INTERLUDES: Dazed and Confused

	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.