One Week Later

Starfleet Medical

"You are looking better, Heekaru," Pavel spoke gently as he sat down in the chair beside the hospital bed where Hikaru had spent the last week in and out of a deep sleep while slowly recovering.

Hikaru nodded and sighed, "The pneumonia's clearing up, but I'm really tired all the time and still really sore," he replied in a tired voice. "Doctor McCoy isn't sure if I'll ever be able to walk again either, but I suppose being in a wheelchair for the rest of my life is better than being dead. I'm trying to accept it."

Pavel nodded, "Deemora does not seem to care eef you are een a vheelchair or not," he replied softly.

"Demora's a good girl," Hikaru replied in a tired voice, sighing as the door slid open and Arianne came into the room with Christine, who was pushing a wheelchair. "Do I have any physotherapy today?"

Arianne smiled, "No, Hikaru, I thought you might want to talk in the courtyard," she replied gently. "It's a beautiful day out and I got clearance from Doctor Piper if you want to spend some time outside."

"Maybe just a few minutes," Hikaru replied softly. "If someone could please help me out of bed…"

Without waiting for anyone's help, Pavel helped Hikaru out of bed and slowly escorted his friend over the wheelchair, which had a pillow in it, "Pavel, thank you," Hikaru spoke softly. "I'm…I'm sorry."

"For vat?" Pavel asked kindly, smiling at Hikaru. "Eet eez no trouble to help you go outside."

Hikaru sighed, "I read some of my personal messages last night and I saw your message," he replied softly, wincing as he felt another burst of pain shoot through him. "I'm sorry for what happened…"

"Don't vorry about eet," Pavel replied gently, smiling as Christine set equipment in the wheelchair. "Go outside veeth Commander MeeCoy and enjoy ze sunshine. I am going to wolunteer at ze school."

Hikaru nodded and sighed as he was wheeled out of the room, leaving Pavel alone.

In another section of the large hospital, President Pike helped Kathryn, who was wearing sweats, slippers, and a loose t-shirt, lie down on a hospital bed, "Christopher, you don't have to stay," she spoke softly, gazing up at him with kind eyes. "The treatment is likely to take most the day and Michael can…"

"Michael's taking care of the school for you," President Pike replied gently. "I need to be here."

Kathryn quickly sat up and immediately touched her forehead, "I sat up too fast," she replied anxiously as she laid back down and sighed. "I should have gotten things taken care of properly after Michael was born, but I was so busy learning how to be a mother. Now, everything's caught up with me physically and I'm glad Arianne is here to be there for you and Michael when something does happen to me."

"The medication should strengthen your organs and keep you with us for a long time yet, Kathryn," President Pike replied softly, sighing as Leonard came into the room with Joanna, who was pushing a large cart with many compartments. "Good morning Doctor McCoy and Joanna. How are you both?"

Joanna looked surprised at seeing them there, but she remained professional, "I'm very well, how about yourselves?" she asked kindly, not wanting to comment that Kathryn looked extremely tired and pale.

"I've had health issues for years, but they've gotten progressively worse as I've gotten older," Kathryn replied gently. "I was tortured by Klingons shortly before Christopher and I got married and I've never fully recovered from it. I was on a ship called the T'Alang for several days and put through paces…"

Joanna nodded, "I understand how you feel," she replied softly. "I was a prisoner among the Romulans for many years as a child and teenager. You don't ever fully get over that kind of an experience."

"Oh, Joanna, you're such a sweet young lady," Kathryn replied softly. "I'm glad you're here today."

Leonard sighed and looked at his chart, "I managed to get the results from when you first came here and were checked over because of your pregnancy," he explained calmly. "You had quite a few visits to Starfleet Medical during the duration of your pregnancy. I believe it was considered a high-risk one?"

"Oh, yes, but I wouldn't trade the experience," Kathryn replied softly. "Michael…he's extraordinary."

Leonard nodded, "Since your scans are nearly 20 years old, I'd like to run some fresh scans before we discuss treatment, all right?" he asked in a kind voice. "It will be very painless and quick, ma'am."

President Pike released Kathryn and waited quietly while Leonard ran several scans and sighed as he made notes on the chart, "We tried to have another child after we saw how wonderful Michael was, but it didn't work," Kathryn explained softly, seeing concern in Leonard's eyes. "What is it, Leonard?"

"You need a hysterectomy, firstly," Leonard replied grimly. "It says here you had three miscarriages?"

Kathryn nodded and sighed, "I can get you in right away and you can spend time recovering from that while you're receiving treatment to stabilize your systems," Leonard explained kindly. "Basically, a hysterectomy will help you become stronger and if you choose not to have one, you could…"

"Let's get on with the surgery, please," Kathryn interrupted. "Chris, I'd appreciate it if you'd call Michael and let him know he might have to run the school a little longer. He's qualified to do it quite well."

President Pike nodded and got up, "We'll move you right now," Joanna said in a concerned voice.

As President Pike left the room, he mouthed 'I love you' to Kathryn, who smiled and mouthed it back.

Starfleet Educational Center

The sound of children made Michael smile as he ventured down the hallway from the office after taking care of the various administrative duties his mother usually did. Because of his Bachelor's in Education, he was qualified to teach and he had worked with his mother a lot growing up, so he knew how things worked at the educational center. His mother was now ill, so he had become a temporary administrator.

Part of his duties was to check the classrooms and see how each group of students was doing in their schoolwork. He stopped at the youngest class first and was not surprised to see Pavel in there, helping David and Lenny as they fingerpainted large poster boards with the other members of their class.

The teacher smiled at Michael as he entered the room, "Ah, Michael, how are you doeeing as ze preenceepal?" Pavel asked cheerfully, smiling at the young man. "Ze suit looks good on you."

"I'm doing okay," Michael replied kindly. "I've already taken care of all of the office work."

Pavel nodded, but before he could speak, a harried looking Rebecca, who was wearing capris, boots, and a loose shirt came hurrying into the room with Gabriel, who was dressed in a t-shirt, sneakers, and overalls, "Is this the right place?" Rebecca asked anxiously. "Mom had to work at Starfleet and…"

Suddenly recognizing Michael in the suit and tie, Rebecca fell silent, "You're in the right place, don't worry," he replied calmly. "Commander Chekov is volunteering his time in this class today."

Rebecca nodded, "I'm not sure if Gabriel's even had his placement tests yet," she replied nervously.

"I can check my mom's files," Michael replied calmly. "Has he ever been to school previously?"

Rebecca shook her head, "My mom or I have tutored him," she replied softly. "Is that bad?"

"No, I think an assessment would be best, though," Michael replied calmly. "If you want to talk to your mom about it first, I can put Gabriel here for today and then talk to her about scheduling one."

Rebecca nodded just as Michael's cell-phone went off, "Oh, excuse me," he said as he left the room.

Gabriel immediately joined David and Lenny in fingerpainting and Rebecca silently left the room before he noticed she was gone, "…Do you want me to come over there during the lunch hour?" she heard Michael, who had moved down the hallway, ask into his cell-phone. "No? Mom wants me here?"

There was a heavy silence and Michael sighed, "Okay, Dad, I love you," he spoke softly. "Bye."

"Is everything all right?" Rebecca asked softly, frowning as Michael put his phone in his pocket.

Michael sighed, "If you want to talk, you can always come with me to the office since I need to start a file for Gabriel anyway," he replied gently. "I just need to look in on the other classrooms first."

"Oh, I can help you," Rebecca offered gently. "I'd like to be close in case Gabriel has trouble."

Michael nodded and walked over to the classroom where Demora, Isabella, and Tuvok all were, smiling when he saw that all seemed to be well there. The sight of children learning was a welcome distraction.

Starfleet Command Residences

A stack of boxes belonging to President Pike, Kathy, and Michael sat in the fully furnished living room since they had decided to move before the Presidential election. Charlie, Kathy, Zachary, Valeris, and Saavik had all decided to surprise President Pike and Kathryn since they had nothing to do that day.

"What should we do with the boxes, just leave them here?" Charlie asked as he sat on the couch.

Kathy smiled as she sat down in a chair, "Grandpa and Grandma are very particular about where things go in their house, so maybe we'd better," she replied softly, smiling as she watched Saavik sit near the window with a small book in her hands. "Hey Saavik, what do you have there? Was that in a box?"

"Your grandparents have interesting taste in books," Saavik replied tonelessly. "It is a poetry book."

Kathy nodded and suddenly caught sight of Valeris sitting on the grass outside just as Zachary came into the house holding a box, "Why is Valeris sitting outside alone?" she asked in a concerned voice.

"Valeris got a message from the Academy that she's eligible for Operations and Communications courses there even though she wanted to go into Command," Zachary commented in a slightly irked voice as he gently set the box on top of other boxes. "They don't trust her either, apparently."

Just then, Valeris rose and entered the house, "Zachary, your anger is illogical," she spoke tonelessly, giving him a look. "I am grateful that Starfleet would allow me the opportunity to attend the Academy given my past and I will do my best to please them. You must also do your best in the Academy."

"Zach, please, just be happy about the Academy," Charlie replied softly. "You get to do what you want."

Zach looked surprised, "You don't actually like the idea of Command, Charlie?" he asked softly.

"I want to be a doctor or a nurse," Charlie replied softly. "Starfleet thought it would be good for me to take both Medical and Command, though, so I could grow a bit. I don't know if they'll even let me in."

Zachary shrugged, "You try hard," he replied calmly, watching as Charlie sighed heavily. "What?"

"I wanna go off my meds for the Academy, but Mom doesn't think it's a good idea," Charlie confessed.

Kathy frowned, "Mom's probably right," she replied softly. "Should…should we have something to eat?"

Murmurs of assent filled the room and Kathy got up to see what was available for them to eat.

Starfleet Medical

Hikaru sighed tiredly as he picked at the food that a nurse had forced him to take outside for his visit with Arianne. He was well aware that he needed to eat more than he ate at breakfast that morning, but he still wasn't able to keep much food down at a time. It was almost as if his body was fighting him.

"I'm sorry, it's just hard for me to eat," Hikaru commented softly, gazing up at Arianne as she sat next to him on a bench in the courtyard. "I've got people in my room all the time telling me to eat and drink so I can get out of the hospital. I just like the times where I can sit in quiet and spend time with Demora…"

Arianne nodded, but didn't say anything, "I can't exactly complain, though, can I?" Hikaru asked softly.

"Have you had many visitors since you've been back?" Arianne asked in a kind, comforting voice.

Hikaru swallowed hard as he ate a bite of muffin, "I've heard people want to crowd into my room and hear all about this experience, but Pike is keeping everyone away for now," he replied quietly. "I just really feel uncomfortable about the thought of everyone crowding my room to see me as I am now."

"It can be very overwhelming, but just take your time and see people as you feel ready," Arianne replied in a gentle voice, noting that Hikaru was looking very tired and anxious. "Is the sunlight bothering you?"

Shaking his head, Hikaru quickly finished off the rest of the food he had been given and sighed, "I'm just anxious about what I'm going to do now," he confessed softly. "Maybe I just need to relax for a bit."

Without warning, Hikaru sniffled and began to cry quietly, placing a hand over his eyes as he did so.

Sighing gently, Arianne gently patted Hikaru's arm and gasped when Hikaru suddenly turned away and began to get violently sick, "Everything's tingling," he trembled anxiously, grabbing his abdomen.

Frowning, Arianne hit the emergency medical alarm and grabbed Hikaru as he sank downwards, trembling violently. By the time Dr. Piper and nurses arrived, Arianne was on the floor, trying to hold Hikaru and keep him calm as he trembled violently, "Everything's tingling and hurting," he spoke weakly.

"I hope this wasn't caused by him being outside," Arianne asked in a concerned voice.

Dr. Piper shook his head, "No, it wasn't," he replied as he took out a medical tricorder. "I don't know…"

Hikaru whimpered in pain and trembled as the medics tried to slide a stretcher under him, "Lieutenant Sulu, what hurts exactly?" Dr. Piper asked in a concerned voice. "The tricorder readings are all over…"

"I just felt sick and my whole body suddenly exploded," Hikaru whimpered, gritting his teeth as the medics lifted the stretcher from the ground. "I was feeling better this morning, just very…"

As Arianne stood up, Hikaru suddenly vomited several times uncontrollably, barely managing to turn his head so to get it on the ground, "Let's get Lieutenant Sulu inside, shall we?" Dr. Piper said anxiously.

Deeply concerned for Hikaru, Arianne followed them into Hikaru's room and turned away while the nurses cleaned Hikaru up and changed his clothes. She turned around when he was in bed and his medical equipment was back in position. Dr. Piper was silently gazing at the bed's bio-monitor.

Swallowing hard, Arianne silently left the room so Dr. Piper could work and she was very surprised to see her father standing outside of a room shortly down the hallway, just inside the Surgical Care Unit.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Arianne asked softly as she walked down the hall to him. "What are you…?"

President Pike gestured through the window and Arianne was shocked to see Kathryn, who she considered her mother, lying unconscious in a hospital bed while a nurse and Leonard silently hooked up drip-lines, tubes, and checked vitals, "I thought Mom was merely coming in for tests?" Arianne asked in a concerned voice, gazing at her father. "Why does she look as if she had surgery?"

"After Michael was born and had grown a bit, we tried very hard to have more children to give both of you more siblings to enjoy and didn't tell anyone we were doing that because Michael's birth was risky enough," President Pike explained in a distressed voice, choking back tears. "Your mother had three miscarriages before we finally decided that you and Michael would be our only children."

Arianne frowned and President Pike suddenly began to sob, "K-Kathryn had a hysterectomy," he whimpered as Arianne gently pulled him into a hug and held him close. "I'm overwhelmed…."

After a few moments, President Pike gently pulled back, "I'm better now," he replied. "Thank you."

Arianne nodded and followed her father into the room when he went, "Doctor McCoy, how did things go?" President Pike asked in a shaky voice, gazing at Leonard. "Did everything go as discussed?"

"The hysterectomy was very simple to perform, but Kathryn's going to need lots of time to recover and build up her strength again," Leonard replied firmly. "She can't teach for the rest of the school year."

President Pike nodded and quickly took a seat in a chair beside the bed, "I'll be doing most of my last work as President from home, then," he replied calmly, taking her hand. "We'll manage, I'm sure."

Leonard nodded, "Try and get some rest," he replied calmly. "Buzz for a nurse if Kathryn wakes."

Arianne sighed, "Arianne, please, go get some rest of your own," President Pike spoke softly.

Nodding, Arianne left with Leonard, "Len, there's something you should know," she spoke softly, intending to tell him about Hikaru so he could go be of help to Dr. Piper if he wanted to be.

Romulan Ship - Romulus

"You're insane, Jeris," Senator Javal said in an anxious voice as he hurried alongside Jeris, who was leading a self-hovering stasis pod towards a warbird in the main hangar. "This is a foolish mission."

Jeris scowled, "Valdore is dead and Jaron is gravely injured," he snapped. "With Khan loose on Romulus, the boy would face certain death if he were to remain here simply because Khan has gone insane."

"And where would you send him?" Senator Javal asked anxiously. "His father is back on Earth."

Jeris nodded and said nothing, causing Senator Javal to flinch, "Going to Earth will get you killed or captured!" he shouted angrily. "What would David do if you were captured by Starfleet, Jeris?"

"I will not be anywhere near Earth," Jeris replied coldly. "I plan to make Spock come to me."

Senator Javal smirked, "Spock will come nowhere near Romulan space," he hissed anxiously.

"What are you going to do?" Senator Javal asked as he followed Jeris and the stasis pod into the ship and watched Jeris secure the stasis pod to a life support machine. "What you told the Senate…"

Jeris hissed, "I told the Senate I would ensure Jaron was reunited with his father because nobody expects the boy to live anyway and it would be delightful to cause Spock pain," he replied in a menacing voice. "The Senate ordered me to handle it personally because they want nothing more to do with the boy or with the Khan fiasco. I am to get rid of the boy and then I am responsible to kill Khan."

"Even you are intimidated by Khan," Senator Javal spat. "The whole fiasco with that Human boy…"

Jeris scoffed, "Zachary McCoy is no fool," he replied calmly. "He seems very unafraid of Khan."

Just then, David boarded the ship carrying two large traveling cases, "What is this, Jeris?" Senator Javal asked in a concerned voice. "Why would you be leaving Romulus when you have security here?"

"It is an attempt to draw Khan away from the planet," Jeris replied gruffly, taking a travelling case from David. "If Khan is still on the planet, he will know that I am gone and will seek to pursue us."

David sighed and set the other travelling case on the floor, "If you start a war with the Federation, how can you be sure Romulus will back you?" Senator Javal asked worriedly. "They will protest this."

"Because if Starfleet tries to fight me, I will remind James Kirk of his crime and it will send him to pieces before me," Jeris hissed, glancing at David. "If Starfleet dares stop Spock from his son, I will bring those who killed David's mother to justice for all of Starfleet to see. I will return when my duty is done."

Senator Javal nodded and bowed slightly before leaving the ship, "If something should go wrong, David, I want you to flee with Jaron to Earth," Jeris spoke in a commanding voice as he hurriedly closed up the small ship. "Your heart is Romulan, but you can pass for a Human and fool the naïve Federation."

David looked concerned and Jeris sighed, "I fear for your safety since Valdore was killed, as Khan seems to have developed insanity," Jeris explained quietly. "I could not bear it if anything were to happen to you because you are all I have of your mother. I do not think anything will go wrong, however."

"I am not sure I wish to leave Romulus," David spoke anxiously. "This has been my home forever…"

Jeris nodded and frowned as he suddenly heard a noise, followed by a dark chuckle, "Did you think you would escape me, Jeris?" Khan asked as he came into view with scorch marks on his tunic and bruises on his face as he welded a phaser in his hand. "I agree that Spock could do with misery, however…"

Without warning, Khan shot Jeris, sending the Romulan to the floor, "…You will not be the one to deliver misery to Spock," he finished coldly, glaring at David. "And I believe you could also deliver misery."

Before David could protest, Khan shot him several times before pocketing the phaser and picking his limp body up from the floor. Khan shot Jeris a death glare, which Khan silently returned.

"You will get me off this planet," Khan hissed. "Get me out of here or I will kill your son."

Swallowing hard, Jeris marched off to the cockpit and Khan roughly threw David in another stasis pod quite close to Jaron's. Once David was secure, Khan marched into the cockpit to watch Jeris.

Starfleet Medical

"Heekaru, I came as soon as I heard from Doctor Piper zat you vere seecker," Pavel said in an anxious voice as he entered the room and saw that Arianne and Leonard were there with Dr. Piper and they were all standing beside the bed where Hikaru was sleeping. "Vat happened…deed he get vorse?"

Dr. Piper shook his head, "No, the slug poison has expelled itself from his body through the form of vomiting," he replied calmly, gazing at Pavel. "Every part of Lieutenant Sulu's body is now functioning, but he's extremely weak and still needs recovery time and medicine. He'll also need to do physiotherapy when he's well enough that will include relearning how to walk, but for now, he's sleeping soundly."

"…Attention all members of United Federation Starfleet," a voice suddenly spoke over the intercom that was in the hallway. "This is Admiral Christopher Pike, President of the United Federation of Planets…"

Swallowing hard, Pavel immediately turned on the vid-feed in the room and all were surprised to see President Pike standing behind a podium adorned with the Starfleet logo while several Admirals including Jim sat in chairs beside the podium. Everyone was in full dress uniform and several journalists and higher up members of Starfleet were watching President Pike silently and expectantly.

"As you all know, I had already scheduled my retirement for September to coincide with the new term at Starfleet Academy," President Pike spoke in a serious tone. "However, my wife has just had a very major surgery and although she will be just fine, her recovery will take some time. That being said, I tender my resignation as President of United Federation Starfleet effective immediately and the election for my successor will take place at the end of this current week. Information about that can be…"

Deeply shocked, Pavel shut off the vid-feed, "Arianne, did you know about this?" Leonard asked.

"When you went to help Hikaru, I went back into my mother's room for a bit to be there in case my father needed anything," Arianne explained calmly. "He told me he was going to push up his retirement so he could take care of Mom and help Michael with the school until he was needed in the fall."

Leonard nodded, "Wise man," he commented softly. "He knows what is important to him."

"I believe Lieutenant Sulu could use some rest now," Dr. Piper commented kindly.

Everyone silently left the room, "Does anyone know where Charlie, Kathy, and Zachary got to?" Leonard asked in a concerned voice. "I'm wondering if I shouldn't find them and take them downtown."

Pavel couldn't help but smile, "Zey are at Preseedent Pike's new house and zey hawe been mowing seengs from ze mansion all day," he commented softly. "Zey got Saawik and Waleris to help zem."

"Oh, those children take after their mother," Leonard replied in an amused voice. "I'm guessing they told Joanna what they were going to do and Joanna told you? Those kids are incredibly sneaky."

Pavel nodded and sighed, "I'm going to sit with my mother for a while," Arianne said in a tired voice as she walked down the hallway. "Len, will you please go over to the new house and check on the kids?"

"I vill come too," Pavel spoke quietly. "I am tired and I need a rest, but I also should get some sun."

Pavel and Leonard quickly left, as did Dr. Piper and Arianne continued to her mother's hospital room alone. When she entered, she saw Joanna sitting by the bed and quickly joined her in watching Kathryn.

Starfleet Command

When the last journalist had finally gone, Admiral Pike sat himself in his office and quickly got a warm chamomile tea from his desk replicator. The entire crowd had been shocked at his announcement and the changing of election dates, but he knew he needed to help Michael and care for Kathryn now.

The door chime suddenly buzzed and President Pike sighed as the door opened and Jim let himself into the office, "That was quite the announcement," Jim commented, settling himself on the couch.

"I noticed Commander Taylor in the audience," Admiral Pike replied slyly. "Was she with you when I summoned all the Admirals to come to Command for my announcement? It seems like she was."

Jim sighed, "We're friends and both single parents," he replied nervously. "I…I just don't know…"

"Commander Taylor's a very nice woman, but don't rush things," Admiral Pike replied. "I know you fell hard for that adoption worker from Australia, but she didn't like some of the things you did…."

Jim nodded, "It's been so long since Edith that I just enjoy having female companionship," he admitted.

"Jim, Edith would want you to find happiness again," Admiral Pike replied calmly. "Want a drink?"

Jim shook his head, "I'm supposed to meet up with Spock and Uhura and see what kind of things they discussed about Lorian and Amanda's wedding," he replied tiredly. "They agreed not to marry after Amanda finishes the Academy, but I won't be surprised if they decide to get married sooner."

"Lorian's certainly been through a lot," Admiral Pike replied calmly. "He deserves to be happy."

Jim nodded and pursed his lips, "I…I wish T'Pol was here to see how Lorian and George turned out," he spoke in a solemn voice as he looked down. "I'm very proud of how they've both grown up."

"You've been a good father to them both," Admiral Pike replied calmly, stifling a yawn. "Even though we've already talked about this, are you sure you don't want to reconsider and be a nominee?"

Jim shook his head, "I'm not cut out to be President of Starfleet," he replied. "It's too stifling."

Admiral Pike chuckled and Jim sighed as he stood up, "I should go meet up with Spock and Uhura," he said in an apologetic voice. "They wanted to talk before Tuvok got out of school for the day."

"Have a wonderful day," Admiral Pike called out as Jim left the room. "Oh, Jim, you work so hard."

Sighing, Admiral Pike got up and straightened his office before leaving, intending to go to his new house and see what he could do with it before Kathryn came there to recover. He had a lot of work to do.

Starfleet Housing

It didn't take Admiral Pike long to walk to the housing units reserved for senior staff and he was surprised to see the living room full of boxes when he entered his home. He also heard talking in the kitchen and when he followed the noise, he found Leonard sitting at the table with Charlie, Kathryn, Zachary, Valeris, and Saavik while Pavel lingered at the stove, watching a pot of boiling tea.

"What's going on here?" Admiral Pike asked in a tired voice. "Why are there boxes in the house?"

Charlie smiled, "We've spent all day moving your stuff, Grandma's stuff, and Michael's stuff over from the mansion, Grandpa," he replied pleasantly. "Where's Grandma? Isn't she back from her tests?"

"Your grandmother had a hysterectomy and will be recovering at Starfleet Medical for several days, Charlie," Admiral Pike replied calmly, pleased that the moving was done. "I am very happy that you kids decided to take care of this for me, though. I moved up my retirement from the presidency of Starfleet to today so I could help Michael and also take care of your grandmother. This just makes me happy."

Kathy smiled, "When Saavik and Valeris heard what we were doing, they offered to come help," she explained in a kind voice, smiling at Saavik and Valeris. "When do you think we could visit Grandma?"

"Perhaps in a day or two," Admiral Pike replied calmly. "Your mother and Joanna are there now."

Zachary looked unhappy about that, but nodded, "Charlie, you look exhausted," Admiral Pike suddenly said, noticing that Charlie looked extremely tired. "Have you only been moving things all day?"

"I'm a bit tired, but Pavel's making us this special Asian tea that Uncle Hikaru taught him to make, so I'd like to stay around and try it before I go home," Charlie replied softly. "Dad said I could stay."

Leonard made a face, "I said you could stay as long as you took it easy," he replied firmly. "Pavel, get Charlie his tea first and then he's going home and straight to bed for a rest. How do you feel?"

For a moment, Charlie was silent and then he stood up, "I'm absolutely fine!" he said in an anxious voice as he bolted out of the kitchen and out of the house, leaving several shocked people behind.

"What is going on with him?" Leonard asked in a concerned voice. "He's been anxious all week."

Zachary, however, said nothing and pulled out his personal PADD while Kathy, Valeris, and Saavik all looked at each other and looked at the table. Pavel stopped stirring the tea and looked at them.

"Vat eez going on?" Pavel asked in a parental voice. "You four know someseeing, don't you?"

Zachary sighed as he put his PADD away, "Um, Charlie hasn't taken his meds for the last week because he thinks they'll make him do without them at the Academy," he explained softly, a concerned expression on his face as he gazed at Leonard. "He asked Mom if he could go off his meds and she told him it wasn't a good idea, but he's trying to show that he can do without them for his classes."

Admiral Pike sighed, "That's not going to happen," he replied in a concerned voice. "Where did he go?"

"Charlie's gone for long walks all this week to get himself calmed down and he's usually gone for hours, but he's been careful to go during the day," Kathryn replied softly. "I…I tried to talk to him."

Leonard sighed and Admiral Pike silently sat down at the table, "Our houses are now very close together, so I'm sure Charlie will come to one of them when he is finished his walk since I have no idea where he goes," Admiral Pike said in a heavy voice. "Panicking will only make things worse and I certainly don't want to alert your mother or Joanna to this. Charlie will go where he feels safe."

"Either Golden Gate Park or the beach is where he would probably go," Leonard observed. "If it wasn't good weather, Charlie would probably go hide at the public library. I'll go find him on my own, okay?"

Admiral Pike sighed tiredly, "I thank you all for your help with moving my family's things, but I'm going to have a little nap before I go back to Starfleet Medical," he said in a kind voice as he stood up. "You are all welcome to stay, but please clean up any mess you make. Pavel, save a little bit of tea for me."

Pavel nodded and Admiral Pike left the room, "After Pavel's done making you guys your tea, Kathy and Zachary, I want you to go over to the house and unpack some of the boxes," Leonard said in a calm, but firm voice as he got up and walked over to the doorway. "If Charlie comes back, keep him busy."

Silence filled the room as Leonard left, as nobody knew what to say about the situation.

Downtown San Francisco

"If you would rather not have me present for this occasion, I can find something to do," Lorian said tonelessly as he watched Amanda select a dress that was a cross between a normal wedding gown and Vulcan attire from a rack of clothing. "It is not customary for the groom to be present for this."

Amanda's eyes sparkled and she gently touched Lorian's face, "I appreciate your presence because this is something that involves both of us," she replied tonelessly before changing to Vulcan and whispering.

Lorian replied in Vulcan and watched as Amanda took the outfit to the back changing area, "Lorian, I'm sorry for being late," he heard Jim say in an apologetic voice. "Admiral Pike retired today."

"Interesting," Lorian replied as he turned to face his father. "Was it because of Kathryn?"

Jim nodded, "Kathryn had to have some very major surgery and Admiral Pike thought it better to devote time to her and to helping Michael with the educational center," he replied gently. "How are you?"

"I am…pleased to be assisting Amanda, but I am concerned about where Captain Spock and Lieutenant Uhura got to," Lorian explained tonelessly. "They had followed us here, but Captain Spock suddenly left the store claiming to be feeling unwell and Lieutenant Uhura followed him. I am unsure where they…"

Jim frowned as Nyota suddenly came into the store alone, "Spock decided to go for a walk, but he promises to return," she explained in a worried voice. "Something is bothering him today."

"I hope Spock's all right," Jim commented softly, wondering if Spock would truly be all right.

San Francisco Beach

The sand was warm and Charlie found great comfort just lying there and staring up at the sky, as it calmed his anxieties a great deal to just be away from everything. He knew it was wrong to stop taking his meds and worry everyone, but he knew that the Academy would be rough if he stayed on his meds.

As Charlie lay there, gravitating between staying awake and falling asleep, he heard soft footsteps travelling across the sand and into the water. Swallowing hard, he slowly sat up and was surprised to see Spock's shoes and socks on the sand while Spock stood in the waves, silently staring at the sky.

Deeply mystified at Spock's behavior, Charlie silently watched him and nearly jumped when he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder, "I figured you'd be here," Leonard said as he took a seat on the sand.

"I know going off my meds was stupid, but the Academy's going to force me," Charlie spoke softly.

Leonard sighed, "I think you should go back on the meds and the Academy will just have to learn to accept you need them," he replied calmly. "You're a completely different person without them."

Charlie nodded, "I know," he replied softly. "I can't focus without them; I know I need the meds."

Leonard nodded and gently putting an arm around Charlie, he pulled him close, "You know what, kiddo?" he said in a kind voice. "It's okay to be different and it's okay to ask for help to get by."

The two McCoys sat in silence together for several minutes, both of them watching as Spock lingered in the water, "Is Uncle Spock all right, Dad?" Charlie asked worriedly. "He looks somewhat disturbed."

"Spock's half-Human and like everyone else, he has times where he needs alone time," Leonard replied in a patient voice even though he too was concerned. "Did this walk to the beach help your anxiety?"

Charlie nodded, "Yeah, but I can't keep doing it every day," he replied quietly. "I'll take the meds."

Leonard nodded, "I didn't tell your mom what you've been doing, but your grandfather knows and I think you should tell your mom about it," he spoke gently. "Did you want to head back now?"

"Can we just sit here for a bit, Dad?" Charlie asked softly. "I like sitting and looking at the ocean."

As they continued to sit there, Spock came out of the water, redressed, and left the beach.

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