In the safety of the quiet Sickbay, Carol silently pulled a chair from around the desk to where Dr. M'Benga was sitting, updating crew medical information on the computer. Dr. M'Benga saved his work and looked at her gently, offering his hand as he did so. Sighing heavily, Carol gently took his hand.
"I'm exhausted, Geoffrey," Carol spoke softly, leaning against his shoulder. "And we still have to get home to Earth before I can really rest from all this. It was hard enough losing a dear friend, but..."
Dr. M'Benga nodded, "Marla and I were good friends for the many years that she lived on Alpha Centauri with Joachim," Carol explained softly. "I can't imagine what Joachim is going through losing his mother. My mother left me, but she was a criminal who was working alongside the Romulans..."
"Ugh, that must have been terrible to learn," Dr. M'Benga replied softly. "I thought I had it bad."
Carol sighed and frowned when she saw Arianne and Giotto lead a bleeding and hyperventilating Zachary past the office and into the patient bay. Leonard's concerned voice filled the air.
"What happened?" Dr. M'Benga asked softly, giving Carol a concerned look. "Zachary looked bad..."
Carol nodded and Dr. M'Benga sighed as he massaged his forehead, "I'm exhausted," he whispered.
"Why don't you rest a bit?" Carol suggested gently. "I'll wake you if Doctor McCoy needs help."
Dr. M'Benga nodded and retreated to the cot as Carol left and wandered into the patient bay, surprised to see that Zachary was being held in Arianne's arms while Leonard gently repaired his hands and wrists using a dermal regenerator and bandages, "...I'm sorry, it was just too much to handle," Zachary whispered as Carol approached. "I know that I'll have to live with what I did for the rest of my life."
"Zachary, can you flex your fingers?" Leonard cut in gently. "I'm finished bandaging what I can."
Zachary silently flexed his fingers and sighed, "The bandages should be able to come off in a few days," Leonard replied calmly. "However, I think you and I need to have a talk."
"Yes sir," Zachary replied softly, knowing that he would need to explain his violent outburst.
Arianne sighed and gently released Zachary, "I'll leave you two to talk," she replied gently.
As Arianne left Sickbay, she noticed Dr. M'Benga silently checking Lorian's vitals as the young man slept soundly. She only hoped that Khan didn't inflict any permanent damage on him.
"You're 16, Amanda," Jim said in a frustrated voice as he sat down at a table where Spock, Nyota, and Hendorff all sat, all of them looking somewhat upset. "Why would you do this?"
Amanda raised an eyebrow, "It is considered a Vulcan matter, Admiral," she replied tonelessly.
"Logs show that a call was made to the Vulcan High Command from Commander Spock's quarters less than thirty minutes before you tried to steal a shuttle," Nyota spoke up. "Why?"
Amanda sighed, "I am under 18 and I initiated a bond with Lorian without his consent or the consent of my parents and underage children must have consent of either a parent and the one they initiated the bond with before they do so," she explained shakily. "I reported my actions to the High Command and Lady T'Pau ordered me to come to New Vulcan to meet with them."
"Captain, I would ask you to let me handle the matter," Spock spoke up. "Amanda is the daughter of myself and Nyota and I must make it clear that Lorian's life was saved by this."
Tears filled Amanda's eyes and she looked towards the window, "Amanda, as you are still considered a minor, it is up to your mother and I to handle the situation," Spock stated.
"Admiral, please ask Hawkins to take the rest of my shift," Nyota stated. "Come on, Amanda."
Nodding, Amanda rose as Nyota did and both left the room together, "Spock, you look uneasy," Jim observed, frowning as Spock didn't move. "Do you think the High Command will listen?"
"Captain, there is no need for concern," Spock replied tonelessly. "Go attend to your sons."
Jim nodded and Spock sighed heavily before he turned his attention to the computer.
Groaning softly, Joanna opened her eyes and sat up, immediately hearing voices coming from the next room. She slowly got out of Kathryn's bed and wandered into the living room, smiling when she saw Charlie and Kathryn playing a board game with Saavik, Valeris, and Tuvok.
"Hey Jo, how are you feeling?" Charlie asked softly. "Pavel was asking Hikaru to check."
Joanna frowned, "Pavel's in Sickbay," she replied softly. "He got sick from the experience."
"Pavel's in his quarters and Uncle Hikaru and Demora are staying with him," Kathy spoke up.
Joanna suddenly looked concerned and sat down on the couch, "Should I call Papa and tell him you're sick, Joanna?" Kathy asked in a worried voice. "You look really, really not well."
"Oh, Kathy, I'm fine," Joanna replied as she suddenly felt sorrow. "I...I just need a moment."
Saavik and Valeris looked at each other, "Tuvok's biological mother, though Vulcan, was prone to emotional difficulties when she was carrying Tuvok," Saavik observed softly. "Perhaps you are overly emotional because you are with child? You appear to have many symptoms..."
"I can get Dad's medical tricorder," Charlie volunteered. "It should be able to tell whether..."
Joanna nodded, her mind reeling about the thought of being pregnant because she knew it was possible since Lorian had removed a pregnancy suppression device from her body, Khan had given her fertility chemicals, and she and Pavel had been intimate on Marris Three, "Um, the tricorder's detecting a life form inside of you, Jo," Charlie spoke as he pointed the tricroder.
"Oh, wow," Joanna replied in a shaky voice, tears forming in her eyes. "I can't believe it."
Swallowing hard, Joanna rose from the couch and silently went into the corridor, not stopping until she found Pavel's quarters. She entered and saw Demora asleep on the couch while Hikaru silently sat at the computer, his expression solemn as he typed up something important.
"Where's Pavel?" Joanna asked softly as Hikaru looked at her. "I need to talk to him."
Hikaru sighed, "Pavel's sleeping through his treatment," he replied quietly. "Demora's napping."
"What are you doing?" Joanna asked in a concerned voice. "I thought you were on duty?"
Hikaru shook his head, "I can't look anyone in the face right now and I took myself off active duty because I had a child with a known terrorist," he replied softly. "I doubt anyone wants to see me outside my quarters, let alone on the Bridge. I'm writing my resignation from Starfleet and will have it ready for when Starfleet comes to arrest me for what I've done. If I leave quietly with Demora, maybe I can avoid going to jail. The Captain shouldn't have to go to bat for me."
"You've got to have more faith in Starfleet," Joanna replied sharply. "And also in yourself."
Before Hikaru could reply, Joanna moved into the bedroom and saw Pavel in bed, curled up in a ball and shivering from the treatment. Sighing, Joanna carefully covered Pavel up as much as she could and gently turned the machine off, as it had run the course it was supposed to.
"Vat?" Pavel spoke in a shaking voice as he squinted at Joanna. "Deed it feenish?"
Joanna nodded and Pavel sighed, "I feel seeck," he spoke softly. "Please help me..."
"To the bathroom?" Joanna asked in a gentle voice as Pavel nodded. "Yes, I'll help you."
Once Pavel was settled near the toilet, Joanna pulled the pillows and blanket from his bed and arranged them so he would be comfortable, "Pavel, I think I'm pregnant," Joanna spoke softly.
"Amazing," Pavel spoke softly, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "Zees ees a good time."
Joanna nodded and Pavel sighed as he closed his eyes, only to open them right away and keel over the toilet, "I'm calling Sickbay," she said in an anxious voice as Pavel vomited violently.
Not wanting to leave Pavel alone, Joanna quickly got her communicator out of her pocket.
"George, hi," Jim said softly as he walked into Sickbay and saw George sitting by Lorian's bedside as Lorian slept, silently reading a PADD. "You're supposed to be on the Rec Deck."
George shrugged, "I came to see my brother," he spoke softly. "Will Lorian be okay?"
"I believe so, but he'll have a long recovery," Jim replied calmly. "He's hurt pretty badly."
George nodded, but didn't move from Lorian's bedside, "I suppose we can both sit with Lorian for a little while," Jim spoke softly as he sat on the other side of the bed. "Until he wakes."
"...Father, George, you are not very quiet when you converse," Lorian spoke sleepily.
Jim smiled as Lorian opened his eyes, "Father, I will take responsibility for the bond," Lorian spoke in a weak voice. "Amanda was merely acting to save me from slipping into death."
"Lorian, Amanda has turned the matter over to Commander Spock," Jim replied softly.
Lorian nodded and sighed, "I was forced to operate on Joanna McCoy while Khan hurt Lieutenant Chekov, Father," he spoke softly, tears forming in his eyes. "I cannot control myself emotionally anymore and I am feeling guilty for what I have done. It is not Vulcan..."
"Lorian, you were apparently injected with some sort of chemical supplement that inhibits emotional control," Dr. M'Benga explained gently, having heard Lorian's words as he came in to check on his young patient. "In humans, it can ignite feelings of passion or other intense emotions, but in Vulcans, it can erode the ability to maintain complete emotional control."
Lorian nodded and looked troubled, "Then I am considered damaged," he spoke softly. "I will not be considered suitable for mating with another Vulcan because Vulcans are expected to have full control before they mate," he spoke softly. "I have read much on Vulcan culture."
Jim sighed and gently took hold of Lorian's hand, "We'll figure it out together," he spoke softly.
Lorian sighed, "Am I allowed some food or any beverages?" he asked softly. "I am...hungry."
"I'll replicate you some broth and you can try it," Dr. M'Benga replied gently. "All right?"
Lorian nodded and closed his eyes again as Dr. M'Benga went off in search of a replicator.
"I appreseeate ze help to Seeckbay, Heekaru," Pavel spoke softly, leaning heavily on Hikaru as they walked down the hallway towards the turbolift that would take them to Sickbay. "Eef Joanna eez pregnant, she needs to take it easy and I vant her to keep ze baby eef I do not..."
Hikaru nodded as they approached the turbolift and saw Riley, Finnegan, Hendorff, and a few other crewmen waiting for the turbolift, "Hey Sulu, is it true?" Finnegan asked. "About the kid?"
Frowning, Hikaru took a step back, "There are rumors going around that there was a kid on the planet that looks like you," Finnegan explained. "Did you actually procreate with a terrorist?"
"None of your business," Hikaru snapped as he shoved past the group. "I just need the lift."
Finnegan chuckled, "You do realize that terrorists killed Admiral Kirk's wife?" he asked darkly.
"I just vant to geet to Seeckbay," Pavel spoke weakly. "Do not start any trouble."
Snarling, Finnegan pulled Pavel away from Hikaru and pushed him towards the wall before sucker punching Hikaru in the gut. Pavel hit the wall and immediately fell backwards to the floor, prompting Riley and Hendorff to rush over to him, "Terrorist lover!" Finnegan shouted.
Hikaru turned away from Finnegan and Hendorff quickly pinned Finnegan against the far wall, forcing the man's hands behind his back long enough to slap binders on his wrists, "I'll haul Finnegan down to the Brig," Hendorff said in a commanding voice. "Someone call Sickbay."
"Nyet, don't touch me!" Pavel howled, a hand on his abdomen. "Eet hurts to mowe!"
Finnegan, however, lunged at Hikaru just as Stiles came off the turbolift with a shaken, tired looking Joachim, "HEY!" Stiles roared, flinching as Hikaru bolted off down the hallway.
"Stiles, can you get Chekov to Sickbay?" Hendorff asked gruffly. "I gotta take Finnegan to the Brig and let the Admiral know what's going on. Sulu wasn't doing anything to deserve..."
Nodding, Stiles knelt down next to Pavel and Joachim joined him, eager to help Chekov.
"A fractured left kidney," Leonard explained angrily as Jim sat across from him at the desk looking annoyed. "Chekov was already on his way down here when the fight happened."
Jim sighed, "I've got Bailey running Helm and DiFalco running Navigation since I've taken Finnegan off active duty pending a hearing," he replied in a tired voice. "We're all tired and just trying to get back to Earth as soon as possible. I haven't heard back from Admiral Pike yet."
"Put Spock in command for a while and get some rest, Jim," Leonard replied gruffly.
Jim shook his head, "Spock is trying to sort out a situation involving his eldest child and I haven't heard from him," he replied, a yawn in his voice. "Arianne's busy with the kids, otherwise I..."
"I saw what Zachary did to the bathroom on the Rec Deck, Bones," Jim spoke up softly. "I get why he did it, but I can't have him smashing everything on the ship out of anger and grief."
Leonard sighed, "We had a talk about that and he'll be applying to the University of San Francisco for the fall semester," he replied calmly. "Charlie's applying to the Nursing program there and Zachary's not sure what he wants to take, but he'd rather be with his brother."
"What about Kathy?" Jim asked softly. "Will she be joining her brothers at the university?"
Leonard shrugged and frowned as he suddenly noticed Hendorff leading a bleeding and limping Finnegan into Sickbay while an angry looking Joanna followed them. Jim's eyes widened in shock while Leonard got up and walked out to meet the small, anxious looking crowd.
"I heard yelling and I come out of Pavel's quarters to find him on the ground while Officer Hendorff is trying to calm Finnegan down," Joanna explained angrily. "I heard what he had..."
M'Benga rushed into the foyer and quickly helped Hendorff usher Finnegan into the patient bay, leaving Joanna alone with Jim and Leonard, "Um, Daddy, can we talk?" she asked softly.
Leonard frowned, "When Lorian was forced to operate on me, he removed a pregnancy suppression device," Joanna explained softly. "The Romulans must have put it there, but it's gone now and when we were all on the planet, Khan dosed us with samples of Joachim's cure."
"Ohh," Jim replied in a shocked voice, wondering what kind of things Khan did to them.
Joanna sighed, "It made Pavel and I have such a desire to make love and we ended up giving into that desire on the planet," she said softly. "I think I might have gotten pregnant from that."
Jim's eyes widened, but Leonard nodded calmly, "Can you check and see if I am?" Joanna asked.
"Come on, Jo," Leonard replied in a calming voice, putting an arm around her. "You know I will."
Joanna nodded and followed Leonard into the patient bay, frowning when she saw Pavel lying unconscious in a bed that was surrounded by a surgical screen, "He's just sedated and in stasis," Leonard commented softly, noting Joanna's concern. "Do you want privacy for your checkup?"
Shrugging, Joanna quickly laid down on a biobed that was close to Pavel and remained quiet as her father scanned her with a medical tricorder. Leonard sighed and looked calmly at Joanna.
"You're pregnant all right," Leonard commented softly. "I can run more tests if you wanna rest."
Joanna nodded and silently closed her eyes to rest, making Leonard wonder how tired and stressed Joanna was because of Pavel's condition. However, instead of waking her up for a talk, Leonard silently covered her up with the bed's blanket and proceeded to run other tests.
Bridge
Still in shock over what Joanna had told him, Jim found himself stepping on to the Bridge and was surprised to see Spock sitting in the command chair, silently writing on a PADD.
"Commander Spock?" Jim asked as he walked over to the command chair. "How are things?"
Spock sighed and looked up from his PADD, "I have settled the matter with the Vulcan High Command and Amanda will not be held responsible," he replied tonelessly. "We have no need to stop at New Vulcan and can proceed to Earth with due haste. I am working on my report."
"What happened?" Jim asked, unable to resist his curiosity. "How did you solve the issue?"
Spock inhaled sharply, "It will be in my report, Admiral," he replied stiffly. "I hope that is..."
"Admiral Kirk, you are receiving a transmission from Earth," Hawkins suddenly spoke up.
"I'll take it in my ready room," Jim replied softly, fully expecting it to be President Pike.
Sighing, Jim went to his Ready Room, sat down, and quickly activated his computer, "This is Admiral James T. Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise," he said in an official voice. "Who is this?"
"This is Antonia Parker of Global Adoption Tours," a gentle voice replied as a woman with dark hair and a kind smile appeared on screen. "I'm happy to inform you, Admiral Kirk, that you and your wife, Edith Keeler Kirk, have been approved to go on an adoption tour during the month of July."
Jim's smile faded, as he realized that he had forgotten to cancel the application when Edith had been killed in the attack on Starfleet Medical. Antonia gave Jim a curious look, but said nothing.
"Um, Miss Parker, I guess you haven't seen the latest American news," Jim replied in a somber voice, struggling to keep from crying. "Edith was killed in an attack on Starfleet Medical in San Francisco that happened nearly two weeks ago. I know that single individuals can't be..."
Antonia nodded, "I understand, Admiral," she replied softly. "Since you and Edith filled out all the paperwork, I can simply offer the adoption tour to a friend or family member of yours and put you down as the sponsor. Do you know of any friends or family who would like to adopt?"
"I know of two married couples who have families, but those families are nearly grown and I'm sure a child would be a positive thing for them," Jim replied calmly. "Do you want their names?"
Antonia smiled, "Send me their information and why you think they would be good candidates for the adoption tour and I will contact them," she replied kindly. "I'm sorry about your wife."
"Thank you," Jim replied in a quiet voice. "I'll send you the information right away."
As the computer screen went black, however, Jim leaned back in his chair and sighed heavily, tears coming to his tired eyes as he did so. Had so little time passed since Edith was killed?
The door chime suddenly went off and Jim quickly dried his tears, "Come," he commanded.
"Admiral, do you have a moment?" Arianne asked in a kind voice as she came into the Ready Room and sat in one of the chairs. "I was just wondering if you wanted help with anything?"
Jim sighed heavily, "A co-ordinator from the adoption tours just contacted me and I forgot to cancel the application for the adoption tour after Edith died," he explained shakily. "I was wondering if you and Bones wouldn't want to take a tour and meet some orphans that are potentially available for adoption? I know you can't bear any more kids, but I also know..."
"I'll talk to Leonard about it," Arianne replied softly. "Is there anything I can to do help you?"
Swallowing hard, Jim trembled, "I have to arrange funerals for Commander Decker, Lieutenant Ilia, and Edith," he replied softly. "I also have to see if Stiles needs help with arrangements."
"All of the children are with Yeoman Rand in the schoolroom," Arianne replied softly.
Jim nodded, but made no effort to move, "I'm just so exhausted from this whole mission that I need to rest, but Spock's got something on his mind already and I hate to trouble him further," he commented in a distressed voice. "I don't suppose you could do some Bridge duty and help not only Spock, but also the others who are on duty? You would be a relief for everyone there."
"I can do that," Arianne replied gently, watching as Jim didn't move. "Jim, please, go rest."
Nodding, Jim stood and waited for Arianne to stand before they both returned to the Bridge, "Commander Spock, I'm going to rest," Jim spoke in a steadier tone. "Commander McCoy has agreed to remain on the Bridge for a few hours and provide relief to anyone who needs it."
"Very well," Spock replied tonelessly. "Commander McCoy, please take the Helm station."
Arianne frowned at Spock's pallor, but nodded as Jim silently left the Bridge, "Commander, if I may," Spock spoke in a quieter voice. "I would like to schedule counseling for this evening."
"Around suppertime," Arianne spoke softly before she went to the Helm station in silence.
Rec Deck
The bathroom had been repaired in short order and Scotty found himself relaxing with a glass of hot tea and watching as his adopted son, Charlie Evans-Scott, put together a puzzle. Charlie, Kathy, Amanda, Saavik, Valeris, George, Zachary, and Tuvok were all playing a quiet board game and nobody was talking about the earlier outburst, as it was unnecessary to bring up issues.
It was a calm silence that filled the deck and Scotty raised an eyebrow as Stiles suddenly came on to the deck with Joachim, Isabella, and a rested looking Demora, who was wearing a clean outfit that looked slightly too big for her. Stiles silently sat at a table near the window.
"Demora, why don't you and Isabella go play with the small toys in that box over there?" Joachim spoke in a gentle voice, pointing to a small box of toys near an island of pillows.
Isabella nodded and led Demora over to the toys while Joachim sat at the table with Stiles, both of them unaware that Scotty was listening, "...I guess we can plan Mom's funeral while we're sitting here and we have time since Lieutenant Sulu wanted to get some work done," Scotty heard Joachim say softly. "I think he got hurt during that fight he was in, but he doesn't..."
Frowning, Scotty watched as Stiles pulled out a PADD, "I was thinking we could hold the service in the Starfleet Gardens, as Mom liked to go there a lot when she was sick," Joachim said in a quiet voice as he remembered their garden walks. "She liked how bright it was there."
"That sounds like a good idea," Stiles commented softly as Scotty and Charlie Evans-Scott left.
Joachim nodded, "Bella would always pick flowers for Mom and Security would kind of ignore it," he commented softly, a sad laugh escaping his lips. "I don't know what to do now that..."
"You don't have to do anything right now," Stiles replied softly. "Just sit here and relax."
As Stiles and Joachim sat there, Charlie suddenly got up from the game, said a few words to the group, and silently left the Rec Deck. His anxieties were bothering him and he didn't know why.
For a moment, Saavik, Kathy, and Zachary watched him go and then they returned to the game.
Bruises greeted Hikaru as he stared at himself in the mirror with both his undershirt and uniform shirt in his hands. Ever since he had returned to the ship and news had gotten out about him having relations with a terrorist that had produced a child, various crewmembers had inflicted attacks on him because they saw him as a traitor to Starfleet and its principles.
The attack by Finnegan had harmed him, but Hikaru had not mentioned his injuries so that Pavel's treatment wouldn't be delayed. Pavel was his best friend and would always be.
Not wanting Demora to see his injuries, Hikaru had asked Joachim to take Demora to the Rec Deck and have her play with Isabella so he could get some work done. It was a plausible lie.
"Lad, what happened?" Scotty's voice suddenly sounded from behind. "How did ye get hurt?"
Hikaru turned and looked at Scotty worriedly, "Susan Ling was Demora's mother and Susan was also a terrorist with Doctor Sevrin's group," he explained shakily. "Demora's mother is dead."
"That still doesn't explain how ye got the bruises," Scotty replied worriedly. "What happened?"
Hikaru sighed, "A lot of people are loyal to Starfleet and hate terrorists," he replied softly.
Scotty frowned, "Ye are coming to Sickbay with me right now," he ordered in a firm voice.
Swallowing hard, Hikaru nodded, "Take my jacket, Lieutenant Sulu," Charlie Evans-Scott spoke softly as Scotty led Hikaru from the bathroom and into the living area where he had waited.
"Thank you," Hikaru spoke softly, wincing as he put the jacket on over his bare torso.
Scotty smiled, "Let's get ye to Sickbay," he spoke gently, horrified over Hikaru's suffering.
Joanna sighed heavily as she opened her eyes and saw that Sickbay was quiet and nearly empty even though it was late afternoon. She sat up and was surprised to see that Pavel was awake.
"Hey there, sweetie," Joanna spoke softly as she got off the biobed and walked over to Pavel's bed, forcing herself to smile as Pavel looked at her. "I had a checkup and I am pregnant."
Despite the fact that he was feeling weak and nauseous, Pavel managed a smile and weakly twitched his hand in her direction, which Joanna took in hers, "Zey are going to remowe my fractured keedney tomorrow," he spoke softly. "Eet eez too damaged to stay inside me."
Joanna nodded and Pavel sighed, "Eef anyseeing happens to me, you vill keep ze baby and raise it, yes?" he asked softly, giving Joanna a look. "I newer sot zat ve vould be able to hawe one."
"Yes, I'll keep it," Joanna replied softly just as Leonard came into the patient bay. "I love you."
Leonard sighed calmly and Pavel's stomach growled angrily, "I veesh I could eat, but I vould not enjoy eet," Pavel spoke softly, frowning as he suddenly saw Scotty and Hikaru enter Sickbay.
"Doctor McCoy, this lad needs to talk to ye," Scotty spoke softly. "I can take the lass to supper."
Leonard nodded, "Jo, go to the Mess Hall," he said in a concerned voice. "You need to eat."
"I love you, Pavel," Joanna whispered as she kissed Pavel's lips. "I'll try and come back later."
Pavel whispered something in Russian and Joanna sighed as she left Sickbay, "Hop on a biobed, Sulu, and I'll see what I can do for you," Leonard said in a kind voice, noting Hikaru's anxiety.
Hikaru nodded and sat down on a biobed before removing the jacket, "I-I've been meeting with a lot of problems ever since I came back to the ship with Demora," he explained shakily. "I had a child with a terrorist and everyone on this ship knows that we had a relationship on Earth..."
"Members of this crew have been beating you up for the last 12 hours over the fact that you had a kid with someone who is now dead?" Leonard asked sharply, a hint of anger in his voice.
Hikaru cringed, but nodded, "All right, I'll patch you up and then we're going to talk to Admiral Kirk about this because this shouldn't be happening," Leonard said in a gentler voice. "Okay?"
As Leonard began to examine Hikaru, neither man noticed that Pavel had gone back to sleep.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Arianne," Spock spoke softly as he sat on the couch in Arianne's office and faced Arianne, who sat in a chair. "I have not asked for counseling for a long time, but something occurred today that prompted me to relive distressing memories."
Arianne nodded, but didn't speak so that Spock could express his thoughts appropriately, "Amanda initiated a bond with Lorian on Marris Three in order to save his life, but she is a minor and the laws are such that parental consent is required for such a thing," Spock explained tonelessly. "She reported her actions to the Vulcan High Command and they attempted to order her to New Vulcan, but I took it upon myself to engage in conversation with them."
"And what was the result of that conversation?" Arianne asked in a gentle, curious voice.
Spock sighed, "The Vulcan High Command has imposed a decree that I am to be exiled from New Vulcan for a period of three years since I am Amanda's parent and able to accept punishment in her stead due to her age," he explained tonelessly. "I have shared the decision with my family and they do not like it, but they have accepted it. It was a logical solution."
Silence filled the room and Spock sighed, "It was easier to give of myself than allow another to suffer," he spoke in a softer, more solemn voice. "The experience with the Vulcan High Command made me remember when I was forced to give of myself on Rura Penthe."
Arianne frowned, but said nothing, "It is widely known that I was tortured on Rura Penthe and most assumed it was against my will, but I submitted willingly to every bit of it," Spock explained tonelessly. "I resisted at first, but then I witnessed harm come to Zachary or to other alien prisoners who were struggling to merely survive simply because of their species. They refused to submit to torture that came without cause and it nearly broke them to pieces."
Spock closed his eyes briefly and sighed softly, "When the torture came, I simply did not fight it and forced myself to endure it," he explained in a trembling voice. "As I sat in conference with the Vulcan High Command and they were contemplating removing Amanda from my custody to face punishment for her actions, I found myself reflecting on my time on Rura Penthe."
"And you found it easier to offer yourself instead of being able to watch Amanda suffer," Arianne spoke softly. "Spock, I am very aware of the fact that you love your family."
Spock nodded and opened his eyes, "My father could not understand why I would accept being exiled for three years rather than make Amanda take responsibility for her actions," he explained shakily. "He said that taking responsibility for a child's actions is not Vulcan."
"It's called being a parent, Spock," Arianne replied softly, shocked at Sarek's response.
Spock nodded and remained silent for a moment, "I feel a sense of hopelessness," he revealed tonelessly, a hint of emotion in his voice. "I feel like I did when I was taken to Rura Penthe."
Arianne opened her mouth to speak when Spock whimpered and suddenly put a hand to his forehead, "I-I feel nauseous," Spock spoke in an unsteady voice. "My head is hurting."
"Spock!" Arianne said in an anxious voice as Spock suddenly collapsed and began to convulse violently on the floor, vomiting clear fluid as he did so. "Spock, hang on! I'll get some help!"
As Spock continued to convulse, Arianne quickly smacked the emergency alarm that was on her desk, which would initiate a Red Alert emergency signal from her office to the Comms System.
Hoping that help would come soon, Arianne quickly went to Spock's side and tore cushions off the couch and chairs, arranging them around Spock so he wouldn't hurt himself. Spock suddenly went limp and as Arianne checked to see if she was breathing, she felt a chill.
"Spock has been placed on total exile from New Vulcan," T'Pau stated in a toneless voice as she stood with other members of the Vulcan High Command, all of whom were surrounding Sarek with their hands on his face. "Your parental bond has been blocked for a period of three years."
Sarek nodded and showed no emotion as the Council broke apart, "The block will keep Spock from attempting to contact you telepathically for assistance until such time as the Council lifts the block," Stonn explained tonelessly. "This is Spock's punishment for his act of defiance."
"It seems, Sarek, that Spock has chosen the way of rebellion as Sybok did years ago," Lady T'Pau spoke tonelessly as Sarek bowed and went to his knees. "How unfortunate for you that both your sons have chosen to rebel in such a manner. You, however, have chosen the right path."
Sarek nodded and T'Pau motioned to someone that Arianne could not see, "You will now allow yourself to be administered to," T'Pau said tonelessly. "This meeting is now completed."
Realizing that the High Council had been responsible for Spock's medical issue, Arianne's eyes widened just as the door opened and several medics rushed into the room with a stretcher.
Nearly two hours later, Nyota found herself in Sickbay, trying to keep herself from crying as she lingered anxiously at Spock's bedside while Spock slept. He had yet to regain any awareness.
She had been getting dinner for Amanda, Saavik, Valeris, and Tuvok in the Mess Hall when the Red Alert had gone off. After finding out that Spock was the one in trouble, Nyota had left Amanda in charge of the other kids and had immediately come to Sickbay to be with Spock.
"Thank you for helping him, Arianne," Nyota commented softly as she gazed at Arianne, who was silently lingering at the end of the bed, still deeply shocked about what she had seen.
Arianne nodded, but didn't say anything because she was shocked that Spock had suffered simply because the Vulcan High Command had forced Sarek to block his parental bond with Spock for the next three years. Nyota frowned as Dr. M'Benga suddenly came over to the bed.
"Spock is stable," Dr. M'Benga explained, seeing fear in Nyota's eyes. "He'll sleep for a while."
Nyota nodded, "I don't understand what happened," she said in an anxious, sad voice.
Arianne sighed, "When I was checking Spock's breathing, I suddenly felt very cold and I saw a bit of a peculiar experience," she explained solemnly. "The Vulcan High Command forced Sarek to block the parental bond he has with Spock because Spock refused to send Amanda to them."
"That sort of a block would be very hard on a full-blooded Vulcan from what I've read about them," Dr. M'Benga commented worriedly. "To be honest, Spock's lucky it didn't kill him."
Nyota nodded and sighed, "Doctor McCoy's updating Spock's file and he'll come out to check on him in a bit since I'm going off duty tonight," Dr. M'Benga explained softly. "Do you need...?"
"Thank you for helping Spock, Doctor M'Benga," Nyota spoke softly. "I just want to be here."
Dr. M'Benga nodded and silently left Sickbay, "Is there anything I can get you, Nyota?" Arianne asked softly, remembering how she felt when Leonard was battling a serious illness.
Nyota shook her head and Arianne took a quick look around Sickbay, letting out a sigh of relief that both Pavel and Lorian were asleep as she retreated to the safety of Leonard's office.
As Arianne neared the door, however, she was surprised to see Charlie sitting on the cot looking really anxious while Leonard sat in his chair, looking somewhat concerned for him.
"H-hi," Charlie stuttered anxiously, clasping his hands together. "I just got so anxious all of a sudden when I was on the Rec Deck, so I came here and asked Papa for some help with it."
Leonard sighed and made a note on a PADD, "We'll try a natural supplement for you until we get back to Earth and then we'll re-evaluate, all right?" he said, disturbed by the fact that Charlie was anxious for no reason at all and that it was becoming a bad problem for him.
"Okay," Charlie spoke softly, sighing as Arianne quickly walked over and gently hugged him.
"How are you doing, Sulu?" Jim asked as he entered Hikaru's quarters and saw Hikaru on the couch wearing a loose tunic that had bandages peeking out from under it and a pair of sweat pants and slippers that looked nearly one size too big for him. "Tell me the truth."
Hikaru sighed, "I'm guessing you heard that I went to Doctor McCoy," he replied softly.
"Not much gets past me," Jim replied in a concerned voice. "Is Demora in bed for the night?"
Hikaru nodded and sighed, "I've got a few broken ribs and a lot of bruises on me," he stated, patting the pillow and blanket he had brought to the couch. "I'll be sleeping out here tonight."
"You do realize that Finnegan and the other officers involved will face charges and most likely be court martialed when we reach Earth?" Jim stated calmly. "Not just for assaulting you, but also for the fact that they assaulted Chekov and made his medical condition much worse."
Hikaru nodded, but didn't say anything, "I'd appreciate it, Hikaru, if you could do some Bridge shifts during the day for the rest of our mission," Jim stated softly. "We could use the help."
Again, Hikaru said nothing and Jim sighed, "Give it some thought," Jim said reassuringly.
Hikaru nodded silently and Jim gave his friend and shipmate a reassuring smile as he left Hikaru's quarters.
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