Author's note: Thank you all for the wonderful response to the first chapter! I do want to say that I have a bachelor's degree in social services, so hopefully my information will be accurate, but I'm not perfect. Enjoy!
All mistakes are mine. I don't own Star Trek.
Chapter Two
"I do not know, Doctor."
"For one, I'm pretty sure you are now Acting Captain." Leonard adjusted his hold on the boy and reached for a hypo with an antiemetic he wasn't allergic to. "Come on, kiddo. This will make you feel better." He injected it into his neck, frowning when the little guy whimpered.
Leonard set Jim back on the biobed and covered him up with the blanket. The boy grabbed his hand. The smile on the doctor's face faltered, but he held onto his hand and ran his fingers through Jim's hair until he started to close his eyes. Spock waited until Jim was asleep again. Leonard kissed the little boy's forehead before pulling the privacy curtain closed.
"I will have to prepare a report for Starfleet." Spock folded his hands behind his back. "I am unsure of what to report when we do not have a reason for the Captain's regression."
"Hell if I know. Politics. I'm more concerned about how to fix this. He's gonna ask questions about where he is and what's happening. Also, he's a kid. Jim can't be captain when he's shorter than Keenser." Bones leaned against an empty biobed. "My god man, I don't know what do to."
"May I make suggestion, Doctor?"
"I'm all ears. Forgive the expression."
Spock took a step closer to him. "I suggest you provide primary care for Jim while he is in this state. You do have a daughter and have experience dealing with small children. I'm afraid my training didn't include entertaining small children." He turned his head slightly before turning around. "I do not think the captain is sleeping."
Leonard moved back and poked his head behind the curtain. Jim lay still, but the bio-monitor showed he was still awake. He crossed his arms over his chest.
"I guess I can keep an eye on the kid. Not much different than what I'm used to doing; making sure he eats something, sleeps, and doesn't do anything stupid." He sighed. "Jim can stay with me."
The little boy poked his head out from behind the curtain, startling Leonard and causing him to swear under his breath. Jim held up the too large pants and walked forward; he was swimming in the clothing.
"I have to go potty." He hung his head, rubbing his toes on the floor.
"Captain, I will show you."
Jim frowned and took a step back. Leonard put out his hand, offering it to him and smiling when the kid snatched it. He showed him to the restroom. Jim darted inside and Leonard walked back over to the first officer.
"I get to give you one suggestion. Stop calling him Captain. You'll only confuse him and make it harder for him to trust you. Call him Jim and let him approach you. He needs time."
Spock glanced at the bathroom, but didn't move. "In your medical opinion, why do you think Jim is suffering from emotional neglect?"
Leonard didn't answer. He waited until Jim emerged from the bathroom and ran over to him. He scooped up the little guy in his arms and lifted him above his head. Jim rested his head on Leonard's shoulder and let out a soft sigh. The doctor turned to face Spock.
"Have you ever seen a picture of his father?" Leonard glanced at the blue eyes. "He looks just like him. To look at the spitting image of your husband every day, I don't agree with what she did, but I can't imagine how hard it would be."
The doctor sat at his desk as his stomach grumbled loudly. Jim sat across from him, playing a game on his PADD. Nurse Chapel had replicated him a pair of child sized grey sweatpants and a black t-shirt. Jim insisted on wearing his old large socks and he couldn't deny the kid's funny request. The kid flat out refused to wear any shoes. Leonard's shift was over, but he needed to figure out what happened or at least get a handle on if it could be reversed. He glanced at the little boy. Jim looked up and shifted in his chair. Leonard watched him, waiting for him to speak and giving him a chance to learn to reach out. The boy spoke softly.
"I'm hungry."
The older man put down his PADD and moved around his desk, putting out his hand. "I wondered when you'd ask. Let's head to the mess hall. I have on good authority that they have apples."
Jim took his hand. "I like apples."
"See you tomorrow, Doctor," Nurse Chapel said as the two exited the office area. "Good night, Jim."
The boy nodded in her direction and Leonard felt a surge of warmth for his best friend. He still had some of the same mannerisms as he did when he was an adult. Jim squeezed his hand.
The doctor wondered if it was a bad idea to take Jim to the mess hall for dinner. He could have ordered dinner. Crewmembers stopped in the hallway and nodded in his direction. Jim moved closer to his side and grabbed his free hand around the doctor's arm. Leonard rolled his eyes at the crew. No doubt the rumors had spread and now were being confirmed about the captain's new size and age. He should have ordered dinner to his quarters. After a female Ensign attempted to say hi, Leonard scooped up the boy and carried him the rest of the way to the mess hall.
Jim kept his head on Leonard's shoulder, but perked up a little when he saw the line of food. Leonard set him down on his feet. The boy didn't reach for the plates or move toward them. He stood still. The doctor grabbed a plate and started adding food he knew the kid wasn't allergic to. The neglect was even clearer since he wouldn't take the food. Leonard guided him to a table in the far corner of the room. Jim hopped up into the chair. The doctor sat in front of him and offered him the plate. He promised to be right back and went to get his own plate.
"How is the captain?" Crewman Lola asked, standing next to Leonard.
"He's fine," he growled. Bones scooped a heap of mashed potatoes onto his plate, splattering it on his fingers.
"I'm sorry." Lola frowned and glanced back at the table with Jim. "I hope you can help him."
"Thanks."
Before he could say anything else, she left the line and went to sit down. He sighed and returned to the table with his food. Jim hadn't touched his plate.
"Would you like something to drink?" Leonard pretended he didn't see the kid jump when he spoke.
"Can I have some milk?"
"Of course." He turned to walk away, but stopped at the sound of the little voice.
"Can I have chocolate milk?"
Leonard crossed his arms over his chest. "If you eat some of that apple, I will bring you some chocolate milk."
Jim grabbed the apple and took a bite. He chewed it and motioned for Leonard to go get the glass of milk. Bones grumbled as he walked, but internally smiled. It worked. Bones picked up two cups of chocolate milk. When he returned, Jim was still eating the apple, but one of the cookies was missing along with a piece of bread. He suspected the kid slipped it in his pocket for later.
"You have a kid?" Jim said, chewing softly.
"How did you…"
He shrugged. "The man with the pointy ears said you have a daughter."
Leonard forgot how smart Jim was, even though he was just a kid. "Yeah, I have a daughter named Joanna. She's about your age."
"Where is she?" Jim took a sip of his milk. "Why doesn't she live with you?"
"Joanna lives on Earth with her mom. We don't exactly get along." Leonard shrugged. "I see her as often as I can. You know… I mean, she loves hearing about our adventures." He groaned internally, almost having told him he knew about the situation. Jim didn't know anymore.
"What's she like?" Jim's curiosity wasn't satisfied.
"Sweet. She's quite a bit stubborn, but she's a good kid."
The boy frowned. "You miss her?"
"Yeah, but I have plans to comm her later this week." Leonard returned his attention to his food before a thought crossed his mind. "How come you never asked where you were?"
"I'm on a ship. I can feel the engines. Mom took me with her a few times, but she said I was too much trouble and she stopped going on ships." The captain stopped eating. "Where is my mom?"
Leonard didn't know what to say.
"It's okay. She's gone a lot. I'll be okay."
The doctor reached across the table. "Hey Jim, I'm here with you. Nothing is gonna happen to you."
Jim didn't answer, but continued eating. The conversation hit a lull, but Leonard kept his eyes on Jim to make sure he ate enough. He'd have to make sure the kid put on some weight. No one approached the table for which Bones was very grateful. He finished eating and drank the rest of his milk. Jim's eyes grew heavy, but he kept his head up and it made Leonard smile. He saw Scotty enter, out of the corner of his eye, and the engineer motioned for him. He excused himself for a moment.
Scotty just wanted to make sure Jim was okay and wanted to know if he could see him, but Leonard didn't want to overwhelm Jim. He promised to let him see him tomorrow. The doctor turned back to the table and saw the little head resting on the table. Jim fell asleep. Leonard walked over and scooped the kid up in his arms. Scotty whispered he'd clean up the dishes. Jim snuggled into his shoulder and didn't wake up.
As soon as Leonard got to his quarters, he laid the boy in his bed. Jim sighed and rolled onto his stomach. The doctor tucked the blanket around his best friend as he pulled the cookie and bread out of his pocket, leaving it on the nightstand. Jim would look for it when he woke up.
"You're gonna be okay, kid. I'll fix this. Somehow."
Leonard looked up at Spock entered the medbay. Alpha shift started ten minutes ago, so it had to be the green hobgoblin. Jim snuggled into his shoulder as the Vulcan approached. He continued sucking his thumb, despite the doctor's protests and encouraging him to remove it. The little guy whimpered and blinked his heavy eyes. An uneaten bagel was held tight in his other hand.
"Good morning Doctor, Jim." Spock stood at attention and observed the two of them.
The doctor kept his voice even. "I beg to differ. Chapel, can you come over here for a moment?"
"Yes, Doctor." Christine smiled at the miniature captain. "What can I do for you?"
"Can you play with Jim for a little bit while I talk to Commander Spock?"
"Of course."
She put out her hand and waited for Jim to climb down from the doctor's lap. Jim took her hand and crossed the room. He dragged his feet in protest, but went with her. Leonard stood up and rubbed his hands over his face.
"Doctor?" Spock's eyebrow went up. "Is there something wrong?"
"Just look at him!" He sighed and tried to calm down. "Neither of us got much sleep. Jim had nightmares. Pretty extreme ones. I am guessing his mind might have access to his memories from his subconscious, but his smaller mind can't comprehend it."
"What makes you think that?"
Leonard shrugged. "He talks in his sleep and mentioned Pike and Nero. Jim is still in there, but we can't talk to him. We can only talk to him, the kid version of Jim. One of his nightmares caused him to wet the bed, though that is partially my fault since I didn't have him go to the bathroom before bed."
"I am sure Jim doesn't blame you."
He watched his best friend as he shook his head at Christine and refused to take his thumb out of his mouth. "If I can't fix this –"
"I have every faith you will, Doctor."
"I don't!"
Spock seemed to deflate a little bit. "I believe you can help Jim, but you need time to work on a cure for his predicament. Would it be helpful if I took him on a tour of the ship to give you time?"
Leonard glanced at the kid. "He might not go with you. He's been a bit clingy this morning."
"Would it help if I promised he could sit in the captain's chair and see the bridge?"
"It might. Let me see if I can convince him." The doctor walked over to the sulking boy and knelt beside him. "Hey Jim, would you like to go on your own adventure?"
The boy sat up a little straighter and pulled his thumb out of his mouth. "What adventure?"
"Mr. Spock wants to give you a tour of the ship. He'll show you all of the cool places and he might even take you to the bridge to sit in the captain's chair. But you have to behave and keep your thumb out of your mouth. What do you think, Jim?"
Jim whispered, "Okay."
"Good." He patted Jim's leg and stood up.
The boy followed him as he walked over to the Vulcan. Spock hesitated before offering his hand to Jim. Jim didn't move to take it. Leonard pushed him forward a step, but the kid didn't cooperate. He sighed and motioned for Spock to lead the way, knowing Jim would follow close behind. It might not have been the best idea, but he had to get some time to work on a cure.
