Jim looked himself over in the mirror. Seri was right, no one looked good in class A's. He grabbed his hat and walked into the living area. Every one except for Mrs. Chekov was seated on the couches. "I'll be back soon."

Seri looked at him. She knew he was worried about Pavel's mother. "Don't worry, she is napping. Len went for a walk. I'll follow you over. I have meetings in the administration building."

Cal gabbed her hat. "I'm going with you. I'll come back when you go to your meeting."

"Thanks Honey. Dad, I thought we could order dinner in. I don't think any of us wants to be on display."

"I'll take care of it, Jim. They left us sandwiches in the refrigerator, so lunch is taken care of."

"I'm not hungry. I'll eat later." Jim was under too much stress to feel hungry. If he was honest he felt nothing; not hurt, not loss, not anger, nothing. "I'll be back as soon as I'm done." The three left the cottage and walked to the administration offices. Jim and Cal went to the media room and Seri turned to the elevators to go to the medical administration offices. It was going to be a very long day.

Jim walked into the room with Cal. The seats were filled facing the podium that Jim knew was for him. Cal walked to the side of the room; close enough that Jim knew she was there. A woman from the PR department stepped forward and signaled to the man at the back of the room. "Hello everyone. We are here with Captain James Tiberius Kirk. We know you all have questions for the captain, but we ask that you wait for him to call on you. There will be only one question each. No shouting please." She turned her back to the correspondents and whispered to Jim. "I would call on the man in the purple shirt three row in toward the left. He will ask you about the refit of the ship. It will allow you to ease into the other questions."

"Thank you, ma'am." Jim looked out over the room as the woman walked over to stand with Cal. Hands shot up. Jim pointed to the man in the purple shirt and the questions began. The PR woman was right, the questions became more and more difficult as the inquisition went on. Jim handled it all with grace and patience. Cal kept her eye on him. She could feel him dying inside every time one of them mentioned Pavel's death or Len's detention and torture.

It was an hour before the press conference was called to an end. He thanked the PR people and offered his arm to Cal. She took his arm but felt she was holding him up as much as he was protecting her. No one in the press would come up to her as long as she was on Jim Kirk's arm. They didn't part until he walked into the meeting room. Cal managed to slip out of the building and back to the cottage unnoticed.

Lena leaned against George. "Jo, why don't you get changed. That dress and shoes can't be comfortable."

"Alright grandma. Grandpa, if dad gets back tell him I'm taking a nap."

"Alright baby." Jo went to her room and closed the door. "She's worried about him."

"She is worried about both of them. Len is doing better than Jim. It will change day to day, but today he is not doing as well as Len. Jim is a ticking time bomb. We need to keep an eye on him. He won't be able to hold it together much longer." She snuggled in closer.

"How are you doing?"

"About as well as you are. It is going to be a long couple of days. Kat wants to talk to Len. She wants to ask him if Pavel can be buried in the family cemetery. She doesn't know he already picked the spot and Jake is having it dug today. Rob is bringing in the guys from his place to help. They can't get the backhoe to the spot."

"You have good kids."

"We have. When did Jim start calling you dad?"

"Years ago. He and Len both do. Jazined and I seem to have acquired quite a few children."

"It looks good on both of you. I told Kat she could stay with us as long as she wants. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all. She should be with family. She said she has no one in Russia since her brother died. Len's going to be gone awhile. We should get some rest." They went to their room. Everyone was exhausted.

Len continued to stare at his sister. For almost a decade he had only seen her in pictures. He was informed about both of her marriages and about the birth of his nephew. "You still haven't answered the question."

"May I have a seat?" He motioned for her to sit. There was no need to draw any more attention than they had already. "Which question?"

"What are you doing here?" He stared at her. She still looked incredibly put together. Life hadn't been easy for her either. Her second wife, Erica, was nice. She had been trying to get Len to come see them. He didn't have the heart to tell her the truth, so he continued to use the excuse of his job.

"Erica said I should come."

"I knew it wasn't your idea."

"No, it wasn't. But she was right about one thing. I have been worried about you." She took his coffee and started to sip.

"Why?"

"Because you are still my brother." Her eyes studied his face. He had acquired a few more lines since the last time they met. His eyes looked different, more tired. She had been worried after she read about Kahn, but this was worse and her wife knew she needed to see him.

"And beneath you. You made that clear your entire life."

"I followed you all of these years. Erica was right, I needed to see you. I needed to know you were alright."

"So, you've seen me. Now what?"

"You aren't alright."

"No, Ginny I'm not. What do you want from me? I'm burying one of my best friends in two days. I'm not going to be all smiles."

"No, I suppose not. I'm sorry to have bothered you." She stood up to leave.

"You know we will never be close. But Ginny I don't hate you."

"I don't hate you either."

"You can visit the farm whenever you want. It doesn't matter if I am there. How is David doing?" She sat down again.

"He is getting big. Len, he looks like you. Erica keeps telling me we should take him to meet his uncle."

"I would like that. We'll be home for a year. Anytime after Christmas would work. I'm busy until then."

"I heard about the wedding. Congratulations."

"It seems I am not the only one who has a spy network." He smiled at her.

"No, you aren't. She is good for you."

"She is. I like Erica. She is persistent."

"She is. She likes you. She told me you didn't regret what you did."

"How could she tell that? I never talked about it."

"She got a feel for you over the past few years."

"Your lucky she can't read minds, then you would really be in trouble." The conversation was strained, but at least they were talking.

"I'll call you after Christmas. Congratulations again Len."

"Thanks Ginny. I'll see you then." She left the coffee house. Len stared after her wondering if reopening communications with her would be worth it. He did like his sister-in-law and he wanted to meet his nephew. Ginny had given birth to him two years prior. It hadn't been an easy birth, but they both came through it okay. He would tell Seri about it once they were in bed.

Len had been at the coffee house for several hours before Seri walked through the door. She flopped into the seat across from him. "You have to be fucking kidding me. She was here?"

"Yep. I thought we could talk about it when we are in bed tonight. How did the meetings go?"

"I'm getting four more counselors. They will be contacting you this week about the number of doctors and the specialties needed for a ship's compliment of a thousand including children."

"Not a problem. I already have the staffing needs and numbers ready."

"It's best to go after what you want while they are still feeling the sting of their mistake."

"Give me a minute." He went to the counter and got her a Jasmine tea. As he waited he watched her take her cover off and unpin her hair. Len loved to watch how her hair tumbled over her shoulders and down her back. He returned with the tea. "Here, just like that first day."

"Jasmine?" She smelled the steam. "Mmmmm. Perfect, thank you."

"I've missed this. Just us, at our table. Kat wants to talk to me. I already have the guys digging the grave."

"I know. You haven't been blocking your thoughts."

"I know. I just like to say it out loud sometimes. Do you think I'm being foolish letting Ginny back in?"

"No, I think you want to meet your nephew. I doubt you'll ever be close, but you don't have to be completely estranged either. This isn't me and my sister." People continued to steal glances at the couple. Their pictures were all over the news that evening. The picture that was everywhere was the one of Len hugging Joanna as he lifted her off the ground. There was talk of that one winning the Pulitzer Prize for photography. "They are staring at us."

"It's alright. They have been staring at me all day. You learn to ignore it. We should head back as soon as you're done."

"Uncle George is ordering dinner. That way we don't have to go out. Len…"

"Yes Peaches?"

"Jim isn't doing well. He is holding it together for now, but it won't last."

"I know. I know the kid. He won't fall apart till this is over. After that it is anyone's guess how long it will be before he explodes. I'll help keep an eye on him."

"We all will." She finished her tea. The walk back to the cottage was peaceful. It was dark out, so no one could see who the couple strolling with their fingers interlocked was.

By the time they got back to the cottage everyone was back and changed. Seri went to the bedroom to get out of her uniform and get ready for dinner. Kat came to Len. "May we talk?"

"Yes ma'am." He walked with her to the den.

"It is Kat. How many times do I have to tell you. I like to pretend that I am not that much older than you." He motioned for her to sit. He took the seat next to her on the couch. They both shifted to face each other. "I need to ask a favor of you."

"Anything, you know that."

"I would like to have Pavel buried at your farm."

"Kat, they are already preparing the spot. If it is alright with you, we were going to lay him under his favorite tree."

"Thank you, Len. He would have wanted that. He loved the farm, even the cows."

"Especially 42. Please stay with us anytime you want and for as long as you want. The wedding is December twenty-fifth. We understand if you don't want to be there."

"I would be honored to be there. Be happy Len. Be happy and live for Pavel and for me. Please don't make his death a waste." She brushed away the tear as it ran down his cheek.

"Thank you, Kat." He held her in his arms. He was responsible for her. They joked he was lord of the manor, but he was. She was a part of his family and he would always make sure she was safe and secure.

George came to the den. "Okay every one, dinner." They all grabbed plates and filled them with chicken and salads. Dinner was quiet, not the normal family get together, but then they were missing the loudest member. "We should all get to bed early. We have to be up no later than 04:30 if we are to get there on time."

The paper plates were thrown out and the kitchen cleaned before they went to their respective bedrooms. Jim hadn't said a word the entire evening. Len went to Cal to kiss her good night. "Don't worry big brother, I'll keep an eye on him." She stood on her tippy toes and kissed him good night.

Jim stood naked by the bed. They shared a bathroom with Jo. He had told her to take her shower first. Cal looked at him. "Don't worry I locked the door to the bathroom. I'm getting use to sharing a bathroom with the munchkin. Sometimes I think she plans our vacation accommodations that way. A throw back to our first vacation together."

"She probably does. You are her favorite uncle." She walked closer to him. "Jim, talk to me."

"And say what? Everything is set for tomorrow, and Len took care of everything at the farm. Seri put together the honor guard schedule for the chapel, and Rob will be doing the service. It is all done."

Her hand supped his cheek. "Jim, stop it." He looked into her eyes, into her soul. "Talk to me."

He unbuttoned her top. "Let's get some sleep."

For the time being she would give him the space he wanted. "Alright."

Jim climbed into bed and watched Cal as she stripped. "God, you are beautiful. Come here."

Cal walked to the bottom of the bed and crawled up until she was lying on top of Jim. She kissed him softly. He placed his hand behind her head and pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss. He needed this, he needed to lose himself in her. She could feel him getting harder the longer the kiss continued. His tongue tangled with hers. It was better than their first kiss. They knew each other now. The years apart hadn't dimmed their knowledge of the other's needs and signals.

Her hand worked its way to between them. She stroked his cock as her tongue tangled with his. He groaned into her mouth trying to make sure he made as little noise as possible. They broke from their kiss. Cal could tell he was going to roll them over, so she put her hands on his shoulders. "No Captain. For now, you don't have to make any decisions. Tonight, you are mine and only mine. Tonight, I am going to ride you until you pass out."

"I have never passed out. But you are welcome to try." She kissed him again. Her hand hadn't left his cock. She ran her thumb over the head, smearing the precum.

He closed his eyes and lost himself in the feeling, lost himself in her. She licked down his chest and began to suck on his nipples. The feeling went directly to his dick. He almost came as she bit down on the left nipple. Keeping quiet was becoming more difficult with every passing second. Suddenly she was off of him and crawling on her knees to the top of the bed. Cal put one knee on either side of his head. He could see her, as pink and perfect as the night of the first bonfire. He needed to taste her, to have her cum as he ate her out.

His hands grabbed her hips and pulled her onto his face. He made sure his nose wasn't covered, he wanted to make sure he didn't have to stop to breathe. Cal grabbed the headboard as she felt his tongue lap at her clit. He flicked it before he sucked it into his mouth. When she sat on his face the sheer eroticism of the act couple with his gymnastic mouth was enough to make her cum. Fingers didn't need to be inserted if he allowed her to ride him. "That's it baby, fuck my face, do it." With that he buried his mouth into her folds and growled as he drove her higher and higher. Her legs shook as she ground down onto his mouth. His tongue was inside her when she came. He could feel her spasms and taste her. His face was soaked when she finished.

"Your turn." She licked down his chest and brought his cock into her mouth. "Mmmmm." Jim's eyes closed. Her tongue wrapped around his head, and the vibration of her moan almost set him off. He didn't want this to end that fast. He wanted to be inside of her.

"Please Cal." She knew what he wanted. She made sure his dick was wet before she knelt over it and guided him in up to the hilt. "Fuck…god you feel so…"

She started to rock back and forth. His hands on her hips aided her as she pushed harder and faster. Her clit was rubbing against him as she fucked him into oblivion. She laid on top of him but continued to move her hips up and down. He thrusted up as hard as he could while she continued to move her vagina up and down his shaft. "Jim… fuck me. Fuck me harder." He pushed at her harder and dug his fingers into her hips as he helped move her faster. He couldn't hold back anymore. He needed to cum, needed to fill her. He thrusted as he felt her cum. She screamed into his chest. He moaned as he felt his orgasm take over. He couldn't stop it, the orgasm continued until it felt like it would never stop.

When Jim came to, Cal was looking down at him. "So, you never pass out."

"I stand corrected. Damn, I hope no one heard us."

"And if they did?"

"I don't want my niece conjuring pictures in her mind."

"I understand. Jim, it will be alright. I'll be with you every minute."

"I know. We should get washed up." He walked to the bathroom and locked the door that led to Jo's bedroom. They took a long hot shower, allowing the day to rinse off and flow down the drain.

Len fell asleep in Seri's arms. He needed to feel her around him. Tomorrow would bring them home and the next day it would all end in a dark hole under an oak tree. But the night, this night, would be safe. He was safe.

Len woke at 02:00 he slipped out of bed and threw on a shirt and pants. He walked into the den, the large window looked out over the bay. The lights on the bridge were barely visible through the dense fog. Something was wrong. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something amiss.

He opened the door to his mother and George's room. They were both sound asleep. He went to Kat's room. She was also sleeping. Jo still looked like a little girl as she snuggled under the covers, her hair strewn across the pillows. He opened Cal and Jim's door. Cal was sound asleep, but Jim wasn't there. Of course, he wasn't.

Len carefully took his shoes out of the bedroom. He didn't want to wake anyone. He put them on and left the cottage. He knew where Jim had to be. Len walked across the campus, following the light from the large building in front of him. Len half ran up the steps and stepped into the large entryway. There was a staircase to the left. He took it up to the second-floor hall. He stepped into the back of the gallery and looked around.

Jim was seated in the front row, slumped to the side with his elbow on the armrest, his hand rested against his mouth. Len walked over to him and sat down. He looked at the tableau below them. A guard of honor stood at all four corners of the caisson facing the casket. A single light shined down on Pavel. Cadets continued to come in.

The doctor's gaze turned to his brother. "Talk to me."

"How did you find me?"

"Jim, I know you. Now talk to me. I'm not Seri, I can't read your thoughts."

"Can't you? Sometimes I think you read me better than she does."

"You know you didn't do this."

"See I told you. You can read my mind. This is absolutely my responsibility."

"Alright, I'll give you that." Jim turned to look at Len. "I understand that. It may be your responsibility, but that doesn't mean you could have affected the outcome. It isn't your fault."

"If you say so." The captain turned his attention back to the casket and its contents.

"Jim, I do understand what you are feeling."

"I know you do. Lord of the manor."

"So, you heard that one. I ran into Ginny today. We can talk about that later. She said it to anger me, but the truth is I am responsible for all of it, and all of them. So yes, I understand what you mean."

"Len, I will need to talk to you, just not now. If I talk I don't think I will be able to get through the next couple of days. Can you understand that?"

"More than you know. We should get back before the ladies realize we are gone."

"I guess. I don't think I'll be able to sleep."

"I don't know if I can either, but as a doctor I should tell you we need to try." Len stood and looked down at Jim.

He stood with Len and took a last look at the scene below. "It all seems unreal. I thought I would go first."

"So did I." Len smiled as he put an arm around his friend. "Let's go back."

They entered a dark and quiet cottage. No one knew they had gone. Jim slipped back into bed with Cal. He couldn't wait to ask her to marry him, to be a part of him forever. Len undressed and crawled under the covers. Seri turned over. "He'll be alright once he confronts his feelings."

"I know that Peaches. He just needs to get through the next couple of days." He pulled her to him and she tucked in under his chin. Len fell asleep to the sounds of her breathing against his neck.

Morning came too soon. The group washed, dressed, grabbed food, and waited. The rest of the entourage joined them in the cottage. Four cadets had been sent to transfer their luggage to the shuttle. "Captain Kirk, is this all of the luggage?"

"There is also luggage in the other cottage, but yes, for this cottage this is all there is."

"We will take care of it, sir." He saluted the captain who returned the gesture quickly.

Jayla had joined Scotty that morning. She left her luggage with his and accompanied the funeral party. Ben and Demora had arrived the night before. They too were having their luggage sent to the shuttle. The limousines pulled up and the family loaded into them. The drive to the pavilion was silent, each person lost in their own thoughts.

The doors were opened as the family walked up the steps and into the rotunda. It seemed that every cadet was there. All of the seats on the floor and in the gallery were filled. Jim led the entourage to the front. He helped Kat, Lena, and George to their seats. Ben, Jayla, Jo, and Demora sat directly behind them. The pall bearers followed the Captain to the caisson. They divided and stood at the foot and the head of the casket. The choir began to sing the Prayer of Saint Francis as the director led Kat, Lena, and George to say goodbye. They each kissed Pavel good bye before they turned back to their seats.

The director talked to Jim. Jim told one half of the group and the director told the other that they would need to turn the caisson around on the platform. There was more than enough room to do so. The platform had a circle in the middle that would allow it to turn easily. Len took one end and Spock the other as they turned the caisson.

It was better that Kat not see them lower her son and close the lid over him. Len for his part wouldn't leave. He wanted to be the last one to see Pavel. He needed to be with him until the end. The director signaled for the men to leave the platform, but Len wouldn't go. Instead he helped tuck in the blanket after Pavel was lowered, then helped close the lid over his little brother. The director inserted a metal key into the hole and locked down the lid.

Len stepped off the platform as the flag was being carefully placed over the top half of the casket. He could hear Kat crying but couldn't bring himself to look at her. He could only get through this if he followed Jim's lead and went on auto pilot. It was all theater. It had to be or he wouldn't be able to function. The pallbearers stepped onto the platform and took their places. There was no noise in the rotunda. They turned to the rear of the caisson with Len and Spock leading the way. They would take the brunt of the weight as they descended the stairs.

Slowly they walked up the aisle with the family close behind. It would be the last time the entire family would be at Starfleet. There were more cadets lining the steps to the hearse. They definitely were all there even though it wasn't a mandatory event. Pavel was loaded into the hearse and the family stepped into the limousines.

Jim had rented a large shuttle. There was enough room for everyone and Pavel to ride in the passenger cabin. He had made sure it would be configured to hold the casket. The family went into the shuttle first. Jo left two seats next to her for her dad and Seri. They took Pavel from the hearse and placed him onto the cart at the back right of the shuttle. It was already locked in and there were straps to secure the casket. With everything secured they group took their seats.

Len sat between Seri and Jo. He had gotten better about riding in shuttles, but it still wasn't his ideal mode of transportation. Jim smiled at Len's discomfort. He nodded to the attendant who told the pilot they were ready to go. At exactly 08:00 the shuttle took off for home.