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Captain's personal log, Stardate 2731.6. It's been 8 hours since the pirates were taken into custody and the crew took back control of the Enterprise. Things have been pretty hectic since. Nurse Chapel declined my bribe to keep my latest injuries off of the official medical record, which is a shame because now I've lost a fine bottle of saurian ale to Admiral April. I guess it's a small price to pay in the grand scheme of things. Anyway, the few crew members who were injured in the fighting have all cleared medical and the cleanup of the ship is almost complete. If it weren't for the scorch marks in the corridors, you would have a hard time knowing that the Enterprise had fallen into enemy hands. Enemy boarding was always a possibility out here, even more so when Doctor Aspen, well - Captain Angel, informed us of the Serene Squall and high pirate activity in the area, but I never imagined I'd lose my ship. I underestimated the pirates completely. It took them less than 5 minutes to take the bridge, I'll admit that still stings. I've already tasked La'an with new security procedures so if we come across Captain Angel or any pirates in the future, we will be more prepared, hopefully. One can never truly anticipate a betrayal, which is something my Chief Science Officer has refused to accept.
Pike walked into the gym and was immediately assaulted by a persistent thwacking sound, followed by a faint aura of sweat and stale air. The environmental controls weren't running at full capacity, either that or the system need an upgrade. The Captain filed away the thought for another day and scanned the room, seeking a particular crew member. He soon spotted the Vulcan, who was busy kicking the hell out of a suspended punching bag.
Chris picked his way through the room, avoiding the high traffic areas and anyone else's workout. He kept his eyes on Spock the whole way over, watching as his muscles rippled and he delivered punishing blow after punishing blow.
If this was any indicator as to Spock's headspace, and in Pike's experience this was a pretty good bet, then the young Vulcan was deeply troubled. It seemed that betrayal could sting a Vulcan just as badly as a human; of course, it didn't help that the betrayal was deeply personal. No wonder Spock had sought a punching bag.
Chris circled round to the other side of the swinging bag, he had learned the hard way never to sneak up on Spock when he was in the middle of a workout.
Spock took a few seconds to notice he had company, another sign of his current headspace. He pulled his last punch and straightened out of his boxing pose; the heavy bag swung like a pendulum between the two officers.
"Captain."
Chris offered him a bemused smile, "at ease, Spock."
He hadn't even sounded out of breath. If it weren't for the creaking of the punching bag or the blush of green in the Vulcan's cheeks, he'd never have known Spock had just gone 10 rounds against a tireless 150lb opponent. Pike wished he were still that fit, hell who was he kidding. Even in his best form fresh out of pilot training, he was no match for Spock, his stamina was unbeatable.
Spock relaxed his stance and walked over to the bench to retrieve a water bottle, he gulped a couple of mouthfuls, and all the while he tried to glean the reason for this visit. Pike wasn't even wearing gym gear.
Chris didn't leave him in the dark for long.
"I wanted to see how you were doing, I read the report about the shooting on the bridge, in front of T'Pring."
Pike was willing to open the gates with care and patience. He didn't want to spook the kid, best to lead him out with plenty of room to manoeuvre.
Spock tossed the water bottle back on the bench, Pike didn't miss the harshness of the throw. "I am fine, Captain. I was uninjured in the attempt."
If Spock could knock seven shades out of this heavy punching bag then physically he was as right as rain. It was Spock's mental state he was concerned for, he'd never seen the Vulcan work his body to such extremes before.
Pike closed the space between them, with small hesitant steps. He placed one hand on the punching bag to steady its swing.
"I wasn't talking about physical injury."
There was suddenly a tightness in the Vulcan's gaze, and Spock found himself busying his hands by sweeping his sweat-slicked hair back in place.
"I see."
Chris clocked the evasion, recognising the look of a mare about to bolt. Time to fall back on a familiar task.
"Here, let me be your punching partner." Chris moved behind the bag and took a firm hold of it against his shoulder. "You'll be able to hit a lot faster without the swinging."
Spock snapped out of his spooked state. "That is not necessary, Captain."
Chris waved him off, an easy smile in place. "Nonsense, I don't want to come between a man and his workout time."
The Captain patted the padded material, a challenging gleam in his gaze. "You punch, I'll talk around you."
Spock weighed up the choice for a fraction of a second; he tightened his gloves, stalked back in range and released a flurry of deadly jabs at his opponent. Chris had to readjust his grip on the bag and firmly plant his feet just to keep in place, Spock wasn't messing around.
"I heard T'Pring left a couple of hours ago, did she have any problems with her prisoner?"
Spock flinched, but he hid it well behind a well-aimed right hook.
"T'Pring is adequately trained to deal with any problems that could arise."
That wasn't a no, so Spock must have asked himself this very question too.
"Still, Angel is still out there. She could try to get her hands on Sybok again, T'Pring is one of only a few with access to him."
Spock stopped punching at the mention of his half-brother, his body tensed in place and brown eyes darted to the source of his surprise. Pike met his gaze, did he really think he wouldn't find out?
"How did-"
"T'Pring." Pike interrupted. "I asked for a debrief after learning of Angel's ultimatum."
Spock still hadn't moved, Pike angled himself around the punching bag which creaked with the movement. Still, Spock did not react.
Nice work Chris, you've managed to spook Spock - not an easy feat.
Pike tried to catch the Vulcan's gaze, "Any more secret siblings I need to worry about?"
The joke landed, knocking Spock out of his stupor. Pike caught the imperceptible twitch which betrayed Spock's amusement. "None that I am aware of."
Chris grinned and braced himself for the next flurry of hits, telegraphed just prior to landing. He adjusted position and watched Spock's movements begin to level out, the strength returned to his jabs but it was more controlled now.
Trust stretched between the two gym partners. It was a tangible thing, something which Chris could use to measure when to push and more importantly when to back off. After some time watching, he decided now was the time to push. He would jump on the saddle and have to trust that Spock wouldn't buck him off.
"Betrayal hits us all hard." Pike was looking at a point over Spock's shoulder as he felt the hits continue to pummel his chest. What an apt thought - Alora's betrayal had felt like being punched in the gut repeatedly, rather how this punching bag must currently feel. Chris blinked and pulled himself out of the memory, he shared a sad smile with Spock, his chin dipping slightly. "It can stay with you, even alter your trust in others, if you let it."
"Doctor Aspen," Spock delivered a particularly nasty jab, correcting himself instantly. "Captain Angel deceived me, I should have seen through the ruse before but I was distracted."
"We all fell for it, Spock." Pike reminded him, not unkindly. "I noticed they got close to you. I assume that was part of their plan, gain your trust and all."
Chris noticed Spock's punches were speeding up, and not only that but each successive hit was stronger than the last. He could feel the anger coming through the bag, each jab pushing him back on the mat.
Spock was oblivious to the change.
"I confided in them, allowing them to expertly manipulate me, I put the ship and crew in jeopardy."
"Pretty sure the pirates handled the jeopardy bit."
Pike's attempt to defuse fell on deaf ears.
"If it were not for my presence, Captain Angel and the serene squall would never have targeted Enterprise."
A more direct approach then.
"Bullshit."
Spock's eyes flicked upwards, widening a fraction. The heavy bag creaked between them. "Captain?"
Chris pressed on, undeterred. "You're not one to play 'what if?' And even if you were you'd lose. If it were not for your presence, all of sentient life would have ended years ago."
Spock was rendered mute, the bleak reminder of Discovery doing nothing for his emotional balance. Chris came around the side of the punching bag, removing the barrier between them.
"This." Pike gestured to the aggressive display before him, the one which had been going on for hours without rest, "is about something else. It doesn't have to be me, but you need to talk to somebody about this."
Pike watched Spock's mind whirring behind his eyes, brief twitches of suppressed emotions flickered across the Science Officer's face. Spock's eyes unfocussed, and then there was a hard obvious swallow. Chris thought he was going to lose him, they weren't at that level of trust yet and maybe they never would be, but Spock surprised him.
"The conversations I held with Captain Angel altered my perspective, or you might say, challenged it." Spock recounted the words quietly, his usual sharp gaze still hazy and distant. "Missing pieces I have been unable to make fit suddenly slotted into place, and the divide I have lived with my entire life started to disappear. It was no longer a question of Human or Vulcan, it was peaceful."
Spock's chin dipped slightly as he held that far-off look. Chris noticed the wistful edge to Spock's words, he also noticed that he had used the past tense. "was peaceful?"
Wild brown eyes snapped to him, pupils dilated as though they were chasing some inner demons. "What if the manipulation was deliberate, planned by Sybok."
"He's behind bars, Spock."
"I have been reliably informed it unwise to underestimate him."
Chris rubbed the back of his neck, trying to unravel just what had Spock so anxious, what had him doubting himself. "You're afraid your brother's trying to get in your head?"
Spock met his stare from lowered lids. "I am afraid I may have let him."
Pike's brows drew closer and his face tightened, doubt seeping into his words. "Is he really that dangerous?"
"I do not know."
Chris offered his friend a lop-sided smile. "We both know how much you despise not knowing things."
"Indeed." Spock sighed deeply, a hint of lightness returning to his movements.
"You know, there's every chance that Angel had no ulterior motive."
Spock's eyes widened comically; a singular brow rose towards his hairline. And hadn't Pike seen that look before - Spock's very own way of calling bullshit.
"I mean the advice." He clarified, clamping his lips together to suppress his answering smile. "I don't know what they told you in private but the parting gift they threw you before vanishing, gotta say it seemed pretty genuine."
"The question isn't what you are, but who you are." Spock quoted his voice back to normal.
"Something to consider?" Pike suggested.
"Perhaps." Spock deflected, pulling back slightly. "I only wish my path were clearer."
Poor kid. Chris couldn't imagine living with such a divide, it must feel like being torn apart.
"I don't envy your struggle, Spock. If there's anything I can do to help, just name it."
Spock's eyes glittered with mischief, retreating behind levity just as he'd seen others do. "To coin a phrase - I wish it were that simple." The kid was learning to put up walls as well as the best of them, hardly surprising with the command team being who they were.
Chris would not push any further, he was satisfied that Spock would come to him or others if he needed assistance. Like Spock said, if only it were that easy.
"I better leave you in peace, thanks for placing your trust in me Spock, it means a lot." He grasped Spock's arm for a brief moment, all he would be allowed even with his friend in such a trusting head-space.
"Of course, thank you for your counsel." Chris nodded and released his hold, aware that Spock was eyeing him intently even as he turned to step off the mat.
"Are you needed elsewhere, Captain?"
Now that query sent his tingly senses right off.
Pike had his back to Spock so the Vulcan did not witness the flash of a smile. He turned back, giving Spock his full attention. "Not at all, I just didn't want to get in the way of the rest of your workout."
Spock stood ramrod straight, arms clasped behind his back as though he were addressing an Admiral. "I have noticed that whilst you have been my boxing partner my speed has indeed improved, you were not getting in the way."
Pike's eyes dance with mirth, his lips curled upwards - tingly senses indeed. If that wasn't a Vulcan invitation for company and an ear to bend, then he didn't know what was. "Well, in that case, I better wrap up, join in properly."
Spock rolled with it, completely missing the fact that he hadn't actually asked Chris to stay, he would never voice that aloud. The good thing was he didn't need to.
"Only if you have no other plans."
Chris pulled out some boxing gloves and hand wrap from the nearby locker, he began to wrap his right hand. "Number One knows where to find me."
Spock watched Chris wrap his hands, whilst he stood at full parade attention. "Should you," he paused, as he worked out the best way to ask if the Captain was ignoring medical advice.
Pike caught him frowning at his jaw, a slight bruise remained from the pirates' hospitality.
The Captain offered him a grin that conveyed secret knowledge. "I'm cleared for light exercise, don't be such a mother hen, Spock."
"I fail to see the connection."
"Another time," Chris chuckled and shook his head. He pulled on his gloves and moved to the other side of the punching bag, taking up a fighting stance. "Now come on, let's see what you've got."
Vulcans were not prideful people but Pike could have sworn he saw a satisfied look on Spock's face just before he was hit by the punching bag, putting him on his ass again.