February

Swallowing hard, Pavel straightened the sling on his arm and silently entered the classroom, well aware that he was half an hour early for class. He had spent January taking classes from his computer at Captain Pike's home and not really venturing outside over fear of being spied on.

To his surprise, a well-built man in an Academy staff uniform was seated at the desk, reading through some paperwork with the help of eyeglasses, "Are you ze professor?" Pavel asked.

The man looked up at Pavel and smiled, "Yes, I am Professor Harriman," he replied in a kind voice. "You must be Pavel Chekov, right? I've read the work you sent me and I'm impressed."

"I sot I vould try comeeng to classes today," Pavel replied nervously. "Eez zat okay?"

Professor Harriman nodded and Pavel timidly took a seat in the front row, "That's fine," he replied kindly, smiling at Pavel. "We're actually going to be doing some writing exercises."

"I am not good at writing een public," Pavel replied softly. "I do not vant to geet teased…"

Professor Harriman frowned as Pavel put his backpack down and got out some pens and a messy looking notebook, "I wrote some seengs vile in ze hospeetal, but zey vere for serapy," Pavel explained quietly. "I am feeling nerwous about being here because I meesed classes…"

"The Academy waived attendance requirements for you," Professor Harriman replied calmly.

Pavel nodded and then silently opened his notebook, swallowing hard as he shut the outside world out. For the next 25 minutes, Professor Harriman silently watched his young student.

When the warning chime buzzed, Pavel immediately put the ratty notebook away and took out an empty notebook. He sat up straight in his chair as students began to file into the room.

Jim, Nyota, and Hikaru all immediately spotted him and took seats close to him while other students merely nodded politely at them. Spock was the last to enter and took a seat at the far end of the front row, well aware that the other students were all giving him curious looks.

"Hmm, the only one missing seems to be McCoy," Professor Harriman said as he scanned the room and noted the faces staring up at him. "Anyway, let's get started with today's class."

Starfleet Academy Infirmary

Leonard winced and gagged as Phlox touched his throat and glands, "How long have you had the sore throat for?" Phlox asked calmly, noting the body language. "You sound hoarse."

"A few days," Leonard replied in a hoarse voice. "Figured it was from getting after Jim."

Phlox chuckled, "Cadet Kirk has no better friend than you," he replied reassuringly. "Just sit tight and I'll go see if the results of your bloodwork are ready. You came in quite early."

Leonard sighed as Phlox left the exam room. He had always been worried about any sort of illness because his father had died of cancer that hadn't been caught until it was too late.

Moments later, Phlox returned to the room holding a chart, "It's not good, is it?" Leonard asked in a hoarse voice, giving Phlox a look. "I've been going over my symptoms in my head…"

"There are markers in your blood and lumps in your glands and lymph nodes that are making me think a biopsy is necessary," Phlox replied, his expression grim. "Do you have time today?"

Leonard nodded and sighed, wincing as he swallowed, "I can do it right now," Phlox offered kindly, gazing at Leonard. "It's a day procedure and I'll have to sedate you for it, but…"

"I'd rather get it done sooner than later," Leonard replied softly. "I need to know."

Phlox nodded, "We can go to a surgical suite right away and take care of it," he replied in a reassuring voice as he led Leonard out of the exam room and into a surgical suite that was one of the finer ones in the whole area. "I'll need you to change into a gown and I'll send a nurse in to prepare you, all right? I'll just go quickly notify your instructors that you'll be absent today."

Nodding, Leonard silently watched Phlox leave and then swapped his clothes for a gown from the closet of gowns used by day surgery patients. He folded his clothes and set them on a chair by the door with his wallet and phone tucked inside of them and then sat on the gurney.

The door opened and a female nurse wearing pink scrubs came into the room with a drug cart that sported a medical tray on top, "Hello there, Doctor McCoy," she said kindly. "Phlox wanted me to prep you for the biopsy. If you could kindly lie down, I can get started right away."

Leonard silently laid down on the gurney and sighed, wincing only slightly when he felt an IV being inserted into his hand, "This will relax you a little bit," he heard the nurse say.

Unknown to Leonard, Pavel had arrived for his monthly physical and was following Dr. Puri through the hospital to the wing where the x-rays and scanning machines were kept. He froze, however, at the sight of Leonard resting on a gurney in what he knew to be an operating room.

Not wanting to ask questions because he didn't know the full story, Pavel only briefly lingered at the window before continuing to follow Dr. Puri. He would talk to Jim about it later, as Jim and Leonard were like brothers and Jim would want to be there for Leonard if he knew of this.

Academy Grounds

Anxiety filled Spock as he brushed off a bench in the snow-covered Academy Gardens and sat, still anxious about what had happened in English class. The class had been given time to write what they felt about anything and then they had each been invited to share their writings.

Eager to be an example to his fellow classmates and show them that he could be both a teacher and an equal classmate, Spock had volunteered to share first. He had written a small essay about his parents and what they had taught him and he was in the midst of sharing it when a few of the more athletic members of the class had started snickering and hissing at him.

Public speaking had never been a strength of his, but the mocking had been too much for Spock to bear and he had ended up fleeing the room. As he left, he had heard Professor Harriman yelling at the class to be quiet and respectful, but Spock had decided not to return that day.

Not long after fleeing the class, Spock had lost his breakfast in an outdoor trash bin and was now sitting in the cold air to settle his stomach. He had wanted to take the English class not only to deepen his thesis, but to also learn a way to connect with Nyota emotionally. However, he was now considering dropping the class because it was obvious he was not welcome there.

The sound of chatter filled the air and Spock bit his lip as he saw his classmates coming down the path that sat between the classrooms. He quickly looked away and was unaware that Jim had stepped on to the snow and was walking over to him, concerned over his behavior.

"Spock, are you okay?" Jim asked in a worried voice. "I mean…you ran out of class."

Spock sighed, "I am not a strong public speaker like my father is," he replied shakily.

"Those guys should have kept their mouths shut," Jim replied in a worried voice. "After you ran out, Professor Harriman started yelling at everyone about showing respect. He gave the guys who were teasing you extra homework and he's asked us all to write a creative piece."

Spock nodded, "I am considering dropping the class," he replied in a shaky voice.

"Why?" Jim asked in a surprised voice. "Because you were teased? Don't give up."

Spock raised an eyebrow, "I suppose you do have a point that giving up is not a good idea, but I am unable to speak before an audience without getting nervous," he replied tonelessly.

"I can help you with that since you helped me become better at hockey," Jim offered kindly.

Spock nodded, "That would be agreeable," he replied tonelessly. "Thank you."

"Did you wanna go to the canteen for lunch?" Jim asked kindly. "I might get soup for Bones."

Spock hesitated briefly and then rose, "I suppose," he replied, frowning as he suddenly saw Pavel running across the grass looking anxious about something. "Is that Chekov?"

"Jeem, I saw your roommate in ze surgery," Pavel confessed breathlessly. "He eez seeck."

Jim frowned, "Bones?" he asked in a worried voice. "What do you mean by that?"

"I vas zere for my checkup vith Doktor Puree and I saw Phlox doing a surgery on Doctor MeeCoy!" Pavel cried anxiously, unaware that people were staring. "He is seeck."

Spock sighed patiently, "If you need to go be with Doctor McCoy, it is all right," he commented in a toneless voice. "I will consume a meal and then attend my classes for the rest of the day."

Jim nodded and tore across the snow towards the hospital, "I vill join you for lunch, Spock," Pavel offered kindly. "Keptin Pike said I needed to eat to keep my strength up."

Spock nodded and allowed Pavel to follow him across the snow to the Academy canteen.

Academy Infirmary

"…Phlox, he looks terrible. Why didn't he let anyone know what he was doing?"

A gentle hand prompted Leonard to jerk away and his eyes flew open, but as he opened his mouth to scream at whoever woke him, pain shot through his throat. He blinked and was surprised to find not only Phlox, but Captain Pike lingering by his bedside. It took him a moment to realize that he was in a room usually reserved for those admitted for overnight stays.

"Try not to talk, Leonard," Captain Pike said calmly. "Your throat will be sore for a few days."

Leonard sighed and Phlox handed him a pad of paper and a pen, but Leonard didn't pick either up because he didn't feel like writing, "I ran tests on the sample I biopsied," Phlox spoke.

How bad? Leonard wrote shakily, unable to help his curiosity. Am I going to die?

"It's only Stage 1," Phlox replied calmly. "Cancer of the thyroid and lymph nodes."

Captain Pike looked alarmed, but Leonard sighed, "It's definitely treatable and I can put in an order for chemotherapy drugs to be delivered here so that you don't have to go to San Francisco General for treatment," Phlox said calmly. "You can begin when you're recovered."

Leonard nodded, "You'll be excused from class and practices while you recover and during the times you have chemotherapy," Captain Pike commented softly. "Did you need anything?"

Everything hurts. Leonard scrawled on the paper. Will the team be okay without me?

"Yes, the team will be fine," Captain Pike replied calmly. "Just focus on getting well."

Try as he might, Leonard couldn't keep his eyes open and he promptly fell asleep with the pen in his hand and the pad on his lap, "Bones?" Captain Pike and Phlox suddenly heard Jim call out.

"Kirk, what are you doing here?" Captain Pike asked as he turned and saw Jim at the door.

Jim sighed, "Pavel said he saw Bones here getting surgery," he said, eyeing the bandages on Leonard's neck and the IV's in his hands. "I thought Bones just had a sore throat!"

"Keep your voice down, Kirk," Captain Pike replied calmly. "Yes, McCoy had surgery."

Jim frowned and walked over to the bed, his eyes widening when he saw the writing on the pad of paper, "Why is Bones asking how bad and if he's going to die?" he asked worriedly.

Captain Pike sighed, "I don't think it would do any harm to tell you since you are his roommate and can supervise him when he's released," he replied calmly. "Leonard has cancer."

"Cancer?" Jim asked in a concerned voice, frowning. "What kind and how bad is it?"

Phlox sighed patiently, "I'm sure you and Doctor McCoy can talk about that when he wakes and he's able to return to the dorm," he replied calmly. "I believe you have class this afternoon."

"Bones shouldn't be by himself," Jim replied hesitantly. "He's helped me out a lot…"

Captain Pike sighed, "Tell you what, Kirk?" he said calmly. "I'll give you a pass for today."

Nodding, Jim silently deposited himself in an armchair next to the bed and set his backpack on the floor before getting his glasses case out of his pocket. He put his glasses on and got a few workbooks out, determined to keep himself busy with homework while Leonard rested.

"You're a good friend, Mister Kirk," Phlox commented softly as he left the hospital room.

Captain Pike watched the scene before him for a moment before silently leaving the room.

Once Jim was alone, he set his books aside and quickly went over to the video-phone in the corner of the room. He knew that Eleanora would want to know about Leonard being sick, as they seemed extremely close. Since Leonard couldn't talk, Jim figured he would tell her.

Academy Canteen

"Spock?"

Spock looked up from his lunch of soup and sandwich and smiled at seeing his mother, who was wearing dress pants, boots, and a sweater under a long winter coat, standing beside his table.

"Mother, please sit," Spock replied calmly. "Should I get you something to eat?"

Amanda smiled and shook her head as she sat down, "I ate before I came, but I do wish to talk to you," she replied gently. "As a show of civility between the Vulcan and Romulan governments, I have offered to put on a skating exhibition at the Vulcan embassy next month and I was wondering if you would like to help me. You do practice your figure skating, right?"

"I do," Spock replied calmly. "I…I would be honored to participate in the skating exhibition."

Amanda's smile grew and she pulled out a small notebook that had very detailed notes scrawled on it, "I've written out a list of singles and doubles routines that might be appropriate for the occasion," she explained calmly. "You also need to come to the Embassy and select what costumes would be appropriate for the exhibition. I have all of your old outfits."

"Of course, Mother," Spock replied calmly. "I believe the arena is free this afternoon."

Amanda nodded, "Please finish your lunch first so I am not picking you up off the ice, Spock," she replied gently. "I do hope you are taking care of yourself with all that you have to do?"

"I am, please do not worry," Spock replied softly. "I am aware of my hypoglycemia."

Smiling, Amanda gently placed her hand on Spock's arm and he allowed it to remain there.

Starfleet Hockey Academy Administration Offices

"Keptin Pike, can I talk to you?" Captain Pike heard a timid voice ask as he sat at the computer behind his desk, trying to edit the roster so Leonard could spend the remainder of the season either on the bench or doing practical kinesiology work if he felt like it. "Eet eez important."

Captain Pike nodded and looked up from his computer, frowning when he saw Pavel crying and shaking anxiously, "Pavel, what's wrong?" he asked worriedly. "Did your checkup go okay?"

"I saw…Doctor MeeCoy in ze surgery," Pavel spoke shakily. "Eez…eez he going to die?"

Captain Pike sighed, "I told Jeem because he eez roommates veeth Doctor MeeCoy," Pavel spoke shakily. "I tried to go eet lunch veeth Spock, but I could not eet, so I ran avay."

"Yes, Pavel, Doctor McCoy is sick right now," Captain Pike replied, his voice fading as there was a sudden, very aggressive knock on the door. "Who is it? I'm in a meeting right now."

There was a sigh and the door opened and a very distressed looking Dean Archer stood there holding a paper, "Chris, Pavel, I'm glad you're both here," he said anxiously. "I just received a letter from the security organizations that were in charge of the investigation when Pavel was missing. They have gotten a hold of Khan, but he insists on talking to Pavel in person."

"Absolutely not!" Captain Pike replied angrily while Pavel turned pale. "Not happening."

Dean Archer sighed, "How about a video conversation supervised by you and Security?" he replied in a concerned voice. "Khan refuses to give up any evidence unless he talks to Pavel."

Captain Pike scowled and Pavel sighed, "Zere eez a hockey game comeeing up and ve are down a player because Doctor MeeCoy eez seeck," Pavel spoke softly. "After ze game, I veel seenk about talking to Khan. I awe homevork to do now, zo, and ze last practeece is later tonight."

"You can't skate with that arm, but you can be there to cheer your teammates on," Captain Pike gently corrected him. "The game is against the Farragut Team headed by Captain Orion."

Pavel sighed, "I am just so used to hawing to do ze hard vork with vat leembs I hawe," he replied softly. "My fazzer vouldn't care vat vas broken, he vould tell me to do ze housevork."

"It's all right, Pavel," Captain Pike replied calmly. "I'd like you to go back to the canteen and try to eat some lunch, all right? I think you have physical education this afternoon and you can go if you feel up to it, but don't overdo it, okay? Professor Sanchez knows about your arm."

Pavel nodded, rose, and silently left the office, "Did Chekov get some short-term memory issues during that experience with his father?" Dean Archer asked worriedly. "He didn't seem to…"

"Pavel is very aware of his current limitations, but he's not used to people telling him it's okay to rest if he's sick or hurt," Captain Pike explained quietly. "I've made it clear to all the instructors Pavel has that if he starts to look tired, they are to tell him to rest for a bit."

Dean Archer frowned, "As for Khan Noonien Singh, I am not going to make Pavel talk to him at all until he wants to," Captain Pike replied firmly. "I don't care if he gets in a snit over it."

"Oh, there's something else," Dean Archer commented. "The Romulan government has requested permission to send someone to come watch the Enterprise vs. Farragut game."

Captain Pike frowned, "Why would they want to do that?" he asked in a concerned voice.

"We technically cannot refuse them their request, as it doesn't involve actually participating in the game," Dean Archer replied with a sigh. "We can, however, have extra security present and make it clear to the Romulans that come that they are to stay in public areas at all times."

Captain Pike nodded, "Perhaps give the Romulans an Ambassadorial box?" he suggested.

"Chris, that's a brilliant idea," Dean Archer replied, deeply relieved. "It will contain them.

Captain Pike nodded and the two men began to plan out how they would welcome the visitors.

Starfleet Academy Infirmary

"Incoming call for Doctor Leonard McCoy," Jim suddenly heard the video phone say.

Since Leonard was asleep and showed no signs of waking anytime soon, Jim moved over to the video phone and activated it, "Jim!" Eleanora said in a quiet voice as she appeared on screen.

"Hi there, Mrs. McCoy," Jim replied quietly. "I'm guessing you got the message I sent you?"

Eleanora nodded, "Is Leonard awake?" she asked in a worried voice. "Is he able to talk?"

"He's…" Jim said as he suddenly felt a tug on his sleeve and turned to see Leonard awake and peering at him and the video-phone. "He's awake, but I'm not sure he feels very well."

Jim turned the video phone screen towards Leonard and Leonard waved and pointed to his throat, indicating that he couldn't talk properly, "Oh, Len, it's okay," Eleanora said in a soothing, motherly voice. "Jim sent me a message about it and I'll come visit when the weather's cleared up enough that I can get a flight out there. Until then, I want you to rest and take it easy, especially when you get any treatment. I love you lots, my beautiful son. Goodbye."

The screen went black and Leonard immediately grabbed his paper and pen and quickly wrote something down before holding it out to Jim. Phlox says I'll have chemotherapy after I recover from surgery and Pike's taken me off the team roster til I recover. Will you be okay?

"Spock and Gaila have been helping me with my playing and skating," Jim replied calmly.

Leonard nodded and yawned, "Get some rest," Jim spoke softly. "I'll stay until Phlox decides to send you back to the dorm to rest. I have practice later, but I can always blow it off for you."

Go to practice. Leonard wrote, giving Jim a look. You need to help the team out.

Jim nodded and Leonard drifted off with the pen in his hand, prompting Jim to gently move the pen and pad of paper back on the portable table. He then returned to the chair by the bed.

Ice Arena

The sight of Spock and his mother doing very complicated flgure skating routines caused Nyota, who had come to practice a bit before class, to stop at the door that led on to the ice. She set her skates on the floor, both surprised and excited to see Spock skating alongside his mother.

It wasn't long before both Spock and Amanda noticed her and skated over to her, "Nyota, hello," Spock said kindly, a calm smile on his face. "I didn't think practice was until later?"

"My mother and I were practicing for a skating exhibition that the Romulan government has requested take place at the Vulcan Embassy's ice arena in the near future," Spock replied.

Nyota nodded, "I didn't know you figured skated, Spock," she replied. "You're very good."

"My Spock takes after me, Nyota," Amanda replied cheerfully, a smile on her face as she put an arm around Spock. "I am so incredibly proud of him and of you for coming into his life."

Spock smiled, "I was just coming to practice some skating before class, but I'm not sure if I have the time and I don't want to disrupt your practicing," Nyota said in a nervous voice. "I can go…"

"You are welcome to stay and skate with us," Spock spoke quietly. "I do not mind at all."

Nyota nodded and sat down to put on her skates while Spock and Amanda returned to the ice and continued practicing. Once her skates and helmet were on, Nyota stepped on to the ice and was surprised when Spock skated over to her and began to show her basic figure skating.

Several hours later, the sun was setting and most Academy cadets were either eating or engaging in evening activities, but Jim found himself trudging through the snow alone to the arena for team practice. Phlox had elected to keep Leonard in the hospital overnight simply to give him a chance to rest and heal without distraction, so Jim would get him in the morning.

Fortunately, the arena was slightly warm and Jim silently went to the changing room and changed into his uniform and skates before proceeding to the ice. Captain Pike was already on the ice along with Spock, Nyota, Hikaru, Hendorff, Giotto, Finnegan, Scotty, and the other members of the Enterprise Team. Pavel was seated in one of the boxes, watching quietly.

"Where's McCoy at?" Giotto spoke up, glaring at Jim. "He's the best goalie we have!"

Jim sighed and didn't say anything, as he wanted Leonard to have as much privacy with his illness as he possibly could, "What, did you drag him out drinking with you last night, Kirk?" Finnegan asked sharply. "It's not like you can skate like your daddy did, so why are you here?"

"Mister Kirk has shown remarkable progress in his skating and hockey skills," Spock commented tonelessly, giving Finnegan a look. "Doctor McCoy's whereabouts are his personal business."

Jim sighed and looked to Captain Pike for instructions, "Doctor McCoy is medically unable to play and will not be on the team's roster for our upcoming game against the Farragut Team," Captain Pike said firmly, glaring at everyone. "Now, let's get on with tonight's practice."

"McCoy probably went insane hanging with Kirk and is in the nut barn," Finnegan chortled.

Jim's eyes widened in anger and he lunged at Finnegan, but Captain Pike quickly got between them and held Jim back, "BONES HAS CANCER, you heartless IDIOT!" Jim shouted angrily.

Silence filled the arena and the team began whispering to one another, all of them shocked by Jim's outburst, "That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard," Finnegan hissed. "Don't joke…."

"Unfortunately, Mister Finnegan, Mister Kirk is telling the truth," Captain Pike replied as he turned and got in Finnegan's face. "As for you, I'm suspending you from the upcoming game and from the Enterprise Team for the rest of the season. You can return next season!"

Scowling, Finnegan marched off the ice while spouting loud profanity from his lips, "The rest of you are welcome to send Doctor McCoy messages of encouragement, but do not bombard him with attention even when he returns to classes," Captain Pike explained calmly as he turned his attention back to the rest of the team. "Just treat him normally and let him know you care."

"For the moment, however, we should really prepare for our game against the Farragut Team," Spock spoke tonelessly, gazing at his team mates. "The Farragut team is a formidable one."

Captain Pike sighed and nodded, "Let's get on to our practice and anyone who wants to talk about how to help Doctor McCoy through this can stay after practice," he replied firmly. "I want to start by playing a three goal game to see what we need to work on. I'm going to split you into two teams and then I'll assign positions to each of the teams. Everyone form a line."

As the team formed a line, each of them forced themselves to think solely about hockey.

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