Five Days Later

Romulan Bird of Prey

Exhausted and sick of the eating Starfleet-issue rations that he had found in the Concord Shuttle, Khan materialized and was surprised to see seven Romulan guards in the Transporter Room as well as the Romulan Commander. Four of the guards immediately stepped up on the pad and shackled him.

"What is this?" Khan asked in a suspicious voice, not bothering to fight those who were shackling him.

The Romulan Commander came forward and carefully picked up the container holding the bags of blood before stepping off the pad, "I have my orders, sir," he replied calmly. "You'll be treated very well on the journey to the Alpha Ceti System so we can help your people. Starfleet, however, reported you as…"

"Dangerous?" Khan asked, his eyes widening as he was led off the pad. "Since when does Starfleet…?"

A wave of dizziness suddenly hit Khan and he faltered in his step, "Phlox and Chekov must have injured me somehow," he spoke in a weak voice, coughing as he saw drops of his blood fall to the floor. "I killed Phlox in self defense and left that worthless little Russian boy to die for what his father did to me…"

"You must be seen to in the infirmary," the Commander replied calmly. "Please, walk very slowly."

Khan nodded and suddenly felt very drowsy as his knees buckled, as did his senses. As he suddenly fell forward into the arms of the guards and into unconsciousness, the Commander pocketed a needle.

"Take Khan to the infirmary and put him in the stasis pod," the Commander ordered, a smirk on his face.

As the guards dragged Khan from the room, the Commander grinned; Jeris's order had been successful.


U.S.S. Enterprise – Shuttlebay

The honor guard stood on either side of the landed Vulcan shuttlecraft and reverently saluted as Ambassador Sarek and several of his aides, including Stonn, came off of the diplomatic shuttle with an empty stretcher. Jim and Spock stood perfectly still as the group silently approached their position.

"Ambassador Sarek, your presence on the Enterprise is most welcome," Jim said in an official voice.

Ambassador Sarek gave a nod, "Indeed," he replied tonelessly. "Where is Doctor Phlox's body, Captain?"

"It is in the Enterprise Sickbay under guard, Ambassador," Spock stated tonelessly. "I shall take you."

Sarek raised an eyebrow and looked at Jim, "I'm coming along, Ambassador," Jim explained in a reverent voice as he shifted position to keep his legs from getting stiff. "I need to check on Ensign Chekov."

Narrowing his eyes, Sarek looked to Spock for an explanation, "We rescued Ensign Chekov five days ago from the Starfleet outpost on Delta Vega after he was a prisoner of Khan Noonien Singh," Spock explained tonelessly, gazing at his father. "Khan inflicted severe physical and mental damage…"

"May I visit Ensign Chekov while my aides are tending Doctor Phlox's body?" Sarek asked tonelessly.

Jim nodded, "If Doctor McCoy lets you," he replied calmly. "Ensign Chekov hasn't woken up yet."

"Ambassador Sarek," Arianne said as she suddenly came down the corridor in her dress uniform and smiled at seeing Sarek, Stonn, and the Vulcan aides. "I apologize for not coming sooner…"

Sarek silently nodded his head, "Commander McCoy, it is agreeable to see you again," he replied tonelessly. "I have been told that you are the head counselor on this vessel and that is commendable."

"Thank you, Ambassador," Arianne replied calmly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go and…"

Jim cleared his throat, "Want to come with us and see Ensign Chekov?" he asked in a quiet voice.

A shadow of anxiety passed through Arianne's eyes, "I have put my name on the crew visitation schedule and I don't wish to disrupt it," she replied calmly, silently praying that Jim wouldn't press the matter as to why she was so nervous. "When my name comes up on the schedule, then I will go."

Jim's eyes narrowed in concern, "Ambassador, Spock, excuse me a moment," he said, suddenly feeling as if Arianne's request for a meeting was for more than just a chat. "Commander McCoy, walk with me."

Swallowing hard, Arianne silently followed Jim down the corridor, "Arianne, what's wrong?" he asked in a quiet voice, wondering why Arianne seemed so reluctant to visit Pavel. "You can tell me, you know."

"Captain, this is a discussion better had in private," Arianne replied softly. "Let's schedule a meeting."

Jim frowned at the use of his formal title, but nodded, "How about we meet after Ambassador Sarek and his aides take Doctor Phlox's body back to New Vulcan?" he suggested. "In my Ready Room?"

"That will be fine, Captain," Arianne replied somberly, lowering her head so not to meet his gaze.

Jim nodded, but didn't move, "Captain, may I respectfully point out that you do have diplomatic responsibilities at this time?" Arianne said in a professional voice as she looked up. "We will talk at our scheduled meeting later, but the matter of moving Doctor Phlox's body is your priority right now."

"While I'm seeing to the Ambassador, could you please get an update on Ensign Chekov from Doctor McCoy?" Jim asked in an official voice. "I'd like to know when Ensign Chekov should start counseling."

Arianne nodded, "Right away, Captain," she replied, not willing to refuse an order from a superior.

Jim nodded and silently walked back over to Ambassador Sarek, Spock, and the aides while Arianne turned and swiftly made for the nearest turbolift that would take her to Sickbay; her duty was now.


Deneva

"Mommy, where are we?" Joachim asked in a quiet voice, huddling in Marla's arms as he was carried off the shuttle and into the small building that served as Deneva's shuttleport. "It looks really weird."

Marla smiled at Joachim as she sat down on a small bench and quickly smoothed Joachim's hair out of his pale face, "We're on Deneva, sweetie," she explained softly. "I got a new job here as an assistant."

"Oh," Joachim replied softly, frowning as he saw Admiral Marcus talking with Dr. Kirk nearby.

Admiral Marcus smiled as Marla approached with Joachim in her arms, "Doctor Kirk, this is Lieutenant Marla McGivers of Starfleet and her son, Joachim," he said in a kind, welcoming voice.

"Welcome to Deneva, Lieutenant McGivers and Joachim," Sam replied politely, offering his hand.

Marla sighed, "I'd return the handshake, sir, but I've got my arms full," she replied softly.

"Please don't call me 'sir,'" Sam replied in an amused voice. "You can call me Doctor Kirk."

Marla nodded as Anthony entered the shuttleport in a Starfleet Science uniform with a duffel bag slung over one shoulder, "Admiral Marcus, I'm ready," Anthony announced in a cheerful voice. "Hi Marla!"

"Hi Doctor Marcus!" Joachim piped up, immediately recognizing Carol's kind brother. "How are you?"

Anthony smiled at the child, "Just fine, Joachim," he replied politely. "Admiral Marcus, I am ready to go."

"All right, you can go on board and join your sister," Admiral Marcus said calmly. "We'll leave soon."

Anthony grinned and walked quickly out of the shuttleport to get on board, "Lieutenant McGivers, I told my wife you and your son were coming," Sam said in a calming voice. "They're just outside the building."

"Sam, I'm right here," Aurelan spoke anxiously as she came over to them with Peter in her arms. "Hello."

Marla offered a nervous smile, "I'm Aurelan Kirk and this is my son, Peter," she explained gently. "I've had a place made up for you and your son in the residences that are offered to all city personnel…"

"Thank you," Marla replied softly, holding Joachim close as she followed Aurelan from the shuttleport.

Sam sighed, "Admiral, what is so important about a simple cargo vessel that you would travel there with two scientists without informing Starfleet?" he asked as he looked at Admiral Marcus. "And why did you bring Lieutenant McGivers and her son here instead of sending a message to Starfleet about them?"

"You ask a lot of questions, Doctor Kirk," Admiral Marcus replied softly. "Curiosity can be dangerous."

Sam's eyes narrowed, "So can losing the trust of one of the best civilian physicians that Starfleet has to work with," he replied in a cold voice. "I've been here for over a year and have been kept in the dark about certain things, always being promised that I'd be given information when the time was right."

Admiral Marcus was quiet for a moment and sighed, "When Lieutenant McGivers was in the Academy, she was attacked by a superhuman who posed as a professor at the Academy," he explained in a somber voice, giving Sam a look not to say anything. "The superhuman is loose in the galaxy and he is most likely heading for the cargo ship in the Ceti Alpha System to get help for himself. We are going to the ship…"

"What if the superhuman comes here?" Sam asked softly, stunned by all that he had just been told.

Admiral Marcus shook his head, "He won't," he replied softly. "Only a few know that McGivers is here."


Sickbay – U.S.S. Enterprise

"…Nyet, nyet," Pavel's voice suddenly filtered through Sickbay in an anxious whisper. "Nyet…"

Wondering if Pavel was finally going to wake up, Leonard silently left his office and went into the patient bay only to see that Hikaru was sitting beside the bed staring at Pavel with wide eyes. Tears were coursing down Pavel's pale, bruised face and the monitor's readings were slowly worsening.

"Pavel?" Leonard asked in a concerned voice as he approached the bed. "Pavel, can you hear me?"

Pavel suddenly stopped twitching and his eyes fluttered open, "V-vhere am I?" he asked groggily.

"You're on the Enterprise, Pavel," Arianne spoke up gently as she moved into the patient bay.

Confusion filled Pavel's eyes, "Z-ze Enterprise?" he asked in a confused voice as he coughed and immediately winced. "M-my stomeech hurts zo wery much; I just vant to sleep, but I must…"

"Get some rest, Pavel," Leonard replied firmly as he slipped a breather over Pavel's face. "Rest."

Pavel's eyes suddenly widened as Sarek, his aides, Spock, and Jim came into the patient bay and moved over to a curtained area. The young Russian tried to speak, but his words were muffled by the breather.

"Hey, leave that alone," Leonard said anxiously, sighing as Pavel pushed breather off of his pale face.

Hikaru frowned and Arianne gently took hold of Pavel's foot, "Pavel, what is it?" she asked softly.

"Eez Doktor Phlox okay?" Pavel asked in a barely audible voice, too weak and sore to sit up.

Hikaru immediately looked at the floor while Leonard and Arianne exchanged a worried look, "No, he's not," Leonard replied in a somber voice, silently praying that Pavel wouldn't suffer a breakdown.

Pavel nodded, but didn't move or speak, "Pavel, why don't you get some rest now?" Leonard suggested, deeply troubled by Pavel's lack of an emotional response. "Arianne, Hikaru, I'll stay with him for now."

Hikaru nodded and was about to stand when Spock came into view, "My father is inquiring about Ensign Chekov's condition," Spock stated tonelessly, his gaze shifting from Leonard to the unresponsive Pavel.

"Ensign Chekov just needs quiet and rest right now, Spock," Leonard replied firmly. "He's been…"

Pavel suddenly forced himself into a sitting position, "I hawe…I hawe to apologize," he said in a pain-filled voice as he immediately doubled over in pain. "I vas not a good leetle Starfleet preesoner…"

"Pavel, you need to lie back down before your sutures tear," Leonard whispered gently, shocked at how quickly Pavel was experiencing Stockholm Syndrome despite his serious injuries. "Please, let me help…"

Tears filled Pavel's eyes and he hugged himself protectively. Leonard silently moved away from the bed and over to a small cabinet where he kept medical supplies in case recovering patients had emergencies while Arianne, Hikaru, and Spock remained in the vicinity of Pavel's bed to keep an eye on him.

"Pavel, just lie down and relax," Arianne said in a soothing voice. "A nice sleep will do you good."

Pavel sighed and Arianne gently touched his shoulder, "It's all right," she said in a reassuring voice as she helped the young man to lie back down. "Just take slow breaths and let Doctor McCoy help you."

"No hypospray," Pavel whimpered in a defeated, tired voice. "I do not vant to sleep or be avake…"

Leonard sighed as he came back over to Pavel's bedside with a small syringe, "I'm gonna put this into your dripline and it'll make you feel sleepy," he explained softly, remembering that Pavel had a hypospray bruise on his neck when he was first rescued from Delta Vega. "More sleep will help you."

"Kin I just fall asleep on my own?" Pavel asked in a quiet, tired voice. "Vhere are ve, anyvay?"

Arianne gently patted Pavel's hand, "We're in orbit of New Vulcan so that the Vulcan High Command can take Doctor Phlox's body to the planet for a proper burial," she explained softly, trying to keep her demeanor professional. "They're going to bury him honorably in a ceremony later this afternoon."

"I veesh I could see heem," Pavel spoke in a tired voice. "It hurts to stay avake, but I vish I could…"

Pavel frowned as he suddenly heard footsteps, "Ambassador Sarek's aides are carrying Doctor Phlox's body out of Sickbay on a stretcher," Hikaru explained softly, seeing the distressed look on Pavel's face.

"Lieutenant Sulu, Commander McCoy, Doctor McCoy," Spock spoke tonelessly, stopping at the foot of Pavel's bed while Jim, Sarek and the aides left with Phlox's body. "On behalf of Ambassador Sarek, I am authorized to invite you to the burial ritual for Doctor Phlox; it will be conducted at sunset on the surface of New Vulcan in the city of New Shi'Kahr. There will be a service followed by an evening meal."

Leonard nodded, "I won't be coming, I'm afraid," he replied somberly. "I'm going to sit with Pavel."

Spock's eyes narrowed slightly, "Ensign Chekov is awake?" he asked in a slightly curious tone.

"Ze keptin vas too busy to be told," Pavel spoke in a weak voice. "I deed not vant to be a bozzer…"

Leonard scowled as Pavel suddenly broke off in a coughing fit and gagged, "Easy, easy, easy," Leonard said in an anxious voice as he grabbed the medical tricorder off a nearby tray and scanned him.

"My chest hurts," Pavel said in a tired voice as he struggled to stay awake. "Kin I please go to sleep?"

Leonard nodded and held out the breather, "If you wear this, yes," he replied in a firm tone.

Pavel gave a brief nod and closed his eyes just as Leonard slipped the breather back over his pale, badly bruised face, "Probably picked up pneumonia in that deathtrap of an outpost or in the shuttle," Leonard growled in an exasperated voice. "Temperature's up and I should do a scan of his chest. Arianne, will…?"

"Will I help you?" Arianne asked gently, cutting him off. "Yes, Len, I'll help keep Pavel calm for you."

Leonard nodded and silently activated the surgical frame, sighing as Arianne gently stroked Pavel's hair.


"Sam, what are you still doing in the office?" Aurelan asked in a concerned voice as she came into Sam's office and found him at his desk, working at his computer. "I settled Marla and Joachim into their home and Marla was kind enough to watch Peter for me. I thought you said that after Marcus left that we'd…"

Sam sighed, "I don't entirely trust Admiral Marcus, Aurelan," he replied in an anxious voice. "He said that their mission was to contain some sort of threat that Starfleet had previous knowledge about and that Lieutenant McGivers was impacted, so she was brought here for her and her son's safety. I want to know why Starfleet would put us in potential danger now instead of dealing with the threat years ago."

"Admiral Marcus gave you orders, Sam," Aurelan spoke softly. "How can you go against those?"

Sam's eyes narrowed, "I'm not some unruly Starfleet officer," he replied in a concerned voice as he quickly typed out a message. "I'm a civilian doctor who was gracious enough to come to Starfleet and work for them instead of staying in Atlanta. Now that information's being hidden, however, I can't entirely trust Admiral Marcus or any orders that he gave me. I'm going to message President Pike."

"What can President Pike do about the situation from Earth, Sam?" Aurelan asked nervously as she sat down in the visitor's chair. "The most he can do is order a ship to come investigate and that would…"

Sam removed his hands from the keyboard and sighed, "It would mean trouble for Lieutenant McGivers and her son," he replied in a troubled voice. "Maybe we could just call a ship to come here by itself?"

A thought suddenly came to Sam's mind, "The Enterprise," he said in a knowing voice, knowing full well that Jim was probably due to take the ship out if it wasn't already out. "I'll send a message to them."

Aurelan nodded and stood up, "I hope they can help," she replied softly. "For all our sakes."


S.S. Botany Bay Cargo Ship – Ceti Alpha System

A wave of dizziness washed over Charlie Evans as he opened his eyes and slowly got to his feet, horrified to see that the main computer had taken damage when the ship had been unexpectedly fired upon.

"Cargo vessel, prepare to be boarded," a brisk voice spoke over the intercom. "You will surrender…"

Charlie gasped as he activated the screen and saw a Romulan Bird of Prey in view, "I wish I didn't have to go through this horrible stuff and I wish my family could be safe from harm," he said in an anxious voice, worried that the cryotubes could suffer damage if the ship were to fire another round at them.

Suddenly, several Romulans transported on to the ship and Charlie froze in terror, gasping when he felt himself slipping into oblivion, "Where did he go?" the Romulan Commander barked angrily.

"There are no other vessels in the area, Commander," one of the Romulan guards spoke nervously.

The Commander scoffed and opened his communicator, "Beam Khan's cryotube on to the ship and secure it," he barked in a commanding voice. "Jeris has ordered us to stay in the vicinity of the ship for the time being under cloak. Khan will be with his family, but none of them will post a threat to us."

"What of the blood, Commander?" another guard asked as the cryotube suddenly materialized.

Scoffing, the Commander gazed at Khan's frozen form, "Leave it to rot with these corpses," he barked commandingly as he moved over to the computer and noticed a message on the screen. "It seems a ship is coming to investigate the distress signal that that boy sent before he disappeared. We should wait for them and perhaps the reason for this ship will come with it. Jeris wants to know more about Khan…"

The guards exchanged looks and the Commander smiled, "We'll wait for them," he finished cunningly.


Bridge – U.S.S. Enterprise

Arianne sighed as she stepped off the turbolift and saw Hawkins, Sulu, Bailey, Spock, Scotty, and the other officers at their stations. Each officer gave her a kind smile as she passed them, intending on going to the Captain's Ready Room and explaining where she thought Khan might be; how would Jim react?

Swallowing hard, Arianne silently pressed the door chime, "Come in," Jim's voice replied instantly.

Arianne silently clasped her hands together and entered the room, surprised to see Jim sitting at his desk with two mugs in his hands, "Hey," he replied in a kind voice as Arianne approached the desk.

"Captain Kirk, I have come to you with information about Khan that I think you should know and it might explain why he kidnapped Pavel," Arianne said in a solemn voice, sitting down in the chair across from Jim before looking into his eyes. "As you know, Andrei Chekov died in September of 2257 at the hands of Professor Khan and not long after Professor Khan fled, Cadet Marla McGivers came to see me…"

Jim raised an eyebrow, "Marla McGivers?" he asked in a concerned voice. "Wasn't she his TA?"

"Actually, she was also close to him personally," Arianne replied somberly. "Anyway, Captain, Marla confessed that she had been impregnated with Khan's child before he fled. When I attempted to contact Starfleet Security, she attacked me and was arrested shortly thereafter. Doctor Puri later talked me into authorizing her transfer to the Alpha Centauri colony as a student when she was going there for safety."

Jim nodded and offered Arianne one of the mugs, which she took, "Alpha Centauri's run by Admiral Marcus and his family, right?" he asked in a concerned voice. "It's really close to Deneva, I think."

"Jim, I should have been more upfront with you before, but Doctor Puri told me to keep it confidential from everyone but my father," Arianne replied anxiously. "If you have lost all your trust in me, I'll…"

Jim's eyes widened in surprise, "That will never happen," he replied firmly. "Since you've told me this, we now have a place to start looking for Khan. We can simply go to Alpha Centauri after we're done at New Vulcan, but I'll also send a message to Pike to make sure that he's on board with my idea."

"You're not angry with me, Captain?" Arianne asked in a shocked voice. "I thought you would be."

Shaking his head, Jim took a sip of tea, "Never," he replied reassuringly. "After the services on New Vulcan are finished, we'll simply set a course for Alpha Centauri and take things from there, all right?"

"Yes sir," Arianne replied softly as she took a sip of her tea. "I guess I worried myself for nothing."

Jim nodded and his eyes softened as Arianne began to cry quietly, deeply overwhelmed from all of it.


Stiffness in his neck was the first thing Leonard felt as he opened his eyes and realized that he had fallen asleep at the lab table where he had been waiting for results of Pavel's tests. He slowly sat up and as he massaged his neck, he saw Zachary wander into the Sickbay with Charlie, who was holding a card.

Curious as to why Zachary and Charlie were sneaking into Sickbay instead of in the Rec Room with Yeoman Rand and Tonia, Leonard quickly grabbed the printout of Pavel's results and stood up, "Zachary, Charlie, what are you two doing in here?" he called out as he left the med lab. "You two should be…"

Leonard went silent as he saw Charlie and Zachary standing at the foot of the biobed where Pavel lay sound asleep, "Papa, where's Doctor Phlox?" Zachary asked softly, gazing at Pavel. "I wanna see him."

"Doctor Phlox's body was taken to New Vulcan for burial, Zachary," Leonard replied gently.

Zachary nodded and stared at Pavel's sleeping form, "Is Uncle Pavel dead too?" he asked worriedly.

"Uncle Pavel got beat up by a bad guy," Charlie spoke up. "We're gonna go chasing the bad guy."

Leonard frowned and made a mental note to learn what the officers and crewmen were talking about when children were in the vicinity and put a stop to it, "I wanted to say goodbye to Doctor Phlox," Zachary said in a mournful voice as his eyes filled with tears. "It's not fair that he died and I didn't…"

A faint, muffled groan suddenly filled the air and Pavel's eyes fluttered open, "Uncle Pavel, you're alive!" Charlie spoke up in an excited voice as he took Pavel's limp hand. "Can you get out of Sickbay soon?"

"Charlie, go easy on your Uncle Pavel," Leonard said in a gentle voice. "He's still recovering."

Pavel blinked and sighed, but didn't pull his hand away, "Charlie, Zachary, why aren't you in the Rec Room with Janice, Tonia, Lorian, Jo, George, and Kathy?" Leonard asked in a concerned parental voice.

"Tonia's afraid of me and Janice helps Charlie a lot," Zachary replied softly. "I get my work done so fast."

Leonard's gaze softened as Charlie released Pavel's hand and promptly gave Zachary a tight hug, "Let's go make a present for Uncle Pavel!" Charlie said in an excited voice. "We can go around the ship…"

"Hold it, you little explorers," Leonard spoke up firmly. "You two can hang out in my office, okay?"

Charlie grinned, "Papa keeps candy in a drawer in his desk," he whispered to Zachary. "Come on!"

Leonard rolled his eyes as Zachary and Charlie ran off to his office, "Ze children lowe you," Pavel spoke up in a faint, muffled voice as he looked up at Leonard. "Zey are so…vonderful to see and so eager."

"I have your test results and you've got bacterial pneumonia on top of everything else, but it's treatable with antibiotics," Leonard explained in a concerned voice. "Do you think you want to try some water?"

Pavel shook his head and gazed up at the ceiling for only a moment before his eyes filled with tears and he promptly closed them, as if he were drifting between being awake and being trapped in flashbacks.

Letting out a sigh, Leonard walked over to the medical cupboard to prepare Pavel's antibiotics and couldn't help but wonder if he should recommend that Pavel should be either left on New Vulcan or sent to Earth to finish recovering, as Khan had done some serious damage in a short span of time.

Suddenly, Pavel screamed in agony, "NYET!" he screamed, arching his back as if he were being tortured.

Leonard turned, hurried back to the bed with the antibiotics, and quickly activated the portable stasis field just as Pavel tried to move, "It's okay," he said in a calming voice. "You're on the Enterprise…"

"I em sorry," Pavel replied in an apologetic voice. "Ze flashbacks are part of ze recowery process, no?"

Leonard frowned, but sighed, "You don't need to apologize, but you also have to understand that you aren't responsible for what's happened to you," he replied in a calm voice as he hooked up the drip box of antibiotics. "You also need to know that you've got a great deal of people who care about you and want to see you recover from this experience, no matter how hard it is or how long it takes you to."

"I do not know eef I kin," Pavel replied softly, his eyes downcast. "Eet messed me up wery badly."

Leonard nodded, "Would you like me to see if I can arrange for President Pike to call you on the vid-screen while everyone else is down at the service?" he asked, unaware that Arianne had come into Sickbay and was in the office with Charlie and Zachary waiting to talk to Leonard and Pavel.

"Pavel, why don't you rest some more for now?" Leonard gently suggested. "I'll wake you in a bit."

Pavel nodded, but didn't close his eyes and Leonard moved away to give Pavel space, "…Mommy, Uncle Pavel's really sick and hurt, isn't he?" Leonard heard Zachary asked softly. "Is he gonna be okay?"

"Zachary, Charlie, Janice is on her way here with Joanna and Kathy," Arianne spoke up in a parental voice as she looked at the two boys. "Joanna's going to take you all back to our family quarters."

Charlie nodded, "Len, I'm going to the surface with Jim and Spock for Doctor Phlox's memorial service," Arianne explained softly, gazing at Leonard. "I'll come back as early as is deemed appropriate, okay?"

"Where's Jim?" Leonard asked in a concerned voice. "Are you meeting him in the transporter room?"


Jim, meanwhile, was in his family quarters and silently putting his dress uniform on while he tried to make sense of everything that had happened in the last several days. The picture of him T'Pol, Lorian, and George sat on his dresser along with a photo of him, Lorian, and George that had been taken just the year before during a light camping trip to the Mojave Desert; he was really lucky to have a family.

Pavel didn't have any biological family left, Jim thought bitterly as his eyes travelled to the picture of the senior staff and their children that had been taken Christmas Eve 2263, "Father?" a voice asked softly.

Jim turned and saw Lorian standing behind him with a bag slung over his shoulder, "I informed Yeoman Rand that I was unwell and would work on my assignments in my quarters," Lorian stated tonelessly as he set his bag on the dresser. "While you are at the service, I believe I will partake of some rest."

"I don't like that you're having sleeping problems," Jim replied in a concerned voice as he gently felt Lorian's head. "You rest while I'm gone, but when I return, I want you to talk to Commander McCoy."

Lorian nodded and Jim gently clapped his shoulder, "Use my bed," Jim said in a gentle voice. "All right?"

"Yes Father," Lorian replied as he walked over to the bed and sat down. "George is still at school…"

Jim nodded and as he left the bedroom, Lorian laid down and immediately curled into a tight ball.


"I can't believe the Captain is making people go down to New Vulcan to mourn some Denobulan doctor," Stiles grumbled as he secured the collar of his dress uniform before turning to the Mess Hall replicator to get another drink. "Vulcans are bad enough to be around, but Denobulans are…"

Christine silently cleared her throat, "You're representing the Enterprise, Stiles," she replied softly.

Bailey, Tomlinson, Martine, and Finney all looked up from their drinks at Stiles, "I didn't ask to go on this away mission, Chapel," Stiles snapped in an aggravated voice as a martini appeared on the pad, he picked it up, and took a sip. "Don't act all high and mighty because you're representing Medical."

"Nobody's making you go, you know," Bailey replied in a cross voice. "You could always stay behind."

Stiles scoffed and took another drink, unaware of the fact that Scotty and Spock had come in to collect anyone who was coming down to the service, "Are ye drinking on duty, mister?" Scotty asked angrily.

"I'm off duty til 1700 hours," Stiles scoffed as he turned and saw Scotty and Spock standing there.

Spock raised an eyebrow, "The Captain would be most displeased to see one of his officers partaking of alcoholic beverages before proceeding to the memorial service," he stated tonelessly. "It is my judgment, Mister Stiles, that consuming alcohol has made you unfit to attend the service."

Stiles shrugged, "I didn't want to go anyway," he replied softly as he sipped his martini. "I've never liked Denobulans and Vulcans look too much like Romulans for me to be comfortable around them."

"That's no excuse to be drinking before yer duty shift, lad," Scotty said in a gentle voice as he held his hand out and gave Stiles a knowing look. "Why don't you give me the glass and go sober up?"

Stiles was quiet for a moment and then silently handed the glass over to Scotty, "Go to your quarters and stay there til I get back, all right, lad?" Scotty suggested firmly. "I'll come talk to ye then."

Stiles nodded and left the room with his gaze directed at the floor. A quick look from Scotty prompted Bailey, Tomlinson, Martine, and Finney to all leave, knowing that they should get back to their duties.

"Mister Spock, don't take Stiles's comments personally," Scotty said in an apologetic voice. "Stiles doesn't have much love for Romulans; he hasn't liked them ever since the Battle of Vulcan."

Spock raised an eyebrow, "I do not take things personally, as you say," he replied tonelessly.

"Aye," Scotty replied even though he didn't fully believe Spock. "Well, let's get going."

Making a mental note to look up Stiles's service record later so he could understand the younger man's aggression towards him, Spock offered a brief nod and silently followed Scotty from the Mess Hall.


Memoriam Desert - New Vulcan

Jim, Spock, Arianne, Scotty, Christine, Nyota, Hikaru, and a nervous Bailey silently stepped out of the shuttle that they had taken to the surface instead of transporting. All of them were in their dress uniforms and had been briefed by Spock about proper etiquette for Vulcan funeral rituals.

The group followed a path that was lined with white rocks and small flowers up a small hill to an area that contained several small rows of small crosses on either side of a carefully manicured dirt path.

At the far end of the path, a large casket was surrounded by Sarek, T'Pau, Stonn, and other Vulcan Elders who had aided in helping Phlox endure his exile from Earth, "Captain Kirk, you and your delegation honor New Vulcan and Doctor Phlox's memory with your presence," T'Pau said in a hallowed voice as she came over to Jim and the others. "I do not see all of your senior staff present, however…"

"My apologies, Lady T'Pau," Jim replied respectfully. "Doctor McCoy remained on board the Enterprise and is in Sickbay taking care of Ensign Chekov. Ensign Chekov was abducted by a man named Khan…"

T'Pau offered a brief nod and silently walked over to Jim, "Captain Kirk, Commander McCoy, I trust you are healing from your own experiences that were similar to that of Ensign Chekov?" she asked softly.

Jim said nothing, but Arianne nodded and briefly bowed her head in reverence, "Yes, Lady T'Pau," she replied in a reverent voice, relieved that she had been able to move past it. "Thank you for asking."

"We shall proceed with the ceremony," T'Pau ordered tonelessly as she turned and walked back to the group gathered around Phlox's casket. "Those attending the ceremony, please come forward."

Jim, Spock, Arianne, Nyota, Scotty, Christine, Nyota, Hikaru, and Bailey all came forward and completed the circle around the closed casket. There was a heavy silence and then T'Pau began speaking in Vulcan.


"Pavel, I've got President Pike on the vid-feed and it's patched into the computer by your bed," Pavel heard Leonard's voice say in a gentle tone. "I know you're tired and if you'd rather sleep, I can…"

Pavel slowly opened his eyes, "Nyet, I vant to do zomeseeing ozzer zan sleep," he replied weakly, cringing as he turned his head and saw Leonard standing by the bedside computer. "Please."

Leonard nodded, pressed a button on the computer, and sighed as President Pike's face appeared on the screen, "Prezeedent Pike," Pavel spoke in a faint voice. "How are you and your family doeeing?"

"We're all fine, Pavel," President Pike replied reassuringly. "I want to know how you're doing."

Pavel frowned, "I do not know yet," he replied in as polite a voice as he could manage being so weak.

"Pavel, it's okay to feel angry or upset about what happened," President Pike said in a calm voice.

Leonard frowned as Pavel nodded and blinked tiredly, "Kin…you tell me vat Michael has been up to een school?" Pavel asked in a faint voice, struggling to stay awake. "He has alvays been a bright boy."

President Pike was silent for a moment and Leonard moved out of view so that Pavel would feel more comfortable talking freely, "…I felt like I vas going to die, sir," Leonard heard Pavel say in a weak voice as he moved into his office and sat at his desk. "Vhen you vere held hostage by Nero, how deed eet feel?"

Leonard sighed and silently logged on to his email account to pass time until Pavel and Pike were done talking. An email marked 'Urgent' from Dr. Bashir immediately appeared and silently, he clicked on it.

Leonard,

Your test results turned up some abnormal cells. You need to have a full body scan done right away.

Tali Bashir, M.D.

Leonard's blood ran cold and he quickly closed the message before pressing a few buttons on his desktop computer that would connect him to the hospital on New Vulcan. He was surprised when an aged Vulcan clad in a robe sporting a Medical symbol appeared on the screen and gave a nod to him.

"I was wondering if you could help me," Leonard said in a quiet voice. "I need a body scan done."

The Vulcan raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, "I had a tumor on my thyroid that was removed and biopsied a while back and some abnormal cells were found," Leonard explained. "Can you help me?"

"There are adequate machines at our Medical Centre to conduct a scan in search of radiation induced tumors," the Vulcan doctor replied tonelessly. "I will provide you with the transport co-ordinates."

Nodding, Leonard stood up, "Send them to my private PADD," he said in a somber voice. "See you…"

The screen went black and Leonard sighed; he could sneak out of Sickbay and go to the New Vulcan Medical Centre while Pavel was talking with Pike and nobody would be the wiser. As Leonard slipped out of Sickbay, he could hear Pavel and Pike still talking and hopefully they would talk for a while yet.

"Daddy?"

Leonard froze as he saw Joanna standing in the corridor with a stylus in her hand, "Jo, can you please sit with Pavel for a while?" he asked in a nervous voice. "I have something I need to take care of."

Joanna nodded and stared after her father's retreating form with a frown on her young face.


Nearly two hours later, Leonard walked back into Sickbay and found Joanna sitting at Pavel's bedside while Pavel slept with the computer right next to the bed. A covered dish sat on the bedside tray.

"Mom had supper beamed up for you, but she and the others won't be back until dark," Joanna explained, giving her father a smile. "Pavel decided to go back to sleep about half an hour after you left, so I talked with Grandfather Pike for a while before he went to have dinner with Grandma and Michael."

Leonard nodded and gazed up at the overhead monitor, "Tonia and Janice are having dinner with Lorian, George, Charlie, Kathy, and Zachary," Joanna explained softly. "I don't like Tonia much, though, as she thinks I'm a freak and a spy because I spent many years on Romulus. I'll get something in a little while."

"Go and grab something from the replicator in my office right now, Joanna," Leonard said in a firm, but gentle voice as he gazed at his eldest daughter. "I'll eat and keep an eye on Pavel for a little while."

Even though Joanna wanted to stay, she silently stood, hugged her father, and went into the CMO office to get some dinner and relax, "Pavel, do you want to share some dinner with me?" Leonard asked softly.

Pavel, however, remained asleep and Leonard sighed as he self-consciously began to massage his throat in an attempt to feel for more lumps. It didn't take him long before he felt a solid lump on his thyroid gland and the thought of possibly having cancer caused by radiation made him sick to his stomach.

"Is zere cancer?" Leonard heard Pavel's faint voice ask. "De ze radiation do more damage to you?"

Leonard looked down and saw that Pavel's eyes were open, "I had to get another scan done," he replied softly. "That's where I was; down on New Vulcan getting a scan and the results were sent off to Earth."

Pavel nodded, "Now, come on, let's have some of this Vulcan food that Arianne sent to me for dinner," Leonard said in an insistent voice as he opened the container. "I don't want you to worry about me."


"According to the cargo vessel's databanks, an Admiral Marcus of Earth Starfleet quarantined this vessel several years ago after a group of Russian scientists led by Andrei Chekov abducted occupants of two of the pods for experimentation purposes," the Commander explained to the intrigued looking Centurion as they met within the safety of the Centurion's quarters.

The Centurion looked intrigued as he looked up at the Commander from his desk, "One of the occupants was Khan, no doubt," he replied in a regal voice. "However, the name of the other is not listed; it only says that two tubes were taken from the ship."

"Jeris will find this information useful," the Commander said softly. "Help has yet to arrive and when they do, we will capture the ship and make the occupants tell us what they know of this cargo ship. Maybe they can be used to our advantage."


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