They left the observation deck and went down to the medical bay where Bones was still busy trying to save Helek's life. He had Helek in a chamber to dry him faster. Jim did not ask any questions because he knew Bones was too busy to answer. They just sat in what Jim called the waiting area.

Soon, Spock arrived. "Admiral, are you well?" he asked.

"Yes," Jim answered.

"How is Helek?"

"I don't know right now."

"We are on our way back to Earth. Admiral Winston wants the prisoners brought there to stand trial as soon as possible."

Jim nodded. "Okay."

"He also asked me to give you a message."

Jim waited a moment expecting Spock to continue, but he did not. "So, what's the message?" he asked.

"I will say this: he was not happy that you did not return his call. However, he did not use such…calm and nice terms to express that if you do not reply, he will send you to the darkest corner of the galaxy where the only people you will see are…ants."

Jim shook his head. "Okay, I'll call him now."

Spock sat down beside Ajah as Jim left the medical bay. "Doesn't Admiral Winston understand what we've all been through?" Ajah asked.

"Not completely," Spock replied. "He expects reports and news."

"What's he gonna do to Admiral Kirk?"

"I would assume he will give him a very stern reprimand."

Ajah frowned. "Spock, how do you choose not to be upset about anything?" he asked.

"My choice not to show emotions does not mean that I am not upset," Spock said. "I believe that emotions prevent one from thinking clearly."

"What do you do about the stress? Doesn't it build up?"

"Vulcans are not humans. You should not regret your feelings, nor should you blame yourself for anything that has happened."

"So I've been told."

"Whatever the outcome, we all did what we thought was best. It is the only thing one can do when faced with conflict."

"I don't want my friend to die."

"You have no way of knowing whether that will happen, and it is certain that worrying cannot change it. I do know that Doctor McCoy will do his best. He is a very good doctor."

Ajah knew that was right but he could not keep from thinking about it. He was very tired and wondered when he slept last. He was dozing when Bones sat down beside him. "Ajah," he said.

Ajah opened his eyes. "Doctor. How is Helek?"

Bones blew out a breath. "He's gonna be fine."

Ajah stood up. "He is? Can I see him?"

"Sure."

Ajah followed Bones to where Helek lay resting. "Hey, you have a visitor," Bones said.

Helek opened his eyes which looked bloodshot. "Hi," he said.

"How do you feel?" Ajah asked.

"Fried."

"You saved my life."

"You would have done it for me. I just got the chance first."

Ajah held out his hand, and Helek grabbed it. "Thanks," Ajah said.

"You're welcome," Helek replied. "I guess I'll have to lay off the juice for a while."

"You better."

"He will," Bones interrupted. "His human organs have to heal before he starts electrifying them again. He needs to rest. You can visit again tomorrow."

Ajah nodded. "Thank you, Doctor."

Ajah walked out of the medical bay and met Jim in the corridor. "He's okay," Ajah blurted.

Jim thought Ajah looked happier than he had seen him in days. "I'm glad," he replied.

"The doctor wants him to rest. He said I could visit tomorrow."

"Well, I want to see him now. I'll talk to you later."

Jim went on into the medical bay. "Well, you don't look like you got chewed up," Bones declared.

"No. I think he wants me to keep doing my job," Jim replied. "But you know he wasn't happy."

"Yeah, that's what Spock said."

"It's over now so I have to just get my report done and all. So, Helek's okay?"

"He's not completely out of the woods yet, but I think he can see the edge."

"I'd like to see him."

"Just for a minute. I want him to rest. He's been through something."

"I understand. I'll just see him tomorrow. You tell him I was here."

"I will. By the way, you didn't come for your exam."

Jim started backing up toward the door. "Gotta get that report done or I probably will start looking chewed."

"Jim."

"See you tomorrow, Bones."

Bones shook his head as Jim went on out the door. "Some people."

After four days, they arrived back at Earth. Helek was up now and feeling pretty normal again. Ajah had stayed with him in the medical bay most of the time. Helek had even talked him into writing something about Garresant. He knew he had made all those notes about the planet.

"You can write a novel like no one's ever read or seen, and warn about that planet at the same time," Helek said.

"You really think I should continue writing?" Ajah asked. "After what happened…"

"None of that was your fault. That guy was warped before he found your novel. Do you know how many people have read and played your novels? One crazy person can't take your enjoyment from you."

Ajah was silent a moment. "I know you're right but I guess it'll take time."

"Don't wait too long. We're all in suspense."

Jim walked up just as he said that. "In suspense about what?" he asked.

"His next novel," Helek said.

"Oh yeah. It ought to be a doozy. You take care, Helek. Ajah, I'll see you in the morning."

"Yes, Sir," Ajah replied. Now that he was back on Earth, he thought of Felonia, mainly because Priscilla had been waiting for Solan, and Jim and Carol were leaving the ship together.

"Hey, don't forget your check-up," Bones said to Helek as he was leaving the ship.

"I won't," Helek replied. He looked at Ajah. "Hey, what are you thinking about?"

"I think I have a date," Ajah said.

"You? You're kidding. I thought you were too quiet to get a date."

"Hey, she likes my novels. She hears what I say in my mind."

Helek absorbed that. "So, you're saying she's reading your mind?"

"Do you have to be so sarcastic?"

"Yeah."

"She likes my novels, okay? She's Admiral Winston's secretary."

"Felonia?"

Ajah was surprised. "Yeah. How do you know her?"

"Well, I wouldn't say I know her but I've met her. A Vulcan. Probably just the right woman for you. You two can talk intelligently to each other."

"Are you insulting me?"

"No. I'm just saying you're a little boring."

"Boring? Wow. You don't think my novels are boring."

"No. You gotta let some of that come out to the surface."

"Are you giving me dating advice?"

"Isn't that what brothers do?"

Ajah smiled. "Yeah."

Jim, Carol, and Alex went home. Jim would have to go the next day to file reports and testify about the two criminals they had brought back. He could not tell much except what happened outside Garresant, but he could present evidence, and the others, especially Doctor McCoy, could do the rest. He was just glad to be home. They had also brought Kuaya with them, and were not sure exactly what to do about him. Jim was certain there was another motive for Kuaya's exiting his planet, but they had not convinced him to reveal it as of yet.

When Jim lay down on the bed that night, he realized how tired he was. He had been tense for so long, he wondered if he remembered how to relax. Carol came in there wearing a purple negligee. "Wow," Jim said.

"You like it?" Carol asked.

"Of course."

Carol got into the bed and cuddled up to Jim. "I'm so glad to be back home in our own bed," she said.

"Me too," Jim replied.

"I'm even gladder to have you back."

"I wouldn't rather be anywhere else."

"What do you think they'll do with Kuaya?"

"I don't know. I still don't believe he only wanted to escape the planet."

"What else could he want?"

Jim turned onto his back and stared at the ceiling. "That's the problem. I just don't know."

"Must you think about it tonight?" Carol asked.

Jim looked at her. "I guess I've thought about all this enough today. I just dread tomorrow. I have to talk about something that I don't even know all the details."

"But you do know who did it. That's what counts, and the rest of us know how we found you."

"But I can't tell all that. All I can tell is what I know."

"So, that's what you'll do. For now, you're going to forget all this."

Jim smiled. "And you're going to make me forget?"

"Absolutely."

The next morning, Jim was up early although he did not feel like he had slept much. He had been thinking about today, but Carol had kept him awake too. Not that he would complain about that, but he did not want to yawn in court.

Jim got into his uniform and stood in front of the mirror. He did not know what sort of questions he would have to answer, but he would do his best. Carol was up as well, and Alex would be staying with Jim's mother while they were at the hearing.

Admiral Winston was waiting for Jim when he arrived at Starfleet Headquarters. "Come with me, Admiral Kirk," he said. "Doctor Kirk, you are needed in the witness rooms around the corner."

Carol looked at Jim and then went her way. Jim followed Admiral Winston to another area of the building where the conference room was with several other admirals. "Have a seat," Admiral Winston said, gesturing to the chair at the end of the table.

Jim sat down and thought he must have to sit there so they could all see him. He felt like he was on display. "The reason I brought you here is so we could get a better understanding of what happened," Admiral Winston said.

"I'm not sure what else I can say," Jim said. "I woke up on the planet. I was given instructions not to stop for more than five minutes and someone was tracking me. I finally found my way to a village of bird people. I don't remember much after that, except there were humans who lived there. I kept losing time. I was sleeping and didn't know how long I had slept. That's all I know until I woke up aboard the Enterprise. Doctor McCoy found that it was because of the fragrance there which is some sort of pheromone produced by the trees that drives the inhabitants of the planet to mate."

"You consider this planet a danger to humans?" Winston asked.

"Yes. They take humans by force and make them believe they want to stay there. Spock informed me that he left a beacon to warn others. I was also told that the planet has a very strong magnetic field and communication is difficult to impossible."

"What is your opinion of the one who claims he wanted to escape the planet?"

Jim frowned. "I don't believe that is his whole reason. I just think there's something else behind it."

"Like what?"

"I don't know but you can't believe anything they say."

Just then, Jim felt a sneeze coming on, but he resisted it. Admiral Winston leaned back in his chair. "What should we do with him then?" he asked. "We can't just keep him in prison. He hasn't committed a crime. From what I hear, it would be dangerous to return him to his world since it is impossible without going down to the planet. And he has asked for asylum."

"That's true, Sir," Jim said. "I'm not sure what actions you should take. I just think he's a danger."

"We really don't have a choice but to turn him loose. He doesn't know how to pilot a ship."

"At least we don't think he does. There have been ships on that planet that weren't seen again."

"This is starting to sound very ridiculous and confusing."

"It is, Sir, but it is the truth."

"We will have to consider this further," Admiral Winston said. "This being was not in with Stow and Brand; am I correct?"

"As far as I know, he wasn't. Lieutenant Brand helped Lieutenant Stow to make a trade to the bird people so that they would let him go. I don't know how they got up this plan but maybe they can explain that."

"They have not been willing to discuss it."

"None of it?"

"None."

"Or maybe they're afraid to," Jim said.

"Why? What could they possibly do to them?"

"I'm not sure. I know there's more to this than we know. It has to be more than a mating season. It just has to be more."

"You believe they're wanting to branch out into the galaxy?"

"Maybe. They've completely taken over that planet. It is completely silent. As far as we could tell, there was no other life, not even insects. That's why I believe you can't just turn Kuaya loose."

"We'll consider this matter further. You're dismissed."

Jim left the conference room. He hated it when he had such a bad feeling, but right now, he felt very eerie. He hoped he was wrong.

The trial and questioning lasted most of the day. Stow and Brand, who had been stripped of their rank in Starfleet, still refused to tell their reasons. Sophie's parents were released to return home. Stow and Brand, however, would spend time in a penal colony.

Jim walked outside, and he felt that sneeze coming on again. He was not sure why he was sneezing. He thought maybe it was just residue from his ordeal. He could not help but think of Kuaya. He knew Admiral Winston was right when he said they could not keep him in prison because he had not committed a crime. He had claimed he came aboard to escape the planet.

Jim sneezed again. Carol came out of the building next. "I'm glad that's over," she said. "Maybe we can go back to normal."

"Maybe," Jim replied and put his arm around her. "How about something to eat?"

"Sounds wonderful. What did you have in mind?"

"I thought we would just go out and have a romantic dinner."

"I like the sound of that. Are we wearing these uniforms?"

"Absolutely not. We're going to change into something comfortable. Who says we have to be dressed up to have a romantic dinner?"

"Some restaurants say so."

"I'll just remind them that I'm an admiral."

Carol laughed. They got a transport back to their apartment…

Admiral Winston and the others decided that they had to release Kuaya because he had committed no crime and had asked for asylum. However, someone would have to check on him from time to time to see what he was doing. "You're welcome to stay on Earth," Admiral Winston said. "But if you become a threat, you will be dealt with severely."

"Yes, Sir," Kuaya replied. "I mean you no harm."

Admiral Winston could not help but think of Kirk's words: you can't believe anything they say. "You're free to go," he said reluctantly. "We've supplied you with some credits to get started."

"Thank you. What are credits?"

"Money. You have to have it to buy what you need."

"Oh. And I may fly?"

"Of course."

Kuaya left that room and found his way out of the building. He had never seen such a place as San Francisco. He had never seen buildings nor the vehicles they had here. He was not interested in the city, however. He held the pouch that hung from his belt and could feel its contents. It was only the first step of his plan. He spread his great wings, getting a few gasps, but he flew up high to find a big forest…

While Jim and Carol were at a restaurant, he sneezed again. He rubbed his forehead. "Jim," Carol said. "Why are you sneezing?"

"I don't know," Jim replied. "Maybe it's just something about that planet that's still hanging onto me."

"You should see Doctor McCoy before he goes back to Pacifica."

"For a sniffle?"

"Jim."

"I'll see him tomorrow. I'm not going tonight. I want to do what I want. And we're going to a show."

"Where?"

"At the theater. Where else?"

"Jim Kirk, are you keeping secrets from me?"

"No. We're going to the live theater. I found out they're actually performing one of Ajah's novels there. He never told me."

"I wonder why."

"I'm not gonna ask him. I'm just going to see it."

"I'm looking forward to it."

When they were done eating, they went to the theater. They were surprised that Ajah introduced the play. Jim thought he was always learning new things about his friends. He had no idea that Ajah had a novel that was also a play. It was a very good play, mostly like all of Ajah's novels were good.

"That was fabulous," Carol said. "Shouldn't we go and tell him?"

"I don't think so," Jim replied. "I think he'd rather we leave him alone."

Carol frowned at that suggestion. "Why do you think that?"

"I just think he needs his space after all we went through."

"I'm not sure of that."

"Well, maybe I'll say something to him in the morning at the office."

"Good. Should we go and get Alex, or is he spending the night with your mom?"

"We could ask if he's asleep."

"If he's not, he should be."

Jim took out his communicator. "Hello, Mom," he said.

It was not long until she answered. "Hello, Son."

"We just got out of the theater. Is Alex asleep?"

"He is. You know there's no need to disturb him."

Jim smiled. "Well, Carol will pick him up in the morning."

"He'll be ready."

"Thanks, Mom."

"Good night."

Jim closed the communicator. "So, what do we do now?" he asked.

"I suppose we could go home and find something to do there," Carol said.

"We probably could."

The next morning, Jim got up feeling worse. He not only had a "sniffle", but a sore throat as well. He got ready to go to the office anyway. He left a note for Carol and left without waking her since she did not have to be up as early. He knew he should probably go to Doctor McCoy but maybe he would call him later in the day.

Jim walked into his office and flopped in his chair behind his desk. He sat there a moment. "I'm sick," he said. He had barely spoken to Ajah when he came in. He pressed the intercom. "Ajah."

"Yes, Sir," Ajah answered.

"Would you call Doctor McCoy for me?"

"Are you alright, Admiral?"

"I think I'm sick."

"I'll get him right away, Sir. Would you like me to get anything else for you?"

"No. Just get Bones."

"Yes, Sir."

Jim leaned back in his chair. He could not remember ever feeling this bad. He was glad when Bones came through the doorway. He took one look at Jim and knew he was bad sick. He set his medical kit on the desk. "How long have you been feeling bad?" he asked.

"This morning," Jim said. "I sneezed yesterday."

Bones scanned Jim with the medical tricorder. He was silent a moment as he read the results. "Jim, who all have you been in contact with since you got back here?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Jim, you have bird flu."

Jim was not expecting that diagnosis. "This can't be happening," he said. "You know where I've been."

"This could be an epidemic here."

"Well, can't you inoculate everyone I've been around?"

"And everyone they've been around…at least it's been only two days."

"You should tell Admiral Winston."

Bones nodded. "I have to get you to the hospital." He took a mask from his med kit.

"You mean I have to wear that?"

"Yeah."

Jim sighed but he put the mask on. "Can you imagine what this will cause if people see me like this?"

"It would be worse if they caught this. Now, come on. You have to make me a list of everywhere you've been. We have to stop this now."

Jim agreed with that. While he and Bones were on their way to the hospital, he made a list of everywhere he had been. "You have to contact Carol before…what about Alex?"

"Don't worry. I've been through this. We'll get a hold on it."

Jim was all too glad to lie down on a bed when they arrived at the hospital. "Bones, this proves that Stow brought that virus to Pacifica," he said.

"I could have treated them and didn't remember. There were too many to remember who all I treated. All the inhabitants of that planet could be…"

Bones and Jim looked at each other. "Kuaya," they said at the same time.

"We can't panic," Bones said. "I have to get it under control. You just get comfortable. Carol is more likely to have contracted this than anyone else."

By that evening, the hospital was full of people, and Bones was busy. He inoculated everyone who was not infected, but he had to treat Jim for three days. He managed to keep everyone else from getting infected.

They had found out that Kuaya was no longer in custody and no one knew his whereabouts. "Maybe he went off to live alone in the woods," Bones said. "And maybe he's not a carrier."

"That's a big maybe," Jim replied. "I'm just glad I survived."

"Well, just don't be doing any smooching and stuff for at least two days, and rest."

"You don't think I should go to the office either?"

"Not today. I'll think about it tomorrow."

"Thanks, Bones."

"You're welcome, Jim."

Jim walked out of the hospital where Carol had just arrived. "Well, so you can go home," she said.

"Yeah, but Bones said no smooching and stuff."

Carol laughed. "He really said that?"

"Yeah."

"I guess we have to sleep on opposite sides of the bed then."

"You and me? Not gonna happen. I like cuddling."

Carol smiled. "Me too. We just won't tell him."

"Cuddling is not smooching and stuff."

They both laughed as they walked, glad that the situation had been no worse than it was…