After two days, Scotty finally got the gravity in the ship back to normal. Artie had been studying the readings from the weapon used by those ships that had shot the torpedo at them. It was much the same as the last time…that same signature.

Bones was glad to be standing on the floor again, but he was lying on his bed on his stomach which had not enjoyed being weightless at all. He thought there was nothing worse than trying to throw up while floating in the air. He did not think he had slept at all the last two days. Just as he thought he would fall asleep, his door chime rang. "Go away," he said sleepily.

"Do you really want me to go away?" Andrea asked.

"Enter."

Andrea went into the room as the door opened. She made sure it was locked and then went over to the bed and sat down. "Leonard."

"Huh?"

"Are you asleep?"

"Uh huh."

Andrea smiled. "Are you talking in your sleep?"

"Maybe."

"Would you care if I laid down here and slept with you?"

"No."

Andrea lay down on the bed beside him. "You know, the captain gave Priscilla quarters to stay in?" she asked.

Bones opened his eyes. "Where?" he asked.

"In the guest quarters."

"Oh. Good."

"I think she still wants you to be her mate."

Bones rolled his eyes at that. "I'm trying to rest," he said.

"I told her you're my mate and she can keep her paws off you."

"Oh really?"

"Yes. I don't think she liked that too well."

"I must be irresistible."

"Leonard McCoy, I think you're enjoying all this."

"I think you're jealous."

"Jealous?"

Bones propped up on his elbows. "See? When people react like that, they're jealous." He leaned closer to her. "Did I not already tell you that when this mission is over, we're going to settle down somewhere together?"

"Yes, but you change your mind so often, I guess I just wanted to hear it again."

"I'm not going to change my mind again."

They kissed and then Bones fell over on the bed. "I have to sleep," he said.

Andrea cuddled up beside him. "Good night, Leonard."

"Good night, Andrea."

Jim looked at the planet Capella on the view screen. "Scotty, are you ready to transport the cat?" he asked.

"Yes sir," Scotty replied.

"Energize."

Scotty watched the cat disappear from the transporter pad. Priscilla was standing and watching as well. She frowned and then looked at Scotty. "He was happy to be going home," she said. "But where will I have a home again?"

"Don't worry, Lassy, if there's a way, Doctor McCoy will figure it out," Scotty replied.

"I was a human before."

"I know."

"Do you believe he can change me back?"

"I don't know for sure, but I know he will try."

"Would he like me then?"

Scotty frowned. "Doctor McCoy is in love with Andrea," he said. "I'm afraid you have to look some place else."

"What about you?" Priscilla asked.

"Me? Oh. Well."

Scotty turned and left the transporter room. He did not want to even talk about that.

Priscilla left the transporter room as well. She met Solan in the guest quarters corridor. "Priscilla," he said. "How's everything going?"

"You are not afraid of me like everyone else," Priscilla said.

"Why should I be afraid of you? I think you just come on a little too strong."

"That doesn't bother you?"

"Nah."

"What should I do while I am on this ship?"

"Well, what did you do before you were an experiment?"

"I was a musician."

"Really? What instrument?"

"More than one, but my favorite was the guitar." Priscilla held up her hands which had rather long claws on them. "I suppose I cannot play it now. What do you think will happen on Nervala Four now?"

"I don't know. It's up to the ones who live there."

"Why were we attacked?"

"It's hard to comprehend people sometimes."

"What if I am like this forever? Will I have to go and live with the cats?"

Solan frowned. "You shouldn't have to," he said. "There's room for you in Starfleet. Don't worry."

"I think I like you…Solan."

Solan smiled slightly. "Don't get too excited," he said. "I might be hard to get along with, but don't worry, I don't bite."

"Oh, I think we could work out anything," Priscilla purred as she held his arm. "And I do bite."

Solan almost laughed at that. "I'll talk to the captain about getting you something to do," he said. "You know anything about ships?"

"Not much, but I can learn anything."

"I'll bet you can. I think Doctor McCoy is going to be trying to cure you, and I'm sure others will be helping him."

"Does that mean I will be spending time with him?"

Solan considered that. "Probably," he said.

"I think…I will enjoy that."

"Aw, I thought you liked me."

"Does that mean I can't like him too?"

"I think he's taken."

Solan thought she did the feline equivalent of a sigh. He wondered if it was odd that he thought that was rather attractive. He knew she was human on the inside and was only the victim of a cruel science experiment.

The next week, Bones was working on the DNA samples, and some of his staff was working on them as well. He had never done DNA research like they were doing now, but it was all about the genes, and they had definitely been altered and mixed with the genes from the power cat. He thought he would probably have to turn this over to a science lab somewhere like Pacifica or another research center. He did not like the thought of leaving Priscilla at a research center however. He did not want her to feel afraid or like they were abandoning her. She had begun working in the science lab, and had even looked at the DNA herself, although she was not versed in the procedures of DNA research.

Jim walked into the medical bay where Bones was studying the samples. "You found anything yet?" he asked.

"I've found plenty," Bones replied. "But, Jim, I'm not this type of scientist. I'm a doctor, not a DNA technician. I can see what they did, but I don't know how to undo it…and we may have destroyed the only ones who did know."

Jim shook his head. "No. There are other scientists in this galaxy who can figure this out. We'll just have to get her to some of them."

"Not that I don't like Priscilla, but I'll be glad when we get her there. She makes passes at me all the time."

Jim chuckled at that. "She's quite flirtatious," he said.

"I don't think flirtatious is even the right word. She's downright forward."

"I think I've realized that. She's flirted with every male member of this crew, and…she licked Solan."

Bones laughed. "He flirts with her, Jim," he said. "What? Did he act like he didn't enjoy it?"

"Well, she had gone into an access tube where he was and she…bit him on the neck too."

"And he complained about this to you?"

"I don't know that he was actually complaining, but I think it kinda made him nervous."

"Did she draw blood or something?"

"No."

They were silent a moment as Jim watched Bones work. "So, how are you and Andrea getting along?" he asked.

"Great," Bones replied. "She doesn't like Priscilla very much, but we've been spending more time together."

"You feeling comfortable with it?"

Bones stopped what he was doing and looked at Jim. "I am, but not completely," he said.

"Give yourself time, but don't let that woman go. You've smiled more the last few days than I've ever seen you smile."

"Did Carol forgive you for trying to go on that mission to Nervala Four?"

"Yeah. Finally. At least, I'm supposing she has. She didn't turn her back to me last night, so I think that's progress."

Bones shook his head. "You're a real romantic, aren't you?"

"I try to be."

Bones looked into the microscope again. "Look at that, Jim," he said and backed up.

Jim looked into the microscope. "Bones, do you really think this can be changed back to normal?" he asked.

"It's all about getting the body to produce the right DNA again. It's really complicated. Think of all the good they could have done instead of torturing these beings."

"Others have bought that research. Maybe they know how to change it, and maybe they're using it for some good."

Bones folded his arms. "Jim, when we were down there, that Kyle Brandon said people came and purchased the research, but they also paid him to manipulate people for him to be bodyguards, bounty hunters, whatever. I've never encountered a being like Jerah or Helek."

"Neither have I," Jim replied. "Were these willing subjects or were they forcing them?"

"Well, we know Jerah and his brother were not willing, and neither was Ajah." Bones realized he had not told Jim a lot of the things he had heard. "Jim, do you realize Kyle was Jerah's and Helek's father?"

Jim frowned. "How do you know that?"

"He said so. When Helek was facing him, he said 'don't you dare call him your son'. What kind of person does that to their own flesh and blood?"

"I don't know, but I wish Jerah had…I just wish that could have turned out differently."

Bones frowned. "I do too, but at least his family is safe, and we put a big dent in that research."

"I guess that was all he wanted."

"We couldn't know that, Jim. He attacked us."

"I know. I think I'll go find Helek and see if they're alright."

Jim walked out of the medical bay. They had five beings on their ship who had no place to go. He could remember a time when he felt like he did not belong anywhere. He had still not managed to get Helek's sister to stop being afraid of him. Helek had even tried, but Jim could see the fear in her eyes every time he approached her. Uhura had been talking to her and she had actually communicated with her some.

They had already gone to take the power cat home, and Priscilla had talked to it and kept it company. It had definitely been different than any Bones had ever seen. He was just glad they could take it home. They had not gone down to that planet, but had simply transported the cat down.

Now, they were back to the planet where they had found Jerah. Since there were no other beings on the planet, they intended to explore it more, and find out more about what Jerah had down there.

"Jim, if it's alright with you, I'd just as soon not go down there," Bones said.

"Why?" Jim asked. "There's no one there."

"I just don't want to go down there."

"Alright. Maybe I should let Andrea go and get her started on away missions."

"Jim."

"You didn't write a report about how she got aboard that ship."

Bones just stood there a moment. "She did okay when we went in there to rescue everyone," he said.

"That's not an answer, Bones. I know she stowed away on that ship, and that's a severe breach of protocol. I'm not sure I can just overlook that. What will she do next?"

"I'll just leave that to you."

"It usually is up to me. I'll try to find some punishment for it, like maybe cleaning the warp plasma filters."

"Don't you think that's a little harsh?"

Jim smiled as he looked back at Bones. "No." He went to Andrea's quarters and rang the door chime.

Andrea opened the door. "Captain," she said.

"Hi. How's Alex?"

"He's fine, Sir. Is there a problem?"

"No, and yes. I'm about to go down to the planet, and while I'm down there, I want you to clean the warp plasma filters."

Andrea's mouth dropped open. "The warp plasma filters?"

"Yes. You stowed away on a ship that was going on an away mission, and you could have endangered everyone on that mission. I can't let that go no matter how much Bones protests. Now, I want you to get busy on that while I'm on the planet."

"What about Alex?"

"Carol's not going on this mission. I'll take Alex, and he can stay with his mother."

Jim went in and found Alex crawling, but he smiled when he saw him. "Howdy there, young man," Jim said as he squatted in front of Alex. "It's time for you to go to Mommy." He picked the baby up and stood up. He looked at Andrea as she had the baby's things together. "I'll see you when I get back."

"Yes sir," Andrea replied. She watched him walk out of the room and then sighed. She supposed he could have reported her to Starfleet, but he chose to make her do the worst job on the entire ship. She got into some old jeans and a long-sleeved plaid shirt and tied a scarf around her head to hold her hair out of her way.

Just as she was about to leave her quarters, the door chime rang. She opened the door, and Bones was there. He could not help but smile at how she was dressed, but he lost that smile as she folded her arms. "I take it you're about to be going to clean the warp plasma filters?" he asked.

"Yes, I am," Andrea replied.

"Well, don't get mad at me. It's not my fault."

"You should go and help me."

"Me? I didn't break any rules."

"Leonard McCoy, I take it you will be ready to have dinner this evening?"

Bones smiled. "Probably…if I can get away from Priscilla."

Bones jumped back with his smile returning. "I'm only kidding," he said.

Andrea walked out into the corridor and she saw Solan coming that way, so she grabbed Bones and gave him a passionate kiss to make sure Solan saw it. Solan passed by behind Bones. "It's about time," he said.

Bones just stood there as Andrea walked away. "You did that on purpose," he said.

"I sure did," Andrea replied.

"I think everybody around here just likes to embarrass me."

Andrea laughed as she got into the turbo lift. "Just remember that I'm crawling around in the bowels of the ship while you're doing…whatever," she said.

"Funny."

Jim, Korax, Spock, Helek, and Ajah were going down to the planet. "Energize," Jim said as they were standing on the transporter pad.

They transported to the area right outside the rock structure. The door was not closed on the structure, so they went in, knowing that they could not contact the ship from within it. They soon came to the cave and went inside. As they explored deeper, they found where Jerah had stayed, and it was definitely a simple existence. He had only a small pallet that he had slept on, and not much else. However, as they went deeper into the cave, they found power conduits where he had drawn energy from the storms that came by.

"This must have been what he was doing during the time he was gone," Jim said.

"Most likely," Helek replied.

Spock took readings from everything around them, and then there was nothing for them to do but go back to the ship. They stayed there for another day to get more readings about the tritanium. However, Jim stayed there to make sure Andrea finished the punishment he had given her to do. It took quite a while to clean those warp plasma filters, but when he inspected them, they were clean. "Did she complain as much as you do when you have to go into the access tubes?" Jim asked as he stood there with Scotty.

"I don't know," Scotty replied. "I was busy doing some maintenance on those relays that control the lights. They should be working fine now."

"Great. Looks like she did a pretty good job."

"I agree."

"I guess we can get going then."

Helek sat in the observation dome at the bottom of the ship as they were at warp once again. Priscilla came in as he was sitting there. "Hi," she purred. "Mind if I join you?"

"Go ahead," Helek replied.

"It is much different here than it was in the research lab."

Helek had to agree with that. "We are not prisoners here, and they all treat us with respect, although they think we're odd."

"I do not think we are any odder than the Klingon or the Vulcan."

Helek smiled. "They do not have glowing eyes and electrical charges," he said as he held his hand up making electricity jump between his fingers.

"I believe you have learned to control it very well. Besides, what is odd?"

"You have to admit, we're kinda odd."

"At least the doctor figured out how to get rid of the spines on my back. I hated those."

Helek looked at her back. "Nice."

"They made sleeping difficult, and wearing clothing."

"You like the doctor, don't you?"

"I do, but he already has a mate."

"I don't think they call it mates. She's his girlfriend, and I think they're engaged."

"I suppose I just have the habit of calling it a mate. It is the cat in me."

"I kinda like being on this ship. I wonder if Captain Kirk would let me stay."

Priscilla smiled. "I am sure the doctor would not want me to stay," she said with a feline-like laugh.

"You should not make him so nervous," Helek replied.

"I only gave him a kiss for removing the spines."

Helek shook his head. "You should know better."

"Maybe I do, but I just wanted to."

"I'll just bet it wasn't a little peck, was it?"

Priscilla smiled with her feline teeth. "It was a good kiss."

"Maybe I could help with the electrical systems in this ship," Helek said thoughtfully.

"You know the doctor is searching for a way to cure us."

"Yeah, but until he finds one, why not make use of it?"

"Do you believe the captain trusts us?"

Helek considered that a moment. "I think he does to a certain extent," he said. "I can understand why he was skeptical at first, but he has given us free access to most of the ship. We are not confined to our quarters or the brig, and we do not have guards watching us, and we are not followed by drones."

"That is true. Does your mother want to stay here?"

"No. She wants to be on a planet, and Anissa will go with her, but I would rather not stay on a planet because people would stare and most likely be afraid of me."

"You would be a bodyguard to the captain?"

"He already has a bodyguard. Korax, and sometimes Solan."

"But they cannot do what you or I could do."

"True, but the captain is not in danger right now. However, when he goes down to planets, he needs more protection."

"I would gladly rip someone to shreds for him."

They both laughed. "You're quite a character, Priscilla," Helek said.

The next day, Jim was sitting in his captain's chair reading when Helek came from the turbo lift. "Permission to come on the Bridge, Captain?" he asked.

"Granted," Jim replied.

Helek walked over to him. "I would like to speak with you."

"Go ahead."

"Could we talk somewhere else?"

"Of course. We can talk in the conference room."

Jim stood up. "You have the Bridge, Mister Spock."

Helek followed Jim to the conference room. "Have a seat," Jim said.

They sat down at the table. "You have made us feel welcome on your ship, Captain," Helek said.

"I'm glad you feel that way," Jim replied.

"I would like to join your crew."

Jim was a little surprised by that. "Well, you're welcome to stay aboard," he said. "But to actually be a member of the crew, you would have to go to Starfleet Academy."

"I could be your bodyguard."

Jim smiled. "I have friends already who consider themselves my bodyguards. I'm not sure I need more bodyguards."

"They cannot do what I can."

"That's true."

Helek held up his fingers and let electricity jump across them. "I could help with the electrical systems in the ship as well," he said.

Jim was a little amazed at that display. "Does that hurt?" he asked.

"No. It's as easy as snapping your fingers." He closed his hand and the display stopped. "I think I would be too intimidating to live on a planet among others. I like being on your ship. I do not feel so out of place here."

"Well, I'm glad, and like I said, you're welcome to stay. Korax stays although he's not part of the crew, but he is learning Starfleet protocol."

"I will learn. Do you have a job for me?"

Jim considered that. "I'll have to discuss all this with my First Officer and the chief engineer. I'll let you know."

"Thank you, Captain. I believe Priscilla might want to stay. She likes being on your ship."

Jim smiled. "Yeah, I kinda gathered that. We'll talk about all this later. Don't you want to go with your mother and sister?"

"I do not want them to feel awkward. They have been through enough."

"I'm sure they love you."

"They do, and we will stay in touch, but they will know I am using this as something useful instead of hiding."

"What about Ajah?" Jim asked. "He has been very quiet."

"Ajah is one of those who likes to be alone," Helek replied. "Before he was taken to that torture chamber, he was a writer. Our planet was not always like it is now, Captain Kirk."

"I hope we helped. The window is closed now and I hope after eight years, there's something different there."

"We can only hope."

They left the conference room. Jim thought he would have no trouble keeping enough people on the ship if they kept picking up beings from ships and planets. He thought he would never need anymore bodyguards…but where would they all go when their five year mission was over? What would their lives be like? He supposed most of his crew would spread out to other crews, and he would…he sighed thinking about giving up his ship. He liked being the captain of the Enterprise, and he enjoyed being out in space, but he had promised Carol that they would have a place, and he would keep that promise.

Jim stopped at a computer terminal. "Computer, where is Ajah?" he asked.

"Ajah is in the upper observation dome."

Jim smiled. Helek had said that Ajah was one of those people who liked being alone. He knew people on this ship who worked in isolated areas and he hardly ever saw them, and some of those were the ones who worked down in the lower decks of the ship. Not long ago, he had gone down there when they thought there was a traitor on the ship, and he had almost been captured that time. He thought maybe Ajah would be perfect to work down there.

Jim walked out onto the observation deck in the upper part of the ship after a short trip in the turbo lift. Ajah sat on a bench and he had a tablet which he was typing on while he sat there. He had short black hair, and was as tall as Jim. He noticed Jim and stood up. "Captain," he said.

"Hi," Jim replied. "I was looking for you."

"Is there a problem?"

"No. I was just wondering if you were planning on staying on the ship."

Ajah looked out the viewport. "It is quiet here, and I have not written anything in quite a long time."

Jim sat down. "You get inspiration from looking out into space?"

"Sometimes. I enjoy watching the warp field. It is strange…like me."

"I don't think you're so strange." Jim scowled as he saw that Ajah had his finger attached to the tablet's power cord.

"It was running low on power so I was charging it."

Jim shook his head. "Well, that must help a lot. I realize you like to be alone and there are jobs on the ship that require someone who likes isolation."

Ajah smiled. "I like your ship, Captain, but I have been confined in a laboratory, and now I want to be on a planet and be able to see other things to write about."

"We visit a lot of worlds that are unknown to the Federation." Jim smiled. "You could take notes for me. I can't say I'm one of the greatest writers in the galaxy. Andrea has plenty of editing to do, but when this mission is over, she'll be staying with Doctor McCoy."

"You would want me for a secretary? If people walked into your office, they might be…shocked."

Jim shook his head. "I think I'm on a ship full of wise guys."

"I have learned that many of the crew like to use humor to break up the monotony."

"Yeah. I know. You just think about that."

Jim stood up to leave. "Captain," Ajah said. "I am honored that you would offer me such a position. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Jim walked on back to the Bridge. He had a lot of thinking to do. He sat in the captain's chair and stared out the viewport. He supposed when they found beings like the ones they had onboard now, they had no choice but to take them on the ship. After all, they were not in a position to just drop them off somewhere. However, they were rendezvousing with the hospital ship again so that Jekoliah and her daughter, Anissa, could see counselors and be treated to help them before they were thrown out onto a planet.

They came to the hospital ship after two more days, and Jekoliah and Anissa were admitted. Bones stood at the access port. He folded his arms as he met up with Doctor Sandra Flannigan. "Doctor McCoy," she said as she stood on her side of the access port.

"Doctor Flannigan," Bones replied.

"I take it you have some observations for me?"

"I do. You sure you want them?"

"Let's try to be civil with each other."

"Civil? You threw me off your ship and wouldn't even let me see my best friend, and you want to talk to me about civility?"

Doctor Flannigan folded her arms too and they just stared at each other. Bones finally gave her his findings. "I do hope you can help these two," he said. "And uh…" He smiled. "You haven't met Priscilla yet, have you?"

"No," Flannigan answered.

Bones looked down the corridor and could see Priscilla coming. "Here she comes now. She has quite an outgoing personality. You will probably just love her." Bones hoped he sounded as sarcastic as he felt right now.

Priscilla came to Bones and put her arms around his neck like she usually did. "I told you not to do that," Bones said.

"But I'm leaving," Priscilla replied. "Can't I kiss you goodbye?"

"No." Bones knew exactly what she would do and it would not be just a little peck. "This is Doctor Flannigan. She's going to try to help you."

Priscilla looked at Doctor Flannigan. "Hi," she said, but then she looked at Bones again. "You're so much better looking."

"Thanks, but I think maybe they can help you get back to normal quicker than I can."

"Can I call you sometime?" she asked as she sniffed him.

"Sure." Bones thought there could be no harm in that since she would not be able to touch him. "I wish you luck."

"Thank you."

Priscilla walked on over into the hospital ship. Doctor Flannigan just looked at Bones a moment. "Hey, I can't help it if I'm irresistible," Bones said. "Good luck." He waved to Priscilla who blew him a kiss. He then closed the hatch, and blew out a breath.

Bones started to turn around but Spock was right beside him. "Spock, when did you get there?" he asked, feeling just a little startled.

"Just now," Spock replied. "I take it the patients are on the hospital ship."

"Yes. I think Doctor Flannigan is going to have a lot of fun with Priscilla."

"Doctor, I believe you enjoyed that a great deal."

"You read me like a book, Spock."

Spock thought Doctor McCoy was full of sarcasm today, but he thought he had been more cheerful the last few days. He took out his communicator. "Captain, the ship is secure," he said. "We are ready for departure."

"Take us out, Mister Sulu," Jim said. He watched the stars disappear into the warp field. He thought the rest of this journey was going to be very interesting…