"You are kidding me right?" Jim asked as Bones helped him dry off after his shower and helpend him with his pj's.

"I let you try to do it alone didn't I? Accept the fact that you need help Jim." Bones said a little annoyed. Oh why just why did Jim decided to think clearly now, he thought.

"I could do it if you had more patience."

"Well we don't have all day and now you are warm in your pj's instead of getting a cold."

"You are worrying too much Bones. I don't get sick that fast." Jim said as they walked out of the bathroom.

"You are a child now and have the immune system of one."

"Yes I know I am a child now. Do you have to remind me every minute of that?" He said as he walked to his desk.

"Yes, because right at this moment you are forgetting it and thinking you can do everything you used to be doing. And stop climbing on that chair. It got wheels under it. You could fall." Bones said as he picked him up and put him down on the chair. Jim just rolled his eyes but focused immediately on his desk again.

"Now that we are talking about your immune system and you are in sort of your right mind right now. Did you had any allergies I should know about when you were this age but grew over it when you got older?" Bones wanted to know.

Jim looked at him confused. "How should I know that? I am four. Don't you have something in a file or something?"

Bones sighs and leans against the wall next to the desk. "No. We never got your medical records from your childhood. It starts at the age of 18."

"You got nothing? That's strange. Some I understand but nothing at all? I had nothing to do with that." Jim said as was searching for something on the desk.

"What you mean some?" Bones asked but when he saw the look in Jim's eyes he knew it was something he would not answer. "You know what, it doesn't matter. Did you had a personal physician or something?"

Jim sighs. "Bones, I don't know okay. Stop asking me those questions I don't know. It was not like they talked to me a lot or tell me anything. So I don't know."

"Okay, okay. You are right. Sorry." Suddenly Jim stood on one leg to climb on the desk further but almost fell if Bones wasn't there to catch him because the chair moved.

"Hey, what do you think you are doing? What are you looking for anyway?" Bones asked a little panicked at what just happend. He sat Jim in the chair again and kneels in the front of him to look him in the eye.

Jim just put his arms around his body. "Nothing. It's stupid". He said softly.

Bones got curious and looked at the desk at what Jim could be looking for. He then noticed the self made cloth puppet. Bones got up and reach for it. "Were you looking for this?"

Jim did not made a move to take it. He was in conflict with himself but his eyes betrayed him. So Bones gave the puppet to Jim. "Here you go kid." He said with a smile and Jim took it immediately and held it in his arms. Bones smiled and put him down on the ground again. Jim could play with it for another hour or so before het had to go to bed.

Bones was exhausted. Really exhausted. How could one little kid take so much energy away from you. Suddenly he heard the noise of the door opening and Spock stepped inside.

Spock looked at the bed where Jim lays peacefully asleep with the doll in his arms. Spock made a move to take a step towards the bed but McCoy's voice stopped him.

"Don't wake him. Please. He just fell asleep."

Spock turned around and took in the exhausted state of the good doctor. "Is everything alright? I thought he would be asleep much earlier."

"Oh yes. I tried. Only after his shower, Jim decided to get back in his right mind. Not for long I ensure you. The conflict with his younger self was soon followed. When I told him it was bedtime he went in a full blown temper tantrum. So is everything alright? Yes sure now that he is asleep." McCoy told him sarcastically.

"Temper tantrums are a common concept for young human children. Seeing Jim's state, an emotional outburst would be expected."

"Yes, I know Spock. Believe me I know. I just forgot how exhausted it could be. Did you find anything to cure him?."

"Nothing yet. Did he told you something when he was as you said in his "right mind"?"

Bones sighs. "No. Most of the conversation was about me telling Jim he was a child and that he wasn't that independent as he used to be."

Spock raised an eyebrow. "And the other part?"

"His allergies."

"He had an allergic reaction?"

Bones shook his head when he noticed the concern in his voice. "No. Thank god no. We know adult Jim is allergic to a lot of thing so to say in your words. It's logical that he would be allergic as a child as well."

"That is logical indeed." Spock said.

"Well some children outgrow their allergies. I just wanted to know so we could be prepared. His medical history is incomplete. It starts at the age of 18. I have nothing from before that time. I am going blind here."

"That is curious. But it should be noticed when he was a cadet in the academy."

"Yes of course it was noticed. I noticed. We were roommates remember. When that fool didn't bother to go for his physical I placed myself as his personal physician. I asked him about it but he never answered. So I asked him today and he told me he didn't know. He hides something that was for sure. But not all of it. There are memories of his adult self but he is in other ways a four year old. They never told him anything."

Spock was silent for a moment. "That is... disturbing is some way."

Bones ran a hand over his face. "Yes I know. Maybe Pike knows more. Anyway the cure. What can we do in the meantime?"

"Did you search his room?"

Bones gave Spock a look. "Did you forget that part of the temper tantrum?"

"No doctor. Of course not. My apologies."

Bones sighs. "It's okay. Come on let's search this place. The faster we are done, the sooner I can go to bed."

After a hour of searching they found some objects that could help. "I will bring these to the lab immediately. After that I will come back for the night." Spock told him.

"Spock. You don't have to stay. Go spend your evening with Uhura. She is missing you. Jim and I will be fine." Bones told him.

"Leonard I care about Jim as much as you do. I don't want him to think..."

"Spock. He knows you care about him. He is resting peacefully. I will watch him and call you if he needs you alright. Go to Nyota. You don't want to be on her bad side either."

Spock ran a hand through Jim's hair before he turns around and facing Bones again. "Any distress, I want to notify immediately."

"I will, promise. Now go." Bones said and Spock walked out of the room.

It was three days later and there was still no progress in finding the cure for Jim. Pike had called frequently for an update. In de morning, midday and evening. It drove Leonard crazy. What was the man expecting? He told him they would call him if they had something. He was tired. Between work and taking care of Jim was Pike also keeping him away for the one peaceful quiet moment he had.

He always liked Pike. He was also the man, Jim kept close to his heart in his little self made family. And he would respect that. Really. But he also had a daughter and he lived with Jim day in day out from the moment they met. He always took care of Jim. He also remembered when Joanne was this age. Pike knew that. Just why then, just why would Pike give him advice how to raise Jim as a child. Pike made him look like he was incapable to do this. It made him angry.

"I have received a message from admiral Pike." Spock told him as he enters Doctor McCoy's office.

"Great. More lectures?" McCoy asked annoyed.

Spock raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"

"No no nothing is wrong. What does he wants know?"

"Nothing at the time. He told me he was on his way here."

Leonard stood up immediately. "Tell me what now??"

"I think you lied to me when you told me nothing was wrong."

"Why is he coming here?"

"In his words he wanted to see how Jim was doing with his own eyes and help if he could."

Leonard was pacing his office up and down. "And you just let him? Doesn't he trust us?"

"There was nothing I could do to stop the admiral for coming here. He gave me orders. As for trusting us... I believe he still does."

"You believe..." Leonard stopped when the door of his office suddenly opened.

"Bones bones, look what I made." Jim said smiling while running to them. Uhura was following behind him.

All the anger left Leonard's face when he saw the joy Jim was feeling. He kneels down so he was on eye level with Jim. "What did you made buddy?"

"This! Look it's a spaceship." He said excited.

"Wow Jim this is very nice."

"Scotty helped me. He let me hold the tools to make it. He..."

Bones immediately had his hands on Jim body looking for any burns, cuts or bruises. "He let you..."

"Bones bones I am okay."

"Leonard I was with them the whole time. I would not let anything happen to him." Uhura said who was standing next to Spock.

"I know I know. Sorry. I just..." suddenly Leonard felt a small hand on his face.

"You okay bonesy? You look sad." Jim asked.

"I'm fine Jim."

Uhura crouch down next to Jim. "I think I know just what Bones needs. I think you are very good at it."

Jim looked confused at Uhura. "I don't know."

Uhura ran a hand through Jim's hair and smiled at him. "What do you always give him when you were away for a long time? You know he likes it just like you do."

Jim's face lifts up in a big smile. "Ah hug!"

"See. I knew you remembered. I think Bones needs a really big hug if he looks sad. Don't you think." Jim nodded enthusiastically and gave Bones the best hug he could give. Bones immediately relax when he had Jim in his arms and lifts him up. Swaying with him as Jim lay his head on his shoulder and his legs around his body. Leonard gave Uhura a look and whispered quietly 'thank you.'"

Uhura smiled sweetly and lay her head on Spock's shoulder while holding his arm. "How is it you knew what the doctor needed?" Spock asked softly.

"I saw he was upset about something you two talked about when we walked in. Leonard is always more relaxed when he has little Jim in his arms. Even when Jim was an adult. Leonard was more relaxed when he knew Jim was safe and within his eyesight. What is now more relaxed then have your arms around the little boy knowing he is here and can focus on him?"

Spock observed the two and took in what Nyota just told him. "I think I need to agree with your observation."

"Thank you." Nyota said with a smile.

"Acting captain Spock to the transporter room please." Was suddenly heard around the room.

Bones and Spock made eyes contact before Leonard closed his eyes for a second and held Jim a little tighter.

"Spock what is going on?" Jim asked as he lifted his head from Bones shoulder.

"Admiral Pike is aboard."

"Spock there you are. I thought you would be here when I transported here." Pike said.

"Welcome onboard admiral. My apologies I wasn't there for the moment."

Pike looked around the room and saw immediately who was behind Spock. "Doctor McCoy good to see you too. I see you have Jim with you."

"Hello admiral." Bones said politely and pulled Jim a little bit closer to his side while holding his hand.

Pike crouch down in the front of Jim. "Hello Jimmy. It's good to see you well under the circumstances."

"Hey Chris. Why are you here?" Jim asked curiously.

"To see you of cours and to help finding a cure."

"You wanted to see me?"

Pike ruffled his hair. "Yes Jimmy." At that moment a noise was heard from Jim's stomach. Pike laughed.

"I think it's time to eat. We could talk further in the mess hall if you like admiral Pike." Spock said.

"That is okay Spock. Jimmy will you lead the way?" Pike asked and lay a hand on Jim's back who flinch and backed away to Bones. Bones immediately put his hands safely on his shoulder and ran his other hand through Jim's hair. Pike was looking at them confused.

"Uhmm sorry. Didn't mean to do that Chris. Sorry."

Pike looked concerned and a little bit hurt that Jim flinched at his touched but quickly covered it with a smile. "That's okay kid. Well what are we waiting for? I thought you were hungry."

Jim smiled and nodded. He took Bones hand and together they walked to the mess hall.

The mess hall was busy at this moment. Leonard and Spock were like a well-oiled machine now a day when it came to the mess hall. They didn't even realized they were doing it anymore. Either Leonard or Spock would hold Jim in his arms. Who was still afraid to be around that many people and the other would carry the food for the others. This time it was Spock who carried Jim while following Leonard. Pike just looked confused at that but decided just to watch.

"What would you like Jim?" Bones asked.

"Uhmm Apple slices."

Bones nodded. "And a sandwich."

Jim shook his head. "No it's too many."

"We will share. Spock what about you?"

"I would like to have plomeek soup."

"Alright I think we got everything. Time to find a seat." McCoy said and walked to an empty table. Pike followed with his own plate of food. Spock placed Jim next to McCoy while Spock sat opposite from Leonard because Pike already sat opposite from Jim.

"So how are you all handling this? I would understand it isn't easy." Pike starts the conversation after watching McCoy cutting Jim's half of the sandwich in smaller pieces.

"It's not. But we are managing it. We found a rotation that is working." Spock told him.

Pike nodded in understanding. "So Jim what are you doing all day? Where would you be if Spock or Leonard are at work?"

Leonard looked up at that question and gave Pike a hard look who didn't noticed it.

Jim looked confused at the question as he finished his apple. "Uhmm somewhere. Sometimes in our room or at Bones office or at the bridge or..."

"Who would take care of you if there was an emergency?" Pike interrupted Jim.

"What you mean? Spock and Bones take care of me."

"But they can't always..."

"Uhmm sorry for interrupting you sir. But I don't understand why you would ask those questions. Jim is always in good care. And right now is also not a good time for those questions. He needs to eat." Bones said with frustration audible in his voice. How dare Pike question them about it if they would take good care of Jim. As he looked at Jim he saw that he was also uncomfortable with the question and was now distracted while rubbing at his eyes. He sighs it was important for Jim to focus on eating so that the kid would eat on his own. Even if the kid was a little anxious his appetite would be gone. He looked at Spock and saw that he also noticed what he saw.

"Jim you need to eat some more of you sandwich." Spock said.

Jim shook his head. "No. I had enough. Can we go?"

"Not yet. We are still eating. So would you. Do you need help?" Spock asked. They would feed him if it was necessary but they would try everything to let Jim see he needed to eat enough on his own.

"No. I can do it myself and I am done." Jim said as he was getting restless on his seat while rubbing his eyes. Suddenly he felt hands under his arms and sat suddenly on Bones lap. Who ran a hand through his hair so he relaxed against his chest.

"Maybe you should just..." Pike tried but Leonard interrupted him immediately.

"You sure about that big boy? This sandwich is delicious." Bones said and tickled him a little. Jim smiled at that.

"Here let me try another piece. Mmmm. It's still delicious." Bones said as he took a piece. He then picked up another for Jim.

"Here you need to try it also. Come open wide. This sandwich needs to land in a Jimmy mouth." Bones made a plane movement with the piece what made Jim giggle but opened his mouth. After some more pieces Jim turned his head away in Bones chest. He had enough.

"No more Bonesy. You eat it. I'm full." Jim said and begin to sit side ways on Bones lap so he could lay his left side of his face against Bones chest and listen to his heartbeat that would always calm him down.

Bones put his arms around Jim and begin to rock him a little.

"I think our little captain is tired. We should leave so he could rest properly." Spock said.

"I think that is a good idea. We could finish our conversation more private." Pike said.

Bones looked down at Jim. "Yeah. Let just wait for a couple of minutes longer so he is fully under. Otherwise I have to bring him asleep again in our quarters." They both nodded. When Leonard was sure it was safe to move the kid around without waking up they left the mess hall.

"Jim is in his bed. So we can continue our conversation." Bones said as he sat on the couch in the living room. Spock sat besides him while Pike sat in the chair.

"Well I wanted to start with complimenting you both with a good job. You seem to handle the situation fine."

"Thank you sir. But I am sure that is not why you are here for." Spock said.

Pike smiled a little. "I am not. You are correct. I am here to offer my help to find a cure and to help Jim."

Spock raised his eyebrow. "I didn't know you had experience with finding a cure for a situation like we have now sir."

"I don't Spock."

"Then I don't understand what your are offering."

"If you want to find a cure you need to have the time focusing on it. I understand Jim still have some of his adult mind but his behavior is what I can see mostly of that of a child. He needs care and that takes time. I also think you also found out that Jim isn't like most children and had some childhood experience."

"If you mean by experience, abuse. Yeah we found out. That is not some experience. That is a bad childhood that is still following him till this day. Not to mention the physical aspects we are dealing with now." Leonard said angry.

Pike sighs. "Then you know Jim needs a little more care. Some more time."

"That is exactly what we doing sir. Giving him safety, love and structure."

"I know that McCoy. Believe me. I just saw enough of that in the mess hall. But that is also why I am here. You both got a job to do here. I knew Jim when he was a child. I know some of his habits. You are his brothers for life. But I think right know he also needs a parent."