"Bullshit," Bones muttered. Jamie thought the same thing for half a second but everything about this man told her that he was Spock. Older, wiser and even a bit more human than the one she's known for the last few years. The old Vulcan smiled –actually smiled- at them.

"It is agreeable to see you as well my old friend." The look on Bones' face was priceless. Jamie and Spock had been right to tell Starfleet to check Delta Vega for an older Vulcan, they found the old man near the Hunter Outpost. A week after they returned, the Enterprise's acting senior staff was called into Admiral Archer's office and introduced to the Spock from Nero's reality. They talked with him but there came a point when he looked at Jamie and offered to show her what he meant.

"It will be easier, Jim." Nobody but Bones, Sam and Pike ever called her that, for some reason, it felt right. She nodded her consent, despite Bones' argument. "I would not harm her, Leonard. Of that, you can always be sure." The grumpy doctor nodded.

"Our minds, one and together." He touched his hand to her face and Jamie found herself looking through his mind. "One hundred twenty-nine years from now, a star will explode and threaten to destroy the galaxy," Spock's voice echoed through her. "That is where I'm from Jim... The future. A star went supernova. Consuming everything in its path. I promised the Romulans that I will save their planet." Jamie watched as a star destroyed everything around it and got closer to a large planet, Romulus. She watched as Spock and a group made up of Vulcans and Romulans worked together on the Jellyfish ship. "We outfitted our fastest ship. Using red matter I would create a black hole which would absorb the exploding star. I was on route when the unthinkable happened. The supernova destroyed Romulus. I had little time. I had to extract the red matter and shoot it into the supernova. As I began my return trip I was intercepted." Jamie saw the Narada and members of the crew. The one that stuck out was their leader. "He called himself Nero. In my attempt to escape, both of us were pulled into the black hole. Nero went through first... He was the first to arrive. Nero spent the next twenty-five years awaiting my arrival. But what was years for Nero was only seconds for me. I went through the black hole. Nero was waiting for me. He held me responsible for the loss of his world. He captured my vessel and spared my life... for one reason... so that I would know his pain. He beamed me to Delta Vega so that I can observe his vengeance. As he was helpless to save his planet, I would be helpless to save mine." She watched the destruction of Vulcan through his eyes and felt the heartbreak rip though her. "Billions of lives lost because of me, Jim. Because I failed."

Spock pulled away from her but she caught a glimpse of his life and she saw a man; he was like her but different. She saw Bones, Ny, Pasha, Monty and Hiri. She even saw Gary and Lee through his eyes. "Forgive me. Emotional transference is an effect of the mind meld." Jamie nodded as the tears fell, she reached over and touched the older Spock's arm.

"Going back in time you changed all our lives. As much as it's all different, it was all the same. We're all there." The others looked at her.

Old Spock explained, "You had a way of pulling people in. They were always intelligent and in the end, fiercely loyal. In my reality, Leonard and I were often found on your flank. I was the logic, you were the intuition and Leonard was the morality. Much like the three of you interact now. People often considered us three parts of a whole. Montgomery could fix nearly anything. Nyota was compassion and heart that held us all together. Hikaru and Pavel were loyal to you even after they each became captains. In one particular insistence, Hikaru almost lost command of his ship after he violated orders from Command to assist you." Jamie could see it, she did see it.

"Where you came from did… did I know my father?" she asked.

He nodded, "You often spoke of him as being your inspiration for joining Starfleet. He proudly lived to see you become captain of the Enterprise." She was captain in the other reality.

"You know, coming back in time, changing history, that's cheating," she whispered.

The Vulcan smiled, "A trick I learned from my best friend."

Young Spock looked at them, "You are implying that Kirk and I are closer in your reality."

The older Spock looked at him, "You need each other. Do not deprive yourself of all that you can accomplish together. Of a friendship that will define you both in ways you cannot yet realize." Jamie looked at her friend. They all knew that he was considering leaving Starfleet.

"In the face of extinction it is only logical I resign my Starfleet commission and help rebuild our race," he told his older self.

Older Spock looked at him, "And yet you can be in two places at once. I urge you to remain in Starfleet. I've already located a suitable planet on which to establish a Vulcan colony. Spock, in this case do yourself a favor, put aside logic and do what feels right." That's what she said, not as eloquently but still.

They talked to him a little while longer but they had duties to see to and they couldn't occupy Archer's office all day. As they went to leave the older Spock, who they would publicly refer to as Ambassador Selak, looked at the group and offered the Vulcan salute, "Since my customary farewell would appear awfully self serving, I shall simply say good luck, my friends."

Jamie smiled and returned the gesture, "Peace and long life, Spock."

They left Archer's office and went their separate ways. Jamie had yet another debriefing session with the board and Bones decided to walk over with her."They keep asking the same questions, every day since we got back. It's exhausting. And walking around this place is damned depressing."

Bones nodded his agreement and took her hand, "Well at least we'll get to see our families tomorrow." There was a light at the tunnel.

The academy felt like it was empty. The cadets on the Enterprise and the few dozen that were rescued from the other ships were ordered to wear their rank shoulder-boards since their commissioning was valid. The first and second year cadet's gave the new officers a wide berth so it was almost like nobody was there. The brass called off their classes for the time being. Anyone who could test out of stuff, did. Jamie was so glad she was officially done already. In the coming days, the personal belongings of everyone they lost would need to be packed up and shipped to their families. Jamie and company were going to pack up Kevin, Braxim, and Kelso's rooms. They also offered to pack up their roommate's belonging and the rooms of a few other classmates that they all knew well enough like Raynor, Luther, Thanas, Simmons, Carney and Jackson. Barnett was thankful that they agreed to help, he was having a difficult time assigning the task and short on people to actually do half of the stuff he needed done since they lost a good chunk of the staff too. Gaila was already on leave, none of them have seen her in days but Dana Mitchell, Gary's mom, comm'ed to let them know that she was at the apartment and that Gaila was ok. Jamie planned to stop by after she saw the admirals.

"Can I ask you somethin', darlin'?" Jamie looked at him and nodded. He took a breath, "Will you marry me?"

Jamie raised an eyebrow, "I said yes the last time you asked. We're already engaged, Bones."

He nodded, "I am well aware of that, Jim. I guess I'm asking if you'll marry me sooner rather than later."

Jamie thought about it and smiled, "Anytime you want… after Pike gets outta the hospital... and not here, in Georgia."

Bones smiled, "Deal."