The BLTS Archive - Interludes
#17: Dazed and Confused
by T'Kuht (lngbrnchlady@yahoo.com)

---

With the beings Sargon, Henoch, and Thalassa gone into eternity, the
USS Enterprise could resume normal operations.  Commander Spock did
not hesitate.  He knew his duty. "Captain, I wish to be put under
arrest.  I will voluntarily accept confinement to quarters. . . "

Jim Kirk stopped him in mid-sentence. "What are you talking about?"

The Vulcan straightened and glanced over at Nurse Chapel who was just
as shocked as everyone else.  "It is a personal matter between myself
and Miss Chapel."

"All right, we'll meet in my office.  Mr. Sulu, you have the con till
I return," Kirk decided and herded the two officers into the lift and
down one level to the briefing room he claimed as his office.  He
looked at the nurse. "What's this about?"

"I don't know," she shrugged.

"By Starfleet and Federation regulations anyone accused of sexual
assault will be immediately put under guard and kept confined until a
full investigation can be completed," Spock replied, formally standing
stiff and proper as he'd been taught.

"Just when did this occur?" Kirk asked.  Chapel just stared at Spock,
mystified.

"While Henoch inhabited my body," Spock replied.

Kirk sat back in the chair. "Christine is this true?"

She stammered, "Well, yes, I suppose so."

"Do you wish to press charges against Commander Spock?" he asked, not
making a move to begin recording the conversation.

"No, why would I?" she stated sincerely.

"Then I wish to file the charge personally," Spock insisted.

"Spock, you can't charge yourself with rape without Miss Chapel's
charge.  Besides you weren't there.  You are certain there are no
charges, lieutenant?"

Christine nodded. "None, sir.  Why would I accuse Mr. Spock of rape
when he didn't do it?"

"But there was non-consensual sex between you and Henoch while he was
in Spock's body?" Kirk asked for clarification.

She paused a moment.  "Yes."

Spock said, "And I use that evidence as the basis for my charge."

Kirk shook his head.  "Spock, as a third party observer in this case
you cannot file this charge legally, only Miss Chapel or Henoch can.
Since she refuses and Henoch is dead, we can only drop this discussion
and consider the matter closed.  Time to get on to another mission, is
that understood?"

Spock nodded gravely.  "Yes sir."

Christine agreed.  "Yes sir."

"Then dismissed," the captain answered with a smile.

Chapel exited quickly, glad to be done.  Spock hesitated.  "I do not
understand."

Kirk chuckled.  "Spock for the smartest man I know you can be thick
as a brick sometimes.  What is bothering you?"

"In the case last year with Ensign Bartelli, drunkenness was used as
his defense, being 'out of his senses' I believe, when he was
convicted of assaulting Yeoman Daws.  You stated at that time that
being 'out of his senses' had no bearing on the case and he was still
responsible for his actions.  Am I not responsible for what my body
has done?" Spock argued.

"No," Kirk countered.  "Bartelli had a known problem with alcohol
that was well documented.  He voluntarily drank himself into a stupor,
then sexually attacked Daws and beat her severely.  He denied doing it
contrary to all tests and evidence.  Furthermore, Daws brought charges
against him herself.  You weren't even in your body at the time and
had no way to prevent what happened.  Also, Chapel's stated no charges
are to be filed.  You are not to blame.  Is that clear?"

Spock sighed.  "Yes sir."

"Good, now scoot.  You're off duty today," Kirk commanded.  "Go
meditate or read or sleep or something.  Just get this out of your
system."

---

The truth was, she was sore all over.  Since Henoch's mind control
wore off she was completely drained emotionally and physically.  After
a real shower she toweled off and decided to just climb into bed the
way she was.  She'd just settled in to get some real sleep when the
door buzzer annoyed her.  "Come in."

The Vulcan's silhouette was clearly outlined in the corridor.   He
held something.  "I shall come back later."

"No, come on in," she said and started to get up but remembered her
state of dress.  Pulling the sheet so it was wrapped around her like a
sarong, she sat on the edge of the bed.

Spock stepped forward.  "I believe these are yours."

He held out a carefully folded pair of ripped black tights and a
jeweled hair comb.  She took them.

"Thank you.  I'd have wondered  where this was later."

"You will still not press charges," Spock practically pleaded.

Christine sighed and patted the edge of the bed. "Come sit here."

Spock did as she requested.  He found it difficult to look at her.

"Give me your hand," she requested.

Spock couldn't look at her. "How can you bear to touch me after what
I've done?"

"Don't know, haven't done it yet.  Your hand," she reminded and he
held the left one out palm down.  She grasped it tightly with both of
hers and turned it over.  She smiled.  "You see, it's just a hand.
There is no malice, no menace, no evil intent in this hand.  It's all
in here," she said and  placed one hand along the cheek that faced
her.  "But I've known this man, this tender, gentle man, far too long
to believe he could ever do what Henoch did."

Spock blinked.  He understood what she said but still could not meet
her eyes.  She sighed.

"Spock, who are you truly upset with, yourself for being completely
innocent or me because I wasn't?  After all I did have some control.
Henoch didn't really hurt me because he used my own desires against
me.  He knew how to get me to react both to please him and me.  I'm
the one who should file charges against myself.  After all, it was my
inability to stand against Henoch that led to killing Captain Kirk's
body.  I knew what was happening the whole time.  If I'd been a little
stronger. . . "

"He would have still overpowered you," Spock concluded, "or worse."
He turned to catch her gaze, held it for a long moment.  He noticed an
ugly bruise along her collarbone and another one on the forearm that
matched his hand print.  He allowed his hand to brush across the areas
as if to heal it.   His voice was rough when he spoke.  "You are
correct.  I could never have hurt you in this fashion."

"Then stop hurting me now by trying to punish yourself.  Forgive
yourself even though there is nothing to forgive," she requested
sincerely.

Spock nodded.  He removed his hand.  "I will let you go back to
sleep."

"It wouldn't hurt you a bit," Christine suggested with a smile.

Spock cocked an elegant brow at her in the low light.  For a moment he
looked as if he might smile at her in the same devilish manner Henoch
had. "Good night, Christine."

"Good night, Spock," she called as the door slid shut.

---

The End