September 2257

Flight Practice Range – San Francisco, California – 1100 H

"This is Lieutenant Pike of the Shuttlecraft Galaxy requesting permission to land on the training runway," Arianne said as she tapped the comm button that was right next to the Helm controls. "Respond."

Pavel sighed, "Zey vill respond," he replied calmly as he began inputting the commands for descent.

"I'm sorry, Pavel," Arianne replied apologetically, gazing at her friend. "I just want you to pass this."

Pavel nodded, but kept his gaze straight ahead, "I vill pass," he replied calmly. "Do not worry."

"Roger that, Shuttlecraft Galaxy," a gruff voice stated. "You are granted permission to land."

Arianne sighed, "Go ahead and land, Pavel," she replied gently. "I hope you get a good grade."

Pavel grinned and headed towards the runway with ease and at an appropriate speed, "Piloting exam complete," an automated voice spoke as the shuttle hit the runway and automatically shut down.

"Attention, Cadet Chekov and Lieutenant Pike, please report to the main hangar bay for efficiency debriefing," a commanding voice spoke over the intercom. "Technicians will inspect your shuttle…"

Pavel sighed, "Sank you so much for helping me, Arianne," he spoke as he undid his safety belt and got out of the pilot's chair. "I had asked Hikaru, but he vas snapped up to help at ze Kobyashi Maru…"

"I can't believe Jim wanted to take that test again," Arianne replied amusedly. "Once was enough…"

As Arianne stood up, Pavel chortled, "Zat Ensign Quirk is wery funny vith his persistence," he commented in an amused voice that quietly faded away. "He reminds me of my own self."

Even though she hadn't been privy to information from Pavel's sessions with Dr. Harriman, Arianne nodded and smiled reassuringly at Pavel as they disembarked from the shuttle. Together, they silently walked into the hangar bay and Arianne was surprised to see her father standing at the console.

"Vat is my grade, sir?" Pavel asked nervously, anxious to know whether or not he had passed piloting.

Chris sighed and looked at the stylus he was holding, "Cadet Chekov, I've been ordered by Admiral Barnett to escort you to Starfleet Medical immediately," he explained somberly. "We have to…"

"I vant Lieutenant Pike wiz me," Pavel replied nervously, not caring that he was interrupting.

Arianne suddenly felt frightened, but retained a neutral facial expression, "All right," Chris said in a calm voice as a transport cart manned by a Security officer suddenly came into the hangar bay. "Lieutenant?"

"If someone could inform Commander Harriman and Professor Khan that I will be absent from their classes this afternoon, I will accompany Cadet Chekov to Starfleet Medical," Arianne replied calmly.

Chris nodded and silently gestured to the transport cart. Pavel suddenly began to tremble and quickly grabbed hold of Arianne's hand to keep himself steady. Arianne sighed and gently led Pavel over to the cart, slightly mollified to see that Mitchell was driving it. Mitchell gave Arianne and Pavel a timid smile.

"It's a job to keep me from hanging out with Finnegan so much," Mitchell explained, immediately catching Arianne's slightly confused expression. "He's turning into a reckless little practical joker…"

Chris cleared his throat, "Cadet Mitchell, you were hired to transport goods and people around the Academy campus, not make small talk," he commented in an unusually commanding voice.

"My apologies, sir," Mitchell replied, gazing at Arianne and Pavel. "If you two would get aboard…"

Since Pavel was trembling uncontrollably, Arianne gently helped him into the transport cart, helped him to sit, and carefully buckled him in before doing up her own seatbelt. Chris sighed and silently climbed on to a seat that was on the back of the transport, making sure to buckle up before it took off.

Morgue - Starfleet Medical

"Vhy are ve here?" Pavel asked, clinging to Arianne's hand as he followed Chris into a room with white walls that had a covered body on a large metal table where a somber looking Dr. Puri was standing.

Chris sighed and looked at Dr. Puri, who was holding a stylus, "Cadet Chekov, around 2100 last night, I got a message from the Copernicus Village Medical Center," Dr. Puri explained in a somber voice as he watched Pavel cling to Arianne. "Doctor Sonak reported that Professor Khan had brought a severely mentally ill patient to the facility four weeks ago and had signed himself on as the patient's attending physician, claiming that he alone knew how to handle the case. The patient died at 20:00 last night and Professor Khan promptly fled the medical facility to parts unknown. That patient was Andrei Chekov…"

"Nyet, my fazzer is on ze run," Pavel replied in a nervous voice. "He l-left me to die on a wery cold…"

Dr. Puri sighed and gently turned back the sheet, revealing the badly battered face and neck of an older man that bore a remarkable resemblance to Pavel, "Nyet," Pavel whispered in a horrified voice as he released Arianne's hand and sank to his knees. "I cannot believe zat my fazzer died in a hospital…"

As Pavel started to sob, Chris gently touched Arianne's arm, "Lieutenant Pike, a word," he whispered.

Swallowing hard, Arianne nodded and went into the corridor with her father, "Due to this incident, Command has determined it necessary to open an investigation on Professor Khan and the methods he used while he taught at the Academy," Chris explained in a low voice. "According to Doctor Sonak, there is considerable evidence that Professor Khan was involved in the death of Andrei Chekov, but…"

"What will this investigation involve exactly?" Arianne asked softly. "Why are you telling me this?"

Chris sighed again, "Every cadet or commissioned officer who took a class or any sort of private tutorials from Professor Khan will be required to meet with both a member of Academy Command and a counselor from Starfleet Medical to discuss everything that Professor Khan has done over the past year," he explained in a somber voice. "This is the worst crisis that has rocked Starfleet since the bombing last year that killed hundreds and very few have experience in handling crises like you…"

"Let me guess, Starfleet Command wants me to be one of the counselors assigned to talking to cadets and commissioned officers?" Arianne asked in a serious voice. "I thought I wasn't trusted to do so…"

Chris scoffed, "Admiral Archer's grudge against you is more personal than anything and you and I both know that," he replied calmly. "Besides, Admiral Barnett and the other members of both Starfleet Command and Academy Command know you're a qualified counselor and can take this assignment."

"I was also one of Professor Khan's students, though," Arianne explained. "How can I do both?"

Dr. Puri knelt down beside Pavel and talked quietly to him, but Chris didn't take his attention off of Arianne, "You'll meet with Commander Spock privately while Academy Command holds an assembly to explain the situation to the other cadets," Chris stated softly. "For now, though, can you stay here?"

Arianne nodded and was about to speak when Dr. Puri helped Pavel to his feet and gently led him out of the morgue. Pavel's eyes were filled with tears and his face was red from crying, so he didn't speak.

"I've convinced Pavel to let me take him upstairs and give him a little shot to induce sleep," Dr. Puri stated in a calming voice, holding tightly to Pavel's trembling body. "Captain Pike, with your permission, I want to admit Pavel overnight for observation just to give him a little time and space from everyone."

Chris nodded, "Make sure Pavel eats something before you give him medicine for sleep," he replied in a commanding voice, sighing as Dr. Puri nodded and escorted Pavel away. "Who is Pavel's roommate?"

"Cadet Hikaru Sulu," Arianne replied softly. "Both he and Pavel are doubling in Command and Ops."

Chris sighed, "Okay, here's what's going to happen," he said. "Go to Commander Spock's office at Starfleet Command and stay with him until the assembly is over. He's expecting a visit from you."

"Yes sir," Arianne replied, relieved that she could avoid the assembly about Professor Khan.

Commander Spock's Office – Starfleet Command –1300 H

"Lieutenant Pike reporting as ordered, Commander Spock," Arianne spoke respectfully as the door slid open and she saw Spock sitting in a soft chair in the corner of his office near his well-stocked bookshelf with his casted ankle resting on an ottoman while he had a stylus in his hand. A pair of Starfleet Medical issue crutches leaned against the top of the chair while a dark overcoat was draped over them.

Spock nodded and tapped a few buttons on his stylus before looking up at Arianne, "You are welcome to sit in the chair across from where I am sitting," he spoke tonelessly. "It is rather difficult for me to get back to my desk at the moment. Also, I request that we dispense of official formalities while talking."

"Okay," Arianne replied as she closed the door, walked over to the chair, and sat down. "Now what?"

Spock quickly tapped on his stylus again, "From this point forward, our conversation will be recorded and submitted to Starfleet Command for their investigation," he explained tonelessly. "You were a student of Professor Khan's from September 2256 to April of 2257; is that record accurate?"

"Yes," Arianne replied calmly. "I was a student in his 'Finer Points of Survival' lecture and practical classes during that time. He also came to me on several occasions seeking professional counseling."

Spock's eyes narrowed, but he nodded, "Due to the circumstances, Lieutenant, I must request that you break doctor-patient confidentiality rules," he stated tonelessly. "For the purpose of this investigation, I must ask about the discussions and if he initiated any inappropriate or unprofessional contact with you."

Arianne swallowed hard before sighing, "The first time Professor Khan came to see me, it was in January of 2257 and it was concerning a failed course of mental health treatment that he had attempted to put Jocelyn Darnell through at a mental health facility in the Orient," she explained, silently praying that Leonard would forgive her if he ever found out about this. "Professor Khan requested hospitalization."

Spock nodded, but didn't speak, "At Professor Khan's request, I escorted him to the medical area of Starfleet Medical and turned him over to Doctor Harriman for care," Arianne continued, trying very hard to keep her voice steady. "I'm guessing Professor Khan told Doctor McCoy about the treatments…"

"Your assumption is logical," Spock replied tonelessly as he made a note. "Please continue if you can."

Arianne nodded, "The next time we really conversed was in February 2257 at the party celebrating the upcoming training cruise," she stated, recalling her memories. "Professor Khan reminded me of my exemplary skills and how they would prove useful when the training cruise actually got underway."

An uneasy feeling suddenly came over Arianne, "During the training cruise, Cadet Chekov was teased and beaten up by some older cadets and Professor Khan promised that he would handle it," she explained nervously. "Professor Khan made me leave Pavel with Doctor Harriman and then insisted that I accompany him to the Bridge; once there, he ordered me to take command for the rest of the night."

"You are stating that Professor Khan intimidated you into accompanying him to the Bridge and that he also intimidated you into taking command of the Farragut for the entire night?" Spock, who was deeply appalled that Arianne had been deprived of sleep in order to fulfill a request of Professor Khan's, asked.

Arianne nodded and cringed, "Professor Khan was the sort of man you couldn't say no to even if you felt uncomfortable with any requests he made," she replied uneasily. "After Doctor McCoy found out the truth about his ex-wife's death, I confronted Professor Khan privately in his office and he told the truth in a way that indicated that he wasn't remorseful. He seemed to be, but I just got a bad feeling…"

"Such feelings are logical in this situation," Spock commented tonelessly. "I will not elaborate on names, Lieutenant, but you are not the first to express concern about Professor Khan and his unusual methods."

Arianne swallowed hard, "There was a class exercise in October 2256 in which Professor Khan forced Serij to initiate a mind meld with me that triggered various memories," she stated in an uneasy voice, silently cursing herself for forgetting that class. "I'm not sure if Professor Khan is dangerous or not."

"That is what the investigation will determine," Spock stated as he pressed a button on the stylus that would end the recording. "The official part of our discussion is now complete; is there anything…?"

Arianne sighed and shook her head, "I'm supposed to remain in your company until after the assembly is over," she replied softly, just wanting to get away for a while. "I'm not supposed to be at the…"

"Remaining in my company does not necessarily mean that we have to remain in my office," Spock commented as he removed the coat from his crutches and tossed it on the floor. "To my knowledge, the assembly has been scheduled for 1500 H so that the day's classes are not disrupted. If you are uncomfortable with remaining on campus, I can show you a place that would calm your nerves."

Nodding, Arianne got to her feet and immediately picked Spock's coat up off the floor, "How much longer are you supposed to be on crutches for, Spock?" she asked worriedly, wincing as Spock grabbed his crutches and forced himself to his feet. "We don't have to go far if it's hard for you to travel."

"I can manage sufficiently," Spock replied tonelessly as he hobbled towards the door. "Please, follow me."

Never one to distrust Spock's words, Arianne nodded and kept silent as she followed him out of the office.

Aquatic Museum – San Francisco, California – 1430

It was only two blocks from the Academy campus, but it had been around ever since the closing of the Sanctuary Districts of the older era and had been built to serve as a reminder of social unity. It was one of many buildings that had small plaques imprinted on the cornerstones describing the horrors of days gone by and it also expressed hopes that days like that would never be seen again on Earth.

Instead of looking at the aged building, however, Spock had escorted Arianne into the museum and they had spent time looking at the various tanks containing aquatic life from both Earth and other planets that were allied with the Federation. After nearly an hour, Arianne had seen discomfort in Spock's face and, assuming he needed to rest his ankle, she had suggested that they get lunch from the cafeteria.

Now, as Spock sat at a corner table with his ankle propped up on a padded booth seat, Arianne lingered at the buffet counter waiting for her and Spock's food to be prepared. She had ordered a light vegetable broth for Spock and had ordered stew and biscuits for herself, both of which took a bit of time to make.

Letting out a distressed sigh, Arianne moved back to the table, "They'll call our order number when the food's ready," she commented in a tired voice as she sat down across the table from Spock. "How's…?"

"My ankle is functioning as well as it can in a cast," Spock replied tonelessly. "Lieutenant, I must confess that I was not entirely honest with you about how I became injured. I said that a patient had injured me, but the patient was scared and I was attempting to use words to calm the situation when Professor Khan used brute force to subdue the patient. I chastised Professor Khan for his poor handling of the crisis and he engaged in combat with me almost immediately. I was fortunate not to have been…"

Arianne looked slightly uncomfortable at hearing that, but didn't say a word, "Spock, is Professor Khan fully human?" she asked in a quiet, slightly frightened voice. "Humans could not defeat Vulcans in…"

"I am not entirely certain," Spock replied tonelessly. "However, this is not the time or place to be…"

Suddenly, Spock went quiet as a figure in a cloak with the hood up entered the cafeteria and slowly walked to the counter. The worker behind the counter immediately let out a quiet gasp of horror.

"Sir, what happened to you?" Spock and Arianne heard the worker ask in a horrified voice.

The figure let out a cough, "I was injured by a man whom I thought was a trusted friend and academic superior," a pain-filled voice replied. "I do not remember anything before waking up outside…"

"Serij?" Arianne asked, suddenly recognizing the figure's voice as she stood up. "Is that you, Serij?"

Spock frowned as Serij turned around and lowered his hood, revealing a battered face, a swollen eye, and chalk white skin, "Lieutenant Pike, Commander Spock," Serij spoke softly. "I was not expecting…"

"Where did you acquire such injuries, Serij?" Spock asked as he lowered his foot, grabbed his crutches, and forced himself into a standing position. "Professor Khan had sent you off-planet to research…"

Serij trembled angrily and sank to his knees, "Do not speak to me about that monster," he replied in an unusually angry and pain-filled voice as he hugged himself. "Professor Khan attempted to murder me."

For once, Spock was speechless and watched as Arianne walked over to Serij, "May I take care of some of those cuts, Serij?" she asked softly as she knelt down, reached into the shoulder bag she had been wearing since before her flight with Pavel, and pulled out a small med-kit. "It'll help you feel better."

"Lieutenant Pike, Serij's appearance must remain like that until after he meets with Starfleet Security and an official report has been filed with both Starfleet and the Vulcan Embassy," Spock interjected.

Serij cringed, but said nothing as Spock awkwardly reached into his pocket and pulled out his communicator. Arianne, however, kept her eyes focused on Serij to ensure that he stayed awake.

Counseling Office – Starfleet Medical – 1600 H

The door chime sounded and Arianne looked up from the stylus where she had been scheduling various cadets and commissioned officers for counseling appointments, "Come in," she said commandingly.

Arianne's eyes widened when the door slid open and Marla was standing there in her cadet reds with an uncomfortable expression on her face, "Cadet McGivers, do you have an appointment scheduled?" she asked, immediately concerned at how upset Marla looked. "Would you like to come in for a moment?"

"I don't have an appointment," Marla replied as she entered the office and closed the door behind her. "I understand that you're very busy, Arianne, but can we talk for just a minute as fellow cadets?"

Arianne nodded and gestured to the chair across from her temporary desk, "I heard that Professor Khan's being investigated for being potentially dangerous," Marla explained as she sat down in the empty chair and clasped her hands together nervously. "I had been seeking tutoring from him…"

An uneasy feeling filled Arianne's heart, but she kept quiet, "He told me that I was a formidable woman and that my potential extended far beyond the Academy," Marla explained as her eyes began to fill with tears and she looked at her lap. "He taught me many things about leadership and also convinced me that passion should be acted upon while it's still fresh in people's minds and hearts. That being said…"

"Marla, teacher-student relationships are merely frowned upon, not altogether banned at the Academy," Arianne cut in, wondering why Marla was even talking to her. "Relationships are healthy…"

Marla sighed, "At the end of last month, Professor Khan told me that he would be leaving for parts unknown and made me swear never to tell anyone," she stated nervously. "He gave me a shot of something and then made me go back to the dormitory. The next thing I knew, he had left campus."

Arianne suddenly looked very somber and Marla began to cry, "I've felt sick and lethargic ever since he left and I have no idea why," Marla said in a trembling voice. "Please, Arianne, you've got to help me."

"What do you mean when you say Professor Khan gave you a shot of something?" Arianne asked softly.

Marla sighed and put her hands over her stomach as if she were trying to protect it from harm, "When I last spoke to him, I mentioned that I was anxious about school and it was then that he told me he wasn't returning to the Academy. He gave me a needle filled with what he called a last gift…"

Swallowing hard, Arianne sighed, "Marla, I have no choice but to turn this matter over to Starfleet Security and let them conduct a more detailed interview," she replied as she stood up and walked around the desk. "I'm professionally obligated to take such comments seriously and I…"

Marla suddenly stood up, snarled, and lunged at Arianne, "You can't!" she screeched in an unusually anxious voice as she slammed and pinned Arianne against the wall. "Professor Khan made me…"

Arianne grunted and pushed Marla back, nearly knocking her to the floor, "I've taken Advanced Combat, Marla, or have you forgotten?" she asked in a defensive voice. "Now settle down, or else I'll call…"

"Professor Khan knew you would react this way," Marla replied scathingly as she rolled her sleeve down and got right back into Arianne's face, snarling when Arianne dodged her and went around the desk.

Not willing to allow herself to be intimidated by a hysterical cadet even if it was a friend, Arianne quickly pressed the emergency comm-link, "Lieutenant Pike to Security," she said in a commanding voice. "I need an armed Security officer in Counseling Office 2A. I also need an emergency transport to my…"

"You're not going anywhere!" Marla screeched as she picked up the chair she had just been sitting in, lifted it over her head quite easily. "You're going to get me out of here so that I'm not arrested!"

Before Arianne could figure out how to reply, Marla hurled the chair at the wall and it barely missed hitting Arianne, instead putting a rather large hole in the thin wall. Marla screamed hysterically, picked up the stylus from Arianne's desk, and threw it directly at Arianne's head with intense power.

The stylus slammed into Arianne's head hard, but Arianne merely winced and watched it drop to the floor with a deafening crack just as the door opened and Finnegan and Hendorff came into the room.

"Escort Cadet McGivers to Starfleet Security, put her in a holding cell, and contact Starfleet Command immediately," Arianne ordered in a toneless voice as she suddenly felt something warm and sticky running down her face. "When that's done, contact someone from maintenance to come and fix…"

Marla suddenly broke free from Finnegan and Hendorff and took off out of the office, "Finnegan, go after her and call for backup!" Hendorff shouted as Finnegan hurried after Marla. "Lieutenant Pike…"

"I've got lots of appointments this afternoon and this evening, Hendorff, so please request that someone from Medical come here to treat me," Arianne replied in a pain-filled voice as she pressed her hand against the wound and slowly moved towards Hendorff. "I also need to talk to a Security officer…"

Hendorff nodded and, taking Arianne's arm, he gently helped her out of the office and immediately put a Security lock on the door. They walked a short distance to where a small waiting area was and Arianne immediately maneuvered herself into one of the soft chairs. Hendorff sighed and gave her a look.

"Don't even start with me," Arianne snapped as she suddenly felt the blood stop. "It stopped."

Hendorff sighed and cringed as Arianne stood up, "I'm fine," she said in a steadier voice even though she was shocked by what had just taken place between her and Marla. "I just want to go back to my dorm."

Even though Hendorff wanted to insist to Arianne that she stay put, he nodded, "I'll walk you there," he offered in a concerned voice, offering his arm. "Captain Pike is going to kill me if he finds out about…"

"Just blame me," Arianne replied gently as she took his arm and they hurried down a back corridor.

Dormitory – Boyce Hall – 1700 H

Steri-strips and a bloodstained gauze pad out of Christine's Medical kit did a good enough job of covering the gash, Arianne thought as she gazed at her face in the bathroom mirror. Hendorff was standing guard out in the hall and she was standing in her bathroom trying to clean her face off.

Letting out a frustrated sigh, Arianne threw the wet cloth that was now covered with dried blood into the sink and moved out into the common area. She knew that she was most likely in trouble, but, for once in her life, she didn't care. A sudden chime, however, quickly interrupted Arianne's thoughts.

"Hendorff, I thought I told you not to let anyone in here!" Arianne snapped in a tired voice as she walked across the dorm, opened the door, and gaped at seeing Jim standing there holding a medical kit. "Jim?"

Jim sighed, "Bones is still being talked to by Command about Professor Khan, I think," he replied as he came into the dorm without being invited. "I was about to go off campus for a drink when I heard from Finnegan that some cadet went ballistic in your office and threw some stuff at you. I swiped this med-kit from underneath Bones's bed and decided to come over to check on you. How are you feeling?"

"Let me guess, the Kobyashi Maru didn't go so well?" Arianne asked softly as she closed the door.

Jim shrugged, "I'll study some more and take it again in the spring," he replied non-chalantly, frowning at the bandage on Arianne's head. "It's still bleeding pretty badly, Arianne; did you check the wound?"

"It'll keep until I decide to go to Medical," Arianne replied in a tired voice. "I just needed some space."

Jim's eyes widened, but he nodded and was about to speak when the door chime sounded again, "Jim, are you in here?!" an annoyed voice suddenly spoke. "I know what happened and I want my kit back."

Arianne sighed, rolled her eyes, and promptly opened the door, revealing an irate looking Leonard standing there in his cadet uniform, "So, I guess the rumors around campus are true," he commented as he entered the dorm. "I was finishing with Captain Pike when I heard that Finnegan and some senior Security officer arrested Cadet McGivers for attacking a counselor and destroying a counseling office…"

"Wow, Cadet McGivers?" Jim asked in a shocked voice. "Arianne, isn't Marla like your roommate?"

Swallowing hard, Arianne kept silent as she sat on the chair near the door, "Doctor McCoy, please stitch me up and get out of here so I can get some rest," she said in a borderline irritated voice. "Please."

"Do I have to leave too?" Jim asked as Leonard gently removed the bandages from Arianne's forehead.

Arianne sighed, "No," she replied calmly, wincing as Leonard touched her forehead with a gloved hand.

"There's still glass in the wound," Leonard stated calmly. "Go and lie down on the couch so I can…"

From that point on, Arianne was numb; she remembered going over to the couch, having a drape put over her face by Leonard so that he could take care of the cut. Arianne was aware of being given some meds to relax her during treatment and as Leonard worked on her head and Jim talked, she fell asleep.

Starfleet Academy – 1100 H

"Welcome to the first class of Interspecies Protocol," Commander Harriman stated firmly.

Even though Arianne was exhausted and had a multitude of appointments with cadets that afternoon, she kept her focus on the front of the classroom, "…In light of the recent situation with Professor Khan, Starfleet Command has thought it necessary for all cadets to relearn rules, regulations, and customs for interaction between alien species and Starfleet personnel," Commander Harriman stated as he stood at attention. "For our first class, we are very privileged to have a guest lecturer; Admiral Jonathan Archer."

Murmurs filled the classroom as the door opened and Admiral Archer came into the room with Phlox at his heels, "Greetings, students, my name is Admiral Jonathan Archer and I'm one of the head-honchos at Starfleet Command," Admiral Archer stated in a commanding voice as his eyes travelled across the crowd of cadets facing him. "I'm also one of the first in Starfleet to have had multiple experiences interacting with individuals of various species'. Now, as an initial exercise to see if you are all worth your salt as your records say, I want each of you to write an essay stating why you think this class is important and it's due by the end of class. I know it's a heavy assignment, but this class did start two weeks late…"

Arianne sighed and quickly began to write a small essay out on the PADD she kept for classes; she had woken up in her dorm at 0700 that morning only to find a tray of breakfast food on the coffee table, a note from both Jim and Leonard, and a blanket covering her body. After eating, Arianne had gotten a message from her father that he would soon need to go to the Enterprise to review the layout.

Now, instead of resting before her counseling appointments that afternoon, Arianne found herself writing a brief essay on why she thought Interspecies Protocol was important, "Lieutenant Pike, how are you feeling?" she suddenly heard Commander Harriman ask softly. "I heard about what happened…"

"I'm tired, but I've got a lot to do today," Arianne replied softly as she finished her essay and held up the PADD for Commander Harriman to look at. "I finished the essay, sir. What should I do next?"

Commander Harriman raised an eyebrow, took the PADD, and silently studied it, "Impressive," he commented in a quiet, yet amused voice as he returned the PADD to her. "What's your schedule?"

Letting out a tired sigh, Arianne saved her essay, filed it away, and pulled up another file that held her class schedule for that semester. She handed the PADD back to Commander Harriman, who sighed.

"Advanced Command and Medical courses?" Commander Harriman asked in a slightly amused voice as he studied her schedule. "Lieutenant Pike, I daresay that you are becoming as ambitious as your father."

Arianne smiled as Commander Harriman returned her PADD and silently walked off to another row of seats to see how the other students were doing with their essays. A quick look down the row told Arianne that Jim, Leonard, Hikaru, Christine, Mitchell, Finnegan, Hendorff, and several other cadets that she knew were also in the class and looking both intrigued and confused about the class.

A loud chime suddenly sounded as the chronometer switched to 1200 H, "Class, please submit your essays before you leave for lunch," Commander Harriman stated as he moved back to the front of the classroom and placed his hands behind his back. "Secondly, let's thank Admiral Archer for his visit."

As applause filled the classroom, Arianne quickly submitted her essay into Commander Harriman's email address, got up, and silently left the classroom to avoid the crowd. She wanted to grab lunch for not only herself, but also for Pavel; she hadn't seen him since yesterday and she wondered how he was.

Cafeteria - Starfleet Medical – 1230

"Nyet, I am not hungry," Pavel replied tonelessly, turning in his wheelchair as he looked away from the bowl of soup that Chris was offering him while a concerned Dr. Harriman looked on. "I cannot eat."

Chris sighed, set the bowl back on the table, and looked to Lara helplessly, "Pavel, your father's death was not your fault," Dr. Harriman stated softly as she moved closer to the table. "He was killed…"

"I should hawe kipt my mouth shut about ze abuse," Pavel muttered as he gazed sadly at his lap.

There was a soft gasp, "Pavel, were you ever alone with Professor Khan during the training cruise on the Farragut?" Arianne asked as she walked into view holding two small food containers. "Did you tell…?"

"It vas vhile you vere on ze Bridge," Pavel replied as he looked up at Arianne. "Professor Khan inwited me to go for a jog on ze Rec Deck and vhile ve vere jogging, he asked me to tell him vhy I vas so jumpy and I could not help myself. I told him about how Keptin Pike rescued me from my bad fazzer and…"

Tears filled Pavel's eyes and he quickly covered his hands with his face so that the tears would not get all over the civvies that Chris had lent him, "Pavel, listen to me, you did not kill your father," Arianne replied softly as she knelt down next to the wheelchair. "You merely told someone who you thought trustworthy about it and Professor Khan, for whatever reason, decided to murder your father."

"I am being silly," Pavel said in a tired voice as he lowered his hands. "I vill soon be sixteen and I…"

Arianne smiled at Pavel, "Maybe we should do something special for your birthday," she suggested, hoping to take Pavel's mind off his troubles. "Lots of cadets are wondering if you are okay."

"Zat's nice," Pavel replied, a small smile appearing on his pale face. "Keptin Pike, I am hungry…"

Chris nodded and smiled as Arianne stood up and handed a food container, "I wish I could stay, Pavel, but I've got to eat and get my stuff for my next class," Arianne said in a gentle voice. "I can get the notes and homework from today's Command classes if you'd like me to. I'm not sure how I can get the Ops…"

"Hikaru vill bring it if I ask," Pavel replied softly, gazing up at Arianne. "Sank you for coming to see me."

Arianne nodded and smiled at Pavel, her father, and Dr. Harriman before she left the cafeteria. As she walked down the hallway towards the exit, she was surprised to see Dr. Puri step out of a patient room with a concerned expression on his face, "Lieutenant Pike, do you have a moment?" he asked softly.

"Yes, Doctor Puri, what can I help you with?" Arianne asked as she stopped and looked at him.

Dr. Puri sighed, "I got a call from Starfleet Security at about 0500 this morning that Cadet McGivers had collapsed in her holding cell," he explained in a concerned voice. "I responded, examined her, and found her to be massively dehydrated and almost lethargic enough to lapse into a coma. After getting authorization from Command, I transferred her here and ran some tests that proved very interesting…"

"What is her current condition?" Arianne whispered, wondering what harm Professor Khan had caused.

Swallowing hard, Dr. Puri reached into his pocket, pulled out a PADD, and showed it to Arianne, "Apparently, Professor Khan injected Cadet McGivers with sperm and it did its work," he explained in a somber voice. "I told Admiral Archer that Cadet McGivers was suffering from the flu, but I have to…"

"Protect the patient and their privacy," Arianne finished softly. "Lecture two from Medical Ethics."

Dr. Puri nodded, "Now, obviously Cadet McGivers cannot remain here because then she'd be seen as a danger to the security of Starfleet because of Professor Khan's actions and the potential crisis his genetics may cause," he stated in a somber voice. "However, with my authorization and that of a qualified Starfleet counselor, Cadet McGivers can be transferred elsewhere to finish the Academy."

"What does Cadet McGivers think of this idea?" Arianne asked softly. "Having to leave the Academy…"

Dr. Puri sighed, "I told her what would happen if she were to stay and she thinks that it's the best thing for her," he replied in a quiet voice. "Before I write out the transfer order citing medical reasons, Cadet McGivers wants to talk to you for a few minutes. I'll also be in the room with you, so don't worry."

Even though Arianne was nervous, she nodded and silently followed Dr. Puri into the room. She was relieved to see that Marla was in bed being restrained by a stasis field while drip-lines littered her arms and tiny hands, "Arianne, I'm sorry I threw the chair and stylus at you," Marla said in a faint voice, cringing at the sight of the bandage on Arianne's forehead. "I'm hoping you can forgive my actions."

"Of course," Arianne replied automatically, silently asserting that she could be professional even now.

Marla sighed, "Doctor Puri wants to send me off-planet for the time being," she explained weakly as she gently placed her hands over her flat stomach. "I was majoring in Command, but he thinks it'll be better for me to go into something that doesn't put so much stress on me. Do you think I'll be okay out there?"

"I hope so," Arianne replied calmly as she sighed deeply. "I'll support Doctor Puri's recommendation."

Marla nodded and looked down at her blanket, "Get some rest, Cadet McGivers," Dr. Puri said in a gentle voice as he gestured to the hallway. "Lieutenant Pike, let's take a bit of a walk, shall we?"

Swallowing hard, Arianne nodded and followed Dr. Puri from the room, "Under normal circumstances, Lieutenant Pike, I'd advise confidentiality," Dr. Puri said in a low voice as soon as the door was closed and they were a safe distance down the hallway. "However, I would encourage you to confide in your father about this situation. He's aware of the situation concerning Cadet McGivers and he will not go and reveal the truth about it to anyone. It's not healthy for you to keep this entirely to yourself."

"My father's supposed to be heading up to the Enterprise later today," Arianne commented in an anxious voice. "I'd go with him, but I have a few more classes this afternoon and counseling…"

Dr. Puri nodded, "If you can't confide in your father, confide in someone you can trust to keep this a secret and who you'd trust with your life," he said in a quiet voice. "Thank you for stopping by."

Understanding herself to be dismissed, Arianne nodded and silently left the Starfleet Medical building as fast as she could and didn't stop walking until she was safely back in her dorm. She only had a few people she could really trust with her life, but they all had classes and other important things to do.

However, as Arianne walked across the grass, she also knew that any one of those few people would drop whatever they could if she really needed to talk to them. Now was one of those special times.

Swallowing hard, Arianne took out her PADD and typed out a message to her father, expressing the desire to meet him up at the Orbital Shipyard for dinner that evening so that they could have a chat.

Orbital Shipyard – Canteen - 1900 H

Ignoring the look that the bartender was giving her for not ordering anything to drink, Arianne sighed as she received yet another text from Jim saying that AA was annoying, but that he was behaving. She quickly sent him a gentle, yet firm text that told him to pay attention and that she would contact him after she was back at the Academy. She then skimmed through her notes from that afternoon's classes.

"Arianne, sorry I'm late," Arianne suddenly heard her father say in a distressed voice as footsteps approached the corner table where she was sitting. "I had to do yet another detailed inspection."

Arianne nodded and looked up from her PADD, "I'm not sure that I'm cut out for Starfleet, Dad," she said in a soft, yet very somber voice. "Marla was transferred to Starfleet Medical and asked to see me."

Chris frowned, took a seat across the table, and kept silent as Arianne shared the story of her encounter with Marla and the promise she had made to Dr. Puri to help him send Marla away for the sake of the unborn child despite it carrying Professor Khan's genes, "Arianne, Doctor Puri already confided in me since he needed authorization from Command to pull this off. Everything will be well taken care of."

Arianne sighed and nodded, "Then I'll try not to worry about it anymore," she replied uncertainly.

"Good," Chris said in a calming voice as he smiled at Arianne. "What did you order for dinner?"

Arianne chuckled nervously, "I actually haven't ordered anything yet," she replied in an amused voice.

"Ah, so that's why the bartender is giving you a nasty look," Chris commented gently. "Can I order?"

Arianne nodded and Chris quickly motioned the bartender to come over to their table, "Chicken strips, onion rings, and two lemonades," Chris stated in a commanding voice as the bartender walked over.

"Aye sir, two portions of chicken strips and onion rings with two lemonades to drink coming up as soon as possible," the bartender replied anxiously, giving Arianne a very sour look as he walked away.

Chris sighed, "Whenever I have to eat up here, I usually bring something from Earth, but I didn't have a lot of time to do that today," he explained in an amused voice. "The Enterprise isn't supposed to have a formal christening ceremony and shakedown cruise until May, but it's supposed to have a lot of things on it that the other ships don't have; the Enterprise is going to be considered Starfleet's flagship."

"I'm hoping that I'll be able to get a decent assignment once I'm done the Academy, but I don't know how much my performance on the Farragut's training cruise will factor into Starfleet's decision of where to place me," Arianne commented in a worried voice. "Professor Khan was the one who was in charge…"

Chris cleared his throat and Arianne cringed, worried that she had said something inappropriate, "There was suspicion on Professor Khan before the training cruise due to his past and so, as a precautionary measure, the Academy placed Commander Spock in charge of evaluating all cadets involved in the training cruise," he explained in a low voice. "Starfleet will take those results into account when…"

Suddenly, the doors opened and Spock came into the canteen with a shoulder bag over one shoulder while trying to maneuver on his crutches, "Captain Pike, I apologize for interrupting your time with Lieutenant Pike," he said in a cautious voice as he slowly approached the table. "I thought that you would like to be informed, however, that the Vulcan High Command has chosen to actively participate into the investigation on Professor Khan due to the fact that he injured a ward of Ambassador Sarek's…"

"How is Serij doing, by the way?" Arianne asked, ignoring the shocked look her father was giving her.

Spock sighed, "Serij is under the care of Doctor Phlox at Starfleet Medical and will remain so until a representative from the Vulcan High Command can address the situation," he replied tonelessly as the bartender brought a tray containing two small portions of chicken strips, onion rings, and two small glasses of lemonade over to the table and set them down. "Have I interrupted your evening meal?"

"Spock, you are never a bother to my father or myself," Arianne replied calmly. "All right?"

Spock raised an eyebrow, but nodded silently, "Spock, why don't you join my father and I for dinner?" Arianne suggested, wondering if Spock was seeking company more than anything. "You're welcome…"

"It would be enjoyable to join you, but I will get my own sustenance," Spock replied tonelessly before he turned and walked over to the bar, missing the bartender's scowl as he hurried back over to the bar.

Chris sighed, but both he and Arianne were quiet until Spock had returned to the table with a bowl of pleomeek soup and cutlery in hand. Spock sat down at the table across from Arianne and set his bowl down before dipping the spoon into it. Exchanging a look, Chris and Arianne began to eat their food.

"Why don't I tell you both about the Enterprise?" Chris suggested, knowing that both Spock and Arianne needed a distraction from thinking about recent events. "I've been overseeing it since the beginning and it's going to be an amazing ship…"

As Chris talked, Arianne and Spock both alternated between listening attentively, eating as much as they could, and both allowing themselves a small chance to forget all the bad things that had happened to them and within Starfleet recently. Even with all that had happened, the integrity of Starfleet would prevail

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