Chapter 15: Unexpected Truths

Disclaimer: Again I still do not own Star Trek. Many things would have been different.

Author's Note: I still do not have a beta so all mistakes are mine. A big shout out to Solo16 for the nice review back in November. I can't really answer your theories since it would ruin the fic. You helped me get back to writing. Another big shout out to Animemen10 for the review in June. It's why we have a new chapter. Thank you both very much. Honestly reviews help make us writers want to write. It lets us know we have someone out there wanting to read our story.

WARNINGS: Mention of child abuse

Spock was seconds behind Jim as they ran to David's room. With years of looking for threats his eyes started scanning the room. They quickly fell back on Jim who had sat on the bed reaching for the trashing child. He winced as the human child struck out hitting Jim in the nose. Lhai stood huddled against the wall, his soft brown eyes wide.

"What happened Lhai?" Spock asked even as he checked the window.

"I-I don't know…He began to move in his sleep before he screamed. Is something wrong with him? Is he sick?" Lhai asked as he moved to stand by his father watching the two humans.

"I do not think that is the case." Spock took in the pale complexion of his son to the state of his clothes. A quick sniff of the air made his nose twitch. "Lhai, a change of clothes and a shower are needed."

His son arched a brow before looking down at his clothes. Both brows shot up nearly reaching his hairline. A green hue covered his cheeks. "He…urinated on me…."

It was hard not to let his lips twitch up into a smile as his son stormed off in search of his clothes. Once more his eyes settled on his former bondmate and David. The child was fully awake now. Snot and tears ran down his small face as he clung to his father. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

There was no mistaking the small flinch that racked the child's body. "No. Well actually could you get clean bedding from the hall closet? Lay it on the chair over there? I'll change the sheets after I get him cleaned up."

Frowning Spock moved out of the room. When he returned with the bedding both humans were gone to the bathroom attached to the master bedroom. He meticulously started stripping the sheets and blanket tossing the soiled cloth into the hamper against the wall. By the time he had the plastic sheet on the bed and was working on the next sheet Lhai stepped into the room.

"Where is David?" He sounded calmer as he went to join his father in making the bed. "Did Mr. Kirk have to take him to the doctor?"

"No. Currently they are getting cleaned up." Spock tucked the blanket in place. "Perhaps you want to sleep elsewhere tonight? David seems to have nightmares. He may wake up hitting you. Or Urinating again."

Lhai put the pillows back on the bed before grabbing a stuffed bear returning it to the place of honor by the pillow. "I do not mind sharing a bed with David. Now that I know he has nightmares I might be able to calm him before he does anything."

Spock stared at his son. "They are not like us. Melds are painful and they are invasive to their privacy."

If Lhai had been human Spock was certain his son would have rolled his eyes at him. "I was not suggestion to do a Meld. There are other ways to comfort people. Mother would hug me when I had bad dreams. It was effective."

Before he could say anything to ease his son's pain the door opened again revealing a freshly washed Jim and his son. "You didn't have to make the bed. Thank you. So where are you staying tonight Lhai?" A curse slipped from his lips as his son tipped forward nearly overbalancing the both of them. Lhai stepped forward catching David around his chest as the younger child reached for him. "David? He's Vulcan. They don't touch casually. Let him go."

"He is fine Mr. Kirk. I do not mind him hugging me." Lhai said as he took more weight from Jim. After a moment Jim let him go watching as the human child buried his face against the side of Lhai's neck.

"Looks like I've been replaced…." Jim mumbled as he stared at the two children. Spock was starting to wonder if that statement was true for him as well as he watched his son carry the younger child to bed where he proceeded to tuck them both under the covers. Jim looked up at him.

Shrugging his shoulders Spock turned on his heel and left the room. When they were far enough away that the human child would not hear he looked back at Jim. "May I ask what that was about?"

Jim for his part looked like a child getting caught eating cookies before dinner. "I was honestly hoping that wouldn't have come up. His mom…she got hurt pretty badly. It's why I was notified that I had a kid. I was listed as his next of kin. Right now, she is recovering. But he has nightmares. He won't talk about what he saw. David was there when she got hurt. We've pieced together that it had something to do with his Mother's boyfriend since he went missing after the attack."

Spock glanced at the open door to where his son lay holding David protectively. "He witnessed the attack on his mother? Is that why he dislikes men?"

Jim tapped his nose. "At least that is what we think. The bruises he showed up with clearly point to more but we don't really know. His therapist said it would take time before he is ready to talk about it."

The human passed him on his way to the kitchen. He knelt and pressed his thumb to the lock on a counter. Spock watched as the human brought out two bottles before pouring a large amount in two glasses. "Humor me and drink. You can tell me about how this doesn't get you drunk later."

Spock frowned as he took the glass offered him. So Jim had continued drinking. He wasn't really suppressed after all the human enjoyed the taste. However, that did not mean he hadn't hoped Jim would have quit. Finally, he let out a sigh. It wasn't his place anymore to be worried about Jim's drinking. "Very well."

This time when Spock sat he took one of the overstuffed chairs while Jim sprawled out on the couch. They drank their glass before Jim poured them another one. "I'm sorry. For snapping at you. I thought after all this time I wouldn't be so angry anymore."

Sipping on his second glass Spock watched his former captain. "Apology accepted though not needed. You have every right to be angry with me."

"No I really don't Spock. And we are not talking about this anymore. I'm way too sober for it. So Lhai, isn't…what I would call normal behavior for Vulcans. Want to clue me in on why?" Jim asked as he finished off his second glass and poured a third.

"Should you be drinking like that with a child here?" He didn't want Jim drunk around his son either. "You are correct. His behavior is different. His mother was half Romulan."

"No way…" Jim's blue eyes widen. "You got with a Romulan? How did that happen?" He waved a hand as if clearing the air. "Never mind. Stupid question. David's last name is Markus. Carol was his mother. I was pretty drunk and couldn't tell you much about the night but we agreed we were better off friends more than anything. With work she got shipped out pretty far. I'm not sure she would ever have told me about David. Did you love her? Lhai's mother?"

Spock sipped his drink as he thought about the woman who gave him Lhai. He listened for the steady rhythm of his sons breathing indicating he was asleep. "It was not a love match. Not like what we had. I loved her but the bond was made in the middle of Pon Farr. She chose to keep me alive when I would have chosen to go through it alone. I rescued her when she was younger. I think that was why she chose to bond with me."

A small smile spread across Jim's lips. "I'm glad you found someone like her. She can't be all that bad if she liked you and gave birth to Lhai. He's…I like him. He handles David as if they were raised together. That's a win in my book."

The night grew late as they continued to talk. Jim's eyes grew heavy with each drink and he cuddled into the plush couch as they simply enjoyed an evening of talking until the human fell asleep on the couch. Spock retrieved another blanket form Jim. He lifted their glasses and frowned. He brought cup to his nose and sniffed. Turning wide brown eyes on Jim Spock could only stare in shock. He reached for the unlabeled bottle and uncorked it. He brought it to his nose as well. Again, there was no scent of alcohol.