A/N: And here is the end. Looks like I did make it before Halloween.
Kirk looked around the square. All fights had stopped and people had broken away to nurse their wounds. His heart leapt when he spied a familiar, blue-shirted figure start running from Ka'ari to Ka'ari.
"Bones!"
McCoy glanced up and Kirk jumped down from the platform. He hurried over to the doctor and grinned. "It's good to see you!"
"Same here, Jim, but sit down before you fall down." The doctor pointed sternly at the ground. Kirk chuckled to himself. He should know better than to approach McCoy while in full doctor mode.
For once, just happy to see that his missing friend was all right, he stayed still as McCoy prodded his torso and back. "No scanner?"
"I can't find my medkit," he replied. "Or my communicator. We were separated early on."
"Speaking of separated you'll have to tell me where you've been." Kirk hissed as the fingers ran over one spot and McCoy frowned.
"It's a long story. Well, your ribs are bruised but nothing's broken, and I'll have to get a dermal regenerator over your face." McCoy straightened. "Now I've got to go track down Spock…"
Kirk watched him move off for a moment before spying another flash of yellow. "Mr. Sulu!" he called, struggling to his feet. The man rushed over help but Kirk only grinned at him. "You brought the cavalry just in time."
Sulu blushed. "Thank you, Captain. We would've been here sooner but we only had our legs to carry us."
"Nevertheless, you did excellent work." He was about to continue when Caynar approached him. "Captain."
Sulu excused himself and left them in peace. "Caynar. It's great to know that you're alright."
"And you, too," he said warmly.
"Was that…?"
"Lefilat," the Ka'ari said sagely. "A vision of her has not been seen in decades, much less on such a scale. We will follow her orders to the letter."
"We will help you rebuild the settlements," Kirk said, for indeed there was also damage to the upper one. "And when the Enterprise returns that's more than 400 people who can also help."
Caynar bowed his head. "Thank you. You are most kind." His gaze shifted somewhere over Kirk's shoulder. "And we have much work to begin," he said softly.
Kirk turned around in time to see the sun rising, lighting the colorful sky.
It was the morning after the day after the battle. Construction of the lower settlement was well underway. Kirk was taking a quick break from lugging timber from the forest across to the village. He looked around the blueing sky. Forrest and Sulu were conferring with several Ka'ari on how to farm, with Essa there to help translate for the curious little ones. Bones was in a deep discussion with Nattuck. Kirk noticed that the doctor had his hands on the reins of a sleek black horse. As he watched, he saw Bones place the reins in Nattuck's hands. The boy looked up and instantly started stroking the creature's mane. Kirk chalked it up as another question he would have to ask McCoy when he finally heard the doctor's tale.
"Captain." Spock approached from somewhere on the plains. "The Enterprise has returned and made contact." He held up a communicator.
"Spock, I think you're the only one of us who's managed to hang on to what he came here with," Kirk commented.
Spock looked at the device. "Actually, I am unsure if it is actually mine. I came across it in the forest while we were marking trees for timber."
"Nevertheless, at least the ship is back." Kirk took it from Spock's outstretched hand. "Scotty, you there?"
"Aye, Captain," came the reply. "Sorry fer the wait. Are ye alright, sair?"
Kirk considered. "Yes, Scotty, though I don't think we'll be staying much longer." He considered mentioning Brady and Collins, but didn't want to worry the Scotsman. "Stand by."
He closed the channel just as Caynar walked up. "I heard," he said. "And must thank you for your help." He glanced back at the bustling village. "We have learned much, but must continue to grow and experience on our own some. Return to your ship. Your Federation is always welcome here."
Kirk thanked him deeply. He had a feeling he was going to miss the Ka'ari leader. Nattuck was eagerly racing up with the black horse, and so he and Spock stepped away to leave them to themselves. They warned Sulu's group to say their good-byes and then caught up with McCoy.
"Bones, ready to go home?"
"Jim, I've been ready. Just say the word. Blast it, I'm even looking forward to that transporter!"
"That bad, Bones?"
"Well no, I've been in worse fixes."
Kirk chuckled and they took their positions as Sulu, Forrest, and Essa joined them. A crowd of Ka'ari formed around them.
"Beam us up."
The six shimmered gold, then vanished.
Spock was thoughtful. Yes, he was often thoughtful, but he was exceptionally thoughtful now as he contemplated the existence of Lefilat.
On the one hand, it was not surprising. They had encountered god-like beings before, namely Apollo. Yet this one was much like a mother to the planet, which was odd in that none of the other Ka'ari had god-like abilities. The evolutionary dynamics of the planet would surely be fascinating to learn about.
"Mr. Sulu." Kirk interrupted Spock's musings and he turned from his station on the bridge.
"Sir?" Sulu asked.
"Leading the diversion task force as well as into battle coupled with countless acts of bravery is very notable, don't you think?"
Sulu couldn't think of something to say, but was saved from answering as Kirk continued.
"I've filled out a request to Starfleet for a field promotion for you."
The helmsman's eyes widened and then he smiled ear to ear. Uhura grinned as well, offering congratulations as Chekov clapped his friend on the back.
All things considered, Spock found the request logical. He returned to preparing to warp out and his musings of Lefilat, as well as the odds of such a thing occurring.
McCoy, down in Sickbay, didn't care about the logic and conundrums of it. Tiysha undoubtedly existed, and he was grateful. He lightly touched his temple. The headache was still gone. Doubtless Jim would be down soon, wanting his report of the events on Lefia. He had to think of something, he was pretty good at bending the truth a little. After all, it was his secret to keep.
He passed a computer monitor and switched on the viewport. The solar gasses still hung around the planet, but too high in the atmosphere to color the sky as brightly. With a start he realized it looked like two arms encircling the globe, holding it and its people lovingly. He recalled Tiysha's words to him in the second settlement.
It was their secret to keep.
It's DOONE! And McCoy's healed from Mirror Spock (that secret), and they're all alright (except for two redshirts) and it's Finished! Now I can start working on my Halloween story (gosh, this is a lot of writing.) Stay tuned to my page when I upload it, and please review! I want to thank you all for following this story and for reviewing. I get so excited whenever I see a new one and they're so positive and helpful! Thank you all so, so much, and God bless y'all!