Thunder cracked as Len clung to George. The storm had picked up again. Jo stood to go to her father, but Pavel's hand on hers stopped the young girl. She sat back down and tried to concentrate on the chess game. "It is alright Jo. Your dad is going to be alright."

This wasn't the first time she had seen her father cry. Though it had been years since that day in the graveyard. She knew he didn't like her to see him that way. "I don't understand grown-ups."

"Neither do I sometimes." His smile all but forced her to return one for him. "You will when you are older. Knight to queen's level four." Her attention was completely drawn back to the game she was ten moves away from losing. Pavel's eyes followed hers as she studied the game, running through every possible scenario in her mind. This was much better than the games they played over the video comm. Somehow sitting across from the young girl made him feel the love of a brother for his little sister. He loved teaching her and watching her grow with the knowledge she acquired.

Joce, Seri, and Cal joined Sarah, Lena, Nyota, and Jake in the kitchen. There wasn't much left to be put away, but it helped give the two men some privacy. Owen got Spock, Ben, Scotty and Hikaru to help him move the heavy table back to the crew bungalow. Kat and Jaz were already there looking for extra towels and putting Demora down for the night. They all knew Len needed his father. Jake motioned for everyone to follow him. Joce picked up Crystal then joined the other ladies as they followed and Jo fell in behind Pavel. Jake had looked at Len, it would be better if they left the building. It was the only way the doctor wouldn't feel self-conscious once he calmed.

George watched the group as they quietly walked out the door. Len hadn't noticed, lost in his fear and self-doubt. It took a little while before he gathered himself and was able to let go. He looked around the empty house. "Dad, where is everyone?" The doctor took a step back as he frantically tried to wipe the tears from his cheeks.

"They are giving us some time. Jake knows you don't like an audience. Want to tell me what's going on?"

"I…I don't know. Jim is still in stasis. The serum is being produced. It will be ready tomorrow. Everyone is here. I got to spend time with Jo. I got some sleep."

"Did you?"

"Some, a few hours."

"A few hours of rest after two days of fear and physical exertion? Doesn't seem like enough to me. But then, I'm not a doctor." He tried to keep his voice light. Inside part of him was dying watching his boy giving into the fears that had haunted him all his life.

"I guess it isn't. Kahn, he manipulated everything. He took everything."

"Did he?"

"He took a part of me."

"He could only take what you allowed him to take."

George led Len to the couch. "I don't want him to have anything."

"Then don't give in." Len leaned his head back to rest on the pillows along the back of the couch. "You need a good night's sleep. We can talk after that. Son, I don't think you are capable of rational thought right now."

"You're probably right. Thank you for coming."

"You never have to thank me. Did you think I wouldn't come?"

"No, you would have come even if Starfleet said you couldn't." Len had passed exhausted. George was right, he needed real sleep. "How long are you staying?"

"As long as you need me here."

"Until we head home?"

"If you want."

"Please, Dad, please stay."

It was all George could do to hold back the tears. He hurt for his boy. "I promise I'm not going anywhere. Let's get you back to your room."

Len groaned as he stood. All of his muscles were stiffening. Getting thrown around the medbay had done more damage than he had realized. Now that he was older, injuries always hurt more the next day. "Maybe a long hot shower first?"

"Might not be a bad idea." George joined Len on his walk to the other bungalow. The rain had slowed leaving the men only a little wet as they entered through the front door. "Lena, let's go back. We need rest."

Mama looked around at her family. Kat and Jaz had put Demora to bed before they got more towels. Joce had put Crystal down for the night and Sarah and Jake were resting. The rest of the gang were hugging and heading back to the other bungalow or to their rooms. "Alright Sweetie. I need to go to relieve Rory in another couple of hours. Lenny, you come get me if you need me. I don't care where I am or what time it is."

Without a word Len wrapped his mother in his arms. He knew he would have to talk things out, but for now what he needed the most was rest. "Thank you, Mama. I will."

"Goodnight Pumpkin." She kissed her son on the cheek as they parted. Her attention turned to Pavel and Jo. "How many of those games do you have?"

Pavel looked up from the traditional chess board. "Only two Mama. This one and the 3D one."

Kat joined Lena. "Alright, but you need to get some rest. I don't want the two of you up all night."

It was now Jo's turn. "Yes, Aunt Kat. I promise to send him back soon."

Kat kissed her on the top of the head before she left with Jaz for the family quarters. Seri looked at Len. "Give her a kiss good night then come to bed."

"You're taking charge."

"For now."

"I'll be in Imzadi." Len broke his connection with Seri, closing the mental door to his despair. "Jo, another hour then bed." He kissed her on the head before looking at Sarah and Jake. They were grabbing a throw before leaving. "Good night."

Sarah walked over and hugged Len. "Goodnight Lenny. Love you."

"I love you too sis." Jake joined them. "Thank you, thank you both for coming."

Jake captured Len with his eyes. "You never have to thank us for that. Love you brother."

"Love you too." Sarah headed for the door as the men hugged.

Len closed the bedroom door behind him. The shower was running and Seri had left the bathroom door open. Steam poured into the room like a morning mist over the pecan grave back home. He peeled off his clothes, dropping them into a pile before joining his fiancé in the shower. "Hey you."

"Come to me." She had been waiting for him. Len needed her to take care of him, if only for that night. "Let me warm you up."

His eyes were slowly turning green. "I could use it. My legs are freezing."

Seri put some soap on the wet washcloth. She knelt on the floor of the shower as Len's body blocked the spray from hitting her. Gently she thoroughly washed his legs and feet. More than cleaning or warming, her touch was meant to calm. When she looked up his head had tilted slightly back until closed eyes looked at the ceiling. The washcloth was discarded. Slowly her hands glided their way up his inner thighs until they came to rest under his balls. She could feel him relax under her touch. "What do you want. Tell me and I'll make it happen."

His hands reached down to help her to her feet. "I don't know what I want. Seri the next week is going to be…I don't know what it's going to be." He looked into her black eyes. He needed answers, answers he didn't have.

Her hands softly traced the lines that seemed to have permanently etched themselves between his eyes. "I think what you need is a good night's sleep."

Len's arms encircled her waist. He pulled her close until her head rested on his chest. Even before they were a couple, she would cuddle next to him on the couch or in his bed. She did it when he had a particularly bad day at the clinic. The night he had lost a four-year-old little girl he had come back to the dorm waiting to see the child's face in the dark room. The E.D. chief had called her to let her know what had happened; Seri was waiting for him on the couch. He didn't want to talk, but he didn't want to be alone either. That night she fell asleep on his chest. That night he realized her presence was the calming influence he had been reaching for his entire life. "You're right. You don't have to go to the hospital tonight, do you?"

"No, Kat pulled me out of the rotation until later tomorrow. I think she wants me there when you use the serum."

"Not a bad idea. Come on Imzadi, lets go to bed." Len turned off the water as Seri got out and grabbed both bath sheets. They toweled off before making their way back into the bedroom and climbing into bed.

Seri slid over until her arm draped over Len's chest. She could feel him looking at the ceiling, but his thoughts were coming too fast for her to follow, and too many for him to get to sleep. He was trying to control his anxiety, but failing. "Do you want to talk?"

"Fuck no." He started to play with her hair. It wasn't long before his fingers tangled themselves in her waves. Seri found herself pulled into a deep kiss. He needed to lose himself in her. He needed to lose the fear and doubt. She entered his soul as he rolled her under him. "God yes." His voice was low and dark in her ear as he buried his face in her neck.

This time there would be no foreplay. He entered her soul as he entered her body. Seri enveloped him in the feeling of unconditional love. Sex was secondary to the love. She could feel him start to let go. It was helping; he was allowing himself to become lost in her. She was hurt and scared, but she didn't have the level of fear that consumed her lover. There would be time to deal with her feelings later, now was about him.

Len lost himself in the rhythm. The rhythm took away everything negative, all that had happened in the past couple of days. Her smell called to him, the smell of peach trees, and spring breezes. He buried his face deeper into her neck. "I love you Imzadi. No matter what I will always love you." With the sound of her voice still in his ear, his movements became more disjointed. It wasn't long before he came, lost in her adoration, hidden from his doubt.

"I'm sorry Peaches." Slowly he rolled off her.

"Why? I wanted it to be all about you." He was on his back staring at the ceiling. "How are you feeling?"

He knew she wanted to take care of him. It was one of the things Seri loved, to feel needed. "Better, tired."

"Lights off." Len's breathing seemed louder in the dark. She threw her arm over her fiancé, using his chest as a pillow. "Good night Len."

He buried his nose in her hair. "Good night Peaches. Thank you. Damn I love you." He hugged her to him.

"I love you too." She kissed his chest. "Please try to get some sleep." Len relaxed his grip as he started to drift off to the feel of her breath against his chest. For now, he was safe, even from himself.