CHAPTER TEN

Dr. Carol Marcus was reading a report on her hand held when a sudden rustling of the sheets brought her attention towards the figure lying on the bed. Jim Kirk was slowly moving his right arm back and forth against the sheet that was draped across him. Leaning forward, Carol grasped his hand and began to rub it.

Softly she said to him, "Captain, can you hear me? Captain, open your eyes and look at me!"

Jim Kirk stilled at the sound of her voice and moved his head ever so slightly towards her. Letting go of his hand, Carol quickly got up and went to look at his vitals that were displayed on the board behind her. Hope began to fill her heart as she walked over to his bedside and peered down at his face. Taking a small light, Carol flashed the light into one of his eyes. The pupil reacted. Slowly, she opened her communicator and became instantly connected with her intended party.

"McCoy." The gruff voice at the other end of the communicator responded.

"Dr. McCoy, this is Carol Marcus. I think the Captain is coming out of his coma."

"Very good, Carol. That's fantastic. I'll get in touch with Captain Spock and Captain Kirk's family and be down there momentarily. Please continue to monitor the captain and have the medical staff ready for a cerebral scan when I get there. Is the Lieutenant still on duty?"

"Yes, Doctor."

"Good. Get her to assist you until I get there. See you soon."

"Understood. Marcus out."

Carol hung up and glanced back at Jim. Reaching for her communicator again, she contacted Lieutenant Owens and relayed Dr. McCoy's instructions. Within moments, members of the medical staff began to file into his room and began to prep the captain for this procedure. All knew that this would determine if he had experienced any brain damage during this whole ordeal.

Meanwhile…

The Klingon High Command had been patiently monitoring Kirk's situation through their Ambassador on Earth. Before any negotiations and diplomatic moves could be made, the High Command wanted to be sure of who the players would be in this very real game as so much depended on this tactic. Surprise would be the only way that the Klingons could get ahead of the Romulans on their age old war. It appeared that the humans were the only way to get one up on them. The Klingons would never be dominated by that inferior race…ever!

Back at Starfleet Medical…

Spock rushed through the sliding door and almost knocked over Winona Kirk in the process. Mumbling a greeting and apology at the same time, Spock continued to walk forward at a brisk pace until he reached the observation window. At that time, Bones glanced up from his examination of the captain, who still appeared to be in a deep slumber. Bones smiled and shook his head. Behind him, Spock heard Winona Kirk gasp and as he turned towards her, he noticed that she was wobbling with her hand over her mouth. Tears were streaming down her face and the look of joy was upon her face. Spock grasped her by the shoulders and drew her close to him. The joy that he himself was feeling was indescribable. Spock noted that since Jim's accident, this seems to have become a pattern. He was going to have to deal with his human side and the timing seemed to be now, not later.

Bones observed Spock and Kirk's mother together. Shock rippled through his body as he observed the normally emotionally cold Mr. Spock respond to the sight of Kirk with such emotion. Spock was obviously very unnerved by this display of emotion, but was giving into it nonetheless. Bones made a mental note to write down his observations in his medical log as soon as possible. This may give others the insight into the Vulcan mind. One that now was ruled only by logic, but in the past of the species, emotion had ruled supreme.

Bones glanced down at his patient and his friend. Things were looking great and so far, all the tests were showing no physical lasting effects of the coma and transfusion procedures. Still, this could not be confirmed until Jim fully regained consciousness. It was agreed by all that could happen at any time as it was only a matter of time.

Finally, Spock and Kirk's mother sat down in the observation/waiting area. Anxiety and excitement could be felt in the air as both of them awaited news that the captain had regained consciousness. After several hours of waiting, but still no further news from the medical staff, Spock convinced Winona to go back to Jim's place with the promise to call her as soon as any further news was heard. Dawn was fast approaching and the light began to stream into Kirk's hospital room. Now, McCoy was the only person left in the room as he continued to monitor his friend's vital signs. Spock stepped into the room and quietly stood at the bottom of the bed as he too came in to observe his friend. Suddenly, Jim turned his head and his eyes opened! He stared blankly around the room until his eyes rested on Bones. Smiling ever so slightly, he closed his eyes and then reopened them. Slowly and quietly, he began to speak and to Bones and Spock, those words were music to both their ears. He was awake, but he was weak. Still, Jim Kirk was going to be okay!

After his very short visit with the Captain where Spock informed him of Khan's status and how he was saved, Spock headed out to inform Kirk's mother. It appeared that the news was spreading throughout Starfleet that Kirk had survived and despite all the odds, he was going to be okay with no permanent damage. Still, there were going to be months of physical therapy ahead as Jim would have to strengthen his body and get it back into top physical condition. However, knowing Kirk like he did, Spock had no doubt that the Captain would be back to running things in record time. For one of the few times that Spock could remember, he smiled and it felt good. The process of informing Starfleet command and Kirk's mother went smoothly and the commander was already on her way back to the medical center.

As for Kirk, he lay resting in bed and reflected on all the news that Bones and Spock had provided. There had been a lot going on to say the very least and he found himself to be both amazed and happy that his brother and mother had been there through most of it. He had missed them so and wished that their reunion had been under different circumstances. Still, any opportunity to get together them was something that Kirk wasn't going to let go by the wayside. He planned to take full advantage of this situation to try and patch up his family. In addition, he was going to have to find out who had been talking to him while he was asleep. He remembered a loving voice speaking softly to him, encouraging him and stroking his hand. That voice had kept him from walking into the light so many times since the incident aboard the Enterprise. He needed to thank that person. She had saved his life!