"Jim!" cried an over-excited twelve year old flinging herself upon her older brother. He lifted her up and spun her around.

"Hey, Mutt!" he said laughing.

She hit him upside the head saying, "Shut up dweeb!"

Again serious, he turned towards his mother's room. His little sister nodded and opened the door. They ran inside and kneeled down at the bedside of an old woman.

"Hey Mom," whispered Jim.

She smiled and whispered a barely audible word, "Jim."

Her small eyes narrowed and she peered at Jackie. "Go," she said quietly. Jackie started to protest but quailed under the look her mother gave her. Grumbling angrily, she stomped out the door.

"Jim," his mother said again, "how are you?" It was a weak cover for how bad she was feeling and they both knew it but he did his best to answer.

"Fine," he said, "Everything is fine."

"Good, good. I had hoped to have more time to talk to you but, as you can see, I have almost none left. Jim, I need you to promise me something."

"Anything Mom," he could feel his eyes begin to sting.

"Jackie is a rebellious 12 year old girl who needs help sorting out her life. Jim, can I ask you to do your best to be the one to help her?"

Jim blinked. He really hadn't thought about what would happen to his lovable sister but now that he thought about it, he didn't like what he was seeing. But what his mother was getting at wasn't exactly a comforting thought either.

"Mom, I'm not sure space would be good-"

"You already as good as promised me," she said sharply, "Remember? I said promise me something and you answered, 'Anything'"

"Yea, but-"

"No buts, you will do your best to take care of Jackie or so help me James Tiberius Kirk, I will haunt you from beyond the grave for the rest of your life!" Her nostrils flared and as she delivered her last line her face regained some of its old life.

"Promise," he said feebly not wanting to cause her unnecessary distress.

She relaxed and mumbled, "Good, now go get Jackie. Goodness knows what she's gotten up to."

As Jim left the house, his carefully built fortress broke and he dissolved into tears. It was a good five minutes before he realized the small hand on his shoulder and a constricted voice saying, "It's okay to cry."

He stood up and hugged Jackie so hard she was choking.

"Jim!" she gasped out before he released her. Laughter mixed with tears, they both made their way back to the bedroom where they immediately grew somber.

"Why did you stop laughing?" demanded their mother, "I don't want your fun spoiled on my account."

Jim barely heard Jackie mumble, "What about if the joke was on your account?"

Ignoring the remark he sat down in a chair by the bed and yawned, big and loud.

"Jim!" his mother gasped, "When is the last time you slept?"

He thought about it. Not since before the shuttle, since it was a full time thing. Finally he said, "I dunno, a couple of days?"

"Now Jim," her voice had regained some of its old sharpness, "Really! I would have expected you to be more responsible now you have some one else to take care of!"

Jackie said nothing, she must have known, or at least guessed at what they were talking about while she was gone.

He grinned and leaned back in the chair, closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.

"Jim!" Jackie's urgent whisper woke him out of his rest. "Jim, I think it's… time…" she finished quietly.

He was up on his feet in an instant, any tiredness he'd had now drowned out by nerves and pre-mature grief.

Their mother's breathing was shallow and rapid as they stepped into the room. Running to her side, tears slid down his face and he hugged his little sister close. He didn't want her to see death.

But she pushed against him mumbling, "Get off!" They kneeled down at their mother's side and Jim took her hand. Jackie remained silent, trying to be strong but Jim could see the silent tears gliding down her face.

Their mother smiled at them and said, "Don't be sad, it is my time for the Wind to come. It will for you someday too."

Jackie mumbled the first words she'd said since she woke Jim, "But we're not ready for the Wind to take you."

"I'm sorry," their mother chuckled dryly, "But its not something I can control. But always remember, I love you forever and a day. Nothing will ever change that. Ever. Take care of each other, you hear?"

They nodded and she passed out. She didn't speak for another hour at which point she gasped out, "George!" Her face relaxed and she smiled, "George, I've missed you." And with that her life was gone as quickly and silently as the adult's and child's grief had come. Jackie shrieked and threw herself on her mother's body no longer able to contain the tears that she'd been able to keep silent for so long.

Jim's body was racked with sobs as he stood up and carried Jackie out of the room. He set her down on the couch and proceeded to the kitchen. He had some phone calls to make.

After that was done, he sat with Jackie and pulled her as close as he could without breaking either of their bones. He watched as she cried herself to sleep and slowly followed suit, over and hour later.