One

"…And this is our recreational room."

Spock and his parents followed Sally, the Registered Nurse who was acting as their tourguide, as she led them down the hall to a brightly-decorated, cheerful room.

Peering into the room filled mostly with toddlers, Spock's mother asked, "Are there any patients closer to Spock's age?" Spock fought the urge to roll his eyes: Even when touring a medical facility, his mother was obsessing over his socialization with his peers -or the lack thereof.

"At this time not many, but—JAMES T. KIRK!" Sally broke off, turning suddenly and drawing all eyes in the room to a tall blond crouching behind a young girl who appeared to be no older than six.

"Oh no, Rosie! I've been spotted!" He poked her playfully in the stomach, "I thought you could hide?"

"You're too big, Jamie." She giggled, her hands pressed over her mouth in an attempt to muffle the sound.

"Jim, does Nurse Chapel know you're here?"

The boy, roughly Spock's own age, turned to Sally with an innocent smile. He had shocking blue eyes, eyes that were as clear and bright as the Caribbean Sea. Spock realized he knew those eyes, the blond hair, and the not-so-innocent smile. They had sat in the same classroom the previous year, every weekday, in Astronomy I. Spock realized that he had not seen the boy at school this year since the term had started two weeks ago.

"Well, it was just a little visit…" Jim said. "I'll probably be released tomorrow anyway, and I just had to say goodbye to Rosie and my friends."

Sally snorted, clearly not impressed with Jim's response.

"Jim isn't here for the oncology program, but he's what we'd call a regular visitor." Sally gave Spock a quick glance up and down. "He's about your age, Spock," she said. "You're seventeen right, Jim?"

"Yes, I am. My birthday was last month," he felt compelled to add.

"Seventeen and quite the nuisance," Sally turned to Mr. and Mrs. Grayson. "Jim doesn't like to rest in his room, even when it's for his own good." She glared at Jim pointedly. "He prefers to visit the other patients. The kids are quite taken with him though," she admitted.

Jim ignored the discussion, staring at Spock, who was beginning to feel uneasy under the intense scrutiny.

"I know you," he said dragging an IV pole behind him as moved closer to inspect Spock.

"Indeed."

"Yeah…yeah, you were in my astronomy class last year, fifth period. The only other person who knew the difference between a black hole and a wormhole."

Spock raised an eyebrow. "It's rather elementary."

Jim smiled, revealing perfect white teeth. "Well, maybe to you and me. Whatcha doing in a place like this?"

Spock stiffened ever so slightly. Most people wouldn't have noticed if they didn't know him."I do not wish to have my personal life broadcasted to the school."

Jim laughed. "You don't think I can keep a secret? All right, I'll find out soon enough anyway. And since I know you're curious, even though you won't share your secret, I'll share mine." He leaned in close to Spock's ear and whispered in a voice loud enough for the room to hear, "I have cardiomyopathy."

Spock once again repressed the desire to roll his eyes. "I am well aware of this fact. Janice Rand has sobbed publicly enough on your behalf."

Jim shrugged. "It doesn't seem worth hiding. Besides, I had to explain why I dropped lacrosse mid-year as a freshman…. and gym."

Amanda Grayson was beaming, watching the exchange between the two teenagers. While Spock often lacked social grace and most people would perceive his behavior as rude, he really was teasing Jim and Jim had caught on to the friendly banter.

She sobered quickly hearing about Jim's poor health and asked, "Does your heart problem keep you here?"

"Not often, thankfully, I just have-" he paused searching for the right word, "—'episodes' sometimes. I'm getting over a respiratory infection right now." Mrs. Grayson nodded.

"And his heart," interrupted Sally, "can't take on the extra work a respiratory infection brings, which is all the more reason you should be in your room resting, Jim. I suspect the Grayson's would like to finish their tour. Now go, or I'll tell Dr. McCoy you left your room without permission." Jim waved her off dismissively and headed to the door.

"Going now. See you later Rosie girl." He blew the little girl a kiss. "Bye, Mr. and Mrs. Grayson. Bye, Spock, maybe I'll see you around in Astronomy II."

Spock stood with one eyebrow raised, watching Jim as he headed back to his room stopping every few feet to talk to a pretty nurse or another patient he met along the way.

"Will he be all right?" Amanda asked. "He seems like such a sweet young man."

"Oh, he's being released tomorrow, although I'm not sure if Dr. McCoy told him yet. He gets very worked up when it's time to leave."

"You make it sound as if this happens often."

"Unfortunately he'll eventually be back again. I imagine he will need a heart transplant at some point…" she trailed off. "But you, Mr. Spock, won't have to be admitted for your treatment. You'll be an outpatient."

Sally led the small family on, but Spock only half-listened. He had already met with Dr. M'Benga. He would come to the hospital three days a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. On Saturdays he would come in the early morning and, on the weekdays at three fifteen. His treatment would last roughly two and a half hours and then he would be able to leave. Dr. M'Benga had high hopes that this particular chemotherapy would successfully treat his leukemia. Leukemia which had been in remission for the past eleven years.