2240

"All right, students, you may now turn your exam papers over and begin," the teacher, a Human female, who was dressed in a neck-high civilian dress that extended to the floor, said, as she took a seat at her desk.

Seated at her metal desk, Arianne sighed and quietly turned over the exam paper, annoyed that there were a lot of complex mathematic equations that required solving.

Even though the class had gone over the equations in classes and it was a standard practice for grade school classes to study complex things, Arianne found herself only able to understand the simpler equations.

While all the other students quickly worked through their exam papers, Arianne skimmed the paper and answered the questions she understood. She fully expected to fail this math quiz, as it was difficult.

"Miss Pike, I believe you have been skipping questions on your exam paper," the teacher stated in a blunt tone, as she hovered over Arianne. "The rules state you must answer the questions in order."

Upset that people were beginning to look up from their papers to watch the teacher yell at her, Arianne looked up at the teacher, "I don't exactly understand all the questions," she quietly admitted.

Anger suddenly clouded the teacher's face, "Miss Pike, how can you be so daft as to not understand equations that other children your age find them so simple?" she screeched, intense anger in her tone.

"I-I don't know," Arianne stuttered, tears coming to her eyes.

Seeing that Arianne was now crying, the teacher swore loudly, "MISS PIKE, I WILL NOT PERMIT CRYING IN MY CLASSROOM!' she shouted. "TO THE FRONT, IMMEDIATELY!"

Shaking, Arianne rose from her desk and stumbled to the front of the room, well aware that the irate teacher was kicking her in the heels with every step. She felt like she wanted to die.

"Since you don't understand the questions and you are crying like a little baby in MY classroom," the teacher hissed loudly, as she moved behind her desk and opened a drawer. "Hold out your hands and I will administer the laser strap. It will teach you how to smarten up and do better in school."

Scowling, Arianne bore her teeth, "I don't want to," she argued. "I won't do what you say."

Infuriated, the teacher activated the laser strap, "Class, please take a break from your exams and help me administer proper discipline on Miss Pike," she ordered. "She obviously needs some help to receive it."

"My father is a Starfleet Captain," Arianne said, as she tried to avoid the other kids in the class who were circling around her. "You're not supposed to hurt your students here."

Arianne knew that her fight was lost as her teacher continued advancing on her with the laser strap, "You little retard," she hissed, pointing the laser strap towards her. "Starfleet doesn't exist here."

Summoning up all her courage, Arianne took a deep breath and, grabbing small objects from other desks and shelves, she climbed the nearest set of curtains and began to throw things at the crowd below her.

"Somebody call 9-1-1!" the teacher shouted, as objects fell on her and the other children.

As a student ran from the room, intending to do just that, Arianne suddenly fell from the curtains and into the crowd of students and the teacher. They descended on her all at once, showing no mercy.

With multiple people administering discipline, Arianne could only lay silently and feel every bit of pain.

"I don't understand, Phlox," Chris said, as he paced the floor of Phlox's private office within the walls of Starfleet Medical. "There were no problems during the years that I home schooled her and now, when she is suddenly in public school, everything seems to go wrong."

Seated behind his desk, Phlox shrugged, "You had home schooled Arianne since she was able to talk and suddenly she was put into a more public environment," he explained. "It's hard for anyone, especially a child to adjust to new surroundings so suddenly."

Following the incident at the school, Chris had briefly talked to the civilian police and, before any civilian rescue workers or media could arrive, he had quickly whisked Arianne away and didn't let her out of his sight until they had arrived at Starfleet Medical. After turning Arianne over to Dr. Boyce for an examination and proper treatment, Chris had cornered Phlox in his office, needing someone to talk to about it.

Chris frowned, "From what the civilian police told me, Arianne became upset after being provoked by both the teacher and her fellow students," he stated. "A nine year old shouldn't get upset like that, but then again, that school is in the heart of San Francisco's poverty suburb and it's not really a safe place for a kid."

Phlox nodded, but remained silent, so Chris continued, "I hadn't wanted to put her in that school, but Starfleet doesn't have primary schools, so I had no choice," he lamented. "The top brass was bothering me about taking on some Command duties. I had no idea that this was going to happen."

"Before you say another word, Captain, I have a prudent suggestion," Phlox suddenly spoke up. "Seeing as I have several medical degrees, perhaps I could perform an assessment on Arianne. The assessment is painless and it would determine whether or not there were any developmental and learning difficulties."

Leaning on the visitor's chair, Chris gasped, "I thought things like developmental disabilities and learning disorders were a thing of the past, Phlox," he hissed. "I thought they didn't exist anymore."

"They exist, however, there are those who wish to conceal them," Phlox observed, giving Chris a thoughtful look. "Even now, people want to pretend that imperfection doesn't really exist in society."

Letting out a deep sigh, Chris took a seat, "If Arianne does have developmental or learning issues, I won't hide it or abandon her," he promised. "When can you perform this assessment?"

"Once Doctor Boyce declares Arianne physically stable, I can begin immediately," Phlox promised, as he began looking for necessary files on his computer. "The results of this will be totally conclusive."

Chris nodded, he would allow the assessment to happen, as it would help Arianne be able to function better.

Hours later, after a detailed assessment, which involved both mental and light physical tasks, Chris now ensured that Arianne was resting quietly on a biobed, with him seated on a stool beside her.

Following a thorough examination, Boyce had said that Arianne had only suffered emotional hardship, superficial cuts from the laser strap, and severe bruising. Because of the immense pain, which had been temporary taken with the help of some hyposprays, Boyce had ordered her to spend the night there.

Now, while Boyce went home for the night to rest, Chris sat at his daughter's bedside, ready to fight any negative force that might come forth. Dr. Puri was also going to be around for the night shift.

Although Phlox was also around, he was calculating the assessment results and was currently unavailable.

"Daddy, I didn't mean to get so mad at school," Arianne said, as she lay there, gazing up at her father with a worried expression on her face. "I couldn't understand the hard math and the teacher called me a retard."

Wincing, Chris gazed down at her, "Sweetie, nobody has any right to call you that word, not even your teacher," he said, taking her hand. "I'm just glad that you are out of that school now."

Chris nodded, continuing to hold her hand as he silently reflected on the day.

After what had happened, he definitely wouldn't send her back to that school, but, because of the problem with overcrowded schools in San Francisco, where else could he send her for educational opportunities?

"Phlox to Captain Pike," Phlox's voice suddenly sounded out over the intercom.

"Captain Pike here," Chris spoke, as he released Arianne's hand and scooted his stool to the nearest intercom and pressed the button. "What can I do for you, Doctor Phlox?"

"I have the results of Arianne's assessment compiled and I was wondering if you would allow me to share them with you privately in my office," Phlox's voice stated.

"Let me tuck my daughter in for the night and then I'll come to your office," Chris said, as he turned the intercom to a lower volume and rose from his chair.

Even though she wasn't sure why she had to do all those tests, Arianne sat up, "Daddy, can I come with you to Doctor Phlox's office and look at the results?" she asked, eager to know what the results said.

"Ah, my good daughter, you need to sleep now," Chris gently replied, secretly amused by his daughter's never ending curiosity. "I will tell you everything you need to know tomorrow, when you're rested."

Knowing that her father was right, Arianne lay back down and quickly fell asleep.

Sighing, Chris turned away and quietly made his way over to Dr. Phlox's private office.

"So, according to these tests, Arianne has non-verbal learning disorder and an impulse-driven developmental disability called Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder," Phlox explained, as he showed Chris the charts of results. "The learning difficulty is apparent in these varying IQ scores."

Chris nodded and after quickly skimming the results, he looked up at Phlox, "Back when I was home schooling her, I did notice that she had trouble with the more complex math equations, but I didn't think anything of it, as she was younger," he replied. "However, after I went to the school after the incident, I spoke my concerns about Arianne and was blatantly told that I should keep my Starfleet preaching silent. I was further told that in light of the incident, it would be best if I found Arianne another school to attend."

"Did you consult with Starfleet Command on this matter?" Phlox asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

"I talked with several Admirals right after I brought Arianne to Starfleet Medical." Chris stated. "They said, unfortunately, there was little they could do to help, as Starfleet and civilian affairs are kept separate. There is no talk about instilling a sort of medium between the two to make for a more unified society as of yet."

Phlox scoffed, "It's disturbing to think that even now, Starfleet chooses to keep fully out of external affairs," he stated. "I thought that after all these years, humanity had made some progress."

"Starfleet's lost a great deal of the passion and goodwill that they had when it first originated," Chris stated, knowing that he wouldn't be court-martialed for it. "I'm disturbed by what Starfleet has become: a bunch of pencil-pushers who are too concerned with internal affairs than what is waiting to be improved upon."

Letting out a resigned sigh, Phlox quickly gathered the PADD's which contained the assessment results. It would do no good for Starfleet Command to see the results, for they would condemn an innocent child.

"I understand, which is why I suggest you take a different assignment," Phlox replied. "I recommend that you offer to be a foreign diplomat for Starfleet and undertake a tour of diplomatic relations to promote Starfleet to various places around Earth and her allies."

Chris nodded, "That's an interesting idea, Phlox," he replied, intrigued. "How would I handle both the duties of a diplomatic tour and being a father to Arianne?"

"I have also figured out a solution on how to ensure Arianne's safety while you do your tour," Phlox stated, smiling. "According to the extensive research I quickly did after I finished compiling the assessment results, there is a school in Des Moines, Iowa that is for children troubled by disabilities or circumstance."

"As much as it pains me to send Arianne away from San Francisco, it might be for the best for the time being," Chris agreed. "I will talk to Arianne and make the necessary arrangements immediately."

Rising from his seat, Chris turned and smiling at Phlox, he quietly left the office.

By the end of the month, Starfleet Command had received, reviewed, and accepted his sudden request, transferring Chris, along with his rank of Captain, to Starfleet Diplomacy and had the very exclusive, time-consuming task of promoting Starfleet to all cultures on both Earth and her immediate allies.

In addition, with the help of a strong recommendation letter from Phlox, Chris had been able to get Arianne enrolled at the "Achievement Academy of Hope" in Des Moines, with the sincere, documented promise that she would not only treated well, she would be assisted in developing abilities to become successful, whether or not she had disabilities. Everyone at the school was given equal respect and growth opportunities.

Arianne had taken the news of going to a new school well, but she became upset upon learning that she would be without her father. However, Chris had promised that he would always keep in contact with her.

When Arianne had finally agreed to go and make the most of the opportunity, Chris had taken a leave of absence and quickly put himself and Arianne on the first shuttle to the Des Moines shuttle port.

Now, as they sat together on the shuttle, Chris held Arianne close, as he would miss her dearly.

As the shuttle had launched and traveled across the States, they had talked about the future.

Now, as the shuttle landed in Des Moines, it was going to be somewhat easier to part ways for a time.

Once the shuttle had powered down and the ramp had lowered, Chris and Arianne stood and as an act of fatherhood that he would seldom get to perform in later years, he took his daughter's duffle bag.

"Captain Pike, Arianne, welcome to Des Moines," Amanda Grayson, a middle-aged human woman, who was dressed in a dark blue pantsuit with her hair cropped short, said in a gentle tone, as Chris and Arianne disembarked from the shuttle. "I am Amanda Grayson, Dean of the Academy," she said, smiling at the father and daughter. "I have come here to take Arianne to the Academy and get her settled in."

Chris smiled, "Thank you, Miss Grayson," he replied, releasing Arianne's hand. "I appreciate your help."

"Captain Pike, I am Amanda Grayson, wife of Sarek and mother of Spock of Vulcan," Amanda gently corrected him, extending her hand to Arianne. "My husband is here on a diplomatic mission, as am I, and we will be residing on Earth for an undetermined amount of time. Unfortunately, as Spock had to attend to his education, he is on Vulcan staying with Sarek's relatives."

Nodding, Chris quickly hugged Arianne, "I love you so much, kiddo," he said, as he released her and gently nudged her towards Amanda. "Do your best to be good and I will keep in contact with you."

"I love you, Daddy," Arianne replied, as she took Amanda's hand and allowed herself to be led away.

Letting out a resigned sigh, Chris watched them for a moment, then quietly turned away.

Okay, this is the third chapter. What do you all think of the story so far? Tell me, please!