"Joanna, thank you for coming so quickly," Yeoman Rand said in a concerned voice as Joanna entered the schoolroom and saw Yeoman Rand standing by the desk while Charlie sat in her large chair.

Joanna nodded and sighed; she had been heading back to Sickbay to submit her assignment when Yeoman Rand had contacted her and asked her to come to the school room to see Charlie. Of course, Joanna had immediately come to the school room and was now deeply worried about what happened.

"What exactly happened?" Joanna asked softly, gazing down at Charlie. "Are you okay?"

Charlie shook his head, but didn't look up from the floor or speak, "We were watching a video and it got to a part where there was a lot of noise," Yeoman Rand explained. "Charlie suddenly started crying and panicking, so I brought him here and left the other children to watch the video. I don't know what…"

"I don't like crowded places or lots of noises at one time," Charlie mumbled, not looking up.

Yeoman Rand looked confused, but Joanna nodded patiently, "The movie was funny and the room got really noisy," Charlie replied, gazing up at Joanna sadly. "Are Mommy and Papa back yet?"

"Not yet," Joanna replied gently. "Are you going to be okay at school for a while longer?"

Charlie was quiet for several seconds and shrugged, "I just don't like lots of noises," he replied.

Joanna smiled and gave Charlie a hug, "Charlie, I know school is hard, but could you try your best to stay at school til the end of the day?" she asked gently. "Mommy and Daddy should be back by then."

"I'll try," Charlie whispered even though he had a pouty look on his face. "Love you, Joanna."

Joanna nodded and smiled before leaving the schoolroom and returning to Sickbay, which was on the same floor. She was surprised to see that Dr. M'Benga was up and preparing Sickbay with the nurses instead of preparing the special bed for her father's treatment or taking advantage of the quiet time.

"Joanna, I just got some very bad news from the Bridge," Dr. M'Benga stated softly as he saw her come in. "Lieutenant Uhura was told by the Captain that your father and several others are missing."

Joanna's eyes widened in shock, "What?" she asked in a shocked voice. "How is that possible?"

Feeling as if he had just been run over by a shuttle, Pavel opened his eyes and found that he was lying on a cold floor that felt like it was made of rock or cement. Groaning, he slowly sat up and was shocked to see Scotty, Leonard, and Hikaru unconscious on the floor nearby while Giotto lay several feet away.

"Doctor MeeCoy!" Pavel gasped, knowing that whatever had knocked them all unconscious could have hurt Leonard's already frail health as he hurried over to the unconscious Leonard. "Doctor MeeCoy!"

As Pavel gently shook Leonard in hopes that it would wake him, Scotty slowly regained consciousness, "Lad, what are ye doing?" he asked in a concerned voice. "Where exactly are we, anyway?"

"Zat voman, Lenore, made us unconscious vith zat gas," Pavel hissed. "Ze doctor vill not vake up."

Scotty frowned and checked Leonard's breathing while Pavel noticed that Hikaru and Giotto were waking up, "Where are Commander Spock and Lieutenant McGivers?" Giotto quickly asked.

"I don't know," Hikaru replied anxiously as he looked around the room and realized that there were a few chairs and an old looking mattress just behind where Pavel had laid. "There's some furniture."

Pavel frowned, "Someone help me mowe Doctor MeeCoy to vhere he vill be more comfortable," he said in an anxious voice as he slowly stood up. "Hees breathing eez slow and he might be seeck."

"I can get up on my own," Leonard mumbled groggily as he slowly sat up, his entire body trembling with weakness and nausea caused by the anesthesia gas. "What happened and what hole are we in?"

Pavel gently put an arm on Leonard's shoulder, "Zat voman named Lenore actiwated some gas zat knocked us all out and Kommander Spock and Lieutenant McGiwers are meesing," he explained in a concerned voice, frowning when Leonard suddenly closed his eyes. "Are you going to be seeck?"

"Headache," Leonard replied in a voice barely above a whisper. "It's an unfortunate side-effect."

Pavel nodded and Leonard sighed, "Zere eez a bed nearby," he said softly. "You should rest."

Realizing that Leonard needed rest before he could be any help to their getting out of their makeshift dungeon, Scotty got up and walked over to Leonard and Pavel, "Here lad, I'll help you get Doctor McCoy over tae that mattress so he can rest a bit," Scotty offered in a gentle voice. "Doctor, ye need tae rest."

Even though Leonard wanted to get out of the situation and be back on board in his own bed, he allowed Pavel and Scotty to help him up and over to the mattress, "Geeve me your phaser," Pavel said in an unusually commanding voice. "Eeef that vitch comes down here, I vill protect ze doctor from her."

Scotty's eyes widened, but he gave his phaser to Pavel and watched as Pavel took his own phaser off his belt and slipped it into Leonard's hand, "He deed not bring one," Pavel explained softly, watching Leonard as he laid back and closed his eyes. "Nobody was expecting to hawe to launch a rescue."

"I'll take Sulu with me tae try and find a way out," Scotty replied worriedly. "Giotto should stay here."

Pavel nodded, his eyes on Leonard's slow breathing as the older man slept, "Vhen Doctor MeeCoy vakes up, ve vill look for you," he replied in a concerned voice. "I am not yet done my security training."

Giotto moved closer to the bed as Scotty and Hikaru began to walk off, "Go vith zem seence zere are two phasers here," Pavel whispered anxiously. "I hawe had enough training to serwe as a guard."

Giotto looked reluctant, but moved to a point in the room where he could keep an eye on everything.

Nausea shot through Spock as he opened his eyes and saw that he was on a carpeted floor with everything but his phaser intact. He slowly sat up and saw that the room was decorated with high class furniture similar to that of a Terran visiting room and also saw Marla unconscious on the padded couch.

Swallowing hard, Spock pulled himself up off the floor and slowly walked over to the couch, "Lieutenant McGivers?" he asked in a quiet, but clear voice, his eyebrow raising as Marla suddenly began to twitch.

"C-Commander Spock," Marla whispered anxiously as she opened her eyes and saw Spock standing above her looking as concerned as a Vulcan could. "What happened? Why am I feeling so dizzy?"

Spock said nothing as he helped Marla sit up, "Apparently, Anton Karidian's daughter somehow delivered a dose of anesthetic gas to the away team and separated us when we were all us unconscious," he replied tonelessly, sitting down beside her. "I do not know as to why."

"The why is simple," a voice suddenly spoke from nearby. "Why are you really here?"

Spock looked up just in time to see Anton Karidian come into the room wearing what looked like a very grandiose costume, "I've heard things on the subspace chatter about the Enterprise, but I never thought we'd cross paths," Anton said in a grand voice. "Now, Commander Spock, why are you and your historian, Lieutenant McGivers, really here? I highly doubt you want to see a theatrical production."

"Where are the rest of our group?" Marla asked in an anxious voice. "Why are we separated?"

Anton chuckled, "I understand you wish to ask me questions, Lieutenant, and Commander Spock is apparently hiding some sort of terrific secret," he replied calmly. "I thought we could talk better this way without too many people around to interrupt. If you prefer, however, I can see that you remain here."

"All you want is a discussion?" Marla asked in an anxious voice. "Why all the secrecy, Mister Karidian?"

Anton chuckled, "My dear, I am wanted by Starfleet and I will do anything to stay out of their clutches," he replied in a colder voice, frowning as Spock stood and helped Marla up. "What are you doing?"

"Standing up to face you," Spock replied tonelessly. "You have the advantage here, Mister Karidian."

His eyes narrowing suspiciously, Anton glared at Spock and quickly pulled out the phaser that he had taken from the Vulcan earlier, "Especially with your weapon in my possession," he replied coldly, pointing the phaser at Marla and Spock. "Now, shall we have a discussion like civilized beings?"

"I do not believe you have proven your trustworthiness to engage in a conversation with Lieutenant McGivers," Spock replied in a slightly cold voice. "I recommend you release us immediately."

Anton laughed, "You and your friends will not escape here so that you can go running to your precious Starfleet and tell them I am alive," he replied in an amused voice, frowning as Spock blocked Marla.

It happened so quickly; Anton lunged at Spock and Spock lunged forward in defense, sending both of them to the floor and leaving Marla upright. Anton raised the phaser to shoot at Spock, but Spock kicked it out of his hand, sending it flying at the wall. Howling in pain, Anton kicked Spock sharply in the gut.

"You broke my hand, you stupid Vulcan!" Anton howled as Spock lay there, stunned by the blow.

Anxious to help, Marla anxiously ran over to Anton and tried to get him away from Spock, but Anton grabbed her and used her to get to his feet. His weight caused her knees to buckle, but Marla never had a chance to protest because Anton thrust her to the floor before moving away from both of them.

"Lenore will find your other friends soon enough," Anton hissed. "Now, I must prepare for the show."

As Anton left the room, Spock managed to get to his feet, "Lieutenant McGivers, are you unharmed?" he asked in a toneless voice as he approached her. "If you are, we should find a way to contact the Captain.

Even though Marla was hurting from hitting the floor, she nodded and slowly got to her feet, "Perhaps if we go the same way Mister Karidian has gone, we will be able to find the others," Spock spoke tonelessly, gazing towards the doorway. "We have to accomplish this mission however we are able."

Still deeply concerned for the rest of his team, Jim had been trying to contact the Enterprise from Dr. Leighton's house, but had not been able to reach anyone. While he had been doing so, Arianne had pulled Dr. Leighton aside and used her role as a Starfleet counselor to get his version of events.

"So, you're basically saying that Anton Karidian knew you were here and came under the premise of performing his play when, in fact, he wanted to silence you?" Arianne asked softly, sighing heavily as she sat in a chair across from where Dr. Leighton sat in an easy chair, silently drinking a large mug of tea.

Dr. Leighton nodded, "My wife is part of the greeting committee and I often accompany her when we receive visitors, as I view it as a cultural experience," he replied calmly just as Riley came into the room and lingered near the doorway. "He looked very different, but there was no mistaking his piercing gaze and it was then that I knew he was here to silence me, so I was relieved when the Enterprise came."

"I saw Kodos's picture on a program back when we were on the First Federation Homeworld and I told my superiors," Riley spoke up softly. "Commander McCoy, the Captain can't reach anyone on the ship."

Arianne sighed, but nodded calmly, "I wouldn't go searching for your friends right now, Arianne," Dr. Leighton spoke in a concerned voice. "Kodos must know you're here and is probably looking for you."

"I'll just keep trying the Enterprise," Jim said with a sigh as he came back into the living room and saw Arianne, Riley, and Dr. Leighton were there. "Tommy, Martha is insisting we stay here for a while."

Dr. Leighton nodded, "Jim, it's dangerous to be out there," he replied gently. "I do care, you know."

Before Jim could reply, the door chime rang, "Lenore," Dr. Leighton replied softly. "I'm sure of it."

"Captain, you, Commander McCoy, and Lieutenant Riley can take the underground passage and it will lead you to the town square," Martha said in an anxious voice as she hurried into the living room.

Jim frowned as Dr. Leighton stood up, "I'll show you where the passageway is," he replied calmly as he walked over to the rug and kicked it aside, revealing a trapdoor. "When Martha and I first came here, we built this in case my past ever came back to haunt me. It's a way to escape without any issues. Martha will show you how to navigate the passages safely so that you can reach the town square."

"What about you, Tommy?" Jim asked in a concerned voice, very worried for his dear friend.

Dr. Leighton sighed calmly, "JT, you saved my and Kev's life years ago and I want you to let me return the favor now," he replied in a calm voice. "If I don't make it, I want you to finish off Kodos for good."

A lump in his throat, Jim nodded and fought back tears as Dr. Leighton slid the trapdoor open, "You seem to be living an awesome life from what you've told me, JT," Dr. Leighton commented softly, sighing as Jim helped Riley and Arianne through the trapdoor. "Make the most of it, okay?"

Unable to hold the tears back, Jim watched as Martha climbed through the trapdoor before he climbed in, "Make the most of every day, JT," Dr. Leighton's voice spoke as the trapdoor was pulled shut.

The chime sounded again and sighing deeply, Dr. Leighton went to face what could be his death.

Dr. M'Benga looked up from his paperwork just in time to see Nyota being escorted into Sickbay by a concerned looking Hendorff, "What seems to be the problem?" he asked as he stood up and walked out of the Medical office. "Lieutenant Uhura, I thought you were in command while the away team…?"

"Commanding officers aren't supposed to throw up on the Bridge," Hendorff quickly replied.

Nyota scowled, "I didn't eat much this morning because I was too busy getting Saavik and Amanda ready for school while Spock prepared for the away mission," she replied anxiously. "I'm just hungry."

Dr. M'Benga silently removed his medical tricorder from his pocket and silently scanned Nyota from head to toe, concerned as to why she was leaning on Hendorff for support, "Lieutenant, you're pregnant," he said in a gentle, but concerned voice. "Why don't you let me do a better scan?"

Wondering if Dr. M'Benga was just messing with her, Nyota allowed Hendorff to lead her into the patient bay and as she laid down on a biobed, she caught sight of Joanna sitting at one of the medical computers, silently doing what she assumed was homework, "Joanna?" Dr. M'Benga called out calmly.

Almost immediately, Joanna saved her work, got up, and came over to the biobed, "Joanna, would you please start a dripline of nutrients that are compatible with a half-Vulcan, half-Human fetus?" Dr. M'Benga asked calmly. "The appropriate dripboxes should be on the second shelf in the drug cabinet."

Joanna's eyes widened slightly, but she nodded and quickly got the right dripbox from the cupboard and hooked it up while Dr. M'Benga initiated a scan, "After Amanda was born, Spock and I were told that having another child would be difficult if not impossible," Nyota explained in an anxious voice.

"Well, you're about 10 weeks pregnant according to the scan," Dr. M'Benga replied calmly. "You seem to have hormonal imbalances because of it, but I'm going to give you some things to stabilize those."

Nyota nodded and sighed, "I left Stiles in charge, but I don't think I'm getting back to the command chair anytime soon," she replied softly. "Could someone please contact the Bridge and let him know?"

"I can do it," Dr. M'Benga replied reassuringly. "Joanna, could you stay with Lieutenant Uhura?"

Joanna nodded and Dr. M'Benga smiled before walking off, "I'm sorry for my anger towards you, Joanna," Nyota replied softly, still overwhelmed at her pregnancy. "I hope you can forgive me?"

"Of course, Lieutenant," Joanna replied calmly, smiling at her. "Do you want a blanket?"

Nyota nodded and sighed as Joanna covered her with a blanket, "How do you have such patience and understanding after being a prisoner of the Romulans for so long?" she asked in an anxious voice.

"Patience and understanding for my circumstances is what helped me to survive," Joanna replied softly as she stepped back to examine her work. "Rest now, all right? If you need anything, I'll be nearby."

As Joanna returned to her computer station, Nyota stared at the ceiling in both disbelief and wonder.

Leonard's eyes snapped open and he was disoriented at first, but quickly remembered that he was in a basement with no hope of escaping. Groaning, he slowly sat up and was surprised to see Pavel sitting on the edge of the mattress with a phaser in his hand and a determined expression on his face.

"Doktor MeeCoy, how are you feeling?" Pavel asked softly, turning to look directly at Leonard.

Leonard sighed, "Rested," he replied groggily. "Pavel, where did Giotto, Scotty, and Sulu get to?"

Before Pavel could reply, the ceiling suddenly opened up and a body fell down on to the cold cement floor as if it were little more than a sack of flour, "Nyet!" Pavel yelled anxiously, quickly setting his phaser to kill as he ran over to the body and peered up towards the hole. "Who eez up zere?"

There was a dark cackle and a moment later, Lenore climbed down the hole with blood all over her clothes, a knife in her hand, and a manic expression on her face, "You want to see me finish off this Tarsus trash, do you?" she asked in an anxious voice as she jumped down to the floor below.

Fortunately for Dr. Leighton, Pavel quickly knocked Lenore off her feet and Leonard took the opportunity to check the body, "Starfleet?" Dr. Leighton whispered softly, peering at Leonard.

"HE'S ALIVE?!" Lenore screamed anxiously as she tried to fight Pavel off. "HOW CAN THAT BE?!"

Pavel quickly reached for Lenore's knife, but Lenore was faster and quickly sliced Pavel's forearm open, causing the young Ensign to howl in agony. Suddenly, there were footsteps and Scotty, Giotto, and Sulu came running from the other end of the basement. Lenore used the opportunity to raise the knife again, but Pavel grabbed her arm and shoved her away, determined to protect Leonard and the body.

"Chekov!" Giotto shouted anxiously, rushing over to block Pavel from anymore attacks.

Breathing heavily from the fact that he could have been killed, Pavel gripped his bleeding arm and watched as Giotto advanced on Lenore, "Come lad, let's look at that wound," Scotty said softly.

Without warning, Lenore lunged at Giotto and quickly had him in a headlock with the knife at his throat, "Try anything and I'll slit this idiot's throat," she hissed anxiously. "Now, where are the others?"

A flashback suddenly overtook Pavel and he saw himself lying helpless on the table within the station on Delta Vega, too weak to move while Khan murdered Phlox in cold blood. He could feel the phaser in his hands and now, it would be Giotto who died if nothing was done. Rage filled the core of his very soul.

"You know you want to kill him, Pavel Chekov," Pavel suddenly heard Khan taunt in his anxious mind.

Still angry that he had done nothing to save Phlox from being murdered at Khan's hands, Pavel raised the phaser and was careful to aim it to where it wouldn't hit Giotto. Swallowing hard, he began to fire.

Dust immediately hit Jim in the face as he pushed open the trapdoor in the middle of Planet Q's town square and he coughed, "Dust allergies," he grunted. "Martha, are we at the town square?"

"Yes, I believe so," Martha replied anxiously. "Captain, how can we check on Thomas?"

Jim said nothing as he helped Arianne, Martha, and Riley out of the hole before climbing out and staring up at the sky to try and clear his eyes through blinking, "I'll go back by your house," he replied, very worried that his old friend had gotten himself killed. "Commander, protect Riley and Mrs. Leighton."

"Yes, Captain," Arianne replied anxiously even though she wanted to follow Jim back to the house.

As Jim was about to walk off in the direction of Leighton's house, however, there was an anxious yell and sobbing from inside the tunnel, "…I deed not mean to do eet!" Pavel's voice came out in a sob.

Alarmed, Jim turned around just in time to see Arianne, Riley, and an anxious Martha help Scotty and Sulu climb up out of the tunnel, "Doctor Leighton's hurt and Pavel's covered in blood," Hikaru explained anxiously as he gazed over at Jim. "We had a rather violent encounter with Lenore Karidian…"

"And Chekov's covered in her blood?" Jim asked worriedly, suddenly piecing everything together.

An anxious sob erupted from the tunnel, "Pavel, up you go," Jim heard Leonard say calmly.

Arianne gasped as a trembling Pavel emerged from the tunnel with blood all over himself and tears streaming down his face as he held a phaser in his shaking hand. Shortly thereafter, Giotto and Leonard climbed out of the tunnel with a very shaken looking, but alive Dr. Leighton leaning heavily on them.

"Thomas!" Martha exclaimed in an anxious voice amidst Pavel's sobbing. "What happened?"

Before anyone could speak, Pavel threw up on Giotto's boots, "Pavel, calm down!" Leonard said in an anxious voice, immediately turning his attention to the young Ensign. "Jim, Spock and Lieutenant McGivers are still missing, but I need to get Chekov and Dr. Leighton on board and into Sickbay."

"Riley, Giotto, Commander McCoy, you're with me," Jim replied anxiously. "Bones, call the ship."

Arianne nodded, "It's about time for the production, Captain, so maybe we should go to the theatre as if we were going to watch the play?" she suggested anxiously. "Kodos, Spock, and Marla may be there."

"Doctor McCoy to Enterprise!" Leonard shouted into his communicator. "Kyle, I need you to beam Dr. Leighton, Mrs. Leighton, Ensign Chekov, and I back immediately. Have a med team waiting for us!"

Jim sighed as the small group dematerialized, "Let's go do what we have to do," he stated firmly.

Bright lights nearly blinded Spock and Marla as they followed an armed Anton Karidian into a small area that was just off the stage, "I hope you don't mind being part of the production," he said in a grandiose voice. "You see, I will kill you both on stage and the audience will merely think it part of the play."

"Your behavior is illogical, Governor Kodos," Spock replied tonelessly. "You are obviously insane."

Anton chuckled, "You deserve a gold star, Commander Spock," he replied coldly. "You see, Starfleet will not rest until they have either found me or my body. The pain of Tarsus IV is too great to be ignored."

"I have familiarized myself with the situation and you are rightly deserving of whatever penalty is delivered to you," Spock replied tonelessly, unaware that Marla had slipped further into the curtains to try and find some way to get out of this situation. "Your actions were nothing short of evil."

Anton chuckled and frowned as the curtains suddenly opened, revealing several townspeople from the settlement in their seats, "Now, Commander Spock, I'm sure we can settle this logically," he replied in a grandiose voice as he gestured out towards the people. "See the many who have come to see me?"

"Our orders are clear, Kodos," Jim's voice suddenly echoed out from the darkness. "Will you stand down and surrender yourself into custody or will I have to use the authority I have to kill a mass murderer?"

The audience gasped and Anton chuckled as Jim came out of the shadows with Arianne, Riley, and Giotto behind him and a phaser in his hand, "Ah, James Tiberius Kirk," Anton said in an awed, almost amused voice. "I can't believe you, a scrawny brat, survived and became a Starfleet Captain."

"Kodos The Executioner, by order of Starfleet, you are under arrest," Jim said in a commanding voice, a scowl appearing on his face as he set his phaser to Stun. "You are ordered to surrender yourself."

For a moment, Kodos looked amused and raised his knife to throw at Jim, but Jim was quicker and with a single shot from his phaser, Kodos was on the ground, "James, dear James," Kodos hissed as Jim approached him with the phaser still aimed. "Do you really want my blood on your hands, James?"

"I want you to answer for the massacre you were responsible for," Jim replied coldly, glaring at him.

Kodos's eyes narrowed and Spock noticed that his leg was in a position to pull Jim to the floor, "It would be illogical for you to attempt to injure the Captain, Governor," Spock stated as he hurried over and locked his legs between Kodos's leg to keep it from moving. "What are your orders, Captain?"

"Kodos, it isn't in my heart to kill you," Jim replied calmly. "Not when you've already killed so many."

Kodos relaxed briefly as he lay there and suddenly began to chuckle, "If you don't kill me, my Lenore will find you and the rest of the Tarsus survivors," he replied menacingly. "She'll help me bury my past."

"Lenore is dead," Jim replied softly, a look of sadness crossing his face. "I'm not sure how."

Kodos's eyes widened and he was silent for a moment before his eyes went wide with shock, he reached up and, with a shaking hand, he knocked Spock off of him, "Lenore, dead?" he asked anxiously as he advanced on Jim. "You Federation scum killed my daughter and you won't even admit it to me!"

Giotto quickly got between Jim and Kodos, but Kodos knocked him aside with a howl of rage escaping his lips as he did so, "You will die here and now, James Tiberius Kirk!" Kodos roared as he reached for Jim's neck, intending to strangle the life out of him. "Your blood will join the many who died…"

A phaser suddenly fired and Kodos suddenly topped to the ground fully conscious, revealing that Arianne was the one who had fired, "It was set to stun," she explained softly. "Your orders, sir."

Swallowing hard, Jim silently set his phaser to kill and pointed it at Kodos, "I am going to give you one last chance to surrender, Kodos," he said commandingly. "Please don't take this any farther."

Kodos snarled and spit at Jim, "You'll never be more than a worthless, scrawny brat!" he screamed.

Anxiety filled Jim's heart and he flinched as Kodos spit at him, "Do it, you worthless coward!" Kodos screamed, well aware that the audience thought that this was part of the production. "DO IT!"

"Giotto, Spock, take Kodos into custody," Jim replied commandingly, unwilling to shed blood.

As Jim turned away, Kodos advanced on Jim and pulled a sword off his belt with the intent of stabbing Jim in a dramatic fashion, but Jim quickly fired the phaser at Kodos, striking him in the chest.

"In death, my name will always be remembered," Kodos gasped as he crumpled to the stage with the sword still in hand, well aware he didn't have long to live. "You have defeated me, Captain Kirk."

Applause and gasps filled the theatre, but Jim silently left through the backdoor and found himself staring up at the sky for what seemed like an eternity with the weight of what he had just done on his heart, "Captain, I do believe we have completed our mission," Spock stated tonelessly from behind.

"Help collect Kodos's body and any footage of what took place and let's return to the Enterprise as quickly as possible," Jim replied somberly, suddenly feeling liberated. "Our mission is complete."

The evening was quiet and as such, Jim had decided to wander down to Sickbay to check on Pavel and also on Leonard, as the weekly radiation treatment should have been completed. Lorian was perfectly content with supervising George for the short period of time and Jim was happy to allow him to.

As Jim entered Sickbay, however, he was surprised to see a curtain drawn around one of the beds while Joanna silently sat beside the bed where Pavel laid unconscious with bandages around his injured forearm, a dripline in the other, and clean pajamas covering Pavel's body as he continued to rest.

"Jim, I'm assuming you want a report on things?" Leonard asked groggily as he came out of his office in his medical uniform with a tired expression on his face and a PADD in his hand. "Here's a copy for you."

Jim nodded and took the PADD, "What exactly happened down there, Bones?" he asked softly.

"I don't know what was going through Pavel's mind, but he shot Lenore Karidian after she stabbed him in the forearm," Leonard replied somberly. "After she went down, he suddenly got hysterical and tried to save her even though his phaser was set to kill. Giotto's also wanting to talk to Pavel very soon."

Jim frowned and gave Leonard a confused look, "I sedated Pavel so that he could be calm when you and Giotto decided to talk to him," Leonard explained tiredly. "After I sedated him, M'Benga kept an eye on things while I did my treatment and then I sent him off to get supper, but he'll be back in a little bit."

"And what about you and Joanna, Bones?" Jim asked softly. "Have either of you eaten or rested?"

Leonard sighed, "I don't usually have an appetite for about 12 hours after the treatment, but I did get some juice from the replicator in my office," he replied tiredly. "Joanna, well; she cares about Chekov."

"Captain Kirk, Daddy, Pavel's waking up," Joanna suddenly called out in a concerned voice.

Leonard and Jim hurried over to the biobed just as Pavel's eyes fluttered open, "Joanna," Pavel whispered in a tired voice, his gaze focused on the beauty before him. "You came for me."

"Pavel, how are you feeling?" Jim asked softly, knowing now wasn't the time to bring up Lenore.

Pavel sighed sleepily, "Keptin, I had to keel Lenore because she vas wiolent," he replied in a tired voice, sighing sleepily as Joanna gently stroked his hand. "I could not sawe Phlox, but I could sawe ozzers."

"We'll talk about that later, Ensign," Jim replied calmly. "How's your arm doing?"

Groaning, Pavel slowly sat up, "I vant to go back to my quarters," he replied softly. "I am wery tired."

"Let's get some food into you first and then we'll see," Leonard replied in an official voice, all his tiredness forgotten. "Joanna, it's about time you hung it up for the day and went to dinner."

Joanna nodded and smiled as she stood up and left Sickbay, "Am I going to face charges for keeling Lenore?" Pavel asked softly, gazing up at Jim intently. "I vill take responsibly for vat I hawe done."

"I don't believe so, but Starfleet will probably want to talk to you about what happened and they'll probably want to talk to everyone else who was with you," Jim replied calmly, seeing that Pavel was determined to not let the issue drop. "I also want you to talk to Giotto and Counselor McCoy."

Pavel nodded and sighed tiredly, "Ze doctor should be resting too," he replied in a tired voice.

Leonard nodded and was about to ask Jim to keep Pavel company til M'Benga returned when he noticed that Jim had silently left Sickbay when nobody was looking, "Ze keptin eez sad about sometheeng," Pavel commented softly, having noticed sadness in Jim's eyes. "Vat happened to him down zere?"

Before Leonard could reply, the curtain was opened and Spock stepped away from the bed where Nyota slept soundly, "I will return to collect Nyota in the morning, Doctor," Spock stated, gazing at Leonard.

"Why is Lieutenant Uhura in Sickbay, Spock?" Jim asked in a confused voice. "Stiles was on the Bridge."

Spock raised an eyebrow, "My Nyota is pregnant, Captain," he replied tonelessly. "It is logical that she remain under observation overnight due to the circumstances. As I said, I will return in the morning."

As Spock left, Pavel sighed tiredly and Leonard knew that he needed to get some food and drink into the overexhausted young Ensign while he could, "Jim, I promise that I'll go back to my quarters when M'Benga gets back from dinner," Leonard commented tiredly. "You should really get back to your boys."

"And I have to see if President Pike got my message," Jim replied softly as he left Sickbay.

Joanna sighed as she walked into the Mess Hall and saw Arianne, Charlie, Kathy, Zachary, Scotty, and Charlie Evans all gathered at a table with a spot for her, "Hello there, Jo," Arianne said in a warm voice as Joanna approached the table. "Did you have a good day working in Sickbay on your modules?"

"I stayed a little later to visit Pavel since he woke up while I was there," Joanna replied softly as she sat down and gazed at her mother. "He said that some lady named Lenore tried to hurt him on…"

Arianne nodded and Scotty cringed, "Why is Uncle Pavel in Sickbay, Mommy?" Charlie asked softly.

"Uncle Pavel hurt his arm during the mission and your papa wants to keep an eye on him overnight," Arianne replied calmly, not wanting to share about Pavel's emotional breakdown on Planet Q.

Charlie Evans sighed and pushed his plate away even though he had only eaten half the food, "I'm not hungry anymore, Mister Scott," he announced softly. "Could I try and eat something a little later?"

"Of course, lad," Scotty replied calmly. "Commander, will you help me take his plate and things?"

Arianne nodded and, getting up, she followed Scotty over to the replicator, "The lad may need to see ye at some point," Scotty commented softly as he disposed of Charlie's items in the recycler. "He's been doing a lot of journaling about his time on that cargo ship and I think he's met Khan at some point, but he can't explain how or why. I try to reassure him that he's accepted here, but he's very scared."

"I'll schedule him in as quickly as possible," Arianne replied softly, well aware that Zachary had the same fears about Khan and being different even though he was so young. "Thank you for telling me, Scotty."

Scotty nodded and they both returned to the table in silence and just in time to see Charlie Evans showing off some of his math talents on a PADD while Charlie, Kathy, Zachary, and Joanna watched in awe. By the look in Zachary's eyes, Arianne knew that he was understanding everything going on and she couldn't help but feel slightly fearful; would Khan someday return and demand to take Zachary?

"The Montego's missing?" Jim repeated, his eyes wide with concern as he stared back at President pike and Admiral Marcus, both of whom were on a divided communications screen. "Are you sure?"

Jim shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he waited for an answer; he had come back to his quarters to find Lorian and George preparing for bed and a message from President Pike. Expecting to have a discussion about what took place on the away mission, Jim was surprised when President Pike had only confirmed that he had received the message before adding Admiral Marcus to their conversation. It was then that he had heard the news.

Admiral Marcus sighed wearily, but said nothing, "Seeing as Admiral Marcus oversees keeping track of all the vessels on active duty in this quadrant, Captain Kirk, I'd say it's a fact," President Pike replied in a commanding voice, his expression grim. "The Montego radioed Starbase 14 approximately four days ago with the intent of coming to the starbase for a bit of shoreleave before returning to their patrol zone."

"Romulans have cloaked ships, don't they?" Jim asked, suddenly recalling his experience with Romulans.

President Pike nodded, "As do Klingons," he replied solemnly. "If they are responsible for the Montego's disappearance, however, they have violated the treaty to not cross into Federation space. Anyway, Captain Kirk, I want the Enterprise to report to Starbase 14 and get the Montego's last known coordinates from the station manager, Commander Keeler, who is there with his daughter, and report back before you go to the coordinates. I don't want you engaging with the Klingons or Romulans."

"Because Spock will be put at risk?" Jim replied in a concerned voice. "I won't let that happen."

It was then that Admiral Marcus cleared his throat, "Captain Kirk, may I ask you something that Anthony begged me to ask?" he asked softly, sighing as Jim nodded. "Have you found any trace of Carol yet?"

"I'm afraid not, Admiral Marcus," Jim replied somberly. "We haven't heard anything about her."

Admiral Marcus sighed and nodded, "I thought not," he replied softly. "Anyway, once the Sea of Tranquility is done her patrol route in the Laurentian System, she'll be taking over the assignment that the Montego was doing when it disappeared. Maybe they'll be able to find something…anything."

Swallowing hard, Admiral Marcus deactivated his screen, "Don't take it personal, Jim," President Pike explained gently. "Everything that's happened recently has put Starfleet on high alert and it's hard on everyone. Anyway, send me a message when you make contact with Commander Keeler, all right?"

Jim nodded and as the screen went black, he heard soft footsteps, "Daddy?" George asked softly.

Grateful that he had both Lorian and George with him on the Enterprise, Jim turned his chair around and was surprised when both Lorian and George climbed into his lap. Jim was truly grateful for both his sons. He hadn't had a chance to talk with Lieutenant McGivers about her performance because she had immediately retreated to her quarters to be with her son, but that would happen. What everyone needed that evening was quiet.

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