Sa'ren Part I

"Gifts"

---

 

Rewind - Earlier that morning:

"Was the journey to Earth pleasant, Solkar?" Amanda asked as she walked towards the Indoor Pool building carrying the small, seven year old Vulcan.

The still giggling child smiled up at her. "Yes. Zemal played with me, and showed me how to use the Imaging Room on the Interceptor. We saw where Qonos is and where Romulas is, and Telar as well. I found it very enjoyable," he added seriously, nodding his head ernestly.

Amanda smiled, and held back a chuckle, "That is good."

She nodded politely at Kirk and McCoy as they were leaving the building, and then smiled more as Kirk held the door open for her. "Thank you, Jim," she murmured.

"Who's the newcomer?" Kirk asked with an easy smile.

Solkar smiled at him, "Greetings. I am Solkar, Blue Adept of the VSO... if Blue Leader accepts me, I mean."

"I'm sure he will. Rhys is a good boy," McCoy smiled as he reached and ruffled Solkar's hair, making the child giggle again. As Amanda entered the building, McCoy whispered to Kirk as the door closed, "I love them that age. None of that damned emotionless, unfeeling..."

"I get it, Bones," Kirk laughed as they started off towards CIC.

Inside, Amanda stopped by the door to the swimming pool. "The air's a little thick in there for me for the time of day, Solkar. I will be going back to see Sarek now. However, I want you to have some fun, and make some new friends."

"I will," Solkar nodded seriously as she set him to his feet. "Will I see you later?"

"I will come to collect you in two hours, and we can share a meal with your Fa'sami," Amanda smiled down at the happy little boy.

"Thank you. I will see you then, Fa'komi," the child answered before giving the old lady the Vulcan Salute and entering the doors.

Inside the pool-room, Solkar's entrance was noticed first by a certain red-haired Fireball.

"New Guy!!" Timmy announced loudly as he sprinted from the side of the pool, gaining the proper momentum for a classic 'welcome' pounce.

Solkar was thankful that he had Vulcan reflexes, for he managed to snag the flying boy from the air and still keep his footing while holding a now hugging and wriggling six year old. Fairly impressive as he was only slightly bigger than Timmy to begin with. "Is this the standard form of greeting for the Clan and the Division?" Solkar asked as he hugged Timmy back properly once the red-head had been placed back to his feet.

"If me or the Tribe see ya first, it is!" Timmy giggled as he spun and grabbed one of Solkar's hands. "I'm Timmy my Daddy is Cory and my Poppa is Sean. C'mon you gotta tell me your name and then we gotta n'terduce you to everyone, then you gotta get nekkid so you can swim with us. Then we're gonna make you part of the Tribe before Daddy finds something for you to do; then you'll meet Allie an' all the ot'er animal friends we got."

The Vulcan boy was almost dazed at the speed of Timmy's verbal diarrhoea, but his fast mind did manage to keep up. "I have met your fathers, and they have told me and my Commander that I may stay here in Orlando for a while. My name is Solkar, Ward of Family Sarek and of House Surak - I am a Blue Adept in the VSO. I am pleased to meet you, Timmy. May I enquire; where is Lieutenant Rhys Parnell? I must report to my Blue Leader before I can... 'get nekkid'? Do you humans not use swim-wear?" Solkar asked as he cast an appraising look over the boy before him. Then he looked around at the mass of the Tribe and Rugrats playing in the pool. "Mmm, I believe I am mistaken."

"Unca Rice is playin' wit' Allie!" Pauly giggled as he joined his brother in 'welcoming' their guest, as Wacko stretched up to add a welcoming lick to the side of Solkar's face. "An' we don't wear no swimin' shorts!"

Paul Mills, son of Paster Mills, chuckled as he caught up with his same-named shadow. "Welcome to Orlando, Solkar. RHYS is trying to learn 'Gator surfing, follow us and we'll try to get his attention between falls!"

"Thank you," Solkar smiled softly as Pauly and Timmy took a hand each and started moving him towards the pool.

As they went, Pauly looked up. "You has a middle name?" he asked hopefully.

Solkar shook his head at the five year old, "No. It is highly uncommon for a Vulcan to have one. In fact, Sa'ren Son of Spock is the first to do so in recorded history."

Pauly looked slightly crestfallen. "Oh, 'kay," he murmured.

Timmy looked at his little brother funny for a second, but then they got to the pool's edge. Out in the water, the kids were playing and in the middle was a brown haired six year old wobbling about on the back of an alligator.

"Are not alligators dangerous?" Solkar asked curiously.

"Allie's our friend!" Timmy replied. "Yist, how long until Rhys falls again?"

Yist giggled. "I'm not looking, Timmy... it's more fun watching it happen in real time!"

*Splash*

"It looks like you did not have long to wait, Timmy," Solkar giggled as Rhys' head popped to the surface of the pool.

Rhys turned their way, waved, then swam over quickly. "Yes, I fell. No, I don't care, and yes, it was deliberate!" he giggled as Paul Mills pulled him from the water. After hugging Paul quickly in thanks, Rhys looked over Solkar quickly. "I am Guard of the Dragon, Blue Leader. Name, rank and bio, please," he ordered formally.

"Solkar. Lieutenant. Astrophysics and tactical assessment speciality. Blue Rank Adept, Second Level Red," Solkar answered just as formally.

"Red One sworn? We do not have as many as you, Solkar. And I'm impressed with your focus - you have done well for one so young," Rhys smiled.

Solkar smiled, "Thank you."

"You are welcomed to the Dragon Division, Solkar. First orders - relax. You have seven days until I can call on you," Rhys giggled, his six year old self coming back to the surface. "I'm pretty sure you're still young enough to become Tribe and Rugrat... that'll likely be happening shortly."

"Tribe? Rugrat?" Solkar asked as Belar and Ross came over to stand with Timmy and Ricky.

Yist and Paul giggled as they watched the four young leaders get 'formal' by shaking off excess water. "It's the Junior Division of Family Clan Short," Paul explained as he lifted Pauly up onto his shoulders.

"Yes, we try to comfort and encourage the younger persons who are rescued," Yist added, goosing Rhys for not explaining.

"I see. I would be honoured to join - if you would have me," Solkar said brightly.

"You asked for it," Rhys giggled as Ross ran off to the side of the room to grab something.

Solkar had only a second to look quizzically at his section leader before Timmy, Ricky and Belar came at him and started to tug him out of his uniform. A second later, he had his eyes covered with a blindfold.

"Should I be nervous?" he asked softly as he was pushed about so as to remove the lower half of his uniform and boots.

"It's recommended, but not required," Paul replied with a giggle.

Solkar shrugged as he found himself hoisted into the air by a large amount of wet hands. Obviously more of the kids had joined in from those in the pool.

"Do yous swears to helps uders in twubble?" Belar asked seriously.

"I do," Solkar answered with a smile.

"Will yous be brave even if yous feel likes runnin' 'way?" Ross asked, while holding one of Solkar's legs firmly and securely.

"I will."

"THREE!" Timmy shouted.

"TWO!" Ricky added.

"ONE!" everyone completed as Solkar was thrown up and over and into the pool.

He started to panic. He was Vulcan. He was not even seven Vulcan years old. His world had little water.

He couldn't swim.

He focused deeply on what little he had been taught and fought down his rising fear so that he would float... hopefully.

There was little need for that, for less than three seconds after hitting the water, a pair of arms brought him up to the surface and held him there.

He pulled the blindfold from his eyes and looked into the face of his rescuer.

"Hi! I'm Jimmy," the rescuer giggled.

"You look familiar," Solkar said softly. "Are you related to someone I know?"

"Dunno who you know. I might be," Jimmy giggled. "I'm Captain Kirk's son, so you might have seen or met him."

"Ah. You have his eyes..."

"I'd better run quickly before he wants them back then!" Jimmy laughed as he brought Solkar to the shallow end of the pool, where everyone else was piling in to welcome the newest member of the Rugrats.

Solkar giggled. "So... was that the entrance to both groups? Or just one?" he asked as Timmy and Belar swam up to him.

"Uh huh.. until shower time!" Timmy giggled.

"What happens then?" Solkar whispered to Jimmy as everyone started to swim about.

"You'll see," Jimmy giggled. Then he looked at Solkar closely. "You remind me of someone too," he said seriously.

Solkar half grinned, "I am a member of House Surak. It is a common trait. We can look alike."

"Blue eyes ain't THAT common in Vulcans," Jimmy said seriously, but he let the matter drop.

Timmy, meanwhile, went up to Paul and asked, "Can I speak to my brother?"

Paul smiled and lifted Pauly off his shoulders and put him down in the water next to Timmy. "Sure. Have fun!"

As he swam away, Timmy pulled his little brother to the edge of the pool, "Wazza matter?"

"Whadd'ya mean?" Pauly replied, looking a little lost.

"Back there. You asked Solkar 'bout a middle name, an' then you looked upset. Wazza matter?"

Pauly's eyes fell again, then he sighed. "'m lonely," he whispered.

"Whadd'ya mean?" Timmy asked as he pulled his little brother into a hug.

"You has Ricky. Bel has Ross. Daddy has Poppa. Unca Kyle has Unca Ty," Pauly recited slowly, his voice getting thicker and thicker with tears as he went. "Th...then I gets a tee-shirt sayin' I b...belongs to someone called Joseph... but where is he?" he finished as he cried into Timmy's shoulder.

"I dunno," Timmy said softly. "Nobody bad pranks my brothers an' ev'one knows it, so he's gotta be comin'."

/Look to the Shaper/

Pauly's head jerked up, "Wha??"

Timmy looked around, "Was that you, Guardian?"

/From him, yet not him. From Earth, yet not of Earth. I am that which is Broken. Look to your uncle. Look to the one who shall wield me. Look to the Shaper/

"You sound like that Yarn Guy Uncle Kyle talks about!" Timmy commented.

/Older than he. You know my Name already. You know me, for you know the Shaper. He is me and I him. Living I be, and a Sword forever/

"Swords can't talk, silly!" Timmy stated.

/Your Uncle can, and he is the Blade of Surak. I am from your world, and that which came from your world is alive. It is the same as that which resides in the one you call Kitisci Lhaamin. The Metal that infuses him, infuses me. It is alive. That which the Guardian gave added thought. I am the Sa'ren, the Broken S'harien Sword - And I live, as does the Armour worn by your Uncle. Joseph shall come. The Shaper, the True Sa'ren, shall find him. Look to your Uncle/

*I think that he's for real, I felt Vitaferrum in Joel's armor.* Red stated to Timmy.

Timmy tilted his head. *You know that stuff better than me Red!* He then gave Pauly another squeeze. "Red says that he's for real; I guess you just gotta wait for Uncle Joel."

"'Kay. I'll ask him later," Pauly said, feeling a little better. "Thank you, Mr Sword!"

/You are welcome/

"Why haven't we heard you before?" Timmy asked curiously.

/You have. You have heard the Armour and I all your lives. Only now, with the Shaper, the True Sa'ren, here, do you understand our voice/

"You sure you're not related to that Yarn Guy dude?" Timmy giggled.

/I am sure. I like you and I shall see you soon. Farewell, Timothy and Pauly Short/

"Bye bye, Sword-guy!" Timmy replied, causing boys to start giggling over the rhyme.

---

Inside the Tardis:

As everyone found places to call their home for the next few 'years', Chang came up to Joel and Kevin. "Brother, I have a request," he said as he laid a gentle hand on the little Vulcan's shoulder.

Joel looked up with a smile, "Sure thing. What's wrong?"

"The PACK may be conditioned just as I was. I do not know the other Vulcans here, but I do know you - and I trust you. Could you do for them what you did for me?" Chang asked.

Joel grinned and nodded, "Yeah! I wanna meet them properly anyway! They look cuddly!"

"Please do not be offended however, if they are not very 'cuddly' right now. They have recently lost their two eldest siblings," Chang said while looking over his shoulder at the Wolves all milling about behind him. Korris was in the middle of the group and speaking to them softly.

Joel's face became sad, "Okay. Kevvy, you wanna come over, too?"

Kevin shook his head, "Nah, I'll get our room set up. Call if you need me, though."

"I will. Okay, Chang. Let's help your puppies," Joel smiled wanly as he and Chang started over towards the Wolves.

Chang stopped and looked at Joel. "It would be advisable not to call them 'puppies'," Chang said with one of the few grins he gave out, then continued walking over to where they were all standing.

"I'll remember... til later," Joel whispered, trying for some levity. He could already sense the grief in the air the closer he got to the eight Wolves. A tear was already trickling down his pale cheeks.

The pack quieted down as the two approached. Chang quickly picked up the disapproving looks the older ones gave when they saw Joel crying; however, he also saw the looks of compassion on the younger ones.

Chang knew that the PACK respected strength, he just needed to make them realize that simply shedding tears does not make you weak.

As the PACK parted, and Chang and Joel walked into the middle, Bardolf spoke up. "Filtiarn... Do you have any orders for us yet?" the twelve year old wolf boy asked while looking around at everyone who was setting up in a small town type area.

"Yes I do - however, I will allow Joel to explain what he needs each and every one of you to do." Chang paused as he looked at each of them individually, "You will obey his orders as if they came from me. Is that understood?"

Chang got eight hesitant nods, then all eyes were on Joel.

Joel looked at them with compassion in his eyes as he spoke quietly, "You are all the product of a certain now-dead bastard, General Adams, as you know. However, what you probably don't know is that every one of those kids that he had enhanced or created were implanted with mental conditioning. Should a certain code phrase be spoken, or even sent telepathically, you would cease to be you. Another, pre-created, 'you' would come out and take over. You would be dead. Gone. And the new 'you' would be a living monster. Only a Vulcan can remove such deep programming. I have been taught how by my father, Admiral Spock of Starfleet, and, if you are willing, I would like to perform the mind melds now. In the Tardis, there should be no chance of the code being triggered, so you can wait a while - if you don't trust me enough right now, that is."

The wolves first looked surprised, and then, almost as one, they turned to look at Chang. When he simply nodded back, they all looked shocked. The eight of them started to have a silent conversation between themselves, which Chang decided not to listen in on.

Finally, though, Bardolf spoke for them all. "Sir, we are unsure how we feel about someone screwing with our heads. What effects will this have on us?" he asked, looking at both Chang then Joel. Chang simply deferred to the smaller boy.

"I will know you. Completely. You will know me, completely. I will purge the programming. You will remain. Unchanged, except for the complete knowledge of my life. Your Filtiarn has already been in this type of meld with me. The only difference between what you will see and what he did is that last night... Me and my husband... it was our wedding night, you see, and... well... I hope grade A porn isn't going to be too offensive to you," Joel finished with a shy giggle, his face now bright green.

Before any of the wolves could respond, Chang spoke, "Let me assure you that there is nothing harmful about what is about to happen. As Joel just said, I have gone through this very same thing right before we rescued you. Also know that I trust Joel with my life, and as such know he would not harm any of you."

Okhmhaka, the youngest male wolf at age nine, let his tongue hang out a bit as he grinned, "Well, if you say it ain't gonna be bad, then that's enough for me." He grinned even more, to the point he almost started to pant, "However, could you ask him to shower first, he smells of cat!" That got the lot of them laughing, and even Chang smiled and chuckled.

Joel giggled a bit as well, "Well, yeah. Four of the G-Cats are my guards. I should also smell of Sehlat."

"What's a Sehlat?" Accalia, the youngest She-Wolf, asked.

"HUFF! Huffhufffhuuuufffff! Huff huff huff!" I-Cheya 'said' as he suddenly sniffed at Accalia's tail. "HUFF!"

"HOLY SHIT!" she screamed as she jumped back, looking at the giant bear like Sehlat. "WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT THING?!?!" she asked.

At about the same time one of the others asked, "Does it eat us, or do we eat it. Damn, he looks tasty too!"

I eat all two legs. Unless friends. If friends, I wash

"It SPEAKS too??" Accalia said as she backed away behind Okhmhaka. "You go first. Boys first!"

"Who changed the rules when I wasn't looking?!" Okhmhaka protested. Then he yelped as I-Cheya scooped him up with one immensely strong paw... and started washing him, after somehow removing his armour.

"He's... not 100% Sehlat," Joel giggled. "But he's right - he is on the top of the food chain on Vulcan."

I-Cheya sent as he was washing a wriggling Okhmhaka, Hush. Me clean Puppy-boy. He smell of blood and battle. Stinky. Stay still, Puppy-boy

In between giggles of laugher, Okhmhaka could be heard swearing... "Don't....*giggle*... call me a ...*Giggle* PUPPY!"

Joel smiled as this continued, but he looked around at the now amused faces of the other seven wolves, "There is something else you should know - just so that it don't shock you. My past, before I was found, is not good. I was tortured and a slave all my life. I already expect to find some bad stuff in your heads too, but I didn't want you to be caught unaware by mine. So, if you wanna - who wants to go first? Then, you can have a bath. I-Cheya is good with baths. He can take away some of your hurt at losing your loved ones," he added softly.

The wolf boys were suddenly serious again, all except Okhmhaka who was still being 'showered'. Finally though, Bardolf stepped towards Joel. "Since I am now the eldest male, I will go first."

"Logical," Joel said seriously as he went towards the large wolf. He climbed into the surprised boy's arms and placed his left arm around the back of Bardolf's neck. He rested his fingertips of his right hand on those points needed on the wolf-boy's face, "Remain calm. My mind to your mind..."

Chang shot a look at Korris, and both sighed. They knew what else Joel would find in the minds of all eight of the PACK: the Hell that had been unleashed that previous night... and the reasons why Joel had seen both of them cut up like pieces of meat.

Less than three minutes later, a sob escaped Joel's mouth as the meld ended. He tucked his head down so that it was more or less under Bardolf's long muzzle-chin, and bawled like a baby.

Bardolf, for his part, no longer had the look in his eyes when he had first beheld the crying Vulcan child come up to them. He now knew just how strong Joel had been in his short life; and while that strength was now gone, his bravery was still there. He comforted Joel as best he was able, as the boy sobbed himself out into his chest. He settled down onto the ground and held Joel tightly to himself as he started to nuzzle the Vulcan's face. All the while, he was whimpering to Joel; explaining in a low tone. Comforting.

After a long while, Joel's tears stopped and he looked up into the wolf-boy's brown eyes. His own were filled with horror, but Bardolf's radiated calm, and affection for the frail little alien on his lap. "You're so brave. Your big brother and sister would be so proud of you, Bardy..." Joel whispered for Bardolf alone. Then, he kissed the wolf-boy's nose, tickled him behind both ears for a bit before scrambling up and running right at Chang.

As soon as Chang's arms closed around him, and Korris had come behind him to sandwich him between the two of them, Joel started crying again. This time, due to whatever Bardolf had said to him, the tears were not as bad. "You... you are the best, the bravest..." he managed between sobs. "I love you... you two. But... if you e...ever do that again, I n...neck pinch you out forever!"

After cuddling with both the larger boys for a while longer, Joel went up to the eldest she-wolf. "Ayame, are you ready?"

Mutely, Ayame nodded.

It really didn't take too long to do the same for her and the other six as he had done for Bardolf. At the end, all of them had looks of respect and wonder on their faces... and each took I-Cheya up on the offer of a bath. Okhmhaka, in fact, had a second. And a third.

"I think they'll be a while," Joel said from Korris' shoulders as the Klingon and Chang made their way back to Kevin and Joel's room.

Korris chuckled, "Yeah, seems like it."

When they arrived, Joel gave them one last hug and a kiss each, before going into his apartment style room. Inside, Hermes and Mercury were being washed by Aphrodite and Artemus. All four looked up at him as he came closer and wrinkled their noses.

"You smell of dog! Get in the bath with Kevvy, THEN you can join us for a cat bath... you stink!" Mercury giggled.

Joel just laughed, threw off his clothes, and ran into the en-suite to join his husband.

---

"Adam?" Jason said as he came up to the Unit Commander a few days into the Basic Training. The VSO teams had separated slightly from the Unit ones due to the fundamental differences between them in regards to Training, and Jason had had to smile at the fact that over one hundred of the rescued kids from Camp Bam Bam had elected to become VSO. After having scanned them, Jason agreed. He thought he'd even manage to get over 70 of them as Black, so determined were they - but that would have to wait until they left. Only by the Trail of Fire on Vulcan could any VSO member ascend to the Black.

"Yes, Jace?" Adam asked as he turned to look down at the shorter boy.

"What are you doing?"

"Putting this group through SHIT," Adam replied, looking lost. "Didn't you do something the same on Vulcan? You were only there for, what - three months?"

"Two of training," Jason answered, "one of recovery. Yes, you told me, and yes, for humans this will work. Why's Joel going though this, though?"

Adam turned to look at Kevin and Joel. It had been three days of hard work, long hours, sweat, tears and little sleep. Kevin was looking much as expected. Joel... not so. In fact, in the middle of the assault course Chang was forcing the ten boy team to go through, Joel caught Adam's eyes and waved brightly. "Uh... well, he needs to be worn down, then made to learn to think while worn out. What training did you do if not this?" he asked, looking back down at the amused Jason.

"Vulcan training," Jason grinned, "and some of this is involved, but not to this extent. They have a more... advanced way, let us say. They did adapt it for me and my family, of course, as we'd not manage full Vulcan style. It has the same result, though. Adam, seriously, you're wasting your time here with Joel. Let me do the basic with him with my VSO lot. You're going to wear out faster than he will."

Adam blinked. "I don't think he'd keep up with me, Jace," he replied seriously. "And he said he wanted to do it my way when I asked."

Jason shrugged, "Okay. Don't blame me when he's still going and you're asleep." Then, giggling, the brown haired Patriarch wandered off towards the VSO area.

"I don't think so," Adam said with determination. Then he looked back at the fresh faced Joel, and his brow furrowed. "I think I'll do this personally. Hey, Chang? Pull Joel out of the course, bro. I'll take over!"

---

"Jason!" Adam called out a few days later as he walked up to the Commander of the Dragon Division, a cheerful Joel skipping along beside him in the early morning air. "Jason, we need to talk!"

"It didn't work, I take it?" Jason replied as he got up from doing his push-ups.

"In a word, NO!" Adam retorted with disgust. "He gets tired, alright, but he never gets to the point I want him to get to! He was even SLEEPING WHILE ON A MIDNIGHT-FUCKING-HIKE! He had his god-damned eyes OPEN, but was fucking SNORING! What the HELL!"

Joel smiled sweetly up at Adam before running over to Riti for a cuddle.

"I want answers... and you can stop smiling, Jace," Adam huffed with injured pride. "I've never had my training so... so..."

"Ignored?" Jason supplied helpfully, but the look he received made him wipe his face clear of smiles fast. "Okay, bro. I can see your a little bit upset. Come over here and I'll explain."

Adam sat down at one of the meal tables that was just outside the Division's canteen area, and waited while Jason went to fetch two mugs of coffee.

"Here, drink this," Jason offered as he placed one of the mugs down next to his friend. "Okay. Vulcans have a weird mind, bro. They think on multiple levels all at once. You and me - all N-Gens - we do as well, but in a different way. We make an image of ourselves and set it in a room to go over a problem without our direct attention. Then, once the image has done what we want, it comes back out and then we know the result. Right?"

"Yeah, you said this, and it does work... kinda," Adam admitted with a small smile.

"You need to practice it more, is all," Jason answered, patting Adam's forearm lightly before sipping at his coffee. "Well, Vulcans use all of their attention on multiple things at once. I don't mean splitting it 33%, 33%, 33% over three things, but 100% on three things. Or four... or more. Depends on the mind. Joel, if he's anything like his dad, is likely more. Which has an interesting side effect. They can keep their concentration even when tired."

"You mean I can't make him think when exhausted?" Adam asked.

"No. He'll keep on going til he drops dead, bro. His brain doesn't work like a human's. Also, you've been feeding him, right?"

"Field rations, same as the rest," Adam answered. "More for him and Kevin since they have to have those energy drinks. I can't have them getting ill."

"A Vulcan can go without food for weeks. Without water for three days before they even begin to feel thirsty. They can go without sleep for nearly four days. Joel won't be as able to do any of that yet, of course, but by just feeding him the field rations, his body will adapt to use it as efficiently as possible. He will be a jumping bean from daybreak to sundown. Sure, he'll get tired. I've seen him flop into bed and be asleep a second later. But his mind will never switch off the way you're hoping. If forced, he'd push himself beyond most - maybe even you. It's nothing to do with your genetic enhancements or their lack in his case. He's just - Alien."

"So what training can I give him?" Adam asked as he turned to watch Joel roll around on the grass with Victoria, Riti and their child Asher.

"Whatever you like, just don't expect him to 'pass' your SHIT week. It won't work. Like I said, I can put him through the VSO version of it, and the result will be the same. Then I can send him back to you... although he did tell me yesterday he wants to learn everything his mother did. She was VSO too," Jason said uneasily.

"What's wrong?" Adam asked as he caught the tone in Jason's voice.

Jason sighed, "I think he wants to be Black VSO. Poppa will never allow it."

"About that," Adam said, "I've thought about what you told me and Logan after we swore the promise. Do you really think the Chipmunks can pass it?"

"They have a 95.34 percent chance of doing so, yes," Jason answered softly.

Adam nodded to himself, "Then I'll leave it up to them if they want it. As for Joel - how long to run him through your Basic Training?"

Jason smiled, "With what you've done already, only 24 hours. Just tell Kevin that he cannot have his favourite 'po-go' stick to play with tonight. Joel's going to be too busy."

"Hey!" Joel retorted from where he was still playing with Victoria and the others. "It was my turn to play with his!"

"Tough!" Jason and Adam retorted before breaking down in laughter.

---

A few days later:

Basic training for everyone was now over, and what had come to be called 'Classes' had started - the kids were picking which of a number of different courses interested them. Some went on to do more than expected, but everyone seemed to be looking forward to learning some form of Martial Arts.

Even I-Cheya.

Joel and Kevin were no exception, but on their way to Chang's first lesson, Galli came up to them.

"Hey, good morning, guys," he giggled brightly.

Joel simply pulled him into a hug while Kevin giggled back, "Mornin'!"

"Oh, been picking up Joel's accent, Kev?" the little Doctor grinned as he teased.

"Too right, gov'ner!" Kevin giggled again.

"Heaven help us," Joel sighed as he released Galli from the hug. "You coming to learn with us, Galli?"

"Nope. Nothing new there for me, and I don't need to practice or learn this stuff anyway. I need to talk to you. The both of you. There's something we need to do, and something Kevin needs to get."

"No kisses!" Joel giggled, wagging his finger under Galli's nose. "Only I gets to kiss 'im - do you hear me, Mr Horny Time Lord?"

"I wasn't going to! Jeez!" Galli giggled as he poked his tongue out at his Vulcan brother. "No matter HOW cute I think he is!"

Kevin bulshed.

Galli slung his arms over both boys' shoulders and walked between them towards a door that had appeared, "Come on, kiddos. Oh, can you call your two rampaging Spirit Guards, Jo'?"

Joel giggled and nodded as his eyes went slightly unfocused. As they got to the door, I-Cheya ran up with Blackie balanced on his back, and all three boys fell over laughing and clutching at their ribs.

What? I-Cheya sent in a classic 'Timmy-pout'.

The large Sehlat cub was dressed in a kun-fu gi...

"Now I've seen everything! I can die happy!" the little Time Lord chortled as he rolled about on the ground.

Chang-Boy gave me. I like! Stop laughing!... Does butt look big? the large bear asked as he turned around and wagged his tail; which was sticking out of the pants of the gi.

"Uh huh, no more eating bad people for a few days," Kevin giggled as he managed to stand up.

Once Joel had finally stopped laughing, the Doctor picked him up and stood him to his feet. Then Galli called out, "LEVI! Can you join us?"

"Yup!" the tiny boy giggled as he popped in onto Joel's shoulders. He was in his three year old size and was now holding onto Joel by having the palms of his hands against the Vulcan's forehead. "What's up?"

"A Friend wants to see us," the Doctor smiled as the door they were standing before opened. "Come on."

They stepped through and into another place altogether. The wind blowing was cool, dry and, in a way, dead. Kevin shivered, even under the weak light of a pale sun in the heavens. The city that stretched out as far as the eye could see in all directions was crumbling into ruin, but there was a light coming from behind them.

"Where is this place, Galli?" Kevin trembled.

//Welcome to Forever//

Kevin spun around and his jaw dropped open. "Wha...?!"

"That's the Guardian," Joel said. He then did a double take and pointed, "Look! Look there! That's where Mikey cuddled me when he rescued me! There's even a bit of scrambled eggs that I'd dropped when eating!"

True enough, there was a disturbance in the dust by a still solid wall that looked like a larger person had sat there, with a far smaller one in front of him. Kevin giggled, "Your naked bum left an imprint, Sa'r!"

"Oh, hush!" Joel giggled as he blushed.

//Nothing changes here unless I wish it//

Joel smiled as Levi jumped down from his shoulders and as I-Cheya huffed as he nuzzled Joel's neck. "Why are we here, Guardian?" the little Vulcan giggled as he tickled I-Cheya under the chin, causing the Sehlat to wag his tail.

//Knowledge and gifts//

Kevin looked confused, "Huh?"

///Call Me, and I hear. Summon Me, and I come. Living I be, and a Shield Forever... Call My Name...///

"What was that?" Kevin asked, his face growing more and more confused.

Joel looked thoughtfully around himself, then a light seemed to appear in his eyes. "It sounded like the Guardian and like the Sword of Sa'ren, but different. Is it...?"

//Summon the Armour, Sa'ren of Vulcan//

Joel was about to ask how, but then he thought about the Sa'ren Sword. He said firmly, "Shal vutau Fo-wein Sa'ren."

Between them and the Guardian, the air turned liquid and a humanoid shape appeared. It resolved quickly into Joel's Armour, and it somehow seemed to keep it's shape as if being worn. He was about to walk to it when the Armour spun around and opened up. It flew at the surprised and shocked Vulcan and seemed to snap and click into place over him - and as always, it fitted exactly.

///Greetings, Blade of Surak///

"Uhhhh... thanks?" Joel trembled, his voice echoing out from the helm he had. The nose guard came down to his top lip, and the cheek guards both came in close to it. To Kevin, it seemed like the space was in an intricate Y shape. "I... Guardian, how come that the Armour and the Sword speak?"

//First, Summon the Sword// the Guardian answered as it pulsed with It's inner light before them. //Also, you have no need to say 'I summon' nor 'I call', Sa'ren. Just call the Name//

"Uh, but what if I'm telling someone my name? Won't the Sword just appear?" the little Vulcan asked curiously.

//No. You need to focus on what you want to do or to have happen. It requires directness of thought. The Armour and the Sword will know when you are calling for them or not//

Joel shrugged within his Armour. "Sa'ren!" he called out, and in front of him, through that same liquid effect, the Sword of Surak appeared - and just hovered there. It was still shattered, yet the pieces floated in place.

/Greetings, Blade of Surak/

Kevin moved a bit closer to look and saw the gaps between the segments. "Wow!"

Joel closed his right hand around the hilt, and the Sword stopped floating. Considering It's size and composition, it was shocking that Joel's arm barely registered the weight.

It was not lost on Joel himself. He asked, "Why's it not heavy?"

//It carries the weight of Itself for you. If you notice, so too does your Armour//

Galli was impressed. "What was the mineral you added to that mix all those millennia ago, Old Friend?"

//Myself//

Levi giggled and reached to tickle the side of Joel's armoured chest. "Does this tickle, Friend?"

//No, Levi. I cannot feel in the way you suggest. What I gave to the making of the Sword and the Armour added sentience - and power. What came from Earth added life. Vitaferrum is contained within both, and it is a living metal. The Sword and the Armour are alive and both are dependant yet independent of me. And the same applies for their relationship to Sa'ren himself//

"Why, though? What's the reason for them?" Kevin, Galli and Joel asked together. Levi just looked politely puzzled.

//For Destiny//

"As your answers usually go, that was fairly clear and concise," the Doctor said dryly.

"Really? It made sod all sense to me, Galli!" Joel giggled.

//Thank you//

"It wasn't a compliment, Guardian!" Joel giggled more. Then, "So, you wanted me to know that the Armour will come to me like the Sword does?"

//Partly. You need to remove the Armour's Chest-piece//

Joel shrugged and, with Levi's and Kevin's help, he removed the sectioned one-piece chest armour. Joel placed his helm down as well, the crown around the top glinting in the weak light of Forever World's sun. "What am I... oh, I see something... symbols... like on the Sword," Joel murmured as he looked at the inside of the chest-piece. "How can I understand it? I couldn't on the Sword..."

//You were looking at a replica of the Sa'ren, Sa'ren. You have worn the Armour for over four hours already; at the funeral. You have already gained much imparted knowledge from it without even knowing//

"What's it say, Sa'r?" Kevin asked, as he traced his fingers over the engraved Vulcan symbols.

"'For Hope, Keep Me; By Faith, Wear Me; With Knowledge, Use Me; In Love, Sacrifice Me'," Joel recited, "and there's more underneath. 'Time, Space and Matter mean naught to It which commands us. Sword and Shield - Alive in the Hand of Forever.'"

The little Vulcan looked up at the Guardian, "What's that mean?"

//It is for you to discover, my Sa'ren. You and you alone will unlock the potential within both of them, and from within yourself. You are Shaper of the One; the Hand of the Guardian; the Beloved of Earth; the Lover of the Strength. You shall find the answers... in Time. My Voice, Levi, shall be there with you when you do... Now, it is time for others to receive their gifts//

The Doctor giggled and sat down, "This'll be fun!"

//My Voice. My Avatar. My Levi. Step through me, and receive one of your Birthrights!// Forever Commanded.

"Ummmm.... okay, I guess. What is gonna happen?" Levi asked, an edge of worry in his voice.

//Step through me// was the only response the small child received.

Joel whispered to Levi, "Trust acts on Love, Lil'Mouse. If you love him, trust him. I do."

"Okay, Uncle Joel," Levi responded as he headed towards the Guardian. He paused for a moment before the squashed seeming circle that was filled with Mist and Images from... everywhen and everywhere... then stepped through.

As he came back around from the other side, they saw that his clothes had vanished. "Ummm... why's he naked?" Joel asked.

"He was practising his illusion. He's been naked all morning," the Doctor giggled. "Don't blush, Leev! It's not like I'd NOT have noticed, is it?"

Levi giggled, then looked down at what was now about his neck. A beautiful pendant hug by an intricate, deep golden chain. On one side of the pendant was the symbol of the Mikyvis, backed by the Clan Short Crest. On the other, an intricate design, with a deep purple gem at the centre.

//You are Bound to Forever, my Voice, by a Link that can never be removed//

"I shouldn't take the necklace off?" Levi asked as he held the pendant between his fingers.

//You are unable to remove it. Only your death would loosen the bond. You are sealed to me now. What the pendant will impart is for you to discover//

Levi looked up and giggled, "That's gonna be a long time - I'm not planning on dying!"

"You can't tell him anything about it now, Guardian?" Galli asked as he grinned at the small boy.

//One thing. Say 'Shield' and concentrate on the pendant, Voice...//

Levi shrugged and said, "Shield."

The air turned liquid around the pendant, which Levi quickly let go of. The effect spread out to cover the small Mikyvis completely. When it vanished, Levi was in a type of armoured suit that had echoes of the one Joel was wearing - even to the point of having a circlet around the helm. The colours were that of the Mikyvis High Council, and the design at the centre had the same intricate design from the back of the pendant superimposed over a whole looking Sa'ren Sword.

//The day will come when this will save the life of your beloved father; when those who are Banished Return... In that day, you must Shield the Prince of the Children of Forever - your father, Kyle//

"Cool! I'm just like Uncle Joel now!" Levi bubbled. Then it sunk in about Kyle. "What's gonna happen to Daddy?! Who are the Banished?! I... I WON'T let ANYTHING happen to my Daddy!!!" he said, his voice growing angry.

//Beware, and keep watch. Time will tell the rest. Now, Strength of my Sa'ren. Step through me//

Kevin gulped and did as instructed, with only the slightest of hesitation. From behind the Guardian, they heard an echoing giggle, "Wow! Woooow!" Kevin walked back around the Guardian - and was in a suit of armour identical in all but one way to Joel's - the Sa'ren symbol on Kevin's chest was broken, whereas the one of the Fo-wein Sa'ren was whole. Kevin's right hand flew then to his left arm, to where his phasenmorph was. "Won't this squash BFG?" he asked nervously.

//As with the Fo-wein Sa'ren, the armour is shaped to allow freedom for a phasenmorph. Also, the Vitaferrum in the armour will act as a reserve for your 'BFG's' power supply//

"Oh. Okay, as long as he's not gonna be hurt," Kevin said, and they could just see his lips form a smile inside the helm.

Joel, however, was looking at his own left forearm. "There's a difference in the shape here, alright - but why? I can't bond with a phasenmorph - can I?"

//Wait and see, my Sa'ren//

Levi was patting his armour randomly. "How do I tell it to go away?" he asked, looking up at Joel.

Joel shrugged. "I dunno. Maybe tell it to return, or something?" he answered, before trying it himself. He looked at the Sword, and concentrated on both it and the Armour he was wearing, "Return."

The Sword seemed to melt into the air, and the Armour came away in it's entirety from his body and also vanished.

/Farewell/

///Farewell///

Levi giggled and also said, "Return."

This, of course, left him naked again.

Kevin tried saying the same, but nothing happened. "No fair," he pouted.

//You need to wear it for a longer period of time so that it can bond with you, Strength//

"Oooh. Okay," the little brown haired boy grinned as he unfastened and took off the helm he was wearing.

Levi was looking at Joel, and studying the Vulcan's tee-shirt and shorts. "Clothes," Levi giggled, and duplicate items seemed to melt out from the pendant around his neck. They were almost identical to Joel's, but the cut of the clothing seemed, if anything, Vulcan. The little Mikyvis even had Vulcan style sandals on.

Joel grinned at him, and received a look of unadulterated adoration and hero worship in return.

Kevin noticed and smiled. He sent down his link to Joel, 'I think he has a crush on you.'

'Gee, you think? What should I do, Kevvy?'

'Nothing,' Kevin replied as he came up behind Levi and cuddled him against his chest. 'You love Cory and Sean. If he loves you like that, then it's a good thing. He'll find his own special person in time. Til then, if he's idolizing you, then he has a great hero to look up to - but my opinion is biased.'

//Guardian Spirit Black Feet of Earth. Step through me//

The boys turned to see the little wolf pup bounce around in a circle a few times before running full tilt at the Guardian. Once he came back around from behind the doughnut shape of Forever, they all saw he was covered in silvery armour - and seemed full grown.

*Bark**Howl**Pant*

Me Big! Me Strong! Me filled with A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

//Your size can be altered, but only in times of need. You will normally remain at your current size for your age when in the armour. When in need, however, you can become as your Father, Cynoeswr - a Power to be reckoned with. Guardian Spirit I-Cheya of Vulcan. Step through me//

Soon... soon all see! Great I-Cheya the Magnificent! huffed the Sehlat cub as he charged at the portal before them.

From behind, once he had disappeared through the mists, came a deep throated, bellowing and resonating roar. Kevin nearly wet himself, so loud was it.

Sedately, slowly and with great poise, the now massive form of I-Cheya came back from around the Guardian. Like Blackie, he was covered in silvery armour, and full grown.

He had been big as a cub. Now, he was just humongous! None of the boys had seen a Sehlat like this before; apart from T'Kahr, I-Cheya's father. He made his mother, I-Metri, look small. He was wild and huge... and, amazingly, smiling in his Sehlat way at them all.

*ROAAAAR* *Huffhuff* *ROOOOAAAAR!!!!*

I LIKE! Me look WELL COOL!

Kevin yelped then as Blackie nosed his way under the still armoured boy. So big was he now that Kevin could easily ride him. "Wicked!" Kevin giggled as his armour seemed to click and bond slightly with Blackie's. "This is better than a car!"

I-Cheya huffed and shrunk down to his normal cub size, the armour shrinking with him. Joel ran up to him and kissed his face where the armour wasn't covering it. "I love you, 'Cheya! Oh wow! Your fur! It's silver now!"

*HUFF*

The Doctor whistled, "He's taken after his father, alright!"

Kevin climbed off Blackie's back and watched as the wolf became a pup again. He picked up the still armoured ball of energy and giggled. "How do they take the armour off?"

//They do not. It will melt into them and appear when needed by them// the Guardian answered.

"Cool," the Doctor said as he watched both creatures' armour melt away. It did seem like it 'melted' into their bodies. "Most amazing."

//Hand of Forever - My Sa'ren. As you were when you came into this world, so too must you be to step through me. You are as my Voice, Levi; and you must become as my Voice. Remove your garments, and come to me//

"Okay," Joel bubbled.

Kevin ran over quickly and plopped Blackie onto I-Cheya's back before 'helping' Joel out of his clothes.

"I wasn't exactly like that when I went through," blushed Levi as he tried to not look at what Kevin had caused to happen to Joel.

Both Joel and Kevin, however, saw that every time Levi pulled his eyes away they seemed to drift back to look at Joel's 'grown problem'. "It's okay, Leev," Joel said as he came over to kneel down before the embarrassed Mikyvis. He opened his arms and Levi melted into them. "I don't mind you looking. It's normal."

"But you're Uncle Kevin's. I shouldn't," Levi whispered softly.

"Joel looks at Sammy, Sean and Cory sometimes, Leev," Kevin said softly. "I look at Uncle Chip funny at times. And at Gabe too... he's cute. It's normal."

Levi whimpered, "'Kay. As long as I'm not being bad."

//You cannot 'be bad'. It is impossible if you do not will it to be//

Joel lifted Levi's face and kissed his cute little nose before getting up and walking through the Guardian, leaving Levi to be cuddled by Kevin. When he came back around from the other side, he too had a pendant around his neck. It was identical to Levi's in every way - including the symbol of the Mikyvis.

"Hey, we're twins!" the still slightly blushing Levi giggled from Kevin's arms.

Joel grinned before looking back down at the pendant. "Why the Mikyvis Crest?"

//Only time will tell if you fulfil the Hope. Your pendant will act in another way for you than for my Voice's. It will reveal what it can do in the fullness of time. It too can never be removed. Strength of my Sa'ren. Remove your armour and your garments and step through me once more//

Joel giggled and ran over to his husband, and, together with Levi, quickly stripped him. Blushing, Kevin stepped once more through the Guardian. When he came back around, he also had one of the pendants on. "Triplets?" he giggled at Levi.

"Uh huh!" the giggling cherub nodded back.

//The same now applies to you, Strength. You shall learn to use your pendant in Time, and it can not be removed before your death. Now, you must all return to the Tardis. Be thou blessed, my Children//

Then, suddenly and without further warning, they all vanished.

Alone again on his World, the Guardian pulsed to Itself.

//... only Time will now Tell...//

---

It had been four months since everyone had entered the Tardis, and training was going well. Joel thought that he'd never have as much fun learning stuff this way again.

It was night, however, and as per Adam Casey's rules, everyone should have been in bed sleeping.

Not Joel, though. He couldn't sleep. Something, somewhere, was wrong. The pendant around his neck felt hot as if it was telling him of a problem. And so he was wandering the Camp looking for the source of that 'feeling'. He made his way through each and every barracks, through the mess halls and training halls. He even ran into Adam, and it was only because Adam now knew that Vulcans could get by on less sleep than a rock, did he allow Joel to continue his search.

In the end, the only place left unchecked was the Hangar. Joel silently slipped through the normal doorway and started checking the area. Before he was half way through the huge building, he heard crying. Soft sobs, and they were coming from the direction of the Doctor's Mech.

Joel padded over and peeked around the massive foot to see Juan sitting there like a lost little lamb.

Juan started and jumped to his feet, "Who's there? Nothing happening here. Go to bed, you're not allowed to be.... be... Joel?"

Joel came out of the shadowed area by the Mech's foot and walked towards the larger boy, who was clutching his Rambo bear tight to his chest. "Yeah, it's me, Juan. Wazzah matter?"

Juan burst back into his tears again. He had no need to hide and pretend around Joel. Joel already knew everything about him from having had two melds with him. So, he cried. Joel came up to him and hugged him as he slipped to the floor again.

"What's the matter?" Joel asked for a second time as he curled up on the larger boy's lap, with his chest against Juan's and Rambo squashed between them.

Juan's lip trembled for a moment before the Klingon-like boy blurted out, "Koth!"

Joel kissed his cheek. "You had an argument?"

"No..."

"Then, what?"

"I wanna... wanna... wanna be close to him. To show him I love him... to be loved... to be..."

"Intimate?"

"Yeah," Juan blushed even while crying. "I can't, though... you know why. I just..."

"It's been half a day since I helped you, Juan. You can't expect to be healed after so short a time," Joel whispered, "Koth's had nearly two years with good people to help him recover. You've always kept it to yourself til our first meld. It'll take time, but you'll heal, big bro!"

"It's been four MONTHS, Jo'! That should make things a LITTLE better... shouldn't it?" Juan pleaded.

Joel shook his head seriously. "No, it's been a few seconds. Remember what the Doctor said - in here, we have all the time of Forever, but really - emotionally - only a few minutes will pass for us. We can't heal in that time, Juan. I can't change the bad things in me either. We need to be out there - in the real world - to heal."

Juan buried his face in Joel's neck and cried more, before whimpering, "But I love him so much, and I wanna show him..."

"Why don't we go see him right now?"

"NO! I can't let him think I'm this weak! I can't... can't... cry like... like this in..."

Joel interrupted him. "Do you think he don't already know, Juan? He's linked to you - you're both N-Gen, ain't you?"

Juan just cried in frustration and shame.

"Yes, we are," Koth said from the other side of the Mech's foot. He came around and cuddled up close against the unsurprised Joel and the shocked Juan. "You cry if you need to, Qu'raki. I'll never think you're weak. I know you. I love you. I'm okay to wait too. Don't worry about my love, Juan."

Juan whimpered, "B..but I wanna show you I l...love you and I can't a...and it's b...breaking my heart up, Teddy Bear..."

Joel thought about their situation hard while Koth whispered comfort to Juan. Then he had an idea. "Juan... what do you fear?" he asked, knowing the answer.

"Being raped again... s'why I don't let Koth n...near my butt with his... ummm..." Juan trembled.

Joel nodded and kissed him softly. "But could you make love to Koth instead?"

Koth blushed as Juan's tears seemed to stop. "Well... I, uh... maybe... I dunno, Joel."

Joel felt Koth's growing nervousness and so sent out his thoughts briefly down his bond link, waking Kevin. Then he slowly got up and took both Klingons' hands and tugged them to their feet. "Follow me," he smiled.

Juan and Koth exchanged a look and shrugged, then let the frail little Vulcan lead them out of the hangar bay.

They worked out where they were being led to quite soon. Their own personal apartment. Inside, looking very grouchy, was Kevin; and seated on the bed looking even more grouchy was Korris. Standing by the fridge drinking a Jolt Cola was Juan's brother, Adam.

"Can I go back to bed now, Sa'ren?" Kevin asked, his voice very put out.

"If you wanna. Or you can stay and help me help these two," Joel giggled.

Kevin blew his husband a raspberry, "No, s'okay. I trust you, and you know..."

"Yeah. Was only kidding, Kev. Seeya in a bit... for a bit!"

Kevin blushed and legged it from the room before the others could break ribs laughing at him.

"What's going on, imp?" Korris nearly snarled at the grinning Vulcan. He didn't like being pulled from Chang... quite literally, it turned out, for he had been making sweet passionate love to his beloved when Kevin had barged into their room.

Joel pushed Juan and Koth over to the bed gently as he said, "These two wanna go all the way, but Juan is scared, and I think Koth is a bit as well. They need their big brothers. You and Adam. Will you help?"

Korris' grouchiness disappeared when he saw the cute yet nervous expression flood over his little brother's face. Adam nearly choked on his cola as he spun from the fridge to look at an embarrassed yet very nervous Juan.

Korris smiled, "Since it's that, then yes. I'll help. What do you need us to do?"

Joel blushed a bit before explaining, "Juan really can't be 'bottom', for obvious reasons." Adam nodded with understanding, and Korris looked with compassion at the blushing boy. "But he thinks he might be able to be 'top'. Koth has had more time to deal with his issues, but he's still a little nervous. Will you both stay here and just... approve?"

Adam blushed a little and asked, "While they're... making love?"

"Yeah," Joel blushed too. "You know, sit on either side of them and... I dunno, hold their hand or touch their shoulders or something? They're N-Gen, so they'll feel your support more that way... unless it's too embarrassing for any of you... it's just a thought. When Kev and I first wanked each other, we were so scared. But Cory and Sean were holding us tight when we were doing it, and they made our fear go 'way. Could you do that for them?" he asked, as he squeezed both Koth's and Juan's hands gently.

Juan sniffed, trying to hold back his tears, but it was hopeless. He wailed, "Pleeeeeasssse, Adam. I really love him, but I'm sooooo scared! I'm just so scared, and I don't wanna be scared no more... please? Please?"

"You know little guy," Adam said as he came over and sat down next to his little brother, "I was really scared the first time myself."

"You were?" Juan asked softly.

"Yeah, see I know a little bit of what your going through, and maybe it would help if I explained it a bit for everyone else. See when I got out of the Lab, I had all the mental knowledge of what to do with sex, but it was all clinical, text book shit. It wasn't anything with feeling or anything like that. No one really knows this, but Logan's and my first time actually having sex was only about a month ago."

Adam let that sink in, and Juan just didn't know what to say, he had thought that Adam and Logan would have been 'fucking like bunnies' since they first met. "See Juan, I didn't know what to do, and I was scared I would do it wrong. Logan was almost the same way. The first time is always scary."

"But... but it's not my first..." Juan tried say, but started to cry again.

"YES IT IS!" Adam said emphatically. "The other times were not by your choice, THIS WILL BE your first time. And this time... you have us to be with you. If you want, I will hold your hand the entire time."

Juan looked up into Adam's eyes and saw nothing but his older brother's love there. Juan nodded and bit his lip, not trusting himself to talk.

Korris, meanwhile, was talking with Koth.

"Not very Klingon, am I?" Koth sobbed softly into his big brother's shoulders.

"Yes you are," Korris said firmly while he rubbed his brother's back. "You're like Mother was. She had a heart that was bigger than Homeworld. It isn't cowardly to feel afraid, Koth-boy. It is if you run from your fears and don't do what's right. You love Juan, and he loves you. If you want to make love, then that is the right thing. You must face your fears and do it anyway. But you don't have to fight alone. I'm here. I swore to you when we were really little that every battle you are in, then I'm in. You need me. I'm here."

"Thank you... how did you get over it with Chang?" Koth whispered back.

"I haven't, yet. I can make love to him, but that's because Chang has already talked things over a lot with Janet. I still haven't let anyone in to help me, just like Juan hasn't. I can't let him make love to me, yet... but I am able to make love to him. Once we're out of this Timeless place, I'll start healing more again."

Koth cuddled in tight. "I love you, Kor. You're the best brother anyone could ever have. Thank you."

Joel smiled at them and turned to the door to leave, but he felt two hands take his. He looked and found both Juan and Koth holding them. "Please stay," Juan whispered.

"You'll help like they will, bro," Koth added, also in a whisper.

Joel bit his lip as he fought his own tears at the trust he saw in both their eyes. "Okay. I'll help. I'll pull some of the fear outta you both... but I won't touch the other feelings. Those good ones you'll need."

Juan smiled his thanks nervously, then turned towards the bathroom. "You had your first time in a shower, right, Joel?"

Joel giggled, "Yeah... you've a good memory for Mind Melds."

Adam grinned, "So do I. You're first cum was rather cute and loud, you know!"

Korris snorted his laughter as Joel's face went so green a blade of grass would have been ashamed!

"Anyway!" Joel stuttered, changing the subject slightly, "you wanna do this in there?"

"No. We just wanna be comforted by having you guys shower us," Koth whispered shyly.

Adam started to remove his clothes and grinned at Korris, "Sounds like a good way to start."

"Agreed," Korris grinned as well.

---

It was about 45 minutes later when Korris, Joel and Adam stepped out of Juan and Koth's apartment. Joel and Adam were slipping back into their clothes, but Korris had been pulled from his 'bed' in his skin. "Are you sure they won't need us now, Joel?" Korris asked as he tried and failed to hide his erection.

Joel giggled as he adjusted himself, "No. I felt their fears fall away ten minutes ago. They didn't even notice us leave! Now, I'm going to wake up Kevvy again... he needs to help me with... something! Watching those two got me all worked up!"

Korris glanced down at Joel's tented pants, and grinned. "Same here... Chang is still awake... I'm going to have to talk very fast to get him to calm down!"

Adam didn't say a word as both boys wandered off in the direction of their respective apartments. Instead, he turned and headed for his own... the lump in his combat pants leading the way, and he was whistling tunelessly. Once he opened the door and looked at the bed where Logan was sleeping, he grinned.

"I'm gonna get me some tonight..." he sang softly as he slipped his clothes back off, then crept into the bed. "Oh, Loooogaaaan... sweety, I want to, uhhh... 'talk' to you..."

Outside, on the roof of the apartment complex, Jay and the Doctor were sharing a large cookie and sipping some hot chocolate. They giggled when Logan's surprised exclamation reached their ears.

---

'2 Years' Later:

"Why though, Jace?" Joel asked plaintively. "Don't you think I'll make it through the Trial?"

Jason pulled the boy closer and hugged him, "Joel. You know what the Trial involves. You're not allowed to take it if you know what it involves. I'm sorry. And I'm sure you've been told by your mother that Heirs of Houses never become Black VSO."

Joel wept softly, "But my Mother says... says I've already lived a real Trial of Fire, Jace... I never told anyone I was gay. No-one ever suspected. If they had, if I'd slipped up, I'd have been killed!"

Jason thought about that for a long moment. Then, "I can't promise, bro, but I'll talk to Sellik about it, and once we leave here, I'll contact VSO Command. It's up to them, not me - and up to our grandfather. You'll likely get a visit from a Kolinahr Master to make the final decision."

"Okay, Jace," Joel whispered back as he wiped his eyes. Then he smiled softly up into his brother's face, "Adam said I'm a Captain in the Unit, now."

"That's a Captain twice over, bro!" Jason grinned as he gave Joel an extra special squeeze.

"Yeah. I think it's honorary, more than anything. I'll never lead anyone into battle, but I still earned it. My master always called me worthless, but I earned becoming an army captain!" Joel grinned back, pride lighting up his face.

From around the corner where he and Chang had been listening, Adam Casey had to wipe tears from his eyes and choke back a sob of joy at the sight of his little Vulcan brother gaining some self-worth.

Chang smiled and simply hugged Adam tightly. "He is right. He will never see battle if we can help it - but that does not mean he could not. You have done well, brother!"

"So have you, Chang," Adam said as he turned in the hug to give his Asian brother a kiss on the cheek. "So have all of us!"

---

The last six months of training involved both the UNIT members and the VSO Operatives going through 'wargames'. The Doctor had arranged for photonic enemies to be created by the Tardis for both groups to be set against. Other times, however, both Jason and Adam Casey would set their respective groups on missions against each other - to further hone their skills.

It was during all this that a new 'war' started.

Practical Jokes.

It started small, at first. Then it got wilder and wilder. It was, really, a tribute to how close everyone had become. There was a real bond between everyone inside the Tardis by this point, and a real union between the Dragon and the UNIT.

Which is why the following was allowed to even happen...

When set against photonic troops, the 'bullets' would sting like hell when they hit a real person, but other than that do zero damage. The stinging was irritating, however.

Juan found out how 'irritating' it could be when Jason got revenge for a custard shower when he and Nathan had been mid-loving.

"Quick! Quick! Jason, fire at them... I have no line of sight!" Juan yelled out as 'bullets' and 'grenades' went off all around him in his little sheltered spot in the middle of the battlefield.

Jason, who was meant to be Juan's second for this 'test', just laughed. "Payback's are a bitch, little brother!"

"You fucking prick, I'm gonna kick your ass later, fuckhead!"

"Now, now... take it like a man, little boy!" Jason giggled as he pressed a button on his tricorder like device. He had reprogrammed the photonic troops to all focus on Juan.

Watching as the small ten year old tried to outrun fifty six 'troopers' all aiming for his arse (another refinement by Jason) was so funny that some of those watching actually wet themselves laughing.

Juan was at the same time pissed off to the extreme and also highly embarrassed. Especially when he tripped and got caught in a snare with his butt up in the air. A handy target for the 'troops' to aim at.

Jason started running at that point, for Adam and the Doctor finally managed to stop laughing enough to stop the 'exercise' and rescue the now hysterical and enraged Juan.

A few weeks later, and after having gotten their heads together on revenge, Juan started a prank that more than made up for his 'injured pride'.

At this point, I must add, the whole 'Prank War' had settled down into two factions. UNIT verses VSO. There were various kids - like Joel and Kevin - on either side that didn't get involved, but mainly, everyone was lending a hand with the 'fun'.

What Juan did, with Mont and Bast's help, was to persuade the Tardis to convert everyone in the VSO into their opposite sex... and he timed it so well that the vast majority of them were mid-love-making when it happened. He had even involved Jay and the Doctor - or should I say Mont and Bast had, since they had found out the Doctor had helped prank Juan to begin with.

Joel watched all this happening with mild curiosity and more than a small amount of shock.

From the time of that huge prank until they all left the Tardis, no more pranks happened, and the UNIT side thought they had won.

Adam Casey and Juan were insufferable with their gloating.

Koth and Korris, who had seemed to stay more or less neutral, were really acting as double agents. It was they that fed Jason and the Doctor the idea for revenge.

And it was little Joel to whom they all turned to implement it... for everyone - and I do mean 'everyone' - inside the Tardis thought of Joel as their cuddly little mascot.

Everyone in the VSO were sworn by oath to defend him anyway, as he was heir to a major Vulcan House. By the end of three years, they had also grown to respect him. He could fight and think strategy as well as the best of them. He was also practically 'Black' VSO - but that would have to be truly seen once they left the Tardis.

The UNIT guys ALSO thought of him as their own personal good luck charm. He was a Captain of the UNIT, within the Intel groups, and was as proficient as any of the best of them at almost every aspect of being a soldier. Juan had trained him on firearms, and he was very nearly as good as Juan. Jory found an apt pupil in explosives, while Will found Joel a joy to teach when on any aircraft. Adam had drilled the boy on tactics and command, while Chang and Amur Khan had refined the Vulcan's hand to hand fighting skills. Everyone in the UNIT knew that Joel was worthy of the rank he had been given.

His only weakness - known by BOTH teams - was that he could not defend himself. He would leap into the fight to help anyone else, but if he was alone against an enemy, he was defenceless. They knew this would take 'real time' to heal in him. He wasn't the only one with issues that had come to light, and the Doctor had clearly told them all less than a year into the training that those issues would need time outside of the Tardis to work through. So, the UNIT never held it against the frail seeming Vulcan for not being able to fight for himself. Nor did they hold it against Joel that he never killed. Not even the photonic enemies that the Tardis had created. Joel had simply incapacitated them. They hadn't even been injured. Not one drop of blood - real or photonic - had ever been shed by Joel.

And it was that one fact that earned Joel everyone's highest respect - even Juan's.

His skill. In a one on one fight, or in a fire fight or sword fight... he had never injured anyone, but he had rarely lost either. In fact, the only person Joel had never beaten in a fight was Chang... but it had been a very close call nonetheless. That, however is another story.

Regardless, everyone inside the Tardis had sworn - either alone and to themselves, or in small groups - to never let anything bad happen to their 'Little Elven Mascot' if they could help it.

...and ultimately, it was this respect and this trust that Jason wanted to take advantage of for his payback against the UNIT Leadership...

After some fast talking, and some encouragement from Kevin and Adam Short, Joel had decided to go ahead and do as Jason had suggested.

The day before they all were to leave the Tardis, Joel started to work on his own unique and hand made tricorder... to get the programming 'just so': to give a false reading of female anatomy and even a pregnancy...

Not one of the UNIT guys would expect their 'Little Elven Mascot' to lie to them... now would they?

---

Orlando - Short Compound:

After the thrumming had stopped, the Tardis' door opened to allow those who had gone to Utah to leave. The Doctor and Levi walked away slightly to talk, while the Cats, Matthew, Brant, Dean and Justy sat down to relax in the sun. Joel bounced outside to find himself in the grounds outside of Main CIC, and turned to see Cory and Sean waiting for him. "It was great!" he bubbled at them. "We was gone for AGES, but it only felt like a few minutes! We learnt loads and loads and loads and..."

"We get it," Cory giggled as he picked up the hyper Vulcan and hugged him briefly. "We're just glad you're back in time to say goodbye to us. We're going to Des Moines soon," he continued as JJ and Adam pounced Sean.

"What was that for?!" Sean protested from under the other two giggling boys.

"Just because," JJ said simply before jumping up and running off into CIC.

*HUFF!*

"OOOFFFF!... I-CHEYA!" Sean's muffled yell was just about heard from under the Sehlat that had just decided to, not pounce him, but lie on him gently.

Joel turned from the show to grin up at Cory. "Shall I rescue your hubby?"

"Naaah!" Cory giggled, "Let him suffer!"

"No sex for you tonight, sweetheart!" came Sean's muffled retort.

Joel winked at Cory, "That's okay. He still has his... you right handed or left, Cor?"

"Both," Cory chuckled.

"Interesting. You can do yourself and Sean at the same time... I'll have to try tha... no, no I won't," Joel said sadly as his face fell.

Cory hugged him close, "You'll be able to do it yourself one day, Lil'Elf. Don't beat yourself up over it - healing takes time."

"Cory! Sean! Time to go!" Teri called from just inside the building.

Joel stretched up and wrapped his arms around Cory's neck. After being lifted up to be held chest to chest with his brother, Joel kissed Cory on the lips. It was a serious kiss, but still a 'brother' one. "I'm gonna miss you bad, bro," Joel whispered with a few tears trickling down his face.

"You can come over to visit whenever you want," Cory whispered back.

Sean, meanwhile, had managed to fight his way out from under the large bear and came up to wrap himself around behind Joel. "Can I have one of them special kisses too, Lil'Elf?" he whispered into the little Vulcan's hair.

Joel nodded and was quickly swivelled around by Cory so that Sean was now holding him. After supplying just as loving a kiss to his other beloved brother, Joel murmured, "Go quickly, or I won't let you at all..."

As he placed Joel back onto his feet, Sean whispered, "By your command, Captain Short."

Wiping his eyes off on the back of his hand, Joel watched as Teri came outside with Adam, JJ, the two Mikyvis and the two Lions. "Bye," he called out tearfully. "Love you!!!"

"We love you, too!" Cory yelled, and he was echoed by the others.

Then, they vanished away by Mikyvis power.

Joel sighed, then turned to find Kevin waiting for him. "Hugs?" the little brown haired boy asked softly.

"Yes please," came Joel's muted response.

To the boys' surprise, in mid-hug they found another pair of arms encircling both of them. "I'll miss them too, guys," Justy said softly. "You need anything, even just a cuddle, you've got my full attention. Any time, anywhere."

"Thanks, Justy," both small boys whispered.

"You really are an angel, Cuz," Joel added with a smile up at him.

"I can't let you be the only one!" Justy replied with a smile.

Kevin reached up and laid his hand on Justy's forehead.

"Whatcha doin', Kev?" Joel asked curiously.

"He admitted it!" Kevin exclaimed in shock. "He... he must be ill... MEDIC!!!" he yelled with a giggle.

Justy giggled harder. "That is just between you two, me, and Liam. Better add the Wonder Twins too, noting hides from them long. I'll only admit it to the guys I really care about."

"We won't tell Dean that you care more 'bout us, then," Kevin whispered. "Even though he's right behind you looking like he's ready to give you a..."

"ARRRGH!"

"Wedgie!" Kevin completed with a wicked grin.

Dean brushed off his hands, nodded at the two boys, glared down at Justy, then walked inside with dignity - which only lasted as far as the doors before he broke into giggles.

Justy snickered as he quickly restored breathing room to his most prized treasures. "After Dean got 'hurt', we really bonded when we were sitting down trying to figure out what would happen between us with him being a Vifer now. We went from boyfriends to being kinda like one person, so I didn't even think about listing him. It's all kewl though; he owed me that wedgie from me sneaking up and giving him one while he was reading a report last night."

Joel sniggered, "And have you decided to go for being a Vifer now? Dean's gonna be that Time thingamiebob, so you'll be affected by it too, won't you?"

"We're waiting to see just how that works out," Justy replied seriously. "I'm pretty sure by the way Galli acts that we'll find out pretty soon."

Joel was about to reply when Mikey appeared. "Ah, there you are with my fellow saint - I mean my fellow 'I'm No Angel!!' Justy who isn't a saint..." the mischievous Clan Guardian giggled.

"You out restocking your dirty magazine collection, Mikey?" Justy replied in return with an innocent expression glued on his face.

"Excuse me?!" Mikey protested, although his cheeks did colour up slightly. "Absolutely no need to. I have to watch the Clan get ready for nests almost every night. Enough eye candy there, thank you," he added with aplomb.

"And he spies on people having their first times, too," Kevin added mischievously. "Did you get any tips from us, Mikey?" he asked sweetly.

"I was not spying!" Mikey protested again, this time over Justy's howls of mirth. "I was... was... forget it. Yes, I picked up a few tips. No, I have no-one to use them on. Happy?"

"No," Joel stated sadly, his face falling, "You're lonely, aren't you? Did you ever... you know... have someone special - before... you know...?"

Mikey shook his head. "No, not really... well, yes - kinda. I dated a little bit, but never got serious as I was trying to be a Dad as well as a big brother to my brothers. That is until I found... there was one girl that seemed to be what I was looking for, but I died before it could get to more than dating and... messing around."

Joel felt a warm rush of - something - fly up his spine, and he smiled, "Don't worry, Mikey. We're all your family - and I'm sure you'll find someone special soon." Then he grinned at the Saint. "Messing around, huh?" he asked with a cute giggle. Then he winked at the now blushing angel.

"Can angels date?" Kevin asked no-one in particular.

"Justy did," Mikey said, sidestepping the question as he tried to regain control of his face.

Justy raised a hand and, through his uncontrollable howls of laughter, put on a fake female voice, "'Wow, Mike! That was just... HEAVENLY!!'" Then he literally started rolling around on the ground.

After booting Justy in his butt a few times - which only made Justy laugh all the harder - Mikey turned back to the giggling duo. "Joel. You need to get back into your armour and get ready for another mission."

Joel became dead serious. "Um, okay. Fo-wein Sa'ren!" he called out, and one ripple in the air later, both Joel and his Sehlat were fully armoured.

Joel giggled at the shocked looks he was getting from everyone who had not been present when the Guardian had given his gifts. He and the others had never told anyone about it, as it seemed just too personal.

"What the hell?!" Justy exclaimed, and Brant and Matthew jumped to their feet to stare at Joel in shock.

"I'll tell ya all later," Joel giggled. Then he looked at Mikey, who wasn't in the least surprised. Obviously, the Saint was in the know. "What's happening?" he asked.

"Lunch time for the bear and for Brant in Des Moines," Mikey said seriously.

Brant tore his eyes away from Joel and looked at the Saint. "It's that serious that you're sending the two most deadly hunters in the Clan with Joel?"

"Yes," Mikey said, as he gestured and both Joel and Brant found themselves on I-Cheya's back. "Ready?"

"Kinda," they both echoed before vanishing.

Kevin tugged on Mikey's wing. "Is it going to be okay?" he asked quickly as the angel turned and picked him up.

"Yep, it'll be fine. You'd better get ready too, but for something else. Seeya later, Kev," Mikey smiled before kissing the boy and putting him back down. Then he vanished.

Justy rubbed his eyes, then looked down at Kevin, "If my Cuz don't tell me, I'll tickle YOU til you do! Until then, I'll leave that all slide... okay?"

Kevin nodded seriously, while touching the new pendant he wore around his neck. "Okay, Justy."

The others all looked at each other and nodded their agreement to Justy's statement. They really wanted to know, but, after the time in the Tardis, most knew by now that things happened when they were meant to. Not before.

Instead, the two cheetahs started bitching.

"You know I really hate it that he goes anywhere without us like this. How can we protect him if he runs off places alla time. Adam will have our hides and then get nasty with us after skinning us, if Joel gets hurt and we'll never be allowed to look after people again and..." Mercury started to whine, but his sister Artemus closed his mouth gently.

She said, "He's with Brant and his bear. He'll be okay."

"But..."

Artemus glared at Mercury for a second, and the cheetah silenced. "Better. Look, things are different, here. They know not to go do stuff that'll put Joel in danger unless we're with him. We just have to learn to trust them. 'Kay?"

"'Kay," he mumbled softly.

Kevin bent over to pick up Blackie, then said as he stood upright, "I'm in constant contact with Sa'r, guys. I'll tell ya if something goes wrong. And Leev is here, so we have fast access."

"What am I, chopped liver?" the Doctor giggled, play-pouting at Kevin.

"Yeah, raw and icky!" Ricky giggled from his nearby perch, giggling to show that he was joking.

The Doctor glanced over towards the sound of laughter and started laughing himself. "How the hell did you two get up there, little ones?" he called up to the small blond child who was seated with Timmy on top of the Tardis.

Timmy sniggered and pointed at Ricky, "Sitting Eagle."

"Soaring Eagle," Ricky said straight after him, pointing at his boyfriend.

"Do we needs to spell it out for ya, Unca Galli?" Timmy continued, breaking out into full giggles.

"Oh, comedians. I have a reward for cheeky little monkeys who try teasing me," the Doctor giggled as the others with him broke out in laughter.

Timmy pulled a face, "Yeah? What?"

"And will you catch us?" Ricky echoed cheekily.

"Yes," the Doctor replied as he Folded from the ground and appeared behind them, grabbing them lightly around the shoulders, "I will catch you. Just 'cos your daddies are off on a holiday don't mean you get to tease your uncles without getting paybacks..."

All three vanished before reappearing on the ground by Kevin and the others, soaking wet.

"Where to, this time?" Aphrodite asked curiously.

Timmy lifted up the baby seal he was cuddling. "Northern Canada," he giggled. "This little baby lost his mama, so we're gonna look after him."

"I think Cory's gonna need a bigger house..." Kevin muttered.

"Gonna find Unca Josiah," Timmy continued as he stood up. "We needs his help to make a place for Flipper."

Matthew pulled up his VSO tricorder and started tapping in a few commands. "He's not up here, little dude. You'll have to wait."

"I can help," Quint said helpfully as he walked over with Bryce and Dylan. "What do you need?"

"A bigger house," Kevin said seriously under his breath.

Hermes nodded, "And a large place for animals..."

Quint looked around. "I could do that, but... Mmm... need to check on some things. Leev? I'll be back laters. Timmy, you let him swim in the Rest Stop for now. I'll have a room done for him in your house in an hour, then I'll see about a bigger house..."

With a flash of light, the Q-boy vanished.

"Did he think I was serious?" Kevin asked Levi.

Levi nodded. "Uncle Cory's getting a bigger house."

"Oh... boy, I hope I won't get in trouble for this!"

"Nope," Levi shook his head. "You won't. Nor will Quint. Cory'll just think it was Dilly playing pranks again."

"Hey!" Dylan protested. "It's not always me, Leev!"

"True, you and Bryce take turns..." Levi giggled.

"No-one's ever caught me doing things bad, Levi!" Bryce said, looking scandalized.

"But that don't mean you don't do things wrong, does it?" Mercury giggled.

"I'm gonna find Xan," Bryce poked his tongue out at them all before popping away.

Dylan giggled. "And I'll find Thomas. I wanna try some stuff!"

Levi rolled his eyes as his other brother vanished, then he looked at the Doctor who was laughing softly.

"Fun family you got. Well, time for us to go," the little Time Lord said as Timmy and Ricky ran off, carrying Flipper the Seal and with Justy following behind them to 'try' and keep things sane.

"Where?" Kevin asked.

The Doctor smirked, "Somewhere warm. Time for a little holiday of our own."

"Who's going?" Levi asked.

"You, me, the cats, Kev, Matthew and Blackie. We'll meet Joel, Brant, I-Cheya and a few others there," the Doctor said as they all Folded away.

---

About fifteen minutes later, those that had vanished with the Doctor returned. Justy had returned from Cory's back yard, where Timmy and Ricky were playing with Flipper, and waved at them. "Where's my Elvish cousin, Kev?" he asked with a grin.

"With his new brother," Kevin giggled. "He's doing a 'Cory' and adopting him for Teri, just to save her the effort!"

"Yep; he's a Short boy!" Justy giggled. "Why do you have those leis on?"

"Because the folks in Hawaii gave them to us," Matthew answered. "We'll have to explain later though; we've a mission to prep for. Kev? You'll need your armour."

Kevin nodded at Matthew absently as he started taking off the leis from around his neck. "I'm thirsty," he said to himself. "Anyone else want a drink?"

Justy looked seriously at Kevin, "What's this about you and armour?"

"I've got a set like Sa'r's," Kevin said as he tried to side step the question.

"Kevin," Justy's tone was insistent, and he crossed his arms - just to show he was serious.

Kevin sighed. "Sa'r and I are going with Adam to rescue some kids," he said reluctantly.

Justy's eyes went wide and his face paled. "You mean that base that is heavily fortified and has more guns than Doom - the base that Nathan and Viccy have been using CIC as a base to plan for?!"

"Uh... yeah, that'll be the one," Kevin muttered, scuffing his foot against the ground. "We're gonna go along and help... and stuff..."

"Does Uncle Spock know about this?!" Justy asked, his voice raising. "Does Aunt TERI?! Or your Pop??"

"... ummm.... can I take the Fifth?" Kevin trembled.

Spock walked outside quickly, Justy's tone alerting him that there might be an issue. "Am I to infer there is a situation that I must be made aware of?" Spock asked.

Justy was now caught between ratting out a brother, protecting a found 'treasure' of his Vulcan House, stopping two little brothers from getting in WAY over their heads, and obeying a senior member of his family. "Ummm..."

Matthew traded a look with Galli, jerked his head towards CIC, and said aloud, "Time to get ready for the day, Time Lord! Let's go!"

"Wait there until I have resolved this issue, Matthew," Spock said calmly, however Matthew could see his A'nirih was not as calm as his Vulcan facade made out.

"We weren't fast enough, Matt," Galli grimaced.

"Justin. I would like an answer, please. Or Kevin instead, since your face is approximately the same hue as my nephew's. What is going on that would require my knowledge, Teri Short's and Allen Thompson's?" Spock asked as he employed his Kohlinar skills to hold the gaze of both boys at once.

"You tell him, Justy..." Kevin squeaked nervously, hoping beyond hope that the Doctor was about to step in and help.

Galli caught the glance thrown his way, and furiously shook his head, "I've stood in enough corners for this lifetime. I'm not getting involved!"

"You took me to get the armour, Galli!" Kevin squeaked again.

"I am waiting," Spock said, now bringing Galli into his 'field' of vision.

"Oh, thanks a bunch!" Galli cried.

Justy sighed, "Kev and Joel are going to go with Adam Casey to save those kids at the base we've been talking to Nath' and Viccy and the others about, and the Doctor made Kevin armour like Joel's and... and, well... I'm sorry, Kev..."

Spock just stood there for a long moment.

He then turned and re-entered the building.

"Five... four... three..." Galli started counting.

Justy looked at him, "What's going to..."

*CRASH*

"Ah," Justy finished as the unmistakable sound of a door being ripped to pieces with a coffee table reached his ears. "I think you'd better run, Kev... son or no son, he's PISSED!"

Kevin gulped, but didn't run. He sighed and hung his head before heading into CIC and making for the kitchen. The others followed behind him, glancing at each other as well as keeping their eyes and ears open for an enraged Vulcan Admiral.

All except Blackie, who remained outside. He panted at them in wolfish laughter, then vanished.

After allowing Helen to fuss over them for a moment or two, they all settled down at the counters in the Kitchen and started snacking. Even the cheetahs had a small nibble, although they rarely ate before evening meals.

Mostly, they were silent, apart from the odd question from Justy regarding their time away in Hawaii. Kevin, however, didn't say a word. He never liked getting told off nor shouted at, and he was half afraid that Spock would return and do just that.

"I think I should go to him first. Don't you, Justy?" Kevin asked out of the blue twenty minutes later, while Hermes was telling them all about his attempts at surfing.

Justy looked over before reaching out to lay a gentle hand on Kevin's shoulder. "No. Let him come to you, Kev."

"But what if I..."

Kevin's voice cut off sharply as his eyes went unfocused. Then they widened with wonder, "Oh... oh, my... I need Poppa! Where's my Poppa?" he yelled joyfully as he went from sitting still to flat out running. He vanished into the Rec Room faster than Justy could follow.

"What happened?" Matthew asked curiously as he and the others ran in after him.

They found Kevin jumping up and down before Allen, his twin, and his two brothers, gabbling a mile a minute. Then Spock entered and approached, now looking slightly calmer.

"... and Joel says he's sweet and cute and really needs someone to love and look after him and..." Kevin was saying, but Allen covered the excited boy's mouth, gently, with a hand.

"I get that you're excited, Little One, but what is this about?" he asked.

"Joel's found someone he thinks we should adopt, Poppa!" Kevin said, rolling his eyes. Why can't adults just listen when there's something exciting being explained?

Spock had been about to inform Allen on the situation that Joel and Kevin were about to get themselves into when he heard this, and so he stopped short and just listened.

"Adopt? Are you sure you want to do that, Kev?" Allen asked cautiously. "It's a lot of responsibility."

"Yes, Poppa - we are sure! Cory and Sean have. Kyle and Ty have even had kids for real, and they're younger than us! We both talked 'bout this last night in between making... making... uh, you know," Kevin finished with a blush.

"Making a lot of 'noise', Kev?" Kenny giggled and winked at his beloved twin. Kevin blushed more, but did grin back happily as he nodded.

Allen looked up at Spock, who nodded slightly. "They have the maturity together that they lack apart. They will be adequate parents for any youngling," Spock said with assurance. High praise... from a Vulcan.

"Then I'll give my blessing, too, Little One. When do you get to see him?" Allen asked as Kevin blushed even more at what Spock had just said.

"Right now," Pablito's voice said from no-where as Kevin vanished.

Galli snorted, "One down, seven more to go."

Allen's eye widened as Spock asked, "Seven more?"

"You'll see. And yes - they both need to go on their 'field-trip', Dad. It's one of 'those' things," Galli said seriously.

"What's this?" Allen asked as he looked between them.

Justy and the others decided to vacate the area post-haste as Spock started to explain, taking Kenny, Jake and Xain with them.

---

To Be Continued...

---

Editor's Notes:

Well, you can't really call this a cliffhanger. Or I can't, anyway. It doesn't seem as if anyone is in eminent, life threatening danger.

It must be one of those dramatic pauses. Yeah, that's it. I am rather hoping that there will be a new chapter dropped in our laps, soon. I can hope, can't I?

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher

---

Clan Short Archivist's Review Notes:

Cliffhanger or not a Cliffhanger, is that really the question? Again this is a wonderful melding of several different authors and their characters. We have learned more about several of the characters and their lives. Yet at the same time this chapter leaves far more questions unanswered than answered. Hopefully the next chapter will answer those questions without leaving even more unanswered. Will that happen? We can only hope.

TSL