One Week Later
Starfleet Hockey Academy Infirmary
"It's five in the morning, Bones," Jim spoke groggily, his speech slurring slightly as he sat on the edge of the hospital bed, watching as Leonard put socks and slippers on him. "It's too early."
Ignoring the slurring in Jim's voice, as he had only been in the hospital for a week undergoing a slow recovery, Leonard sighed, "I know you were supposed to stay in the hospital for a minimum of two weeks after your brain surgery, but it's just not possible," he replied softly.
"I don't even read the paper," Jim moaned, trying to kick Leonard away. "Let me rest."
Leonard, however, stood up and offered his hands to Jim, knowing full well that Jim could see him because he had his glasses on, "Try and stand up," he instructed in a worried voice.
Jim did as he was told, but wobbled enough that Leonard had to grab him and silently guide him over to the wheelchair, "We'll work on that," Leonard replied calmly. "Warm enough?"
A whimper escaped from Jim's lips and Leonard responded by wheeling Jim from the room and down to the exit near the parking lot, "Does Pike know about this?" Jim asked groggily.
"Yes, Pike knows about this," Captain Pike, who had left Pavel at their house asleep to come help see Jim off on his recovery holiday, said as he came inside. "You need to get away."
Flustered and confused about what was going on, Jim shrugged and frowned when he was wheeled outside to an old station wagon, "What's going on?" he asked in a groggy voice.
Silence was the only reply Jim got as he was helped into the backseat of the vehicle and secured there with a seatbelt, "…Do you have all the stuff you need, McCoy?" he heard Pike say in a concerned voice as exhaustion prompted him to slouch and close his worn out eyes.
"…Jim, come on," Jim heard a concerned voice say softly. "You've gotta wake up."
Jim groaned, but opened his eyes and was confused to find the door open and a very old-looking train station in front of him, "Come on, I have to go scan this web thing in for our tickets," Leonard said in a concerned voice. "If you can't walk, I can always get a chair…"
"I can walk," Jim slurred even though he made no effort to stand up. "I need a minute."
Leonard sighed and gently hauled Jim out of the car, depositing him into a wheelchair he had gotten from inside, "I'll carry your stuff in, McCoy," Captain Pike's voice spoke gently.
Nodding, Leonard wheeled Jim into the station and kept one hand on the wheelchair while he scanned the printout at a ticket kiosk with the other, "If…if you need my money, I don't know where my wallet is," Jim's tired voice filled Leonard's ear. "I'm not sure where my stuff is…"
"Don't worry about it," Leonard replied, grabbing the tickets from the kiosk. "Just relax."
Captain Pike looked worried, but silently followed after Leonard and Jim with both of their bags in his hands. The train itself was large, but it had only one level, which meant no stairs for Jim.
The ticket taker eyed Jim warily, but caught sight of Pike's glare before anything could be said, "Bones, I'm so tired," Jim said in a shaky voice as Leonard helped him stand up. "My head…"
Nodding, Leonard guided Jim on to the train and into a large compartment not too far from where they boarded, "This looks expensive," Jim moaned as he looked around and saw two single beds, a couch, a coffee table in the middle, and a small bathroom at the back.
"Don't worry about it," Leonard replied as he sat Jim on one of the beds. "Better?"
Jim shivered, but didn't say anything, "Here are your things," Captain Pike said in a concerned voice as he came into the compartment with the bags. "I had to bribe the ticket taker."
"It's so cold," Jim mumbled, closing his eyes. "I can't even put on a sweater by myself."
Captain Pike's eyes went wide and he swiftly took off his hoodie and dressed Jim in it before helping him lie down on the bed. Jim whimpered and then relaxed, fighting sleep.
"Thanks," Leonard mouthed as Captain Pike looked at him. "Thanks for the lift."
Captain Pike nodded, "I'm sure the media and the student population on campus will calm down by August," he replied, shocked at how many people had wanted to visit Jim over the last week and had disrupted the rest that he desperately needed. "Take time to recover, Jim."
"I'm screwed as far as school and hockey goes," Jim whimpered, completely exhausted.
Leonard sighed, "It's just barely April and the new semester doesn't start until the beginning of September, Jim," Captain Pike spoke kindly. "Hockey doesn't start til October and it will be a rather unique season, so why don't you just play it by ear and I'll see you after the summer?"
Before Jim could think of a reply, Captain Pike silently left the train, "How about I give you some pain meds and you go back to sleep for a while?" Leonard suggested quietly. "You look tired."
Jim nodded and closed his eyes, prompting Leonard to gently remove his glasses from his face and set them on the coffee table. He then got into his medical bag and prepared to start an IV.
Starfleet Hockey Academy Canteen
"Cap'n, what's new this morning?" Officer Tucker said as he came into the canteen and saw Dean Archer nursing a cup of coffee at a corner table. "You happy that it's term break?"
Dean Archer sighed, "I enjoy a quiet campus, especially when there's been as much violence and discontent as there was this term, Trip," he replied calmly. "How are you adjusting?"
"This is really different from the streets," Officer Tucker replied quietly. "It's cleaner."
Dean Archer smiled just as Officer Tucker's phone beeped and he pulled it out of his pocket to see what the message was, "A good morning from T'Pol?" he asked slyly, grinning madly.
"Um," Officer Tucker replied, deeply shocked by the message. "Nothing like that at all."
Dean Archer frowned as Officer Tucker sighed, "The message was from T'Pol, yes, but it's a little more of a serious thing," the former cop explained. "The Vulcan Embassy just got a red alert message from Takari Sulu: Alex Marcus has gone missing during his visit to Asia."
"No!" Dean Archer replied in a shocked voice, realizing that Tucker was serious. "When?"
Officer Tucker sighed, "T'Pol says we're invited to the Vulcan Embassy for breakfast and a meeting about the whole thing," he replied quietly. "Is his daughter still on campus?"
"She's rooming with Uhura and Orion right now, I think," Dean Archer replied calmly.
Officer Tucker nodded, "T'Pol suggested it might be good to involved Miss Marcus in the meeting because she is an adult," he replied nervously. "I really don't want to involve her."
"Miss Marcus is an adult, so she has the right to choose for herself whether or not she wants to be involved," Dean Archer replied firmly. "She's probably in Christopher Pike Hall right now."
Realizing that the dean was making him do this whether he wanted to or not, Officer Tucker sighed, nodded, and silently left the canteen even though this reminded him of his past.
Downtown San Francisco
"Zees eez a place vere Keptin Pike took me ven I first came to San Franceesco," Pavel, who had secretly gotten up and went to get Hikaru from the dorms after Captain Pike had left for the day, said as they entered a small diner near the park. "Ze food is really amazeeng here."
Hikaru smiled as they sat in a booth near the door, "I left a note for Keptin Pike," Pavel stated.
"This all looks so good," Hikaru said as he picked a menu up off the table. "I'm so hungry."
Pavel smiled as he silently fiddled with the portable jukebox on the table, oblivious to the fact that a group of several students including Hawkins had entered the diner and had seen them.
Before any words could be exchanged, however, the kitchen door opened and a Vulcan wearing an apron over his clothes came out, "What kind of sustenance do you require?" he asked, approaching Pavel and Hikaru's table with a pad of paper and pen out. "My name is Stonn."
"I vould like ze seemple breakfast place," Pavel replied quietly. "Please and sank you."
Stonn nodded and made some notes on his pad, "I'll have the same," Hikaru replied quietly.
"Why don't you learn how to speak English, Chekov?" Hawkins said as he turned in his seat.
Pavel frowned, "You not only look like you belong in high school, but you also talk like you're a toddler," Hawkins sneered, ignoring Stonn's expression. "You're in America, you dumb…"
A silence fell over the diner as the door opened and a sinister looking Romulan poked his head out, "Ah, company," he said in an amused voice as he reached into his pocket and extracted a small, but lethal looking firearm. "I suggest that nobody move unless they want to be shot."
"Eez zees a robbery?" Pavel asked in a fearful voice, gazing at the Romulan. "Zat eez a…"
The Romulan swiftly grabbed Pavel out of his seat by the hair, "I'm a Romulan and you're a poor excuse for a Russian," he hissed, throwing Pavel across the counter with little effort.
"Do you want vengeance?" Hawkins spoke up anxiously as he pointed at Hikaru. "If you want to really hurt those who oppose you, get him! He's Hikaru Sulu, son of diplomat Takari Sulu."
Hikaru swore as the Romulan turned to face him, but Pavel suddenly climbed on the counter and jumped on the Romulan's back, trying to get his hands around his neck, "Heekaru, run!" Pavel yelled in an anxious voice, wincing as the Romulan bit his hand. "GET SOME HELP!"
Instead of fleeing and leaving his friend to be hurt, however, Hikaru rushed out of the booth and shoved Stonn towards the door, "Go!" he hissed. "Go get some help right now!"
The Romulan swore and managed to pry Pavel off of him, slamming him against the wall before he released him. As Pavel lay on the floor, the Romulan fired two shots into his right leg.
"Nero would be most pleased to have you as a guest," The Romulan, whom Hikaru recognized from diplomatic photos as Ayel, said in a menacing voice, pointing his firearm at Hikaru.
Hikaru spat at Ayel, prompting Ayel to stomp on his foot and break it before forcing Hikaru to his feet, "Shall we go see Nero?" Ayel asked menacingly. "Or shall I just kill your friends?"
Not wanting anyone else to get hurt, Hikaru remained silent as he was forced outside.
Swearing anxiously, Pavel slowly crawled over to the door, "Chekov, I…" Hawkins said in an anxious voice, realizing that he had just caused a serious mess. "Chekov, you're hurt bad!"
"Like you care," Pavel spoke weakly as he slowly slipped into unconsciousness.
Christopher Pike Hall - Starfleet Hockey Academy
"Professor Tucker, how are you today?" Carol, who was sitting in the common area with Spock, Nyota, M'Benga, and Gaila, asked as Officer Tucker came inside. "You…you look upset."
Officer Tucker sighed, unsure of how to break the news, "It's about my father, isn't it?" Carol asked, knowing full well that it was. "He warned me that he might get killed…"
"He's just missing in Asia," Officer Tucker replied anxiously. "Nobody knows where."
Carol sighed and nodded, "He was in Asia to try and mediate a peaceful settlement to the unrest between the Romulans and Vulcans," she replied calmly. "I understand that."
"T'Pol asked me to tell you that you're invited to the Vulcan Embassy with Dean Archer and I to get more information," Officer Tucker replied quietly. "The meeting's a little later."
Suddenly, Spock's cell went off and he promptly answered it, frowning when he heard Hawkins's frantic voice on the phone hyperventilating about what happened, prompting Spock's anger to peak, "…Mister Hawkins, I suggest you tell the police everything while I inform Captain Pike of what has transpired," Spock said in an unusually angry voice. "Goodbye."
"What's wrong, Spock?" Nyota asked in a worried voice, not used to seeing Spock upset.
Spock sighed heavily and silently dialled a number, "Captain Pike," he said as a voice answered on the other end. "This is Spock and I have just been contacted by Mister Hawkins and informed about an attack at a diner in downtown San Francisco. Mister Hawkins said that Mister Sulu and Mister Chekov were involved. Mister Chekov is injured and Mister Sulu is…"
The words "in the custody of an armed Romulan" cut through the group like a knife.
Nyota gasped and Carol frowned as Spock hung up the phone, "I have been advised by Captain Pike to remain here," Spock explained tonelessly. "The situation is being responded to."
"How can I help exactly?" Carol asked softly. "I have medical training and Chekov must be…"
Officer Tucker looked surprised, but said nothing, "Maybe we all just better stay put and wait for someone to explain what's going to happen," he said, firmly asserting his authority.
Downtown
It took Captain Pike less than 20 minutes to get downtown after informing Dean Archer of what happened. When he arrived at the diner, he saw police cars everywhere and cops swarming the diner while Paramedics Mayweather and Maco tried to treat Pavel, who was on the steps.
"…I vant to know vere Heekaru eez," Pavel sobbed as he held his leg. "I tried to fight ze…"
Captain Pike frowned as he joined Pavel on the steps, "Ve vere just going out for an end of ze semester breakfast before he vent back to Aseea tomorrow," Pavel whimpered. "My leg…"
"I saw your note," Captain Pike replied reassuringly, eyeing Pavel's leg. "You got shot."
Pavel nodded and continued to sob, "Let the paramedics help you and take you to the hospital," Captain Pike said reassuringly. "I'm sure the police are doing what they can."
"Hawkeens sold Heekaru out to the Romulans!" Pavel screamed through his sobs.
Captain Pike frowned as the paramedics lifted Pavel off of the stairs and on to a nearby gurney, "I'll come with you in the ambulance, okay?" he replied, knowing Pavel was terrified.
Passenger Train
"…Will there be anything else, Doctor McCoy?" Jim heard a gentle voice say as he lay there, trying desperately to ignore the strong, intense smell of cooked food. "We have tea."
Jim slowly opened his eyes only to be met by a blurry ceiling, "Just leave the teapot and hot water," he heard Leonard say in a calm voice. "Thank you for your assistance."
There was silence followed by footsteps, "Bones?" Jim called out in a weak voice.
"I'll get your glasses, hang on," Jim heard before he suddenly felt them being placed on his face.
Jim sighed and slowly looked over at the coffee table, surprised to see two plates of bacon, scrambled eggs, toast, hashbrowns, bowls of pudding, and tall glasses of apple juice as well as a teapot. Leonard was seated on the couch, silently sipping a cup of something hot. The blind was pulled down, but Jim could clearly see that the sun was out and shining on everything.
"Those smells are really strong," Jim spoke in a tired voice. "I…I don't know about food."
Leonard sighed, fully expecting Jim to repel the idea of solid food because he had only eaten simple things like applesauce, juice, and pudding while in the hospital, "I have to pee," Jim said in an anxious voice, knowing he wouldn't be able to get to the bathroom unassisted.
"You've got your catheter still in," Leonard replied calmly, as he set his mug on the table and moved over to the bed. "Do you want to try sitting up on your own or should I help?"
Jim cringed and slowly maneuvered himself into an upright position, "I have to figure this crap out or else Sam's going to admit me," he said anxiously. "He flew back early for a reason."
"Don't you remember Sam telling you that his wife is pregnant and he also has to work?" Leonard asked, wondering if Jim had been fully aware during that conversation. "He might want to check you out at the hospital if you get sick on the train, but he won't admit you."
Jim sighed, "I slept when I could in the hospital," he replied softly. "I had a lot of visitors and they all wanted to talk to me, so I couldn't sleep at all because I didn't want to be rude."
"Do you feel like you want to try some pudding?" Leonard asked in a kind voice, well aware of how many people made it their business to visit Jim in the last week and disrupt his rest.
Jim sighed, "Can I sit at the table?" he asked softly. "I'm feeling a little better now."
"Head to toe motor skills test first since we didn't do em earlier," Leonard replied firmly
Jim sighed, but moved his hands into the various positions that were part of his motor skills rehabilitation, "Good," Leonard replied, watching each movement closely. "Now your arms."
Swallowing hard, Jim slowly went through the basic lifting and lowering movements that he had been ordered to do daily, "It'll get easier," Leonard said calmly, sensing Jim's frustration.
"I can't even stand without help, Bones," Jim replied softly. "How will it get easier?"
Leonard sighed, "You had brain tumors removed that were putting pressure on your brain and not only impairing your motor skills, but also causing seizures," he replied calmly. "I know you had some at night since you would wake up tired and sick sometimes, but you'd brush it off and refuse to get checked out. Brain surgery often results in temporary impairments, but if you do your rehab, take your meds, and get proper rest, I think you'll eventually be 100 percent."
Jim sighed, "I'm sorry," he replied quietly. "I'm just…frustrated over all of this."
Nodding, Leonard offered his hands and Jim took them, grumbling a swear word under his breath when he found it hard to stand up, "Easy," Leonard directed as he guided Jim over to the seat closest to the bed and helped him sit. "You can put your meds in your pudding today."
Jim eyed the medicine bottles on the table and looked at his IV laden hand, unsure if he could manage fishing the pills out of the bottle when he hadn't yet been able to, "Jim, if you're not able to get your own pills yet, that's fine," Leonard spoke calmly as if he could read minds.
"I…I," Jim spoke shakily, scared to admit his need for help. "I don't think I can do it yet…"
Leonard nodded and silently got three pills from each medicine bottle and deposited them in one of the bowls of pudding, "Could you please help me eat, Bones?" Jim asked in a nervous voice, not wanting to make a mess in such a fancy train car. "I don't want to slop it all over."
Nodding calmly, Leonard grabbed a cloth napkin off of the table and tied it loosely around Jim's neck before he grabbed the bowl holding the pills and sat on the bed beside Jim's chair.
"It's not the worst thing in the world to ask for help, you know," Leonard said as he filled the spoon with a combination of the pills and pudding. "My friendship is unconditional."
San Francisco General Hospital
"Get over here," Andrei's voice hissed as he reached through the open door of the closet.
Alarms blared, but Pavel continued to struggle and fight anxiously, wondering if he was going to ever get out of reach, "Pavel!" he suddenly heard an alarmed voice calling through the fog.
The fog in Pavel's brain suddenly lifted and he found himself lying in a hospital bed in a gown with a blanket over his body, "Pavel," Nyota said in an anxious voice. "You're safe."
"My…leg," Pavel whimpered, quickly lifting the blanket to look. "Eet is steel zere."
Pavel looked anxiously at Nyota, who nodded, "The bullets went right through your leg," she explained in an anxious voice. "You had surgery to repair the damage and you've also got some broken ribs. Doctor Cutler thinks you might also have a concussion and some PTSD."
"Heekaru," Pavel whimpered, the memory of what happened suddenly coming back.
Nyota sighed, "The police are searching the entire city, but they haven't found anything," she replied in a worried voice. "Hawkins is in custody and he said that he invited the Romulan…"
Pavel paled and trembled anxiously, "I tried to jump on ze Romulan so Heekaru could get avay because ze Romulan told Heekaru zat Nero vanted heem as a guest," he replied anxiously.
"Nero?" Nyota asked in a concerned voice, frowning as Pavel slowly sat up and winced.
Pavel nodded and swore loudly as he suddenly felt pain, "Pavel, get back in bed!" Captain Pike, who had come to check on Pavel, said as he came into the room and saw Pavel sitting up.
"I vould gladly offer myself to ze Romulans for Heekaru!" Pavel snapped tearfully.
Captain Pike frowned, "Mister Hawkins mentioned that a Romulan attacked the diner," he replied calmly, alarmed by how emotional Pavel was. "You need to get back in bed."
Pavel trembled and anxiously began to sob, prompting Captain Pike to sit on the edge of the bed and gently hold Pavel against him, "Shh," Captain Pike soothed. "It's going to be okay."
There was a silence and the door opened, "Captain Pike," Spock spoke softly. "My father just contacted me and said that the Sulus are now safely at the Vulcan Embassy."
"Please thank your parents for sending people to pick them up at the airport," Captain Pike replied, still holding tight to Pavel. "I trust Dean Archer is on his way to brief them?"
Spock nodded, "There are a crowd of reporters assembling outside the hospital," he replied in a nervous voice, knowing that Pavel didn't need reporters. "I can arrange for them to leave."
"Eet eez not going to matter vat you do," Pavel whispered anxiously. "Heekaru is ze son of a wery eemportant ambassador of a country zat eez at var vith ze Romulans…"
Captain Pike sighed and gently tousled Pavel's hair as he fell silent, "Anything else, Spock?" he asked in a concerned voice, knowing Pavel desperately needed to calm down or he would either get sick or work himself into a stroke. "If not, please tell Dean Archer that I'm…"
Flashbulbs suddenly went off and Captain Pike swore as he realized that reporters were taking pictures of everyone involved, "Get what clothes you can on," Captain Pike spoke in a determined voice, desperate to protect Pavel from negative attention. "We're leaving."
Vulcan Embassy
"…The car your father was driving disappeared off of Security radar and all attempts to contact him via his cellular service have been unsuccessful," T'Pol explained in a quiet voice as she sat in a sitting room with Ambassador Sarek, Carol, and M'Benga, going over the very little evidence from Professor Marcus's disappearance. "Vulcan sentries have not yet located him."
Carol sighed and nodded, gazing at M'Benga as he squeezed her hand, "It is very possible that he was taken over the wall into Romulus, but we have no way of knowing that without sending in some of our very small army," Ambassador Sarek spoke quietly. "I sincerely apologize."
Nodding, Carol sighed heavily, "My father warned me that he might get into trouble while he was over there and so I expected this," she replied softly. "He is an advocate for peace."
While the conversation continued, Officer Tucker lingered in the large room that the Embassy kept for social gatherings, well aware that Dean Archer was watching his movements, "You've got that 'I want a drink' look in your eyes, Trip," Dean Archer said worriedly. "I'm worried."
"I'm not going to do it," Officer Tucker replied tersely. "I might find an AA meeting later."
Dean Archer sighed, "Compared to me, Hikaru Sulu's just a kid and he should be enjoying college and getting lucky," Officer Tucker spoke wearily. "Not serving as a political pawn."
"If you need to talk to a counselor before you go to an AA meeting, Phlox is around campus and he rarely travels," Dean Archer replied softly. "You used to talk to him when you first got out…"
There was a heavy silence and a door suddenly opened, "...If you require mobility assistance, I can get a wheelchair," Dean Archer heard a voice say. "You do not look very…healthy."
Dean Archer frowned when he heard anxious gasping and he silently went into the foyer, frowning when he saw Pavel, who was wearing a large shirt and shorts, sitting on a bench with his leg bandaged and one hand on an IV pole with tears streaming down his pale face. Spock, Nyota, and Captain Pike were all standing there, trying not to make things any worse.
Stonn, who had been in meditation since after the attack, lingered near the doorway looking unsure of how to react, "Do you have a place for Pavel to rest?" Nyota asked softly.
"I am unsure if I would be much help," Stonn replied tonelessly. "I fear I am to blame."
Spock gave Stonn a look, "You did not push T'Pring to leave Vulcan in search of a more enthralling lifestyle," he said tonelessly. "Nor did you push Sybok to lead them away to Romulus in search of peace from their distress, Stonn. Both made choices without assistance."
"Spock, you are not to mention Sybok or T'Pring," Ambassador Sarek said sternly as he came into the foyer. "Their defection from Vulcan culture gave the Romulans a great advantage."
Spock nodded, "I apologize, Father," he replied softly. "I thought the information might…"
There was a heavy silence as Officer Tucker suddenly came into the foyer and donned his jacket, "Jon, I'm going back to campus for a while," he said in a tight voice. "Alright?"
Dean Archer looked concerned, "Trip, let them check your foot before you leave," he replied in a worried voice. "You're limping again and you know the Vulcans have the resources."
"Stupid prosthetic," Officer Tucker growled. "The dang thing probably isn't working right."
Pavel, Nyota, Gaila, and Spock looked surprised, but Captain Pike sighed and looked at them, "Spock, Uhura, please help Pavel find a place to rest," Captain Pike said calmly. "Mister…"
"Stonn, sir," Stonn replied quietly. "I will find them a quiet place to rest."
Spock and Nyota helped Pavel up and they, along with Gaila, followed Stonn out of the foyer, prompting Officer Tucker to return to the sitting room and sit on the couch, "I don't wanna take my cover off if the Sulus suddenly come in here," Officer Tucker said nervously. "They're already upset."
"The Sulus are in the diplomatic suite reserved for important guests," Ambassador Sarek said as he came out into the sitting area and saw Officer Tucker on the couch. "Issues with your foot?"
Officer Tucker sighed and Ambassador Sarek nodded, "I will summon the Embassy physician," Ambassador Sarek said before he left the sitting area. "I am sorry Sybok was mentioned."
Captain Pike frowned as Officer Tucker silently reached down and unzipped his left pant leg before removing the fabric, revealing a metallic limb in place of a leg that extended all the way down to a special boot, "It got a little worse over the years and they ended up taking everything below the knee, which is why I was moved to night shifts in a car in the seedy district with strict orders not to participate in foot pursuits," Officer Tucker explained quietly, lowering his head.
Dean Archer sighed and looked at Captain Pike, who looked stunned, "Trip rescued Ambassador Sarek and his family from their house in Vulcan and that included the current matriarch, T'Pau, when America responded to the Romulan attacks," he explained quietly. "As Trip was getting them to safety, a Vulcan named Sybok ambushed him and ended up blowing his foot off."
"And this Sybok is allied with Nero?" Captain Pike asked quietly, only to be met with silence.
"Who are T'Pring and Sybok, Spock?" Nyota asked as she sat on the edge of the bed where Pavel was now sleeping in a swath of blankets while Gaila lingered nearby. "Why do they make your father angry?"
Stonn looked surprised, but Spock merely sighed, "My father was married to a Vulcan woman when he was much younger and they had a child, but they divorced soon after that child was born and Sybok's mother took him with her," Spock replied tonelessly. "Sybok is much older than I and he came to Vulcan when he was of age and wanted to meet our father…"
"Ambassador Sarek will not be happy with you," Stonn commented anxiously.
Spock sighed, "My father is unhappy about the current situation and is insisting that I remain at the Embassy until Mister Sulu because he does not wish me to suffer as a political pawn as Mister Sulu currently is," he replied tonelessly. "My mother also wishes me to be safe."
"Spock?" Spock suddenly heard his mother say. "May I come in for a moment?"
Spock blinked as Amanda came into the room carrying a tray of food and a bag of first aid supplies, "Your father explained things to me and he asked me to look after all of you," Amanda explained gently, eyeing the sleeping Pavel. "I also need to take a look at your friend."
Pavel whimpered as Amanda moved the blankets, but he opened his eyes and immediately relaxed when he saw Amanda there, "Hello there, Pavel," Amanda spoke gently.
"Everyseeng hurts," Pavel admitted softly, weak from crying. "Any vord on Heekaru?"
Amanda shook her head, "No," she replied softly. "Can I take a look at you, though?"
Pavel nodded and Amanda gently lifted his shirt, revealing bruises and bandages, "I vas zrown in to ze vall and shot by ze Romulan," he explained shakily. "I deedn't vant pain relief."
"You and Mister Sulu were out at breakfast," Amanda replied, having been told by Sarek. "I really don't see how this whole thing is remotely your fault. You are not to blame."
Pavel sighed, "I don't need to tell you that it was very dangerous of you to jump on that Romulan because you could have easily been killed," Amanda replied softly as she got some first aid supplies out of her bag. "You need to trust that the police will find Mister Sulu."
"I know vat zey tried to do to Doctor MeeCoy een January and zat eez vat zey vill do to Heekaru," Pavel replied softly, ignoring the looks he was getting from Spock and Nyota.
Passenger Train
The sound of knocking at the door jerked Leonard out of the nap he had been taking after he had helped Jim eat pudding and drink juice. Jim was now asleep in the chair and Leonard had silently eaten the rest of the breakfast because he knew the smells bothered Jim immensely.
Sighing heavily, Leonard got up and realized that the train had come to a complete stop as he went over to the door and opened it, revealing uniformed police officers, "We have a warrant to search this train for any sign of Romulans or Hikaru Sulu," the officer explained firmly.
"What?" Leonard asked in a confused voice as the officer produced the warrant.
The officer frowned, "Early this morning in San Francisco, California, a Romulan attacked a diner and shot a Pavel Chekov before abducting Hikaru Sulu," he explained, realizing that Leonard had no idea what was going on. "Ambassador Takari Sulu has requested that all forms of transportation across the country be stopped and searched at the earliest possible opportunity," he explained grimly. "Now stand aside or I will be forced to move you."
As the officer entered with another officer, Jim was watching them warily, having heard about Pavel and Hikaru, "Pavel was shot?" he asked anxiously. "Who took Sulu?"
"A Romulan," Leonard replied quietly, seeing that Jim was anxious. "Do you need a painkiller?"
Jim, however, remained silent as the officers searched their bags and the compartment, "Can you hurry this up, please?" Leonard asked quietly. "My friend here just had serious surgery a week ago and this is really disrupting his rest. I'm a doctor and he's not cleared for flying."
"Identification?" the officer asked, ignoring Leonard's plea. "Or do I need to search you?"
Jim frowned and looked for his wallet, which Leonard grabbed off the table along with his own, "We're students at Starfleet Hockey Academy," Leonard explained before Jim could speak.
Anxiety filled Jim and he suddenly sat up quickly, "Bones, I feel a little…" he spoke weakly.
Ignoring the police, Leonard grabbed a bucket off of the floor and thrust it at Jim, wincing as Jim lost his breakfast and medication in the bucket, "Do you need paramedics, Doctor?" one of the officers asked in a worried voice, watching Jim sweat anxiously. "We can radio for them."
"NO!" Jim yelled as loud as he could, eager for the police to get away from him. "No…"
The officers exchanged a look and returned the wallets to Leonard, who set them back on the coffee table, "Where the heck are we, anyway?" Leonard asked in a concerned voice.
"Just outside of Las Vegas," one officer replied anxiously. "Sir, are you all right?"
Leonard frowned when he saw that Jim had closed his eyes and was struggling to breathe, "He's having a panic attack," he replied anxiously, knowing that the cops were causing it. "Out."
"Excuse me?" the officer replied in a surprised voice. "We're conducting an investigation…"
Scoffing, Leonard turned his focus to Jim, "Come on, Jim, I'll get you back in bed so you can rest," he said, sighing as Jim whimpered and tensed up. "Do NOT have a seizure on me."
The officers exchanged a look and silently left the compartment, "They're gone, Jim," Leonard said in an anxious voice, gently massaging Jim's chest. "Come on; take a deep, slow breath."
Jim gasped anxiously and slowly began to relax, but he didn't open his eyes, "I have a headache," he finally spoke quietly. "I can't believe Pavel and Sulu were attacked…"
Leonard responded by helping Jim up and guiding him over to the bed, "Lie down and I'll see what's going on," he replied gently, easing Jim into bed. "I'll also get you some tea."
As Jim lay there, deeply shaken by the presence of the officers, Leonard carefully covered him up, put the bucket aside to clean out later, and went over to where the video phone was.
Vulcan Embassy
"Captain Pike, there is a redirected call for you," Captain Pike heard a sentry call out as he sat in the living room, wondering what to do about the situation. "It's a Doctor Leonard McCoy."
Frowning, Captain Pike got up and followed the sentry into an office where an angry looking Leonard waited on the screen, "What's going on down there?" Leonard snapped. "The train was stopped outside of Vegas and two officers came and searched out compartment. Jim had a massive panic attack when the cops took one look at him and suggested calling an ambulance."
Captain Pike sighed and swore under his breath, "I can't do anything about the searches, McCoy," he replied calmly, trying to compose himself. "Takari Sulu is an Ambassador and he has the authority to request the use of American resources. Hikaru is still very much missing."
"The Romulan probably took Sulu to where they were going to take me," Leonard replied.
Captain Pike looked shocked, "That might be so," he replied softly. "Police are searching."
There was a heavy silence, followed by some quiet whimpering, "…Shh, I'll give you a little something for the anxiety as well as your meds," Captain Pike heard Leonard say quietly.
Captain Pike watched as Leonard moved over to the bed where Jim was laying and quickly hooked up a bag of IV medication through his hand before injecting something into the line, "Ahh," Jim whispered before he drifted into a deep sleep, greatly alarming Captain Pike.
"Jim threw up his meds and his breakfast when the cops searched our compartment, so I gave him IV meds and a little sedative," Leonard explained as he returned to the phone. "I have a feeling his brother's not going to be happy about the little problem we've had on here."
Captain Pike sighed, "I'm going to go and clean up and get some rest," Leonard stated.
The screen went black and Captain Pike massaged his forehead, "Chris?" a voice said.
"Jon, you scared the crap out of me," Captain Pike said as he turned and saw Dean Archer lingering behind him looking worried. "Officers are searching Kirk and McCoy's train now."
Dean Archer nodded, "Takari Sulu's been using his guest suite to coordinate the searches for his son and he's looking for any information," he replied quietly. "I heard what McCoy said."
"If you need to talk to McCoy further, I would wait a couple of days until everyone is 100% sure that Sulu and his captor are no longer in the country," Captain Pike replied in a worried voice.
Dean Archer sighed, "Ambassador Sarek seems to think that Marcus is dead and that the Romulans took Hikaru to show that they aren't afraid of hurting anyone to get what they want," he said in a somber voice. "McCoy's information is needed to help with this situation."
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