Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last conversation. You're all fabulous.

Sorry, I did not post the chapter last week. Due to inclement weather proofreading is a little behind, so I wanted to split the difference a little more evenly. Hopefully I'll be able to upload the next chapter in about two weeks. Then we can go back on our normal once a week schedule.

Day 32: Making it okay

From: legal Queen of Atlanta

To: kitten_loverJJMU

Subject: How is everything going?

Since it's been almost a month since I saw you off, I thought I would write. Thankfully, your stepmom sent me everybody's new email address including yours. Your dad hit the jackpot there. I love my sister – loved my sister, but she wasn't perfect. You have no idea how much I wish I would have stood up to her and got you out of there earlier. Or convinced her to go to rehab. I'm sorry that I let you down.

It doesn't matter now. You can't change the past. You're somewhere better now and that's what matters. What's it like living on a starship? Did you make any new friends? I remember Nyota mentioning something about other kids being on the ship. Is there anyone close to your age? Anyway, I hope all is well. Write me when you get a chance.

Love, the good aunt.

xxxxx

From: Kevin KR

To: kitten_loverJJMU

CC: Elizabeth_Chen

Time arrived: 3/22/2260 00:00:01

Subject: Re: So how are things going for you?

It's OK to email us at the same time if you email us occasionally. Besides, now that we're dating, we don't keep a lot of secrets from each other. It's just kind of the way it is. We also do everything together. She's dragging me with her to a very Sulu family reunion because she doesn't want to protect her sister and niece from the crazy family members alone. Being a Kirk, I'm well suited for that.

You're doing the right thing eating with the adults. Stay away from your classmates except for the one that is not being a jerk. You can try being friends with him. I think he may need one. Please read newspaper hyperlink attached. You two have a lot more in common than you think.

I won't tell your parents or my brother what's going on with the mean girls or the jerk. I think you should tell your parents or my brother what's going on. Jim already suspects an issue of some sort because he's already looking for a new instructor since the old one already put in her notice. My girlfriend told me who heard it from her mom who heard it from Rodriguez that Enterprise is looking for someone to take over the teaching position on ship. Liz knows all the good gossips.

Both of us are here if you need someone to talk to. We both know a lot about bullies. Riverside was not exactly the best place if you were gifted and unlike Jim, I was in public school for a lot of it. High school was kind of god awful. Especially because Jim was on the other side of the country and couldn't threaten to punch people out who were nasty to me like he did when I was in junior high. They made fun of my deceased parents and of the fact I was a foster kid. A few assholes said some nasty things about me not deserving the last name Kirk.

They were all kind of pricks, but I got through it. Of course, I got through it because I had Liz and she was the best friend ever. Despite the fact we weren't even in the same state level on the same school. So, don't limit your friendships to those who are physically with you. Liz and I are your friends and will always be just an email away. You may not always get a fast response from us, but we are always here if you need. We will be there for you.

Don't worry about the friends from Georgia. If they can't bother to write to you then they're not worth worrying about. Sometimes friendships only exist due to physical proximity. That's not your fault. Besides, you are making new friends. And word of advice, friends don't have to be the same ages as you. They can be older or they can be younger. Just make sure there are people that you can trust and won't hurt you. I had way too many fake friends in high school. Liz will tell you we're still putting up with that at the Academy because her mommy is the head of Starfleet and my brother saves the world a lot.

Your old classmates not wanting to be your friend anymore is not a Josephine problem that you have to deal with. The same with the other teenagers on the ship. It's a problem they are having, and you shouldn't feel bad because of it. Don't let them hurt you.

The fencing is cool. I've always wanted to learn, but I grew up in a small town in the middle of Iowa that's only genuine business was building Starfleet ships. Self-defense classes weren't exactly an option outside of karate. Not even Brazilian jujitsu. Also, I was always more into computers then anything that required actual physical activity. Maybe that's why I want to do the diplomatic track not that we really have a diplomatic track, but you know what I mean. OK this email is getting long, and I have exams to study for. I hate midterms, but it's almost over. Anyway, write us back when you can.

PS: Send us a list of any snacks that you want. Liz is planning to send you another care package filled with snack contraband. She also wants to know if you want her to pick out a Mother's Day present for Nyota. It's early but depending on where you are, it may take that long to get something to you.

Xxxxxx

From: Kevin KR

To: SpockX-Kirk

Time arrived: 3/21/2260 00:00:01

Subject: Your ship has a bullying problem

So, unless Josephine has decided to come clean after reading my last letter (I doubt it), I'm the one who will have to confirm that the other members of the pilot program are being awful to her. I wish Josephine would come talk to her parents or Jim, but I doubt one letter from me is going to change that. She also made me promise not to tell her parents or Jim that four out of the five teenagers on board are treating her like absolute shit.

However, I did not promise to keep this from her ship's captain. You know humans, we firmly believe in loophole abuse. Also, you share a brain with my brother, literally due to Vulcan marriage.

Since I know you were bullied by various stuck up Vulcan assholes, I think you have a pretty good idea about what's going on and can sympathize with her in a way that others can. She told me specifically that they put laxatives in her food more than once which is why she's not eating around them. There must be more than that going on that she's not saying. Just keep an eye on the situation. I know you're busy being a captain, but a captain's first responsibility is to make sure everybody on their ship is OK and Josephine is on your ship.

I also suggested that she keep being friends with the one not being a jerk, mostly because Liz told me who he really is. As well as to avoid everyone else. How did you end up with a ship full of Ashleys? Who did you piss off to get that?

XXXX

"I just love the fact that you invited me to breakfast to let me know that my daughter is more comfortable talking to Jim's baby brother then to me." Nyota said as she passed the PADD back to Spock. They were currently eating breakfast in the captain's private quarters, so they could have this conversation.

"It's nothing personal. Teenagers tell their parents nothing and apparently, it's been like that since the dawn of time. Don't expect your child to be any different than you." Jim explained as he passed a bagel to Nyota.

"I believe we were only like that because we had such crappy parents." Nyota responded, after grabbing the bagel.

"I'm 99% positive that Cuddle Vulcan didn't say anything about his bullying either and his family was perfectly normal. It's the way of the teenager or preteen in this case. Why do you think I asked Kevin to help? It was either this or break into her room and read her therapy journals."

"Leonard threatened to withhold sex if I did something like that." Nyota complained.

"So that's what it takes to get you to respect other people's privacy?" Jim remarked.

"Your banter will not provide an adequate solution to the problem at hand."

"But it makes me feel better." Nyota smiled at her friends, sadly. "I'm just worried. We had two students at my boarding school kill themselves because of bullying. I'm just concerned, especially after Marc. I thought he was dealing with everything until I found his body."

"I know. I'm also worried about the other five kids. Things are messed up."

"I think I should talk to Josephine while James deals with the five other minors on board."

"I'm all for dividing and conquering, but shouldn't we include Nyota to appease her? The odds are better that way."

"As you stated earlier, adolescents are not inclined to share their thoughts and feelings with their parental units. Therefore, Nyota is unable to participate at this venture." Nyota responded with a glare.

"Point, but we can still do three each. You do the Jays and I do the Ashleys. Although maybe Nyota can be with me when I talked to Ashley 2 because all men are assholes."

"I'm not sure if I can be there. I may be tempted to punch her."

"And that's why we can't have you help. I'll get Margarita."

"Maybe you should bring someone with you that's not a therapist." Nyota suggested.

"I will ask Rebecca to help. She understands because she had her own uncle Frank. We could do a support group." Spock is certain Jim was only half joking.

"I would be willing to work with Jay, although I think his experiences are closer to yours, and you would be more well-suited." Spock suggested.

"And like all three Ashleys, you lost a parent during the battle of Vulcan."

"Which I'm still trying to process, especially with the anniversary forthcoming." Spock answered.

"Okay, what about Jeremy?" Nyota asked before Spock could.

"I may be tempted to utilize a nerve pinch which would be unbecoming of a captain." Spock responded.

"Fine, you have Jo Jo, I have the kids and all of them will be scrubbing the deck with toothbrushes. Does this work?"

"Yes." The other two said in unison.

"Good, you can email my brother and remind him again not to get Liz pregnant. Otherwise we will end up with a ship full of Ashleys. I can't deal with that many fake plastic people. I just can't." James told him as Nyota snickered in the background.

"I will this evening," Spock answers his husband before placing a gentle kiss on his lips. He tasted like strawberry jam.

Xxxx

From: SpockX-Kirk

To: kitten_loverJJMU

Time arrived: 3/21/2260 21:54:01

Subject: Re: Your ship has a bullying problem

I personally did not piss off anyone that I'm aware of. However, James is convinced that he is being punished for you engaging in a sexual relationship with Admiral Chen's daughter. He would like me to take this moment to remind you of the importance of using contraceptives whenever engaging in sexual congress with Cadet Chen. Although James loves small children, young Miss Sulu is enough presently.

The fact that we have three minor members with the same first name of Ashley is purely coincidental. It was the number one baby name on Earth from 2240 until 2245. All three young women lost a parent during the battle of Vulcan and bonded over their mutual loss. Since we are approaching the two-year anniversary of the incident, I hypothesize they may be acting out in response or this is their normal level of behavior and it will only increase as we get closer to the anniversary. I do not favor either option.

James and I have discussed the matter and we have decided on appropriate disciplinary actions. Scrubbing the decks of engineering with a toothbrush is the current punishment of choice.

I am also planning to talk with Josephine directly. Either James or myself will notify you if there is any progress.

To be continued.

Since this series is ridiculously long, I just want to remind everybody that Marc was Nyota's childhood friend who committed suicide when they were at the Academy together. Also, a reminder that Rebecca is Carol's wife in this continuity.