"So what..." Jim paused as if debating whether or not to proceed with this train of thought. "..what happened you?"

The two teenagers had been talking for almost two hours, since Spock had regained consciousness. The whole time they hadn't really discussed anything particular or of any importance - they had simply been jumping from topic to topic trying to keep themselves occupied. Spock was slightly unsettled, as Jim had once again done something that common people (the ones who were left, anyway) simply did not do.

First, he had saved Spock when there was seemingly no personal gain in doing so. Now, he was asking what had happened to Spock. This perplexed him - nobody ever asked what had happened to another person. There was no point - the same thing had happened to almost everyone. And if it was different, it didn't matter, the journey was not important. The present was, the attack had come, everyone had lost people they loved, and they were all left to live in the aftermath. That was the reality that they all lived in.

"Please specify, James". Although it was true the journey of how the two had come to meet in the city was not important, that did not mean Spock was completely comfortable speaking of his past. Because besides the taunting nightmares, it was after all, all he had left of his life before.

"Spock, I told you an hour ago you could call me Jim." Jim gave a chuckle, then paused, all the humor draining from his golden features. "But you know what I meant." Suddenly Jim's face took on a flustered feature, and he couldn't seem to look into Spock's eyes for more than a few seconds at a time. " I don't mean to pry Spock, I'm just curious. And I ...uh... I heard you when you were unconscious - you cried a lot."

A sticky, suffocating silence seemed to fill the space in between them and around them. The only sounds were the crackle of the small fire and rats running up and down the sides of the soiled alleyway walls.

Spock closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Exhaled slowly. Jim watched in interest as he practically saw the tension in Spock's body leave with his breath. Jim watched Spock like this for many minutes as Spock's eyes remained closed. When Spock finally opened his eyes Jim held his breath waiting for Spock's response.

"My father, Sarek, was a Vulcan scientist for the government. His job was to try and prevent an attack like this one from happening." Spock tilted his head to indicate the ruins around them that was once San Francisco. "He was very dedicated to his work, often times I would not see him for months at a time. However, when my father and I did interact the meetings were never pleasant. From a young age my father wished for me to be a scientist like himself. And from a young age I proved to him and everyone around me that I could never live that path. To him I was a continuous disappointment, in school I chose Art based classes instead of advanced scientific ones. He never forgave me for my actions, not even when he died."

Spock drew a shaky breath, obviously trying to remain in control. Jim could only sit, watch and wait for Spock to continue.

"My mother, Amanda, was a government information specialist. After my birth she chose to quit her job in order to raise me in my father's absences. She was more understanding than Sarek, but I believe a part of her resented me. I believe she thought Sarek left for long periods of time because of his disappointment in me. I have no doubt she was correct. "

"My family's home was located on a secluded beach not far here. From the house you could always hear the waves crashing against the rocks. Sometimes, after my father would express his disappointment in me, I would go sit out on the beach. Often times I fell asleep watching the sun set and glow crimson, only to wake and see the vast emptiness of the night sky."

"I was very alone there. Being home schooled I had no friends. The only children my age that I knew were all children of government workers, and they were never kind to me. They hated my quietness, and the fact that I was of a mixed heritage, my father being Vulcan. Worse than that, the fact that I shamed my parents followed me everywhere, even in my family's home, if not most of all. So the sea and beach were my only sanctuary."

Spock closed his eyes once again, his face contorted into the very image of sorrow.

"Both my home and parents were terminated in the attack. I watched both my parents die. Their bodies desecrating from the chemicals, while they screamed in agony for me to help them. I myself barely escaped with my life; wounded badly I made my way here."

"Where I found you."

Spock nodded, pain obvious on every inch of his body.

"Spock...There was nothing you could have done..."

Spock snapped his head in Jim's direction, staring at him intently.

"I could have at least made them proud, Jim."