One Week Later

Starfleet Hockey Academy

"Spock?"

A blurry ceiling greeted Spock as he opened his eyes, "I think Spock's waking up," a soft voice said.

Spock suddenly felt the bed moving and he promptly found himself staring at blurry faces, prompting him to blink. The faces corrected themselves and he was relieved to find Nyota and Leonard at the foot of the bed.

"What…happened?" Spock managed to say, shocked at how weak his voice sounded.

Leonard sighed, "You had a seizure from a brain tumor a week ago, but we got it out," he replied quietly. "You were in here for that silly fast you were on and we found a tumor. You've been sedated to heal…"

Spock's eyes narrowed, "The hearing…" he spoke in a faint voice. "How much have I lost?"

"Kirk talked to your grandmother and she cancelled the hearing," Nyota spoke softly. "He made a point of saying that you respected Vulcan traditions enough to make yourself ill and she backed down."

Spock sighed weakly, "I…I should thank Mister Kirk, I suppose," he spoke weakly. "Where is he?"

Nyota paled and Leonard sighed, "The Vulcan Elders forced a Vulcan Blessing ritual on Jim and he freaked out so much that he went over to Pike's for a rest," Leonard explained with a sigh. "When Pike and Chekov left the house, Jim ran away and he admitted himself for mental health help at an undisclosed location."

Spock coughed, "What?" he asked in a faint voice. "The…Elders…forcibly touched…Mister Kirk?"

The machines beeped, indicating that Spock's blood pressure was rising and Leonard quickly used the pain button to calm Spock down, "You are in no condition to worry about this now," he spoke firmly.

"It has been well established that Mister Kirk does not react well to people touching him without consent," Spock spoke in a weak voice, sighing as he felt the pain meds hit. "I must speak with the Vulcan Elders."

Nyota frowned as Spock suddenly drifted back into a deep sleep, "Let's let him rest," Leonard said firmly.

Nodding, Nyota followed Leonard into the hallway, "Can I do anything to help Kirk?" she asked softly.

"No, because he doesn't want anyone besides me to know where he is," Leonard replied quietly as he picked up a bag of supplies that he had stashed there. "When he does want people seeing him, I'll let you know."

Nyota sighed and returned to Spock's room to sit vigil, uncertain about the future and how she was going to tell Spock that the Vulcan Embassy in San Francisco was now in the process of relocating to Hawaii. She didn't know how to explain to Spock that the Elders were too traumatized to stay in the vicinity of the bombing any longer.

"I hear you're moving," Dean Archer spoke in a quiet voice as he entered the Vulcan Embassy Council chambers and saw T'Pau supervising while two Vulcan sentries packed things into trunks. "Is this because of Kirk?"

T'Pau sighed, "It is not," she replied softly, sighing. "Vulcans have never been proficient at recovering from traumas since the First War and the arena bombing broke our minds. We have been suffering…"

"There are psychiatrists who can counsel the Vulcans," Dean Archer replied. "You don't need to move."

T'Pau shook her head, "We are too close to Toriadol now and our lapse in behavior proves that," she replied tonelessly. "What we did to James Kirk...that blessing is usually given with consent, which we did not seek. We...violated him and after meditation, we deduced that our lapse in judgment was due to trauma and overexposure."

Dean Archer paused, "And how did you become aware of your wrongdoing?" he asked curiously.

"I believe it was your friend, Christopher Pike, who supplied us with a lecture about personal space," T'Pau replied as she left the room with Dean Archer at her heels. "We would offer an apology for our behavior, but Captain Pike has made it clear that James Kirk does not wish to converse with any Vulcan Elders at this time."

Dean Archer frowned, as he realized that Pike had outright lied to him about knowing where Jim had disappeared to, but why?, "It is meditation time, Jonathan," T'Pau spoke in a tone indicating dismissal.

Bowing, Dean Archer left the Embassy and quickly dialled Captain Pike's cell as he reached his car, "Chris?" he said in a stern voice as a voice answered the phone. "Chris...I know you lied to me about where Kirk is..."

"Look, Jon, I'm not discussing this over the phone," Captain Pike replied tersely.

There was a click and Dean Archer stared at the phone, shocked that he had been spoken to so rudely.

Palisades Health Centre

I can't believe it's only been a week and I feel lighter than I have in years. Jim thought silently as he entered the patient canteen with his prescribed meal card and silently browsed. T'Pol had made him go through physical, mental, and emotional assessments and had diagnosed him as underweight with anemia, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, food anxiety, brain trauma, and ADHD. Her expertise and Leonard's notes had done the job and now he was on a specialized treatment plan that he hoped would help him recover.

Sighing, Jim found his hand shaking as he reached for a muffin because the idea of eating made him feel like he would either hoard or pick at his food. Patients were allowed to eat any time they felt they needed it and T'Pol had reminded him of that after finding food stashes in his room during the first few days of his stay there.

"I...I can do this," Jim found himself saying softly even though his hand didn't touch the muffin. "I...can't..."

Tears filled his eyes as he pulled away and stared at the food longingly, trying desperately to ignore the voice in his mind that said he didn't need it or he'd be beaten for daring to eat. He was on medication for the anxiety and anemia, but the thoughts were still there and would be until he could figure things out in his head.

"Kirk?"

Jim turned and was surprised to see Hikaru standing not far away from him looking both confused and surprised, "Sulu, I didn't know you were here," he spoke nervously. "I'm on Level 7..."

Hikaru frowned, "You're a patient here?" he asked in a worried voice. "An in-patient?"

"I admitted myself," Jim replied quietly. "I...I thought you got out a few months ago..."

Hikaru scoffed, "You're talking like this is a jail," he replied. "How does it feel to be back in one?"

Jim frowned as Hikaru suddenly morphed into Frank clad in his prison uniform and Jim screamed.

Gasping, Jim opened his eyes and found that he was still in bed within the room he had occupied for the last week since admitting himself. He was on a schedule that required him to sleep until a specific time in the day before getting up for meals and other activities due to the medications he was taking to promote healing.

A quick glance at the clock on the bedside table told Jim he was clear to wake and so he put his glasses on before getting up and dressing in socks, slippers, loose khakis, a shirt, and a cardigan. He quickly ran a comb through his hair and wandered out into the common area, knowing he was on his own until later because the therapists were busy with outpatient sessions that morning and would talk to in-patients later that day.

"It was just a dream," Jim spoke softly as he silently made his way to the medication dispensary and took a few vitamins and his anxiety medication before getting his daily injection of iron for his anemia. He then had a seat in an armchair near the dispensary to sit for 15 minutes to make sure that he'd have no reactions to the shot.

A door opened in the distance and footsteps filled the medicinal area, "Jeem?" a quiet voice asked.

Jim looked up and was surprised to see Pavel standing there, "Chekov, what's up?" he asked softly.

"I...I vas here for a session vith Doctor Parees," Pavel replied softly. "She does counseling here in summer."

Jim nodded, but didn't say anything because he was scared of being judged, "Zees eez a nice place," Pavel spoke softly as he sat in a chair beside Jim. "Zees vas not around ven I came ower from Russia, but I vas een one like eet for seweral months. Keptin Pike vas worried about me because I had many, many difficulties..."

"You...you were in a hospital?" Jim asked softly, deeply intrigued. "You seem okay now."

Pavel sighed, "I vas a ten year old nightmare by ze time I made eet to ze States," he replied softly. "I steel go to counselling and eet helps a great deal."

"I...I asked to come here and Bones paid for a month," Jim admitted softly. "We'll see if it helps."

Pavel nodded, "Eeet vill help," he replied softly. "You are not a bad person; you have just been through zome wery bad seeings."

Jim sighed softly, "Um, I guess I have," he replied softly. "I used to drink to keep myself warm and T'Pol said I'm very lucky that I didn't get sick from that because alcohol and Toriadol shouldn't mix."

"Zey should not," Pavel replied softly. "Zat eez vy Sulu vent manic. He had alcohol with ze Toriadol."

Jim frowned, "Sulu and I haven't spoken since he tried to kill me," he replied softly. "He's not really fond…"

Pavel looked patient, "Heekaru vent to Japan veeth hees parents for a holeeday and zey took Jaylah veeth zem," he explained in a quiet voice. "He does not know eef he vill come back to school in ze fall or not."

Jim nodded and yawned, as the medicine shots always made him tired, "Keptin Pike vill be vanting to meet soon," Pavel spoke in a kind voice as he stood up. "I hope you are feeling better after zees…"

Uncertain as to whether or not Pavel would go and tell everyone where he was, Jim nodded silently and waited til Pavel was gone before returning to his room. Part of his therapy was writing and the chat with Pavel had prompted him to write down his feelings concerning his past, feelings that had been bottled for a long time.

"Pasha."

Pavel, who had left the hospital in silence and had gone to the nearby library, looked up from his computer screen and saw Captain Pike there, "Pasha, can we talk?" Captain Pike asked quietly.

Nodding, Pavel followed Captain Pike out of the library and to his station wagon, "I did some digging and Khan never had a funeral," Captain Pike spoke softly. "I was meeting with some higher-ups and they said that Khan disappeared without a trace after the incident with you, but the cops simply said he was dead."

"So Khan may steel be alive," Pavel spoke softly, his expression worried. "Um, Papa, I saw Jeem."

Captain Pike looked intrigued, but was interrupted by his cell buzzing, "Crap, it's Archer," he said as he quickly checked it. "He's been quite upset since McCoy flipped him off and Kirk disappeared."

"I do not vant to tell heem anyseeing," Pavel spoke softly. "Jeem doesn't vant heem to know."

Silence filled the air as Captain Pike and Pavel got in the car and travelled back to campus, "Did you want to stay with me tonight or did you want to stay at Tucker Hall," Captain Pike asked softly.

"I should go veeset Spock," Pavel spoke softly. "You have your own duties to attend to."

Captain Pike nodded, "I need to talk with Dean Archer anyway," he replied calmly. "Be safe."

Pavel nodded and walked off in the direction of the infirmary. Captain Pike silently locked his car and made his way to the Administration Hall and was surprised to see Dean Archer at the front desk instead of in his office.

"Christopher," Dean Archer spoke in a quiet voice. "Why'd you lie to me about Kirk?"

Captain Pike sighed, "Kirk will talk about it when he's ready," he replied patiently. "What are you doing?"

Dean Archer sighed, "Just ensuring that the Vulcan Elders will have a fully competent staff waiting for them when they move to Hawaii next month," he replied softly. "I visited and T'Pau told me that the Vulcans who made it over here became even more traumatized when the arena was bombed and they can't handle it."

"What's going to happen to the Embassy when they leave?" Captain Pike asked quietly.

Dean Archer shrugged, "Empress T'Pau wants to gift it to Spock, but she knows he's not well and wants to wait until he can visit her to explain her desires," he replied softly. "I restored McCoy's infirmary privileges."

"I…I'd like to apologize for yelling at you, Jon," Captain Pike spoke gently. "It was inappropriate."

Dean Archer looked thoughtful, "The Toriadol from Deneva's still being filtered out of the air and I'm sure it's affected people," he replied calmly. "I…T'Pau offered her apologies for what happened to Kirk."

Captain Pike nodded and Dean Archer got up, "Reed's getting out of the hospital soon and he's going back to work at the mall because he says he needs to feel normal again," Dean Archer explained. "He visited Hoshi one other time, but he said he can't do it anymore. What she's become…it's traumatizing for him to see."

"I hope you haven't forced the rest of the old squad to see her," Captain Pike replied, frowning.

Dean Archer shook his head, "I'm thinking of sending her to Hawaii under Vulcan care," he spoke in a quiet voice. "T'Pol and Trip will be staying in San Francisco, but Hoshi needs so much care…"

Exhaling anxiously, Dean Archer went to his office and Captain Pike followed just in time to see his old captain sit at the windowseat that overlooked the campus. Instead of speaking, Captain Pike just stood there.

Palisades Health Centre

T'Pol sighed softly as she watched orderlies wheel the gurney containing a restrained Hoshi into a high-level care room. She had taken Hoshi on as a patient at the requests of her husband and Dean Archer, as they had served with Hoshi in the First Romulan War and wanted to make sure she got the best care.

A doctor came into view with a medicinal cart, "You may start your physical assessments of Ms. Sato, but be very gentle and patient," T'Pol instructed softly. "Her mental function is significantly reduced."

As the doctor went into the room, T'Pol made her way into the common area and found that Jim was alone near the sun window, silently reading a book. Through the glass, she could see most other patients outside engaging in gardening or other outdoor recreation. Why was Jim isolating himself?

"Mister Kirk, the outdoor conditions are decent," T'Pol observed softly. "Why are you not outdoors?"

Jim sighed, but didn't look up from his book, "I…I'm feeling a bit nauseous and if I look up at you, it will get worse," he confessed softly. "I figured if I had to sit like this, I might as well try to read."

T'Pol raised an eyebrow, "Your body is adjusting, which means the treatments are proving effective," she explained softly. "Until you are healthier, you should rest when these reactions manifest themselves."

"Could…could you help me back to my room?" Jim asked softly. "I'm feeling shaky…"

Using all of his strength, Jim set the book aside and stood, grateful when T'Pol took hold of him and walked with him back towards the mental health ward. As they walked, a feral scream suddenly filled the air followed by a loud snapping. Jim suddenly felt himself knocked off his feet and his air cut off by wild hands.

Stunned, Jim looked up to see that a scraggly Asian woman was scratching and choking him while screaming in an unintelligible language. Alarms suddenly sounded and shouting filled the air.

Jim suddenly felt his throat loose and he watched as strong orderlies gently extract the now-unconscious Asian woman from on top of him, "Contact Dean Archer," T'Pol ordered briskly. "He is her legal guardian…"

Pain shot through Jim's body and he suddenly felt cold, "I…I don't feel good," he gasped softly. "H-help…"

As Jim slowly succumbed to unconsciousness brought on by the cold, he heard his name being called.

Starfleet Hockey Academy

"…Mister Chekov?"

Pavel looked up and saw that Spock was awake, "Hello," he said warmly. "How are you feeling?"

"Quite tired, but otherwise more coherent," Spock spoke softly. "I can form sentences…"

Pavel nodded, "Uhura vas tired, so I offered to seet veeth you for a while so she could rest," he explained in a quiet voice. "I am not doing much vhile eweryone ees at zeir practicums, so I have a lot of time."

"Have you not secured another placement?" Spock asked softly. "I trust that you were offered…"

Spock suddenly sighed, "I got a passeeng grade," Pavel replied. "Relax. You are doeeing too much."

"You are correct," Spock spoke softly. "I…I was wondering if you knew where Mister Kirk was? Doctor McCoy and Nyota implied that he was at a mental health facility. I wish to apologize for the Vulcan Elders…"

Pavel sighed, "I can ask Jeem eef he vouldn't mind if you wrote," he replied softly. "Your health eez…"

Spock exhaled softly, "I understand," he replied quietly. "You look as if you have something on your mind."

"I…ze Wulcans are locating ze Embassy because ze air made zem anxious," Pavel spoke softly, frowning.

Spock's eyes narrowed, "I suspected they might because things among surviving Vulcans have been tense since the bombing of the arena," he spoke softly. "Forgive me, this conversation is quite tiring, but I have a request."

"Yes?" Pavel asked softly.

Spock exhaled, "I trust you are aware that I am a skilled figure skater," he replied softly. "I know you are also…"

"Eeet vas for coordination," Pavel replied softly. "Papa Chrees said eet vould be serapeutic…"

Pavel trailed off because he saw Spock fighting sleep, "I do not know if I will be physically able to perform the routine I had been commissioned to do," Spock said sleepily. "Would you be adverse to learning it?"

"I cannot play hockey anymore, but I can steel skate," Pavel replied nervously.

Spock closed his eyes, "The notebook on my nightstand contains the routine," he replied softly.

Pavel nodded, making a mental note to learn the routine as soon as he could return to the dorm.

Palisades Health Center

"Hoshi not only choked and scratched Mister Kirk, she also assaulted him with enough force that she caused his lungs to collapse," T'Pol spoke in a firm voice as she sat in her administrator office with Dean Archer, Officer Tucker, and Captain Pike several hours after the attack and after Jim had been pulled back from the brink of death. "I cannot house her in this facility, as it would endanger the other residents…"

Dean Archer sighed, still reeling from the call he had gotten that Hoshi had almost killed Jim. He was also shocked that Jim was a patient in the mental health facility, but he didn't blame Jim for seeking help.

"I would not normally breach patient confidentiality, but this is a special circumstance," T'Pol said softly. "I was not able to get a hold of Doctor McCoy and so I contacted Captain Pike. I trust he was visiting you."

Dean Archer nodded, "McCoy was working at the infirmary this morning and then went to volunteer at his mother's humanitarian centre," he replied softly. "I sent a message to the centre for him to call me."

"I suppose you are wishing to visit Mister Kirk," T'Pol spoke softly. "Do not overexcite him."

Officer Tucker sighed, "I might go talk to Hoshi for a minute," he replied softly. "Is that allowed?"

"She is in the high security intensive care unit and restrained, but you may," T'Pol replied quietly.

Officer Tucker left, allowing her to lead Captain Pike and Dean Archer to the trauma unit of the health center where Jim had been moved after passing out. Dean Archer was surprised to see Phlox in the room, silently hooking an IV to Jim's arm as Jim watched. Dean Archer could see bulges under the top of Jim's gown and strangle marks and scratches on Jim's face and neck and was very relieved that Hoshi hadn't killed him.

"Jonathan, I do not enjoy turning people in need of help away, but I am also reminded of how things were during the evacuation of Vulcan," T'Pol spoke softly, her expression concerned as she watched Phlox finish the IV and get a blanket for Jim. "Some Vulcans had been reduced to feral behaviors as a result of the exposure and there were multiple instances where they killed one another or killed themselves…"

Dean Archer nodded, as he had assisted with the evacuation before Trip had gotten his foot blown off rescuing Spock from capture by Nero Senior and remembered witnessing the feral behavior, "I…I'll contact T'Pau and see if any Vulcan healing rituals can help Hoshi," he said softly. "I wasn't aware that Phlox worked here too…"

"Doctor Phlox volunteers his time," T'Pol spoke softly. "I do, however, ensure he is paid for his troubles."

Phlox suddenly came out of the room as Jim closed his eyes, "Phlox, hi," Dean Archer spoke softly.

A calm smile appeared on Phlox's face, "Captain, I admit while the situation is serious, Mister Kirk has taught me to feel fortunate," he spoke in a calm voice. "He is a rather remarkable young man. He recognized Hoshi from San Francisco General and worries that he recognized her from how he spoke Romulan to her…"

"Wait, Kirk thinks he triggered Hoshi and is remorseful for it?" Dean Archer replied, deeply stunned.

Phlox sighed, "I know you'll want to discuss this incident with him, but please be gentle," he replied in a quieter voice. "He's blaming himself for Hoshi attacking him, but I doubt she was capable of knowing who he is."

Captain Pike silently went into the room, "Hey," Jim spoke groggily. "I'd wake up, but I'm super tired.

"I just want you to know that it wasn't your fault that Hoshi attacked you," Captain Pike spoke softly as he took a seat beside the bed. "I know you can speak Romulan, but I don't believe that she even recognized you…"

Jim opened his eyes, his expression confused, "Hoshi's severely brain damaged from prolonged torture by Romulans," Captain Pike spoke softly. "She was declared MIA and…she was a POW for years."

"Is that why I was so depressed before I got it taken out of my blood?" Jim asked softly. "Toriadol?"

Captain Pike looked thoughtful, "It could be," he replied softly. "And the abuse you suffered."

Jim sighed, "I guess they're gonna move me back to my room once they get the old bed out and I'll be stuck in bed for at least a week," he spoke groggily. "I…I'll be able to do the parts of the program that I'm scared of."

Captain Pike nodded, but said nothing, "I wouldn't mind visitors if people feel like it and if I'm feeling like it," Jim spoke in a tired voice. "Just…I mean, you know who I trust and get along with. Not just anybody."

"Right now, I want you to rest and not worry about anything," Captain Pike replied firmly. "All right?"

Jim responded by drifting off into a drug-induced sleep and Captain Pike quietly left the room, "McCoy called because he got my message and he wanted to come up here, but I told him to go back to his dorm because Jim was resting," Dean Archer said worriedly. "People can visit him once he's had a chance to rest."

Captain Pike nodded and T'Pol sighed, "I will contact the Vulcan Elders about Hoshi," she spoke softly. "I will walk you to the public area and then set up a tele-conference with Empress T'Pau about the situation."

The group was silent as they walked back to the public area and T'Pol suddenly frowned when she saw her husband sitting in the waiting area with his hands covering his face, "Charles?" she asked softly.

Exhaling anxiously, Officer Tucker got up and walked over to them, "I just want to get out of here," he spoke in a strained voice. "I know you gotta work, but I'm gonna go home and spend time with Lorian."

"I must oversee Hoshi Sato's transfer back to San Francisco General and then I can return home," T'Pol spoke softly, frowning because she sensed that Hoshi had lashed out at her husband too. "Charles…"

Dean Archer suddenly became worried, "Trip, why don't you and I go for a walk?" he suggested softly.

"I'm not gonna go and drown my sorrows, Cap'n," Officer Tucker replied. "I just need space."

Before Dean Archer or Captain Pike could protest, Officer Tucker walked out of the hospital and the sound of an engine could be heard a moment later, "Please go make sure Charles is all right," T'Pol spoke softly. "I know he drove here, so I do not believe he will drink, but…"

Dean Archer nodded and T'Pol silently walked off towards her office to make the transfer arrangements.

Starfleet Hockey Academy

"I don't understand why they sent me back here," Leonard spoke anxiously as he led his mother to Tucker Hall.

Eleanora sighed patiently, "Because they knew you'd go over to Jim and neglect yourself," she replied in a kind voice. "You've been working hard helping me all day and we went to dinner with Mark…"

"Mama, why do I feel like things are getting serious between you two?" Leonard asked suspiciously, his eyes narrowed as he gazed at his mother worriedly. "I…I know he makes you happy and I'm glad you're happy…"

Eleanora sighed calmly, "Nobody will ever replace your father, Len," she spoke softly. "But I do love Mark."

Leonard nodded, "Do you want to come in for tea?" he asked softly. "We can borrow Spock's."

Eleanora chuckled, "I suppose," she replied quietly. "I'd love to get a look at the room and what you need."

As Leonard and his mother walked into the common room, they saw Nyota, Pavel, and Hendorff sitting on the couch playing cards, "Hey," Leonard spoke gruffly. "Do you know if Spock's tea is in the cupboard?"

"Hi Mrs. McCoy," Nyota spoke kindly while Hendorff looked at the floor. "How are you?"

Pavel laid his cards down, got up, and walked over to the cupboard, "I vas going to make some anyway because I vant a good sleep tonight," he replied softly. "Spock…he asked me to learn the routine he vas going to do."

"You can figure skate?" Leonard, Nyota, and Hendorff all asked at the same time.

Pavel nodded and busied himself making a pot of Vulcan spice tea, relieved that he had yet another distraction to keep him from thinking about Jim or Khan. He knew he would need to deal with both worries soon enough, but he wasn't ready to deal with Khan possibly being still alive and he needed to decide how to help Jim.

Leonard sighed heavily, "Guys, Archer said I needed to share something with you," he spoke softly. "Jim's a patient over at Palisades Health Center. He admitted himself last week because he felt overwhelmed after being forced into a Vulcan blessing and I paid for a month's treatment. He was attacked today, though, and nearly…"

Pavel's eyes widened in shock, as did Nyota's, "A patient who was rescued from Romulus after being subject to years of torture attacked Jim and nearly killed him, but Phlox patched him up," Leonard spoke quickly as the tea kettle whistled. "Jim's gonna be laid up for a while and once he's up for visitors, he wants them."

"I can veeseet him," Pavel replied, turning his attention to the kettle. "Let me feenees zees tea."

Nyota sighed anxiously, "Spock's going to be recovering for a while and I'm going to be spending a lot of time with him," she replied softly. "If Kirk actually wants to see me, I can make some time…"

Hendorff, however, looked uneasy, "It sounds so much like the detention center I just got out of, so I don't think I want to visit that place," he replied nervously. "Sorry to Kirk, but I have enough to do for the next few months."

Pavel silently brought cups of tea to Hendorff, Nyota, Leonard, and Eleanora, "I do not blame you," he replied in a patient voice. "Jeem vill not resent anyone who does not. You just keep focusing on your own recowery…"

Hendorff nodded and Pavel grabbed his tea before sitting back down, "Shall ve keep playing?" he asked.

"You guys go ahead, I'm gonna go to bed," Leonard replied in a tired voice. "I'm beat."

Eleanora followed Leonard to his room, "Len, I think you're not okay," she spoke softly. "What's wrong?"

Leonard sighed and exhaled as tears filled his eyes, "I just realized that we have a year left here and then I don't know where I'm going," he replied in an upset voice. "My contract here ends next year around graduation…"

Eleanora watched as Leonard set his tea on his nightstand and removed his shoes before laying on his bed in a ball with his face towards the ceiling. She silently walked over to the bed and covered him with his blankets.

"Get some rest, Len," Eleanora spoke gently, ruffling his hair. "It will help you think more clearly. I love you."

Leonard sighed as he closed his eyes, "Love you too, Mama," he muttered in a sleepy voice.

Once Leonard was sound asleep, Eleanora left the room with the intent of coming back later with supplies.

"Your life is so simple, kiddo," Officer Tucker spoke in a kind voice as he sat down in his armchair with Lorian, who was covered in a Vulcan blanket. "I'm so glad we had you. You and your mother keep me sane."

Lorian cooed as a knock sounded at the door. Sighing, Officer Tucker silently looked at the security camera that was on the table that monitored the front door. He was surprised to find Archer and Pike on his front stoop.

Shifting Lorian to his shoulder, Officer Tucker used the security controls to open the door, "In here," he called out.

Dean Archer and Captain Pike came into the living room just as Officer Tucker shifted Lorian again, "I dunno why you guys came over," Officer Tucker spoke in a tired voice. "I quit drinking two years ago…"

Lorian yawned and Officer Tucker silently put him in the swing beside the chair before covering him up, "I…I saw what Toriadol had made Hoshi into," Officer Tucker explained softly, his expression somber. "Sit…"

Dean Archer and Captain Pike sat, "I…I'm going to ask Phlox about doing that procedure on me," Officer Tucker spoke in a shaking voice, his expression somber. "I know I acted like I wasn't for it when you told me, but I talked with T'Pol and she said I'd given enough years and enough of myself to this terrible war…"

"You might suffer serious side effects," Dean Archer spoke worriedly, frowning. "Are you sure?"

Officer Tucker nodded, "I know what might happen and I've been working on getting my affairs in order, but I also know I might feel better," he spoke softly. "I might even work on my aviaphobia if this works…"

"Have you really not been on a plane since you got back from the war?" Captain Pike asked softly.

Officer Tucker shook his head, "I didn't really have a reason to go anywhere," he replied softly.

Footsteps suddenly filled the air and T'Pol came into the living room, "I have arranged for the local police to guard Hoshi's room for the night and she will be transferred in the morning," she spoke softly.

Officer Tucker nodded and slowly got up, "Thanks for coming over, guys," he spoke quietly. "I'm tired."

Understanding themselves to be dismissed, Dean Archer and Captain Pike left the house, "I feel like visiting Malcolm," Captain Pike spoke softly. "You can tag along if you want, but I just feel like visiting him."

San Francisco General Hospital

"I figured you'd show up," Reed spoke in a tired voice, sitting up in his hospital bed as Dean Archer and Captain Pike came into his hospital room after bribing the night nurse for a short visit. "Did T'Pol take Hoshi on then?"

Dean Archer sighed, "Briefly, but then Hoshi apparently tried to strangle and crush a mental health patient," he explained, purposely leaving Jim's name out of it. "The patient almost died, but they're going to be okay."

"Hoshi tried that on me too, but I didn't want to give up on her," Reed replied sadly, his expression somber. "I…she did try to attack Jaylah, but Jaylah was strong and made her rest. I'm not as strong as I used to be."

Captain Pike shrugged, "Jonathan's thinking of sending Hoshi to live with the Vulcan Elders when they relocate to Hawaii," he explained softly. "Since the arena was bombed, the Elders have been so traumatized and the Toriadol bomb in Deneva affected their ability to behave normally. I don't know when they'll move exactly…"

"That place gave me the creeps after the arena bombing anyway," Reed replied nervously. "I think that Hawaii will make the Vulcan Elders happier because it's the type of environment where they can rest and meditate."

The nurse suddenly knocked on the window and pointed to her watch, "Oh, I guess our five minutes are up," Dean Archer spoke in a quiet voice. "When you're out of hospital, Malcolm, we should have a gathering of the surviving crew; you can meet Trip's son and we can talk. It's been a while since we talked as a crew…"

Reed sighed, "It might help," he admitted softly. "It's hard to talk to anyone outside the crew about certain things because they won't understand what we went through. You better go, though, before you get booted."

Nodding, Dean Archer and Captain Pike silently left the room while Reed slouched and closed his eyes to rest.

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