Three Days Later

"Captain, may I trouble you for a moment?" Admiral Marcus asked in a tired voice as he entered Jim's Ready Room and saw Jim sitting at his desk surrounded by PADDs. "I didn't see you on the Bridge."

Jim nodded, "The warp core is in the process of being repaired and I thought I would take a few minutes to see what paperwork needs to be done since Yeoman Rand is helping Commander McCoy teach the children today," he replied in a pleasant voice. "I assume Commander Spock told you where I was?"

"Yes, he did," Admiral Marcus replied nervously. "Captain, I've come to ask you not to press charges."

Jim looked slightly surprised, "Admiral, I wasn't planning on pressing charges," he replied gently.

Admiral Marcus's eyes widened slightly, but he said nothing, "Anthony was upset about Carol and I admit that I feel guilty about what happened," Jim explained softly. "Once we go back to Earth, do our repairs and debriefings, I am going to do what I can to make sure she is rescued from the Romulans."

"I'm planning on returning to a dirtside posting and taking Anthony with me, Captain," Admiral Marcus replied in a tired voice. "I know that I can trust Starfleet to find Carol, but I can't handle being on a starship any longer than I absolutely must and Anthony really needs to get back into a routine."

Jim nodded and sighed, "Admiral, I hate to do this, but I have to finish writing the report of what happened between rescuing Ensign Chekov and our confrontation at Deneva," he said in a tired, apologetic voice as he gazed at a PADD. "After I'm done, I need to get my boys from school."

"It's not a problem, Captain," Admiral Marcus replied as he stood up. "I want to look in on Anthony and see how he's doing at therapy anyway. He's helping the children decorate the Rec Room for Christmas."

Jim nodded and sighed wearily as Admiral Marcus left the room before he turned his attention to work.

Recreation Room

"What exactly is Christmas, Commander McCoy?" Charlie Evans asked in a quiet voice as he watched Arianne and Lorian set up a plastic tree up in the far corner of the Rec Room. "It sounds interesting."

Charlie looked up from the popcorn he was stringing at the table, "At Christmas, people get to eat lots of yummy food and they get lots of presents from people!" he replied in an excited voice. "It's really fun."

"That sounds interesting," Charlie Evans replied, unnerved by young Charlie's eagerness. "When is it?"

Kathy looked up from the plastic ornament she was painting, "It's in December," she replied softly.

"It's on December 25th," Joanna spoke up in a gentle voice as she painted one of the many small plastic ornaments that Scotty had willingly replicated for this activity. "We won't be back to Earth by then."

Arianne smiled as she opened the box of ornaments that were either homemade or replicated, "That doesn't mean we can't make Christmas special," she replied gently. "Zachary, do you want to come and put some of your homemade ornaments on the tree? Your Papa and I have kept all of what you made."

"Mommy, where's Peter?" Zachary asked as he watched his mother. "He's old enough to be with us."

Arianne sighed, "Peter's probably with his father or his uncle," she replied, very concerned about how Sam was managing to take care of Peter with injuries and Aurelan injured. "I'm sure he'll come…"

Suddenly, the door opened and Yeoman Rand came into the Rec Room holding Peter while a nervous looking Marla followed behind with Joachim at her side, "I stopped by the Captain's quarters and convinced Doctor Kirk to let me bring Peter here for a while," Yeoman Rand explained in a cheerful voice as she set Peter on the floor in the middle of the play mats and toys. "He was released yesterday."

"Hey there, Peter," Charlie Evans said in a calming voice as he sat down beside the very young child.

Peter looked up at Charlie Evans and smiled, "Mommy, can I go help?" Joachim asked Marla softly.

Marla released Joachim's hand and watched with intrigue as he went over to the table where Joanna, Charlie, and Kathy were sitting, decorating ornaments, "I assume you are getting ready for Christmas?" Marla asked in a quiet voice as she walked over to Arianne and Lorian. "Will it be here on the ship?"

Peter cooed and smiled at Amanda and George, both of whom were also on the mats with him, "Where's Saavik?" Marla asked in a concerned voice, noticing that the young hybrid girl was absent.

Arianne, however, said nothing about where Saavik was, as she knew that the young girl wasn't comfortable around crowds, "Commander, would you mind looking after Joachim for a few minutes?" Marla spoke in a quieter voice. "I would just love a little time to myself and he's happy here."

"Of course, Lieutenant," Arianne replied in a reassuring voice. "Take all the time you need."

Marla nodded and silently left the room with the intent of finding out more about what happened to Khan because Joachim had been asking about his father recently and she had no answers for him. She did know, however, that Ensign Chekov had interacted with him and she wanted to talk to him.

Sickbay

"You're sure you don't mind checking in on Doctor Kirk for me?" Leonard asked in a nervous voice as he sat down in the chair behind his desk with the chemotherapy drip-line attached to his arm. "This will only take a few hours and I'll be okay for a little while after, so you could always go off duty and I…"

Dr. Piper smiled, "Doctor McCoy, I don't mind at all," he replied gently. "Do your treatment."

"Thank you," Leonard replied softly as he slouched in the chair and closed his eyes. "For everything."

Dr. Piper nodded and silently left Sickbay, not taking very long to reach Jim's quarters where Sam and Peter were staying while Aurelan remained in Sickbay, "Doctor Kirk?" he asked gently as he pressed the small intercom button that was just below the doorbell. "It's Doctor Piper and I was wondering how…"

The doors slid open and Sam stood in the doorway wearing a pair of sweats, a shirt, and slippers with his casted arm in its sling, "Doctor Piper, I was just about to lie down for a while since Yeoman Rand came by and took Peter off to the schoolroom," he said in a tired voice. "Is there something you need?"

"I just wanted to check on you," Dr. Piper replied calmly. "How is your recovery going, Doctor Kirk?"

Sam sighed and stepped aside to let Dr. Piper in, "I'm really grateful that there are so many people on this ship who are willing to take care of Peter so I can rest," he explained in a tired voice. "Doctor McCoy says that not much more can be done for Aurelan until we get back to Earth and that I should rest."

"Well, Doctor McCoy gave you some sound advice, but are you doing any sort of physical therapy?" Dr. Piper asked, concerned by the dark circles under Sam's eyes. "Are you at least taking small walks?"

Sam shook his head, "Not since Jim took me around that deck in a wheelchair a few days ago," he replied in a nervous voice. "It would be interesting to see some more of the ship, but I can't…"

"Why don't I take you for a walk to the Mess Hall?" Dr. Piper gently suggested. "Just to start with?"

Sam nodded, "Since the Mess is only one deck up, I don't think that would be too much of an issue," he replied, hoping that he would be able to actually eat something hearty. "Can we go up there now?"

"Of course," Dr. Piper replied pleasantly, pleased that Sam seemed to be so open to help from others.

Mess Hall

Pavel silently entered the room and automatically avoided the table where Tonia, Tomlinson, Martine, and a few other officers were all seated, "Ensign Chekov, would you like to join us?" Martine called out in a friendly manner, remembering Captain Kirk's speech on the entire crew helping Chekov recover.

"Let me geet somezeeing to eet first," Pavel replied nervously. "Zen I might come seet vith you."

While Pavel was at the replicator, however, he failed to notice a nervous looking Marla enter the Mess Hall and come over to him, "Ensign Chekov, may I talk to you?" Marla asked in a nervous voice.

"Lieutenant McGeevers, vat do you vant to talk about?" Pavel asked as he inputted his food order.

Marla sighed, "I wanted to ask you some questions about Khan," she replied in a nervous voice.

Pavel's body stiffened up and he gazed at Marla expressionlessly, "I do not know vhy you vant to talk to me about Khan, Lieutenant," he replied nervously. "I cannot tell you anyzeeing about heem."

"You were with him for five days, Ensign," Marla replied in an upset voice. "You know what he is like and his son is asking me about what his father is like. I would find Khan for Joachim, but I do not know where Khan is, so I am forced to figure out what he is like now; you are the only one who seems to know."

Pavel froze at the use of his rank, "I vas heez prisoner," he replied in an anxious voice. "I vas kept avake for five days straight by heem and zen he left me to bleed to death on ze planet of Delta Wega."

"Joachim is curious about his father," Marla said in a firmer voice. "I order you to help me find him."

Pavel frowned, "You do not hawe a posting on zees sheep," he replied in an uncomfortable voice.

"And you are on medical leave," Marla replied fiercely as she subtly pinned Pavel against the wall and swiftly dug her fingernails into the crook of his arm. "You've got nothing better to do than help me."

Pavel gasped softly, "Now, Chekov, where is Khan?" Marla asked in a fierce, but very quiet voice.

"I do not know," Pavel replied nervously. "Ze last time I saw heem vas on Denewa."

Marla sighed, but did not release her grip on Pavel's arm, "I wish to know everything that happened between you and Khan while you were his prisoner," she replied fiercely. "Let's go for a walk."

Not wanting to make a scene and feeling as if he could do nothing about the situation, Pavel silently left the Mess Hall with Marla unaware that Tomlinson had noticed the entire scene, "I need to check on Stiles in the phaser control room, but it won't take long," he lied in a calm voice as he stood up.

Angela nodded and smiled as Tomlinson left the room, relieved that they would get married in a matter of days as part of the many small festivities that the Captain wanted to have to celebrate Christmas.

"Mister Spock, anything?" Jim asked in a tired voice as he came out of his Ready Room and saw Spock sitting dutifully in the command chair while the rest of the Bridge staff worked quietly around him. "I worked on the report a bit, but I need to have a break from it. Where's Lieutenant Uhura, anyway?"

Spock blinked as Jim approached the chair, "Nyota got a communication from Saavik requesting accompaniment to the activity that is being held in the Recreation Room," he replied in a quiet, but toneless voice. "It has become apparent that Saavik has become rather attached to Nyota and I."

"And that's a bad thing, Spock?" Jim replied in a quiet, amused voice. "She's familiar with you two."

Spock was quiet for a moment, "If you want to go spend some time with Uhura, Saavik, and Amanda, Spock, there's not really a need for you to be up here," Jim commented softly. "I can manage for a little while and if there's an emergency, I won't hesitate to call you back up here. Go visit your family."

"Of course, Captain," Spock replied tonelessly, keeping silent as he swiftly left the Bridge.

By the time Pavel and Marla had reached the ship's information center, Pavel's arm was bleeding rather badly from Marla's fingernails, "Ze computer should tell us vhere Khan is," Pavel whispered anxiously.

"No tricks, Chekov," Marla hissed in an anxious voice. "I want to have answers for Joachim."

After silently activating the ship's intercom in hopes that someone would hear what was going on and help, Pavel looked at Marla questioningly, "Vhy do you not look on ze computer yourself or vith Joachim instead of being aggressive vith me?" he asked in a curious voice. "Vhy do you really vant to know?"

"After I became pregnant with Khan's child, Arianne and Doctor Puri sent me away to Alpha Centauri without even letting me talk to Khan," Marla explained in an anxious voice. "I asked Admiral Marcus about Khan several times, but he had no idea where he was. You were with Khan for five days and must have some idea where he was intending to go after he left you. If you have any idea where, I…"

Pavel frowned, "You vant to find him, don't you?" he asked softly. "Because you lowe heem."

Marla's eyes narrowed, "My interest is purely historic," she replied coldly. "Now, where is he?"

Terrified by the intense look in Marla's eyes, Pavel trembled and began to sweat anxiously, but said nothing. Marla scoffed and slammed him against the computer console, but Pavel said nothing.

"H-he said somezeeing about going to Romulus," Pavel replied anxiously. "I do not know how."

Marla nodded, "His assistant, Serij, was a hybrid and claimed to be half-Vulcan, but I thought he acted more Romulan," she replied in an intrigued voice. "Is there any way you can take me to Khan?"

"Ve are closer to New Wulcan and Earth zen to Romulus," Pavel replied anxiously. "Eet eez too far."

Marla frowned, "Can we not send him a message?" she asked in an upset voice. "I need him."

Beginning to feel overwhelmed by the situation, Pavel shook his head, "Then help me to the shuttlebay so that I can go to Khan myself and tell him of his son," Marla spoke in a softer voice. "You must."

Before Pavel could reply, Marla reached into his pocket and took his phaser, "Perhaps this will motivate you," she replied in an anxious voice as she pointed the phaser at Pavel. "I don't want to hurt you or anyone, but I desperately want Khan to know about his son and I want to be the one to tell him."

Swallowing hard, Pavel fought off tears as he moved to the door, "It vill look suspicious eef you have ze phaser out in ze open," he replied in an anxious voice. "I can ask ze Keptin eef you can contact…"

"Would you prefer I set the phaser to kill instead of stun?" Marla asked in an anxious voice.

Pavel shook his head and flinched as sirens suddenly filled the hallways and red lights began flashing, "You activated the intercom!" Marla hissed in an anxious voice. "You've got to hide me, please!"

Anxious, Pavel slammed his hand against the button and fled the room, well aware that Marla was following after him. He ended up outside of the phaser control room and anxiously burst inside, nearly scaring Tomlinson and Stiles out of their wits, as Tomlinson had been telling Stiles about what had happened between Pavel and Marla in the Mess Hall and asking how they could safely handle it.

"Lieutenant McGiwers eez after me," Pavel panted in an anxious voice. "Tell ze Keptin!"

Jim, however, had already overheard the small conversation between Pavel and Marla and had contacted Spock to see what he could do with the help of Hendorff and three other Security officers.

With the entire ship on lockdown, Spock, Hendorff, and the other Security officers found it relatively easy to get through the ship, "Tomlinson to Kirk," Spock suddenly heard his communicator say.

Spock quickly got his communicator out and opened it, "Captain Kirk is on the Bridge, Mister Tomlinson," he replied tonelessly. "He is aware of the situation and we are looking to respond."

"Ensign Chekov's in Phaser Control and he's wounded," Tomlinson replied anxiously. "Should…?"

The comm suddenly went dead and Spock, Hendorff, and the other Security officers didn't hesitate to make their way to the phaser control room, but they heard the sound of phaser fire as they approached.

As Spock opened the door, phaser coolant began to trickle out the door and anxiously covering their mouths, Hendorff and the other Security officers jumped out of the way. Spock, however, strode into the room and quickly found Stiles and Tomlinson passed out near the console while Pavel was laying underneath the damaged phaser coolant box with blood on his sleeve and also on his shirt.

Taking great care not to further injure Pavel, Spock carefully dragged the young Ensign out of the phaser control room, "Alert Sickbay to Ensign Chekov's condition and also inform them that Tomlinson and Stiles have also been exposed to phaser coolant," Spock stated tonelessly. "If you'll excuse me."

Spock quickly hurried back into the phaser control room and Hendorff immediately knelt down next to Pavel while pulling his communicator out, "Hendorff to Sickbay," he said in an anxious voice. "Sickbay."

Sickbay

"…Hendorff to Sickbay," Leonard heard an anxious voice say. "Hendorff to Sickbay. Please respond."

Leonard opened his eyes and saw that the dripbox was empty, "Hendorff to Sickbay," the voice said.

Even though Leonard was slightly groggy from the treatment, he reached for his communicator as he silently removed the dripline, "McCoy here," he said in a concerned voice. "What is it, Hendorff?"

Before Hendorff could reply, Leonard spotted Dr. Piper come into Sickbay and pass several orderlies and nurses who were leaving with stretchers and supplies, "What happened?" Leonard called out groggily.

"There was some sort of crisis in phaser control that incapacitated three officers, including Ensign Chekov," Dr. Piper replied in a concerned voice as he entered the office. "How are you feeling?"

Leonard sighed tiredly as he got up from his chair, "I'll rest after I help," he replied groggily.

"Mom?"

Arianne looked up from the half-full box of ornaments and was surprised to see Joanna standing there looking concerned, "Joanna, I thought I told you to go to our quarters and sit with Charlie, Kathy, and Zachary," she said in a concerned voice. "Yeoman Rand is looking after Lorian, George, and Peter…"

"Doctor Kirk went to our quarters so he could be close to Peter since Yeoman Rand went up to the Bridge when the lockdown started," Joanna replied worriedly. "I came to see if you were okay."

Arianne sighed, "I thought I'd get a little more of this tree done," she replied in a gentle voice as she turned to face Joanna. "Nyota took Saavik, Joachim, Charlie Evans, and Amanda to her quarters."

Suddenly, the doors slid open and Marla entered the Rec Room with a phaser in her trembling hand and she immediately froze at seeing Joanna, "Marla?" Arianne asked in a concerned voice. "Are you okay?"

"I just missed Khan so much that I had to go and ask Ensign Chekov about him," Marla stated in an anxious voice, ignoring Joanna as she approached Arianne. "My son was asking about his father."

Arianne frowned, "Marla, where did you get that phaser?" she asked in a worried voice.

"Arianne, I didn't mean to hurt him," Marla said in an anxious voice. "He just wouldn't help me."

Joanna gasped as Marla held out the phaser and she quickly slipped out of the room to get help in case her mother ended up hurt, "Please, take it," Marla whispered anxiously. "Where is Joachim? Is he safe?"

"Joachim's safe," Arianne replied nervously, not wanting to put Nyota or her family in danger.

Marla nodded and threw the phaser at Arianne's feet, "I know Khan hurt me, but I miss him dearly and I just wanted to tell him about his son," she said in an anxious voice. "Chekov said he was heading to Romulus and I gather that he's gone to visit his former educational aide, Serij, there for a while."

Arianne said nothing, however, as she was concerned by Marla's state and what she might have done to Pavel in such a state, "Marla, I have to take you to Security," Arianne said in an anxious voice. "Okay?"

Marla tensed up slightly, but made no move to resist as Arianne approached her, "I don't want to lose Joachim," Marla said in an anxious voice as Arianne put an arm around her. "I'm so very sorry."

Arianne nodded and silently led Marla out of the Rec Room, not at all surprised to see Giotto and three other Security officers waiting in the corridor, "We'll take it from here, Commander," Giotto stated.

"Be gentle, Giotto," Arianne replied in a concerned voice. "Marla, go with the Security officers quietly."

Marla was quiet for a moment and then silently allowed herself to be led away by the Security officers. Arianne watched them go for a moment before turning away.

"Time of death, 2100 hours," Dr. Piper said in a somber voice as he covered Tomlinson's poison-filled body with a white sheet and looked up at a tearful Martine. "I'm so sorry, Miss Martine; he didn't make it."

Martine's eyes filled with more tears and she nodded, too shocked to speak, "Doctor Piper, Tomlinson didn't make it?" Stiles, who was resting on the next biobed with a breather in his hand, asked softly.

"I'm afraid not, Mister Stiles," Dr. Piper replied gently. "How are you feeling now?"

Stiles sighed, "Tired, but grateful to be alive," he replied groggily. "What about Chekov? How is he?"

Dr. Piper looked across the Sickbay to the biobed where Pavel was lying in clean pajamas with a mask over his face while Leonard bandaged his arm, "Ensign Chekov will be all right physically," Leonard replied in a concerned voice, frowning as Pavel tried to speak. "Pavel, relax; save your strength."

There was a heavy silence that stopped abruptly when Spock entered Sickbay, "Doctor McCoy, Doctor Piper, Captain Kirk has sent me to inquire as to the status of the patients," he stated tonelessly. "He and Admiral Marcus are in a closed video communication with President Pike concerning the situation."

"Tomlinson didn't make it, Stiles is stable, and I'm working on Chekov right now," Leonard replied in a semi-irritated voice as he looked up at Spock. "If you want to talk to Chekov, he needs to rest. He's got an abdominal wound, exposure to plasma coolant, shock, hypertension, and an arm wound to recover from."

Stiles sighed as he gazed up at Spock, "Thank you for saving Chekov and I, sir," he spoke quietly.

"It was a logical action, Mister Stiles," Spock replied tonelessly. "Doctors, I must speak with Ensign Chekov."

Leonard scowled, but Dr. Piper spoke first, "Commander Spock, I think it's best if Ensign Chekov just rests for now and has a chance to process what happened before anyone in Command speaks with him," the older physician said in a calming voice. "Doctor McCoy will tell you when Chekov can talk."

Intrigued by how protective Leonard was over Pavel, Spock nodded and silently left Sickbay, unaware that Pavel had listened to the entire exchange and was now struggling to stay awake despite exhaustion.

"Don't fight it, Pavel," Leonard said in a soothing voice. "If you're tired, you can go to sleep here safely."

Pavel blinked and slowly closed his eyes, not noticing that Leonard had covered him with another blanket, "Doctor McCoy, you can go off duty now if you'd like," Dr. Piper spoke in a gentle voice.

"I'll stick around for a couple of hours to make sure Chekov's really asleep," Leonard replied in a tired voice, knowing that he had a duty to his patient even though he was tired from the chemotherapy.

Dr. Piper sighed, but nodded, "I'm kicking you out of here at midnight," he replied in a no-nonsense voice. "I'm going to sit in the office and update the files. If you start to feel out of sorts, come get me."

Leonard nodded and waited until Stiles had drifted to sleep before he slowly sat down on the stool beside Pavel's bed. Dr. Piper watched quietly, concerned that Leonard was pushing himself again.

The sounds of her children sleeping were a comfort to Arianne as she sat on her couch in her pajamas and robe, silently swilling a mug of tea that she hoped would help her sleep. After everyone had returned to their own quarters, she had immediately given out supper and sent all the kids to bed.

Joachim was staying with Yeoman Rand for the night and for that, Arianne was glad; Marla would be spending at least the night in the Brig and would have to face trial for what she had done. With those thoughts weighing heavily on her mind, Arianne silently drank her tea and contemplated sleep.

A beep from the door caused Arianne to abandon the tea and walk over to the small, but rather insistent machine. Being careful not to wake her children, Arianne got up and moved to the door.

To her surprise, Leonard was at the door and silently came inside, "Doctor Piper kicked me out of Sickbay for the night," he explained in a tired voice. "He also gave Ensign Chekov a sedative."

Arianne nodded, "Len, you should be in bed," she replied in a worried voice. "How are you feeling?"

"Exhausted," Leonard replied in a tired voice as he moved over to the couch and sat down.

As Leonard lay on the couch, Arianne silently went into their bedroom, gathered everything he would need to rest on the couch until he was well enough to go to bed, and went back out into the living room, only to see that Leonard was asleep, "Mommy?" she suddenly heard Zachary say in a quiet voice.

"Zachary, you're supposed to be asleep," Arianne said in a concerned voice as she looked at Zachary, who was standing in the doorway to the bedroom that Joanna, Kathy, Charlie, and him all shared.

Zachary nodded and walked over to Arianne, "I had a bad dream that some scary guy came and took me away from you and Papa because I have weird blood," he said in a scared voice. "Will I get taken away?"

Thoughts of Khan crossed Arianne's mind and how angry he would be if he ever found out that Phlox had taken his blood to save Zachary's life, but Khan was also currently on or en route to Romulus according to what Pavel had told Marla, "Zachary, your Papa and I will never let anyone take you away from us," she replied in a gentle voice as she picked Zachary up, set him on her lap, and gently cuddled him against her. "You are very unique because of that blood, but our love for you is very, very strong."

"I love you, Mommy," Zachary said in a quiet voice as he allowed himself to be held by his mother.

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