Disclaimer: not mine

It took almost three days for the relief ships to get their act together. The Farragut, Trepid, and Hathaway arrived in time for them to participate in a meeting aboard the Seymour, between the command staff, with the inclusion of the Captains and First Officers from the other ships, and the Admirals back at Starfleet Headquarters, on Earth.

After almost four hours in which Chris had to forcefully keep himself from falling asleep as several officers droned on and on, it was agreed that the Seymour would take most of the more severely injured colonists back to Earth. This assembly of survivors would include the group of children, or as Chris had begun calling them in his head, 'Jimmy's kids'. He was happy with this arrangement, because it meant that they would be on the same ship as their leader, who had yet to regain consciousness. Tom was progressing more rapidly, and at the meeting, Doctor Boyce had informed them that they had taken him off of the medication that was keeping him in an induced coma, so he should be waking up soon.

Once Admiral Archer had pulled his rank card and told them all how it was going to go, most of the arguing fizzled out, and Chris gave a small sigh of relief. Next to him, he could tell that Flynn was equally thankful, and if he had to hazard a guess, Captains Halloway and Mercer were also getting quite fed up with all the back and forth bickering of the various crewmembers.

When the meeting was over, Chris made his way down to Medical. He had spent a good deal of time over the last couple of days sitting by Jimmy's bedside, holding his hand, or doing some work while he watched over the boy. He hadn't been there for the last eleven years, and look what had happened.

Sometimes Doctor Boyce or Doctor Martin would come and spend some time with him, reassuring him of JT's progress. His color was looking good, though they still had him on transfusions to deal with the blood loss, and his pulse and blood pressure were still a little low, but on the whole, it was much better then either doctor could have hoped for. They had slowly been weaning him off of the heavy-duty painkillers, hoping that he would wake up on his own. That had taken some trial and error, and a few panic-filled moments, when the kid went into anaphylactic shock after they administered some of the more common painkillers. Apparently JT was allergic to a large number of medications the doctors would normally use, which only made their job harder.

A few days after the three new ships arrived, the Seymour beamed up a group of colonists that included all of Jimmy's kids, as well as roughly twenty others who needed more serious medical attention. They were adding two more doctors, on loan from the Yorktown and the Endeavor, to deal with the number of civilians that required medical attention.

The Seymour left orbit roughly six hours later, setting a course for Earth at warp three, which would have them arriving in approximately one and a half weeks, faster if they pushed the engines harder, but Halloway wasn't quite willing to take that risk unless they had to.

The first thing Chris did once they were on their way was check on the kids; Halloway had had security block off two Observation Decks for the colonists. They were both set up something like Red Cross centers; the adults had taken one deck, and, on the advice of Chris and Doctor Karakas, Halloway had kept the kids together, and separate from the other civilians.

Upon entry to the Observation Deck, Chris was immediately swarmed, as the kids spotted him and clamored for information. He chuckled lightly, and held up his hand. "One at a time," he implored.

April was the first one to speak. "How's JT?" she asked.

Chris sighed. "Still unconscious," he told them. He winced at the way the group collectively wilted at the information.

"How long will it take for us to get back to Earth?" Kieran asked, after a few moments of silence.

Chris cleared his throat. "A little over a week. Which reminds me, we're going to have someone from Communications speak with you all at some point over the next day or so. We're trying to locate any family you may have, so that they can meet you in San Francisco, or if necessary, arrange for further travel when we dock."

They all nodded, and Chris smiled. "I'll let you know as soon as I have more information on JT, or if anything else comes up that I think you should know about. Now, I think it's getting late, so you should all get some rest. April, Kieran, Cory, could I speak with you outside for a minute?"

The three nodded, and looked over at Percy first. While still weak, he was able to move about for short periods of time now, though he tired easily. He inclined his head, silently telling them that he would look after the others, so the three followed Chris out of the room.

Chris nodded to the Security officer assigned to watch over the group for the night, and led the teenagers to the 'lift. Once inside, he explained a little further. "I know you're all stressed out, and tired. I just thought you might want to see something, before you go to sleep."

He refused to say any more, and instead, led them out of the 'lift when the doors opened, and down the hall to Medbay.

All three kids felt their hearts hammering painfully as they entered the room. Chris led them over to a bed in a secluded corner. The person lying on it was covered to the chest in a clean white blanket; half his face was swathed in bandages, but the uncovered eye was open halfway, indicating that he was at least semi conscious.

"Tom!" April exclaimed softly, mindful of the location they were in, as she ran to his side.

Tom groaned and turned his head slightly. He attempted a smile that came out as more of a grimace. He opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't get words to come out.

Kieran and Cory quickly joined April at Tom's bedside. "How are you feeling?" Kieran asked softly.

Tom shrugged with one shoulder, and winced. As soon as he got the pain that flared up at his movement down to a manageable level, he looked back over at his friends. His eyes sought information, but he knew better than to try to speak again. Every time he took a breath, he felt like a hot poker was being shoved down his throat.

Chris came up behind the teenagers, and smiled down at Tom. "You probably don't remember me," he started, but stopped when he saw Tom nod his head slightly, recognition in his gaze. He mouthed a single word, his eyes pleading. Chris sighed, knowing that Tom was asking about his friend. "JT's here," he promised. "He's still unconscious, but we're taking care of him." He paused for a moment, and was relieved to see that Tom relaxed slightly. "Now, why don't you get some rest. The doctors think you might be all fixed up by the time we reach Earth, but only if you listen to them so that you can get better. Can you do that?"

Tom nodded slightly, and settled back on the bed. His uncovered eye was already drooping shut.

April looked over at Chris. "Thank you," she whispered.

Chris smiled at the trio. "One more stop, and then I'll take you back to the Observation Deck." He then led them towards the back of the room, where there were several closed doors. He opened one of them and stepped aside.

Cory was the first one through the door, and his half gasp, half cry caused the other two to hurry through the entrance to see what had distressed their friend.

They all gasped at the sight in front of them. JT had regained some color, so he no longer looked like a ghost, but he was still too pale. Fortunately, his chest was covered in bandages, so the teenagers couldn't see all the injuries. Just the ones on his face, arms, neck, and shoulders.

Cory looked at Chris, tears in his eyes.

Chris nodded towards the stats that flashed at them from above the bed. "Hear that beep?" He waited for them to nod, before he continued. "That's his heart rate, and it means he's alive. He's hanging in there. I just wanted to show you that. I might not know him like you do, but I can see that he's a fighter."

"How bad is it, really?" April asked, her eyes glinting with determination. Chris knew she wouldn't accept anything less than the truth.

He sighed. "He's in a coma," he admitted quietly. "But the doctors say there's still brain activity, so there's no reason to lose hope. He's still in there."

"Will we be able to come back?" Cory asked, tears in his eyes.

Chris smiled slightly and nodded. "I'll make sure of it," he promised. "Now, let's get you back so that you can get some rest, all right?"

They didn't look too thrilled, but they all said goodbye to their leader, their friend, and let Chris lead them back to the Observation Deck.

Cory held back as the other two entered the room, hesitating as he looked up at Chris. "Can I talk to you?" he asked softly, stopping the Lieutenant Commander from leaving.

Chris nodded, and turned back.

April paused in the doorway, looking at Cory. He jerked his head towards the room. "Go on," he urged her. "I'll be there in a minute."

She nodded hesitantly, and left him alone with the Starfleet Officer. Chris jerked his head at the Security officer keeping watch, and obligingly, the man headed back in the direction of the 'lift, giving them some privacy.

Once they were alone, Cory took a deep breath. "You said you were trying to find our families. What if we don't have any?"

Chris bit his lip. "We'll try to find someone, and if we can't, I believe any minors would be placed into the foster care system." He frowned. "Why?"

Cory took a deep breath. "I don't think JT and I have anyone," he admitted, looking down at the floor.

Chris tilted his head in consideration. Cory looked genuinely worried. He glanced around the corridor, making sure they were alone, before he spoke, his voice quiet, mindful of the delicate nature of the information he held on Jimmy's life and identity. "I know that Jimmy's mother is serving on the Antilles, but I'm sure Starfleet will contact her and –"

"No!" Cory cut him off, louder than intended. He looked around, making sure the Security officer wasn't coming back and no one else was in ear shot, before he spoke again, this time much softer. "I overheard Aunt Winona talking to my parents before JT came to live with us. She doesn't want him. You can't make him go back there!"

Chris furrowed his brow. "What do you mean?" he asked curiously, resting a hand on Cory's shoulder to reassure him.

Cory bit his lip, a few tears gathering in the corners of his eyes. "She told mom to 'take the damn brat' so that she and her husband wouldn't have to deal with him. And he lived with us for eighteen months. Aunt Winona never once commed us. She doesn't care about him. Please, don't send him back," he pleaded.

Chris nodded quickly. "I won't force him, Cory. I promise. All I want is for him to be happy."

Cory looked up, sniffling. "You never said how you know him," he commented idly, the implied query obvious.

Chris sighed. "His dad, George, was one of my best friends. When Winona remarried, she told me to stop coming around. I haven't seen him in eleven years. I had no idea things were so bad."

He sounded so broken, that Cory had to believe him. He nodded. "I understand," he said, sounding much older than his thirteen years. "But I'm not the one you need to apologize to."

Chris smiled. "You know, you remind me a lot of Winona, before George died. The woman she turned into, the one who ordered me to stay away from her family, I barely recognized her. She used to be such a loving, down to Earth, determined woman who cared about her family above all else. You've got a lot of the same fire in you. I imagine Jimmy does as well."

Cory shrugged, suddenly embarrassed. "JT's the only family I have left," he admitted, his voice choking up with tears. "I want to protect him the way he protected all of us."

Chris chuckled slightly, understanding. "I admire that. Now, it's getting late and I'm sure April is waiting for you. I'll see you tomorrow, all right?"

Cory smiled and nodded. He waved a little before heading to his makeshift bed.

Chris watched him leaved, and spent another few minutes lost in thought, staring absentmindedly at the closed door to the Observation Deck, before he gathered himself, and made his way to his own room. Just because they were no longer in residence above Tarsus didn't mean their work was over. Communications was still working on compiling next of kin for their civilian passengers, Command wanted reports ASAP, and would be pulling them into a series of debriefings as soon as they docked at Earth, so they needed to have their shit together. Chris had a lot of work ahead of him, but for right now, he was utterly exhausted, it was late, and he needed some rest.

XXX

True to his word, Chris made sure the kids were able to visit Tom and JT. He wouldn't let all of them go at once, but over the course of the next couple of days, he took them in groups of three and four to visit for a few minutes. Just to make sure they knew their leaders were all right. They hadn't seen them in several weeks, and the younger ones were almost hysterical at not knowing what was going on with their savior. Just seeing JT, even if he was unconscious, settled them all down.

It hurt Chris' heart, to see the way his best friend's son lay on that biobed, so still. He remembered Jimmy, the rambunctious toddler. The kid who wouldn't stop moving. This teenager was so different. He hated himself for not being there to watch Jimmy grow up. He hated himself for listening to Winona, for leaving Jimmy and Sam to deal with their mother and new stepfather alone.

Chris knew he wasn't strictly following protocol in allowing the kids to see Tom and JT, but he wanted to help them. And they needed it, especially Kevin. The young boy had barely said a word since being rescued from that cell. His eyes were so sad, so world weary, so old. It looked so wrong shining out of the face of a six year old. It was worth any reprimands he may face from Halloway, to see the way Kevin's expression went from fearful and depressed to happy and joyous, as soon as Cory carried him into JT's private room. Cory rested him at JT's bedside, and the boy immediately grasped the teenager's hand, squeezing with all the might a six year old could.

Cory was choking up as well, as he noticed JT's hand shift, ever so slightly, as the boy in his arms held on for all he was worth. "JT?" he whispered, covering Kevin's small hand with his own, his calloused fingers wrapping around both hands as his eyes watered.

Chris, watching from the doorway, moved forward quickly, looking at the stats beeping above the bed. He couldn't make heads or tails of them, but he didn't need to be able to, to see that something had changed in JT's status.

He looked at the two boys at JT's bedside. "We should leave," he told them, gesturing for them to exit.

Cory nodded reluctantly, and picked Kevin up, heading out the door in front of Chris.

They crossed paths with Doctor Boyce, who was heading towards JT's room at a swift walk. Boyce nodded to Chris as he passed, before disappearing into the private room.

Chris brought Cory and Kevin back to the Observation Deck, and left with a promise to tell them what was going on as soon as he knew anything, before he headed back to Medbay, and spent the next thirty minutes waiting impatiently for Boyce to emerge from JT's room.

Finally, the CMO reappeared; he didn't seem surprised to see Chris still there, and jerked his head towards his office.

Chris didn't need another invitation, and immediately followed the doctor.

"How is he?" he asked as soon as the door closed behind them.

Boyce sighed, slumping down into the chair at his desk and rubbing his face with his hands. "He woke up briefly," he said. Chris' expression lightened at that. Boyce looked up, and smiled. "It's a step in the right direction, but he still has a long way to go," he cautioned.

Chris sat down on the couch. "Tell me," he all but ordered.

Boyce snorted. "The kid's got spirit," he admitted. "Barely awake for thirty seconds, and already telling me to stick my hypo where the sun don't shine."

Chris laughed at that. "I knew I liked that kid."

Boyce shook his head. "As for how he is, physically, he'll recover. I can't get rid of all the scars, but there should be no lasting damage."

"That's something, at least," Chris acknowledged.

Boyce looked at him sharply. "Mentally, I really don't know. The Captain will want to speak with him at some point, but I'm not really sure if I'm going to be able to give an accurate guess as to when he can handle it. The kid's lived through hell. Even more than that, he looks like hell chewed him up and spat him out. Halloway's a good man, but he's not really known for his compassion."

Chris nodded. "Well, you just do your best, and I'm sure if JT doesn't want to talk, he won't. He'll answer any questions when he's good and ready."

Boyce sighed. "But will Halloway accept that?"

Chris had no answer.

After a minute of silence, the Lieutenant Commander stood up, shaking himself off. "I'll let the kids know what happened. I'm sure they'll all be thrilled."

Boyce smiled. He had seen how much those kids looked up to JT. He hadn't been so sure about all the visits, but even he had to admit that they had looked much better after just getting a glimpse of their leader.

The CMO stood up as well. "I'll see you at the meeting tomorrow morning."

Chris nodded. "Will you let me know if anything… changes? With JT?"

Boyce furrowed his brow. He knew Chris was fond of the kids, but he wondered now if there was something more going on. The Tactical Officer seemed strangely attached to JT. He didn't say anything though, and just inclined his head in assent.

XXX

The meeting that took place the following morning was fairly straightforward. Mostly they were preparing for their imminent arrival to Earth.

Grisk gave his report for Communications, informing the command crew of their progress in locating family members for the civilians. "We've been able to find family for most of the older colonists," Grisk told them, "and about half the minors. We contacted the Andorian, Capellan, and Deltan ambassadors to Earth, so they will take charge of Sha'al, Trina, and Navan. The only ones we haven't been able to speak with are JT and Tom. One of the other kids gave us Tom's last name, so we're running it down, but none of the other kids seem to know who JT is, or if he has any family."

Halloway nodded. He looked over at Boyce. "Doctor, how are JT and Tom doing?"

Boyce shifted in his seat. "Tom is improving rapidly. He is remarkably adept at hiding his pain, though, so I will keep him in Medbay until we dock." He coughed to clear his throat, and glanced towards Chris. "As for JT… well I do have some good news there." He paused briefly, before smiling a little. "He woke up briefly yesterday. I am confident that he will recover, physically, but I doubt it will happen by the time we reach Earth. I've been in contact with Doctor Puri at Starfleet Medical. We will be transferring both boys there as soon as we dock."

Halloway nodded. "We'll have to coordinate for an armed guard." Boyce almost looked like he wanted to protest, but Halloway kept speaking. "I know it's not ideal, but the kids are witnesses. They'll both need to be debriefed as soon as possible. Doctor, I trust you will let me know when I can speak with them?"

Boyce didn't look too happy about it, but nodded curtly.

From there, the conversation moved on, and soon enough, the meeting was adjourned.

XXX

Two days later, JT woke up for more than thirty seconds. Chris and Shay were in medbay at the time – Chris talking with Tom and one of the Communications officers about Tom's family, and whether or not they could meet him in San Francisco, and Shay had had to escort a colleague to the infirmary when a computer had an unfortunate malfunction in the Navigations department, causing an explosion that resulted in three minor injuries, one major, and a blackened mess where the console used to stand.

A loud beeping drew most eyes in the room towards the back of the bay, and Boyce rushed forward, entering JT's room quickly. A moment later the beeping ceased, and most people looked away, returning to the tasks they had been working on beforehand.

Chris and Shay shared a significant glance across the room. He had told her a lot about the teenager – without telling her how he knew the kid, of course – and she was looking forward to actually meeting the boy in person. He sounded like a very interesting person.

Chris broke the moment with his girlfriend a second later, as Tom sat up stiffly, looking at the door he knew hid his best friend.

The Lieutenant Commander attempted to reassure the teenager, but he knew Tom was still worried. So was he, to be honest, but he was trying not to show it.

Shay moved over to stand next to him. "I hope everything is all right," she murmured, still staring at the closed door at the end of the bay.

Chris nodded, biting his lip, but he didn't speak.

A few minutes later, Boyce reappeared. He stood there for a moment, gathering his thoughts, before he looked around. His gaze caught Chris, standing by Tom's bedside, and he jerked his head towards his office.

Chris nodded again, and looked down at Tom. "I'll let you know what happened," he assured the boy. He then looked over at Shay.

She smiled at him. "I'll stay here and keep Tom company," she answered his unasked plea.

Chris inclined his head once, relieved, and hurried to meet the CMO.

Inside his office, Boyce was once more seated behind his desk, looking utterly exhausted.

"How is he?" Chris asked by way of greeting, as he entered the office, the door closing swiftly behind him.

Boyce looked up, startled. He was clearly running on fumes, but given that they had so many civilians in need of medical care on the ship, even with all the extra help he had, he was still stretching himself thin. He sighed. "The kid woke up again. He freaked out a little, since no one was there, and he didn't know where he was."

Chris sat down. "Is he doing better?"

Boyce rubbed a hand across his face, sitting back in his seat. "Physically, he's healing a little faster than I would have thought. I wanted to sedate him again, but he really doesn't want to be put back to sleep." He shrugged a little helplessly. "As much as I believe it would do him some good to get as much rest as possible, I really couldn't say no to those eyes."

Chris sat up a little straighter. "What about his eyes?" he asked, trying to keep any hint of alarm out of his voice. He had recognized them, but he didn't think anyone who didn't know George very well would be able to do the same.

Boyce looked at him, a little confused. "Even if he didn't say anything, the look in his eyes was so pleading, I just couldn't sedate him."

Chris nodded, relaxing. "Can I see him?"

Boyce grimaced. "Not too long, Chris. See if you can get him to sleep. You've spent a lot of time with him over the last week, even if he hasn't been awake for it, so maybe you'll have better luck than me."

Chris acknowledged the doctor's request, and wasted no time in making his way back to JT's room. The route was familiar by this point, and he maneuvered his way around nurses, patients, and biobeds. He entered the room quietly, making sure the door was firmly closed behind him.

He leaned against it as he observed the teenager lying in front of him.

JT stared back defiantly. His bright blue eyes judged him silently, observing, watching; waiting for him to make a move.

After several minutes, Chris shifted his stance slightly, though he made no move to come any closer. He cleared his throat. "I'm not sure if you remember me. My name's Chris." He paused as he saw JT nod slightly, recognition in his steely gaze. He licked his lips as they suddenly went dry. "How are you feeling?"

JT shrugged with one shoulder, and then grimaced. His eyes never left Chris' face, but the coldness lessened a fraction. "Tom?" he whispered. It felt more like he actually couldn't speak louder than that, rather then consciously choosing to speak softly.

Chris smiled lightly. "He'll be fine, though he did lose the eye. He's here right now, I'm sure the doctors will let you see him soon."

JT nodded a millimeter, trying not to let the massive headache he had show. He had learned the hard way, a long time ago, never to show weakness. "The others?"

Chris took a few steps towards the bed, making sure to stop a respectable distance away, so JT wouldn't feel crowded. Even so, he noted the slight tensing that the teenager tried to hide. "All on board. They're all fine," he reassured the teenager. He saw JT relax even more. "We're heading back to Earth now. We should arrive in about five days."

JT bit his lip, looking back up at the ceiling. Chris didn't break the silence, he just grabbed the solitary chair in the room and dragged it towards JT's bedside. He sat down and waited for the teenager to speak.

JT did so, a few minutes later. He had woken up earlier, hearing alarms going off, loud beeps that just confused and slightly frightened him. Then a strange man had been there, speaking too him in unintelligible words. He couldn't make out what the man – a doctor, he presumed – was saying, but after a minute or two, the alarms stopped, and he calmed down. Once the noises stopped, he was able to understand the doctor a little better, and he definitely recognized the word sedative. He wasn't able to get any words out – his throat felt like a scorpion had laid a nest in there – but his eyes pleaded with the man not to do it. He certainly wasn't expecting the doctor to give in to him. He wasn't used to adults actually listening to him, or trusting him in any way, but he was grateful.

And then another man had come in. He introduced himself as Chris, and his words indicated that they had met before. Searching his – rather hazy – memories, he vaguely remembered someone finding him in that room. He had been let down and released from the chains, and he remembered a soft voice speaking with him. That man had called himself Chris too, hadn't he?

He looked back at the officer sitting next to him. There was definitely something familiar about him. But it was more than just a man who had rescued him. The memories were coming back now, and he recalled giving this man, Chris, the coordinates to find the rest of his kids. He was glad that the officer had found them, and gotten them all to safety. But there was something about his face…

His eyes widened slightly, and his breathing sped up. When he had been six, he had been trying to hide from Frank, who was in a rage after hearing that Winona had decided not to come home for a shore leave, choosing to stay and work extra shifts on board her ship instead. He had found himself in the attic, hiding amongst piles of boxes and trying not to sneeze from all the dust. Countless forgotten memories surrounded him, and, bored, he had taken to exploring the memorabilia. There were medals and commendations, pictures and holos, letters, and old toys, amongst other things.

He had spent the entire day up there, looking through his father's life. Holos and pictures showed him a man that was a friend to many, but there was one man who reappeared quite often. He seemed to be younger than George Kirk by several years, but it was clear that the two were close friends. He saw the two dressed in Academy Cadet uniforms, laughing over beers at a bar, soaking up the sun on a beach, running alongside his older brother in a field...

One particular picture had caught his interest. He saw his parents, both of them, alive and happy. They were leaning up against an old pick up truck, and he recognized his house in the background. His father was holding onto a younger Sam – maybe three or four. Winona was beaming, as her arms curled protectively around a noticeable bump at her abdomen.

On George's other side, the younger man stood, his expression clearly one of enjoyment and happiness to be included in such a wonderful family. On the back of the picture, a caption labeled the people involved. George, Winona, Sammy, and baby Kirk, and Chris Pike.

JT drew his mind back to the present, to see Chris standing over him, looking down at him worriedly. "JT? JT? Come on, Jimmy, calm down. Deep breaths."

JT gasped lightly and started to breathe normally again. He coughed and winced at the pain that flared up.

As soon as he had himself under control, he focused back on Chris. "What's your last name?" The officer standing next to him was older and more worn, but he looked like the same man. And moreover, he was pretty certain Chris had just called him Jimmy. But still, JT had to be sure.

Chris almost collapsed back into his seat. He sighed. "Lieutenant Commander Christopher Pike." He paused. "JT, do you remember me?"

JT bit his lip. "You were in pictures with my parents." It was a revealing statement, but his expression and tone of voice gave nothing away.

Chris almost winced, but kept himself from showing any emotions. He nodded austerely. "I was good friends with your mom and dad, once upon a time," he admitted.

JT furrowed his brow. There was sadness in the man's voice, but he could also detect a hint of anger, though he didn't think it was directed at him. He had had to get pretty good at reading people's voices, so that he would know when to duck. "What happened?" His voice was still calm, though inside, his stomach was churning. This man had known his parents, had been pretty good friends with them, if all the pictures he had found in the attic were any indication. So why had he suddenly disappeared? Why hadn't he visited at all? He had clearly known Sam. So was Jimmy just not worth it?

Chris felt a few tears prick at the corners of his eyes. Never had he felt as guilty over listening to Winona as he did now. He sighed, and glanced back at the door to make sure they weren't about to be interrupted, before he turned back to JT. "I'm so sorry, Jimmy. I used to visit you and your brother a lot when you were younger. When your mom married Frank, she told me that she never wanted to see me on her property again. She practically ordered me to stop coming around, and she's your mom, so I listened." He waited for a response, any response, but when none was forthcoming, he slumped down in his seat a little. "I am so sorry, Jimmy. I loved you so much, from the first moment I met you. You were such an energetic baby. I shouldn't have listened to her, I just…"

He trailed off, not sure how to finish that sentence.

JT mulled through this new knowledge for a minute. Was he angry? Yeah, but strangely enough, not at Chris. He could understand why the man had disappeared. He hated that his mom… no, she had never been one. She was Winona, a woman who showed up from time to time, but hardly ever spoke to him and never looked him in the eye. He hated that Winona had taken away what seemed to be a chance at having someone care about him.

When the silence stretched on, Chris shifted slightly. "I should have fought harder to stay, Jimmy. But she was your mom, I didn't think I had a right. I know I'm about eleven years too late, but do you think you'd be able to trust me at all?"

JT studied Chris' almost desperate expression closely. He could tell that the officer in front of him really wanted to be a part of his life. The problem was, he had gone so long without trusting anyone, he wasn't quite sure how to anymore. Sure, he trusted Tom, and Cory, and the rest of his kids, but that was different. He had just started to think he could trust Hoshi, Marie, and Terry, and then they had died. How was he supposed to let a virtual stranger in? And yet… something told him that letting Chris in wouldn't be a mistake.

He bit his lip and shrugged with one shoulder, this time being careful not to jostle his still healing ribs and collarbone. "I don't know," he replied quietly.

Even if it wasn't a positive, Chris was still heartened. He had a feeling if Jimmy wasn't interested at all, he would have said it. He nodded, and stood up. "You just think about it, all right? And I'm here, if you want to talk, or if you need anything."

JT nodded, the corner of his mouth quirking up in a facsimile of a smile. Chris started to leave, but JT called out, stopping him before he could open the door. "Wait." Chris turned around. "Please don't tell… no one can know…"

Chris nodded quickly, understanding what JT was saying. "I promise, Jimmy. I won't tell anyone, until you tell me I can. Now, I told Doctor Boyce I'd try to get you to sleep, so why don't you try to relax a little. I'll see if I can sneak some of the kids back in later."

JT nodded, relaxing into his bed, and Chris left the room. He stopped by Tom's bed briefly, to inform him of his friend's status. Tom looked incredibly relieved, and his eye began to droop soon after, so Chris gestured for Shay to leave, promising Tom that they would return later.

Once they were out in the hallway, Shay asked her boyfriend for a more detailed update. Chris smiled. "He's going to be fine. We talked a little, and he was coherent. I think he's in a lot of pain still, but he's not really the type to show it."

Shay grasped his hand briefly, as they reached the 'lift. "He seems like a tough kid. I'm sure everything will work out." She paused. "Is Doctor Boyce going to call Communications? They still haven't spoken to him about his family, have they?"

Chris shook his head. "He was starting to fall back asleep when I left, but I'm sure Boyce will let the Captain know when he wakes again, so I'm sure Communications will sort it out." He didn't say anything about the fact that he knew JT didn't have anyone to take care of him. Well, unless you counted his stepfather, but Chris really didn't want to see Jimmy go back to Frank. Even without his own misgivings, from what Cory had said, he didn't think it was a good place for Jimmy. Frank Malone had not given him a good feeling, the few times he had been in contact with the man, over a decade ago.

They entered the 'lift together, and separated on different decks, to return to their own jobs. Shay went back to the Navigations department, and Chris went to go talk to his own department to get an update, before he had to be back on the Bridge.

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