Divided Loyalties

Part 31

As one might expect, the two involved were not pleased to be so stronglyciplciplined-being not only under covert surveillance while on duty, con confined to quarters (and under surveillance there as well) except when on-shift. They made their displeasure known to McCoy, their immediate superior, and he said he couldn't blame them for disliking it, but that the orders came from their higher-ups, so he had to go along with it.
"Yeah, I can guess which higher-up," Carole Van Note retorted. "I feel like a goldfish in a bowl. No privacy whatsoever!"
"What did we ever do to deserve such treatment? Even prisoners in the Brig are accorded more rights," Laura Martinez groused.
"As I told you, you're both being investigated as to the possibility of your being accomplices of the person aboard ship with the vendetta against the Captain and Mr. Spock." McCoy sighed. "I'm sorry for what you're going through, but there isn't much I can do."
"We already told Christine that whatever feelings either of us may have had for either of them were over years ago...but it's obvious that she didn't believe us," Van Note returned bitterly.
"Just checking every avenue," McCoy replied apologetically. "The surveillance and confinement to quarters should end once the investigation uncovers what we're looking for."
"And when will that be?" the Latino woman threw back. "I'd like to be able to take a shower without feeling like I'm being watched by a peeping Tom!"
"Couldn't say. You'll just have to live with it as best you can," McCoy suggested.
He had barely finished speaking when Laura Martinez's manner abruptly changed. "Well, you can take this message to your higher-up: this harassment had better stop, or else we're going to make all of you regret you ever tangled with us!"
"Is that a threat?" McCoy shot back suspiciously.
"That's a promise," Martinez declared, her voice dangerously quiet.
"Then you're admitting your involvement as an accomplice?" the Doctor inquired coldly.
"Yes," Martinez conceded. "As is Carole. But as I said, one word from you to Kirk and Spock about us and everyone on this ship will be history, inclg yog you-and them!"
"What do you mean by that?" the Chief Surgeon shot back.
"Just what it sounds like," Martinez informed him. "You tell anyone what I've said, and we'll set off an antimatter bomb by remote control "Yo "You're bluffing," McCoy countered.
"Perhaps. Perhaps not. But can you afford to take the chance, with over four hundred lives at stake?"
"I can see why your higher-up would do this, but why are you being a party to it? What do you or Van Note stand to gain?"
"Carole is in love with our 'higher-up', and I'm helping her, since she is my friend," Martinez admitted.
"From what I understand, your superior is a closet homosexual whom the Captain turned down some years ago...someone who has allowed his hurt at the rejection to turn into hatred and a lust for vengeance," McCoy pointed out.
Martinez sneered. "As far as I'm concerned, you and Christine protecting your two queer friends all these years is just as bad. And answer me this-does Christine know what kind of pervert her husband and the father of her child is?"
"All I'm going to say in regards to that is that she does indeed know," McCoy admitted. "The rest of it is none of your business. In addition, I don't see that any of you have room to judge. You forget what we know about you."
"I should have known that you'd take up for them. Sometimes I wonder if you're not in on their kinky little game," Martinez snapped.
"If I were you, Doctor, I'd be thankful that I was raised never to hit a woman, or else you'd be flat on your pretty little butt right now," McCoy spoke quietly but dangerously, his well-known temper just barely under control. "I swear to God, one more peep out of either of you and I'll put you both under arrest for threatening a superior officer! Now get the hell out of my Sickbay and don't come back!"
"Oh, we're leaving, don't worry," Martinez returned smoothly, turning toward the door with Van Note beside her. But we'll be back, with reinforcements, she added silently, making a mental note to contact Ivan at the first opportunity. "Remember, one word of this to Kirk and Spock and you'll be responsible for not only the destructio thi this ship but the murder of over 400 crewmembers," the demented psychologist threatened ominously. "And I can assure you, we have our own ways of keeping tabs on your activities as well, so if any of you try anything, we'll know it."
"Very cocky and sure of yourself, aren't you?" the Doctor shot back.
"Comes from holding the trump card, as it were," came the high-handed reply.
"We'll just see about that, won't we? Jim, Spock, Christine and I haven't been in Starfleet all these years without learning a few tricks of our own, so I warn you, don't underestimate us," McCoy returned, his tone quiet but deadly.
But by this time, Martinez and her cohort were gone, and the Chief Surgeon had to wonder as to whether or not they'd even heard his last statements-but either way, he had to somehow let Jim and Spock know what he head discovered without putting everyone's lives at risk. How he was going to do that, he couldn't have said, but he had to think of a way. Mentally unbalanced people such as Van Note, Martinez and their mysterious superior were capable of anything and would stop at nothing to achieve their goals.
For now, however, it was best to keep silent about what had happened and maybe have Spock mind-meld with him and Jim so all could learn what had happened without their adversaries learning of it via eavesdropping...then have the Vulcan also mind-meld with his wife in order to inform her of what had happened. They didn't dare discuss their plans out loud, so there was going to be a real trick to outsmarting Martinez and her two partners in crime.
McCoy happened to know that lengthy mind-melds tended to tire Spock out, so it might be logical, as his Vulcan friend would say, to have a stimulant on hand to help him along...but only use it when absolutely necessary. Spock's endurance was half again as great as that of a Human, so he could go quite a while before he got tired.
McCoy reached for his snifter of Saurian brandy and poured himself a double, downing it gratefully, soon finding himself calming down from his frightening experience. Dammit, I'm a doctor, not a private eye, he groused. Why the hell did they have to come to me first?
He frowned when he thought of one possibility. Could it be because they consider me the "weak link in the chain", unable to do anything to stop them? If they think that, they've got another thing coming! I'm not about to stand by and let them kill everyone or destroy the ship in the name of their twisted agenda-no matter what Jim, Spock, Christine and I may have to do to stop them!


Part 32

Meanwhile, the very same FNN reporter who had been at the ShiKahr press conference had been interviewing various people in the same situation as Kirk and Spock, gathering information for an article to be widely distributed throughout the Federation upon its completion. As Kirk had said, there were numerous gay relationships among members of the Fleet as well as among planetary leaders and Ambassadors...but in keeping with FNN policy, he kept their information confidential, and in his article would change their names in order to protect their privacy.
Because of Komack's influence, Kirk and Spock's names would also be changed, and they would not be approached for personal interviews. For that reason, few details of their relationship were known, so little would be mentioned other than the fact that they were renowned Starfleet officers serving aboard a famous Federation starship, and that one of them was married with a small child.
Unfortunately, despite their own situations and Kirk's threat to expose them, some still insisted on judging his and Spock's actions. The journalist kept his peace in the name of professionalism, but privately couldn't help imagining what Kirk's reaction would be when he learned of the extent of the hypocrisy. From what he knew, he suspected that Kirk was even more dangerous when he was quiet than when he was in a temper.
He had long ago learned that words were one thing, actions another: and both were capable of inflicting considerable damage-if not to oneself, to one's career and reputation. Considering the status of some of the individuals involved, he considered them foolish to put all they had accomplished and worked for at risk merely for the sake of exposing Kirk and Spock.
He also suspected that the reason for that was that many of them envied Kirk for his own reputation and accomplishments, particularly his sterling record as a starship commander and his penchant for bringing his ship and crew back mostly intact, despite his unorthodox methods. For this reason, Kirk had just as many for him as against him ...though none were looking forward to the conflagration which would surely result once all this hit the fan. In the meantime, he had a job to do and several more people to interview, including Komack and Nogura themselves-then an article to write and put together.

**********

On the Enterprise, Spock's actions got the desired result...but he himself had seen to McCoy's safety, as well as that of his wife, child, best friend and bondmate. It was when the Vulcan was working out in the gym one day shortly after McCoy's confrontation with Van Note and Martinez that Ruzikoff confronted him. He raised an eyebrow upon looking up and noting the other's presence.
"Dr. Ruzikoff, what is your business with me?" Spock inquired blandly.
Ruzikoff's eyes blazed. "You know damn well why I'm here, Vulcan," he shot back upon approaching Spock while the Vulcan was seated at the weight-lifting machine and lifting four 250-lb. weights. "It's not bad enough that you have to beat my time with the Captain...and I know that he turned me down because of you-now you're harassing my assistants."
"Do you not mean your 'partners in crime'?" Spock returned coolly. "It is not your concern why the Captain chose to begin and maintain a relationship with me...and most illogical for you to choose to nurse a vendetta against us for twenty years, allowing your hurt to fester into hatred. Worst of all, you drew Nurse Van Note and Dr. Martinez into your twisted web."
Ruzikoff went pale with fury. "You have no right to judge me, Vulcan. Now I'm ordering you to back off, or else I'll make you sorry you ever joined Starfleet."
"Indeed? I think not. In addition, threatening a superior officer is a court-martial offense," Spock reminded him.
"I don't give a damn," Ruzikoff snapped. "It would be worth it if I can manage to take you and Kirk down with me."
"I believe it would take more than the word of one disgruntled officer for that to happen," Spock stated firmly.
"Oh, it's not just me. I assure you, we're not without friends," Ruzikoff countered, his attitude cocky and smug.
"Neither are we," Spock retorted. "I would advise you not to 'push your luck'."
"It's you who is pressing your luck," Ruzikoff bit out. "Now, back off while you still can...before we decide to set off that anti-matter bomb Martinez referred to." The Human's voice was dangerously quiet, filled with venom and vitriol.
"How do I know you even have such an item in your possession, much less the means to set it off?" Spock countered.
"How do you know I don't?" Ruzikoff threw back. "Do you really want to risk your safety, much less that of Kirk, McCoy or your wife and child?"
"My safety is unimportant-but I swear in Vulcan's name that I will make you sorry you ever met me if harm comes to any of them."
Ruzikoff smiled ferally. "Nothing will...if you cease the harassment I mention. Otherwise-" His voice broke off ominously.
"Blackmail is most unbecoming, Doctor...not to mention another court-martial offense."
Ruzikoff sneered. "That's one thing I've always hated about Vulcans-their self-righteous, superior attitude. What Kirk ever saw in you, I'll never know."
"Correct. You will never know. Not from him nor from me...much less anyone close to us. Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to complete my fitness routine. Good day, Doctor." With that, Spock resumed lifting weights, ignoring Ruzikoff as if he wasn't there.
"This isn't over, Vulcan," Ruzikoff vowed, making sure only Spock could hear him...but the Vulcan made no reaction. Finally the Human turned on his heel and departed.
Once he was gone, Dickerson-one of the Security officers, who had known Spock for many years and greatly respected both him and Kirk-came to check on him. "Was he harassing you, sir?"
"Do not concern yourself, Mr. Dickerson. I can handle him," Spock assured him.
"It's my job to protect my superiors from any and all potentially life-threatening situations," Dickerson pointed out.
"I am aware of that, and your concern is appreciated...but I have already taken steps to prevent any harm from coming to us."
"Like what, sir?"
"I cannot tell you now. Suffice it to say that Dr. Ruzikoff's threats hold no merit."
"Don't you want me to at least keep an eye on him?"
"He is already under covert surveillance, Mr. Dickerson, as are his two cohorts. Extra security would be sfluofluous."
Dickerson shrugged. "If you say so-but I'm here if you or any of the others need me."
"Thank you, Mr. Dickerson. I will keep it in mind. Now, if you will allow me to finish what I am doing..."
"Of course, sir." Dickerson smiled, turned on his heel and left to resume his own workout.
Spock once again resumed his routine, wondering as he did so how his father's talks were faring with the Federation Council, the President and possibly Nogura. He would have to contact him on Earth if he didn't receive a communique soon. In the meantime, however, he mentally traveled back in time to when he and Jim had first begun their intimate relationship, too wrapped up in their new-found love to notice the affection of others at the time, among them Christine and a young intern named Ivan Ruzikoff.
Being Vulcan, however, Spock eventually surmised that the young man had developed a crush on the Captain, but for a long time never thought to ask Jim about him because many of the younger crewmembers were found to have cases of hero worship...but neither had any idea that it was much more than that-nor had Spock been aware-that Jim had already been approached and turned down the young doctor's offer, gently but firmly. He knew how he himself would have felt in that situation, but at the time was too deeply in love to give the other's feelings more than passing notice.
As for Kirk, he had disliked hurting anyone, but like Spock, was too wrapped up in his love for the Vulcan at the time and therefore felt compelled to discourage the other young man's attentions. After that, Ruzikoff had never bothered him again, always acting professional around the Captain and Spock...until now. One of the last things Kirk had expected was that the young doctor would nurse a grudge for so many years.
Others had done such things, but it usually wasn't over a broken (or unrequited) romance. Still, Kirk had naturally noticed Ruzikoff's strong resemblance to Spock...and if it hadn't been for him, things might have been very different. Who could have guessed that his rejection of Ruzikoff would unbalance him to such an extent?


Part 33

It was fortunate that there was to be a meeting in Spock and Christine's quarters as to just what to do about Ruzikoff and his accomplices. McCoy had finally deduced that only by whispering to Spock what had happened and informing him that a mind-meld was necessary to keep them from overhearing their plans could he do himself and his friends any good. Christine would also be present, having left little T'Lehn with Nyota in her quarters for the duration.
The meeting was scheduled for twenty-hundred hours, after everyone concerned was off-duty (except a third of the minor officers, such as Ruzikoff and his partners in crime, who were pulling the Beta shift this time around). This would also give them time to shower and eat before gathering for the meeting. In fact, they even planned on eating together in the Officers' Lounge, then retiring to their quarters upon finishing the meal.
Upon completing his workout, Spock showered and changed back into his uniform to meet everyone in the Officers' Lounge. Upon his entrance, Christine approached him first. They kissed and embraced briefly, then Spock greeted Kirk with a smile and brief squeeze of the hand-the most affection they ever showed each other outside of private quarters. It wasn't until all had retired to the couple's quarters that the Vulcan allowed himself a smile at the Chief Surgeon as the older man approached him.
He raised an eyebrow when McCoy leaned over to whisper in his ear just prior to their sitting down, then his face lapsed into its usual serenity as one hand went into the mind-meld position on both McCoy and Kirk's faces. Christine was surprised at their actions at first, then realized what was truly going on...and knew she would be told in the same manner at the first opportunity.
They would have to confine their concerns to the melds and make plans mentally in order to confound their antagonists. As far as any of them knew, there was no machine which could detect thought-waves and translate them into text-not yet, anyway-so they were safe, at least for the time being.
Shortly after breaking the double meld with Kirk and McCoy, Spock turned to his wife and told her all he had told them, including his recommendations as to ensuring their safety until Ruzikoff and his cohorts could be effectively dealt with and punished.
Have you heard anything from your father yet regarding his discussions with the Federation Council, the President or Admirals Komack and Nogura? the ACMO asked her husband through their bond.
Not yet, my wife, though I feel certain that I will shortly. I will inform all of you when that occurs. In the meantime, we must confine our discussions regarding this subject to mind-melds. I have already explained why this is necessary for the safety of all concerned.
I understand, my love; I fervently hope we and Sarek can get all this mess straightened out and hopefully avoid any extended scandal or controversy.
As do I-but there are no guarantees. We can only hope for the best.
All were tired from the lengthy melds, but none more than Spock, so they all decided to retire for the night after the meeting broke up. The Captain and Doctor made their good-nights at the door, and Spock promised to see Kirk the following night for their regularly scheduled rendezvous in the Vulcan's old quarters adjoining Kirk's.
After that, the couple made their way to Uhura's quarters and met the latter getting ready to leave. She told them she had given the baby a bottle of kahlin, then changed her and sang her to sleep. She had been asleep for the past hour or so. Christine smiled and thanked her friend, then Uhura said, "May I know what you discussed at your meeting?"
"It's highly classified, Nyota, and Spock would have to meld with you in order to give it to you. But he's too tired to do that again tonight, since he's already done it with me, Leonard and the Captain."
"Yes, I can see that," the Bantu returned quietly so Spock was unlikely to overhear. "Let me know when he's ready to let the rest of us in on the big secret."
"Will do. Thanks again for taking care of T'Lehn."
"It was a privilege," Uhura returned with a smile as she returned the baby to her mother. "See you later, Chris."
"You too, Ny. Good night."
"Good night." After Uhura disappeared back into her quarters, Christine and Spock returned to their own, entering the bedroom they now shared on a fairly regular basis and she changed into her nightgown. By the time she got to bed, he was in a deep sleep-trance. She slipped in carefully beside him after getting the baby settled, careful not to disturb him, just as carefully kissing him good night and wrapping herself around him to help keep him warm before falling asleep herself. She smiled as she felt his arms automatically go around her and both settled into slumber for the rest of the night.

Part 34

It wasn't until the following afternoon that Sarek contacted Spock again. Both Spock and his closest friends were on hand when the call came in, all of them gathered around the viewer on the desk he and Christine shared. When they saw the Vulcan IDIC, followed by the UFP symbol, they knew the incoming message was coming from both the Vulcan Ambassador and UFP Headquarters. All looked at each other, their excitement showing visibly...although Spock's was shown only by a raised eyebrow.
"It is from my father. He is calling from Federation Headquarters," Spock informed the others. "No doubt he has spoken with Admirals Komack and Nogura, as well as the Federation President. They may even all be in the President's office. It will be logical to find out what he has to say, what they decided."
He met the eyes of all present, reading the same curiosity in them that he felt himself, but was strictly controlling. Finally, he reached out and opened the comm channel. In the next moment, he heard his father's voice.
"Ah, my son. There you are. I have some good news for you. I have just concluded by conference with the President and together, we have spoken with Admirals Komack and Nogura."
Spock allowed himself a half-smile. "You said you had some good news, Father. What has happened?"
Sarek also allowed himself a half-smile. "More accurately, it is what will not happen. At least not half of what you expected."
"Please elucidate," Spock returned, his tone slightly impatient.
"The President has informed me of what he discussed with T'Lar. They, along with Admirals Komack and Nogura, have decided to work together to help us."
"You told them why?" the younger Vulcan inquired, half-fearfully and half-hopefully.
"I did," Sarek assured his son.
"You also showed them the ship's records?"
"Indeed," came the calm reply. "They even arranged to have any mention of you eliminated from the FNN article due out in three solar days-an exposé on those in similar situations to yours."
"There's an article mentioning us?" Kirk put in apprehensively.
"Not by name...but due to our combined influence, the journalist who wrote that article has been 'persuaded' to eliminate any reference to you from it."
There was a long, awkward silence among all present, as if they were taking it all in before reacting--or in shock. It was obvious that none of them had been aware of the planned article.
"That is good to hear," Spock finally said, his voice almost too quiet for anyone to hear. "Although we are not aware of any article having been written."
"The President tells me that it has been in the planning stages for some time, but its final form will not include any information about the two of you or any of those close to you. However..." Sarek's voice trailed off ominously.
"However?" Spock returned, an equally ominous yet questioning note to his voice.
"We were unable to prevent the Tellarite Ambassador or the President of Tiburon from going on FNN to make a public declaration against you, calling for your resignation from both Starfleet and the Enterprise, followed by a public admission of your-secret life-style." The Federation President's voice was full of sadness and regret.
"Then it seems that I have no choice but to carry out my threat," Kirk returned with a mixture of regret and determination. He reached to open the intercom and spoke into it. "Uhura, download the contents of my personal files to the offices of the Federation News Network. Tell them to publish the contents immediately...and name names!...after the release of the article by Jean-Richard Pearlmann, noted FNN journalist. But keep my name out of it."
"Yes, sir," she returned crisply.
The others looked at him, horrified, as he broke the connection. Jim! No! he heard in his mind, Spock's mental shout of horror and astonishment nearly knocking him out of his chair. McCoy and Christine's verbal exclamations hit him just as hard, if only figuratively.
Kirk's eyes held a hard, steely glint. "I told you I wasn't going to take such self-righteous hypocrisy lying down," he declared.
"Your action was most illogical, Captain," Sarek admonished. "It could have grave consequences for you and your associates."
"Indeed," the President concurred. "This could escalate into all-out war-and not just a war of words."
"We may not be able to help you any more, either," Nogura affirmed somberly.
"I'll take that chance," the Enterprise Captain returned coolly. They're not going to get away with this!"

**********

And they didn't, either. Kirk's own knowledge, once public record, prompted the aforementioned individuals to quickly retract their previous statements and thus served as a warning to others of their ilk who might be tempted to do the same. And far from hurting those most concerned on the Enterprise, it made them sympathetic figures-almost martyrs-particularly in the eyes of their Starfleet peers and fellow Federation citizens...to the immense relief of the Enterprise crew. Ruzikoff and company weren't so easily deterred, however, continuing to persist in their obsessive pursuit of Kirk and Spock's resignation from the Enterprise and Starfleet. This prompted Kirk to authorize the release of the damning information on Ruzikoff himself and his cohorts to the press.
He and the others also planned to give detailed testimony as to the alleged occurrences and the reasoning behind them. Kirk truly regretted the necessity of what he had had to do, but saw no other way to stop them or protect his friends and loved ones. He even had the three in question put under house arrest until authorities arrived to initiate court-martial proceedings; they were confined to their quarters under 24-hour guard. One would have thought they were in enough trouble as it was without adding to it, but Kirk and company could only surmise that they must have figured they had nothing left to lose to so single-mindedly pursue a hopeless cause.
They didn't hate them; instead, they felt sorry for them-but had to think of their loved ones' safety as well as their own. All who knew them...Peter Kirk, Christine and Spock's parents and Joanna McCoy...rallied around them in a heart-warming show of support to help protect them-though they themselves also took steps to ensure their safety, if Spock and the others hadn't already.


Part 35

However, the day before the authorities were to arrive, Ruzikoff compounded the problem even further. He was in Sickbay for a final physical, having already planned to confront Spock once and for all while there, since the Vulcan was also scheduled for a physical at nearly the same time. He had a hypo of some solution he had invented while on Vulcan which was lethal to all Vulcanoids but harmless to Humans and Humanoids, derived from the virus which caused the Vulcan blood disease, choriocytosis. This solution accelerated the process a hundredfold, rendering the victim dead in a matter of seconds rather than three days.
Christine and McCoy were looking after the two of them, the ACMO taking a protective stance near her husband, not intending to leave him alone with his adversary for a moment if she could help it.
However, as fate would have it, she and McCoy were the only medical personnel available to help patch up some wounded men in Engineering, Scotty included, who had suffered a badly sprained right wrist and a gash on his forehead which would require minor surgery to close as a result of an explosion of one of the antimatter pods, which had sprung a leak. (They had managed to contain the explosion to a limited area, but it would also be necessary for them to be treated for second-degree radiation burns on their hands and faces.)
Ruzikoff saw his chance when he and the First Officer were left alone in the Examination Room. He didn't speak to Spock until he stood over him, hypo in hand and a deadly look on his face. "You have no idea how long I've dreamed of this moment, Vulcan s'vith. You don't have your protectors to hide behind now." His voice fairly dripped hatred and venom.
Spock's eyes flew open when he sensed his antagonist's presence, widening as he spotted the hypo in the other's hand. "I need no 'protectors'. I can look after myself," he returned with customary dignity, choosing to ignore the Vulcan invective Ruzikoff had thrown at him, the equivalent of the Terran epithets "queer" or "faggot". "In addition, it is illogical for you to worsen your already precarious situation by threatening my life."
Ruzikoff's stance never wavered. ""I have nothing left to lose, so I'll consider it worth the sacrifice to take the likes of you with me. A pity that your Human paramour isn't here to see this. I'd love to see the look on his face as he is forced to watch you die, gasping for air, unable to breathe. This solution will accomplish that in thirty seconds once injected into your body. I have also designed it so that it will be unaffected by the Human elements in your physiology."
"May I remind you that Dr. McCoy and my wife are due to return at any moment?" the Vulcan coolly informed him.
"I only need a moment to kill you, Vulcan," Ruzikoff shot back. "And even if they were here, they couldn't possibly stop me in time."
At this point, no one knew that a suspicious Kirk had just entered Sickbay, phaser at the ready, having fully expected Ruzikoff to make an attempt on Spock's life at some point and prepared for it. He had been aware of Spock's appointment today, so he remained quiet but watched and listened for his chance as the other two talked.
During this time, McCoy and Christine returned with Scott and two of his crew who needed medical attention in tow. They were horrified to see the spectacle before them, but Kirk made them leave it to him. He owed Spock a dozen times over as it was, so he wanted to be the one to stop Ruzikoff's blatant assassination attempt. Neither of the antagonists saw Kirk as he stepped into the room, giving him ample opportunity to get a clear shot at Spock's would-be assailant.
"You don't deserve to live, much less have your high place in Starfleet. You and Kirk should be dragged through the mud like the filthy perverts you really are."
Spock was sitting up by this time, wearing a look as deadly as the one on Ruzikoff's face. "As I told you, Doctor, my own life means little to me if I am able to spare those of the persons closest to me."
"Since the lives of your lover, friends, wife and child obviously mean a great deal, you should have the decency to resign-if only for their sake-and spare them a lot of pain and embarrassment."
"That is not something which will be decided by such as you," Spock retorted frigidly. "And you have no right to judge me after what you have done."
"Then you leave me no choice," came the emotionless reply, and the demented doctor raised the hypo to Spock's arm, even managing to get it within shooting distance when Kirk called out.
"Ruzikoff! Freeze!"
Kirk's phaser blast dispatched the assailant nicely before he could react; all watched as he crumpled to the deck like a paper doll. McCoy and Christine then rushed to Spock's side, the latter reaching him first and throwing her arms around her husband to hug and kiss him fiercely.
"Oh, my love, thank God you're all right!"
The Chief Surgeon then bent down to take the hypo of deadly solution from Ruzikoff's limp hand as Spock deftly extricated himself from his wife's arms and Kirk stepped up to the other side of the bed. "Are you all right, Spock?" Kirk inquired anxiously.
"Yes, Jim. You stopped him in time." The Vulcan could not avoid a smidgen of relief as he said it, fully expecting to be lectured by Jim, Christine and McCoy in the not-too-distant future, knowing he deserved it for risking his life so casually, even if it was to protect them...and would thus meekly submit to it.
"I was so afraid I wouldn't," the Captain declared as McCoy got to his feet and joined them.
"Dammit, one of us should have been here," the CMO groused. "Can also imagine what the authorities are going to say about this. Probably throw away the key-and not just have a book, but the whole library thrown at them!"
"I hope so," Christine declared, unobtrusively holding Spock's right hand as Kirk held the other. "They deserve everything they get!"
"Oh, they will," Kirk assured her. "When I get through with them, they'll never be able to hold up their heads again!"

**********

The rest of the Bridge crew's reaction was predictable; they were every bit as pleased as those most closely involved when they learned of the successful apprehension of Spock and Kirk's adversary and the latter's intervention which had saved Spock's life in the initial homicide attempt. Most of the ones who weren't at least had the decency to keep their mouths shut and go on with their lives; the friends of Kirk, Spock and company even held a party to celebrate their moral and emotional victory.
Also, once Nogura and Komack learned of what Ruzikoff had tried to do, it didn't take long before both he and his accomplices were transferred off the ship to a penal colony in a far sector of the Galaxy and given assumed names...as well as a memory-wipe to make them forget that they had ever been on the Enterprise or, for that matter, that they'd ever met Kirk, Spock or anyone else on the ship.
Of course, considering how many troublemakers and malcontents there still were in the Federation alone--much less anywhere else-it took several months to resolve matters to everyone's satisfaction. It wasn't easy for them to endure, but they made it through with each other's help. Most of all, Spock and Christine were thankful that things had settled down...not simply for their own sake, but for the sake of their precious baby daughter. Now that the "gay rumor" business was pretty much behind them, they could concentrate on more important matters, like living their lives and raising their child-and most important of all, loving each other, no matter who thought it was wrong...for now and as long as they all lived.

The End