Two Days Later

Starfleet Hockey Academy - Dormitory

"Jim, let me see," Leonard said in an impatient voice as he lingered outside of the bathroom that was in their dorm, a bathroom that was fully equipped and shared by the two of them. "Hurry up."

There was a sigh, the door opened, and Jim came out in his cadet uniform with a pair of black, square-roundish bifocals on his face, "They're not so bad," Leonard commented kindly. "They look fine."

"I guess," Jim replied reluctantly, praying that he wouldn't be teased for needing to wear glasses.

Leonard sighed and held out a note, "This was taped to the door," he commented. "From Pike."

Kirk and McCoy,

Please come to the library at 8 p.m. this evening. Ask the librarian on duty to take you to me.

Christopher Pike

"What do we have for classes today, Bones?" Jim asked, not intending on following the note's direction.

Leonard sighed and checked the computerized schedules that they had on the wall between their beds that changed daily according to what Administration had to say, grateful that he didn't need glasses.

"Looks like we have Computers 101, Physical Education, and a specialty course today," Leonard replied in a calm voice, relieved to see that they would be done by five p.m., "Could you cover for me later?"

Jim frowned, "Why?" he asked in a concerned voice, grabbing his bag off the bed. "What's up?"

"I, uh, have to sneak off campus for a bit," Leonard replied hastily. "For Alcoholics Anonymous."

Jim's eyebrows rose and Leonard sighed heavily as he turned to face his friend, "I was in a very dark place for a while after my father died and drinking cost me my job, my marriage, and everything in Georgia except for my mom," Leonard explained softly. "Please don't tell anyone about my past."

"Did…did you do rehab?" Jim asked in a concerned voice, frowning as Leonard looked at the floor.

Leonard nodded, "I did my rehab in Louisiana, in a very nice centre near the water and I got in shape by swimming and skating. I've been sober for a while and had heard of the Academy through my mama, so I came to Riverside since it was the place where recruits for the Academy are supposed to meet and decided to make a clean start in California by focusing on sports medicine," he explained somberly. "I looked into AA groups when I first came out here because I learned about AA while in rehab."

Jim was very quiet, as he had grown up in a household with a mother who was absent and a stepfather who was a functioning, abusive alcoholic who eventually drank himself into prison. He wanted to be Leonard's friend, but he was also aware that any small trigger, including him, could cause a relapse.

"What's wrong, Jim?" Leonard asked softly, his expression sullen. "My past with alcohol, I guess?"

Jim sighed, "I-I…" he replied in a stuttering voice. "Bones, I had a bad past and the fact that you…"

"It's okay, kid," Leonard replied in a defeated voice. "If you don't want to be my friend, it's cool."

Jim paled, "My stepfather was a violent alcoholic and almost killed me because I couldn't shoot worth crap," he explained anxiously. "I try not to judge other people and I'm glad you don't drink now."

"So am I," Leonard replied calmly, sighing as he slung his bag over his shoulder. "Ready for breakfast?"

Jim nodded and after grabbing their keycards, the two men hauled their bags out of the dorm and made their way out of Archer Hall to the campus canteen. Leonard quickly chose some items and seated himself at a table while Jim took his time and only brought a few things on a tray to the table.

"How are you ever gonna put any weight on if you eat like that, Jim?" Leonard asked skeptically, eyeing the apple, whole wheat toast, and small cup of juice on Jim's tray. "You're supposed to eat lots."

Jim sighed as he sat down and adjusted his glasses, "I can't," he confessed softly. "I know Doctor Phlox told me to eat more, but I physically can't. If I eat too much or even think about it, I get nauseous."

"You've got vision issues and you eat like a bird," Leonard observed as he dug into his breakfast and watched Jim slowly dig into what little he had. "Jim, you're worth more than you see in yourself."

Hockey Academy Administration Building

"They want to what?!" Jonathan, who was in a meeting with Chris, several diplomats from the Vulcan Embassy, and a man named Ayel from the Romulus Narada Embassy in the office as part of the efforts being made to improve the frosty relations between America, Vulcan, and Romulus. "No way."

Ayel scoffed, "It has been years since the Enforcers were banned from playing in Iowa over that unfortunate incident," he replied coldly. "We do have our own Academy in Butte, Montana, but Captain Nero has pleaded with our coach to allow us to play Starfleet Academy to improve diplomatic relations."

"Look, I don't care if you had dinner with the Vulcan Embassy two days ago," Jonathan snapped. "I will not have players with your level of aggression on Academy ice. Your team captain KILLED a man!"

Ambassador Sarek, who had left the diplomatic dinner with the Naradan Embassy with a distaste for their intentions, sighed, "The Vulcan Embassy does have appropriate hockey facilities and it would serve as neutral ground if the Academy would allow their teams to participate in games with the Enforcers," he stated in a diplomatic voice. "I believe the Academy has at least five teams this year, correct?"

"That would be most kind of you, Ambassador," Jonathan replied, relieved at the offered solution.

Ambassador Sarek nodded and rose with the other Vulcan diplomats, "Send me a copy of the season schedule and I will ensure that the facilities are prepared," he said calmly. "Good day, everyone."

Ayel nodded and rose from the table, departing just as swiftly as the Vulcan delegation did, "Chris, why on earth would you even let that Romulan trash set foot on campus after what they did to George Kirk all those years ago?" Jonathan hissed anxiously. "He was your mentor, Chris, so why would you…?"

"Because George always believed in forgiveness and so do I," Chris said firmly as he got up to leave.

"Line up!" Professor Sanchez, the teacher in charge of Physical Fitness, barked in a commanding voice.

Silence filled the air as several cadets, including Leonard and Jim, formed a line on the grassy area of the campus that was reserved for outdoor physical fitness. Professor Sanchez was dressed in a gray sweatsuit with her hair pulled back and a whistle on her neck and she stood in front of a mile long course that consisted of mud and various obstacles that was meant to test cadets' fitness levels.

"Today's the fitness test," Professor Sanchez barked in a commanding voice as she produced a computerized list from inside her jacket, "When I call your name, you'll run the course and I'll time you for the first run and I'll also be monitoring your exertion. After everyone's run, you'll do it over again."

One by one, each cadet took their turn and it was soon Pavel Chekov's turn, but he didn't fare well because it was painfully obvious to all present that he was very thin and had very little meat on his bones, but Sanchez said nothing except to cheer on his efforts. When Pavel was finally finished, he silently took a seat on the grass and silently watched other cadets run through the course.

Soon enough, it was Jim's turn to run the course and he threw everything he had into the course and was extremely surprised when he did well enough to garner applause. More cadets went and an uneasy silence filled the field as Leonard found himself struggling worse that Chekov had to actually finish the course without collapsing even with all of the skating and swimming he had done during rehab.

By the time Leonard had finished, class was over and shocked at the kinesiology major's terrible performance, Professor Sanchez waited until everyone had left before approaching Leonard, "McCoy, I have NEVER seen such an appalling performance as I have from you today," she commented in a concerned voice. "Now, since I know you skated well at hockey tryouts, I know you're in shape…"

"…I'm just not good at running," Jim, who had lagged behind to eavesdrop, heard Leonard say softly.

Professor Sanchez nodded and dismissed Leonard with a wave of her hand before sitting down on the grass next to Pavel Chekov and talking softly to him for a moment before letting him go. Leonard and Jim silently watched Pavel hurry off across the grass to the area where the classrooms all were.

Wanting to know if Pavel was okay, Jim silently followed the younger man while Leonard followed after Jim to make sure he stayed out of trouble. Both of them saw that Pavel had met up with Chris and was looking rather discouraged, "We should get to our specialty courses," Leonard whispered in Jim's ear.

Sighing, Jim walked off down one path and Leonard walked down another, both eager to be on time.

Academy Hockey Arena Foyer

"Dean Archer, you wished to see me?" Spock, who had been working diligently on his thesis work in his dorm when he had been paged by Dean Archer to meet at the area, asked as he entered the foyer.

Jonathan nodded and quickly tacked a long list to the wall before turning to face Spock, "You made the Enterprise Hockey Team and Captain Pike assigned you to serve as the Team Captain," he explained, quickly offering Spock a cloth C that was in the Enterprise colors. "I thought I'd tell you personally."

"I am most pleased, sir," Spock replied calmly, taking the C. "I will ask my mother to sew this on for me."

Jonathan smiled, "Would you like to see who else is on the Enterprise Team?" he asked kindly.

Spock silently stepped up to the list and found the small list that consisted of Enterprise Team members.

Kirk, James T.

McCoy, Leonard H.

Uhura, N.

Sulu, Hikaru,

Chekov, Pavel

Chapel, Christine

Scott, Montgomery

Hannity

Hawkins

M'Benga, Geoff

The list for the Enterprise Team included several more names, including a few that were unfamiliar to Spock. Other names, such as Hendorff's and Finnegan's, were listed at the bottom under 'To Be Determined' and Spock found himself intrigued by Captain Pike's choices for his team, "It was made clear at the tryouts that James Kirk does not know the finer points of hockey," Spock stated softly.

"Captain Pike was hoping you would help Mister Kirk with that," Jonathan replied calmly. "You've played on other Academy hockey teams before and so you know about the importance of teamwork, Spock."

Spock nodded, "Very well, I will assist Mister Kirk and have him prepared to play by the time of the first game," he said, frowning as Jonathan produced another paper from his pocket and tacked it to the boards, noticing that it said that not only would the Romulan Hockey Academy from Butte, Montana be invited to play against the Academy, all games against the Romulan Enforcers would be played off campus at the arena that was at the Vulcan Embassy. "I was under the impression that the Romulans…"

"They are interested in doing it for the sake of diplomacy and the Vulcan Embassy is eager to improve relations between Vulcan and Romulus, as their countries have had frosty relations since the George Kirk incident," Jonathan explained in a reluctant voice. "I had no choice but to allow it, Spock."

Spock looked visibly uncomfortable, but nodded and Jonathan left the arena to inform all cadets that the team lists were posted, "Is he gone?" Nyota asked as she came out of the shadows, having come with Spock to the arena and hidden as soon as she saw Dean Archer. "What team did I make?"

"You made the Enterprise Team, but positions are yet to be determined and will be during subsequent practices," Spock replied, sighing as Nyota embraced him. "I thank you for serving as good company."

Nyota nodded and Spock silently led her out of the arena and over to a grassy area that was surrounded by trees and the two of them sat on the grass. Spock was relieved to have Nyota there with him, as he was deeply troubled by the sudden show of diplomacy that Romulus was showing after years of hostility towards Vulcan, the Americas, and Russia. Such a sudden change in behavior didn't make sense to him.

"It's such a nice day," Nyota commented softly. "I'm glad I could spend it here with you."

Spock nodded and turned his attention to Nyota, choosing to set aside his concerns about Romulus for the moment, as he was not a diplomat of Vulcan and those who were had dealt with Romulus fairly.

You're a fat piece of crap who can't even run across the grass. Leonard silently thought as he lifted his shirt and grimaced at his pale gut in the mirror. You should have actually gone through with it.

Scoffing, Leonard pulled his shirt down and flopped down on his bed, disgusted with himself that he hadn't gone to class and had allowed Sanchez's comment to get to him. Instead of learning about Kinesiology, Leonard was now locked in his dorm and struggling about whether or not he should try to give up eating for a few days to drop some weight. Hot tears filled his eyes and ran down his face.

Struggling to keep himself from having an anxiety attack, Leonard got on his computer and silently recalled the information about the AA group in San Francisco that he had found and quickly found that it was in a seedy area of the city, but in a safe building. Quickly logging off, Leonard picked up his bag and went into the common area of Archer Hall, relieved to see that he had the entire room to himself.

Leonard quickly settled in a chair near the bookshelf and got out one of his books to read and keep his mind off of any meals he intended to skip. As he started to read, he noticed Spock and a woman who he only knew as Uhura come into Archer Hall looking as if they didn't want their relationship to be known.

"…Spock, what if McCoy tells on us?" Leonard heard Nyota whisper in an anxious voice. "He might…"

Spock replied quietly enough that Leonard couldn't hear it, but the damage from Nyota's words had been harsh enough that Leonard felt even worse about himself, "…How the heck did McCoy make the Enterprise Team, anyway?" Nyota's voice trailed off as she followed Spock down the hallway.

Fighting the urge to vomit, Leonard grabbed his bag and ran as fast as he could until he was off campus and lingering near one of the finer bars in the downtown core. Even though he couldn't go in because it was currently closed, Leonard peered through the window at the rows of alcohol bottles behind the bar.

"I can't go back to that, but I have to get my weight down so I can be a better runner," Leonard muttered to himself, quickly turning away from the window and assuming a running stance.

Thoughts of being fat and slow filled Leonard's mind and he continued to run even though dark clouds were gathering overhead and the temperature was going down. He had to get himself into shape.

Heavy rain fell outside several hours later, but Jim paid no mind to it because the dorm was warm and he was settled down with enough homework to keep him busy until his meeting at eight. He had managed to get enough food from the machines in the common area and hoped that the rain would let up just long enough for him to get to the library. The clock read 1900 hours and life was okay for now.

A knock suddenly sounded at Jim's door, "It's open!" he called out, swiveling around in his chair.

The door opened and a concerned looking Chris and two Security officers entered the room, "Kirk, have you seen McCoy anywhere?" Chris asked in a concerned voice. "He's not answering any pages."

"What do you mean Bones is missing?" Jim asked in a concerned voice, a frown forming on his face.

Chris sighed, "According to Doctor Puri, McCoy didn't show up for his Kinesiology class today and Puri called me about it since I am a cadet advisor," he replied softly. "When was the last time you saw him?"

"During Physical Fitness," Jim replied worriedly. "Sanchez said he gave the worst performance…"

Chris frowned and the Security officers made a note on the small devices they were carrying, "Have you checked the library, sir?" Jim asked in a concerned voice. "Maybe Bones just decided to study there…"

"We've been searching campus since Puri reported that McCoy didn't show up for class," Chris replied in a concerned voice. "This behavior isn't like McCoy at all and what you mentioned concerns me more."

Jim nodded, "Is there anything I can do?" he asked in a concerned voice. "Bones and I are roommates."

"Security will keep searching," Chris replied calmly. "I'll see you at the library at eight, all right?"

Before Jim could reply, Spock came over to the doorway, "Excuse me, I heard there was a Security detail in Archer Hall and I came to inquire about the problem," Spock stated calmly. "As the resident advisor…"

"Cadet McCoy is missing and has been for several hours, Spock," Chris interrupted in a concerned voice, gazing at the young man. "We're searching everywhere and talking to people for information."

Spock raised an eyebrow, "I last saw Cadet McCoy in the common area around the time that he was supposed to be in his class, but I have not seen him since," he stated calmly. "I cannot be of more help."

"Bones said something about going to AA in the city," Jim blurted out, worried about his friend.

Spock frowned and Chris raised an eyebrow, "AA?" he asked softly, silently thinking about it.

"Bones made me swear not to tell," Jim replied anxiously. "But I thought he might be mad at Sanchez…"

Noticing that Spock looked as if he wanted to say something important, Chris nodded and silently left the room, "I am in a relationship with Cadet Uhura outside of my teaching capacity and she expressed concern about our relationship being exposed when Cadet McCoy saw us come into Archer Hall for a study session," Spock explained in a very quiet voice. "Her comments may have provided a trigger."

Chris's eyes narrowed, "Keep the relationship outside of class and I won't comment further on it," he replied in a concerned, but hushed voice. "Also, please inform Cadet Uhura I wish to speak with her tomorrow about the situation with Cadet McCoy. Any bully-like behavior will not be tolerated here."

Spock nodded and silently disappeared down the hallway, "Security, please continue the search for Cadet McCoy and escort him to the library if he shows up by 2000 hours," Chris ordered. "Kirk…"

"I'll see you there," Jim called out, prompting Chris to nod and leave the building with Security.

Starfleet Academy Library

"Excuse me, ma'am," Jim spoke in a soft voice as he approached the desk where a lady in an Academy staff uniform with greying hair sat at a computer. "I was told you could show me to Professor Pike?"

The lady silently studied Jim for a moment and nodded as she stood up, "Follow me," she said gently.

Jim kept quiet as the librarian led him past several rows of real and electronic books, through several hallways, and into an area that looked barely used. They stood in front of a door that read Professor Pike's Common Area: By Invitation Only. The librarian nodded abruptly at him before leaving him.

Swallowing hard, Jim opened the door and upon entry, he saw Pavel Chekov, the kid who Sanchez had talked kindly to during Physical Fitness, seated on a couch in front of a table that contained puzzles, books, a CD player, Discmans, CD's, videotapes, DVD's, and several other items used in recreation.

A table of food was set up near the wall, but Jim ignored it and took a seat after closing the door behind him, "Professor Pike vill be out in a meenute," Pavel spoke softly, gesturing to the bathroom that was not very far from the food table. "He and Doktor Phlox are helping Cadet MeeCoy varm up."

"Bones is here?" Jim asked in a confused voice, frowning as the bathroom door opened and Chris came out leading Leonard, who was wearing a clean sweatsuit and holding a blanket around his shoulders, by the arm while Phlox followed behind carrying a bag full of muddy clothes. "Bones, are you okay?"

Leonard sighed and quickly sank on to an empty couch without speaking, "Now, you can either have some food or Phlox will hook you up with an IV," Chris said in a firm voice. "Your choice, McCoy."

"Sanchez said I was slow and fat," Leonard spoke in a trembling voice. "I don't want any food."

Chris looked at Phlox, who opened his medicine case and quickly hooked an IV to Leonard's hand despite the fact that Leonard looked as if he might rip it out, "You're probably wondering why I invited you three here tonight, hmmm?" Chris asked kindly. "From what I've seen on all your files, each of you came to the Academy with some problems that you obviously all need some form of support for."

Jim and Leonard both looked at Pavel questioningly and Pavel sighed, "I vas a rescue case," he explained in a subdued voice. "I know how to play ze game of hockey quite vell, but my fazzer forbade me to leawe ze farm and beat and starwed me to make sure I vas too veak. I ran avay from ze farm and heetchhiked to ze city vhere I asked for help. I happened to run eento Keptin Pike one day vhen I vas looking zrough ze garbage beens for someseeng to keep me from passing out and dying alone."

"I recruit players from all over the world and Russia is a prime place to recruit from," Chris stated calmly.

Pavel sighed, "My fazzer is currently avaiting trial for vat he deed to me, but I vill have to go to Russia to testeefy against him at zom point," he spoke softly. "Until zen, I am under Keptin Pike's protection."

"Is that why you had trouble running the course?" Jim asked, unable to help being curious.

Pavel nodded, "I am on a special diet and exercize regeemen to help me become better, but it eez taking a long time," he replied calmly. "Ze professors are encouraged to let me do my best at eweryzeeing."

"It would be nice if I knew that the professors actually gave a crap about me," Leonard grunted in an aggravated voice, looking at the floor. "I ran all over San Francisco without lunch or supper because Sanchez said I was slow and I took a look in the mirror at my gut. I can't even stand to look at…"

Chris held up a hand to silence Leonard, "This is a group that helps people with issues develop a sense of worth and love about themselves," he spoke softly. "Why would you think such comments help?"

Leonard shrugged and continued looking at the floor, "If you don't feel like talking right now, that's fine," Chris said in a calm voice as he walked over to the food table, grabbed a plastic plate, and filled it with small pieces of food before bringing it to Leonard. "Do you want to develop an eating disorder?"

"I just want to lose a little weight so I can run," Leonard replied softly, ignoring the plate of food.

Chris sighed, "Either you eat something or I'll send you to the clinic with Phlox where you can spend the night," he replied firmly, setting the food on the table in front of Leonard. "Even just a bit of food."

Leonard sighed and quietly ate a few raw vegetables off the plate without a word, "That's a start," Chris said quietly, watching as Phlox pulled out an electronic device and made a few notes on it. "Phlox?"

"I'll be happy to sit down with you, McCoy, and help you work out a proper nutrition plan in the morning," Phlox spoke calmly as he moved towards the door. "I'll take care of your clothes."

Chris smiled as Phlox left, "Now, then, let's talk about ourselves and why we should love ourselves instead of doing everything we can to hurt ourselves," he said in a calm voice as he sat in a cushy chair.

"You told Pike about our relationship, Spock?" Nyota asked in a shocked voice, ignoring the fact that she and Spock were together in Chris's office to discuss the McCoy situation. "Why would you do that?"

Spock sighed patiently, but it was Chris who spoke first, "Your behavior caused Cadet McCoy to go without two meals and run a dangerous distance in a rain storm," Chris spoke sharply. "Now, as long as you and Spock behave yourselves in the classroom setting, I personally don't see a problem with you two having a relationship. However, any sort of abusive behavior towards fellow cadets isn't tolerated."

Nyota was at a loss for words, "Consider yourself on probation for two weeks and if I hear of you acting in such a manner again towards anyone else, you'll be kicked off the Enterprise Team and barred from joining another team while you're at the Academy," Chris said in a firm voice. "You can go now, Uhura."

Glaring daggers at Spock and Chris, Nyota turned on her heel and marched out of the office, "Have you talked to Kirk about helping him learn the finer points of hockey yet?" Chris asked in a calmer tone.

"I have not, but I intended to this morning," Spock replied just as the door opened and Jim entered.

Chris nodded, "I asked Cadet Kirk by since I wanted to ask him about Cadet McCoy anyway," he stated calmly, giving Jim a smile. "Jim, I take it that Cadet McCoy is taking it easy today except for classes?"

"Bones has classes this morning, but he plans to rest at the dorm this afternoon," Jim replied calmly.

Chris then looked at Spock and cleared his throat, "Mister Kirk, I am the Captain of the Enterprise Team players and I am also aware that you made the Enterprise Team despite not knowing the finer points of the game," Spock stated in a business-like voice. "I would like to instruct you in the finer points of the game and how to play it properly during both practices and in your free time if you are agreeable."

"The first game is in two weeks and you'll have full access to the equipment and the arena," Chris commented in a supportive voice as Jim reluctantly nodded his assent. "Thank you for coming."

As Jim followed Spock from the office, he wondered if hockey would be his great like or his hate. Would he end up like his father or be able to grow into his own man?

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