January 2257

The Academy campus was quiet, Arianne thought as she emerged from the dorms after catching a much needed nap in her bed. Much of the Academy personnel weren't back from the mandatory leave that Admiral Archer had imposed on the entire campus after the last of the Cadet Centre had been cleared away and the last of the bodies had been taken for autopsies. Many students were also still gone.

Christmas had been much too quiet, as most cadets had booked any available transportation to go spend time with their families to recover from the massive casualties from the explosion. Even her own father had been busy at Christmas, Arianne thought silently; he had been in constant meetings with Starfleet Command and with the Vulcan High Council about Elizabeth Dehner's upcoming trial.

Arianne was surprised to see that the many campus pathways were perfectly shoveled despite the amount of snow that still covered the grass and the rooftops of some buildings. Her eyes suddenly widened as she looked at the spot where the Cadet Center had once been; there were several small, wooden crosses tied together with what looked like shoelaces embedded in the dirt and small, silver things that looked to Arianne like dogtags hung around each of the crosses like identification chips.

Swallowing hard, she walked over to the crosses to get a better look at them and noticed a small engraving on the bottom of them 'made by JTK', "A-Arianne," a nervous voice suddenly spoke.

Arianne turned and saw Jim standing behind her in only his cadet uniform; he looked rather nervous as he held a freshly sanded, tied together cross in his hand that had 'Ambassador Soval' engraved on the cross bar on either side of the point where the two posts were tied together by dirty shoelaces.

"How on earth did you make these, Jim?" Arianne asked in a shocked voice. "They're so beautiful."

Jim shrugged, "There was a lot of the debris from the Cadet Center put in the San Francisco dump and I just collected it," he replied as he walked forward and carefully put Soval's cross into the frigid soil.

For a moment, Arianne watched as Jim stood there in silence, "I gave a letter to Madame Guinan a while back to give to my mother if they ever crossed paths," Jim said in a toneless voice. "While I was recuperating at Starfleet Medical, Madame Guinan came to visit me and explained that she ran into Winona in Iowa, but that it didn't go well. I spent Christmas in my dorm doing extra credit work while Bones drank about a gallon of tea and slept the day away because he still wasn't feeling too good."

"You could have commed me and I would have come over," Arianne replied gently. "My father was busy with meetings all day, so I spent Christmas at Starfleet Medical writing out my version of events…"

Jim sighed, "I can't believe that they want the preliminary hearing this afternoon," he replied tiredly.

"Well, the Vulcans did lose an important member of their society," Arianne commented in a gentle voice even though she had always been rather uncomfortable around Soval. "They want to talk to Elizabeth."

There was suddenly a loud bong, "Cadet Kirk and Ensign Pike, please report to the Assembly Hall," an official voice sounded out over the rarely used intercom. "Cadet Kirk and Ensign Pike…."

"We should go," Arianne said softly. "I think the preliminary hearing's gonna be in the Assembly Hall."

Jim nodded and stepped back out of the crosses, "Admiral Archer's probably gonna give me heck for covering this ground with crosses," he replied in a hollow voice. "Maybe I should ask if I can skip the dressing down and go straight to therapy. You're a great person to talk to, really, but I just need…"

"It's okay, Jim," Arianne replied as they walked along the path towards the Assembly Hall. "I haven't been your friend for your whole life and there are things that I don't know much about. It's fine."

Jim gave Arianne a look of relief as they reached the steps that led up to the Assembly Hall, "I know this may seem like an odd question, but have you talked to anyone about that night?" he asked softly.

"It's been a very busy few weeks," Arianne replied, not wanting to tell Jim that she was still very nervous about Elizabeth Dehner somehow escaping charges and seeking retaliation against her. "I'm a registered counselor with Starfleet Medical, so I've been counseling loved ones of the dead and survivors…"

Arianne sighed and began walking up the steps, "Do you still have nightmares about it?" Jim asked softly, well aware that Arianne was trying to tell him that she was afraid of any retaliation against her.

"A few sleepless nights," Arianne replied as she stopped and looked at him. "No nightmares lately."

Jim nodded and looked slightly mollified as they reached the entrance to the Assembly Hall.

Arianne smiled at him as they walked through the doors and were surprised to see several people on the ground floor of the Hall, all of them dressed in official uniforms.

A nervous looking young man in an Academy uniform was lingering at the top of the stairs and stood at attention as Jim and Arianne approached.

"Please proceed to the ground level immediately, you two," the young man said in an official tone.

Jim suddenly looked nervous, but Arianne gently patted his hand, "It'll be all right," she said in a soothing voice as they slowly walked down the steps together. "Nothing bad will happen to us."

"Welcome to the Assembly Hall, Cadet Kirk and Ensign Pike," Admiral Barnett said as Jim and Arianne reached the ground level of the Hall and came to stand in front of the table where all the people in uniforms were seated. "We are here to discuss the events that occurred in December of 2256."

Arianne nodded, but before she could reply, the far door suddenly slid open and Sarek, Amanda, Spock, and several other Vulcan elders filed into the Assembly Hall and joined the others at the table.

"We first welcome the Vulcan elders to this ceremony," Admiral Barnett said as he got to his feet and turned towards the door. "We now welcome those who were involved in the Cadet Center rescue."

The door slid open again and Admiral Archer walked into the Assembly Hall with Leonard, Christine, Pavel, Hikaru, Finnegan, and Lara Harriman, "If all of you would please stand in a line in front of the table, we'll get right to business," Admiral Barnett stated in a firm voice. "We are just waiting for…"

"My apologies for my tardiness," Serij said, his Instructor suit wrinkling as he suddenly rushed into the Assembly Hall with his arms full of small blue folders. "Professor Khan is unfortunately ill today…"

Admiral Archer nodded and took the folders from Serij, "We'll have to do this without him then," he said in a tone that told Serij that his service was appreciated. "Ensign Arianne Pike, please step forward."

"Yes sir," Arianne replied as she stepped forward and watched Admiral Archer walk over to the table.

Admiral Archer nodded at Captain Pike, who quickly stood up and walked around the table, "Arianne Christine Pike, it is by the authority of Starfleet Command and Academy Command that I address your actions in the recent situation," Chris said as he took the top folder off the pile Serij held. "In light of the circumstances and your actions, I feel that there is no other recourse than to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant junior grade with all the rights and privileges associated with the rank. Congratulations."

"Thank you," Arianne replied, unable to ignore her father's look of pride as he pinned the pips on her collar, gently patted her shoulder, and stepped back to stand next to Serij. "Thank you, Command."

Admiral Archer nodded and picked up the next folder, but before he could speak, Arianne's PADD went off in her pocket, "My apologies," Arianne said as she took the PADD out and looked at it. "I am needed urgently at Starfleet Medical to counsel a patient. I respectfully request permission to be dismissed."

"Granted, Lieutenant Pike," Admiral Archer replied, forcing himself to maintain a neutral expression.

Arianne smiled, saluted, and quietly walked up the stairs towards the exit with her new rank and responsibilities weighing heavily on her with each step she took. She was unaware that Serij was silently watching her while pretending to focus on helping the instructors hand out the other commendations and promotions.

The office was quiet and unusually dark when Arianne entered, "Hello?" she asked in a soft voice.

"Hello Lieutenant Pike," a faint, yet very familiar voice spoke in the darkness. "I am in need of counseling."

Immediately recognizing the voice as Professor Khan's, Arianne turned the lights on the lowest level and was shocked to see Professor Khan sitting cross legged in the middle of the room with nothing but a fraying red sweatsuit on and small slippers over his feet. He was slouching and covering his face.

"Professor Khan, I am just a Starfleet Lieutenant," Arianne replied nervously. "How can I be of help to you?"

Professor Khan looked up at Arianne, "My dear, you are also a certified psychological counselor," he replied in a smooth voice as he got to his feet. "I am in need of a listening ear and I trust nobody else."

"All right," Arianne replied nervously as she sat in one of the padded chairs in the middle of the room and gestured to the other one across from her. "Make yourself comfortable, Professor Khan."

Professor Khan nodded and slowly sank into the empty chair, "Thank you," he replied in a faint voice.

"You mentioned that you were in need of a listening ear, sir?" Arianne asked in a curious voice.

Professor Khan sighed, "That recent accident on campus has forced me to remember my past," he replied in a smooth, yet very somber voice. "Before I came to the Academy, I was a psychotherapist in the Orient and I had a very successful therapy practice that I developed myself after getting a doctorate in counseling and mental health. One day in 2255, though, changed my outlook on counseling."

"I remember reading about your practice during my study periods in university," Arianne replied in an intrigued voice. "What happened that caused you to leave such a successful practice, Professor?"

There was a moment of silence and Professor Khan took a deep breath, "I trust that this will not go past this room, so I will explain," he replied softly. "In 2255, I had a patient come into my office by the name of Jocelyn Darnell and she said that she had recently divorced a young doctor named Leonard McCoy."

Professor Khan knew Leonard's ex-wife? Arianne thought silently. I wonder if I should keep listening.

"This Jocelyn was very depressed and wanted help," Professor Khan continued, not noticing Arianne's sudden change in posture. "I started her in an experimental, in-patient therapy program that I thought would help her be able to address her issues in a healthy fashion. I, however, was proven wrong and she ended up insane, stole a cargo shuttle, and flew off into space with the intent of killing herself."

Arianne suddenly felt chilled; she had never thought to ask Leonard if his ex-wife was still alive, but it wasn't any of her business, "I received a notice later on that Jocelyn's stolen shuttle had exploded at the edge of the Solar System with nothing but pieces of debris remaining. Starfleet was never told of this."

"I-I'm not sure of what help I can be," Arianne replied, doing her best to keep a professional tone.

Professor Khan sighed and merely shrugged at Arianne's reply, "After I got word of Jocelyn's death, I shut my practice down and fled the Orient," he replied somberly. "It was that and another very painful incident in Russia that brought me to San Francisco. I was fine until the Cadet Center was damaged…"

"The chaos brought back those memories, didn't it?" Arianne asked, suddenly feeling sympathetic.

Nodding, Professor Khan swallowed hard, "I cannot possibly think of beginning the semester without some serious help," he replied in a soft voice as he clasped his hands together. "I think some more counseling sessions and even a little time in the hospital will help get me through this difficult time."

"I can only recommend hospitalization for clients if they are either thinking of hurting themselves or are in the process of self-harm," Arianne explained in a somber voice. "Have you done either, sir?"

Swallowing hard, Professor Khan shook his head, "I have considered it," he replied softly. "Help me."

Nodding, Arianne pulled her stylus out of her pocket, "Would you like me to notify Doctor Harriman or Doctor Puri of your illness?" she asked in a gentle voice. "Either one can get you properly admitted."

"I would prefer Doctor Harriman," Professor Khan replied softly. "She…she understands my condition."

Arianne nodded, made some notes on her stylus, and stuffed it back in her pocket, "Just so you know, Professor Khan, what we discuss here will never leave this office," she replied softly. "If you'd like, I can also counsel you during your hospital stay and I can also get someone to cover your class for you."

"Serij will cover my class," Professor Khan replied softly. "I just want to feel better very soon."

Letting out a sigh, Arianne stood up and walked over to Professor Khan, "Is there anyone you want me to call and let them know that you're sick?" she asked in a compassionate voice. "The hospital stay might be a little easier on you if you maybe had a family member or friend to support you."

"I will be all right," Professor Khan replied as he bowed his head. "Thank you for your concern."

As Arianne nodded, the door suddenly slid open and a medic came into the room holding a med-kit, "Doctor Harriman is on her way and she asked me to get some vitals and information," he said softly.

"Leave the medical tools and get out," Professor Khan hissed in a distressed voice. "I will help myself."

The medic suddenly looked frightened, "Perhaps I had better contact Doctor McCoy," he said anxiously as he dropped the medkit on on the floor and backed away. He's supposed to be on call this afternoon."

At the mention of Leonard, Professor Khan's eyes went wide and he swallowed hard, "Please do not call Doctor McCoy," he said in a terse voice as he placed a hand on his chest. "I just am in need of rest."

Sputtering for a response, the medic quickly fled the office, "I am having difficulty breathing," Professor Khan whispered faintly. "Could you perhaps help me walk to Medical? I cannot wait for a doctor."

"Of course," Arianne replied, carefully extending her hand. "Can you stand up on your own?"

Professor Khan nodded, slowly got to his feet, and carefully took Arianne's hand, "I must compose letters of apologies for my sudden illness to those who hired me to teach," he said in an unsteady voice as Arianne helped him walk out of the office and down the hallway towards the Medical Area.

Nearly an hour later, Arianne found herself in her dorm room trying to relax and focus her mind on what she would need to accomplish during the upcoming semester. After walking Professor Khan to the Medical Area, she had turned him over to Lara and then quietly dismissed herself from the situation until her presence was again requested; she had made it a habit of waiting until she was called upon.

Arianne let out a sigh as she lay on her bed and groaned as the door suddenly slid open, "Arianne, are you in here?" she heard Christine's cheerful voice ask. "The ceremony was awesome and Admiral Archer's inviting everyone who got an award to a party at his house and Leonard asked about you…"

Leonard. Arianne thought, suddenly remembering the terrible secret that Professor Khan had divulged to her about Leonard's ex-wife. How on earth could she even look Leonard McCoy in the eye after hearing such a terrible secret involving his past and not tell him? She couldn't go to the party.

"Actually, I'm thinking of going shopping in San Francisco," Arianne lied as she sat up just in time to see Christine putting on makeup in front of the mirror they shared. "I'll be back by curfew tonight."

Christine nodded absentmindedly, "All right," she replied. "The party will probably go til really late."

"Have fun," Arianne said as she stood up and grabbed her purse off the bed. "I'll be back later."

Before Christine, who was concerned by Arianne's subdued mood, could reply, Arianne left the room and quickly left Boyce Hall. She immediately saw Finnegan and Riley walking on either side of Mitchell, who was sitting in a hoverchair and wearing loose civilian clothes and boots. Arianne swallowed hard, quickly turned away, and walked off down a path that served as a shortcut to a civilian bus stop.

"Ensign Pike?" Arianne suddenly heard a soft voice say as she hurried down the path. "Are you well?"

Arianne froze, but relaxed when Spock came out from behind a tree with a basketful of different plant life on his arm, "Actually, Commander Spock, it's Lieutenant Pike now," she replied nervously.

"Indeed," Spock replied in a toneless voice. "Is the sudden promotion the cause of your distress?"

Arianne shook her head, "No, it's just a little stress that comes with being a counselor," she replied, not wanting to divulge to Spock and break confidentiality. "I'm actually going for a long walk around San Francisco for a little while to clear my head and maybe indulge in a little bit of long overdue shopping."

"I do not think it is logical to waste currency to ease your troubles," Spock replied tonelessly even though he had a look of compassion in his eyes. "Perhaps instead of shopping, you would like to accompany my mother and I on a tour of a marine life habitat center that is not far from here?"

Arianne sighed, "I just have this need to be alone," she replied somberly. "I'm so sorry, Spock."

Before Spock, who couldn't help but be deeply concerned about Arianne's sudden need to be alone with her less than happy mood, could reply, Arianne hurried off down the path towards the civilian bus stop.

As Spock was contemplating how to handle Arianne's unusual reaction, he suddenly heard a beep and quickly took out his communicator, "Commander Spock here," he whispered. "What is the issue?"

"Elizabeth Dehner is pacing her Brig cell demanding to talk to someone about the preliminary hearing," Captain Pike's voice replied in a very distressed tone. "I think she's trying to refuse to participate in it."

Spock sighed patiently, "Lieutenant Pike must have forgotten about the hearing, Captain," he replied, remembering that Arianne had mentioned going off campus. "She just went off of campus for a time."

There was some murmuring on the other end, "Spock, please just come and talk to Miss Dehner," Captain Pike's voice repeated in a more commanding voice. "I will deal with Lieutenant Pike."

"I am proceeding to Starfleet Security immediately," Spock replied, setting off at a brisk pace.

"…Arianne's not stupid, Jon," Elizabeth heard as she paced back and forth in the Starfleet Security cell that she had been residing in ever since her arrest in December. "Perhaps she had a lot on her mind."

There was a heavy laugh, "Everyone's had a lot on their minds since December, Chris," Elizabeth heard Admiral Archer snap irritably. "Get a shuttle and go find your wayward daughter right now!"

"Jon, perhaps today isn't a good day to hold such a hearing," Chris replied. "The special ceremony put all those students in a good mood and maybe we should postpone the hearing until after term stars. Better yet, I think we should just charge Elizabeth with mass murder and turn her over to Vulcan authorities…"

Elizabeth paled considerably at hearing that; she didn't want to go to Vulcan and end up serving on some penal colony just because she killed some senile Vulcan after he tried to resist her plan.

"…Go home and host your party, Jon," Elizabeth suddenly heard Chris say. "I'll stay here for a bit."

There was grumbling and Elizabeth was quiet as the door to the Brig slid open. She was very surprised, however, to see Chris followed into the room by a sharp looking Commander Spock.

"Miss Dehner, I have been informed of your unwillingness to contribute information at today's preliminary hearing," Spock stated as he stood before the forcefield with his hands behind his back.

Elizabeth sniffed, "That's right, I don't want to talk," she replied snobbishly. "I know what I did and my only regret is that Arianne didn't end up dying in the mess with everyone else; I hate her so much."

"May I ask a simple question of you, Miss Dehner?" Chris asked softly. "Why do you hate Arianne?"

Elizabeth snarled, "Simple," she replied crossly. "Arianne got Leonard McCoy to fall in love with her."

Chris suddenly looked as if Porthos had unexpectedly peed on his leg during one of Jon's many poker nights that were held for Academy staff, "You killed hundreds of innocent people and destroyed a building with a basic explosive all because you were rejected by a man? How immature are you?"

"Captain Pike," Spock interjected softly. "It is unproductive to verbalize frustration at Miss Dehner now."

Chris sighed and nodded, "I will be speaking to Starfleet Command and the Vulcan High Council about expediting your hearing, Miss Dehner," he replied in a more composed tone. "Goodbye for now."

Giving Elizabeth a death glare, Chris stormed out of the room with Spock at his heels, "Can you believe that nonsense?" she sniffed, gazing at the guard who barely spoke to her. "This is not justice at all."

Admiral Archer's house was large and well decorated, but Leonard took no notice of it and had instead replicated himself a cup of cocoa and had settled himself in a living room chair with a study PADD.

"Doctor McCoy, I am surprised at you," Jonathan said as he suddenly materialized on the transporter pad in his living room and saw Leonard reading instead of socializing. "Why aren't you mingling?"

Leonard shrugged, "Jim's not here and neither is Arianne," he replied, not taking his eyes off the PADD.

"I believe there are others here you can mingle with," Jonathan replied. "I hear talking in the kitchen."

Letting out a deep sigh, Leonard pocketed the PADD and picked up the cup, "I saw Finnegan, Sulu, Chekov, and Christine, but I'm not really friends with any of them," he stated, sighing again as he took a sip of the tea. "Besides, I'm not much of a party person; I used to get very, very drunk at parties…"

"Ah," Jonathan replied, suddenly understanding Leonard's behavior. "Have you talked with Doctor Piper about your feelings concerning parties where you're by yourself? Maybe he can help you with that."

Before Leonard could reply, the front door slid open and Lara Harriman, who hadn't bothered changing out of her medical uniform, came into the house, "I apologize for being late, but Professor Khan suddenly became ill and has to be in hospital for a few days. He sends his regrets at not being able to attend and discuss the upcoming training cruise like he promised to, but he'll be fine…"

"I'll call him later and see how he's feeling," Jonathan replied. "Most of the guests are in the kitchen."

Lara nodded and frowned when she saw Leonard sitting in the living room, "Doctor McCoy, are you all right?" she asked softly as she walked over to where he was sitting. "You're part of this party too."

"I'll wait until Jim and Arianne come to be a part of the party," Leonard replied, taking a sip of tea.

Jonathan sighed, "I believe Arianne went off campus for some personal time and I'm not sure where Jim went," he replied in a semi-irritated voice. "I don't have the energy to keep tabs on your friends."

Leonard sighed, "Maybe I'll go back to my dorm and do some reading," he replied, quickly standing up.

Jonathan suddenly looked concerned at that comment, "You're still officially on winter vacation, McCoy," he replied in a stern voice. "Winter vacation is a time for relaxing and socializing."

"I'm not good at either," Leonard replied as he set the cup on the coffee table. "Please excuse me."

Jonathan's eyes widened as Leonard silently left the house, "I'm sure he just needs space," Lara said in a reassuring voice as she smiled at Jonathan. "Now, why don't we go in the kitchen and enjoy the party?"

"You're right," Jonathan replied in a calm voice. "This is a time of celebrating bravery. Shall we?"

Golden Gate Park

The park was quiet and for that, Arianne was grateful. She had a lot on her mind and wasn't sure how to handle the information; how could she tell Leonard about it and how could she keep it confidential?

"Hey," a tired voice suddenly spoke, pulling Arianne from her thoughts. "Are you okay, Arianne?"

Arianne looked around and frowned when she saw Jim sitting up on a tree branch in his cadet reds with a bag over one shoulder, "Jim, what are you doing up in a tree?" she asked. "Why are you off campus?"

"I got a promotion to Ensign today," Jim replied tonelessly. "I went by my dorm and tried to contact Winona in Iowa to tell her, but the number had been disconnected. I then tried calling Sam's last known number and the number's also been disconnected; my family obviously doesn't give a crap about me."

Arianne sighed, "Did you at least tell Professor Guinan?" she asked softly. "I know she'd care."

"Professor Guinan's off on holiday," Jim replied tonelessly. "She left me an address, though."

Arianne nodded, "If it matters at all, Jim, I'm proud of you," she replied gently. "Wanna come down?"

"Of course it matters that you're proud of me," Jim replied as he jumped down from the tree. "It means a lot to me, actually. Bones was there when I was promoted, so I don't need to tell him about it again."

The mention of Leonard caused Arianne to let out a distressed sigh, "Jim, I'm not sure if I can handle being in a relationship right now," she explained softly, not looking at him. "Romance is hard for me."

"I thought Bones didn't care about your disabilities," Jim replied worriedly. "They aren't bad things."

Arianne sighed, "It's just been a long day," she said tiredly. "Why don't we go get some food?"

Before Jim could reply, Chris came walking over to them from a hovercab that he had gotten from the Academy, "I thought I'd find you both here," he said in a cheerful voice. "You always did like parks."

"I'm not in the best mood today, Captain Pike," Jim replied tonelessly as he gazed up at the tree.

Chris nodded and sighed patiently, "Admiral Archer's furious at both of you because he thinks you forgot about the preliminary hearing today," he explained gently. "I reassured him that…."

"I made crosses, I grieved, but I'm not testifying to anything," Jim interrupted. "I don't want to."

Again, Chris nodded, "You and Arianne may not have to," he replied. "However, I'll explain that later."

"Jim and I were just about to go to lunch somewhere, Dad," Arianne spoke up. "We're both hungry…"

There was a brief moment of silence and Arianne sighed, "Actually Dad, why don't you take Jim to lunch and I'll meet up with both of you later?" she asked, suddenly feeling uneasy. "I'd like to be alone."

Jim gave her a worried look, but Arianne stood firm and was relieved when her father gently placed a hand on Jim's shoulder, "Come on, Jim," Chris said in a gentle voice. "You need some fattening up."

"I do not," Jim replied softly, even though he was set to go with Chris. "Arianne, text me later, okay?"

Arianne nodded and was silent as Jim and her father walked to the cab, got inside, and took off.

"Lucas, what do you want?" Arianne asked as she turned towards the tree where Jim had sat only a few minutes earlier. "I know you wanted to talk to me alone; that's why I sent Jim off with my father."

Lucas Reed, who wasn't happy that Arianne had sent Jim off with Chris Pike, stepped out from behind the tree holding a phaser rifle, "Thanks to you and Kirk, the base at Alameda was closed," he replied in an annoyed voice as he powered up the phaser rifle. "I've been in hiding for the last little while and I've only come out because you got one of my old friends, Elizabeth Dehner, into legal trouble…"

"Elizabeth blew up the Cadet Center and killed a Vulcan," Arianne replied in an anxious voice, quickly realizing that the phaser rifle was set on high. "She was caught by an Academy staff member…"

Lucas scoffed and continued to aim the rifle at her, "All Vulcans are protected by diplomatic policies, so they would not serve as a good example to the rest of Starfleet as to why Section 31 should not be messed with," he hissed angrily. "Kirk thought he killed me, but I escaped with very minor injuries."

"What do you think you are doing with that weapon?" Spock, who had been leading his mother across the campus to acquire civilian transportation to the aquarium, asked as he approached the scene from behind Arianne, making sure that his mother was behind him. "Are you attempting an assassination?"

Lucas suddenly looked angrier, "Why yes, Professor Spock, I am," he replied. "I am going to kill her."

The next few minutes happened very fast; Spock charged at Lucas and Lucas fired off a shot at Arianne right before Spock knocked him to the ground. The shot grazed Arianne's chest only because she blocked Amanda and Arianne fell to the ground in shock about being shot. Spock grabbed the rifle and quickly pointed it at Lucas, who immediately raised his hands behind his heat in a show of defeat.

"You're bleeding," Amanda gasped anxiously as she knelt down to Arianne and saw blood pooling in the small phaser hole on Arianne's uniform jacket. "Spock, call for a medical shuttle right now!"

Spock grabbed Lucas by his wrists and held him tight, "My hands are unavailable at the moment, Mother," he said in a dark, almost infuriated voice. "Use Lieutenant Pike's communicator."

"Lady Amanda, please, I'm all right," Arianne weakly protested even though she was in great pain.

Amanda shook her head and grabbed Arianne's communicator out of her pocket, "You're not all right and even I can see that, Arianne," she replied as she clicked the communicator. "Starfleet Medical?"

As Amanda talked, Arianne suddenly felt the pain in her chest overwhelming her and she closed her eyes to block out the pain, "I hope Arianne dies quickly," she heard Lucas say as her world faded to black.

Starfleet Medical

Feeling better since Dr. Harriman had given him a room, pajamas, and IV medication to relieve his sudden illness, Professor Khan managed a small smile as Serij quietly entered his hospital room.

"How was the ceremony?" Professor Khan asked in a soft voice. "Is the Admirality upset with me?"

Serij shook his head as he neared Professor Khan's bedside, "They hope you will be healthy again soon," he replied as he sat on the visitor's stool. "I saw Doctor McCoy on my way in, but he ignored me."

"Doctor McCoy?" Professor Khan asked worriedly. "Did…did he notice that I was a patient…?"

Serij nodded, "He knows, but I believe Doctor McCoy is in what humans would call a bad mood," he replied in as toneless a voice as he could manage. "I do not understand why he would be in a bad mood after receiving a commendation and a promotion to the rank of Ensign for his heroics in December."

Professor Khan sighed and reached for the stylus that had been put on the bedside table, "Perhaps I will put together a letter and send it to the good doctor," he said in a tired voice. "Oh, I am very tired."

"Professor, perhaps you should rest for a time before you attempt to engage in any work?" Serij suggested, knowing that he didn't have the authority to order Professor Khan to get some rest.

The door suddenly slid open and Leonard poked his head in, "Hello Professor Khan," Leonard said in a respectful voice as he stood at attention. "I'm just doing rounds and I'm wondering how you are?"

"I am very tired," Professor Khan replied softly. "Unfortunately, I also have a lot of work to do."

Leonard nodded and immediately scowled, "I know I'm not your doctor, Professor, but maybe you ought to put that stylus away and get some sleep," he said in a firm voice. "Sleep helps the body recover."

"Perhaps you are right," Professor Khan replied as he set the stylus back on the table. "You seem like a very intelligent young man and I cannot help but wonder why you chose to come to Starfleet?"

Leonard shrugged, "It seemed like a good fit," he replied softly. "Please get some rest now."

Suddenly, loud alarms could be heard echoing throughout the facility, "Doctor McCoy to Trauma Room One," a voice over the intercom suddenly spoke. "Doctor McCoy to Trauma Room One immediately…"

As Leonard ran off down the hall, Professor Khan looked at Serij, "Follow him," he replied, his deep instincts telling him that something wasn't right. "Find out what is happening and then come back."

Serij nodded and quickly left the room. Professor Khan sighed and lay back on his pillow to relax.

Leonard hurried into the trauma room and was immediately shocked to see Arianne lying on an upright gurney with oxygen tubes in her nose and exhaustion in her eyes. He frowned when he saw that her cadet shirt was cut open down the middle and a large bloodstained dressing was covering a spot on her chest in the middle of the scars where her breasts used to be before she lost them to cancer.

"What happened?" Leonard asked in a concerned voice as he snapped a pair of rubber gloves on his hands so that he could examine the injury without causing any possible infection to Arianne.

Before Arianne could reply, Amanda came over to the gurney, "She was shot by a young man near the edge of the Academy campus," Amanda explained in a soft voice. "My son apprehended the young man and is over at Starfleet Security right now, but I am going to stay right here with Lieutenant Pike."

"Right, well you can wait over by the door," Leonard replied as he peeled the dressing off and examined the injury with his gloved hands. "It looks a lot worse than it is; the scar tissue was just punctured."

Arianne nodded and sighed, "Just patch me up so I can get out of here," she replied softly, deeply relieved that she had convinced her father to take Jim to lunch so neither of them ended up suffering an injury because Lucas Reed had clearly gone insane. "It's been a very long and very hard day already."

"Whatever you say, Lieutenant Pike," Leonard replied gently. "Congratulations, by the way."

Amanda smiled at Arianne as Leonard gathered the supplies to treat the wound, "Are you sure you don't want me to contact your father?" Amanda asked in a worried voice. "He has the right to know…"

"No, I'll let him know later," Arianne replied softly as Leonard began to clean the wound with several dressings that were soaked with antiseptic wash. "So, how did it go for you at the ceremony today?"

Leonard sighed, "I was promoted to Ensign and given a commendation," he replied softly as he finished cleaning all the blood away from the wound, leaving small holes in the scar tissue. "It doesn't look too bad, actually. I'll put some cream on the wounds and bandage them up. You'll be just fine, Arianne."

"It was a lunatic from Section 31 who shot me," Arianne explained softly. "He was Elizabeth's friend."

The mention of Elizabeth caused Leonard to cringe, but he said nothing about her as he put some cream over the wounds and covered them with tiny bandages, "I think the shock more than the injury caused me a lot of pain," Arianne spoke softly. "Could I possibly get a clean shirt? My uniform shirt is ruined."

Leonard nodded and swiftly removed his medical shirt, leaving him only with a black undershirt, "It might be a little big on you, but it's better than nothing," he said gently. "You're free to go."

Arianne nodded and Leonard swiftly left the room to give her privacy, "Let me help you," Amanda said as she came back over to the bed and helped Arianne get the old shirt off and put Leonard's shirt on.

The two of them sat in silence for a moment and then Amanda smiled, "Leonard McCoy seems like quite a gentleman," she commented, seeing that Leonard was lingering out in the hall with his back to them.

"He is," Arianne replied softly, suddenly feeling nothing but love for Leonard. "I'm very scared of that."

Amanda sighed, "Arianne, if you care for Leonard so deeply, why don't you tell him?" she asked in a motherly tone as she gazed at the young woman whom she considered a daughter. "I could…"

"Lady Amanda, I'm very different than what Leonard needs in a woman," Arianne replied softly, unaware that Leonard had come back into the room. "He needs someone whole and normal…"

Leonard cleared his throat, "I already had that and it was taken," he replied softly as he approached her.

"I think you two need some time alone," Amanda cut in as she moved towards the door. "Excuse me."

As Amanda left the room, Leonard and Arianne stared at each other; both were unsure of what to say.

"…Section 31," Professor Khan breathed in an anxious voice as he lay helpless in his hospital bed, processing everything that Serij had overheard and told him. "Lucas Reed is behind the shooting."

Serij remained silent as Professor Khan picked up his stylus and made some notes, "I will arrange for Lucas Reed to be dealt with later, but I must now prepare things for the training cruise that will be taking place next month," Professor Khan explained tiredly. "I would like you to arrange for…"

Professor Khan suddenly broke out into an anxious coughing fit and within seconds, Leonard hurried into the room having just promised Arianne a quiet dinner later that evening, "I heard the alarm go off for your room, Professor," Leonard explained as he hurried over to the bed. "Have you rested yet?"

"Serij, would you leave us?" Professor Khan, who had decided to tell Leonard the truth about Jocelyn before the mere guilt of it made him feel any worse than he did. "I need to talk to Doctor McCoy."

Serij nodded and silently left the room, "Sit down, Doctor McCoy," Professor Khan said in a soft, almost anxious voice as he gazed up at the doctor. "I have some rather disturbing things to tell you."

Frowning, as he was wondering if Professor Khan had lost his mind, Leonard quietly sat on the stool.

A vibrating sound prompted Arianne to look up from the PADD she was reading and she immediately saw that the chronometer above the door read 1800; the vibrating sounded again and Arianne picked up her personal PADD. She found that Leonard had sent her a message and she clicked on it.

Arianne, I won't be able to make dinner tonight. Professor Khan and I had a long talk today and I just need some time to myself to process things. I kicked Jim out of the dorm so I could have quiet…

Bzzz.

"Come in, Jim," Arianne spoke, relieved that she was alone because Christine had gone off campus to resume her vacation after the awards ceremony. The door slid open and Jim walked into the dorm.

Arianne smiled and sat up, "Bones kicked me out because he wanted a quiet evening," Jim explained as he took a seat at the table and looked at her. "I'm gonna stay with Mitchell tonight if Bones isn't done using the dorm for his own private think tank by midnight or maybe I'll go sleep on the grass…"

"Jim, let's have some dinner," Arianne replied as she got to her feet. "I'm super hungry since I missed having lunch with you and my dad today."

Jim sighed, "I knew Lucas was behind that tree," he replied as Arianne walked over to the dorm replicator. "Thank you for protecting me."

"You're welcome," Arianne replied softly as she stood at the replicator. "Two baskets of chicken fingers; these things only make snacks."

As the items materialized, Arianne winced, "Hey, you okay?" Jim asked as he hurried over to Arianne. "Why don't you sit down?"

"Lucas shot me," Arianne replied softly as she sat at the dorm table and Jim gathered the food. "Because Elizabeth was his friend…"

Jim nodded and set the baskets down on the table, "This is why I will always consider you, Bones, and Chris family more than Sam and Winona," he replied as he sat down across from her. "You got me to safety even though you knew you'd get hurt. Thank you for caring about me."

Arianne nodded and gently patted Jim's hand, "You're welcome," she replied as she picked up a chicken strip and ate it. "It's not hard to care about you and others who make my life feel complete."