Sa'ren Part II

Of Lions, Dreams and Bondings

---

 

Orlando, CIC:

They arrived back next to Justy, startling him out of twenty years growth doing so. Joel swarmed into his arms and quickly explained what he had technically done the day before in Hawaii, then disappeared into Main CIC perched on Justy's hip as his cousin went to set up the files for what was about to happen. Kevin rolled his eyes before looking for his kids. They were busy using body paints on the Tribe and Rugrats in attendance, so he decided to leave them to it. He went into the kitchen instead and mobbed Helen for two cups of cocoa with whipped cream on top.

Austin, Leo and Connor all took the still butt naked Nine out and to the Clan's storeroom to find him something to wear until they could take him shopping tomorrow. Leo was giggling to himself about what would look good on his new 'Robo-Pop', as he so gigglingly put it. Nine liked that name even better than 'Pop'!

In the control room of CIC, Justy was sitting by Seth, with Joel on his lap. Seth was chuckling to himself as Justy listened to the rather helter-skelter recitation that Joel was giving his cousin about his Honeymoon adventure the 'day before', but then stopped laughing once Joel had managed to get himself worked up into tears.

Justy kissed his little cousin's hair gently before whispering, "You'll be better soon, Elf. Don't worry about Kevvy, he's strong. He's there for you, okay?"

"I'll take him," Seth whispered as he reached for the crying child, "you let the rest of the Clan know about this Prez character - and boy, does he sound like a character!"

Justy smiled as he shifted his cuddly burden over and onto Seth's lap and then reached for the controls to signal all Divisions bar the Des Moines one. "Hey, everyone," he said, forcing his voice to sound normal and cheerful. "This is an informal announcement that we have a new division, based in Hawaii, pending Cory getting back from vacation and making it official. And you're all invited to a party celebrating their creation."

He waited until he had the various beeps from the console telling him that they had all received the update before turning back to Seth, who had kissed Joel's tears away and tickled him enough to get a smile back on his face. "Thanks, Seth," he smiled, "I'll take him to find Kevvy."

Seth nodded and passed the little Shaper back over before watching as Justy carried the boy out towards the kitchen.

As Kevin was being given the two hot mugs of cocoa, Justy brought Joel in and sat him down on a bar-stool. "What?! No cocoa for me, Auntie Helen?" Justy whined as he used his infamous puppy-dog eyes on her.

"You're worse than my son," she sighed as she turned and grabbed the huge jug of cocoa she'd made and poured out another mug full. As she passed it over, she saw Justy noticing the cream and sprinkles over Kevin and Joel's mugs and sighed again as he increased the power of his eyes at her. "Really worse than Kelly," she muttered as she added the cream and sprinkles to the giggling angel-boy's drink.

"Thanks, Auntie Helen!" Justy giggled as Kevin chuckled at him, while helping Joel to not burn himself as he drank from his mug.

Someone that Kevin had only heard about but had never met in person then entered the kitchen. He looked about fifty, if not older, and was dressed in a now muddy and grass-stained tracksuit and sneakers. "Ambassador O'Neal?" he asked in surprised.

The man looked down at Kevin as he passed and made himself comfortable on a bar stool next to the boys. "Yes, but most of the boys here have taken to calling me Gramps or Uncle. I'd rather that, son. My name's Marcus; and you are Kevin Thompson, I presume?"

"Yeah... how did you know, Uncle Marcus?"     

"I had a long, long talk with Admiral Morrow earlier this morning. He told me that there were two boys in the Clan that might interest me highly. A Xain Thompson, twelve years old with an affinity for diplomacy and head of the Clan's Diplomatic Corps; and a Kevin Thompson, member of the Clan's Diplomatic Corps, younger brother to Xain, and the reason I have been given an updated proposal to use in my meeting with the Sheliak in three weeks time. Of the two of you, you interest me far more - remind me of myself, when I was your age," the Ambassador explained.

"Told you that you were special, Kevin," Joel whispered as he turned his head slightly toward the man now sitting directly next to him.

Kevin blushed and mumbled something under his breath, causing Justy to laugh, "Yes it is, Kev. That praise IS worthy of you."

"I'd listen to the Angel," Marcus grinned. "Nice wings, Justin."

"Uncle Maaaarcuussss!" Justy whined plaintively, continuing his age-long custom of complaining, even if he was more comfortable now with his eventual angel-ification.

"Juuuusttyyyyyy!" Marcus teased back.

Justy poked his tongue out at the man, who laughed jovially at him. Then Marcus looked down into the face of the Vulcan boy he was seated by. "Sa'ren, yes?" he asked gently.

"Yes, but I prefer Joel, Godfather," Joel whispered as a tear trickled from his blind, white eye.

"You know of me?" Marcus asked with surprise.

"I know you, kinda," Joel said, still in a whisper. "I know everything my Dad knows. Did you really drill a hole in the wall to the girl's changing rooms in SF-Prep school?" he asked cheekily.

"I deny everything!" Marcus laughed.

"Ohho!" Justy exclaimed. "What's this, then? The great diplomat being naughty? This is one story you never told us, Gramps!"

Marcus glared at the teen for a moment, then chuckled, "I was fourteen. I was in the company of two mischief makers... well, one and his Vulcan cohort... and it was all Jim's idea!"

"Riiiight," Justy giggled. "Blame Uncle Jim... as if we'd believe he'd do anything wrong."

Joel turned his face Justy's way and asked, "Are you being serious?"

"Nope," Justy giggled again.

"Thought not," Joel smiled as he turned back towards Marcus. "Can I sit on your lap? I... I'd like to 'see' you," he asked softly.

Marcus nodded and said, "Sure." Then he watched as the boy slipped from his stool and move the few feet in his direction hesitantly. His eyes filled with tears, but long years in the Federation's Diplomatic Corps enabled him to somewhat control his emotions. Here, before him, was the child that he had only seen in pictures as a babe - and then on Starfleet Records as the winner of a Star Cross, just two days ago - now blinded, with one side of his face disfigured by a scar. He had already been updated by Kirk on Joel's history, as he had made his way back to Earth, yesterday, and now having heard about what else had befallen one of his oldest friends' sons, he was filled with rage and grief.

He leaned forward and gently hoisted the slight, frail seeming child onto his lap. "Comfy, little one?" he asked in perfect Vulcan.

Joel nodded before turning slightly and, his fingers fluttering over Marcus' chest, started to take a touch-sight of the man he knew to be one of his godfathers, but only through his father's memories.

As he did so, Helen moved over with a strong cup of tea for the Ambassador. "After playing with our ankle-biters all afternoon, you'll need this," she smiled.

"Thank you," Marcus answered with a smile as he held Joel steady on his lap.

"Do that again," Joel whispered.

"Do what again?" Marcus asked gently as Joel's feather light fingers moved over his face.

"Smile. You've got a nice smile..."

And so, Marcus smiled.

---

Later, in the Rec Room, Nine walked in dressed in jeans and trainers and carrying a tee-shirt in his hand. Austin came in just a second or so later with Leo and Connor, thanking them for helping to pick out their Pop's new clothes.

Nine went to his backpack case and removed his normal eye and hand units, and proceeded to change them over with the visual and toolarm ones. As he did this, Timmy came over to check out the changes Bones and the others had accomplished with his new friend. As he checked out Nine's upper body, he asked, "What are these for?"

Nine looked and saw the twelve, small, one inch in diameter units with blinking lights that were flush with his skin. They ran up uniformly on his chest, and twelve more on his back. There were three per arm, and hidden by the jeans, three on each leg. "They control my defence shield," he answered, "they protect me from most weapons."

"Kewl," Timmy giggled. "Do they hurt?"

"No."

"Did it hurt when those bad Borgs put them into you?"

"They grew out of me when I was assimilated as a two year old. I do not remember if it hurt or not."

"You weren't assimilated as a baby?" Connor asked, having been told while getting his Pop dressed that Nine was born to the Collective.

"No. They do not assimilate babes. Two years is the youngest, and then we are placed into maturing chambers to assist us in growing up. Once we are ten, we are allowed into the Collective properly. Until then, we 'sleep'," he answered his son.

"Ooooh," Connor smiled as he was grabbed and hugged by his dad again.

Austin mumbled into his son's hair, "I missed you so much when I was gone..."

Connor swivelled and hugged his dad properly, "You're back, now, and we won't let you go any place alone again."

"Except for the bedroom," Nine put in as Timmy helped him get his tee-shirt on. "Some things are best alone; just me, your dad and our..."

"Meep!" Austin squeaked for the umpteenth time that day.

"We got a squeaky Daaddieeee! We got a squeaky Daaddieeee!" Leo teased before running away quickly as Austin lunged for him.

Timmy took up the refrain, "We got a squeaky broooootheeeerrrrrr!... argh!" and then he too ran as Austin changed his mind and went for him instead.

Nine watched the horseplay for a moment before heading off to the kitchen to find Joel.

He found him starting his third mug of cocoa, while Kevin was still on his first. Marcus O'Neal had already left, having said something about needing to speak to Ambassador Sarek.

"Joel, I have a question," Nine said.

Joel turned his head slightly, "Yes?"

"What should I do to test my energy recovery? I do not know how to tell if I need a recharge or not."

"Do you feel hungry?" Joel asked.

"I do not know what hungry is meant to feel like, so I have no way to tell."

"Does your belly feel funny?" Joel asked with a slight giggle.

Nine placed his hands on his stomach and started poking and prodding at himself. "It feels as it always does."

Kevin broke out it giggles, but Joel, since he couldn't see this, looked puzzled. Sighing, he said, "Smell my drink."

Nine leaned forward and did so, and immediately, his stomach growled at him.

"You're hungry," Joel said, satisfied with his plan and went back to the all important job of guzzling his cocoa.

Nine looked at him, feeling more than a little puzzled. "What do I do to rectify this predicament?"

Joel grinned up at him, "Eat something."

"How?"

"AUSTIEEEE!" Joel called out, now giggling like mad.

Austin ran in as if a disaster was happening, then stopped at the sound of the Lil'elf's giggles. "Don't scare me like that," Austin chuckled as he came close and rubbed Joel's back. "What's up?"

"Feed your boyfriend... and no, not your android sausage. He needs something he can chew and swallow."

Austin contained the 'meep' that was threatening to break free and then looked at Helen, "Could you make us a nice sandwich or something, Aunt Helen?"

Helen took one look at him and smiled, then called Tommy over to help her make something that would be easy on the Borg's stomach - since he had never eaten before in his life.

While she did so, Kevin refilled his little husband's mug for a fourth time and Joel then offered some to Nine.

Austin had to, of course, teach Nine what to do, which Joel and Kevin found hilarious.

Then, after teaching him how to eat as well, both boys put away about three plate fulls of sandwiches. Tommy giggled, "He'll fit right in, bros!"

"I like food," Nine stated as he patted his stomach.

Then the sugar from the cocoa and the energy from the food hit his system well and truly. In one fluid motion, Austin was hoisted up and slung over Nine's shoulder as the Borg stood up and walked out of the kitchen. "Leo! Connor! Stay here with the others. Your dad and I are going to be busy for a while..."

"Okay, Robo-Pop!" Leo called back.

The last thing those in CIC heard was, of course, Austin...

"Meep!"

---

Justy entered Main CIC and walked over to sort out a few details on the Clan's mainframe. Seth wheeled over and touched the younger teen's arm, "Justy. What are we going to do about Cory and the others?"

"What do you mean, do about them?" Justy asked without taking his eyes from the console he was working on.

"Joel. The two boys in Utah. That asshole left on the Dragon Ship. Someone should let them know what's going on, Just. This is a little bit bigger than the stuff we were planning on keeping them in the dark about so that they could have a holiday, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is," Justy agreed with a sigh, "but we have a big issue with Cory. You know that shiver we all got on Thursday at Joel's party?"

"Yeah," Seth nodded before waiting for an explanation.

"What we didn't spread about to those not in the room at the time was that Joel made it possible for Cory to destroy the Universe should Joel ever be intentionally hurt again," Justy explained.

Seth blinked. "And how could that be possible?" he asked, not seeming to believe it one bit.

"Well, the Mikyvis could end up destroying the universe, if transported," Justy said as he sat down and gave Seth his full attention. "Cory knows that they would."

"What would make Cory do that to one of his brothers, though?!" Seth exclaimed. "It doesn't make sense, Justy."

"Destiny," Justy sighed. "Quint explained it. Cory is now empowered to destroy everything. If he were to find out, that would be the trigger for the new Destiny... which means that it would take over. Cory would destroy everything, either by something as simple as beaming up a Mikyvis, or more directly. Destiny would see to it. So, we can't tell him. Only Joel stands a chance at doing so while controlling Cory's new Destiny. At least, that is what Quint said, and he says he talked to the Doctor who confirmed it."

Seth shook his head. "I don't know if I even believe all this, but if that's how we're playing it, then so be it."

Justy nodded with a sigh before both teens got back to their own business.

---

Sarek and Amanda entered the Meeting room, with Justy following a few steps behind carrying a few datapads at Ambassador O'Neal's request. Marcus O'Neal was already seated at the table with Trip Tucker and talking about how things had changed in Starfleet since both had served on starships. In Trip's case, he had left starship work shortly before Kirk had taken command of the original NCC Enterprise - and as he laughingly said, he was happy, for Kirk in space made the whole thing far to risky.

Marcus was agreeing, and also saying he was thankful that he had only needed to put in four years on a starship himself. "Serving with Jim and Spock was... an experience," he grinned, and Trip laughed jovially at him.

"Ambassador O'Neal, it is pleasing to meet you again," Sarek said as he held out a chair for his wife to take.

"Likewise, Ambassador Sarek," Marcus smiled back. "Lady Amanda," he added, nodding at Joel's grandmother.

"Marcus. It has been too long," she said with a small smile.

He nodded, "Yes. I've been keeping busy and tend to lose track of the time that passes." He watched as Justy passed around the datapads to his grandparents and Trip, "Thanks, kiddo."

"No problem, Uncle Marcus," Justy grinned. "If you need me, I'll..."

"Please stay," Marcus said. "It's why I asked you for four pads. You are here to represent Family 'Clan Short' in this discussion, since Sa'ren is not able to, right now."

"You knew that Cory had placed him in charge?" Justy asked.

"Yes. I also know that one Jason Evans is the next in line, after Cory, but since Cory has already signed off on this situation, and since Commander Evans has had a bit of a day, dealing with the Sa'ren situation, I chose you to help us."

"Okay," Justy said as he sat down, "but please forgive me if my mind wanders. I'm very concerned about Joel, and I don't have emotional control like my grandparents."

"I understand," Marcus said gently as he reached and pulled Justy closer to his side. Then he looked across at Sarek, Amanda and Trip. "The following treaty has already been ratified earlier this afternoon by Patriarch Cory Short and the Elder Champion of Tesnia. Once you read it, I'm sure you will guess as to what I am about to request of you and Starfleet," he said, a sly smile playing on his lips as he set his personal pad to transmit the treaty to the other four pads.

Sarek was the first to finish the text, and simply looked up with a raised eyebrow.

Trip was slightly more verbose. "OVER TEN FUCKING THOUSAND?!"

"To begin with, yes," Marcus said easily.

"WHAT?!"

"The orphans are the first to be removed from Tesnia, but by the time we get the ships required,  more are likely going to want to leave. There are many Underclass families that may wish to seek a better life off world, and Cory has already said he will facilitate such desires," Marcus grinned.

"You're as bad as Jim," Amanda scolded jokingly. "Over ten thousand children... this might be the largest single rescue the Clan has ever done, especially as we have no exact figure."

"Which is why I'm going to call in favours from Andoria, Tellar Prime and some of the other worlds as well, including Betazed," Marcus said seriously. "I know they are still in the middle of their application to the Federation, but they could help us greatly, here."

"I did not know they had a large fleet of their own," Sarek stated with curiosity.

"They don't. Nothing on the sizes of the big four," the human ambassador said calmly, "but as you know, they are all telepathic. Mostly strong ones as well. Finding new homes and families throughout the Federation for these Tesnian children is going to tax the resources of Vulcan and Clan telepaths and melders beyond their limits. Having a world going for entry into the Federation offer to help Clan Short and Starfleet in this endeavour will only speed up that process for them."

Justy felt the need for a strong cup of cocoa (being too young for alcohol, even if he had had a sneaky sip from his father's whisky stash a few years ago). He whistled and looked at Marcus, "So... where do we put them once they get back here? There's nowhere with this type of room right now."

"I've already talked to Admiral Morrow," came the answer from Marcus, "and he is already preparing for room to be made on six levels of Terra Main. Those alone will hold 10 thousand. Also, Luna colony can house up to 30 thousand at present on a temporary basis. I just hope the Tesnians like our moon!"

Trip was still spluttering to himself about the sheer numbers involved, but was working on his datapad furiously. Marcus chuckled as he watched him, "Got the figures yet?"

"Nearly," Trip said. "We're going to have to send at least twenty starships... no, closer to thirty. That's most of the Home Sector Fleet! If you include enough from the Vulcans, Andorians and Tellarites, then the kids won't be squashed in together... although, from my previous encounters with that group of fuzzies, they like close contact and cuddles... damned annoying as I'm allergic to their fur! Anyhow... yes, if we send at least thirty, we can manage up to 14 thousand on our own, but the more the merrier. Less cramped conditions."

"You mean you won't cuddle your great grandchild?" Marcus asked with a knowing chuckle.

"Cory has adopted again?" Amanda asked with a grin.

"More like got adopted by Fife, yes."

Trip sighed, "Back on the meds for me, I think. They are lovely people, but I sneeze like crazy when I'm near them."

"They have fur?" Justy asked curiously.

"Wait until you see Fife," Marcus smiled. "Tesnians are shorter than humans, but furred. Very nice to cuddle with, and most of the children love close contact. They are the perfect type of 'Clan kid'."

"Kewl!" Justy giggled. Then he looked back down at his pad, "So, when can Starfleet do this? They're on Red Alert right now, right?"

"Correct. This mission is important, but Federation security takes precedence. Cory does not know this yet, as Admiral Morrow informed me before I went over to visit that the events with Joel should not be told to him under any circumstances."

Sarek weighed in, "Then let us... hope... that Jim can resolve this situation quickly. I do not wish to push my grandchild's temper to its limit."

"Agreed," Marcus said. Then, "That's a lot to put on Jim, don't you think?"

"No. He has shown repeatedly that he can deal with any situation, even when vastly outnumbered. And as of this point, we have an attack on Earth, focused on my little Sa'ren, but no idea at all as to the source. The combined fleets cannot remain there on battle readiness indefinitely. If the enemy appears, Jim will deal with them. If they don't, I can imagine the fleets being set at Yellow Alert within two days and told to go on information gathering," Sarek explained. "By that time, Cory should be home in time to see the ships needed, leave for Tesnia."

"Good," Marcus said as he started transferring data from Trip's pad back to his own. "I shall now speak to Morrow again."

"Good luck, Gramps," Justy giggled. "Now, I think I need a double chocolate milk with sprinkles... to recover, you understand..."

---

Federation System Alpha Centauri

Star: Alpha Centauri A

Planet: AC-A 2

"What the fuck are you doing in there?"

"Looking for something, Seth."

"What?"

"The manual! You don't expect me to fly this thing without learning how first, do you?"

"It's not a God damned Ford, you jackass!" Cain swore at his brother. "I don't think it's gonna have a manual! Now get it started!"

"Oh... jeez, let's see! Maybe this big red button that says 'Ignition'? Come on, Cain! It's not that simple! Ahha! A manual! You were saying?"

Any answer that Abel got from his two brothers was drowned out by the disruptor blasts against the hull of the shuttle they had eventually managed to fight their way to.

"Okay! I've got it! Get inside and close up," Abel called quickly as the whine of the repulsors and engines began to overcome the sounds of battle outside.

Cain jumped into the shuttle quickly, but then stumbled and fell as the deck rocked under his feet in time to the massive sounds of things exploding outside. "SETH! What the FUCK are you doing?!"

"Stopping them from chasing us... BANG! There goes another..."

The explosion drowned out his shout of excitement as another shuttle started venting drive plasma.

"Okay!" Seth called as he jumped inside and closed the door. "Let's get the fuck out of here!"

"Roger that," Abel muttered as he quickly hit the blinking impulse button on the console.

The g-forces were easily overcome by the inertial dampeners as the shuttle slammed itself out of the open bay doors and hammered into the skies of the planet they were on.

Cain quickly sat in the co-pilot's chair and asked, "Do you know how we can get home?"

"No," Abel answered, "but this is on a pre-programmed flight to the Centauri Colony on Centauri B 7. Once there, it should be easy to hitch-hike our way onto a freighter bound for Earth."

"Easy, he says," Seth grumbled. "Easier than getting to the fucking shuttle bay was?"

"Oh, give it a rest, 'Rambo'. If you hadn't stopped to shoot every fucker you saw, we'd have been here an hour ago!" Cain giggled.

"Hey!" Seth giggled back, "I had a lot of aggression to work out, see?"

"I noticed," Abel smiled as he kept his eyes on the sensors as they broke out of the atmosphere and into deep space. Then, with a flash of psudo-motion, they leapt into warp. "Okay, at this speed, it'll be five hours to the colony."

"Ain't they going to be sending people after us?" Cain asked. "How are we going to hide our passage to Earth? I want to live long enough to kill that fucker I once called 'father'."

Neither of the others answered him, for they were both also thinking about the information they had stumbled onto while searching for a way out of the base. Information that pointed clearly to their 'father', General Adams, having sold them to their captors in return for some technology. The hurt they had gone through in the past two years now seemed eclipsed by the pain of that betrayal, and murder was in each boy's heart.

Silently, they stared forward and watched the stars fly by, each thinking of different ways to make the General suffer...

---

Orlando Compound:

Joel was not amused, highly pissy, and his emotions had taken a major turn for the worst. Nine had returned after an hour away with Austin and had tried to improve or return Joel's sight with his nanoprobes - if it had been successful, Joel would have even been part Borg in regards to his eyes - but they had failed. Then, Dan had asked that Joel think about talking to him over the coming days and weeks, and the disappointment from Nine became compounded with a feeling of total stubbornness from Kevin. "I'm not crazy," he had said to Dan, his voice loaded with self-loathing and contempt. "I don't need you."

Dan had backed away, but Joel was now too pissy to have cared either way.

Which was why, when Spock had called for Joel to be brought over less than a minute later, the proverbial shit hit the fan. The language Spock heard over his comm made his eyebrows raise up completely, and even T'Pol registered shock.

"Does he know what 'ponfo mirann' means, Spock?" she asked her son-in-law as they quickly made their way over the road between the two complexes.

"One would hope not," Spock said, his ears still ringing from the bitching out his son had started spouting to everyone within three miles of his location upon hearing Helen relay Spock's request.

When they entered the Rec Room, they saw: Lee hanging from one of the light fittings and silently cheering on his raging daddy; Pauly, Xain and Solkar keeping the other little kids back and getting slapped by Joel as the upset and crying kid raged about (being Vulcan, they felt they could take their big brother's/uncle's/cousin's slaps better than some of the human kids); Timmy, looking impressed, and coming from a redhead, that was a major achievement; Dan taking notes for all he was worth and nursing a black eye, for he had tried to calm the boy down; and finally Helen, looking scandalized yet concerned all at once, as she tried to get through to Joel to calm down without getting in reach of his hands.

As Spock and T'Pol stopped in the doorway to attempt to assess the situation and work on a resolution, Amanda, Sarek and Trip entered from another door and the two humans gasped in shock at their 'sweet little grandson' curse up a storm. Sarek walked over to his son and cousin and asked, "What are you going to do, my son?"

Spock raised an eyebrow at his father, then said, "Why do I get the impression that you are going to leave this to me, entirely?"

"Of course. To quote your mother, this is 'the joys of parenthood'. I would not want to deprive you of this experience."

"What experience?"

"Stopping a Vulcan teen, with the emotional control of a six year old, having a temper tantrum."

"Thank you," Spock replied, and Dan, standing near, was sure that the normally emotionless voice he had come to recognise from Spock was filled with sarcasm.

Solkar looked over and then ran toward his dad, "Father! Father, Sa'ren is most upset and I cannot get near him. He told me to..."

"We heard," Spock said, not wishing to have his youngest son repeat that terrible Vulcan curse word and then having to explain to a curious seven year old what it meant. "Is Senva okay being so near?" he asked with some concern.

"Yes, Father," Solkar nodded, as he watched Pauly duck an incoming slap from the blind Joel. "It is... funny. Joel does not seem to be putting much force into his slaps - unless it is an adult," he added, looking with apology at Dan.

"I've had worse," Dan winced and he touched his puffy eye.

That moment, Joel stumbled, for he caught his foot on the hem of his robe and fell into a heap at Pauly's feet. There he remained, crying in frustration and feeling totally wretched.

Levi finally moved forward and cuddled against Joel's back. When he had tried before, he could not effect any change nor help; but now, Joel's emotions were able to be stilled and quietened. Spock also walked over and picked up his son, to carry him in his arms like a babe. Levi shimmied up and continued to cuddle Joel, just this time, chest to chest.

"I'll come with you," Dan said seriously. "I can get this fixed at the same time as try to talk to Joel," he added, pointing at his eye.

Spock nodded as he made his way out of the room and off towards Camp Little Eagle.

Kevin followed, having wisely remained far out of range of his husband's temper tantrum, and reached up to take Joel's hand. Joel, however, was having none of it, and pulled it back with a small sob. Kevin sighed sadly as he looked up at Dan with tears starting in his eyes. He felt a touch on his shoulder and turned to find Xain walking alone with him. It was then that he noticed his Vulcan brother's eyes, and their lost, hurt stare.

"What's the matter?" Kevin whispered, as Jake and Kenny ran up to walk with them.

Xain shook his head, but did squeeze Kevin's shoulder again before dropping his hand away. Kevin reached back and took Xain's hand instead and squeezed it himself.

"Sorry, Xain," he murmured. "I should have said something earlier. I..."

"Do not blame yourself, and do not concern yourself about me," Xain said.

With shock in his eyes, Kevin stared hard at Xain's face. He had never before heard his brother sound so lost. So alone.

"You have to help my cousin," Xain continued, as he stared straight ahead at Spock's back, "and not to concern yourself with me. I shall be okay."

Dan, walking next to Spock and T'Pol, dropped back and laid a hand on Xain's shoulder, "That, Xain, it the biggest pile of horse crap I've heard in a long while around the Clan. If you have problems, then we're all concerned; and just because more than one of us have problems at the same time, does not mean than one's is any more important to deal with than the others."

Xain looked up at the serious sound to Dan's voice, and saw the love and concern in the man's eyes. He bowed his own head for a moment, then said, "I have dealt with this issue. It happened long ago, and I should not be feeling it now. My control... should be keeping it suppressed."

"Depending on what the cause of your rogue emotions is," Spock weighed in, "and depending on what was done to aid your recovery after the event, you may be right or you may be wrong. As is plain from your obvious emotional distress, you have either not correctly dealt with this issue, or the issue itself was too large to have be dealt with within the time that has passed since it occurred. Logic dictates you should speak to someone, at once, Xain."

"I am available, should you need to talk," Dan said softly.

Spock added, "And so am I."

Xain looked at the ground again, and squeezed both Dan's hand and Kevin's. He felt Jake take his shoulders in both of his hands, and also felt Kenny's hand grasp his arm. "I wish to speak to you, Uncle Spock," he said softly. "It... is a... it was a family matter."

Spock turned slightly as he walked and looked at Xain closely. He saw the twelve year old lift his gaze to his own, then dart down to Joel's sobbing form in his arms. Then Xain's face twisted as an obvious distressing memory came back to the fore. "I will make myself available once we have completed the last few tests of the day on my son. He needs Daniel's help for what he is going through, and will be speaking to him, once I and T'Pol have finished. I will take that time to talk with you, nephew."

"Thank you, Uncle," Xain whispered as he dropped his gaze to the ground again.

T'Pol leaned close to Spock and laid her fingers on her son-in-law's temple. 'He has suffered rape, Spock. I can see it in his eyes.'

'As can I. That is why Joel is the key for this resurgence of emotions. What troubles me is that he calls it a family matter.' Spock sent back before T'Pol removed her fingers.

They reached the infirmary within a few more minutes and went back to the treatment room they had previously used that afternoon. Joel was lain on the biobed nearest the consoles the two adult Vulcans would be using, while Dan sat with Xain pulled onto his lap comfortingly. He, too, had guessed at the possible reason for Xain's problems. He had been working with children long enough to tell, even if this one happened to be a near emotionless Vulcan.

While the other kids gathered around Xain and Dan, Spock leaned down and brushed Joel's hair gently. "Son, do you want to tell me what caused that in the Rec Room?"

"I don't know, Daddy," Joel wept. "Everything. Nothing. I dunno..."

T'Pol looked over Spock's shoulder and asked, "Where did you learn those words? Especially the one you shouted at your brother?"

"Daddy," Joel whispered.

Spock looked back at T'Pol and nodded. "We melded."

"Ah," T'Pol nodded before passing Spock a hypo.

"We just need some more blood, and then one more scan. Then, I would really like it if you talked to Daniel," Spock said softly as he took the blood sample.

Joel whimpered, "Do I gotta?"

"It would please me if you would, my son," Spock said lovingly.

The small boy sighed. "Okay. I will, for you, Daddy."

"Thank you," Spock whispered as he started up the scan. "Please remain there for five minutes. This is a deep scan."

"Okay," Joel responded in a deathly whisper.

Kevin had been listening in and turned to Dan. "Can I be there when you talk to him, Uncle Dan?" Kevin asked softly.

Dan looked at Kevin closely, then nodded, "That is up to Joel. If he wants you there, then yes."

"I'd better as well," Levi said softly from Joel's bedside.

Dan nodded at him, "Again, if Joel is happy."

Levi nodded before turning back and gently rubbing Joel's back.

Spock looked over, then darted his eyes to the monitor. "You show no readings on this deep scan, Levi," he said softly. "I was going to ask you to keep away from the bed, but..."

"I'm phased, slightly," Levi smiled helpfully as he continued to rub Joel's back as the boy lay there on his side.

Nodding, Spock turned back to the sample of his son's blood that he had taken.

Exactly five minutes later, and Levi was helping Joel off of the biobed and cuddling fully with him. Dan stood up and gently placed Xain back to his feet, before bringing him over to Spock's side. After giving Xain an encouraging squeeze to his shoulder, Dan moved back to where Joel was being hugged by Levi and Kevin and said, "There's a room just down the hall. Do you want me to carry you, Joel?"

"No," Joel whispered before starting to cry softly. "Sorry for your eye," he added through his tears.

"Oh, don't worry, little one," Dan said. "But thanks for reminding me. Levi, Kev? Can you take Joel to room six? I'll be there shortly."

Kevin nodded mutely before gently leading his husband and Levi out of the room.

Jake watched quietly as T'Pol sorted out Dan's eye, then smiled wanly as Dan left. He and Kenny remained there as Spock started to meld with Xain.

"What happened, Jake?" Kenny asked hollowly.

Jake bowed his head for a second before looking at Kenny. "He was raped... years ago... he won't tell me by whom," Jake whispered, and Kenny's eyes widened in horror.

---

Clan Compound:

Justy was outside with the Double J's and Beau, and each had a hot mug of thick, creamy cocoa in their hands. They were sitting relaxed against the outside wall of CIC and not a whisper of sound seemed to pass their lips. It did not mean that they were not talking, however. It was this sight that greeted Commander Chip Dodds as he beamed down in front of them.

"DAD!" came the yell from four mouths, for even Beau - linked as he was with his partners - called him that.

Chip had time to smile before getting piled under by the mass pounce that headed his way. "Hey! Let the old man breathe, why don't you?" he chuckled from underneath the kid-mound that had formed over him.

"Nope!" giggled the three youngest, while Justy and they fought for first-snuggle-rights. Beau added, "We thought you'd gone off with the Enterprise! You surprised us!"

Chip managed to get himself up into a seated position before replying, "The Captain told me that I should remain behind, so I stayed at Terra Main to help Admiral Cartwright organise the remaining Home Sector Fleet into position around the Solar System. Then I was told I was officially off duty until my family was taken care of."

"We're fine, Daddy," Jamie said seriously. "There's no need to worry. Pops looks after us good when you're off playing Commander!" he added cheekily, "and you're so silly! Uncle Jim's a Admiral! Naughty Daddy!"

"You little imp," Chip laughed as he tickled Jacob, which caused Jamie to squeal out in laughter. (Odd kids, I know)

Once the gang had calmed down, Chip explained, "It's not because of you, my beautiful guys. It's Joel. I've not been myself since I heard about what happened, and Uhura pointed out that I was acting much like Spock - only with less homicidal impulses. The Admiral," he grinned, looking at the two innocently smiling twins, "agreed and said I've spent so much time with my Vulcan family, I'm now acting like them. So, he arranged with Cartwright to get me some compassionate leave to take care of business here."

Justy hugged himself tighter under Chip's arm, thus completely freeing up the man's lap for the other three boys. "How long are you staying?"

"As long as it takes," Chip said seriously. Then he forced himself to smile, "Guys. We have to get ready for tomorrow."

"Huh?" Beau asked, while Jamie and Jacob looked confused.

Justy was about to ask, then he remembered the date. "Halloween?"

"Yes," Chip answered. "Should help take everyone's minds off it, if we do up our house like a haunted mansion and invite all the Compound and Camp Little Eagle over. Justy, I'll let you tell Joel he's invited. Surprise him... in a good way, of course."

Justy grinned. "I know just the thing!"

The man stood up and hoisted Jamie onto his shoulders. "Come on... we've only got a day to get the house ready... where's your Pop, anyway? I told him I'd be beaming in about now."

Justy laughed, "He was teaching Mark and Curly how to ride... it got ugly real fast!!"

Chip burst out laughing as he pulled his other sons (and Beau!) close and started off towards their home. "Come on, then. Let's go help those two poor souls' wounded prides!"

Giggling, they walked off into the evening darkness.

It didn't take long upon entering their home for them to see the two sufferers and hear their complaining. JC, Brian and Zac were not being all that helpful as they laughed at them mercilessly.

"That's it," Mark grouched. "That's the last time I get on a horse! I'm ruined, I swear it!"

"What's wrong with my horses?" Chip asked gruffly as he entered the room with the boys. "They are fine animals!"

"They might be," Curly whined, "but my ass don't agree with you."

"I prefer a mode of transportation that doesn't have a mind of its own," Mark added as he gingerly stood up and stretched himself a bit. "Owww..."

"Then why do you ride Zac?" Brian giggled.

Mark's eye twinkled and he was about to open his mouth when Zac quickly jumped in and said, "You'd better be really sure about what you're going to say to answer that one, hon."

Mark giggled and turned as if he were going to sit down. "Like I said, I prefer a mode of transportation that doesn't have... Argh!" he took off at a run, yelling like a banshee, as Zac started after him.

Chip watched as they sped down the hallway towards the direction of the indoor pool. "At least Mark's going in the right direction for his punishment," he said to Justy.

Justy nodded sagely.

Chip turned back and entered the living room. He walked up to JC and pulled him in for a quick hug and a kiss before looking down at Curly, who was spread out on the sofa with his butt in the air. Brian was still giggling. "What about you? You going to insult my horses too?"

"No," Curly's muffled voice answered. "I'm not in a position that lends itself to casual insults to a Starfleet Officer's horses!"

"Good," Chip said loudly as he slapped Curly's upturned butt before taking a seat, and pulling JC down onto his lap. "Very good."

"ARGH! You sonofa... That hurt!" Curly yelled out loudly.

"Wimp!" Jamie, Jacob and Beau said in unison.

Justy just took a seat himself and continued to laugh at the show.

Brian went to the kitchen and brought back an icepack, which he helpfully gave to his husband.

"Thanks, I think," Curly moaned.

It was then that Mark came back into the room, surprisingly dry as a bone. He was still limping a bit, however. "Shouldn't have run," he smiled at them, "but it was worth it to get Zac dunked!"

Chip's eyebrow shot up, "Now that is a surprise!"

Jamie and Jacob also looked at Mark curiously, while Justy asked slowly, "Since... when have you been able to out manoeuvre Zac?"

Mark sat down chuckled evilly before answering, "Since always, but I've never let on."

Jamie narrowed his eyes, "That is not..."

"... possible," Jacob completed. "We scanned you..."

"... and you don't know any self defence like..."

"... Zac!" Beau finished, now looking as confused as the other two.

Mark smiled and nodded, "I was surprised that I could block you guys at all, but Jace told me that I've got a natural ability with blocking high level telepaths from things they shouldn't see, so it must have been that all this time."

Jacob blinked, "Why shouldn't we have..."

"... seen that you can fight?" Beau finished.

Zac chose that moment to slop his way into the room. He glared at the smirking Mark. "Secrets?"

"Kinda," Mark answered. "Now that you're here, I can explain. I'm allowed to, now, but I was told I could choose the moment."

Chip and Josh shared a long look with Brian and Curly. "This should be good," Josh said softly.

Mark stood up stiffly, "Ouch... right, Zac - remember that locked suitcase I said you shouldn't ever look in?"

"Yeah," Zac said slowly as he took a hastily fetched towel from Justy to dry himself down with.

Mark started out of the room, "Wait here. I won't be long."

Zac's eyes followed him out of the room before he turned to look at Chip seriously, "Do you know anything about this?"

"Me? No," Chip shook his head. "I never thought he was anything other than a sweet kid who befriended Cory and is one HELL of a good gardener!" He looked around the room, "Bri, where are your kids?"

Brian smiled, "Rusty's with his other half, and the other three are over with Timmy and company."

"Three? You've adopted two more?" Chip asked in wonder.

"Yes," Curly said, a smile replacing the pain in his face from his sore rump. "Two cute little British boys; Richard and Ryan. Rich is seven, Ryan is four."

"Really? Can't wait to meet them," Chip smiled. "Congratulations!"

"You'll love Richard," Brian smiled. "He's another Scot!"

Justy smiled at the banter but then turned to Zac. "Weren't you ever curious about that suitcase Mark mentioned?" he asked as the teen dried himself off.

"No, because I just assumed it was something about his time in the Home, or before, that he wasn't comfortable sharing with me," Zac said as he stripped out of his soaked clothes and wrapped the towel around his waist.

"No, nothing to do with not being comfortable," Mark said as he re-entered the room. "More to do with not wanting to break orders," he finished as everyone gasped.

He was in a solid black jumpsuit with gold trim on the shoulders, and a Vulcan insignia on his collar. At his sides, hanging from his utility belt, were a set of Mek'leth blades, and strapped to his back was a Bat'leth and a Vulcan short sword, a trillpa'morov. On his sleeves were odd Vulcan symbols that didn't mean a lot, until he spoke, "I am Commander Mark Andrew Owens, Second Officer of Voice Company, Dragon Division VSO. May we live as the line, and die to defend it." He then grinned at Chip, "I'm also a sweet kid who befriended Cory and I am an EXCELLENT gardener... also cute. You forgot cute."

"Wha ... aat ... theeeh ... he...ck!" Jamie, Jacob, and Beau exclaimed in a circle, changing speakers mid-word.

Zac was staring at Mark and wasn't likely to respond any time soon.

Justy found his voice first. With a look of hurt in his eyes he said, "So you've been lying to us all this time?"

Mark shook his head, "No. No-one ever came out and asked if I was in the Vulcan Secret Service, nor if I could use a bladed weapon nor that I've been on covert missions. I've simply not volunteered that information. I could have lied about it if asked, but no-one ever asked me anything that would have gotten close to the truth."

"But you're someone else, now... you're not the Mark we know any more. Has it all been an act?" Justy asked seriously.

Mark shook his head quickly. "Never. Not an act. I'd never act about friendships unless I absolutely had to - like if I was undercover in a criminal group or something. Everything I've been when here with you, and everything I was for Cory and still am for Cory, is real. It's why I was given the task, once Cory and Co. moved here to Orlando, to be the bodyguard for you guys, Commander Dodd's kids. You're Family Sarek, and you need someone inside, especially since you are so closely tied to Clan Short."

Chip's eyes narrowed slightly, "So, did Jason put it into my head to hire you as a gardener?"

Mark giggled, "As funny as Jace might have thought that would have been, no. I was told to go with the Clan to Orlando, yet keep your three sons under watch. Somehow, you found out I loved gardening, and you and Josh just asked if I'd like the job for when we all moved here. It must have been Cory who told you... whatever. Since I've always liked plants, it was a great opportunity on more than one level. That's how."

There was a slight cough from Zac and Mark looked into the eyes of his boyfriend. "What about me? Was that planned or..."

"You were a surprise and a half, Zac. I'd not thought of myself as either gay or straight before meeting you, and you stole my heart. If Jace hadn't told me my place was permanent here, I'd have quit the Division to stay!"

Zac's face slowly split into a wide, shit-eating grin.

"The only difference now is that you know I'll kick the ass of anyone who tries to hurt you!... and I can also dunk you... I don't have to pretend I can't, any more... so watch it, sweety!" Mark giggled.

Zac looked Mark up and down a few times, then licked his lips. "I've always liked a guy in uniform... seeya tomorrow, guys! I have to undress my boyfriend!" He grabbed Mark's hand and started to run for the stairs. In a low tone, he added in a whisper for Mark alone to hear, "... with my teeth!"

"WE HEARD THAT, PERV!" the three terrible boys yelled through their giggles. "MARK MIGHT BE ABLE TO BLOCK US, BUT YOU CAN'T!!"

---

Meanwhile:

Kevin guided Joel to a large comfy looking armchair and got him seated, while Levi fetched a drink of water for his uncle. Once done, they both joined Joel on the chair and cuddled in close to wait for Dan to arrive. "You sure you're okay with us being here?" Kevin asked hesitantly.

Joel nodded unhappily, "Don't want to be here at all, but I really don't wanna be alone." He pulled Levi close against his side and wrapped his arms around the small Mikyvis, leaving Kevin to gently hold him in his arms.

Kevin could see by Joel's expression that he wasn't comfortable, again, with contact from him, but since Joel wasn't saying anything, Kevin kept the hug in place. He sighed silently. Joel's emotions were going up and down worse than a yo-yo.

Dan entered silently and closed the door behind him before moving over to a chair that was opposite from Joel's. "Hey, little guy. Don't worry, I'm still 'Uncle Dan', okay?" he said softly, as he noticed the pensive expression on Joel's face.

The Vulcan nodded slowly but did not relax even an iota, from what Dan could see.

Dan sat back in his chair and said gently, "First off, I want you to understand that this can end at any time. Trying to push you too far will not do any good. I know you probably are hoping I can fix all the stuff going on inside you right now, quickly, but you have to know, I can't. I can help you, but if you get too uncomfortable, things won't get better. Just let me know at any point that you wanna take a break."

"Fix what? Me? I didn't want to come here at all, but Daddy asked me to. What can you do to fix something as fucked up as me?" Joel muttered bitterly.

Levi scrunched his face up slightly and Kevin closed his eyes, but true to their word to Dan, they did not say a word to interrupt.

"Why do you think you're fucked up?" Dan asked, totally unfazed by the outburst.

Joel raised his head and spat, "'Cos I've got all the training I need to keep myself safe, but when I tried something, I let myself get hurt. I could have stopped them from... from... but I didn't, so I must have wanted it to happen... I can't love anyone 'cos if I did I'd not have let them do what they wanted to me and if I did then I'd have fought them but I didn't so I'm..." He stopped as he ran out of breath. Breathing hard, pure anger in his expression, he sat and fumed in the chair before everything just bled out of him and he started weeping.

In a very soft voice Dan asked, "Why did you go in there? You could have just kept walking..." Dan left the sentence hanging.

His tears still falling and in a hollow sounding voice, Joel wept, "Because they were hurting those boys. I was trying to rescue them... I have fought before, and I rescued my kids before... but when I tried to help them, I just... stopped."

"So, I'm fucked up... that's it," he added after a second's pause.

"No... let's go back to something you said," Dan said, trying hard to control his own emotions in this. "Why did you stop? Do you know?"

"I don't know... I wanted them to hurt and f... hurt me. I must have. It's the only logical answer..."

"Have you thought about it?" Dan asked softly, interrupting Joel briefly. "Really?"

Joel paused, and went deathly quiet. "No," he answered in the barest whisper.

Dan didn't say anything for the moment, for he could see that Joel was thinking hard.

"It... it was him. He was there... and I couldn't fight him. I only saw the other two hurting the two boys, then he appeared..." Joel whispered, fear growing in his voice. Then he clapped his hand smartly over his left eye and he cried out as if in pain. "He took my eye... He did it! It was him!"

Each time Joel said 'he' or 'him' his voice filled with so much fear that Dan could nearly taste it in the air.

"Do you know what a 'conditioned response' is?" Dan asked, again keeping his voice very soft.

Joel nodded. "My life is a conditioned response," he whispered as he shakily lowered his hand from his empty eye socket. "... I'm a slave. To him. I can't fight him. Ever."

"My dear Joel, I don't think you realize that you did fight him. Not only did you fight him, you beat him," Dan said quietly, and Joel's sightless eye widened in shock.

Dan continued before Joel could argue with him. "The fact that you survived is a testament to the fact that he could NOT beat you. He could hurt your body, he could wound your soul, but he could not kill your spirit. You're a fighter, Joel; you always have been. No matter how much he hurt you, he was never able to actually break you."

By now, all three boys were quietly weeping, while Dan had to brush away his own tears so that he could push on. "There is only one way he has left to win. He only has that one way left to hurt you. You, Joel, are the epitome of love. You love everyone.  All these years that he was trying to break you, he was never able to beat that love out of you." Dan paused for a moment before wrapping up his little speech. "Now let's look at what you're doing, right now. You're allowing him to still have control over your life. Don't do that. Let that 'Love' out of you again; let that love fill you once more, and then... then you will see that even with him doing his best to break you, it is you that has won!"

"I don't think I can love again... I betrayed Kevin... all of you..." Joel whispered sickly as he brushed his tears from his eyes, and Dan saw that the pendulum of his emotions and thoughts had swung back the other way again. "I don't want to hurt like that... like this... again."

Kevin's face went tense for a moment, then his gaze dropped to the floor as pain filled his face.

"You say I can... that I fought h...him... but when it counted, I failed. He nearly KILLED ME!" Joel screamed out the last few words. "He tried to do that EVERY time in that other Universe, and he NEARLY DID IT HERE! What can 'love' do to stop that? Huh?" he finished with a snarl. "No-one came. No-one who said they loved me was there. I was alone. Love..." Joel spat briefly. "I-Cheya and Blackie were too fucking busy sleeping, and my Cat-guards were playing kid games... even Blondie and Sean fucked off for a fucking holiday. Kev was asleep... no-one was with me. No-one came for me. No-one cared... love is shit..."

Joel was raging now, and his words started to make less and less sense. Kevin pulled his arms away from Joel so that, if his husband lost control, he'd not end up with two broken arms. Levi, however, simply closed his eyes tight as Joel's rage washed over and past him.

Dan nearly fell out of his chair when a huge Tiger/Human hybrid with wings of fire appeared in the room right in front of him. Swiftly Kuan Ti threw his wings around the three boys and grabbed Joel in a hug. Very slowly, he started to siphon the rage from off the small boy, until Joel was sitting there in his arms, crying softly.  

"There are reasons that you were not able to be helped," Kuan Ti said softly, then he turned to look at Dan, then back down at the two other boys in his arms. "What I am about to tell you is not for others to hear until the time is right." Getting a nod from the three boys and from Dan, Kuan Ti continued, "This morning, the entire Host of Heaven went to war. We were directed to save the life of the Shaper, for the Enemy had attacked. They took the power released from the trapped Guardian of Dimension, Vae'za, and used it to cloud all senses. They used it to empower the three who hurt you, Joel. It took us all the time between you starting to get hurt, to when they left you, for us to fight through to you. Your guards and protectors were blinded by them, so much so that they didn't even know you'd woken up and left Kevin's bedroom. If they had been able, you'd never have been alone, Joel."

Joel felt like everything in his life was well and truly flying into pieces, now. "Satan again? Why me?" he sobbed.

Kuan Ti stood up with just the crying Vulcan in his arms and cradled him against his furry chest. "No, not him. He wouldn't have sanctioned this attack. He was still licking his wounds from Forever beating his ass on Friday. But I don't know why they did this to you, Joel. There was other stuff happening as well, but I don't even know what that is. No 'word' has been given to us at all about anything connected to this event. We were ordered to save you... and Mikey just got there in time..."

"I remember," Joel whispered as a door that he didn't even know was closed in his mind opened. "I remember hearing Mikey just as the knife was coming down..."

Kuan Ti cat-kissed Joel's face before cuddling him tight again.

Dan used that moment to move forward and speak again. "Joel, what happened to you is bad. Hell, I don't know how I would or could handle it. But I do know one thing." Dan put his hands on both of Joel's shoulders and kissed his forehead lightly. "If I were the one hurt like you have been, I would be fighting against everything I have ever known. But know this; every single person here loves you. Love may not have been able to prevent this from happening, but Love WILL help put you get back together. You can't close yourself off to it. You can't let those that hurt you, and those that empowered that hurt, to win. You're stronger than that... I know you are."

Joel's remaining eye rapidly moved from side to side, as if he was reading a scrolling text of writing at a rapid pace. Inside, the various levels of his consciousness were at full steam as he worked on the information he had been given.

His Vulcan logic came to one conclusion.

His human emotionalism came to a polar opposite one.

In the pain he was now feeling, Joel made a choice between the two.

"You are wrong," he whispered to Dan as he was gently put down by Kuan Ti. "I can close myself off to love. I want to go through Kolinahr." He raised his face so that he was more in line with Dan's. "I want to purge these emotions. I don't want to feel any more. I want to be Vulcan."

Kevin, his heart breaking, buried his face in his hands and wept.

"You think that will solve all your issues?" Dan asked quietly while laying a quiet hand on Kevin's leg. With a quick shake of his head, Dan made sure Kevin understood to not give up yet.

"Yes," Joel said as his face rapidly became stoic. "If I cannot feel, then I can deal with the attack as a Vulcan. It will not effect me any more."

"What about Kevin? What about your love for him? Everything good you've felt for and with him will be over, wouldn't it?" Dan asked softly.

Joel shook his head, "Incorrect. A Vulcan does not feel 'love' as you humans think of it. It is suppressed in the majority of my people to the point that it is a subconscious act to control it. However, we do have a sense of completeness when we are with our bond-mates, family, children. I will be able to be there for whatever Kevin needs, even sexually, for a Vulcan is not limited to lovemaking just in Pon Farr. It will just not be a need I will possess unless in Pon Farr. I will no longer feel what I feel but I can still 'love' him as my Grandfather Sarek 'loves' Grandmother Amanda. I... I..." Joel stopped talking, and his 'Vulcan face' seemed to slip.

Dan grew worried, for now emotions hammered over Joel's features.

"I... don't know what to do," Joel wailed softly. "I... I don't want to lose my love for Kev..."

"So you do love him?" Dan asked.

"Yes... No... Yes," Joel decided with tears running from his eyes. "But I don't want to... and I do want to... I... this is not logical," he finished, the emotion bleeding off of his face in a heartbeat. "I will need to talk with my Father."

Kuan Ti had stepped back during all this, and Dan moved over to his chair, now being just as emotionless as Joel. "So you wish to try and deal with this like a Vulcan? Let us do that, then. Is it logical for someone who has been hurt to hurt everyone around them? Is it logical for someone who has been hurt to force others that they love to hurt as well? Is it logical for someone to try and hide behind the mantle of logic simply as a means to escape the pain they may feel with emotions?"

Joel cocked his head to the side and his eye started rapidly moving again. "No, it is not logical for me to have hurt others as I have done since I awoke. However, those actions were born out of emotion. Had I been raised Vulcan, I would have enough mastery of my emotions by now to act more like Xain. He is hurting about something in his past, but he is not hurting others through his actions. That is what I wish - to start my Vulcan training in emotional control and suppression. I also wish to go from there to Kolinahr, but I cannot do so until I reach maturity. There is therefore time for me to reassess such a decision. Logic does not hide pain but gives us control to deal with it, and imparts a serenity that humans lack. Emotions run deeper in us than in you. I wish control to stop myself from this pain and from causing pain to others. It is my heritage. If I am accepted for what I am, then this has always been a possibility; of my choosing the Vulcan path as my father did. If you will fight me on this, or say I am not allowed because of my bonding with Kevin, then the Clan is not what it claims to be."

As Joel finished speaking, a flicker of emotion passed over his face, but Dan saw it disappear as Joel's lips tightened.

Dan looked to heaven and for a moment and prayed for the strength to make this poor boy understand. "So your saying that, had you been raised as a Vulcan instead of a human, you would not have hurt others when this happened to you?"

"Others who care for and love me would have been hurt by the very action of my attack, but I would not have compounded that by saying the things I have said. I would not have attacked you physically either. To push this to its logical conclusion, the event itself would have played out differently had I been raised properly. I would not have been conditioned. I would not be ruled by fear. I would have fought them off and saved the two boys. I would have, with the training I have received, won. They would have been arrested and tried under Vulcan law. I would not be in this position that I now find myself in. I would not have been ra... r..."

Joel's 'control' vanished, and he simply crumpled. He could not even say the word while suppressing his feelings in the little way he knew how. His human side broke back over him like a dam, released from all control.

Dan jumped forward and grabbed Joel, pulling him into a tight hug and gently rocking the small boy. "Shhhh... it's okay, Joel. We're right here with you," Dan said as the small boy wailed in his arms.

Kuan Ti pushed off from the wall he was leaning against with a quiet, "Fuck this..."

He moved over behind Dan and allowed his wings to flair up in a bright blaze. He then enveloped the entire group with a cocoon of nothing but love, comfort and understanding.

Slowly Joel stopped crying and he faded off into a deep, dreamless sleep. Kuan Ti folded his wings back behind him and looked at Levi hard, "I have done all I am allowed to do for Joel. It's your turn, now." Then he turned to Kevin, "Kevvy, you and your kids are to go home to your Pop's house tonight. Something will happen in your dreams, so don't be surprised. But for this night, and maybe for tomorrow night, your presence this close to Joel will not have the affect you would wish. You can come over in the day, but allow Levi the time he needs."

Kevin nodded mutely as his tears still rolled down his face.

"And don't worry," Kuan Ti whispered. "I have been given a job to do, but another will stand over you, tonight. You'll like him."

"Who?" Kevin asked weakly.

Me

They all turned and in the corner of the room a large, silver Wolf was sitting.

"This is the stand-in for Mikey for the weekend. This is Cynoeswr," Kuan Ti said softly and with respect. "The Guardian-Spirit of Earth. You can call him Silver Wolf, though. Somehow, he likes that name."

Klingon boys named me thus, and the name fits

Kevin smiled weakly and got up to walk over to the large Wolf. He wrapped his arms around Silver Wolf's neck and began to cry into his soft fur.

Son of Earth, Son of Adam - I shall bear you to your caregiver. Come

Silver Wolf stood up and Kevin climbed onto his back.

Avenging Angel - You have the blessing of the Earth. Do your task in this coming week

"You know what is coming?" Kuan Ti asked quickly.

Only that it shall either mean the Earth will grow or will die. Nothing more

The tiger-angel nodded as the Wolf and Kevin suddenly vanished.

Dan sighed, "Not the way I expected this to go, but this is good, for now. Thank you... what's your name, by the way?"

The tiger giggled, "Kuan Ti."

"Oh... sorry. I did hear about you... Saturday, right?"

"Yes," Kuan Ti nodded seriously. "With all you are going through, right now, I didn't expect you to remember me right away. But yes, Saturday."

"As weak as this sounds," Dan whispered as he stood with a sleeping Joel in his arms, "thank you. If not for you and the others, my family would be dead."

"Don't thank me for doing my job," the tiger-teen-angel smiled, "it was my honour. Not many get to show their love in that manner, and it was the way I'd always wanted to go out - doing something right and just."

Dan moved over to kiss the large Cat's nose before smiling and walking out of the room with his precious armful, Levi trotting along at his side.

Kuan Ti smiled once more, and vanished in a flash of crimson fire.

---

Meanwhile:

After finishing the meld with Spock, Xain moved back over to Jake and Kenny. His face seemed more peaceful and more at ease, but he did link his hand with Jake's as soon as he got to him. Spock walked up behind him and said to Jake and Kenny, "There is much that has happened, but we have decided to wait before attempting to resolve the background issues. However, I have helped Xain in dealing with his personal emotional issues, directly. All that is required is for you, Jake, and you, Kenneth, to continue to assist him."

"What do we do?" Kenny asked with a slight tremble in his voice.

"Just be there for him," Spock said. "Now. Go back over to the Compound. I will wait here for my son and your brother."

Jake looked into Spock's eyes, and asked, "What about the one who raped him? Aren't you going to do something about that?"

"Yes, but this is difficult," Spock said seriously. "At the present time, any action taken could be misunderstood by others."

His eyes growing hard, Jake retorted, "That hasn't stopped the Clan, before, and it won't stop us this time. Xain will tell us eventually, and..."

"Not until Uncle Spock says for me to do so," Xain said evenly as he squeezed Jake's hand tightly. "Timing is everything, T'hy'la."

Spock was also nodding his confirmation.

Jake sighed and closed his eyes helplessly.

"Go, children. Comfort Xain and go to the Compound," Spock said softly.

He watched as the three boys left the room and moved down the corridor before moving to stand close to the room in which Joel was speaking to Dan. There, he waited.

When the door finally opened so that Dan could leave, with Joel asleep in his arms, Spock looked over and approached. Taking his son into his own arms, Spock asked, "How did it go?"

"It was... different," Dan said, his eyes sad, but his voice even. "There's a lot of work to do, for all of us."

"Where is Kevin?" Spock asked as he only saw Levi at the man's side.

Levi answered, "Gone with Silver Wolf to the Compound. He's to stay with his Poppa tonight, while I stay with you and Joel."

"Silver Wolf?"

"An animal spirit," Levi smiled softly. "He's nice."

Nodding, Spock looked at Dan, "I shall take my son back to my quarters in Teri's house. When do you want to see him again?"

"Same time tomorrow, I think," Dan said as he started walking with Spock. Levi, bouncing around them, was grabbed and hoisted up onto Dan's hip quickly. "There are a lot of things I need to cover with Joel, not the least is his trust issues. Spock, there might be a problem. Your son is trying to repress everything and attempting Vulcan emotional control - poorly, as these terrible things are breaking out every few minutes, but he is saying he wants to go for Kolinahr..."

Spock nodded. "I shall talk with him in the morning, and start his training."

Dan's jaw dropped open but he closed it quickly. "You're... you are going to encourage him to go the Vulcan path?"

"If he wishes to control his emotions, to suppress them and close them away, then I will train him. If he chooses to walk an emotive path, I will not discourage him."

"What if he is trying to repress them, to repress his trauma?"

"Then I shall deal with it on a Vulcan level if that is the path he is choosing," Spock answered easily as they stepped outside of the infirmary. "At that point, he might not require your aid, Daniel. As someone with human responses, you would be better suited to help him. As someone with Vulcan, then I would be."

Dan stopped walking, and Spock slowed before doing so, as well. The Vulcan man turned to regard the human, and asked, "Is there a problem, Daniel?"

His head shaking with disbelief, Dan answered, "Yes... I'd say so! Kevin, Spock! What about Kevin? That boy's heart is going to break if Joel decides to remove all of his emotions! What about his brothers? The rest of the Clan?"

With an eyebrow raised, Spock said, "The Clan is Vulcan, Daniel. They already have a half-Vulcan among their number; Xain. Kevin is probably more used to it than the rest of them, due to Xain being his brother. Are you saying that the Clan will reject my son should he learn to control his emotions and embrace logic?"

"No, Spock. I only meant... Kevin is going to take it hard, Spock. They have been feeling each other's emotions since they met one another. What is it going to be like for Kevin to have had an emotional lover to start, then to feel nothing for the rest of his life, from Joel?" While Spock thought on that question, Dan added, "Will Joel be the same after removing his emotions? What about Kolinahr? Will that change him even more? Will he be the same person Kevin fell in love with? Could their union survive it, Spock?"

"Their union will survive and even grow, as long as Kevin does not try and make my son something that he is not. Would you change John against his will? If John were to decide to shave his head, would your love be lessened should you dislike his decision?"

"But John would never remove his emotions, Spock!"

"Nor would I expect him to; John is not a Vulcan. Sa'ren is. It is his heritage, and it was always a possibility for him to take the path of Logic, even if he had never been attacked. Sa'ren is as free to follow his heritage as you are, Daniel. As free as Kevin is. If Kevin truly loves Sa'ren, he will accept this."

"Shouldn't a decision that will affect both parties in the marriage be discussed by both parties?" Dan pressed, not willing to let this one go. "If I was going to move to Vulcan and John did not wish it, should I force my will upon him?"

Spock again raised his eyebrow, "You are saying that Kevin's will for Sa'ren to keep his emotions is more important that Sa'ren's will for their removal? Your analogy would mean the change for both parties. Sa'ren's desire is for just himself. It will not change Kevin. It will affect Kevin, but their marriage will not only survive it, but will grow. Just as if Sa'ren chooses to keep his emotions will their marriage grow. My father and mother, and T'Pol and Charles, are testament to that."

"But your mother and your father-in-law knew they were marrying an emotionless person! They understood that feelings were not going to be the same in their marriage, and it was something that they even fell in love with! Kevin fell in love with Joel as he was, not the emotionless Vulcan boy he will become if this happens. I honestly think there are going to be a lot of problems if this path is walked, Spock."

Spock regarded Dan carefully. "This was checked by my father and by Cory when Kevin and Sa'ren were tested for bonding. My father checked on what Kevin's likely response would be should Sa'ren ever chose the Vulcan path, and the result did not hinder their being bonded. Due to the stress of the current situation, Kevin's reaction to this news is not what it would have been had Joel decided this in a 'happy' situation. Kevin knew what he was getting into when he married my son, Daniel. I shall help Kevin in any way that I can, but I cannot force one person's will upon another."

"But is that not what Joel is doing?" Dan pressed, "Is he not forcing his will upon the rest of his brothers? Look at it this way; the Clan would probably not reject Joel because of his decision, but they would mourn the lose of the person they had grown to love; the Joel that they love would, for all intents and purposes, be dead. What Joel needs to realize, in my humble opinion, and you are possibly the only person he would listen to in this, is that emotions are not a hindrance to him. They are what gave him the strength to do things that no one thought were possible. I mean, do I need to point to anything more than what he did for Juan?"

Spock looked around himself for a moment, and then gestured towards a bench just by the doorway to the infirmary. "Sit, Daniel," he said softly as he did so, while cradling his child in his arms.

Dan hesitated before also doing so, arranging Levi so that the small boy was seated comfortably on his lap as well.

"Sa'ren is not forcing his will upon anyone, Daniel," Spock said softly, as he looked down into the peaceful yet scared face of his eldest child. "Not upon Kevin nor upon his brothers and family. He is simply making a decision - and as yet, he is still thinking as a human. This decision is borne of pain and may not be what he truly wills. However, if it is, then he has every right to walk the Path of Surak. It is his heritage and legacy. Your argument is based upon Sa'ren not being allowed to choose and the Clan enforcing their will upon him, instead. I know what you are saying in that the Clan would not reject Sa'ren, but feel grief for him - however, with or without Sa'ren walking the path of Logic, change has already occurred. My son, should he chose to keep his emotions, will never be the boy he was yesterday. Never, Daniel. That child is now gone. The child that had suffered hell yet still held onto his honour has already died. Sa'ren was violated in the worst possible way, short of being murdered. There is no Sa'ren as he existed yesterday. There is only this Sa'ren, now; and what he chooses to make of his life in response to the assault is yet to be seen. If the Way of Surak can help him best, then that is what I will encourage. If the Way of Terra is best, that I will encourage. The Clan will have to, regardless of the outcome, deal with, and grieve anyway, for the death of the Sa'ren they knew. He died at five minutes passed seven this morning," Spock finished as a single tear fell from his left eye and landed on Joel's cheek.

"I understand what you're saying, Spock," Dan said as he gently reached out and stroked Joel's hair. "All I can say is this: I may not know Vulcans as well as I would like, and I certainly have no real experience with Vulcan/Human hybrids, however, with every fibre of my being, I truly believe that if Joel goes on the path of complete Logic, it will be a detriment not only to himself but to the Clan as a whole. While I agree that it must be his choice, I think we should all do all that we can do to make sure that the decision is borne out of logical thought and soul searching, not simply out of fear and pain. I believe we can both agree on that."

"That is correct and logical," Spock whispered as he wiped away his tear from his son's face. "Note, Daniel. I am Kolinahr trained, yet I did not purge all of my emotions. I am able to hold onto them and keep them suppressed forever - but I chose to feel now. This is due to my being half human. Sa'ren will have both an easier and a harder time than I. Easier as he is technically closer to being Vulcan than myself, due to his unique situation as a second generation hybrid. Harder as he has always believed himself human. Emotions in us run deep, Daniel. We are a naturally violent species. With what Sa'ren has been through, those violent tendencies are now all the more pronounced. It is why rape is considered - by both our worlds - to be the worst assault imaginable. Only the reaction from a Vulcan without control can be lethal. If I believe it necessary, I will strongly encourage my son to go at least as far as my father, in control and suppression. Kolinahr may not be required. The normal Vulcan level might well be - for the safety of the Clan, as well as of my son."

Dan sat there considering the situation for a brief moment. "Do you think that Joel could ever pose more of a threat to the Clan than someone like Juan, who as we all know is nowhere near stable; even after what your son was able to do for him?"

"Yes," was Spock's only answer, and a chill ran up Dan's spine.

"How?"

Spock looked up at Dan and said, "Juan is stable, but yet is not, at the same time. His instability is natural to him, now. He has learnt to live with it and has equals and betters able to control him, should he go too far." Spock looked down at his first-born, "My son, once full grown, will have no equal amongst Vulcans. He is already more than I was at his age - even with his malnutrition. Even now, could one of the Unit's members stop Joel should he lose all control? At a touch, he could do what he did to Juan earlier this day. A touch, Dan. In order to prevent this, would you have me stop Sa'ren from touching anyone for the rest of his life and assigning an N-Gen and one of the top level Genesis Project Augments to keep him controlled? Or would you have me heal him in the best way possible? This could be a redundant line of thought, as I have yet to meld with and talk to my son, but if it is needed, I will guide him to Logic. I owe him that much, and more. I owe him all that I am."

Spock then looked up at Dan. "I am wondering: why would you call the suppression of emotion to be a detriment to my son, and therefore to the Clan? Does Xain not suppress his emotions? Is he not an equal, valid member of the Clan? Does he have less in him due to it? Do I? Both Xain and I share something equally with Joel - and with Senva and Solkar. We are not pure Vulcan. The suppression of emotions has not been a detriment to me, in my life, and neither is it in Xain's. Should Senva choose to walk the Path of Surak, it will not be a detriment to him, either. Nor to Solkar. Why would you say such a thing?"

Dan sighed, "I meant no disrespect, Spock. I meant that everything good that Joel is and has done in the short time he has been with us was due to his being an emotive Vulcan. Would he have helped Juan the same way, if he had been as fully controlled as a standard Vulcan thirteen year old? Would he have interacted the same with the rest of the Clan?"

"Yes. He would have. Logic dictates that to ease distress and to heal wounds is logical. Morality is logical. Friendship and brotherhood is logical and desired among Vulcans. We are naturally a solitary species, as well as a fundamentally violent one. Yet, even in that solitary desire, lifelong friendships are valued highly. Family bonds and oaths of brotherhood are valued even more. If they were not, no Clan Short would have ever existed, for my father would have not had a reason nor a 'hook' upon which to form one. The reason was the oath of brotherhood between Cory and the others. Justin and his father would never have been accepted into our family if our race did not place a high regard on family matters and relationships. We are different to humans, Daniel, but we are also much alike. We just see the world in a different way. My son would have done all that he had already, the only difference being that it would have been through logic and morality and values, rather than emotional impulses."

"Would he have fallen in love with Kevin?" Dan asked.

"Yes and no. Love, as you understand it, is not how we understand it. In the case of most Vulcans, they never feel the emotion, but they still act in 'love'. We experience a completeness instead of the emotion. When we are apart from the ones we 'love' we 'feel' as if something important is missing. Those of us who spend much time around humans and other emotive races use the word 'love' to express this experience. In my case, when I found my son after all those years I actually felt the emotion. And I have allowed myself to keep feeling such as he needed, and still may need, to experience that in me. As do my other children, Cory, Sean and the rest. I feel that love for them. But you know as well as I, that the emotion is not the love itself. Love is the attitude, the action, the words, the desire. Emotions are fleeting and if one were to build their life on the emotion itself, you would be building your life on an unstable foundation. So, in answer to your question, I believe that they would have bonded. The union and link between my sons is deep and unique to them. They would have been drawn together regardless of Sa'ren's emotions or their lack."

Dan sighed again but refrained from comment. Instead he stood to his feet with Levi in his arms. "Come on, Spock. It's night and you need to put your son to bed. Let's go home," he said.

Through the entire discussion, Levi had remained silent. Not because he had no opinion, but because the Guardian of Forever was continually whispering to him, cautioning him to remain quiet. The little boy sighed as well. He cuddled in closer to Dan as they made their way from Camp Little Eagle to the main Compound.

---

Meanwhile, Teri's House:

Nathan was in the living room chatting to Amanda, Sarek, Trip and T'Pol, while Jason paced about outside. The news he had only just received from Draco had set his feeling on edge. That weird computer virus that had infected every system, satellite, Vulcan computer and Android on earth - with the sole apparent exception of Ark - had now, somehow, infected Draco. Remaining on the Yoshuhlnak in 'read only' mode had not been enough to prevent it, apparently. Therefore, since he was as infected as the rest of Earth's AI's, Draco was now back in the Nest Compound and bitching extensively to any that would listen to him. To top it off, information had just been passed to Jason from Draco that Tommy Casey was not what he had appeared to be. He was an alien, and a few others that had recently arrived at Camp Bam Bam were of the same species: A species that was completely unknown to the Federation.

Jason knew this to be a little inaccurate. The species was known to the highest levels of the Vulcan Government and High Command, including all VSO Division Commanders - but that information was as top secret as it could get. And so, he paced; for until his a'nirih arrived back from Camp Little Eagle - and until both his and Nathan's relief arrived from the Dragon's Nest - he could do nothing about the discovery.

Inactivity was irritating to the young Welsh boy. Even pacing had ceased to hold the desire for action at bay, now.

Then his face split into a smile, for he saw two adults approaching, and both carried a child in their arms. He sensed both the adults and Joel at a distance, and the 'generalised feeling' from the second child connected itself with the thought 'Levi' in Jason's Ka'Inri mind. "Finally... Now, where's Telez and 'Tony?" Jason giggled as he ran over to greet his a'nirih.

"Jason," Spock nodded in greeting.

"How is he?" Jason asked as he drew alongside the Vulcan man and started brushing his fingers through Joel's hair.

Dan answered, "Not good, Jace."

Jason's face fell slightly, but he forced himself to seem more cheerful, "We'll get him there, Uncle Dan."

"Yeah," Dan muttered as he lowered Levi to his feet. "I'm going inside. Talk tomorrow."

Jason watched curiously as the man walked off. "Has there been an issue?" he asked Spock, turning to look up at his a'nirih.

"Daniel is having trouble with a possible treatment for Sa'ren," Spock explained as he started moving inside the same building that Dan had entered. "It may or may not occur, but he is not taking my attitude to it very well."

"What were you talking about?" Jason asked as he took Levi and levitated him up and onto his back for rides.

"Joel expressed to Daniel that he wished to walk the Path of Surak. Kolinahr was also mentioned," Spock said as he walked down the hallway.

Jason's eyes closed briefly and he breathed out deeply, "Ah. I see."

Spock stopped and looked at both Jason and Levi on his back. "Tell me truly. What would be the likely reaction from the Clan should Joel decide this?"

Jason shrugged briefly. "I don't know. I'd react differently, as would my Division. But then, we've been immersed in Vulcan culture to a degree that the rest of the Clan hasn't been."

Levi spoke up, "They'd be sad like Uncle Dan said, Grandpa, but like you said, they're going to be sad at the changes in Uncle Joel, anyway. They're sad already that he's been hurt, and they were frightened and sad earlier when he lost his temper. They are going to grieve whatever Joel decides. So's Uncle Kev. He did react badly when Joel mentioned it, but that was because he was hurting already. He won't be happy, but he still loves Joel, and will love him even if he chooses to go without his emotions. He knew that Joel was a Vulcan and could have chosen this at any time."

Spock nodded thoughtfully, then looked at Jason. "I get the impression you were waiting for me specifically, my son."

"Yes. I've got a few things to do that just came up, Poppa. I'm just waiting for Tel and 'Tony to get here, then Nath' and I will leave."

"That is acceptable. I have not spent much time with them in a while," Spock said with a very small smile.

Levi asked, "Are you going to put Uncle Joel to bed, now?"

"No. I will keep him with me at all times. Should he awaken, my presence may be required within short notice."

Levi smiled, "Then you've got me hanging around too, Grandpa!"

Spock smiled again before heading for the living room.

Jason was about to follow when the door behind him opened and Telez and Antony walked in. "You can run off with my ship now, Commander," Telez giggled. "Pulling rank... not fair, brother!"

"No, but it is fun!" Jason giggled as he mentally summoned Nathan. "Take care of our Elf and our Pop, okay?"

"We will," Telez smiled softly.

Nathan came bounding out of the living room and snuggled in behind Jason. "Soooo... where are we going? Romantic getaway to the dark side of the moon so I can get your dark side?" he giggled loudly enough for Antony and Telez to hear.

"You're so bad, bro," Antony laughed as he coloured up slightly in a blush.

Jason smirked, "How I would love to make love to you on the command chair of the..."

"Not on my chair!" Telez exclaimed in horror. "I'd have to have it replaced! Again!"

"... but," Jason continued, poking his tongue out at his worried looking blue brother, "I have a mission, and so do you. Yours is to keep your eye on Tommy Casey and the other strange newcomers to Bam Bam. I've got to go off on a short flight."

"Awwww!" Nathan pouted. "I wanna come, too!" he whined playfully.

"Well, you could, but then I'd have to kill you," Jason giggled.

"Oh, it's that serious? Okay, I'll wait!" Nathan laughed before calling Draco for beam out to Utah.

As he vanished, Jason smiled at the other two, "Catch ya laters, dudes!" Then he called the VSO Interceptor and vanished in a beam of transporter energy.

"They'll never change," Antony said sagely.

"Oh, old fart you be!" Telez giggled as he linked his arm around Antony's waist. "Like we've never hot up the bridge after sending the rest of the crew off for tea and biscuits!"

Antony decided not to answer that.

They entered the living room to find Joel asleep on the sofa with his head cradled on Spock's lap, and with Levi cuddled in beside him like a teddy bear. Sarek and Trip were over near the window and in deep discussion, while T'Pol and Amanda were walking out of the other door towards the kitchen. Antony quickly moved to a large armchair next to where Spock was on the sofa and sat down, only to have the slightly smaller Telez take up lap space for a cuddle. "Hi, Pop," Antony smiled softly. "How're you?"

"I am feeling better, all things considered," he said as he gazed down at his sleeping child's face. "How have the two of you been?"

"Good," Telez smiled. "We've missed you. Didn't get much chance to talk when you arrived back, but we're much better now we're here."

Spock looked up briefly to smile at him before turning back down to regard Joel's face.

T'Pol came back in then with a blanket which she tucked in around both Joel and Levi. "Amanda will bring you your drinks once they are prepared," she informed the Mikyvis, the human teen and the Andorian.

"Mmm, hot chocolate?" Antony asked, his mouth watering.

"Yes, for you and Levi, and an ice cold glass of milk for Telez."

Telez brightened, "Nice!! Need a warm drink!"

"You're nuts," Trip said as he looked up from his talk with Sarek. "Don't you ever drink tea or coffee, or chocolate like a normal teen?"

"I can," Telez giggled, "But I'd rather something less hot!"

Once Amanda returned with the drinks for the boys, they all settled down and talked quietly. Levi remained fairly quiet, however, which Telez found slightly disconcerting, but he simply put it down to the situation surrounding Joel.

---

Meanwhile:

Earlier that afternoon, Jimmy and Solkar had ran off so that Jimmy could show his new friend what his favourite 'game' was, but they never had a chance to get far, for Timmy and Ricky had hijacked them into a group game of soccer. When the incident with Austin and Nine took place, both Jimmy and his Vulcan friend had completely forgotten about their prior intent. That is, Jimmy had forgotten. Solkar, being mostly Vulcan, had not. Most of the day had been spent playing games with the rest of the Tribe, but when Sara and Russ had called in Cory's kids to go to bed, Solkar and Jimmy started off towards Teri's house. Since finding out that Spock was his dad, Solkar had been granted a room in the main house, so that he could be near to his family. Jimmy tagged along, as he was living in Teri's house with his Dad at present, and also due to the fact that Solkar had invited him to spend the night in a sleep over, anyway. Sleep overs were fun, Jimmy thought, although he'd never had one with a Vulcan, before.

They ran into the large, almost hotel like building and made a bee-line for the living room from where they could hear the sound of talking. "Sa'mi is in there," Solkar said as they raced each other down the hallway.

"Good ears," Jimmy giggled. Solkar wiggled them, and Jimmy cracked up. "How can you do that?" he asked, as he slowed to a stop outside of the living room door.

"I do not know. I just can." Solkar opened the door and peeked inside. "May we join you, my family?" he asked politely, once he saw that not only his father was present, but his grandparents as well.

"Certainly," Sarek answered.

The two boys entered and closed the door behind them. Solkar looked quickly at Jimmy standing next to him before looking directly at his father. "Sa'mekh, since Uncle James is not here, can Jimmy stay with me, tonight? He does not wish to be alone in his apartment."

Spock regarded his son and his best friend's son closely before gesturing for the two boys to come and stand before him. Once they had moved over, Spock said, "Of course, my child. James," he added, looking at Jimmy, "you have not been told this, as yet, but since your father stands as one of the 'godparents' to my two sons, your father asked that I stand so for you. In my people's culture, that means I am your a'nirih, just as your father is a'nirih to Sa'ren and Solkar. If ever you wish to stay with me when your father is drawn away for business, you do not even need ask. Just come, and I shall take care of you."

Jimmy's face broke into a wide smile, "Thanks, Uncle Spock!" Then he moved forward and hugged the Vulcan, taking care to not disturb Joel as the boy continued to sleep. "Sorry, I should whisper, right?" he asked in a low tone as the hug broke.

Spock shook his head. "I do not know if my son will wake or not before I retire for the night, but, should he do so, it will not be an issue. Talk normally, little one."

"Okay," Jimmy giggled as he moved back slightly. He watched quietly as Solkar moved slightly and held out the first two fingers of his right hand to his father. Curiously, Jimmy stared as Spock raised the same two fingers of his own right hand and pressed the tips against Solkar's. Both nodded at each other, although Solkar's face was fighting a smile of pure peace.

Spock, of course, noticed. "I will want to talk with you, come the morning, Solkar. Much has happened this night and some of it may be of interest to you. For now, do not feel you have to hold back on your emotions in my presence, nor in my father's presence. You are part human, and part Romulan. You have a heritage that allows for emotions to be shown and experienced."

Solkar nodded seriously. Then he smiled and moved even closer to hug his father in the same way that Jimmy had done. "I like hugs," he whispered. "Fa'komi always gives me lots."

Spock nearly smiled, himself. He remembered the same from his youth. Even as a teenager, Amanda had hugged him, although rarely was the hug returned when he had been that age. Not that Amanda was hurt by the lack of response - she had lived on Vulcan long enough to understand. "If ever you wish to hug me, you may. Kisses are acceptable, as well," Spock said softly.

"Kisses? Like Fa'komi gives?"

"Yes."

Solkar pulled back slightly and pecked Spock's cheek. "Is that acceptable?"

"Did you feel better by doing so?" Spock asked.

Solkar nodded.

"Then it is, indeed, most acceptable," Spock said as he kissed Solkar's forehead in return.

The two boys pulled back completely, and were promptly pulled onto Telez and Antony's laps. Both older boys had moved to be side by side in the large armchair and so they took this as a chance to get their hands on two warm, cuddly kids to snuggle with.

Not that Jimmy or Solkar complained. Their laugher at the brief tickles they were getting showed that clearly.

Amanda made to stand to her feet, but T'Pol stopped her. "You rest, sister. I shall get their drinks for them," she said.

Amanda sank back down gratefully. "I might not be as genetically old as I look, but today I'm feeling all my actual years," she murmured as she gave T'Pol a wane smile.

"As I suspected," T'Pol said kindly. She turned to the son of Kirk and the son of Spock currently chortling and giggling on the laps of the VSO Commanders. "What would you like to drink, children?"

Solkar's brow furrowed. "I have not had occasion to try many Earth drinks since coming here. I enjoyed coffee and lemonade, but I do not know what others I might like."

"Come with me and we shall experiment in the kitchen," T'Pol said with a gesture. As Solkar was released by Antony and hopped down, T'Pol asked Jimmy, "And what would you like?"

"Can I come with you and see what's there?" he asked politely. "I've never had ANY Vulcan drinks, and Sol says they're real nice..."

"Of course," she responded before leading the two curious seven year olds from the room.

Since there was a large pot of Vulcan spice tea already made, T'Pol simply poured a small amount into a mug for Jimmy and handed it to him. He took a long sniff, licked his lips and downed it quickly.

"I take it that you enjoyed it," T'Pol said dryly as she filled the mug up all the way, this time.

Jimmy nodded rapidly, "Yes. Thanks! It's yum!"

Solkar giggled before looking up at the Vulcan lady.

"Would you like to try hot chocolate?" she asked him.

His eyes opened wide. "Chocolate? But that is..."

"This is not standard chocolate, Solkar," T'Pol interrupted. "Since Xain has a liking for the drink, and for chocolate anyway, the Clan has always had Vulcan friendly chocolate here."

Jimmy stopped sipping his drink long enough to ask, "What would real chocolate do to you, Sol?"

"What alcohol does to humans, chocolate does to us. We would be drunk. We cannot process chocolate," Solkar explained as he nervously watched T'Pol prepare his drink.

"Ooooh!" Jimmy breathed, then he went back to his spice tea.

Two minutes later, Solkar was tentatively taking a sip from the hot, rich drink. His eyes lit up like two little beacons and he started doing to the cocoa what Jimmy was doing to the spice tea. Guzzling. And guzzling. And...

T'Pol decided to make up two new fresh batches of both drinks.

The two boys trotted off back into the family room and cuddled up again with Antony and Telez. There they spent the best part of the following hour talking with the two older boys, or talking with the other adults. Levi was still quiet, but he did giggle along with the other two seven year olds as Antony started teasing them and playing the fool. Telez just rolled his eyes when this happened. Or wiggled his antennae.

Eventually, Spock looked at his youngest son and said, "I believe it is time for bed, Solkar."

Solkar smiled and nodded before hopping down from Antony's lap.

Jimmy, on the other hand, pouted.

Spock raised his eyebrow, "You have been yawning for the last eleven point six minutes, James. You need your sleep, too."

Jimmy sighed and nodded. "Okay, Uncle Spock."

Both boys ran about the room hugging and kissing the adults and teens (and Levi) good night. The last on their stop was the sleeping Joel. Tenderly, they kissed his cheek and whispered their love for him before quickly and quietly making his way out of the room and up the stairs.

Once in Solkar's bedroom, Jimmy asked, "Can we have a shower before bed? I'm a bit smelly from playing, earlier."

Solkar nodded and quickly led the way to the en-suite bathroom. Rather amusingly, neither boy played around in the shower and simply got themselves cleaned up. As they were drying down, Jimmy giggled, "You weren't smelly like me. Why?"

"Vulcans do not sweat," Solkar smiled.

Jimmy's brow furrowed. "Really? I saw sweat on your forehead earlier, and I think Joel sweats..."

"It is not sweat," Solkar explained as he bent down to dry his legs. "It is oil."

"Huh?"

Solkar looked up at his friend and then stood up straight. He checked his arms to make sure they were dry and then held out his left towards Jimmy. "Touch my skin," he said softly.

Jimmy did so and whistled. "It's like it's slippery... kinda. Yet it's not at the same time. Soft and moist."

Solkar nodded his head. "Our skin is different to human skin. We do not sweat to cool down. The oil does the same job, and less is needed. Also, it does not permit bacteria to develop in the same way. That is why we do not 'smell' sweaty."

"Kewl!" Jimmy giggled before double checking that he was dry himself, and then walking out of the en-suite. As he got to the bed he looked back at his Vulcan friend.

Solkar was standing just out of the bathroom and was looking curiously at Jimmy.

"What's wrong?"

Solkar smiled, "I am still curious about sex."

Jimmy giggled as he blushed, and he was about to say that he was too tired to show his friend, but 'little-Jimmy' popped up between one heartbeat and the next.

Solkar moved close and ran his fingers across Jimmy's belly. "Will you show me?"

Jimmy giggled again and nodded. "Just one thing for now. We can have more fun in the morning. I'm a little tired."

Solkar tapped Jimmy's bouncing appendage lightly. "Not that tired, obviously."

"Hehe..." Jimmy smirked before sitting on the bed and tapping it so that Solkar sat next to him. "Copy what I do to you," he whispered as he ran his own fingers down Solkar's chest and to his groin. As he got there, Solkar went quickly into the same state as Jimmy.

"Oh... umm..." Solkar became at a total loss for words as Jimmy's fingers circled his hard dick and started moving gently. It took him a few seconds before he remembered to do the same for Jimmy.

This only made Jimmy giggle more...

---

Joel opened his eyes and looked around. Strange trees that seemed familiar, fields of the greenest grass imaginable, and a deep blue sky with fluffy pink... pink?... clouds over head. He stood up and turned around, only to find Levi smiling at him. Then he realised that he could see. "This is a dream," he said to his small friend.

Levi nodded. "The Dream Realms," he answered the unasked question. "Mikey said you've been here before."

Joel nodded soberly. "Yeah... with Kev." Then he looked about the valley he was in. "Is this the Valley of Cuddles and Snuggles? And where's Brakkii?"

"Yes, and behind you," Brakkii giggled from directly behind Joel. Joel span around with surprise. Brakkii's face fell when he saw Joel's. "What happened?!" he asked quickly.

Joel furrowed his brow before raising his hands and feeling his face. The scar was still there and his left eye was still missing. "Is my eye still white?" he asked sadly.

Brakkii nodded as Levi vocalised, "Uh huh."

Joel sighed again and whispered, "You tell him, Leev. I can't. I'm gonna go hug a tree or something..." He turned and walked off, leaving Levi alone with the Queen of the Realm to explain the events of the day. He drew close to a small grove of trees, and the nearest one moved and picked him up. Sighing to himself, Joel allowed the dream-tree to snuggle him until he felt more relaxed.

"Joel?" Brakkii called as he came to stand under the tree that was still cuddling Joel what seemed like three hours later.

"Yeah?"

"Come with me. Levi's said what he wants, so I've helped get it ready for you."

"What's that?"

"Come on and see," Brakkii smiled as Joel was placed back down next to him. He reached and took the small Vulcan's hand and led him over to join the Mikyvis. Together, they walked out of the valley and saw another just beyond it. In the middle of this new one, a house stood. A rather pleasant looking one, too, Joel thought.

Once they got to the front door, Joel peeked inside. "Why've I got a house?" he asked as he looked around the hallway.

"Because you needs somewhere to heal," Levi whispered, "and you need a place to stay if you're going to be here a while."

"How long's a while?"

"Months. I dunno. I'll get Grandpa Spock here and Uncle Dan, and others, to help you."

"Will I fully heal, here?" the little Vulcan asked, not believing for a moment that this would do any good. "And won't I miss that time in the real world?"

"Yes and no. You'll heal a bit, but not fully. And as for the real world is concerned; no, none. This will only take the one night's sleep," Levi explained. "Also, there's a surprise for you," he added.

Joel looked at him, "What's that?"

A pair of arms curled around him from behind and picked him up. He knew whose arms they were.

"Mammy!" he cried as he twisted around in Teri's embrace and snuggled into her chest. "M...Mammy!" Then he broke down and cried.

Teri simply sat on the floor, also weeping, as she held her hurting son as close as was physically possible. None of what Joel had been through was a surprise to her in this meeting, for her bond-link with Spock had been more than a little active all that day; but seeing it for herself...

She had no words. She had seen a lot, especially in Montana with the kids dying, but never had one of her sons been raped afterhaving been saved from their relative hells. Nor blinded, for that matter. The closest for that was Adam and his being made Vifer - yet here, in her arms, was a son that could not be helped by that procedure; could not be helped by Ark's remembered technology; could not be helped by the Androids... he was blind for good.

His deeper wounds, his assault, would take more than simple medical aid to heal. She started to delve into her heart to pull up all the inner strength she would need for this - for everything that she had learned from helping Kyle, Pauly, Jacob and Jamie, Sammy and Sabastian and the rest, in order to help her Vulcan child. And as before, as ever, she did not know what to say at first. Rather, she just became what they always seemed to need - a mother to hold tightly to, a shoulder to bawl out their pain upon, and a loving heart to listen, once they were ready to talk. That and more would she be for Joel. Therefore, she hugged him all the tighter.

"Mammy, you're squishing me," Joel complained.

"Sorry, sweety," she whispered as she reduced the pressure of her embrace and held him back from her enough to look into his face. "Oh, baby... I..."

Joel sniffled slightly then whispered, "It's not your fault, Mammy. It's mine, all mi..."

"Shh, little one... you are too much like Cory, don't blame yourself," Teri said softly.

"I'm nothing like him," Joel spat as he pulled back and away from his mother's arms. Then his eyes widened, "Oh...You mean Blondie? Not him?"

Teri, shocked deeply at the reaction, looked at Levi. The young Mikyvis sent telepathically, 'One of the boys who raped him was his master from that other Universe... and his name here is Corey...'

"I mean the brother who loves you more than anything else," Teri said with understanding, nodding her thanks to Levi. Inside, however, she was seething in anger. She never expected Cory to be the only one called by that name, but the knowledge that someone else with that name had done such a thing was deeply infuriating to her. She feared that this would forever scar her Vulcan son's deep and loving relationship with her first adopted child. That thought chilled her heart.

"Blondie," Joel whispered as emotions fought across his face. Then, his face seemed to shift and become passive. Emotionless. Vulcan. "My brother, the Patriarch," he said, simply, his eyes dead of the life Teri had always seen in them. Even at Joel's worst, when he had first arrived, his eyes had been alive - filled with emotion. She had watched with humbled joy as the fear that once had ruled those eyes was replaced quickly with hope, joy, peace, friendship and then, best of all, love.

Now, before her, stood a Vulcan boy she could not recognise - yet at the same time, she could. This was the 'Joel' that he would have been had nothing ever happened to him.

"Are my brothers 'enjoying' their holiday?" he asked politely.

"Yes," she said slowly. She tilted her head curiously to the side and held out her arms. "Do you want more cuddles, Joel?" she asked, for rarely had a hug from Joel been so short.

"I do not require them, mother, but we can hug if you wish," he answered.

"Your father tells me otherwise, son. It is a very important part of a young Vulcan's bonding with their family," Teri replied as she continued to hold out her arms.

Joel moved back and let Teri pull him back into her arms while saying, "For a child, yes. I am nearly thirteen, mother. I am not seven or under. Physical contact is not the norm for Vulcans. Humans require it, so we normally adapt." He did, however, wrap his arms around Teri. That in itself said nothing, for it could have been taken as him simply 'acting' out the hug for her benefit. Teri knew different. He was practically clinging to her, and she could swear that she felt some deep longing and emotion buried deep inside of her son that was trying to break out of the emotionless persona that had descended.

Rather than try and get Joel past his strange Vulcan persona, Teri decided to simply flow with it and just be there as he needed her; a sounding board for logic or a pair of strong, possessive arms to hold him tight.

She stood to her feet and gently let go of the stoic child. "Levi. Can you and Brakkii show us around this place, please? I think I'd like to know what my home is like if we're going to be here a while."

Joel also nodded. "That is logical. I have only seen a part of it myself."

---

A 'week' later, Joel was outside the house in the valley talking to both Levi and Teri. A lot had been accomplished, but much more had also caused Teri concern. In areas, Joel was relaxing and letting them help him, but in many more areas, he seemed to be withdrawing into himself. That more Vulcan persona inside of him kept arising more and more often, but actioned poorly. Teri was concerned that it would eventually cause a severe issue.

Hence, after a talk with Levi, two others now appeared in the Realms to help her; Spock and Dan.

They walked up the valley, being guided by Brakkii, until Joel saw them. He ran to his father and swarmed into his arms.

Teri breathed a sigh of relief. Help at last.

---

A 'month' later, and Joel had progressed well, but was also still holding back much. More than Levi said was good for him. They all knew that Joel would not fully heal in this place, but the progress made thus far was just too little, according to the young Mikyvis. He was still fluctuating between the extremes of logic and emotionalism, even with some training from Spock. It was as if, Dan told them, he had two personae fighting for control. What made it all the more curious was that, unlike Juan when he used to switch between personalities, Joel had full recall on whatever he said and did in either state.

It was believed that Kevin's presence would have a liberating effect upon Joel and get him to open up more with Dan and the others, as well as a stabilizing effect on his persona switching; therefore, it had been decided for Levi to go and fetch the brown haired boy to the Realms.

Joel fidgeted on Spock's lap as Levi vanished to go get his husband. He wasn't happy about Kevin being brought here, for he still felt as if he had betrayed his husband; betrayed, let down, everything.

He didn't think much more on it, for Levi suddenly returned with Kevin in tow.

"Go to him, my son," Spock said softly into Joel's ear.

Nodding, the small Vulcan boy slipped from his father's lap and padded over to the nervous looking Kevin. As he drew close, Kevin reached out his arms for a hug. After a brief hesitation, Joel moved straight into it and seemed to melt in Kevin's arms.

Levi smiled.

---

Juan and Koth were busy running from snuggle tree to cuddle bush in the Valley of Cuddles and Snuggles. Neither could remember having had a dream like this before, and if this had been real life, Juan knew that he'd never act this way (at least, where people might see him at any rate). They ran up and down the fields lining the sides of the valley without a care in the world, but it was when Juan reached the top of one side of the Valley that things started to change. Below, in another Valley, he could see a house and, even from this distance, he could clearly see Joel and the others. He called Koth over to him, and then together they ran down into the second valley to be greeted warmly by all concerned, even Joel.

It was only then that they realised they were in another dimension, a dream one.

But, rather than going back off to play for the rest of their 'night's sleep', they remained there with Joel, helping.

Levi rolled his eyes. More people to mess with regarding the time here verses the time in the real world!

---

At first, Teri, Spock and Dan were pleased with having the three other boys help Levi in supporting Joel in his quest for healing. However, after a 'month or two more' had passed, each in turn began to grow worried at various things they overheard at different times. References to the time when the boys were all in the Tardis with the Doctor; references to Joel and Juan having gone a little further than simply 'playing around' together. At first, Dan assumed that Joel and Juan were trying to wind up and tease Kevin, who had been sat near to them and listening to everything they talked about. However, when Spock overheard a similar exchange, Kevin was not present. Teri had heard Levi, Kevin and Koth talk about how 'close' Juan and Joel were to each other, and none of the three seemed concerned by it in the slightest.

The adults decided to get together with all five boys and find out what was going on. Vulcan marriage was for life, and it seemed from the outside that Joel and Juan were getting involved to a level that infringed upon the union between Kevin and Joel.

Once they had sat the boys down and explained their concerns, Spock asked, "Can you explain to us what it is that is happening?"

Juan looked a little belligerent at the question, but with Koth squeezing his hand hard and Joel holding his other, he kept his mouth firmly shut. It was Kevin who answered, and he explained to Dan, Teri and Spock the same that had been told by Koth to Janet and Joe just that morning.

Once Kevin had finished, Spock looked down at Joel, "You are in love with Kevin yet love Juan. This means that, to you, you have no issues with making love to either. Is that correct?"

Joel thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Might I check via a meld?"

Juan could not restrain himself and burst out, "Why? We'd never act dishonourably! Kev and Joel are married, and I'd never do something to make Joel betray Kev, and I'd never betray Koth either!"

Spock glanced at Juan and nodded, "I am aware of this, but by custom, Vulcan marriage is usually monogamous. There have been exceptions in the past, and Pon Farr is always an exception if the couple are apart when it occurs. I only wish to check for my own 'peace of mind' that nothing will come of this that could harm any of you."

Juan chewed his bottom lip for a second, then nodded ungraciously.

Joel got up and moved to stand in front of his father, who then proceeded to meld with him.

Juan looked with concern at Kevin, then at Koth before hanging his head and sighing. He squeezed Koth's hand tightly and whispered, "I really love you, babe. I'd never betray you, you know that, don't you?"

Koth blinked with concern. "Sure I do. What's wrong, Juan?"

Juan trembled. "I didn't mean for it to happen, but since we've been here in this realm my feelings for Joel have grown... I refuse to act on them, but they are there. If Uncle Spock sees the same in Joel, and then if he melds with me and sees it too, he might think I'm trying to break up Kev and Joel! I'd never do that... never ever..." he finished, fighting not to cry.

"I trust you, Juan."

Juan looked at Kevin, and found the brown haired boy nodding at him.

"I trust you. I didn't mind when you made love to Sa'r in the Tardis, and I'd sure not mind if it happened again once Sa'r's better. He's my husband, but he does love you deeply, too," Kevin explained seriously.

Koth added, "Just as me and Reet and Vic, you and Joel are close. I certainly don't mind. You're my boyfriend. I trust you, too. Even if you do end up loving Joel the same as me, then I don't mind as long as we still trust each other."

Juan bowed his head again and sighed. "Don't feel right. It's not normal, is it?"

Kevin shrugged, "Tell me one thing about the Clan that is normal, Juan. I mean, Cory is technically his own grandfather! If that ain't messed up then I don't know what is!"

Movement from the two melding Vulcans drew the attention of the others away from their discussion. Spock looked at them seriously. "May I meld with each of you in turn?"

"Me too, Grandpa?" Levi asked with a cute smile.

"If you wish. I would find that interesting, but I hope you have a 'neural guide' for me because I do not believe Google has managed to map out your mind, yet."

"They tried ... once ... but it crashed all of their servers!" Levi giggled.

Spock nodded with understanding before gesturing for Juan to come and replace Joel before him. Teri and Dan exchanged a long look before deciding to get some hot drinks ready. This might take a while.

After melding with each of the children, including Levi - who found the experience amusing - Spock sat down with them all and explained what he had found. "This is an unusual situation. On occasion, there are some who bond with more than one person. Sometimes it's in a true three-way partnership, such as Donna, Tristan and Jory; other times, with one person being shared by two others, without jealousy. As long as the Patriarchs of the Families involved are assured that no mental or emotional harm will come from such unusual relationships, then they are not discouraged."

"Emotional harm?" Koth asked curiously.

"Bond-mates and relationships are able to stir some slight emotion in all but the most tightly controlled Vulcan," Spock answered. "In this situation, we do not have a three-way partnership, nor a dual bonding with one being the fulcrum. Sa'ren is complete when with Kevin. He finds a different completeness in Juan's arms. Juan has a life mate with whom he can be the warrior and violent, in Koth. The Klingon mindset and his own are remarkably alike. With Sa'ren, the other lesser known side of Juan's personality is able to be seen without his feeling embarrassed. While he does show all that he is to Koth, he does not do so in public. He will show those hidden things in public if Sa'ren is in contact with him, however."

"So it's a four way? Kinda?" Kevin asked as he tilted his head to the side.

"No, not really, because Koth is also close to both Riti and Victoria Evans. There are four ties between six people who are in three separate bonded relationships. As I said, unusual."

Koth grinned and asked, "Does that mean Leevee has to go fetch them too? Just to make sure?"

Spock looked at his Mikyvis grandson and raised an eyebrow in question.

Levi sighed theatrically, but grinned and popped away quickly.

Hanging his head slightly, Joel sighed as well, "It's always me causing trouble..."

"No," Juan whispered as he took one of Joel's hands. "You're no trouble."

"What he said," Kevin smiled, winking at Juan.

Teri and Dan finally returned with enough drinks for a legion. "Spock told me," Teri answered the unasked question, as she placed the tray down on the ground before tapping the side of her head.

Levi was giggling and blushing as he returned with Riti and Viccy.

"Okay... what's going on that is SOOOO important that Levi interrupted us mid coitus and MADE us go to sleep?" Riti asked with a giggle, winking at Joel.

"Ah," Kevin grinned as he stared at Levi, "which is why we have a neon pink boy over there?"

"Yup!" Viccy said, as she walked over to Joel and kissed him on the nose. Then she turned and sat down before Spock with Riti. "Levi's such an innocent. I did offer to cure him of that, but he refused..." she added evilly.

The pink glow suddenly flared and lit the entire valley momentarily.

"Leave him alone," Joel whispered as he gestured for the blushing boy to come to him.

Levi wasted no time in cuddling up on Joel's lap and hiding his face in Joel's chest.

Spock felt the very human need to roll his eyes. So he did. Then he asked, "Did Levi tell you why you two were brought here?"

"Yeah," Riti nodded as he quickly joined his girlfriend at his a'nirih's feet. "We're cool. You can meld with us."

Nodding, Spock proceeded to meld with them both at the same time.

The result was as expected. "As I said, a very unique situation. There are no feelings of betrayal, bitterness or jealousy between any of you. There is deep care and respect, especially between Kevin and Juan, and Koth and Sa'ren. Juan is held as high as hero worship by Riti and Victoria for making Koth feel like he was special all for his own self. I can see nothing that could be worked to evil coming from this."

Teri just shook her head. "If it isn't Cory deciding he wants more brothers, so adopts them for me, then it's some of my other kids deciding they want to collect husbands instead. Well, it's the next logical step, I suppose."

Joel tried to fight the cute smile that was threatening to break out on his face, but when Koth started with his infectious Klingon belly laughs, that just plain did it for him and the rest of the group.

"You've forgotten someone, Uncle Spock," Juan said as everyone calmed down from the laughing fit.

"Oh?"

"Levi. You melded with him too."

There was a small squeak from the direction of Joel's lap, where a now three year old sized Levi was trying everything possible to look less visible, yet STILL remain close to Joel as the Guardian had commanded.

Spock looked at Joel, and then at the back of the boy squirming on his lap. "It is up to Levi. I will not break his confidence."

"Tell them," came the embarrassed squeak.

Spock looked at Juan, "Levi also loves Sa'ren. He is both attracted to the emotion yet scared of it, for it is wholly new to his experiences. He has, to use a human term, a 'major crush' on my son. What is interesting is that Sa'ren loves only six people to a level where it could become serious. In two cases it has; yourself and Kevin. The others are Sammy - with whom he has shown some physical affection in a minor way - Cory, Sean and Levi. In his older brothers' case, he does not dwell on his feelings as he knows that while they share such with him they are closest to each other and will always be. In Sammy's case, the love is different yet just as trusting. In Levi's case, there is something I cannot name hanging 'in the air' surrounding what Sa'ren senses. I also felt the same in Levi. Something is there that keeps the love there, but there is a distortion of a form I cannot fathom."

Levi lifted his face and looked into Joel's, "... sorry."

"Don't be, sweety... I don't know why people still say they love me, but don't be sorry about doing so," Joel whispered back.

What Teri had said had finally sunk into Juan's mind. "Wait... Uncle Spock, are you saying that Joel and I can be married, too?" he asked in shock and no small level of nervousness.

Spock nodded.

"How does that work with Joel and Kev's marriage? Or when me and Koth get married? I mean, I'd want to marry Koth, first - just like Kevin is Joel's other half, Koth is mine... I mean... I'm not saying I don't want to marry... or, I mean... Koth? Help me here?" he asked plaintively.

Koth was too busy looking shocked at the admission that Juan wanted to marry him... forget 'marry first', just the 'marry' part was enough.

Viccy squealed happily and started clapping her hands.

Joel turned in Juan's direction and smiled shyly before allowing Kevin to draw him into a loose hug. Levi giggled from his lap.

"If or when you decide to marry my son, it will have no negative affect upon the pre established marriage between him and Kevin. Just as it would have no negative affect upon that which will be between you and Koth," Spock said to Juan. "The side-effects will be that, by default, Kevin will also be your husband-by-proxi, and Koth will be Sa'ren's by-proxi. If something developed between you and Kevin, or Sa'ren and Koth, at a later date, further checks and bonds could be established - but that does not seem likely from my scans. Nevertheless, the four of you will be the stronger. Including Riti and Victoria, the unions between you all shall mean that you will be acting as one and as one family unit."

"So I'd have Husband 1, Kev, then Husband 2, Juan, then semi-Husband, Koth?" Joel asked, looking confused.

"Put simply, yes."

Kevin giggled and then looked Juan up and down. "He's presentable enough to be a semi-Husband, I suppose."

"Oh, thanks... I think," Juan muttered as he still stared at the now besotted Koth. "Are you going to say anything?"

"You want to marry me?" the Klingon squeaked.

"Sooooo sweet!" Victoria crowed happily. Riti just chirped.

Then the bird-boy shifted around until he was kneeling before Viccy. "Vic? Will you marry me?" he asked with his heart in his eyes.

Teri started crying. So did Dan.

Viccy's eyes were wide and she was silent for a long moment. Then, with a shy smile on her face, she nodded, "Yes, Riti. I'll marry you!"

"CHEEPCHEEPCHEEP!"

"That's loud," Joel groused.

Juan, however, missed it all. He was busy talking softly with Koth, who was getting as emotional as ever he had been.

"I don't know if you understand what you have done for me, Koth," Juan started out softly, knowing that everyone else was listening. For once, however, he didn't care. Normally, he would never have even considered letting his emotions out like this in front of others, but it didn't matter, here; this was his family, now.

"Yes, Joel may have been able to help me put my mind back together, but you were the very first one outside of my family that accepted me for who and what I was. I know there were and are times that I scare you, but you have never turned your back on me. You've never once made me feel like I was as screwed up as I knew I was." Juan paused for a moment to wipe his eyes. He barely noticed that everyone was watching him now. "I know I'm rambling a bit here, but I want... no, I NEED for you to understand how much you mean to me. Even with Adam and my brothers, there is always a line there; like they were all somewhat afraid of me. Having to walk on egg shells or some such shit while they were around me. I never felt that, with you, though. It's like you looked at me, and said 'Yeah, he's fucked up, but that's okay.'"

Juan couldn't help but join in as everyone around giggled at his statement.  

Juan then moved about until he was kneeling in front of Koth, while digging into his pocket. He held his hand up to Koth, looking deep into his eyes, he opened his hand.  Sitting in the palm of his hand was a bullet.

Koth looked confused for a moment before Juan started to explain, "I know it's not a ring or anything else like that, but this bullet means so much to me. More then anyone could guess, I think..."

"I know," Joel whispered with a smile as tears started from his eyes.

Juan smiled back at him before turning back to Koth's eyes. "See, about four months ago, I made a mistake. I almost hit momma Janet. Long story short, I lost control and beat a man to death. She grabbed my shoulder trying to stop me, but I was so far gone and I thought she was attacking me. Adam was quick enough to catch my hand right before I hit her." Juan paused for a moment as he wiped away the tears that started falling from this bad memory. "Latter that night, all I could see was the fear in her eyes, over and over again. Every time I closed my eyes, the fear in her eyes as she looked at me was all I could see. I pulled out my pistol when I was alone. For about an hour I sat there looking at it. Finally, I put it to my head and pulled the trigger. The gun misfired." He turned the bullet around so Koth could clearly see where the hammer had struck the cap. "As far as I can tell, the bullet should have fired, but it didn't."

He pressed the bullet into Koth's hand, "Anyways, I want you to have this, now. To me, this bullet represents my life, and from now on my life is with you... if you'll have me..."

"Have you?" Koth choked out barely, "I'd be fucking stupid to let you escape! Of course I'll have you! You showed me that I was worth something too, Juan. You showed me that I wasn't just some honourless, abused slave that couldn't find someone to accept him. You just... just took me in as if I should have always been there and then carried on as if I always had! I love you so much, Juan! Yes, I want you. I want to marry you and be with you forever!"

Dan handed Teri a tissue.

"When can we get married? Now?" Juan demanded of Spock as he and Koth hugged, then he noticed Riti and Viccy were in the middle of the same type of hug. "Oh! Two weddings?" Then he thought better of it, "No... got to have my family here... at least my brothers and mom and dad... and Koth's gonna want his family... which is Riti and Viccy's too... damnit..."

Levi started giggling and called out, "QUINT! I need some help, here! BRAKKII!!! You, too!"

"What do you need me for?" Brakkii giggled as he popped into being. "This seems like a job for you super-mouses!"

"We're gonna need a party for twenty eight people! Food! I can't make food in the Realms!"

Quint flashed in just as Brakkii vanished giggling. Quint looked at his friend, "What's up?"

Levi explained in a nanosecond, and the Q-boy started laughing. "Done!"

The following people suddenly found themselves standing around the group seated on the floor: Dafydd, Angela, Jason, Nathan, Telez, Antony, Korris, Joe, Janet, Adam Casey, Logan, Will, Billy, Jory, Donna, Tristan, Chang, Asher and finally, little Tumelo.

Dan, Teri and Spock stood up and greeted the four adults while the rest of the kids all sat down around the still seated group and started asking questions. Tumelo quickly piled in between Juan and Koth's ongoing hug and smiled happily. "Hi, Daddies," he murmured as they kissed him in greeting.

Joel quickly explained what had been revealed, to the rest to the newcomer kids, while Spock did the same to the adults, then Brakkii reappeared with enough food for an army.

Juan and Koth broke apart briefly as Juan wanted to talk to Joel quickly, leaving Tumelo with Koth. As he moved over to Joel, Levi stopped him and hugged him. "You're welcome," was all the little Mikyvis said as the hug broke.

"Huh?" Juan looked confused.

Levi just looked at Koth's closed hand that contained the un-firable bullet and then winked before moving off again.

Juan, his eyes filling, continued over to Joel.

"Elf?" he whispered softly.

Joel and Kevin both turned to him, and Kevin asked, "Want me to move?"

"No. I'll never have secrets from you, Kev, not ever."

Joel smiled, "What is it, T'hy'la?"

Again, Juan nearly burst into tears at hearing that, but managed to control himself. "Don't take this wrong, but I don't want to marry you, right now, Elf. You need your family here for that, but also, I want some time with Koth, first. Just like Kevin is your first, Koth is mine."

Joel simply smiled. Then he shook slightly. "It'll be a while before I'd want to have... to do... I understand," he whispered.

Juan caressed Joel's cheek with his hand, then did the same to Kevin before kissing each lightly on the lips. He moved back off to Koth's side and squirrelled back in fast.

Spock signalled for everyone to settle down before saying, "What I will do here is to link together Riti and Victoria in a Vulcan marriage link, and the same for Koth and Juan. It is likely that both couples will want a full ceremony with all their friends around, once we all wake up, so since Vulcan bonding ceremonies are short and simple, that is all we shall do here."

"You mean my daddies are gettin' married?" Tumelo asked excitedly.

Spock nodded at him, "Yes, grandson."

"You are my grandpa?" he asked with a small squeak.

Nodding, Spock answered, "Yes I am."

"Kewl!"

As the large group found places to sit in a large semi-circle around the two couples getting bonded, Spock gestured for Teri to come to his side. Then, together, they called the youngest couple to come forward.

Riti flapped to his feet quickly before helping Victoria to stand. Victoria shooed Asher over to sit with Tumelo before she and Riti walked up to the two adults.

Spock spoke seriously, "As the Eldest Race of the Federation, many look to Vulcan Marriage as an example of the standard they wish to aspire to. Even in the time before logic, my people placed the highest value on family and children. Vulcan is an arid world, a harsh climate, and the greatest struggle was in raising a child to maturity. In the distant past, only one in three survived. We learned early on in our civilisation that only the strongest Bonded couples had that which was needed for the safety and security of our young. This is the reason for our care and consideration before allowing two people to bond in the kal'i'farr, the marriage union."

He looked down into the eyes of the young girl and young Lo'Garn before him.

"I have seen into your minds," Spock said softly. "You are a complement to each other, and will support one another all your lives." He then lifted his hands and placed them on their faces. "Repeat after me," he whispered to them. "My mind to your mind. My heart to your heart. My love to your Love."

"You are now married and recognised as such by Vulcan and the United Federation of Planets," Teri said with a warm smile as Spock joined their minds with the Bond-Link.

Then both he and Teri moved away and called Juan and Koth towards them, leaving Riti and Viccy to kiss and wonder at the new bond that had appeared in their minds.

Juan approached hand in hand with Koth, before shuffling his feet shyly before Spock and Teri. Koth seemed calm, but Juan knew different. He was as nervous as he'd ever been, as well.

Spock gathered them close and said, "I have also seen into your minds, and you, too, are complements to one another. You will guard and support each other for all your lives."

As Spock placed his hands to their faces and prompted them to repeat what the other two had done, Teri said, "And you both are now also married and recognized as such, by Vulcan and the United Federation of Planets." Then she smiled and added, "This is the first Dream Wedding I've ever attended. Justy will love getting to update this information!"

---

It seemed a month later. Joel had made progress, but was still fluctuating wildly between what Dan and Spock had determined was two personae that he hid behind. One was almost totally human, the other, Vulcan. Not a split personality, but so close as to make little difference to an outside observer. Also, he would still not talk about his rape. The attack, his blinding, everything else would he talk to Dan about, but he could just not verbalize his rape.

Dan didn't worry too much at first, but after months in the Realm of Dreams, he had expected some shift in that direction; but no shift occurred. No shift was likely to occur, either, Dan feared. He sat just outside of the house they had been staying in and watched as Joel wandered aimlessly up one side of the valley. The little Vulcan seemed to be heading for the Valley of Cuddles and Snuggles, but rather than his usual straight line when he chose to go there, he seemed to be daydreaming.

Which was more true than Dan knew, for not even Joel knew where he was going. He crested the hill and started down the other side when suddenly he slipped and started to roll down the hill, instead. When he came to a stop, he picked himself up and brushed off the loose grass that he had collected on himself and looked around.

He did not expect to see evergreen trees and mountains instead of the low bushes and oaks that usually existed in the Valley of Cuddles and Snuggles. In the glade in which he stood, ringed by those tall dark trees and further ringed by mountains whose height defied imagination, Joel found himself in the company of some really weird creatures. And some not so weird ones, too.

"Hi!"

Joel jumped and span around to find himself looking down at a fluffy white Lamb that was gazing up at him with, oddly, golden eyes. "Uh... hi," Joel said back while scratching his head. "I've never been here, before. Where in the Realms is this?" he asked the odd little Lamb.

"You're not in the Realms," the Lamb informed him. "Come on! Come and play! The Fauns are about to do their Summer-Dance! You're going to love it!"

"Fauns?" Joel asked rhetorically, as he turned and looked about the glade. Sure enough, there were fauns there, with their human bodies, goat-like legs and small horns on their heads. And there were Centaurs. And Dryads. And Naiads. He looked closer and saw a River God emerging from the fast flowing waters of the River cutting through the glade, then some badgers and a mole who were talking to each other, some mice that had hats on, and a rather large giant. "Where am I?" he asked plaintively.

"Home," the Lamb answered. "Well, my Home, but it'll be your Home, too, soon."

"Soon? How long is soon?" Joel asked without thinking.

The Lamb chuckled, "I call all times 'soon'."

Joel looked down at the smiling - smiling? - Lamb, blinked and then shrugged. "Okay..." he murmured before following the Lamb into the middle of the glade to be met and greeted by the rest of the strange creatures about.

He sat silently as the fauns started their dance, their eerie music almost lulling him to sleep. Then the food. Food like he had never seen nor tasted. Then the giant called for more of his fellows to join, and a giant dance started - which meant that Joel sought shelter up the nearest pine tree with the mice. Then the animals and creatures grew still and started whispering to themselves in awe. Joel could hear them repeating over and over, "He's coming! He's coming!"

Joel climbed down out of his tree and placed the mice that had ridden on his shoulders down to the ground. He looked down at that ever present Lamb and asked, "Who's coming?"

"The Lion," the Lamb said simply.

"A lion? Is he safe?" Joel asked. Timmy wasn't here with him, so a big carnivorous creature that was going to appear made him feel jumpy.

The Lamb chuckled, "Of course he's not safe. He's not a tame Lion, after all! He's the King!"

Joel was still looking around the glade carefully, searching for this King Lion, and so he did not notice that all the creatures, animals and giants were now looking directly at him. Well, almost at him. "When's this Lion coming?"

"I am already here," said the Lamb.

Joel jumped and span about quickly, for the Lamb's voice was now deeper. Richer.

All he saw was Golden fur and hair and eyes and mane and... a wet tongue licked him from waist to face. He spluttered and wiped his eyes quickly.

The Lion continued to smile at him.

"Were you the Lamb, too?" Joel asked with a tremble in his voice.

"I am," said the Lion.

"And this is your country?" Joel asked again, although his mind had started to put the puzzle together by this point.

"Yes, this is My Country," the Lion answered with a deep chuckle that seemed to resonate from the depths of the earth.

Joel's face began to run with tears. "Can... can I hug you?" he asked nervously, longingly.

The Lion's huge paw moved out and slowly drew Joel in close, so much so that he seemed almost buried in the huge Animal's mane.

The creatures and citizens of this Country looked on. Long had it been since Outsiders had been drawn to their piece of this Country. Long, long ago had it been common, but then their world had ended and those visits stopped. Now, in the true version of their old home, they beheld one who was still mortal being cared for by their King: and all the citizens of Narnia smiled.

"Welcome to my Home, my Namesake," whispered the Lion.

Joel, his curiosity about the name he had just been called stilled somehow, simply answered, "Thank you, Aslan..."

---

To be Continued...

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Author's Notes:

I have loved the 'Chronicles of Narnia' since I can remember, and somehow it just felt right to have Aslan do something to ease little Joel after all that he has been through. I have not added the stories into CSU, for all who have read the 'Chronicles of Narnia' know that Narnia is over. That must therefore hold true in CSU as well. 'The Last Battle' is done, and Aslan has ended that country, calling all those who followed him into HIS Country - their true Narnia.

Which is where I took Joel. Heaven, if you will. Just for a visit; to heal, to gain some strength.

When the next chapter starts, Joel will be right back with his brothers. Until then, my dear readers, know that he's being well taken care of by a rather large, loving, gentle, yet not tame, Lion...

Iluvantir

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Editor's Notes:

First of all, let me just say that I started crying at the words, "Of course he's not safe. He's not a tame Lion, after all! He's the King!"

I sort of wondered if that was where you were taking Joel, but when I saw that, I knew for sure. I, too, always loved the Narnia stories. I started reading them when I was young, and I am sure you know, that was a long time ago, indeed.

For those of you who have not read The Chronicles of Narnia, I would recommend it highly. It is one if those things that should be shared with families, especially children.

I could go into all kinds of analytical mumbo jumbo about it, but just take it as an incredibly strong recommendation, and let it go at that.

I also see no sense, at the moment, in going back and hashing over what has been revealed in this chapter. Certainly, by the time you have read these notes, you have most likely finished reading the chapter.

The chapter was important, and gave us some very needed information.

As a whole, it was not a fun chapter. No one would expect a fun chapter, after what happened to Joel. Let's just say that Joel needs some time to heal, and I hope he will be on the road to his recovery in the next chapter.

Thank you, Ilu, for another very good chapter. And, thanks for the nice, if brief, visit to Narnia.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher