Sa'ren Part I

Joel sat alone and fairly close to Cory and Sean as almost everyone from the wedding enjoyed the show that Jon and the band were putting on for them. He looked especially small and lost on the fairly large outdoor chair he was sat upon, his legs swinging freely as he tapped his hand on his thigh in time to the music. A small, almost wistful smile was playing over his lips. Bon Jovi was alive, as were the British Royal Family, and Aaron Carter.

The music pounded through him, and he felt his heart lift up with it. He sang along with those old classics, from his perspective, and all his cares seemed forgotten for a time; too short a time...

He glanced around and found Kevin with his eyes. Not long after those helicopters had flown over Kevin had said that he was going to talk to some of the new kids. He had asked if Joel had wanted to go with him, but the exertions of the morning had worn on the fragile boy, and so Kevin's question was answered by his's own glance at the trembling Vulcan. Joel had been led to a comfortable chair close to and a little behind the newly-weds and told to relax for an hour or so.

"I'll be around, Jo'," Kevin had told him gently. "You just rest up, and if you need anything call me, okay?"

Joel had mumbled his agreement with a smile. Cory and Sean were close; he was happy.

He had even been happy when Hermes and Mercury had said they were going to talk to their brother and sister cats. "We'll be at the back watching you, Joel. If you need us, call," Hermes had whispered as they both gave his face some of those 'lick-kisses'.

Dark thoughts, however, began to rise up. He started to think about going up to talk to Prince Harry and Aaron Carter, but... who was he to even ask to go near them, never mind talk to them? A slave, hobnobbing with Royalty and Heroes?

Did he still even have the right to be in this family? His big brothers were princes, now... Slaves don't have cuddles from princes.

Just as quickly as his good humour had arrived due to the wonderful music, it vanished. He looked over at Cory's back sadly, and watched as his brothers seemed to slip away from him. He wanted to cry and run to them; to be held; to be cared for: but he could not bring himself to risk it.

The longer he was without physical contact with someone, the worse he was feeling. The loneliness that he had felt before when out of physical contact with Kevin and too far from his brothers was not there, but... something else was missing instead.

He wanted to call Kevin back; he was losing his brothers, and he wanted someone, anyone, to tell him it was not so - but he could see that Kevin was now laughing with some new kids. He was happy. He would be angry with him if was interrupted over something as worthless as himself.

He faced forwards and tried as hard as he could to think of something happy... but he failed.

His tears could not be held in any more, and as the band started playing "Bring Me to Life" on request of Adam, he let loose on his sobs of fear and pain. They were drowned out to the point that no-one noticed... no-one but one small, red haired Fireball:

Timmy.

"Waz the matter, Unca Joel?" Timmy asked as he came over. "You needin' cuddles?"

Tearfully, Joel nodded his head before looking scared and shaking it. He then hid his face in his hands and cried harder.

"Waz the matter?" Timmy repeated as he came to stand right in front of Joel's chair. He reached out and pulled Joel's hands away so that he could look up into the Vulcan's tear streaked face.

"I'm l...losing them," Joel managed to whisper as his throat tightened with his crying.

"Whoya losing?" Timmy asked as he started to worm his way onto Joel's lap. "I can help you find them!"

His arms acted without his conscious thought. Joel wrapped himself around Timmy in a hug that his heart so desperately needed and he cried into Timmy's bright red hair for a moment or two longer before whispering though his burning throat, "Your daddies. I... they..."

"Daddy an Poppa love you; they ain't leavin ya," Timmy interrupted with certainty, "they never 'bandon no-one; Daddy saved me an' I was six seconds from bein' blowed up!"

Joel just cried more. Timmy did not understand. How could he? He was not, and never had been, a slave.

Across from them, near the stage, Victoria felt echoes of pain. Her brother Jason, who had been laughing at something she had sent to him over the noise of the music, looked at her sharply as her eyes blazed in power.

Pain was something she hated; both to feel herself, and to feel in others.

The Heart of the Dragon formed a bridge of power between her mind and her brother's, and then branched off to the other N-Gens at the concert. Then, after her lightest of touches against the alien minds of the gathered Mikyvis, Kyle and Tyler answered her polite call for aid and threw in the combined might of the Mikyvis to the Weaving she had started to so skillfully make.

She turned around and saw the source of the echoing heartache... and then focused her power, and the combined powers of those in the Weave at the strongest, most loving hearts there who were present and available to 'work their unique magic'...

Timmy, Cory and Sean.

Timmy was holding his uncle as tightly as he could and was beginning to wonder if there was anything more that his innocent, loving heart could say when William's call echoed in his mind. He moved his head to look towards his daddies. Beyond them, he saw Victoria turn their way, her eye's shining bright as the sun...

As the Weave of Power poured into him, he knew what to do. "Unca Joel, take me to my daddies. I need Daddy hugs," he ordered, knowing that Joel would carry out his order without question.

Automatically, like any well trained slave from the world he had been on for so long, Joel obeyed. He stood and moved quickly towards Cory and Sean with the determined Fireball in his arms...

Cory felt a touch upon his mind and heart; Victoria's voice was whispering directly to his own heart in words he could not make out, yet knowledge and understanding came. He looked up and saw the tear-stained face of Joel as he carried Timmy over towards them. "Sean, I think we've neglected cuddle-duty too long," he whispered just loud enough for Sean to hear.

Still not realising that he was following Timmy's order without his even knowing it, Joel was completely surprised when his tears vanished at the loving contact of Cory's hands. He found himself and his cuddly burden lifted up and squashed between the two newly-weds firmly.

He looked at Cory in shock and started to tremble when his eyes fell upon the circlet around his big brother's brow. His trembling decreased when he felt Fire and Heat coming from all three boys wash away the growing nervousness about them now being royal.

He chewed his lower lip for a moment before different tears started; tears of frustration. The emotion was felt clearly by Cory, and surprisingly, by Sean as well.

"Tell me what's bothering you," Cory whispered softly, knowing from what Victoria was saying in his mind that he had to do this in an order format.

"You're a prince. I'm a slave. I can't have you hugging me. I'm worthless," Joel mumbled, looking forlornly at Cory's shoulder as he was unable to look his brother in the eye. "You can't be bothered with such as me anymore..." His voice caught in his throat, and he had to stop to catch his breath and not break down before continuing, "Th...that's what I was feeling... and I dunno why, 'cos it don't feel that way now... I... I'm just stupid... so stupid..." he finished as he leaned his head forward and rested his trembling forehead on Cory's shoulder.

Cory pulled Joel in tighter to him, "You're not stupid; you're a very smart boy who is letting his brain think faster than you're ready for emotionally." Cory paused, then added, "I'm just a Prince; Mikey is a Saint. You're good enough for Mikey-cuddles; there is nothing on Earth that could make me more important than Mikey. Everyone is a slave to their own mind; but not a single person here today, not even you, is a slave to another person."

"Besides," Sean added, "you're an expert at cuddles, just like Timmy. Now that we're Princes, that means we get to ask for only the best cuddlers; that puts you and Timmy on the top of our list for cuddles any time you want them."

Timmy added his own agreement by snuggling further into Joel's arms as they were both being snuggled between the older boys.

"You... you really think I... that I give good cuddles?" Joel's voice was small and quiet, and as he lifted his head to look at his big brothers they saw the naked need for confirmation there.

"I think you give awesome cuddles," Cory and Sean said in unison.

"Me too!" Timmy added with a giggle. "You need to teach me how ya do it, Unca Joel."

Joel smiled. They meant it; they really did. Joel then thought seriously at Timmy's request; he went over each cuddle he had received and each he had given since that morning. "I... I just give the type of hugs... cuddles... that I like getting," he whispered to Timmy. "I dunno how else to say it..."

"You an me's gotta practice a lot then!" Timmy replied as he snuggled into Joel's chest more.

"Okay," Joel responded peacefully as he tightened his hug on his nephew. He felt giddy at the Fire that poured out of the little redhead, as well as it's automatic, echoing response welling up from his own heart.

After a moment of relative silence between them, Joel leaned his head and rubbed his cheek against Cory's. After pulling the teen's attention from the song the band members were singing, Joel asked curiously, "Why did I feel those... those stupid things back there? Why did I think you wouldn't want me to be your brother? It wasn't like when I was too far from you and I let go of Kevin's hand. I didn't feel lonely and in danger. It was... I dunno... different."

"I think you started worrying because you saw some things becoming different around you," Cory replied softly. "You're not used to how fast things happen around here, and it scared you. Any time you start to feel that way, find someone you trust and tell them so that they can help you understand what is happening."

It seemed right, that answer. Joel nodded slowly, then looked unsure. "I can't be asking for your help alla time; not fair... Timmy needs you, and Calen needs you... I can't keep coming to you alla time."

Cory smiled, "Lil'elf; you don't need to worry about taking too much of our time. Most everyone out here has needed to do what you need right now with one of us at one time or the other. Besides, cuddles are good for both people involved, so any time you need cuddles you're helping whoever is cuddling you too."

"And if you understood that, then you're really our lil' bro, bro!" Sean giggled into Joel's hair as he first kissed his Vulcan brother, then leaned past him and his son to kiss Cory soundly.

Timmy sniggered, and stage whispered to his Uncle, "They're soppy."

Joel said nothing. He just watched.

"What's 'love'?" he blurted as their kiss finished. He felt completely awash with the Fire and Heat that had been bouncing between the two teens as they had kissed.

"I better take this one, you'll fry Joel's brain if you try to answer it!" Sean giggled to Cory as they separated. "Joel, that is a question that there is no simple answer to; there are so many types of Love. It's kinda like a fire in your chest that makes you happy, when you're around different people it feels different, but the more you care for someone the stronger it is."

A Fire that makes you happy? The Fire he felt in his heart made him dizzy and it scared him, but... it was a nice Fire. "So... you feel different 'love' for different people?"

"Yes, Lil'elf; that's what makes it confusing," Sean replied. "I feel a different kind of love for Mom than I do for Cory; and a whole 'nother type for Timmy!"

Joel thought for a moment more while both teens and their son watched him closely. Joel finally spoke. "Can I... can I try something? I can feel what others feel most times, but it's stronger when I touch with my hands. Can I touch your chests and ask you to think of different people?"

"Sure," Cory replied, "but you should probably trust Sean's responses more than mine; right now my emotions are kinda screwed up and the Mikyvis are helping me. You might get a wrong idea from my feelings."

"I know you feel upset about a lot of things," Joel whispered. "I... you feel like I feel. Scared. Frightened. You... you also feel guilty sometimes... like I feel when I do... when I think I've done things wrong. I know those. I don't know 'love'. I won't get confused about your other feelings," he finished with sincerity. "Can I? Both of you?"

They both nodded at him, and so, after whispering for Timmy to tighten his hug on him, Joel let go of the hug around his nephew and opened both teen's uniform tops slightly to slip a hand in. He laid his warm hands on their chests right where their hearts were. "Ready?"

They nodded again with gentle smiles.

"Timmy," Joel said, and felt, building slowly the longer they thought about their first son, Fire and Heat. He felt the shape of the emotions and felt the colour and the strength.

"Adam." The Fire changed shape and colour, and the Heat altered it's power.

"Mammy," he whispered, a smile on his face.

The Heat and Fire in Cory was completely different from the Heat and Fire in Sean with each name and for each person.

So 'love' was different FOR each person, and even different in two people when thinking of the SAME person? That kinda made sense. Sean was right.

"Each other, if it's okay for me to share in it," he hesitated.

Sean giggled, "We don't hide our love, bro."

Joel's eyes suddenly widened. It was intense.

Once he had cleared the ringing it gave his mind, he grew puzzled. The Fire in Cory that he felt for Sean was the same as the Fire that Sean felt for Cory.

Exactly the same. So was the Heat.

He had, when Cory and Sean had thought about Mammy and the others, felt his own Fire and Heat, and, just like his big brothers, it had been different for everyone. And even different for Mammy than what Cory and Sean felt for Mammy.

Yet, not only did Sean have the same Fire for Cory that Cory had for Sean, he too had the same Fire for them both. It was only different by it's strength. Theirs were like raging waters and blowing winds. His was small and gentle... but the size, the shape, the colour?

Completely the same. He felt for Cory exactly what Sean did. He felt for Sean exactly what Cory did. And all three of the Fires were identical, save for the strength. He fought with building panic as he thought, 'I 'love' them like this too?'

"M...me," he whispered aloud.

The only difference he felt as they turned to look at his face was the strength.

It was identical. They felt the same Fire for him that they felt for each other... just not as powerful.

But... Sean said it was meant to be different!

He pulled his hands away slowly and wrapped them back around Timmy before he leaned into Sean's chest, his face filled with confusion.

"What did you find out?" Sean asked softly.

How could he tell them that they feel for him what they feel for each other? But it was an order. But... well, the strength WAS different...

"You feel different for everyone, except each other. That's totally the same," Joel whispered. "The Fire and Heat changes in some ways... for... changes for everyone else... at least a little," he stopped and sighed.

There. It was true, from a certain point of view. 'I'll never tell them. Not fair. How can I tell them they feel for me what they feel for each other? Even if I can't say for certain, that would upset them. And I just can't tell them I feel the same for them... really not fair!' he thought to himself.

Aloud, he added sadly, "But... I can't say it, though. I can't."

"Joel, nothing you can say will upset us," Cory stated softly, Sean nodding his head in agreement. "We are learning just as you are; we can't learn if you do not share what you found out."

Joel shook his head, "No. I mean that I can't say I... I 'love' someone. I... I can't be sure. It keeps changing. It keeps moving. The patterns in... in here," he tapped his chest where his heart was, a little lower for him than the humans cuddling him, "they change and shift and move and... I can't say it... I can't..." he finished with a broken hearted sob. "I can't lie... I... You said I wouldn't get in t...trouble for a m...mistake... but I... I can't... I'm too scared to say that I l...love you 'cos I c...can't be sure and I so want to... I so want to tell you..."

He buried his face in Timmy's beautiful red hair and sobbed harder.

Timmy cuddled closer into Joel. "I know you love me Unca Joel. I can feel it; your chest feels happy when you cuddle me an' you get a nice smile. If it makes you feel happy to think of sayin it then it means that you love someone in onea the ways!"

As Timmy comforted Joel, Cory gave his husband a long, sad look and Sean's eyes showed the same concern as his own. They increased their cuddling of the two boys between them and waited for Joel.

Once he had managed to rein in his sobs, Joel leaned back from Timmy and regarded all three of them.

Timmy's small hand reached up and wiped the tears from his uncle's face. "Please don't cry no more, Unca Joel. You make my heart all sad when you cry. When you smile you make me feel good."

Joel nodded again, his face calmer now. "I'm sorry. I'll... I... I'm sorry." He turned his gaze on his brothers, "I wish I could say it. Really I do."

Cory gave Joel's cheek a kiss, then said softly, "Every time you look at me or Sean; every time I see you look at Kevin or Mom; every single time, I see your eyes saying it, Joel. One day, I hope you'll be able to say it out loud, but... We know you love us with every smile you show us, every hug you give us, and by all the trust you have for us."

Slowly, Joel started to smile. Really smile.

"Come on, Unca Joel!" Timmy grinned as he started to bounce. It was obvious to his parents that he had thought of something, "You want to come and play with me and Ricky? We'll show you around to all the Clan; in a big circle, and each time we stop at someone, we'll demand hugs!"

"Now that," Sean laughed, "sounds like a great game!"

Joel couldn't help but agree.

---

JJ and Adam were the first stop for the three boys, and after showing Joel brilliant examples of the fine art of pouncing, Ricky and Timmy told their uncles in no uncertain terms that Joel had to get hugs. Laughing, both twelve year olds agreed.

"Adam was right, Joel," JJ smiled as Joel clung onto him like a limpet. "You give really good hugs!"

"Uh huh," Joel mumbled happily as he was released to be pulled into Adam's arms, "Timmy says so too."

The Fireball nodded, a pleased grin on his face. "He's gonna teach me and Ricky how ta hug as good too!"

Their next stop was where Paulie, Levi, Bryce and Dylan were playing with Harley, Eddie and Samantha. They collected their hugs, and also seven more players for the game. Levi, Bryce and Dylan shared a quick look, then reduced their ages to five (and their clothes this time) so as to join in as well.

"Dad and Pop next!" Levi prompted, pointing to where Kyle had his back turned to the approaching mob of rugrats.

One mass pounce later, which Joel stood by and watched in awe, along with the required cuddles, as per the rules of the game, and the group was off again.

They continued in this manner for the next ten minutes, and had gathered a sizeable horde by the time they drew close to Cory and Sean once more. Many of the 8 to 10 year olds had also joined in with the Tribe, with Daniel being the oldest of all.

Joel had yet to pounce anyone as, even with everyone's encouragement, he could not make himself do so with those he just met until after touching them and sensing their hearts. By then, pouncing was redundant for he was incredibly busy with the serious business of hugs.

Cory and Sean, however, were a different story.

Justy watched all this with a happy smile on his face, but that was quickly replaced by an awed expression. "That was the best pounce ever!" he yelled, laughing madly at the sight of a nearly thirteen year old, nine or ten year old sized, 36 pound in weight Vulcan pouncing his big brothers with all the energy his Vulcan biology gave his legs. "I need lessons now!"

Cory had ended up lying out on the bench that he had been cuddling with Sean on, laughing as Joel squirmed and giggled happily on his chest. "Was that a good pounce?" Joel asked hopefully.

"Justy is the master of pouncing, and you just heard him say that you could give him lessons!" Cory giggled in reply. "That was the best pounce EVER!"

Joel almost purred before gently getting off his big brother's chest and latching onto Sean for the 'required hugs'. Once done, the horde of rugrats poured over and claimed theirs.

As Joel stood to one side watching, he saw Kevin looking at him. Kevin grinned broadly, gave him a thumbs up and blew him a kiss. Joel blinked, then hesitantly copied the action.

Sean noticed. It was the first of any type of kiss he had seen Joel bestow; and Kevin receiving it was the perfect way to start.

Kevin agreed; or at least Sean assumed he did, judging by the blush.

Joel continued to look around at the still ongoing concert, absorbing the good feelings that were permeating the air. He finally, truely, felt happy. Really happy.

"Come on, Unca Joel! Time to find more people to get hugs from!" Ricky giggled as he tugged on the Vulcan's hand impatiently.

The group set off on their circuit again, however, once they were nearing Cory and Sean once more, and after Joel had been shown around to a larger group of the Clan, Joel started to feel itchy. All over.

Timmy noticed his discomfort as they left the second hug fest with Cory and Sean. They were now moving towards the main doors to the CIC building as the group had noticed Teri, Doc Austin and Queen Elizabeth exit for a moment to chat in the fresh air.

"Waz wrong, Unca Joel?" he asked quietly after watching Joel dig at various parts of his chest and legs as the itching grew worse.

Joel shook his head, his eyes growing fearful and nervous, "I dunno. 'm scared, Timmy; I'm itching all over. I dunno what's wrong!"

"Unca Doc is here," Timmy pointed. "Come on... I'll prote't you," he added as Joel stiffened slightly.

"No, s'okay," Joel half whispered as they drew closer, "Mikey has given me a way to... to not be nervous... once I touch someone."

His nerves, however, were being caused by proximity to the Queen, a woman he had not yet learnt to trust. No surprise there, for only his Mam, Teri, was a woman that he trusted.

"Unca Doc! Unca Joel's feeling all itchin' and stuff. Can you help, pweeaaazzzeee?" Timmy begged, as he held on tightly to Joel's hand.

Doc Austin looked at Joel quickly. "Itchy?" he asked the boy for confirmation. At the boy's timid nod, the Doc smiled, "I'm not surprised Cory forgot, to be fair. I gave him a cream earlier for you. Timmy; could you run over and ask your dad where...?"

He never finished, for Levi, who had been listening curiously, giggled. He opened his tiny hand and the tube of skin-cream appeared there. "Here you go, Doc!"

"Thank you, Levi," Doc Austin smiled, taking the tube. "Okay, Joel; just go into the nearest bathroom and rub this stuff into your skin. You'll feel better then," he explained as he handed it to the Vulcan boy.

Joel took it, and in doing so slightly grasped the Doc's hand. The relief on his face made Doc Austin's spirit lighten. He nearly cried, however, when Joel crept forwards to hug him tightly around the waist.

"Thank you," Doc Austin whispered thickly as Joel took a step back from him with his happy, trusting smile fixed in place.

"You want me ta help rub the cream into your back?" Timmy asked Joel helpfully.

Joel, reading the tube, nodded absently. He then froze. "Umm... where do I have to rub this?" he asked, a strange sound in his throat.

"Into the skin that would be normally in air contact," the Doc replied, still recovering from the burst of emotion at Joel's hug. "No need for your gums or anything," he added by way of a joke.

The joke fell flat, for Joel started shaking. "I can't... No-one can! It's wrong! I can rub it... put it..."

Levi came closer and wrapped Joel's belly in a loving hug and looked up at him, "You need it there, though Uncle Joel. I know you're itching all over."

"But I can't, Levi; I'll be in so much trouble!" Joel panicked.

Teri shared a look with the Queen before moving over to her new son and pulling both him and Levi into her arms. "No you won't, Joel. You won't be in trouble."

Joel shook his head and murmured, "No, no, no... I will..."

Teri was confused. She understood why another touching him in some areas would scare him, but not why he couldn't touch himself.

"Is there someone you trust to help you?" Levi asked.

Joel paused and shook more. "No... well, yeah, but... I'll be hurt..." he whispered.

"Who do you trust?" Levi pressed.

With the barest of whispers, "Cory, Sean, Kevin and Mammy."

Teri looked surprised. "Me? After what you told me, I didn't think..."

Joel looked up, tears running down his face, as he forced himself to ask something that would be the bravest thing he had attempted to say or do so far in his life. "You said you'd not touch or look unless I needed help or was hurt. You said you'd never hurt me. I felt you tellin' the truth. I... I need you, Mama... I just can't touch myself there... I just can't... and Levi is right, it's itching something wicked bad now," he whispered through his gentle tears.

Without another word spoken, for the faith placed in her had robbed her of her voice, Teri quickly led Joel inside the building and into the nearest bathroom. Levi ran up behind and called, "Grandma? Here's Joel's comfy clothes. They'd be better than the nice ones he has on; less itchy."

"Thank you," was all she could manage as she took the suddenly offered bag, turned and closed the door. The last thing Levi saw was Joel's tearful face. At the same time, both absolute trust was seen as well as the expression of a man about to go to the gallows...

---

Fifteen minutes later and a jeans clad, topless, barefoot, laughing and giggling Vulcan came zooming out of that very same bathroom... and was met by the tribe and rugrats he had been playing with earlier. He had the briefest of seconds to register the mass pounce coming straight for him before being piled under.

Laughing, Teri walked out, a carrier bag of clothes that Joel had just been wearing in one hand and his tee-shirt and hoodie in the other. "Let your uncle breathe, guys!" she chuckled.

Joel giggled in response, and, as Timmy found him and helped fish him out of the pile, everyone could clearly see the peace on Joel's face. There was a lightness there, now. He looked back at his mother. "I..." he paused and nearly grew frustrated, but then he remembered what Timmy had said. He walked over and looked up at her, letting all that Fire and Heat he felt for her, along with the boundless trust he now had, be seen in his eyes. He hugged her tightly and whispered, "Thank you."

"Thank you for trusting me," Teri replied softly.

Joel smiled brightly and hugged her even tighter.

"Unca Joel?" Timmy asked as he lightly poked Joel's lower back. He giggled as Joel jumped and squirmed in Teri's arms at the tickling sensation.

"Yeah?"

"Granma Lizzy has something to ask you!" he announced proudly. He had been busy in the fifteen minutes that Joel had been with Teri.

Joel looked up at his Mam. Teri nodded at him, "You can trust your Grandmother Lizzy, Joel."

Joel turned to look at the old lady. She was what he remembered from old pictures from that 'Hell-Earth' he had been in. He moved forwards and asked politely, yet with obvious fear in his voice, "Yes, your Majesty? What do you need me to do?" He kept his eyes fixed on the floor in front of her. She was a woman. She was also a Queen. He? He was a slave.

Elizabeth's eye's opened wide before she knelt down. "Can you look at me, child?" she asked softly. "I can't have one of my princes looking at the ground all the time; you'll just keep bumping into things."

Joel did as he was told... then realised what she had implied. "Princes? Prince? Me?!" he squeaked. "But you said that only Cory's brothers who asked could be named... called..."

"Are you not one of Cory's brothers?" she asked with a smile.

"Yeaaah...?" he answered, then grinned. "Timmy asked for me, didn't he." It was a statement, not a question, and the nods from the entire group, except for Teri, confirmed it.

Timmy giggled.

"Yes, he did. And he explained why he was doing so, rather than you. I agree with his logic," the Queen replied as she, as Timmy had advised, offered a hand to Joel.

He took it slowly, then pulled himself into her arms tightly as he felt the warmth and protection of Royalty wash over his soul.

"I name thee Prince Joel Short, of Clan Short of Vulcan," she said into the child's hair. "Once it has been made, your own crown will be given to you, and your full title shall be made known."

Levi giggled this time, and everyone looked at him in shock. His eyes were glowing white. "My Friend says you don't have ta wait, Grandma! He's made it for Joel," Levi giggled again as he held out his hands and a circlet appeared. It was different to the others. A lot different.

In the centre was... something. It was circular, just like the Clan Short Seal, and red, like the Seals of Vulcan Houses and Families; yet the markings that should have been clearly seen were 'misted' out by some effect or power beyond even Levi's ability to penetrate. To the right of the 'something' was the Crest of Clan Short, carved from Emerald just like the ones on Cory and Sean's own crowns. To the left, the Coat of Arms of the British Empire. The intricate design of the crown was such that it seemed like many more crests and seals could be added.

Joel's jaw dropped open. He ran a finger lightly over it, then looked closely at the hidden, misted out Seal.

"I don't know, Uncle Joel," Levi said seriously, "but I'm sure we'll find out soon, then my Friend will let it be seen here, too."

"Come on," the Queen said as she stood and hoisted the boy into her arms. "I think everyone outside needs to see this."

"Please, Grandma," Joel pleaded. "Please don't make a fuss... it's my brothers' big day."

Lizzy nodded, "I won't, but it must be still said in public. It won't outshine this day for your brothers, I promise."

"It'll make Cory and Sean's day even better," Teri added, "just like CD getting admitted into the Royal College of Organists."

"Well, okay," Joel murmured. "If you're sure."

"I am; now you come here, young man. No son of mine is being crowned prince in just a pair of jeans!" Teri laughed.

"Why not?" Elizabeth laughed. "Remember that little tale about my meeting Jason and Nathan stark naked in their home? I crowned them that moment."

"Kewl! Come on Joel, you wanna do it that way too?" Timmy giggled.

Joel half laughed. "If you order me to." He thought for a moment longer, then giggled and shook his head. "No. Don't mind being naked, but it would be odd at a wedding party. What would Cory and Sean like? Would they want me to have a tee-shirt on, or can I stay just in my jeans, Mama?" he asked Teri.

"They want you to be comfortable and happy," she replied. "Whatever makes you feel that way is fine with them."

Joel thought for another long moment, then cuddled into the Queen's arms. "If they won't mind, then I'd like it like this. It's cool right now, and it feels nice on my skin after all that itching."

The Queen laughed and proceeded to walk outside regally, carrying her latest 'prince' securely in her arms. The Tribe and Rugrats that had watched all this formed up as her honour guard, and all of them had grins on their faces...

---

"Wow, twenty minutes without Joel? Are you as concerned as I am, love?" Sean asked as he looked around.

"No, not really. Timmy's with him," was the blond's answer before he caught Sean in a serious lip-lock.

It was due to their kissing that they failed to notice the procession making its way to the stage.

"Y'all two love-birds need to be gittin a room! There's a show comin on, and y'all swappin spit ain't watchin' it!" Tommy said as he nudged them from behind.

"Bite us," Sean mumbled as the two broke apart. They smiled at their grinning brother, then followed his gaze to the stage... where the Queen had just set Joel on his feet. Levi was standing to their left, carrying a new crown that shot sunlight in all directions, just as the ones they wore did.

"No way! He asked?" Cory wondered as he looked at his little Vulcan brother who was being hugged against the Queen's front. "Where did they get a new crown that fast?"

Sean shook his head mutely as the Queen addressed the assembled, and now quiet, Clan, "I have been informed of this young man's past, and many of you here today have either heard it yourself, or have recently met Joel. For those who are unaware, please allow me to give a brief overview of what this child has survived.

"For all his life, that he can remember, he has been a slave. He has never had a family to love him; never had brothers to cuddle him and protect him and nurture him; never had toys to play with or friends to cry and laugh with; never owned anything other than his own life: which, in effect, could have been taken from him at any time by the whim of his master or mistress.

"Now, he has family; he has brothers and sisters; he has people to play with and love him and protect him.

"But, he is still a slave in his own heart. That is not something this child can ever forget. It was all he was trained for and lived for. We are all going to keep telling him that he is free, but please be aware: he may never fully believe that. A lifetime of training is not easy to break.

"What hurt this child about not long ago was the realization that his new brothers, Princes Cory and Sean, were royalty. He, in his heart, is not. He, in his heart, is still a slave.

"No longer! You cannot be a slave and a Son of the Empire. You cannot be a slave and a Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. You cannot be a slave and a Defender of the Commonwealth Alliance.

"It is therefore my great pleasure to add one more gift to the Newly-weds. Cory and Sean; I present to you His Highness, Prince Joel Short of the House of Windsor, Prince of the Empire and Defender of the Commonwealth Alliance!"

So saying, Queen Elizabeth took the ornate, triple Crested Crown from Levi and placed it on Joel's brow.

"Has Grandma Lizzy been taking logic lessons from Xain?" Sean asked as he tried to wrap his head around the surprise.

"Does it matter? C'mon, it's our turn to grab cuddles from a Prince!" Cory replied as he stood and pulled Sean up with him.

Joel's eyes were swimming with tears. Everything she had said had struck home. Yes, he may always feel he is a slave, but now... now he is a Prince. He now had a way to fend off those thoughts of being a slave; or at least attempt to.

He turned and bowed to the Queen, then, when he looked back up at her and saw her smile and nod, he turned and ran across the stage towards his approaching big brothers. He pounced at them from the edge and was plucked from the air by Sean and then squashed between him and Cory.

Those who had been on the receiving end of Joel's cuddles that morning started cheering. Those who had yet to meet him simply smiled and clapped.

Joel did not care.

None of the three Princes cared.

They just stood there and cuddled.

---

Sean and Cory were seated again, this time with their little princely brother on their own royal laps. Joel had his back pulled in tight against Sean's chest and Sean was happily nuzzling Joel's hair and making him giggle, while Cory examined the Vulcan's circlet that Joel had handed him.

"I can't make it out," he murmured, "it's just not giving any clues to which Family you belong to, Joel."

"It's the same colour as that red one at the wedding," Joel whispered softly, his eye's closed at the attention, "so... am I part of the Ambassador's House?"

"Can't say," Sean added his voice just as softly, "Most Families and all Houses of Vulcan have red Crests. Symbolizes that the Houses and Families come from Vulcan itself; red for a red world. Clans get green crests as we come from the Families themselves, so..."

"So it symbolizes the blood of my people?" Joel asked shrewdly.

"Yup," Cory grinned, "and Jace said that there are a few Families that have green Crests as they, long, long ago, started as Family-Clans. So, no, Lil' Elf. I can't tell from this which House or Family you're from." Cory reached over and placed Joel's circlet gently back on his head. "There. Suits you, Elven Prince!"

Joel started giggling, and he only grew louder as Sean held his arms away to let Cory attack his ribs.

Cory felt a small hand on his arm, and so he stopped tickling the chortling Vulcan to face Kevin who was standing at his side. He suddenly grew concerned when he saw the pain and tears in the brown eyed boy's face.

Joel sobered and reached forwards just as Cory did, and they both drew Kevin up and onto Cory's lap. "What's wrong, Kev?" Cory asked him quietly.

"Grandma Lizzy said Joel was upset earlier; 'cos I'd left him alone! I'm sorry, Joel! I shouldn't have left you alone," Kevin mumbled, tears starting to roll down his cheeks.

Joel shifted slightly to wrap an arm around Kevin's waist and drew him close, "No, it wasn't 'cos of you. It was something stupid."

Joel explained briefly, with Cory or Sean adding their less slave-biased explanations.

"Why didn't you call me?" Kevin whispered to Joel, a slight catch of hurt in his voice.

Joel tried to not cry, but it was hard work, "I'm sorry. I thought, when I was feelin' like that, that I wasn't worth your t...time..."

The brown haired angel did not let him continue. He just pulled Joel into a tight hug against his chest. One of Kevin's hands was gripped tight around Joel's back while his other he used to hold the back of Joel's head tenderly. He ran his fingers gently through the Vulcan's curls as he whispered, "You are worth it, Joel. Really. Please, next time you feel down, come find me, okay?"

"'Kay," was the calm, relaxed response from the little prince as Joel rested his chin on Kevin's shoulder.

Kevin pulled back slightly after a moment, and smiled at him. He ran his fingers over Joel's circlet. "That's cute on you," he murmured, bringing a bright blush to the young Vulcan's face. Kevin looked down at Joel's chest, and his brow furrowed. "Are these...?" he began to ask, tracing a his fingers over the pale marks and patterns in Joel's flesh.

"Yeah," Joel responded quietly.

"Kyle and the rest healed him, but they left the marks. I don't know why," Cory added quietly.

Joel looked at him. "I will always remember the pain; these marks... I dunno, maybe they are for others? I can never forget, so they don't stay for me to remember, but... maybe others will see and know that you... that..." Joel trailed off uncertainly.

Sean nodded, "I know what you're trying to say, Lil' Elf. Others will see and know that people can survive anything and recover."

Kevin nodded absently as he touched each and every mark on Joel's body that was showing.

Joel giggled. "Wanna see them all?" he asked innocently, his hands going to the button and zip on his jeans.

Kevin blushed. "Maybe later," he whispered shyly, causing Cory to laugh softly. The brown eyed boy leaned and kissed Joel's cheek before going back to tracing his fingers over what remained of the Vulcan's scars.

"Are those kisses?" Joel asked, his hand pressed to the cheek Kevin had just kissed.

Kevin looked up, his face sad. "Yeah... don't you know about kisses?"

"I've read about them, but in stories where it's two people in a couple kissing. Same in films... yet everyone here kisses me all the time. I keep... I keep thinking everyone is trying to get me to be their... ummm..." Joel trailed off an hung his head while Sean pulled him tighter into his arms.

Cory ruffled his hair. "They are kisses, bro, but just like love there are many types of kisses."

Kevin nodded, "Yeah. There's brother kisses and lover kisses and friend kisses. All types of kisses."

"Oh," sighed Joel. "Are lover kisses the ones you give to people's lips, then?"

"A lot of them are," Sean said into the Vulcan's hair, "but not all. Brothers, sisters, Moms and Dads give lip-kisses too, sometimes, and little kids nearly always give you sloppy kisses on the lips. Timmy's a master at them! Even friends can."

Joel thought for a moment, then nodded slowly. "'Kay." He faced Cory and hesitated for a moment before moving in and pecking the lightest of kisses to the blond teen's lip. He swivelled slightly and did the same for Sean before attending to Kevin.

"Thanks," all three chorused, making Joel's heart jump again in his chest. He'd done something right, and they were happy!

As Kevin went back to exploring Joel's chest, he suddenly noticed something. "Wow! That's soooo cute!"

"What?" asked the other three. Joel looked down to try and find what Kevin was staring at.

"You've got an outie bellybutton!" Kevin giggled. "That's just soooo cute!!!" He tickled Joel's belly button, bringing light, sweet laughter from the boy. "Sexy too," Kevin mumbled.

"Looks like you're not the only one who likes 'outies'!" Cory giggled to Sean.

"You got one too?" Joel asked his blond haired big brother as he tried to laughingly fend off Kevin's tickling hands.

"Yeppers!" Cory giggled as he attempted to fight off Sean who was trying to prove it. Joel found that, within a few seconds, he was on Cory's lap while Kevin had been pushed over by a laughing Cory onto Sean's. "There; now I can use my Lil'elf as a shield!"

Sean sniggered, then stage whispered to Kevin, "That means poor Joel gets it first, then, right?"

"Right!" Kevin agreed, also sniggering.

"Cory!" Joel squealed as two pairs of hands started tickling his belly.

"Turn around, they can't reach them if they're not in the open!" Cory giggled as he tried to get Joel to turn towards him.

Joel did so quickly. Chest to chest, both boys poked their tongues out at their two tormentors. Joel giggled as both play-pouted, then looked up into Cory's sky blue eyes, "What about Sean do you think is cute, then?"

Without missing a heartbeat, Cory said, "His smile."

Joel glanced back at Sean, who was grinning and blushing like crazy.

"Especially when he blushes like that," Cory added, thus making Sean's blush worse.

Joel giggled and twisted back around before being pulled back into Kevin's arms. "I promise, no tickles," Kevin grinned as he once again started exploring Joel's pale marks.

"Kevin?"

"Yeah?"

"Why do others call you 'Kev'?" Joel asked curiously.

Kevin smiled, his hands now gently resting on either side of Joel's waist, "My friends call me that. It's my nickname. You can too, if you want. I'd like that. I... I'd like to be your best friend."

Joel gaped, "I... you want to be my... best friend?" he repeated.

"Yeah," Kevin grinned as he pulled in tightly and hugged Joel again.

"Wow...! Yeah! I have a best friend! Can I be yours too??"

Kevin pulled back and giggled. He nodded; then paused. He was looking deep into Joel's eyes and started to slowly moving closer to the Vulcan's face. Joel, for his part, suddenly felt his heart-rate increase. Why were Kevin's eyes darting down to his lips? And why was he coming slowly closer?

Barely centimetres apart, Joel felt the sweet breath from Kevin against his lips. He shuddered in anticipation. 'He's gonna kiss me! A 'for real' kiss, not a brother kiss... W...why?' he thought briefly before the feeling of Kevin's lips coming into contact with his own wiped his mind clear.

It was tender and loving only; nothing major, and over quickly, but Joel was completely speechless as Kevin pulled back with a shy smile. Kevin only managed to part his lips to mumble something when Joel moved in himself and returned that kiss just as tenderly.

"Awww! Wow, Unca Joel!" came Timmy's voice. Kevin and Joel turned to see Timmy and the rest of the Rugrats and Tribe watching them; all with huge happy grins. "You've got Unca Kev as your boyfriend?"

Kevin's mouth dropped open, and Joel went bright green. They shot each other questioning looks before Kevin took Joel's hand tightly and said, "Uh, just friends right now, Timmy."

Joel nodded, "Best friends!"

"Uh huh," Cory giggled, "the best kind; the kind that likes swapping spit, I would say!"

"Don't tease 'em, Daddy!" Timmy ordered, stamping his foot. The mischievous grin on his face, however, said that teasing was to be his job. "Besides; you says that to everyone! Get new lines!"

"Swapping spit?" Joel whispered in Kevin's ear.

Kevin blushed crimson as he whispered back, "You know; tongues and stuff?"

"Oh..." Then, "Oooh!" Joel blushed even more... and giggled.

---

After watching Kyle and his big brothers float high above them all for a few moments, Joel moved off with Kevin and the Tribe to resume their hug-seeking game. Joel, still barefoot and topless, provoked far more severe reactions this time when he latched onto various kids for his own quota of hugs. Before, he had just 'felt thin'... now they could see his ribs, lack of stomach and what used to be scars. In short, he looked like an undead.

As the group would move from one hug-target to the next, the eyes that followed Joel were all filled with pity; and in most cases, determined looks were there that such should never, ever happen to anyone again.

Adam was one of the most affected by the sight when he and JJ ended up on their backs with a giggling Vulcan sitting on Adam's chest.

"We're brothers in more ways than you know," Adam whispered to Joel.

"What do you mean?" Joel asked as he looked curiously down at his brother.

"Lift up for a second," Adam requested quietly. Once Joel had taken his slight weight off of Adam's chest, Adam lifted his shirt and showed Joel his own personal reminders of abuse.

Joel gingerly sat back, now on Adam's lap as JJ helped his boyfriend into a sitting position. Tears started trickling from Joel's eyes as he gently laid the palm of his hand over some of the scars he could see on Adam's chest.

"A... a belt?" he whispered his question.

Adam nodded seriously. "Our brothers saved my life too. Mom, John, and Judge Joe made sure that my father and step-mother could never do this to anyone again. JJ helps me out when I still have nightmares about it; he was the first one of the guys to make me feel like I was worth something."

Joel's jaw dropped open half way through this, and he looked in horror between Adam and JJ. "Your... your parents did this?" he stuttered out through his trembling lips. "Why?! They... nooo... NO! Mams and Dads shouldn't... they can't... Why?!"

"They usually don't," JJ replied seriously. "No matter where you go there are bad people; Adam's FORMER parents were some of those; Pop made sure they were 'taken care of' for their crime before Momma Teri was given the position in the Federation she has now. I heard Dad and Pop talking a while back; since Pop is Federation Security now he had them transferred to a prison planet to make sure they never repeated the crime. People like them are not allowed to have children on prison planets."

Joel bit at his lower lip for a second before blubbering, "I thought I had it bad, but... it wasn't my mam or dad hurting me... I am an orphan, a slave... I have no rights... had, I..." He stopped, then lifted Adam's top once more to look at the worst of the scars. He leaned forward and kissed them gently before throwing his arms around Adam's neck and sobbed into the twelve year old's shoulder.

Adam wrapped his arms around the sobbing boy and held him while his tears ran their course. He shed a few of his own as well, and JJ was misty eyed. Once Joel had quietened some, Adam said softly, "Little brother; you have the same rights I do. You're home now. Our scars are reminders that we need to make sure nobody else feels what we felt if we can stop it. You're my little brother forever now; together we will do anything we need to do to prevent anyone else feeling what we felt."

Joel nodded mutely, pulled back and hesitated for a moment before kissing Adam's cheek. He then smiled and asked gingerly, "Umm, Kev told me your age... You're my little brother... aren't you?"

Adam giggled, "You're my little brother when you need cuddles or hugs; you can be my big brother the rest of the time."

"Deal!" Joel smiled, his face lighting up at being someone's big brother. "That makes you and Tyler little brothers... and he's only justlittler than me! Tommy said that since I was littler than him, I'm his little brother... so he won't let me be his big brother."

"You're Tommy's big brother too; he just calls you his little brother so he has an excuse to give you extra hugs," Adam giggled.

JJ nodded his head, "That's right, Joel; where Tommy was raised they are about a century behind the rest of the world. He feels more comfortable doing special things for you if he's doing it like you're his little brother."

"He wants to be my 'big' brother so he can do nice things for me?" Joel asked, wanting to be sure. "He wants to do nice things for me? Like those yummy pancake things? It makes him happy?" The look in Joel's eyes made it clear that he was still having a hard time accepting more than hugs and cuddles from people, and the idea that people wanted to make him feel good was having a harder time again at sinking in. "Really?"

"Really!" Adam and JJ chorused.

Joel looked back over his shoulder at Kevin, and found him nodding at him, along with most of the Tribe who were collecting cuddles from the other, older kids around them. One of which was Tommy; and it was clear he had heard everything Joel had said and asked.

Joel turned and kissed Adam and JJ quickly on the lips before getting up and pouncing Tommy. He looked down into the southern boy's open and honest face from his new 'chest-perch' and smiled, "If you want to be my big brother, you can. I... I want you to be happy, and if me being your littler brother makes you happy, then that's what I want too."

Tommy pulled Joel down into a hug. "You gotchselv a big bro forever, Joel. That means y'all's got cookies for munchin' when you wanna get them too! I love ya, li'l bro."

Joel trembled as another of those weird chills ran up his spine. He wasn't cold, but he shivered nonetheless. "I... I..." Joel felt like he was trying to force words out passed a vacuum. His face clouded momentarily, then he sighed and snuggled further on Tommy's chest. He tried his best to make sure this was one of the best hugs he could give; his only way he knew of expressing the Fire that he felt inside. "Sorry... I just... I wish I could say it, Tommy."

"I know; Ty was watchin' over ya. He done made sure all your bros knows you show it instead of sayin' it. Havin' a mickymouse lil bro is kewl when we need to know 'bout stuff," Tommy replied with a smile.

"I heard that!" Tyler yelled. "It's Mick-E-Vis, goofball!"

"Like I done said; mickymouse!" Tommy yelled back with a laugh, obviously continuing a friendly brotherly banter.

"What is a Mikyvis?" Joel asked curiously as he sat up and made himself comfy on Tommy's stomach. He looked between Tommy under him and Tyler and Kyle walking over towards them. "You can read minds, you told me yesterday, but you appeared earlier like magic... or... Are you like the Q??" he asked, gears spinning in his head. "Power to do what you will, and go anywhere and stuff??"

Kyle and Ty stopped next to the pair. "I've never met a Q yet," Kyle replied. "What I've learned about them though is they are something like we are. They are what's called a 'High Race'; since we are one too it means there are some things we have in common."

"High Race? That figures; one of them keeps sayin' he's omnipotent," Joel murmured, his eyes distant.

Levi, still in his reduced age size, joined Joel on Tommy's chest. "The Q you know from the movies that you saw has a son, Uncle Joel. Him and me have been having fun going around and learning all about different universes while I'm supposed to be sleeping."

Joel looked at Levi, and a previously unseen look of protection arose in his eyes. In a tone of voice that seemed totally unfamiliar and mature coming from him, Joel said, "Be careful; that Q is always making nasty pranks at Picard and the crew of the Enterprise. He... he seems to have a reason in the shows, but... just be careful."

"Don't worry, he's not quite the same in real life," Levi smiled. "He likes me. He thinks I show great potential for 'fun'."

Joel glanced up at Kyle, then back at Levi. "If you're sure," he said, his voice still filled with warning.

"I'm sure." Levi replied. "The Q ain't bad guys like your movies showed; if they were they'd never have been left as a High Race. The oldest High Race way back would have blocked their growth. The movie guys had to do something to make the Q fit their movie, so they made them look bad."

Joel spent a long moment looking into Levi's smiling face before relaxing and, in effect, reverting to his far younger seeming state. He pulled Levi over, rose off Tommy's stomach, then placed the little 'five' year old boy on his shoulders. "Come on then, High Race Levi... I think Timmy wants to get more cuddles from more people!" he giggled. Turning to the now standing Tommy, he stretched up and kissed his brother's lips before asking with a sunny smile, "Can we snuggle more later?"

"You better believe it!" Tommy replied with a smile of his own.

"Kewl!" Joel reached and grabbed Kevin's hand before racing off after the now departing horde of Rugrats, with Levi giggling from his shoulders.

---

"Do you think he'd mind, Kev?"

"Nope; I think he'd be used to it, Jo'. He's been poked and prodded by all the kids since he arrived on Sunday."

"Can he really fly?"

"Sure can, and his cousin as well!"

"Where is... ah, that's his cousin?"

"Yup, the one in the robe."

"So why's Riti flashing his bare butt to everyone?"

"Riti hates wearing clothes. His people have no concept of modesty that way; even Xandor don't care about being nude. It's just that Xandor was from the urban areas of their world, and Riti from the country. Riti says the 'City-folks' wore clothing to make themselves feel better than the rest, while Xandor says it was due to the growing space program."

"Cool," Joel giggled as they came to a stop by the Lo'Garn in question, who was, by now, laughing madly at Joel.

"Hi," Riti smiled, his owl-like eyes blinking comically at the giggling Vulcan.

Joel noticed Riti's circlet and started smiling more, "You're a prince too?"

"Yup! You're my newest brother! Cory and Sean too," Riti grinned.

Joel reached out to gently run his fingers over the circlet on the Lo'Garn, while Riti did so for Joel's. "You've got nice hair; soft," Joel murmured to him.

"Thanks, Joel! I really like yours too. We Lo'Garn don't have curly hair," was the bird-boy's reply.

Joel then asked, "Could I touch your wings?"

Riti simply turned around with a grin. He started laughing as Joel went to town on exploring.

"You've just made a friend for life," a new young voice said as Riti's eyes closed blissfully at the near preening Joel was giving him.

Joel looked up and saw a big, comparatively, Klingon standing next to them both. Joel automatically moved back and slightly behind Kevin.

Koth tilted his head curiously. "You're scared of me? I thought aliens didn't scare you, Joel," he murmured quietly.

Joel thought fast and hard. "I... you're Klingon; I..."

Tyler appeared and helped Kevin wrap Joel in a double hug. "Klingons here are different from those in the TV shows, Joel."

Koth's eyes opened slightly, "That 'Star Trek' thing? We're bad guys in it?"

Joel nodded. "Yeah, at least at Kirk's time in the shows. Only after Kirk's time did the Klingon Empire and the Federation join in an Alliance."

Koth smiled gently. "Don't worry, Joel. My race ain't in an Alliance with the Federation here, but relations are good right now. Also, me and my brother have been living with Jason and the rest for nearly a year, now. We're not going to hurt you."

"Agreed," came another deeper seeming voice as an even bigger Klingon joined them. "I'm Korris, this is Koth-Boy."

"It's 'Koth', Kor!" Koth retorted, blowing a raspberry at his big brother.

"If I say 'Koth-Boy', then 'Koth-Boy' it is," Korris growled affectionately as he pulled his younger sibling over and tickled his ribs.

Joel started to giggle, and at the gentle prompting from Riti and Kevin, he moved over and greeted the two now giggling Klingons.

After some rather enjoyable cuddles, Joel turned around to pull Kevin against his side again. As he did so he saw the last of the Dragon Division leadership standing there. "Hi Jace, Nath'," he bubbled.

Nathan grinned, "Hey, Joel. We thought we'd come over and officially meet our new prince-brother; and introduce you to Viccy and Tony."

Joel glanced at the tall, black haired boy. "Hi," he waved.

Antony simply pulled him over and hugged him. On contact, Joel could feel how shy this boy was, and so gave him a supportive hug. "Wow, you do hug good," Antony whispered to him.

"You needed it," Joel replied as they released. He turned to Victoria, and started to tremble slightly. A girl didn't scare him like a grown woman did, but still...

Victoria offered her hand and simply waited.

The small Vulcan reached out and took it, then grinned and hugged her.

"Hi, Joel," Victoria smiled as she hugged him tightly. "This is so kewl, Jace!" she bubbled as Joel hugged her more, "We've got another brother; and another Vulcan one too!"

Joel's mind ground to a halt. He had a few nieces, but... "You're my sister! Wow, I have a sister!!"

Jason started laughing, "That's something you might wish otherwise once you get to know Viccy... ouch!" Jason started to rub at his arm where Victoria had reached out and slapped him.

Joel giggled more, and continued to snuggle with his first sister.

---

Joel and Kevin decided to sit and watch the tail end of the concert, as well as the last dance by Cory and Sean. They were near the back of the large group on the lawns and simply chatting quietly. Mainly, Joel was asking who certain people were, how they fitted in with the Clan, and general details in that vein.

Teri moved up behind them, and Joel turned at the faintest of footfalls his Vulcan hearing could pick up. "Mama!" he crowed, his face lighting up like the sun as he gave her the biggest, happiest smile he could.

"I see that you're taking a break from helping your nephews make sure everybody felt welcome!" Teri said with a smile. "How are you feeling Joel? Are you having fun?"

"Yes, lots of fun," Joel nodded, although he did look puzzled. "Is that what I was doing? Helping? I thought it was just a game."

"It was a game," Teri replied as she held out her arms for a hug, "but Timmy's games always involve doing something to make other people happy. He's been like that from the day Cory saved him; he likes having fun while making sure everyone is as happy as he is."

Kevin giggled as Joel swarmed up and into Teri's arms, to end up perched on her hip and kissing her cheek. "'m glad you're here," he mumbled. "I... I've been kinda looking forward to some Mammy-hugs you said you wanted to give me... was... is that wrong?" he asked uncertainly, "'cos I don't want to be... umm, selfish if you're too busy..."

"I'm never to busy for hugs," Teri replied as she kissed Joel's forehead. "Why don't you and Kevin join me and we'll take a walk around; you can ride up here, and Kevin can take my free hand if he wants. We'll take hug breaks while we're making sure all of the guests are having fun."

Kevin nodded shyly as he stood and took Teri's outstretched hand, "Thanks, Aunt Teri."

Joel smiled happily down at his best friend, and Teri caught a look in his eye. 'Another Cory and Sean... will I survive it a second time?' she mused with an inward chuckle.

"Who we going to check on first, Mama?" Joel asked as he laid his head on her convenient shoulder, the top of his head nestled against her cheek.

"How about we check on the Band. They seem to be getting ready to finish," she answered as they started towards the stage.

Joel perked up even more, "Bon Jovi? I get to speak to them?"

Kevin giggled and looked up, "Sure you do! You'll like Jon, he's great!"

"Nice, real nice. He... he was dead in that other place. He died in the resistance. It's so great to see him and Aaron Carter and even the British Royal family... all I know of them is from the Underground Internet," Joel bubbled out in a rush, his eyes fixed on the band on stage as they finished the last song.

"Did someone special that I've not met properly yet mention my name?" a laughing voice from behind them asked.

Teri paused to turn and smile at her eldest living son. "Will you join us, Aaron?" she asked, with a shell shocked Joel gaping at him from her hip.

"Of course, I'd love to, Mom," he answered as he quickly tickled Kevin before picking him up, placing him on his own hip, then moving to stand next to Teri.

"You're my brother too?!" Joel asked incredulously.

Teri smiled, "Yes, he adopted me as his mother." She winked at Aaron, who reached with his free hand and ruffled Joel's hair.

As they started moving again, Joel and Kevin found themselves more or less back to back, and they both giggled before finding a way to link their hands. Aaron laughed, "Well, since these two are as inseparable as Timmy and Ricky, I see this was a good idea!"

Kevin blushed, while Joel asked curiously, "They best friends too?"

"I remember a comment that was made a while back which fits them; if one farts, the other one's butt cheeks flap," Teri replied with a chuckle. "They give best friends a whole new meaning."

Joel giggled in her arms, as did Kevin. "That's the type of friend I want to be for you, Joel," he said quietly as he leaned his head back to rest it against his friend's.

Joel, therefore, was still giggling madly at the idea of flapping butt cheeks by the time they got onto the stage to be met by Jon and the band. Teri kissed his forehead again as she pointed at the band, "Joel, meet Jon Bon Jovi; Jon, this is Joel."

His giggling stopped completely as he stared at them in wonder. "Wow; WOW! It's sooo cool to meet heroes like you... ah, wait... no, that's not here... I... sorry, I keep thinking... never mind," he trailed off with embarrassment.

"Joel; they are heroes here, too." Kyle replied as he joined them. "Just ask any of these kids out here who looked up to see Uncle Jon or Uncle Richie bandaging their wounds three days ago."

"I was just doing what Cory would do!" Jon replied with a grin. "He has that affect; once you meet him you want to be like him."

"He's my big brother!" Joel said with pride, "and I wanna be like him, too; and Sean and Kevin!" He smiled down at Kyle, "Thanks. It's confusing. People who died fighting in that other place decades ago are alive here, and I don't know what's real or what's not."

"You're welcome," Kyle replied. "Ty and me are watchin', so any time we think you might need help with explaining we'll be around to help you. I gotta help Ty look out for his big brother!"

"Can't I be your big brother too?" Joel asked hopefully.

Kyle's eyes gleamed happily. "Of course! I'd love another big brother!" he nearly yelled with joy. Jon reached down and picked up the bouncing Mikyvis and held him close enough to Teri and Joel so the two boys could hug and seal the 'deal'.

"You must be pretty special to be Cory's new brother!" Jon said as he put the smiling Kyle back on his feet. "Would you like to meet the rest of the guys?"

Joel came close to nodding his head off, "Yes please!"

Joel's head was soon in a whirl at meeting the entire band, and getting hugs from each of them. He finally ended up in Aaron's arms while Kevin giggled from Teri's lap. She needed to sit down due to the laughter at the bubbling and excited Vulcan and all his questions. What was the funniest, though, was that his Vulcan appearance kept throwing Jon and the others off completely. You could tell that it had not sunk in that Joel was an untrained Vulcan, and it was clear that they did not expect him to laugh, smile or react emotionally. Each time he did, therefore, their eyebrows raising and shocked expressions brought fresh laughter to the entire group.

Joel snuggled happily in Aaron's arms and was about to say something when his stomach beat him too it.

Teri laughed, "I think that's the sign that food is required. If you are all finished, I think we can get everyone inside."

Jon nodded, chuckling, "I'll announce it. If you want a minute's head start to avoid being trampled by this large group of obviously starved and wasting away kids, go now. Fifty eight seconds and counting!"

"Come on!" Levi bubbled as he appeared next to Teri, "I'll get you to the front of the queue!"

They all vanished, leaving Jon and the band laughing.

---

Joel stood and stared at the huge, beautiful work of art in the centre of the room.

"That's some cake," Kevin muttered in awe next to him.

"Cake? That is food??" Joel could not take his eyes off it. "What do you do with something that huge and pretty looking?"

"Eat it," giggled Sean as he and Cory walked past.

Cory added, "Once the photos are taken. We have to have some photos of that amazing cake; Tommy and Tyler outdid themselves!"

Joel managed to tear his eyes away from the ten foot cake to look at his elder brothers as they found their seats. He asked Kevin, "Tommy and Tyler made this?!"

"Yup," the brown eyed boy giggled.

The young Vulcan cast his eyes around the room, searching. "Kev, I'll be right back. Need to give them a big hug! Cory and Sean felt happy when they walked past."

Kevin nodded, but asked, "You didn't touch them. How do you know what they felt?"

Joel answered after a moment's reflection, "Dunno. Just do."

"'Kay," Kevin said, looking at his friend with gentle curiosity, "I'll keep your seat warm." He moved off with Joel watching him briefly.

Joel started looking around again, and in a break in the flow of people ogling the cake or finding seats, he saw Tyler and Tommy. They were by the kitchen door, and both were beaming with accomplishment as they watched everyone gape in wonder at their creation.

"Incoming!" Tyler giggled, giving Tommy a 2.467 second warning before they both ended up on their backs with Joel plastering kisses all over their faces.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" the Vulcan cried happily. "Cory and Sean really, really love it. I felt it. It's amazing. It's soooo pretty! How did you make it that big??"

Paul, Pauly, and Wacko heard the commotion from the kitchen, and came out to investigate. "Unca Ty's a Mickmiss;" Pauly giggled from Paul's hip, "he made it so nothin felled makin it big!"

"Aww shucks. Thanks bro; y'all's kin, and kinfolk likin it means a lot, 'specially you," Tommy said with a blush as he hugged his little 'big' brother tightly for a moment.

A giggling Timmy came over then to rescue his uncles from the Joel attack. "Unca Joel? There's someone special who wants to meet you."

Joel stopped hugging Tommy long enough to look up with a raised eyebrow... only to get a wet tongue licking his face.

Spluttering, he rolled off Tommy's chest and sat on the floor, only to have his lap taken by a large puppy. At least it seemed like a puppy, but Joel saw subtle differences in the shape of the animal's head and body. He looked up at Timmy curiously as the pup continued to bathe his face.

Timmy giggled. "Unca Joel, this is Black Feet. He's been waitin to meet you; he's gonna live with you now!"

"Me?" Joel asked as Black Feet started increasing the wash Joel was getting. Joel started to laugh as the pup started cleaning his belly. "He's... staying with me?"

My Boy

Joel looked down at the puppy, who had stopped licking and was staring back at him intently.

Timmy gaped, "You hear him 's well?"

"Hear what?" Tommy and Tyler asked.

Joel nodded at his nephew, yet gave his brothers a puzzled look.

Me Protect. Me Guard. Black Feet is Boy's. Boy is Black Feet's

"You didn't hear that?" Joel looked up at his brothers again.

"No," they both answered.

Timmy explained, his face registering shock, "It's spirit talk. William talks to me like it sometimes. It's from Black Feet's spirit to yours, Unca Joel." The Spirit Guide knelt down and tickled the pup's ears and asked, "Blackie? You said Unca Joel wasn't a Guide; so how can he hear you?"

Black Feet sent to Timmy alone, and kept Joel from hearing him:

Boy belongs to Black Feet. Boy belongs to Him. Boy is His Shaper

'Him? The Great Spirit?' Timmy sent back his question.

Blackie nodded:

His Shaper

"What's happening?" Joel asked nervously.

Timmy smiled, hiding his surprise at this turn of events well, "Blackie is special, Joel, and you can speak to him and hear him in your spirit. He's here to help you; and be your friend and companion."

Joel nodded slightly, then looked down into the pup's amber/gold eyes. "You're part wolf, aren't you," he murmured. "I've seen wolves before."

I from Silver Wolf. I from Shelly

"Shelly is your mother? She's a dog, a canine?"

Blackie nodded, then proceeded to lick Joel again, bringing laughter back in to break the near deathly silence that had fallen of the group.

"Time to take your seats," Helen said as she joined them from the kitchen. "Hello Joel. Congratulations on getting a new mother."

Joel looked up and found to his surprise that his normal fear of women that he had not yet 'touched' and trusted was now, seemingly, gone.

Blackie lolled his tongue out of the side of his jaw in a wolfish laugh.

Joel pushed his surprise to one side and replied, "Thank you. Sorry for being scared of you yesterday. I was being silly."

"No you weren't. Your mother hasn't told me what happened to you, but she did tell me you have a reason. Do you want to take my hand so that you know I won't hurt you?" she asked him gently.

Joel nodded and reached up. Seconds later, he was up and hugging her, the wolf pup held between them. "Thank you, Auntie Helen," he murmured.

"Come on, let's take our seats. It's time to eat," She said as she led them all into the Dining Room.

---

With Blackie curled up at his feet and munching on a large piece of beef, Joel was happily digging into his own huge plate full. There had been a brief relapse when first presented with his food, for he had started to inhale it at top speed. A gentle hug and whispered words from Cory next to him that it was his food, and that no-one was going to take it allowed him to slow down.

"The table don't need a shower, Joel," Cory had whispered with a laugh, "just relax and enjoy each mouthful, okay? You'll like it better, and won't make yourself ill."

"'Kay," Joel had whispered before returning to his plate; this time at a pace matching his brothers. Occasionally he would pause to feed a fork full of whatever was currently on his plate to Kevin. Both boys had their chairs completely touching and Kevin's arm was about Joel's waist constantly. When he wasn't being fed, Kevin had his head on Joel's shoulder; a contented smile on his face, and his eyes filled with warmth and peace.

Kenny, opposite them both, had a relieved and joyous smile on his face. He turned to Rory and kissed him happily before turning back to watch his twin brother.

Kevin was no longer alone.

---

To Be Continued...

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Editor's Notes:

I am so happy to have the opportunity to edit this story. This is a wonderful chapter, and I used a few towels since I was running short on Kleenex. I can always wash the towels. Blackfeet is very special, isn't he? It is really nice to see that Kevin and Joel are finding each other, and no matter what Joel thinks, he does love Kevin, along with loving a lot of other people. I can hardly wait to see what happens next.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher