May 2257

Atlanta Medical Center - Atlanta, Georgia – 1100 H

"Jim, you're not supposed to be out of bed," Arianne said in a concerned voice as she entered the room and saw that Jim was sitting in a chair beside the window with a PADD in hand and his glasses on.

Jim scoffed and promptly coughed, "I didn't pull the IV's out," he replied tiredly, holding up his left arm that was laden with IV lines that were attached to bags on a nearby stand. "I've been here for nearly a week and I'm bored, so I got Captain Pike to email me some stuff on the summer classes I have to take."

Arianne sighed; after her father had proctored hers, Jim's, and Leonard's exams, he had taken Leonard and Eleanor out to the McCoy homestead outside of the city, fixed Eleanor's car at no charge, and then had been suddenly summoned back to the Academy to assist in planning for the summer semester.

"I'm guessing Leonard hasn't contacted you either, Jim?" Arianne asked softly, immediately wondering if Jim's irritability was caused because Leonard hadn't been able to contact either of them in a while.

Jim sighed and promptly coughed, "His mom called here last night and told me that Bones got everything squared away with the lawyers and it wore him out," he explained weakly as he saved the file he was reading and looked up at Arianne. "I just wanna go for a walk so bad all of a sudden, you know?"

Arianne nodded and walked over to the wheelchair that was parked near the closet, "I'll be your chauffeur if you want," she replied as she wheeled the chair over to him. "Doctor's orders, remember?"

"All right," Jim said in a tired voice as he put the PADD on the windowsill and slowly got to his feet using the IV pole for support so he could get into the wheelchair. "I wonder when I'll get out of here."

Arianne chuckled as she moved the IV bags from the pole to the attachment on the wheelchair and covered Jim's legs with a blanket from the bed. "You've still got a fever and a bad cough, so I think it'll be a few days at least, but Sam's your doctor," she replied in an amused voice. "Why not ask him?"

"Maybe," Jim said in a tired voice as he slouched in the chair. "Do we have to go anywhere?"

Arianne sighed and sat on the end of the bed, "Not if you don't want to," she replied gently.

Jim nodded and broke into a coughing fit just as the door opened, "Jim, I thought I said it was better for your body if you stayed in bed," Sam commented as he came into the room holding a chart in one hand and a small box in the other. "At least you're sitting in the wheelchair instead of on the windowsill…"

"Don't boss me around," Jim replied darkly, his calm demeanor quickly disappearing. "I'll leave."

Sam suddenly looked alarmed, "Look, Jim, I'll be blunt," he said in a professional voice. "I'm tempted to make you go stay in the psych ward because I'm alarmed by your behavior every time I try to talk to you, but I'm not that heartless. I do, however, want you to go attend counseling before I discharge you."

Jim scoffed, but said nothing, "I booked you to see this new counselor we have working for the hospital and I think she can help you," Sam continued as he offered Jim the chart. "Her card's on the chart."

Since Jim quickly looked away from the chart, Arianne peered at it and saw that the card was white with a small amount of print on it; the name on the card was Amanda Grayson, Inter-Planetary Counselor.

"Jim, do you remember when we were at that school in Des Moines?" Arianne asked as she pointed to the card, indicating that she wanted him to look at it. "Our headmistress for the first year?"

Sam was quiet as Jim peered at the card, "Wow," Jim whispered, peering at Amanda's name. "Wow."

"Now, Amanda usually does counseling through the vid-feed because she lives on Vulcan and can't always get here to speak to patients personally," Sam explained gently. "However, she's on Earth right now because her husband's the Vulcan Ambassador to Earth, so she's coming by to see you."

Jim nodded and handed the chart back, "When's she coming?" he asked, struggling not to cough.

"Tomorrow," Sam replied, tucking the chart under his arm. "You need to take a nap right now, I think. If you're good and stay in bed for the rest of the afternoon, I might let you have a shower this evening."

Too tired to argue, Jim nodded, "Oh, Miss Pike, I was wondering if you could do me a favor?" Sam asked as he offered the box to Arianne. "Mrs. McCoy called and said that she had ordered some supplies from the city, but her car got a flat tire as she was trying to come in. Could you take this out to her home?"

"Sure," Arianne replied as she took the box from Sam. "I don't know the way out to the McCoy's…"

Sam smiled, "Captain Pike had to go out there last week, so maybe the co-ordinates are still in the GPS of that rental car of yours," he replied as he set the chart on the counter. "Jim, do you want any help?"

"No," Jim replied frostily, coughing as he slowly stood up and shuffled back to the hospital bed.

Arianne immediately set the box on the edge of the bed, "Jim, please don't be so stubborn," she said in an anxious voice, not liking how pale and tired Jim looked. "How long has it been since you've slept?"

"How'd you know?" Jim asked in a confused voice as he sat on the bed and looked at her tiredly.

Arianne sighed, "It's easy to tell when you send me barely readable emails and odd phone messages at two in the morning," she replied in a concerned voice as she walked closer to him. "I've been alone in Atlanta for several days now and if you don't quit being stubborn and start letting Sam look after you, I'll tell Captain Pike and recommend that you not be allowed back in any classes until September."

"You're so much like Captain Pike, it's scary," Jim commented in a tired voice. "Thank you for caring."

Arianne nodded, "Now, Doctor Kirk, see to your patient," she said, giving Sam a look as she grabbed the box and moved over to the door. "Jim, please try to behave yourself, okay? You're like my brother…"

"Okay," Jim replied in a pleasanter voice as he rested his head on his pillow. "I'll get better."

Ignoring the slightly crestfallen expression on Sam's face, Arianne silently left the hospital room.

Pain seared through Arianne's body as she turned off the road on to the McCoy homestead and she immediately parked the car so she wouldn't crash. She had been taking her progesterone pills regularly for the last several months and so far, she hadn't had any problems; however, now, with all the stress…

Swallowing hard, Arianne shut the car off, took the keys out of the ignition, put them in her pocket, and grabbed the box of supplies from the passenger seat, and placed it on her lap. She slowly got out of the car and, closing the door, she slowly made her way down the road towards the McCoy's homestead.

When I get back to the hotel, I've got to phone Starfleet Medical and schedule an exam. Arianne silently thought as she suddenly saw a large Southern looking farmhouse up ahead that had a large stable and fenced in area next to it. There was a rickety looking station wagon parked in front of the front porch.

Taking a deep breath, Arianne made her way up to the front porch and knocked on the door. There was silence and then footsteps. A moment later, Eleanora came to the door in a dress and an apron.

"Hello ma'am," Arianne said in a gentle voice. "Doctor Kirk sent me here with some supplies…"

Eleanora nodded and opened the door, "Come in," she said in a gentle Southern accent. "Tea?"

"Oh no, I really can't stay," Arianne replied nervously, not wanting to let anyone know she was hurting.

Eleanora scoffed, "Leonard and I could both use the company," she said in a gentle voice as she gently took the box with one hand and then took Arianne's hand with the other. "Leonard, we have company."

Arianne sighed as Eleanora escorted her into the den where Leonard was resting on the couch in sweats, slippers, and a sweatshirt with a pillow behind his back and a book in his hand, "Len, you've got a guest," Eleanora said in a gentle voice as Leonard smiled at Arianne. "I'll get you some lunch, all right Arianne?"

"How are you feeling, Leonard?" Arianne asked gently as Eleanora left the room. "Getting lots of rest?"

Leonard sighed and set the book on the coffee table, "I might be well enough to go back to San Francisco next week and start the summer semester late," he replied in a pleasant voice. "Could you pass me that stylus on the far end of the coffee table, please? I'm supposed to get my grades today."

Arianne nodded, picked up the stylus, and handed it to Leonard, "Thank you," Leonard replied as he tapped various buttons on the stylus and sighed. "Well, I passed all the written exams, but I've also got a notice saying that I have to take my MedSim Exam on campus when I go back to San Francisco."

Before Arianne could reply, her communicator buzzed, "Excuse me a moment," she said as she walked out of the sitting room and into the foyer before taking her communicator out of her pocket. "Yes?"

"Lieutenant Pike, please access a vid-phone and state your name for a call," an automated voice said.

Swallowing hard, Arianne returned to the den, "Do you have a vid-phone I can use?" she asked in a nervous voice as she looked at Leonard. "This automated message said I need a vid-phone."

Leonard nodded and gestured over to the wall near the fireplace where a communications terminal was installed, "My mama had that installed when I was a kid in case of emergencies," he explained gently.

Arianne nodded, walked over to the terminal, and punched in her identifying information, "Incoming call from Starfleet Academy, San Francisco," a voice said. "The caller is Commander John Harriman."

As Commander Harriman's face appeared on the screen, Arianne frowned, "Ah, Lieutenant Pike, how's Georgia treating you?" Commander Harriman said in a professional voice. "You're looking well enough."

"Commander Harriman, what's happened?" Arianne asked in a worried voice. "Why did you call?"

Commander Harriman sighed, "Your father and Cadet Chekov were attacked in downtown San Francisco yesterday afternoon," he explained in a somber voice. "Cadet Chekov's missing and your father received minor injuries in his unsuccessful attempt to keep the attacker from taking Cadet Chekov…"

Tears filled Arianne's eyes and she put a hand over her mouth in horror, "I'll get Lieutenant Pike back to San Francisco on the next available shuttle," Leonard said in a calming voice as he came up behind her.

"Ensign McCoy, how are you feeling?" Commander Harriman asked, giving Leonard a pleasant look.

Leonard sighed, "A lot better," he replied in a gentle voice as he put an arm around Arianne.

"Leonard, you should stay in Georgia and look after Jim," Arianne said in an anxious voice as she pulled away and focused on Commander Harriman. "Commander, I'll find a shuttle back there today."

Commander Harriman looked concerned, but nodded and the screen went black, "I've got to go back to the hotel and pack my things," Arianne said in an anxious voice as she moved past him. "See you later."

Arianne hurried into the foyer before Leonard could protest, "I'm sorry, Mrs. McCoy, I've got to go," he heard Arianne tell his mother in a distressed voice. "Thank you for your kindness and hospitality."

As the front door opened and closed, Eleanora came into the sitting room with a confused look on her face, "Leonard, what just happened?" she asked in a worried voice. "Why did Arianne leave in tears?"

"Sit down with me for a minute, Mama," Leonard replied softly. "I'll explain everything that I know."

Atlanta Medical Center – 1400 H

Jim's communicator sat nestled in his folded pajamas that were on the chair by the window and it began to flash silently, indicating that he had a message. Jim, however, was sound asleep in bed with his back to the window and one hand resting limply near the bed controls with a clip on his index finger.

The door opened and Sam came into the room holding Jim's duffel bag; he had used his lunch hour to take Jim's stuff to the nearest Laundromat and he also took Jim's uniform in for special dry cleaning. He set the bag in the chair next to the pajamas and noticed the blinking communicator, but didn't take it.

Sam's eyes wandered to the portable tray where a bowl of soup and a glass of juice sat untouched, "Jim, why on earth did you not eat your lunch?" he said in a quiet, but very exasperated voice. "Seriously."

"…Gotta save something for later," Jim replied sleepily even though he didn't wake. "Food…scarce."

Sam looked both confused and concerned at that comment and he quietly walked over to the small stylus that was still sitting on the windowsill. Checking to make sure that Jim was still asleep, Sam picked the stylus up, accessed the universal search engine, and quickly typed in 'James Tiberius Kirk.'

Almost instantly, hundreds of articles littered the screen, all of them referring to the massacre of Tarsus IV in one way or another and also referring to several individuals, including Jim, who had survived it.

"Oh, no," Sam whispered in a horrified voice as he set the stylus back on the windowsill. "Oh, James."

Jim suddenly stirred, but didn't wake and Sam quietly left the room to make a private phone call.

Starfleet Medical – San Francisco, California – 1430 H

"Captain Pike, you have a visitor," an automated voice spoke over the small intercom that was just beside the bed where Chris was resting in a semi-sitting position to ease the pain from his broken ribs. A fluffy pillow also was underneath his ankle that had been fractured while trying to protect Pavel. His eyes and face were slightly burnt from the mace that Pavel's kidnapper had used to make a getaway.

Chris sighed and, ignoring the pain in his healing ribs and fractured ankle, he pressed the button beside the intercom, "Let them in," he replied tiredly as he rested his other hand, which contained a drip-line, on the chest of the t-shirt he was wearing since he adamantly refused to wear a hospital gown. Dr. Puri had relented only after securing a promise from Chris that he wouldn't use the bathroom unsupervised.

There was silence and then Arianne walked into the room with a young man who was wearing a cadet uniform, but also had a phaser on his belt. Arianne gasped at the sight of her father and Chris smiled.

"Let me guess, Commander Harriman commed you even after I told him I'd be okay?" Chris commented as Arianne and the cadet walked over to the bed. "That will be all, Cadet Hendorff; thank you."

Cadet Hendorff nodded and swiftly left the room, "I told Leonard I was leaving and I tried to contact Jim from the spaceport, but he didn't answer," Arianne explained worriedly. "I visited Jim this morning and yelled at him because he's so high strung about letting Sam take care of him; I hope it made an impact."

"You're one of the few people that Jim listens to," Chris replied in an amused voice. "I'm sure it did."

Arianne nodded and then sighed, "Any leads on what happened to Pavel?" she asked somberly.

"Starfleet Security is executing a nationwide search," Chris replied in a tired voice, knowing that Arianne was one of the very few people that Pavel actually trusted. "Pavel's passport is in my custody, so it's unlikely, but not impossible that his captor could leave the States with him. I have my suspicions…"

Arianne let out a distressed sigh, "When I first met Pavel, he seemed very afraid of his father," she said in a cautious voice as she leaned on the support rail of the bed. "Do you think his father might have…?"

"When I found Pavel in Russia last year, I immediately filed to serve as his legal guardian and have power of attorney over him until he was 18," Chris replied softly. "Because of Pavel's history, his father's lengthy record, and my history in Starfleet, both petitions were immediately granted and legalized. I'm not sure whether or not Andrei Chekov found that out; all he knows is that Pavel escaped the abuse…"

Arianne nodded, "There's not much you or I can do about the situation right now, as Commander Spock has already dispatched himself to assist with the nationwide search," Chris stated softly. "You can, however, take some time to talk with Cadet Sulu. He's Pavel's roommate and current best friend."

"Right," Arianne replied as she noticed her father yawn and wince. "Dad, maybe you should rest."

Chris scoffed, "Arianne, I'm not required to stay here overnight," he replied in an amused voice. "I'm allowed to go home as long as I'm accompanied by a responsible adult, which you definitely are."

"Dad, just rest for a little while, okay?" Arianne asked firmly. "I'll take you home after dinner."

Chris sighed, "Fine, I'll rest for you," he replied in a tired voice. "I actually could use a little bit of a rest."

"I'm going to see if I can find Hikaru," Arianne said in a gentle voice. "Maybe I can calm him down a bit."

Nodding, Chris closed his eyes and Arianne silently left the room, "Hendorff, do you know the current location of Cadet Sulu?" Arianne asked in a commanding voice as she looked at Cadet Hendorff.

"I do not, but I have an idea of where he might be," Cadet Hendorff replied. "Try the fitness complex."

Arianne nodded and silently walked down the hallway towards the exit doors to try and find Hikaru.

Atlanta Medical Center – 1630 H

"…How's Jim doing, Sam?" Jim heard Leonard's concerned voice ask. "…Something's come up…"

Jim forced his eyes open and saw Leonard, who was dressed in his cadet uniform and holding his bag over his arm, and Sam standing near the door, "Bones?" he asked groggily. "Where are we going?"

"You're not going anywhere, Jim," Leonard replied in a concerned voice as he walked over to Jim's bedside. "Captain Pike was attacked and Cadet Chekov was kidnapped; I'm needed at the Academy to take my MedSim final and also start working since Doctor Puri went with the search team…"

Jim's eyes widened and, coughing, he clung to Leonard, "Don't leave me here alone, Bones," he whimpered in a pained voice as he cringed. "He'll tell Winona and Frank and then I'm screwed…"

"Frank's dead, Jim," Sam spoke up in a somber voice. "He killed himself by alcohol poisoning six months ago."

Jim paled slightly, but said nothing, "Winona told me that when I called her earlier to ask why she would send you to Tarsus and leave you to die during that famine," Sam continued in a shocked voice. "We had a little chat and Winona cut the call; she claimed that she had to go get ready for a space assignment…"

"Bones, I want to go home," Jim finally said in a pained voice as he lay back on his pillow. "Right now."

Leonard sighed and looked at Sam for help in how to handle Jim, "Jim, you wouldn't be able to handle any changes in altitude right now with the way you're feeling," Sam explained as he walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge of it facing Jim. "You've got double bacterial pneumonia and still need about five days worth of antibiotic treatments before you'll be well enough to leave the hospital. After that, you'll need another week's worth of antibiotics, supervised rest, and care from a responsible adult."

"Arianne wouldn't make me stay here," Jim argued weakly. "Bones, comm her room at the hotel…"

Sam sighed, "You got a message from Arianne on your communicator and I listened to it," he explained.

Jim scowled, "You had no right to listen to my messages!" he shouted, suddenly breaking off in coughs so severe that he hugged himself to try and relieve the pain in his chest. "Ow, help me; it hurts…"

Swallowing hard, Sam scooted up the bed and gently reached for Jim, but Jim shook his head, "Bones, don't leave!" he whined, continuing to cough as Leonard slowly edged towards the door.

"Doctor McCoy, Jim's fever is spiking and I doubt he knows much of what he's saying or doing," Sam replied in an anxious voice as he placed one hand on Jim's forehead and the other on a nurse's call button. "I'll contact you when I've stabilized him and he's in a comfortable sleep. Get going."

Even though Leonard didn't want to leave, he nodded and silently left the room as two nurses carrying small medicine bags hurried past him and over to where Sam was now holding Jim. Leonard watched as Sam and the nurses talked quietly for a few minutes before one of the nurses handed Sam a syringe.

"Sam, no drugs," Leonard heard Jim whimper as Sam injected the syringe into one of the IV lines.

Leonard turned away as Jim suddenly fell asleep in Sam's arms and with a heavy heart, he walked away.

Starfleet Academy Fitness Complex – 1700 H

Arianne entered the gym and saw Hikaru, clad only in sweatpants and a gym shirt, punching the daylights out of a punching bag in the corner while a nervous looking Finnegan held it steady. Mitchell was on a nearby stepper, but he wasn't moving; his eyes were fixed on the distress in Hikaru's face.

"Hikaru?" Arianne asked in a concerned voice. "Hikaru, Captain Pike sent me to talk to you."

Hikaru slowly stopped punching the bag and lowered his fists, "Pavel's missing," he replied somberly.

"I know," Arianne said in a gentle voice as she walked over to him. "People are searching for Pavel as we speak, Hikaru, so why don't we all go get something to eat? Or you can go talk to Doctor Harriman…"

Hikaru sighed and leaned against the bag, "I ate before I came here," he replied tiredly. "I need rest."

"Mitchell, Finnegan, take Hikaru back to his dorm and stay there until I tell you otherwise," Arianne stated in a commanding voice as she stepped away from Hikaru. "Make sure he gets some rest."

Mitchell immediately got off the stepper and walked over to Hikaru, "Yes ma'am," he replied obediently.

Arianne silently watched as Finnegan and Mitchell gently took hold of Hikaru and escorted him out of the gym in silence. She then left the workout area and found herself walking towards one of the many yoga classrooms within the facility. Everything inside of her hurt and she needed to meditate badly.

Letting out a tired sigh, Arianne sank down on the pile of mats in the corner of the room and leaned forward, clutching her lower abdomen that hadn't stopped hurting since she left Georgia. She then lay back on the mats, trying to make herself comfortable. What she needed now was a good rest.

Academy Shuttleport – 1900 H

Even though the sun was setting, Arianne spotted a shuttle landing in one of the shuttle bays as she drove the cart she rented to take her father and his crutches back to the houses for Command officers down one of the paths coming from Starfleet Medical. In the passenger's seat, Chris sat upright with a seatbelt holding him in the cart while he held tight to his crutches. Neither of them felt like talking.

"Arianne, could you please drive over to the shuttlebay?" Chris asked in a tired voice. "Perhaps one of the rescue teams have returned with news about Cadet Chekov. I'm really hoping that Pavel's all right."

Arianne nodded, turned the cart on to the path leading to the shuttlebay, and drove towards the large building with the same hope in mind. As they approached the building, however, the doors opened and a tired looking Leonard came out with Cadet Scott, who was holding Leonard's bag over one shoulder.

"Ensign McCoy?" Chris asked, seeing the tiredness in Leonard's eyes. "What are you doing here?"

Leonard sighed tiredly, "I got a notice from Academy Command that I'm supposed to do my MedSim Exam very soon and also do shifts at Starfleet Medical because Puri joined the search party looking for Cadet Chekov," he explained in a tired voice. "I got a shuttle from Atlanta as quickly as I could."

"Is Ensign Kirk with you?" Chris asked in a concerned voice. "Cadet Scott, what are you doing…?"

Cadet Scott sighed, "Aye was taking a shift for some experience," he replied in a worried voice.

Chris nodded, "Ensign McCoy, you should know that I spoke with Academy Command and, due to the situation with Cadet Chekov, we've decided that summer term will run from June until August instead of from May," he explained in a firm voice. "I'm assuming that Ensign Kirk is still in Atlanta?"

"Doctor Kirk said that Jim will need about three more weeks' worth of antibiotic treatments before he's well enough to travel," Leonard replied in a distressed voice. "I didn't want to leave, but Doctor Kirk ordered me to go with the promise that he'd take care of Jim. Captain Pike, shouldn't you be in bed?"

Chris scoffed, "Contrary to popular belief, Ensign McCoy, I am not a helpless old man," he replied in an unamused voice, frowning as Leonard whispered to Cadet Scott and then came closer to the cart.

"As a qualified MD, Captain Pike, I think you should be either at Starfleet Medical or at home resting," Leonard stated in a commanding voice. "I heard you were injured trying to protect Cadet Chekov…"

Nodding, Chris scowled as Leonard took his bag from Cadet Scott and got into the back of the cart, "I'll just accompany you back to your house to make sure you behave," Leonard said in a tired voice.

"All right, Doctor McCoy," Arianne spoke up before her father could object. "I'll get us there soon."

Cadet Scott fought the urge to laugh as Arianne drove the cart off towards the Command houses.

Captain Pike's Residence – 2000 H

"Comfortable?" Arianne asked, smiling as she placed a large cup of Vulcan spice tea in her father's hands as he lay on the couch with a pillow behind his back and his casted ankle propped up on another pillow.

Chris sighed and took a sip of the tea, "I have to commend Doctor McCoy for slipping a sedative into my tea without me noticing," he replied as he suddenly began to feel tired. "I'm guessing it was your idea?"

"I'm a Starfleet Counselor and my responsibility is to help see to the mental and emotional well-being of anyone within the Fleet," Arianne replied in a calming voice. "I made a recommendation to Doctor McCoy based on what happened today and he saw fit to ensure that you have a proper rest, Dad."

Chris nodded and quickly passed the cup to Arianne so he wouldn't drop it, "I'm grateful that you care so much about me, you darling child," he said in a tired voice. "I need a promise from you, however…"

"Of course," Arianne replied gently as she crouched beside her father. "What's the promise?"

Chris sighed as he looked up at Arianne, "If Cadet Chekov is found alive, I want you to take him on as a patient and help him through whatever trauma his father will have caused," he stated tiredly. "You can seek the assistance of Cadet McCoy and Cadet Kirk if you want, but Pavel trusts you implicitly…"

"I'm not sure how that's possible," Arianne replied softly. "I haven't spent a lot of time with Pavel."

Chris smiled, "Pavel told me he trusts you," he explained in a sleepy voice. "Will you promise me…?"

"Yes, I'll take Pavel on as a patient when he is found," Arianne replied softly, noticing that her father was about ready to fall asleep because of the fast-acting sedative. "Now go to sleep for a while, okay Dad?"

As Chris allowed his eyes to close, the door chime sounded and Arianne got up. She walked over to the door and when she opened it, she was surprised to see Admiral Archer standing on the step in full uniform with a stylus in one hand and a dog leash, which was attached to Porthos, in the other.

"Admiral Archer, my father's sleeping and will not be disturbed," Arianne spoke before Admiral Archer could even open his mouth. "He's quite exhausted from what happened today with Cadet Chekov…"

Admiral Archer sighed, "I know," he replied in a tired voice as he held out the stylus. "Commander Spock just contacted me and said that the search for Cadet Chekov has been widened to include international Starfleet organizations as well as settlements within the Sol System. From what they've been able to find out, Andrei Chekov is attempting to secure transportation off-planet with Pavel in tow…"

"Nobody declared mentally unstable can access any sort of off-planet transportation without authorization from Starfleet," Arianne said in a confused voice. "How was Andrei able to get a shuttle?"

Admiral Archer shook his head just as Leonard came into the living room holding a cup of tea, "Andrei attempted to get a shuttle at the Montana space port and was denied access because his record was flagged," he explained in a somber voice. "Commander Spock and Starfleet Security caught up to Andrei and Pavel there, but Andrei set off some sort of detonator that allowed him to escape with Pavel."

"So, as far as anyone knows, Andrei and Pavel are still in the States?" Arianne asked, a sudden thought coming to her mind. "Jim's still in Atlanta, Admiral; should I tell Sam to bring him and Eleanora out…?"

Admiral Archer shook his head, "Doctor Sam Kirk contacted Command hours ago to tell us that Cadet Kirk would be in Atlanta until next month and I already sent a detachment of Starfleet Security to the hospital and also out to Eleanora McCoy's residence," he replied, noticing Leonard's worried look. "That was the last update as of 1800 H; I haven't heard from Spock, Puri, or any of the Security officers since then."

"Thanks for the update, Admiral Archer," Arianne said tiredly. "I'll tell my father when he wakes up."

Admiral Archer nodded, "Goodnight, Lieutenant Pike, Doctor McCoy," he said in a tired voice, feeling like he might be interrupting time that Arianne and Leonard were spending together. "Oh, Doctor McCoy, would you mind taking Porthos for a walk tomorrow morning before you go on duty? I've got to get up extra early for a meeting with Academy Command about the upcoming summer semester."

"Of course not, Admiral," Leonard replied obediently even though he wasn't fond of dogs.

Smiling, Admiral Archer moved down the steps and Porthos followed obediently, "Good night," he said in a cheerful voice as he walked off towards his own dwelling with Porthos working hard to keep up.

"Well, I suppose I've got to get going back to my dorm," Leonard replied in an unamused voice. "I know for a fact that Admiral Archer takes his dog for a walk at 0700 and I want to be rested when I take him."

Arianne nodded and gently gave Leonard a hug and a kiss on the cheek, "Goodnight," she replied in a calm voice as she saw him to the door. "I'll stay here with my dad in case he needs anything tonight."

"That sedative will keep Captain Pike asleep all night, so if you're going to stay, you'd better get some rest of your own," Leonard said in a no-nonsense voice as he walked down the steps. "Good night."

Arianne sighed, closed and locked the door, and quietly retreated to the corner of the kitchen where the replicator was, "Vulcan spice tea," she said in a tired voice, smiling as it immediately appeared.

Letting out a sigh, Arianne picked up the cup and sat down in one of the chairs at the kitchen table to relax a bit before turning in early. She slowly sipped the tea in an effort to block out the intense pain.

Once the tea was gone, Arianne pushed the cup forward a bit and laid her head down on the counter.

14 Days Later – Academy Gardens

For the first time in a while, the Academy campus was quiet and scarcely filled; most cadets had taken advantage of the sudden break between semesters and were off on small shore leaves all over the world while only Academy Command, select members of Starfleet Command, and senior officers remained.

"I'll be happy when I can get off these crutches," Chris commented, smiling as he hobbled alongside Arianne and watched her drop seeds in a small section of dirt-filled planter boxes that she had created several years ago in memory of Dr. Boyce and all those who had perished in the earthquake of 2253.

Arianne nodded as she continued dropping seeds into the open spaces of dirt, "At least your eyes and ribs are doing better," she replied in a gentle voice, putting the last of the seeds into the last planter. "I didn't think anyone really still carried mace around with them since there's so many other ways to…"

"Some of the countries in the world who are not so friendly with Starfleet yet may resort to primitive methods of attack and defense," Chris explained as an exhausted looking Leonard suddenly came into view wearing his blue Medical uniform and holding a medkit in his hand. "Hello there, Doctor McCoy."

Before Leonard could reply, the normally dormant transporter that sat in the middle of the gardens for emergencies suddenly came to life, "What the heck?" Arianne asked in a shocked voice as she hurried over to the transporter. "Dad, there are three lifeforms awaiting transport from an unknown location."

"What?!" Chris replied in a shocked voice. "Initiate transport immediately; it could be a search team with news…"

Arianne nodded, "Energizing," she replied as she anxiously worked the transporter controls.

Almost immediately, Dr. Puri and Spock materialized on the transporter pad with a very frail, badly beaten, poorly dressed Pavel between them and leaning heavily on both of them. Before anyone could speak, Pavel screamed in agony and promptly collapsed to the transporter pad unconscious. Leonard immediately ran to Dr. Puri's side to help him with Pavel. Spock stepped off the transporter and walked over to where Captain Pike and Arianne were standing with a stoic expression on his face.

"Captain Pike, the Security team is still pursuing Andrei Chekov," Spock reported. "Doctor Puri and I thought it prudent to bring Cadet Chekov back to Academy Campus for immediate treatment as Cadet Chekov has suffered greatly at his captor's hands."

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