Marlena ran blindly, not caring what the crew would think, not thinking herself. Her heart thundered inside her with Jim’s words. Love?! What does that Imperial warrior know of love? All the months, going along, not forcing himself... why didn’t I see it? It was foolish for him to - as foolish as I was so long ago in beginning any of this! And I, too, did it out of love. Jim, by the gods, Jim, what have I done? Changed you, but it’s too late! I no longer want even a gentle Jim Kirk.
She threw herself into an open doorway, pressing the switch to close and lock the door in a sobbing panic. She collapsed against the bulkhead, fighting her tears.
“Marlena?” Her eyes flew open as Sulu’s voice said her name. He stood staring intently at her, a statboard in his hands. They were in the cabin being prepared for the Don.
She gasped, trying to think of some explanation - and failed as Sulu took a step toward her.
“What did Kirk do?” he asked dryly.
Her words came out in a rush, terrified and hopeless and hateful. “He loves me, I’ve won, I changed him, he loves me!”
Sulu was grinning. “Didn’t you know?” he asked. She groaned, sinking despairingly to her knees. “But it’s too late for him, isn’t it, Marlena?” Sulu went on. “You get it elsewhere. He’ll want an explanation. Can you tell him? Or Spock?”
Marlena looked up, unable to do more than whisper. She was feeding Sulu, she knew it. The last time he’d kissed her, she had been so close to surrender... but she couldn’t afford to care now. He was her only hope. She couldn’t tell Spock. How could she tell Jim? And who else understood love?
“Please, Sulu,” she said. “Help me.”
Sulu broke into a genuine smile. It was the second triumph in one day and was so sweet, it momentarily overwhelmed him. The moment Marlena has burst through the door he could sense it, the joy building each second, each word. He had played her right for months, and if he wanted to take her now, she’d be his. His thoughts moved quickly. Take her mind, give back to Spock what Spock gave me? But it would be too fast, too brief. Spock would recover from that. Let Jim destroy them both? If I don’t get her out of this, he’ll certainly find out their secret. But that, too, would be too fast, and Spock deserves my personal touch.
How much does Marlena deserve?
You talk of love, dear, and of trust. Do you really know what those words mean? Do you really want to? Or are you only interested in a Federation ideal?
Let’s find out, shall we?
Then, if you do learn, let’s see how Spock takes that.
He gently grasped Marlena’s shoulders, pulling her up from her despairing position. “Of course, I’ll help you,” he told her, his voice genuinely soothing. “That’s our agreement now, isn’t it?” He leaned forward to kiss her lightly on the cheek. “I’m glad you trusted me enough to ask.” He almost laughed at the wary hope that came into Marlena’s eyes. He knew his own eyes were sparkling with delight, and he didn’t try to hide it. “I’ve got a few things to finish up here,” he said. “But I can meet you in my cabin or my office in about ten minutes.” He grinned again. “Give you a chance to order your thoughts. Then you can tell me what you think I need to know.”
“Your office,” Marlena nearly whispered.
Sulu nodded. “Ten minutes.”
After she was gone, Sulu laughed for nearly that long.
A simulation was running, one that would take several hours to complete. Commander Spock had suggested that the Indiian and the Antari take the opportunity to rest. The Indiian obeyed without a moment’s hesitation, leaving the laboratory. The Antari asked Spock if he would be ‘home’ soon. Courtland caught her fleeting smile when the commander answered in the negative, but she left the lab without another word. He checked the simulation, nodding to Spock as the Vulcan did the same, then left to check on the Don before seeing to the quarters the hawk was arranging.
To his surprise, the Antari was waiting in the corridor.
“Consigliore," she said quietly, “Will you take me to the Don?”
“Weren’t you told to rest?” he asked brusquely. She did not lower her eyes as most women did when he addressed them, nor did she give an obvious seductive glance to his spiraling horn; nor, yet again, did she respond with the either the superior disdain or the rejecting disgust of humanoid females to a male who was different and therefore inherently inferior. She simply looked at him, guileless.
“I won’t rest until I see him.”
Courtland stared at her. There was pain in her huge, purple eyes, and a longing that was so great, it threatened to pull him into it. He could see easily that she was telling him nothing short of the truth. Unless she saw the Don, she would be unable to rest. The thunderbolt had hit her as strongly as it had Del.
He suppressed a smile. “Certainly, Miss Valley,” he said. “If you will come with me?” It is my job, after all, to arrange for audiences with the Don, he thought. Particularly when I know Del needs to see you as much as you need to see him. And no fault of mine if the hawk cannot control his pet.
And none if, by this, my Don gains an upper hand in dealing with Kirk.
He was half awake, and dreaming. Footsteps echoed along the walls of Tarkus, mingling with the soft pad of slippered feet in the halls of the palazzo, and the stride of boots across the floor of the Great Hall of the Imperial Palace. Sulu’s voice cried out his name, but blood was in his throat and he couldn’t answer. The body of a young man he didn’t recognize lay on the floor in a spreading pool of silver, and Sulu’s eyes looked up at him, pleading. Golden magic surrounded him and Sulu was screeching, no hawk’s triumph, but pure, animal agony. He looked up and saw Geoffrey’s horrified face, no longer a boy, but a young man, as young as he himself had been when Sulu called him ‘princeling.’ Then again, Sulu’s eyes were meeting his, and one word thundered silently between them: Ducé.
“Don?”
Jerel’s voice brought him fully awake and the dream faded from memory with the scent of living gold.
“Star,” he whispered.
Suddenly warm, yielding lips were on his, drawing his breath into a welcoming mouth, breathing passionately into his. He embraced the figure that was already crawling up onto the Sickbay bed, the feel of her skin and hair like the finest silk. Her soul pushed insistently at his, wanting, needing to touch and merge. He opened to her like a flower and felt her essence claiming him, even as his claimed hers. In an instant, he knew all she was, and knew that she, too, knew all of him. A flash of heat spread into his side, healing the damage the blade had inflicted, removing all residual pain and weakness. His name was a silent litany of hunger from her mind, and he enveloped and fed her and was fed by her. Bedclothes, uniform were pulled aside. She straddled him there on the sickbay bed, driving down on him in ecstatic abandon. He rose to meet her, their bodies moving together in perfect union. The coupling was brief but intense beyond imagining, and when they climaxed together, Del knew it was more than completion. He was, they were one.
Then he again heard Jerel Courtland’s voice, this time a sardonic chuckle. “Miss Valley wanted to see you.” Del felt Ruth’s flush as she climbed off of him and off of the bed. She stood, rearranging her clothing, but her eyes smiled at him. Del, too, arranged the blankets of the bed.
“So she did, Jerel,” he said. He swung his legs over the side. “Can you get me some clothing?” he asked.
Jerel cocked his head to one side. “Do you think it’s wise to get up so soon, Don?”
“I feel fine,” Del returned.
“I feel hungry,” Ruth put in. Del smiled at her.
“I’ll just bet you do,” he said. She laughed.
“Don,” Jerel put in cautiously, “begging your pardon, but...”
“I’ll explain it all later, Jerel,” Del promised. “For now, get me clothes and tell Sulu I need to talk to him. Immediately.”
Ruth gasped, and Del turned to her. “It needs to be done, and right away. He can’t find this out from anyone or anywhere but me.” He let his eyes meet hers, drinking deeply of them, letting her do the same. I will allow no harm to come to you, not even from my hawk, he assured her.
I know, her thoughts replied. I just don’t want to hurt him.
That can’t be helped now. All we can do it make it bearable.
How can I love you both? Her mind’s tone was a sob of misery. He sent her gentle comfort and amused agreement.
How can I?
“Don?” Jerel asked with wary confusion.
“Later, Consigliore,” Del repeated. “Clothes, and Sulu.”
Sulu had almost reached his office and Marlena when the pain hit him. Only his own strict self-discipline kept him from doubling over. For a moment, he was unable to breathe, and when his breath caught, it was ragged and burning. Paget’s voice was soft in his ear.
“Boss, you okay?”
He shook his head. “Moreau,” was all he could manage, but he felt Paget’s nod and waited in the corridor while Jeremy explained to Marlena that something had come up and that Sulu would see her later. He didn’t acknowledge her wary glance at him as she left his office. Once inside himself, he gasped, fighting the pounding in his chest. He felt Jeremy pulling him down to the deck.
“Lay down or you’re gonna fall down,” Paget said tersely. “You need M’Benga?”
“No!” Sulu rasped., then took another ragged breath. “Ruth,” he said hoarsely. “Find her.”
Again he felt Jeremy nod. He stayed on the deck, forcing himself to breathe through the pain. He heard Spock’s voice informing Jeremy that Ruth had been sent to her cabin, heard Paget’s superbly non-committal acknowledgment. Then, before Paget could patch through to Spock’s quarters, the com signaled. Jeremy glanced at him, and he nodded.
“Security, Paget,” Jeremy responded.
“Don DelMonde requests Commander Takeda’s immediate presence in the Sickbay,” Courtland’s voice said.
Not Ruth? Sulu thought with sudden panic. Del? Del!
“The Commander is indisposed at the moment...” Paget began.
“No!” Sulu burst out. “Get me there. Now!”
“Commander Takeda will be there directly. Paget out.”
Sulu was struggling to his feet as Jeremy crossed the room. “You gonna make it, Boss?” he asked, his voice still soft with concern.
“Have to,” Sulu replied. He knew Jeremy didn’t understand, but couldn’t take the time or energy to explain. He had to use all his strength to make it to Sickbay without letting anyone else know he was dying.
Jilla collapsed on Sulu’s bed, his need keening through her being, the pain almost unbearable. She cried out, clutching at the bed covering, her voice catching in desperate sobs. Ruth was with Don DelMonde. Sulu was in agony. If she allowed it, her tia could lead her to him, no matter where on the ship he was. Her thoughts raced. Do I dare? Can my presence help him? Perhaps I can at least give him an excuse for the violence that will overtake him once this searing agony has passed. He will need that, will he not, for if he were to rage at his beloved Don, he would never be able to forgive himself. And if he raged at Ruth... will the Don ever forgive him?
Taking deep breaths to control the fire within her, Jilla forced herself to focus on the pain, and follow it to Sulu.
She didn’t even think to question how it was that she knew.
Spock closed the com thoughtfully. Why was it that Paget was looking for Ruth? At Sulu’s request, certainly. But why didn’t the Security Chief call for her himself? Abruptly, he signaled his cabin. There was no response. A frown crossed his features. Ruth was supposed to obey him as a proper First Officer’s Woman except with regards to Sulu. But Sulu had obviously given her no orders. Who else would? Kirk? Would Ruth still obey the Captain? She had asked if she were to be ‘discreetly available’ to him. Was that it, then? Had Kirk stupidly assumed he did not need Sulu’s permission to enjoy her physical charms? And if that were so, could it be used as proof that someone so thickheaded was of no use to a revolution - and could, indeed, be a liability?
You are thinking Imperially, Spock chided himself.
Yes, came the grimly amused reply. And if it brings Marlena to me...
He made another quick check of the simulation, then headed for Sulu’s office.
Marlena didn’t know where to go after Paget had sent her from Sulu’s office. The thought of returning to her own cabin was unbearable. She didn’t know if she dared go to Spock’s. Ruth had said - how long ago now? - that she would move aside whenever Moreau wanted. But that didn’t make it a safe thing to do on Jim Kirk’s ship. The idea of waiting in Sulu’s quarters was a frightening one...
And probably exactly what he wants me to do. I picked his office, which is not where he wanted me, and so he arranged this little diversion to force me into his own scenario. She found new hopelessness overtaking her. And does that matter? If he can help you out of this, you’ll pay any price, and he knows it. Further, he knows Spock can’t do anything about it until he solves it, and once it is solved, Spock will have to be grateful to him. She sighed. You’re stuck, Marlena. Why fight it? The more you’re willing, the less he’ll have to pay back.
Steeling herself, she went to Sulu’s cabin. She had no doubt that she would be admitted, and so it didn't surprise her when the door opened immediately upon her reaching it. But Jilla’s appearance rushing out of the cabin did. She reached out, grasping the Indiian’s shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
Jilla blinked, then shuddered. “Sulu,” she whispered. “I have to go to Sulu.”
Abruptly, Sulu’s pale, pain-wracked face registered in Marlena’s thoughts. She had been thinking only of her own fear, her own precarious situation, and ascribing to Sulu his usual convoluted motivations. But he had been pale, and his eyes had been filled with pain...
“Do you know where he is?” she asked.
“I can find him,” Jilla returned, her voice catching.
“Let’s go,” Marlena said, and moved quickly with Jilla down the corridor.
Del was dressed and sitting in a chair when Sulu made his way into Sickbay. Courtland stood next to the chair, to his left. Ruth knelt at his side, on the right. Her hand was clasped tightly in his. She did not look up when he entered.
Sulu was aware of Jeremy’s quiet intake of breath behind him. All the pain in him made sudden, terrible sense, and that sense turned it into icy steel. Ruth was no longer his. Del, Del had taken her from him. He stared at his beloveds, took a ragged breath, and said, with utmost calm and control,
“You wanted to see me, Don DelMonde?”
The cold pierced Del’s heart. It was a crucial moment, he had risked all to possess his star, and now he had to finish it, for good or ill. He could feel Ruth’s grief and terror and was aware of Courtland’s readiness to defend him with his life. He hadn’t expected Paget to accompany his Chief, but that couldn’t be helped. He had to trust to Sulu’s skills to keep his bodyguard in line, regardless of what he witnessed here. There was only one thing to do. It was stupid, and possibly fatal, but it was also his only chance.
Gently, he released Ruth’s hand, allowing her to grasp his bicep instead. He sat forward and raised his arms, beckoning to Sulu.
“Come to me, hawk,” he said softly, adoringly. “Come to her. She loves you. I love you. Feed.”
The struggle, though brief, was intense, as intense as had been the moments on Tarkus when he had first offered his hawk this great a feast. Sulu’s pain and anger were nearly overwhelming, the bitterness a sharp fear within Del’s own heart. I did not intend to betray you, Del thought fiercely. I am helpless before this union of souls. I did what I did, as a man, as you taught me to be. I am more grateful than you know, both for the lesson and for this most perfect gift. Did you know she would be my soul when you found her, hawk? How, then, could I not take her to me? And will you, my shadow, not now come to me?
You take what is mine! Sulu’s soul raged at him. You take sustenance from me!
I take, yes, Del answered swiftly, but not from you. She is still here, she is still yours. And mine. Ours, beloved. Ours.
Yours, Ruth’s mind echoed softly.
Ours? The question was hesitant, uncertain.
Come to me, and I will prove it.
Sulu took a faltering step toward him. Del moved forward, off of the chair, dropping to his knees, arms still held open. It was all the gesture Sulu needed, for in the blink of an eye he had crossed Sickbay and was kneeling before DelMonde. His hands held tightly to either side of Del’s head, black eyes burning into those before him.
“And you,” Sulu whispered, “Are you ‘ours’ as well, Don?”
“We are equals,” was Del’s response.
The kiss was a surprise, but Del quickly adjusted and let his lips soften, allowing the oral embrace. His heart thundered in his chest, the feeling of a man’s mouth on his strange and somehow threatening. Sulu held the kiss, his tongue exploring with fierce sensuality. Del battled the apprehension and accepted it. He entwined his own tongue with Sulu’s, tentative where Sulu was aggressive, but not submissive. Sulu’s grip on his jaw and temple loosened, the kiss became more erotic, more compelling. Del felt himself responding, then slowly but firmly pulled away from the touch.
“Equals,” he repeated.
Sulu grinned at him, but his eyes smoldered. “As you say, Don,” he replied.
“Fascinating.”
Sulu was up on his feet, facing the door before the sound of the word faded. Spock stood in the doorway, one hand gripping one of Jilla’s arms, the other holding Marlena’s. Paget was turning, Courtland doing the same. They had obviously not heard the Vulcan’s approach, nor Jilla’s nor Marlena’s. Sulu shot one glance at Paget, noting with satisfaction that the TerAfrican paled.
“Jerel,” Del’s voice said from behind him, “You really should announce guests.”
“My apologies, Don,” Courtland returned. “I was otherwise occupied.”
Sulu caught Jilla’s eyes, telling her she had much to explain. She bowed her head, accepting the silent rebuke, but there were tears of joy in her eyes. Then he looked at Marlena. Did she realize, he wondered, that any help he might have been willing to give her had just skyrocketed in price? Or was this her solution: give Spock a hold over him to match Kirk’s hold on her?
And was Spock aware that vengeance was now all the more imperative? He had wanted to make the Vulcan’s restitution leisurely; exquisitely, deliciously so. But he would forego that pleasure when survival was at stake. Surely the Vulcan knew that.
“My apologies, Don, Commander,” Spock returned, and Sulu noted the edge of amusement in his tone. “I did not mean to intrude on such a private moment.”
“Private...?” Del rejoined, his voice the epitome of puzzlement. “I don’t...”
“He means the kiss, Don,” Sulu broke in smoothly, turning back to face DelMonde, who was, he noticed, reclining in the chair as though he had never left it.
“Ah, that.” Del smiled.
“Commander Spock has never been at Court,” Sulu continued. “Perhaps he needs an explanation.”
“I see.” Del straightened in his chair. “The kiss between a noble and his retainer signifies the deepest mutual trust, Commander Spock,” he said. “It is a pact sealed, a done deal, if you will. I saw no need to keep our association secret here.” He smiled again. “Though I trust you can understand why it was necessary up till now.”
“The Commander is aware of our association, Don,” Sulu told him, trusting in his carefully neutral tone to convey to the Don that there was a problem with this fact. The darkening of Del’s eyes, unnoticeable to anyone else, assured him Del did, indeed, comprehend.
“I see,” Spock acknowledged. There was still a glint in the dark, hooded eyes, and Sulu was aware that he had repeated the Don’s words and tone in precise mockery. He turned to face Sulu. “When Ruth did not obey my command to rest in her cabin, and with Mr. Paget’s inquiry as to her whereabouts, I was concerned that someone had waylaid her. Miss Costain was good enough to inform me that she was here.”
“She requested an audience with the Don, Commander,” Courtland interjected. “I saw no harm in the request, since she had completed her work for the time being.”
“I was looking for you, Sulu,” Marlena put in, “to discuss the quartermaster requests for the Don and the Duchessa. Jilla said she knew where you were. I only followed her.”
And do you think I’ll let you cover your undeniably pretty ass that easily? Sulu cocked his head quizzically. “I thought we had an appointment, Marlena,” he said. Spock’s eyes went satisfactorily dark. Marlena swallowed.
“Wasn’t it postponed due to the Don’s request?” she said, feigning the same confusion.
Sulu grinned. “True enough,” he replied, admiring her recovery.
“It is fortuitous that the Commander is here,” Del rejoined. “Mr. Spock, I have something I wish to discuss with you now that Sulu and I have had our meeting.”
“I’ll see to the quartermaster,” Marlena said, beginning to back from Sickbay.
“Stay, Marlena,” Sulu suggested. “We can have our discussion while Spock talks with the Don.” He ignored the hard look Spock gave him, enjoying his discomfort as much as he enjoyed Marlena’s.
“Shall I return to work, Sulu?” Jilla asked quietly.
Sulu’s manner became immediately cold and distant, though his voice was light. “My cabin, Jilla,” he said. “Jer will take you. Wait for me.”
“Yes, Sulu,” she answered in a whisper, at the same time as Jeremy’s, “Yes, sir.” Sulu became aware of Ruth’s eyes on him, trying to reach him.
She knew you were hurting, she wanted to help, don’t hurt her.
Don’t push me, honey. You’re still mine.
And Del’s, came the defiant answer.
Who is also mine. He turned his thoughts from her, but caught the inrush of fear, followed by anger. If she thought ‘bastard’ at him, he ignored it.
Spock took in all the various subtle and not-so-subtle interplays around him. There was more going on than any of the explanations provided. Marlena’s planned ‘meeting’ burned in him, but he could not afford to let personal situations take precedence over the Don. A sealed pact, indeed, he thought. I know how Sulu feels about you, DelMonde. If you do not... He pondered the thought for only a moment. It would be useful, but now was not the time to pursue that possibility.
“You have something to discuss with me, Don?” he said formally, after Costain and Paget had left Sickbay.
“Yes,” DelMonde replied. He sat up, his entire bearing changing, becoming hard and determined and forceful. “What I want is simple,” he said. “I am given to understand that Ruth is your woman in name only. She is mine in fact. You will acknowledge that fact and relinquish her to me.”
Spock’s eyebrow rose. “Will I indeed, Don?”
DelMonde smiled, but there was no pleasantness in his expression. “If you value your skin, yes.”
“Is the great Don DelMonde reduced to threats?” Spock queried mildly.
“The great Don DelMonde protects his own,” DelMonde returned, and his glance shifted to Sulu. Who grinned wolfishly. “My hawk will have you, Commander,” he continued, “unless some satisfactory amends can be arranged. Only I can make such arrangements with him. I trust you see the need for some incentive on my part.”
Spock kept his face expressionless, though he seethed inside. That he had himself acknowledged this very situation did nothing to assuage the feeling of being played. That it was being done in front of Marlena was only a greater humiliation. “I have other things to offer besides the attractions of an Antari bed-partner,” he said at last.
“I’m sure you do,” DelMonde returned. “And I will be more than happy to discuss them with you, once Ruth is installed in my cabin.”
Sulu’s eyes were burning holes into his being, and Spock realized there was more caution needed here than to simply appease DelMonde. It would still be a fool’s ploy to deal in Sulu’s goods. He took a slow, deep breath. “I have no objections to your proposal, Don,” he said, “but Miss Valley is not mine to either keep or relinquish.” Sulu’s chuckle stung in him like acid.
“Sulu and I have come to our own accord on this, have we not, my hawk?” DelMonde punctuated his words with a brief, but loving smile at Sulu.
“We have, Don,” Sulu acknowledged with a gracious bow.
“Then, Don, she is yours,” Spock rejoined.
“Spock, what about Jim?” Marlena broke in, her voice unsteady. Sulu laughed. Marlena eyed him uneasily, then returned her attention to Spock. “You can’t make such changes without...”
“Leave Captain Kirk to me,” DelMonde assured.
“Which segues nicely into our intended conversation, doesn’t it, Marlena?” Sulu put in.
Marlena went pale, and Spock’s emotions rose. If you have trapped her, Terran...
“What to do about Jim?” Sulu went on. “Let’s lay out all our cards, shall we?”
“Jerel, perhaps it would be best if you were to accompany Miss Valley to the Commander’s cabin,” DelMonde interjected. “She will need to gather her belongings.”
“Of course, Don,” Jerel returned. “If I am not needed?”
“I think the lovely Lieutenant would prefer this as private as possible,” the Don answered, with a charming smile at Marlena. She flushed, and again Spock had to repress his emotions.
“As you wish, Don,” Courtland said. Spock noted DelMonde’s brief but pointed glance at the Equian, and knew that the Consigliore would be given a full account later. Ruth rose from the position she had been in the whole time; kneeling at DelMonde’s side. He kissed her hand as she did so, and her smile was so loving, so genuine, that it momentarily took Spock’s breath away. He realized that if she had ever graced him with such a smile, he might have been more reluctant to give her up.
When Courtland had escorted her from Sickbay, DelMonde gestured to the other chairs in the room. “Sit,” he said. “We may as well be comfortable.”
Sulu took a seat, grateful for Del’s usual perfect perceptions. There was much detail they would need to discuss in private, but for now it was enough to know that Del knew Spock had somehow harmed his hawk, knew that Ruth was to be shared between them, knew that the situation with Marlena was of importance to the revolution - and to his hawk’s personal needs. There had been a bad moment, true, but that, too, would be discussed in private.
“Perhaps you would be so kind as to fill us in on any necessary background?” Del asked Marlena.
Marlena glanced at Spock before settling her gaze in a fierce glare at Sulu. “Our conversation was supposed to be private, Commander,” she said stiffly.
“And this is not a safe place for...” Spock began. Sulu simply looked at him. He quirked an eyebrow. “My mistake.”
“I have no secrets from the Don,” Sulu returned blithely. “Nor from Spock, do I, Commander?” he added with a silky smile at the Vulcan. Marlena continued to stare at him. At last, he sighed dramatically. “The problem is, what to do about Jim Kirk.”
“You said all cards on the table, Sulu,” Spock reminded.
Sulu grinned. “So I did. Would you care to go first, Spock? Tell Don DelMonde everything you know?”
“I grow tired of your cat and mouse games,” Spock snapped.
“Oh, this is no game, Spock.” Sulu paused. “Or if it is, it’s for the highest of stakes.” He waited a fraction of a second. “Marlena? No? Very well.” He stretched, then leaned forward avidly. “Jim loves her. He won’t let her go. You want her. You won’t allow him to keep her. Jim knows nothing about the two of you, and if you tell him, he’ll kill you both. You need protection and you need someone to reason with Kirk and you need it fast.” He sat back, grinning again. “So what, exactly, do you have to offer the Don and me in exchange for this service?”
“He loves you, Marlena?” Spock asked, his voice tinged with incredulity.
“It’s what he said,” Marlena answered quietly.
“Interesting,” was Spock’s only response. Marlena stared at him.
“He’s considering how best to use this information against Kirk,” Sulu put in helpfully.
“I know that!” Marlena snapped.
“Didn’t it occur to you that he’d use you like this, dear?” Sulu continued. “That he might barter you to his advantage? That your political value might mean more to him than your passion, your heart, your feelings? That he beds you because you’re Captain’s Woman rather than despite it? It makes me wonder what he’ll do with you when Kirk is gone.” He smiled pleasantly. “Do you ever wonder that, Marlena?”
“Enough!” Spock broke in. “You know nothing of our relationship!”
“Then you admit you have one,” Del said gently. “Is this woman important to you for more than political reasons, Commander?”
Spock hesitated, unwilling, Sulu knew, to give them this powerful piece of ammunition. Squirm, bastard, he thought. Know what it is to face someone who knows all of you - and doesn’t love you.
“She knows what truth there is in this,” Spock finally replied. “And she is the only one who needs to know.”
“Ah, I see,” Del acknowledged, nodding. “Then we have nothing to discuss, you and I, Commander.” He sat up straight, as if he were about to rise. Catching the motion, Sulu did rise. “And, Lieutenant Moreau, you have nothing to discuss with Commander Sulu.”
Marlena’s eyes grew desperate. “But... “ She turned, pleading. “Spock?”
“I’m sure Spock can find a way to deal with Kirk on his own,” Sulu said jauntily. “And Spock? I’ll see you later.”
The sudden fear in the Vulcan’s eyes was sweet to Sulu’s senses, as well as the confusion in Marlena’s.
“Spock, what does he mean?” Marlena asked.
“Yes, Lieutenant Moreau is important to me,” Spock broke in brusquely.
Del settled back, the smile in his eyes not reaching his expression. “And you want her for your Woman now that Ruth has vacated that position,” he said, as if the conversation had never been interrupted.
Sulu retook his seat, not bothering to hide his smile, or his triumph. You gave in out of fear, Vulcan, he thought maliciously, and fear for yourself, not your honor, nor your cause. And you’re too honest a man to be able to deny that to yourself, aren’t you? So it will burn in you, and humiliate you... along with the fear that I’m going to tell Marlena everything. Then, you won’t even have your pride, will you?
“I want her,” was Spock’s reply.
“And Kirk isn’t willing to release her.”
“No.”
“And what advantage is there for me and mine with such an arrangement?” Del asked. “Why should I want Miss Moreau to be with you rather than with Kirk?”
“You said we should leave Captain Kirk to you,” Marlena broke in.
Del smiled at her. “And so you can. But I need to know what I will be expected to do with him, don’t I?”
“Cards on the table, Spock,” Sulu put in.