Four Days Later

Starfleet Academy Infirmary

A bright, but cold winter sun shone through the window of Spock's hospital room as he lay on top of his bed wearing sweats and a loose shirt, preferring their warmth over the limited protection of the hospital gowns. His eyes were closed and his IV laden hand lay on his chest.

The door opened and Phlox came in with a concerned looking Amanda, who was holding a bag in her hands, and an emotionless looking Sarek, "Spock, are you feeling up for visitors?" Phlox asked kindly, smiling as Spock opened his eyes. "Your parents have come to visit you."

"Spock, how are you feeling?" Amanda asked kindly as she strode over to the bed and affectionately touched his cheek before showing him the bag. "I made something for you."

Spock watched as Amanda took a carefully handmade bracelet out of the bag that contained his name, contact information, and medical condition on a small charm that was wound around a band that was decorated with both Academy and Vulcan symbols. Amanda held it out to him.

"It's a medical bracelet in case you are ever in need of help," Amanda explained as she gently put the bracelet around Spock's wrist. "This will help people know how to give you help."

Spock sighed, "Thank you, Mother," he replied softly, too tired to speak louder. "I love you."

"If you truly loved either of us, you would cease putting yourself at risk physically with your participation on the Academy Hockey Team, Spock," Sarek spoke in a stern voice. "You have known since early childhood about your condition and yet you continue to live as you do. It would be wise to remember that you have much prestige and can do prestigious things."

Amanda shot a look at Sarek, "Ambassador Sarek, perhaps it would be best if you waited in the hallway for your wife," Phlox commented, seeing distress in Spock's eyes. "Allow me to…"

"I am able to proceed to the hallway without escort," Sarek said as he left the room in a huff.

Amanda sighed and frowned as tears appeared in Spock's eyes, "Spock, your father didn't mean what he said," she replied softly, wiping Spock's tears. "He is under a lot of pressure as a diplomat because relations with Romulus have been tense ever since your last game…"

Swallowing hard, Amanda gently wrapped Spock in a hug, "I wish you would come stay with your father and I when you are out of the hospital," she replied softly. "However, I won't force you since I know you have good friends at your dormitory. When will you be released?"

"Perhaps by the weekend," Spock replied quietly. "Phlox is not taking chances with my health."

Amanda nodded, "How is your blood sugar, Mother?" Spock asked in a concerned voice.

"Oh, sweetheart, don't worry about me," Amanda replied gently. "I ate before I came."

Spock nodded, "It's still very early, but I expect breakfast will come soon," he replied in a tired voice. "However, after my discussion with Father, I have slowly lost my appetite for it."

"Oh, Spock, please don't let the troubles between you and your father affect your health any further," Amanda replied softly as she sat in a chair beside the bed. "I am happy you are doing what you love and you should not be ashamed of doing what you love. Please take care of yourself so you can continue doing what you love. I am proud of you no matter what, Spock."

Spock smiled tiredly, "I love you, Spock," Amanda spoke. "Rest until your breakfast comes."

"I love you too, Mother," Spock replied softly, sighing as his mother quickly covered him up with the blankets that he had kicked away in the night. "I am grateful for your visit today."

Amanda nodded and gently kissed Spock's cheek before she left with Phlox at her heels, "Have Spock's teammates come to visit him?" she asked in a concerned voice. "I worry about him."

"Yes, Lady Grayson, they have," Phlox replied kindly. "They bring him homework and give him company, but he doesn't wish flowers or anything like that in his room. Ambassador Sarek…"

Sarek glared at Phlox, "I have no children of my own anymore because my wife and children were lost in a war," Phlox said coolly. "Perhaps you should think about whether or not you want your internal battle with your expectations and your pride to cost you your beloved son."

Sarek raised an eyebrow and silently walked down the hallway towards the exit with Amanda at his heels. Phlox sighed heavily and peeked in on Spock, frowning when he saw that Spock was silently staring at the ceiling with sadness in his eyes over a visit that should have been good.


Academy Grounds

"Sir, do you really do this every day?" Hendorff, who was one of the many police trainees that had signed up to escort student and staff around campus, asked breathlessly as he followed Dean Archer, who was happily leading a sweater-clad Porthos on a leash. "It's so cold."

Dean Archer smiled, "It's good exercise for both Porthos and I, but you can always go back to your dorm if you are cold and I can finish the walk myself," he replied in a cheerful voice.

"Sir, that would be violating your own regulations," Hendorff replied nervously. "I cannot…"

Dean Archer nodded and gazed out over the quiet campus, frowning as he suddenly noticed a figure in an Academy uniform coming off of the street trying to restrain someone smaller who was anxiously trying to get away, "Chekov?" he asked in a concerned voice, quickly squinting.

Porthos barked and took off running across the snow over to the people, prompting Dean Archer and Hendorff to follow him. Without warning, Chekov broke free of Finnegan and shoved him into the snow with a crazed expression on his face before toppling over himself.

"I-I helped him escape, sir," Finnegan explained shakily. "He's under the influence of a mind-altering substance that he was given before I took him to a compound in the Mojave Desert. He was just tired at first, but then he started speaking strangely and trying to get away from me."

Chekov glared at Finnegan and started weakly spewing Russian as he sank into the snow from both pain and exhaustion, "I'm not sure he knows where he is," Finnegan explained shakily.

Dean Archer was silent for a moment and then sighed, "Young one, you are all right now," he spoke in a gentle Russian. "Will you trust me to take you to a hospital that can help you?"

"You do realize I'm going to arrest you?" Hendorff asked as he glared at Finnegan.

Finnegan nodded and was silent as Hendorff took his student handcuffs off of his belt and handcuffed his classmate's hands together, "Take Mister Finnegan to the campus jail," Dean Archer ordered in English before switching back to Russian. "Young one, can you walk?"

Chekov shook his head and closed his eyes, whimpering as tears fell from them and Hendorff swiftly used his cell-phone to call the infirmary and order an ambulance for the injured boy.


Archer Hall

Attention students,

Today's classes are hereby cancelled. Remain in your residence halls until further notice.

Dean Archer

Deeply mystified at the announcement that had suddenly popped up in his email, Jim turned in his chair and saw Leonard silently laying on his bed, reading a book. He looked very tired from his last chemotherapy session and his hair was beginning to thin, as was the rest of his body.

"Dean Archer cancelled classes today, Bones," Jim said quietly. "Why do you think he did?"

Leonard sighed and looked up from his book, "I'm not sure," he replied in a tired voice. "Listen, Jim, I know I said I'd stay and keep you company in California over the summer semester, but I don't think I can keep that promise. The chemo's going to go on until at least August and I don't know what use I would be to you if I am sick all the time. I'm going to Georgia for the summer."

Jim frowned, but didn't say anything, "My mama's coming to visit in April and when she leaves, I'll go with her and come back to campus in the fall," Leonard explained quietly. "I've arranged to do in-patient chemotherapy at Atlanta General over the summer and when I'm not doing chemo, I can be resting at home where Mama can keep an eye on me. It's better this way."

"Isn't the chemo working?" Jim asked in a concerned voice. "Why…why do you have to…?"

Leonard sighed, "It's just for the summer," he replied quietly, cringing as another bout of nausea hit him that was strong enough for him to set his book aside. "Bucket."

Jim's eyes widened and he quickly got the bucket up to Leonard, "This chemotherapy regimen is incredibly strong and I probably should be in the hospital for each session, but I have classes and you to consider since it's winter semester," Leonard explained shakily. "It's not….Aah…"

Suddenly, Leonard began to vomit into the bucket and when he was done, he clenched his chest and groaned, "One of the side effects is breathing issues and that's why I'm off the ice for the season," he explained in a weak voice. "It's hard enough getting to class with how I feel."

Speechless, Jim took the bucket and quietly washed it out in the dorm sink before returning it to the bed, "Kinesiology doesn't even have summer courses, so I was just planning to take some fitness stuff over the summer anyway," Leonard replied as he laid down. "I didn't plan on this."

Jim nodded and sighed, frowning when he suddenly heard the sound of a vacuum cleaner coming from Pavel and Hikaru's dorm. Deeply curious, Jim left the dorm and walked down the hallway, deeply surprised when he saw that Hikaru was stringently cleaning the dorm.

"Sulu, what are you doing?" Jim asked in a confused voice. "Cleaning services already…"

Hikaru frowned, "Captain Pike just called me and said that Chekov's back and being treated at the infirmary, but nobody's allowed to visit today," he explained anxiously. "I'm cleaning the dorm so it's clean and comfortable whenever Chekov is allowed to come back here."

"Chekov's back?" Jim asked in a concerned voice. "Why didn't they announce it?"

Hikaru shrugged, but avoided Jim's gaze, "Sulu, what are you not saying?" Jim asked.

"I'm…I'm not allowed to talk about it," Hikaru replied nervously. "I have to clean."

Understanding himself to be dismissed, Jim silently left to see if he could get information.


Starfleet Hockey Academy Administration Building

Porthos yipped softly, nestling in his basket as Dean Archer silently worked at his desk computer, quietly sending out emails concerning Pavel's return. As before, all major law enforcement agencies had been notified and had been searching the country for him.

Finnegan was now in a cell in the Academy jail under strict supervision until someone could question and properly charge him. What worried Dean Archer the most, however, was that Pavel was currently being treated at Starfleet Medical for exposure to the elements and a serious mind-altering drug that Finnegan had obviously been given by someone else.

"Porthos, I don't understand it," Dean Archer said sadly, gazing at his dog. "Why this?"

Porthos tilted his head and yipped as there was a knock at the door, "Come in," Dean Archer said in an official voice, wondering if it was someone with an update about the situation.

The door opened and Ambassador Sarek entered the office looking very grave, "Vulcan has decided to cut off diplomatic relations with Romulus in light of the situation concerning Pavel Chekov, but they will leave an Ambassador in San Francisco," he explained tonelessly.

Dean Archer nodded, "Pavel returned this morning," he explained calmly. "I don't know the whole story yet, but there is evidence that an Academy cadet assisted in his abduction."

Ambassador Sarek sighed heavily as he sat in a visitor's chair, "I have noticed that many of the newer cadets are recruits from more isolated places in the world," he observed tonelessly. "The temptation for quick and easy success may be harder for them to resist at this time."

"I have to go and talk to the cadet," Dean Archer said wearily. "He's in the Academy jail."

Ambassador Sarek nodded and paused, "I…I fear I may have angered a physician at your infirmary this morning when I went to visit Spock with Amanda," he spoke tonelessly. "Doctor Phlox gave me quite a bit of grief over not appreciating Spock and showing love for him."

Dean Archer chuckled, "Phlox is very blunt," he replied in an amused voice. "Anything else?"

Sarek raised an eyebrow, but stood up, "No," he replied tonelessly. "Have a good day."

Dean Archer sighed as Sarek left and then decided to call and see how Pavel was doing.


Starfleet Academy Infirmary

"Spock, I've got your breakfast here for you," Spock heard a kind voice say. "Wake up."

Spock sighed as he opened his eyes and was surprised to see Captain Pike there holding a covered tray, "A nurse would have brought it, but the medical staff is all very busy trying to help Chekov," Captain Pike explained calmly. "He returned this morning along with his captor."

Nodding, Spock used the bed controls to raise himself upwards, "You're looking significantly more tired than you were last night," Captain Pike observed worriedly. "What's wrong?"

"My parents came to visit this morning and my father was very quick to remind me of my lack of responsibility," Spock spoke tersely. "I have no appetite for breakfast this morning."

Captain Pike sighed, but before he could speak, the door opened and Jim sauntered into the room wearing winter gear, "Cadet Kirk, how did you get past Security?" Captain Pike asked.

"It's very cold this morning, sir," Jim lied calmly. "None of them are out this morning."

Captain Pike scowled, but nodded just as a pained scream filled the hallway, followed by a loud crash. Without waiting for direction, Jim sprinted from the room and as he came down the hallway, he saw Pavel fighting off nurses and trying to break free from restraints.

Deeply confused, as he had never seen Pavel behave so violently, Jim entered the room and was immediately grabbed hold of by Phlox, "Cadet Kirk, I wouldn't," Phlox spoke urgently. "Chekov is under the influence of some sort of mind-altering substance given to him by his captor and the chemicals are stronger simply because he is dehydrated and injured."

"Pavel!" Jim shouted, his eyes widening as Pavel began to hyperventilate. "Pavel, it's Jim."

Pavel suddenly went quiet and eyed Jim as if he were slowly recognizing him, "Ve are friends?" he asked in a weak voice, his eyes drooping with exhaustion. "Your name sounds fameeleear."

"Yes, Pavel, we are friends," Jim replied calmly, having seen psychotic breaks in prison and having talked several fellow juveniles out of suicide before. "You were hurt very badly."

Pavel blinked, but didn't reply, "You're in the hospital on the campus of Starfleet Academy, where you go to school," Jim continued, unaware that Captain Pike had come in and was watching the exchange with great interest. "We both play hockey on the Enterprise…"

At the mention of hockey, Pavel's eyes suddenly widened and he began to tremble and cry as if he was beginning to remember. Captain Pike silently walked over to the gurney and gently dried Pavel's endless tears with his sleeve, prompting Pavel to relax and go very quiet.

Overwhelmed that Pavel's behavior had reminded him of his own days in jail and under the influence of behavior altering substances, Jim shakily left the room. He started walking and didn't stop until he was outside the hospital and in the snow-covered courtyard.

"…Just hold still, Jimmy," Frank's voice echoed through his mind. "This will relax you…"

Jim shuddered as he remembered how Frank had drugged him into a stupor deep enough that he had almost forgotten his name. Frank had taken full advantage of his state and had declared Jim crazy, justifying every chance he got to beat him and treat him as if he were an animal

Thinking about his time at the Tarsus Correctional Facility made Jim shudder and it made him want to sneak off and have a drink just to warm himself. Of course, there were no bars on campus per regulations, so he would have to go into San Francisco in order to get drunk.


Archer Hall

"Are you sure this is allowed?" Nyota asked in a concerned voice, watching as Scotty heated up a huge pot of canned chili mixed together on the small stove in the common area. "Where…?"

Scotty grinned as he added some spice to the chili, "There's nothing in tae regulations against food storage, lass," he replied reassuringly. "Chili's tae best thing for this cold an evening.

"It smells lovely," Nyota replied in a tired voice. "I just wish Spock were here to enjoy it."

Just then, Leonard, who had spent most of the day resting and studying, wandered into the common room and was surprised to see Scotty cooking while Hikaru made a nice fire in the common room's fireplace. Christine was seated in a chair while Nyota was on the couch.

"Is this a closed invitation party?" Leonard asked in a tired voice. "It seems nice."

Scotty smiled at Leonard, "You've been resting for hours, lad," he replied, gesturing to the darkness outside. "It got dark nearly an hour ago. Sit and have some food, friends, and fun."

"Let Kirk know he's also welcome," Hikaru commented as Leonard sat on the couch.

Leonard shrugged, "I would if I knew where he is," he replied tiredly. "He's still out."

"Out where?" Scotty asked in a concerned voice. "All tae buildings are locked down."

Leonard shrugged, but quickly got his cell-phone out of his pocket and sent a text to Captain Pike that Jim was out somewhere, "I texted Pike to let him know," he explained quietly.

"I heard Chekov was found this morning," Nyota spoke quietly. "Do you think he's okay?"

Hikaru said nothing, as he had been told that Chekov was seriously injured as a result of his captivity and escape and he had promised not to share that information with anyone.


Starfleet Hockey Academy Infirmary

Captain Pike,

I don't know where Jim is, but he's not in Archer Hall. It's pretty cold outside.

McCoy

Captain Pike frowned and sighed heavily, briefly looking up at the soundly sleeping Pavel before re-reading the message that McCoy had sent. The campus was in lockdown, every building was locked for the night, and yet James Kirk was out loose in the cold, completely violating rules.

"…Papa Chrees?" Captain Pike suddenly heard a weak voice say. "Papa Chrees…is zat you?"

Captain Pike looked up from his cell phone and smiled when he saw Pavel was awake and looking at him, "How…how deed I get back here?" Pavel asked shakily. "I am in ze hospeetal."

"Cadet Finnegan brought you back from wherever he had taken you, apparently," Captain Pike replied gently. "He's in the Academy jail barracks, but nobody's had the chance to talk to him."

Pavel sighed tiredly, "Vhen do I have to say vat happened?" he asked in a weak voice. "I…"

"Not for a while," Captain Pike replied gently. "After you're up to having visitors."

Pavel nodded, "Deed I hurt someone?" he asked, pulling at his hand restraints.

Before Captain Pike could reply, the door opened and Phlox came in looking rather cheerful, "Ah, Cadet Chekov, you're awake," he said cheerfully. "How are you feeling this evening?"

"Wery tired and confused," Pavel replied quietly. "Vas…vas my beawiour wiolent?"

Phlox nodded, "It was a side-effect of the drug you were given and the side-effects were made worse by your condition," he explained calmly. "However, you are being treated medically."

"Someseeng vas said about going to Botanee Bay," Pavel spoke shakily. "On ze wideophone."

Captain Pike frowned, but sighed, "Pavel, if you start to remember things, I'd like you to write them down on this," he said in a concerned voice as he got a notepad and pen out of his teaching bag and handed them over. "I know you can write with both hands, so just write what you can remember whenever you have a memory flash. Botany Bay is obviously a clue."

Pavel tugged at his restraints and Phlox swiftly took them off and checked the cast on Pavel's left arm, "I'll get you a clean shoulder sling," Phlox said kindly as Pavel began to write.

"Phlox, there may be a problem with a cadet that I need to go sort out," Captain Pike said in a concerned voice. "Pavel, Phlox is going to stay with you until I can take care of a problem."

Pavel nodded and continued to write, prompting Captain Pike to get up and leave.


Golden Gate Club – Downtown San Francisco

Quiet jazz music filled the large club that was normally crowded, but barely running because of the bad weather and intense cold. Jim sat at the bar alone with his head on the counter and a large glass in his trembling hand. A concerned looking barkeep was behind the counter.

"Sir, I'm looking to close up early because of the weather," the barkeep said. "Are you done?"

Jim sputtered, but didn't move, "Come on," the barkeep muttered as the door opened and a man well-dressed for the weather came in. "Oh, I'm sorry, sir. We're closing up for the night."

"Oh, I was just coming by to collect the things you had to donate for the shelter," the man replied in a cheerful voice as he walked over to the counter and saw Jim. "I'm Doctor Piper."

Jim belched drunkenly, but remained where he was, "Transients always make me uneasy, but we have a non-discriminatory policy here," the barkeep explained anxiously. "If he's not gone by the time you leave, I'm going to phone the police and he can go off to the drunk tank."

"Oh, I don't think it's necessary to bother the police over a harmless young man," the man replied in a calm voice, eyeing the uniform that Jim was wearing. "I'll take him to the shelter."

The barkeep nodded and retreated to the back to get the shelter donations, "Can you move?"

Jim groaned as he slowly sat up and looked at Dr. Piper, "I just don't want to remember anything," he slurred, squinting. "I think my glasses are in my pocket. Things are blurry."

"I run a shelter and soup kitchen," the man replied calmly. "Why don't you rest there?"

Jim blinked and nodded, nearly falling as he tried to get up, "I'll help you out to my car," Dr. Piper said calmly as he grabbed Jim and helped him walk. "Just take slow steps, all right?"

Eager to get the transient out of his bar, the barkeep followed with a large box of food set aside to be used in the shelter meals. Dr. Piper carefully settled Jim in the front seat and buckled him in before helping the barkeep load the donations in the back of his four-wheel drive car.

The barkeep quickly retreated inside the bar to close down before the transient decided to come back, but Dr. Piper silently got into the car. Jim sighed and slumped against the window.

Despite the cold and snow, the ride to the shelter was relatively quick, "Where are we?" Jim slurred as he stumbled into the shelter with Dr. Piper guiding him with one hand while the donation box was in the other. "It's really cold outside and I just want to forget bad times."

"Everyone has times they want to forget," Dr. Piper replied calmly. "It's all right."

Jim mumbled and sighed drunkenly as he was led to a bed, "I saw Chekov acting violent and it reminded me of being beat in prison," he slurred as he fell on to the nearest bed. "Ow."

Quickly setting the box in the kitchen area, Dr. Piper carefully covered Jim with blankets and made sure he was comfortable and laying so he could throw up if he needed to, "Captain Pike's gonna have my head," Jim slurred drunkenly, squinting up at Dr. Piper. "Who are you?"

"Just rest and don't worry about anything," Dr. Piper replied calmly. "You're safe here."

Snores filled the shelter as Dr. Piper silently retreated to his office and quickly got on his video phone to call the Academy, as he recognized Jim's uniform. He tried several offices and was about to give up when one of his calls finally connected and a tired looking man answered.

"Hello, Captain Pike, my name is Doctor Mark Piper and I own the shelter and soup kitchen in downtown San Francisco," Dr. Piper said calmly. "Are you missing a young man in a uniform?"

Captain Pike's eyes widened slightly, "The young man's name is James Kirk and he is a student here, but the campus is on lockdown until tomorrow," he replied. "How did Kirk get there?"

"I found him drinking himself into oblivion at the Golden Gate Club," Dr. Piper replied calmly.

Captain Pike swore under his breath and he sighed, "I'm not sure what has happened to Mister Kirk, but I don't think it's all been good," Dr. Piper said calmly. "He's had a violent past, I think."

"I will be by in the morning to collect Mister Kirk," Captain Pike replied in a concerned voice. "Is he okay?"

Dr. Piper nodded, "Smells very, very bad, but he seems all right physically," he replied in a worried tone.

The lights flickered and the screen went black, ending the call and leaving Dr. Piper deep in thought.


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