The next morning, Jim was up early. He did not think he has slept much. He had been thinking too much about today. He hoped Bones would not oversleep, but he would not dare contact him and interrupt his honeymoon. He had also been thinking about the fact that he and Carol were planning to have another baby, although she had slept all night. He figured that bliss would be over in a few months. He could remember nights when they hardly slept when Alex was a little baby, and when he was sick other times. It was not easy to do without sleep, but it was worth it. He hoped maybe they would have a girl this time. He was not sure how he would handle it if he had a daughter who was grown and guys started showing up…

Jim shook his head. He was getting way ahead of himself. The child was not even conceived yet. He was sure it would be an adventure no matter what happened.

Later that morning, Bones and Andrea arrived back home. They found that everyone else was either outside or gone into town. They kissed as they went into Bones' room. "I don't think they even know we're home," he said.

Andrea locked the door. "And?"

Bones smiled. "We have plenty of time."

Jim was aware that the honeymooners had arrived home, but he would not dare disturb them. He was actually enjoying lying on the beach anyway. He thought it was probably because he would be going home the next day.

The next thing Jim knew, someone was standing over him. "That's a good way to get a sunburn going to sleep in the sun like that," Bones declared.

Jim opened his eyes and stretched. He turned over on his stomach. "I'm warm and comfortable," he said.

"Yeah, you won't be if you keep lying there like that." Bones sat down on the sand and watched Andrea walk out toward the blue water. She smiled over her shoulder at him.

"So, how did the honeymoon go?" Jim asked as he noticed Bones watching after his new wife.

"It was great," Bones said not thinking about his inflection on the word "great".

Jim almost laughed. "I'm sure it was."

Bones cleared his throat. "So, what have you been doing all morning. Lying here baking in the sun?"

"Not all morning. The transport won't be here until this afternoon, Bones. Relax."

"I'm relaxed…I think. I don't know what I am this morning."

Jim did laugh then. "Don't get too graphic, will ya?"

"Don't worry." Bones leaned back on his hands. "I tell ya, I never knew how much I missed that until now."

"Bones…don't tell me that."

Bones smiled. "I guess I'm embarrassing you for a change."

"I've never told you anything about Carol and me in that position."

"I'm not telling you anything about it. I just said…I'm just saying, I'm glad things went the way they did."

Jim sat up and looked at Bones a moment. "I'm glad you're happy," he said.

"Thanks for not letting me back out."

"I didn't know you wanted to back out."

"I even fainted. I can't believe I did that. Have you ever fainted?"

"Not that I know of. Not from being nervous. Would you call passing out from the heat or exhaustion fainting?"

"You might. I don't think you would ever pass out from being nervous. With all the situations you've been in, you'd have already done it by now."

"I was zapped by that thing too."

"I guess some of us are just more sensitive. That was the worst pain ever."

"Yeah."

They were silent a few moments. "Jim, do you think she'll hate me?" Bones asked.

"No, Bones. I don't. She might have to have time to adjust, but don't take it as hate. Just take it as…adjusting."

"Okay."

That afternoon, Bones was waiting at the depot, along with Jim and Andrea. Bones fidgeted as he saw the boarding ramp lower. "Well, it's finally time," he said.

"Just relax," Jim replied. He hoped this would turn out as well as he thought it would.

Several people left the transport, and finally, a young girl stood at the top of the ramp, along with a woman with her red hair back in a tight bun. Bones' mouth almost dropped open. He had thought he would have a hard time recognizing Mia, but it was no problem. He wanted nothing more than to run and scoop her up in his arms, but he fought that urge. He waited while Mia descended the ramp.

Jim could definitely tell she was Bones' daughter. She favored him, and even had the same color eyes. Jim just stood there waiting to see what they would do.

"Mia," Bones said. "I guess you know I'm your father. You sure have grown into a beautiful young lady."

Mia just stared at him a moment, but then she threw her arms around his neck. Bones was all too glad to scoop her up into a tight hug. Andrea thought it was the sweetest thing she had ever seen, and Jim thought he might be just a little teary-eyed. He could definitely see that Bones could not hold his tears back with that reunion. It had not been quite what any of them expected.

Bones set her down. "I have someone I'd like you to meet," he said to Mia. He took Andrea's hand. "This is Andrea. She's my wife, your stepmom."

Mia looked at Andrea and then offered her hand, but she did not say a word. "It's nice to meet you," Andrea said.

Mia stood with Andrea while Bones talked with the attorney. "Mia, this is Admiral James T. Kirk," Andrea said as she introduced her to Jim.

Mia's eyes grew a little wider. "You're Jim Kirk?" she asked.

"I am," Jim replied. "Your dad's my best friend. It's nice to meet you."

"Has he told you about me?"

"Sure. I know he missed you a lot all these years."

"He went on that five year mission with you. But why didn't he come to see me when he got back to Earth?"

Jim was not sure that was something he should be answering. He could remember wondering why his mom had to go off on space missions rather than staying at home with him. "That's a complicated answer," he said.

"Well, I'm twelve you know. I'm not a little kid."

"He'll have to tell you about that. You'll have a lot of time to talk everything out."

"Are you really an admiral?"

"Yes."

"I thought admirals were mean."

Jim smiled. "Not this one, and we're never mean to sweet little girls."

Mia smiled. "If I joined Starfleet, do you think I would get to be on the Enterprise?" she asked.

"You never know."

After Bones settled everything with the attorney, they all got into the transport and went to the condo. "So, have you ever been to Pacifica?" Bones asked.

"No," Mia answered. "It's very pretty."

"It is that. What would you like to do?"

"I want to see where you live."

"Well, you're going to see that."

"Is it a big house?"

"There's plenty of room for all of us…and plenty to spare. It's by the ocean and you can just walk right out onto the beach."

"Wow."

"We won't do that without telling someone we're going, right?"

"Of course not."

They soon arrived at the condo. Mia stood and looked at it a moment. "Not bad," she said. "It's very big."

"I'm glad you approve," Bones replied. "I'll show you your room. I have the bed fixed for you, but you can fix the room anyway you want."

They went to the room he had fixed for Mia. "It's pretty," she said.

Bones set her luggage down. "You think you'll like it here?"

"Are there any other kids like me?"

"Of course. You'll go to school and everything."

Bones sat down on the bed. "I'm really glad you're here," he said. "But I'm sorry about your mom. I know we weren't together but when we had you, we loved each other."

Mia was silent a moment as she pondered that. "I didn't hate you," she said. "I was just angry that you weren't there…ever."

"I'm sorry I wasn't. But I'm here now, and I hope you'll be happy."

"When did you meet Andrea?"

"On our five-year mission. She was Jim's assistant. She also kept their baby and we just kinda met that way."

"Do you love her?"

"Of course."

"Can I call you daddy?"

Bones smiled. "I wouldn't like anything better," he said. "I'm glad you don't hate me, and if you need anything, just let me know. Make yourself at home. Get some rest. It must have been a long trip."

"It was. I don't like traveling through space like that. How did you stand five years?"

"It wasn't easy, but I made it. You can get some rest, whatever."

"I think I will, but I want to go to the beach later."

"We'll do that."

Bones left the room. He stood in the hallway a moment feeling overwhelmed. He had definitely not expected that to turn out the way it did. He wanted to find Jim and talk to him, even Spock. He went back to the living room where Jim and Spock were discussing their travel back to Earth. "So, you guys are really leaving tomorrow?" he asked.

"Yes," Jim replied. "We have to get back to work. Something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong, I'm just feeling overwhelmed. Do you think Mia really meant all that? Is she just trying to make the best of a bad situation?"

Jim absorbed that a moment. "Are you serious?" he asked.

"I know that sounds crazy, but it was so different than I expected…"

"That's a good thing, Bones. You expected the worst, but instead you got something good. Don't question it. I mean, she's twelve years old. You're her father, and she needs you."

"I agree," Spock added. "Doctor, you should be more trusting at times."

Bones frowned. "I guess you're right. I do always expect the worst." He was silent a moment. "Isn't she pretty?"

"She sure is," Jim replied. "Even if she does favor her father."

"Thanks a lot."

"You should introduce her to the rest of us," Spock said.

"I will. I didn't want her to get overwhelmed with all the new people."

"I understand."

"I guess all those years of sending her gifts and letters wasn't the wrong thing to do, right?"

"I guess not," Jim replied. "Maybe that helped her not feel like you are such a stranger."

Later that day, Bones introduced Mia to the others. He fired up the grill while they all enjoyed the beach. Jim came to the patio where Bones was watching the grill. "You getting tired of the beach already?" Bones asked.

"I think I've been tired of it for a few days now," Jim replied. He picked up a carrot stick and bit off a piece of it.

"Hey, those are for this grilled masterpiece I'm making here. Don't be stealing the food."

"Excuse me. I was just hungry."

"You'll get to eat when everyone else does."

"Is that what you're going to tell Mia?"

"Jim."

"You know, you can't always give in to everything she wants. She's not even a teen yet."

"Don't remind me of that."

"I think it'll be good for both of you."

"I guess there won't be anymore running off on dangerous missions, cause I'm sure not taking my daughter."

"I don't take my son either."

"Are you suggesting that I'll do like you and leave them behind while I run off on some mission that they don't know whether I'll come back or not?"

"I don't know."

Bones turned the burgers over on the grill. "One good thing about living on a planet all the time…you don't have to eat replicated food. You get to eat real food."

"Bones, we didn't eat replicated food all the time we were in space. We had a cook, remember?"

"Yeah, but not the whole time. You remember that bread on Lemma Two?"

"Do I? I still haven't gone back there to eat more of that. She sure piled your breakfast plate full."

"A man-sized portion."

Jim chuckled at that. "If I ate all that, I think I'd be more comfortable sitting behind a desk than running down the beach," he said.

"You'd probably gain more muscle with all that working out you do."

"So, do you think you'll just stay here on Pacifica for the rest of your life?"

Bones considered that. "I don't know," he said. "I think I'd miss it if I moved away. Maybe we'll get a cabin up in the mountains when we get old and just listen to the quiet."

"Wistful."

"I don't think you'll always be chasing bad guys and running full speed through corridors trying to escape certain death."

"I'm sure I won't, but I might become a really old Starfleet Admiral and shake my cane at those young whipper snappers."

Bones laughed out loud at that. "I can see you doing that," he said. "You could even be head of Starfleet."

"Uh…no I don't think that will happen."

"Why not? You're as good as anyone else."

"Thanks, Bones."

"I guess the next time I see you, you'll be on your way to having another kid," Bones said.

"I guess," Jim replied as he swiped another carrot and avoided the swat from the spatula Bones was using. "Carol told you, huh?" he asked.

"Of course. She came for an exam and to lose her birth control."

"Why don't you say that louder?" Jim asked. "They all might not have heard you."

"Sorry."

Jim sat down at the table. "I wonder what it'll be like having two."

"I don't know. I'm trying to wrap my head around having one."

"Alex is learning so many things. He even asks about warp cores. Can you believe that?"

"I won't be surprised at anything that kid does," Bones replied. "After all, you're his father."

"Don't forget his mother."

"Exactly."

Jim smiled and looked out toward the beach where Carol lay on her beach towel. He had never really known how much she loved the beach until they came on this vacation, although they had spent time on beaches before. He could not say he did not love lying on the beach and soaking up sun.

The next morning, Jim and his family, as well as Anakin and his family, were preparing to leave with Spock and the others aboard the Enterprise to go to Earth. Jim got into a uniform since he had some aboard the Enterprise. He had to admit he missed the Enterprise sometimes. Spock met Jim as he was headed toward the Bridge. "Admiral, I would like to speak with you," Spock said.

"Sure," Jim replied. "About what?"

"I would rather speak about this in the conference room once we are on our way."

"That's fine with me."

When they were on their way to Earth, Jim and Spock met in the conference room. "So, what's going on?" Jim asked.

"Admiral, are you certain it is a good idea to take Anakin to Earth?" Spock asked.

"What do you mean?"

"If it is discovered that they are from another galaxy, do you not believe it will stir up trouble?"

"No one is going to tell that they're from another galaxy. They look like anyone else around here."

"I have told no one, and no one on the crew who knew about it has told it, but if they go to Earth, it is likely that it will be found out."

"They've been living on Triona for three years, Spock," Jim said. "They're good people."

"They are," Spock agreed. "However, Anakin has a special gift, and so do his children."

"The only one I saw show that was Luke, but you know how little boys are."

"I cannot totally agree with taking them to Earth. It is likely that someone will find out that they are from another galaxy since they know of the trip we made there."

"Spock, relax. What am I supposed to do? I can't get them back there. We'd probably end up at a different time."

Spock considered that. "You are correct," he said. "However, I believe it would benefit their galaxy if they returned."

"I'm not going to force them to do that, Spock."

"I was not suggesting force. I was simply stating facts."

"That's up to them."

"Admiral, do you realize that if this is found out, it will have an effect on the entire crew?" Spock asked.

"No," Jim said. "It would only affect us because we're responsible. Besides that, we didn't even know they snuck aboard the Enterprise. Stop worrying. You're starting to sound like Bones."

"Doctor McCoy would have a point in this case."

"I don't want to discuss this anymore. I want to enjoy being aboard the Enterprise while I'm here."

Spock said nothing as Jim left the room. He was concerned that their secret would be found out, and he thought it could have serious consequences for them since they were in command of the Enterprise. Although he had to admit, Jim was right that they had not known Anakin had sneaked aboard the ship. How could they when he used the Force to hide from them?

Jim had thought of all those things Spock had talked about. He went back to his quarters where Carol was already. "So, where have you been?" she asked.

"On the Bridge, and talking to Spock in the conference room," Jim said as he sat down in the chair where he looked out at the stars.

Carol walked over to him. "So, what's going on?"

"Spock's afraid someone will find out Anakin and the others are from another galaxy. He thinks we could get into a lot of trouble."

"He could be right, Jim."

"What am I supposed to do?"

"I don't know, but maybe no one will know."

"They've been living over there on Triona for three years. They're just normal people…mostly."

"Yes, and that abnormal area is what will cause them to be noticed. We know of strange things that happen in the galaxy, but not of a Jedi."

"I know. Please don't go through all this again. I already heard it from Spock. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. I think Anakin is trying to be discreet about it."

"Perhaps. Is he going to use the Force to make it into the Academy and Starfleet?"

"Probably not, but if he does, I don't think it would be any different than Spock using his super educated brain to excel. Right?"

"You could be right. After all, there have been telepaths."

Jim hoped there would be no problems, but he was certainly not sure…