The next morning, Bones was back in the medical bay as soon as he was done with breakfast. He wanted to get started on that serum. He hoped this antidote, or serum, would work. Spock came into the medical bay. "We have moved away from the planet and are on our way back to Pacifica," he said.

"Well, that's kinda good to know," Bones replied. "I thought maybe we were on our way to New Vulcan."

"I thought it best if we stopped at Pacifica first. I believe by that time we may know whether our cure will work."

"Let's hope. Have you contacted Starfleet?"

"Yes. I informed them that we found Admiral Kirk."

Bones looked at Spock a moment. "You didn't tell them about his condition, did you?" Bones asked.

"I told them that he was unable to speak with them but he would be in touch as soon as possible."

"Wow. I never thought I'd see you stretch the truth."

"I said nothing untrue."

"But you didn't tell them that he's…unresponsive, did you?" Bones asked.

"No. I did not."

"Cause you know what would happen. I think you did the right thing."

"Thank you."

"You know what?" Bones asked. "When I came in this morning, Carol was on the bed with Jim."

"He is her husband."

"I was just surprised that he didn't mind that. You know how nervous he's been."

"He has improved somewhat," Spock said.

"Yeah. So why doesn't he say anything?"

"I do not know. This entire illness is puzzling."

They worked on the serum all morning. By the time lunchtime came, Bones thought they had isolated the properties of the flower that would have an affect on the toxins in Jim's blood. "Now, if I can make something out of this to cure him, we ought to be making progress," Bones said as he and Spock looked at the liquid in the beaker he held. "Funny thing is, there's nothing in that flower that's toxic, although it had absorbed some of the pheromone from the air."

"A powerful pheromone," Spock replied. "Are you certain that it comes from the trees?"

"Yeah. I analyzed the leaves. I think that planet is like one big symbiosis. It's like the beings there and the trees are connected. I did analyze some blood from our guest. A different body chemistry than humans, but still affected by the pheromones. I think in a different way though. That's why that Garath had to create something to bring the humans into their tribe." Bones looked at Spock. "By the way, what do you intend to do with our guest?"

"I am not certain," Spock said. "Do you believe he will be able to survive outside that planet?"

"I don't see why not. Did you leave a beacon?"

"We did. Although, the interference from the planet forced us to leave it close to the moons. It would not broadcast if it were too close to the planet."

Bones put the beaker of liquid into a locking cabinet. "I am starving," he said. "Why don't we get something to eat and come back here and eat with Jim?"

"I will accompany you after I visit the Bridge for a short time."

"I'll check on Jim."

Bones went around to Jim's bed. He remembered the recording that Alex had made. He thought he would wait until they ate to show that to Jim. He hoped it would make Jim remember. "Hey," Bones said as he approached Jim's bed. "So what do you want to eat today? I'm going to the mess hall to get something. I'll bring you something too. Are you going to eat on your own today? I think you're getting too accustomed to someone feeding you." Bones sighed. He wished Jim would say something. That blank stare was getting unnerving. "I'll just bring you something."

Bones left the medical bay and went to the mess hall. It was not long before Spock arrived. They got their lunches and headed back to the medical bay. "I'm telling you, Spock, that blank stare is starting to get eerie," Bones said.

"Doctor, I have been thinking that perhaps a mind-meld could help Jim," Spock replied.

Bones was surprised by that suggestion. "How?"

"Perhaps I could find the problem."

"I don't know, Spock. No offense, but wouldn't it be better if a more experienced Vulcan did that?"

"Perhaps, but if I did not believe I could do it, I would not try."

"Well, if the serum doesn't work, we'll try that."

They went back to the medical bay. "Okay, pal, I brought you some food," Bones said.

Of course, Jim did not say a word, and Bones helped him eat. He did not have much trouble with that. When they were done eating, Bones took out the recording that Alex had made. "I have something for you," he said to Jim.

Bones held the pad in front of Jim and turned on the recording that Alex had made. Alex appeared on the screen with big, blue eyes, which looked like a color that was halfway between Jim's and Carol's. Jim tried to sit up when he saw him.

"Hi, Daddy," Alex said. "Uncle Bones said you were sick. I hope you are better soon so I can see you. I miss you. I'm staying with Aunt Andrea and she's really nice. I love you, Daddy."

Bones was surprised to see a tear run from Jim's eye. Jim started pulling at the restraints. "Relax," Bones said. "I think I'll be giving you some serum soon. I just have to figure up the dosage."

Jim listened to him, but of course, he did not say a word. Bones went back to his work station and retrieved his beaker of formula. Spock came to help him. "Spock, I sure hope this works," Bones said. "I don't like seeing him like that. He's supposed to be annoying and brilliant all at the same time."

"I understand, Doctor," Spock replied. "You must stop doubting yourself."

"I can't help it. I don't have much confidence in myself developing new serums."

"Together, we will succeed."

"I wish I had your confidence." Bones paused a moment. "He knew Alex."

"I agree. However, he was very upset. I am not certain it helped him."

"He hasn't seen him in over a week. Believe me, that's not easy."

Spock was quiet a moment. "I know. Even though I know Uhura and I made the right decision to have Spura educated in the Vulcan ways, I miss her when she is not with us."

"Well, she's only two, Spock. I mean, you could have waited till she was five since you don't stay on New Vulcan."

"We do when we are not on the ship. She understands that we cannot always be there. Uhura stays there often."

"People always think kids understand."

"They understand more than you think."

"Maybe, but kids need that parental bond."

"You do not agree with our decision? She will be highly disciplined and educated."

"Discipline and education aren't everything. Kids need to be kids, and they need love."

Bones poured the liquid he had synthesized from the flowers into another beaker to heat it up. "Gotta do some math to figure out how much to give him," Bones said.

"I will be glad to do the math," Spock replied.

"You just do that."

By that evening, Bones had the serum ready, but it had to be given intravenously. He already had an IV in Jim's arm, so he added the serum to that while Carol watched. "I don't know what kind of reaction he'll have," Bones said. He watched as the serum mixed with the IV fluids. The moment of truth had finally come.

Bones and Carol sat and watched Jim as the fluids went into his IV and into his body. Jim just lay there, but after a few minutes, he started to become agitated, and started to pull at the restraints on his arms. "Jim, stop," Bones said. Just then, Jim went into convulsions.

Bones started yelling for hyposprays, but before he could even give Jim one, the convulsions stopped as suddenly as they had begun, and Jim was asleep. Bones scanned him and found that everything seemed normal except Jim's brain activity had changed. He sighed with relief. For a moment, he had thought he might have killed Jim.

Carol stared at Bones a moment. "What is happening?" she asked with tears on her face.

"I don't know," Bones replied. "Nothing seems to be abnormal. I guess we just have to wait."

"For how long?"

"I don't know. After all, this is his brain we're talking about curing. I think maybe the neural pathways are opening up again. It was like that drug or whatever it was had blocked them somehow."

"Will he be okay?"

"I've never done this, so I don't really know, but he seems to be."

"So we just have to wait," Carol said and began pacing.

Bones frowned and just sat on the side of the bed. He supposed this was going to be a long night. They would have to keep a constant vigil. He had to believe that the cure would work since according to what he had learned, Garath had kept humans on that world and they had survived. He just hoped Jim would be himself.

When the night cycle was beginning on the ship. Spock came to the medical bay. He had been kept informed about Jim's condition. "How is he, Doctor?" he asked.

"The same," Bones replied. "He's just sleeping."

"Have you tried waking him?"

"No. I'm not going to disturb him. I don't think we should."

"I will agree with your judgment."

Spock sat in a chair beside Jim's bed. Once again, they were all in silence. He would never have thought silence or anything would be disturbing to him, but Jim's silence was disturbing. It was as though he was trapped in his own body.

In the middle of the night, Jim opened his eyes and did not know where he was for a moment, but then he realized he was in the medical bay. He immediately wondered why he was in the medical bay, but then he remembered he had been on a strange planet. He looked around him and saw Carol lying on a bed close to him, and Spock on the other side of the bed sitting in a chair, and he was even dozing. However, Bones sat in a chair and was leaned over on the bed.

Jim realized his wrists were bound and he could not get them loose. "Hey," he said. No one moved. "Hey!" he said louder.

Bones sat up so fast, he almost fell out of his chair. He jumped up when he saw Jim looking at him. "Jim?"

Carol was awake now and she hurried over to the bed. Jim looked at her, and she knew already that he was himself again. "Jim!"

"Why am I strapped to the bed?" Jim asked.

Carol laughed and grabbed him in a hug as she burst into tears. Bones was so relieved he thought he might cry himself. Spock stood beside him and breathed a sigh of relief. "It appears the formula was successful, Doctor," he said.

Bones thought he might collapse with exhaustion but he scanned Jim. "I asked why I'm strapped to the bed," Jim said. "What happened?"

Bones sat down on the side of the bed and looked at Jim with Carol holding onto him. "Well, Pal, it's a long story," he said as he started taking off the restraints. "I'm just glad you can ask."

Jim looked at Spock. "Well, if you're all in here, it must be some story," he said. "I want to hear it."

Bones sighed. "You could at least wait until we get some rest. You don't have to be so impatient now."

"I see you haven't gained any bedside manner."

"Not an ounce. I'll be right back."

Bones went around to his work station and leaned on the counter. He thought this situation had just about been too much to handle and he was glad it was over.

Later that morning, Carol brought Alex into the medical bay. He was happy to see Jim, and Jim was definitely happy to see him. Bones was still there. "Hey, we sat here and even read books to you," he said. "Do you remember any of that?"

Jim scowled thinking. "No," he replied.

"Well, how do you like that? That's gratitude for you."

Carol smiled. "I don't care whether he remembers or not," she said. "As long as he can remember what's happening now." She kissed Jim.

"I think I'll definitely remember that," Jim replied.

That evening, after everyone else was gone, Bones sat down beside Jim. "What do you remember about what happened on that planet?" Bones asked.

Jim considered that. "Some of it is like a blur," he said. "I do remember waking up there and wandering through the desert, and I…" Jim frowned. "I remember finding recordings from someone."

"Yeah, that would be Lieutenant Stow. He and Lieutenant Brand were behind all this and they've since disappeared. We haven't located them yet."

"Stow." Jim thought a moment. "Did he work aboard the Enterprise?"

"Yes. He was in security and they were both in security on Earth. That's how he abducted you and erased all the data from the security cameras. Lieutenant Brand did that for him."

"Why?"

Bones rubbed his face. "Well, that's a little complicated, and we're not really sure about the reasons, but from what we've gathered, he traded you for his freedom. He wasn't the specimen they were looking for."

"Specimen?"

"Yeah. They wanted a male to add to their tribe, and he didn't quite make the cut, so I guess he informed them that you would be perfect since you have a child, and he probably described you."

"Wait a minute. Are you telling me that they didn't want him because he's…ugly?"

"No. He can't reproduce…thankfully. I won't go into any details about that since it's medical facts, but I'll just say this: he traded you to take his place. But we think he probably had something in mind for you anyway, but his plans got interrupted when he landed on the wrong planet."

"The wrong planet? I'm confused."

"See he had heard about this planet from space farers and others, and I guess he thought he could go down there and explore that desert, but he found himself in trouble. This is all just speculation. If we ever find that guy, he can tell his story."

"So, he just disappeared?"

"Yeah, along with this woman, Lieutenant Sophie Brand. She helped him delete the security footage when he kidnapped you. That's why it took us so long to track you down. We were just lucky someone knew what he had been doing, and we even found where he had changed Ajah's story Desert of Torment and created a scenario where you were there."

Jim frowned. "So, that was how he planned it? He used a holo-novel?" he asked.

"Yep. And Ajah isn't taking that too well either. He's even considering destroying that novel."

"Why hasn't he been here to see me?"

"He blames himself."

"Find him, and tell him to get up here, and that's an order."

Bones nodded. "I'll try," he said. "But how about you wait till morning?"

"No, because Carol will be back by then. I want to talk to him alone."

"Alright. He's usually on the observation deck."

Bones left the medical bay and went to a computer terminal. "Computer, is there anyone on the observation deck?" he asked.

"Ajah is on the upper observation deck."

"Thanks."

Bones went to the turbo lift and went up to the observation deck where Ajah stood looking out the viewports. Bones walked up beside him and folded his arms. "What are you looking at?" he asked.

"Space," Ajah replied. "The warp field."

"Jim wants to see you."

Ajah looked at him. "Why?"

"Well, because you're his friend, his personal assistant…you want anymore reasons?"

Ajah frowned and folded his arms. "I'll go see him soon."

"You'll go now. He said that's an order."

"What did you tell him?"

"The truth: that you're blaming yourself."

"You know, I think when Nervala Four opens up again, I'm going there to stay for eight years."

"You can't do that."

"Why not? At least I wouldn't have novels all over the galaxy anymore."

Ajah turned and walked out of the observation deck. Bones followed him. "You can't keep on blaming yourself like this," Bones said. "It's not your fault. Can't you see that?"

"Whatever," Ajah replied.

They went into the turbo lift. "You can go on blaming yourself, or you can accept the fact that someone had evil thoughts of their own and just used your novel."

The turbo lift stopped and they walked out. Ajah stopped at the medical bay doors. "What am I supposed to say?" he asked.

"Why don't you just say, Hi?" Bones asked and went on into the medical bay.

Ajah went in and went to Jim's bed. "Good evening," Jim said.

"Hello, Admiral," Ajah replied.

"I was wondering why you hadn't been to visit me."

"I was gonna to come."

"I wanted to see you now, because I want this nonsense about this somehow being your fault to stop. There is no way that this is your fault."

"Yes, Sir," Ajah said, not sounding at all like he meant it.

"Ajah." Jim waited for Ajah to look at him. "Don't do this to yourself. You helped rescue me too…risked your life from what I hear."

"I would have died to get you out of there. You've risked your life plenty of times."

"Yeah, and I know what it's like to feel guilty about something that I couldn't help too. You're a great writer, and we're going to find this Lieutenant Stow and Lieutenant Brand too."

Ajah's eyes glowed slightly. "I want to help," he said.

"Good, cause I intend for you to help. I don't want to hear anymore of this blaming yourself. That's an order."

Ajah could not help but smile slightly. "Yes, Sir."

"Dismissed…and get some rest."

Ajah walked out of the medical bay feeling some better. He knew Admiral Kirk meant all of that, and he had already had Carol reprimand him about blaming himself. He would find Stow, and he was going to start with that holo-novel they had stolen. He thought he might find some clues there…