October 2257

Library – Starfleet Academy – 1100 H

"…I cannae believe that me instructor wants me tae write an essay that describes me theory even though he thinks it's preposterous," Arianne heard Monty say in an annoyed voice as she entered the library study area and saw Monty, Pavel, Hikaru, Mitchell, Riley, and a cadet named Tomlinson gathered at one of the tables that had PADDs scattered all over the tabletop. "I don't want tae do another essay."

Riley chuckled, "Admiral Archer's not a guy you wanna mess around with, though," he commented, unaware that Arianne was standing at the bookshelf listening in. "You should just do the essay."

"Oy, zip it you leetle keener," Monty replied in a mock annoyed voice. "You've got all your stuff…."

Pavel suddenly saw Arianne and smiled, "Lieutenant Pike," he said in a cheerful voice. "Hello."

"I just came by to get a PADD and give Pavel his birthday present," Arianne replied calmly as she reached into the shoulder bag she had brought to carry PADDs and pulled out a small, colorfully wrapped box.

Pavel looked surprised as Arianne handed him the box, "Vat eez it?" he asked in a nervous voice.

"You've got to open it to find out," Arianne replied, smiling reassuringly at Pavel. "You'll like it."

Nodding, Pavel carefully unwrapped the box and removed the lid, revealing a small leather book that was titled 'The Book Of Pavel Andreivich Chekov' in a gold, heavily embossed font, "I haff newer written a book," Pavel said in a confused voice as he showed the book to Arianne. "Vat exactly ees zis?"

Chuckling, Arianne opened the book and showed it to Pavel, "This was your first photo taken of you as an official Starfleet cadet, Pavel," she explained, smiling as Pavel's eyes went wide at the photo of himself in a Starfleet cadet uniform with a healthy looking body and face. "It's a photo album."

Pavel's eyes went even wider as he took the book and turned the pages, each showing a different photo of him at the Academy or around San Francisco over the past year either by himself or with others, "We had such a time convincing ye that we were just taking photos for fun, lad," Monty commented slyly.

Pavel was quiet for a minute and tears filled his eyes, "Sank you," he said in a quiet, awed voice as he took the album from Arianne and tucked it carefully into his worn bag. "It is my wery first present."

"Oy, I have an idea!" Monty suddenly spoke up in an excited voice. "We should get a subject, test mah theory, and record it for my instructor tae see. A video will be much more impressive than an essay."

Arianne suddenly looked very nervous, "Oh, Monty, are you sure that's a good idea?" she asked softly.

"I cannae believe that you're questioning me abilities!" Monty replied in an unusually frustrated voice.

The entire table went silent and Arianne had to fight hard to keep from crying, "Pavel, enjoy your present," she said, realizing that she had annoyed Monty. "I'll see you later in class, okay?"

"Vait, I vill go vith you," Pavel said in an anxious voice, not wanting to stay around a stressed Monty.

Monty suddenly looked remorseful, "Ach, ye don't need to leave," he replied somberly. "I'm sae sorry."

Arianne, however, sighed and silently left, "Meester Scott, she vas just vorried about you," Pavel said in an upset voice right before he hurried after Arianne. "You should be nicer to her, you know zat?"

Before Monty could reply, Pavel gathered his things and stormed out of the library, "Ach, they're both daft," Monty grumbled as he looked at Riley, Hikaru, Mitchell, and Tomlinson. "Do any of ye wanna help me find a subject tae test me theory on? I'm sick o' writing this essay; me eyes are way too scrambled."

"Maybe you should just stick to writing the essay," Hikaru commented in a concerned voice, still upset that Monty had caused Arianne and Pavel to leave. "We're not supposed to use the transporter equipment without authorization and supervision. Anyone who violates that rule gets midnight PT."

Monty scoffed, "That's just a guideline for the less experienced," he replied irritably. "I was operating transporters long before I came tae the Academy and I know more about them than anyone here."

Riley suddenly looked nervous, "Gary, we can't be involved in this," he said, gazing at Mitchell.

Mitchell nodded and quickly gathered his things, as did Hikaru and Riley, "Tomlinson, we have to practice our flight demonstration, remember?" Hikaru asked, not wanting Tomlinson to remain behind and end up in trouble in case Monty did something with the transporter. "The demo's in three weeks."

As Mitchell, Hikaru, Riley, and Tomlinson left, Monty sighed and began to think up a plan of how he could execute and video his transporter theory experiment without getting into any trouble. The one thought that came to mind was going to Arianne and appealing to her merciful, compassionate side.

"I hope she will listen to me," Monty muttered nervously as he gathered his things and stood up.

Academy Canteen

"Zere is so much food," Pavel commented softly as he and Arianne stood in front of the glass case that contained various salads, desserts, sandwiches, and other small foods that the canteen staff prepared for the Academy lunches in order to preserve replicator power as part of Admiral Archer's new 'energy conservation' policy that he had implemented at the beginning of the semester. "Vat do I choose?"

Arianne shrugged, "You can get whatever you want, Pavel," she replied in an almost despondent voice.

Hearing the sadness in Arianne's voice, Pavel looked at her and was shocked to see sadness in her normally bright eyes, "I shouldn't have been so mean to Monty," she said in a somber voice.

"You vere not mean," Pavel replied calmly, worried that Arianne was ready to cry. "It eez okay."

Arianne sighed and rested her hands on the tray rack, "I'm tired," she commented softly as she fought the urge to yawn. "I've been working very hard this semester so far and suddenly I'm very tired."

"I do not sleep well either," Pavel replied softly as he opened one of the panels and took out a small bowl of green salad that was topped with vegetables. "Ze sessions wiz Doktor Harriman are nice, but zey only remind me zat I am alone and zat once I am done ze Academy, I must find a place in society."

Arianne nodded and looked very thoughtful, "How did you know I don't sleep well?" she asked softly.

"Christeene eez your roommate, yes?" Pavel asked softly. "She eez vorried about you."

Arianne nodded, but didn't say anything; truth be told, she hadn't been sleeping well ever since she helped the pregnant Marla escape to Alpha Centauri to stay away from any Starfleet scrutiny. It was obvious that Professor Khan was dangerous and she worried about Marla's safety every day.

"Pavel, I might go and have a nap in my dorm," Arianne said in a tired voice. "I'm not really hungry."

Before Pavel could protest, the canteen doors slid open and Spock came in with a stylus tucked under one arm. He walked over to the far end of the counter where a worker was waiting behind a computer.

"I am Commander Spock and I requested a vegetarian lunch special on the video phone in my office," Spock stated in a toneless voice as he gazed at the worker. "I have come to collect my order."

The worker nodded, "I will check on it, sir," he replied nervously, quickly retreating into the kitchen.

"I'll see you later, Pavel," Arianne whispered, not wanting to talk to Spock without first resting.

As Arianne left the food line, Spock turned his head, "Lieutenant Pike, are you not going to consume any nutrition?" he asked in a toneless voice. "I do believe you have classes this afternoon and you are…"

"I just forgot something at the library," Arianne lied, wanting to be left alone with her thoughts.

Even though Spock had a feeling that Arianne wasn't telling the truth, he nodded and watched her leave the canteen before he turned his attention to Pavel, "Excuse me, Kommander Spock," Pavel said in a nervous voice as he picked up his bowl of salad and retreated to the table closest to the doors.

Spock raised an eyebrow, sighed, and watched as Pavel got up and left, leaving his salad behind. Pavel intended on either trying to find Arianne or finding someone who could try and see if she was okay.

Dormitory – Boyce Hall – 1200 H

Arianne was relieved to see that Christine was not in their dorm; it meant she could send her message and then have a much needed nap without any interruptions. She sighed, sat down at her computer terminal, and quickly typed out a summary of what she did to help Marla without implicating Dr. Puri.

Her father had never been told the whole truth about the matter because they had been interrupted by Spock when she was going to tell him. As it was, Arianne knew that her father would be very angry that she allowed Dr. Puri and Marla to talk her into aiding Marla's escape from Earth without any hearing.

I'm so sorry, Dad. Arianne thought sadly as she finished typing the message, inserted 'Captain Christopher Pike' in the 'To' box, labeled the message as urgent, and hit the 'Send' button.

Tears filled Arianne's eyes and she leaned back in her chair as the door chime sounded, "Arianne, lass, are ye there?" Monty's voice spoke from the hallway. "I want tae apologize for being angry with ye…"

Arianne sighed, stood up, and walked over to the door, "Monty, what do you want?" she asked softly.

"Can ye come out so we can talk?" Monty's voice asked through the door. "I need your help…"

Biting her lip, Arianne hugged herself, "I think playing around with the transporter is a bad idea," she replied in a tired voice, not wanting to face Monty at the moment. "I think you should just finish your essay and see if you can try to talk your instructor into letting you try the experiment later on."

There was a scoff and Arianne silently moved over to her bed; she gently massaged her forehead and climbed underneath her sheets without even removing her cadet boots or jacket. As her eyes closed and her hair hit the pillow, Arianne heard Monty's footsteps walk off down the hallway towards the exit.

"Lieutenant Pike? Lieutenant Pike, respond."

Arianne opened her eyes and saw that nobody was in the dorm but her, "Lieutenant Pike, this is Captain Pike and I'd like very much for you to respond," she heard her father's voice call out from her communicator that was still nestled in the pocket of her cadet jacket. "Lieutenant Pike, are you there?"

Letting out a tired sigh, Arianne reached into her pocket and pulled out her communicator, "Lieutenant Pike here," she replied in a groggy voice. "What can I do for you today, Captain Pike? How are you?"

"I'm fine, Lieutenant Pike," Captain Pike's voice responded. "Could you come to my office, please?"

Arianne groaned and sat up in the bed, "Yes, yes I can," she replied groggily. "Just give me a minute."

"Understood, Lieutenant," Captain's voice replied in a calm voice. "I'll be here when you arrive."

Swearing under her breath, Arianne put the communicator back in her pocket and got out of bed just as the door slid open and Christine came into the room with her medkit in hand, "Arianne, didn't you have class this afternoon?" she asked in a concerned voice. "Jim was asking where you were today and I…"

Frowning, Arianne gazed up at the chronometer above the door and was horrified to see that it was 1700 H, "Oh, crap," she said in an anxious voice. "I slept through all of my afternoon classes."

"You've been in here asleep all afternoon?" Christine asked in a worried voice. "Are you okay?"

Arianne sighed, "I'm fine," she lied, not wanting to confide in Christine about what was wrong.

"There's an information fair in the Command Building this weekend for the third and fourth year cadets," Christine explained as she handed Arianne a PADD. "It's to show us what postings we'll have an opportunity to apply for once we're finished the Academy; there will be booths from places all over…"

Arianne nodded and tossed the PADD on her bed, "I'll look at the information later," she replied, not wanting to even think about what kind of posting she would qualify for with all that had happened.

"Leonard also asked about you," Christine commented as Arianne moved towards the door.

Biting her lip, Arianne sighed and silently left the dorm, hoping that Leonard wouldn't come by to try to talk to her until later; she didn't want to talk to anyone until after she talked with her father.

The foyer chronometer changed to 1730 as Arianne approached the door to her father's office and gently pressed the door chime, "Come in," she heard the calm voice of her father say immediately.

Arianne sighed, pressed the button that would open the door, and was surprised to see a concerned looking Pavel already in the office while her father sat behind his desk, "Captain Pike, what can I do for you?" she asked in a nervous voice as she entered the office and closed the door behind her.

"I've had reports that you missed your classes this afternoon and then Pavel came to my office and told me that you went to your dorm for a nap around 1100 hours," Chris said in a concerned voice as Arianne gave Pavel and then himself a curious look. "I also got your message and I found it very interesting."

Arianne nodded and swallowed hard, "I thought you should know the whole story before you decided what posting I would be suited for after graduation," she replied, bracing herself for a bad reaction.

"Marla vas not only friends with you and Professor Khan," Pavel spoke up in a timid voice. "I vas one of hees best students and I confided in him about my fazzer abusing me because he made me feel safe…"

Arianne looked alarmed, "Pavel, this isn't your fault," she replied worriedly. "Why would you think…?"

"I vorked with Sereej and Professor Khan during ze training cruise," Pavel said in a nervous voice as he hugged himself. "I told zem zat I vished my fazzer was dead so zat he would never take me back…"

Chris sighed and Pavel trembled and looked down at his lap, "It eez my fault and I vanted to be expelled after Professor Khan vas declared dangerous, but Keptin Pike said no," he said in an anxious voice.

"I won't let this Professor Khan fiasco stop you or Arianne from making successes of yourselves, Pavel," Chris said in a gentle, but firm voice. "Neither of you are going to face any repercussions for this, okay?"

Pavel sighed and stood up, "I must go study before deener," he said nervously as he moved to the door.

"Pavel, don't let yourself feel guilty about this," Chris commented softly as Pavel quietly left the office.

As the door slid shut, Chris sighed, "Spock sent me a message that he saw you in the canteen, but you didn't seem like you were okay," he stated in a fatherly voice. "So, kiddo, wanna tell me what's wrong?"

"I just feel so guilty about helping Marla," Arianne replied softly. "Dad, Marla was pregnant with Professor Khan's child and that's why she acted violent towards me. That's why I helped her leave."

Chris nodded, a sympathetic expression on his face, "I had a feeling that Cadet McGivers transferred to the Alpha Centauri colony for a deeper reason than just wanting to broaden her education, but I couldn't prove anything without raising suspicion," he said in a gentle voice. "It's good that you helped her even knowing that if word ever got out, your career would be at risk. You're a good person, kiddo."

Before Arianne could reply, the computer went off and Chris was surprised to see Admiral Archer's infuriated looking face appear on the screen, "Captain Pike, are you busy?" Admiral Archer snapped in an unusually infuriated voice. "If you're not busy, I want you to come to the Transporter Wing of the Starfleet Operations Building immediately! One of your precious cadets has done something idiotic!"

"Who was it?" Chris asked, fully expecting Jonathan to say that Jim had again done something crazy.

Admiral Archer snarled, "JUST GET HERE RIGHT NOW!" he roared angrily. "Admiral Archer out."

"Arianne, why don't you come with me and then we'll go to dinner after I've calmed Admiral Archer down a bit?" Chris suggested as he stood up. "It's been a while since we had dinner together."

Arianne nodded and as she left the office with her father, she prayed that Jim wasn't in trouble again.

Transporter Wing – Operations Building - Starfleet Academy – 1800 H

Chris and Arianne entered the Transporter Wing and were both shocked to see that Monty was standing silently near a pad while an infuriated Admiral Archer was being restrained by two Security guards several feet away. Hikaru, Mitchell, Tomlinson, and several older cadets were working at the console.

"Jon, what's happened?" Chris asked as he walked over to Admiral Archer. "What's with the guards?"

Admiral Archer scowled and his eyes narrowed when he saw Arianne there, "Why'd you bring your daughter with you, Chris?" he asked in a snappish voice. "This doesn't concern her at all."

"Why don't you tell me what's going on, Jon?" Chris asked, giving Arianne a look not to say anything.

Admiral Archer sighed, "I was out walking Porthos and Mister Scott comes up to me out of nowhere and asked if he could look after Porthos for a while so I can get some dinner," he explained in a very angry voice that he kept at a reasonable volume for Arianne's benefit. "Anyway, I went to dinner and while I was at the canteen, I got a call from Mister Tomlinson that Mister Scott used my beagle as a lab rat!"

"I was only gonna beam the dog across campus," Monty spoke up in an anxious voice. "I dinna think…"

Admiral Archer scowled, "What exactly did you use in your experiment, Mister Scott?" Chris asked in a calm, but commanding voice as he walked over to the pad. "Do you have any idea where Porthos is?"

"Nae sir, I don't," Monty replied somberly, gazing expressionlessly at the pad. "I did all me research and thought it would work because Porthos is so small and light, but it didn' work and now he's gone…"

Admiral Archer sighed, "Guards, please take Mister Scott to the Brig at Starfleet Security and make sure he gets his meals and homework delivered to him until further notice," he said as he walked over to the transporter console. "Tomlinson, Mitchell, work with the older cadets to figure out what happened."

"I want a hearing," Monty spoke up as he looked up at the small crowd. "Am I entitled tae that?"

Chris nodded, but Admiral Archer crossed folded his arms, "You are, but you are to be confined to the Brig with homework and meals until the hearing is held," he said in a firm voice. "It's within regulations for me to do that since you lied to me about why you wanted Porthos. Guards, take him now, please."

"Jonathan, please, can't you think of a better punishment than the Brig?" Arianne asked before she could stop herself. "Why not just make Monty wear an anklet that keeps him from leaving campus until the hearing if you're concerned that he might run away? I know Porthos was important to you, but…"

Chris's eyes widened, but Admiral Archer marched over to Arianne, "That's Admiral Archer to you, Lieutenant Pike!" he yelled angrily, tempted to slap Arianne just to keep her in line. "You are a cadet and do not dictate disciplinary policies to me, a Starfleet Admiral. Or do you want to join Monty in the Brig?"

"Jon, really; Arianne didn't do anything to deserve that threat," Chris spoke up in an irritated voice.

Admiral Archer looked shocked, "Oh, you think I wasn't serious, Chris?" he asked in a cross voice as he looked at Hikaru, "Sulu, escort Lieutenant Pike to the Brig right now for sassing a superior officer."

Swallowing hard, Sulu reluctantly walked over to Arianne, "You even think about it, Sulu, and I'll put you on Midnight PT for two months," Chris snapped as he moved in front of Arianne to protect her. "Arianne, go back to your dorm and stay there until I call. Guards, take Mister Scott to his dormitory."

"Chris, how dare you try and override my orders!" Admiral Archer snapped, his face going very red.

Chris sighed and Arianne silently watched as the guards escorted Monty out of the room and then she quickly left the room without looking at Sulu, Tomlinson, or Mitchell, "Now, Jon, why don't we go to your office and discuss this while these cadets work with the transporter?" Chris suggested gently.

Dormitory - Boyce Hall – 1930 H

A door chime sounded and Arianne looked up from the PADD she was reading while resting in the corner chair that had been in their dorm since after the earthquake, "Who's there?" she called out.

There was silence, some clicking noises, and the door opened to reveal Jim standing out in the hallway in his cadet reds with two brown paper bags in his hands, "Jim, what are you doing here?" she asked softly.

"I was in tutoring with Commander Harriman because he thinks I need to sharpen up my diplomacy and I heard over the comms channels that Admiral Archer is really mad at both you and some Cadet Scott," Jim explained as he sauntered into the room. "The tutoring was cut short because Commander Harriman got called to Admiral Archer's office and I can't go bug Bones because he's off at AA…"

Arianne sighed and placed the PADD on her section of the desk, "Monty Scott used Admiral Archer's beagle as a guinea pig in a transporter experiment and now Porthos is missing," she explained in a tired voice as she stood up, stretched, and walked over to Jim. "I tried to keep Admiral Archer from being too hard on Monty and he threatened to arrest me. My father told me to wait here until he called."

"So, you blew off your afternoon classes to sleep and you freaked out at Admiral Archer?" Jim asked in a surprised voice as he offered her one of the bags. "I figured you were having a hard time, so here."

Arianne took the bag, but didn't open it, "I went to a Subway that's about three blocks from here," Jim explained as he opened the bag. "I had to pay extra to get them to make me an allergy free sub, but…"

"Thank you," Arianne replied softly as she took a wrapped, six-inch sub out of the bag and sighed.

Jim grinned and took a sandwich out of his bag just as Christine walked in, "Jim, it's been a while since you've been here," she said in a neutral tone as she walked over to her desk without looking at him.

Jim shrugged and Christine sighed, "Arianne, I'll be back late," she said in an upbeat voice as she turned to face Arianne and Jim with an excited look on her face. "Nyota's having a study party at the library."

"Okay," Arianne replied softly, sighing when Christine ran out of the room. "Jim, wanna take a walk?"

Jim nodded, "So long as you eat, we'll take a walk," he replied worriedly. "You look really pale."

Scoffing, Arianne ripped the wrapper off the sub and bit into it, "Everything's just been really tough this semester," she replied tiredly as she chewed. "The professors are piling on the work and I haven't had a lot of time for anything else but studying. Besides I'm not invited to social stuff and Leonard hasn't…"

"Bones is working himself really hard," Jim said in a concerned voice. "He doesn't socialize very much."

Arianne silently ate the rest of her sub and threw the paper in the recycler, "I know he goes to Nyota's study parties, Jim," she replied in a distressed voice. "Maybe I'm not good enough for Leonard."

Jim's eyes widened, "You totally need to get off campus for a while," he said softly. "Do you trust me?"

"No getting me drunk and we're back by midnight," Arianne replied tiredly. "Okay, Jim?"

Jim nodded, "I'll try not to drink too much," he replied in an eager voice. "Let's get out of here."

Nodding, Arianne checked her pockets to make sure she had her identification and then she followed Jim out of the dorm room, down the hallway, and out of Boyce Hall. The sky was dark, filled with illuminating stars, and there was a light, but very warm breeze causing the tree branches to shake.

"Okay, Jim, where are we going?" Arianne asked as they walked down the path that would lead to the bus that came by every 15 minutes and went to the heart of San Francisco's nightlife district.

Jim chuckled, "Just trust me," he replied, putting his arm around Arianne as they continued down the path towards the bus. "We'll go to a club that will help you to forget all of your Academy worries."

As Arianne and Jim continued walking, they were unaware that Pavel was out for an evening walk and had overheard Jim talking about leaving campus until after midnight; the curfew was midnight, but Pavel was concerned for Arianne and the fact that she so willingly decided to risk violating curfew.

Silently swearing under his breath, Pavel pulled out his personal PADD and quickly typed out a small message to Leonard, as he knew that Leonard would be able to figure out if Arianne was actually okay.

Club Fusion – Downtown San Francisco – 2330 H

Jazzy tunes filled the club and Arianne sighed as she watched Jim take a sip of the Chateau Picard 2205 wine that he had decided to get instead of hard liquor, "Did you have any of this stuff when you were in France doing that Diplomacy thing?" Jim asked as he set the barely full glass back on the small table.

"No, I've never had any alcohol given to me by choice," Arianne replied softly. "Remember?"

Jim nodded somberly and stretched in his chair, "I remember," he said in a somber voice. "Sorry."

Arianne smiled and gently patted Jim's hand, "It's all right, James," she replied reassuringly. "Do you think we could get a little bit of food while we're here? I haven't eaten a lot all day and I'm famished."

Before Jim could reply, the music suddenly changed to heavy metal that sounded as if metal was being sent through a grinder and the sound caused Jim to immediately rest his head on the table, close his eyes, and make fists, "Jim, why don't we go outside til the music changes?" Arianne suggested softly.

"Yeah," Jim replied in a faint voice as he slowly sat up. "Can you help me get outside now?"

Nodding, Arianne left some credits on the table, helped Jim to his feet, and helped him out of the semi-crowded club, "Every time I hear heavy metal it reminds me of stuff," Jim said in an anxious voice as he placed a hand on his forehead and leaned against the building. "I've got a really bad headache now."

"Do you want to go back to campus?" Arianne asked as she felt his forehead. "You're a bit warm…"

Jim shrugged and suddenly groaned, "I feel sick," he moaned in a pained voice. "Arianne, help."

Arianne frowned and helped Jim to kneel down, "My chest and throat feel tight," he whispered.

Nodding, Arianne was about to call for help on her phone when a taxi stopped and Leonard hopped out in his cadet uniform with a med-kit in hand, "What happened?" he asked as he hurried over to where Arianne and Jim were kneeling and saw that Jim was seriously ill. "Jim, what did you eat and drink?"

"He just had a bit of wine," Arianne replied, frowning when Jim shook his head frantically. "What?"

Despite his problem, Jim coughed, "Yogurt raisins and a-almonds," he wheezed as Leonard opened his medkit and prepped a hypo. "T-They w-were at the b-bar and I figured that just a bit couldn't hurt…"

"You might be allergic to them," Leonard said in a worried voice as he pressed a hypo against Jim's neck.

Jim gagged and Arianne quickly dialed 9-1-1, "Hello, I need an ambulance at Club Fusion," she said as a voice responded. "The patient is suffering from suspected anaphylactic shock after eating some food…"

"C-Call P-Pike," Jim wheezed faintly as he keeled over in pain. "B-Bones, my stomach hurts…"

Arianne sighed and quickly dialed her father's emergency number, knowing he would be very upset.

San Francisco General Hospital – 0300 H

Arianne sighed as she sat in a plastic chair beside the bed where Jim was in a deep sleep with a hospital gown, blanket, and socks covering his body. A pillow was under his head, IV's were in both of his arms and hands, and an oxygen mask was covering his pale face. She gently stroked his cold hand to calm herself and was surprised when Jim's eyes suddenly fluttered open and he looked alert, but drowsy.

"Hey, sunshine," Arianne said in a gentle voice, smiling when Jim turned his head towards her.

Jim sighed sleepily and forced the mask off his face, "Hey," he replied faintly. "What happened?"

"You had a reaction to some food," Arianne explained softly. "James, how are you feeling?"

Jim blinked, "Crappy," he replied in a groggy voice as he felt the blanket covering his thin body.

"I called Captain Pike like you told me to," Arianne replied softly. "He got here at about 0200 and he and Leonard are talking with your doctor somewhere in the emergency room. I decided to stay with you…"

Jim nodded as the door opened and Leonard came into the room with a cheerful looking Dr. Piper and a concerned looking Captain Pike, "Captain Pike, I believe these cadets belong to you," Dr. Piper stated in a professional tone as he walked over to the bed. "Mister Kirk, you gave us all quite a scare."

Arianne sighed when Jim found himself too groggy to offer a reply, "Cadet Kirk, I want you to stay the night here and then come back to campus in the morning," Chris stated in an official voice. "You'll be excused from attending classes for a couple of days and I want you tested for lactose intolerance…"

"I'm allergic to nuts, aren't I?" Jim asked groggily. "I thought I outgrew my food intolerances…"

Chris sighed and walked over to the bed, "Why don't you get some rest and we'll discuss it tomorrow after you come back to campus?" he suggested, seeing how tired Jim looked. "I want Doctor McCoy to stay with you tonight so that he can help Doctor Piper get you in good form to return tomorrow."

"Can I have a hug, Arianne?" Jim asked as he gazed helplessly at Arianne. "It'll help me sleep."

Arianne chuckled softly as she stood up and she gave Jim a gentle, but firm hug before pulling away, "Call me when you're back on campus and I'll come visit when I can," she said in a gentle voice.

Jim nodded and immediately closed his eyes, which Arianne took as a sign that he would be fine in the care of Dr. Piper and Leonard. She silently followed her father out of the room and down to the foyer.

"Cadet Scott is on academic probation and is still in the Brig," Chris explained to Arianne as she followed him out of the hospital and down the street to the nearest bus stop. "He's been asking for you to visit."

Arianne sighed, "Monty got mad at me because I told him that messing with the transporters was a bad idea," she explained in an exasperated voice as a hoverbus pulled up to the curb. "When should I…?"

"I think it's better to visit now, while Admiral Archer is asleep and unable to explode any more than he already has," Chris replied in an unamused voice as they got on to the bus. "He dragged all of us Command-level officers into the Starfleet Command briefing room and yelled at us for an hour about how stupid it is to trust hyperactive cadets with aged beagles because terrible things will happen…"

Despite the seriousness of the situation Monty was in, Arianne couldn't help but chuckle over Admiral Archer's obsession over his missing beagle. Chris was silent for a moment and then also chuckled.

Brig - Starfleet Security - Starfleet Academy – 0400

Arianne stepped into the room where Monty was asleep in a small cubicle that was separated from the rest of the world by a very powerful forcefield. His cadet reds and boots had been replaced by gray, oversized prison garb and his feet were covered by plastic slippers. A guard stood outside the small cell.

"Monty?" Arianne asked as she approached the forcefield. "Monty, I heard you wanted to see me?"

There was silence and Monty slowly opened his eyes and sat up, "Aye I did, lass," he spoke in a groggy voice as he massaged his forehead. "I dinnae think you would want tae see me after I was so rude."

"Monty, is there anything I can do for you?" Arianne asked, trying to keep the tiredness from her voice.

Monty sighed, "I'm on restriction to food and academics," he explained groggily. "I cannae go anywhere for tae time being and it's a leetle frustrating that Admiral Archer won't even let me explain…"

"You beamed his beagle into oblivion," Arianne replied tiredly. "He loved that beagle more than anything in the world and you used it as a guinea pig for an unapproved experiment, Monty."

Monty scoffed, "I hear tae Admeeral has tae sweets for you too, lassie," he replied softly.

Arianne's eyes widened in anger, "I don't CARE what Admiral Archer told you!" she snapped, feeling violated that Admiral Archer would try and expose her past as some sort of sick revenge for her trying to keep Monty out of the Brig. "I am in love with Leonard McCoy and I don't have eyes for anyone else!"

The guard looked shocked, as did Monty and Arianne went red when she realized what she had just said and how it would most likely get back to Leonard, "Lieutenant Pike, the prisoner needs his rest," the guard spoke up in a neutral tone as he looked at Arianne. "Visiting hours are over as of now."

Arianne nodded, yawned, and silently left the room while Monty laid back down on his prison cot.

Common Area - Boyce Hall – 0500

Exhausted from being up all night, Arianne silently sank down on the couch in the common room since she didn't want to go to the dorm and risk waking Christine. She quickly pulled out her personal PADD, checked her messages, and was surprised to find one from Leonard that had been sent an hour ago.

Arianne,

Jim's doing well and we should be back on campus by 0600. I already emailed Captain Pike and gave him my recommendation that you take the day off to rest because of your heroics last night. I know you're always there for Jim and I'm grateful for that, but do you think we could be there for each other more?

I didn't think I'd ever have strong romantic feelings for anyone ever again because of what Jocelyn put me through, but it happened; you had that effect on me. When we're both rested, can we talk more?

Leonard

"Oh Len, you're so stubborn with your feelings," Arianne said tiredly as she pocketed her personal PADD, sat up, and looked around at the empty common area. "I might as well go get some rest."

Letting out a sigh, Arianne quietly walked down the hallway and entered her dorm only to find that Christine wasn't even there. It didn't take Arianne long to get out of her cadet reds and into a pair of sleep sweats, a t-shirt, and a pair of socks. She quickly got into bed before she changed her mind.

Flashes of Jonathan's treatment of her ever since he found out her true identity filled Arianne's mind and it was then that she knew that she could never love him again. The Arianne of the past had died on El-Auria, Arianne silently reasoned; she was and always would be Arianne, daughter of Captain Pike.

"How on earth do I tell Len that I've fallen in love with him?" Arianne sleepily asked herself as she laid there and waited to get tired enough to fall asleep. "He's so stubborn with his feelings…"

As Arianne's eyes slowly closed, she made a mental note to ask Jim for help in getting through to Leonard's heart, as Jim was like Leonard's brother and he would know how to accomplish such a feat.