SO this itch has been bugging me so here it is. I'll continue it til I get bored. I've got at least four chapter written in it though so it'll be a while.

Chapter 1

He pulled himself awake slowly. Whatever alien trap they'd blundered into this time, it sure packed a wallop.

"Doctor?" McCoy cursed under his breath at the Vulcan, knowing without evening looking up that the pointy-eared science officer was raising an eyebrow at his colorful language. "Doctor, there is no need to-"

"I know you green-blooded hobgoblin!" His hiss caused a disturbing shift in his brain of jelly. Slowly he opened his eyes and looked around the cave. An attempt to shrug his shoulders and stretch them forced him to take notice of his situation. His arms and shoulders were practically numb from holding him off the floor that his knees were almost but not quite resting on.

Removing the fog from his mind by sheer force of will, he dragged his leg forward. Part of him, the medical common sense part, told him to get off his ass and get blood flowing correctly into his arms again.

"Doctor perhaps you should rest a bit longer." The bland Vulcan advice was more annoying than usual. Partially because it was exactly what he wanted to do but couldn't do it. That was usually when Spock annoyed him the most.

Glancing around the dungeon, for lack of a better word, he noted the lack of Captain Kirk and groaned. This never boded well but was more common then the common cold. Angrily he wondered if the captain would be fit enough that he would actually be able to yell at him this time. Often, the captain's injuries prevented him from holding onto any anger.

"I feel like I was just hit upside the head by a phaser on heavy stun. What blazes is going on?" He looked over at Spock as he felt painful sparks of fire dance their way down his arms. The Vulcan drew himself from his perusal of the chains to shake his head.

"We are captive in a cave of large humanoid creatures with rudimentary verbal and telepathic ability. I do not know where the Captain is. He was already gone upon my awakening." McCoy growled as he yanked on his chains.

"Awake." The gravel voice startled them both, though Spock hid it well. A creature just taller than Spock glided out from behind the rock. Fairly humanoid all things considered, a bit more fur and a bit more blue and a tail, but all in all not the strangest of creatures to either man's experience. The creature approached McCoy first.

"Who?" The doctor recoiled slightly at the touch to his face, still twitchy over the last person to touch his face when he was backed up against a wall.

"He is Doctor McCoy. I am Commander Spock of the USS Enterprise. May I ask what have you done with Captain Kirk?" The being looked at the commander for a moment before turning its attention back to McCoy.

"Doctor." The creature seemed to best communicate through single word replies. McCoy opened his mouth to reply when the creature grabbed his still half-asleep wrist. He gritted his teeth in discomfort. The wrist was still healing from the sprain Mirror Spock had given him four days earlier and it was currently shooting needles from the renewed blood flow.

"Doctor." The blue furred fingers of the creature's free hand gripped McCoy's hair and pulled the doctor up to its eye level. The human swallowed his initial yelp at the sudden discomfort in his head and neck and merely squeezed his eyes shut in pain. A shake told him the creature wanted his eyes open and he finally let out a grunt and looked into the creatures yellow eyes. They swirled a moment and McCoy felt the intrusion in his mind.

He panicked for barely a moment before he felt the creature focus in on his memories of Spock and Jim. Realizing the danger he could pose to the two men, he shoved his panic and fear and anger into a barrier against the creature. Building the wall surrounding those thoughts and memories with pain and panic he hid all his softer feeling behind them.

A sharp pain on his wrists and shoulders told him the creature had dropped him suddenly and a sharp pain to the cheek told him he had been struck. He heard a chink of chains from Spock's direction, but he couldn't look over.

If he had he would have seen the science officer straining to the end of his chains to get to his friend. Mindrape was a serious crime in the Vulcan culture and he felt his primitive controled anger rise as he watched its attempt on one he was so close to.

"Give knowledge." Again his head was tilted back and his was forced to meet those eyes. Again he felt the battering ram against his mind that he blasted away on panicky terror. Mirror Spock had been able to get into his mind easily. Set aside his normal trust of the Vulcan, Spock knew precision and deception. The raw force of the mind meld from several days ago had been only in the final contact. First Mirror Spock had located the exact knowledge he required and then he had taken it. This creature was more blundering the right direction.

McCoy gasped as the creature pulled out of his mind. He could feel himself shaking, whether in fear or pain, he wasn't sure any longer. He did know the creature had only managed the barest of glimpses at his memories. He hoped it hadn't been anything vital or damaging.

"Half-breed?" McCoy felt his blood freeze. Painfully he glanced up at Spock, to find himself under intense scrutiny by those dark eyes. Spock had pulled himself to the end of his chains towards his fellow shipmate. The creature looked towards the Vulcan, its mouth widened in a sinister grin.

"Heartless Halfbreed." McCoy tried to rise to his feet, already searching through his memories to figure out what the creature might have seen. "Untrustworthy Human monster." That was the memory.

Two months earlier McCoy had answered a call by Amanda Sarek. The mother of one of his best friends had wanted his professional advice and they had gotten to talking about one of her favorite subjects, her son. Human Monster. The term given to the toddler by his Vulcan cousins for years. Heartless, untrustworthy statue was the term by his human relatives. Amanda was so glad he had finally found a place to call home.

Indeed, he had told her that just a week earlier a Starfleet commander had referred to this first officer as a deceitful, unreliable beast. Now, the commander was simply visiting for a week, enroute to his next mission and hadn't gotten to know the first officer and Spock had brushed it off, but the rest of the crew was slightly less forgiving.

Several accidents and misunderstandings later found the commander reporting to sick bay for a mild cut on his hand. McCoy had saved the mildly terrified commander from Nurse Chapel and her Needle of Doom, since she implied it would be necessary to sew the cut closed, probably without anesthetic. The Doctor had inspected the injury quite thoroughly for any shards of the metal which had caused the cut while explaining somewhat amiably how the entire crew seemed to like and respect their first officer and it might be in the commanders best interest to apologize for his tactless remark.

After sanitizing the cut several times he healed it and sent the commander on his way. He never heard if the commander took his advice and apologized or not. In fact, he didn't see hide nor hair of the commander again until his departure on the USS Andromeda. The entire crew was there to see him off and McCoy had never seen a more malevolent send off in his life. Even Spock had commented on it, asking for a cause. Jim, who by virtue of his rank had not been able to participate in the dismantling of the commander, had just looked at McCoy.

"Mr. Spock, there are a few things this crew seems to agree on. And the protection of its own is one of them." Although Spock raised his eyebrow in question, neither of them elaborated on the comment. McCoy found out later that Spock had disciplined several of the crew for their behavior and no one had volunteered an explanation to the confused Vulcan. Spock had very little idea what the crew thought of him in this respect.

Even more, he was very unaware what the Doctor thought of him. Although McCoy knew on some level that Spock was aware their bickering was fun and light-hearted to the doctor, he doubted the science officer had figured how much their banter was essential to McCoy's mental stability. The thrill of energy and mental exercise that was their quarrels kept McCoy alert and relaxed. He needed them to channel his more aggressive moods. To keep him from becoming the cold mercilessly unending doctor he had been while married.

McCoy stood painfully as the creature taunted the Vulcan with the bits and pieces it had gleaned from the Doctor. McCoy could see Spock's face grow more and more granite as he tried to ignore the creature. Finally the creature gripped his jaw tightly and forced the same eye contact it had forced on McCoy. Spock fought for a brief moment before the Doctor saw the fight enter the mental mindscape where Spock was so strong.

It was a few moments before the creature let go of him and snarled.

"Worthless. Even to friends." It reached up above the ceiling and pulled a chain down. McCoy grunted as his hands were yanked forward mercilessly as he crashed to his knees, gulping air as he tried to control the pain in his arms.

"Friend fear monster." McCoy wasn't sure what the creature was doing but he really was sick of the creature grabbing his hair. It wasn't until he felt Spock's hand that he realized the creature must have seen his fear of the Mirror Spock.

Vulcan's, as touch telepaths, read anyone they touch on a light, non-intrusive level. The Doctor jerked his head away instinctively as those telepathic fingers brushed his cheek in a way reminiscent of Mirror Spock.

The image of the Mirror Spock gripping his wrist and forcing the mind meld sprang forward in his mind as he tried to shove it back in fear. The damn monkey knew what it was doing. He saw Spock's eyes widen in surprise at what he was unintentionally picking up from McCoy.

"Stop it!" The breathless command was almost desparate as the human tried to move away from the Vulcan. No longer was the movement fearful instinct, now he simply didn't want the contact. Contact he had known he couldn't handle until he had dealt with the pain of the mental rape the other Spock had put him through.

A familiar sound pierced the air and the creature fell on McCoy. Spock glanced up to see Captain Kirk entering with two of the three phasers they had beamed down with. A quick shot later freed the Vulcan as his sharp ears heard a whimper from the human under the large creature.

A quick debate where he weighed the doctor's obvious fear of his touch and their current predicament, Spock shoved the creature off the surgeon as Captain Kirk took out another one coming to the cave.

"Let's go. The mouth of the cave isn't far!" The adrenaline was obviously pumping through the Captain's body as he took out two more creatures, a phaser in each hand. Spock felt a negative stir in his gut as the doctor winced in contact, especially as he unlatched the chains. McCoy's arms were likely only partially numb, having received sporadic blood flow in the past hour. He adjusted the half limp body to assist the doctor in walking and shoving his own pain behind his mental shields, they started for the door.

"Spock?" McCoy's soft voice was in his ear as they moved.

"Do not attempt to speak Doctor McCoy. You have already strained your vocal cords sufficiently." Indeed the screams he had let out during the mental probe by the alien had made even Spock's blood run cold. Having felt the power and indelicate mental probe of the creature, he could understand the doctor's lose of control on his pain. Still the withdrawal from Spock gentle mind touch had bothered the Vulcan. He would need to discuss it later with the good doctor.

"I'm sorry." The breathless plea was not missed by his Vulcan ears and Spock wondered at the meaning.

"We shall discuss whatever you are apologizing for on the ship." He heaved the doctor's body as the battered legs finally gave out a mere two meters from the entrance to the cave. The mental presence he could sense through their contact was dimming alarmingly and he rushed the last four steps before the familiar sensation of the transporter swept through his body.

He must admit, usually he was uneasy around Nurse Chapel. Her romantic interest in him was a sore point between them, but right now he sought her out immediately. She and Dr M'Benga both came forward to take McCoy instantly. Once the Doctor was on the gurney, Spock released him to leave him in the medical staff's capable hands. The flash of fear as he did so caused him to reclaim a grip on the lax hand.

The fear in McCoy's mind was staggering and it took all of Spock's mental training to keep it from destroying both of them. It was a breakdown that the doctor apparently needed, but Spock did not know how to provide. All he knew was that the Doctor was systematically locking all his memories that dealt with Spock or Captain Kirk.

He glanced at Dr M'Benga a moment before explaining quickly what was happening to the unconscious man. The alarm on the younger Doctor was expected and the understanding quite welcome as the science officer followed them into sick bay. A scan proved the doctor had mild damage to his arms and legs, but nothing permanent. Indeed, even the mental disturbance was at last quieting to the point where the human was starting to stir.

Spock wasn't letting go until McCoy's mind was no longer drawing on his for mental support. As the fear that had permeated his mind slowly filtered behind emotional shields, the human's need for Spock dwindled.

"Spock?" The murmur was too low for a human to hear, but Spock heard it quite well.

"I am here Doctor." The next sound was significantly more wheeze than sound and Spock watched as Nurse Chapel assisted the patient with a drink of water.

"Where?" Spock raised his eyebrow at that. Surely Nurse Chapel's presence would have been enough.

"We are on the Enterprise, Doctor." The human's tongue flitted out to lick dry lips as Spock felt the remainder of the pain retreat behind the Doctors emotional shields. Unlike Spock's mental shield, which was designed to protect his mind from telepathic touch, McCoy's shields were built solely to deal with his emotions in moderate amounts.

"I want to apologize." Whatever the Doctor wanted to apologize for, it wasn't good for his voice.

"Indeed, if you feel such need then perhaps you should wait until you regain your vocal cords so that I can hear you properly." Spock nearly jump out of his skin as the Doctor's other hand sprang up, grasping his bicep.

Dammit you pointy-eared Vulcan, I'm trying to apologize for what that creature said. What he learned from me. McCoy's mental voice came through quite clearly on the mild link Spock had maintained through his connection to the doctor's hands.

"Doctor, his mental powers were far greater than your own. To blame yourself for his attack and its subsequent results would be illogical."

"You tell me I'm illogical all the time." McCoy laid back with a pained sigh. Spock felt more than heard the next memory run through him. I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Whatever those words were, they meant something important to the Doctor. Spock wasn't sure the best method to address that, so he chose another topic which concerned him.

"Doctor, the blue creature was correct on something that puzzles me." Those crystal blue eyes look up at him in question. "When we first made mental contact I felt fear that had not been present in the past." He felt a wave of trepidation and self-hate wash through the body next to him. He didn't need to look up at the monitor to know that McCoy's heart rate had just jumped. It was a combination of feelings that he had only sensed once before.

"Spock…Look it wasn't you." McCoy was now looking everywhere except the being with whom he was failing to communicate successfully. "I just…I mean I need…What happened, well it happened. I just need to recover a bit."

"Doctor, one doesn't recover from the type of mental intrusion I believe you experienced without outside aid." The man had flinched as Spock started talking, causing him to soften his tone significantly. The phrase he had just said ran through the vulcan's mind. It wasn't you He placed a hand on the Doctor's shoulder as he had seen the Doctor do when comforting Captain Kirk. "Who was the Vulcan who did this?"

McCoy didn't know it, but that question had a lot of emotion behind it. Spock could barely control the rage that poured through him at the attack on one so close to him. McCoy knew more about Spock's body and mind than almost anyone else in the galaxy and had kept it completely to himself. His insults, more lighthearted, hadn't changed much since the first time they had met. He had never used his knowledge against a person he found so profoundly irritating. Spock knew that his place was beside Jim Kirk, helping the Captain with everything he had. He also knew that as he supported the Captain, this man support both of them. Neither the Captain nor himself could bear to see the Doctor hurt after all the support and loyalty he had given them in the last year.

"Spock…I…" Spock withheld a sigh at the discomfort the Doctor was displaying. It was natural response for such a strong individual to have difficulties with what he perceived as a weakness. Mindrape was no weakness, but a devastating attack.

"Doctor, I require his name." McCoy shifted away from the grip Spock still had on his hand. He felt the Doctor swallow all of his pain and fear as the human sat up.

"No." Spock felt his eyebrow rise slowly at the answer. "I'm sorry Spock, but this is one secret I need to keep." He tried to stand and brush by the Vulcan, but Spock tightened his grip on the wrist and elbow he held. Normally he disliked physical contact. It was intrusive on both parties as Spock was usually graced with the emotional and intellectual thoughts of the individual. In this case, he had already made the mental link, albeit light hand touch required, but it was there and he felt the massive suppression the Doctor just made. He also felt the wave of pain that shot up the Doctor's arm as he squeezed. He released the arm immediately before he could do real damage to the wrist.

"Doctor, I must return to the bridge, but like my quarterly physical, you need to discuss this with me or another Vulcan. Forced Mind Meld cause damage to the mind and it needs to be repaired. In addition the Vulcan responsible needs to be punished." Seeing that the Doctor was ready to fight him about this, he decided the best method was to end this discussion for now and continue later. "I will await your report."

Spock thought the chance of such a report being delivered to him was about 8.2% but he had learned that McCoy and Captain Kirk beat the odds more than the odds would allow for.

"Spock to Captain Kirk." The wall consol suited him for his purposes. He had mentally reviewed the last few missions and really only one possibility came to mind.

"Kirk here. Spock, how is our good Doctor."

"He appears to be recovering. Captain may I speak with you in private."

"Of course Mr. Spock. I'll see you in my office in ten." Spock calculated he had enough time to stop off in his own quarter to change before reporting to the captain's quarters. McCoy had explained at one point that it was less awkward for Captain Kirk if they referred to his quarters as his office most of the time. Spock still wasn't clear as to why, but he did agree with the Doctor's muttered remark a moment later about how the Captain does more work there than sleep anyway.

Ten minutes later on the dot Spock strode into the Captain's quarters with a single request.

"Tell me about the mirror universe again."

000

It was the only logical conclusion. The only Vulcan McCoy had been alone with recently was the Mirror Spock. Spock current dilemma was whether the Doctor's fear was of mind melds or him. Although both were distinct possibilities, the latter would make Spock ability to assist the Doctor very limited. He suddenly understood the Doctor's need to pace when helpless before a patient. The conflicting need to help and reality that he may be able to do nothing was disturbing and gave him excess energy.

Meditation helped some. At least raised his mental shields enough to be capable of assisting the Doctor, should he be allowed. He had already notified Chekov that he was taking a few days off and told the Captain to expect something similar of Doctor McCoy as soon as his responsibility to the crew was covered. That and Spock managed to convince the good doctor of the need for it. As the Captain pointed out, none of the three of them were particularly good at taking required break for their own sake. Doctor McCoy included. Moreso since during shore leave the good doctor was usually checking on the health of the crew who needed the break more than taking a break himself.

A chime from the door brought him out of meditation and he stood, admitting the harried doctor. He watched in mild curiosity and concern as his fellow scientist paced around his room nervously. He hadn't expected the Doctor to come of his own accord, especially within twelve hours, and was thus waiting to see what mental state the Doctor was in.

After circling the room like a hunted fox a few times the Doctor stopped and looked at the silent Vulcan.

"You called it mindrape." Spock hadn't realized he had broadcasted that particular thought. "Is it like…does the vict- person involved react similarly to physical rape?" Spock considered this question, recognizing the Doctor's attempt to put an understandable perspective on the incident.

"Having not encountered someone involved in physical rape before, I might be incorrect, but from what I have read, yes, similar responses occur." McCoy swallowed. He paced a few more times before turning back to Spock.

"You said aid." Spock reviewed their previous conversation to place the reference before ducking his head slightly in a nod.

"Because of the strength required to break into someone's mind forcefully, even moreso in your mind, the damage left behind could be extreme." Doctor McCoy eyed him suspiciously.

"Whattaya mean 'moreso in my mind'?" Spock cocked his head.

"You have formidable emotional shields in place, Doctor. To overcome them would require great force and would likely hurt. Even gently done, a mental connection done against your wishes would leave some damage." A strong hand ran though the brown hair in agitation.

"What do I need?" Spock looked at the Doctor disbelievingly. It was quite unlike the Doctor to ask for personal help so easily.

"Look, you green blooded elf, I'm a Doctor. I know what happens to a rape victim. I've even had to help a few." The Doctor looked away in discomfort as Spock hid his startled dismay. He had hoped that like mindrape on Vulcan, physical rape was unheard of these days. The fact that Doctor McCoy, a man who sympathized almost empathically with his patients, had treated someone, more than one someone, for it was disheartening.

"You're right. It can't be done alone." The Doctor turned away from Spock's gaze. "This isn't something I can heal myself. I've told that to enough patients to know it's true. But…I can't go to Jim about it. Even if I could…I'd need a telepath to help heal the damage anyway, right?"

"Most correct Doctor." McCoy nodded. He paced again.

"I can't function as a doctor like this. I'm compromised as long as I have these irrational outbursts of temper." Spock's eyebrow raised in distinct question. McCoy sighed. "I know I'm irrational to you, but a brick could be more irrational than you. But I can't completely lose my temper. If I did you'd know it." He finally sat down, head in his hands. Spock checked himself in order not to give into the sudden urge to place his own hand on the Doctor's shoulder again.

"A doctor can't lose his temper completely. We know too much about too many people." Spock realized the irony in that his own control over his emotion so mirrored the control exerted by this particular individual. He marveled privately on the vastly different outcomes of such a control. For the Doctor was correct, despite being spitting mad before, Spock had never heard the Doctor reveal another's personal information without good cause or permission. His own admiration for this human grew.

"Doctor, to repair the damage requires a mind meld with a telepath." McCoy looked up at him in irritation. Both knew that the Doctor had already guessed that.

"Then it'd better be you." Spock looked at him sharply. That answer he had not expected.

"Doctor, I suspect I know who the culprit was, and given the identity-"

"Quit your yattering, are you gonna help me or not!" Spock gave him a cool look for interrupting him. He softened the look at the blatant fear in those electric blue eyes. He reached over to his consol.

"Spock to Captain Kirk." McCoy looked away, but not fast enough for Spock to miss the look of betrayal entering the vulnerable visage.

"Kirk here." Spock had already set up the time off for both of them, all that was left was to relay the update to the Captain.

"Please accept my earlier request starting now." There was a brief pause where he knew the Captain was taking a moment to gather himself for a few days without his best friends.

"Understood. Both of you have a week. Kirk out." Spock looked at the consol in amused irritation. He had only asked for three days for each of them. That should have been more than sufficient. He contemplated calling the Captain, but dismissed the idea, seeing McCoy's look of hope and need. The doctor had never lowered his mask this far before and Spock found he could not do anything to make this harder on the Doctor.

Sitting next to the doctor, Spock took a steadying breath before looking at his friend.

"Doctor, there are two actions we must complete for you healing to begin. The first is a gentle mindmeld. This will allow your brain to re-associate the feeling with the thought. That will begin the emotional healing process." McCoy nodded. That probably was similar to the information he was taught about physical rape. "Second I need to repair the damage done to your emotional barriers during the actual contact. This will most likely cause you to re-live the attack for a moment. You should take that time to observe the action."

"I have to live it again? I don't actually remember much of it." Spock threaded his fingers in front of him to focus.

"Yes. You can take this opportunity to see the attack objectively." McCoy stared bleakly at Spock a moment.

"Will I relive any other memories? Will you see any of my other patient's secrets?" Spock understood the concern.

"I may see anything the other mind meld saw. I am willing to swear to keep anything learned today in the strictest confidence. Even from the topic if necessary." Doctor McCoy looked at him assessingly a moment before nodding.

"Alright, let get on with it!" Spock raised his hands to the familiar position, halting 65 centimeters from the Doctor's face when the human flinched. He stayed still as McCoy met his eyes defiantly. He merely raised an eyebrow.

"For this to work, you must come to my hands, not the other way around." Eyes widened, as the Doctor processed what Spock was saying. Spock would not initiate the mind meld. Spock saw confusion swirl in those blue optics before it turned to steel. Gently, though firmly, Spock felt the face come closer. He suppressed a shiver as the breath skitted over his sensitive hands before he felt his finger connect with the rough skin of the doctor's face.

"My mind to your mind. My thoughts to your thoughts. We are now going back. Back to a time when you did not fear mindmelds. Back to the attack." His voice was growing dimmer in both their minds as they sank into McCoy's mind.

Spock recognized the emotional barriers from before and felt out for McCoy to guide him.

Doctor, you need to show me which memory is the correct one He felt mild confusion and concern as he was pulled along with McCoy to a barrier that was crumbling under the amount of pressure behind it. McCoy was right, this barrier would not have held up much longer. He moved toward it, but stopped at a secondary fear that shot through McCoy. Letting the fear wash over him, he felt the concern for his own wellbeing well within the doctor as well as the knowledge that in feeling the fear McCoy had held of him on the planet, had hurt Spock himself. Also, the more subtle worry attached to the meld, that the Vulcan, someone McCoy did care about and whose opinion mattered to the Doctor, would see something in here that would change all that.

Doctor, you supported me after I killed our Captain. I assure you, I will support you just as well here. Thought brought forth the knowledge that McCoy had been as concerned about Spock's reaction to killing the captain as he had about the Captain's danger.

The Doctor's fears did not dissipate, though that one appeared mollified for the time being. The self-anger at fearing someone he trusted and that Spock learned of the fear before he could handle it still remained. Guilt at possibly hurting someone he at least saw as a friend hovered in the background. This feeling was current and not behind a barrier. The Doctor was feeling it now, and dealing with it. Spock let the feeling go and moved once more to the emotional barrier McCoy had indicated earlier.

He felt both of them swept into the memory almost immediately. Spock found himself in a sick bay, similar to their own. They saw himself lying on the floor, dying.

"Don't just stand there, Help me!" McCoy's concern for this Spock was no less than for any other patient. The fact that he looked just like one of his best friends simply made it more personal. They had to remember that this wasn't his Spock.

Spock watched as they pleaded with Captain Kirk to let them heal the injured Mirror Spock. The fact that this was a patient flitted through their minds followed closely by that this was a Spock. They couldn't leave an injured Spock, no matter what. To do so would break something inside them. They cared about Spock too much.

The injury healed as predicted. They nearly jumped out of their skin when a strong hand wrapped around their wrist. The fond thought that they always underestimated Spock ran through their mind. They definitely knew better than to try to answer the question posed by Mirror Spock. They barely understood it themselves.

Backing away, the subtle differences in this Spock became apparent. They tried to retreat, but the grip on their wrist was too strong. A demand for knowledge returned and fear crept up their spine as the hand rose to their face.

Spock felt the intrusion into McCoy's mind sharply as Mirror Spock ruthlessly shattered one barrier after another looking for the exact information he wanted. Images of other shipmates and patients flitted past as McCoy struggled against the invasion. A sharp pain as Mirror Spock twisted McCoy's wrist broke McCoy's concentration enough that Mirror Spock found the memory of the change in universes. They both felt the satisfaction in Mirror Spock as he raced through the mind again this time looking for something more basic.

Spock saw an image of himself and suddenly he was overwhelmed with emotions and memories of their friendship from the Doctor's perspective. Their arguments and encounters were analyzed quickly by the alien presence before the harsh mental probe retreated. Spock grabbed control of the memory at this moment.

This attack is over Doctor. He felt tentative responses from the Doctor. As he reached out into the Doctor's mind to find the barriers the Mirror Spock had slashed to pieces and started building them up again, ignoring the images and thoughts within them as he went. Always a portion of his attention was on the memory he held frozen and the growing examination of the memory the Doctor was doing. When only the Barrier around his own friendship was left to heal he returned to the memory.

Receiving the Doctor's understanding and acceptance he let the memory go again. He was relieved to feel less of the brittle fear that had so encompassed the Doctor.

Mirror Spock pulled out of McCoy's mind sharply.

"Friends?! Is that what we are? Oh no Doctor. A life for a life." Before either of them could contemplate the meaning of such a phrase Mirror Spock's lips were on McCoy's. With the mental contact still present they felt the lust flood the Vulcan's veins and with a quick press of his hips, McCoy's weaker answering flair of arousal. Spock felt McCoy frantically trying to back away from the memory. The feeling of the lips on his was possessive and drove chills up and down his spine. Arousal covered by mild disgust shot through them and Spock had to firm his control on his own mind before attempting to process the memory.

"My debt is paid." The memory ended there. Spock felt McCoy retreating from him frantically. He waited patiently. As long as he was between McCoy and the Doctor's subconscious, there was no danger that he would be lost. Calmly he waited until he felt a questioning probe from the human. He answered the probe with calm, unwavering loyalty that he had promised McCoy at the beginning of this meld.

Guilt sprang forward again, but before Spock could respond to it, McCoy ruthlessly shoved it down into the low simmer he suspected the Doctor tossed all his emotions when he needed to focus without their distraction.

I am not offended. Nor am I disgusted. I feel a certain amount of anger for the other Spock. My opinion of you has not worsened by this experience. Spock did not think it wise to tell McCoy how much the Doctor had grown in his esteem during this healing. That would come later if ever.

I must heal the last barrier. Are you calm again? General irritation at his logical line of thought flittered through his mind followed by a fondness for the feeling and a sense of relief. Spock ignored it in favor of reaching for the barrier surrounding their relationship in McCoy's mind.

The second he touched it, however, chains sprang around him and McCoy. It was Mirror Spock. Spock pulled against the chains surrounding him as he felt McCoy doing the same.

Don't try. Those chains are forged with McCoy's feelings for you, Spock. You can't break them. I am here to repay my life debt to the good Doctor. McCoy was frantically pulling at the chains to come between Spock and the Doctor's previous tormentor. Spock was fixated on Mirror Spock at the moment.

Spock. I do not know you, but I know McCoy. Yours and mine. McCoy is our T'hy'la. Spock froze as the word trembled through his being. More than the brother bond he had with Jim and McCoy, the T'hy'la was the deepest of all Vulcan bonds. Only the lucky and strong few formed them with their mates. Even his own parents never got further than the T'hai'lu bond.

Perhaps your McCoy is, however my- Mirror Spock dark chuckle reverberated as he leaned closer.

I felt what he feels for you. You are his T'hy'la. He can handle suppressing it in the face of our stoicism because he has your Captain Kirk to focus on, but he constantly reaches out to you. Even now, because I look like you, he could not leave until he was sure I was all right. He reached out to Spock. The Vulcan struggled against the chains that held him, aware of the frantic struggles McCoy was engaged him off to the side. He could feel the fear of Mirror Spock, and the fear for Spock himself encompassing McCoy, drowning him in hysteria. Just feeling the Doctor's panic was enough to propel him to fight harder against the chains drawing tighter around him.

You cannot break his care for you. It is stronger than his care for himself. Only in his fear for you is he finally starting to break the chains. Your safety and happiness means that much more to him than his feelings for you.

You will leave Doctor McCoy alone at once! Spock didn't care how much Mirror Spock taunted him, he was Vulcan, he was in control of his reactions. But he could see the pain entering McCoy's mind and that was unacceptable.

I Have a debt to repay. Here it is. He felt Mirror Spock rush through him just long enough to shatter a single barrier. He wasn't sure which one, and he wouldn't be able to find out until he left McCoy's mind.

You have 16 days now. Spock wrestled with the chains as Mirror Spock briefly stopped next to McCoy before dissipating. Spock felt the last barrier in McCoy's mind rise intact. Mirror Spock had repaired it before he left originally. He had simply placed a fake barrier in its place. He had guessed Spock would help McCoy and had placed this remnant of himself here for this very purpose.

McCoy's chains dissolved instantly and he blanketed Spock protectively a moment later. Spock recognized Doctor mode and mentally shook himself to regain his composure.

I'm unhurt. McCoy seemed to understand and he felt McCoy slide between him and the chains before the chains dissolved. Feeling himself free once again he assessed the remainder of the Doctor's mind, but found no more injuries.

Have you processed the Mind Meld? Does my presence still frighten you? He felt McCoy recoil in concerned indignation. He never feared Spock, only Mirror Spock and his blasted Mind Meld. The thought rang so vehemently that Spock had to wince at its power. McCoy's recovery was complete. Although there would be lingering fear and nightmares for a short time due to his human emotional state, it would be manageable. He gently backed himself out of the mind.

McCoy caught his attention before his left and a scene appeared to him.

Why Lady Amanda. What blessing causes you to grace my screen today?" Her twinkling smirk came through the consol clearly.

"You are such a flatterer, young man." He smiled gamely.

"Only for beauty my dear. What can I do for you today?" Amanda frowned.

"I have a favor to ask of you." He put down his pen and gave the mother of one of his best friends his full attention. "I am having some worrying symptoms. My Vulcan physician claims it to be the work of my human anatomy. The pointy-eared encyclopedia claims it will wash over. But he also claimed the same thing about Spock's run of the terran measles. That was less pleasant than the term 'wash over' implies, I assure you. I'd tell Sarek I do not trust him, except I have yet to find a Vulcan Doctor I do trust on human physiology."

He withheld the urge to roll his eyes at Vulcan prejudice as it applied to the best first officer he knew and smiled gently in her direction.

"You send those symptoms on over, let your friendly neighborhood human doctor have a look see." He scanned the list as he continued talking. "How is Sarek doing on the new diet I sent?"

Amanda smiled. "Much better. The last two attacks were barely even felt. The Doctor's here tell him his strength has won out where a lesser man would have failed." He snorted. He wasn't terribly surprised. He had learned very quickly that Vulcan dislike interest from outsiders. Only by discreet observation had he been able to start correlating the dietary needs of a Vulcan still applying half-Vulcan data to a full Vulcan took some trial and error without a direct link to the source.

"Send his next blood work my way when you get it. And thank you for recommending M'Benga. He's been a chip and a half." Amanda smiled, giggling.

"Yes, Geoff was an excellent student and wonderful doctor."

"Hmm. Have you had any visitors lately? Not Vulcans?" Amanda frowned as she thought.

"No, we haven't. Though about three weeks ago we went aboard a ship called Tsu'li. They had several ambassadors on their ship." He quickly accessed their information on the ship and ran through the species on the list.

"Amanda, do you remember your basic biology?" She frowned at him playfully.

"Of course Doctor. How could I forget with two incredibly science men in my family?" He chuckled.

"I need you to run an experiment on your own blood for me. I don't want to ask the Vulcan Doctor's; they'll know you consulted someone. Damn Vulcan pride. Hunt down that medical tricorder I left with you and find some H'ailu'lu berry juice. You'll also need a bowl and some way to gather some blood." He frowned at the information in front of him as Amanda left the screen. He heard her rummaging around before she returned with a tray containing all affore mentioned items.

"Alright that's a teaspoon of berry juice to four teaspoons blood, my Lady. Let's see how your hemoglobin likes the acid in the berries." Amanda smiled at him as she used the hypo to draw blood and pour it in the bowl along with a helping of berry juice. Scanning it with her tricorder she sent him the data. He scanned through the expected and zeroed in upon the important factors.

"Well, good news, not deadly and completely treatable." She laughed, but he could feel the tension drain out of her indicating how worried she had actually been.

"And the bad news?" He frowned.

"Fire your Doctor over there. This could have gotten ugly in a few weeks. Hunt down some damn doctor over there and get a vaccine and antifungal for Algorain Blood Fever. If treated now it should gone in a matter of days. You're lucky it hasn't started its second stage. Up your iron and salt intake 200% and stay warmer than normal. Vulcan systems run hotter than ours so they burn it out of their system before it can take a hold.

"Thank you Leo. You're a godsend for my family." He shook his head.

"Nothing but your health is what I need, My Lady." She smiled. She glanced around her and then at what she could see of his office.

"Leo, I have another, well, inquiry."

"Oh? You've peeked my interest." She glanced around her again.

"I know you said Spock was doing well. And Sarek is doing better. Do you think they'd…?"

"See the light? Not without a disaster. They are both stubborn as mules."

"Doctor!" He smiled at her.

"Fine, rationally firm in their stance. You know you are probably the only person who can get me to actually acknowledge that." She sighed shaking her head.

"Please ask Spock to stop by next time you are in this end of the galaxy. Even if he won't reach out to Sarek, I'd like to see him." He leaned forward.

"Amanda if I could, I would, but we both know that those two will only go the same planet if ordered or one if in grave danger. I still haven't completely forgiven your husband for ignoring Spock's wedding you know. His presence might have helped us a bit." Amanda sighed as she winced. It was a sore point for her as well.

"I know. If Spock finds out about our conversation tell him I love him and I miss him." He nodded.

"If Sarek finds out about our conversation tell him his son is fine." She nodded.

"He likes hearing that, even if he won't let on. Good night Doctor McCoy."

"Good Night Lady Amanda."

The scene feel away, along with McCoy's gratitude and Spock found himself drifting back to his own mind. He looked over to see McCoy blinking as he rubbed his head, looking utterly exhausted. Spock's internal clock said four hours of meld had passed.

"My mother."

"She's fine Spock. She sent a note yesterday saying her condition was improving and should be completely recovered in another three weeks or so." McCoy glanced up at Spock a moment. The Vulcan had his eyes closed.

"Spock?"

"A moment Doctor." McCoy situated himself on the bed he had sat on initially, feeling far more calm then he had a few hours ago. He realized that Spock had just learned a great deal more about him than ever before. Briefly he wondered what Mirror Spock had meant by his last message. I give you your life as you saved mine.

"Doctor I recommend that you rest. I must meditate to recover from the prolonged mental contact." McCoy rose shakily on his bruised legs. Hiding his wince at the soreness as he regained his equilibrium and realized with a rush of dizziness how tired he actually was. A strong hand gripped his elbow to steady him.

"Doctor, I meant for you stay on the bed and simply lie down. You require sleep. Plus your legs were badly injured when that alien kicked you." McCoy sputtered at that.

"But Spock! You need your rest. I'm not going to take up your bed!" Spock felt embarrassment and a sad yearning rise in the Doctor through his hands. He shook his own head to clear it.

"I will not be using the bed. I need to meditate, not sleep. I will be by the alter with the candle." McCoy looked over at the pillow in front of the alter skeptically.

"Leo." That name wasn't used by many. Even Jim had never tried his first name. His wife had called him Leonard of course, but Leo. It was used by his mother and Lady Amanda and that was it.

He sat back down on the bed staring up at Spock in vulnerable trust. It was almost too much for Spock, but he knew that this was part of the healing too, the Doctor needed to let himself trust Spock again. It would finish what they started in his mind. Spock nodded and stepped back towards the alter, lowering himself gently on the pillow.

"Spock?"

"Doctor?"

"Thank you."

"Of course, Doctor."

…

"Doctor?

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."