A/N: Just telling y'all again that the story has been completely re-written. To my followers and favoriters, please read from Chapter 1. I promise you, its better than before! Reviews are love. Enjoy!

Chapter 2

Star date: 2247.182

David and Megan Rice worked as Research Specialists in the Tarsus Science Facility for Research and Development. They had been directly recruited to the new colony that had been established two years ago. It has been only two months since they have made themselves home in Tarsus IV.

Their only son, Maxwell Rice was to be attending the Periwinkle Primary School in a few days. David had suggested Jim to enroll in the Periwinkle High School. Jim had taken up the offer and written the entrance tests to score 100%, shocking the teachers.

The Headmistress of the school, a kind, old woman, had suggested Jim to make better use of his brains by joining the Omega Advanced Super-Secondary School, which was basically like Junior College, but the graduates were recruited directly to top research companies. Aunt Megan was thrilled and had been very encouraging, when Jim was accepted into OASS.

"You sure got your mother's brains, Jim" Uncle David had said, making Jim swell with pride. It was not often that people compared him to his mother. It was always him versus George Kirk. It didn't help that Jim looked more like George than Sam did. Though people said Jim looked very much like his father, Jim always thought he was like his mother. Her sharp nose, her mischievous smile were some of the many things Jim had inherited from her.

It was a happy occasion, and Aunt Megan had treated him to an elaborate dinner for the family. He felt happier than he had ever been, but a twinge of sadness throbbed in his heart when he wished he could be a happy family with Sam and his mother. He shook away the feeling but made it a point to comm his mother and break the exciting news of him getting accepted to OASS.

"That's my boy! I can't say how proud I am of you Jimmy. I really am!"

"Thanks, mom. But... it costs a little higher that the ordinary schools. Like three times more. And I don't want Uncle David spending that much on me."

Winona shook her head exasperatedly, but not without fondness "Jim, why do you think I'm here out in space instead of with you? Everything I earn is for you, sweetheart. You don't worry about stuff like money. I'll set up an account just for you and you can withdraw any time you want."

"Thanks, mom"

"How's David and Megan? Are they treating you well?"

"They're fine. Better than Frank"

Winona's eyes grew wistful. "Jim" she whispered with so much emotion in that one word, that he felt his heart break a little "I am so sorry for putting us all in this mess. You have to understand that I had to do it, because I had no choice"

"I understand mom, I really do. But it doesn't make me hate him any less"

"That's fine, Jim. That's how I feel too" she said, a small smile inching up her lips.

Jim, outright smiled, but then frowned "Did you find Sam?"

Winona's face fell "I've asked some people I know in Starfleet to help me locate him. We'll definitely find him Jimmy"

Jim nodded. There was the beeping of a PADD coming from Winona's side. Winona ignored it, but looked at Jim, like she couldn't get enough of him.

"Mom, you've got a call waiting for you"

"I don't care"

"Mom, it's okay. We'll talk later" Winona shook her head.

"Fine! Don't yell at me later, when Captain Favreau gives you a good dressing down for ignoring his call"

Winona laughed "I'm not even going to ask how you knew it's him"

"Oh! Because, he's been the one to interrupt four of our previous calls, and I'm pretty sure he does it on purpose…"

Winona looked mortified "James!" she yelled. Jim laughed, bringing a smile to Winona's face.

Winona's eyes became glassy, but she held it in as she said "I love you, Jim. Always"

Jim had to be strong for her, and not make her more miserable. He replied, putting in all the sincerity into his words "Love you too, mom" and for good measure, added cheekily "See ya later."

"Goodbye, Jimmy" she laughed and the comm went blank, leaving a smiling Jim in his room.

Star date: 2247.243

September descended bringing in a gust of much-desired rain. Rains in Tarsus were quite frankly mini-storms. It would rain mildly throughout September, and bring in a cyclone during November. People couldn't complain, the sweltering summers from April to August did that to them. Being an Earth colony, 95% of the residents were human and the only other species were Vulcans, who were here on research purposes. The Vulcan children, predictably, were enrolled in OASS.

Jim was having a great time in his new school. The students were older than him, by about three to five years. Initially, he had felt a little left out, but he was soon befriended by many of his peers, for his witty charisma and brilliance. He had to work hard here, unlike his previous schools, where he simply floated past without really trying. The teachers were astounded by his brains, and found chances to pick at it whenever they could.

The challenging environment put his troubles out of his mind, and he finally felt at home. David and Megan Rice were good people and they treated him as if he were their own. People thought Jim was their own son.

After all, he was JT Rice.

David had suggested Jim to use his surname to avoid attracting attention to the fact that he was the Kelvin baby. Jim had readily agreed. Though he introduced himself as Jim Rice, the name JT stuck after an embarrassing showdown of whose middle name was worse. The teachers addressed him as Mr. Rice and only four other students knew his name as Jim. Life couldn't be better.

"Hey, JT! We're having a soccer match tomorrow after-school. Wanna join?" Glenn McGrath, Jim's senior year schoolmate said, slapping a hand on Jim's back.

"You promised we would watch a movie at your home tomorrow!" This was Ashley Renner, Jim's current gal-pal.

"It's after school. An hour tops. You and your girlfriend can do whatever later"

"Count me in!" Jim said, as Glenn jogged towards his gang of friends.

Ashley was pouting, her arms crossed. Jim took her hand in his and said casually "It's just an hour. We're going at seven. Shouldn't be a problem"

Ashley brightened "So, what movie are we watching?" leaning closer to Jim. Jim inhaled the soft scent of lavender, his mind pleasantly buzzing.

Jim had met Ashley in his second month of school. She was a year older than him, but she was a sharp, witty girl. Jim was taken by her almost immediately. She was also a newcomer, having previously lived in a small town in France. Her father was leading the Telecom facilities of the government and her mother was Max's teacher in Periwinkle Primary School.

Her chocolate brown hair was being tossed around by the monsoon wind, a few strands tickling his face. He brushed aside her hair and spoke, lowering his voice seductively "Definitely something adult".

She sniggered "You naughty boy!"

Jim laughed "What? You're telling me you're not the least bit interested?"

"Oh, I'm interested alright!"

Jim took her home and said their goodbyes.

At dinner, after Max had gone to bed, Jim asked his permission to bring Ashley over the next day. Aunt Megan was surprised that Jim was already having a girlfriend, and very readily started to give him "the talk."

"Jim. Okay, you're fourteen, you're old enough to have a girlfriend and also old enough that we have the 'talk'"

Jim was scandalized "Wha-? Aunt Megan?! We're just watching a movie tomorrow! And I've already had one very embarrassing "talk" with mom when she came home last year, thank you very much!"

"You never know Jim! You think you know it all? Well, then let me test you" Saying so, she proceeded to question him about the male and female biological cycle, use of condoms and whatnot. Even his mom, had only been a little brief. Aunt Megan's version was in excruciating detail.

She corrected him when he was wrong, and made sure Jim knew the basics thoroughly. By the time Uncle David was home, Jim looked outright mortified.

Uncle David gave a quick peck on Aunt Megan's cheek and looked at Jim "I'm guessing Jimbo here has a wonderful lady-friend?"

Aunt Megan laughed "And a pretty one at that! It's Max's teacher's daughter!"

"Well, well Jimmy boy. What can I say? You got yourself a good deal. And before you do anything crazy, I think we should…"

"Please, Uncle David. I don't want to hear about 'the talk' for the third time in my life!" he groaned, pulling air-quotes with his fingers.

David laughed good-naturedly "All prepared then? Good for you. And by the way, Aunt Megan and I have some good news to share"

Aunt Megan nodded, wiping her hands on a towel and went to stand beside her husband. Jim looked questioningly at them.

It was Aunt Megan who said "You and Max are going to get a little sister!"

Jim looked between them, dumbfounded "That's…amazing! Wow! Congratulations!" he said giving a hug to Aunt Megan. She patted his arm "I know. I'm three months in. David and I wanted to tell you when we knew the gender"

"So, Uncle David, does it make you a grandpa now?" he asked cheekily.

David looked flabbergasted "Gran-? I'm just thirty-five, you brat!" he said getting up and lunged towards Jim. Aunt Megan laughed as Jim danced away from him and hurried to his bedroom laughing and yelling behind his back "Good night!"

"Good night honey" Aunt Megan replied, laughing at Jim's antics, while David muttered under his breath.

A/N: Chapter 3 will be up on Tuesday!