Summary: Their misadventures often interrupted by quicksand and evil soldiers made of rock or fire and occasionally a giant panda wearing a bow tie that demanded sacrifices of strawberries or solving complex riddles that evidently were difficult even for this imaginary Spock.

Lost Horse Creek, Montana

"When you are lonely, let me be your companion. When you are tired, let me carry the load. When you need to learn, let me teach you… after all, I am your horse."

-Unknown

Chapter Twelve: Holding Court

"In the courtroom of the conscience, a case is always in progress."

-Dutch Proverb

Native Sky Ranch

124 Flathead Road,

Lost Horse Creek, Bitterroot Mountain Range, Rocky Mountains, Ravalli County, Montana

Stardate: 2260

October 23

0621 Hours

…

"Ya want to slow down?"

Jim choked slightly at the words and sluiced some coffee down his throat to soften whatever was lodged in his throat at the moment. Spock quirked an eyebrow and watched the sizable lump bob down Jim's neck before fading passed his collar bone.

For a second Jim sat panting then roughly tore into his bagel again.

"Hoksilato." Cokata sighed as he buttoned the last button into place at his collar.

"What?" Jim said passed his mouthful. "'M hungry."

"Ya act like ya haven't eaten in a month instead of a day." Casper smirked and straightened his own pale orange button down shirt, tucking it into his new denim jeans before tightening his belt.

Jim swallowed heavily again. "Why are you guys always on my back about my eating habits?"

"'Cause they ain't eatin' habits. It's gorgin'." Cikala ruffled Jim's hair as he walked behind the blonde. Jim made a swing for the narcotics officer before grumpily smoothing his hair back down and turning back to his over large omelet.

It seemed to Spock that the Brotherhood had very little leeway on the subject as they themselves were quickly eating equally large breakfasts while they tried to smooth down their crisp, brightly colored dress shirts and show jeans, squeezing their way into oiled rodeo cowboy boots and smoothing their hair. Arching their backs to avoid any drips of coffee and chewing breath mints.

The table was cluttered with the Chicalato blood line. The Pups and wives were crowded around their fathers and uncles chattering wildly. Cody was gently but firmly corralling all of them, making sure there were plates and food in front of everyone and redirecting most of the chaotic attention on herself, fielding questions and denying requests like easily.

Among the chaos there was only one still point.

McCoy was sitting at the end of the table, hunched forward and looking fairly ill. His skin was pale and the shadows under his eyes told of a night lacking sleep. His mossy eyes were unfocused and he fidgeted with the hem or sleeve of his blue green shirt and refusing food or coffee. The stress was evident on the man's face and Spock found it strange that he should look so miserable and ill when he was going to make a fight to claim his only offspring.

Jim had warned him to shy away from McCoy until the hearing was over and shared with him the wisdom that McCoy was going to be in a severe amount of distress and likely to me more aggressive than normal. Spock had doubted that the doctor would allow his professionalism to slip so severely but one look at the unsteady man had confirmed Jim's predictions and, as a show of respect, had refrained from speaking to the older human.

It seemed that the other adults of the family had done the same and shied from speaking to him but it did not stop the Pups, who had caught wind of the whole ordeal concerning McCoy's daughter, from trying to interrogate the doctor.

And that was where Cody inserted herself, effectively buffering McCoy from the brunt of their onslaught.

On more than one occasion Spock noticed Cody went out of her way to make physical contact with McCoy. Setting her hand on his shoulder or forearm, skate her fingers across the back of his neck or hand occasionally and for the fraction of time that Cody offer this silent, physical support McCoy would relax marginally before going taut and crumbling in on himself again.

What little emotion bled through McCoy's daze was focused on Cody and somberly grateful and the rest of the Brotherhood and family seemed beyond his reach.

The morning chores had been rushed, the brothers splitting the work with Cody, Jim and Spock to get through everything in half the time to make way for showers and over large breakfasts and shouting at one another and their family to get through the tension of the morning.

They had all advised Spock to over eat. Unlike the Brotherhood, Spock had never been to a conduction of a true court. As police officers and counselors, experts in their fields and confessors to a somewhat rough adolescent era they had frequented municipal proceedings of both civil and criminal kinds. They knew how what should have only been a few hours spent could turn into a judicial filibuster with ridiculous ease. It was very likely that they would be spending the entire day in the courts and be eating out of cheap replicators or vending machines, sitting in uncomfortable chairs or standing.

The probability of the event conforming to the Brotherhood's 'horror stories' as Casper's wife Marie called then, grew exponentially due to the fact that Jocelyn Dauphin was involved... the 'mean piece of work' that she was.

For what little confidence McCoy seemed to have Cokata was dripping with it. There was a hard edge to the counselor's chocolate eyes, a smirk at his lips and his tone was clipped and authoritative.

Spock proceeded to slowly drink his tea and eat his vegan omelet at a gradual pace, while the rest of the kitchen rushed around them.

Cody crossed over and made a sharp movement at Jim and the blonde immediately rose to his feet and lifting a cerulean blue dress shirt and pulled it on over his light white tee shirt. In rapid succession Cody tugged the hems together and buttoned it all the way down while Jim awkwardly drank his coffee over her head. Once Cody had finished his shirt she made the same motion to Spock.

The hybrid hesitated, wondering if he should protest, that logic stated that he could button his own shirt.

In the moment of his hesitation Cody made a second sharp command for his to rise and Jim quirked a honey colored eyebrow at him. Spock pushed himself up and lifted the dark green dress shirt from the back of the chair.

While they had been in town the day before Cody, Cokata and McCoy had raided a small garment shop in Darby and purchased a dress shirt for each of the Brotherhood and Spock himself, each with a color corresponding to the colors of their medicine wheel charms.

Casper in a pale orange was the brightest in the wheel, the rest were more muted in color save for Jim's bright blue and McCoy's blue green. Cikala in sleek black, Creek in tawny brown and Cokata in purple. Cody's fitted blouse was blood red but looked a similar cut to the male's dress shirts. Each were in dark show jeans, the kind that were often packed away and saved until they were brought out for participating in the ring in horse shows and rodeos. Their etched leather boots, dyed to their colors, were possibly more expensive than the jeans and shirts together.

Each of the Brotherhood sported their medicine wheel chokers and some kind of simple bracelet, Jim and Cody sporting the Australian ones Creek had gifted them.

As Cody buttoned his shirt Spock became suddenly aware of the actual length of his neck and finer skeletal structure of his wrist compared to the thicker and more muscular ones of the Chicalato brothers. He fidgeted, just slightly and stretched his hand to skate his touch across the pearled ring of scar tissue on his wrist, his only adornment beyond the jade shirt.

Jim, go get my wolf bone box.

The blonde quickly retreated out of the kitchen and could be heard jogging up the stairs and around the second floor. Spock watched him retreat, feeling the last dredges of tension flooding away at seeing the recovered energy and strength after his short stint of illness.

A few moments later Jim reemerged with a small pale box that looked to be made of carved bone, the small image of a wolf on the top. Cody thanked him and opened the box, threading through the contents with the soft sounds of metal and bone meeting glass and wood.

After a few moments Cody extracted a wide choker made of entirely black beads of jet stone. She set the wolf bone box aside and motioned for Spock to bend slightly. She reached around and easily locked the choker into place at the base of his throat. It fit snugly against his skin.

As Spock straightened Cody reached back into the box and pulled free a beaded bracelet matching the jet choker and deftly linked it around his wrist without touching his skin.

The weight at his throat and arm felt comfortable and quickly warmed to his body temperature.

There. Now you look like you're with us. Those are old, don't lose them.

Spock dipped his head and settled his hands into the small of his back, his fingers rubbing across the warming stone beads around his opposing forearm.

Cody nodded then clapped her hands once, effectively silencing the room and making McCoy jump.

Finish up. We're out in five.

The command caused a new flurry of movement and chaos, a new pitch of whining and a new string of cursing. Jim ducked around everyone and snaked his suede and fleece and Spock's corduroy jackets from the mud room. He handed the hybrid his garment and jerked his head towards the door. Spock followed dutifully pulling on his coat.

"So, ready to do your thing when Cokata calls you up?"

"Am I expected to perform duties beyond those of a character witness?"

"Nope. Just making sure." Jim fidgeted.

Spock tilted and eyebrow up.

"You are nervous."

"Yup." Jim agreed truthfully, threading his fingers through his hair and tugging at it marginally. He twisted around at the sound of footsteps approaching. Spock twisted slightly to see Cody gently steering a slightly paler McCoy towards the door. She was signing slow, calm encouragement to him.

McCoy nodded slightly at each sign and Cody gently nudged him towards Jim.

Keep an eye on him.

"Sure thing Cody." Jim agree before he grabbed a hold of McCoy's coat sleeve and tugged the doctor out onto the porch. Spock followed.

The world beyond the covered wraparound porch was water logged, sheets of cold rain still falling heavily and flooding the yard and drive. The air was cold and when Spock breathed out the hybrid stepped back a bit at the cloud of vapor that rose from his lips.

"Okay, enough with the weird catatonic act, Bones." Jim gave the older man a gentle shake.

"I must be insane, Jim. Tryin' this with Jocelyn." McCoy rasped.

"Bones, relax. This is already tied up. You're not asking for custody, which I think you should, just a few months worth of play time. A reasonable judge, especially one that's a father, isn't going to deny you that. Okay?"

McCoy nodded jerky and wrung his hands.

"You just gotta calm dow- no you know what, freak out. Right now, just keep freaking out. Get it out of your system and everything." Jim gave the doctor a gentle shove.

"Jim. Stop."

The blonde's lips quirked and he shoved McCoy again, a little rougher than before. "No."

McCoy growled. "Jim-"

"Bones."

Jim nudged McCoy a third time, making the older man stumble back a bit. Before he could regain his balance Jim thudded his hip into the doctor's side and effectively knocked the older man back into the door.

McCoy snarled and lunged at Jim, the blonde ducked and danced easily out of the way before bolting down the length of the porch and dashing around the corner.

A muffled noise of rage escaped the medical officer and he was after Jim in a shot, stumbling hard around the corner and racing after the blonde.

Spock cocked his head slightly, listening to the sound of boots hitting the hardwood and cursing mingling with taunts. The hybrid's attention turned as the door opened and the rest of the Brotherhood marched out, Cokata cradled up in Casper's arms while Creek was holding the folded wheelchair.

Cody's eyebrow rose and she looked passed Spock towards the Durango then narrowed her eyes.

Where are they?

"Jim has taken it upon himself to relieve Doctor McCoy of his tension." Spock reported calmly.

"How?" Casper rumbled and shifted Cokata's weight higher on his chest.

"I believe the method of choice was antagonization." Spock looked back towards the corner where the pair had disappeared.

"Hoksilato utilized Caniwahu's momentarily suppressed anger and resentment in addition to the tension resulting from the stress of possible failure in order to goad him into an altercation with the sole purpose of relieving that stress. Correct?" Creek asked.

"Indeed." Spock dipped his head,

Cikala sighed. "So that was geek-speak for 'Hoksilato picked a fight'."

"Crudely put but correct." Creek agreed.

Cikala muttered under his breath and they turned their attention to their backs as Jim sprinted around the far corner and skidded around them to duck behind Spock, his face slightly flushed and split into a grin. Puffing slightly and snarling McCoy stalked up, fists clenched and teeth grit.

"Jim-"

"Easy Bones." Jim started to back up, a hand dug into Spock's sleeve he tugged the hybrid back with him, keeping his shield against the agitated doctor. "Don't you feel better, you know?"

"Jim. I'm-"

His voice died when Cody lightly gripped his elbow and turned him towards the stairs and tugged the medical officer after her. He glared at Jim over his shoulder but docilely followed, ducking into the rain and loping across the flooded lawn to the Durango.

"Well, that worked out better than I thought it would." Jim straightened his coat and shirt as he stepped out from behind Spock and started for the stairs. The hybrid trailed behind him and ducked his head against the icy rain as it fanned over the top of his skull and started down his neck.

Jim dashed around the front of the SUV, guiding Spock around to the far side and tugged open a door, standing back for Spock to climb in before vaulting up after him.

With a little shuffling and more rain intrusion than any of them would have liked the rest of the Brotherhood crowded into the Durango, snapping at each other and fighting over the music on the radio. McCoy sat hunched slightly in the front passenger seat, his attention half focused on Cody and half on the road but a level of the older man's tension had faded.

In the midst of the argument Cody revved the engine to life, kicked on the four wheel drive and pulled onto the long drive through the Native Sky territory and onto the main road leading into Darby.

The drive was relatively short and seemed like one, had the weather been more agreeable, made with a horse draw buggy or possibly ridden singular.

Spock sat a little straighter in his seat between Jim and Creek while the former half twisted in his seat to talk to Cokata, Casper and Cikala in the third row of seats. Spock turned his attention to the anthropologist and paleontologist at his side.

"Creek-"

"Yes, Spock?"

"You have attended court proceedings previously have you not?"

"I have been summoned to act as an expert witness on multiple occasions as well as have served as a member of the investigation of several homicides as an anthropologist."

"Was the experience especially trying?"

"Not particularly. Of course I was only required to state facts and findings bound entirely by sciences and my own studies. Familial court matters bound to emotion and personal experience do have a tendency to be more harrowing. I have a difficult time in understanding and recognizing the emotions in species and individuals beyond my own family."

Spock tilted and eyebrow into his hairline. "Indeed?"

"Yes. The form of autism I am afflicted with impairs my social performance. Make no mistake, I have empathy and I am able to discern the general emotion of another though it at times can take a level of overreaction and basis of trial and error before I can correctly recognize them. For example, many of my fellow researchers often hold a consistent level of frustration with myself. Though I very seldom realize that their actions are driven by such until such time that the feeling has escalated from frustration into true anger."

"Creek, I confess that on my first arrival to Earth I experienced a very similar phenomenon. Though over time and with exposure I have overcome it. Can you not do the same?"

"Only with true familiarity of an individual. I can easily read my brothers, sister and other close members of our family on due to the fact that I have been observing them for the duration of my life. Caniwahu is exceptionally easy to understand as he is standard to emotional extremes. But most of the human population does now and will continue to elude me."

"Fascinating. Does this not affect the standing of your social status?"

"I am considered brilliant and the head of my fields, high sought after by the youth of the studies. Or perhaps you were insinuating the status of the level and frequency that I partake in sexual congress?"

"I meant no offense, Creek."

"You made none. I assure you, Spock. I am well bedded."

"Okay. Creek." Jim said loudly. "We do not need to hear about your weird... freaky... kinkiness. Not in an enclosed space. Okay stud?"

"'Kinkiness'?" Spock asked.

"I approach sexual gratification in a similar open minded fashion that I approach my studies. I believe that an individual has the ability to collect useful information and new theoretical view for any and all experiences." Creek responded.

"God, ya make it sound like a science, Mniohlateinyan." Cikala shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"I would consider it a science." Creek twisted to look back at him. "Only by trial can one truly be assured of their preferences and pleasures, such as my experience in Borneo-"

"I am not hearing this!" Jim barked. "Please! Just... it's creepy! We don't want to hear about Spain or Belgium, or Syria, Indian, Greenland and we most certainly don't want to hear anything about anywhere in South America? Okay? Please, Creek?"

The scientist cocked his head slightly. "I am finding it most intriguing that you, Hoksilato, protest most significantly in such discussions concerning your personal reputation of sexual exploitation."

"C'mon Mniohlateinyan." Jim sighed. "You know most of that stuff is just rumors."

"Yeah, what was in when we were kids? Two girls and guy?" Cikala taunted. "Nothing passed third base, right?"

Jim spun and took an awkward swing at the narcotics officer. "Shut up."

"Would it not be prudent to assume that his experience has expanded since his induction into Starfleet." Creek assured.

"Sounds right, civilians are keen to hold candles for moonwalkers." Casper smirked.

"This is the most uncomfortable car ride in the history of car rides." Jim muttered and slumped down in his seat, his cheeks colored pink.

"Creek, is this unusual approach and reasoning towards intimate relationships in correlation to your prolonged bachelorhood. I make the assumption and state the inquiry only through observation that you are the only of your siblings that has not married or reproduced. If I have overstepped-"

"It is a fair question, Spock. My continued single life is due to the fact that I have yet to find a mate suited to myself. And oddity considering that I have traveled further and entertained more individuals than all of my siblings have. Perhaps it would be prudent to mimic Hoksilato or Glietahawicate and seek interaction with other species entirely. It could prove both interesting and profitable."

Spock's brow knit and he turned towards Jim. "Other species?"

Jim twitched slightly. "Had a thing going with an Orion at Academy."

"I see." Spock agreed and pulled back from question further as there was a sorrowful edge to Jim's cerulean eyes. Either the relationship had gone awry or something far more drastic had happened.

"Spock. Perhaps you and I-"

"NO!" The three brothers and Jim shouted as one.

Creek blinked in surprised.

"Very well." The scientist settled back into his seat.

"I would have declined a proposition, Creek. Vulcans are strictly monogamous and do not engage in casual affairs."

"Very well." Creek agreed. "Should you decided to indulge in your human heritage-"

"NO!"

Spock collected himself and looked towards Jim; the blonde was slouched down next to him, trying to cool the flush of his face discretely.

The hybrid turned his attention to where the chaos had given Cody a sufficient amount of noise and distraction to lightly lay her palm on McCoy's knee, her fingers slightly curled into the fabric of his jeans. Both of the medical officer's own hands had settled over hers, dwarfing the rancher's in his own.

Spock stiffened slightly at the sigh and swallowed visibly. The link of the three hands, tight and knotted together in an unbreakable grip, could have been considered obscene or indecent in Vulcan public and society. The touch of hands was meant to be done privately and delicately, passed only between mates or courters. The brush of fingers and palms, knuckles and thumbs to intimate even for the plutonic status of familial relationships. Spock knew that this cultural aspect was not shared by the human race, though it confused him at times as he was familiar enough about anatomy that human hands were extremely sensitive and was heavily neuro-mapped with layers on layers of hypersensitive nerves under thin skin. He knew that in human society that linking hands could range from intimate to plutonic and at times even animosity. Spock had witnessed them all. Once or twice engaged in them, regardless Spock felt voyeur and a slight heat coiling at the delicate, swept points of his ears at the sight of the desperate way that McCoy held onto Cody's hand.

By the color of his knuckles and wrist the man had paled significantly more. The white of his knuckles looked stretched and almost painful; he clung to Cody's hand like a life line. Occasionally McCoy's whole frame shook in a tremor before settling and Spock could hear through all the noise that the older human's breathing had shallowed and tightened so much that it could be called hyperventilation.

Spock was suddenly enlightened by just how frightened the doctor was at facing his estranged wife and daughter.

The hybrid kept a watchful eye on McCoy for the rest of the ride, splitting his attention between the Brotherhood and the crushing grip McCoy refused to yield on Cody's hand.

Cody steered the Durango one handed through the streets of Darby, relatively deserted in the rain, most of the towns people out in the weather were taking refuge on public benches or community chairs set on the interconnected porch boardwalk between business, protected by long covered roofs and each other's company. Spock watched the waterlogged town slip by until Cody pulled up alongside one of the largest buildings in the small town, set far in the corner of its limits.

The City Hall served majorly as a court house and post office, at some point the small jail and police station had grown enough to move into its own building catty corner to its origins. City Hall had a large, sloped lawn and several massive trees rooted deep around artfully heaped boulders. The center of the lawn was occupied by a large, marble based statue of a massive bull elk, his head and antlers arched over his back and jaws open in a silent bellow up to the mountains.

The building was all sleek, old lines. The corners and windows and doorways decorated with carved swirls and curls of scrolling and waves. The dark, natural stone off set by paler molding.

Spock peered up at the City Hall as Cody drove the Durango into a paved parking lot that had at some point been covered with a open air, metal structure in the efforts to make it easier for officials and officers of the court and post to come and go in the rain and deep snow that was promised in the winter seasons of Montana.

At the moment there were very few vehicles parked there, six total. Three old and battered pick-up trucks and one truck that looked to be only a few years old and was just starting to earn it's scratches and scars and amid the trucks was a sleek, grey sedan that looked fairly out of place. There was a slightly mud spattered police unit marked in tawny, brown and white the words Darby Police Department, To Protect and Serve emblazoned on the side with the number 18 on the roof under the rail of lights. There was an officer in brown and black uniform shirt and work jeans and boots buckling his belt and firearm into place from the trunk. He glanced up at them and lifted a hand towards Cody in greeting.

The engine died and McCoy seemed to extract himself from Cody's hand with much effort as the Brotherhood climbed out and into the chill air. Creek trotted around to the hatch to pull out Cokata's wheelchair and slung the counselor's heavy leather satchel over his own shoulder while Casper lifted Cokata physically up against his chest again in a bridal carry. Jim broke away and trotted towards the officer.

"Hey Wallace!' He crowed cheerfully.

"Jimmy. Heard ya were back in town." Wallace grinned and smoothed his dark hair back from his squared face and jaw, dark eyes bright. "Course I wouldn't believe it unless I arrested ya. So as far as I'm concerned yer not real."

"Then maybe it's time for a psyche eval, Wallace." Jim teased back and rocked slightly on his heels. He half twisted and motioned Spock forward. "Wallace, this is Spock. He's one of my officers on the Enterprise up here for a little 'R' and 'R'. Spock, this is Wallace Tate. Darby's finest."

"Nice to meet ya there, Spock. Heard 'bout ya a little bit too." Wallace offered his hand and Spock carefully reached forward to grip wrists with the officer in the way he'd learned from the Chicalato brothers. If it offended Wallace in any way he didn't show it.

"Indeed."

"Wallace what do you mean you 'heard a little about him'?" Jim asked.

"Jimmy, ya caint expect to go walkin' round in broad daylight with a stranger and not get the gossip goin'. They're all a-buzz over at Charlie's and down at the Bear Paw and last time I made a run into Harriet's place all those birds were chirpin'."

"Damn." Jim muttered and scrubbed at his hair.

"They're even hushin' 'bout it in church last Sunday. Yer quiet the topic there Spock." Wallace assured with a grin as he tugged on a jacket embroidered with POLICE on the back.

"I had no intention of causing distress." Spock said stiffly and Wallace waved him off with a small grin.

"Distress, nothin'. Ya made their month, stirrin' 'em up like that. Only thin' keepin' all the hens at bay is Miss Cody's hate for 'em, otherwise ya'd be hard pressed to find time in yer popularity to sleep."

Spock narrowed his eyes slightly and tilted his head. "You are implying that the population of this town would readily seek out my companionship and company were Cody's dislike of the 'hens' not a factor?"

"Why wouldn't they?" Wallace shrugged. "They all are hopin' he'll be makin' an appearance at the Hollows Ball. Ya'd be doin' an old officer a favor and makin' him a champion if I could be the one to pass it on to 'em, Jimmy."

Jim quirked his lips and turned towards Spock. "What do you say, Spock? Want to go to the Annual Darby All Hallows Eve Ball? There's lots of squash and pumpkin pie."

"I assume this is a festivity designed around the controversial Terran holiday commonly known as 'Holloween' when supposedly the world is over run by monsters and spirits of the dead and small children as dressed in costumes and gifted sweets before older youths partake in nocturnal vandalism."

"The very one." Jim agreed.

Spock paused for a moment. "Very well."

"Straight from the horse's mouth Wallace. He'll be there." Jim grinned and the officer smiled back.

"Yer a champion Jim. Ya too Spock. I'll keep 'em in suspense for days. It'll turn their heads."

Jim chuckled quietly. He and Spock's attention snapped around when a sharp whistle cut from Cody through the lot.

"See ya inside Wallace." Jim waved and nudged Spock along to follow in the wake of the Brotherhood. They jogged through the icy rain and dashed up the front steps. Ducking into the lobby and a blast of heat that made Spock shiver slightly. The inside of the building looked much like the outside. Dark stone walls, pale trims and scrolls and waves around doorways and corners. The lobby was large, corners and walls occupied by hard wood benches or chairs and tall plants in pots. Large double doors of wood frames glass led off in different directions and in some places the walls gave way into large, curved stairwells up and down. The floor was tiled in a geometric pattern that curved around a circular front desk that had a few computers and suspended nano-pixel screens. A curvy, dark eyed and haired woman sat behind the desk and shuffled data pads and paperwork. She looked up as Creek stretched out and locked the wheelchair into place ad Casper settled the counselor down into the seat.

Cokata shifted around a little awkwardly before settling and taking his satchel from Creek and setting it into his lap. His hands settled onto the edge of the wheels and easily rolled himself forward.

"Counselor." The woman behind the desk sat up a little.

"Good mornin'. Will ya check everyone off on the docket please? McCoy v. Dauphin." Cokata rolled up to the desk and spun his chair around to the side; the rest of the Brotherhood following closely.

"Alright. I'll need driver's licenses, Counselor."

Spock stiffened as there was a general shuffle as the group dug into pockets and wallets to extract state identifications and licenses. Spock lacked both.

"Here Spock. I noticed you didn't grab it." Jim said quietly and carefully slid Spock's Federation Identification into the hybrid's hand. Spock relaxed slightly and gripped the small rectangle of laminated plastic. He smoothed his thumb over the surface and when asked for it passed it over easily. The woman took a moment longer than she had with any of the Brotherhood but didn't hesitate to log in Spock's presence and passed back the FID. Spock copied Jim and tucked the card into a back pocket as he followed the blonde off a bit from the group.

"I was unprepared." Spock said quietly.

"No big deal Spock." Jim assured. "I've got your back. But if you want you could get a non-driver's license or a state I.D. sometime today. They can do it here."

Spock's eyebrow tilted up. "A Montana State Identification?"

Jim's brow knit. "You never wanted to come back to the ranch?"

Spock blinked at the undertone in Jim's words. They rang hollowly in Jim's throat and chest, echoes of loneliness. Spock could feel the integrity of their bonded friendship start to fray and unravel at the edges. It had become so strong and deeply braided that Spock had forgotten the fragility that it was made of, that it could be consumed and rendered apart as easily as any rope in a flame.

Jim's face was a mask of plaster, harsh and lifeless. But his eyes burned with something that looked like betrayal and pain and was Spock watched they started to shut down, the emotion bleeding from there too. A shock crackled up the hybrid's spine.

Jim believed he was being used, that Spock indulging in lessons and company he would disregard.

It sent a flair across his stomach and core of his own betrayal and anger, struck that Jim would think he was capable of it. He felt the enamel of his teeth slide together a little more harshly than then he would have liked and his eyes narrowed.

When he spoke, as he always did, he drove straight for the point, cutting through flesh to the bone. "You believe I'm taking advantage of you with no intention of utilizing what I have learned or returning to engage ranch life or the Chicalato family in the future."

Something in his tone must have caught Jim unawares because his eyes widened and he took a half step back. Spock felt an ugly coil of satisfaction and actually took the half step that Jim gave, crowding the blonde just slightly.

"Not only is this a falsehood and an assumption that you have made with only the past experiences and actions of others that have treated you as such for basis, it is an insult. I would have hoped that by now our association and familiarity would have cured you of any doubt that I would take advantage of then abandon you so easily. Had hoped that I stood apart from those in your past."

Jim paled and the satisfaction flushed Spock slightly at the chastised blonde. Jim cast his eyes to the floor and hitched his shoulders but didn't bolt or shy away, just stood calmly, braced for an onslaught. Spock puffed slightly but let the air out and stepped back, sure that his point had been driven home.

After a long breath Jim spoke, his voice cracked and low. "Spock... 'M sorry... I, um... 'm still... like you said, 'm still..."

Cokata 's words echoed in Spock's mind, that Jim was damaged in ways that he could not help himself. That he had been conditioned to expect the worst, to brace for the cruelty then wait to be cast aside. He expected it.

Spock dipped his head; catching Jim's eyes and carefully drawing the blonde's gaze back up as he straightened.

"You are forgiven."

Jim swallowed and nodded jerkily.

"Perhaps it would be a notion best made at a later time. But it is not an unsavory notion." Spock said at length.

Jim nodded slowly again and licked his lips.

"Papa!"

The pitch so high it was near a shriek, a cry of elation that echoed in the lobby and every head snapped around at the noise, save Cody who looked up towards the rafters at the slight vibration of the room.

Spock watched as a girl no more than eight wrenched her arm forcefully out of Jocelyn Dauphin's grip and sprinted wildly towards the main group of the Brotherhood, as she ran the child dropped a pale blue backpack. It hit the floor with enough force that it rattled and rolled over a few times.

McCoy staggered forwards a few steps, the jerky rise and fall of his chest was erratic and shallow, as if the older man were hyperventilating.

"Jo-" He choked on her name.

"Papa!"

McCoy's knees hit the tiled flooring hard enough to crack and echo in the lobby, his torso rocked as the child slammed bodily into him, wrapping her arms around his throat and squeezing so hard it broke McCoy's breath and she burrowed into his throat.

For a long moment McCoy was still, his system shocked and hands slack on the floor before he carefully wrapped himself around the eight year old. Pressing his face into her hair and gingerly cradling her up against his chest, as if she was made of spun glass and he feared crushing her. McCoy stumbled in his kneel, rocking backwards and splaying his legs awkwardly until the girl was scooped up into his lap and continued his feather light embrace.

McCoy's whole frame was vibrating and salted water slipped from the edges of his eyes to dribble into his daughter's hair and tangle it.

The males of the Brotherhood stood back respectfully but Cody stalked forward a few steps, not close enough to intrude but clearly stood like some eerie kind of silent sentry, her spine ram rod straight, shoulders thrown, arms crossed tightly over her chest and legs spread with knees locked. Her head lifted and angled in the way a large predator exposed her throat to another of her kin, making clear they thought so little of the other that they were no threat to life or territory.

Jocelyn Dauphin was as pretty as she had been on the vid screen but the air around her seemed near toxic. She was dressed in a sleek, red dress that hugged her slender frame though she was buried under a puffy black parka that looked newly bought. As if her attempt to be intimidating and obviously well off had displeased Montana herself. The lawyer at her flank, a straight backed, slim man in a charcoal grey suit had his tie cinched up so tight the veins in his neck stood out and he looked slightly flushed. His hair was slicked back and stiff. He was also bundled in a dark parka that looked as if it had never been used before.

They both looked miserable but desperate to hide it.

Jocelyn huffed, ruffling herself like a bird with feathers and marched forwards with a harsh click of her high heels.

McCoy's eyes snapped up at the movement, his jaw tightened and he instinctively bundled his daughter closer to his chest. Jocelyn tossed her head, looking slightly murderous and quickened her steps.

Cody took another few steps forward, catching Jocelyn's eyes and the woman nearly staggered to a stop.

The deaf rancher's eyes had become molten pools of steel, every muscle in her body coiled and strung tight. This time her head was dropped and Spock saw a breathy snort pass through her nostrils, flaring them and her throat vibrated, rippling in what could have only been a soundless growl. Warning Jocelyn that she was crossing some invisible line.

Spock came from a species that, historically, founded by patriarchs. Still many females in the Vulcan society were in high ranks and well respected and slowly but surely the Vulcans had become a matriarch dominated society. Though they were never seen as the stronger of the species. Females, even in their positions, were typically submissive. Passive. And it was innate in the Vulcan breeding to know this.

Spock had grown use to respecting and recognizing Cody's position as the matriarch. As a dominant.

Thought he had never seen her truly act as an alpha before this moment.

He was reminded idly of a historical reference passed down from the very beginnings of the Enlightenment. A male had once chosen a mate for himself but another was vying for her hand. When the Fever had come upon them the males had enacted koon-ut-kal-if-fee intending that only one survive and take the female. When her preferred mate was knocked from his feet she'd rushed to his defense and fought the unwanted male herself and slaughtered him ruthlessly.

This was a similar challenge. Cody saw Jocelyn as a threat. She would lash out and Spock predicted that should Cody feel the need to act she would be far fiercer than that Vulcan female had been. In her mind Cody would be defending her younger siblings, all of them, whom she had spent the duration of her life protecting and nurturing. Even then she was twice as dangerous as with the presence of McCoy's daughter she was guarding a child.

Cody growled silently again and tucked her head towards her chest and stalked another step towards Jocelyn and the woman retreated a yard or so, quelling Cody enough that she lifted her head again.

"Mister Brees. Miss Dauphin, welcome to Darby, Montana." Cokata rumbled his voice smooth and wolfish and quickly distracting them with legalese and jargon. His hands skimmed over the ridges of his tires as he pushed his wheelchair passed Cody towards them.

The alpha Chicalato narrowed her eyes and tensed, not pleased by one of her younger brothers being so close to the opposition. She backed off slightly but still shied away from intruding on McCoy and his child.

Jim gingerly nudged the young hybrid forwards and moved to stand a few yards from where McCoy had finally eased back from the little girl but kept his hands on her, making sure she was real.

Joanna McCoy-Dauphin was blessed. She looked much like a miniaturized, female version of her father. Chocolate hair flecked with ginger and her brilliant eyes green umber. Her face was dusted with fine freckles and the deep lines that McCoy often used for scowling were warped into a grin on her face. She was small and slight for a child her age but her personality and mind radiated so powerfully that Spock felt the thrum of it at a distance. It was warm and flushed with adoration as she relaxed in her father's lap. Her hands moved wildly, animated when she spoke, as expressive as her father.

She was bundled up in a fleece lined denim jacket over a dark blue shirt and blue jeans and children's cowboy boots. There was a fine gold necklace around her throat that sported a large heat shaped locket, she was toying with it.

"I got it Papa. See? I never take it off! Mama didn't like it but I did." The child practically crowed and roughly tugged open the locket and tilted it towards McCoy, on one side was a miniature picture of a younger McCoy and Joanna. "I put our picture in there."

McCoy swallowed heavily, tears biting at the edges of his eyes and he sniffed heavily before nodding shakily and stroking her hair.

"Papa, no." She whined and scrubbed his tears with her hands before squeezing his face slightly with her palms. "Don't be sad."

"Darlin', 'M not sad. 'M happy." McCoy soothed and dipped his head to place a kiss on her nose then her forehead; nuzzling her hair and just soaking her in.

Joanna looked at him suspiciously before sighing and nodding in a way that McCoy did to Jim when the blonde insisted that he was ready to return to his position on the bridge.

Jim carefully stepped closer, hanging back just enough that if he crowding he could back off quickly. He tilted to catch McCoy's eye and waited until the older man motioned him forwards before smiling and closing the distance. Spock followed closely on his heels. Joanna looked up at them, head cocking to the side.

"Joanna this is Jim and Spock. They're in charge of our ship." McCoy's voice sounded rough and was clearing slowly.

Jim squatted down onto his heels and held out his hand, waiting until Joanna took it, his large hand closed completely over the child's as he shook it once.

"Hey Joanna." He said quietly.

"Hi Jim." She responded before looking at Spock.

"Greetings Joanna." The hybrid said, dipping his head.

"Hi Spock. Ya'll are in charge of my Papa, right?"

Jim hummed, "Something like that."

"He's the best." Joanna said. It was clear that she wasn't looking for assurance, only agreement. It was very clear that she knew she was in the right.

"Course he is." Jim scoffed and as he stood lightly feathered her hair.

"Indeed. Your father is exceptional in his practice." Spock agreed honestly.

McCoy swallowed heavily.

"That's what I said. C'mon Papa, get up off the floor." Joanna scrambled slightly to her feet before grabbing a hold of her father's hand and tugging him up stiffly to his feet. He staggered slightly before regaining himself, for a moment showing his age while Joanna clung tightly to him.

The rest of the Brotherhood closed in quietly. Each introduced to Joanna with a confident handshake and fatherly smiles, assuring her of the playmates she would have at Native Sky.

Cody, keeping an eye firmly on Cokata, Jocelyn and Brees, moved over slowly until McCoy motioned her forwards and carefully nudged his daughter towards her.

"Joanna, when ya talk to Miss Cody try to say all yer letters clearly, alright?" McCoy coaxed.

"Why?"

"Miss Cody can't hear but she can understand what you're saying by reading yer lips."

"She can't hear at all?"

"No, darlin'."

"But yer the best doctor anywhere, cain't ya fix is so she can hear?"

Cikala tensed and the other members of the Brotherhood looked between each other.

"It doesn't matter if I could or not, what matters is that Miss Cody doesn't want to be 'fixed'." McCoy hummed. Joanna's brow knit.

"Really?"

McCoy nodded. "But Miss Cody doesn't need to hear to be able to whip all of us."

Joanna looked shocked for a split second before tilting her head back to look up at Cody. The petite rancher looked back, head cocked slightly. Her lips twitched in a slight smile before holding out her hand. Joanna hesitated before carefully taking it.

Cody made a simple sign.

"Those signs are how Miss Cody talks." McCoy said. "She said 'hello'."

"Oh..." Joanna hesitated before repeating the sign back and Cody smiled warmly with a slight nod.

"Miss Cody's goin' to teach ya how to ride a horse."

"Really?!" Joanna shrieked and launched on the rancher, hugging her waist tightly. The woman blinked down at her, eyebrows tilted up and looking from the top of the head to McCoy and back again.

"I cain't wait! I told everyone at school and they were all jealous and wanted to come! I want a pony with blue eyes and spots!"

"Joanna, no one said nothin' 'bout gettin' yer own pony." McCoy pinched the bridge of his nose and crushed his eyes shut.

Cody's eyebrows tilted, reading McCoy's lips and she smiled slightly.

She wants a pony?

"With blue eyes and spots." Jim smiled slightly as he signed the words.

Cody grinned fully and made a slight side to side bob of her head before clicking her tongue. I can make that happen.

"No, thanks, Miss Cody." McCoy said quickly, stumbling over his sign language. "Just... not now."

Cody smiled at the fidgeting of the older man, assuring him while she gently patted the child's back and nudged her away.

Cokata rolled back over, swinging to the side and shaking Joanna's hand with a smile before jerking his head towards the stairs. "Courtroom Three. Second floor."

Joanna latched on to her father's hand and tilted until she could look at her mother.

"Mama, I'm gonna go with Papa." She called loudly and looked longingly towards her abandoned backpack but the child was clearly tuned into her mother's intentions enough to refrain from separating from her sire for a fraction of a moment for fear of being torn away.

"Baby, maybe that's not such a good idea." Jocelyn started forwards the group and every member of the Brotherhood stiffened when McCoy did.

"Why's that Miss Dauphin?" Jim asked coolly and crossed his arms tightly over his chest. "Joanna'll be surrounded by veteran soldiers, police, firefighters, decorated Starfleet officers and one of the best medical professionals in the Federation who also happens to be her father... so it can't be about her safety... right?"

Jocelyn flushed and her eyes went icy but she didn't speak through her grit teeth. The abrasive pulse of psychonic energy thrummed from her in a new, thickened wave.

Joanna shifted a little towards her father but unlike most children she moved in front of him, putting herself physically between her dame and sire. Spock narrowed his eyes. Clearly the level of animosity that had occurred between McCoy and his estranged wife was far more intense than Spock had previously suspected.

The hybrid knew on good authority that the last years of their marriage had been warped and skewed, evidently, by the role reversal demonstrated by Joanna, far more than any record or action Spock had crossed in reading personnel files or McCoy's behavior.

What had happened between the woman and the medical officer than had caused Joanna to believe she needed to protect her parent?

Spock straightened himself up, hands settled firmly in the small of his back and fingers toying with the jet stone bracelet as he walked calmly over to the backpack, bent and lightly lifted it before turning and walking back to hand it off to Joanna, the entire time making a point to refrain from looking at either Jocelyn or her lawyer, Brees.

Joanna readily took the back pack, dropping it on her boots and reached out to very briefly take the hybrid's hand in thanks before letting go.

Spock blinked and rubbed his fingers across the heel of his palm, soothing the over excited buzz and brilliant spark of the child's mind lingering in the back of his thoughts. He tensed then relaxed when Jim nudged his side and gave an approving smile. It was reflected twice over in Cody's grey eyes and McCoy's grateful twitch of his lips, as Joanna tugged him towards the stairs.

Cokata separated from the group and started towards the lifts at the far end of building, Creek jogging to keep up while the rest of the Brotherhood, Spock and Jim started up the wide staircase towards the second floor, leaving Brees and Jocelyn to wait for the lift.

Jim stuck close to Spock's side, their elbows brushing comfortably in the climb. Spock's thoughts still lingered on McCoy's stalemate with his divorced wife and his eyes lingering on the way that Joanna clung and leaned on her father, looking up at him with the adoration that McCoy returned in ten fold.

They stepped out onto a long hall, Cokata already waiting by a pair of glass and wood doors with Wallace, the officer Jim had introduced him too in the parking lot, and Creek on his other flank.

Cokata nodded towards the doors and led them into the court room.

The room looked much like it must have at the building's founding. Half the room was filled with long, carved wood benches that led up to a waist high railing, beyond that were two desks, on the left a door and on the right two rows of six seats on a dais next to another door. Dead center of the room was a tall, hard wood dais and a pulpit like desk, linked to a witness stand. The room was entirely empty, Spock followed dutifully behind Jim as the Brotherhood filed into the first bench behind the right side desk. Joanna held tight to McCoy and went with him and Cokata through the short rail divider to sit behind the desk. Wallace walked in with Jocelyn and Brees behind them.

Silence rang in the room, only broken by the shuffle of papers and soft sounds of Jim and Cody breathing next to him. Wallace stepped around to leaned against the judge's stand worked his jaw as if he was chewing. His eyes flicked up as a slender, whip like man trotted in with a laptop tucked under his arm.

"Russ." Wallace hummed, with a grin as the dark haired man quickly dropped into a small chair and desk set ext to the judge's dais.

"Hey Wallace. Sorry 'm late. Missy was colicky all night." The ruffled man huffed tiredly and scrubbed at waxy eyes.

"Did ya try takin' her on a four wheeler yet?" Cokata asked.

The court Officer, Russ, whipped his head round before his thin face split into a wide grin. "Cokata Chicalato!"

"Hey Russ." The counselor grinned and skidded forwards to take the court recorder's hand in a firm shake, then looked up at the rest of the Brotherhood who smiled and wave.

"And everybody else!" Russ barked. "Is it the holidays already?"

"Colicky baby, huh Russ?" Jim asked, cocking his head slightly.

"For the last week. I'm ready to take her to see Doc."

"How colicky?" McCoy asked seriously as he shifted in his seat until Joanna was sitting carefully in his lap, her backpack on the floor next to their feet.

"Enough to keep her up. We pass her around all night long." Russ sighed tiredly and dug his fingers into his hair.

"How old?" Spock tilted his head slightly, recognizing the physician's tone in McCoy's voice.

"Seven months. It's normal, right?"

Every member of the Brotherhood nodded decisively and Russ breathed out.

"Toweya was the worst." Cikala assured, "It went on for months. Try the four wheeler at low speed. Worked for her-"

"And Suri." Cokata assured. "Four wheeler and car rides. The vibration does them in."

Russ looked towards McCoy who nodded. "Low impact. Loosens up their guts and puts 'em to sleep. Give it a shot if it doesn't work out in a couple days take her to Rhado."

"Or ya." Russ shrugged.

"Conflict of interest Russ." Wallace rumbled with an easy smile.

"Hey, I just take notes." Russ lifted his hands placatingly.

"Anyway." Wallace shrugged and lifted a Terran Christian Bible into the air. "Everybody swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothin' but the truth?"

They all nodded and lifted their rights hands briefly.

"Good." Wallace tossed the Bible carelessly upwards onto the pulpit surface and dusted his hands. Brees and Jocelyn looked slightly shocked at the casual way the swearing in had been done. Every head turned as the far side door next to the jury's stand opened and an older, tawny skinned man stalked in, tugging on black tribunal robes over faded jeans and a red plaid button down shirt. His hair was steel grey and white, face lined deeply and Spock was sure he was Native American in ancestry. There was a deep scar running from under his right eye towards his ear and his hands were weathered and seemed to be made of leather.

"All rise!" Wallace boomed, filling the room with his voice. "Judge Jacob Deepwater residing."

Everyone rose to their feet as the judge climbed stiffly into his pulpit and sat, flipping his robes but leaving them open. The man sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose and waved at them. Russ jogged to his laptop, booting it up and pulling up his programs designed to take the minutes of the proceedings. Wallace backed off to stand dutifully next to the judge.

"Everyone's been sworn in, yer Honor."

"Thanks Wallace." The man grumbled, then looked up at them, his eyes flicked over Brees and Jocelyn before settling on the Brotherhood. He paled slightly. "Goddamnit."

"Hey Uncle Jake." The Brotherhood chorused together.

Spock's eyebrows knit and looked from the judge to Jim, who nodded and smiled in affirmation.

"What the Hell re ya brats doin' in here!?"

"Awe c'mon, Uncle Jake, ain't ya happy to see us?" Casper rumbled with a grin.

"Shut up boy. Who let this group of lunatics in here? Wallace?"

The officer shrugged and scratched at his jaw.

Uncle Jake snorted like and angered horse and glared at his blood and adopted nieces and nephews. "Had to be all of ya didn't it?"

"We're character witnesses, Uncle Jake." Jim responded.

"The Hell... Ain't ya supposed to be in orbit or somethin' Jim Kirk!?!" Uncle Jake fumed in a way that Spock was sure then that the harsh words and bristling we honest animosity towards his family.

"I'm on liberty Uncle Jake."

"Judge. This is my house. Judge, got it?" Uncle Jake snarled and glared at the blonde. Jim shifted in his seat a little.

"Yessir." Jim said quietly.

"All of ya." Uncle Jake snorted warningly and the rest of the Brotherhood dipped their heads in agreement.

"Yer Honor?" Brees rose and carefully straightened his suit and Uncle Jake looked around at him murderously.

"Yeah?"

Brees blinked but stood himself to his full height and spoke in his low, rolling southern accent. "Yer Honor, are ya truly related to the prosecutin' attorney as well as all of the docketed character witnesses?"

"Unfortunately." Uncle Jake growled back in his northern dialect. "Yer point counselor?"

"Then I wish to propose to postpone the proceeding until another judge is available."

The Brotherhood snapped their heads around and stared at him.

" 'Scuse me?" Uncle Jake hissed.

"Idiot.' Cokata grinned and relaxed back in his wheelchair, winking at McCoy.

"Mr. Brees did ya just question my abilities to be an impartial judge? Question my competence to act morally with the law in mind fittin' this courtroom despite who are involved in the case? This courtroom where I have ruled consistently uncontested for forty years?" Uncle Jake snarled and actually rose to his feet.

Brees shrank away from the judge. "Yer Honor, I didn't-"

"Ya didn't what, Mr. Brees?" Uncle Jake snorted.

"Yer Honor, I'm not questionin' yer competency-"

"GOOD!" Uncle Jake boomed. "Now that we're all on the same page let's get down to business, first, get that pup outta here. I'll not have a child in court while her parents go at it. Jim, take her out. I don't need yer testimony."

The judge dropped into his seat and straightened his robes and flannel shirt.

"But... " She fumbled slightly to decided what to call the judge before following the Brotherhood's example. "…Uncle Jake I want to stay with my Papa." Joanna protested helplessly and clung to McCoy's shirt. Uncle Jake looked up at her before straightening up and folding his hands in front of him.

" 'M sorry, young lady. I understand yer want but ya must understand that I don't think it's very good for ya to be here right now. I promise ya'll see yer Papa as soon as I'm able to release him to yer custody, understood?"

Joanna sighed before nodding and sliding off McCoy's lap, sire and daughter reluctant to make the last break of physical contact before Joanna scooped up her backpack and dutifully took Jim's hand and looking back at McCoy walked quietly outside the court room.

Jim caught Spock's eyes for a moment before nodding assuringly and slipped out of sight.

Spock shifted slightly in his seat and but settled when Cody lightly patted his knee.

Spock turned his attention outward, soaking in his first experience of true court proceedings in silence. The first hour ticked by slowly as Brees and Cokata battled passively, pleading their cases and lashing out at Jocelyn and McCoy in nearly every sentence. While Brees seemed to act out and spoke harshly while Cokata's calm tenor was like honey laced with poison. It was almost dizzying and Spock nearly caught himself thinking of more idle things until late in the second hour records were produced and the series of character witness started with Spock.

He sat calmly in the witness stand, making sure to keep his attention on Cokata.

"State the nature of yer relationship with Doctor McCoy for the court, Mister Spock." The wheelchair bound man coaxed.

"I am stationed as the First Officer and Science Officer on the USS Enterprise. Doctor McCoy is the ship's Chief Medical Officer. And by default is my person physician."

"He ever act unprofessionally?"

"He retains an unusual bedside manner but has never shirked his duties." Spock responded honestly.

Cokata smirked. "I guess we can all honestly say that Doctor McCoy has a certain kind of character. But Mister Spock, in a crisis... can ya honestly say that ya would prefer someone else workin' on ya or anyone else in the crew?"

"Starfleet's medical personnel are highly trained and well practiced before they are put into the field or crisis situations. But even compared to this extensive preparedness Doctor McCoy has shown an unusual brilliance and talent for his position. It would be less than ideal to have another take his position and duties. Especially on the Enterprise, as the flagship of the Fleet she is often provided the most excellent individuals in their fields. To have a subpar Chief of Medical is illogical if not hazardous to the well being of the crew."

"Have ya ever witnessed any... strange behavior from Doctor McCoy when he is performing his duties? Has he ever intentionally harmed or neglected someone in need? Ever been selective 'bout who he treats and how?"

Spock's eyebrow twitched up, "While I cannot testify for the times of which I am absent from the medical bay I have never witnessed abusive behavior from Doctor McCoy. He often over extends himself in his work, giving up personal time to act as ship's counselor and work in the medical labs. Doctor McCoy has proven himself to be honorable and exceptional in his profession. Furthermore... I personally prefer him as my physician. Doctor McCoy has handled my medical files and needs with an amount of decorum that I have not received from other medical personnel."

McCoy cocked his head and caught Spock's eye at the admission. The hybrid dipped his head before returning his attention to Cokata.

"Alright, so we've established that there's no one better suited for physical support, should Joanna fall ill or be injured."

"Indeed."

"Mister Spock were ya aware that Doctor McCoy was a father?"

"It was stated in his personal files."

"So, with access to his personal files ya are aware that he is also divorced and due to his position in Starfleet and onboard the Enterprise has agreed to a standing judgment that his daughter remains on Earth in the care of her mother."

"Yes."

"And ya are aware that this judgment is not a surrender of parental rights? That Doctor McCoy could sue for custody and she would be allowed on board the Enterprise?"

"It is unusual for civilians or family members to be allowed stations on active ships but not unheard of with special circumstances."

"But ya are aware he has that right?"

"Yes."

"Ya have never seen Doctor McCoy interact with his child before have ya?"

"No."

"Objection. Relevance?" Brees snorted.

"Yer Honor, I'm tryin' to establish the plaintiff can be a proper caregiver both physically and emotionally." Cokta protested just as quickly.

Uncle Jake sighed. "Mister Brees, refrain from makin' idle objections in my house. I don't want to mark ya as a pain in my ass but I will. Go on Cokata."

"So, Mister Spock, the first time ya ever saw 'em together was out in the hall earlier?"

"Yes."

"Yer a creature of observation. What was yer first impression? What ya think when ya saw them together?"

Spock paused for a moment, deciding to keep his theories of the aggression Jocelyn had instilled in her interactions with McCoy to himself unless questioned specifically about it.

"I... believe that both were exceptionally... happy to see one another. I am under the impression that they have not interacted in some time, though the amount of affection and devotion that McCoy displayed for Joanna was returned equally."

Cokata hummed quietly for a moment. "So... ya'd say that there wasn't any kind of behavior or action ya saw that warranted some kind of fear that McCoy abused his position as a father, that he would neglect or mistreat Joanna?"

Spock bristled, more accusations of misbehavior? He glanced at McCoy who looked just as appalled as he felt.

"No." Spock responded coolly and checked himself when Cokata sent him a warningly look to relax. Spock breathed out. "No. I do not believe that Doctor McCoy is capable of performing such behavior on a stranger, much less his own child... whom in my observations, he very much cares for."

"So ya, in yer personal and professional opinion don't think that an environment centered 'round Leonard McCoy would be a harmful one?"

"Quite the opposite."

Cokata winked at him before backing off and Brees rose and strode forwards. Spock stiffened in his seat and focused on Brees.

"Mister Spock, ya'll are the son of the Vulcan Ambassador Sarek are ya not?" The man drawled and unlike Cokata wove and sidestepped through the room.

"This is true."

"So he was in yer home on again, off again, wasn't he?"

"My father was often away, yes."

"So, would ya consider him absentee? One step down from a runaway?"

"Mister Brees." Uncle Jake growled softly before Cokata or Spock could react. "Watch what ya say 'bout an important diplomat."

"I'm tryin' to make a point, yer honor-"

"Then make it without slandering my parentage." Spock said icily.

"Mister Spock."

"Apologies, Judge Deepwater."

"Cain't blame ya but leave it to me or Cokata. Alright?"

"Yes, your Honor."

Uncle Jake nodded before rounding on Brees. "Then make yer point without slanderin' his parentage. It's a little too 'Deep South' for my northern blood, Mister Brees. Go forward carefully."

Brees looked as near murderous as he dared but didn't dare make an accusation of an unfair court.

"Alright... Mister Spock Vulcan's mate for life, don't they?"

"Unless conditions and circumstances are otherwise influencing the marriage then yes, Vulcans mate and bond for a lifetime."

"So... yer as close to havin' a single parent home as anyone from Vulcan? Without havin' one parent dead or some such, right?"

Spock suppressed a tick in his jaw. "Possibly."

"Yer Honor, I'm startin' to wonder who's on trial here." Cokata sighed.

"I'm-"

"Yeah yeah yeah, makin' a point." Cokata harshly cut off Brees. "Actually yer tryin' to discredit the witness by makin' an example of his supposedly non-existent father, who actually did exist, by propositionin' that he was essentially raised in a 'single parent household' by his mother. Therefore tyin' to design a defense that if Spock here grew up the way he grew up with only periodical and short exposure to his father then why in Hell shouldn't Joanna McCoy be submitted to the same, seein' as how by precedent set by the witness himself, that she wouldn't be adversely effected by the absence of her father. Right?"

By this point Brees was flushed so deeply he was red in the face.

"Am I right?" Cokata pressed.

"Yer Honor-"

"Is he right Mister Brees?" Uncle Jake asked with a raised eyebrow.

Brees stood rigid and red in the middle of the courtroom, fists clenched and swallowing hard. Uncle Jake snorted before turning to Spock.

"Mister Spock, ya have this court's apologies for the unprovoked attack on yer childhood and familial ties. Ya may step down."

Spock nodded before pushing himself up and strode passed Brees without looking at him before settling down in the bench next to Cody. She lightly touched his elbow.

Go sit with Jim and Joanna, sugar.

Spock breathed out softly before nodding and rising slowly before passing out of the courtroom as Casper ws called to stand. Spock briefly glanced back and noticed McCoy watching him. The doctor mouthed a silent apology and only turned away when Spock dipped his head.

Once the door was shut behind him he breathed deeply, letting a small vibration of barely controlled anger ripple into his limbs and make his hands shake slightly.

"Spock?"

His head snapped up and he was already moving towards where Jim and Joanna were sprawled across the floor. Between them was a torn open ream of white paper half gone, a metal tin of colored wax crayons and another one of sticks of charcoal and synthetic lead pencils. Joanna's pale blue backpack and denim fleece jacket were in a heap on the floor among scattered papers that were filled either with wild, brilliant colors casual drawings or abstract designs or fine, carefully made sketches of a more practiced hand. There were designs of everything from flowers and animals to Federation ships and portraits of individuals.

Joanna was lying on her belly, paper directly on the stone floor while Jim sat with his back against the wall and a heavy criminal law text in his lap providing the support of a drawing pad.

"Is my Papa, alright?" Joanna asked, pushing herself up slightly.

"He is anxious for the proceedings to end but it physically well." Spock assured.

Joanna huffed quietly before easing back down onto her belly and went back to coloring in a sketch of a fox. Spock tilted his head and looked down at the drawing, watching while Joanna filled in between the lines with red.

"Are you okay?" Jim asked quietly. Spock pulled away and stepped over, hovering for a moment before easing down to sit next to Jim against the wall.

"I am well." He assured, neatly folding his hands into his lap. Jim hesitated for a moment before tipping the law text towards him, showing Spock a sheet of paper that was filled with a carefully drawn sketch of Joanna where she was lying on the floor, bent over the impromptu coloring page Jim had made for her. Though Joanna's hair was tied up in reality, in his sketch Jim had drawn her hair down, spilling over her shoulder and pooling onto the floor.

"I'm going to give it to Bones in a minute. Keep him motivated, you know?" Jim shrugged a shoulder,

"He's good at drawin' isn't he?" Joanna hummed from where she was.

"I was unaware that you possessed this ability." Spock said quietly.

Jim twitched his lips up. "When we were kids Ben and Ina wanted us to be 'well rounded'. So we all had to play at least one sport all year round, play at least one musical instrument and be active in one fine art. On top of getting good grades and doing rodeo. I picked drawing because I thought it would be easy."

Jim shook his head before focusing back on the drawing and skating his pencil across already made lines, darkening them.

"I know so much about anatomy it makes me queasy." Jim's eyes flicked up towards Joanna then snapped back down. "I could have been on a medical track at Academy and been just fine..."

"This regiment of education was instilled on you by Cody and the Brotherhood's parents? Not your own?"

Jim shrugged a shoulder while he shaded in Joanna's neck and under her hair. "I volunteered."

Spock nodded, it was common knowledge that Jim scored well above genius level in academics. It was possible that the sheer amount of raw intelligence had developed at an early age. If Jim's home life had been as neglectful as Spock believed then it was likely that that intelligence was just as neglected and could have been stunted, at least until he'd thrown his lot in with the Chicalato clan.

Jim had said he'd been six when met Cody, just missing the first crucial five years where a child's mind grew exponentially... how much more intelligent and advanced would Jim have been if those first six years had been nurtured correctly.

Jim skimmed his pencil over the paper, putting in the last few details before carefully folding the page into quarters and awkwardly pushed himself up to his feet and stepped around Spock. "Watch Joanna for a second. I'll be right back."

Jim jogged away and ducked into the courtroom. Spock watched him for a moment before looking around at Joanna.

"Wanna draw?" Joanna held out her red crayon and Spock hesitated before taking it and pulling a fresh sheet of white paper towards himself. He splayed his legs, setting the paper flat on the floor before starting a geometric doodle in red near the edge.

The design grew across the page slowly, added to with dark purple and yellow. Spock only paused when Jim returned, with another law book for Spock to use as a support. The trio sat idly, sketching and coloring, occasionally appraising each other on their work. Joanna took some serious interest in Spock's careful and measured lines and shapes, wondering aloud if they were mazes. Spock watched Jim discretely draw the hybrid's own portrait from the corner of his eye.

After the sixth drawing of Joanna and third of Spock Jim seemed to have had enough and slumped down towards the floor, fingers blackened by charcoal and eyes shut.

Spock gave up his own attempts at art shortly after and Joanna filled the silence by rearranging the pictures and adding a winding narrative that involved Spock and a red fox and a band of unicorns marching across a desert to save Princess Joanna from a dragon and a witch and a thunderstorm all at once. Their misadventures often interrupted by quicksand and evil soldiers made of rock or fire and occasionally a giant panda wearing a bow tie that demanded sacrifices of strawberries or solving complex riddles that evidently were difficult even for this imaginary Spock.

Whenever there was a gap in a story Joanna quickly scribbled together a scene to put into the midst of what was quickly becoming a book. Spock realized it was winding down when Princess Joanna, the fox, the reformed dragon that couldn't fly and himself bid faire well to the band of unicorns and went to live on a pink grass ranch with Captain Jim, Cody the Valiant and Papa.

By the end of if Spock was near exhausted just listening.

"Jo, make sure you tell that story to Mister Spock's Dad the first chance you get, okay?" Jim muttered from her slumped seat against the wall, looking more asleep than awake.

"Is he comin' to holidays?"

"I dunno. Hey Spock, you're dad coming to holidays? I'm sure he's welcome."

"I am unsure what his schedule will entail at the time. Nor do Vulcans celebrate holidays in the fashion that humans do. Though I will extend the invitation upon the next time that I speak with him."

"Awesome." Joanna hummed.

"Totally." Jim smirked and yawned. "How long have we been at it?"

"Six point two three hours since I have exited the court room." Spock responded instantly.

"No minutes or seconds Mister Spock?" Jim sighed.

Before the hybrid could respond the doors to the court room opened up, the room emptying with McCoy striding in the lead and breaking into a jog towards them.

"Papa!' Joanna squealed, scrambling up to meet his embrace and hugged tightly. Spock and Jim pushed up to their feet and straightened their wrinkled dress shirts.

Joanna pushed back from her father and looked up at him. "Can we go home now Papa."

"Ya do know that we're goin' to the ranch, right." McCoy assured.

Next to him Jim breathed a sigh of relief and grinned widely at McCoy, the doctor looked exhausted but at peace.

"Yes! I'll go say good bye to mama." Joanna dashed down the hall, skidding passed the cluster of the Brotherhood, Uncle Jake, Russ and Wallace to quickly speak with her mother and Mister Brees.

"Got her for the rest of liberty." McCoy rushed out looking like he was near hyperventilating.

"That's great Bones." Jim huffed and pulled the older man into a hug. McCoy gripped the blonde tightly, letting out a shuddering sigh before stepping back and turning to Spock.

"Well done, Doctor." The hybrid praised.

"I'm sorry that happened, Spock."

"What happened?" Jim asked sharply, bristling.

"That bottom feeder went after Spock's dad." McCoy growled and jerked his head towards Brees. Jim snorted and stiffened up.

"Jim. Cokata and Judge Deepwater did a fair job of correcting him." Spock assured.

"You can call him 'Uncle Jake', Spock." Jim muttered as he deflated.

"We are not related-"

Jim shrugged and looked to where Cody was shaking Uncle Jake's hand before he grudgingly allowed her to kiss his cheek. The rest of the Brotherhood was walking towards them, praising Cokata whose predatory wolfish grin had been replaced by the gentle, fatherly smile.

"Jacob Deepwater is Ina's brother. And he really doesn't like any of us. Never figure out why?"

"'Cause he didn't like Dad." Casper snorted, stepping back slightly as Cody moved in, smiling at McCoy specifically. The older man twitched back a smile but most of his attention lingered on Joanna who was nodding distractedly to anything that Jocelyn seemed to be saying to her.

"Relax Caniwahu." Cokata assured. "Wallace is goin' to go with 'em to get her stuff and he'll bring it up later but she's goin' with us."

McCoy nodded stiffly but refused to look away from Joanna. Jim busied himself collecting the scattered papers, crayons and bits of charcoal, stuffing 'Spock's Grand Adventure' into Joanna's backpack and zipping it up before handing it off to the doctor along with the fleece lined denim jacket.

Cody lightly gripped McCoy's elbow and gave him a gentle tug to follow her. The doctor resisted briefly before following dutifully over to where Jocelyn and Brees were talking to Joanna. The other's stiffened while Joanna happily wrapped herself around McCoy's arm and hand again while the medical officer and his estranged wife exchanged stilted words. Wallace hovering slightly and watching closely.

"C'mon." Jim nudged Spock towards the stairwell as the Brotherhood made their way down. "Russ! Good luck with the baby!"

"Thanks Jim!" Russ called back, waving and tucking his laptop under his arm.

Spock followed the Brotherhood and Jim down into the lobby and out into the heavily falling rain, Casper carrying Cokata and Creek the folded wheel chair, they made a mad dash back to the Durango and waited patiently until McCoy and Cody rushed out, Joanna squealing and clinging to her father's hand desperately.

They settled back into their places in the SUV, Joanna curling up in McCoy's lap in the front seat.

The ride back was uneventful and filled with the brothers recounting to Jim every move Cokata had made in the court room.

By the time they had arrived at Native Sky, Joanna was asleep had to be carried indoors, they trooped back in stripping off the dress shirts and diving for sweaters and hooded sweatshirts. Spock could feel a level of exhaustion seeping into his muscle but followed Jim out to the arena where he saddled Jeepers Creepers and did circles and paces alongside Jim and Yellow Wolf, working and improving diligently on more and more complex cues for the better part of an hour before Jim said he was slightly lightheaded.

The large breakfast seemed to have run its course and Spock walked closely at the blonde's side, flexing to react each time the tired human stumbled or yawned.

They stepped into the quiet kitchen, the drifting scent of warm chowder still filling the room while Cody was washing dishes at the sink, the albino German Sherpherd, Canteska, curled up and sleeping at her heels. She sighed silently at their appearance and pointed them to sit down as she cranked the remainder of the soup back to heat.

Jim slumped in his seat, eyes heavy.

You two didn't get a snack or anything, did you?

They shook their heads and Cody snorted softly before crossing to the refrigerator and pull out a large sealed bowl and a carton of orange juice. She opened the container and set it between the two and nudged a ceramic container full of flatware towards them. The bowl was filled to the brim with large chunks of sliced fruits and whole strawberries. She poured each of them a tall glass of the orange juice.

From off in the corner Nemo A534 rose stiffly to his paws and trotted towards them, bathing Jim and Spock's hands with his tongue before nudging them to be scratched behind the ears. While Spock focused on the one eyed shepherd Wagi shifted around to receive the same attention from Jim. Situpsa and Anahme stayed curled on the pillow in the corner, dozing and huffing in soft snores.

Jim pulled out a fork, speared a piece of melon from the bowl and almost swallowed it whole. Spock followed his example, eating communally out of the bowl with the blonde, chewing far more slowly than Jim and taking the majority of the strawberries for himself while Jim centered on the peaches and pears. The blonde perked up and looked more awake as the fruit diminished and the glass emptied. Spock felt the effects himself and relinquished the fruit without complaint when Cody replaced it with a large bowl of chowder, bobbing with chunks of bread.

"Did everyone already go to bed?" Jim asked, biting into his own slice of baked bread.

Len's in the den with Joanna. He can't sleep. They're watching a movie or something like that.

Jim perked, "I'm going to go sit with them."

The blonde scooped up his bowl and started towards the den, Wagi and Nemo A534 following. Spock hesitated a moment, watching as Cody poured two large cups of coffee, before she picked them up and jerked her head towards Jim's path and Spock followed, his hands wrapped around the bowl and warmed through the ceramic, Canteska on their heels. The den was dimly lit, occupied most by the pale glow of the large vid screen in the corner and the room filled with the soft sounds of a children's movie playing on the nano-pixel surface. Brilliant colors and scenes animated by some kind of computer program of what looked like some kind of dragon and a depiction of what may have been a Viking or Scandinavian riding on its back.

McCoy had settled himself in one corner of the plush, russet love seat. He looked alert but tired, his skin seemed to be just slightly vibrating, back in his crème sweater and loose fitting jeans, his hair ruffled and sticking up in odd places. Joanna was curled up and asleep in his lap, dressed in pale blue flannel pajamas and bundled up in a quilt of geometric purple, blue and white designs.

Jim had settled himself into the love seat catty corner to the couch, crossing his legs and settling his bowl into his lap. There was a black fleece throw blanket crumpled on the seat next to him. Cody sidestepped around Spock and handed McCoy one of the cups of coffee before she folded herself into the couch next to him and Joanna.

Jim used one hand to lift and offer the blanket, Spock moved over took it then settled himself into the other cushion of the love seat, Jim's eyebrows flicked up in surprise but shifted over to make room for him. Spock situated the blanket around his frame and mimicked Jim, keeping the bowl of chowder in his lap and focused on the movie. Nemo A534 shifted around to lie on of Spock's feet and ankles.

The room settled into quiet, the easy breathing of the small group relaxed the young hybrid until his eyes were nearly half lidded.

He was truly at ease, something felt oddly whole. As if all the pieces of a complicated puzzle had finally be set into play and now the actual action of fitting it all together was far easier. He was comfortably exhausted, his muscles buzzing quietly as they settled, soothed by the heavy meal pooling in his stomach. His senses slightly dulled and unfocused.

It was a kind of peace that eased him down to his core and relaxed him in a kind of way that not even the deepest level of meditation could. He felt his mind uncoiling and smoothing out as his heartbeat slowed and became almost sluggish, his world drowning in the soothing hum of the four humans and three dogs around him. A stray, semi-blissful hope drifted to the forefront of his mind, asking quietly to the beings and powers that Cody and Jim and McCoy and maybe the beginnings of Spock himself believed controlled fate and the universe to let it last for a little while yet.

"Can we start it over?" Jim asked and McCoy snarled unpleasantly.

A/N: Sorry for the delay on this chapter, ya'll. Stuff happened and I got lazy for a little while. Anyway. This had a little bit of everything in it; you almost can't tell that it was only about a slot of about twelve hours in a day.

Little shout out to my Amigo Amy on this one and her obsession with anatomically correct art work, which does involve some stuff from this series. I bet this chapter will make her want to draw drawings of Jim and Spock drawing drawings.

And of course the movie they all watch in the end is Dreamworks How To Train Your Dragon. I am absolutely obsessed with this movie and new fandom and have already posted a one-shot for it you can check it out on my profile. If you haven't seen this movie GO SEE IT NOW. I highly recommend it.

And for all those of you who are well aware of how court proceedings take place and the law is upheld I AM ONE OF YOU, I have a half finished degree in Criminal Justice, and 'bent laws' because of conflict of interest and what not in this chapter are all due to dramatic effect and all that jazz. I promise I know what would really happen in a court but would you rather have the realistic court of McCoy sitting around with his baby girl in pajamas and braiding hair?

Much Love GO SEE DRAGONS

Mary T.