Disclaimer: The rights to Star Trek belong to Gene Roddenberry, and NuTrek belongs to J.J. Abrams, Orci, and Kurtzman.

A/N: I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Zachary Quinto, who came out yesterday. I'm so proud of him! It takes true courage to not hide who you are, especially as a celebrity. I wish him all the best.

.~.

Ch. 19: Epilogue

.~.

Orbiting the Vulcan colony

The Enterprise crew all pitched in to throw Saavik a birthday dinner party, as everyone was in a mood to celebrate the defeat of the Borg. The mess hall was decorated with balloons and streamers complete with a sign that read 'Happy Birthday Saavik' in rainbow colors, made by her friends. She had a birthday cake (vanilla with blue frosting) and presents (computer games from Jim, text books from Spock). Her favorite part was the traditional singing of 'Happy Birthday'. As everyone sang, she looked around at her friends individually, then at Spock and Jim, then at her teachers Uhura, Sulu, and Chekov. Scotty put his arm around Uhura, and Saavik wondered if the rumors of an upcoming engagement were to be believed. Even Dr. McCoy was there, his scowl a little less pronounced than usual.

As the festivities began to wind down, Saavik went to say goodnight to her parents and to thank them for organizing the celebration. Both Jim and Spock reminded her that they were happy to do it. Finally, the most anticipated part of the day had arrived – the slumber party! Even though she'd promised Spock that she wouldn't stay up too late, (Kirk knew better) it had been a subjective promise. She thought that staying up past 2 AM ship's time was too late, and resolved to go to bed before then. Just like in her research on slumber party requirements, she had replicated popcorn, candy, chips, and chocolate-free cookies for her guests to eat while they played games and watched holovids. (Norvek wanted to watch something educational but he was outvoted three to one.)

The first vid that they watched was Fern Gully, a late 20th century animated feature about a fairy that falls in love with a human.

"Hey, she looks like me!" Saavik exclaimed as the girl fairy appeared on the screen. Already she knew she was going to like this vid.

"You may share pointed ears and dark hair, but you do not have the ability to fly," Norvek pointed out.

"Really?" She sarcastically replied, and then whacked him with a pillow. This turned into a full blown pillow fight, girls against boys. They settled down after that, content to watch the rest of the movie. Next they watched a current live action flick, Captain Garth's Space Adventures. Then they chose a highly dramatized version of the events of First Contact when the Vulcans finally revealed themselves to the people of Earth. Halfway through Beauty and the Beast, Saavik realized that Kira and Clopek had fallen asleep. She scooted a little closer to Norvek, who was watching diligently. Casually, she laid her head on his shoulder. He allowed the closeness until the end of the flick.

"I find the theme of that story to be illogical," Norvek whispered, as not to disturb their sleeping friends.

A tiny bit disappointed, Saavik sat up and faced him. "What do you mean?"

Norvek raised an eyebrow. "That the Beast changed from a spoiled prince into a selfless young man, all due to romantic love. It is unrealistic."

"I don't know about romantic love," she began, "but I know you have certainly changed since the day I met you. I never thought you'd be my friend, and look at us now!"

"I see your point," he conceded.

She grinned at him. "Most people do."

"Was your birthday party adequate?"

Saavik scooted over to the other side of Kira, and got into her sleeping bag. "It was much more than adequate. What did you think?"

"It was… interesting," he admitted. "I appreciated your invitation."

"'Course. It wouldn't be the same without you. G'night." Exhausted from the events of the day, she fell asleep almost immediately.

.~.

The next morning

Kirk and Spock opened their adjoining bathroom to find the four children still sound asleep on the floor. Not wishing to disturb the others, Spock easily picked up their daughter and took her back to their bedroom.

"Good morning, Ko-fu," Spock whispered, gently rubbing her back the way his mother used to do when he was a child.

"Ungh," was her unintelligent reply. "It's too early."

"Saavik, did you get enough sleep last night?" Kirk asked. He glanced at Spock over her head and winked, knowing that would do the trick.

"I'm up, I'm up," she insisted, yawning hugely before sitting up. "What's going on?"

Spock cleared his throat. "We wished to inform you that Starfleet has reviewed your academic progress and has decided to allow other children to participate in scholastic programs onboard starships."

"Oh good," she replied, relieved. "Now I can slack off!" Spock glared at her and she added, "Just kidding. I would never do that."

"There's something else," Jim added. "All your old friends from the orphanage have qualified and been approved for the five year education program on the Enterprise."

"You mean it?" She cried, leaping out of her sleeping bag. "Wow…that's…"

"You are most welcome," said Spock, nodding at her.

"It was all your Sa-mehk's idea," Jim generously offered.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Saavik gushed, gently hugging Spock. "I've got to go com my friends…"

"Please wait just a moment," Spock said. "There is something else we wish to discuss with you."

"Okay, but can you make it fast?"

Spock's expression was grave. "It is concerning my brother Sybok. He has sufficiently recovered from the Borg's influence. I would like you to visit him when you are ready."

Saavik's eyes widened. "You mean he's on the ship? Right now?"

"He's in Sickbay right now, under Bones' supervision," said Kirk. "But there's no need to be afraid of him anymore, Saavik. He's in control of himself now."

"Easy for you to say, he hasn't touched your mind." She scowled at her parents.

"He was being manipulated Borg during that time, and therefore incapable of rational thought," Spock informed her. "Any actions he took back then were not his own. Still, he wishes to apologize to you for what he feels was grossly inappropriate conduct."

"Really?" She said, sounding small.

"Yes. He informed me that he wishes to make amends for all the wrongs he committed, starting with yours."

"Can you come with me?" she asked, uncertainty written over her pretty features.

"Of course, Saavik-kam." Spock offered his outstretched palm, and she met it with hers in a familial kiss. "Might I recommend that Jim comes along?"

"Why?" She asked curiously.

"I never want to miss an opportunity to intimidate him," Jim said sweetly. "Since he sent Spock into slavery and forced his way into your mind, he has a lot to answer for."

"Sybok is terrified of Jim," Spock informed her. "It is rather amusing to watch my brother's behavior around him."

"Alright, you've convinced me," she relented. "But can I at least wait a few days before the visit?"

"You may wait longer if you like," Spock reassured her.

"Thanks. Now can I go com my friends?"

Jim gave her permission and she ran out of the room. "I have a pretty good idea, but I want to know why you insisted on her meeting Sybok?"

Spock cocked his head. "I thought the closure would be beneficial for her. If she can see my brother acting normally, she will be less afraid of the Vulcan in her memory who touched her mind without permission. Also, hopefully this fear will not affect her in the future, if she conquers it now."

"Logical," Jim murmured.

"I can feel that you have something else on your mind, t'hy'la," Spock said knowingly.

"It can wait," Kirk insisted.

"I would appreciate it if you would tell me now, before our shift."

Jim sent him a burst of gratitude through their bond. "I've been thinking. I know when I was a kid, I really benefitted from having an older brother -"

"We cannot adopt another child," Spock said gently. "We barely have enough time to spend with Saavik, keep up with our duties, and have a few moments to ourselves."

"I know! So not what I was gonna say!" Kirk shot back, pretending to be annoyed. "Now, I don't want to adopt another kid, but I think Saavik would benefit from having an older sibling figure."

"She has been spending time with Sonak lately," Spock stated.

Kirk grinned. Now his bondmate was catching on! "And if I remember correctly," Jim said slyly, "Sonak told me he was the only Vulcan left of his clan. He has no property to inherit, virtually making him penniless and homeless."

Spock's eyebrow hit the ceiling. "Jim. You wish for me to make him an heir to the House of Surak."

"Why not?" Jim challenged. "He has no other family. I rescued him from slavery, so I sort of feel responsible for him. He graduated from the VSA with top honors, he's low maintenance, he's respectful, and he's kind. He could work in the science department with the proper training. Saavik would love having him as part of the family. It would be giving him a true home, Spock." Kirk took Spock's hands in his. "He reminds me so much of the younger you that I've seen in our melds. I couldn't help you then, but I have the chance to help another young Vulcan from feeling so lost and alone."

Who was Spock to deny his t'hy'la anything?

"I am rather fond of Sonak as well," Spock admitted. "He would make an acceptable addition to our family."

"Thank you, love." Kirk pulled his adun in for a kiss. "You won't regret this."

.~.

One Hour later

Just as she'd expected, Saavik's three closest friends from the orphanage were thrilled to hear from her. They were scheduled to board the Enterprise in two days, and they had already planned a 'reunion'. Saavik was so excited about being seeing her old friends again, she forgot that she had to say goodbye to her new ones that day. They were beaming down to start their new lives on the Vulcan colony. She was going to miss them terribly in the weeks to come, and was not looking forward to the moment when they left for good. But before she had to face that reality, first came the verdict from Clopek's father concerning his son's childhood bond with Kira. So help her, she would have words with the Vulcan if he intended to force them to break their bond!

Saavik held her breath as she watched Clopek's stand up and begin to speak. Thankfully, he consented to letting them keep the bond for now. True, he hadn't given his permission to make the bond permanent; instead he wished to extend their 'trial period' for an indefinite amount of time, to collect more data concerning their compatibility. But at least she could say goodbye to her friends, knowing that their mental link would remain intact, at least for now.

"Saavik, can you believe it?" Kira cried, once the meeting had let out and Clopek's parents had left. "I thought for sure he wasn't going to allow us to keep the link."

"I'm so happy for you!" Saavik grinned as she hugged her friend. "It's lucky you two have each other."

"We will see each other often on the colony, as my aunt T'Ina and Kira will live across the street from my family," Clopek added, coming to stand next to Kira.

"I'm glad to hear that," said Saavik. "That's how it should be."

"I offer my congratulations as well," said Norvek. "I shall expect an invitation to your bonding ceremony in approximately twenty years."

"Norvek!" Saavik screeched, punching him in the shoulder. "Don't tease them!"

Both Kira and Clopek blushed, red and green respectively. They avoided making eye contact with each other.

"I was not teasing, but simply making a prediction by extrapolating on my observations of their behavior," Norvek insisted, but Saavik didn't believe that for one second. She did take pity on her friends, however, by giving them an out.

"Don't you need to finish packing up your things?"

Clopek and Kira nodded, and gave her grateful looks.

"I'll see you in the transporter room at eleven hundred hours," she called after their retreating forms.

Then it hit her. It was almost time to say goodbye to the friends she'd made on the voyage. Now that the Borg had been defeated, the only thing that had kept her friends on board was her slumber party. Since that was over, it was time for her friends and their families to beam down and start getting settled in their new homes.

"Don't you have stuff to do as well?" Saavik asked.

Norvek just blinked at her before leaving the room.

"I'll never understand that boy," she muttered to herself. "I suppose it's for the best he's leaving." Saavik just wished she could convince herself that she wouldn't miss him most of all.

.~.

Two hours later, Transporter Room

"I'll miss you so much, Saavik," Kira sniffed, as she gave her friend a goodbye hug.

"I'll com you as often as I can," Saavik promised. "You're a brave person, Kira. I can't imagine being one of the only humans living amongst Vulcans."

"I am looking forward to it," the girl admitted, glancing over at Clopek.

Next to them, the Vulcan boys exchanged salutes and farewells.

"Bye, Clopek," Saavik said sadly as he stepped forward. "You two take care of each other, okay?"

"We will. I shall not forget your friendship," Clopek vowed.

"I'm ready for the next group!" The transporter chief interrupted their goodbyes.

"You'd better get going." Saavik watched as Clopek, his mother, his father, Kira, and her adopted mother T'Ina boarded the transporter. "Have fun on the colony!" She raised her hand in the ta'al and watched as her friends faded into swirls of light and nothingness.

"I suppose it's goodbye to you as well," Saavik muttered, not looking at Norvek. Her chest tightened, as she dreaded their parting. She was already feeling saddened by the loss of her two friends. Did she have to lose Norvek too?

"On the contrary, my adoptive parents have consented for me to stay aboard the Enterprise to continue my participation in the educational program."

Saavik's jaw dropped. "You're joking."

Norvek blinked innocently at her. "Vulcans never joke."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier, you little…" Saavik didn't finish her sentence. Instead she threw her arms around Norvek in jubilation.

"On second thought, perhaps I should go," Norvek gasped, fighting to breathe. He really did not appreciate feeling Saavik's overwhelming emotions at close range.

"Sorry! No, don't go." She quickly jumped away. "It's just, I thought…"

"The decision was not finalized before this morning," Norvek explained. "I did not wish to, as humans say, 'get your hopes up'."

"I still can't believe it," she said, flabbergasted. Thanks to Norvek's news, most of the tightness in her chest had ebbed. "Wow, this is great! I can't wait to introduce you to all my friends from the orphanage. They're all outcasts too – you'll fit right in." Her mouth running a mile a minute, Saavik led him down the hall in the direction of the turbolifts. Norvek knew he'd barely get a word in edgewise, but he was fine with that. He was a better listener, anyway.

.~.

That night, Captain's Quarters

In the adjoining room, Sonak was teaching Saavik how to play Kal-toh (a Vulcan strategic game) while celebrating their new family ties. As the paperwork had gone through that afternoon, Jim and Spock had seen no reason to wait so they had informed them over dinner that they would be adoptive siblings. Needless to say, they had both been thrilled with the news, but Saavik was more demonstrative of her emotions.

Kirk and Spock were taking advantage of the time off to relax and enjoy some time by themselves. Working on his PADD, Spock sat on the bed next to where Jim lay, looking up at the ceiling. From experience, Spock knew that his mate only did that when he was in a particularly contemplative mood. He set the PADD aside, as work could wait. As always, Jim came first.

"K'diwa, what is troubling you?"

"Oh, it's the Borg," Kirk sighed. "I just can't get them and that cube out of my head. We may have won the battle, but I'm afraid the war is just beginning. Who knows how many ships like that are out there?"

"That is true, we do not know the extent of their forces," Spock agreed. "But the Federation has many enemies. Why so much concern about this one?"

"I just have a bad feeling about them," Jim vented. "They're like no other enemy we've ever encountered. It's not like we're facing the Klingons, or the Cardassians. We're facing the tactics and technology of a thousand assimilated species!"

"And yet you still managed to defeat one of their cubes," Spock reminded him.

Jim laughed bitterly. "I doubt they'll fall for that trick again. Next time, they'll be on their guard. They won't make it so easy, with a single target like Sybok. I'll bet they'll infiltrate us from the inside, assimilating key members of Starfleet until it's too late."

"Starfleet personnel are vigilant. They will recognize the signs if someone is not acting normally," the Vulcan rationalized.

"Maybe, maybe not." Kirk shook his head, and pulled Spock close. "The Borg are relentless. They won't stop until they're certain that attempting to assimilate the Federation planets is a waste of their resources."

"Then we will have to show them that Starfleet will not back down." Spock thought about mentioning that worrying was illogical, that it was a waste of brainpower, but he knew that's not what would help Jim right now.

"We still haven't finished rebuilding the fleet to what it was before Nero attacked," said Kirk. "We're vulnerable, Spock."

"Then it is imperative that we continue to seek out new allies that will aid the Federation in times of danger. We are doing our part, t'hy'la."

"Yes, but is it enough?" his captain wondered.

"I do not know," Spock admitted. "All I know is that I will continue to be the best Starfleet Officer, husband, and father that I can be."

"It will have to be enough," Kirk murmured.

"And if a threat presents itself, we will face it together."

"I love you – you always know what to say."

"It is a gift," Spock said wryly.

Kirk chuckled. "Meld with me?"

"I would be honored."

Jim took his bondmate's hand, and placed it on his face. He closed his eyes, waiting for the familiar sensation. Spock smiled down at his golden human. Wasting no time, he effortlessly transported Jim into a world where all threats were obsolete, and only love reigned.

.~.

The End!

A/N: Thanks to everyone for sticking with this story, even though I took forever to update sometimes. I hope I tied up all the loose ends to your satisfaction. I will be working on a new K/S story soon, but I'm still fuzzy about the details. Be sure to look for it, though.