Chapter 10

by Starsinger

I'm sorry it took me so long to finish this. I couldn't settle on an ending. I knew what it would be, just not how. Please forgive me. Italics mean they're speaking Klingon. I'm not really fluent in Klingon and really don't want to be. Don't own them.

The Klingon Warbird was, well, impressive. Not in size, Federation Starships were larger, but that it could land on a planet. Starfleet could definitely learn a thing or two from this species, they'd actually discovered this on their own, unlike just about everything else. Jim sat in a wheelchair watching it land, Admiral Marcus and Khan stood next to him in restraints. Khan was actually smiling. He was looking forward to this.

Slowly, the hatch opened revealing steel-toed boots and rather threatening looking men walking down the ramp. Klingons were a rather impressive looking species, by and large. The ridges on their foreheads and pointed teeth made them even more dominant. "You've looked better, Captain," the lead Klingon said striding up to Kirk.

"Dying will do that to anyone, Koth. How are you?" Jim replied.

"You were really dead?" Koth replied. "I'm impressed. Who's this?" Koth continued in Federation Standard, pointing to his companions, pointedly ignoring Marcus.

"Ah, Khan Noonien Singh and Dr. Leonard McCoy, without both of whom I'd still be dead," Jim responded.

"The woman?"

"Dr. Carol Marcus, Admiral Marcus is her father," Jim laughed as Koth breathed in appreciation of a beautiful woman. "She's not going with you, Koth. Place nice."

"Ah, of course," Koth turned to Carol, "You are very beautiful."

"Thank you?" Carol replied.

Koth walked over to Khan, "Well, you are the worthy opponent, if the carnage you left behind on Qo'noS is anything to gauge your skills by."

"We won't meet again," Khan replied.

"A pity," Koth replied. "Well, Admiral, it's time to go," he told the older man as he dragged him away. Everyone watched as the Warbird lifted off from the ground and flew away.

Bones and Carol turned back to Jim as Security left with Khan, Jim was fast asleep, "Figures," McCoy snorted, "I'm surprised he lasted that long." Carol laughed as they carted him off back to the hospital. Pike was waiting.

"How'd it go?" Pike asked.

McCoy gestured to Jim as the orderlies maneuvered Jim's inert form back into bed. "They're gone, and Jim lasted until the ship left." Pike let out a short bark of laughter. Jim immediately rolled over and murmured something in his sleep. "Do you think Marcus will actually make it to Qo'noS?" Bones asked.

Chris sighed, "I don't know."

Three days later Chris received a message, Marcus had been found in his cell, someone had slit his throat. Koth obligingly returned Admiral Marcus' remains. His ashes filled a rather small box. Carol, Jim and Bones all looked at it. "What will you do with it?" Jim finally asked.

Carol sighed, "I've made arrangements to have him placed with my Mum." She looked up, tears unshed, "He was a good man, really. I don't know what happened."

"Nero happened," Jim replied. They stared soberly at the box before Carol left.

"Do you really think war's coming, Jim?" Bones asked.

"Yes, Bones, I do, but I think there are enough sane people on both sides that we'll eventually see a resolution. Or, maybe, some all-powerful race will intervene and force us to play nice."

Yes, that last was a shout-out to the Organians. Go figure. Good night everyone, hope you enjoyed!