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Same headers apply from prologue.
To say that a shitstorm was happening in Starfleet Headquarters would be an understatement of truly epic proportions.
StarCore had been destroyed, blown up somehow by someone or something. Pike didn’t know that there were any survivors, and he felt a void form where his stomach should be.
He sent Jim up there, along with his two senior most officers.
Around him, Starfleet personnel barked information to each other, but Pike couldn’t worry about that. He just had to have faith; Jim survived worse. He made it out.
Jim had made it out.
Pike rubbed his hands together, and his palms were slick with sweat.
“Admiral, I’ve picked up a distress call requiring medical personnel,” a Lieutenant said to him, causing Pike to shake himself out of his thoughts. “It’s coming from the San Francisco Bay…it’s Commander Spock.”
“What?” Pike said, hope filling his heart.
“He says Captain Kirk is with him, along with Doctor Corbeau and Doctor McCoy,” the Lieutenant continued. “They need emergency medical transport.”
“Well then for Christ’s sake, dispatch it,” Pike said.
“Right away, sir,” the Lieutenant said. “Starfleet General, this is Lieutenant Gunderson, requesting you dispatch an ambulance to the following coordinates…”
Pike tuned the Lieutenant out as the view screen switched to the San Francisco Bay. The four of them treaded water, and Jim held McCoy like his life depended on it. It didn’t take long for the medical shuttle to arrive, and Pike watched as they beamed into it. It turned and flew back to Starfleet General. “Thank God,” Pike said. Now to figure out what the hell happened on StarCore. “Any other survivors?”
“Not so far as we can tell, sir,” Lieutenant Davis said. “There are no reports of any other shuttles…wait.”
Pike looked at her curiously.
“Strike that,” the Lieutenant said. “A ship just entered Earth subspace. Don’t recognize it, though.”
The room’s view screen again switched, showing the picture of a large green colored ship shaped like a praying mantis’s head.
“What the hell is that?” Pike said.
“I can tell you what it’s not,” Davis answered. “As in, it’s not Romulan or Klingon. Other than that, I’m just as clueless as you sir.”
“Get me a line to it,” Pike said. What was it doing here? It didn’t have permission to come into Earth’s space. What could it want?”
“Attempting to patch you through,” Davis said, and Pike put on a headset. “Connection established.”
“This is Admiral Pike of Starfleet Command,” Pike said into the mouthpiece. “Identify yourself.” Static came over the line briefly, followed by talking in a language Pike didn’t recognize. He glared down at Davis. “So what, is the universal translator on a break or something?”
“It’s on,” Davis said. “It just must not be in a Federation language.”
The ship must have done something on its end, because suddenly the language switched to Federation Standard. This is Admiral Lilandra Neramani of the Shi’ar Imperial Fleet. I am requesting an audience with Starfleet, in addition to asylum on your planet. My crew and I are refugees escaping from a tyrant.
Pike furrowed his brows. “I’ve never heard of this Shi’ar.”
That is because the Empire has hidden itself from your people, the voice continued. Our throneworld, Chandilar, is located in what you refer to as the Delta Quadrant.
Well, if what she said were true, that would definitely explain it. The Delta Quadrant wasn’t really explored because even with Warp Drives it took years to travel to it.
As in decades.
“I find it hard to believe that you have the tech to come all this way quickly enough to outrun a tyrant,” Pike said, voicing his skepticism.
We are very advanced, she answered. If you grant me asylum, I would be more than willing to share our technology with your Federation. I believe we have some things your Starfleet could find beneficial.
Pike hesitated to answer her. It sounded like a standard quid pro quo, but he had the feeling she was keeping something from him. Something about this whole set up didn’t sit right. Then again, she came all the way from the Delta quadrant, and she volunteered to give them access to advanced technology. While he was suspicious, Pike knew he should at least hear her out.
“I’m going to send you a location,” Pike said as Davis input the coordinates for the Starfleet HQ transporter pad. “Beam down to them, and we’ll talk.”
Very well, Admiral. The connection was severed, and the line went dead.
Pike took off the headset and began to leave. “Send Kirk orders to debrief here as soon as he’s able,” he said over his shoulder. “I need to see what this is about.”
“At once, sir,” Davis said as she patched a line through to Starfleet General. Pike dimly heard her ask to speak to Jim as he made his way out of the room and towards the transporter pad. It only took a few minutes, as it was a short walk, and Pike waited by the control.
“Incoming,” the ensign at the station reported.
The lights whirred, and Pike blinked at the sight before him.
The woman had to be seven feet tall, and her hair towered above her head in the shape of a helmet, or at least what looked like her hair did. Upon closer inspection, Pike realized it was actually black feathers. She had clear blue almond-shaped eyes and thick, dark lashes that curved around her face, ending in little star shapes on her cheeks. Skin-colored feathers protruded on her forearms, but she didn’t have full wings; it was like the remnants of them. She wore a black leotard made out of a strange material that almost looked like Terran latex, with thigh high stockings and black ankle boots made out of the same fabric.
She was the most beautiful creature Pike had ever seen.
“Admiral Pike?” she said in slightly accented Standard.
Pike swallowed, remembering himself. “Yes. Admiral Neramani?”
“Yes,” she said. “We ought to talk.”
Without another word, Pike gestured for her to follow him. She stepped off the transporter pad, and together they walked to his office.
His debriefing of Jim and the others could wait.
-----
As always, Starfleet General teemed with activity, but Jim didn’t care about that as he sat next to a biobed in a private room.
Bones lay in the bed with his eyes closed, and Jim was quiet, not willing to risk waking him if he was asleep. Jim held Bones’ hand as he stared at him with concern.
After the Starfleet paramedics grabbed them, Jim and Bones got separated while Jim underwent his own physical examination and treatment for hypothermia. He was given a set of scrubs to change into and finally cleared for duty; Spock and Doctor Corbeau were also given physicals and released.
Bones had been wheeled away, and Jim had only been able to watch him go.
As soon as he was done, Jim located him by hacking into the hospital’s computers. So now he sat in Bones’ room unable to do anything more than be patient.
His heart ached so much he thought it would splinter apart in his chest. The worst feeling he’d ever had was thinking Bones was dead. Jim considered that, and he absently noted an orderly telling him Pike wanted a debriefing. Eventually, he felt a hand touch his shoulder. Without looking, he knew it was his First Officer.
“I spoke to Doctor Arisugawa about Doctor McCoy’s condition,” Spock said, and Jim listened but didn’t turn his head to face him. “There is evidence that he has suffered lethal radiation poisoning. However, he is healing from it at a rapid rate.”
“I didn’t know we had the tech for that,” Jim said. His eyes still didn’t leave Bones’ face.
Spock hesitated. “We do not.”
This made Jim look at Spock. “Wait, what?”
“There is no logical reason why the Doctor is still alive,” Spock continued. “By all accounts, he should have died on the shuttle from his injuries. However, something or someone is healing him.”
Jim turned his attention back to Bones. “Do you think this…Phoenix whatever has something to do with that?”
Spock shifted so that his hands were behind his back. “The tricorders apparently register a massive amount of energy, for lack of a better word, seeping off the Doctor. I am certain that this is not a coincidence.”
Jim opened his mouth to reply just as Bones’ eyes fluttered open. He made a small noise like a wounded animal. “Jim,” his voice croaked, and Jim stood and leaned over him.
“Bones, you’re awake,” Jim said, relief tangible in his voice. “Oh my God, you’re awake!”
“Obviously,” Bones said, although there was no heat behind the words. “Where am I?”
“Starfleet General,” Spock answered. “It is…good to see you awake, Doctor.”
Bones stiffened at Spock’s words and gave him a look. “How bad am I?”
“You died,” Jim said, and his voice came out hoarse as his heart ached like it did in the waters of the San Francisco Bay. “You died, but you came back.”
Something about this got through to Bones, because his shoulders stiffened. His mouth turned into a tight straight line. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
“You seemed to when you flew out of the water,” Spock said.
Bones’ eyes widened. “Flew? Me? You’re being ridiculous.”
“You did, Bones,” Jim said as he ran his thumb over Bones’ knuckles. Bones’ skin felt soft under his fingers. “Who, or what, is Phoenix?”
Bones sat back against the pillows. His eyes cast downward, but not enough that Jim couldn’t see the confusion warring with apprehension. “Am I Phoenix?”
“You did claim the identity before collapsing,” Spock replied.
Bones looked back up at them, although he focused on Jim. “I don’t feel right,” he admitted as he slid back down under the covers.
Jim nodded. “I bet radiation poisoning will do that to a person,” he said, trying to make light of the situation. It came out wrong, though, and his smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“No that’s…” Bones shook his head. “Yeah, I don’t feel well, but I also feel…I feel like I can…like I can reach out and touch the moon.” He raised his free hand up to his face and made a fist. “Like I could crush it with a thought.”
Spock’s right eyebrow rose up into his fringe, and Jim’s mouth opened in shock.
Bones’ hand was glowing.
Jim blinked before looking down at the hand he held; it was glowing too. The energy looked like fire; it was orange, red, yellow, and white, and pieces of it flickered out like flames. It didn’t burn though, it felt…good. Calming.
The energy formed around Bones’ body, and his eyes glowed white. The expression on his face changed to one that was softer and less guarded.
“Bones?” Jim gripped his hand more tightly. “Bones, what’s wrong?”
“Leonard is only the house where I live, Jim,” Bones said, his voice echoing like it did before.
No…not Bones. Not Bones saying it.
Jim dropped Bones’ hand. “Who are you?”
“I am born and consumed in blood and flame,” the thing controlling Bones said. “I am born, and I return; always returning, always coming back...”
Spock took a step forwards. “You are Phoenix.”
Images filled the room surrounding them, and both Spock and Jim started. The room darkened with a red sky. There were broken buildings and fire surrounding them, and Jim could smell ash in the air.
“What is this?” Jim said. “Where…?”
“It is not a place,” Phoenix answered. “It is how it feels to be the last hope and to know you will win against all the odds.”
Spock grabbed his temples and stumbled backwards; Jim gave him a concerned look. “I am fine, but the psychic energy emanating from the Doctor is overwhelming,” Spock said. “My mind feels…dazzled…”
“It is the wing of the Phoenix, touching your heart with flame2.”
Just like that, the energy dissipated into the air and the images faded. Bones’ eyes rolled back in his head, and he collapsed like a marionette with its strings cut.
“Bones!” Jim rushed back to his side. “Bones, are you okay?”
“Have to go,” Bones mumbled, and Jim was relieved to see that his eyes were green again. “Have to go…End of All That Is…have to go…”
Jim’s eyes widened, and he pursed his lips. “That’s the second time you mentioned that, the End of All That Is. What is that, Bones? Tell us, and we can get you out of here. We can help you!”
Just then, an Asian woman in her fifties came into the room; she read information on a PADD. “Doctor McCoy,” she said, before realizing Jim and Spock were there. “I wasn’t aware they authorized you to have visitors,” she added.
“Captain James T. Kirk, USS Enterprise,” Jim said. “This is my First Officer, Commander Spock.”
She nodded her head at them. “Doctor Arisugawa. I need to examine my patient, if you please.” Spock hesitated but headed towards the door. Jim, however, didn’t budge. “That means both of you,” Doctor Arisugawa reiterated.
Jim looked at the stripes on her uniform; she was a Commander like Spock. Good, he could pull rank if he had to. “I’m not going anywhere,” Jim said. “You can do your exam with me in the room. I’m staying.”
He must have had some expression on his face, because she backed down. “Just keep out of the way,” she grumbled as she pulled out a tricorder. Quietly and efficiently, she went to work. It only took a second, but the tricorder screamed before it shorted out completely. “What the…?”
Spock had the look on his face that meant he was dying of curiosity. Jim grabbed him and pulled him into a corner. “Do you think that…Phoenix thing is doing that?” Jim whispered.
“It would be a logical theory,” Spock admitted. He looked thoughtful before saying “There is an old story in Vulcan lore; it is about extreme psychic sensitivity.”
Curious, Jim crossed his arms over his chest. “How does that relate to Bones?”
“The lore refers to it as ‘The Manifestation of the Phoenix3,” Spock answered.
Jim stared at him before looking back to Bones on the bed; Bones’ breathing was labored; his chest heaved up and down. He had dark circles under his eyes, and his skin looked clammy and pale.
“I admit I am not as familiar with this legend as I am some others,” Spock continued, “However, I believe that Nyota is well-versed in it. If not, I can acquire the information from my father.”
Jim continued to stare at Bones. “Get her, and your dad too if necessary. I’m not resting until I know what the hell is going on.”
Spock inclined his head in a nod, and turned, flipping open his communicator to call his lover.
Jim took his place back at Bones’ side; the doctor examined him the old-fashioned way, checking his pulse with two fingers pressed to the inside of his wrist. “Your heart rate’s way too high,” she proclaimed. “I think you’re dehydrated.” She made notes on her PADD before turning back to Bones. “I’m getting you an IV, just in case.”
Bones didn’t argue; he instead gave her a weak nod.
The doctor looked down at him with something like fond exasperation. “You must be feeling awful. I’ve heard about you from the other doctors, or I should say I’ve heard about your mouth.” She then turned to Jim. “Doctor McCoy needs rest.”
Nodding his head, Jim said, “I get it. I’m just going to sit in here and make sure he’s okay.”
Again, Jim thought his face had to look pitiful, because Doctor Arisugawa quirked up her lips in a smile. “Your devotion says a lot about you,” she said as she took her leave.
Jim didn’t understand what she meant by that as he watched her go. It didn’t take long for him to focus on what was important; Jim sat by Bones’ beside, one of his hands held in his lap.
Jim also tried not to be frightened for him.
-----
Nyota sat at a computer in her quarters, and she fought with the program she ran. Every time she started to clear out the static in the message Gioia gave her, the program would crash. Something wasn’t right about it, and it was incredibly frustrating.
Her communicator beeped, and she ignored it. She started the message over from the beginning, and the communicator beeped a second time. Whoever it was obviously couldn’t catch a hint, so Nyota flipped it open. “Lieutenant Uhura,” she said with a bit more venom than was necessary.
This is Commander Spock, her lover’s voice came through the device. Are you occupied?
“Oh, Spock,” she said, then furrowed her brows. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow.”
StarCore was sabotaged, and Doctor McCoy has been in an accident, Spock explained. Nyota, if you can spare the time, I require your assistance with an urgent matter.
Nyota paused the message. The work she was doing for Gioia would have to wait. She registered his words, and her eyes widened. “Leonard was in an accident? Is he all right?”
There was a long pause. His condition appears to be…stable. That is actually why I have called you.
Something came through over the line, like an announcement. “Are you at the hospital?”
Yes, I am in the doctor’s room at Starfleet General. I myself am uninjured aside from some contusions from our crash.
Nyota breathed a loud sigh of relief. “Thank goodness.”
The Captain is also unharmed, Spock said. Nyota, a query; are you familiar with the Vulcan legend of the ‘Manifestation of the Phoenix’?
Nyota thought; when she first started her romantic relationship with Spock, she did a lot of research on Vulcans and their culture. She studied dozens upon dozens of legends, and they all ran together for the most part.
She did remember this one in particular, however.
“Thousands of years ago,” Nyota began, “not too long after Surak, a Vulcan named T’pean manifested great psychic abilities, including telekinesis and telepathy that did not require physical contact. Firebirds began to appear in the sky, but T’pean died young, and they stopped.” She thought for a second. “I’m sorry, Spock, I don’t recall more than that.”
I shall have to do more research, then, Spock said. I appreciate your assistance in this matter.
Even though the tone of his voice told her he was sincere, Nyota frowned at not being able to help more. “Do you need anything? Do you need me to come to the hospital?”
Now would not be a good time, Spock answered. Doctor McCoy is asleep.
“I understand,” she said. “I’ll get back to what I was working on.”
Thank you, Nyota, Spock said. I will keep you apprised of his condition. With that, the communication severed, leaving Nyota alone with her thoughts.
Why would Spock ask about a Vulcan legend in relation to Leonard? That didn’t make any sense.
Nyota contemplated calling him back before she decided against it. It sounded like he had a lot on his plate, so it was best to leave him to it. Besides, she had her own work cut out for her. She pushed play again on the screen, and once more the message filled the room.
Nyota frowned; the program was about to crash again.
Well, wait a second.
If she lowered the gain, and put it on a higher frequency…
Quickly, before the program went down, Nyota did both of those things. The static started dissipating, and the message came through more clearly.
Now she was getting somewhere.
She caught pairs of words with skips, but if she listened to it enough she’d figure out what it said. Allowing herself a brief smile, Nyota grabbed an old-fashioned pen and paper and continued her work.
-----
Jim sat with his knees tucked up under his chin as he watched Bones sleep. Spock left after calling Nyota to go research the Phoenix legend, leaving him functionally alone.
Someone cleared his throat behind him; he turned, and saw that Scotty stood in the doorway. “Can we come in?” Scotty asked in a whisper with a nod towards Bones.
Jim rubbed his hand across his eyes. “We?”
Chekov peered around the doorway. “Yes. We heard about the crash,” he said.
Ah, the good old Starfleet Gossip Machine. It never failed.
Jim smiled. “Yeah, come on in. He’s not doing much right now, but…”
“That’s fine,” Scotty said with a shrug. Together they stepped inside the room. “We just wanted to see for ourselves that you’re both all right. Spock told us you’d be here.”
“And we brought you a uniform,” Chekov added, holding up a backpack. “We went to your apartment.”
Jim looked confused. “How’d you get…?” Before he could finish his question, he saw that both of them looked cagey. “Never mind. I don’t need to know.” He took the bag from Chekov with a smile. “Thanks, guys. I’ll put this on later.”
Scotty took the other seat next to Jim as Chekov stood by the foot of Bones’ bed. “How is he?”
“He’s sleeping a lot,” Jim answered as he turned his gaze back to Bones. “They keep trying to run tests on him to figure out how he survived, but every time they get too close, their equipment shorts out.”
Chekov gave Jim a curious expression. “Sabotage?”
Jim nodded. “This Phoenix thing is doing it we’re pretty sure, yeah.”
Scotty and Chekov both blinked. “What Phoenix thing?” Scotty said, leaning towards Jim.
Jim hesitated to answer; it sounded so crazy, and he wasn’t sure anyone would believe him that hadn’t witnessed it. “There’s a thing, some kind of entity in Bones’ body. It calls itself Phoenix.”
Scotty raised an eyebrow, and Chekov looked even more confused than he did a second ago. “Is it hurting him?” Chekov asked.
“It better not be,” Jim said in a harsh voice. Bones stirred, and Jim stood, grasping his hand. “Hey Bones,” he said as he rubbed a circle across his knuckles.
“Jim,” Bones rasped. His skin looked better; he was less pale, and the circles under his eyes faded a bit. He still looked as weak as a kitten, though. “I need water.”
Jim nodded and smiled. “Of course, I’ll…”
Before he could move, a trail of flaming energy left Bones. His eyes turned white, and the flames poured the water on their own. The energy then brought the glass to Bones without spilling it, though it shook a little. Bones sat up, and the glass was placed in his free hand. He took a slow sip.
The other three looked at him with wide eyes.
Bones took another sip before realizing he was being stared at. “What?” he said somewhat testily.
“How did you do that?” Scotty asked.
Bones shrugged. “If I think it,” he said as he got more comfortable. “I can do it.”
“But…” Chekov stared at the pitcher now. “You have never done anything like that before.”
His face shifting into an unreadable expression, Bones said, “Well, I…Phoenix…”
Jim stiffened. “Tell us about Phoenix.”
Bones sighed; his eyes turned white a second time, and the glass was set on the bedside table using more of that flaming energy. “I had to die to come back, Jim,” Bones said as he sighed a second time. “But…I don’t know how long I can stay4.”
The blood turned to ice in Jim’s body. “What does that mean?”
Bones sat up straighter in the bed; he tried to push himself out of it, but his arms shook. “I’m still so weak,” he said. “I have to get stronger…I have to stop the End of All That Is…”
“What is that?” Chekov’s eyes were wide circles. “The End of All That Is?”
Bones looked out through the windows and into the distance. “He’s coming. D’Ken is coming. Can’t you feel him?”
Jim narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about? Who is D’Ken?”
“I can feel him,” Bones continued as if he hadn’t heard Jim. “I can feel you too, all of you. I feel…” He tried to push himself up again. “I have to go.”
Jim grabbed his shoulders and pushed him down into the bed. “You need to tell us what’s going on.”
“I am,” Bones said as he covered Jim’s hands with his own. “I am telling you I need to go. D’Ken must be stopped, or it will be the End of All That Is! I’m the only one who can---“
“Bones,” Jim said. “Bones, you’ve been through an ordeal. You’re talking nonsense, and you probably shouldn’t be out of bed.”
Bones looked at Jim, and his eyes were sad. “You think I’m crazy.”
“No, I don’t,” Jim said. “I just think you need rest.”
“No you do, you all think I’m crazy,” Bones continued. “You’re not even aware of it, but you do, deep down inside.” He looked at Jim, and his eyes pierced Jim’s soul. “You…there’s lots of worry, and there’s something else…something strong and deep…”
Jim’s eyes widened. “Are…are you reading my mind?”
Bones shook his head. “I…I can feel you, I can feel everything…Arisugawa’s writing a paper, and Scotty is thinking of schematics…”
Scotty nodded. “I mean, I always am, so it’s not really a surprise,” he announced, and Chekov gave him a fond look.
“And you, Jim, you…there’s…” Bones trailed off. “It feels a lot like...”
Jim recoiled. He wasn’t even sure what Bones was going to say, but he knew he didn’t want him putting his thoughts and feelings on blast to Scotty and Chekov. “That’s enough,” he said.
“But it…that doesn’t make sense…”
“I said that’s enough,” Jim said as he pulled back from Bones.
Bones looked up at him with hurt in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Jim, it’s not on purpose. I’m still learning; I’m still getting stronger.” He closed his eyes. “There. I’m not in…I can’t feel you anymore.”
Jim sighed; he hadn’t meant to treat Bones so harshly. “Sorry, Bones. I just don’t like it when people are in my head.”
Bones nodded before again turning to the window. “I still feel D’Ken. And he is coming, Jim. We need to be ready.” He settled back against the pillows. “Me most of all.” His eyes closed.
Scotty and Chekov looked at each other, then they looked back at Jim: the same Jim who stood not quite in touching range of Bones. After whispering to each other, Chekov turned to the captain. “We should go.”
Jim glanced at them. “Thanks for the clothes.” Chekov smiled, and Scotty waved.
“We’ll come back by tomorrow,” Scotty said as he clapped Jim on the shoulder. “Take care, Captain. You too, Doctor.”
They left, leaving Jim and Bones alone. Jim perched back on the edge of Bones’ bed as he watched him settle onto his side facing the window. His breathing evened out, and he slept.
Jim stared down at Bones’ profile, struck by how beautiful he was. Even as sick as he had to feel, he looked good, and Jim’s cheeks reddened. There was a sudden need within him to touch Bones and to be touched by Bones.
Jim swallowed, and his mouth went dry. He reached out and touched Bones’ face with the back of his hand. Jim thought about how wrecked he felt when he thought Bones was dead, and how relieved he’d been when he saw he was alive. He thought about how much his heart ached to see him so sick.
Oh, mother-fucker.
Jim covered his face with his hands, exhaling loudly behind them. He peaked out through his fingers to look at Bones’ face.
There was that longing to take his pain away and desire to hold him.
Nausea sweeping over him, Jim swallowed again as he moved off the bed, trying to get some distance. He sat back down in his chair, once more tucking his knees up under his chin. He wrapped his arms around his legs, hugging himself.
He was in love with Bones, and he had no idea what to do about it.
Chapter Three | Chapter Five
To say that a shitstorm was happening in Starfleet Headquarters would be an understatement of truly epic proportions.
StarCore had been destroyed, blown up somehow by someone or something. Pike didn’t know that there were any survivors, and he felt a void form where his stomach should be.
He sent Jim up there, along with his two senior most officers.
Around him, Starfleet personnel barked information to each other, but Pike couldn’t worry about that. He just had to have faith; Jim survived worse. He made it out.
Jim had made it out.
Pike rubbed his hands together, and his palms were slick with sweat.
“Admiral, I’ve picked up a distress call requiring medical personnel,” a Lieutenant said to him, causing Pike to shake himself out of his thoughts. “It’s coming from the San Francisco Bay…it’s Commander Spock.”
“What?” Pike said, hope filling his heart.
“He says Captain Kirk is with him, along with Doctor Corbeau and Doctor McCoy,” the Lieutenant continued. “They need emergency medical transport.”
“Well then for Christ’s sake, dispatch it,” Pike said.
“Right away, sir,” the Lieutenant said. “Starfleet General, this is Lieutenant Gunderson, requesting you dispatch an ambulance to the following coordinates…”
Pike tuned the Lieutenant out as the view screen switched to the San Francisco Bay. The four of them treaded water, and Jim held McCoy like his life depended on it. It didn’t take long for the medical shuttle to arrive, and Pike watched as they beamed into it. It turned and flew back to Starfleet General. “Thank God,” Pike said. Now to figure out what the hell happened on StarCore. “Any other survivors?”
“Not so far as we can tell, sir,” Lieutenant Davis said. “There are no reports of any other shuttles…wait.”
Pike looked at her curiously.
“Strike that,” the Lieutenant said. “A ship just entered Earth subspace. Don’t recognize it, though.”
The room’s view screen again switched, showing the picture of a large green colored ship shaped like a praying mantis’s head.
“What the hell is that?” Pike said.
“I can tell you what it’s not,” Davis answered. “As in, it’s not Romulan or Klingon. Other than that, I’m just as clueless as you sir.”
“Get me a line to it,” Pike said. What was it doing here? It didn’t have permission to come into Earth’s space. What could it want?”
“Attempting to patch you through,” Davis said, and Pike put on a headset. “Connection established.”
“This is Admiral Pike of Starfleet Command,” Pike said into the mouthpiece. “Identify yourself.” Static came over the line briefly, followed by talking in a language Pike didn’t recognize. He glared down at Davis. “So what, is the universal translator on a break or something?”
“It’s on,” Davis said. “It just must not be in a Federation language.”
The ship must have done something on its end, because suddenly the language switched to Federation Standard. This is Admiral Lilandra Neramani of the Shi’ar Imperial Fleet. I am requesting an audience with Starfleet, in addition to asylum on your planet. My crew and I are refugees escaping from a tyrant.
Pike furrowed his brows. “I’ve never heard of this Shi’ar.”
That is because the Empire has hidden itself from your people, the voice continued. Our throneworld, Chandilar, is located in what you refer to as the Delta Quadrant.
Well, if what she said were true, that would definitely explain it. The Delta Quadrant wasn’t really explored because even with Warp Drives it took years to travel to it.
As in decades.
“I find it hard to believe that you have the tech to come all this way quickly enough to outrun a tyrant,” Pike said, voicing his skepticism.
We are very advanced, she answered. If you grant me asylum, I would be more than willing to share our technology with your Federation. I believe we have some things your Starfleet could find beneficial.
Pike hesitated to answer her. It sounded like a standard quid pro quo, but he had the feeling she was keeping something from him. Something about this whole set up didn’t sit right. Then again, she came all the way from the Delta quadrant, and she volunteered to give them access to advanced technology. While he was suspicious, Pike knew he should at least hear her out.
“I’m going to send you a location,” Pike said as Davis input the coordinates for the Starfleet HQ transporter pad. “Beam down to them, and we’ll talk.”
Very well, Admiral. The connection was severed, and the line went dead.
Pike took off the headset and began to leave. “Send Kirk orders to debrief here as soon as he’s able,” he said over his shoulder. “I need to see what this is about.”
“At once, sir,” Davis said as she patched a line through to Starfleet General. Pike dimly heard her ask to speak to Jim as he made his way out of the room and towards the transporter pad. It only took a few minutes, as it was a short walk, and Pike waited by the control.
“Incoming,” the ensign at the station reported.
The lights whirred, and Pike blinked at the sight before him.
The woman had to be seven feet tall, and her hair towered above her head in the shape of a helmet, or at least what looked like her hair did. Upon closer inspection, Pike realized it was actually black feathers. She had clear blue almond-shaped eyes and thick, dark lashes that curved around her face, ending in little star shapes on her cheeks. Skin-colored feathers protruded on her forearms, but she didn’t have full wings; it was like the remnants of them. She wore a black leotard made out of a strange material that almost looked like Terran latex, with thigh high stockings and black ankle boots made out of the same fabric.
She was the most beautiful creature Pike had ever seen.
“Admiral Pike?” she said in slightly accented Standard.
Pike swallowed, remembering himself. “Yes. Admiral Neramani?”
“Yes,” she said. “We ought to talk.”
Without another word, Pike gestured for her to follow him. She stepped off the transporter pad, and together they walked to his office.
His debriefing of Jim and the others could wait.
As always, Starfleet General teemed with activity, but Jim didn’t care about that as he sat next to a biobed in a private room.
Bones lay in the bed with his eyes closed, and Jim was quiet, not willing to risk waking him if he was asleep. Jim held Bones’ hand as he stared at him with concern.
After the Starfleet paramedics grabbed them, Jim and Bones got separated while Jim underwent his own physical examination and treatment for hypothermia. He was given a set of scrubs to change into and finally cleared for duty; Spock and Doctor Corbeau were also given physicals and released.
Bones had been wheeled away, and Jim had only been able to watch him go.
As soon as he was done, Jim located him by hacking into the hospital’s computers. So now he sat in Bones’ room unable to do anything more than be patient.
His heart ached so much he thought it would splinter apart in his chest. The worst feeling he’d ever had was thinking Bones was dead. Jim considered that, and he absently noted an orderly telling him Pike wanted a debriefing. Eventually, he felt a hand touch his shoulder. Without looking, he knew it was his First Officer.
“I spoke to Doctor Arisugawa about Doctor McCoy’s condition,” Spock said, and Jim listened but didn’t turn his head to face him. “There is evidence that he has suffered lethal radiation poisoning. However, he is healing from it at a rapid rate.”
“I didn’t know we had the tech for that,” Jim said. His eyes still didn’t leave Bones’ face.
Spock hesitated. “We do not.”
This made Jim look at Spock. “Wait, what?”
“There is no logical reason why the Doctor is still alive,” Spock continued. “By all accounts, he should have died on the shuttle from his injuries. However, something or someone is healing him.”
Jim turned his attention back to Bones. “Do you think this…Phoenix whatever has something to do with that?”
Spock shifted so that his hands were behind his back. “The tricorders apparently register a massive amount of energy, for lack of a better word, seeping off the Doctor. I am certain that this is not a coincidence.”
Jim opened his mouth to reply just as Bones’ eyes fluttered open. He made a small noise like a wounded animal. “Jim,” his voice croaked, and Jim stood and leaned over him.
“Bones, you’re awake,” Jim said, relief tangible in his voice. “Oh my God, you’re awake!”
“Obviously,” Bones said, although there was no heat behind the words. “Where am I?”
“Starfleet General,” Spock answered. “It is…good to see you awake, Doctor.”
Bones stiffened at Spock’s words and gave him a look. “How bad am I?”
“You died,” Jim said, and his voice came out hoarse as his heart ached like it did in the waters of the San Francisco Bay. “You died, but you came back.”
Something about this got through to Bones, because his shoulders stiffened. His mouth turned into a tight straight line. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
“You seemed to when you flew out of the water,” Spock said.
Bones’ eyes widened. “Flew? Me? You’re being ridiculous.”
“You did, Bones,” Jim said as he ran his thumb over Bones’ knuckles. Bones’ skin felt soft under his fingers. “Who, or what, is Phoenix?”
Bones sat back against the pillows. His eyes cast downward, but not enough that Jim couldn’t see the confusion warring with apprehension. “Am I Phoenix?”
“You did claim the identity before collapsing,” Spock replied.
Bones looked back up at them, although he focused on Jim. “I don’t feel right,” he admitted as he slid back down under the covers.
Jim nodded. “I bet radiation poisoning will do that to a person,” he said, trying to make light of the situation. It came out wrong, though, and his smile didn’t reach his eyes.
“No that’s…” Bones shook his head. “Yeah, I don’t feel well, but I also feel…I feel like I can…like I can reach out and touch the moon.” He raised his free hand up to his face and made a fist. “Like I could crush it with a thought.”
Spock’s right eyebrow rose up into his fringe, and Jim’s mouth opened in shock.
Bones’ hand was glowing.
Jim blinked before looking down at the hand he held; it was glowing too. The energy looked like fire; it was orange, red, yellow, and white, and pieces of it flickered out like flames. It didn’t burn though, it felt…good. Calming.
The energy formed around Bones’ body, and his eyes glowed white. The expression on his face changed to one that was softer and less guarded.
“Bones?” Jim gripped his hand more tightly. “Bones, what’s wrong?”
“Leonard is only the house where I live, Jim,” Bones said, his voice echoing like it did before.
No…not Bones. Not Bones saying it.
Jim dropped Bones’ hand. “Who are you?”
“I am born and consumed in blood and flame,” the thing controlling Bones said. “I am born, and I return; always returning, always coming back...”
Spock took a step forwards. “You are Phoenix.”
Images filled the room surrounding them, and both Spock and Jim started. The room darkened with a red sky. There were broken buildings and fire surrounding them, and Jim could smell ash in the air.
“What is this?” Jim said. “Where…?”
“It is not a place,” Phoenix answered. “It is how it feels to be the last hope and to know you will win against all the odds.”
Spock grabbed his temples and stumbled backwards; Jim gave him a concerned look. “I am fine, but the psychic energy emanating from the Doctor is overwhelming,” Spock said. “My mind feels…dazzled…”
“It is the wing of the Phoenix, touching your heart with flame2.”
Just like that, the energy dissipated into the air and the images faded. Bones’ eyes rolled back in his head, and he collapsed like a marionette with its strings cut.
“Bones!” Jim rushed back to his side. “Bones, are you okay?”
“Have to go,” Bones mumbled, and Jim was relieved to see that his eyes were green again. “Have to go…End of All That Is…have to go…”
Jim’s eyes widened, and he pursed his lips. “That’s the second time you mentioned that, the End of All That Is. What is that, Bones? Tell us, and we can get you out of here. We can help you!”
Just then, an Asian woman in her fifties came into the room; she read information on a PADD. “Doctor McCoy,” she said, before realizing Jim and Spock were there. “I wasn’t aware they authorized you to have visitors,” she added.
“Captain James T. Kirk, USS Enterprise,” Jim said. “This is my First Officer, Commander Spock.”
She nodded her head at them. “Doctor Arisugawa. I need to examine my patient, if you please.” Spock hesitated but headed towards the door. Jim, however, didn’t budge. “That means both of you,” Doctor Arisugawa reiterated.
Jim looked at the stripes on her uniform; she was a Commander like Spock. Good, he could pull rank if he had to. “I’m not going anywhere,” Jim said. “You can do your exam with me in the room. I’m staying.”
He must have had some expression on his face, because she backed down. “Just keep out of the way,” she grumbled as she pulled out a tricorder. Quietly and efficiently, she went to work. It only took a second, but the tricorder screamed before it shorted out completely. “What the…?”
Spock had the look on his face that meant he was dying of curiosity. Jim grabbed him and pulled him into a corner. “Do you think that…Phoenix thing is doing that?” Jim whispered.
“It would be a logical theory,” Spock admitted. He looked thoughtful before saying “There is an old story in Vulcan lore; it is about extreme psychic sensitivity.”
Curious, Jim crossed his arms over his chest. “How does that relate to Bones?”
“The lore refers to it as ‘The Manifestation of the Phoenix3,” Spock answered.
Jim stared at him before looking back to Bones on the bed; Bones’ breathing was labored; his chest heaved up and down. He had dark circles under his eyes, and his skin looked clammy and pale.
“I admit I am not as familiar with this legend as I am some others,” Spock continued, “However, I believe that Nyota is well-versed in it. If not, I can acquire the information from my father.”
Jim continued to stare at Bones. “Get her, and your dad too if necessary. I’m not resting until I know what the hell is going on.”
Spock inclined his head in a nod, and turned, flipping open his communicator to call his lover.
Jim took his place back at Bones’ side; the doctor examined him the old-fashioned way, checking his pulse with two fingers pressed to the inside of his wrist. “Your heart rate’s way too high,” she proclaimed. “I think you’re dehydrated.” She made notes on her PADD before turning back to Bones. “I’m getting you an IV, just in case.”
Bones didn’t argue; he instead gave her a weak nod.
The doctor looked down at him with something like fond exasperation. “You must be feeling awful. I’ve heard about you from the other doctors, or I should say I’ve heard about your mouth.” She then turned to Jim. “Doctor McCoy needs rest.”
Nodding his head, Jim said, “I get it. I’m just going to sit in here and make sure he’s okay.”
Again, Jim thought his face had to look pitiful, because Doctor Arisugawa quirked up her lips in a smile. “Your devotion says a lot about you,” she said as she took her leave.
Jim didn’t understand what she meant by that as he watched her go. It didn’t take long for him to focus on what was important; Jim sat by Bones’ beside, one of his hands held in his lap.
Jim also tried not to be frightened for him.
Nyota sat at a computer in her quarters, and she fought with the program she ran. Every time she started to clear out the static in the message Gioia gave her, the program would crash. Something wasn’t right about it, and it was incredibly frustrating.
Her communicator beeped, and she ignored it. She started the message over from the beginning, and the communicator beeped a second time. Whoever it was obviously couldn’t catch a hint, so Nyota flipped it open. “Lieutenant Uhura,” she said with a bit more venom than was necessary.
This is Commander Spock, her lover’s voice came through the device. Are you occupied?
“Oh, Spock,” she said, then furrowed her brows. “I thought you weren’t coming back until tomorrow.”
StarCore was sabotaged, and Doctor McCoy has been in an accident, Spock explained. Nyota, if you can spare the time, I require your assistance with an urgent matter.
Nyota paused the message. The work she was doing for Gioia would have to wait. She registered his words, and her eyes widened. “Leonard was in an accident? Is he all right?”
There was a long pause. His condition appears to be…stable. That is actually why I have called you.
Something came through over the line, like an announcement. “Are you at the hospital?”
Yes, I am in the doctor’s room at Starfleet General. I myself am uninjured aside from some contusions from our crash.
Nyota breathed a loud sigh of relief. “Thank goodness.”
The Captain is also unharmed, Spock said. Nyota, a query; are you familiar with the Vulcan legend of the ‘Manifestation of the Phoenix’?
Nyota thought; when she first started her romantic relationship with Spock, she did a lot of research on Vulcans and their culture. She studied dozens upon dozens of legends, and they all ran together for the most part.
She did remember this one in particular, however.
“Thousands of years ago,” Nyota began, “not too long after Surak, a Vulcan named T’pean manifested great psychic abilities, including telekinesis and telepathy that did not require physical contact. Firebirds began to appear in the sky, but T’pean died young, and they stopped.” She thought for a second. “I’m sorry, Spock, I don’t recall more than that.”
I shall have to do more research, then, Spock said. I appreciate your assistance in this matter.
Even though the tone of his voice told her he was sincere, Nyota frowned at not being able to help more. “Do you need anything? Do you need me to come to the hospital?”
Now would not be a good time, Spock answered. Doctor McCoy is asleep.
“I understand,” she said. “I’ll get back to what I was working on.”
Thank you, Nyota, Spock said. I will keep you apprised of his condition. With that, the communication severed, leaving Nyota alone with her thoughts.
Why would Spock ask about a Vulcan legend in relation to Leonard? That didn’t make any sense.
Nyota contemplated calling him back before she decided against it. It sounded like he had a lot on his plate, so it was best to leave him to it. Besides, she had her own work cut out for her. She pushed play again on the screen, and once more the message filled the room.
Nyota frowned; the program was about to crash again.
Well, wait a second.
If she lowered the gain, and put it on a higher frequency…
Quickly, before the program went down, Nyota did both of those things. The static started dissipating, and the message came through more clearly.
Now she was getting somewhere.
She caught pairs of words with skips, but if she listened to it enough she’d figure out what it said. Allowing herself a brief smile, Nyota grabbed an old-fashioned pen and paper and continued her work.
Jim sat with his knees tucked up under his chin as he watched Bones sleep. Spock left after calling Nyota to go research the Phoenix legend, leaving him functionally alone.
Someone cleared his throat behind him; he turned, and saw that Scotty stood in the doorway. “Can we come in?” Scotty asked in a whisper with a nod towards Bones.
Jim rubbed his hand across his eyes. “We?”
Chekov peered around the doorway. “Yes. We heard about the crash,” he said.
Ah, the good old Starfleet Gossip Machine. It never failed.
Jim smiled. “Yeah, come on in. He’s not doing much right now, but…”
“That’s fine,” Scotty said with a shrug. Together they stepped inside the room. “We just wanted to see for ourselves that you’re both all right. Spock told us you’d be here.”
“And we brought you a uniform,” Chekov added, holding up a backpack. “We went to your apartment.”
Jim looked confused. “How’d you get…?” Before he could finish his question, he saw that both of them looked cagey. “Never mind. I don’t need to know.” He took the bag from Chekov with a smile. “Thanks, guys. I’ll put this on later.”
Scotty took the other seat next to Jim as Chekov stood by the foot of Bones’ bed. “How is he?”
“He’s sleeping a lot,” Jim answered as he turned his gaze back to Bones. “They keep trying to run tests on him to figure out how he survived, but every time they get too close, their equipment shorts out.”
Chekov gave Jim a curious expression. “Sabotage?”
Jim nodded. “This Phoenix thing is doing it we’re pretty sure, yeah.”
Scotty and Chekov both blinked. “What Phoenix thing?” Scotty said, leaning towards Jim.
Jim hesitated to answer; it sounded so crazy, and he wasn’t sure anyone would believe him that hadn’t witnessed it. “There’s a thing, some kind of entity in Bones’ body. It calls itself Phoenix.”
Scotty raised an eyebrow, and Chekov looked even more confused than he did a second ago. “Is it hurting him?” Chekov asked.
“It better not be,” Jim said in a harsh voice. Bones stirred, and Jim stood, grasping his hand. “Hey Bones,” he said as he rubbed a circle across his knuckles.
“Jim,” Bones rasped. His skin looked better; he was less pale, and the circles under his eyes faded a bit. He still looked as weak as a kitten, though. “I need water.”
Jim nodded and smiled. “Of course, I’ll…”
Before he could move, a trail of flaming energy left Bones. His eyes turned white, and the flames poured the water on their own. The energy then brought the glass to Bones without spilling it, though it shook a little. Bones sat up, and the glass was placed in his free hand. He took a slow sip.
The other three looked at him with wide eyes.
Bones took another sip before realizing he was being stared at. “What?” he said somewhat testily.
“How did you do that?” Scotty asked.
Bones shrugged. “If I think it,” he said as he got more comfortable. “I can do it.”
“But…” Chekov stared at the pitcher now. “You have never done anything like that before.”
His face shifting into an unreadable expression, Bones said, “Well, I…Phoenix…”
Jim stiffened. “Tell us about Phoenix.”
Bones sighed; his eyes turned white a second time, and the glass was set on the bedside table using more of that flaming energy. “I had to die to come back, Jim,” Bones said as he sighed a second time. “But…I don’t know how long I can stay4.”
The blood turned to ice in Jim’s body. “What does that mean?”
Bones sat up straighter in the bed; he tried to push himself out of it, but his arms shook. “I’m still so weak,” he said. “I have to get stronger…I have to stop the End of All That Is…”
“What is that?” Chekov’s eyes were wide circles. “The End of All That Is?”
Bones looked out through the windows and into the distance. “He’s coming. D’Ken is coming. Can’t you feel him?”
Jim narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about? Who is D’Ken?”
“I can feel him,” Bones continued as if he hadn’t heard Jim. “I can feel you too, all of you. I feel…” He tried to push himself up again. “I have to go.”
Jim grabbed his shoulders and pushed him down into the bed. “You need to tell us what’s going on.”
“I am,” Bones said as he covered Jim’s hands with his own. “I am telling you I need to go. D’Ken must be stopped, or it will be the End of All That Is! I’m the only one who can---“
“Bones,” Jim said. “Bones, you’ve been through an ordeal. You’re talking nonsense, and you probably shouldn’t be out of bed.”
Bones looked at Jim, and his eyes were sad. “You think I’m crazy.”
“No, I don’t,” Jim said. “I just think you need rest.”
“No you do, you all think I’m crazy,” Bones continued. “You’re not even aware of it, but you do, deep down inside.” He looked at Jim, and his eyes pierced Jim’s soul. “You…there’s lots of worry, and there’s something else…something strong and deep…”
Jim’s eyes widened. “Are…are you reading my mind?”
Bones shook his head. “I…I can feel you, I can feel everything…Arisugawa’s writing a paper, and Scotty is thinking of schematics…”
Scotty nodded. “I mean, I always am, so it’s not really a surprise,” he announced, and Chekov gave him a fond look.
“And you, Jim, you…there’s…” Bones trailed off. “It feels a lot like...”
Jim recoiled. He wasn’t even sure what Bones was going to say, but he knew he didn’t want him putting his thoughts and feelings on blast to Scotty and Chekov. “That’s enough,” he said.
“But it…that doesn’t make sense…”
“I said that’s enough,” Jim said as he pulled back from Bones.
Bones looked up at him with hurt in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Jim, it’s not on purpose. I’m still learning; I’m still getting stronger.” He closed his eyes. “There. I’m not in…I can’t feel you anymore.”
Jim sighed; he hadn’t meant to treat Bones so harshly. “Sorry, Bones. I just don’t like it when people are in my head.”
Bones nodded before again turning to the window. “I still feel D’Ken. And he is coming, Jim. We need to be ready.” He settled back against the pillows. “Me most of all.” His eyes closed.
Scotty and Chekov looked at each other, then they looked back at Jim: the same Jim who stood not quite in touching range of Bones. After whispering to each other, Chekov turned to the captain. “We should go.”
Jim glanced at them. “Thanks for the clothes.” Chekov smiled, and Scotty waved.
“We’ll come back by tomorrow,” Scotty said as he clapped Jim on the shoulder. “Take care, Captain. You too, Doctor.”
They left, leaving Jim and Bones alone. Jim perched back on the edge of Bones’ bed as he watched him settle onto his side facing the window. His breathing evened out, and he slept.
Jim stared down at Bones’ profile, struck by how beautiful he was. Even as sick as he had to feel, he looked good, and Jim’s cheeks reddened. There was a sudden need within him to touch Bones and to be touched by Bones.
Jim swallowed, and his mouth went dry. He reached out and touched Bones’ face with the back of his hand. Jim thought about how wrecked he felt when he thought Bones was dead, and how relieved he’d been when he saw he was alive. He thought about how much his heart ached to see him so sick.
Oh, mother-fucker.
Jim covered his face with his hands, exhaling loudly behind them. He peaked out through his fingers to look at Bones’ face.
There was that longing to take his pain away and desire to hold him.
Nausea sweeping over him, Jim swallowed again as he moved off the bed, trying to get some distance. He sat back down in his chair, once more tucking his knees up under his chin. He wrapped his arms around his legs, hugging himself.
He was in love with Bones, and he had no idea what to do about it.
Chapter Three | Chapter Five
