"Only that there is no known way in any known, as well as unknown, universe that you will face, on your own, any action taken against you by anybody on this. And it is not just the bridge crew, Captain, it is the crew, your crew, who will see to that."

Although Kirk knew his bloodline family was in Iowa as he looked around and saw those around him nod he knew he had this family as well. This was a family who would protect him just as he protected them and just as he would be furious if they tried to accept total blame for something to do with them they clearly felt the same way. Over the years he had thought that but to hear it said as Uhura had just said it made it real.

"Now, if ye are finished checking on us there's a lad in Sickbay who'll be needing ye, Sir. We'll let ye know if there's anything we can nae take care of."

One by one he looked at his bridge, no, at his family and saw then all smile and nod back. They would take care of him and the ship. They knew where he waned to be, where he had to be.

On his way back to Sickbay Kirk momentarily thought of going by Spock's quarters but decided against it knowing that Spock would be sleeping, or at least resting. He had seen how exhausted his friend had been when they beamed up and he knew the Vulcan had had little in the way of sleep since. He shook his head, at least he had managed to get him to get some rest without having to pull rank. For so many years he had seen how so often his First Officer would ensure that the crew were looked after before he would take care of himself.

When he entered Sickbay McCoy was just finishing adjusting a different sheet over Ty and there was almost an overpowering smell of antiseptic. "Now before you go getting all worried we merely had a good sign in that his body eliminated a lot of solids and liquids and he has totally stabilized now. Was on the sudden and explosive side and caught me off-guard but he is definitely on the improve now."

"He?"

"He'll sleep for a few hours now and when he wakes he should be nearly good as new. Mind you, I will put him on restricted duties for a few weeks and let him build up slowly. I know it is useless giving him a strict timetable but I would reckon in about four weeks he will be back to normal."

"You get any rest?"

"I got plenty before. I believe our main worrier is having a long rest as ordered. He has not come in here since he left and I am not expecting him for few more hours. I take it you intend to sit here with him?"

"I'd like to go have a meal with you if you can find somebody who will contact us if he,"

"M'Benga will keep an eye on him. I want to see you have a decent meal. Ty won't wake up for some time now."

Confident that M'Benga was familiar with Ty's situation Kirk went with McCoy and for a moment just sat looking at the steak before him on the plate. There were so many times during their time in captivity when he longed for a steak, when he wanted anything but another bowl of soup, now he just looked at it. He had soup and Ty had nothing. Ty had lost so much weight because of that poison while that soup had been very filling.

"Jim, you need to eat."

"How, how long before Ty will be able to eat?"

"Now you listen to me, Captain." McCoy looked at him and Kirk knew his friend knew him too well, could almost read his thoughts, "I want you to stop thinking about anything but enjoying that steak. Officer Baylance will be back to eating within two weeks. He lost substantial weight which can be expected with such poisonings but he will put it back on. Most of it was the fat his body would normally have used in activity with no real muscle loss that is of note. You can make sure he eats then if you like but right now I want you to eat."

Once he started eating Kirk realized just how hungry he really was and how tasty the steak was. For a moment he was tempted to bolt it down but then he knew there were two factors against that, one was sitting across from him and the other was that he wanted to savor every mouthful. He was aware of blue eyes watching him and it was oddly comforting.

"You know, Bones, I have never really read his file. Oh, as I do with all new crew I must have looked at it but maybe there is something I missed that would have let me know why he would act as he did. He seemed to know just what to do down there, how they would react to what he did."

Quickly McCoy said a silent prayer hoping Spock would understand his action, "No need, Jim. Spock and I both saw his file. Nothing special in it to show anything be what a good officer he is. Clearly, like any other officer on this ship, his prime thought was of protecting you."

"So Spock said he is a routine and regular officer who is just classified as an all arounder because of his ability to fit in in so many departments and to fill in as an emergency relief?"

"Yes, Jim. He is a regular officer." McCoy silently added, "Who just happens to be a Situation Adaptive Specialist." And felt relief when he saw acceptance in the hazel eyes before his friend nodded his head. "He seems to thrive in both engineering and applied sciences."

"Yeah, I seem to remember that about him. Both Scotty and Spock have made comments about him several times on how he has excellent skills in their areas."

"There's one thing you will have to know, Jim."

"Oh, what?" Kirk asked with the cup of coffee half-way to his lips.

"Only that that fool will want to get back to work too soon and it will be up to you to tell him no and I do not envy you that. I have had to do it a few times and know what a verbal battle you will have. He knows how to twist the rules and regulations let alone words almost as well as Spock does."

Kirk smiled at him and McCoy was pleased to see it, "I have one advantage, Bones. I am his commanding officer."

For a moment McCoy looked at his friend and remembered how not so long ago his friend was using that same statement when he tried to take the blame for what had happened.

"What he is going to need more than a commanding officer for the next few days is a friendly face. Think you will be able to make the adjustment from feeling and acting like his commanding officer to that and then back to his commanding officer when he is put back on active duty?" McCoy looked at his friend and saw a faint hint of uncertainty about the hazel eyes, "You cannot still be seriously blaming yourself for what happened, Jim. He would hate that and you would be doing him a great injustice and disservice after what he went through protecting you. Are you up to dropping the guilt and just being a friendly face around him?"

Every part of his being wanted to scream out how could he possibly be just a friendly face when he was the commanding officer, when Ty had done what he should have done but as he looked at his friend, as he saw that look that let him know his friend knew he could do it, he slowly nodded. Bones was right, Ty would hate him. In all his pain, in all that he went through down there, in those moments he had been aware of his presence he had not once cussed nor cursed him. Not once had he really complained. He had simply accepted it.

When they went back to Sickbay they had exchanged a look as they saw Spock sitting by the bed. M'Benga walked over to them, "He just got here. All indications are there that the patient will wake shortly. He's been trying to move more and had a moment of semi-lucidness."

"Semi?" McCoy obviously wanted to know more.

"He woke briefly and seemed to look around and was a bit restive, asked for Kirk, not Captain Kirk. I told him that he was safe and we were all on the Enterprise. Then he said 'Report' and I let him know you would see him about that, Sir, and then he went to sleep. Shortly after he went to sleep Mister Spock arrived and now you two. With Mister Scott and Lieutenant Uhura having also checked in on how he was doing I am sure just about everybody on the ship has been kept up to date."

"Thanks. I'll take over again now. We'll want to be with him when he wakes up next time."

As they approached Spock started to stand but Kirk motioned for him to sit, "It was only logical that one of us should be with him, Captain. He might be restive if he woke and was confused."

McCoy bit back the retort that came to him as he looked at Kirk, Spock, and Ty. The Vulcan was, he had to admit, right. There was every possibility that Ty would be unsettled if he woke alone or with one of the medical staff he did not know there. He looked at the registers and was relieved to see them all in the ranges of what was normal. That old treatment had worked better than any of the modern medicines and he was pleased that that cunning Vulcan had kept seeds for the botanical sciences unit as well as medical. Later he would have to discuss their medicinal properties with him.

Slowly Kirk walked up to the bed and placed a hand on Ty's, "It's Kirk, Ty. You just sleep as long as you like. We'll be right here."

"Kirk?" It was almost a whisper and there was uncertainty in th eyes that looked up at him.

Spock moved and Kirk took his place and gave the hand in his a squeeze, "I'm right here, Ty."

"My report?"

"It can wait. Do you need anything?"

"Drink would be good. What the doctor gave me was bad."

Kirk looked at McCoy who nodded and walked towards his office, "I think that can be arranged."

"You alright, Sir?"

"I'm fine. Doctor McCoy has told me you will not be on active duty for a few weeks and I expect you to follow his instructions."

"Yes, Sir."

McCoy walked back into the room carrying a try with four glasses, "Something with substance for three of us and a kiwifruit slammer for Spock."

"Thank you, Doctor. I'll just ease Ty up."

"No!" there was panic in the voice and his eyes, "You' will feel,"

Momentarily Spock paused, "I have my shields up and I have felt your pain before. If you will allow,"

"Okay, if you are sure," Spock eased Ty up as Kirk put pillows behind him.

"There. Now. Can you hold the glass?"

"Yes, I'll be fine."

"Then a toast to all of us all being home and well and with those who matter the most to us." McCoy looked at Kirk and then at Spock as they raised their glasses.

"Now, now that has taste. That's taken care of that other taste, thanks."

"If you maintain the track you are on to recovery you will be back in your quarters in a week and on limited duties shortly after that, with Mister Spock's, Mister Scott's, and the Captain's permission. For now you just rest. Just tell my staff if you need me."

Once Spock had helped Ty resettle on the bed and Kirk had satisfied himself that Ty was comfortable they walked into McCoy's office and he promptly poured them each another glass, noting the raising eyebrow of his Vulcan friend.

"I just,"

"No, Bones. This is my turn. You two never gave up on me. For a short time there I was sure Halls had won, that we would die on that planet but Ty knew you would come for me. You two risked so much with Halls and his connections and what they could have done to you, to your careers." Kirk looked at his two friends as he sorted out the words in his mind and slowly raised his glass, "We three have different mothers, Through life's flexes and blends, We have become more than friends, You two I consider my brothers. To us brothers."

Three glasses raised and clinked as three voices repeated, "To us brothers."

FIN