“Oh no of course not. Nero and some friends were there when the explosion happened, to take care of the survivors. Better said, we needed them as hostages so we could be sure to get everyone”

“You tried to get Spock and his father there, right?”

“Yes. We made a deal. For each hour in which they wouldn’t show up, we’d kill one of the survivors, saving the best for last. But heartless as they were, they didn’t show up of course. So poor Amanda had to bite the bullet”

“That’s hardly a secret for him”

“Oh he didn’t know that I had the honor” the look on Spock’s face changed slightly. He looked also hurt now and you didn’t know what to do “You can’t imagine what a feeling it was to see the life leaving her eyes, while telling her that her family didn’t even love her”

“Why did he let you live then?”

“As I said, he didn’t know what I did and that I even was there. We met briefly during their act of revenge but he believed that I had nothing to do with it and spared me. A fact you’re now probably reproaching yourself for, right? But don’t worry, in a few hours you’ll finally see her again. And as I know Medusa, you’ll also soon be reunited with your wife. Though I should thank you, Spock. After the act against your family, I was the only survivor and celebrated. How else did you think I became Medusa’s closest friend and aid?”

“I thought you’re his bodyguard”

“Not quite. That are the other two. Better said were. I bet they still were in the car when he had to blow it up”

“I wish you’d have been there too” you growled

“And I thought you were against violence?” you swallowed when you saw how Medusa was back on his feet, wiping blood of his face. You had completely forgotten about him “Good work, Seth” Camillo walked around Spock, glaring down at him “While I’ve waited for this day forever, I still am disappointed that not I got you to your knees” he punched him in the face.

“Don’t hurt him” you screamed, making Camillo laugh

“Do you hear this?” at least he now came over to you, lifting your chin to look at you “Just look at how sweet you are” your head snapped forward and rammed it against his own. Instantly, Seth punished you by ramming his weapon against your temple. Medusa grabbed your face again and pressed your head back “You will regret this” the back of his fingers stroked your cheek “Now back to the actual matter. You lied to me. There is no Bettsy, am I right?”

“So what?”

“You don’t know what I do to liars… on the other hand you can’t because no one who did is able to tell you”

“You have what you wanted” Spock interrupted “Let her go and leave her alone”

“And what do I get from it? I have to let out my anger somehow”

“Then let it out on me, not her”

“I’ve got a better idea” there was a knife against your throat and Seth let go of you, going over to Spock and threatening him with the weapon instead. “I may let her live but first you watch” when he ripped your shirt open you knew what he had in mind. Once again he dragged you to the wall and pressed you against it. With one hand he held the knife against his throat while he opened and pushed down his trousers. You weren’t trying to defend yourself yet because you were sure you only had one chance.

“No! Let her go, I beg you” you heard Spock and if you were honest, this was the worst, to see him so desperate.

“You beg me? What do you have to offer except for your life, which is mine already?” he turned back to you “Tell me, Spock, how does it feel to be helpless like this? To not being able being with the one you love? Unable to save her?” you weren’t sure if Spock heard him because he growled the words against your skin. He was getting to work on your skirt again and that was when you found the time for your escape attempt was right. Taking a deep breath you punched him right in the crotch area, digging your finger nails into the bulge in his underpants. At the same time, you also tried to move the hand that held the knife away from your neck and you went to your knees, trying to tackle his legs and bring him to the ground. It didn’t work but at least he let go of you, so you quickly crawled away from him and got up to hit him again before you’d go and help Spock. But you were greeted with a fist to the face and stumbled back. When he came closer, you swung your fists at him and tried to kick him somewhere. When you heard a gunshot, you stilled

“No” you whispered but the next moment you saw how Spock yanked Medusa away from you and soon they were in a fight. Your glance fell to Seth who was getting up and picked up his gun.

“Run” Spock shouted but you shook your head, knowing he wouldn’t have a chance against the two of them. Besides, it wasn’t even said you’d be able to leave and you doubted that after what happened Medusa would let you live. So you tried to lunge at his minion and get the gun away from him. But before that, you bent down to pick up the gun Spock had to drop earlier. You couldn’t even get to him before Spock tackled the man himself and then came running towards you, obviously intending to run away with you. Then he looked back and a second later, he dropped the two of you to the ground, just before a gun shot was echoing through the place. Instead of getting back up again, your husband shifted until he was fully on top of you, put his arms to the sides of your face and pressed his forehead against yours

“What are you doing?” the question was useless, you knew he was trying to shield you. And of course you didn’t want it although it touched you that he was ready to do anything to save you. “Spock no” you protested, trying to get away from him but he only kissed you

“Run as soon as you get the chance”

“Because we can’t be running now, of course. Together”

“(Y/N), we are in the disadvantage. We do not even have a weapon”

“Oh right and that’s a toy, huh?” you pulled out his gun and showed it to him. While he took it, he kissed you again, more passionately. He tried to get up and shoot your enemy but before he could fire you heard another gunshot “No” you shrieked, pulling Spock down to you.

“Oh fuck is he dead?” Gaila!

“Damn, you shot him!” Eileen complained

“I didn’t think I’d actually hit him” steps were coming closer

“Are we interrupting something?” Helen asked before she helped Spock up

“Are you guys hurt?” Mary wanted to know when you both were standing again

“A bit, I guess. Have been worse” you admitted with a shrug. Eileen, Gaila and Theresa were with Medusa and stared down at him. Your eyes searched for Seth who was slowly sitting up and then tried to run away. Spock let go of your arm and went after him but you did so too “Stop” you shouted “Please. He’s fleeing. It’s of no use. I don’t want you to get hurt. We’ve got his boss, I’m sure we can blackmail him wit-… ah fucking shit” one of your heels had broken off and you lost balance and fell to your knees. At least Spock stopped and came back to you, kneeling down in front of you, cupping your face

“Are you hurt? Has he cut you?” he examined your neck and the top of your chest

“He didn’t cut me and I’m not really hurt. Just my knees and palms from falling now” you calmed him he gave a nod and then his lips were on yours. He kissed you as if there was no tomorrow and you responded just as eagerly. “What about you? Are you hurt? They shot you”

“They missed” he assured you, pushing hair out of your face “I am sorry for what happened”

“Don’t. We’re safe now” you pecked his lips again “I knew you’d come and save me”

“Perhaps if I had been here faster after the explosion we would…” you cut him off with a kiss

“It happened but nothing bad happened. Let’s take care of Camillo” you put a hand on his upper arm and tried to get him up. When he stood you realized the blood on your hands and looked back at his arm where you had touched him. There was a cut in his sleeve and a bleeding wound underneath it

“He cut me. Medusa”

“I’ll have a look”

“(Y/N)”

“Don’t say anything. I treated cuts before. And I should check up all of you, to make sure you’re not keeping an injury secret” he raised an eyebrow as you tried to pull him inside. Theresa came to you and cupped your face

“Oh (Y/N). Are you injured?”

“No, I’m fine. But he’s got a cut on his arm… thank you”

“For what?”

“Coming out”

“Of course. We heard gunshots and just had to look even though he told us not to”

“Who told you?”

“Spock of course”

“You told them you’d be here and fight?”

“I had to warn them about the explosion and make sure they did not come out and get themselves into danger”

“Wasn’t easy to keep the girls inside. They knew (Y/N) was here. Oh, I’m so relieved you’re both fine” she hugged you then let go of you “Let’s get you inside” she helped you lead Spock to the entrance and looked to the girls “Come”

“What about him?” Gaila pointed at the Romulano underboss. Spock let go of you and walked over to him, checking his pulse at his neck

“He is alive. We should get him away from here”

“We call the Azienda?”

“I will. Take him inside and tie him up for a start”

“Spock” you shouted, tugging on his arm “If Seth tells the Romulanos what happened here they’ll come here. The girls are in danger! We have to do something!”

“Do not worry, we will get them into safety” he promised.

“I hope so” you muttered, while he went inside himself. In the main room, you pulled him towards one of the couches and tried to get off his shirt and also his trousers, sending away two of the little ones that tried to climb onto the couch and help or hug you

“I wish you would be ripping off my clothes for another reason”

“You are disgusting! I thought such jokes were not your style”

“I had to” he grinned and you shook your head

“Lie down”

“I can sit”

“Fine but only because it’s better to work on your arm” you agreed, sitting down beside him and looking at the wound. It looked more harmless than you had thought “I guess disinfecting and wound tape is enough. Do you have any other injuries?” you glared at him “And you’d better be honest or I’ll undress you completely to have a look at your whole body”

“If you want to know it that precisely, I got a few hits to my face, chest and kicks to my thigh and left shin. You have already seen the cut”

“Why thank you” you said with a courtesy and Mary was beside you with the med kit “Thanks” you took out what you needed and began to tend his wound. “What do you think will happen now?” you asked as you wrapped a bandage around it, of course not necessary but you had to do it to distract yourself.

“I cannot say. I must inform the Azienda about the events”

“You mean they didn’t know?”

“No” he admitted after a few seconds of silence

“Will you be in trouble? You know, for starting an act of revenge?”

I cannot say this either but I hope not”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Have your injuries treated”

“That’s not help”

“It would help me relax, knowing you are truly unharmed and taken care of”

“Sometimes I wonder why people are even scared of you… though after what I’ve seen today it’s no wonder” you whispered the last part, finishing the bandage and fixing it. Eileen came over with two mugs and handed each of you one

“Some tea. Not very hot but the whiskey will be warming you up. Thought you could need some”

“Thanks” you said, taking a sip, while your friend chuckled

“Every other customer would be thrown out for being shirtless in here. Please remember the rule ‘no sex in here’ before you get any weird thoughts”

“Oh God”

-

Not even one hour later some members of the Azienda were here and took care of Medusa while others evacuated the girls and promised to bring them to a safe place. Someone drove you home because Spock was needed somewhere else first. You only hoped he wasn’t in trouble. Your worries about him only took a back seat when your phone rang.

“(Y/N)?” it was Spock, sounding very distressed

“Yes? Is something wrong?”

“I… have you noticed anything odd on the right side of your neck?”

“Huh?” you felt the side and even got up to have a look in the mirror “No, of course not, why?”

“It is Medusa… he just told me that Seth has activated the tiny bomb in your neck”

“He did what?” you shook your head when it sunk in “No”

“It has always been their plan B in case something happened to Medusa. They are using you as leverage”

“That he’d stop the explosion if you let Medusa go?”

“Precisely”

“A-and now?”

“I am on my way home and will try to defuse it”

“How-how long do you think I’ll have?”

“23 minutes, 39 seconds according to the countdown on the trigger phone”

“When will you be home?”

“Seven minutes” he promised

“Is there something I can do?”

“Go to my office and switch on my computer. There also is a key in the bottom drawer. A key for the storage room” he explained you what he wanted you to take from there.

“Okay. And else?”

“Hold on, please” he begged

“Of course. I mean… I’m not in pain or something”

“I will be with you as soon as I can”

“I know that, love” you chuckled

“Please know that I love you”

“And I love you” he said goodbye and you did the things he asked you to before you stayed in his office, suddenly feeling nervous. A few minutes later, the front door was ripped open and Spock rushed to his office. He didn’t even take off his coat as he opened the box you had brought from the storage room. It was a weird looking device which he switched on and then placed a phone next to it. You threw a glance at the mini-screen. There was indeed a countdown that was now at 14 minutes and 46 seconds. You noticed that his hands were trembling a little and you started to feel sorry. A part of you also felt bad that he seemed so stressed about it while you weren’t as nervous as you probably should be. Then he jumped up, grabbing the phone and went to a cabinet at the wall, rummaging it for a while before returning with a cable. He used it to connect the phone to the device “That’s a defusing device, right?”

“Some kind of. Please let me focus” his voice sounded teary and you swallowed. You squeezed his arm and let him work. At first you watched him curiously but as the countdown neared ten minutes, you suddenly sank down and leaned your head against the side of his desk with a sigh. After a while, Spock took out a phone and seemed to call someone from the Azienda who still was with Medusa, asking them if they could get any information out of the Romulano “I do not know what I need. Just something. Anything” he was silent while the other person talked “No, it does not” he now actually was crying and you got up, wrapping your arms around him. “I don’t have five minutes! Eight minutes are all we got left. And if you cannot give me a solution until then I will make you see how long eight minutes can be!”

“Spock!” you hissed “It’s not his fault” you pressed your lips to his “Please…” he tossed the phone across the room and looked completely lost. You took hold of his shoulders “Take a deep breath. Take several. Then think. What else can we do?” he took the breaths as instructed then shook his head

“Nothing. This was your only chance and it does not work. They must have known I would try to defuse it. I cannot”

“Spock” you cupped his face and sat down in his lap, stroking his face “It’s not your fault”

“It does not change the fact that you will die”

“No chance to just cut it out of my body?”

“Too dangerous”

“In eight minutes it doesn’t matter”

“Seven” he muttered. You shook your head and took a deep breath, burying your face in the crook of his neck “I am sorry that I failed you”

“Don’t think like this. As I said, it’s not your fault. I know you did everything you could” you swallowed “Just promise me something”

“Anything” you looked up, stroking his cheeks with your thumbs “Jim’s told me that you became so different in a positive sense ever since I moved in with you. Try-try to stay that way, okay?”

“(Y/N)… Please, do not speak like you are going to…”

“And what else should I do? I only have seven or six minutes left and I want to say goodbye” you kissed him again, leaning your forehead against his “I’m sorry we only got so little time together”

“It is my fault. I should have never agreed to let you take part in this mission”

“It was Jim’s and mine decision” you pecked his cheek. He wrapped his arms around you and pulled you closer, burying his face against your shoulder

“I do not want to be without you”

“Oh Spock…” you ran a hand through his hair, not sure what to do because you never had to comfort him like this. “I’ll give your mother your love, okay?”

“(Y/N)…”

“It’s okay Spock. I mean… not okay but… I accepted it. It’s best if you do it too”

“It should have been me”

“Shh” you pulled him closer. Suddenly a snort left your nose “It sounds really macabre but at least I won’t get a cold now. I guess being in the cold so long in San José wasn’t good”

“A cold does not come after being in the cold for long but rather from viral infections”

“I didn’t know that”

“It is a common misconception”

“I mean I did know it can be spread with a virus, that’s why almost everyone got sick when one of us was sick and the boys and Theresa tried everything to make sure to isolate the sick as early as possible that it would not spread” he looked up and glanced at you

“Right”

“I just hope I’m not going to make you sick” you admitted and he shook his head “Oh, are you vaccinated or something? Or immune?” he got up and put you on the ground, ripping open the top drawer of his desk and taking out a box, emptying the contents onto the table. It were some USB flash drives, he spread them out a bit, then took some time to choose one before wiping the others to the side. He got up and left, returning with his private laptop a short time after, placing it on the table and switching it on. He ripped the cable away from the phone and put it next to the laptop

“Processing updates?” he yelled at the loading screen and stared at it angrily. “Not now! Anytime but now!” he slammed the top shut and tossed it over the desk where it landed on the floor with a thump. Cursing under his breath, he left the room again and this time you followed him. He went to the storage room again and took a big pair of pliers.