A/N: Sorry for the delay, it's Pride weekend in Columbus, so been busy!

Chapter Seven ~

Kirk sat in the Captain's chair, thinking about what Riley had done. He couldn't deny that the Lt. had been in the wrong; murder was unforgivable in Kirk's book. But then the man Riley had tried to kill was more a murder than anyone. Was it wrong to murder a murderer? The answer was yes, at least Kirk felt it was, and as Captain of a ship he had to trust his own instincts. Those instincts were telling him that murder of any kind was wrong. Self defense perhaps, but not cold blooded murder.

His thoughts shifted to Riley himself, at the time of Tarsus Riley had been nine, he'd turned ten shortly after their rescue. He'd been a tough little shit, watched his entire family slaughtered. Jim really couldn't blame him for his anger towards Kodos. Hell, Jim felt it too.

"If you think any harder, son, steam will be coming out your ears," Pike's voice startled Jim from his reverie. He glanced over at the Admiral and smiled. "Permission to come aboard the bridge?"

"Granted," Kirk replied softly.

Pike came and stood by his side, "How are you, son?"

"I've had better days," Kirk answered truthfully. "How did Starfleet take the news?"

Pike sighed, "Unfortunately, while I can vouch you, I don't seem to have the same magic for Riley. They're going to charge him with the attempted murder of a criminal. He'll probably have to serve a few years, and he won't be allowed back into Starfleet."

Kirk shook his head; "I didn't want this for him."

"No one did, believe me the Admiralty wasn't too happy about the situation either, and not because they were charged with keeping this bastard safe. Unfortunately, I don't believe your crew is going to understand why Lt. Riley attacked a simple actor."

Kirk nodded, "I've considered that, but I don't want to put him in further danger, as such I'll wait until we're back on our way to debrief them."

"They won't appreciate you for lying to them."

"I'm going to tell them I was under strict orders."

Pike chuckled, "Good choice. You doing okay?"

Kirk glanced around at his friends who were busy at work, "No," he admitted. "Not even a little bit. I'm doing the best I can."

"I'm proud of you, Jim."

Kirk looked up at his mentor, the only real father figure he'd ever had, and nodded. "Thank you, Admiral." Kirk sighed again, "I should probably check on our patient." He tapped his conn, "Dr. McCoy, report to the bridge."

There was a long pause of silence in which Kirk felt something deep within his stomach churn in warning, "Bones, report." He looked over at Pike who was also beginning to grow concerned. "Bones-"

"Doctor McCoy is indisposed at the moment," an unfamiliar voice echoed through the bridge, causing all members to stare at one another in fear and concern.

The guard leaned down forward from where he had McCoy pressed to the floor, on his back, hands held down together above his head with rope to McCoy's desk. McCoy, who'd been unconscious to this point, regained consciousness with a moan over his newly developed injuries, he took an inventory: broken rib, possibly two, bruised kidney, possible concussion.

He noted that his ribs were being aggravated by his position he tried to move but pain flared through his side with the busted ribs. He tried to take a calming breath, but then the guard from earlier swam back into his vision. "Oh good, you've awoken. My father always said that your lover was his best conquest. But I don't know, personally I find you far more attractive.

McCoy didn't like how that sounded, suddenly his ribs seemed to be the least of his worries as he felt the hand palming his flaccid cock through his Starfleet uniform pants. "Get off me, you stupid piece of-" McCoy gasped as the guard backhanded him across his already painfully throbbing face.

"You are truly in no position to be giving orders," The man hissed, "Tell me, doctor, how does your dear little play thing like it? How does it feel to know that you weren't his first man? Did he tell you what my father did to him?"

"You don't know anything about Kirk," McCoy growled as the zipper of his pants was pulled down. McCoy tried to buck his hips, but that seemed to only encourage his aggressor.

"I personally find men absolutely disgusting, but then, I appear to have garnered my father's deep love for torture," he reached in and gripped Bones and for the first time, Bones whimpered, not in pleasure but pain.

"Don't do this, please," he finally spoke again, not beneath begging. Jim wouldn't handle this well, knowing what was done to him if he died.

"Dr. McCoy, report to the bridge," Jim's voice echoed through the room's com unit. Palto paused as he continued to grope McCoy. "Bones, report." Realzing that the Captain wasn't going to leave his lover alone, Palto took McCoy's communication head set. "Bones-"

"Doctor McCoy is indisposed at the moment," Palto replied with a sickening grin as he stared down at McCoy, sending shivers down the doctor's spine.

"Who is this?" It was less of a question, and more of a demand, as Kirk replied to the voice.

"The man who will destroy you, and your crew," Palto sneered. He heard the click as the communication was ended.

"Sorry handsome, guess we'll have to cut this short, he grabbed McCoy who was beginning to get woozy from the manhandling and was thrust into the open medical bay as Kirk and Pike rushed in. "One step closer, Kirk and your lover will get it." Palto threatened

"Who are you?" Kirk demanded.

He looked familiar, but Kirk couldn't put his finger on it. McCoy looked defiant more than frightened, but he also looked like he was in pain. Kirk took a moment to study his lover; he clutched his arm close to his chest, whether to protect ribs or a broken wrist, Kirk couldn't tell because McCoy seemed to be trying to keep it hidden. His face was covered in bruises. Kirk felt guilt flare through him as he noticed McCoy's zipper was undone.

"Palto, son of Kodos, you ruined him! You ruined my life and family!" The man shouted, "So I'm ruining yours."

"No," Kirk shouted as Palto began to slice McCoy's neck, the cut appeared to be shallow thankfully. "Stop, like you said, it's my fault, destroy me, not him."

"What would you give to save your lover?"

Pike watched the two, making sure to pretend he never heard this conversation. He was growing worried about McCoy who was struggling to hold his own weight at this point.

"What do you want?" Kirk requested.

"Release my father, let us go free."

Kirk shook his head, "I can't do that, I'm sorry Palto."

The man's grip tightened on McCoy again, "Then he dies."

"STOP!" Kirk shouted, taking a step closer. "I can't let your father go, Palto, because he's sick. If we let you go now, he could die." Kirk stepped closer again to the seemingly rabid man, cautious of McCoy's rapidly deteriorating state. "You don't have to go to prison, Palto. What your father did was wrong, but you haven't killed anyone yet."

"I killed the other seven survivors. My fate will be no different than my father's."

"Then take the opportunity to make a change," he stepped closer again, he was still eyeing his best friend in concern. "Palto, it doesn't have to be like this, let us take care of the Doctor, you can have me instead."

"Jim, no," McCoy managed to whisper.

"Shut up, Bones," Jim hated being harsh, but he couldn't take the sight of his best friend struggling like this.

Pike never saw it coming, there was a blast from the other side of the medical bay, that dropped him, and seconds later Kirk like a sack of potatoes, unconscious. "Jim!" McCoy shouted as Palto released him and moved towards Kirk as well, preparing to stab him.

TBC