He came down, of course. There were certain parts of him that had wanted to come down here for a while now, and then there was the most logical part of his mind that said he should have kept as far away as possible, for his own good--one little incident had sparked off so much turmoil in his life. To do the same thing, and not expect expect the same result sounded a bit like insanity, though he was far from ignorant of Pike's capabilities now
( ... )
SPOCK! Kirk screamed in his head. STOP BEING AN IDIOT! He wants to get you close... fuck is your scientific OCD so strong that it's going to over rule your logic?!
The guard was watching the Captain spaz in silence, blinking a little.
Fortunately for Jim's rising blood pressure, Spock did not step any closer just yet. He wanted to, though; he wanted to try on those gloves for himself--for science.
"Your second?" He immediately jumped on Pike's use of the word first, implying there was more. Spock glanced up from the gloves towards Pike's face.
"We had one other success, but unfortunately, didn't have time to implement it. I'm hoping he'll continue the project if he can figure out a way around its defenses." Was all Pike would allow him to know. "Since you are obviously dying to know... if another person were to touch these, it would activate on them. He could only work on it while I was with him."
"I see." To most everyone, it was a simple acknowledgment of the facts. To those that knew him well enough, especially in the laboratory, the way his gaze lingered lower and the minute relaxation of shoulders expressed a small disappointment. Hopes deflated. So he moved on to the next topic he was supposed to cover with this man.
"Sir, other than the aforementioned experiments--was there any other notable research being conducted in your laboratories, specifically in the physics department?"
"Spock, you and I both know that this is going beyond what I would be willing to tell you. I reacted as any one would on an enemy ship, I have been patient with those that have been sent to interrogate me. I would rather return home to my own universe and fix what damage has been done then remain here." His tone had changed, almost almost annoyed.
"We do not have the capability to send you across dimensions without assistance from your ship," Spock retorted, with a casual step back. This was accurate to a certain point. Given more time, more research, they would probably be able to find a way, but the older Enterprise had done most of the legwork on that last transferal--an Enterprise about ten years in the future.
"The only plausible way that you are returning to your universe is if my alternate somehow manages to cross over and collect you. You can see how unlikely this event is. His new captain will not want you returned to your position of power, and my captain will not be receptive to contacting your Empire."
"The chances are not good in my returning home, I already know this." Pike shrugged a shoulder, "So will your Captain simply keep me here until I'm put to death, or will he allow me my freedom under restriction, or is there another way?" His eyes were fierce as he slowly stood up. "Either way, I won't be kept like this."
Fuck, no. FUCK no you are not coming near my god damn first officer. Spock if he takes another step I order you to GET OUT OF THERE. He was screaming at Spock in his head as if Spock would hear him.
Fuck it, if that bastard took one more step he was coming in there himself.
Spock stood where he was, watching Pike stand. His hand tightened over the handle of the phaser--the only response to the intimidating aura the man had now assumed. This cell was far, far too small.
"I cannot assume how he will deal with you, though with your knowledge of the ship and its personnel, he will not allow you to roam freely." He wondered, briefly, if Pike knew he was being watched, if Spock's resistance to come near him was any indication. Then, surely, Pike would know that attacking him would simply result in more imprisonment, and likely a swift death through an airlock.
Pike tilted his head slightly, studying Spock with an intense, curious look. "...He knows you've been here." Came the quiet tone, more quietly then the cameras might be able to pick up. "Doesn't he? He's waiting for your report or is watching even now? Is that why you will not come closer? Or... are you simply afraid? Afraid of me? Afraid of yourself?"
His gaze matched that look from Pike, trying to remain steady for the cameras, for Jim who he could just picture leaning in to the monitor, turning up the volumes on screen. Spock felt something ice-cold sinking through his stomach, and the grip on the phaser tightened even more. "...yes." To every one of his questions; his lips barely moved, almost just a breath, reaching into the levels beyond the cameras' sensitivity.
"Didn't harm you when you came here last time, did I?" Pike kept that so-so-soft tone, knowing a Vulcan could hear it where the cameras might not. "You broad casted in my mind just how much you enjoyed every second of it, even when logic told you otherwise."
Another tilt of his head, quizzical. "...You don't want you Captain to see your fear or your enjoyment."
"No, I do not," Spock matched his tone, which only made the otherwise silence that much louder in his ears. "And I cannot allow myself to enjoy this, sir." Though his voice wavered on this declaration, this half-refusal.
"...Do you want to remain beneath his hand, Spock?" Pike asked, so quiet, his gaze unwavering. "You're a creature of habit, of need, of having your place. There's a reason your alternate hasn't removed me from being captain, even though he could have a long time ago."
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The guard was watching the Captain spaz in silence, blinking a little.
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"Your second?" He immediately jumped on Pike's use of the word first, implying there was more. Spock glanced up from the gloves towards Pike's face.
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"Sir, other than the aforementioned experiments--was there any other notable research being conducted in your laboratories, specifically in the physics department?"
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"The only plausible way that you are returning to your universe is if my alternate somehow manages to cross over and collect you. You can see how unlikely this event is. His new captain will not want you returned to your position of power, and my captain will not be receptive to contacting your Empire."
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Fuck it, if that bastard took one more step he was coming in there himself.
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"I cannot assume how he will deal with you, though with your knowledge of the ship and its personnel, he will not allow you to roam freely." He wondered, briefly, if Pike knew he was being watched, if Spock's resistance to come near him was any indication. Then, surely, Pike would know that attacking him would simply result in more imprisonment, and likely a swift death through an airlock.
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Another tilt of his head, quizzical. "...You don't want you Captain to see your fear or your enjoyment."
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"Sir, the microphones will only pick up so--"
"We're getting better ones as soon as possible!" Kirk snapped, not even looking away from the monitor, his hand clutching the phaser at his side.
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