I'm hoping that the fact that the last chapter only got one review is because people were away for the holidays, and not because you don't like the story. I really enjoy hearing what you all think, and if you have suggestions, I do listen to my reviewers - a lot of the time, your comments shape my stories. So please tell me!

Disclaimer: not mine

Within the first week of forced exile, a pattern was set. JT would go out at least every other day, sometimes more frequently, with one or two of the others, to find food, and if possible, medical supplies. Never enough for what they actually needed, but it would have to do. The best they were able to find for medical supplies were a few half filled first aid kits from various remains of houses. Most of the city was left untouched, but it was usually too dangerous for them to venture so close to the area. JT was unwilling to risk it unless there was no other choice. Instead, they targeted recently built food stores on the outskirts of the city, hitting in the middle of the night, avoiding patrols when they could, and dealing with them when they couldn't. JT was good at sneaking and fighting, and he taught the others some survival skills that kept them alive and unhurt through each encounter with a patrol. He had no formal training of course, but he had been fighting to live his whole life.

April, though inexperienced, did well in her capacity as CMO, ensuring that everyone ate something, as much as they were able, and dealing with the minor injuries that cropped up, cuts and scrapes that they collected while gathering food, and on run ins with guards.

Anya was the one who served as a link between the younger kids and the command crew. She told JT of any issues so that he was able to fix it, and thanks to her, they were able to avoid any major fights.

As the Operations Manager, Cory spent a good deal of time with JT, planning raids on homesteads and food storages, and scouting trips to ensure they were not caught unaware by any patrols that were in the area.

Months passed both too slowly and too quickly. Luckily, very few arguments broke out amongst the kids. JT knew it was because they all knew they needed each other. They were all too young, and keeping calm and quiet was a difficult task, especially for hours on end. He and the other older kids would make up stories, or engage them in games, anything to keep them from thinking about their current situation. JT had even taken to quoting Shakespeare plays and sonnets, some of which the others knew or recognized, but many they did not. It seemed he had a quote for everything, and would often talk about different plays, relating them in such a way that the entire group was entranced. It was much easier to get into the material when it wasn't written in such a hard-to-read format. The way JT described it, even those who had had to suffer through some of Shakespeare's work were listening with bated breath.

When he wasn't searching for food, scouting the area, planning with the other members of his command crew, or keeping the younger kids occupied, JT fiddled with the communicator Hoshi had given him. It still wouldn't work, no matter how much he tried. He had taken apart the device, rewired it, and put it back together, multiple times, but still nothing. He managed to get it to turn on after a couple weeks of work, but even after that, he still couldn't get a message out.

Tom sat down next to him, interrupting his focus. He didn't say anything, just smiled softly, and turned back to look at the other kids.

JT also refocused his attention. The younger kids were playing an Andorian word game that Sha'al had introduced to them. Her English was definitely getting better, and in return, she was teaching the rest of them some basic Andorian. Several times, she would stay up with JT and have conversations in her native tongue, appreciating being able to speak without having to consciously think about what she was saying.

April and Kieran were in the back of the cave, where they had set up the medical supplies and formed a makeshift hospital-type area. Matt had fallen ill a few days earlier, and the two under qualified teenagers were trying to figure out how to make him better.

In the three months since Kodos' decree, JT knew they had been lucky. No patrols had found their hiding place, and apart from the hunger, Matt was the first one to fall ill. JT knew it couldn't last, but he had no idea how to make it better. Some Captain he was. He couldn't even protect his crew.

April looked up and caught his gaze, jerking her head slightly.

Nodding, JT stood up, resting a hand briefly on Tom's shoulder, before he moved back to join his medics.

"What's up?" he asked quietly, kneeling down next to April as he studied little Mattie, sleeping in front of him. His breathing was shallow and labored, and made JT wince in sympathy and self loathing.

April sighed. "I'm not sure what else we can do, JT," she admitted. "He needs more medicine than we have."

"Like what?" JT queried, his mind already thinking of plans.

April bit her lip. "Nutrient supplements, perhaps some sort of stimulant to help his heart."

JT leaned forward. "What's wrong with his heart?"

April shrugged with one shoulder. "I'm not a doctor, JT. I'm really not sure, but I think the starvation's weakened his heart muscles. If we don't do something, he's going to die." Her voice trailed off into a whisper, as she tried not to cry. Over the last three months, they had become a family, and she hated that she couldn't do anything to save Mattie.

JT thought for a few moments longer. "Where can we find what he needs?"

April looked up. "Some first aid kits in the city might have some decent substitutes, but if you want to get the stronger stuff, you'll need to go to a doctor's office or hospital." She noted the gleam in JT's eyes. "JT, it's too dangerous."

"It's his only shot," JT threw back, defiant.

Kieran interrupted them. "My dad's office would probably have what you need. I think he knew that things were getting bad, so he sealed up his practice, and locked all the medication and equipment so tight, Kodos' guys shouldn't be able to get in, but I can." JT looked like he wanted to protest Kieran's involvement in the actual run, but Kieran shook his head. "My dad told me all the passcodes, and I know where he hid it all. You won't have time to search for it on your own. You'll need me."

Resigned, JT nodded, and gestured to the other boy to follow him. Turning back, he smiled at April. "It'll be fine," he promised. As he turned back to the cave's entrance, he hoped he would be able to keep that promise. They had been able to avoid the city for the last few months, but this run would take them into the lion's den. It was infinitely more dangerous than any other food or medicine run they had attempted.

He raised his voice, calling out, "Tom, you're with me and Kieran. Anya, you're in charge." Both of his friends nodded, Anya going back to what she had been doing, and Tom standing up to join the other two.

JT looked around the cave once more, locking gazes with April. He nodded, and waited until she returned the gesture, before he led the other two boys outside.

XXX

They made good time to the city.

The buildings gleamed ahead of them in the midday sun, and JT, for a brief moment, second-guessed what they were about to do.

A second later, his resolve hardened. Mattie was depending on them.

Kieran took over, leading them around the city, entering through a side alley he knew to be nearby to his father's practice. He still missed his parents, but the family he had now had gone a long way towards healing that pain.

JT threw out his hand to stop the other two before they exited the alley onto the main road; they stayed in the shadows as a patrol passed, waiting until the sound of heavily shod feet had all but disappeared, before Kieran pointed them in the right direction.

The door to the practice hung open on one hinge, and the first floor had obviously been searched, but it looked like nothing had been taken. With most of the staff dead, there was no one to know as the three teenagers hurried inside and immediately moved up to the second floor.

JT and Tom kept watch by the stairs while Kieran quickly made his way over to the locked cabinets where he knew his father had kept his drugs and supplies. He moved aside one of the cabinets with no small effort, and grinned at the safe that came into view. He punched in the code his father had given him all those months ago. The light turned green, and then red again, and Kieran punched in the second code. The safe clicked open, and the teenager immediately began filling the bag he had brought with him with everything he could reach; anything that might help them. Unfortunately, the stores had been depleted before Kodos' decree, so there wasn't as much as any of them would have liked, but Kieran did find enough to hopefully help Mattie get better, as well as give them a decent stockpile for the future, assuming not too many of them became ill. Most of what he found were fever reducers, a few mild pain relievers, some antihistamines, and an anti-inflammatory or two. There were a couple of nutrient supplements, but not as many as Kieran had hoped.

When he was done, he closed up the cabinet and went back to JT and Tom. He didn't dare speak, but his nod indicated that they were done.

JT briefly considered trying to raid some of the homes, but he dismissed the idea as soon as he had thought it. The most important thing was to get the medicine back to the cave. It was better not to push it.

The entire trip out of the city, JT was just waiting for guards to swoop down and kill them. Fortunately, that didn't happen, though they did have to run for cover several times to avoid patrols.

They did have one encounter on the way back. Outside the city, there was nowhere to hide when the sound of a hovercar reached their ears.

JT looked around in a panic, but there was nothing in view that would provide decent cover. "Get down," he told his companions, gesturing to the ground.

Obligingly, both Kieran and Tom lay down, Kieran hiding the bag of medical supplies underneath him.

JT stayed standing, spreading his feet so that his stance was balanced.

It didn't take long for the hovercar to come into view; it slowed to a stop in front of him, and two guards got out.

"What do we have here?" one asked, looking at the kid in front of him.

"I think I recognize this one," the other commented. "Drove him home a few times. Jimmy. The Governor's little pet, right?"

JT tried to hide his flinch, but wasn't quite successful, and both guards laughed.

"Him and his gang's been causing us a lot of trouble lately. I think the Governor would like to have a little chat with you," the first guard said, reaching for the boy.

If there was one thing Frank had taught JT, it was how to throw a punch. Well, mostly, JT had learned by observing, and by feeling it doled out, but it came in handy now, as he ducked the guard's grasp, and landed a solid hit to the man's gut.

The other guard lunged, but JT was quick on his feet, and dodged again.

He landed a kick to the guard's midsection, and the guy went down. JT reached out and managed to get a hold of the man's phaser. He stepped back, holding the weapon out with shaking hands.

Both men charged at him, and without thinking about it, JT fired, twice.

Both guards went down, and didn't rise. Looking at the weapon, JT realized that it had not been set to stun. He gulped, eyes widening, before he gestured for Tom and Kieran to stand up.

Neither of them seemed to be able to take their eyes off the dead guards, until JT put a hand on their arms, turning them around and leading them towards the woods.

None of them said anything as they ran back to the cave.

XXX

When they arrived back, Kieran headed back to April, where he pulled out a vial and a hypospray, and handed it to the older girl.

Tom and JT stayed by the entrance, neither talking, but taking comfort in the other's presence.

When it started to get dark, Tom stood up and headed back inside. He paused briefly, turning back to look at his friend. "Thanks," he said quietly.

JT looked up, startled, and nodded, not saying anything in response.

Tom moved away, and a few minutes later, Kieran came over. He didn't speak for several moments, sitting down next to JT and just watching the scenery outside.

Finally, he bit his lip and looked over at their leader. "Thank you," he said simply.

JT nodded, but, like with Tom, didn't say anything in reply.

Kieran hesitated. "Those guards knew you." JT panicked briefly, but calmed slightly when Kieran rushed on, "I won't say anything. I know you know more than the rest of us, but you must have reasons for not telling us. Frankly, I'm not sure I want to know." He looked down, playing with the gravel on the ground as a distraction. "You're doing a good job, JT. Keeping us alive. I trust you, and if you don't want to tell us something, I know you've got reasons for it. I won't tell anyone what I heard today."

JT nodded shakily. "Thanks," he said, trying to smile as Kieran stood up and headed back inside.

A few minutes later, Anya joined him. She offered him a protein bar, one of the last they had – he would need to make another food run tomorrow. JT turned it down. "Give it to Kev," he said. Anya thought about protesting, but knew it wouldn't do anything. JT was stubborn like that, so she just turned around and offered the bar to the five year old, before she went back to JT.

The two sat in silence for a while, as the activity in the cave settled down for the night.

It wasn't until everyone but him and Anya were asleep that JT finally spoke. "I killed them."

It was a simple statement, but loaded with the grief and fear that the fourteen year old felt.

Anya nodded. Kieran had told her what had happened. "You did what you had to do," she replied softly.

JT looked up, eyes pleading. "Am I a murderer?" he asked, sniffing in an attempt to keep the tears from falling.

Anya shook her head, leaning forward. "JT, you protected yourself, and Tom, and Kieran. You're not a bad guy, it was self defense."

JT just looked down, hugging his knees to his chest. "We've had run-ins before, but we never did serious damage."

Anya didn't stay anything, and just sat there, offering her support. The pair spent the rest of the night in silence, JT contemplating, Anya just being there for her friend, her little brother. He had become so important to her in the last couple of years, and she hated to see him hurt.

XXX

The next day, JT showed no sign of remembering their conversation of his turbulent emotions of the night before, and, dutifully, Anya said nothing as well.

She kept a close eye on him, watching as he spent hours working on that communicator, before he once more gave it up for the time being, and took Tom and Cory on a food run.

As the days continued to pass, JT put the incident behind him, not forgotten, but pushed back far enough that it didn't overwhelm him. They had more important things to worry about.

Fortunately, the medicine they had managed to retrieve was able to get Mattie better, and within a few days, the seven year old was up and about just as he had been before falling ill.

Though it was hard to feel joyful, they did make an effort to celebrate Kevin's sixth birthday as it came, as well as Callen and Sven's tenth, just a week afterwards. There was no cake, but JT managed to come up with a present for them at least.

For Kevin, he had spent days whittling out a model of a starship out of a piece of wood. It was crude, but worth the effort to see the way the boy's eyes lit up.

For Callen and Sven, he had whittled models of dinosaurs. One was a Tyrannosaurus Rex, the other a Brachiosaurus. He knew that the twins were fascinated by the extinct creatures, and both loved the gift.

It was nice to have something good to relieve the fear and worry that continued to plague them.

All of them were getting skinnier. Several more kids fell ill, though thanks to the stolen meds, and some redistributing of rations as needed, no one had died. Yet.

JT knew it was only a matter of time, but he hated thinking it. He hated making way for the bad thoughts. As if just having the idea might make it more real, more possible.

JT knew he wasn't the only one sacrificing his own portion for the younger kids, but he didn't say anything, watching as his crew, his family, grew weaker and weaker around him.

April and Kieran, thankfully, were aware enough that they needed to be as healthy as possible, in order to take care of the others; JT didn't think he'd be able to force anyone to eat, so he was glad that they realized their necessity to the group, and took care of themselves, as much as they were able.

Percy was the first of the older kids to become seriously ill. JT knew it was from giving up his food all the time. At this point, though, he didn't think just getting the boy to eat again would solve anything. They were running out of meds, and none of what they had left would help him.

He could only watch as Percy grew unable to walk, lacking the energy to do anything, though he was still able to smile for the younger kids. Over the last few months, he had become something of a father figure to them. He had looked after them while the others did their jobs, getting food and medicine, standing guard, and scouting the area.

Anya was the next one to become ill. It stabbed JT in the heart, watching his big sister lie there, trying to hide her moans of pain and trying to mask the hacking coughs that forced their way out of her lungs. It was more than just starvation, JT knew. He suspected pneumonia, but they had nothing to treat it, and they weren't likely to find anything unless they broke into the hospital in the city, which he knew would be suicide. Kieran's father's practice had been risky enough. They would never make it out of the hospital alive.

JT spent two days watching Anya grow weaker and weaker. Mild pain relievers and fever reducers only did so much. They barely lowered her temperature, before it climbed back up to alarming levels.

It was late in the night, three days after Anya's illness became apparent, when it came to a close.

Tom and Cory were keeping watch at the entrance, and JT was sitting by Anya's side, holding her hand as he listened to her wheezing breath.

"Jimmy." The teenager looked up at the rasp of his name, glad that no one else was within hearing distance, as he knew by now that his older friend was too far gone to remember to use his pseudonym. Anya was watching him with something foreign in her eyes. It was sad, and pleading, but almost… peaceful.

JT leaned closer, sniffling, trying to hold in the tears. "Anya, don't…"

Anya shook her head slightly. "It's all right, Jimmy. Please, don't be sad." JT bit his lip, the tears escaping. Anya gasped. "Jimmy, promise me something." JT nodded, suddenly remembering Hoshi's last moments. He wondered if Anya would make him give the same vow. He wasn't so sure he could keep it anymore. Anya smiled softly. As her voice grew weaker, she switched over to Russian, her native tongue coming much easier to her fever muddled brain. "Jimmy, you'll figure this out. You'll get out. And when you do, promise me you'll live." JT nodded soberly, the tears falling fast and thick now. It was the same promise that he gave Hoshi, and like he had given his teacher, he would give it to her, even if he didn't know if he could keep it. Anya's eyes turned towards the ceiling of the cave. A few tears leaked out of her eyes, but her expression was calm. "Tell my brother I love him. And tell Pasha… tell him I'll always be with him."

JT nodded again, gasping a little as Anya breathed in and out… in and out… and then her chest was still. She was smiling.

A hand came down on JT's shoulder, and he flinched slightly, looking up. Tom was crying as well.

The two boys said nothing, as Cory joined them.

April was the next to sit with them, waking up from her little nap a few minutes later – she and Kieran had been taking catnaps whenever they could. She wouldn't have left Anya's side that night, if JT hadn't forced her to get some sleep, promising that he would watch over her. Her soft cry when she realized that her friend was dead woke up the rest of the group.

The smaller kids were crying, but each gave the oldest of their group a goodbye, before they stepped back, giving the command crew a chance to be alone.

JT, Tom, Cory, and April sat in silence for a while longer, saying their goodbyes to their friend. One by one, each stood up and moved away, until it was just JT alone.

He still hadn't let go of Anya's hand, and just stayed slumped over for several more minutes, before he straightened up. There was a fierce expression on his face. His eyes were burning with determination, as his resolve hardened. "I promise, Anya," he said lowly, still in Russian, "I'll get everyone out. I promise, I'll try to live, for you. And I'll find your brother, and tell him how much you loved him. I'll tell Pavel how lucky he is, to have had a sister like you."

With that, he stood up, laying Anya's hand on her chest. April and Kieran moved forward, picking up the body, and JT followed them out of the cave.

At the entrance, he turned back and looked at the group. He knew they wanted to come, but it was too dangerous for such a large group to be wandering around the area. He sighed. "Cory, Tom, you guys come with us. Percy, you're in charge."

He faltered a little at giving those instructions. Over the last five months, two days, and some odd hours since their group had been forced together by circumstance, he had always left Anya in charge when he and Tom weren't there.

Percy nodded from his spot on one of the beds, as he still couldn't stand up, and Tom and Cory joined him as JT turned back around, and the small group quickly made their way to a nearby clearing, where they all banded together to dig a grave.

It was shallower than it should have been, but none of them were strong enough, or had enough energy, anymore, to dig any more.

When Anya was buried, all five of them spent a few more minutes saying goodbye once more, before leaving the area.

JT, Tom, and Cory broke away for a food run, while the others headed back to the cave.

It was getting harder to find places to steal food. Over the last five months, they had raided many of the abandoned homesteads in the farmlands and outlying villages, as well as the stores set up by Kodos and his guards, but it was getting harder to avoid patrols, and they had had many more run-ins with guards over the last month or so. They tried to avoid the city whenever possible, but it wasn't easy.

The three boys headed in the direction they had ventured in a few days earlier.

Someone had apparently been thinking ahead, and had stockpiled a good deal of canned goods, things that wouldn't spoil. The food was stored in a well-hidden lean-to, between trees in a dense part of the woods.

Cory filled up their bag with all that would fit, while Tom and JT kept watch.

It was on their way back that they ran into trouble.

A patrol found them as they hurried down the road – part of their route had to be made in the open; unfortunately, it was the only way back to the cave.

A shout drew their attention, and JT felt his stomach drop. "Run," he urged his companions.

They managed to get to the woods, and JT stopped. Both other boys halted as well, but JT shook his head. "Keep going, I'll hold them off."

Tom set himself stubbornly. "Cory, get that food back to the others. We'll be there soon."

Cory looked like he wanted to protest, but on seeing JT's expression, he simply nodded and took off running again.

JT and Tom waited by the tree line. It didn't take long for the patrol to reach them.

There were four of them. Each one was carrying a phaser in his hands, and none of the expressions on the men made JT or Tom feel any better.

They tossed out a few leers and chilling comments and suggestions, before JT sprung into action, taking one guard down with several well-placed punches.

A scream got his attention. Tom had also taken out a guard, but he had gone down, holding his stomach with his hands.

A feeling like ice percolated in his chest, and with an almost feral cry, he grabbed a fallen phaser, taking out the remaining two guards, before he went over to Tom.

A different sort of stabbing broke his concentration as he kneeled down next to his friend.

Tom's breathing was coming in gasps. "JT," he wheezed.

JT shook his head. "Come on," he urged, hauling his friend up. Tom leaned heavily on JT, and together, they managed to get back to the cave.

"April!" JT shouted out, a note of fear in his voice that caused all eyes to turn to him. JT was always in control. He was always so calm, acting as the leader they had all named him as. For him to actually show fear meant something must really be wrong.

April gasped as she turned to the entrance, seeing the two boys stumble inside.

With hurried movements, she had both of them back in the medical section of the cave. JT lowered Tom with a wince, and then stood back, watching as April and Kieran rushed around, trying to figure out the problem.

Tom was groaning, but JT couldn't see any sign of injury. After a few minutes, April stood up and gestured him over to a corner.

"How bad is it?" JT asked, glancing back at his friend.

April sighed. "Not as bad as it looked. He's got a broken rib. We still have a few pain meds, so there's that, at least. But we can't fix the bone without equipment; Kieran and I wrapped it with bandages, but it'll just have to heal on its own."

JT nodded, biting his lip. He looked around the cave for a moment, observing the kids. Most of them were looking at Tom, with varying degrees of worry and fear.

As he turned back to April, he winced again.

The makeshift doctor caught the motion, and leaned forward in concern. "JT, are you all right?" JT nodded, but April was insistent. "Let me see," she all but demanded.

JT sighed, but dutifully lifted up his shirt.

April gasped at the bruise that covered half his side. Her hands ghosted over the injury. "How bad does it hurt?" she asked quietly, concerned.

JT lowered his shirt, shaking his head. "Nothing's broken," he assured her. "I think it's just a fracture."

April didn't want to let it go, but she really couldn't do anything. It wasn't like they had any equipment to mend bones. Somehow, she knew that if she suggested giving him something for the pain, he would refuse, stating that Tom would need it all.

Everyone began to settle as night fell once more; Percy had all the kids distracted, playing games until it was time for bed. JT went back to the communicator he still couldn't get to work. Fiddling with the device had become such a habit for him by now; it just seemed to be something to do, to pass time. Something to feel like he was actually making progress, even if he wasn't. He brought it to the back of the cave, and used one of their lanterns – the only one that still worked – to see by, as the natural light failed. He didn't want to leave his friend.

Cory and Sha'al kept watch that night, though JT didn't go to sleep with the rest of the group either. He was determined to get help, and Hoshi's communicator was his only shot.

Tom began to stir a little, and JT looked over, biting his lip. He waited a few moments, and was rewarded by a pair of tired eyes staring back. "Hey," he said quietly, leaning forward so they could converse without waking anyone else.

Tom groaned, pressing his hand to his chest as he tried to sit up.

JT shook his head, resting his hand on his friend's shoulder. "Don't try to move," he protested. "You've got a broken rib, but you'll be fine."

Tom stopped his efforts, and looked up. "Are you…?"

He trailed off, but JT understood. He smiled a little. "Cory and I are both fine," he assured the other boy. Tom raised an eyebrow, not buying the act, and JT sighed. "I've got a fractured rib, I think," he admitted. "It doesn't hurt that bad, and it's not as bad as you, so don't fight April when she gives you the pain meds, all right?"

Tom glared, but didn't protest. He was about to say something else, but JT shook his head. "Get some sleep," he said. "We'll talk more later."

Tom looked mutinous, but settled back and closed his eyes, his breathing evening out moments later. JT smiled again, and went back to his fiddling. It wasn't too much later when he felt his own eyes begin to droop. Almost against his will, he set down the communicator, and settled against the wall of the cave next to Tom, falling quickly into sleep.

XXX

It wasn't until two days later that JT had a flash of insight. Tom was able to sit up now, but he still got winded easily when he moved around.

He had moved to the edge of the cave, and was dozing lightly that evening, while JT and Cory kept watch – JT still fiddling with the communicator – when his rest was interrupted by their Captain.

"It's a jamming signal."

Cory and Tom looked over, confused. "What is?" Cory asked curiously.

JT held up the communicator. "Nothing's wrong with this, there's a jamming signal preventing any communications from getting out."

Cory bit his lip. "So then, Starfleet doesn't even know anything's wrong?"

JT shook his head grimly. "Kodos probably put up the signal to prevent anyone from calling for help." He paused for a moment, before continuing delicately. "I think it can be disabled, but only from the point of origin. I can't believe I didn't figure it out earlier."

Cory furrowed his brow at the self-disgust in his cousin's voice, before his chin shot up, hearing the unspoken idea behind JT's explanation. "NO!" His shout drew several eyes, as most of the kids were just drifting off to sleep. Cory didn't notice. "JT, you can't! We need you here, you can't just…"

"I have to," JT argued back, his voice weary but determined, his expression steely. "Cory, this communicator is the only shot we have of getting help. Until that jamming signal is gone, we can't get a message out. It's our only chance."

April and Percy came over now – April supporting the weak sixteen year old – followed quickly by Sha'al, Sean, and Kieran. The ones gathered by the entrance were the oldest of the group.

JT bit his lip, looking at the group. "I can get into the Palace, which is where the signal has to be coming from. I have to do this." His gaze drifted over to Tom, who was watching him steadily, but not saying anything. The makeshift First Officer knew he couldn't dissuade his friend, and it sounded like this really was the only option they had.

April was the first one to nod. "You can do it, JT." She smiled slightly. "If anyone could, it's you. And you're right. We need help."

Hesitantly, the rest of them nodded their acquiescence. None of them were happy about it, but they were desperate enough to know that they needed to take some drastic measures.

JT grit his teeth, swallowing harshly. He inclined his head once, and held out the communicator to Tom. "Give me two hours, and then start sending out a distress signal. Transmit it once every five minutes, until you get a response. Can you do that?"

Tom looked at the device, and then back at JT. He shook his head. "I'm coming with you," he stated calmly.

JT was the one to shake his head now. "You can't –" he started.

Tom cut him off. "You're not going anywhere without me," he maintained, making to stand up, holding in the wince as his chest ached.

JT sighed. "Tom, you're hurt," he protested.

Tom held firm. "You need someone to keep watch. Face it, JT. I'm coming."

They had a bit of a staring contest for a few moments longer, before JT looked away. "Fine," he grumbled, holding the communicator out for Cory. "You can transmit the signal, right?"

Cory nodded, squashing down the fear as he took the offered communicator with a shaking hand.

JT smiled a little, trying to reassure his cousin. He spent another minute showing Cory exactly how to send the distress signal, before he stood up. He wanted to reassure them, to tell them that everything would be all right, but he couldn't. He knew the chances of successfully getting in and out of the Palace without anyone seeing him. But they had no choice.

So he just stood there awkwardly for another moment, before he took a deep breath.

The others stood up as well, each giving him a hug or a pat on the back.

Sha'al stepped in, searching his gaze for something. "There's no chance you'll promise to come back, is there?" she asked, resigned, in Andorian.

JT shook his head regretfully. "I don't know if I'll be able to keep it," he replied.

Sha'all nodded, and gave him a hug as well. "Just promise me you'll be careful, then," she said as she stepped back.

JT couldn't speak, but he nodded his assent, attempting a smile.

The others crowded around next, not understanding everything, but sensing the seriousness of the older kids.

Lisa gave him a huge hug, followed by Kevin. The now six year old had firmly attached himself to the older teen, shadowing him whenever they were in the cave.

Jenny and Rose each grasped one leg, making JT smile, patting them on the head before he had to make them let go.

Everyone gave their support to Tom as well, minding his injury, before the two boys shared a significant look. Without another word, JT turned around and led Tom out of the cave.

One way or another, they were going to get that distress signal out. They were going to get help.

Please review!