Hello there! Haven't written anything here in a while, and I figured it was time to do some writing again! This is my first Star Trek fic and my first fic with major whump. I'm a little nervous on both accounts, especially since I am a new Trekkie. I absolutely love the new movies, and now I'm making my way through TOS. I'm obsessed! But that also means I don't know everything about the Trek universe, so forgive me if anything is a little off.

Anyway, enough introduction. I imagine this will have about 6 chapters, covering the time from Khan taking over the Vengeance to Kirk going into the Enterprise core. It's a bit of a deviation from the movie, but it'll tie in. I promise. Happy reading!

Disclaimer: I don't own Trek.

Jim should have seen it coming the second the lanky bastard had agreed to be taken into custody.

What was he thinking, allowing Khan free reign when it was obvious that he'd had something up his sleeve? Jim allowed himself one precious moment to curse his fate before he was pulled up from the ground by his collar. So much for trust.

"What do you want?" he asked gruffly, stumbling forward from the superhuman force behind him. The grip on his collar was cold, unrelenting, the man delivering it stronger than anyone Jim had ever come into contact with.

"I think it's about time we had a little chat with your crew." Even without seeing it, Jim could hear the sick amusement in Khan's voice. "Don't you?"

"Actually, I'll take a rain check on that offer, if it's all the same to you," Jim said coldly.

The grip tightened. "Play nicely, now, Captain, and we won't have any trouble."

Jim opened his mouth to respond, but before he could get a word out, a channel opened on one of the bridge's screens. The image blinked once, twice, then came into focus. Materializing on the screen, straight-backed and attentive, all pointy ears and arched eyebrows, was none other than Spock. It was pointless to resist now, but Jim still struggled against Khan's pressure, unwilling to face his crew like this.

"Go on, Captain," Khan said quietly.

Finally Jim was forced into Spock's line of sight. There was a moment of stillness, of quiet anticipation. I'm sorry, Jim tried to convey. I'm sorry for this. This is my fault.

The realization hit Spock all at once. His eyes betrayed him; in a split second, the understanding and the fear came to light and disappeared under the mask just as quickly. Jim's stomach dropped.

"I'm going to make this very simple for you—" Khan began behind Jim.

Spock interjected. "Captain!"

"Your crew for my crew," Khan continued silkily.

Jim knew it was coming, but something inside him snapped at those words. I will not be a pawn.

"You betrayed us." Spock's voice cut through his reverie, strengthened him.

"Oh, you are smart, Mr. Spock," Khan said, but Jim was already one step ahead. He whipped his head up toward the monitor fiercely.

"Spock, don't—"

Pain blossomed on the back of his skull and he crumpled from the impact, landing in a heap on the floor of the Vengeance. He struggled to right himself through the buzzing in his ears, but before he could rise completely, Khan gave him a closing kick to the stomach. Jim doubled over again, wheezing.

"Mr. Spock, give me my crew," he vaguely heard Khan say.

Hesitation from Spock. Good, distrust. Caution. Jim knew he had chosen his First Officer wisely. "What will you do when you get them?"

"Continuing the work we were doing before we were banished."

"Which, as I understand it, involves the mass genocide of any being you find to be less than superior," Spock countered.

As the Vulcan's voice echoed throughout the bridge, Jim pulled himself up onto his elbows. He blinked a few times, a headache already building, and looked around. Admiral Marcus lay dead in the corner. Carol clutched her broken leg, crying quietly. Scotty was unconscious on the ground.

What would you do for your family?

He thought of the Enterprise, the only family he'd ever really known. The Vengeance was powerful, and Khan was cunning. Jim's ship didn't stand a chance.

Whatever Khan wanted, it was imperative that it didn't fall into his hands.

An earlier conversation, one that seemed so distant now, drifted back.

"What would Spock do? If it was me?"

"He'd let you die."

Well, he would have to hold Spock to that.

With stunning clarity, he knew what he had to do, and the thought of dying for his ship seemed so right.

"Shall I destroy you, Mr. Spock?" Khan asked. "Or will you give me what I want?"

Now was as good a time as ever to die.

With a feral yell, Jim threw himself at Khan.

Reviews are always appreciated! Let me know if you like what you see and want more, or what I can do to improve! Again, thanks for reading!

-Penn