Len held Seri until she fell asleep. Her grip on him lessened, but even in her sleep she didn't let go. As he lifted her off the couch she felt like a feather in his arms. The past week all she had done was take care of him. She gave him everything she was. For the most part, the care had been taken for granted. That needed to stop. He kissed her forehead as he laid her gently onto the bed. None of what she did for him was easy. She had risked everything, even her soul for him. Cal was right, he could be and unthinking ass at times. Carefully he laid her on the soft sheets and gently pulled the covers up. Another kiss fell softly on her forehead.

"Len?" Jet black eyes looked up at him questioning.

"Good morning baby." The covers were pulled back for him to crawl under. He removed his shirt and then hers. Len relished the feel of her skin against his. The softness and warmth of their skin was the feeling he most craved. "I thought it would be nice to lie together just like this. We could talk about what we'll do when we get home."

She snuggled into his chest, drinking in his sent. Nothing ever made her feel as safe and secure as being held in her lover's arms. "I am concerned about what we'll have to deal with in San Francisco. I don't want it to be like it was after Nero." The crowds and the press had been waiting to greet them at the shuttle bay. It was blindingly bright and loud as they exited the shuttle. She remembered being separated from Len and Jim as the press pushed their way between the senior crew. They all wanted to interview Jim and Spock. Len found her quickly and pushed their way to medical. None of those around knew who he was. But that was then. Now the universe seemed to know who the youngest CMO in Starfleet history was. They wouldn't be able to escape again.

"I know baby. But you know how it is when the Enterprise docks. Knowing Jim, he'll take the spotlight off us as much as he can. Chances are they have already set up interviews for him with the various news organizations." Starfleet usually had one big press conference with several private interviews set up with the most respected news institutions. What happened after Nero had taught them to contain the crowds, and control how their personnel were approached.

The entire Federation believed James T. Kirk loved publicity. They couldn't have been more wrong. He would want to go for his debriefing and then jump on a shuttle home, not talk about himself and the ships exploits to a group of total strangers. Seri knew how much this was going to take out of him, but he would take the brunt of the attention if it meant the rest of them could slip away unnoticed. Hopefully that would be enough to keep the press from Taccoa. None of them wanted an invasion of their town.

"Len, I know where your mind has been going. Do you want to talk about it?" His thoughts had been taking detours to the morgue ever since his wounds had healed.

"You know I want to see him. Peaches, I know he is gone. I know that. I held him. But I keep picturing him in the bag." The sadness in his eyes told all.

"And the pictures in your head are getting worse as the days go on." She could see what he had imagined. It was worse than the reality. Seri had seen the kid shortly before she relieved Len of duty. The autopsy was over and she had needed to say goodbye. Christine had cleaned up Pavel before she zipped him into the bag. He almost looked like he was sleeping.

"They are. How many days are left before we get home?"

"Two before we get to Jupiter. It will take a few more hours before we get to Earth, so maybe a half a day more. I can ask Jim or Spock."

"No. It's okay. I think I need to see him before Jupiter. I just need to say goodbye." His brow furrowed as his eyes softened. He didn't want her to tell him no. He couldn't live with the pictures his imagination dew. As bad as the reality would be, the false images were worse.

"That is more than understandable. Do you want to do it alone? I can stay in the room with you if that is what you want." Len was strong, but this was going to test that strength, possibly more than he realized.

"I think I need to say goodbye alone. Can you wait outside the room?" Even if she couldn't read him, his eyes showed the pain and fear he felt. They pleaded with her to understand all that was behind them.

Her hand reached to stroke his cheek. It felt rough to her touch. Everyone, almost everyone, saw him as a man that was as rough as his unshaven cheek. Only a few people understood that it was all a façade; a professional mask that allowed him to do a job few would want. Seri knew who he was under it all. He was the man who could calmly hold a dying child in his arms, making sure that baby felt loved and safe. Then, when it was over, show no emotion to those around him; only to later cry himself to sleep in her arms. She could count on one hand how many times that had happened since she met him; but every time she held him she felt herself privileged a man like that would love and trust her as much as he did. "I can. When do you want to do this?"

"Maybe during the next Alpha shift. Joseph will be there so I don't need to talk to anyone else." No one would be there to see him if he lost control. Christine and Joseph would be safe; they would never look at him as an object of pity. Joseph had been with him since right after Nero, and he was lucky that Christine came back to head the nursing department. He saw them as his equals, not his subordinates. The rest of the staff needed to see him as the leader, and leaders didn't break.

"I'll talk to Joseph. From what I understand, you are the only member of the senior staff who hasn't seen him. Everyone else has already said goodbye." She knew the question was coming. They hadn't talked about what had happened in the time between his materializing on the transporter pad, and her relieving him of duty.

"You saw him? When?" His voice sounded angry, but it was more pain than anger.

"Right before your meltdown in medical. Don't be angry, but the autopsy was already done before you insisted on being the doctor to lead it. Joseph, Christine, and I agreed that he should do it. We knew you would insist on it, and that the scenario may not end well. This was the best course of action in our opinion. Jim and Spock agreed. None of us thought it would be healthy for you to do the procedure." Seri could feel the conflict in Len's soul. He wanted to be angry, but the anger didn't come.

"I'm not angry Peaches. Part of me assumed M'Benga had done it as soon as possible. I just wanted to do one last thing for him, that's all. I didn't want to admit that it was truly over. Damn, I was a real ass. I'm sorry." He brushed the hair from her eyes. One day he would understand what she saw in him; she told him that a long time ago. He still didn't understand why him, but he was forever thankful she saw things that he couldn't. "I can't wait to get home. What type of wedding ring do you want?"

"A plain gold band to go with my engagement ring. We can go to Hancock's together. And you don't need to apologize to me. But thank you anyway." His attempt to change the subject was appreciated. They could deal with the visit when Alpha shift started. "Len, are you sure you want to get married as soon as we get back? This past week has been tough. I don't want you to do this and regret we didn't wait until the end of our tours. I don't want this to be because of Mylus." She didn't want to be added to his long list of regrets.

"It isn't. And now that I am no longer stoned, you know I will remember this conversation." She smiled, he did remember what they talked about during his surgery. "I have been thinking about this for some time. Mylus just cemented what I have been feeling since Kahn. I want our future to start as soon as possible. If you want to wait till the end of our tours, I understand." Jim's death had shown him how uncertain their lives could be. He had never told anyone, but as he sat in the cave with Spock all he could think about were Seri and Jo. He needed permeance in his life. Mylus was the final straw, though he wouldn't rush her. If needed he could wait another year.

"I want to get married as soon as possible. I want to start a family. Are you alright with that? I want to have children, and I honestly don't want to wait much longer." Seri wanted at least two children, and she didn't want to wait too much longer. She never saw herself having children later in life.

He played with her hair, running his fingers through it as he stared into her eyes. "I would be happy to start on that right now." She raised her eyebrows and smiled. "That's not what I meant. Seri, do you want to reverse the birth control? I know Joseph would do it for you. We can wait until after the wedding, or he can do it before we disembark." Len wanted children with this woman. She would be an amazing mother, he had no doubt of that. One day he wanted to see their children play on the front lawn as Seri yelled for them to slow down, or to stop throwing pecans at each other. To him that was what heaven looked like.

"I think I'll talk to him during Alpha shift. I want to start as soon as possible. He told me when he installed it, that reversal would be no problem. He also said that according to all of the tests I will have no problem getting pregnant." His eyes told her he had hoped that would be her response.

"Should we start practicing now? I think we should make sure we know what we are doing." His eyes had changed. The green shown with more gold than before. A sure sign she was being teased.

The remainder of their clothing was removed. Just because he teased her didn't mean he didn't want her. The years hadn't dulled the sensation of having her in him. He was one with her the minute their bodies became flush with each other. Her fingers played with his hair as she looked at him questioningly. "Len, you know we still have a year left on our enlistment and tour?"

He turned until she was under him. "I am aware. Don't worry baby, if you get pregnant the CMO will take care of everything. As he understands it, the counselor has been sending recommendations to the admiralty regarding the inclusion of families onboard ship for extended missions."

"She has. She believes that the inclusion of families will make longer missions possible for more of the highly qualified personnel. As it stands most of the crew members with families are looking to leave as soon as possible. They love it on the Enterprise, but they need to be with their families. The counselor argued that the new ship was far larger than the old one and could easily accommodate families and peripheral personnel needed for the children. The admiralty was looking into it. They needed to talk to the CMO and the Captain before they would make any determinations."

He was smiling down at her as he rested his weight on his arms. "The CMO and Captain have been busy lately, but I am willing to bet they will agree with the Counselor." He bent down and began to lightly kiss her. His tongue slipped along her bottom lip as she opened her mouth to him. This was Seri's favorite place in the universe. Soft moments with Len were electric to her.

The comm. went off. Jim's voice cut through the silence of Len's cabin. "Dr. McCoy, Dr. Targan, please meet me at Dr. Targan's quarters in ten minutes."

Len smiled down at Seri. "Perfect timing as usual." She giggled as he got up. They both dressed quickly and headed across the hall.

Jim had woken up from his nap. He needed to go over the particulars of what would happen when they landed on Earth. He also wanted to talk to Seri about the transfer of Dardrok to the facility at Jupiter station. He wanted her to have one more, quick "session" with the Mylan before he disembarked. She may be able to get some more information. It was worth the try.

He entered the bridge squinting. Damn it was bright in there. Nyota noticed his discomfort and smiled. "Captain, there will be a Starfleet representative to meet us at the Jupiter station. He wants Commander Spock, Dr. McCoy, Dr. Targan, Dr. M'Benga, Mr. Trexel, Mr. Hylee, and you to be available for questioning."

"Lieutenant, can you contact the representative and find out if this will be the only debriefing. If not, inform him that we will be debriefed on Earth. I will not put my CMO through more than one debriefing. Don't tell him that. I thought it might help you deal with him if you understood my motivation."

"Yes Captain. I will get the particulars for you." This was a part of her job that she loved. It gave her a chance to care for her family the way they cared for her. She loved them more than she thought she would. Nothing at the Academy had prepared her for the culture of the Enterprise. The feeling of family that pervaded everything they did came from their Captain.

Jim had been a revelation to her. When they first met she saw him as an immature ass. The first three years at the Academy did nothing to change her opinion of him. He came off as a kid with a chip on his shoulder, angry at the universe for the cards he had been dealt. Then Nero came. Jim showed them all who he really was. When he took command, he was willing to put his life on the line to insure the survival of not only his crew, but also for the survival of Earth. By the time Kahn came along she was willing to follow him anywhere. Then he died to save them. Now she could help him.

She could help all of them. Seri was her sister. She had been there for her when Spock said he was leaving to go to New Vulcan. She had helped Nyota when Krall had them detained. Seri had kept her calm and allowed her to focus on getting them out of there. Her sister was her anchor. Then there was Len; god, she never thought he would be her brother. He was a complete misanthrope, an irascible curmudgeon with a heart of gold. She didn't realize how much he meant to her until he was trapped in that torpedo. Hikaru, Scotty, and Pavel were her partners in crime. They loved to help her try to get one over on Jim or Spock. Now Pavel was gone. She would do all she could do to protect the rest of them.

"Commander, come with me. Mr. Sulu you have the con." Jim didn't want to go over what he knew more than once. They all needed to be on the same page before they got to Jupiter. Starfleet would want to know everything. It was important that Len knew what was left out of the reports. He didn't want the CMO to destroy his career by opening his mouth. It might be better if Seri stayed with him during the debriefing. The Admiral had given them that option, and Jim felt it might be a good idea.

Seri's cabin had more seating than either Len's or Jim's. "Len, I was wondering if you would want to move in with me. It seems silly to not share a cabin. I could move into yours, but this one is larger, and it has a window. Does the window bother you?"

"Not anymore. After four years out here, I'm use to it. Moving in here sounds like a good idea. I like that you have a tub and a shower." He could move his personal belongings in before they went down to medical. He didn't have much, but what he had he treasured. There was a picture of Jo, and one of the entire family. There was a chess set he had picked up near Pavel's hometown their second year at the academy. Luckily it hadn't been on the other Enterprise. Other than that, there were only the usual things; clothing, toiletries, a vase, two throw pillows, and an assortment of medals and awards. Except for the clothing it would probably all fit in two boxes.

"I'll help you after Jim leaves." They sat on the couch and waited for the captain to show up. She could feel Jim, he was determined, but she had no idea why. Jupiter would come soon enough and then Earth. Hopefully then it would all be over.

The door slid open as Jim and then Spock came in. Len and Seri stood out of reflex. "Have a seat everyone. I thought we should go over what will happen when we get to Jupiter." Jim got up and grabbed the PADD that sat on the counter. After his code was punched in, their itinerary came up on the screen.

Len glanced over it. So much for getting to Earth in two and a half days. They were to stay there for the transfer of the entire Mylan crew and their ship. According to what was sent, Jim would be the one to contact the Mylans and set up a rendezvous point for the prisoner exchange. "Spock, doctors, if the debriefings are to happen on Earth, I will stay on Jupiter station until all of this is set up. I don't want to hold up the rest of the crew. Spock, I want you to take the Enterprise back to Earth as soon as the prisoner and I disembark."

Seri could feel Len begin to panic. Until that moment she didn't realize how important it was to Len that they all stay together. Normally he wouldn't be like this, but the week's trauma was still a part of him. "Jim, why do you have to stay? Can't we stay with you? Maybe they will need us as well." His speech was hurried, bordering on frantic.

"Doctor, I do not see why they would need all of us. It is logical to believe that Starfleet will only need us for our debriefing. Therefore, there is no reason to keep the crew at Jupiter station. It would make more sense to leave the Captain there and have him shuttle back as soon as the transfer of the prisoners is set."

"Jim, Len is scared of being separated from all of us. His thoughts are all over the place, but his emotions are clear. He is afraid of being separated. We need to find a way to keep us together that will be logical to not only Spock, but also to Starfleet."

"Got it Kiddo." Jim opened his comm. "Lieutenant, what have they said about the debriefing?"

"Captain, they are willing to have the debriefing take place on Jupiter station. Dr. McCoy may have a representative with him if he so chooses."

"Good work Lieutenant. One day you need to tell me how you managed that."

Her smile could be heard in her voice. "Yes Captain."

Captain Kirk turned the PADD off and addressed his senior officers. "That changes things. We will wait until we are all debriefed and I have finished with the Mylans before we take the Enterprise back to Earth. Commander I trust that you remember your report. Please do not veer from what is contained in that report. Dr. McCoy, I must insist that Dr. Targan be present at your debriefing. The reports sent to Starfleet do not contain exactly how Lieutenant Chekov died. The reports say he died from his wounds despite you attempts to protect him."

"What the fuck! You all lied in your reports to Starfleet?"

"No Doctor, we did not lie. We simply told a truth. He did die from his wounds and you did try to protect him."

"Damn it Spock, that is simply a matter of perspective."

"You will find Doctor that many truths are simply a matter of perspective. And as you know, Vulcans cannot lie."

"Bones, just trust us. Seri, can you stay in his head the entire time he is in the debriefing? I know from experience that no one can read any of your thoughts when the two of you are communicating. And I don't trust them not to have a telepath in the room."

"Yes Captain. Jim, I know Spock can keep them out of his thoughts, do you think you can still do that?"

"Kiddo, I did it on an entire planet of telepaths. I've got this. Bones, are you ready for this?"

"No. Does it matter?"

"Not really. Just remember, we are all in this together. You did something that I doubt most people would have the strength to do. Don't ever forget that."

"I'm trying Jim. I am trying."

Spock looked at all of them. If he could have taken the questions for the doctor he would have. Leonard McCoy did not deserve the type of questions he was sure would be asked. He didn't need to relive those days. When they got back to Earth he wanted to take a drive into town. The normalcy of that might help both of them get back to where they were before Mylus.

Jim looked directly at Seri. She knew it was Captain Kirk talking. Even if he called her Kiddo and called Len Bones, he still felt like the captain. "Kiddo, can you go over the reports with Bones. I want us all on the same page before we walk in there. None of us did anything wrong, I don't want the bureaucrats to twist things. Len do you hear me? None of us did anything wrong."

"I hear you."

"Do you believe me?"

"Sure."

"Bones, you need to believe me. If you have any doubt about what you did, they'll know."

Seri understood what concerned Jim. If they had a telepath in the room they would be able to feel him. "Jim, Len and I will start to communicate telepathically before we enter the room. That way there is no one who will be able to read him. It isn't just thoughts they can't read, they cannot read his emotions either. We'll just start communicating as soon as we enter the building."

Len was concerned. "Jim, I know Trexel and Hylee saw nothing. I made sure of that. But, what about Joseph?"

Spock spoke up. He knew Len would listen to what he had to say. "Dr. M'Benga's autopsy report concluded that Lieutenant Chekov bled to death. That there were multiple wounds that could have led to this and he could not state definitively which wound was ultimately the lethal one. In his expert opinion there were several that could fit that description. He will state that in a debriefing." They all knew that Dr. Joseph M'Benga was nothing if not tenacious about his scientific conclusions. Once he made a determination it was difficult, if not impossible to get him to deviate.

Len was the only wild card in all of this. If the fear and pain overtook him he would start saying more than he should. It would be like Emory, Emory without Uncle George. Jim had to trust his counselor to keep his CMO focused and quiet. Len had done what needed to be done, but they couldn't trust Starfleet to see it that way. Hopefully Seri was as good as Jim thought she was.

"Bones, can I talk to you about something?"

"Sure?"

"Let's go to your cabin. We can all meet again when we dock."

"Okay?" They headed out to Len's cabin. Jim always liked this cabin. It was smaller than the captain's but definitely not cramped. It was the same size as Spock's, but not as rigid. It had the feeling of being a home, even if it didn't have many personal things in it.

Seri looked at Spock. "Are you wondering what that was all about?"

"It is pointless to be curious Doctor as the Captain does not appear to want to divulge his intent."

"But, do you want to know?" She had a glint in her eye he had rarely seen. This had to be something important if she was willing to tell him about the captain's thoughts. "Don't worry, Jim told me I could read his thoughts for the remainder of this mission. No barriers is what I believe he said."

"Alright doctor, what, as you stated, was that all about?"

"He is going to talk to Len about asking Cal to marry him." She didn't think it was possible, but Spock actually looked shocked.

"Seriana, I didn't think he was ready for that."

"He has been ready for that these past four years. Now we are headed back. Spock, he needs her, the way I need Len, and you need Nyota." Spock's eyebrow raised at the observation.

Jim flopped on Len's couch. "Do you think you will be moving in with Seri soon?" He was looking around the room anxiously.

"I'm moving in today. You want this cabin, don't you?" Len was observing Jim's body language. He never could hide personal things from Len.

"Yes. I love your shower." Jim's eyes darted around the room as Len took a seat across from him.

Len leaned in towards Jim. "Now Kid, tell me what is really on your mind."

Jim let out the breath he didn't realize he had been holding. "I'm sorry Bones, it might not be the best time to bring this up."

"Jim!" Len sounded impatient. He wasn't really, but the years had taught him that when Jim got like this, it was the best way to get the kid talking.

"Do you remember when we were at the farm after Kahn? You know when you brought me there to heal."

"Yep."

"Remember how Cal stayed with all of us?"

"Yes. She insisted I go to Emory to do research on Kahn's blood."

"I know. You came up with a few cures if I remember correctly."

"Yes, for Vulcan hemorrhagic fever, Camisticar syndrome, and Xenopolycythemia. It was a productive few months. Got a few awards for my efforts. They didn't mean much to me, but I know it pissed off Janice. That was the best award I could have gotten. Mama loved it. Why?"

"Well I was with Cal during that time."

"I know. She didn't want to leave your side. I remember having to shoo her out of medical when we were still at Starfleet. She needed her rest, but didn't want to leave your side for a minute. At the farm she was worse. You scared her."

"Yes, but that isn't what I mean. I mean I was with Cal during that time." Jim tried to sit back further into the couch. He wasn't sure how pissed off Len was going to be. Cal wasn't just his sister, she was his favorite. And Jim had a well-earned reputation in Starfleet as a fun but, non-committal ride. No one in their right mind would want their sister to be with him.

"I know." Len's voice was soft. He had known his sister was in love with Jim. They had started their relationship that summer on the farm. Neither of them was ready for a commitment, but when they were, he had no doubt they would choose each other. He would have been a fool if he didn't realize they had made love after Kahn. Len had never asked Seri if they had, though he was sure she knew. He didn't need a telepath to tell him what had been so obvious.

"Len, I haven't been with another woman since then. Actually, to be more precise, I haven't been with anyone since then."

"And she is the first person you talk to when anything happens, good or bad. She is your first thought in the morning, and your last at night." He smiled at Jim. Almost a decade prior Jim had said something similar to him.

"Yeah. I need her Bones. I want to marry her. Do you think she'll want me? I'm not exactly husband material." His eyes showed the pain of his past. He had a hard time even liking himself, therefore he couldn't understand how anyone could love him.

Len understood that feeling. Hell, he still couldn't understand how he managed to get a woman like Seri to love him. "Jim, she adores you. I see it every time she looks at you. I can tell you she hasn't been with anyone since you and she were together. I hear it from my friends at medical. They can't understand why she turns everyone down. I don't tell them that is because her soul is with someone far away. Jim, ask her. I doubt she will turn you down. I know my sister."

"I know I'm not good enough for her, and I'm being selfish, but I don't want to be without her. I thought you would be pissed. You know me! I know you probably think she could do a lot better." Jim had leaned forward, his hands clasped as he looked at the floor. He had never noticed the pattern on the carpet before. The black swirls intertwined over the burgundy.

"Jim! Did you hear me?" He knew Jim hadn't heard a word he just said.

"What? Sorry." When he felt inadequate his mind had a tendency to wander. He needed to work on that.

Len was dead serious. "Jim look at me." Jim's eyes came up to meet his. "I do know you, maybe better than you know yourself. I couldn't wish for a better man to be with my baby sister. You two need each other. Honestly, I doubt anyone else could keep up with either of you. You even got her to stop using metaphors."

"Yeah, but you picked up the habit." Jim's smile was strained, but at least it was there. "Len, I can't live without her."

"I know how you feel. What do you think we did to deserve the women in our lives?" He wanted Jim to be at ease. Cal would say yes, Len was sure of it. Every time he talked to her she would ask about Jim. He was always in her thoughts. Len could not remember her being like that about any of the men she had been with. With Jim as her husband, Len could stop worrying about his sister as much as he did. Jim would love her the way she deserved to be loved, and she would love him in ways he had never experienced in his life.

"So, you don't have a problem with me asking her to marry me?"

"Are you asking for my permission?"

"No, more like asking for your blessing."

"You have that and more. When we get to the farm, I have something to show you before you ask her. Please don't forget to remind me." He was excited for them.

"Len, did he ask you."

"Yes Peaches. He was scared. Don't tell him, but it was actually cute."

"I won't say a thing. She is going to be thrilled."

"I know, but I think he is going to wait until we are at the farm."

"He probably will. When you two are done I will help you move. By the way, this may give Spock an idea as well."

"If it does, that will make Nyota happy."

"Seri guessed, didn't she? I can usually tell when you two are communicating. Your eyes change to green."

"She has been waiting for this. You know how she can get. She wants all of us to be happy."

"Hopefully this will be a start. Thanks for everything. I wasn't sure what I was going to do if you disapproved."

"How could I disapprove. I love you, even when you don't love yourself."

"We are a pair aren't we. After all these years it still feels like it did that summer." Jim got up and Len rose to hug him. All of this because he made a rash decision nine years ago to go to the Academy.

Jim left feeling like a great weight had been lifted. He would have to tell Mama, but that would be easy. Len felt happy. He started to get his stuff together to move into Seri's cabin, he would transfer his codes to there as well. The morgue would be hard, Jupiter would be hard, but then they would be home and life could start again. So much of their lives started that summer. Maybe life could start again in that home.