San Francisco, California

It was now Friday, four full days after the attack on Bajor and Deep Space Nine Academy and the new Alliance, which is what Khan had named it, were now in control of things. Bajor was in Mexico, but the Mexican authorities had ignored it simply because there weren't enough resources to go around and so Bajor had been left to itself.

Every international authority had spoken and the decision had not been an easy one, but it had ultimately been decided to leave Bajor alone. The reasoning behind such a decision was that Nero, Khan, Krall, and their other friends would eventually get bored and leave as they did at Alcatraz. The decision had been protested heavily, but it hadn't swayed anyone to a new decision. There were not enough resources to deal with the combination of Botany Bay, the Obsidian Order, and the Nero Faction and so it was simply being ignored for now.

Tom Riker and Seska had been formally charged with several things and were now residents of the San Francisco Detention Complex until a trial could be arranged in which evidence of their treacherous behaviors would be examined. Will Riker had been investigated briefly, but had been quickly declared innocent and had been offered support by his Uncle Andrew and cousin since his own father, Kyle, was a functional alcoholic and not capable of giving it.

Starfleet Academy had done a lot of work to ensure that any student who wanted to stay could stay the year, but Will Riker felt numb at the idea. He felt numb about everything.

"…Stay in that chair or I'll turn right around and dump you back in the infirmary for the weekend," a voice suddenly growled in the distance. "I mean it, Jim. Behave yourself."

Curiosity got the better of Will and he stood from the fountain ledge just in time to see Leonard wheel a bundled up Jim towards Tucker Hall. It was only then that Will Riker realized how cold it was outside and that, according to the sun, he had been out for hours.

Sighing tiredly, Will rose, silently walked over to a path, and began to walk in an effort to defrost himself. He had lived on the streets of Alaska with Tom for three years after their mother had died, but they had gotten alone. Now, for the first time, he was on his own.

"Will?"

Will stopped and was surprised to see that he was standing outside Tucker Hall, not far from the entrance where his cousin, Jesse, was standing. Jesse was wearing slippers, flannel pajama pants, and a large sweater over a tank top. He looked rested, but worried.

"Your friend Deanna called me and said you left the dorm at like three a.m.," Jesse spoke worriedly. "I was just going to see if you were around. What have you been doing?"

Will sighed, "I was just sitting on the edge of the fountain thinking about Tom and my dad," he replied, unable to lie to his cousin. "I feel like a part of me died since Tom's…"

"Come inside, Will, and we'll talk," Jesse interrupted. "It's freezing cold out here."

Will reluctantly followed Jesse inside and the two sat in front of the electric fireplace, "It's like 0700 on a Friday morning and you look exhausted," Jesse commented worriedly.

"Nechayev and Uncle Andrew think I should stay here for the year," Will replied softly, cringing as he suddenly felt the cold melting off of him. "What's the cost of everything?"

Jesse scoffed, unaware that Spock had wandered into the common room for his morning cup of spice tea and to go to breakfast and was watching them, "If you want to stay, see if your scholarship will transfer or I can talk to my dad," he replied worriedly.

"Scholarships for poor kids don't just transfer," Will replied irritably. "It wouldn't work."

Spock cleared his throat, "Oh, hi there, Spock," Jesse spoke calmly. "How are you?"

"I am adequate," Spock replied tonelessly. "Your cousin, however, appears to be unwell."

Will scoffed, but didn't say anything, "Spock, Will's just stressed over what happened to Tom," Jesse replied anxiously. "They lived together for a lot of years…even on the street."

"I didn't think you knew about that!" Will exclaimed shakily. "We never told anyone…"

Spock raised an eyebrow, but Leonard suddenly came storming into the common room, "It's 0700 and I just got Jim in bed," he growled. "He asked what was going on out here and if he thinks something's wrong, he's gonna get out of bed and not recover!"

"Oh, whatever, you guys don't get it," Will hissed as he stood up. "Jesse, I'm outta here."

Jesse frowned, but Will fled. He could hear arguing as he left, but he didn't care.

"Really, McCoy, that was just mean!" Jesse snapped, not caring if he woke people up.

Leonard frowned, "What's he doing in here at 0700 anyway?" he replied irritably. "Don't they do roll call and breakfast or some other weird things in the morning over in his…?"

"He's my cousin and his twin brother is in jail," Jesse hissed coldly, glaring daggers at Leonard. "I'm sorry that Jim's sick and stuck in bed for the weekend, but you're a…"

Spock raised an eyebrow at the profanities Jesse uttered, "For the son of a federal judge, your knowledge of profanities is quite extensive," he observed tonelessly.

"Well, I've gotta get to the infirmary for 0800 rounds before I go to class," Leonard spoke with a sigh in his voice. "I'm obviously in the wrong here, so I'll apologize if I see him."

Spock sighed, "Booooones!" Jim's weak moan suddenly filled the hallway.

"I'll check on him," Jesse spoke anxiously. "You two have other places to be."

Leonard sighed, "I must cover Captain Pike's classes for today," Spock stated softly. "He is still on medical leave and has communicated that I assist Professors Tucker and Reed…"

Jesse nodded and hurried to the dorm that Jim and Leonard shared, shocked to find Jim laying in bed with his laptop out, "Pike's got classes today, but Spock's listed on the schedule as the teacher," Jim whined anxiously as he looked at the door. "Oh…hi…"

"McCoy had clinic and Spock went to teach Pike's classes," Jesse replied. "Can I come in?"

Jim frowned, but nodded and Jesse did, "The pneumonia's mostly gone, but the fever's still there," Jim spoke shakily. "Sam and Bones are gonna take turns checking up on me."

"Um, Pike's on medical leave," Jesse spoke quietly. "He's on campus, but he's not really doing anything in terms of teaching or administrative work. I think he's not well."

Concern filled Jim's face, "Pike's sick?" he replied weakly. "Pike…he never gets sick."

Jesse frowned as Jim sighed weakly and closed the laptop before setting it on the bedside table, "I'm tired," Jim spoke quietly. "I might sleep. That's all I've felt like doing."

"Being sick's not a bad thing," Jesse replied calmly. "Do you want me to hang out for a while so you can rest without getting scared? I can't imagine sleeping alone is easy…"

Jim shrugged and promptly went to sleep. Jesse, however, did not leave and he silently sat on McCoy's bed while pulling his phone out. He had classes later in the afternoon, but could easily blow them off to be a friend to Jim. After all, Jim had once saved his life.

The infirmary was quiet when Leonard arrived, but he knew it wouldn't stay that way because Georgiou, Lorca, and whatever entourage they brought with them from Romulus was due to arrive at any moment. Georgiou had accepted the offer of help and had requested that Phlox and McCoy work together to help Lorca however they could.

Swallowing hard, Leonard silently quickly went up to the residential area where the lone patient was. He was surprised to find Reed wide awake, dressed, and sitting in his chair at a table with his laptop out, sporting reading glasses and a concerned expression on his face.

"I'd ask how you are, but you look unhappy," Leonard spoke as he entered the room.

Reed sighed, "I'm still not feeling anything below the waist and I've got a lot more responsibility with Christopher on medical leave," he replied. "I'm worried for him. He's worked very hard his whole life and struggles with things that were forced upon him…"

Leonard peered at the screen and saw that Reed was chatting with Pike, "I don't know much about that," he replied quietly. "I'm not Pike's doctor and he doesn't share about himself."

Reed looked thoughtful, "As a doctor, you probably ought to know what the story is just in case you yourself ever have to treat him for an episode," he replied softly. "Part of the injuries stem back to when he was a prisoner of war in the Pleasure Zone for 10 days. He was horribly tortured and used over there by this group of Romulans, Talosians, and some experiment Khan cooked up. He was a mess when he was found and was put on the first ship back to San Francisco with Vulcan refugees, but he didn't stay in the States forever…"

"A lot of vets do multiple tours," Leonard replied softly. "It's not unusual."

Reed scoffed, "He was obsessed with going back to the Pleasure Zone to hurt those who hurt him, but I helped destroy the place and participated in helping destroy everyone that was there," he stated quietly. "The military paid for his schooling and Chris used that to get special permission to take a group of teenage humanitarian workers over. It was supposed to be a light, easy tour of supplying the needy, but it all went wrong very, very fast."

"And that's where he got the brain damage?" Leonard guessed. "The episodes are mental?"

Reed nodded, "In a way," he replied quietly. "Only a select few, including Pavel, know about the episodes and Archer's sure to keep a close eye on Chris. I believe that Pavel's going to be staying with him this weekend, though, so it'll be easier on Archer. Chris also lost his parents to a Romulan massacre when he was in high school, so he's not had it easy for most his life. I was his training officer and he was very much a perfectionist…still is."

"Is that why Chekov came in about midnight last night, then?" Leonard asked softly.

Reed shrugged as he typed a reply to Pike's latest query, "Is there anything I can do to help?" Leonard asked worriedly. "I have a triple degree and it includes Counseling."

"Pike knows," Reed replied softly. "I told him that I told you of his past and will keep it to yourself. He just wants to spend the weekend resting, but he says to meet him Monday."

Leonard nodded and quietly left the room, not stopping until he got to the ambulance bay to greet the ambulance transferring Lorca. What he saw, however, was Lorca being helped out of a rented van by Stamets, Culber, Saru, Michael, Tilly, and Georgiou. The team was wearing their team uniforms, but Lorca himself was wearing slippers, black sweats, a black shirt, and a black winter jacket. His hair was a mess and he looked utterly spent.

"I thought an ambulance was doing the transferring?" Leonard asked worriedly.

Lorca scoffed, "I had a very good dose of pain medication for breakfast and while I'm lucid, I'd rather walk to wherever I'm staying," he replied tiredly. "A few of my team insisted on helping me settle into the cancer unit and decorating it. I told them it wasn't necessary…"

"Captain, with all due respect, shut up," Tilly replied anxiously. "We…we love you."

Lorca looked surprised, but Leonard moved to them and helped get him inside, not stopping until they reached the small unit, "As entertaining as all of this has been, I would like very much to nap," Lorca said as he sat on the hospital bed. "That trip was…very long."

It was then that Leonard noticed that the Discovery students had their work backpacks with them and clearly intended to camp out in the room for the day, "You may keep me company today if you wish, but you are going to leave your things and go to breakfast while I'm admitted," Lorca spoke in the same semi-loopy tone as before. "That is not negotiable. Go."

As if they were very used to taking his orders, the entire team left their things in a pile on the couch and filed out, "When Pike went missing, those kids were still teenagers and still in need of guidance," Lorca spoke weakly. "International travel wasn't safe for those who didn't have the money, so I took them under my wings. They've learned very well."

Georgiou helped Lorca remove his coat, revealing a hospital gown, "Philippa and her sister, Marilla, were an older part of Pike's team and we met because I was the resident of a half-decimated village over there," Lorca spoke quietly. "I'm not fully Romulan; I'm half-Romulan and half something else, but just hybrid enough to be considered…"

"Your parents were fools," Georgiou interrupted softly. "Lie down, Gabriel."

Lorca laid on the bed and fought off a yawn, "Do you mind if I nap while you hook me up?" he asked quietly. "It's incredibly warm here, not like that freezerbox that Romulus is."

Leonard frowned and swore as Lorca promptly passed out. He hit the nurse's call button and began to administer emergency first aid while Georgiou's eyes went wide with intense fear.

Without hesitating, Leonard quickly hooked Lorca to a monitor and saw that his blood pressure was dangerously low, "Hey, Empress, can you check the cupboard by the couch and see if there's a central line kit in there?" Leonard spoke as he quickly got Lorca on an oxygen mask and hurried over to the emergency drug cupboard to get some saline.

Georgiou complied and when she brought the requested item over to Leonard, she found herself amazed how quickly he managed to get a central line in and get medication into her husband's weakened body. The machine's readings began to slowly improve as an anxious looking Phlox and J.M. come running in, having heard the need for help.

"Lorca passed out from low blood pressure and so I did a central line of saline," Leonard spoke in a nervous voice, seeing his superiors there. "Rounds are done…"

Phlox nodded, "Go eat breakfast and see to your classes," he spoke calmly, sensing that Leonard thought he was in trouble for acting quickly. "I'll take it from here."

Nodding, Leonard quietly left unaware that he had stunned Georgiou into silence.

"…Are you going to be okay on your own this weekend while I go spend time with my parents and Demora, Pasha?" Leonard heard Hikaru ask at a nearby canteen table. "I'm not gonna have time to go visit as often on the weekends once the Games start, but…"

Leonard looked up from his food just in time to see Pavel, who was picking at a plate of eggs, shrug with an expression of illness on his face, "Do vatewer you want," Pavel replied in a quiet voice. "Heekaru, I do not vant zees food. Eet tastes like metal and eez gross."

Hikaru frowned and barely jumped out of the way as Pavel suddenly vomited all over the table, the two breakfast trays, and the floor. Stamets, Culber, Saru, Michael, and Tilly were far enough away that they missed being hit, but they looked at Pavel worriedly.

Ignoring the food that was left on his tray, Leonard got up and hurried over to Pavel as he sank to the ground, "Zey are rejecting, aren't zey?" Pavel spoke weakly. "Ze keedneys?"

"Pavel, don't say that!" Hikaru exclaimed anxiously. "Someone get a campus bus!"

Pavel sighed weakly, "I cannot feel my feet," he said. "Heekaru, do not cry…"

The ground began to shake without warning and Leonard jerked awake, realizing he had fallen asleep at a table, "Doctor?" Pavel asked worriedly. "Are you okay?"

Leonard looked up and was surprised to see a perfectly healthy Pavel standing at his table with a worried looking Hikaru, "You came in here, sat at a table, and went to sleep," Hikaru spoke anxiously, frowning. "That Doctor Culber dude went to get you some food."

"It's been a long few days since the Bajor thing," Leonard replied shakily. "Double shifts, clinical, getting everything done in the books so we can use the Games as practicals…"

Pavel nodded, "You are one of two full-time counselors for ze campus," he replied in an understanding voice as he sat at the table. "You could hawe asked for ze day off."

Just then, Culber came wandering over and placed a tray containing eggs, toast, bacon, sliced apples, and juice in front of him and Leonard sighed, "Um, thanks," he replied softly as he reached for his pocket. "How much was that? I don't know if you have to pay…"

"Um, Captain Lorca set an account up for us," Culber replied kindly. "But thank you!"

Leonard nodded and quietly engaged in downing the entire meal without taking a break because he had eaten little in the last few days. Pavel looked concerned.

"Zere eez more eef you are hungry," Pavel replied kindly. "Ze food vill not run out."

Leonard sighed weakly, "No, I'm all right," he replied. "I…I'm not measuring food anymore and I haven't even bothered with the bathroom scale in a while. I've been too busy."

Hikaru looked shocked and Culber quietly excused himself, as he didn't want to make McCoy feel uncomfortable about his recovery from what appeared to be an eating disorder, "Zat eez good," Pavel spoke quietly, sitting at the table. "Eeet means you are accepting self."

"…Is there anything else I can get you?" the patient voice of a kitchen staffer asked.

Leonard was about to say that he was fine when he turned and saw a very frozen looking Will Riker lingering at the meal counter holding a very tiny glass of water, "No, this is great," Will replied shakily, his hands shaking as he held the water. "Oh, no…"

A swear word escape from Will's lips as he dropped the water and it spilled everywhere, leaving none for him to consume. Leonard frowned as he studied Will; it was obvious that the man hadn't eaten in several days and that he had been simply relying on free water to get by. It was unusual and concerning, as the deans were supposed to fund their students.

Ignoring the looks of those in the cafeteria, Will shakily began to leave and his foot suddenly slipped on the cup, sending Will to the floor in an ungracious heap.

Pavel swore in Russian and Leonard quickly moved to Will's side, shocked when he saw Will's face filled with pain, "My left ankle," Will spoke in a weak voice. "I heard a pop…"

"Don't move anything," Leonard replied firmly. "Someone call for a campus ambulance!"

Culber hurried over and quickly stabilized Will's neck by placing his hands on either side of it, "You're okay," he spoke anxiously as Hikaru called for a campus ambulance on his cell.

Pavel suddenly got up, "Students should not be going veethout food!" he replied in an upset voice, his expression angry as he turned to leave. "I am going to talk to ze dean!"

Before anyone could stop him, Pavel bolted from the canteen wrapped up in his fury. To him, it looked like Will Riker wasn't eating simply because he had no money and it wasn't fair that something couldn't be done so that everyone could eat regardless of money.

"You are looking better than you were," T'Pol observed softly as she and Captain Pike sat in T'Pol's living room sharing some Vulcan spice tea while they talked. "How are you?"

Captain Pike sighed, "The anxiety's gone, mostly," he replied. "I just needed a break."

T'Pol nodded, "What happened to you and what you must live with now are nothing to be ashamed of," she explained softly. "I know I'm not Phlox, so if you wish to talk to him…"

"You're just as good," Captain Pike replied. "I wish you'd become a full-time counselor for the campus, T'Pol. It would help so many and give Phlox and McCoy a break."

T'Pol sighed, but didn't offer a reply. A moment later, Officer Tucker came into the living room with Lorian, "Hey, I just got a call that Security's needed," he spoke apologetically as he passed Lorian to T'Pol. "There was a health and safety incident at the cafeteria and Chekov's over at Admin yelling at Archer about something…"

"Pavel's yelling at Archer?" Captain Pike asked in a concerned voice. "My Pasha? Yelling?"

Officer Tucker nodded, "Yeah, Sanchez texted that she's gonna go handle that one cause it seems strange," he replied in a concerned voice. "I gotta go respond to the health and safety thing. Sorry to complicate your little session, but you know how it is…"

"That sounds serious," Captain Pike replied worriedly, frowning. "I hope it isn't Jim…"

Officer Tucker shook his head, "It's not one of our students and that's all McCoy would tell me," he replied in a calm voice as he dressed to go outdoors. "Just keep resting, Chris, and I'll let you know if it's something that you can help with. The visiting students have been driving Security crazy since Tom Riker was arrested and this could be one of those things."

Captain Pike nodded and Officer Tucker left with a sigh, "Can we keep talking?" Captain Pike asked in an uncertain voice. "You've been really helpful to how I've been feeling."

T'Pol nodded as she set Lorian on her knee, "Certainly," she replied. "I am your friend."

The sight of an unconscious Will Riker laying on a gurney in one of the emergency room's trauma bays was not a sight that Phlox had expected to see. He had come downstairs after settling Lorca in the cancer unit and making sure Reed got breakfast from Dietary with the intention of writing in his therapy journal until his services were needed by someone.

Leonard McCoy, however, seemed to be a greater concern because he and a few nurses were working up Will as if there were serious injury. Phlox silently entered the room.

"Will Riker from Draconis Academy," Leonard presented in a concerned voice as he hooked Will to a monitor. "He had a little accident in the canteen and injured his ankle, but I saw evidence that he hasn't eaten for several days. I think it's something to do with money…"

Phlox nodded, "And why is he unconscious?" he asked worriedly. "Was he sedated?"

"No, he passed out en route after refusing oxygen," Leonard replied. "Someone from Team Discovery went looking for Jesse since Will doesn't have any emergency contact listed in the file Draconis Academy sent. I already checked and Tom Riker was his only relative listed."

Leonard sighed as he quickly put an IV of fluids in Will's hand and Will let out a faint hiss, indicating that it hurt, "Don't do that," Will whimpered softly, not waking. "I can't pay…"

"I think that's the least of your concerns," Phlox commented softly as he checked Will's ankle and found it swollen and starting to bruise. "Did you x-ray his ankle?"

Leonard shook his head just as a nurse returned with the x-ray machine and some lead vests, "Here's some blood that needs to go to the lab," J.M. said as she came over to Phlox with a couple vials. "McCoy was worried about malnutrition and asked for it…"

Phlox nodded and took the vials, which had been labelled according to the tests McCoy wanted run on it, "I can run these to the lab and process them quickly," he said kindly.

"Are…are you sure?" Leonard replied uncertainly. "I'm supposed to be supervised…"

Phlox gave Leonard a look, "I don't need to be hovering over you every minute of the time you spend in here," he replied in a calm voice. "We'll confer about the patient afterwards."

Before Leonard, who was stunned, could reply, Phlox left with the vials in his hands.

"Um, hi, I need to talk to Judge Andrew Riker right away," Jim heard a concerned voice say. "This is his son, Jesse Riker, and I need to talk to him now. It's an emergency situation."

Jim woke and found Jesse pacing the floor with a phone to his ear, looking very much as if he would rather be doing anything else than being on the phone, "What's up?" he spoke softly, eyeing Jesse worriedly. "I know I should be resting, but can I help?"

"Yes, I'll hold," Jesse replied before lowering the phone. "How are you feeling, Jim?"

Jim sighed groggily, "A lot cooler," he replied softly. "And a little hungry."

"When I'm done calling my dad, I can go get you something to eat since you're not allowed out of bed," Jesse replied in a quiet voice. "If you're hungry, I think that's a good sign."

Jim frowned as Jesse returned to his call, "Dad, I'm sorry for bothering you," Jesse spoke as a voice answered. "Will had a little accident this morning and he's at the infirmary, but McCoy also thinks that Will hasn't eaten for several days. I think Tom stole his cash…"

"…Now, Pavel, I know you're scared for your friends and I know you want to help, but you cannot go yelling at Dean Archer like you did today," Sanchez's voice suddenly spoke.

Jim's eyes widened as Sanchez suddenly came into view with an exasperated, but meek looking Pavel, "Kirk, I heard you're on bedrest," Sanchez spoke coolly. "Would you mind babysitting Pavel for a few hours? He went nuts at Archer and accused him of running a gulag where people are deliberately starved. Archer told him to take the morning off."

Pavel scoffed and went into the room, sitting on McCoy's bed with his bag in his hands, muttering Russian as he got a book out, "So Pavel's grounded for the morning cause he mouthed off to Archer?" Jim asked, unable to keep from smirking. "Seriously?"

"Pavel's behavior isn't something to joke about, Kirk," Sanchez spoke sternly. "Pavel?"

Pavel, however, said nothing as he opened his book, "Fine," Sanchez spoke, her expression changing to one of concern. "Stay here and don't misbehave. I'll go tell Pike what's up."

As Sanchez left, Jesse ended his call, "Dad said he'd see what he could do to rearrange some things," he spoke in a confused voice. "Did I hear that Pavel is grounded?"

Jim's eyes widened as Pavel suddenly slumped backwards on to the bed and promptly relaxed into a sleep, "Um, that was weird," Jesse spoke, his eyes wide with surprise.

"Pavel was roommates with me and Bones for a while," Jim explained in a tired voice as he helped himself to some juice. "He'll have little impulsive outbursts sometimes when he's in a stressful situation and someone will usually 'ground' him for a few hours. He never hurts anyone and he usually passes out asleep and doesn't remember it when he wakes up."

Jesse's eyes widened in shock, "Is that why he's always hanging around Captain Pike?" he asked in a concerned voice, frowning at the sleeping Pavel. "Is he not well?"

"That's not my story to tell," Jim replied softly, sighing. "He'll be fine in a few hours and someone will tell him what he did wrong. He'll go apologize and people will let it go."

Jesse nodded uncertainly, "This whole campus is full of crazy people, dude," Jim commented in a tired voice, sighing as he pulled some dollar store fruit bars out of a drawer that he had bought just in case he couldn't get food. "Um, don't tell Bones I bought a new stash…"

"You hide food in your room?" Jesse asked quietly. "There's a canteen on campus."

Jim nodded, "I can't get to it and I need food," he replied softly. "But, considering that Will doesn't seem to have any money or any food, you can give it to him if you want…"

"I'm not taking food from a sick person," Jesse replied nervously. "I think I saw some soup in the food stash Spock usually keeps in the kitchen. Do you want me to heat some up?"

Jim looked reluctant, "This feels like jail right now," he replied. "Being told to stay in."

"No, Jim, being told to stay in bed and not overdo it because you're sick isn't jail," Jesse replied in a concerned voice. "Look, just relax and I'll go find out if there's soup…"

Jim nodded and Jesse quietly excused himself to the kitchenette. He quickly found a can of chicken soup and a pot, so he quietly went about heating it on the stove for Jim to eat.

As the soup cooked, Nyota came into the common room with Hendorff and Giotto, all of them wearing their uniforms and carrying bookbags because they intended to go to breakfast before class. They froze in their tracks, however, at seeing Jesse making soup.

"You know we have a canteen, right?" Giotto asked in a curious voice.

Jesse nodded, "It's for Jim since he can't get to the canteen," he replied calmly. "He's sick."

"McCoy actually let him out of the infirmary?" Nyota replied in a surprised voice.

Jesse frowned, "Why shouldn't he be allowed out?" he replied. "He's not a danger."

Nyota and Giotto exchanged a look and Jesse scoffed, "For someone who was held hostage for 48 hours herself, you sure don't have a lot of empathy for Jim's experience and what it may have done to him," he spoke coldly. "What, you think Jim hasn't gone through…?"

Tears filled Nyota's eyes and she bolted, prompting Giotto to follow after her, "Are you gonna give me crap, Hendorff?" Jesse asked sternly. "I do know self-defense…"

"Nah," Hendorff replied quietly, a sigh in his voice. "Uhura…she's a bit sensitive about that whole thing and she knows Kirk went through a lot for her and at Alcatraz. A lot of people still don't know how to react to what happened and the Bajor crisis just made everyone think about Alcatraz again. I know you're sticking up for Kirk cause he saved your life…"

Jesse scoffed, "Call it like it is, Nathaniel," he replied irritably as he turned to tend to the soup, seemingly unaware that they had attracted a crowd of people coming to and from early classes or the canteen. "I tried to kill myself on the campus firing range and Jim Kirk's the only reason I'm not dead. He doesn't get enough credit for the good he can do."

The soup began to boil, so Jesse quickly retrieved a bowl and some cutlery before turning the stove off and filling the bowl. Ignoring the stares and murmurs, Jesse took the soup back to Jim and Leonard's room and found Jim looking extremely put out.

"Don't worry about what you heard," Jesse replied. "People are jerks."

Jim shrugged, "Where'd you find that?" he asked, eyeing the soup nervously.

"It was in the cupboard," Jesse replied calmly. "Has Chekov woken up yet?"

Jim shook his head, "Um, do you mind helping me with the soup?" he asked softly.

Jesse shook his head and sat on the edge of the bed, "No," he replied kindly.

The emergency room area of the infirmary was quiet except for the steady rhythm of the monitor that was hooked to the unconscious Will Riker as he lay in the trauma bay with a brace and ace bandage now covering his ankle. Leonard, however, found himself sitting in a group of chairs not far from the trauma room with Officer Tucker, Deanna Troi from Draconis Academy, and Dean Archer. Phlox was currently in the lab and trusted him to handle Will himself, Leonard knew, and so he was keeping half an eye on the trauma bay.

Deanna had shown up just a few minutes prior after being made aware of Will's accident by Culber, who knew that they were close. She had asked for a meeting to share some things about Will's situation that he had confided in her back at Draconis and even while they had been there, before Tom's arrest. She felt that those things would allow Archer to help him.

"…Will and Tom used to pool all their earnings from the labor camps in Alaska and from whatever jobs they could get using fake ID's that Will made for them when they were rendered homeless at 16," Troi explained as they sat there. "Their father turned into a functional alcoholic after the death of their mother, leaving Will and Tom on their own."

Officer Tucker frowned, "How'd they even get into a place like Draconis Academy if they were homeless and broke at 16?" he asked in a confused voice. "I know the place and it's mighty expensive. It was established by the Harrison Foundation years and years ago."

"John Harrison's mother," Deanna replied softly. "She was very much into philanthropy and giving rewards for intelligence. Will and Tom were among the best students in their school and she gave them scholarships that would cover their entire course of study. Those were among the last of the scholarships she granted before she died unexpectedly, but everything was set in stone so they would be able to at least finish their educations…"

Dean Archer nodded, "I called Dean Nechayev shortly before I came over here and she was too busy to talk for long, but the UK government wants the Rikers student visas revoked and Will deported back to the States," Deanna spoke softly. "She's working on trying to get the scholarship allocated here so Will can finish in an American school, but I've also been in conversation with my mother, Lwaxana, about the situation and she wants to help too."

"How is Ambassador Troi?" Officer Tucker asked nervously. "Is she coming for the Games?"

Deanna nodded, "Around American Thanksgiving, I believe," she replied patiently. "I…"

Leonard suddenly got up and moved into the trauma room, but Deanna kept talking with Officer Tucker and Dean Archer. Will was awake on the gurney, but he appeared tired and seemingly confused as to where he was, "McCoy?" Will asked in a weak, tired voice.

"Yeah, you took a spill in the canteen and dislocated and sprained your ankle quite badly," Leonard replied in a professional voice. "I also know you haven't been eating…"

Will sighed, "Great, now I have a medical bill on top of everything else," he replied in a tired voice. "I already know I'm getting deported because of my brother and my scholarship's getting tossed in the toilet too. Do you know how many weekend shifts I've had to pull at bars since I've been here just to eat? Your canteen food isn't cheap nor are groceries."

"But you stopped around the time Tom was arrested," Leonard spoke with finality.

Will sighed, "Tom stole what cash I had shortly after we got here for himself and I lost the casual jobs at bars when the campus curfews were put in," he replied. "I, um, have had the issue a lot longer than you think, though. I charmed my way into getting the leftovers from that party we have and I've been rationing the stuff, but it ran out…eventually."

Leonard scowled, "How long's it been since you've eaten?" he asked sternly. "The truth."

"Probably Halloween and that's because they handed snack bags out all over campus that day," Will replied softly. "Tom's fine, though. I know he's been eating quite well…"

Leonard scoffed as Dean Archer suddenly came into the room, "Sir," Will spoke softly, unable to move because it invited too much nausea. "Do you know of any good shelters in the area? I just need a little time to get some money for a bus ticket back to Alaska."

"I've been talking with Headmistress Nechayev," Dean Archer replied, acting as if he hadn't heard the comments about shelters. "She's very sorry about what the UK government decided, but she can't change it. She is, however, allowing you to finish the semester out as a student so you can at least compete in the Games. That much she could do to help."

Will sighed, but didn't say anything, "I know you've been working hard in school and I'll do what I can to see that you finish your degree," Dean Archer said kindly. "As for the food, I got yelled at and accused of running a gulag by Pavel Chekov-Pike cause you're not eating. Now, food security is not something anyone on my campus should be worrying about, Mister Riker, and I'm making sure you have meals from now on while you're here."

Nodding, Will closed his eyes, "Take it easy on him, Dean Archer," Leonard spoke in a firm voice. "Not eating for several days makes a person tired. I'm gonna get him well again."

Dean Archer nodded and left the room as his phone rang, "Archer," he said, answering it.

"Dean Archer, it's Judge Riker," a formal voice spoke. "Jesse's told me everything."

There were few classes on Friday and so Spock found himself finished with both his and Captain Pike's academic responsibilities by noon. He had lunch at the canteen and then quietly returned to Tucker Hall to rest, meditate, and do some work on his thesis. He settled himself on the couch with his bag and he frowned when he suddenly heard talking.

"…Where do you want your clothes, Jules?" a familiar voice asked. "Which drawers?"

Spock raised an eyebrow and left his things as he got up and moved down the hallway towards the voices. He was surprised to see Richard and Amasha Bashir unpacking Julian's bags for him while Julian sat on a newly constructed, already made third bed in the room that Giotto and Hendorff had been sharing, "I can help," Julian offered quietly.

"You were told to stay off your feet as much as possible for the weekend, Jules," Richard spoke firmly as Amsha began putting clothes into the closet and the empty drawers.

Spock raised an eyebrow, "I was unaware you were arriving today," he spoke calmly.

"I didn't wish to make a fuss," Julian replied quietly. "Mum and Dad said I could stay with them til the Games, but I need to try fitting in here. I decided to finish school here."

Spock nodded, "And how are you feeling, young Spock?" Richard asked kindly.

"I am functioning, but tired," Spock replied tonelessly. "I must get some work done before I go to the hospital and share evening meal with my father. His recovery is…progressing."

Richard nodded and a snore suddenly filled the room, "Richard, Julian is asleep," Amsha spoke in a quiet voice, motioning to Julian as he slept sitting up. "I'll put him to bed."

Spock watched in amazement as Amsha moved over to the bed and gently maneuvered Julian into a laying down position. She then drew back the covers and covered him up.

"He took a painkiller before we came and they usually make him sleep," Amsha explained.

Spock nodded, "Is there anything I might do to be of assistance?" he asked tonelessly.

"Hey, Spock, is that you?" a voice called out. "Do you have a second?"

Richard waved Spock away and Spock followed the voice until he came to the doorway of the dorm McCoy and Kirk shared. Jim was alone in the room and laying in bed with his laptop on a tray over his thighs. He looked tired, but like he needed to work.

"I just emailed Police Commissioner Hayes and told him I'd present my paper on Family Violence at the next county thing, but I have no idea how to do like a professional thing like that," Jim replied weakly. "Pavel went to apologize and Jesse went to see Will, so I…"

Spock raised an eyebrow, "You require assistance?" he asked quietly, entering the dorm.

"Yeah," Jim replied tiredly. "You're a diplomat's kid with a few degrees, so I thought you…"

Spock silently sat on Leonard's bed, "Relax," he replied softly. "You are still ill and it will only worsen your fading symptoms if you express anxieties. I will assist you with this."

"That would be awesome," Jim replied tiredly. "I don't want to look stupid…"

Spock sighed as Jim passed him the laptop, "I need to set up my paper in a way that I can present it to Human Services people all over the county," Jim explained. "It's here and you worked for the police, so you have an idea of how things are supposed to be laid out…"

"Fascinating," Spock replied as he began to read the paper that was now on the screen.

"Doctor McCoy, please report to the admissions desk," a voice spoke over the intercom.

Leonard sighed as he looked at Jesse, who had shown up with sandwiches from the canteen and his schoolwork, "Let me know if Will wakes again," he said with a sigh. "All right?"

"It was nice of you to move him to a private room," Jesse replied, tearing his eyes away from the bed where Will was sleeping to look at Leonard. "Deanna should be back later after she has a conversation with their team. They all love Will and want to help if they can."

Leonard nodded and grabbed Will's chart as he left the room, swallowing hard as he approached the desk and saw Phlox sitting there with what he called his daily patient logbook, "Um, sorry, I thought it was better to move Will," he began nervously.

"You charted it, I assume?" Phlox replied pleasantly. "May I see your work?"

Leonard handed Will's chart over and Phlox was quiet for several moments as he studied McCoy's notes. Finally, Phlox slid the chart back and made some notes in his logbook.

"Very nice," Phlox replied calmly. "How are you doing with everything?"

Leonard sighed, "It's been a busy day with kinesiology," he admitted. "They're cramming what they can into the time we have left before the Games. It's getting a bit stressful."

"Well, I can ease your shifts as you need to make time for personal leisure and I highly recommend that you do," Phlox replied patiently. "Have you decided if you yourself will be competing in any of the sports where you're not needed to be a doctor?"

Leonard shrugged, "I'm not sure yet," he admitted calmly. "I thought about doing goalie for my dorm's group during the hockey, but I'm a little nervous about individual sports because I don't wanna be seen as too slow or heavy. I…the thoughts about myself…still linger."

Before Phlox could reply, an older, dark haired man sporting boots, jeans, a sweater vest and a winter coat approached the desk carrying a small duffel. Leonard suddenly froze.

"Judge Riker," Leonard spoke quietly. "Um, are you here about Jesse? He's not…"

Judge Riker looked amused, "I'm the emergency contact for my twin nephews as well as my son, Doctor McCoy," he replied calmly. "Jesse called me about Will and asked for my help."

Leonard looked to Phlox, as he himself wasn't sure how to respond, "Will's suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, and a dislocated, sprained ankle," Phlox explained calmly. "Doctor McCoy's been treating him, so he can lead you through the situation. I did take some blood and tests show that there hasn't been too much damage, so it can easily be reversed medically. Do you have any idea how to contact Mister Riker's parents?"

"His mom's dead," Leonard spoke up. "Will's friend, Deanna, mentioned that to me."

Judge Riker scowled, "Kyle Riker, my brother, might as well be dead for as much as he and Will have interacted since Will was 16," he replied irritably. "He lives in Alaska and is in and out of treatment programs, psychiatric facilities, or shelters cause he can't get himself together well. He's been a functional alcoholic ever since his wife died. The twins were 15."

Leonard looked slightly ashamed at that, as he had been on the verge of becoming a functional alcoholic and would have succeeded if not for the treatment in Georgia and ongoing counseling, "Um, so I moved Will into a private room. Jesse's there."

"I don't suppose you'd let me see them?" Judge Riker asked calmly. "I brought stuff."

Leonard nodded, "Follow me," he replied calmly. "Sorry about needing to run…"

Phlox nodded and Leonard quickly led Judge Riker to Will's room. Will was still asleep, but Jesse looked surprised to see his father there, "Dad, you have work!" he hissed, awed.

"I cleared my docket for the afternoon," Judge Riker replied calmly as he sat next to Jesse and set the bag on the floor. "I figured you and Will could use the company."

Jesse nodded, "Will's sick from starving cause Tom made off with his money," he replied.

"Well, Tom's in a lot of trouble right now, but I'm not overseeing his case due to conflict of interest," Judge Riker replied gently. "He's refused visitors, but he's being treated well."

Jesse nodded and Leonard suddenly frowned as a faint groan emitted from Will's lips, "What's all the noise?" Will's weak voice filled the air. "I'm trying to sleep…"

Will's eyes fluttered open and he frowned as he peered at his uncle and cousin, "Uncle Andrew?" he asked sleepily. "I…my ankle hurts and I'm feeling really weak."

"Yeah, I heard about your little accident in the canteen," Judge Riker replied calmly, offering Will a reassuring smile. "For the next couple of weeks, my workload's pretty light and I can do most of it from home, so how would you and Jesse like to come stay with me for a bit?"

Jesse nodded, as Jaylah would understand and she had been spending a lot of time with the foreign visitors lately. She often came in late from the gym and was up jogging before class every morning, so they really hadn't spent any time together lately. Will, however, looked sick at the idea and Leonard found himself confused by Will's less than happy reaction.

"Do you know where my dad's at, Uncle Andrew?" Will asked quietly. "He should know…"

Judge Riker sighed, "I wish I did, but I don't," he replied gently. "He was in Juneau State Hospital last Christmas, but he left AMA in January and I have no idea where he's gone because his phone's out of service. He's off his meds and it's better that we don't know."

"I'll think about your offer," Will replied sleepily as he closed his eyes to rest again.

Bajor, Mexico

"Carol is close to her due date, so I do not want your trashy friends disrupting her rest," Khan spoke in a cold voice as he came out of the Deep Space Nine Academy's infirmary and found Nero waiting for him with a large sack in his hands. "What is in that sack?"

Nero smirked as he opened it, revealing pillaged food and medical supplies, "Some of this is from the clinic and some of this is from the canteen here," he replied smartly, passing the sack to Khan. "My men and the Obsidian Order are pillaging and taking stock of people for you to experiment on seeing as your last experiments escaped. Does that satisfy you?"

"And where are my Auguments?" Khan asked coldly, gripping the sack with his super strength while imagining it was Nero's neck. "You better not mistreat them or else…"

Nero nodded, knowing full well that Khan and the Auguments had the upper hand physically and also the favor of the Obsidian Order, "They're pillaging this school," he replied calmly. "I have no doubt they will do what they want with the people they find. Excuse me…"

Cold air greeted Nero as he went outside, but the air was healthier than that of Romulus and he was able to breathe it. The Deep Space Nine Academy itself was small and only a simple gate separated it from the city of Bajor. The region of Bajor had once been a lot bigger, but lands had been in dispute because of war for years and so it was what it was.

Nero made sure his Romulan rifle was secure before he made his way off the school grounds and into what was left of the city. A few bodies were scattered through the streets, but those bodies were holding sticks or some sort of weapon that indicated they had tried to fight back and had lost. Several others were scavenging or running their shops or market stalls under guard, not even daring to look at Nero as he passed by them. They knew the score and already knew that their government didn't care enough to intervene, so they had been forced to accept the Romulan, Cardassian, and Augument group as their leaders.

The marketplace itself was small and Nero found himself intrigued by the sight of foreign trinkets and foods. He hadn't seen such variety since the glory days of Romulus.

It was then that he saw it, just past the end of the marketplace. The sight of it made his heart drop, as he always understood Bajor to be a city of prosperity where everyone enjoyed the riches that existed in this isolated paradise. It was a large tent city that was near the marketplace and school, but was seemingly kept separate from houses.

Anger filled Nero as he wandered off towards the tent city to see why it was even there and how he could help it disappear. He had lived like that for a time when his father had been in an American prison and his mother was battling for Romulan liberties after the war. He and Ayel and many others had been at rock bottom and had had to fight their way back up.

"…I hear footsteps outside. Is that dear Julian come to visit us with more presents?"

Nero froze at the mention of Julian Bashir-Harrison as several individuals poked their heads out of the tents, "Oh, it's one of those Romulans who took over the city," murmurs spoke as dirty, bruised faces stared at him expectantly. "Do you think the rumors are true?"

"Let's find out," a dark-haired Bajoran woman that appeared to be about Julian's age said as she came out of one of the tents helping an older Bajoran woman walk. "Romulan…"

Nero flinched, "My name is Nero," he replied calmly. "Come to try and attack me?"

"You mentioned Julian," the dark-haired woman replied. "Do you know him?"

Nero nodded, "His father, Doctor John Khan Harrison, is up at the Deep Space Nine Academy right now," he replied calmly. "Doctor Harrison is a very private man, so…"

"Julian spoke of him as he spent his time helping us with supplies he borrowed from the school and bought from the market," the woman said. "My name is Ro Laren and this is one of the city elders, Kai Opaka. She's a religious leader. Julian often came to her services before he went on that exchange trip. I'm assuming he's still off in the States."

Nero sighed, "Whatever Julian may have said about John…" he began nervously, fearing that Julian had single-handedly turned the Bajorans against Khan with simple words.

"Julian never spoke anything but good about his father," Ro interrupted, giving Nero an odd look as Kai Opaka looked at her expectantly. "She wants you to take one of our sickest to Julian's father to see if he can help. The man's been here since February and he's very reclusive because of mental illness and alcoholic urges, but he trusts Julian's ministrations."

Nero eyed Ro warily, as she seemed like she could beat him in combat if he were to refuse her request, "Where is this person?" he finally asked, deeply mystified as to why Julian hadn't been bashing his biological father even though he had every reason to do so.

"He's in our tent," Ro replied calmly. "He doesn't have the capacity to live alone safely."

Nero hesitated, as he had seen plenty with mental illness who had been difficult to guide in even the simplest of tasks, "Perhaps it would be easier to get Doctor Harrison here."

"If I tell Kyle to do something, he will," Ro replied firmly. "Especially if I mention Julian."

Nero nodded and Ro helped Kai Opaka back into the tent. She was gone for several minutes before re-emerging with a strong looking individual who was sporting a mess of gray hair on his head and face. His clothes and shoes were little more than rags, but he looked clean.

"This is Kyle Riker from Alaska," Ro explained calmly. "He's mentally ill, but he'll talk your ear off if you listen long enough. He ended up wandering here from the direction of…"

Kyle scoffed, "Now, child, that's enough of that!" he replied in a shaking voice.

"This is Nero, Kyle, and he can take you to Julian's father," Ro replied patiently.

Kyle nodded and walked over to Nero, making Nero realize that he had very little choice but to do what Ro wanted. Nero turned and led Kyle back through the marketplace, not sure what to say that wouldn't be a trigger to the man. He was a very strange mess of a person.

To his surprise, Khan was sitting on a bench in front of Deep Space Nine Academy, quietly finishing off a sandwich he had found in the supply bag. He had also changed into clean scrubs and a white lab coat that he had commandeered from the infirmary after making the nurse on duty promise to work for him and keep her life in exchange. His boots, however, remained untouched and looked as if they could use a clean. Nero sighed anxiously.

"It's like I'm looking at an older version of him," Kyle suddenly said in a tone of awe as he looked at Khan with an expression of wonder. "You look exactly like young Julian, sir."

Khan froze and Nero suddenly felt worried, "You know him?" Khan finally asked.

"You mean that sweet little kid who spends his after schools and weekends coming into the city, buying toys, food, and treats from the vendors and then coming into the tents?" Kyle replied in an eager, shaky voice. "He could be hanging out at the school and acting like a student, but he'd rather be spending time with us screwballs and sharing stories."

Khan finished his sandwich and rose, completely taken aback by Kyle's revelation that Julian was actually engaging in work that was in line with the Harrison Foundation's entire reason for existing. It was strange enough to him that Julian had chosen to become a medical doctor, pretty much emulating the steps of a man whom he had very little contact with over the course of his life until Alctatraz. The similarities mystified Khan to no end.

"One of the people in the tents said that Kyle Riker here has a mental illness and other issues," Nero spoke up nervously. "Some Bajoran chick made me bring him here."

Khan nodded, sensing Nero's discomfort, "I can handle it," he replied in a quiet voice.

Nero fled, unwilling to be around reminders of his poorer days and the living effects of the war his family had caused. He needed to check in with his men and the Cardassians; let Khan and the Auguments handle the poor and mentally ill. Khan was more of a nurturer.

"I can help you, Kyle Riker," Khan offered softly. "I have medications that can help."

Kyle eyed Khan nervously, "You speak like Julian," he replied shakily. "Soft, gentle."

"The medicine that will help you is inside," Khan said calmly. "Please come with me?"

Kyle hesitated before nodding and muttering incoherently as he followed Khan inside.

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