After a brief chat with Jim, Andrea went back to her quarters and found Leo on a vid-chat with his parents. While she waited, Andrea started typing out a message to her father, when Jim's message came through.

We can dock sometime tomorrow, depending on how fast we can get to Starbase 53 and you'll take the trip back on the Yorktown. Should arrive Earthside the day after that. –Jim.

She told Leo about the message and they started packing, moving quietly around the bedroom, pulling clothes out of the closet and dressers. Jim stopped by with food from the mess hall, before he and Leo moved into the tiny office that was hardly used.

"Hey Daddy," Andrea said, as her father appeared before her on the screen. "I've got some bad news.."

Andrea explained what she knew about he situation, and when she and Leo would arrive back in San Francisco.

"I'll find out about the shuttles to Atlanta,' he said, scribbling down the information on a piece of note paper. "Do you want me to come with you guys?" he asked.

"I think Leo and I should go out and get her," she said. "How about you and Uncle Phil start putting my old room together for her? Wash a set of sheets and make sure the heater works. We shouldn't be in Georgia for that long."

Chris nodded as he sent a message out to Phil, "God," he shook his head. "Poor Jo. Have you guys talked to her?" he asked.

"Leo was talking to his parents when I came back from letting Jim know. He said that the doctor had to sedate her because she wouldn't stop crying," she paused, covering her mouth as the tears filled her eyes.

"Honey, it's going to be alright,' Chris said. "Try to remain calm for yourself and the baby. Everything will work out once you two get there and bring Jo back to San Francisco."

They talked a few minutes more before Jim called Andrea into the bedroom. "I'll call you when we're on the Yorktown," she promised. "I love you."

Andrea closed the connection and got up, moving slowly towards the bedroom. "How is he?" she asked, as Jim leaned against the doorway.

"He's really upset," he sighed. "I don't know what to say to him. I mean, I lost my dad the day I was born so I don't know what I can tell him to lighten the pain he's feeling."

She patted his arm, "I know," she nodded. "But the fact that you came down here and sat in there with him… that's enough Jim."

He nodded, "I wish I could do more."

"It'll be a long road for both him and Joanna," she sighed, shaking her head. "We'll have to work together, all of us, to get them through it. All of you have been the greatest group of friends for him and I know you guys can help him."

Jim pulled her into a hug, "So will you, Andy,' he whispered. "You're his lifeline."

She pulled back and nodded, "I know. But there's things he wont tell me, especially if they're about Jocelyn," she shrugged. "We didn't get along during the very few chats concerning Jo and he when I did ask about her and their marriage, he downplayed everything."

"That's because he doesn't want you to feel like you have to be better than her," he said. "Bones told me all about it the night before we docked for the wedding."

She gasped as Jim nodded. "He doesn't tell you everything about his former marriage, because he doesn't want you to compare yourself to Jocelyn. To stress out over making everything perfect, to that he comes home happy. Just the fact that you agreed to marry him and spend the rest of your life with him.. that's what makes him happy. What keeps him going and coming home everyday."

Andrea nodded, "I didn't know he felt like that," she said quietly.

Jim rubbed her back, "You're the best thing that's ever happened to him, Andy," he smiled. "I'm gonna head back up to my quarters and put the final touches for our docking together. We'll stay on the starbase until it's time for you two to come home."

"Thank you, Jim," she said, reaching up to kiss his cheek. "You're the best."

Once he left, Andrea made her way into the bedroom. Leo sat on the edge of their bed, staring down at his hands that rested in his lap. Moving across the room, Andrea sat down next to him, holding her hand out. Leo looked down at it, before slowly moving his hand into hers.

"Whatever happens," she said softly. "I love you. And I'm right here for whatever you need."

He nodded. "I know," he whispered.

"I'll bring you some food," she said, standing up. "Eat a little bit and I'll pack."

He shook his head, "You should be resting," he started.

"Leo," she placed her hands on his shoulders. "Let me take care of you. You've done your fair share of taking care of me, now it's my turn."

"Fine," he sighed. "But if you start feeling tired.." he warned.

Andrea nodded, "I will sit down and take a break," she promised, bending down to kiss his cheek. "I'll be right back."

Her heart broke, as she left him sitting on their bed, staring at the wall. Moving across the quarters, Andrea went to the tray that Jim brought up and picked up a sandwich and a bottle of iced tea. Taking a handful of napkins, Andrea made her way back into the bedroom and handed him the plate. Leo managed to eat half of the sandwich, before setting the plate down next to him, before washing it down with half of the bottle of iced tea.

"Do you want to call anyone? Your attorney? Your parents again? Dad?" she asked.

Leo shook his head, "No," he sighed. "When do we leave?"

Andrea explained what would happen the next day, and that her father was searching for shuttle times that would take them to Atlanta as soon as they landed at the San Francisco shuttle yard.

"He and Uncle Phil are going to put my old room together for her," she said. "Just until you figure out what you want to do."

Leo nodded, "Okay."

Moving the dish and bottle to the top of the dresser, Andrea resumed packing, pulling items out of the closet and the drawers, and folding them into a bag. Leo remained on the edge of the bed, watching as she moved back and forth. The constant movement was making her tired, as she slowed her steps from the closet to the bed.

"Andy, come lay down," he said, as she folded a blanket up that fell from the top shelf. "We can do this later."

Setting the blanket down on the chair near the wall, Andrea shuffled over to him. Leo moved the bag off the bed and down to the floor, before holding his hand out.

"Are you sure?" she asked, as he helped her onto the bed.

Leo nodded, "Just lay here with me for a while," he asked. "Please?"

Andrea nodded and laid down, "Okay."

Ordering the lights down, Leo slid back up against the pillows, wrapping his arms around her. As the exhaustion of the day finally hit her, Andrea fell asleep within seconds, as Leo held her tightly against him, wide awake.

….

The Enterprise docked at Starbase 53 the next day, arriving quicker than expected. The Yorktown sat two terminals down from them, ready to leave when the McCoy's were. As Andrea and Leo carried their things down from their room, to the loading bay, they were surprised to find their friends waiting for them.

"Call us if you need anything," Nyota said, hugging her. "I'll keep my line open if you want to talk, vent, whatever."

"I mean it, Bones," Jim said, as he gave his friend a hug. "It can be four in the morning your time. Just call me if you want to talk or need help for anything."

Leo nodded, "Thanks, Jim."

Nyota went to him, while Hikaru and Pavel came up to her. "You take care of yourself and that baby," Hikaru warned, kissing her cheek. "Give our love to Jo."

Andrea nodded, "I wil," she promised, as Pavel hugged her. "Be good and make sure to stay out of trouble."

Scotty gave her a big hug, "Ah will start working on yer rooms," he said. "Yeh call me anytime, lass."

The support was overwhelming for them both, as they received hugs and kisses- mostly Andrea- as they stepped out into the main terminal of the starbase.

"While I hope you console Miss Joanna's emotional state, " Spock said, as Andrea turned to him. "I do hope that you will take extreme measures to take care of yourself."

She managed a smile, "Oh Spock," she patted his arm. "You know I will."

He gave her a brief nod, "Please pass my condolences to Miss Joanna and my greetings to your father."

Andrea promised and waved goodbye to her friends, and they began the slow trek back into the ship, leaving Jim behind to stand with them.

"Be good," he said, hugging her tightly. "Make sure he doesn't do anything rational," he whispered into her ear. "I haven't seen him this bad since.. well, you know."

She nodded, remembering the stories she heard during their short breakup after the Narada incident. "I will."

Jim kissed her cheek and patted her belly softly, "And you be good, too," he said. "Make sure your Mommy gets enough rest."

Andrea laughed lightly at his antics, "I'll call you as soon as we land," she promised. "Try to stay out of trouble."

Jim nodded, "I will," he saluted her. "Give Jo a big hug and kiss for me."

Leo moved to stand next to Andrea, taking her hand in his. "We will," he nodded. "Thanks Jim For everything"

The younger man smiled, nodding his head. "Anything for you, Bones," he patted his shoulder. "You're my best friend, after all."

With another quick hug from both, Andrea and Leo headed out to the terminal hall, waving goodbye to Jim one last time, before they took the long walk down to the Yorktown.

…..

It was early when the shuttle landed in San Francisco, two days later. They stepped off the shuttle and found Chris waiting for them, dressed for the chilly morning air.

"Hey Honey," he said, hugging his daughter tightly. "Did you have a good flight?" he asked.

She nodded, "It was okay," she shrugged. "A little bumpy."

Leo moved up to them slowly, both exhausted and emotionally drained. He took one look at Chris, and dropped the bags, pulling the older man into a hug. Andrea stepped back and watched as her father consoled her husband, glad that he was there to greet them.

"It's gonna be fine, Son," Chris said. "You have to take it one day at a time."

They stood like that for what felt like hours, until Leo pulled back- slightly embarrassed.

"I got you a shuttle for six-thirty," he said, picking up one of the bags. "Lets go back to the house and eat some breakfast. Then you two can rest for a bit, before I bring you back here later."

They both nodded and followed him out to the parking lot, piling into Andrea's car. Once they were out on the main road, Andrea settled back into the seat, her hand rubbing her belly under the heavy coat.

She didn't know what to expect, once they landed in Atlanta. While she lost her mother at a young age, she was lucky enough that she hardly remembered her. Joanna on the other hand, lived with her mother since birth up until her death. How Andrea would be able to help her, was beyond her thoughts. She had no experience with this type of loss.

"Are you alright back there?" Chris asked, looking up into the rearview mirror. "Do you want me to put the heat on?"

Andrea shook her head, "I'm fine, Dad," she said. "Just a little tired."

He nodded, "You can take a nap when we get home," he promised, turning the car into the parking lot behind the officers block.

The few hours of peace was what she need. What they both needed, as they climbed out of the car. After today, peace would be something from the past. No matter how temporarily it would be.