Disclaimer: I own none of the Star Trek characters.

Chapter 37

"You do not need to push yourself, Pavel," Spock told the young man as they walked at a brisk pace towards the turbolift a few days after the news of David came.

"Yes I do." Pavel kept his gaze ahead of him as they walked; he was still embarrassed about Spock seeing his breakdown. Logically it was only a matter of time before he had yet another one after everything he had gone through, but that had been before it was discovered that their bond was damaged and smothered. "I must show zat I can fight zrough it. Zat Hamilton vill not vin."

"If you feel unable to make it through shift for any reason, let the captain know. He will let you leave."

They stopped in front of the lift and finally the smaller man looked at the other with a mild glare.

"I am not fragile, Spock. I vill vork as I am supposed too. I do not need to be treated any more differently zan I already am," he said with a hard voice.

Spock looked at him; virtually staring into his soul through their eye contact. Then ever so slightly the Vulcan's shoulders drooped and he nodded.

"As you wish, Pavel. Just know that should you require assistance, I will be at my station."

There was that shockingly sweet and considerate side again. Over the last few days Spock had been making an obvious effort to show Pavel that he cared for their small family. He had held Pavel and the twins until they had calmed down. He brought them food, ate with them, met them at Pavel's hallway door every morning, and even started giving each of them a Vulcan kiss when he dropped them off at the same spot every evening. It was almost sickening how endearing the Commander had become.

"I vill remember zat, Spock. Zank you." A soft smile appeared on the young man's face. Suddenly, Spock's middle and index finger ever so slightly touched the back of his hand.

"Well isn't this cute?"

The fingers were removed almost as if Spock was reluctant to do so. They turned and saw Jim standing there with his hands on his hips grinning like he won a lottery.

"Captain," the two greeted as the lift doors finally opened and the three stepped inside.

"Oh, don't mind me. I just think you two are cute," Jim chuckled.

"I fail to see how the interactions between Pavel and myself are 'cute,' Captain," Spock replied.

"Oh, come off it Spock. I saw what just happened." Pavel swore the man was cackling. He probably would if he saw the slight blush on Pavel's cheeks and the slight green tinted flush that traveled all the way to Spock's ears. "Don't worry, I'll keep my mouth shut."

Yeah and Pavel had been born yesterday. Jim would find a way to tell Leonard without anyone else knowing before the end of shift. He would put money on it.

The doors opened again and they walked onto the bridge. As he sat down Sulu leaned over and asked if he was alright. Pavel smiled and nodded, before turning to his station. It was time to work.

"Look, we did what you asked. We got the kid and his kids, and then we gave them to Edwards. It's not our fault she had other plans!" Mr. Jackson growled.

"Please, we did what you told us to," Mrs. Jackson whimpered. "We even got you this ship to use."

"You listen here. You'll do as I say or your brats will have a lot more to worry about than just your health," a man from the shadows said.

"But we have been following your orders!" Mr. Jackson roared, pointing a phaser at the man.

"Honey no! Think of the kids!" Mrs. Jackson screamed, pushing her husband's arm so the weapon was pointing in a different direction.

"I'd listen to your wife. Only I know where your brats are and only I have a say in whether they live or not," the man gloated. "Let me know when we have eyes on the ship that has my family on it." With that the man walked away.

"Damn I hate that asshole," Mr. Jackson growled.

"Just think about the kids, Dear," Mrs. Jackson consoled.

"I don't like doing this. Pavel is a good kid and a great dad. He's trying so hard and we're only making things harder for him."

"I know, I know. I don't like it either, but what else can we do? He bribed the police to ignore him kidnapping our kids. We have no choice."

"What do you think will happen after all this is done? If we don't keep silent he'll get rid of us like he did Edwards."

"I'm scared."

"I know, I am too."

The couple hugged each other, both damning the man known as David Hamilton.

Pavel sat on the floor of his room helping Lyusya with her handwriting. The almost three year olds had started to show an interest in writing on paper so Pavel had found some blank journals and started to teach them how to write with pens. They were working on printing right now, but the blonde was sure they would move onto cursive in a few weeks. Maybe he should teach them Russian too. They already copied his accent.

A knock on the door caught his attention. He walked up to the door and opened it just the slightest bit. Smiling, he opened the door to let Spock enter with supper for the four.

"Good evening, Spock. Vhat did you bring today?" Pavel greeted.

"I brought an array of fruits and vegetables, beef stew, and Polmeek soup," Spock replied. He set the food on the coffee table within the room and looked at the children on the floor. "What are they learning?"

"Oh, they saw me writing a lot back on Earth and wanted to try it."

Vitaliy suddenly gave a distressed cry and pulled away from his journal, Lyusya fussing a few seconds later. Both parents raced towards the children. The little boy reached out for Pavel and the young man could see the small paper cut that slowly oozed a light green colored blood. He picked up his little boy while Spock picked up Lyusya. Quickly, Pavel cleaned the cut and placed a Band-Aid on it.

"Vell, I zink zat is enough learning for today," he commented as he placed Vitaliy in Spock's arms so he could pick up the writing things.

"Indeed," Spock nodded, sitting on the couch and placing the twins on the floor so they could get closer to the food. Pavel joined Spock on the couch soon after putting the lesson things away. "I do not have duty tomorrow. Is there something you wish to do together?"

Pavel blinked at the sudden question. He hadn't thought Spock would want to spend his free day with him and the kids.

"Ze twins vanted to go to ze observation deck to look at ze stars. Maybe ve could bring food vith us and have a picnic," the Russian mused.

"Stars!" Vitaliy smiled up at his parents, excited by the idea.

"Ve vant to see ze stars," Lyusya agreed looking hopeful.

"Then we will go the observation deck. Is there anything specific you wish me to prepare for consumption?" Spock asked.

"Just bring vhat you vant. I vill take can of ze rest."

They continued with their meals; Spock even letting the twins try his Polmeek soup. Vitaliy had scrunched up his nose like Pavel had the first time he had tried the dish, but Lyusya had eagerly asked for a small portion for tomorrow. Once everyone was finished eating the dishes were set aside to go back to the dining hall. Or was it galley? He had heard both while on the Enterprise. After putting the twins to bed with kisses on their foreheads the two adults found themselves standing by the door.

"Good night, Spock."

"Good night, Pavel."

Spock lightly dusted a Vulcan kiss onto the back of his hand again and before he could stop himself, Pavel turned his hand over and returned the gesture, having their finger tips just barely touching each other. The Vulcan sucked in a quick breath and Pavel himself gasped. There was an amazing sensation of warmth running up and down the young man's arm and spreading throughout the rest of his body. He looked up into Spock's eyes only to see them filled with longing and desire. A sudden craving to give Spock a human kiss over took him. Just as he was about to act on the sudden need to feel Spock's lips against his, the Vulcan pulled away.

"Sleep well, Pavel."

With that Spock left like he always did. Pavel wasn't sure he wanted that to happen anymore.