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Korris and Chang were helping Gabe, Travis and their two boys with their cool down exercises, all the while talking to them and encouraging them at their good efforts in the practice. Koth and Juan were already in one of the shower rooms and getting ready to clean up.
Juan was nervous. "You... you really want to... I... Ummm, you know, see my 'toy'?" he mumbled shyly to his Klingon boyfriend. Being naked had not troubled him before around the Unit and his brothers there, but with Koth it felt different to him... more personal, and making him feel truly exposed. Exposed in a way he had not been since before his brother Adam had rescued him from the lab.
Koth, now topless, glanced at Juan seriously before pulling him over and sitting down with his back to the wall and Juan on his lap. Juan started to tremble, but Koth's soft voice started to soothe him. "Only if you want to show me, Juan. I know what this must be like for you. I told you yesterday that I've 'played' with both Viccy and Riti a lot, and I've done a lot, just not gone all the way. What I haven't said is that when I realised I loved them, I felt very... what's the word?... very vulnerable when I next 'played'. It took a lot of love and hugs from them both to help me fight my demons, Juan. I know that in front of simply 'brothers' and 'sisters', being naked kinda feels safe. Your brothers and sisters love you and will protect you, and you being naked in front of them is you showing you trust them to do so. Right?"
Juan nodded his head against the Klingon's chest.
Koth continued, "But you love me... or like me lots and lots and lots..." He trailed off with a giggle.
"I love you, I think," Juan whispered haltingly, a small smile playing on his lips as he sat up and cuddled in chest to chest with Koth so that he could look into his Klingon boyfriend's eyes. "I do love you."
Koth grinned happily. "And I love you too. And that's why getting naked with me is different. I make you feel vulnerable 'cos of... ah, I'll say it..." Koth shuddered as he too remembered his own 'abuse'. "We will both feel vulnerable for a while with each other 'cos we've both been raped, Juan. We just have to take our time and help, love and hug each other. And we can't forget to ask for help from our brothers and sisters. They want to help, I've learnt."
Juan also smiled back happily. "So, if I want to shower with Chang not you, you won't think I don't love you?"
Koth nodded his head, "That's right, I won't think that. I know you love me, I just also know how hard this is for you." He thought for a moment, then, "Would it feel better if Kor and Chang showered with us both? The four of us together? That way, we both have our big brothers there to 'protect' us... up to you though. Yes, I would like to see all of you; you're just beautiful to me, Juan. But if you wanna wait 'til later, then I'll shower with Kor."
Juan sat back a little and looked at the wall Koth was sat against. After a moment, "I... I think I'd like that... I..." He blushed and giggled before saying in a naughty whisper, "I want to see your sexy body too, Koth... Yeah, let's ask our big brothers to 'protect' us from each other... we are, after all, two sex-crazy god-like kids, perfect in every way... we might not be ABLE to keep our hands off each other!"
Koth laughed loudly at that as he pulled Juan in close for a nice hug.
As they both stood back up, Juan asked curiously, "You didn't say last night how the trip to Wales went."
Koth answered as they left the shower room and walked back to where the others were still winding down, "Not bad. Got there, started liaising with Seth, then Kor beamed over from Utah to Orlando to help Seth... then what I told you about last night: Joel had us both cuddle with him for some Vulcan healing thing. Jace knows about it."
"I ate your food for you when you left," Juan giggled.
Koth snorted. "So I heard! Cheek... Hey, Kor?" he called out as they moved close to the others, "you and Chang about done?"
"Yes, now. What's the matter, brother?" Korris asked as he sat down to rest.
"Oh, we just have to ask you something," Juan giggled, a blush mounting his cheeks.
Gabe and Travis saw the look, laughed and pulled their two boys into their arms. Gabe giggled, "We'll go get our shower while you guys chat. Same time tomorrow, Koth?"
Koth nodded, "Yes. You got some of the basics quite easily. However, do not practice alone as yet, not without a Blade-Master with you. You will injure yourself if you do."
Gabe smiled and nodded in agreement before leaving with his partner and kids towards the showers.
"What is the matter, Juan?" Chang asked seriously.
Juan explained what he and Koth had been talking about, and Chang nodded seriously. "That is acceptable. I shall attempt to keep the 'sexy Koth' from ravaging you, if Korris will do the same to stop you doing so to Koth," he said deadpan, yet with a subtle twinkle in his eyes.
Juan burst out in deep, belly laughs.
"He's in rare form today," Korris said, before breaking out in giggles.
Jason and Nathan bade farewell to Xolan and watched as he beamed back to their Dragon's Nest Compound in Wales. Once the hum of the transporter had faded, Nathan pulled Jason into his arms and asked, "Feeling better now?"
"Much," Jason sighed as he rested in his chosen's arms.
Jason kept his eyes closed for a moment or so before looking around the room. Seth, Jude and Billy Joe were at the far side talking softly, and so he and Nathan walked over to join them.
"You're sure they won't mind?" Billy was heard asking as the two Welsh boys reached them.
Seth chuckled, "Of course not. Let me have a quick word with them before I have you beamed up."
Jude smiled and stood away slightly before noticing Jason and Nathan. "Ah, Jason, right?" he asked.
Jason smiled and nodded, "Call me Jace."
Jude giggled. "I heard you took all our 'modification' data off Excelsior last night," he said.
Jason grinned, "Can't have future tech or information in the public domain, dude."
"You can go," Seth said as he ended his call with Commander Uhura, "Ready for transport?"
Billy and Jude nodded, and Jude waved at Nathan and Jason, "Seeya later. Going to tour the Enterprise!" A huge grin was fixed on his face, and Jason had to wonder if it would ever disappear.
"Enjoy," both Welsh kids called as the transporter beam took effect.
"I wonder if Joel's as excited as Jude is about being on Enterprise," Nathan said to no one in particular as he and Jason started for the Rec Room.
"I don't think I want to know," Seth giggled as he watched the two boys wander away.
In the Rec Room, Jason watched as Sammy, DJ and Tanner ran out of the opposite door, closely followed by Levi and the Doctor. He then made his way over to take a seat near to Adam and JJ.
"How're you now, Jace? You looked rotten earlier," JJ asked softly once Nathan had pulled Jason into a cuddle.
"Good, thanks," Jason smiled as he snuggled in happily. "What you reading?"
"Me? The Silver Chair," JJ replied, raising the book slightly.
Jason looked over at the far larger book in Adam's hands. Adam sniggered and lifted it up, saying, "Fellowship of the Ring."
"Love that! Where you at?" Jason bubbled as he perked up considerably.
"Council of Elrond. Shall I read my favourite bit to you?" Adam offered, smiling at Jason's evident interest.
"Oh, I think I know what that is - it's the poem Bilbo wrote for Aragorn?" Jason giggled. Once Adam nodded with a laugh, Jason continued, "That's my fav bit too!"
Adam grinned wider before raising up the book and reading it out to them.
"Love it," Jason sighed happily as a shiver went up his spine at Adam's recitation.
Adam's face grew curious, however. "Jude was just in here, and he said it isn't the same as in the book he read in his Universe."
"Really?" Nathan's eyebrows raised. "I wonder what's so different about it."
At that moment, the Doctor returned to the room and overheard them. "I can tell you," he giggled, "but I'll want some snuggles first!"
Jason reached and pulled the small Time Lord over and in between himself and Nathan. "There. Now spill, Doc!"
The Doctor smiled and recited:
"All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
"From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king."
(JRR Tolkien - Fellowship of the Ring)
"Wow," Jason and Adam said in unison as the Doctor's voice faded away.
"Now THAT makes more sense to the storyline than the one in THIS universe!" Jason added. "I wonder why it's different here?"
The Doctor giggled in his arms, "Most things, like books or films, are a little different in different places... sometimes not by much at all. Some remain completely the same between a handful of Universes only. However, that poem is completely unique."
"How?" they all asked.
"It is exactly as I've said it in all Universes and Timelines where the book 'Lord of the Rings' exists... except here. I only found out the difference when I returned and Tardis updated itself on the 50 thousand years that I've missed of this Universe's history. Here, that poem is different. Everywhere else, it's the same."
"Is that even possible?" JJ asked softly. "I don't know much about other universes and stuff, but that doesn't seem reasonable at all."
"It isn't, yet it is explainable. Jason," The Doctor twisted slightly so that he could look into the eyes of the boy that held him. "I think you know this - Tolkien, at least the one who lived here, based something in his great work on a legend from the real 'world', did he not?"
Jason's jaw dropped open slightly before he managed to stammer, "Well... yeah. He heard of the Legend of Sa'ren and based it on that... that's why it changed in our Universe?"
"Partly." The Doctor leaned back into Jason's arms again, "The other reason is due to the one who has set everything up FOR the Legend of Sa'ren. Prophecy is never accurate. Any Founder, Ferox or Mikyvis would tell you that, for they see possible futures. They cannot look ahead by two thousand years and say for certain what will happen, only what might. If you know what might happen, you can change it, so therefore it won't... right?"
"Headache forming!" Adam giggled.
Jason rolled his eyes and giggled, "Trust a blond!... OUCH, Nath'!!"
"Watch what you're sayin' then, love!" Nathan retorted before winking at Adam.
The Doctor laughed and continued, "Prophecy... true Prophecy... could only ever be given about Destiny, or Fixed Points in Time. And again, that would only be known by those who are there to see the future happening while still in the past..."
"God," JJ said rhetorically.
The Doctor nodded, "And the Guardian, one other, and, partly, my people. We know What Is, What Was, What Could Be and What Must Not. What Will Be, however, is always a little more hit and miss. Now, this 'Legend of Sa'ren' is Prophecy, but not like from God or anything..." The Doctor smiled as he trailed off, waiting for the penny to drop.
Jason got it first. "This Guardian that Levi is always talking to and with?"
"The Guardian," the Doctor smiled. "He is Forever, so he's seeing everything happening at once... Past, Present, Future, all Time, Space, Universe, Dimension and Reality. He is Forever, and its Guardian."
Levi wandered over to join them, while eating some cookies, "Yeah, Uncle Galli, but he's a little in the dark like we are right now, though."
"Is he?" the Doctor asked mysteriously. "Oh, I'm sure he has no clue as to what exactly will happen next now that the Shaper is here, but he can see all the possibilities, and is IN all the possibilities, at once. We cannot do that, that's why it's a blank wall to us. Too much information. He must be picking out the most common elements from everything he's seeing and from that, he made the Legend."
"Wow," Adam said again. "Poor Joel... he won't be hurt, will he?"
The Doctor's face went still. "I cannot say... he has a Destiny... but I don't know what it is, other than it's hard. Very hard."
"You said he didn't have Destiny..." Nathan started to say, then trailed off. A second later, "No, you said he had none, except for something you weren't sure of..."
The Doctor nodded, and Levi added, "Uncle Q said the same. He said there was something ahead that Joel could not change; his own Destiny - but he didn't know either."
"Who's..." JJ began to ask, but Levi giggled.
"You'll meet him soon, Uncle JJ. I won't want to spoil the surprise!" Levi said through his giggles.
JJ rolled his eyes and laughed.
Hermes and Mercury chose that moment to come running over full speed and to pounce the entire group.
"Why're you all sittin' down talking when there's a huge double party to get ready and fun to have and games to play?" they both rushed out together amid the heap of laughing boys.
"'Cos we ain't balls of boundless energy like you crazy cats!" Nathan managed to say as he fended off Mercury's tail from invading his mouth.
Mercury twisted about and promptly sat on Nathan's chest before tickling him. Once the blond boy had reached his highest pitch of laugher, Mercury got up and bounced onto the sofa. "Since you're here, can we ask you something?" he asked curiously, looking mainly at Jason.
Jason, laughing at the red face his bonded was sporting, nodded.
"Why'd Joel not know what his presents were? He made Cory and Sean two gifts, and watched as Kevin wrapped them. Why'd he not know about his own gifts?" Mercury asked seriously.
Jason sighed, "He knew what was in the wrappings that he gave to Cory and Sean, but he didn't know the reason why they had been wrapped. In fact, until this morning when he opened his own presents, he was of the assumption that Cory and Sean had kept the 'pretty paper' that Kevin had 'added as his part of the present'. When we showed him his pile of gifts, all he saw was pretty boxes. He thought they were the gifts. It just hadn't equated itself in his mind."
"He seems so quick with other things, though," Adam murmured sadly.
"Yeah," Jason continued, "yet in others, he's woefully behind the youngest Tribe member. He'll learn, though. It's just that he has many years of 'training' to overcome."
Adam breathed in deeply, then forced a smile. "At least he found out the fun of throwing wrapping paper around," he said softly, causing the others to smile as well.
The Doctor started to giggle.
"What's up with you now, Doc?" Adam sniggered.
"Oh, you'll find out. Suffice to say, Joel's about to have the time of his life!" the little Time Lord giggled out. "Now, the cheetahs are right: we have a party to arrange!"
"That's annoying! Not fair, Doc!" Hermes protested loudly as they all stood up and headed towards the Kitchen. "You can't tell us that and say nothing!"
"Yes. I can. And I just did!!" the Doctor giggled. He then started to run as Hermes and his twin lunged at him, and the others laughed hard as a game of 'Cat and Doctor' began, with the Doctor Folding out of their reach when the far faster cats got too close.
"Cheat!" Mercury yelled as he again missed the Doctor as he lept onto empty air. "You're a cheater! Stop doing that," he giggled as he got up and ran at the Doctor in a pincer movement with his twin.
"No," the Doctor giggled back as he again Folded away, "You're the cheetahs!"
"Ten minutes time out for bad puns!" Jason yelled at them as left them to their game and walked through into the Kitchen.
"Uncle Jace, where do you..." Levi started to call out as he carried a couple of bags of marshmallows into the Dining Room, but he stopped dead and his eyes widened.
Jason looked up to see Levi's face register complete shock. "Leev? What's wrong?" Jason asked as he quickly ran over.
There was no answer, for Levi vanished, and the bags of marshmallows fell to the floor. Jason, concern now evident on his own face, turned and saw Kyle and Tyler with the same expressions as Levi written large on them both. "Guys?"
"Don't... it's okay, Jace," Kyle managed to say before he vanished along with his husband and other sons.
JJ moved close to Jason, and the rest of the Clan helping also gathered near. "What now?" JJ asked no-one in particular after a long, silent pause.
Jason shrugged. Kyle suddenly reappeared and said excitedly, "We need all of Aunt Teri's family, and every one of their boyfriends! Don't worry, guys, you'll love this!" He then vanished, as did everyone in and attached to the Short Family.
"What is going on?" Antonio asked in exasperation.
Gabe shrugged, and glanced at the Doctor. "I don't know, but if the Do... I mean if John don't stop grinning like that, I'm going to tickle the information out of him!"
The Doctor started laughing hard before Folding away, saying as he went, "I can be revealed now, Jason. The Shaper knows who I am, after all... as for your demand? 'Now is the Hour, all is revealed, Past comes full Circle, Father's heart is healed...'"
"Father's heart...?" Jason spluttered. Then, "What?! Hey! Get back here, Doc! Do you mean that Joel's found his dad?? Doc??"
Silence.
"Bastard! Sometimes I wish I could hate people I love..." Jason spat out in frustration before going off to sulk, taking his sabre-kitten Tarron with him.
Sarek sat in one of the more private rooms in Teri's house, and Captain Dafydd Evans was with him.
"I have received the reports from the Klingon and Romulan Empires regarding your mission, Dafydd, and they concur with the Federation and Vulcan Councils. The Target is a confirmed threat, and matches much from the writings of those ancient, extinct cultures around the Alpha Quadrant," Sarek stated quietly before taking a sip of his drink. "Also, personally, I have no doubt that the Destroyer lies behind that barrier."
Dafydd shook his head slightly, "I too believe that being to be a threat, but a god-like creature? I can't accept that, I'm sorry."
"You do not need to accept what I believe, Dafydd. Simply acknowledging that a danger exists is enough for me. If I am right, then in time, belief will not be required. Knowledge will replace belief."
"Why do you believe this so strongly now, Sarek? You were hesitant to when we spoke on this before I left Earth in January."
"Because of two signs," Sarek sighed as he closed his eyes briefly. "Two children have appeared, and they both Herald the Destroyer."
"Who?"
Sarek opened his now twinkling eyes and looked at his friend. "Precisely, my friend. Who, indeed." He did not leave Dafydd too long with his puzzlement before continuing, "You have no doubt heard of, or even watched, the television shows 'Doctor Who'?"
"Yeah..." Dafydd said slowly before his eyes opened wide.
"There is a child here, named 'John Smith'. He is not of your world... and he has two hearts."
"Oh, boy..." Dafydd leaned back heavily. "And the other?"
"The new Vulcan child, Joel Short. He bears the signs of the Herald of Sa'ren, and therefore the Herald of the Destroyer."
Dafydd sighed again. "That boy has been through too much, Sarek. I hope you have not filled his head with this. He does not need it."
"Not I, Dafydd. The Doctor, Ish-Hassu, has informed him, and so has your son."
"I'm going to have words with that boy. Jason knows better than to scare an already scared little child!" Dafydd stood angrily, but Sarek raised a hand.
"No, Captain. Your son only did as asked by Joel. Joel already knew that many things were strange, and that only Jason had some answers. He asked, Jason answered."
"Hmm," Dafydd muttered as he sat back down.
"Moving along to what I hope to be a better topic," Sarek continued as he sat forwards, "I have also received notice from Admiral Morrow regarding your next assignment."
"Really?" Dafydd asked with surprise. "That is not normal for others other than the Captain to be told first, Sarek."
"It is when the one being told made a request beforehand. The Hood and her crew are now reassigned. You are no longer Starfleet primary. You are now Vulcan High Command, and assigned directly to Jason Evans, Director VSO Operations Earth, as a part of the Clan Evans Fleet that I am now commissioning. Your ship will operate much as the Lafayette does between Clan Short and Starfleet."
Dafydd was shocked. "I... Assigned to Clan Evans? That will take some getting used to, Sarek - taking orders from my son!"
Sarek nearly smiled, "I am sure you and he shall manage to work out the correct interaction. Now, I think I will meditate for a while. If you would be so kind as to ask my wife to join me, Dafydd, I shall let you get back to re-establishing your bonds with your now greatly extended family."
"Of course, my friend," Dafydd said as he stood and walked from the room.
Sarek turned and watched through the open window as Sammy and his brothers played outside in the bright sunshine with DJ, Tanner and a few of the Orlando Clan. There was much giggling and horsing around, including a few instances where the boys slipped with their clothing so as to show and compare those parts that boys that age found most interesting. Sarek smiled to himself; human children showed that which Vulcan children did not after a certain age - the desire to run and play and explore this way. Logic, being their salvation, was also the Vulcans' curse. Would there ever come one who could walk the path between Logic and Emotion clearly and easily? Many had tried, all had failed - his eldest son, Sybok, included. Only a one had shown promise, but then...
"No, I shall not remember that day. Not today," Sarek murmured as he continued to watch the children.
"Are you feeling well, my husband?" Amanda asked from the doorway.
He turned to see her concerned face looking right back at him. "Yes, my wife, I am well. I am just remembering - or trying not to remember."
She moved over and sat by him, taking his hand into both her own. "As am I. That bond that Joel made with me... it felt much as our son's did when he was a small child, Sarek. It touched me deeply, and hurt too. Our little grandson would have... I..." she stopped and waited until the burst of emotion had passed by her. "That old dream I told you of the day our daughter and grandson died - do you remember it?"
Sarek nodded. "When you sat with me on my starship for the first time, you saw a child. Our son. Then you saw another, a babe in arms, and felt sadness strike your heart. Yes, wife, I remember it."
"Something else is coming, Sarek. Something greater and yet more terrible. Something wondrous, yet destructive. I think I now believe this Legend, husband; and I believe young Joel is the key of it all..."
"Uh, Nath'?" Seth called from the doorway of Main CIC.
Nathan ran from the closed door of the room that Jason had run into, and went to the wheelchair-bound teen in frustration. "Yeah, Seth? Is this urgent? I have a childish husband to sort out," he muttered, anger barely held in check in his voice.
Seth half smiled, "Well, yeah. We have just had a call from London, UK. We have a little boy just orphaned being sent to us via Terra Main, and the message is for a member of the Family of Sarek. Since Sarek is busy with your Dad, and since Justy is one, on Enterprise with his dad, and two, not as direct a member as you and Jace, then you're picked by default."
Nathan's brow furrowed, "Sounds serious. What's up?"
"That's just it, I don't know. The message is that the Family of Sarek will know what to do with this boy, and that Sarek himself will have the rest of the information. But until Sarek can see him, he has to be put into the care of a direct Family member."
Nathan nodded uncertainly, "Okay. What's his name?"
Seth drew in a deep breath, "Well, Jimmy Marcus is what I was just told. He's just turned seven, and a little hell raiser from what the British Liaison to FYS said."
"Sounds fun. When's he arriving?" Nathan giggled, his irritation with Jason forgotten for the moment.
"Any second," Seth said, as a transporter beam started up.
Nathan and Seth moved over and waited until the transport was finished, to find a small boy with sad eyes standing next to a tall, friendly faced woman.
"Welcome to Clan Short Headquarters, a Sub-Clan of the Family of Sarek," Nathan said formally to them both. "I am Nathan Evans of Clan Evans, a Son of Spock of the Family of Sarek. This is Seth Metronome, of Clan Short."
"Pleased to meet you both," the woman said with a soft smile, "I just wish it were under better circumstances."
Nathan nodded in agreement before taking an encoded datapad from her. She nodded once more, then knelt down to look into the child's eyes. "James, these boys are going to look after you until Ambassador Sarek can help you. I've followed everything about Clan Short for a long time, and they are really good people. You'll like them, okay?"
"Okay, Mrs Humphreys," he squeaked out, and Nathan had to fall into his full Vulcan training to not burst into tears at the pain he could hear in child's voice and sense pouring from him.
Mrs Humphreys stood back up after kissing the boy's cheek softly, and turned once more to face Nathan and Seth. "Look after him, please. Ambassador Sarek will have the codes for that pad. I have to leave, now. Our work is never-ending, I'm afraid."
"Thank you," Nathan said as he gestured for little Jimmy to come closer towards him, which the boy did slowly and shyly.
They watched as Mrs Humphreys vanished into Terra Main's transporter again before Seth squeezed Nathan's arm softly before rolling off. Seth knew that Nathan had a better chance at linking with the child than he, due to his empathic abilities.
"So, you're Jimmy? Or do you prefer James?" Nathan asked softly as he sat on the floor to look up at the nervous, sad boy.
"Jimmy," he murmured softly. "Are you part of my family? Is that why I'm here?"
"I don't know why you're here yet, little one, but we'll find out. If you want, I can be your uncle until we do find out?"
Jimmy nodded, then moved to sit in Nathan's lap. Nathan cuddled him close as he began to cry softly in his arms, while Nathan kissed his curly, dark blond hair. After a long while, Jimmy raised his hazel eyes and looked at Nathan sadly, "Uncle Nathan, why'd Mummy have to die?"
Nathan's heart broke at that point, and tears began to trickle down his own pale cheeks. "I don't know, sweety. I don't know..."
They cuddled together for a few more minutes in silence, then Nathan said softly, "I need to sort out my hubby, then I'll introduce him to you. Come, I'll get you set up with a nice cup of cocoa before I fetch him."
"Hubby? You're married?" Jimmy asked curiously. "To a boy?"
"Yup. I'll explain in a bit. Come on, cutie."
Nathan pulled Jason out of the Meeting Room where he'd been 'thinking', and dragged him into the Rec Room. "You're such a bloody child, Jace. You don't have to pout and sulk every time someone keeps a secret from you!"
"Gerroffme, Nath'... OUCH... damn you! Leave me be," Jason complained as Nathan dug him in the ribs.
"No, Jace," Nathan said softly, anger in his voice. "Grow the fuck up, right now. You heard Kyle. It's all okay, and you've just made yourself look like an immature child rather than a Clan Patriarch. Grow up!"
Jason pulled his forming retort up short and became quiet. A moment later, he nodded, "Yeah. You're right. Sorry, Nathy."
"So you bloody well should be! Now, cool your head down. We're going to get a bloody drink, AND help the child that's been given into OUR care... that is if you want to?" the blond boy demanded firmly.
"What's this?" Jason asked suddenly with great curiosity.
Nathan tutted loudly, "Oh, you ARE interested. That's a bloody start. Come on, Incredible Sulk... let's get you up to date with Jimmy."
"Whoa, this place is big... like HUGE and stuff!" I heard as Vishnu landed on top of me for the hundredth time so far. I managed to peer out from under his furry chest and saw Jace and Nath' leading a tiny boy between them. He was a cute little thing, and he was staring around in awe at the grounds.
Jason smiled down at him and giggled before looking at me and yelling, "Hey, SamSam! Get yer skinny southern butt over here, bro. I want you to meet someone!"
"What's up guys?" I said as I got up from under my giggling Vish and moved over towards him. "Oh, and it's not that skinny!" I added giggling.
"Riti says it is... so does Viccy... they like skinny butts!" Nath giggled, winking at me.
I blushed before looking at the little kid with them. "So who's this, then?"
"Hi! I'm Jimmy - who're you, and are you nice and cuddly too??" the little guy bubbled at me, making me smile and giggle.
"Well, hi there; I'm Sammy and I definitely love cuddles. I've even been taking lessons from Joel and Timmy to do it better, too. As to you two, I just think you like making me turn red," I said seriously to all three of them, but with a smile so they'd know I was kidding. Then I turned back to Jimmy and said, "Oh and yeah, I'm nice except to people who talk about my butt!" I stuck my tongue out at Jace and Nathan.
Jimmy giggled at me, but suddenly sighed and he started to snuggle into Jace's side. "Is it wrong to have fun when Mummy's gone?" he asked plaintively, looking up at Jace and Nathan in turn before turning his tearful hazel eyes to look at me.
The sadness I'd felt there behind the excitement when I first saw him was now back in full force, and I quickly sent to Jace and Nath, 'What?'
Nath sent everything in an instant to my mind, and my heart almost broke at the pain this boy was in; like so many others, it seemed. Seeing those eyes lock onto mine, my heart joined Nath's in feeling for Jimmy.
I knelt down in front of him. "No. You see, you're still here and I can bet ya that your mom would want you to go on and live, even though she can't be here with you. Having fun is part of that and it's part of being a kid. It also helps with the hurt in here," I said touching my heart. "I know it's hard, but every time you have fun, I bet your mommy is smiling down on you from heaven. I bet she is so happy that you're happy cause I bet it makes her sad to see you hurting. It won't stop the hurt, though, but it'll help; trust me, I've been there," I told him gently, all the while sending warmth out to him and trying to take away some of his pain - at least a little.
Jimmy sniffed and shuffled forwards and I scooped him up and into my arms. "It don't make me feel good... my Mummy was always there..." he whispered softly as he cried into my chest.
I quickly looked up at Jace and Nathan, and, while whispering comfort to this crying angel, sent, 'Does he have a father?'
'Unknown. We have a datapad, but it's for Grandfather Sarek,' Jace replied. 'The message we had was that only he can open it. And he's meditating right now. I don't think there's any type of rush, really - it feels okay to wait...'
I nodded before turning my full attention back on Jimmy.
"I think maybe having fun does feel good when you can, but missing your mom doesn't. Plus, I think when you do start to have fun and maybe forget for a little while, how sad you are, then you remember and feel bad for feeling good. What you forget, though, is that your mom is still there, just in a different way now. You can't see her, and it's not what you want, but you know what. I bet sometimes if you really think about it, you can still feel her inside. Your mom is there in you every minute of the day, inside where you remember her. Everything you do, everything you say, she's there with you cause she loved you, and that love didn't leave with her, Jimmy. It's still there, you just have to remember that. It's not what you want or what you might wish for, but her love will never leave you unless you send it away. That's the hardest thing, cause when someone dies and they're not there any more like they always were, you think they're gone... but they're not, not really, 'cause of that love. It took me a long time to realize that when my... when my memaw died, and I was about your age too. But I know she's here with me every day, every minute. She's here every second cause she loved me so much, and just seeing you, I know your mommy is too. She won't leave you, child, never ever," I whispered into his ear through his sobs, hoping I was making some sense, hoping he'd see it.
I knew it wasn't easy, it had been so hard for me when it happened to me, and for a long time after that. I didn't want him to have to go through that too.
If only I could take all the pain away, but even I knew that he needed that to go on; even if it hurt like hell to see him go through it.
Jimmy looked up at me then, and, through his watery eyes, stared long and hard at me. "You are nice," he murmured after a moment. He sniffed and wiped his eyes, before whispering, "Yeah, I feel Mummy inside, like you said..."
He then gasped as a large furry paw laid itself on my shoulder. He looked over and gasped again, for Kartik and Vishnu were standing there beside me, purring.
"They won't hurt ya none. These are my brothers, Vishnu and Kartik. Guys, this is Jimmy," I said softly to the shocked boy, as I introduced them.
"We'd never hurt you Jimmy," Vishnu said softly, while KT added, "We protect our brothers."
"We protect each other," I firmly corrected, and got two smiles in return from them both.
Jace giggled quietly and I saw him wink at Nathan who had also noticed. "Cute," Nathan giggled.
"What?" I asked looking up at the two of them as they started giggling.
"Nuffin," Jace' giggled harder.
Nathan rolled his eyes, "I think you'll find out soon... unless we're mistaken... we could be, you know..."
"Not often, though, but... it's up to you and one of your puss-tats..." Jason finished with a laugh.
"Mmm?" I heard KT's puzzled tone, but he was hiding something. My Vish, though; he turned to look at the nearest cloud with great interest.
"Don't mind these two silly Brits, they're nuts," I giggled at the still shocked looking Jimmy while wondering just what the heck Jace and Nath were going on about, not to mention Vish was acting weird now too.
Didn't I have enough weirdness going on?
I guess not.
Jimmy giggled, "I'm American, but I lived in England all my life, Sammy..."
"Well I don't hold it against them, so I won't against you either," I replied, giggling.
He poked his tongue out at me, then he looked up at Vishnu. "Are you blushing under that fur, Mr Puss-tat?" he asked cheekily.
I couldn't help but actually laugh hard when I looked at Vish and saw that Jimmy was definitely right.
I was surprised, though, that he could tell. It usually takes a while to be able to.
"What's up Vish?" I asked, still giggling
"Nothing," he muttered, still blushing though.
What on Earth was going on? I thought to myself.
The last time I saw Vish blush was when Alexei had finally figured out how Vish did 'certain things' and where the 'thing' he did them with actually was.
Being all of three years old, Alexei wanted repeated demonstrations, and I had to actually save a bright red cat from the very curious boy. But, oh did we have some fun afterwards!
I heard Nathan sigh and saw him roll his eyes. He caught Vish's attention and beckoned him over to have a whispered conversation while Jace came over to sit by me. "SamSam, for someone with empathic skills like my sis, you're blind as a bat with no eyes," Jason giggled.
"What?" I whined. I looked with appeal at the boy still on my lap and whined again, "They're picking on me!" That got a giggle out of him, even if Jace did roll his eyes at me.
Jace started to cuddle closer to my side, leaving KT to do the same to my other. "My brother has a secret, Sammy," Kartik whispered in my ear, "and he was sure you'd have guessed by now."
"Oh, is he okay?" I asked, as I got concerned now, and I quickly looked over at Vish.
"Oh, good God," Jace sighed as he covered his face with his hands.
"What, Jace? Is something wrong with Vishnu? What is it?" I asked, now getting really worried, but then I noticed Jimmy was staring back and forth between them all before finally looking over at where Nathan was talking with a still furiously blushing, and now very nervous, Vishnu. "Sammy?" Jimmy whispered out, turning back to look into my eyes.
"Yes Jimmy?" I answered, but most of my attention was on Jace; waiting for an answer that wasn't coming.
My attention sure snapped back to him right fast enough at what he said next, though.
"The Puss talking to Uncle Nathan... I think he wants to be your boyfriend!" came the loud, happy cry from the now bouncing Jimmy, as he grinned up at me. "I think he likes you!"
"Jimmy, 1. Sammy, nil," Jason giggled, as he rolled onto his back. "A non-empath got it first, this is just too rich!"
"Not funny, Jace!" I elbowed Jace before asking Jimmy in a stunned voice, "My boyfriend?"
Kartik, however, made things much more clear for me, "He likes you a lot, Sammy. He has feelings for you. I dunno how deep, he won't say... but I know he does."
I just kept looking between the laughing Jace and happy Jimmy. "Boyfriend?" I murmured before turning my gaze towards Vish. "Boyfriend?"
"You really didn't know?" Jace asked, now looking up at my face from the ground where he'd finally stopped laughing insanely.
"I...I... No. I mean, I love him Jace, and we...ah..." I stopped and looked down at the rugrat in my arms before continuing carefully, "We've ah... 'played', you know, but I never knew..." I looked at Vish again, and I saw that he'd heard Jimmy's yell. He was now hiding behind a very amused Nathan.
"You did sex?" Jimmy asked with great curiosity. "You played with your willies and stuff? COOL! I've done that with lots and lots of my friends! It's fun!"
I felt my face turning red again and sent to Jace, 'So much for protecting innocent little ears!' I smiled down at the quite happy little one in my arms and said, "Yeah, we did; and you're right, it's lots of fun."
Suddenly, I saw Vish start floating over to me and Nath walked alongside of him until he was placed down in front of me. "Sit, Vish. You don't have to get married or nuffin', but you should talk 'bout these things. We're all brothers, and even if nothin' comes of it, it WILL make you closer to Sammy," Nathan said seriously and wisely. He then went and snuggled in next to Jason.
I looked at Vish and could tell he was nervous, so I reached out my hand and pulled him towards me to join our hug. "Don't be nervous," I said as I kissed his cheek gently. "It's like Joel says 'bout me; you're one great big fire, and every time I feel you it's that wonderful fire that warms me deep inside. I've never tried to go deeper than what you're sending. I just never knew it was more," I told him softly.
Vishnu blinked back tears and looked into my eyes. "You... I..." he started, but stopped quickly. I think he decided to express what he was feeling another way instead, for I had a big wet cat-kiss all up the side of my face - from my chin to my forehead! Oh, boy! He then nuzzled his muzzle into my neck... and started purring!
I gasped at the feelings that that caused, as well as those running through me, and due to those I could feel coming from him. I let my hands gently began to move up and down his back, caressing his sleek fur as I whispered, "Oh Vishnu." There were tears in my own eyes, now, as I kissed the top of his head softly.
I barely noticed KT pulling Jimmy from my arms as he asked Jace and Nath, "We have a few spare spots in the game now. You three wanna play while these two talk and whatever...?"
He ended with a giggle, and I could feel his love for us as I felt him gently pat both Vish and me.
"Thanks guys," I said softly to all of them, smiling out through my tears at my brothers.
"Don't mention it," Jason whispered back as he got up and moved over to the other playing kids, leaving me and Vish alone on the grass. Vish looked at me and blinked a few times as he wiped his eyes on the back of his paw.
"Sammy..." he began to say, but I could feel him getting nervous again.
"It's okay, Vish. You can say anything you wanna say. I won't mind," I told him gently as we cuddled together.
He half smiled at me, "You and Brian... I didn't say anything 'cos I've seen you two together, and even heard he was your boyfriend... not right that I do anything if you are together - it wouldn't be honourable. I... I.... feel a lot for you... but if you're with him, then I won't do nothin'... we're friends already and that's good enough... I won't get in the...."
"Shhh... shhh my Vish, shhh it's okay," I said to him softly.
He just looked at me, waiting and I tried to figure out what to say.
"Vish; I love you so much, and I love Brian too," I told him.
"Is... I mean..." he began, but trailed off.
"No, he's not. I love him, and we've loved each other that way, just like you and I have, but he's not my boyfriend," I said to him gently.
Vish started to stare at his paws a bit before I heard his whispered question. "So... does that mean... I, ummm... do you think <WE> could be boyfriends, then?" he asked as he raised his eyes to look at me hopefully.
I looked down for a minute and felt Vish tense, so I quickly looked back up at him, "Vish..."
"That means no then," he interrupted me.
"It means let me finish," I said gently, and once he nodded I started again. "I guess I need to talk to Jace or maybe dad, Vish, because I don't know what I'm feeling. I love you. With all my heart and soul I love you. But I love Brian the same way, and Kartik, and dad, along with the others. John said I love with my whole heart and I guess he's right. All I know is that I love you more than I can say, but I don't know if it's that way or not; the way you want and need."
I thought for a moment more and then said, "Feel what I feel, Vish." I sent out all the love I had for him with my abilities and saw him gasp as those feelings washing over him.
"I do love you, Vish, but I really don't know if it's as a boyfriend or not. I just know I don't want to hurt you or lose you; not ever."
He cuddled back into my side, then, and whispered, "We can wait, Sammy. I'll wait for you, and you can find out at your own pace... Even if we're just friends... what you showed me makes me want to cry, it's that beautiful."
"It's what I feel for you, Vish, because I find your heart so beautiful as well. Your fire, as my little guy calls it, is so bright and so hot and it makes me feel so good whenever I get to feel it. I'll always love you, but I just have to find out how to love differently, I guess," I told him gently.
I wondered how I was going to be able to do that. I had never given one type of love to one person while giving another type to someone else. I either loved them or I didn't. This was confusing because I knew there was something more. Vish wanted something from me that I didn't seem to know how to give, yet to me I already loved him. I loved Brian too, though. I just didn't know what they wanted from me. Wasn't my whole heart enough?
I just didn't want to hurt any of them.
'You do not need to ask Jason Evans, nor your father, Heart of Gold,' I suddenly heard the Doctor say into my mind. 'Your own heart knows the answer. Your love is vast, and whom you choose to give it to finally will always have what they need and want from you, and return to you what you need and want. Joel explained it best with Cory, Sean and Kevin. He loves each of them exactly the same, only the size of that love is different, yet it is still all his heart FOR each. You don't have to love Brian any less to be Vishnu's boyfriend and life-partner, nor vice versa, child.'
'But how is what he wants different? I mean I think I understand about the size part but if size matters then I will be with dad like I always wanted to be because he has my heart first and foremost if I have to choose above all. I love them, John, so much I can't even say. All of them, but how do I know if it's the kind of love like Vish wants? I don't understand. I can feel what's between Jace and Nathan, for instance; but to me it's pure love and it seems like what I feel for those I love anyway. What if I don't know how to give that kind of love? What if I don't know it when I find it? What if I've already found it and don't know?' I asked him silently.
'All love is different, Sammy, but you see it as the same - all your heart. You don't love people in grades. When I said that Joel loves Kevin with 'more' love, it is not more as in the amount. The size of the Fire he feels is higher, but that is only due to not 'feeding' the fire he has for Cory and Sean. He could be with any of those three and be forever happy. You can be forever happy with someone in this area, or even with someone you have yet to meet. It is really down to choice. You shall not hurt Vishnu nor Brian by making a choice, for they will never lose your love.'
'Then how do I choose, John? How do I choose? I just don't want to hurt them!'
'You won't hurt them, and really, you don't choose. If you want to know more, ask Joel. He can scan your emotions and show them to you in a unique way, from an 'outside' perspective. It might help you decide, or at least find peace. However, something for you to think about: what did I say to you about how you feel FOR Joel? That you also find him physically attractive? Is it because of his pointy ears?...'
I felt him withdraw slightly, so sent quickly, 'I don't know why I felt the way I did about Joel, it was... it was different, yet the same. I just don't know. Maybe I'll do that when he has some free time.'
The Doc did not answer me. All I kept hearing was his words going over and over in my head: '... you also find him physically attractive'.
Was that the key? The 'extra' that was needed to make me choose? But what was it I found attractive?? What would make me decided that?
I looked at Vishnu, and I got grinned at by my cougar friend... and he was wiggling his pointy ears at me!
Oh god.... now something else was getting pointed - and on me too!
Wait a minute! I suddenly heard again the last thing the Doc had sent to me: 'Is it because of his pointy ears?'
What?! I felt attracted to Joel 'cos of his pointy ears, that added to the love? And that if Kevin had not had him, I would have?!?
But... Joel's pointy ears - VISH has pointy...
I looked hard at my Vish; and he was still wiggling those ears of his at me, and grinning all the while...
It was almost an hour later and Jason was sitting in the Rec Room trying to access the datapad about Jimmy. His eyes widened when he heard Cory's voice coming over the World-Wide Clan Comm system. He started to his feet and run into CIC...
"Attention, Clan Short. This is Patriarch Cory Short. You are all invited to the Orlando Compound for an important meeting of the Family of Sarek. If you cannot attend, please send at least one representative from your Division. All are invited, and all welcome. Thank you."
Jason skidded to a stop next to the console Cory was using, and asked quickly, "When did you get back, and is...?"
"Wait and see, Jace," Cory smiled down at his fellow Patriarch. "Oh, and since your Clan is a part of the Family of Sarek, you wanna bring your guys from Wales too?"
"What about the rest of them?" Jason asked, his face a complete mask of puzzlement, "Do you even know how many of us there are, Cor?"
"If you got too many, wake up Draco and con him into linking into the systems; but at least get some of the kids from each of your Divisions here, bro," Cory said as he hugged Jason quickly. "I gotta run. Get your skinny butt in gear, Jace. Get to making the calls."
Jason started making his way out of CIC before he could even think. As he left Main CIC and got to the hallway, he saw Captain Kirk walking towards the Auditorium with Joel in his arms. Joel saw Jason at the same time and yelled out, "JACE! I found my Daddy!!"
Kirk and Joel disappeared around the corner, leaving Jason to stand there with his mouth opening and closing like a fish.
"Uncle Jim??" he managed eventually, before continuing outside in a complete daze. "Well... that's not surprising in the least!"
For the second time in a week, the new Auditorium was filled to bursting with kids and adults from all over the world. Each Division was there, or at least represented from what Jason could see. This time, most of his own Clan was right there as well, all in their Black, Grey or Blue robes. Only a few from the Ark Compound had come, but what with the things going on in their sector, that was understandable. The balcony was filled with adults; mostly parents of the kids below, and also the Bon Jovi group, the members of the now defunct Backstreet Boys and N-sync, and various others who had pulled together over the last week to aid Clan Short.
Levi walked up onto the stage, and his eyes started to glow white. "...//I call to order the Conclave of Family Sarek of Vulcan//..." the Guardian intoned through the small Mikyvis, his voice resounding through the large room.
Jason's eyes widened. He turned to look at his equally shocked brothers and sisters in Clan Evans, before mouthing softly to Nathan, "A conclave?"
"Beats me, love," Nathan replied, hugging little Jimmy closer to his side.
Ambassador Sarek and Lady Amanda, seated in the front row, seemed to be as surprised as Jason was.
Levi looked down at them, and now in his normal voice said, "I call Sarek, Patriarch of House Surak, Patriarch of Family Sarek, and the Lady Amanda his wife to the stage."
They both walked up, following the ritual and custom to the letter even if the reason for the meeting was hidden from them. They stood side by side at the centre of the stage.
"I call," Levi said again, "Spock, Heir of House Surak and Family Sarek, and Director Teri Short of Federation Youth Services."
Spock and Teri walked from the shadows and Spock took his place at Sarek's right. Teri stood to Spock's left, but unlike Amanda, she stood two paces behind the line. Teri being summoned, and in effect linked to Spock as 'partner', caused a sudden stir through most of the room.
"I call Division Commander Jason Evans, Patriarch of Clan Evans, Full Clan in the Family of Sarek, and Commander Nathan Evans."
By now, Jason had expected this. Nathan quickly whispered to little Jimmy, and watched as Victoria took the grieving boy under care. He then stood with Jason and walked forwards to stand in front of Spock and Teri.
"I call Fleet Commander Cory Short, Patriarch of Clan Short, Sub-Clan in the Family of Sarek, and Commander Sean Short, Clan Historian."
Both teens grinned as they walked to the stage and stood next to Amanda. Just as their mother, they stood two steps behind from the main line due to the differences between the two Clans represented on stage.
Levi turned then to face Spock. "Captain Spock, I hand the Conclave to you. I shall not speak again unless the Guardian of Forever needs to do so," he said formally, and stood to the furthest edge of the stage on Sarek's right.
Spock raised his hand in the Vulcan salute. "I greet the Family of Sarek, and welcome you all to our Conclave." He then stepped forward and turned to look at his father, "I request the Inar'tor, my Father."
Sarek looked at his son carefully, then looked to where Teri was standing. "The Accepting? You are adopting Teri Short's children?"
Spock did not reply; he could not, for Sarek had to either accept or reject his request first. As per tradition.
"Inar'tor is initiated," Sarek stated firmly. He gestured to his side and Spock, his eyes shining, stood back next to his father.
The room suddenly darkened, and a soft red light, much like the light of Vulcan's sun, bathed the room. From the end of the central aisle two small figures started walking, shadows playing over them.
It was Joel and Kevin. Kevin was dressed normally, but Joel wore a black Vulcan robe with silver runic symbols running down the right side of the chest. Around his neck, the St. Christopher medal was seen shimmering brightly.
As they reached the steps leading up to the stage, Kevin gave Joel a deep, meaningful kiss, then waited at the foot of the steps.
Joel, something glimmering in his hands, walked up the few steps and onto the better lit stage. Standing before Patriarch Sarek, the little Vulcan trembled slightly, and a look of wondering awe and love was in his deep blue eyes.
Sarek went ramrod stiff, for he had finally worked out exactly who was being accepted, and therefore why Teri was on stage. He also worked out from whom Joel's eyes had descended from - T'Sara...
Sarek sank to his knees as Joel raised his hand to reveal that which he held; the Seal of the Family of Sarek.
"I request acceptance into thy family, Ti Sa'mekh'al," Joel stated formally, his little voice shaking.
Sarek just managed to follow custom and whispered, "And what... what is thy Name, and the Names of thy parents, youngling?"
Before Joel could answer, the 'Voice of Forever' started to speak. Levi stood forward, his eyes blazing forth in white light. He recited the poem that was the same in each and every Universe in Creation... in every one, but not Alpha Prime:
"...//All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those Forsaken are lost.
The Blood that is strong cannot falter,
Deep roots are not touched by the frost...//..."
Kirk, Spock and Scotty looked down quickly at those pictures and looked at the faces of Joel's parents. Spock and Kirk stiffened in utter shock, while Scotty raised an eyebrow curiously.
"D...daddy?" Joel trembled. "Y...you're my dad??"
Spock's legs slowly gave way, and Kirk barely managed to help his brother sink to the floor. Tears and sobs started pouring out of Spock as his eyes now locked with those of Joel. He looked closely at the young boy's face and attempted to see past the sunken cheeks and those other results of prolonged starvation... and saw himself as a child reflected in Joel's face; yet those eyes... they were T'Sara's. His wife's eyes. "My son..." Spock managed to croak out, "My tiny, precious son..."
"You.... you are! You're my Dad!" Joel suddenly sobbed out as his heart just managed to contain the sudden burst of joyous excitement, relief and the sense of overwhelming awe. He moved like lightning to cover those few feet between himself and Spock, and was pulled into the arms of his father. "Cory! Sean! Captain Spock's my DADDY!!!" was the last coherent thing heard from Joel before he broke into happy sobs of joy. To the heartbreak of all, those sobs became mingled with those coming from Spock, shocking Scotty to his core.
"A son? He has a son?" Scotty asked as he faced his Captain. Scotty did not press for an answer, for Kirk was also weeping heavily.
Bones moved over and touched Scotty's arm. "I'll explain," he said thickly, his own eyes beginning to run with tears. Scotty nodded and both men moved away to speak quietly.
While Bones was doing so, Levi and his parents appeared to look in awe at the two sobbing Vulcans. "WOOHOO!" Levi yelled loudly before pouncing onto Cory's back. Cory, still in shock himself, fell over and onto Sean, who was already on the floor.
Teri looked quickly at Kyle, then at Spock and Joel, then back. "Can you get all of Joel's brothers, Kyle?" she asked softly.
"Yeah," the Mikyvis managed to mumble. "I think we need all the Short family here."
"Partners too," Chip added, for he had a feeling about what would be happening soon.
During all this, Kevin was grinning at the reunion before him. However, the sudden sniffs and sobs from behind the seat he was on him made him swivel and look over the back. Cory and Sean were in each other's arms, with Levi hugging them tightly, and both were crying softly.
Kevin sighed. He knew why. They had both lost their fathers; and while this reunion of Joel's made them happy for their little brother, it also brought to the surface their own lack. The need for every boy to have a father of their own was plain to feel to the brown haired Empath. He got up and, with Levi's help, corralled Cory and Sean around and onto the seats, just as the rest of the Short family and their partners appeared.
Timmy, seeing his parents crying, ran over with Paulie, CD and Calen, and snuggled in around them tightly.
Adam looked around and for a moment he could not work out what the fuss was about. Then it dawned on him: Spock was crying into Joel's hair, and murmurs of 'Daddy' were being sobbed out by his big 'little' brother. "Oh, boy..." Adam whispered.
"But none of the bairns survived, Doc," Scotty spluttered loudly all of a sudden, interrupting what Bones had been telling him. "There were six on the 'Zhuk'Fasek', and I personally reviewed the remains we had. All six were accounted for and dead!"
"No, Mr Scott," Bones explained, an old pain seen in his eyes. "There were seven children on that ship. Three of them infants, not the two you found. T'Sara and her son were under Red One, and therefore not 'there' officially. They didn't exist, the child most especially."
"Blasted Vulcans and Red One," Scotty murmured once it had sunk in. "So that's why we did na know that Spock was married?"
Bones nodded.
"How'd he survive when no other did?" Scotty asked in bemusement.
Bones shrugged, "I don't know. We may never know."
While Bones had continued talking with Scotty, Teri had moved over to be with her two grieving boys. Cory was now cuddled under one arm, while Sean was under the other.
"Sorry, Mom," Sean sniffed. "We've seen others get reunited with their dads, but... I don't know why we're crying," he trailed off, sniffing slightly as he wiped his eyes.
"I do." Teri replied softly. "You both lost your birth fathers at a young age, and up until about two weeks ago there were no adult males who even attempted to fill that spot in your lives. Jon might have been joking at your wedding when he made the comment about it being weird marrying off his oldest 'sons' to each other, but you could see in his face the entire time he was there that he took that promise he made to be there for you guys as a father seriously. With everything that's happened, he hasn't had time to show it, so it really has not sunk into your heads yet. You know what Joel has been through by not knowing who his father was, and seeing him reunited has made you realize that it's something you'll never get a chance to do yourself."
"Am I..." came the emotion filled voice of Spock suddenly, but his words fell away due to his now loosed feelings. He coughed and tried again. "Am I to understand that both Cory and Sean have found an A'nirih?"
"More like Jon volunteered for it when Cory had one of his breakdowns. Any doubts about his seriousness about it were wiped away at the wedding; it's just taking some time for it to sink into these two little hard heads," Teri replied as she gave both boys an extra squeeze.
Holding the still quietly weeping Joel tightly to his chest, Spock sat down on the floor in a more comfortable position so as to hold his son more securely. To Teri, it seemed like Spock had no intention of letting his little boy go any time soon. Her smile grew wider with Spock's next statement.
Spock looked around at each of Teri's sons, her grandsons and even those few great grandsons. Then he caught and held Cory's and Sean's eyes with his own, using a subtle Kolinahr trick, and looked into them deeply. They, too, looked back into eyes that they had never seen filled with such emotion before. "When my father enacted the Sub-Clan of Adopted Brothers, I was torn between taking you all under me as A'nirih, or letting my brother Charles do so. He did not, just as I did not; this was due to our duty schedule at the time. It was... chaotic. We were in the middle of a refit, and after that we had a mission to the edge of Federation territory.
"When a Vulcan becomes A'nirih or M'aih to any child, we always take at least a month away from our business to attend to that child. We form those bonds that are required to let the child know he or she is nurtured and loved and cared for.
"Neither I nor Charles could do that when Clan Short was formed. When Jason Evans asked me to be his 'Poppa', his A'nirih, I took three months leave. I would do no less for any others that I took under my wings. There have been new children in Clan Evans since I have been away from Earth, and I need now to meet and bond with them as well.
"I am, however," he paused slightly as he cleared his throat, "I am intending to offer A'nirih now in any case. I made that decision three weeks ago, and my s... my son being alive only adds strength to that resolve. I am intending to take as much leave as required to be with you all - should you accept me, that is."
Silence. No one said a word, but the faces before Spock were a riot of different emotions, yet all had hope mixed in. Tommy's mouth was hanging open, while Aaron's face ran with tears.
"You do not need to decide now, children - and Cory, Sean; your relationship with this Jon will remain unaffected should you accept me as A'nirih as well. Vulcans can have many fathers and mothers. Just as Joel now has your mother as his M'aih, so you can add me as your A'nirih. If you wish it," Spock finished, sincerity in his voice and eyes.
By now, Joel had stilled his tears and was simply relaxing in his new-found father's arms. Looking up at his dad speaking, Joel's eyes were taking in everything about his dad's features, and so failed to notice the obvious mis-conclusion from Spock.
Teri, however, did not miss it. "I'm Joel's Ko'mekh, Spock," she said softly. "Not his M'aih."
"Pardon me?!" Spock spluttered in shock before trying to regain some small control over himself. He did not quite manage it, but did hold himself together enough to ask, "How? Only a Sa'mekh or Ko'mekh can bequeath such a right, or by right of blood - such as a sister or brother. Charles would become Joel's Sa'mekh should I pass away, for instance... how can you claim this, Teri?"
"Mother asked her to be my for real blood mother, Daddy," Joel whispered up at him from his arms.
Spock looked down quickly. "Your... mother..." He raised his eyes to meet Teri's, and something passed between them in that look. "T'Sara lives?" he asked.
Teri shook her head, while Joel reached up and placed his small hand against Spock's cheek. "Daddy. You need to Meld with me... You need to know about me for real, and I wanna know you and the time I've missed bein' with you... and... there's other reasons..."
Joel shuffled around slightly to sit facing his father on his lap. "Meld with me? Please?"
Spock's shaking hand raised up of its own accord, and the others watched in complete silence as father and son Melded for the first time in their lives...
In the Mind Melds that Joel had experienced to date, all he had ever felt was from within his own mind as either Xolan or Xain merged their own with his. Each time, they had put him to one side per his own request so that he would not have to walk his own memories.
This time was different. He was on what he was sure was a bridge of pulsating light. Behind him was a passage with a golden glow that seemed to feel like home to him, while before him was another golden glow. The one before him did not feel like home as such, but it was welcoming. From the passage and light before him came his father, Spock. Walking quickly, the older Vulcan stooped and picked up Joel and held him tight, almost crushing the small boy against his chest.
"My son... oh, my son," he whispered over and over. Spock felt his heart break at the feel of his son's slight frame. What had he been through to leave him this way?
Joel felt his little heart swell with feeling, and he murmured back into Spock's neck, "I love you, Daddy. I've always loved you, since I first saw your adventures. Always and always..."
They stood like that for the longest time - unmoving, yet most certainly not 'unloving'. Spock's heart, Kolinahr not withstanding, was wide open, and Joel's own had never been closed since he had first felt the 'Fire'.
After that time of simple bonding had lessened, Spock asked quietly, "Do you wish to share my own thoughts, my Child?"
"Yeah, Daddy. But I think you'd better see mine first... only..."
"Only what, my son?"
Joel drew in a slow, steady breath. "Only I don't wanna see my past as well. Xain and Uncle Xolan put me in a quiet place in my own head, and I saw nothin'. Can you do the same?"
Spock smiled gently at his boy, shocking Joel at that unexpected show of emotion. "You shall stay in my own mind while I go into your own. I shall protect you, my son," Spock said with assurance.
"Thanks," Joel whispered, increasing his hold on his dad. "What is this, though? This place?"
"The Link. The Joining Point. It has many names, but it is only what we are perceiving as the bridge between our minds; the merger of our essences," came Spock's answer as he turned and made for the 'passage of light' that Joel now knew to be his dad's mind.
"Am I not invited, my T'hy'la?"
Spock spun around at the sound of that unexpected voice, and he nearly dropped his son at the sight of his wife, T'Sara, walking from the light of Joel's mind. "T'Sara! You are within our son?"
"Yes, Spock. I could not leave our child alone, even at my own death. I was not able to stop what you are about to witness from occurring, but I was able to help once he came back to his true form," she replied as she reached them and embraced them both.
Joel giggled in wonder and joy at becoming a 'Joel-sandwich' between his parents. He told them as much when they both asked him in unison why he was 'amused'.
T'Sara started laughing. "I believe our son will take after us both, beloved," she said through her chuckles to Spock.
"You laugh?" Joel piped with shock.
T'Sara nodded at him, still keeping him tightly between herself and Spock. "Your father chose the Vulcan path. I chose the human."
"The hu... the human?! You're half human too??" Joel spluttered. His mind flew over everything that had happened since his arrival in the Clan, and brought him the answers to his own questions. "Of course! That's why my DNA is so messy! I'm a second generation hybrid! Doctor Austin said I was a little more Vulcan than human, and that could only happen with two half human parents!"
"Marked of T'Khasi," T'Sara whispered to him, stroking his curly hair - hair so much like her own.
"Huh?" Joel looked at her curiously. "From the Legend?"
"Yes," she answered. "Your Y chromosome is from your father, and his from his own - that chromosome can only pass father to son, never to or through a woman; so that is marking you as Vulcan. Yet your mitochondria; they are from me. They are passed to all children from the mother only, so passed mother to daughter, yet carried by sons. My mother is Vulcan - my father, human. You are therefore marked both ways as a child of Vulcan, yet you are also of Vulcan's brother - Earth."
"Cool... I think," Joel half giggled.
Spock, his eyes lost as he looked upon the face of the woman lost to him so long ago, asked, "T'Sara, will you stay with our son in my mind, or will you come with me into his own?"
"I shall come with you, Spock," she answered seriously. "You are about to witness horror, and you shall need me. I needed you when I first beheld Joel's memories, but I know that your anger far exceeds my own. You shall need me."
He nodded, then looked down into Joel's face as his son asked, "Why don't you call me by my name, Daddy?"
"You are as yet 'Unnamed', my Child," Spock replied with a gentle smile.
T'Sara added, "By tradition, the father or eldest male of the Family must name the child. Until then, that child has no name. You 'broke the mold', as it were; when we landed on that other 'Earth', I knew I was dying. I did not wish you to be named by non-family, so I broke tradition and gave you a name. It is not your real name, for that can only be from your father."
Joel took a moment to digest that before saying softly, "But I like the name you gave me, Mother... I'll miss it."
Spock smiled. "In that case, we shall break with tradition once we have been through the Naming. The name given you by T'Sara shall be a middle name, as many humans have."
Joel started beaming happily, "Brilliant!"
"I think that is a wise decision, Spock," T'Sara said with a chuckle. "His brothers would not wish him to lose that name. I believe you know better than I the power held by Cory and Sean when it comes to getting 'what is right'. Am I not correct?"
Spock nodded, "As ever, you are correct." He glanced down into the laughing eyes of his son. "Shall we proceed into my mind, my son?"
"Yup!" Joel bubbled happily.
Once through that passageway, Joel glanced around at what seemed a large room with corridors and doors leading off from it in all directions.
Spock placed his son down gently and said, "I shall go with your mother now, my Child. We shall return once done; do not be alarmed, for my mind knows you and will protect you and comfort you should you require it."
"Okay, Daddy," Joel nodded seriously. He then watched as they turned and vanished hand in hand, leaving him 'alone'.
For a while, Joel simply bounced on his heels happily. He casually looked around at the doors and corridors, thinking that without his dad he shouldn't go anywhere. After a longer stretch of time, however, he came to the conclusion that his father hadn't told him to remain where he was. He reasoned that if he shouldn't enter one of the doors, then Spock's mind would not let him.
He trotted over to the nearest door that took his fancy. At his approach, a warmth filled him, and it opened on its own. His eyes widened as information and images of knowledge poured at his senses; and it was only due to his Vulcan abilities and innate photogenic memory that he absorbed the influx so easily. This was the room in his father's mind where Spock kept all his Kolinahr training, information and abilities - and now Joel knew them all, including the Vulcan martial arts, Suus Mahna.
Joel stumbled back from the door and it closed. "Wow," he murmured in shock. Then, he grinned, "I wonder what's behind the others?"
For what seemed like hours, Joel went from door to door and absorbed more information that he thought he could have ever done, before he saw another interesting seeming door. He had no idea why it seemed interesting, only that it did. He ran over, and again like all the others, it opened at his very presence.
He closed his eyes quickly, for this was a room of memories. Specifically, every memory his father had of his mother - every one.
Joel fell over and crawled away, "Ewww! Ewww ewww ewwww!" He rubbed at his eyes futilely, for he really knew he'd never forget. "That's wrong... I'm wrong... I'm gonna be in soooo much..."
"No, Child. You will not be in trouble," Spock said behind him, and Joel looked up... and blushed.
"Sorry Daddy! Sorry, Mother! I shouldn't have gone lookin', and..." he trailed off, for Spock's face seemed at ease. His mothers, however, was creased in laughter lines.
"That was the funniest thing I have ever seen!" T'Sara chuckled.
Spock nodded in agreement. "I wonder what caused such a reaction, however," he wondered, deadpan.
Joel answered the question automatically, still trying to rub the image away from his eyes, "Knowing you... ummm, did sex stuff and such... well, that's one thing. Seeing all of the times you did, and even knowing which one made me...?! That's something else! Ewwwwww! Icky icky!"
"Oh, you are the cutest Child I know," T'Sara said softly as she watched her boy rub at his eyes. She moved to him, knelt down and embraced him, "Do not worry at it, my Son. You will learn how to close away your memories soon so that they will not all forever plague you. You ill therefore be able to do the same with these memories."
Joel smiled at her uncertainly. "Really? I can s...s...stop the pain?" he asked with a tremble.
"Yes," Spock answered firmly, "I shall teach you. You have the knowledge from that first room you saw, but you must be led to those abilities by practical example. This last room, however, was one you would not have seen in its entirety. When a parent and child Meld as we are on those special occasions to bond deeper, the child is generally completely open, yet the parents do tend to hold back on their intimate moments. Not because I or your mother would be embarraced by you seeing such, but all parents know that their children would react much as you just did. I never intended for you to witness what you did."
Joel blushed even more, which only caused his mother to tighten her hug and start kissing his face. "I was right - too cute," she whispered to him, increasing his blush further.
Spock continued to smile down at him before kneeling to look him in the eye. "Seriously, son; I am not angry at you for seeing those memories. If I had not wished you to open these doors, I would have told you not to do so."
Joel nodded slowly, smiling shyly at the same time. His eyes gained a slight cheekiness about them as he giggled, "So, I'm a 'first night baby'?"
Spock blinked while T'Sara broke out in peal upon peal of laughter. "Yes," Spock nodded.
"Are you blushing, Daddy?" Joel asked curiously.
"Yes," Spock nodded again before pulling the cheeky imp from T'Sara's arms and into his own. "And I believe the customary punishment for teasing is to be tickled: am I not correct, T'Sara?"
"Correct, Spock," she managed through her laughter. Her chuckles were soon joined by Joel's higher pitched giggles and squeals for mercy.
Once his father had stopped his assault, and he had gained his breath back, Joel snuggled in happily on Spock's lap as Spock sat on the floor. "Are you okay after seeing my past, Dad?" he asked his father seriously.
"No, I am not; but your mother's presence helped as she said it would. I shall be okay, Child. It is you that I am more concerned for," Spock answered, and his voice held the sound of pain in it. "Come, I shall take you through my mind now. Later today, I shall teach you how to put all that you will learn here into practice"
T'Sara helped both to stand, and all three began to move through Spock's mind, but Joel suddenly stopped dead. "Mother?" he gasped out as he turned his face up to stare up at T'Sara.
"Yes, Joel?"
"When I saw you and Daddy in... in there... I saw... You... your mom and dad are... is... are..."
"Yes, Joel; and I believe they are still alive. You shall be able to meet them," she smiled down at him.
Joel looked quickly back and forth between his parents. "Oh, boy!"
Once the Meld had broken, Joel found that only a few minutes had passed by, rather than the length of 'time' he seemed to remember. He smiled into his father's face and then promptly snuggled himself back in, a strange little grin on his face.
Spock raised his face, searching for one particular person in the crowded room. He found him easily. "Kevin Thompson, please come here," he asked gently.
Kevin did so, and shuffled to a stop with his hand resting on Joel's shoulder. "Yes, Uncle Spock?"
Spock pulled him into an embrace. "I approve of you and my son being together, Kevin. You and he are a match," Spock whispered for Kevin alone to hear. Then, he pulled him in to cuddle together with Joel.
Spock then looked up at Teri. "Lady Teri of Vulcan," he stated formally. "I concur with she who was my wife; you are Ko'mekh of my son. In your doing so while his identity was as yet unknown, you have placed both yourself and me into a unique position; one not seen for over a thousand years."
"You know, this is getting to be a bad habit..." JJ attempted to whisper to Justy. Unfortunately, the dead silence made his observation audible to everyone.
Spock glanced at JJ and smiled. "Humans have a strange ability of doing so, JJ," he said, a twinkle in his dark brown eyes. He then looked back towards Teri, who was simply puzzled by his prior statement.
Teri decided to use the diplomatic approach that she had learned so well since assuming Director of FYS. "I am not sure I completely understand your reference, Mr. Spock. Could you please elaborate?"
Spock half smiled, "In accepting the mantle of Ko'mekh over my son, you have become, in the eyes of T'Khasi, his birth mother. He is an heir of the oldest House of T'Khasi, and as such you are now of that direct Family and House. I am made, by default, Sa'mekh to all of your children, with the final choice of acceptance being theirs. For me to have taken them as Sa'mekh any other way would have either meant our marriage, or your death, whereupon I would have had to fully adopt them. This act done without full knowledge of the people involved has bound both you and me together in the raising of our children. It is as if I fathered each of your children, and as if you birthed each. We are their parents, and they are now brothers by blood, not just oath. You, they have accepted already, as is plainly obvious. Until or unless they accept me as Sa'mekh, I am automatically A'nirih."
A small voice was heard in the silence after that proclamation. The voice of a child who had lost much in his fourteen years of life. The voice of a young boy who had always known love, but had still yearned for the bond of blood from within his own family. The yearning in that small voice brought a tear to all who could hear it.
Cory, as if he was once again six years old, stuttered pleadingly in a soft, treble voice, "D..do y..yo..you r..r..r..rea..really wa..wa..want t..t..t..to b..b..b...b..be m..m..m..my Da..Dad..Daddy?"
Spock placed Kevin to one side and quickly stood to move towards where Cory and Sean were seated with Teri and their four children. Standing before Cory and looking down into that tearful face, Spock, with Joel perched on his left hip, reached down and slipped his arm around Cory's waist. His immense Vulcan strength more than made it possible for him to easily lift Cory up and away from Teri's embrace and onto his right hip. Holding both boys close, and taking Cory's watery gaze with his own, Spock said simply, "I am your Father, from now and until the day I die. I have chosen you, I have fathered you. Blood of my blood, and flesh of my flesh."
Cory's lips trembled and he shook violently in Spock's arms. "You are my son," Spock said simply and thickly, and Cory burst into full tears. "Yes, I want to be your 'Daddy'. I have wanted to be since I first met you, Cory," he continued, and Cory only just heard him through his sobs.
Cory tucked his face into Spock's neck and just continued to cry. Joel, however, had the biggest, brightest smile on his own face.
Sean was cuddled into his Mom's side, and his emotional link with Cory nearing overloaded. As Teri stroked his back, listening to his repeated whispers of 'we got a Daddy', she felt peace at the boys acceptance of the only thing she had not been able to provide for them. Despite the advice of all that knew her, she had never in good conscience been able to seek another relationship after the loss of her husband. Her argument in reply to the urgings of others had always been 'I pledged to stand by Michael for all Eternity when we were wed, and I never break my oaths'. Both her boys knew this from overhearing it many, many times, and Teri was sure that it played a big part in their insistence on keeping their word to others.
Joel could clearly hear Sean's whispers, and he squirmed a bit in Spock's grasp. He said softly, "Daddy; put me down. Ted needs cuddles too."
Spock nodded and lowered his little lost and found boy to the floor, only to see him grabbed and cuddled by a smiling Kevin. Spock then knelt himself, with Cory still cuddled into his right side. The Vulcan opened his now freed arm towards the auburn haired teenager, and said quietly, "Come to me, Sean, son of Spock."
Sean nodded, and wordlessly shifted himself to Spock. As Joel and Kevin took the place on Teri's lap that Sean had just vacated, Tommy, Adam, Tyler, Jordan, Aaron, Gavin, Sipek, Skirk, and Syzik gathered around their brothers and placed their hands on Cory and Sean's shoulders. Spock held the two teens in his arms close and gazed into each of the other boys' eyes. As he looked at them one by one, he said their names, and added the title 'son of Spock' to each. This prompted kisses, many in fact, to be placed on both his cheeks, and whispers of 'Thanks, Dad' or variations of the same to come from each.
Jude was the last to approach and looked completely uncertain as he stood there watching his new brothers. His eyes expressed hurt and loss, much like those of Sean and Cory, and yet there was doubt too. Spock glanced at him, and then at Joel, who whispered, "You didn't see him in my memories?"
Spock shook his head, "No. I did not see anything after you were brought out of that place, my Child. Your mother told me to meld with you later once I have regained my full control."
"Oh, okay," Joel nodded, then looked at Jude, "He's Jude, our new brother. Mama 'dopted him yesterday."
Spock looked back at Jude, and Tyler and Skirk moved to bring the fourteen year old closer to the kneeling Vulcan. Jude trembled in awe, for he had never expected to meet Captain Spock for real unless in a dream, never mind have the chance to be his son. Spock asked softly, "What is troubling you, child?"
Jude sniffed and wiped quickly at his eyes before saying, "My Dad and Mom were great, Mr Spock... I loved them and they loved me, but they died not too long ago. Mom... Teri Short... said she'd be my new Mom, but that I could keep my last name to honour my real Mom and Dad. I... I'm jus' scared that saying I want you as my new Pop would be... be like sayin'... I'm r...replacing my real D...Dad..." He finished in full tears and covered his face with both hands to try and hide his sobs.
"Unca Jude?" Liam, being carried on Justy's back, called out, "Unca Jude? Your Daddy says he loves you and is proud of you lots and lots. He wants you to have a new Daddy, and says dat Unca Captain Spock is the bestest choice."
Jude looked up and at the small red head in shock. "My Dad...?"
Justy giggled, "He sees dead people, Jude. Trust us and trust him; your Dad must have said that."
Jude just stared, first at Justy, then at Liam, then he turned and did so at Spock. Cory, his tears lessening, swivelled in Spock's embrace and beckoned his newest brother closer, and then, once Jude had stumbled near enough, reached and pulled him in between himself and Sean. Spock easily added him to the hug-fest that was formed around him.
Jude looked into Spock's eyes. "I can still be 'Lee'?"
Spock nodded. "I am pleased to meet you, Jude Lee, son of Spock."
Jude's face broke into a soft smile, and he too snuggled in with his brothers.
Mikey appeared just then, standing off to the left side of Spock. He looked at the group in Spock's arms, then spoke in a Voice which echoed in the room as he turned and looked directly at JJ and Kyle.
"There is a Prophecy in the Book of Life which has awaited the Time for its revelation. Word has been Given to the Host to deliver this message now. Listen, for I have been tasked to deliver these Words to all here."
"As is the Heart of a Human,
so is the Heart of the Nexus.
Four chambers,
working together,
acting as One.
Four Youth,
sworn as one.
Together they keep all alive;
apart, life shall cease."
Mikey looked around the room. "Most of you are here due to an Oath sworn in a shower. An Oath which was accepted by Our Father. JJ, Kyle; it is Time to decide if that Oath is to be Sealed for Eternity."
JJ looked down at Kyle in shock. Kyle looked up, wonder in his eyes. "Don't look at me, bro... I only get info from the Book of Life second-hand! I know better than to be arguing with Mikey; I'm joining our brothers. You comin'?"
JJ nodded, then picked up Kyle and carried him to the group of boys.
Mikey then turned and pulled his mother, Joel and Kevin into the group as well. Once their hands had joined the rest, Mikey placed his hands on the heads of Cory and Sean.
"Spock, Child of Sarek of the House of Surak;" Mikey said in a more normal voice, "I accept your offer of Sa'mekh. I also have a message agreed upon by Michael Cory Short, Child of Samuel, and Patrick Sean Scott, Child of Winston. You have their Blessing and best wishes as you take on the providing of support and love for their sons which are gathered around you. All here in this group they consider their own, as well as those to come."
"Ah, does that mean us too?" Billy Joe and Josiah asked in unison from the side where they and the other partners of the Short boys were standing, along with the kids and grand kids.
As Teri went to sit back down with Joel and Kevin once again on her lap, Spock turned to look at them and smiled, "If you are partner to one of my sons, then you are also my son. Vulcans have no 'in-laws'. As for the Little ones: I am your Fa'Sa'mekh, as if by blood. Come."
They did. All of them. En-mass. In a pounce.
Justy, Dean and the twins started laughing, and Asher and Liam were rolling around giggling.
Joel looked on in bemusement from Teri's lap. "Mama?"
"Yes, sweety?"
"Daddy won't get squished, will he? I only just found him!"
"No, sweety. He'll be fine."
Kirk, Scotty, McCoy and Chip were too busy trying to not break their ribs laughing to do much to help the fallen and buried Vulcan Captain.
It took a while, but eventually the kids had all settled to the floor around Spock and were quietly talking and asking questions. One by one, each was taking up some time on their new Dad's, or Grandpa's for some of them, lap. The other adults were now on the sofa and simply watching this bonding happen.
Unsurprisingly, Joel was soon pulled over and held close by Spock; Teri had been right, for he could not be parted from his tiny child for long. He had too much to catch up on.
"Dad, what's Joel's real name?" Tyler asked, a thrill of excitement again running down his spine at having a new father.
Spock raised an eyebrow. "'Joel' is the name given to him by his mother, yet you are right, Tyler; he does not have a proper name. He has not passed through the Ahm-Van-Kal as yet. Now that our Family is here and complete, we can do so... if my son is willing."
Joel was nodding his head a mile a minute long before Spock had finished speaking, much to the other's amusement.
Cory looked over from where he, Sean, JJ, and Kyle were discussing the bombshell that Mikey had dropped on them. "Kewl; can we watch? How does the Naming affect the rest of us?"
"All here are those I consider family, and so you are all invited. I will need to speak to you, Teri, for you have the most direct role to play at the start of the ceremony. Jim, are you willing for us to use the Botanical deck for the Ahm-Van-Kal?"
"Of course, Spock," Kirk smiled.
Joel's eyes shifted colour that second, and his mother's voice whispered and echoed around the room, "Climb the steps of Mount Seleya." The young Vulcan's eyes then returned to normal.
Spock looked puzzled. "That will take a day to reach," he half murmured.
"Not nearly so long," Kyle giggled.
"But you are not the ones supplying transport," came the voice of the Doctor from the doorway. They all looked over and smiled and waved at the Time Lord as he walked up to the mass group of kids. "I am the one to do this, for something special is about to happen."
With a tilt of his head, Spock asked, "Who are you, child?"
"Ish-Hassu," the Doctor answered with a smile. Then, everyone Folded and vanished from sight, leaving him to stand in the Officer's Lounge alone. "Live the Legend," he whispered before Folding away himself to join them.
As the group picked themselves up from the sand and stood straight, they began to look around in the mid afternoon sun. It was large and red, and peeking around the largest mountain the kids had ever seen.
"Duuudeee... that's one big rock!" Jude commented in awe, causing giggles from most of his brothers.
"Is... am I home?" Joel whispered in awe instead. This was just like his dream, or his daydream. Even the air smelt the same, more or less. Away in the distance, a strange howl was heard. It was coming from across a large, wide valley where the landscape became very broken.
"Welcome to Vulcan," Spock said quietly, after recovering from the shock of his sudden meeting with the Doctor, who was now grinning at him from behind Gavin.
Joel continued to look around, while at the same time backing up so that he was against Spock's front. He absently pulled his father's arms around him for comfort, for his feelings were in turmoil within him at that moment. "That's Shi'Kahr?" he asked, pointing off towards the horizon where a smudge of building shapes could be seen.
Spock glanced over, "Yes, that... No. That is not the Shi'Kahr I know. It is too small."
Cory tilted his head. "Anyone know when we are? I know that this don't match our current time or recent history according to school."
"Ish-Hassu," Spock whispered, again looking at the ginger Time Lord who was sporting a mischievous grin on his face. Spock then looked around and inhaled deeply, "I understand now why I have been catching the scent of blood on the air. This is just after the Battle of the Shattered Blade." He looked at Cory and answered him, "We are over 1700 years in the past, son. The exact date is uncertain, but not too long after the Battle of which I spoke."
Cory raised his eyebrows. "I guess asking why is pretty much useless... I'm pretty sure our time magicians ain't tellin...." He glanced at Kyle and Tyler, their expressions telling him they were just as confused as him. "Correction, our resident Mad Doctor ain't tellin'," he amended, shooting a look at the now innocently smiling Doctor.
Joel's gasp made everyone, including Mikey, spin around and face what Joel had now guessed was the Forge. Across the Valley, a large white animal was running towards them at an impossible speed. Mikey's eyes widened and, as the beast eventually slowed to a stop before them, the Saint bowed respectfully to it.
It was a large, wild looking Sehlat, and none of the kids had ever seen one like him before. Even the three android boys were gaping at him.
"What can this son of T'Khasi do for you, T'Kahr of the Red Sands?" Spock asked, his voice oddly filled with wonder.
The White Sehlat raised himself up onto his back legs and roared loudly, then thumped back to the ground and walked slowly forwards. His eyes were fixed on just one of the group, and it was not Spock.
It was Joel, and Cory felt a thrill of fear for his little brother race up his spine. "What does he want from Joel...? He better not hurt..." Cory began to say as he moved in between the beast and Joel, only to be interrupted by Spock.
"Peace, son. He is T'Kahr, the Ancient. He does not attack those pure of heart and innocent of mind. My Child is surprisingly both, considering what he has been through," Spock said as the Sehlat stopped less than an inch from Cory.
Cory found himself nosed to one side gently by that huge animal. He trembled continually, regardless of Spock's assurances, and watched carefully as the huge Sehlat sat before his tiny Vulcan brother and reached forwards with massive paws to pull Joel from Spock's arms.
Time Comes. Child of Destiny, of Ancient Blood, be welcomed home. I have been and will be there when you are whelped, and I have been and will be there when you pass. I am T'Kahr, and my cub is your guardian
T'Kahr then opened his mouth wide and brought it forwards so that Joel's face was almost inside it. Mikey had to use all his power to stop those with weapons and phasenmorphs from opening fire on the Sehlat, much to their chagrin and annoyance. "Mikey! Let us... Joel's going to..." Kyle started to yell, for he too found himself powerless to act.
"Wait," was the only word the Saint said, and the Doctor nodded at them peacefully from the Saint's side.
Joel, unlike the others, was not frightened. This was I-Cheya's daddy. I-Cheya wouldn't hurt him, so neither would his guardian's dad. Even as he looked down the throat of that huge beast, he felt, for the first time ever, no fear... for the breath of that Sehlat was washing out and over him; enveloping him in warmth and power and joy and...
Joel started weeping happily, still supported by those massively strong paws, and still being breathed upon by T'Kahr.
Sean stopped struggling against the invisible hold his older brother had him in, and simply asked Spock plaintively, "Dad? What's going on?"
Spock, completely impassive in regards to the situation his son was in, looked over, "I am unsure, however do not be alarmed. There is no logical reason for the Ancient to harm my Child. He shall tell us if he deems it right to do so."
A minute later, T'Kahr stopped breathing over his tiny 'captive', and turned his huge eyes to fix Kevin with a piercing gaze. Strength, come here
Bravely, Kevin shuffled over, and automatically wrapped his arms around his trembling boyfriend from behind. He looked over Joel's shoulder into the eyes of T'Kahr. "Yessir?" he trembled.
Peace, Strength. I shall be and will be and have been there for you, too. Breath in, and find renewal
He again started to breath out, and this time both Kevin and Joel slumped to the ground in tears, only they were not of sadness, but of wonder. After a moment longer, T'Kahr stood and walked towards Sean, Cory, JJ and Kyle and stood before the gathered four boys. All the others were now spaced out behind and around them, watching with Mikey and Teri.
Heart of the Nexus are you, Cory and Sean of Terra. Supported by brothers of your choosing; JJ and Kyle. Time Twists and Time Moves and Danger Comes. Beat Forever, Last Together, Support your Family, Avenge your Brother. What 'Is Planned' is not what 'Will Be', for the Shaper is here, and the Shaper is 'It'. It Comes, and It shall save you. You must then Save It. Destiny needs the Heart, and the Heart needs the Support. You are all One, yet More than One. Different, yet Alike. Be Thou Blessed
A wind picked up from no-where, and eddied around T'Kahr... and he vanished...
Remember...
"Ummm...." Cory looked first at Sean, then at JJ. Finally, all three looked at Kyle, while Cory asked, "You know what that was about?"
Kyle simply echoed Cory. "Ummm...."
Climb the Steps...
They glanced around quickly, but T'Kahr could not been seen.
...Battle is over, yet the War rages. I protect you, but you must Climb. You must add and complete a part of the Story. Climb the steps...
Spock raised both his eyebrows. "I was correct in my assumption. We are at the definitive Battle of the War of the Raptor. Come, climb the steps. The mountain was considered neutral ground during the War, for it is sacred to us. Quickly." Spock moved and raised both Kevin and his son into his arms, and started towards the beginning of the Steps. Kirk, Bones, Chip and Scotty immediately started to corral the children with Teri, and, with phasers drawn, followed their Vulcan comrade.
The climb was long, and as they wound around the mountain, they saw down below an army encamped, and in the distance another retreating.
"The Cavern of Naming is not too far ahead," Spock called over his shoulder as he continued to climb unabated, "yet the ceremony cannot take place until the sun sets. If any need to rest, please say so. We have the time."
"'Roo, stop bouncing like that, you're making me feel tired!" JJ giggled as he climbed, with little Harley on his shoulders.
Spock turned and took in the faces of his new children, and saw that they were tired, but also nervous. "Do not be alarmed. The Battle below is over, and it only consisted of my ancestor Surak and his opponent, D'Tan. The next phase of fighting does not occur for another few days. If you wish to rest, you may do so in safety."
Joel and Kevin, now recovered from whatever T'Kahr had done, slipped down from his arms and sat on the steps. Even though they were not tired from climbing, due to having been carried, their actions prompted the others to copy them.
Cory moved forwards and deposited Timmy and William next to Kevin while he sat down next to Joel and pulled the little Vulcan to his side. Joel smiled up at him, "You happy at having my Daddy as your Dad too?"
"I'm still trying to get my mind to accept it," Cory giggled.
"Yeah, you know how blondes are... they have to jump-start their brain cell to remember to blink!" JJ commented as he added Harley to the group of munchkins.
"Watch it JJ... or I'll swap your lotion for super-glue!" Cory shot back with a grin.
"Hey! No fair, what did I do to deserve THAT, Cor?!" Adam whined plaintively.
"You let him off his leash!" Cory replied, sticking out his tongue.
Spock nearly smiled, but he was also aware of what truly troubled Cory; and what the teen was trying to hide from them all. He sat down on Cory's free side and, gently, pulled the blond teen over and onto his lap. Words would not say what was needed, and so the most powerful living Kolinahr trained adept did what his own son had been doing instinctively since Cory had known him: Spock laid his hand to Cory's face and brought the semi-shocked teen in closer so that Cory's chin rested on his shoulder, and he pushed out with his emotions. All of the caring and love that he had had for this frail, blond teen since the moment he had met him flooded into Cory's soul, and Spock closed his eyes peacefully as the emotional sharing started between them.
After a few minutes, Cory leaned back and quietly looked into Spock's eyes; unconsciously looking for confirmation that the one thing missing for a big part of his life was now actually happening.
Spock raised both hands to the teen's face and cupped it, gently stroking his thumbs along Cory's chin soothingly. "I have never lied to those I care about, my son. Nor do I share with those not Family those feelings that I am doing even as I speak. When the circumstances surrounding my Child were made known to me, it placed me into a position I had wanted to assume already, and my offer was genuine and 'heart-felt'. I love you no less than I love my Child, your 'Lil'elf'. I love you no less than your brothers, and they no less than you. I offered to become your father because I loved you. You accepted. You are my son, and there is nothing that you can do or say or think that can or will ever break that. Only I can sunder this relationship by betrayal, and I swear upon my life and the life of my Child - that I will never do..."
Joel gasped and everyone there trembled. Something different had happened that time, for it was not a shiver that ran up their backs, but a warm rush of 'something' that seemed to fill them all.
Levi whispered in awe, "My Friend says... he says that Uncle Joel just confirmed a Destiny, Uncle Cory..."
Spock's eyes through all this had not broken from Cory's. He moved his face closer and kissed his blond son softly, then rested his face cheek to cheek with Cory. Into the teen's ear, he whispered, "I love you, my son. I will always be there for you as long as I live and breathe."
Cory wrapped his arms around Spock and pulled himself tightly against Spock's chest. While unable to form the words to describe what he was feeling, there was no doubt in anyone's mind... the depths of Cory's heart opened up and even the Mikyvis could not block the wave of relief, joy, and love that Cory's mind radiated to all within sight.
Joel watched his big brother cuddle with his Dad for a moment before looking over at Sean. He caught his other beloved brother's attention and gestured him to come closer. Once Sean had complied, Joel pushed him gently over and into Spock's arms as well. "Daddy meant all of you, sa'kai'am," he said to the entire group as Spock easily cuddled the two teens together. "He let me know how much he felt for you all when I melded with him."
Timmy and Ricky 'took charge' and ensured everyone got their turn with Spock. The one constant through it all was Cory; not a single person present would even suggest him moving, and all made a point of reaffirming their own love to Cory as they visited with their new Dad.
The group spent a good hour seated on the Steps of the mountain, and not even food was an issue. Joel looked at Mikey, and with the best puppy-dog eyes he could muster, asked, "Mikey; can you make us some of those yummy scrambled eggs on toast that you gave me on Forever World?"
Before Mikey's mouth had even started to open to reply, a stove, toaster, and refrigerator appeared in front of him, all attached to an extension cord that led into nothing. The fact that Kyle, Tyler and the Doctor were all giggling quickly gave away who was responsible for 'providing' the equipment.
"Just where are you getting power from?" Mikey asked with a grin.
"The Tardis... now start cooking!" the three culprits exclaimed in unison.
Mikey giggled, "Well, if you want normal scrambled eggs on toast, sure. I was, however, going to give you some from a new 'recipe' that only Saints like me have access too, but..."
Jay's voice came from the direction the extension cord had vanished into, "Kyle, Ty! Get rid of that bloody stove..."
"Language, Jay!" Jack's yell could be heard yelling from further inside the 'nothing'.
"Sorry, Dad... anyhow, get rid of it," Jay continued quickly, "I want Angel eggs!"
{I was not aware that the Runi laid eggs, Jay. Live and learn.}
"Shut up, T," Jay sighed as he jumped from the doors that had appeared floating off the edge of the mountain and into the Doctor's arms.
"Hey, didn't you forget Mom-hugs, young man?" Teri chuckled.
Jay's face froze, and tears came to his eyes suddenly. "M...Mom-h...hugs?" he whispered in a tremble as Mikey grinned and started asking the small Tribe members what they wanted to eat before creating it for them. He left what was to come to his Mom; as always. Jay turned and stepped away from the Doctor and looked up at Teri, his face streaming tears. "I... a Mum...? My Mum d...died... I... You... I..."
"You are one of the brothers; that means you've got me as a Mom if you want me," Teri replied as she held out her arms.
She did not get one crying child in her arms, but two, for the Doctor was 'one' with Jay... and had lost his own mother so long ago he barely remembered her.
Mikey, his grin still on his face, continued to hand out food to his large family, and he asked each and every one of them first what they wanted. Except for Cory and Sean, whom he left 'til last. To them, he gave plates filled with French-toast and sausage patties. After a grin and a wink that the three original brothers shared, he moved finally to his mother and the two sobbing, happy Time Lords. "Welcome to the family, imps," he whispered to them. "Now, once you've finished hugging your new mom, go hug your other dad, then get your skinny butts here for some food. You two need more energy than the rest of the group put together; Mikyvis included...."
Wiping his eyes, the Doctor giggled while Jay blushed scarlet. However, they did as they were told and piled over to Spock for a huge hug. After, they ran back and sat down on Mikey's lap to eat their own scrambled eggs.
Spock, however, was now completely dumbfounded. 'Ish-Hassu' was his son?! "I will need to meditate after today's events..." he murmured.
"You ain't the only one!" Cory giggled between mouthfuls from his perch on Spock's lap.
Sean finished his food ahead of Cory and, after kissing both his husband and his new Dad absently, rose up to hand Mikey the now empty plate. He then walked over casually to Kyle, who had also finished, and picked up the small munchkin.
Giggling, Kyle asked, "What you up to, Sean?"
"I need to ask ya somethin', bro," Sean asked seriously.
Kyle also grew serious. He swivelled around on Sean's lap and embraced his brother chest to chest. "What's the matter?"
"Is Cory okay? Why's he doing things like a little kid?" Sean asked softly.
Kyle relaxed, and in doing so relaxed Sean, for if Kyle was not concerned, then there was not much wrong. Kyle smiled at Sean and said, "He's okay. He's back when his mom died and when his world started crashing down around him. You were there and Mikey was, and Mom-Teri, but still... he's beginning to heal now, Sean. He has a daddy again, and it's been so long - for the both of you. Cor's just being the child he hasn't been able to really be since Cheri died. He's been like a child with Mom-Teri, but now he can really be that old kid again. He's really accepting he has a permanent father as well as mother, AND that he has another dad back on earth; Jon. It's getting through to him, Sean. He's beginning to really heal up the rest of the way, now."
"Can his mind handle it though? It's not gonna mess up his head, is it?" Sean asked with an edge of concern in his voice.
Kyle shook his head, "No, it won't mess him up. His mind is going forwards from that point to now, bringing the 'child' with it. He'll probably be kid-like now and then as he adjusts, but then so's Justy, and you, even. Cory hasn't been able to be kid-like, not really. He's gonna have to learn to merge the 'kid' with who he is now, just like you've had to. Only, you've been doing that all along as you grew up. Cor's gonna need some patience from the rest of us at times, and the best one to help him is gonna be Joel. Joel has to do the same as Cory, only Cory's got it easier as Joel has to learn to feel as well. They'll help each other a lot, and likely others in the process. Flow with it, Sean. Enjoy it, and be a kid with him when he needs to be. Pop-Spock understands this too, so he'll be helping as well."
Sean nodded. "Thanks bro. You might be a brain leech, but you're MY brain leech, and I love you for it."
Kyle giggled, then sat up straighter and suckered his mouth to Sean's forehead. After a few noisy sucking sounds, Kyle sat back and giggled, "Not quite ripe, yet!"
"Bite me, munchkin!" Sean giggled as he pulled Kyle into a cuddle.
"After what I've just seen," Jay giggled over from his perch on Teri's lap, "I'd be careful asking him to do that, he just mi..."
"Hey!" Sean exclaimed, for Kyle had grabbed his hand and was nibbling lightly on Sean's thumb.
Kyle giggled as he kept Sean's thumb in his mouth and cuddled himself into Sean's chest. He giggled more when he glanced at Joel, who had decided to copy his little brother and was sucking on JJ's thumb... while grinning at the cuddling King of the Mikyvis.
The cavern was dark, yet the raised platform and the stone table like structure was lit enough for the ceremony to take place. The children piled into the cavern and assembled themselves near the front, while Spock, Teri and Joel remained at the entrance. Spock was currently Melding with Teri so as to transfer to her what her role as Ko'mekh was in the ceremony, while Joel was sitting in the cool sands at the entrance, watching the last of the light from the sun vanish from the sky. Once Spock had finished the Meld, he moved away towards Aaron, Mikey, Cory and Sean to speak with them, while Teri moved to sit next to her Vulcan son to get him ready.
Five minutes later, Spock stood behind the table and looked out over his family with the three teens and the Angel at his side. The others were spread out before them and looking up at the platform. Kevin, Kirk, McCoy and Scotty were standing to the side with Chip and his family. Direct family only could take part in the Ahm-Van-Kal.
They were not the only ones standing in the shadows, however. Two contemporary Vulcans were watching; a male and a female. Silent and unobserved, even by the Mikyvis, they watched in wonder as savages from Earth, two Vulcan's, and a Rigelian invaded this most sacred of sites. Two strange birds were also flying around the cavern, singing a song unlike either of them had ever heard.
They remained hidden, and simply watched, while the Doctor glanced over subtly and smiled to himself. All was proceeding as it was meant to.
From the back of the cavern, Teri slowly approached with Joel in her arms. As per tradition, he had to be presented to his father as he was on the day of his birth, and so she carried him like a baby; naked and helpless. The only item Joel had on him was that medal from Sammy; he had flat out refused to take it off when Teri was getting him ready.
As she reached and stepped up onto the platform, she spoke formally, "Spock, behold your son."
Taking the child from her arms, Spock laid his son on the table and looked down into his eyes. Brown met Blue, and wonder was in each. His son, his tiny, lost son; found at last.
Spock placed his fingertips on Joel's temple and closed his own eyes, inwardly starting the ritual to See; if Time would let him.
It was rare that any Saw in the Ahm-Van-Kal. Every so often, though, the veil of Time would part and a Name would be chosen.
This was such a Time.
The Mikyvis and the Time Lords watched in awe and wonder as Time started to spin in the Cavern; streams and threads merged and parted, split and collided. They watched as the Eye of the Storm focused in on Spock and Joel...
Spock gasped as he Saw. Before his mind's eye, a S'harien Blade appeared; the oldest of them all, and the most famous. He witnessed the battle in which the Eldest S'harien broke and shattered to win the eventual victory. He watched as images flooded his sight faster than even a Vulcan's mind could process. He watched as the Shattered Blade reformed, and the image of his son overlapped it.
He knew what his son's Name was.
Opening his eyes, Spock looked into Joel's. Those beautiful blue eyes, T'Sara's eyes, gazed back at him; longing, begging even, for his Name.
Spock reached into his uniform and brought out the Crest of his House, with the Family Seal attached, that hung on a chain around his neck. Next to the Crest was another Seal of the Family of Sarek; the seal that would have been his son's long before now. Spock had kept it always as a reminder of the child he had long thought lost.
Now, he could present it to his son.
Spock laid the Seal on Joel's bare chest, and spoke his son's name: the Name of that Ancient Blade...
"...//...From the Ashes of Pain shall awaken
A Flame that shall save Ancient Ground:
Renewed is the Blade that was Broken...
The Heir, past all hope, shall be found//..."
Levi became silent once more as the Guardian finished the recitation. Joel smiled slightly at Levi, then answered his grandfather's question, "I am Sa'ren, Child of Spock and T'Sara, Child of Sarek and Amanda. I am blood of thy blood, flesh of thy flesh, and heir of thy heir. Dost thou accept me?"
Sarek closed his eyes, trying to maintain a hold on his emotions that were already spilling forth. He could not, however. In a voice choked with feeling and joy, he answered, "Thou art my Grandson and Heir. I accept thee into my Family, Sa'ren, Child of Spock."
From around his own neck, Sarek drew forth his own Crest and Seal, and, just as Spock had carried the Family Seal that would have been Joel's, so to had Sarek carried the extra House Crest that would unite with it. He unfastened it, and took from Joel the Seal he held. Fixing them together, he hung the united Crest around Joel's neck.
Joel then found the Ceremony totally broken, for by simply touching his grandson, Sarek completely dissolved and pulled him into a tight, fierce hug: and Amanda was only seconds away from joining it.
Utter silence now lay upon the room as the entire Family of Sarek witnessed this most humbling of sights; that of the proud Ambassador and his wife embracing their lost grandson, and weeping unashamed before them all.
Quiet whispers and respectful conversation were taking place as the two Clans talked between themselves. They half watched the stage, waiting for more answers, yet not wishing to disturb the reunited family there.
Movement from the huddle brought silence down on the room again as Joel was released from the middle of the hug. He was beaming with joy and peace, and the Crest around his neck glimmered in the now normal lighting of the Auditorium.
Joel looked over at Jason quickly. Jason's eyes were a mix of wonder and disbelief. "What's wrong, Jace?" he asked.
"You... Sa'ren? You are the 'Sa'ren' of Legend?" Jason stuttered.
Joel grinned and nodded, "Yup, seems like."
"Remember what Mikey said, Jace?" Cory asked quietly.
Jason shook his head, "No, I... wait, something about... ummm..."
Cory giggled as he pulled his brother patriarch into a hug. He whispered into Jason's ear, "Stop picking on us blonds, Mr Memory."
"Bite me, Cor!" Jason giggled. "I'm just shocked, is all! I remember now."
"Good," Cory smiled, still hugging his brother. "This is the 'not as you expect' Mikey told us about when we were in your head on Monday. Joel is Sa'ren, yet not the Sa'ren everyone was expecting."
Joel bounced over to the two boys, "So, Cor? You gonna do it now?"
"Yes, I think so," Cory answered, with a sidelong look at Jason. "You're gonna love this, Jace!"
"Heaven's preserve us!" Jason giggled. "Just get on with it you insane duo! I dread to think what you're planning now, but just lay it on us and put us outta our misery!"
Cory pulled from his robe pocket a rolled parchment. He moved to centre stage, and addressed everyone. "This," he said, holding up the parchment and letting it unroll, "is the Charter of Clan Short."
Everyone there remained silent. The silence would not last however...
Cory tore the Charter in half. He handed the pieces to Levi, whereupon the two halves burst into flames.
"Clan Short, Sub-Clan of the Family of Sarek of the House of Surak, is no more," Cory announced to the shocked room.
So, it has come to pass that Joel has found his daddy. I find this to be a very good thing.
I wonder who this new young fellow named Jimmy is? He seems really nice.
There seems to be some really important things going on, but I guess we will have to wait until Ilu is ready to fill us in on all the extra things. Someone said that this chapter wouldn't be posted until the next one is ready to go up, so I am guessing that if you are reading this, then it won't be long at all till we see the next chapter, at least I hope that is the case.
I don't know for sure, but I have this feeling deep down inside that Cory had a very good reason for doing what he did. I guess we will just have to wait and see if he has one, and what that reason is. I have a pretty good guess, but I don't want to say, cause I have been known to be wrong.
I WANT MORE!!!!! I want it now!
Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher
I must make mentioned of the following - I love "The Lord of the Rings" by JRR Tolkien, and so, when I saw how parts of my story are in a way a mirror of parts of his, I used 'Bilbo's Poem' from the Council of Elrond scene in this chapter. I have shown how, in another Universe, that same poem might be different if certain other 'Legends' and information had been made known to Tolkien, and hazarded a guess as to what that would look like.
I wish to make it clear that I have great respect for 'LOTR' and Tolkien, and in no way is my use of his poem, or its alteration, meant to be anything other than homage to my favourite author.
Iluvantir