Title: After the Rescue

Part: NEW 14/73

Author: Karmen Ghia, karmen_ghia@yahoo.com

Series: TOS

Romance Code: S/Mc and then some.

Rating: NC-17

Appendices: http://members.tripod.com/karmen_ghia/atrappendices.html

See part one for disclaimers, etc.

Loegeria 9 was an extremely pleasant type M planet with a sophisticated enough culture to be a trading partner with other planets in its system. Still non-aligned, it had not yet decided to join the Federation or the Klingons and for once neither side was pressuring. Let the Loegerians be non-aligned as long as they sell us their sweet, tangy fruits, crusty breads, tart ciders and elegant wines was the general feeling in the quadrant.

Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) Loegerian products did not travel long distances well. This fact had allowed Loegeria to avoid industrial farming and thereby maintain its eco balance. A fate other planets with good food had not escaped. So it was necessary to actually go there to get any of it. Which is exactly what Kirk decided to do for his crew when he realized they could go, eat, shop and still make their rendezvous with the USS Aubrey. Commodore Maturin would certainly not say no to a bottle or two of Loegerian fume blanc and a basket of tolmias (sweet sticky juicy golden pear-like fruit that should be eaten with wine and near running water).

"Let's go!" he cried to his navigator and they were off. Delighted smiles throughout the ship.

McCoy, being very busy with an experiment on bacteria sampled on a type L planet (hydrogen environment and dense gravity field), could not take the time to beam down and shop for himself. He did, however, give Christine the entire day off, his credit chip and shopping list and told her not to come back without everything on the list.

She laughed at him. He liked it when Christine Chapel laughed at him. And of course she came back with everything he wanted and at the best price she could get, too, except for one thing.

Later that evening, as the Enterprise sped toward the Aubery, Captain Kirk invited Dr. McCoy to his quarters for some Loegerian brandy (mild tasting but very strong) and mragleans (like tolmias but with denser flesh and small seeds instead of a pit). Kirk knew that McCoy liked mragleans very much and hadn't got any because the vendor sold the last to Kirk himself. Kirk knew this because McCoy was complaining about it over dinner.

"Well, come to my quarters, I have some, I'll share them with you," 'sounds innocent enough,' he thought, 'not like I'm trying to lure him into my den.'

Spock had given Kirk a thoughtful look as if he had heard his mental aside.

"I," McCoy declared, "would be delighted."

Spock seemed deep in thought as he excused himself to return to his lab. It was known that he cared for neither Loegerian brandy nor mragleans.

* * *

He did, however, care for his bondmate and his lover and he was not unaware of the aggressive shift in Kirk's attitude toward McCoy. He hoped Kirk would not force himself on McCoy. He doubted it but found it necessary to acknowledge the possibility. Kirk felt passion for McCoy; Spock recognized it within himself but where Spock's passion for McCoy was an ember; Kirk's had become an inferno.

'And if Jim does attack Leonard,' he wondered, 'what then? Rely on McCoy to fight off a superior warrior? Go to his rescue, somehow? Hope McCoy can recall Kirk to his senses?

'And if Jim uses his powerful seductive charms will Leonard be able to resist? And if he yields? What then? Kirk would never share him so must I lose both?'

So, pushing aside these troubling thoughts, he quietly opened the link and felt Jim's arousal as he poured McCoy yet another large brandy.

'Leonard, Leonard.' He could tell that the wine was doing its job too well; McCoy's defenses weren't just down, they were on vacation.

* * *

'Have some Madeira, my dear,' Kirk hummed the ancient wicked lyrics in his head, pouring a little more brandy for the very mellow doctor.

He sliced up a mraglean and pushed the plate of glistening flesh toward McCoy.

Kirk was reminded of a child having a favorite treat, so great was McCoy' pleasure as he brought the succulent fruit to his mouth.

"Most kind of you to invite me, Jim," he drawled charmingly, licking his lips, sending a jolt of desire though Kirk (and Spock as well, for that matter).

"Anything for you, Bones," Kirk murmured seductively. (Spock noticed; McCoy did not.)

"Brilliant to make a Loegeria run. I do get so tired of replicated food after awhile." McCoy looked around for a napkin; finding none he started to lick the mraglean juice off his fingers.

Kirk simply stopped breathing (so did Spock) in the face of the sexiest thing he had ever seen in his life. He threw caution to the wind and reached for McCoy's wrist. (Spock's hands froze over his computer keyboard.) Looking deeply into the startled blue eyes (rather bloodshot, Spock noted), he sucked McCoy's index finger into his mouth and licked it clean of mraglean juice. He was half way through the same process with the middle finger before his stunned guest could manage to comment.

"Um, Jim," McCoy began, realizing just how drunk he was and how sober Jim was and finding those facts rather alarming.

"I'm such a bad host, Bones." He was playing his tongue up and down McCoy's ring finger. "Not to have any napkins on the table. What a barbarian." (Spock and McCoy were feverently hoping not.)

He smiled wickedly as he devoured the little finger, running his teeth along it, up and down.

McCoy smiled politely, wondering just how he had ever come to this point and gently pulled his hand away from Jim's lips. It was gently but firmly pulled back, as if to demonstrate the differences in their strengths and temperaments.

Kirk was bent on a conquest; McCoy had seen it often over the years but never directed at him personally. He felt like a rabbit faced with a python.

Kirk pulled McCoy's hand a little closer.

"Leonard..." he began.

"You never call me Leonard, Jim," McCoy stated.

"May I?"

"No."

Kirk was momentarily taken aback; Spock elated; McCoy felt he had some ground under him. Then he felt the deck under him as Kirk pulled him out of his chair and onto the carpet.

"Then I won't," he murmured, settling his body full-length atop McCoy's.

He could feel McCoy trembling beneath him as he nuzzled his neck, ear and ran his fingers through the thick brown hair.

"Jim, stop."

Jim ignored this, playing his lips over McCoy's, feeling the trembling increase, knowing victory was at hand. He thought of his careful preparations: lubricant within easy reach ...

"Jim, please." More trembling. (Spock mentally wrung his hands.)

Jim ignored this, too, and returned to his kissing and his inventory: a towel under the pillow, some soft music .... He forced open McCoy's mouth in a demanding kiss and tightened his embrace, ignoring, also, the hands helplessly clenched against his shoulders. He spread McCoy's legs with his own, wishing they were naked, and ground his erection into the doctor's groin. He could feel the tension, resistance, and the lack of arousal in McCoy but he assumed the doctor would catch up eventually or next time or something. McCoy freed his mouth, Kirk descended to his throat.

"Captain Kirk, SIR." Firmly and coldly, it was more than Kirk could ignore. He went limp, all except his cock, against McCoy and dragged himself back under control.

He sighed against the object of his desire: so close, so close. He lifted his head to look at McCoy and then bent his neck to kiss him.

"JIM." McCoy was now in control of the situation and knew it.

Kirk rolled off him and lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling, willing his erection to abate. 'Down, boy, down.'

McCoy sat up, dizzy, and looked down at his old friend. "Now what," he carefully enunciated. "In the flying hell was that all about?"

A cooled off Kirk looked up and decided to lay all his cards on the table: "I'm madly in love with you. All I do is fantasize about making love to you. I want to hold you naked in my arms and feel you come and suck you until you beg..."

"Captain Kirk." McCoy cut in firmly, he could see Jim was getting carried away.

Kirk sat up and flashed McCoy a penitent smile under lowered lashes.

'How am I resisting this? I musta become a saint this afternoon,' McCoy thought dryly. "There is nothing in your psych profile that would ever lead me to conclude that you would want to have sex with me, Jim," he said clinically.

"It was a shock for me, too. I never thought I'd want to throw you on my bed, rip your clothes off and fuck you real hard, either."

(Spock went very still.)

McCoy was very still, remembering that that had happened not so long ago in Spock's quarters.

"Sorry." Kirk noticed McCoy had turned to stone and was sorry he shocked him.

"It's okay," the doctor muttered. "When did these fantasizes begin?"

"About five or six weeks ago."

'After Vulcan,' McCoy thought, stunned. There was suddenly a certain Vulcan he wanted to talk to very badly.

McCoy got to his feet and gave his Captain a hand up.

"Come see me in sickbay tomorrow, when I'm sober, and we'll talk some more."

Kirk was relieved that McCoy was so calm.

"Bones, I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

"I know." He smiled and on impulse gave the surprised Kirk a bearhug.

Kirk hugged him back, thinking pure thoughts and watched him leave his quarters.

'Now that's a friend,' he thought recorking the brandy.

* * *

"You have got to tell him."

"You are hysterical, Doctor." They were standing in Spock's deserted lab and it was very late.

"I am not hysterical, Spock," McCoy said patiently, "just very very very upset."

"You are also overreacting."

"I've just been jumped by Jim Kirk, one of my oldest friends. I find my reaction to be right on." McCoy was starting to lose his patience with the Vulcan's infuriating calm.

Spock was silent, not wishing to let on that he knew exactly what had happened and had failed to come to McCoy's rescue. He steepled his fingers over his lab bench and gazed at McCoy in what he hoped was a sympathetic manner.

McCoy was unmollified: "I don't know how it works with Vulcans but I think what's happening to Jim is he is feeling your, um, sexual desire for me through the bond, somehow, and he doesn't know it's not his own desire."

He waited to see if Spock was going to deny this but the Vulcan remained silent. McCoy continued: "It is not only unfair, it is unkind to let him keep thinking this way, Spock. It's causing a great deal of turmoil for him and now for me, too." 'But obviously not for you, you stubborn, callous, fucking Vulcan.' McCoy was starting to lose his temper.

Spock was thinking that Jim was feeling a little more than just desire through the bond but merely said: 'I shall take your concerns under serious consideration."

"SPOCK."

"Dr. McCoy," he said firmly, "I am not unaware of your distress, the Captain's confusion and I will give serious thought as to how to best proceed."

McCoy could be firm too: "If I feel that this situation becomes out of control, Mr. Spock, I shall request a transfer." 'And you can go straight to hell,' he finished mentally.

Spock lowered his eyes and McCoy felt like a jerk.

"You must, of course," Spock said calmly, raising his eyes, "do as you consider best, Doctor."

McCoy felt like a jerk squared. He spun and marched toward the door.

"Leonard." A caress.

McCoy stopped but did not turn.

"Are you all right?" Spock asked gently.

"Aside from hysterically overreacting to Captain Kirk's caveman come on," he inhaled, "I'm okay."

"Would you like me to stay with you tonight?"

McCoy turned. He smiled and relaxed for the first time in hours.

"Thank you, Spock, no. I am tired and just want to sleep. I want to be alone and think for a while, too."

"I understand. Sleep well."

"You, too, Spock. Good night." Good night, good night, and when you dream...

* * *

Captain Kirk never found time to go to sickbay and discuss the events of that night with Dr. McCoy. He did, however, refrain from molesting his CMO again (as he promised) and eventually the two friends settled back into their comfortable camaraderie.

Seeing the restoration of harmony between his lover and his bondmate, Spock decided it was unnecessary to tell Jim about the bond. No need to upset him when soon there will be nothing to be upset about, was the Vulcan's conclusion.

He further concluded that there was no harm in leaving the link open during sex with Leonard as long as Kirk's intentions did not become aggressive toward the CMO, which they did not. Having the link open was quite delightful for all three so why spoil it until he could get to Vulcan and have the bond undone.

Kirk continued to enjoy his fantasies and was content that that was all there would be. He felt virtuous in his unrequited lover state. He did occasionally tune out when he didn't like the content of his fantasy, such as when he was being fucked by McCoy (really unthinkable!). But that is the beauty of erotic fantasies: if you don't like the one you're in, you can always just switch to another.

McCoy gave up nagging Spock about Jim and the bond after Spock went on strike and didn't sleep with him for two weeks. Enough, already, a penitent McCoy decided it was not worth the trouble it caused and never broached the subject again.

'Everything is going well,' he prayed, 'let's not rock the boat.'

So they didn't and the mission continued without incidents amongst the three friends for quite a while.

* * *

Part II

EVENTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF SAREK THE VULCAN'S AMBASSADORIAL MISSION TO ROVIRIN

En route to Rovirin, Sarek considered the wisdom of trying to bring that planet into the Federation. In a Federation High Council vote on Rovirin's initial request for diplomatic ties to the Federation, Terra had abstained in response to political pressure. Nonetheless, the vote had been overwhelmingly in favor of granting the Rovirin government's request for a Federation Consulate and it was Sarek's unenviable mission to negotiate the initial arrangements for this.

Although he had doubts as to the usefulness of a Federation Consulate on this obscure planet, it was not an unpleasant mission for Sarek himself. He had been on Vulcan for over a year recovering from his heart condition and was more than ready for a little travel. Rovirin was also of interest to him. Fluent in the language and interested in things Klingon, he had heard that the Klingon architecture and art on Rovirin were worth seeing. So there was something to look forward to.

Sarek was also hoping to catch a glimpse of Master Ghet. Known also as Gozine the Confessor, he had tremendous influence in the Klingon Empire due to his religious interaction with high ranking Klingons. especially the Hierophant Kroldt, it was known in diplomatic circles that Master Ghet exerted an anti-federation influence on the Hierophant Kroldt and Sarek, an admirer of Master Ghet's art, would like to know why.

The Hierophant was held in high esteem by any beings that had negotiated with him. He was reputed to possess a high degree of intelligence and sense. Kroldt was considered a visionary and the best hope for the future peace and prosperity of the Klingon Empire. This Hierophant was responsible for the new Klingon colonization policy of development as opposed to the old policy of devastation. Through the use of these ideas most Klingon interests in non-aligned space, mainly the Haat's interests, were booming. Sarek looked forward to the day he would meet this remarkable Klingon.

Although it was hard to know what was really going on in the Klingon Empire, intergalactic developments over the past ten years had made it appear that the Hierophant Kroldt was the most powerful man in it. Perhaps the second most powerful since the Hierophant seemed to be under Master Ghet's sway.

He was traveling light, just his assistant Sovort and secretary, Smirek. Lady Amanda had chosen to stay home due to the brevity of the mission; he would be there and back again within 200 Standard hours. Star Fleet had provided the USS Shilo, captained by Maria Norris, as transport. Star Fleet still had some interest in obscure planets in non-aligned space, especially those close to the Autonomous Zones due to their proximity to Romulan space and the close relationship these planets usually had with the local pirates.

Rovirin was rumored to be a base for the Tossarian pirates, led, alas, by Hobie Talljet. Sarek discounted this rumor, he believed that anywhere the Klingons were firmly ensconced, as they were on Rovirin, made it impossible for pirates to be in the area due to Klingon patrols. Especially Hobie; the Klingons had a huge price on his head and Hobie was too intelligent to put himself in harm's way. At least, that was Sarek's opinion.

Reviewing the file, Sarek noted that Rovirin had been fairly backward a mere three years previously. In that time Rovirin had developed a sophisticated manufacturing base, especially in mining and processing dilithium crystals. This was primarily for the Klingons but also for unspecified others. Surprisingly sophisticated financial and legal systems had also grown up alongside the mining operations. Apparently the Rovirians were anxious to protect their new found prosperity. Their leader, Yustala, negotiated with all off worlders himself and Sarek looked forward to meeting him. He was said to be a natural diplomat and had been able to keep peace with the pirates (before they decamped, Sarek assumed), the Klingons and the scores of other traders and workers who flocked to share Rovirin's new wealth and security. Klingons were not always the most welcome guests but whatever arrangement Yustala had with them, the Klingon patrols were definitely keeping the planet safe from attacks by Romulans, pirates and Rovirin's hostile neighbors.

Sarek was aware that not all of Rovirin wanted Federation affiliation as much as Yustala and the most delicate part of his mission was to win over Yustala's opponents. He was aware that one of the main opposers was Yustala's uncle, General Morel.

General Morel was largely responsible for Rovirin's security. He was most famous for defending the planet from invasion by the Nzirisirians. With minor aid from an unknown source, he had repelled the invaders, chasing them back into their space from which they had not ventured since. Also a natural diplomat, Morel had made rock solid alliances in the system, mainly on the force of his personality and sometimes with the force of his very sophisticated fleet. He was a respected leader, a warrior beyond reproach and even had the Klingons' respect. He was therefore not anxious to lose to the Federation the network of alliances he had so carefully built.

This did not concern Sarek. If negotiations with Rovirin came to nothing this year then they would try again next year, or the year after. No one except Yustala was in a hurry and he could be persuaded to wait if necessary.

Sarek closed his file. 'It will not be an onerous task and quickly over,' he thought. 'Yustala will be reassured by my arrival and Morel will be reassured by my departure. Nothing important will be accomplished this time but it will lay foundations for the future. And I will have a look at the marvels the Klingons are building for themselves there.'

* * *

"I hesitate sending you two off in the shuttlecraft again after what happened last time." Kirk stood in the dissection lab, addressing Spock and McCoy, who exchanged glances. "But Dr. Styren is most anxious to see you both."

"How long will it take to get there, Spock?" McCoy wanted to know, looking up from the creature he was dissecting.

"Approximately 15.67 hours," Spock looked up from his own creature's innards.

Kirk was eating a cookie while listening to the discussion. He had not made any further advances to McCoy but he was still attracted to him and enjoyed hearing his voice, especially, for some reason, when he talked to Spock.

McCoy looked at Kirk, who was mid cookie: "You want me to spend 15 or so hours in open space in a shuttlecraft, Jim, are you nuts?"

Spock cocked an eyebrow; this was typical of McCoy to be dubious of a perfectly safe situation.

"Not at all, Bones, I have great faith in the equipment and the pilot." 'Wiggle out of that, pal.'

"I have less faith in the equipment than you do, Jim, but if you insist I go, I'll go."

"I don't insist," Kirk said around another cookie, "but Dr. Styren is very impressed by your paper on silicone based life forms and would like to meet you. I'd hate to disappoint him."

'So would I,' thought McCoy. Dr. Styren of the Vulcan Institute was a legend in xenobiology. His work in the Plintes system was some of the hottest research published in the Federation. There could be no other reason for Fleet command to send a starship out of its way and a scientist of Spock's caliber on a simple data collection errand.

McCoy was actually quite flattered that Styren knew his work and wanted to meet him but he had to put up his usual cranky tussle about leaving his lab and sickbay and venturing into vast space in tiny craft, etc.

"And the new shuttlecraft we borrowed from the USS Odalla is rated for long distance, deep space flight, so you'll be perfectly safe."

"Famous last words," McCoy grumbled.

Kirk ignored him: "These are good cookies."

"I'm glad you're enjoying them. I don't think Spock got any before we started cuttin' up these critters." McCoy was very interested in his critter and rather wished Kirk would leave them to it.

"Cookie, Spock?"

Spock raised his gloved hands just enough to show that he was in no condition to feed himself a cookie.

So Kirk simply walked over to him and fed him a cookie. McCoy was amused to watch Spock lean away from the dissection table so Kirk could feed him.

Spock, on the other hand, was suppressing an urge to bite Kirk's fingers. Rather disturbing, he'd been having these odd impulses toward Kirk lately. There was probably a good reason but he had not had time to speculate.

They had all recently been under more stress than usual and they were feeling it. The creatures they were dissecting had killed two crewmen and injured three more collecting samples on Xrellian. There is always a risk on a new planet, however, the autopsies and funerals had not been very pleasant. The three injured crewmen were still recovering in sickbay from the creature's claws and venom.

'It would be nice to go do something simple, like data collection,' thought McCoy. He quickly made a mental review of the injured crewmen's conditions and knew they were out of danger and would be out of sickbay before he and Spock would leave for Plintes 3 and Styren's research station. So he really had no excuse not to go. He was actually looking forward to it.

"So," Kirk was saying, "We'll get you as close as possible, go map sector P846.54 for a week or so and come pick you up."

He offered Spock another cookie, which was declined and continued: "Styren asked Command specifically for you and Spock. It's a great honor, you know. Besides, Plintes 3 is type M, you'll get to breathe fresh air and walk on real ground; you love that."

McCoy scowled at him.

"All right, all right I'll go," he snarled, reaching for a small laser saw. He noticed Kirk make a face.

"Good." Kirk put down the cookie he'd picked up. "Well, I have things to do so I will leave you to your ... work," and left.

McCoy looked up at Spock and smiled: "Dissection is not for everyone, Mr. Spock."

"Indeed, Doctor."

* * *

end of part 14

This story also lives at http://members.tripod.com/karmen_ghia

Appendices: http://members.tripod.com/karmen_ghia/atrappendices.html