July

Qo'nos

Khan groaned softly as he opened his eyes and found that he was in a bed within what appeared to be in a hospital room. He quickly realized that his body was covered in bandages and tubes as if he had been seriously injured. Symbols of the Klingon Empire adorned the walls.

"Khan, you're awake," Khan suddenly heard a gruff voice say. "I am relieved to see you alive."

Exhaling sharply, Khan looked up and saw Captain Jassan and a Klingon he did not recognize standing beside his bed, "Where am I?" Khan asked in a weak voice. "I do not recognize..."

"You are on the Klingon homeworld of Qo'nos, Khan," the Klingon spoke. "You were seriously injured on Marris Three and have been in a coma for the last few months. How do you feel?"

Khan's eyes widened, "Zachary tried to kill me," he hissed. "I cannot believe that."

"It is unfortunate," Captain Jassan said calmly. "However, you are alive and if you choose, you will be welcomed into the Klingon Empire as a citizen and given all rights and privileges."

Khan nodded and sighed warily, "I cannot believe I lie here in a hospital bed and Starfleet rejoices, thinking I am dead," he spoke grimly. "I wish that the Klingon Empire would seek peace with Starfleet under the guise of punishing them for what they have done to me...my life."

"We do not have those abilities at this time, but perhaps in time, we will," Captain Jassan replied, intrigue in his voice as he mulled over Khan's words. "It is an interesting idea."

The other Klingon sighed, "I shall bring the idea to my commander," he replied. "Perhaps..."

"No, arrange a way to make Zachary consider the idea," Khan spoke softly. "Even at his worst on Rura Penthe, he spent his time trying to make peace with others. He is a true diplomat."

Captain Jassan nodded, "We shall look into it," he replied gruffly. "You should rest."

With that, both Klingons left the room and left Khan alone with his very interesting plans.

Presidential Mansion - San Francisco, California - Earth

"What a lovely cake," Arianne said in a tired voice as she wandered into the kitchen and saw Leonard making a multi-tiered chocolate cake. "Is this one of your mother's recipes, Len?"

Leonard nodded and offered Arianne one of the spatulas he was using to ice the cake, "How are you feeling today?" he asked, smiling as Arianne took the spatula and licked it. "Pretty good?"

"This is wonderful," Arianne replied softly. "I'm assuming this is for Independence Day and not to celebrate Lorian's acceptance into Starfleet Academy? We don't need Lorian getting drunk."

Leonard nodded, "I've been up since five," he replied gently. "There are more in the fridge."

"I'm looking forward to eating while I have an appetite," Arianne replied softly as she licked the spatula. "I don't know if I'll have much of an appetite after I start chemotherapy tomorrow, but I'm going to try to live as normally as possible. Pavel's on the mend enough that he and Joanna are back at their apartment and planning for the baby. Are we too young to be grandparents?"

Leonard shrugged, "We have 16 year olds that are finished high school," he replied in an amused voice. "Zachary will be going to the university and Kathy decided to join Charlie at college so he wouldn't be alone. I'm not sure if we are too young, but we are alive."

Arianne nodded and smiled as Joanna, who was somewhat pregnant and wearing maternity clothes as a result, came into the room, "Mom, Pavel's here with Lieutenant Sulu," Joanna said in a kind voice, eyeing the cake with interest. "Daddy, do you need someone to test that?"

Chuckling, Arianne left the room and silently went down the hallway to the atrium, smiling when she saw Pavel sitting with Hikaru, who was seated in a wheelchair and wearing oversized civilian clothes with his pips on his collar. Hikaru sighed and smiled weakly when he saw her.

"I left Demora with the children in the yard," Hikaru explained softly. "It's a lovely day."

Arianne nodded as she sat in a padded chair across from him, "I...I'm feeling weak, but well enough that I want to talk about the attack, Commander McCoy," Hikaru spoke shakily.

"All right," Arianne replied softly. "Would you like Pavel to stay or do you want to talk alone?"

Hikaru sighed softly, but didn't say a word, "I am goeeng to geet a hot dreenk from ze repleecator," Pavel said as he stood up. "I veel be ower zere eef you need me, Heekaru."

Arianne smiled at Hikaru and Hikaru swallowed hard, "I'm ready," he spoke softly.

Library

"Valeris, did you want to come outside and join us in the water?" Zachary asked in a kind voice as he came into the library and saw Valeris at the computer. "It's a good day for swimming."

Valeris sighed, "I am trying to encode a small message," she replied tonelessly. "It is important."

"An encoded message?" Zachary asked in a confused voice. "Why do you want it private?"

Valeris raised an eyebrow as she turned to look at him, "During his time on Rura Penthe, my father was assaulted by a Romulan guard and that guard had a son by him," she explained tonelessly. "I have learned that my father's son and his mother reside on Romulus."

"You...you want to send a message to Romulus?" Zachary asked in a shocked voice.

Valeris nodded, "I wish to know more information about my brother," she explained tonelessly.

"Valeris, if Starfleet intercepts your transmission, you'll get your whole family in trouble," Zachary replied in a concerned voice. "Starfleet has forbidden contact with Romulus."

Valeris frowned, "How can you support that?" she replied harshly. "I am half-Romulan."

"I know," Zachary replied anxiously. "Your parents are Starfleet officers, though."

Valeris's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing, "Maybe when you're in the Academy, you can learn a bit about them," Zachary continued softly. "They offer classes about alien species."

"Perhaps," Valeris replied tonelessly. "I will destroy the message and join you outside."

Zachary smiled and left the library, but Valeris did not destroy the message; she instead found herself adding information about her life and her desire to know more of both her Human and Romulan heritage because she had spent her whole life questioning who she truly was. After studying the message for punctuation and grammar, Valeris silently sent the message off.

Starfleet Gardens

"So you're going tae Starfleet Academy at last, lad?" Scotty asked Joachim as he came into the gardens and found Joachim planting red roses in an empty flowerbed. "I ran intae your father and Isabella as they were heading tae the party and your father said you were accepted?"

Joachim nodded, "I am going into Science with a secondary study in Communications because my mother had been a Communications officer on the Enterprise for a time," he replied calmly.

"Your mother would be proud of you," Scotty observed quietly. "Are those roses for her?"

Joachim sighed, "Red roses were her favorite flower," he replied softly. "I got permission."

"Are ye coming to the party?" Scotty asked quietly. "Ye can celebrate your achievement."

Swallowing hard, Joachim sighed, "I'm not much for parties, but please tell Lorian congratulations for me and that I also got into the Academy," he replied softly. "Once I'm done with the flowers, I may just go home or for a walk. I'm just wanting to be by myself."

"I'm actually not going tae the party quite yet meself," Scotty replied. "I've got tae go to the airport and pick up me older sister, Dannan, her boy, Peter, and all of their luggage. They are moving tae San Francisco in hopes of a fresh start after me sister's husband was jailed."

Joachim frowned, the question in his eyes even though he said nothing, "It's nothing you need tae worry about, lad," Scotty replied calmly. "You should really go enjoy the party."

"Perhaps I will," Joachim replied softly, sighing as Scotty turned and jogged off down the path.

A gentle hand touched down on Spock's shoulder and he flinched, but said nothing.

"Oh, Spock, I'm sorry," Spock heard Jim's voice say. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Spock opened his eyes and was surprised to see Jim standing over him with an unfamiliar woman at his side, "Is Uhura around?" Jim asked quietly. "I'd like to talk to both of you."

"I believe Nyota is in the water with Amanda, Saavik, Tuvok, Charlie, Kathy, Demora, George, and the others who have chosen to swim," Spock replied tonelessly. "I may do so later."

Jim nodded, "Spock, this is Antonia Parker and she is in charge of adoption tours all over the world," he explained softly. "Before Edith died, you know that she and I had applied for one."

"What...is an adoption tour?" Spock asked in a confused voice as Jim and Antonia sat down.

Jim looked at Antonia, "An adoption tour is where selected couples go to various orphanages around the world and see if they would like to adopt any parentless child," Antonia explained.

"It sounds interesting," Spock replied tonelessly. "How...how does one pursue this?"

Jim smiled as Nyota got out of the pool and walked over to them, "That is something that Ms. Parker can talk to you and Uhura about," Jim said as he stood. "If you'll excuse me, please."

Jim wandered through the yard and was surprised to see Dr. M'Benga and Carol sitting in one of the swings, silently kissing as if they had never kissed before. He also saw Lorian sitting alone on a patch of grass in a meditative position while Charlie Evans-Scott watched him silently.

As Jim was debating what else he could do to pass the time until more people arrived, the side doors opened and Pavel wheeled a shaken looking Hikaru outside. Jim watched as Pavel parked Hikaru near the food table and helped Hikaru get a plate full of the healthiest food available.

Wondering if Hikaru had finally talked to Arianne, Jim wandered inside and quickly found Leonard in the kitchen, silently doing dishes by hand, "Bones?" he asked in a worried voice.

"I'm all right, Jim," Leonard replied in a shaky voice. "I just need to clean up these dishes."

As Jim nodded, there was a clank and Leonard swore as he wrenched his left hand out of the water, immediately swearing when he found it bleeding profusely, "A glass broke," Leonard finally grunted in an anxious voice as he grabbed a clean towel. "Go get me my med-kit..."

"Bones," Jim replied anxiously, frowning as Leonard started to cry. "Bones, sit down."

Leonard grumbled under his breath, but sat at the kitchen table, "I think M'Benga's outside," Jim said in a concerned voice. "I can go get him to stitch up your hand. That looks deep."

"I haven't gotten a full night's sleep in days, Jim," Leonard replied in an upset voice, unaware that M'Benga had come into the kitchen looking for plastic glasses. "I'm really overwhelmed."

Jim silently looked at M'Benga, who nodded and silently held up the med-kit that he had brought with him in case of an emergency, "Doctor McCoy?" Dr. M'Benga asked softly.

Leonard, however, said nothing and Dr. M'Benga silently joined him at the table, "Bones cut his hand doing dishes," Jim spoke up as Dr. M'Benga sterilized his hands and examined the cut.

"It will need to be cleaned, sutured, and bandaged up," Dr. M'Benga explained softly.

Leonard nodded, "Can...can you check on Arianne for me?" he asked shakily. "She's in the storage room with Jo and Kathryn. They're looking at whatever clothes are in there."

Nodding, Jim silently left the kitchen and wandered down the hallway, stopping in his tracks when he passed by the playroom and saw piles of clothes all over the couches and chairs that were for both adults and children. Arianne, Joanna, and Kathryn were seated on an empty patch of the couch and Joanna was laughing as Arianne and Kathryn showed her clothes.

Swallowing hard, Jim silently reached into his pocket and snapped several photos of the encounter, as he knew things wouldn't always be so peaceful and small things were precious.

Starfleet Communications

"Admiral Marcus, thank you for coming," Hawkins, who had received the encoded message destined for an off-planet destination, said in an anxious voice as Admiral Marcus came into the room where the main messaging terminal was. "I intercepted this message and it's encoded."

Having recently been given the temporary job of overseeing external communications until a more permanent solution could be found, Admiral Marcus nodded and frowned as Hawkins pulled the message up on the screen. There was no name attached to the message, as Valeris had not wanted it to come back on to her parents if the message ended up being intercepted.

"Oh, this looks like a simple personal essay used for admissions purposes," Admiral Marcus lied even though he was immediately suspicious of Saavik and Valeris simply because they were the only half-Romulans he knew to be residing on Earth. "I'll take care of it, Mister Hawkins."

Hawkins nodded and left the room, leaving Admiral Marcus alone and cursing under his breath as he silently copied the message to his own personal email before locking away all evidence of it from the public logs. He knew that Spock was going through a difficult time and would be quite upset if he knew two of his adoptive children were behaving in such a manner.

Truth be told, Admiral Marcus didn't think Saavik would have anything to do with such a message because he had observed her to be quite obedient to both her parents' rules and Starfleet regulations as Amanda and Tuvok were. Valeris, however, was another story.

Admiral Marcus sighed as he gazed at the evidence in his hands, knowing that he had to do something to ensure that Valeris would learn. She had been attempting to contact a known enemy of Starfleet and that was against the law. However, Valeris was still a child yet.

Swallowing hard, Admiral Marcus pocketed the evidence and silently left the Communications building before Hawkins returned. He knew that President Pike was holding a party at his home today and he also knew that he couldn't keep something like this completely to himself.

Presidential Mansion

"Leonard, what happened?" Arianne asked in a shocked voice as she came into the kitchen to get some water and found Leonard sitting at the table, wincing as Dr. M'Benga silently bandaged his sutured left hand. "I was helping Joanna find some clothes that fit..."

Leonard sighed, "Broke a glass doing dishes," he replied softly. "I needed to do something."

"Leonard, I'm not going to die from this," Arianne replied firmly. "I promise you that."

Leonard frowned and Arianne sighed, "Spock told me in his meld that I would be able to fight this and beat it," Arianne spoke softly. "We'll have many more precious years together."

"Your hand should be fine in about a week, Leonard," Dr. M'Benga said calmly as he packed up his med-kit and smiled. "If you feel the need to keep busy, spend time with your children."

Leonard nodded and Dr. M'Benga went outside, "I...I might go to counseling," he spoke in a reluctant voice as Charlie Evans-Scott entered the kitchen. "Young Mister Scott, how are you?"

"I'm good, Doctor McCoy," Charlie Evans-Scott replied calmly. "Is my dad back yet?"

Arianne's eyes narrowed in confusion, "Dad went to the airport to pick up my Aunt Dannan and her youngest son, Peter," Charlie Evans-Scott replied calmly. "They're moving here, I guess."

"Scotty never mentioned a sister, let alone a nephew," Leonard mumbled. "Very odd."

Arianne, however, said nothing, as Scotty had told her a few details about his family in confidence and mentioned that he might have some family visit, "I'm going outside to eat," Leonard said in a calm voice as he stood up. "Do you want me to get you anything?"

"I'll be out in a few minutes," Arianne promised softly, smiling at him. "Go have fun."

Once Leonard had gone outside, Charlie Evans-Scott looked at Arianne with a concerned expression on his face, "Commander McCoy, my dad asked me if you would be willing to talk to my aunt and possibly my nephew after they've had time to settle in," he asked in a quiet voice.

"If your aunt is comfortable with it, of course," Arianne replied softly. "Are you having fun?"

Charlie Evans-Scott sighed and silently walked outside, wanting to be alone with his thoughts.

Swallowing hard, Arianne silently walked outside and as she was going to go sit by the pool, she noticed Admiral Marcus walking across the grass with a very serious expression on his face while carrying a stylus under his arm. She watched as he walked towards the pool area, specifically over to where Spock and Nyota were sitting, talking with a kind looking woman.

The woman said something to Spock and Nyota before moving away while Admiral Marcus talked quietly to both of them. Spock frowned and slowly got to his feet with Nyota's help before they followed Admiral Marcus to a more private part of the yard out of her view.

San Francisco Airport

Scotty smiled as he approached the gate and saw Dannan, a very thin woman with dark hair, lingering near the window, her hands pressed down on the shoulders of a small boy with equally dark hair who was wearing oversized clothing. Peter looked small for a boy of 10.

"Monty," Dannan whispered softly. "The trial's over and he's got a life sentence, but they're not going to let him stay on Earth. They're shipping him off to some penal colony on Saturn."

Scotty nodded, sympathy in his eyes, "I got an apartment in San Francisco in the same building as some of the crew are in," he replied calmly. "There's room for you, Peter, Charlie, and I."

"Oh, how is that boy of yours doing?" Dannan asked softly. "He's in the Academy now, right?"

Scotty grinned, "He's an Ensign now and waiting for his first posting," he replied proudly."I've had him on the Enterprise with me so he can learn the ropes and he's learned quite a bit."

"I'm sorry I wasn't able to attend Charlie's Academy graduation, but..." Dannan spoke softly.

Silently embracing his sister, Scotty kissed her cheek, "You and Peter are safe now," he replied in a reassuring voice as Peter joined the hug. "Didn't Colin and Shannon want to come too?"

"Colin's of age and he's going to stay in Scotland so Shannon can finish school, but they might come visit from time to time," Dannan replied softly. "They said that Peter and I should go."

Peter looked up at Scotty and Scotty smiled, "Hello, Peter," he said kindly. "I'm Uncle Monty."

"He hasn't talked since the trial," Dannan spoke softly. "He...we both need counseling."

Scotty nodded, "Let's get your luggage and go," he said in a gentle voice. "Okay?"

Presidential Mansion

"Commander, if you need to rest, we can have this discussion another day," Admiral Marcus spoke in a concerned voice as he watched Spock sink into a padded chair. "It is important..."

Spock sighed, "I have decided to take the former Admiral Barnett's Academy duties and with it comes a promotion to Captain," he replied tonelessly. "I will assume my duties when I am well."

Nyota's eyes widened slightly, but Admiral Marcus nodded, "Right now, I'm overseeing external communications and I was notified of an encoded message that was destined for Romulus," he explained in a serious voice as he held out the stylus. "I know of only two who could have written it, but only one stands out to me as having a desire to make such communication."

"I do not understand," Spock replied tonelessly. "Are you accusing someone in my family...?"

Heartsick, Nyota took the stylus and sighed, "How much trouble is Valeris in, Admiral Marcus?" she asked in a distressed voice. "She wanted to contact someone we thought to be dead..."

"Jaron," Spock spoke quietly, distress in his eyes. "She wished to contact the son that was conceived against my will by Valdore on Rura Penthe. Perhaps I made a mistake in telling..."

Spock paled and immediately slouched in his chair, pressing a hand against his chest, "I was warned to rest in case I experienced symptoms," he spoke tonelessly. "Nausea and fatigue."

"We can discuss this another day," Admiral Marcus commented in a concerned voice.

Swallowing hard, Spock turned paler, but managed to move himself to a couch where he could lie flat, "I will take responsibility for Valeris's actions as I am the one who mentioned Jaron to her and to the rest of my family." he said in a shaky voice. "I...just need a moment to rest."

"Just rest for a bit, Spock," Nyota spoke gently as she walked over and quickly put a pillow under his head and covered him with a blanket from the top of the couch. "Close your eyes."

When Spock was asleep, Nyota led Admiral Marcus out of the room, "Spock just had a radiation treatment yesterday and I thought we should stay home today so he could rest, but he wanted to come so the kids would have an opportunity to enjoy themselves. We shouldn't have come."

Nyota was quiet for a moment and then sighed, "I suppose I'll have to talk to Valeris about this myself," she replied in a distressed voice. "I let her research, but I didn't let her go this far..."

"I'd like to impose the seriousness of this upon her," Admiral Marcus said. "Mind if I join you?"

Swallowing hard, Nyota nodded followed Admiral Marcus into the yard to find Valeris.

"Chekov, do you have a moment?" Jim asked in a kind voice as he came over to a tree where Joanna and Pavel were sitting, silently reading a PADD that contained a list of available postings in Starfleet that he could do with his physical limitations. "President Pike wants to talk to you."

Pavel frowned, "About vat, sir?" he asked in a confused voice. "I know I cannot do Secureety..."

"It's not about that," Jim replied calmly. "President Pike's in the front yard, at the fountain."

Joanna sighed and smiled as Pavel helped her stand up, "I'm only a few months pregnant, but my stomach's sure getting big," she commented in a pleasant voice. "I'd almost think I was..."

"Having more than one?" Jim asked in an amused voice which quickly turned somber. "Perhaps whatever Khan gave you is making the baby grow faster? Maybe you should get checked."

Pavel shuddered at the mention of Khan, but kept quiet as he led Joanna around to the front yard with Jim. President Pike was sitting quietly on the edge of the fountain holding a stylus.

"Ah, Lieutenant and Nurse Chekov," President Pike asked kindly. "How are we doing today?"

Pavel sighed, "I hawe been lookeeng at seeings I can do for Starfleet zat don't involve Secureety," he replied in a concerned voice. "Ze doctors say my body is no longer able to handle ze physical stress zat Security breengs. I must seenk of my wife and our baby."

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about, Pavel," President Pike spoke calmly. "I've been going over the logs from the Marris Three mission and you served as a leader for all the prisoners, which shows you have an ability to be in command. I was wondering if you wanted to return to the Academy for about a year and take courses in the Command branch so you can have time to truly get better and enjoy your baby. After that, I can get you a Command posting."

Pavel and Joanna looked at each other silently and Pavel nodded, "I need to seenk of my health and my fameely," he spoke softly, gazing at President Pike. "I vill accept your offer, seer."

"Excellent," President Pike replied in a pleased voice. "I'll make the arrangements with Admiral Harriman that you'll start in the fall. He's the new Academy Superintendent, you know."

President Pike smiled at Joanna and Pavel as he stood and walked around the yard to see how his guests were doing. He suddenly frowned when he noticed Admiral Marcus and Lieutenant Uhura lead a sullen looking Valeris into the house while Saavik and Zachary followed closely.

"I cannot believe my private message was intercepted," Valeris scoffed as she stormed into the kitchen and over to the table. "It is my right to send messages to family I do not know of."

Admiral Marcus scoffed, "Starfleet and the Romulan Star Empire are not at peace right now and as a result, communications between the two factions are closely monitored," he replied in a firm voice, ignoring the fact that Zachary and Saavik had followed him. "Not all Starfleet Admirals would be as understanding as I am attempting to be. Some would arrest you."

"Earth has freedom of communication laws, do they not?" Valeris asked in a toneless voice.

Nyota looked appalled and she paled as President Pike entered the kitchen, "Well, Admiral Marcus, I'm glad you found time to come to the party," President Pike said in an official voice as he walked over to the table. "Is there something going on that I should be informed about?"

"Valeris attempted to send a message to Spock's son on Romulus and Admiral Marcus intercepted it," Nyota replied anxiously. "Spock offered to take responsibility for it, but he physically can't right now. He's on the couch in your family room sleeping off symptoms."

President Pike closed his eyes briefly and sighed patiently before opening them again, "I see," he replied in a tight voice, trying to hide his anger. "What do you think I should say?"

"I am not truly an Earth resident, I am merely a refugee who was adopted by a kind and compassionate family," Valeris spoke tonelessly. "I am reminded of that fact every day..."

Saavik scoffed, "Illogical, Valeris, you are what you choose to be," she replied sharply. "I too came to Earth as a refugee, but I now see it as my home and this family as my true family."

"This can never happen again," President Pike spoke, anger in his tone. "To send any message to Romulus could trigger an interstellar war and that is precisely why the Federation has not made an effort to contact them or the Klingons. We simply cannot defend ourselves if..."

Zachary suddenly cleared his throat, "I am not sure what to say about the Romulans, Grandfather, but I believe that the Federation and the Klingons will come to a peace one day," he spoke in a dignified voice far beyond his age. "They are much like us in intelligence."

A silence fell over the room as President Pike looked at Zachary, deeply intrigued, "Perhaps you may be right, but we must cope with now," President Pike replied calmly, sighing heavily.

"Am I under arrest, sir?" Valeris asked tonelessly, simply wanting to be free of this nightmare.

President Pike sighed, "You are still a minor and your parents still have responsibility over you, so I will have to discuss this with them," he replied quietly. "You children may go outside now."

Saavik immediately went outside, but Zachary had to forcibly drag Valeris from the room because she seemed reluctant to leave on her own. President Pike let out a quiet sigh.

"Admiral Barnett was shipped off to the Titan Penal Colony last night at 2300 hours," President Pike spoke in a grave voice. "I fear that if Valeris continues on her current course of behavior, she will end up there herself when she is of age. She has much potential and yet she is wasting it by holding on to her anger. What plans does Valeris have now that she is finished school?"

Nyota swallowed hard, "Amanda is going to the local university with Zachary, Saavik is going to attend the city college with Charlie and Kathy, I believe," she replied nervously. "I'm not sure..."

"Michael and Johnny Harriman will also be attending the city college," President Pike replied in a tactful voice. "That is not what I asked, however. I asked what Valeris's plans were."

Nyota frowned, "She...she has not told me," she replied. "Perhaps she has told Spock."

There was a tense silence and Nyota's eyes widened as Spock slowly entered the room, gripping every wall and piece of furniture that he could to support himself, "I apologize, but I believe my rest will be more productive within the safety of my own home," Spock spoke tonelessly.

"Sit down for a moment, Spock," Nyota spoke softly, quickly helping him to the table.

Spock swallowed hard as he sat at the table, "Vulcans have extraordinary hearing and I am aware of both the situations and the reactions to it," he explained tonelessly. "I am quite distressed over the situation concerning Valeris and I have offered to take responsibility..."

"That's not an option, Spock," President Pike replied firmly. "Your health won't allow it, but I don't feel this can be ignored. Has Valeris said what she will do now that she is done school?"

Spock shook his head, "It was my belief that she was going to pursue college or university studies," he replied tonelessly. "If she is not going to do that, perhaps home-study."

"I recommend we restrict Valeris's travel movements to Earth until she is of age and get her into a university or college program," Admiral Marcus spoke up in a reluctant voice. "Perhaps she will grow out of her anger surrounded by positive influences. That is my suggestion."

Spock closed his eyes and Nyota gently stroked his hair, "I would like to be the one to inform Valeris of this decision," he spoke tonelessly. "I am the one responsible for her choice."

"You already did, Admiral Marcus," President Pike spoke softly, seeing that Valeris was standing in the doorway, looking unusually angry. "Valeris, I trust you heard this conversation?"

Valeris's eyes narrowed and spoke a few words of Vulcan to Spock before tearing out of the kitchen before anyone could stop her, "Nyota, I wish to return to our home to rest," Spock spoke in a toneless voice, his heart breaking. "Valeris...is angry and will calm herself."

"Sit here and I'll get Amanda, Saavik, and Tuvok," Nyota replied even though she planned to go see if she could find and calm Valeris down. "I'll come back when I've gathered the kids."

Deeply shaken by the confrontation with Valeris, Admiral Marcus left the house, but President Pike sat down at the table with Spock. He wanted to try and be there for his friend if he could.

"Valeris, what's wrong?" Zachary asked in a concerned voice as he followed Valeris across the yard towards the gate that separated the mansion from the rest of Starfleet's properties.

Valeris, who wanted to get away as fast as possible, glared at Zachary, "I am to be banned from leaving Earth until I am an adult for the message I sent!" she snapped. "That is illogical."

"You promised me you wouldn't send that," Zachary replied in a pleading voice. "Why did you?"

Valeris sighed and frowned as she suddenly saw Arianne pushing a tired looking Hikaru, who had felt like talking more about his assault, towards them. Without hesitating, she lunged towards Arianne and knocked her to the ground, grabbing her phaser as she got to her feet.

"Valeris, what are you doing?" Arianne asked in a shocked voice. "Is this some sort of joke?"

Quickly setting the phaser to stun, Valeris pointed it at Arianne, "Get me off this planet, Commander," she hissed angrily. "You and Zachary know how to do it. Do it or I hurt you."

"Valeris?" Zachary asked anxiously, gasping as he watched Valeris force Arianne across the grass and over to where he was standing. "Mom...let's just take Valeris to the shuttle bay."

Arianne's eyes widened in shock, "Valeris, please, my mom's supposed to start chemo tomorrow and this is scaring her," Zachary said anxiously. "Let me take you there."

Valeris was silent for a moment and nodded, "Come on," she ordered in a sharp voice.

Swallowing hard, Zachary walked alongside Valeris and the two left the grounds in silence.

Shaking uncontrollably, Arianne wheeled Hikaru back into the yard and immediately ran over to where Jim and Lorian were chatting with several others who had come to the party. Jim's eyes widened as Arianne quickly told him what had happened and what was going to happen.

Starfleet Shuttle Bay

Scotty sighed warily as he helped Daanan and Peter off the bus and got them and their bags on to the piece of Starfleet property that had a public bus stop on it. Peter looked at all the large buildings with great interest in his eyes, but he said nothing because he still felt afraid.

"This is the closest stop tae the apartments," Scotty explained calmly. "Are ye hungry?"

Daanan sighed, "I just want to get to the apartment, to be honest," she replied. "I'm tired."

"Aye," Scotty replied in an understanding voice, knowing that Daanan wanted to rest.

As the three Scotts made their way across the lawn, a loud alarm suddenly filled the quiet air and Peter immediately clung to Daanan fearfully. Scotty, however, looked around and as he got his phaser off his belt, he saw Valeris leading Zachary across the grass towards the shuttle bay.

"What are ye doing?" Scotty shouted at Valeris as he hurried towards them. "Stop!"

Instead of stopping, however, Valeris fired a shot towards Scotty, but missed and grabbed Zachary by the collar, "Don't follow us," she snapped, waving the phaser at Zachary's head.

Scotty reluctantly lowered his phaser and watched helplessly as Valeris disappeared into the shuttlebay with Zachary, "Monty, what WAS that?" Dannan asked in a shaking voice.

Before Scotty could reply, more alarms blared across the grounds, "Red Alert!" a voice said.

"Let's get ye and Peter to safety," Scotty said in an urgent voice. "Before it gets any worse."

As President Pike's voice came over the loudspeakers to explain what was happening, Daanan nodded and held Peter close as they followed Scotty towards the closest building to hide.

"This was illogically easy," Valeris spoke in a toneless voice as she and Zachary boarded a shuttle and saw nobody coming to stop them despite the alarms. "Did you plan this?"

Zachary scoffed, "It's summer and a lot of personnel are on leave, Valeris," he replied in an anxious voice. "Are...are you sure you want to leave? It doesn't make any sense to me why..."

"You are Human and you belong here," Valeris replied harshly. "I do not belong here."

Zachary swallowed hard and turned towards the controls so that he wouldn't have to look at Valeris pointing a phaser at him. As he figured out what to do, he suddenly saw several Security officers rushing into the building with phaser rifles pointed at both them and the shuttle.

Swearing, Valeris pushed Zachary aside and used one hand to keep the phaser trained on him while she used the other to start up the shuttle. Phaser fire rocked the shuttle as it rose into the air and blasted out of the bay, incapacitating the armed guards and damaging the building.

"Valeris, please!" Zachary pleaded in an anxious voice. "You...you can go get counseling!"

Valeris, however, said nothing and Zachary forcibly shoved her from the pilot's seat, "You've never flown before and you don't know where you're going," he hissed, cringing as Valeris jammed the phaser into his neck. "What are you going to do once you leave Earth?"

"Search for Romulus," Valeris replied tonelessly. "I want to know my family."

Once the shuttle broke free of Earth's orbit, Valeris sighed heavily, "This shuttle's not going to make it all the way to Romulan space," Zachary spoke in a concerned voice. "You know that."

"You're Starfleet's golden boy for killing Khan," Valeris snapped. "Starfleet would find it very problematic to harm me because it would mean potentially causing harm to you, Zachary."

Loud alarms suddenly sounded out from Spacedock, "News travels fast," Zachary breathed.

Within minutes, alarms blared throughout the shuttle and the communications terminal beeped, "Keep going," Valeris ordered. "I'm sure this shuttle will get us somewhere."

"No," Zachary replied as he brought the shuttle to a stop. "Valeris, this is stupid."

Valeris shoved Zachary from the pilot's seat, "I do not consider it stupid to want to embrace my Romulan heritage," she replied in a cold voice. "I have been seen as alien trash by the Vulcans and I am never going to pass as a Human. Do not expect me to be like Saavik, my love."

"You love me?" Zachary asked in a quiet voice as he got up off the floor. "I didn't..."

Setting the shuttle on autopilot, Valeris stood and walked over to Zachary, "I love that we are both unique," she whispered, gently planting a kiss on his lips. "I will set you free, my love."

Before Zachary could reply, Valeris administered a nerve pinch to his shoulder and Zachary immediately dropped to the floor unconscious. Setting the phaser aside, Valeris dragged Zachary on to the transporter pad and swiftly shot him in the ribs before moving back.

"Live long and prosper, my love," Valeris whispered as she quickly inputted the co-ordinates for the shipyard's station and pressed energize, sighing as Zachary's form dematerialized.

Muttering something in Vulcan, Valeris waited until she was nearly at Saturn before inputting the command for maximum warp. As she was about to go to warp, however, the shuttle stopped as if it had been caught in a net. Loud alarms sounded and the comms beeped.

"This is the Titan Penal Colony," a harsh voice said. "Identify yourself, unauthorized shuttle."

San Francisco, California - Earth

"Security officers attempted to apprehend Valeris and her hostage at the shuttle bay, but she was able to escape Earth in a shuttle," Giotto explained in a somber voice as he and several Security officers stood in front of President Pike's desk. "We are preparing to pursue them.."

President Pike sighed and glanced briefly over at Jim, Spock, Nyota, Leonard, Arianne, Scotty, Pavel, and Hikaru as they sat together on a large couch, waiting for information. Once news of Valeris's actions had gotten out, President Pike had cancelled the rest of the party, sent the guests home, and told his grandchildren and their friends to stay in the mansion for now.

Even though it was summer and most personnel were on shore leave, President Pike had immediately ordered a Red Alert situation. He was both confused and horrified that Valeris had not only tried to send a message to Romulus, but had taken a hostage and fled Earth.

The comms terminal suddenly beeped, "Incoming message from Titan," a voice reported.

Frowning, President Pike pressed the vid-com screen and frowned at seeing a guard on the screen, "President Pike, prison security just apprehended a shuttle that was being piloted by a young lady who calls herself Valeris," the guard explained. "She said she beamed her friend to the shipyard station before proceeding towards Romulus. Should I send her back to Earth?"

For a moment, President Pike was silent as he looked at Spock and Nyota and slowly shook his head, "I'll contact you in a few days about Valeris," he replied tersely. "Put her in a cell."

The call ended and President Pike looked grim, "I'll dispatch someone to get Zachary from the shipyard station immediately," he spoke sternly, ignoring the sorrowful expression that Nyota was giving him. "Valeris, however, has become a criminal and I need a few days before I can decide what to do about it. In the meantime, let's make sure Zachary gets home safely."

"I'll go get him," Leonard offered, smiling as Jim also stood up. "I guess Jim will come too."

President Pike nodded and sighed wearily as Jim and Leonard left his large office.

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