Yay, new update! :D Getting the story moving along a little more :3

"Jay?" Amanda asked again.

Jim looked up at her and then his eyes strayed to the boy next to her, trying to keep his expression blank but body vibrating with suppressed emotion. Shit…shit! I'm in the past, but it's too freaking far! I was shooting for like a year, two at the most, but…Spock's seven years old! I'm like twenty years in the past!

"Jay, please say something. You're worrying me," Amanda said again.

He looked at her again and swallowed. "Uh…fine, just…I had a migraine…and then it got bad, but I think it's gone now…just, surprising, you know?" he said with a small rueful laugh. This is Spock's mom…his mom was really pretty…ah, no, don't go there!

She sighed, but still looked at him with a fretting attention. "You sure?"

"Yeah, I think so…"

"We should probably get you checked real quick though, before leaving…"

"Oh, you need to leave?" Thank god, maybe I can figure out what the hell I'm going to do…

She smiled. "Actually, that was my second surprise for the day. I've been pestering the doctors here for weeks, and they've finally given in because of all the progress I made with you the last few days."

"Pestering them for what?" he asked slowly.

"Well…you're going to be our house guest till you can remember where home is," she said with a grin.

"What?" both he and Spock asked together. Jim looked down at his future First Officer, noting again how weird it was to see him as a little boy. An adorable little boy at that. And as young as he was, he couldn't hide the surprise and incredulity from his face now.

"Yes," she said to her son. "Your father agreed to it as long as the doctor's said he was fine. It's only logical, as I'm the only other human on the planet, that I help take care of a human."

"The doctor's are well versed in human physiology. They will be more than capable to facilitate his medical needs."

Jim arched his eyebrows at him. Jeez, seven years old, ten minutes of knowing me and already he's trying to keep me away...

Amanda flushed a little but smiled. "Yes, but…I think Jay is the kind of man that would benefit more from socializing. Having someone he can talk to. And you know how busy doctors can be."

Spock frowned but turned eyes onto Jim. He smiled as best he could. "Uh, well…" What do I say? I don't want to stay here…but what the heck's going to happen if I go with them? I wanted to change history, but not this far back! Chances are they'd never believe me either…unless they did a mind meld, but…well, I don't want them to know everything. I just wanted to change Vulcan's future, a year back, not twenty…then again, I don't think I could do anything here. At least if I can get out of here I can think of something. And as long as I pretend I can't remember my past…

"I think I'd like that…it'd be nicer than having to stay in the hospital forever."

Amanda positively danced with joy before standing. "I'll have to tell them about the headache but hopefully they'll just want to scan you and will let you into our care. I brought clothes for you too, I hope they're the right size. Spock, stay with him for a moment again please." She headed out the door again and Jim was left with a rather exasperated looking mini-Vulcan.

"…Sorry about before."

Spock looked up, the expression fading into nothing again. "You have nothing to apologize for. You could not control such a thing."

"No, I guess not…but I'm sorry if I scared you."

Spock narrowed his eyes at him and the look that normally made him fear for his life was somehow more frightening for it's cuteness on the round cherubic face. "I am Vulcan, we do not scare."

Jim felt some irony in that statement when he remembered the older Spock berating him at the Kobayashi Maru that he couldn't be a captain if he felt no fear, but pushed it down and smiled. "Of course. I guess it's silly for me to think you'd be scared for a stranger anyway."

Something in the little face twitched and he looked away, his face flushing green.

I'm going to be living with the seven year old version of my first officer who I think wants to kill me far too often, his mother who died before I could ever meet her in the future, and his father who I'm pretty sure hates me in the future. What could possibly go wrong, right?

The doctors did indeed make him go through a quick scan. They detected no aneurisms, tumors or other physical dangers in his head and so gave him some pills for any future migraines and let him sign his release forms. He'd been a little worried when he started walking around, his legs a little wobbly, but he realized it was probably from being confined to the bed for so long. He took a deep breath and kept his body moving, convincing himself he was fine.

He was a little put off from the clothes Amanda brought for him though.

"I know it's probably a lot different than what you were used to, if you remember, but I was rather limited in my choice of style I'm afraid. I hope they at least fit right."

Jim opened the door to the bathroom he changed in, smiling wryly. "Well, they do fit…" He was dressed in traditional Vulcan shirt of red and that went almost to his knees, belted around his middle, and pants that were tight enough to be called leggings. A pair of soft brown boots were on his feet, his Starfleet issue boots evidently having been half melted by his desert trek and his shirt lost to the sand. It was for the best he knew. "I feel a bit like I'm going to a renaissance fair…not that I know what one wears at one of those…I think…"

She chuckled and rolled her eyes. "Well, you look fine. You'll get used to them, I promise."

"Yeah..." How long will I be wearing things like these…? When can I get home? Or do I have to wait to…catch up? The thought of having to wait 20 years to get to his own time was a daunting prospect. Good God…I'm just a toddler somewhere on earth right now…And if I wait, I'm going to be in my forties when I should be in my twenties...

"We have a car waiting outside. We should get going, I still have to fix dinner. Um…"

"Yeah?" He followed her to the door, not having any possessions to pick up. When the doors opened he was blasted by a rush of hot air and he felt himself perspiring almost instantly. He wonder how Amanda could stand it in her traditional clothes, but again it was probably something to get used to.

"Well, I hope you don't mind being a vegetarian for a while…"

Jim's eyebrows ticked up. "Vegetarian?"

"Vulcan beliefs. They don't eat meat. They're digestion doesn't even really allow for it anymore."

"No meat…um, well, I think I can do that…" No bacon? No burgers? No steak? God, if I didn't know better I'd almost think Bones sent me here so I'd start eating the way he wanted…

"Again, you'll get used to it. I promise to try and make it as easy as possible."

"Trust me, you're doing it already by being so kind."

She blushed and smiled happily and led him to a car. Spock was already seated in the front seat, a schoolbag at his feet. He didn't look at Jim as he climbed in the back and Amanda took her seat behind the wheel. They all buckled in and she started up the car, heading into the city proper. Jim looked out the window in wonder, having never seen an actual Vulcan city before. Some buildings were domed and others were like the spires or plateaus out in the desert. He was sure there was a logical design to all of them. They looked to mostly be made of white or light red stone accented with gold and brighter colors in some places. He could see a sort of art to many of them in their architecture. He smiled, wondering if that was logical as well.

"This city is known as Shi'Kahr," Amanda said, probably noticing his rapt attention.

"Shi'ker…er, no, that's not right…"

She chuckled. "Shi'Kahr. It's difficult for humans to pronounce Vulcan. I think we lack something in our vocal chords to do it. Spock, would you pronounce it properly for us?"

Spock looked up at her before staring back to the front. "Shi'kahr."

"And how do you pronounce the mountains again? You know I don't get it right."

"L-Iangon."

Jim smiled slightly, knowing Amanda was trying to include Spock as much as possible.

"Jay, we have a room arranged for you. It's simple…"

"I appreciate it, really. You and your family are really kind to do this for a stranger."

Spock looked about to say something but his mother cut in before him. "Well, hopefully you won't be a stranger forever," she said with a smile. Spock gave a slight, quiet huff and looked out the window again. They pulled up to a large, spacious house of yellowish white stone. It looked almost like a kind of fossilized shell the way it was designed, with large windows in the front and the door in an arched alcove of stone.

"Wow…nice house…"

Amanda smiled. "Thank you. As you can see, room isn't too much of a problem."

"If it was I'd have started saying it wasn't necessary. As it is, I look forward to being a guest."

She stopped the car in a garage like structure and cut the engine before getting out. She helped Spock out of the front, giving his hand a quick squeeze that made him blush and looked mildly perturbed for some reason. Jim opened his door himself, following them to an adjoining door. The inside was clean and he found his eyes looking around, trying to take everything in. This is where Spock grew up…pretty nice… He recalled his own farmhouse back in Iowa and saw quite a few differences between their upbringing. The floors were a shiny black stone that echoed slightly as they walked, not creaky hardwood with rugs here and there for padding. They exited the hall that led to the garage and opened into a large living room. A spire of the same yellowish white stone rose from the center of the room, a stair case to the second floor attached and a wall behind it. A pit was in front of the spire, circular and covered in soft white cushions. In the center of those was what looked like a heating device, for the cold nights he guessed, and a chandelier of crystals lit within. A far cry from the old, faded couch, recliner rocking chair, coffee table and stone fire place he remembered from when he was young. What he assumed to be the kitchen was separated by another wall with a window cut in the stone to look out at the family room.

"It's…beautiful…"

Amanda smiled. "I'm glad you think so. This is the family room. You're welcome down here any time and it's very nice to read here, I can tell you that."

"It certainly looks like it." Jim turned to look around some more as he walked around. A sound like claws on the stone floor drew his attention to turn around just in time for a mass of fur to pounce on him and send him to the floor. He oofed as his back met the stone, alight a flash of pain that soon faded since he'd caught himself on his forearms before his head hit the stone. He'd had worse on missions than bruised elbows. But when he looked up to see a face that was a cross between a grizzly bear and a saber tooth tiger, he sucked in an instinctive last breath. If he had to guess, about 400 pounds of fur, bones, flesh and teeth was pinning him to the ground and sniffing over him. His left tooth was chipped at the end, but the other was six inches of bone.

"I-Chaya, no!" both Spock and Amanda said at once. The animal looked at them and then back down at Jim before backing away and sitting. He looked to be almost as big as Jim in terms of height, but he was round as a barrel in the middle. He sat just in front of him, looking at him curiously still. After a few more seconds of scrutiny it leaned forward to lick his face in one great swipe, making Jim blink at the feeling of drool sliding down his face and his hair swiped up.

Amanda covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. "I'm so sorry, I thought we left him outside…he's very friendly obviously."

"Yeah, I noticed…um, what…?"

"This is I-Chaya," she said, scratching behind his ears fondly. "He's a sehlat. A common pet here on Vulcan. He was Sarek's before, and now he's Spock's. You aren't hurt, are you?"

"No, just surprised…I don't remember anything that big being a pet on earth…"

She chuckled. "Yes, it was a surprise for me too. But he's a sweet heart, don't worry." I-Chaya purred as she gave him a hug and Jim smiled before trying to wipe his face with his sleeve.

"…I am going to go put my school bag away," Spock said, heading for the stairs.

"Will you show Jay his room while I start dinner? It's the one down at the end of the hall that I was cleaning the other day. And help him get set up."

Spock paused before turning, looking at Jim expectantly. He stood and followed, surprised when he felt I-Chaya bump him from behind as if to hurry him along. He smiled and patted the giant teddy bear's head, chuckling as he rubbed against his hand.

He followed the young boy down the hall to a door near then end. He pressed his hand to it and spoke in his monotone voice. "Computer, registry initiate for this door. Code Spock-sigma-talo." He looked up at Jim. "Put your hand on the door." He blinked and did so. He tensed as he saw lights come up under his hand. "Now state your name."

Jim opened his mouth and almost said his full name but caught himself. "Um…"

"Jay is fine."

"Alright…Jay."

"Now make a password.

"Um…Jay-Tau-Kappa." There was a whir and the door opened.

"You know the Greecian Alphabet," Spock commented as they walked in.

"Um, I guess so…I heard you say sigma and I kind of guessed." Gotta be careful about that.

He said nothing but stood in the center of the room. It was simple, with walls that looked like polished white sand stone. A simple bed was actually carved into the wall, slightly oval shaped with a mattress in the center. Blue sheets were made up over it and he had a feeling that was Amanda's insistence. "This is the room. Bed, closet, table, lamp, window." He walked over and opened another door. "Bathroom. …it looks like mother has already bought you the necessary toiletries." He closed the door and walked back. "If you require anything else, speak to my parents." He headed back for the door.

"Uh, hey, that door…thing. I don't remember anything like that."

"Indeed, it is something my father has been working on in his spare time. It has yet to be perfected. If you will excuse me, I wish to put my things away and rest."

"Okay…" The small Vulcan headed out the door, I-Chaya following like a dutiful pet. Jim sat on the bed, happy to find it was a little softer than the hospitals. He sighed and laid back against the pillows to stare up at the ceiling.

What should I do...dammit, I guess my calculations were off by about…19 years…He reached up and rubbed over his face with a groan. Okay…I can figure this out. At some point I just need to get another small ship and do the slingshot again, but this time move forward…hah, easier said than done…Till then I guess I'm stuck here…with mini Spock and his family…shit….

Jim ended up dozing for a while after racking his brains, finding he rather enjoyed the quiet of the room with the afternoon sun slowly moving into evening through his window. It was peaceful, reminding him of lazy summer mornings back in Iowa when he was young.

He was woken up by a gentle shaking of his shoulders and groaned slightly, opening his eyes groggily. For a moment he tensed, thinking he saw his mother looking down on him, and it was actually a fright. Then his mind and vision cleared and he saw it was Amanda.

"Hey. Sorry to wake you, but dinner will be soon."

"Thanks…"

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, just…you looked like…someone else for a second. Someone…I can't really remember." It wasn't the whole truth, but he knew he had to keep up his cover for now.

She smiled sympathetically and patted his shoulder. "Do you need anything?"

"No…I'll clean up and come down."

"Alright." She straightened and headed out the door. Jim got up, going to the bathroom. It was more white polished stone and Jim wondered for a moment if this whole place was carved out of one big rock. The floor however was a rougher stone, like sandpaper, to ensure he wouldn't slip. There was a sonic shower stall with a glass door, a separate large bath, a separate large sink and a mirror above that with shelves on either side filled with soap, shavers, and other toiletries. He had somewhat figured that, due to being a dessert, the bathing would be sonic showers only. The tub was a surprise, but then he figured Sarek was an important scientist and diplomat. It stood to reason he'd be able to afford certain luxuries if there was logic to it.

Finishing up, he headed down stairs.

"In here, Jay!" Amanda called. Jim headed for the dining room around the side of the kitchen but was brought up short in the doorway.

Sarek was sitting at the table, reading over something on an older version of a padd. He looked exactly the same as he did in the future, which was at once disappointing and disorienting. He looked up from his reading and gave Jim a level, emotionless gaze.

"You must be Jay."

"Uh, yessir…you must be Amanda's husband, Ambassador Sarek."

"Just Sarek will suffice. You will be staying with us for an undetermined amount of time. I see no point in formalities as such."

The blonde arched his eyebrows, surprised by the almost cordial manner of his speech. There was still no emotion in his voice or face, but he was talking to him in what, for a Vulcan he was sure, was an inviting and friendly way. Then again, Amanda may have told him before hand to be respectful.

"Thank you, Sarek…I would tell you the same, but all I really know is Jay, so to speak."

"That is fine. If you wish, I could attempt to bring a mind healer in."

He blanched, he knew. No no no, no poking around my head and finding out stuff about the future I don't want you to know! There's only one point in history I'm looking to change! "With all do respect, Sarek, sir, I…would prefer to try and remember on my own first. The thought of someone else in my mind, even to help, is…unsettling."

The elder Vulcan looked at him for a moment in consideration before nodding. "A human reaction I am familiar with. I will not press the matter then, though I see no logic in it."

"Not everything is about logic," Amanda said, coming in with a large bowel of salad she set on the table. "At least not with humans."

"A point I have become most familiar within the last decade," Sarek replied. His wife gave him a fond smile rather than looking affronted.

On her way back to the kitchen she paused and pressed the button on what was apparently an intercom that went throughout the house. "Spock, I will not tell you again. Come down for dinner." She went back into the kitchen.

Sarek gestured at the empty chairs at the table. "Please, take a seat."

"Thank you." He eyed the table before taking a seat to the left of Sarek, but kept a chair between them. The Vulcan tilted his head in what he thought was a questioning way.

"I don't want to impose too much or mess up your family dynamic. I figured the seats right by you belong to your wife and son."

"…Very astute of you."

Jim smiled slightly, hoping that was a compliment.

Spock came in a moment later, I-Chaya behind him.

"Spock, I-Chaya should be placed outside till after dinner."

"Father, it's getting dark out-"

"I-Chaya is well adapted to the chill and has begun to gain more weight than necessary or healthy. I have seen you and your mother sneak him food when possible. You are responsible for his care now, I do not wish to see you fail in doing so."

Spock flushed green up to his ears and looked down. "Yes father. I am sorry, father." He turned and ushered the sehlat back out.

Jim managed to hide his frown by sipping his water. Wow…I guess Sarek was the strict parent…not that I'm too surprised I guess…

Spock came back in and sat down to his father's right, across from Jim. He looked at him but said nothing and the currently elder man tried not to squirm. Amanda came back in and set down a casserole looking dish on the table. "I decided since this is the first night Jay's staying with us, I'd cook again instead of having the replicator do all the work."

Both her son and husband looked at the dish appreciatively and Jim smiled. "It smells great."

She smiled and served everyone, Sarek first, then Spock then Jim, which he understood and smiled at her to show he did. She smiled back and sat down next to him. "I hope you like it. It's a dish fairly common here on Vulcan, it's very good."

Jim nodded and took up his utensils, cutting into the casserole and blowing on it softly before taking a bite. The moment it touched his tongue though he coughed in surprise at the high amount of spices that invaded his taste buds. It was a lot like Indian food on earth, only apparently made from a kind of squash like vegetable. The smell of the spices rose up to him now that it was cut into and steaming and he blinked back tears.

"Jay, are you alright?"

He quickly chewed and swallowed, nodding. "Yes, sorry. I was just surprised by…the spice content."

"Oh, I forgot about that!" She said worriedly.

"I had thought to mention it, but I thought perhaps he'd had similar experiences in the hospital. I can infer now that they toned down the spices for you," Sarek said.

"I guess so…" Jim took another swig of water and smiled. "It's no problem though, just surprising." He continued to eat, now knowing what to expect. Spicy food was alright by him. What was more surprising was thinking that this was the sort of thing Spock ate growing up.

"Spock, how was school?" Amanda asked after a few moments.

"…It was educational and productive," he said.

"Did anything interesting happen today? Or did you learn anything interesting?"

"We learned quadratic formulas and the formulas for discerning time and speed in falling objects in Vulcan, Earth, and several other gravity factors."

Jim stared, blinking. "Wow…I…don't think I was learning that at your age."

"You are not Vulcan," Spock said, eyebrow raised as if to say 'duh, stupid Terran'.

"Spock!" Amanda said, obviously recognizing the tone and look. He looked down and continued eating.

After dinner and a little reading, Jim and Spock both headed upstairs (at Amanda's insistence to make sure he could open his door). "Thanks again, Spock."

Spock looked up at him from his doorway, and Jim could see his eyes turn cold. "My mother may be welcoming to you, but I request you not act so familiar with me. I was not informed of your staying with us, likely because I would object. And I still do. I do not find your presence at all necessary or wanted. Please do not act so friendly with me in the future." He went into his room then and the door shut behind him.

He stared for a while before sighing and heading inside as well, messaging his temples at thoughts of Vulcan's possibly going through the moody puberty time at 6, or if it was just Spock's natural reaction to him. Well…this is going to be fun…