Author's Note: okay guys this one might be confusing. There is also a warning for gore. I am going to likely not update until the next arc is finished. Thank you for reading.

Spock stood at the platform where they would board his fathers ship. Everyone of the bridge crew had gathered hearing their former captain had plans to leave the planet. There was some hesatance in those who had become parents. That was to be expected. Even he was worried about this mission. He knew it should only be for a week but he had never been away from his son for that long.

His eyes glanced over to where his son stood beside David as the child spoke his good byes to the man who had take care of him. Lhai held a stance Spock would call protective on someone older. It would be something they needed to talk about when they returned. His son would need to learn humans felt smothered with such behavior. If he desired to keep David as a friend he would ultimately need to learn to back off.

David clung to JoJo's hand while the Sulu children ran circles around his father. A part of him wanted to see how his father responded to his charge of three young human children plus Lhai who was slowly letting down his guard. Jim ruffled his son's hair before jogging to where the rest of the crew stood waiting for permission to board. They would still need to do a check on the system before they could leave.

"Wow. Guys chill. Some of us may still be Starfleet but come on. This isn't an away mission." Jim grinned at them as he came to a stop. The group relaxed a little. Many joined in on the hugging as they said hello. Jim wore a layered jacket over long sleeves. He rubbed his hands together. "I forgot how cold space ports are. You have enough layers Spock?"

"There isn't a need to worry about me. I still wear thermal shirts. Beside my father's ship will be warm." Spock answered and handed over his gloves. Jim paused in his attempt to warm his hands before nodding his head in thanks. Since this was not a Starfleet mission his former captain did not have the luxury of wearing the special made material that kept their tempature regulated. Vulcans out of necessity had developed cloth to keep them warm in places too cold for them.

The light flicked on giving them the go ahead to board the ship. The seven of them quickly made their way aboard and to their places. The ship didn't need as many hands to pilot as a federationg flagship had. Those that were not needed to pilot the ship found a place to sit while they launched.

The chatting lulled to a halt as the bay opened to a start filled sky. Every one of his compainions stared. Most had not been off planet since they had returned from their five year mission.

"You know... I've missed this view." Jim whispered as he watched the starts began to blur into streaks as they gained speed. He gave Spock a smile before joining the others in a game of cards.

The first two days led them far out of the Sol Sytem but it was not taxing for his fathers ship. It was not anywhere Spock had been on any mission before. As they got closer to their destination his former capting drew more and more silent. Now Spock had spent the last five minutes searching the ship for Jim. It wasn't a large ship by any means but it was big enough if one wished to avoid someone else they could.

Spock spotted Nyota as she entered the hall. A frown pulling at the corners of her face. "Have you seen Kirk? There is something going on with navagations. Scotty is trying to fix it but he wanted Kirk to look at it."

"No I haven't. I'm looking for him as well." He gestered to the rest of the ship he hadn't searched. "Did you check this way?" The nod that followed made his stomach drop and the heart in his side squeeze. As one they walked to where the others had congregated around navagations.

Spock still did not see his former captain. "Have you seen Jim?" He asked everyone as he looked at the controls. An error flashing across the screen.

"I saw him at lunch. He said he was going to lay down for a nap." Sulu said as he leaned against the back of his seat.

"Haven't seen the lad since mornin." The Scotsman said as he pointed at the error message. "I can't make sense of this."

Spock sat down and started typing away until finally he got throught the error to the encryption causing the error. It would take hours even for him to unlock.

"What is that?" McCoy asked as he leaned forward to stare at the code running across the screen. He pulled back and looked around. "He isn't on the ship is he?"

"Likely not. The question is how and why." Spock typed at the controls. They were still moving. Likely away from where ever they were heading. The alarm blared overhead before they were rocked sharply to the side. Another blast and everything grew black.

He stood at the edge of a forest that once held trees that stood as tall as sky scrapers. Now all that was left was death and rot. White fungus spread its way across the limbs of the trees like spider's silk. He had never seen fungus act that way. Was it something new? A mutation prehaps? Hunger like he had never felt before burned at his insides. Looking down the boy noticed his stomach was swollen and his arms no bigger than twigs.

The boy jerked his head up at the sound of children's voices. They stood amongst the trees. Starving blood soaked wraiths. Their ages varried. Some as old as nineteen while others just barely days old. Some were missing limbs. Others showed signs of field medical treatment by someone who barely knew the basics. He could not tell if it was the wounds or the starvation that had taken their lives. Fear rushed through the boy as he stared at the horror before him.

A girl stepped forward from the crowd a babe in her arms. Maggots crawled under her asking falling from her lips as she spoke. He didn't want to look at the babe in her arms. Ehat kind of horrible death had it gone through? "I told you we couldn't escape it. They will always find us. No matter how far we run. No matter how we hide. Stop fighting. Join us."

The other children started chanting. "No hiding. No running." They reached for him pulling at his hair and clothes. He shoved them trying not to hurt them. Bones scrapped across his cheeks as they grabbed for him. Blood smeared across his skin as they pulled at him. "Join us. Join us. JOIN US!"

The ground squished below his feet sucking him down. Hands frail as dried twigs pulled at his legs. Glancing at the ground there were thousands of hands reaching for him screaming at him. "Your fault! You left! JOIN US!" The child screamed as the mass consumed him.

Spock awoke gasping. He could still smell the blood. He could feel it on his skin. The crawling sensation slowly faded. He would never go near maggots again. Sitting up was painful as at least three of his ribs were broken and it was likely he had a concussion. The ship was no where to be seen. Sulu slept on the lap of his husband. Uhura leaned against Scott as he slept. McCoy sat glaring into the distance. Spock slowly followed his gaze to find their Captain standing away from the warmth of the fire someone had made. His face was dark as he leaned against the rocks watching the horizon.

With some effort Spock got to his feet and made his way to Jim. The former captain turned to look at him. "Are you alright Jim?"

Blue eyes darker than a stormy sea glanced at him before whatever it was that had Jim worried faded. Or was it Jim hiding? How many times had his former captain hid behind such a smile? It wasn't the fake one he wore when he delt with the admirals. No this one Spoke realized was one he would used to comfort those he cared about. He could have cursed in every language that he knew. It had taken years for him to realize now that Jim had used that very same smile on him.

Spock took a looks around the turain one last time. What dangers lerked here that Jim would use that smile? One that was to protect himself while calming the others fears. Spock felt sick as his mind congued a glass wall. His Captain on the other side. He did something he never done before. Spock prayed. He prayed to every deity he knew and hoped one would listen. No mater what happened he wanted Jim to come out of this alive.