Title: After the Rescue

Part: NEW 64/73

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.

Lapham: "I see. Now, about Hypz. How did you know Hypz on Meza 6?"

Hobie: "Meza 6 was one of the main trade and refueling stops in that system. Hypz sought me out when he became the civil dictator because he wanted to stay on good terms with Tossar and he knew I was close to him. Hypz offered Tossar's fleet a really excellent deal in the way of docking, fueling and port taxes."

Lapham: "Why?"

Hobie: "Hypz wanted to consolidate his power by staying on good terms with the powerful fleet owners. He knew someday he would need them to connect with the other planets in the system since he didn't have his own fleet at that time."

Lapham: "And was the Tossarian fleet the only group Hypz had this agreement with?"

Hobie: "No, he also had it with Ibri Adniz, the Neqfarsian Imperial Trading League and I think some others, but I don't know who."

Lapham: "Was it, in your opinion, a good arrangement?"

Hobie: "It was okay."

Lapham: "Did Hypz ever try to change the arrangement? Get better terms for himself?"

Hobie: "No."

Lapham: "Did you ever try to better the terms for yourself?"

Hobie: "No."

Lapham: "You were content with a merely 'okay' arrangement?"

Hobie: "Yes."

Lapham paused just long enough to allow his skepticism on this answer to register in the courtroom but not so long as to provoke Lord Suqiet. "What were you doing on Meza 6 when Hypz was murdered?"

Hobie: "I was trying to convince Hypz to break with the Neqfarsian Imperial Trading League and apply for membership in the Federation."

Again, Lapham paused just long enough to allow his skepticism on this answer to register in the courtroom but not so long as to provoke Lord Suqiet. "Did you kill Hypz?"

Hobie: "No."

Lapham: "Do you know who did?"

Jir: "Objection. Counsel is asking the witness to speculate."

"Sustained." Lord Suqiet looked tired. "We'll recess now and return in two hours. The witness is dismissed until then." He watched Hobie leave the virtual room. "Counsel, approach the bench." He waited for Lapham and Jir, via holopic, to stand before him. "Counsel, this is tedious and I am unclear what you both are trying to accomplish with this witness. Commander, you have covered the same ground as was covered in the affidavits submitted to this court six weeks ago. Do you really think you will uncover anything new or catch Captain Talljet in a lie?" Lord Suqiet turned away before Lapham could answer. "SaJir, your objections are about fifty percent valid and are only slowing the process down and you know it. I say to both of you, if SaHobie were going to trip himself up, he would have done it in the pre-trial questioning and deposition process. So what is the point of this questioning?" He focused on Lapham: "Commander?"

"I believe there were facts that were not uncovered in the initial investigation, sir," Lapham said. "This line of questioning is crucial to the Federation's case against Captain Talljet."

"Do you plan to question this witness, SaJir?" Lord Suqiet asked.

"Yes, but not as thoroughly as my colleague, sir," Jir said dryly. "There are a few points in Captain Talljet's rise in the Tossarian fleet that need to be clarified. I can do so now, if that pleases the bench."

"If it does not, we will hear you examine the witness." Lord Suqiet leaned back to listen with his fellow judges. "Proceed, SaJir."

"Commander Lapham, in his initial argument before this court, has cast Captain Talljet as an opportunist who took over the Tossarian fleet for his own enrichment. The truth is more that Captain Talljet was, indeed, Tossar's victim for some time, however, as these things occur in the less civilized spaces beyond the Federation, Captain Talljet and Tossar, victim and victimizer, came to an understanding whereby Tossar, perceiving Captain Talljet's intelligence, entrusted certain parts of this enterprise to Captain Talljet. And then more and more, until the entire Tossarian empire was under Captain Talljet's control. It was simply that Tossar was attracted to Captain Talljet's beauty and held by his intelligence and effective management of the Tossarian assets.

"Captain Talljet and the shipbuilders were, in fact, Tossar's slaves, captives, what have you, and were not able to leave him of their own volition. Captain Talljet was simply making the best of a bad situation. That he and the Tossarians benefited from his innovation and savvy and perhaps, indirectly, the very fine education Captain Talljet received here on Vulcan, is merely a pleasant happenstance."

Jir didn't flinch before the trio of dubious Vulcan judicial faces above him.

"'Merely a pleasant happenstance' you say, SaJir?" Lord Suqiet queried dryly. "And you intend to illustrate this in your questioning of Captain Talljet?"

"Yes, sir."

"And what other points do you intend to illustrate?" Lord Suqiet asked.

"That Captain Talljet did not kill Gatshira on Fobda, that Captain Talljet did not murder Hypz on Meza 6, that Captain Talljet's actions in the Miska system were part of his mission from the Vulcan Interplanetary Ministry and that Captain Talljet did not behave in any way inappropriately with Ensign Grushinkev."

"How so the last?" Lord Suqiet asked.

"Merely to restate what was stated in the affidavits," Jir said patiently. "That the child fell asleep in Captain Talljet's arms while being comforted and that was all there was to it."

The judges looked thoughtfully at Jir, then at each other.

"I believe we must hear all this testimony," Lord Suqiet said wearily.

Lady T'Pnov and Sjrika agreed. The courtroom was cleared and when the trial resumed, it was a long and tedious two days for everyone.

* * *

"When," McCoy asked, "will you have the bond with Jim removed, Spock?"

They stood on the same balcony of Spock's family villa that Hobie and Sarek had stood on so long ago, watching the shadows climb the mountains, as they had.

"Soon, Doctor. The right moment has not presented itself," Spock answered.

Kirk had been called into conference with Admiral Jessup, Commodore Yakolev and Ambassador Sdiz. The Klingons were making angry noises again about the seizure of Rovirin. Jessup wanted to hear the events on that planet from those who were actually there and/or responsible for them before he had his meeting with the Klingon Ambassador, Admiral KahbreKyrit and the Ambassador's undersecretary, Major KzinivDhalk.

"You're certainly not rushing into anything, Spock," McCoy observed crankily.

This was the first time Spock and McCoy had been alone since McCoy's arrival on Vulcan.

"No," Spock said, pulling the doctor into his arms. "It is not something to be rushed." He tilted McCoy's chin up and pressed a gentle kiss onto firmly closed lips. Spock leaned back to look into annoyed blue eyes. "You are not suffering from it, are you, Leonard?"

"In a way, Spock. I prefer my lovers to be fully conscious of their motivation. Jim thinks he's in love with me, wants to marry me." McCoy laid his head on the wide Vulcan shoulder. "He's not fully aware of what he's feeling, it's unfair to let him go on this way."

"How so?" Spock asked, stroking the human's warm brown hair.

"He's feeling some weird and amplified refraction of whatever ... " McCoy paused to grope for a word that did not have emotional connotations. "Whatever psychological responses you have for me."

"Jim does love you, Leonard," Spock said. "I can assure you of that, I know it through the bond."

'And when did you become an expert on love?' McCoy thought, but said quietly : "How do you know it's not a delusion? How does Jim know it's not a delusion when he's unaware of the bond? It's not fair or right to allow him to go on this way; not being able to make conscious, informed and free decisions."

"I understand, Leonard, be patient." Spock kissed his forehead. "Please."

"All right." McCoy gave in and changed the subject. "I've missed you, Spock. It seems like we haven't been together like this in months."

"It has been seven weeks and three days since we last made love."

"How many hours?"

"Fifteen." Spock tightened his arms on the chuckling human. "I have been distracted, I apologize."

"Don't apologize. We've all been distracted." McCoy leaned back. "But let's try to concentrate now." And pulled the Vulcan down into a long, sweet kiss.

Spock reluctantly broke the kiss to lead McCoy to a bedroom where he swiftly undressed his lover and himself.

They lay together, caressing as much of each other as they could reach. Spock leaned down to drag his tongue over one of McCoy's rock hard nipples. He ran his index finger gently over and around the other nipple and stroked lightly down to the doctor's erection.

McCoy tried to move them into a sixty-nine but Spock held him in place as he moved down to the doctor's hard cock, taking it gently in one hand and flicking the tip of his tongue closer and closer to the tip, finally just barely brushing it again and again. He stopped after a few seconds, he could tell McCoy was already close to climaxing. Spock moved until he was kneeling between McCoy's knees. He looked up at his lover, who lay panting with desire before him and panting even more as Spock ran his warm fingers up and down the doctor's rosy shaft. Spock leaned forward and took McCoy's balls in his mouth. He ran his tongue over and around the doctor's sac, sucking and kissing in a way he knew drove the human right to the edge. And held him there, one warm hand at the base of McCoy's cock, holding him back, the other gently probing the doctor's ass.

McCoy arched gently as he felt Spock's hand between his cheeks. He wanted the Vulcan inside him and reached beneath the pillow under his head to hand Spock the tube of lubricant.

Spock lightly swirled his tongue around the head of McCoy's cock as he squeezed some lube on his fingers. He slipped in one and then another in quick succession and was pleased to discover the doctor was ready. He rolled his lover forward and centered his slippery cock against the doctor's tight ring.

Spock slipped the head in and pushed forward. He met no resistance until his cock was in about four inches. Then it was as if he'd hit a wall. This had happened once or twice before with them and the solution Spock found was to lean forward and gently apply his teeth to one of McCoy's nipples. He moved to the other erect nub and soon felt the doctor relaxing enough for the Vulcan to hit bottom. He rested a moment to let McCoy adjust and used the time to explore the human's cool coral mouth with his tongue.

Resting for a moment, Spock visualized where the hard place behind McCoy's penis was. He pulled out slightly, aimed and pressed forward again. McCoy jumped and tightened and Spock knew his aim was true. Moving slowly but steadily, Spock increased his pace until they were thrashing together in a rhythmic knot of flesh.

All too soon, Spock felt his balls tightening as he approached his climax. He could feel McCoy's sac constricting as well. It was hard to tell if Spock's first shudder of orgasm set McCoy off or if McCoy's clenching in his own orgasm set Spock off. It did not matter; they came in unison and were both splashed by McCoy's cum between them.

Spock leaned forward, resting his chest against McCoy's as they caught their breaths. As usual, Spock recovered first and sat up, his cock still impaling McCoy. He reached down and carefully pulled his still hard cock out. He sat back and looked down at the doctor who still glowed from the pleasure of their sex. Spock leaned down and kissed McCoy's lips. McCoy wrapped his arms around the Vulcan's neck and held him in the kiss.

At length, Spock unfolded himself from McCoy's arms and reached for a towel to wipe them off.

"We should do this more often, Spock," McCoy said, lazily stretching out beside the Vulcan.

"I agree completely, Doctor."

* * *

"I really hope that did it," Jir said nervously in his office several hours after making his closing argument in court.

"We'll find out tomorrow, Jir," Storen observed.

"We made a good case, Jira," Smig told him. "Certainly better than the prosecution. And your closing was brilliant. Nearly poetry."

Jir had a tiny moment of cognitive dissonance over the emotions Smig's mixture of legal and theatrical images conjured up but recovered quickly. "I sincerely hope the judges think that too, Smig. I really do." Jir lay back and stared up at the canopy over his bed.

Storen and Smig recognized this as Jir's post event let down. It was a tired kind of funk Storen had seen Jir experience after a big case and Smig had seen after a long successful play run. They left him to it, as there was nothing anyone could do to lift it. They went to their offices and tidied up and went home - Storen to his family, Smig to the company. There was nothing to do but wait for the verdict and that's what they did.

* * *

"Well, we did the best we could with a rotten case." Sarfati observed to his colleagues as they packed up their files.

"Oh, it wasn't such as bad case. We might win yet, Nick," Charbon said, closing her overstuffed briefcase. "Jir picked us apart where we had weaknesses, I would have done the same in his place, but overall I think the judges will find Hobie guilty. At least of the acts of piracy. They cannot possibly think the Vulcan Interplanetary Ministry would authorize such acts; they never have, they never will."

Lapham was exhausted and remained silent. He'd spent the morning making the most convincing closing argument he could. He'd spent the afternoon listening to Jir making brilliant arguments that shredded everything he'd said earlier in the day. Lapham was yet again glad this was a Vulcan judge trial because seeing Jir present his argument, the human knew he would have swayed any judge or jury from an emotion based species to his side. Lapham could only hope that the judges would see through Jir's very convincing argument to the fact that Hobie had committed crimes that remained crimes whether they were sanctioned by the Vulcan Interplanetary Ministry or not.

"Do you think they bought Jir's argument that the four acts of piracy did not occur in Federation space and were therefore not subject to Federation law?" Charbon asked Sarfati, their piracy expert.

"I wonder, it was a helluva argument he made. I still think Robert convinced them that Captain Talljet's actions were illegal, wherever and whenever they occurred. The Miska system has been a member of the Federation for a few years now and the general feeling is that those responsible for the crimes there should be prosecuted." Sarfati slumped a little. They were all tired.

"Such as Ibri Adniz, to whom we offered immunity?" Charbon observed bitterly. She had been against that from the start.

Sarfati scowled and didn't answer.

Lapham rose. "That is a subject for a day when we are not so tired." He picked up his briefcase. "Let's see what our judges say tomorrow."

"If they convict do you think we'll still be invited to the Sas' party tomorrow night?" Sarfati asked.

"If they convict, I certainly won't go and suggest neither of you do," Charbon said, leaving the room.

Her colleagues thought that was a sound idea and followed her down the hall and out of the building.

* * *

"Shiiiiooow, Nolo? (Whaddya think about the trial?)" Maja keened to his brother in the prison.

"Hochofedra," Hobie shrugged at him. "It's up to the judges now."

"Hate this waiting, don't you?"

"Of course."

"Then I've a question to distract you a little, 'Harold,'" Maja said. "How come Ling and I didn't know about you and Sarek?"

"Because it was none of your business, 'Mikey'."

"Because we're stupid?"

Hobie rolled his eyes and wondered if Maja was really forty and not fourteen. "No, because you were little."

"But Jir knew."

"Well, yes, he did but only because we're closer in age and I needed some advice. You remember what a sexpert he was, even at that age," Hobie said.

"Ah, true enough, he was a little slut."

"I hope we're both shielding if you're going to say things like that, Maja."

"Of course. I certainly don't want Jir to beat me up for telling the truth."

"There are things between you and Ling that Jir and I don't know," Hobie said, deciding he'd had enough of the previous subject. Besides, if he was convicted tomorrow, he would not be around to keep Jir from beating up Maja for calling him a slut.

"Yes, but not hardly as interesting as you and Sarek."

Hobie laughed and decided to swerve onto another subject: "How are my children?"

"Fine."

"Just fine?"

"Bot is studying quite nicely and is very well liked at Middle School #7. He excels in mathematics, history and literature. We help him in languages, science and grammar. He was invited to spend the weekend with the family of one of his schoolmates at their villa in the mountains. Everybody had a good time and he's been invited back."

"Bot's fitting in better than you did at his age."

"It's his TossarCheq that makes him so attractive," Maja observed. "He has that air of being the most amazing thing you will ever see in your pathetic lives so pay attention now, right now." Maja paused to listen to Hobie laugh at his perfect summation of his youngest child. "It works, too. He's doing just fine here."

"And Lyra?"

"Your little Lyra is so self absorbed, he's hardly noticed he's on a new planet," Maja told him. "Really, Hobie, we had SiVrisa, you remember him from Western Vul Prep, no - at the Sas wondering if there was something wrong with the child because Lyra seems a thousand miles away in class."

"Lyra is always like that," Hobie said. "You have to be careful because it seems like he's not attending but he really is. Somewhere he got the idea it was impolite to concentrate on what's in front of you. I've no idea where that comes from but I've learned to live with it."

"We all have, Hobie." Maja assured him. "And SiVrisa was relieved when Lyra scored perfectly on his first test and wrote a sharp little essay later on."

"Has he friends? He doesn't come out of his shell much, you know."

"He's brought one or two Vulcans home to play and make art in the Commune since I've been here," Maja said. "Lyra's fine. Academically, he only needs a little help with math. Otherwise, he's doing quite well and seems to be enjoying himself in school."

"And Polmira?"

"He's fine."

"More detail, please, Maja."

"Polmira and Farro are in the same class at W. Vul. Prep. and both are enjoying learning there. Polmira likes the new place and the new beings around him. Of course, he loves the weather here, you know he was always a little chilly everywhere else."

"His studies are ...?"

"Oh, well, he's good at the same things as always: everything except drawing. We're still working on that in the Commune. He's well liked at school, too."

"Yes, I've heard. What's all this about Prince Strig?"

"They're friends."

"That's not what Sbat said when he was here the other day."

"Sbat! Doesn't Sbat look great! Who'da thunk that odd kid would grow up to be such a mensch!"

"Maja."

"Okay. Polmira and Strig have become very attached to each other. They are heavily chaperoned, very heavily chaperoned - the Sas learned their lesson about inattention and teenage lust with us."

"According to Sbat, Clan T'Pira is contemplating making us a decent offer for him."

"Concubinage? Forget it."

"I said decent. A full Federation marriage, full property rights, even the bonding."

"A male male bonding?"

"Sbat says it was done in Surak's time but fell out of use as the matriarchy became ascendant."

"As many other fine things fell out of use as the matriarchy became ascendant. And they plan to revive that for Polmira?" Maja was rather impressed.

"Yes."

"So everything old is new again."

"What do you think?"

"I think Polmira is too young to commit to anyone or anything. If he and Strig are so fond of one another then they will be willing to wait a few years. Like ten or fifteen to make their commitments. Don't you, Nolo?"

"Perhaps."

"Well, I think so." Maja continued. "Polmira is reluctant to talk about it but he did say to Farro that he liked Strig very much. Any idea why is Clan T'Pira in such a hurry?"

"Perhaps they're worried that Polmira will be removed from Vulcan when my trial is ended," Hobie said.

"A valid concern."

"And they don't want to lose their best shot at connecting to the House of Surak."

"Ah. I was wondering why Polmira's stock suddenly went up and then I found out that even T'Pau has recognized Polmira as a member of the House of Surak. We have Lady Amanda to thank for that."

"Tisn't a bad thing, Maja. If the verdict goes against me, you, Jir and Ling will have to look after my brats and my fleet as well as your own households. I wouldn't mind being transported so much if I knew my children were safe and happy here or somewhere else. Here suits me in some ways because I know it so well."

"That's all that's ever mattered to you, isn't it Hobie? That those you love are safe and happy?"

Hobie nodded.

"Well, don't worry, Nolo." Maja blinked back his tears. "Everything will be okay. However the verdict goes. I swear that to you on my life, my honor and the lives of all our enemies."

"Maja," Hobie laughed. "You simply out-Klingon the Klingons!"

* * *

end of part 64

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

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

Request: If I cited something from one of your stories or someone you know, please let me know via email at karmen_ghia@yahoo.com or karmen_ghia@hotmail.com or leave me a note on the guestbook at http://www.oocities.org/Paris/Tower/2547/ Please be specific on the who and the what because I plan to thank all the sources for this (aside from those in my head) but I've read so much slash, fanfic, erotica, and other that it's all just a big melange and I can't remember most of who wrote what or where it came from. It is very possible that I unwittingly have referred to an event or a character from someone else's work and I would very much like to thank them for writing something so terrific that it penetrated so deeply into my subconscious that not even I realized it was there. Until you let me know. So please, help me out if you are so inclined. Thanks.