encounters to be like that of an ‘old married couple’, a human couple no doubt.”

“Your father and I have had our moments of playful intellectual disputes.  A good relationship is always active and challenging, Spock.  From what you have told me of this person, he is probably insecure in expressing his feelings for you and has experienced past rejections.  It is an annoying human trait, usually that of a male, to try to get a response from the desired person even if the response is negative.  Though the intent is to gain another’s affection, the fear of being rejected is expressed as negative comments.  He is anticipating rejection, so nothing is lost or gained.”  Amanda said.

Spock’s eyebrow rose, “How profoundly illogical.  What a waste of mental energy and time.”

Amanda laughed, “Yes, it can be.  I must ask you, Spock, would you have turned down his advances?”

Spock thought for a moment.  “Yes, I was unaware of his desires and I would have thought it would have been mockery.  However, since I almost lost Dr. McCoy….”  Spock closed his eyes in frustration at his mentioning the Doctor’s name.  His cheeks turned a dark green.

“Oh, Spock, I already knew it was Dr. McCoy.  Your concerns for his health and welfare and the lengths that you went to get him help all point to a person whom you hold very dear.  Is he very emotional?”  Amanda asked.

“He can be, it is distracting and it is hard to evaluate his motives.  However, his emotions add to his strength as a Physician and as a valued friend to the Captain and others on the ship.”  Spock replied.

“Did you discover his desires for you through the meld?” Amanda asked.

“Yes, I also was informed by T’Sarsa that he was worthy of being a T’hy’la.  She mentioned several times that the Doctor has a deep affection for me.  It is her observations that prove his feelings are not shallow or merely lust.  My Vulcan features are admired by him in spite of his comments that they are displeasing.”  Spock said.

“It sounds like he has been infatuated with you for some time, Spock.  Has Dr. McCoy had other relationships with anyone else on board?”  Amanda asked.

“He has had one brief relationship with a Yeoman a year ago.  He has two past relationships that had failed prior to his assignment to the Enterprise.  To my knowledge there have been no other strong relationships.  He is a close friend of Captain Kirk; he appears to be a very dedicated and committed friend.  His commitment to the crew goes beyond what is required of a CMO.  He has shown that he cares for my health and safety, as much as he cares for the Captain.”  Spock paused as he thought of the occasions where McCoy had been a strong advocate for his health and had been very protective of him.

“Will you approach Dr. McCoy and tell him of your revelations about his affection for you?”  Amanda asked.

Spock cleared his throat, “I want to but I do not want to betray his confidence that the information was gleaned through the meld with T’Sarsa.  I wanted to talk with you first and obtain a human’s point of view as to the best approach, Mother.  I am dealing with a highly emotional person.”

Amanda laughed, “Does the fact that he is ‘highly emotional’ bother you, Spock?”  She asked, her eyes twinkling. 

Spock let out a sigh, “No, Mother, it does not bother me.  Emotions are a difficult element to understand, they change so rapidly.”

“Not deep emotions, Spock, the true deep emotions do not change rapidly.  My affection for your father is stalwart, like the iron core of a star.  I love your father; he knows this though our bond.  He accepts my expressions of love through my emotions and my thoughts.  He is as accepting of me being a human as I am of him being a Vulcan.  Do not let the emotional factor keep you from what you want or from allowing a human into your Vulcan identity.  You are gifted with having a human half; it will not change the fact that you have embraced the ways of Vulcan.  Remember, Spock; Vulcans have emotions, they are in control of them and they are never without them.”  Amanda’s eyes glowed with the warmth of her words, the honesty of her soul was so clear.  Spock could see what had attracted his father to her. 

“Thank you, Mother, I will remember this.  But you have not addressed how to let the Doctor know how I feel.”  Spock said leaning closer to the screen.

“I will tell you, Spock, how to handle an emotional human without getting burnt in the process.”  She smiled with that with that familiar open human expression that Spock held so dear.

Spock’s eyebrow rose.  “Fascinating, please proceed, Mother.”



McCoy was released to his quarters the flowing morning.  He was still physically weak from the ordeal and his thought processes were sluggish.  Despite his weariness, he tried to pull up his medical chart in his quarters but they were sealed under Kirk’s authority.  Kirk’s image popped up and a recorded message played.

“Tisk, tisk Bones.  You know better than to pull up your own medical records.  How many times have you stopped me from peeking at mine?”  Kirk said with a sly smile.

“Asshole!”  McCoy shouted at his image and he turned off his computer screen.

  It frustrated him that he could not remember what happened after he had helped the alternate Spock in Sick Bay.  He had vague recollections of being in the transporter room when they returned to their universe but that was the extent of his memory.  Finally he lay down on his bed and took a nap.

 His dreams were very strange.  In one dream he was in a cave.  It was dimly lit and the light sources seemed to float around him.  There was a female Vulcan present, he could not tell if she were from the mirror universe or his.  He was looking up at her veiled face from a strange angle and then he realized that she was cradling him in her arms.  McCoy tried to speak but he had no voice and he could not move.  She was not holding him so tightly that he could not move but he seemed to be paralyzed.  The Vulcan was talking with someone in the cave he could hear the echoes of both of their voices.  He strained to make out the other voice; it had a very familiar cadence.  He could not make out her face but he knew she was a female and the other voice was deeper.  McCoy tried in vain to turn his head to look at the other person but he remained paralyzed.  Then the other person walked into view, it was Spock- his Spock.  Why was Spock’s face so clear and her face veiled?  They were discussing something and the words were hard to understand.  Then she shifted him in her arms and handed him over to Spock.  “Take your T’hy’la” she said.    He felt his limp body conform to Spock’s warm muscular chest and he felt the reassurance of Spock’s strong arms holding him.  McCoy had yearned to be held in Spock’s arms but as an active partner, not completely helpless or motionless.  He listened to the deep resonance of Spock’s voice, he could feel the heat emanating from his body and he wanted desperately to be able to wrap his arms around Spock as well. 

“Oh, Spock, if you only knew how much I love you.  I wish I could get my damned mouth to work.  What is wrong with me, who the hell is she and why was she holding me?  Spock, look down at me!  Can’t you feel my thoughts through your hands?  Spock, for god’s sake look at me!”  McCoy tried to send his thoughts through to Spock’s mind.

Then the Vulcan woman disappeared like a vapor and then Spock disappeared.  McCoy was floating in the cave unable to move or speak, the floating lights grew dimmer.  The loss of Spock’s presence stirred a feeling of fear inside him and he ached to feel Spock holding him.  Voiceless, cold, lonely and paralyzed he remained suspended in the darkness but his screams echoed through his mind. 
McCoy woke up panting and sweating, his heart was hammering in his chest.  The buzzer announced that he had a visitor at his doorway and M’Benga burst into his quarters.

“Are you okay, Leonard?  Your heart rate and blood pressure just skyrocketed.”  M’Benga said as he scanned McCoy.  “Everything’s getting back down to normal.  How do you feel?”

“My headache is back and I just had a very strange dream.”  McCoy said as he massaged his temples.  Then he turned his icy blue eyes directly at his Assistant Chief Medical Officer.  “I want answers, Geoff; I want the god damned truth.  What the hell happened after I came back from the other universe?   Was there a Vulcan female on board and was she involved with my care?”

M’Benga shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny of McCoy’s stare.  “Do you recall a Vulcan female, Leonard?”

“I just had a very disturbin’ dream and there was a Vulcan female holdin’ me and then she passed me over to Spock.  She said for Spock to take his Thylalala.” McCoy said, his weariness leaked out through his accent.

“Do you mean T’hy’la?”  M’Benga asked.

“Yeah, something like that, I’m not really sure what she said.  But I know she was in Sick Bay, I couldn’t of imagined her and I did not meet any female Vulcans over on the other Enterprise.  I did see my monitor, Geoff, I know something happened and I want to know now, dammit!”  McCoy’s voice was hoarse from anger and his face was reddening. 

M’Benga took another reading, McCoy’s blood pressure was rising again, and this was not healthy for him.  “Alright, but you have to calm down or I’m going to sedate you.”

“I’d like to see you try.”  McCoy said through clenched teeth.  “I can check with the Vulcan Physician’s Association, Vulcan’s can’t lie.”

M’Benga collapsed into the chair by McCoy’s desk and he stared at the floor.  He let out a long sigh and then he looked up at McCoy.  “This is probably for the better; I don’t like keeping information from patients.  When you were assisting the alternate Spock with his head wound, he woke up and physically overcame you.  He performed a mind meld with you….”

“Yeah, yeah you’ve already told me that much.  What else happened?”  McCoy asked.

“It’s rather complicated.  Your alternate and the other Spock were lovers at one time.  That McCoy suffered brain damage as a result of repetitive melds from Spock and other aliens.”  M’Benga cleared his throat, “I don’t know all of the details but the other Spock desired you and he placed a type of bond in your brain that was basically killing you.”

McCoy turned so pale that M’Benga thought he was going to faint.  “He did what?”
McCoy whispered.

“I think you had better talk to Spock.  He can give you more details.”  M’Benga said rising from the chair.

“That pointed eared, green blooded hob….” McCoy started to say.

M’Benga rounded on him angrily, “Listen here, Leonard, I have had enough of your insults to Mr. Spock!  You have no idea what he has done for you.  He saved your pathetic human brain and your scrawny ass!”

McCoy did not reply immediately.  He knew he had been wrong in his statements many times and if M’Benga had been able to read his mind, well the cat would be out of the bag.
“I know, Geoff, I’m sorry.  I don’t know why I say those things.”  McCoy said.

“Well, the Vulcan Healer, T’Sarsa revealed to Spock some information that disputes your insults to him.” M’Benga said and immediately McCoy could see he regretted informing him.  “I think you and Mr. Spock need to talk, together, alone and don’t worry about his reaction.  Do you want me to summon him or do you want to be the one to call him?”

In a way McCoy felt relieved, if what he dreamed was real, Spock already knew.  The issue with T’Sarsa was a difficult one he did not know how to approach that subject.
“Do you mind informing Spock that I remember T’Sarsa and I need more information?”  McCoy asked, “Thanks for your efforts in resuscitating my ‘scrawny ass’ and thanks for this help with Spock.”

“Anytime, Boss.  You’re a great Surgeon and a Physician, you’d be hard to replace.”  M’Benga said smiling, “Besides, where would we find a butt so skinny to fill your pants?”

McCoy snorted, “Get the hell out of here and get back to work.”


McCoy had fallen back to sleep when the buzzer sounded on his door.  It brought him to the edge of awareness and he murmured his consent for the person to enter.  It must have been Chapel or M’Benga because there was no announcement of who it was.  He felt someone sit on the side of his bed and he opened his eyes, it was Spock.
The Vulcan’s dark eyes betrayed his concern as they scanned McCoy’s face and body.

“Sorry, Spock, I fell back to sleep.  Did M’Benga inform you that I had a weird dream about a Vulcan woman?”  McCoy asked as he rose up on one elbow.

“Yes, Dr. M’Benga did inform me of this.  This is most unusual that you would perceive her presence.  Do you mind if I perform a meld with you to visualize the content of your dream?”  Spock asked.

“Since you saved my life by performing the other meld it’s the least I could do.  Thank you, by the way, for rescuing my illogical mind.”  McCoy said as he settled back on his pillow.  He closed his eyes and awaited Spock’s touch.  The warm fingers lightly rested on the meld positions on his face.  He tried not to allow his thoughts of wanting to be in Spock’s arms but the images of his dream were replayed and he heard T’Sarsa’s words as she handed his body over to Spock.  Then his thoughts were heard crystal clear in his dream.  McCoy could feel his face flush with embarrassment but it beyond his control now.  Then he felt the warm fingers leave his face and he opened his eyes. 

Spock’s face was neutral; he could not tell what his reaction was.  Then Spock reached out his hand and with one finger he gently traced the outline of McCoy’s mouth.  McCoy’s tongue reflexively licked his lips and he heard a gasp from Spock as his finger touched his tongue.  Spock brought another finger next to the first in the position of a Vulcan ‘kiss’ and McCoy lightly licked both fingers.  McCoy witnessed Spock’s pupils dilating; his breathing deepened and quickened and his fingers grew warmer.  Then Spock leaned forward and kissed McCoy on his lips in the human manner.  McCoy felt Spock’s strong arms embrace him and pull him towards him; he wrapped his arms around Spock’s neck and returned the kiss with all of the emotion and passion he possessed.





When he materialized, he remained on the transporter platform.  McCoy studied Spock from this safe distance.  Kirk was still next to him as his bodyguards approached their Captain and saluted.  If Spock wanted to blast him away, he would have to go through Kirk first.  Spock’s eyes betrayed nothing; they were as dark and unreadable as usual.  After Kirk and his entourage left and Scotty and Uhura left, McCoy stayed where he was.  Spock’s bodyguards were lined up on either side of the doors, McCoy felt the storms of emotions building up inside.  It was fight or flight, either way McCoy would lose.  He just stared at the Vulcan and waited for his first move.  To his surprise Spock dismissed his bodyguards and ordered them to keep watch outside of the door.  Spock walked from behind the transporter console and slowly approached McCoy.  His body rigid with pent up energy, McCoy prepared for an attack.  His dagger had been confiscated on the other Enterprise, he had no bodyguards to come to his rescue and his medical kit contained nothing that would bring Spock down.  Spock reached the steps to the platform and his head tilted to one side and he held out his hand.  McCoy stood frozen unsure of what action to take due to Spock’s seemingly welcoming gesture.

He licked his lips nervously, “What the hell is this, Spock, a new tactic to trick me to confuse me?”  McCoy asked.

“No, Leonard, it is not.  This is a different approach in my treatment of you.”  Spock said as his offered hand fell back by his side.  “Did you have contact with my alternate?”

“Briefly, I sent him a psychic message as to the hell I have to live with.”  McCoy said as he brought his fingers to the sides of his face.  “He couldn’t take it.  I was too strong for him.  I should have stayed over there; at least I’d be safe and the one in control.”

Spock stepped up onto the platform and McCoy stepped back.
“Perhaps, you might have perceived you were in control but you never are.  Your alternate was pleasing to me; I was tempted to keep him here.” Spock said.

“What stopped you?”  McCoy asked angrily, he remembered his words to the other Vulcan that Spock would find the Doctor desirable.

“You are more suited to this universe, he would not have survived.  What did you perceive from my alternate?”  Spock asked.

“That he’s a hell of a lot more considerate of my feelings and what I want.  He wasn’t cruel and sadistic as you are…he minded his own damned business.”  McCoy said glaring at Spock.

“I saw his attributes through the mind of your counterpart.  Though he appeared weak in respect to the ways of Vulcan, he was quite logical.  If I were to adapt some of my behavior would you reconsider our relationship?”  Spock asked stepping closer.

His words threw McCoy off guard and he grabbed the Doctor by his arms and pulled him close.  McCoy struggled but Spock wrapped his arms around him in a strong embrace.  Eventually McCoy stopped struggling and exhausted he fell against Spock’s chest.  Then McCoy felt the warm fingers comb through his hair at the back of his head.  He slowly lifted his head off of Spock’s chest and anxiously looked into the dark eyes.  McCoy had not seen this type of passion in those eyes in a long time, he opened his mouth to say something but his lips were claimed by Spock’s.  He returned Spock’s kiss with a desperate hunger and he caressed Spock’s strong back with his hands.  Spock broke the kiss and he placed his fingers on McCoy’s face, the Doctor let out a lusty laugh and pulled Spock’s head back down for another kiss. 


                                                                  The End

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