A Surprising Visit

[mirroredcommand]

Time passed without any true indication of its movement except for the occasional checks to the padd that was his single form of outlet. It was difficult to suppress the desire to lash out against anything, including his captors, but suppressed it was. He was no heathen as they seemed to believe of him, like he knew some of his crew to be. His mind trickled to thoughts of the young brat determined to remove him from command and had been successful until his first officer had dealt with the situation. Loyal as always, Spock.

His mind consistently returned to the conversation with Spock, both Spocks together in the same mind-field, and if he had proved his point. Truly, he would not have normally cared in the least how his Spock came to this verse and freed him, be it by secrecy, force, command, or blood, but in this case he had specifically chosen to tell his Spock to come in a way that would not harm this crew. Chosen because it would add to his words and actions in order that his second-hand persuasion to the surprisingly young Captain of this Enterprise would be that much stronger. The Spock currently residing in this universe, one way or another, would be forced to support him, but done in such a fashion that Spock would believe his own words instead of being forced to speak them.

It would work well, Pike decided. All he had to do was wait.

Comments

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

"How do I know you did not keep him from crying out? I'm certain you have ways of making him believe it was he who decided not to. How do I know?"

Perhaps he did not want to believe. Perhaps Pike was right. His own counterpart, whom he had not met, was described thus. A beast. Savage. Untrainable. Perhaps he didn't want to believe that there was that within him that was not capable of redemption.

Jim habitually believed in the redemption of everyone.

"You're wrong," he said at last. "I came to see what I could learn from you. To see what might be done. My instincts tell me you're not to be trusted. Not my bias. I've learned to know the difference. But I'm willing to listen. I've yet to hear anything that assures me no harm would come, should you be set free. You must acknowledge that you're a dangerous man and that it would be foolish to assume otherwise."

In the end, it was not his decision, unless he went over Jim's head, which he had no reason to do. But he wanted to know, for himself.

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"I could swear on my honor, but I don't know if you believe in it. I have tried with my actions, but you don't believe them. I have spoken honestly with you, and you don't believe in my words. Somehow, I believe there is nothing I could do to have you believe that I wouldn't." Pike shrugged softly.

"Do as you wish, believe what you will."

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

"I believe that you may well believe you've acted honorably," Kirk said. "But I also believe that you've shown your concept of honor to be different from mine. There lies the rub. I wish it were otherwise. You're a formidable man, as either ally or enemy. And I dislike waste."

He turned away slightly. There was so much he wanted to know, so much about the bond, about the abilities Pike had shown, so much he himself didn't understand about the position he found himself in. But he couldn't ask. Could not know weakness--or at least, not that sort. He was aware that this entire universe, and his, must have appeared weak, but that was a weakness he could live with.

"I'll see what I can do," he said at last. "I believe myself to be correct in my assessment of the danger you pose, and your lack of complicity with the values of this culture. But I will do what I can." He turned back to the cell. "You may believe that or not, as you wish. I know you suffer without him, and he without you. I know you wish to live. I would prefer to come to some understanding than leave you here." He shrugged. "But that depends on much more than my belief."

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"Where in another universe all together we might be enemies, here I would rather be allies." This man who seemed to be far too merciful to exist in his universe otherwise held several things he himself did - strength of character, strength of conviction, a true intelligence, determination, wisdom. They used these things in different ways, yes, but they were still there.

This would have been a James Kirk he could have had on his ship as a strong, loyal man. All in the little differences that made the character.

"I have no idea how long I will be here. I would prefer to do something other then rot like a prisoner sentenced to death or torture." There was a smirk that almost was a smile. A joke?

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

"I hope it comes to neither," Kirk said. He wasn't in the brig, had the run of the ship, had his bondmates, but in other ways had been stripped of himself, as well. "I would always rather have allies than enemies. I was hoping that, together, we might determine a course of action."

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"I'd rather do that than be sitting here, devoid of any chance to have a say of my potential future. There are many possibilities, including that you and I could never leave this universe. The idea of being here," He gestured about his cell, "If that was the truth is worse then death, and indeed would turn me to forcing my way out instead of remaining as I have. It could be days, weeks, years until my Spock finds a way."

For just a moment, his eyes dropped. Only a single moment, then lifted again. The pain of the bond throbbed like a constantly bleeding wound in his mind - he could not last like this for too long without the half of it. Spock, Jim's Spock, had ended up in sickbay in a comatose state after only a short time, the bond so new.

This separation had been like tearing out flesh, an organ, instead of newly placed stitches.

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Jim had no window into this man's mind. But his instincts were intact, and given his own recent experience he was not unaware of some of what the man must be going through. And would continue to. Despite everything, he had sympathy. Even if trust of a man so different in principle was difficult.

"You have been patient," Kirk acknowledged. "I can only say that I, for one, have not and would not advocate this as a permanent solution. And trust that we can indeed find something that works. With compromise on both sides. I would not like to be trapped here forever, either. And I am not nearly so far displaced as you."

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"I will continue to be patient for however long it requires." Pike's gaze tilted down to his gloved hands, thinking in silence for a moment. How could he say something that spoke of such weakness to who might be the enemy? Probably because he would rather it be known then himself collapsing and the knowledge of it going unknown.

So he looked to Jim again, "I'll tell you that this current solution will not last much longer before it takes its toll."

The bond's pain was getting force, multiplying since the contact with his own Spock. He knew he already find himself deteriorating as it was, having dreams of things that could not exist but seemed incredibly real. He had not been separated from Spock like this before, even when he had been captured by another enemy in their own universe.

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

That was an admission of some cost, Kirk knew. He was silent a moment, watching Pike seriously and not without understanding. Spock had trusted this man, to some extent, even knowing what he did. And while that, too, smelled suspiciously like undue influence, Jim couldn't ignore it. Nor could he ignore the landscape of Spock's mind, when Bones had been separated. Madness was not only certain--it was a miracle Pike was still standing.

He nodded. "I understand that," he said, his voice laced with understated compassion. "Is there anything you know of that will reduce the effect?"

Even free--which Jim could not foresee happening--this would be an issue. Pike was condemned already.

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"I've already done what I can to reduce the effect, or I would've already been mad, unconscious, or dead." Pike also admitted, remaining calm in body and tone, fingers lacing together. "This isn't something I'm familiar with, because even when Spock and I've been separated in the past, the bond still remained and didn't feel like this. Perhaps your Spock would know more."

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Jim watched him again for a long moment. "I'll talk to him about it," he said at last. He'd already decided to, but he thought this man should know. His feelings, after this meeting, were little less confused than before. He had all of Spock's memories, and the other Spock's, too, surrounding this prisoner rattling around in his brain with no real context to latch them on to. Trying to supply it now was a process, not an instant fix. And he was even further resolved to learn as much as he could about the bond. They'd been separated--in exactly this manner--before. Would he have survived this long?

Somehow, Jim doubted it. And that was a liability.

He straightened, feeling he'd learned what he could for now. "I'll do everything I can," he said. "I appreciate your courtesy and your candor." Jim could exhibit both as well, whatever his distrust. "It was interesting meeting you, Captain."

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

The title was an interesting pleasure he had not expected. Pike gave a slight nod of his head, a thank you perhaps, and a departing for sure. "And yourself." To meet a James Kirk that was someone to be respected as much as possibly feared was almost enjoyable.

At least now, maybe, there was a slim chance. The bond throbbed like an open wound, and Pike could only hope that the chance was enough.