I'll Save You - Spirk

Chapter Fifty Seven

*Jim's POV*

"Jim...... Jim? You still here?"

I blinked, still trying to process the torn face of my ex-stepfather.

A hesitant touch on my sleeve brought me back to reality and I finally tore my eyes away from Frank's body. I turned to Spock and gazed at him, still feeling a little shocked

"Yeah, sorry. Please, go ahead."

Spock let his hand drop, clearly reassured that I was okay, but thankfully he didn't leave my side.

Pike nodded and continued talking. "Now I know Winona knew him, and she seemed to think you did too. Do you know how they knew each other?"

"Yeah, they were married for a few years."

"Oh," it seemed to click for Pike and he shifted uncomfortably. "I see why Winona was so upset. If you want to leave you can."

I waved a hand airily. "Nah, so where did you find him?" Pike looked at me doubtfully for a moment before shrugging slightly.

"He was found in Iowa about seventeen hours ago, in a ditch a few kilometres from the local bar."

"Was he intoxicated?" Spock questioned and he nodded. "Extremely. I doubt he would have been able to put up much of a fight."

"Doubt it would have mattered," I commented as I examined the wounds.

The flesh was covered in very deep slashes from the waist up, and the face almost looked like it had been clawed at.

As well as the cuts the body was covered in deep, purple bruising and several of the bones looked like they had been broken.

"The people who found him thought it was an animal attack but I'm not so sure," Pike speculated and the other Vulcan looked skeptical.

"Speculation is not much to go on Captain."

I glanced at him briefly before shaking my head. "This wasn't an animal. The cuts are too precise, if it was an animal there would have been much more tearing and at least some teeth marks. Besides, look at his throat - It's untouched. An attacking animal would have gone straight for it."

I gestured vaguely and the Vulcan stepped forwards to get a better look, raising an eyebrow. "Indeed. His logic is sound."

He sounded as surprised as Vulcans get and Pike held back a sigh with obvious difficulty.

"Yes, however that's not enough evidence. It still could have been any psychopath, not necessarily our psychopath."

I hesitated and Pike looked at me sharply. "If you have something to say, now's the time Kirk."

I glanced at the two strangers and Pike waved a hand airily. "Ambassador Sarek and Lady Amanda Greyson of Vulcan. They know everything that's happened so far. It's hard to trust people at times like these, but I assure you we can trust them."

Their names sounded familiar and I glanced at Spock in surprise. He nodded slightly, confirming my suspicions. These were his parents.

"Okay, you didn't get another message today, did you?" Pike frowned heavily. "No, we didn't. Am I to take it you did?"

I nodded and opened the message, handing it over without any hesitance.

While his eyes scanned over it I looked back to Spock, who was watching me with a worried glint in his eyes.

I quickly reached over and brushed his fingers lightly in reassurance.

"How did they get around the system?" Pike asked with a sigh as he handed my communicator back.

I shrugged. "Dunno, what now though?"

Ambassador Sarek, who had read the message over Pike's shoulder, spoke up. "Have you considered responding to the message?"

The look of shock on my face was mirrored on Lady Greyson's, and Spock stepped forward with a stiff set to his shoulders.

"He should not respond under any circumstances. This person has already proven that they are willing to kill to get what they want. We do not know how they will react, what they will do. The risk is too high."

"Spock," I muttered quietly. "He has a point. If we talk to them we might be able to figure out who they are, or at least get an idea. We're running blind here." I didn't want to have to talk to that monster, but if it helped us find the person responsible than I would.

Spock's mouth was set in a hard line and his mind appeared to be made up. "No," he stated stubbornly and Sarek raised an eyebrow.

"Spock. We need to know more."

Pike sighed and held his hands out. "Okay, let's slow things down a little. Yes we need more information, but Spock's right. The risk is too high right now."

His words were final and Sarek and I nodded. "Good. I'll look into how they got a message to you without our knowledge, I'll keep you posted."

He nodded to us in dismissal and I took one last look at Frank before leaving the room.

"May I see it?" Spock had followed me out and was looking at me expectantly.

I hesitated. I didn't really want him seeing it, but with the memory of what happened last time I tried to keep the messages from him, I had no choice but to hand my communicator over.

His eyes darkened as he read it but he was silent as he handed it back.

"Are you okay?" I asked quietly and he nodded. "Of course. Are you? The death of a family member is usually hard."

I shrugged. "Frank was never family, not really. Mum wasn't wrong when she said we didn't get along. The person that's doing this knew somehow. I just wish I knew....."

Spocks eyes darkened even more. "Please, promise me you won't message them?"

I nodded, closing my eyes.

"I promise."