Their first year at the Academy was relatively uneventful. Jim had been making a name for himself not only with the student body, but with the faculty as well. That wasn't always a good thing. Len had been working at the student clinic and called his daughter and mother on the weekends. He was acing his classes, but that was expected. He, Seri, and Jim were quickly becoming the top of their class. Seri had also been working at the student clinic and called home once a month to catch up on all of the family gossip. She was maintaining a 4.0 GPA, but she also had two of the best study pals at the Academy; they kept each other moving forward and up. She made sure her sister knew all of that. As bad as it was Seri always felt in competition with her. As far as the rest of the gossip went there was Jim sleeping his way through the student body, and Seri's classmates who continually asked her for introductions to "blue eyes" and "tall dark and handsome"; nothing new after the first few months.

It was time for summer break and everyone was packing out to head home; they would not get another one until after their commissioning. Seri had looked forward to seeing her father for over a month. She had packed up the night before and put most of her stuff in storage over a week prior. In truth she had basically been living in Len's spare room until a few nights ago. She needed to see him before he left for Georgia. It was extremely important and she knew his shuttle left hours before hers. She rushed over to his building making sure she had all of her bags with her. Over the course of the year Seri had learned to block Jim and Len's thoughts; though their emotions were still difficult to block. It had taken months but she got it down, something that made her proud. She made it to Len's door. "Fuck!"

"Len?" Well she almost had it down.

"Just fucking let yourself in! Sorry."

She punched in the code. She walked into what the Academy would call a cluster fuck. Clothes were everywhere and nothing was in boxes or suitcases. "I expected this from Jim. Kind of the reason I avoided him this morning." The levity didn't work. He picked up his PADD and threw it against the wall. "Len, it is okay. I can help." She put her bags down and took a small blue box out of her duffel. She placed the box on the kitchen counter and headed over to him. She placed her arm around his waist; though he relaxed a little she could still feel his panic.

"I got stuck at the clinic all night and didn't get back until an hour ago. I'm never going to make my shuttle."

"Okay, who is picking you up in Atlanta?"

"Jocelyn. Turns out we make great friends as long as we aren't married."

"Then call her. Tell her what happened. We'll book you on another flight. You are staying in this room next year, right?"

"Yes."

"Good, we won't have to pack you out." He gave her a weak smile and called Jocelyn. Joce had no problem with the change in plans and told him to call when he had flight details.

Seri walked over to the counter and picked up the blue box. She opened his large duffel bag and placed it in the inside pocket. "I put Jo's birthday gift in your inside pocket. "Once a month she had made sure she was with Len when he called home so she could say hello to Jo. Jo was sweet, so much like her father must have been before life changed him; funny, smart, and with a mouth on her that left no doubt as to who her father was. Seri promised Jo that one day they would go horseback riding. Unlike most Betazoids Seri loved to ride. "Len. Jo's gift, I put it in the duffel's inside pocket." This time he heard her and nodded. He was working on his miraculously unbroken PADD. "Are there any shuttles out later today?"

"Yes, later tonight. I booked the one at 21:00 and sent a message to Joce. It should get into Atlanta around 02:00 their time. I told her I would take a taxi, but she insisted on picking me up."

"That was fast"

"I'm efficient darling"."

"Not according to this room." This time he laughed.

Seri started to fold some of the clothes that she knew he would want with him; relaxed, casual, Len. "So, are you going to tell me what is really bothering you? I know it isn't your fear of flying." He stopped and looked at her. He could always tell when she was in his head: she wasn't this time. In all of the months they knew each other she never pried. She never asked about the brooding, and she definitely never asked about the nightmares. She helped him through them when she slept over, but she never pried. He knew she was waiting for him to come to her. No, she never pried before, but then he had never thrown his PADD across the room before either.

"Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Analyze me. I'm not one of your damn test subjects."

"You're right. You're not. What you are is my friend who I love. You and Jim are my family and I love you both. I don't analyze either of you."

"You could have fun with Jim. He could be your dissertation subject."

"Probably not, and don't change the subject. What has you so scared?"

His eyes met hers, "I have to go to Emory Medical to finalize somethings. I don't want to walk back in there. I've avoided it this long, but now mama said they contacted her."

As the old saying went, "the penny dropped" for Seri. "Is it about your dad's death?"

"Yes. About when I killed him." She wasn't going where he wanted her to go. There was no way she was going to call him a murderer. For the first time in all the months she knew him, he looked broken and scared. Even after a nightmare he didn't look like this. He had the steadiest hands in the medical department; talented was the word she heard most of the women and some of the men use. Now those hands were shaking and his eyes were filling with tears. He was a murderer and now he was going to sign papers that made it official. Why shouldn't everyone know he was, no is, not good enough. His father was right.

Seri stepped towards him and took him into her arms. He clutched onto her as his body stated to shake. Tears flowed down his cheeks and dampened her long blonde hair. "He was wrong. I know you can't see that now, but he was."

"I'm not so sure. He was a better man than me." He had calmed enough to get that thought out, but he wouldn't let her go.

"No he wasn't. One day we'll talk about why I think that." She gently pulled away and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Sit down. I'll get some water. I have to make a few calls. Please don't go anywhere." She handed him a glass of cold water, grabbed her PADD from the bag and went into the spare bedroom. Being a top trauma surgeon definitely had its perks, two bedrooms and no roommate. She would hate him if that room hadn't come in handy on more than one occasion.

"Hey Jim it's me."

"No shit. You know I can see you?"

"Yeah sorry. Can we talk?"

"What's wrong kiddo?" She couldn't remember when he started calling her that. It was funny because she had a few years on him. Secretly she loved it. He only used it with her. She was his family, not one in a long list of females.

"Len is in trouble. Not your kind of trouble. This is real. Jim, he is terrified to go home. He thinks he is a murderer and a failure. I got him calmed down, but he isn't going to remain calm if he goes home. He needs to go home. Jo needs her daddy, but he also needs to hold her. He needs to see his mom, sleep in his bed. But mostly he needs to face his father's ghost."

Jim never took his eyes off of her, calm and serious. "Seri you're babbling, and this isn't Hamlet."

"Shut up." He got her to smile and calm down a bit. "I was calm in there and I am blocking him from my thoughts, but I don't know what to do. I do know one thing; I'm not going home; I'm going to Atlanta."

"So am I kiddo. I'm coming down"

"Jim give me a few minutes. I'll book us on the same flight as him, get a hotel room, and rent a hovercraft. It will be harder for him to argue if it is a fait accompli. I'll also call Joce and tell her we'll drive him home. I have her number in case of emergency."

"You know he'll be pissed."

"I don't care I'll call my parents when you get here."

"Chicken." Jim smiled at her. He had heard her mother a few times. Truth was she wanted her little brother as backup just in case. Seri saw a strength in him when all most saw was a kid; that made him smile. All the arrangements were made and Joce was contacted. She was concerned about Len; they may have their differences but he was still the father of her child and part of her still loved him. Joce told Seri she would contact Mrs. McCoy and tell her about the change of plans. Now all that was left was for her to tell Len and her parents. This should be fun.

When she returned to the living room he had most of the clothes packed or put away. "Did you get everything taken care of?"

"Mostly, I just have a couple more people I need to contact." If he was curious she couldn't feel it, all she felt was defeat.

The door opened, Jim walked in and dropped his bags on the floor. They had each other's door codes since early in the first semester; it made things easier. "Hey Bones, I'm not leaving until later. Thought I'd come down and wait here. You have a nicer room than mine."

"Bullshit!" Len spit out, "She called you. I'm not that stupid."

"Kiddo why don't you make your call? Bones and I need to have an abrupt conversation." His eyes never left Len's. That was it. That was the first time she saw the leader in James T. Kirk; the leader she had always felt. He was protecting his family. He would take the brunt of McCoy's anger. Jim knew the anger came from fear; hell of all the emotions this was the one with which he had the most experience. The two alphas squared off, not the best of scenarios. She knew it wouldn't get physical, but it would get ugly.

This time Seri took her PADD to Len's bedroom. She wanted to feel centered when she talked to her mother. The bedroom was the perfect place, the sunlight warmed the room and it smelled like him. She always felt safe in this room. She wanted to feel him when she talked to her mother. Seri wasn't scared of anyone, hell she had gone toe to toe with admirals while working at the clinic, but her mother always managed to reduce her to the family disappointment. She didn't know when she would be able to see them is she couldn't get home for this break. They wouldn't get another break until December, and that one was only a week long. The more she thought, the more she realized she may not be able to see them for a few years. If all went well she might be able to get there in a couple of weeks, but she couldn't guarantee it. Her father would understand; he would miss her but he would understand. It was her mother. She picked up Len's pillow and hugged it. From the other room she could hear Len's voice rise as Jim's stayed low but firm. She couldn't make out all the words, though controlling and asshole came through pretty clear; but she could feel everything. Len felt scared and defeated, where Jim was strong and determined. Jim had it under control, now she had to deal with her mother.

"Chicken." Jim was having a bit of fun with her pain. Actually he was trying to calm her, make her smile.

"Yes"

"I'm here kiddo."

"I know, but you have to deal with him."

"He's easy. He'll get tired soon."

"I've got this. Just have to deal with the guilt."

"Ouch!"

She turned on the PADD and called home. "Hi Celiasa, is dad there?"

"He is in the garden. Should I get him? What is going on Seriana?"

"Just get dad please. Thanks." Her older sister, Celiasa, had always been too curious. Married to a weak but sweet man, they had two children. Celiasa already saw herself as the head of the family. Seriana knew one thing, Celiasa may become the traditional head of the family but she would never be her superior. Haughty and full of hubris, her sister encompassed many of the qualities Seri hated. Another reason she could never move back. Finally, her dad came in. An intelligent sweet man, Mr. Targan was a traditional Betazoid husband; happy to allow his wife take the lead in most social situations, but always be there to support her. He adored both of his girls, but truth be told Seriana was his favorite.

"Hi baby. How are you?" He knew something was wrong.

"Hi dad. I hate to call so late but there has been a change in plans."

Her dad looked at her. He could see the concern in her eyes. "That is alright. Do you want to tell me about it?" Screaming could be heard from the living room but her dad didn't react.

"Remember the friends I told you about months ago?"

"Leonard and James?"

"Yes. Dad, Jim and I are taking Len home to Atlanta. I have never seen him like this. He is terrified."

"Of what?"

"I think mostly himself. Or, rather who he thinks he is. But whatever it is he needs his family with him. I know mom would say I am not his family, that I need to come home and see my real family. Dad, she is wrong they are my family. There is a very old Earth saying 'the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.' They are my family dad, as much as all of you are and Len needs me with him."

"Seriana."

"Yes."

"You're babbling." She vowed to work on that; stop babbling when stressed. "Are you worried that I wouldn't understand, that I would be angry? You know you are hugging that pillow pretty hard?"

She had forgotten she had it. "No. Mom."

"Lucky for you she isn't here. I'll tell her. You know she will be disappointed."

"She is always disappointed with me. I'm not like her or Celiasa. At least she is consistent."

"Baby, I'll talk to her. Just be ready for her call. Seriana, we have never been disappointed with you. You make me proud every day. What you are doing, going with Leonard, that makes me as proud of you as I have always been. My baby is a grown woman of strength, substance, and character. I love you baby."

Her tears fell down her cheeks and pooled onto the pillow leaving a dark spot on the red pillow case. "I love you too dad. I'll try to get home over this break. I promise."

Seri turned her PADD off. She dreaded the call she knew would come, but at least for now she was spared her mother's diatribe. She hugged the pillow and waited a few minutes to center herself. She wasn't going into the lion's den with a tear streaked face. Almost completely centered she stood, before she could take a step the bedroom door slammed open. "Who the hell do you think you are? I don't need your help. I don't need fucking babysitters to hold my hand." Len finally looked at her face, tears still evident on her cheeks. He stopped; part of him wanted to take her in his arms and make it all okay for her.

"You want to know who the hell I think I am?!" For her the tears were forgotten, and if he thought she needed comfort he was definitely mistaken. "I am one of the few people in the universe who love you unconditionally. You should be damn grateful for that. If it wasn't that Jim and I would have left you alone."

"Maybe that is what I want."

"We both know that is a lie so let's just move on." Jim was standing in the door with a full blown Kirk smile lighting up his face. He loved when she got like this. One day he watched her kick a three-star admiral out of her clinic. It was a thing of beauty. If Bones thought he could win this, he was sadly mistaken.

"I don't need you or anyone to take care of me."

"So that is why you were crying into my shoulder and holding onto me?"

He looked at Jim. "Don't look at me buddy, I'm on her side."

"I wish you hadn't let Jim know that."

"Bones, she has held me through some very rough nights. We all need each other." Jim moved towards him.

"Jim please, I can't do this. Please don't make me."

Jim brought him into a hug, allowed him to feel protected. "You can. We are always here for you." Finally, they all walked into the living room.

Leonard wanted it to be over. Once it was over these two would leave him, Joce would never let him near Joanna, and his mother would know her son killed her husband. It would end, all of it. Then he could move on, never let anyone in again. That was best. His dad was right he couldn't cut it. He wasn't his dad. Damn he couldn't even make his marriage work.

"Bones, where are you?"

"What?"

"I'm not Seri, I can't read your mind. Where did you go just then?"

"Can't I have some thoughts to myself?"

"Not right now. Now we are in this together." He looked at Jim. The kid had no idea what they were heading into.

"I'm glad you can't read my mind. Where is our little telepath anyway?"

"She left when you zoned out." Jim handed him a beer. "She is going to make sure we didn't leave anything in our rooms. Stop changing the subject. Let me be there for you. Bones you have been there for me. Please let me do this for you." Len knew what Jim was doing but he let him. Maybe the kid would leave now. That would be over.

"It is all catching up with me. Eventually you will all leave and everything my father believed about me will be proven correct. That was what I was thinking."

"Leonard,"

"You never call me that."

"Leonard, Seri is right. No matter what your past holds I know who you are, who you really are. I love you unconditionally and I am not going anywhere."

"Are you sure you aren't a mind reader?" They both finished their beers and smiled at the idea of their family.

Jim took a look at Len. His Bones, the big brother he wished for growing up. How would his life had been if Len had been his brother and not Charlie? Maybe Tarsus IV wouldn't have happened to him. "Bones, you look tired, why don't you take a nap. It's only 13:00, we don't leave here until 19:30. I'll clean up." Len raised an eyebrow. "I do know how smartass." Jim started to clean as Len made his way back to the bedroom. The morning had taken a lot out of him. As he laid down he noticed his pillow smelled like Seri, sweet and spicy like a peach. It helped, she always smelled like home to him.

Jim looked around the kitchen. So, cleaning wasn't one of his talents but how hard could it be. He started throwing out anything that looked like trash and emptied the fridge. Seri had said something about grabbing food out before they headed to the shuttle. An hour later she was back with two large bags filled to capacity. "Did you forget all of that kiddo?"

The look she gave him was priceless as she dropped both bags on the couch. "No, you did. Honestly Jim, you said you sent your stuff to storage yesterday." He just laughed. "I'll move your stuff to the spare room. Where is Len?"

"I sent him to bed." She moved the bags into the spare room and then stood outside his door. Pain, all she could feel was heartbreak.