NOTE: I bumped up Christine Chapel's age by about 10 years so that she matches McCoy's age of 19 years (since it's virtually impossible that she'd be accepted as a medical volunteer at 9 years old)

J.T huffed in annoyance as his eyes bored into the PADD screen resting on his lap. Starfleet had refused to disclose any information about his kids and he was fed up with waiting. Unfortunately, as good as hacking skills were, this standard issue PADD processed and moved at a snail's pace.

'Final medical – up you get'.

J.T looked up from the PADD, making no move to conceal the screen – it would only arouse suspicion of illegal activities. McCoy was standing at the foot of his bed so there was no possibility that he could see what was behind J.T's screen – if he had seen what was on the screen, he'd be alerting J.T or someone else to the fact, anyway.

Either way, if Starfleet Medical had found out about his hacking they hadn't done anything to hinder his efforts so far – unless, of course, you counted the incompetent PADD they had given him.

J.T blanked out the PADD screen and tossed it under the pillow.

'If I pass does that mean I can go?' he asked as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and followed McCoy's retreating back.

'If you pass,' McCoy agreed.

Christopher Pike walked into the hospital ward, his eyes automatically darting to the hospital bed J.T had been spending most of his time upon. He frowned slightly as he found it empty and scanned the interior for a familiar blonde-haired boy. A medical volunteer noticed his lost appearance and clip-clopped over to the Starfleet lieutenant.

'Can I help you, sir?' she asked.

Pike switched his attention to the blonde haired woman who had approached him.

'Ah, yes, nurse…?'

'Chapel, Christine Chapel,' the young woman replied, smiling warmly, 'but I'm not a nurse – I'm actually one of the medical volunteers. If you would like me to show you to one of the medical staff I would be more than happy to do so?'

'Oh, no,' Pike quickly said, 'no, I don't need to speak to a doctor. I was just wondering if you could direct me to the whereabouts of a patient'.

Christine Chapel nodded expectantly. In a ward crammed with a relatively large number of people, the chances that this volunteer knew where J.T was, was virtually non-existent. Still, there was no harm in trying.

'His name is J.T… well his nickname, anyway but that's what he goes by'.

Instantly, the young woman's eyes widened in recognition.

'Oh! Yes, J.T. I know him… well, everyone does really,' she motioned for the lieutenant to follow her, 'I'll take you to him – he's filling out his discharge forms now… unless you're his guardian? In which case you should be filling them out instead…' the volunteer finished uncertainly.

Pike smiled and shook his head.

'No, I'm more of a friend,' he explained, 'although I'm curious… what were you referring to when you said that everyone knows J.T?'

Christine spared him an incredulous look over her shoulder as she led him past row's of anti-grav beds and hospital staff.

'Have you watched the media lately?' she asked.

'Haven't really gotten the time – what with all the reports needed after the Tarsus IV incident'.

Christine bobbed her head up and down in understanding.

'Oh, of course,' she agreed, 'well, J.T has always been the hostile type – he's the most guarded of the survivors, always asking about his kids. After a while the usual gossip went around and apparently he's the teenager who saved a group of children on T-IV. According to the news feeds the public seems to agree as well. It's not that big of a headline though – more of an interest for the medical staff and volunteers'.

Christine ended her explanation as they reached a doctor and blonde-haired teenager. Christine smiled and Pike nodded his thanks before the volunteer walked off to attend to her scheduled duties.

The doctor looked up as Pike approached the pair.

'Good morning, sir – may I help you?' he asked.

'Morning,' Pike smiled his greeting to the doctor, 'I've come to visit this patient,'

He inclined his head to J.T who had twisted his head around at the sound of Pike's voice. Upon recognition, J.T's face broke out into a wide grin.

'Hey Chris, come to say hello?' he asked cheerily.

The doctor beside him appeared stunned at the smile on J.T's normally hostile face. He spared a curious look at Pike who shrugged modestly.

'Yeah, kid. Although I hear that you're being discharged?' by the end of the sentence he had directed the question to the doctor.

'Yes, sir he just passed his final medical a few minutes ago'.

Pike guessed the respect in the doctor's voice was not all to do with his Starfleet uniform; J.T's attitude towards the medical staff must've been just as bad as it'd been in the forest – worst probably, since he didn't have his kids to rein him in.

'That was fast,' mused Pike.

'Well, about a fortnight ago one of the volunteers who was working here was attacked by another patient – J.T saved his life and the volunteer was able to convince the CMO to allow J.T an early discharge,' the doctor explained.

Pike raised his eyebrow and swiveled his head around to direct the expression towards J.T. The teenager grinned and winked at the lieutenant.

'So… are you his legal guardian?' asked the doctor.

Pike shook his head.

'I'm a friend,' he merely stated.

The doctor nodded, his attention distracted by a harmless but noisy brawl in the back of the ward.

'Sorry, if you would please excuse me I'll be back in a minute – just have to check up on that before it get's any worse. I'll leave you two here to speak until I get back,' he nodded meaningfully towards the brawl and Pike nodded his consent.

J.T glanced up briefly from the PADD as the doctor left but just as quickly glued his eyes to the screen once more.

'So, where do you plan to live once you're out?' asked Pike.

'On the streets,' J.T replied automatically, as if he had already planned his future there.

Pike frowned slightly. Living on the streets would be a walk in the park for J.T after all he had gone through on Tarsus IV, but that was the exact reason why he deserved better.

'Stay at my place,' Pike blurted out.

He acted on impulse, but was genuinely happy he'd suggested it. J.T paused, his hand hovering around the PADD screen as he turned his head so that he could see Pike in his peripheral vision.

'No, thanks,' he replied belatedly.

'Why not?' inquired Pike.

J.T sighed.

'Because then I'd owe you – and once you're in someone's debt, you'll never be able to repay it,' he said flatly.

'Learn that from Kodos?' Pike asked quietly.

J.T turned completely to face Pike. He drilled his gaze into the lieutenant's eyes and projected absolute ferocity. His eyes were stone cold; it's unique shade of blue intensifying from J.T's lethal state. If looks could kill… thought Pike.

'I don't want to talk about it'.

J.T's tone was deadly – his face betraying no hint to the current emotional battle raging internally.

'You can live for free,' Pike said seriously, refusing to avert his eyes.

J.T scrutinized the lieutenant, searching for the barest sign of deception.

'Why would you do that?' he finally asked.

'Because, I care about what happens to you,' Pike said quietly.

J.T's mask slowly dissipated and he nodded, gratitude radiating from the simple action.

'Thanks'.

Won't be posting for another week and a half - going overseas so there won't be much time to write let alone internet to go on fanfic. Sorry!