Sa'ren Part I

Charleston - Late Afternoon:

"This is Jacob Peterson, BBC World News, reporting from Charleston, South Carolina. The Clan Short funeral service has just come to a close, and the 21 gun salute has been given. The atmosphere here is as most would expect. Remembering those who died on Saturday has brought heavy feelings to the surface. I have seen much in my time with the BBC, but seeing the results of an attack by a group of well armed kids against Fundamentalist Christians is probably something none of us would ever want to see or hear about again. The massive loss of life, the hurt, the pain. The reasons for this attack are still hotly debated in some circles, but with the Federation now involved on a global level, the real root for the loss of morality and humanity portrayed will be exposed and dealt with; at least, that is the hope that many here now have.

"As you can see behind me, those paying their respects to some of the fallen are marching back from the Island. There are many members of the British Royal House in attendance, even some of the most recently 'added' grandchildren of Her Majesty; another group of well armed and trained children. One of their number seems to be in the final group which has stopped to talk with the press. I shall attempt to get a few words from him."

The reporter turned from the camera and moved towards the bridge and Division Commander Jason Evans, who was standing there looking at him with an unreadable expression on his face. Jason's eyes seemed elsewhere, and the reporter thought, for a brief moment, that they glowed with an unearthly light.

"Your Highness? My name is Jacob Peterson, and I'm with the BBC. I am wondering if you have anything to say to the families of those Christians killed on Saturday?" Mr Peterson asked, inwardly hoping to provoke on International Television something that would help his cause.

"The only Christians killed on Saturday have already been honoured, as you have no doubt just witnessed, Mr Peterson." Jason's answer was short and his eyes were still elsewhere.

Mr Peterson thought that the Queen had finally taken leave of her senses; imagine 'adopting', or whatever she had done, a dim-witted remedial such as this?

"Son, I was referring to those adults that Clan Short, and various others, attacked on Saturday," he said condescendingly.

Jason's eyes snapped into focus and his jaw clenched. Behind him, Sammy, Mike, Kartik and Vishnu were standing with a few other stragglers from the march, and they were now bristling in rage. Literally, in the case of the two cougars. Jason spun around and raised his hand, palm facing the group, and said firmly, "Hold." He then glanced up the street in the direction of the Fire House and waited for a brief moment.

Jason turned then, and looked directly at the Camera Man, "Mr Roberts. You are innocent of what is about to be revealed. I order you now, under the Authority of The Federation, Vulcan, and the Crown of Britain, to keep recording this. Those at the BBC centre, you will also do the same, and keep this on air, or you shall be paid a visit very shortly."

"What the..." Mr Peterson started, but Jason raised his hand again and made a closing motion. The reporter's mouth snapped shut and he could not open it again.

"You have no rights to speak, terrorist. You have been mind-scanned by a registered Vulcan trained Telepath and the following has been found: it was on your information those that attacked the home of Michael Christopher Reynolds and his family acted. It was your group of people that coordinated the attack of one section of those killing and trying to kill children. You are directly responsible for the death of 32 of those killed - including those on board 'Bam Bam' and Kuan Ti.

"I judge you now, under the auspices of the VSO. You are sentenced to death, and I think that there are some here who would just love to bring that death to you." Jason turned and took the two young cougars gaze unto his own. "I give him to you, my brothers. Once we are out of the public gaze, you and your brothers can repay him in full."

Kartik nodded slowly. Mike, however, said, "H...how can someone from the UK be responsible?"

"He is with the BBC. It is, or was, his cover. He has been here in the US for three months working as a reporter, but his true loyalty lies with the FCC. He is ex-SAS. I have just been receiving updates from my Psy-Corps, and they just fed me some of the extra background on others they have found in the last three hours. In all their minds, the face of this 'man' appeared," Jason explained.

Mike nodded, then placed a hand on Vishnu's shoulder, "I hope I can help you and your brothers deal with this scum."

"Sure thing, Dad," Vishnu spat out, glaring in total hate at the reporter motionless before them, "it's always good having help for something that will take a few days."

"Good. Speak to John Smith. I don't think he'd mind helping with the 'time' issue," Jason said with half a smile. He then turned to the side and tapped at the comm on his neck, "Wisdom, I need a containment cell and, when ready, transport my prisoner to the ship."

"Aye, Commander," Telez' voice answered, and a second later, Mr Peterson disappeared.

"I shall have those who wish to have fun brought up to the ship later," Jason said with a sad smile at his brothers and friends.

Sammy was nodding furiously.

Jason sighed internally. He didn't want anyone else's blood on that innocent angel's hands.

His own were bloodied enough, and his soul scarred enough to take it.

'Oh please, my SamSam. Don't,' Jason thought, shielding it from his brother.

He then turned back to the shaking camera man and said, "I am Division Commander Jason Evans, Patriarch of Clan Evans of the Family of Sarek of the House of Surak of Vulcan, and Prince of the United Kingdom and her Empire. I have been in contact with the Vulcan High Council, the High Command and VSO Central Ops; their decision is now finalised over the atrocity that took place on Saturday. I have been authorised by the Head of the High Council, Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan, to now make public that decision.

"Vulcan, her Confederation, her Fleets and her Operatives are now authorised for Absolute Sanctions.

"Vulcan is now at War with the FCC."

Jason moved until his face was all that the camera could take in and transmit. His eyes flashed into blue brilliance and he grated out, "Run. That is the only warning I give you:

"Run."

---

Ten Minutes Later:

Mike was standing in the doorway of one of the offices of the Fire Station, and his mouth was dry. Anger, rage, fury. They were there, but surpassing it all was fear. Fear for his beloved little boy, his Sammy. He could kill that evil man now held on the Vulcan ship easily, and he could even watch as some of the G-Cats, who were being assembled in the main room outside, 'played' first. He could not, however, stand there and let his son, his precious little son, take part.

He could not. Yet he could not find the words to stop him.

Sammy's friends had died; Sammy's new brothers.

And Sammy wanted vengeance.

They all did.

And so he stood there watching another boy - again, one far too young for this hellish situation - as he tried to talk Sammy out of going.

Jason Evans. Another new brother to his son.

'Oh, who am I kidding? He's another one of mine too. God! Why do these little angels have to do this? Can you tell me that? Please?' Mike pleaded silently.

"Sammy," Jason started, but his brown haired brother interrupted him angrily.

"No Jason, don't!" he replied, and the anger running through him only grew worse since he believed Jason was about to talk him out of going.

"I have to, SamSam!" Jason answered, tears standing in his eyes. "I can't bear for you to go and kill this scum. It's not for you to do that! You're too... oh, SamSam! I've already GOT blood on my hands; it don't matter about me. I've killed more times than you've jacked off, and that ain't no exaggeration! PLEASE don't do this. Let me - let the Cats. Just please don't do this."

Sammy felt Jason's pain easily, but said in a deathly quiet voice, "He hurt my family, Jace. He killed so many. I don't have a choice. He's going to pay and he's gonna hurt, he's gonna hurt bad!" After a second or so, he said more calmly, "This time there won't be any more on your hands."

"It's my job, cariad," Jason whispered brokenly. "I've been trained to deal with this, and what we've taught you only covers the basics. You're not ready, and even if you were, you're... you're just... You are the Angel of the N-Gens, Sammy... we love you and we'll protect you. I know you're angry,and I know you want to take it out, and I know that those pictures are just not leaving, but killing him won't make them go away. It will only make it better for the moment; then you'll need to go and find another 'face' to kill and take the pain away again. Korris went through it, so did Donna, and loads and loads more. I don't want to have to rescue you from that, Sammy! Please. I can't stop you going. I won't. But I beg you..."

"I love you too, Jace, but it won't be like that. I promise, I won't let it - but this time; this time I have to. I can't let him get away with it. I just can't. I'll be okay, this won't be like before. I can handle this. I know you're worried, but he has to pay. It was my family, it was me that he almost killed. I...I don't have a choice, I'm not an angel or nothing and I don't like doing it but this time... please understand, Jace. Please?" Sammy finished, almost begging for Jason to see his side of it.

However, in the back of Sammy's mind, an image of himself arose; in that other life in the other Universe. Of him finding different 'faces' to hunt down... he knew that Jason also knew of these memories, since they had shared each others thoughts over the past few days. 'No... I won't do that here! It's not going to be like that!' he thought desperately.

"What's wrong?" came a small voice from the door.

Mike's heart nearly stopped as he felt a tiny body press against his side. He looked down in heartbreak at the waif of a child that now stood trembling at his side. 'Oh, God! If you are there, NO... no more... I beg you!'

"What's wrong?" Joel trembled again.

He was still in his armour and the sword he had carried to the funeral was sheathed in a scabbard that ran down his back.

"Nothing, Joel, everything's fine," Sammy said as he tried to smile. He put a clamp on his growing anger so as not to scare Joel. He could be angry in front of Jason, but he truly felt Joel would be unable to cope with it.

Joel moved past Mike and took off his helm and gloves, and laid them on the floor by the wall. He moved over and took Jason's hand in his right and Sammy's in his left. He paused while searching Sammy's face. "I heard everything after Jason saying he'd killed more times that you'd played with yourself, Sammy. Something's wrong. You're angry. I can feel it. What's going on?" Joel whimpered.

Sammy looked at Jason quickly before saying, "Joel, it's nothing really. Jace and I are just having a disagreement about something is all. I have to do something he doesn't think I should and he's worried about me but I'll be fine, little guy, so don't you worry none."

Joel sighed. "Jace? Will you tell me please? Sammy won't."

Jason also sighed and wiped his eyes with his free hand. "One of the men who planned and set up the attack on Saturday has been caught, Lil'elf. Sammy's friends and brothers were those attacked and killed because of this man, at least in part. Some of the guys are going up to my ship to..."

Jason trailed off.

Joel stared at him. "Sentenced to death..." he murmured as he began to grow angry. Very angry. "Sammy wants to go kill him too?"

Jason nodded, a shocked look in his eyes.

Joel's anger left as suddenly as it came, and his eyes started running tears. "Sammy," he whispered, "I told you last night. Your dagger is sheathed. Jace's dagger is in his hand. He is all blue and fire and hard. You are all blue and fire and warmth and comfort. Jason makes me feel safe and gives nice snuggles, but he is a warrior. You are a defender. Please don't go, SamSam. I love you."

Sammy's jaw dropped open at that final admission, for although Joel had been able to say it for the whole afternoon since lunch time, it was the first time Sammy had heard it.

"Oh Joel, I love you too, little guy, so much. Please don't cry, please. I...it's just..." Sammy stopped and looked up at Jace. "I'm sorry," he said to his Welsh brother before turning back to his Vulcan one. Tears began to run down his face as well as he said, "I... he hurt us Joel... so bad and I was so mad. I...I... just wanted to make him pay."

Sammy couldn't continue, and so he pulled on Jason's hand and brought him into a three-way hug with Joel. "Help me please," he whispered to Jason, "the anger is... it's too much, Jace, and it's scaring me... it's not... it's scaring me."

Jason looked at Joel and sent silently, 'Me and the guys are helping him, but he needs Captain Spock. He needs a mind meld to help him heal. I'm already doing everything I can...'

Joel's eyes flickered slightly, and Joel's mother sent back, 'The Sharing can help for the moment. Joel knows what to do, Son of Spock.'

Joel's eyes returned to normal and he whispered, "Jace. You go sort out that 'thing' on your ship. I'll help my SamSam."

Jason nodded and kissed Sammy's cheek tenderly as he stood up. He was about to leave with Mike when Joel called him back. "Jason. The sword on my back? Take it for the death blow."

"Why?" Jason asked curiously.

Joel turned, Sammy sobbing into his neck, and fixed his eyes on his prince-brother, "It's not the real Sa'ren Sword, but... 'In Justice, Draw me'... it feels right for it to be used here... can you give it to Adz? I think he should be the one."

Jason nodded and drew the replica blade and carried it out.

Mike stayed long enough to see Joel strip to the waist and pull off Sammy's top. The small Vulcan pulled the bigger eleven year old against himself tightly so that their bare chests were in full contact.

"All men hide a secret pain - Share your pain with me... and gain strength from the Sharing..."

---

Mike looked at Jason as Sammy was being hugged tightly by Joel. Joel's words echoed out from the room they were in, and it made him ask worriedly, "Jace...?"

"It's called 'The Sharing', Uncle Mike," Jason smiled up at the man as they walked towards where the G-Cats were standing. "It's not a well known Vulcan ability, but Joel uses it automatically. It won't remove Sammy's pain, just give him strength by Sharing it. Like taking the pus outta a boil? Like that."

"I'm really worried about him, Jason. Thanks for helping; I know he loves you and you helped him a lot already, but this whole thing... it's... I think it's destroying him... its..." Mike stopped, unable to go on. He pulled the young boy into his arms for a hug before whispering again, "Thank you."

"He's my brother," Jason whispered back simply. "And don't worry. Poppa Spock will be here tomorrow. He can do what I can't for SamSam. He's the best."

"I hope so, sweetheart, I really hope so," Mike replied as he looked back at the two boys hugging in the other room for a second. "It's not in him to hate like that and it's tearing him apart, I think. The worst is that I don't know what to do for him to make it all better. I just want him back the way he used to be but I just don't know how to do that. Hell, I don?t even know if that's possible, but he's hurting so much and it's killing me to see him like this. I thought you'd be able to get through to him when I couldn't but even you almost didn't. It's scaring me, Jace; really scaring me. I want my SamSam back!"

Jason smiled up at the grieving man. "You will. And I'll get to see Sammy as he should be," he said softly. "Vulcans have some of the strangest powers of all the peoples in the Federation. Between Joel and Poppa? Sammy will have no choice but to come back to you."

"To come back to all of us, kiddo; to all of us. You're a good kid, Jason Evans, and a good brother to him," Mike whispered back.

Kartik and Amur Khan came over then. "Can we go now? My claws are itching," Amur grated out.

"You ready, Uncle Mike?" Jason asked quietly. "You don't have to go. We can do it."

The man smiled back at him before saying. "Thank you, but I'll go. It was my family they attacked and I learned long ago not to let anger control my actions. I was doing things you can't imagine before you were even born and this... well this is something I have to see the end of. But I do think we should wait for Adam and Logan."

"Agreed," Jason's smile turned feral. "Payback's a bitch - ain't it? I'll go up and make sure he's 'comfortable' and still wide awake. I'll go to the Orlando Compound after that, after leaving orders for Telez to bring us all up when Adam wakes. Amur? Can you hold onto this sword for Adam? Joel says he should be the one to use it - for the death blow."

"Sure," Amur grunted out, a feral smile on his face as well as he took the blade into his hands. "Nice sword."

"If you like that, you'd love a real S'harien... pity they are no more," Jason noted with a wicked smile, before tapping his communicator, "Voice to Wisdom. One to beam up."

As the transporter took hold around Jason, Mike couldn't help but think that that look on such a young boy's face reminded him of some of the men he'd served with in other days. Some of those who had been there and done things they never spoke of again; things Mike himself had done and didn't want to remember to this very day. A look that should not be there on such a young face.

The look of pure vengeance...

---

Clan Short Compound:

"I'm going to go for a walk, Kev. I... I need to think," Joel said hesitantly to his friend after he had changed out of his armour and into jeans and a tee-shirt. I-Cheya had also had his armour removed and was waiting by the door with Blackie.

Kevin looked at the little Vulcan with sorrow. "Okay, Joel," he whispered, "I'll stay here... with Kenny."

Joel nodded, his eyes burning with un-shed tears. He turned and walked outside, his head hung low. Blackie and I-Cheya followed at a distance, and the two cheetahs were with them.

Both Hermes and Mercury were confused. They had seen their charge and his friend be all over each other from the moment they laid eyes on each other; and yet now, the tension in the air whenever they were together was palpable.

Joel was oblivious to his friends' concern. He was too caught up in his own misery. That time spent helping Sammy had taken his mind off the recent problem Kevin seemed to be having, but as soon as they had all returned here, Sammy had gone to cuddle with his father. Now, Joel had nothing taking his mind off the guilt that Kevin seemed to be feeling about loving him.

'What've I done? Am I bad?' Joel thought to himself as he kicked hard at a small stone on the pathway. He watched with mild interest for a second as it flew off quickly, ricocheting off a wall and disappearing into the gardens and grass areas around the Compound.

"Can you guys wait here? I won't be far 'way, and I'll stay where you can see me," he murmured over his shoulder at the two cats and his two companion guardians.

"Sure thing, Joel," Hermes answered softly. He and his brother moved onto the grass and settled down against I-Cheya's side, and Blackie curled himself up on Mercury's lap. "Call if you need us."

"I promise," Joel said, trying his best to smile, but failing completely.

He started moving off a ways before finding a place where he could sit down with his back to everything else. He let his mind wander without direction for a long while, it seemed, when something flickered in the corner of his eye. He turned but saw nothing. He sniffed at the air. He looked around quickly as he picked up a slight, strange scent - he was seeking the source. He found it.

One moment, Joel was seated. The next, he had dived into the nearest bush, and was latched onto a startled Brant in a tight hold.

"Dude! You scared the crap outta me!" Brant managed to splutter as he tried to regain control on his now racing heart beat.

"Sorry," Joel stated flatly as he studied the boy he was lying on. "Didn't know anyone was out here, and after what I heard at that funeral I didn't want anyone bad to be here to hurt my family. You are... Brandar? I think I've seen you about inside."

"You can call me Brant, Joel," Brant smiled as he nodded with approval at Joel's attitude. "And it's cool about you jumping me. You did the right thing for the right reason."

Joel nodded, but still didn't move. He continued to study Brant closely, sniffing and poking at the boy's chest and arms. "You're not normal," came another simple statement. "Are you one of those sub-species human people that Kyle mentioned the other day?"

"You might say that... of course I've never been 'normal'!" Brant giggled.

Joel saw the funny side, but couldn't laugh yet. He looked closer at Brant's eyes. "Glowing... contacts... you're strong," he muttered as he tried working out what this boy was. "What's that on your arm?" he asked, pointing to a device that seemed sealed to the skin of Brant's forearm.

"Ah, that keeps me safe from sunlight... you could say I'm allergic," Brant said with a hint of a smile. He knew it was pointless trying to joke when Joel was so obviously concerned.

"Sunlight?"

"Yeah," Brant nodded as he sat up slowly, bringing the resisting Joel with him. It was hard doing so, for Joel was trying to keep Brant down - there was something nagging at the Vulcan and he couldn't feel trust about this situation yet.

"Yeah, you're strong," Joel murmured again as he got up quickly and backed up a few feet from Brant.

Brant stayed seated. Stayed passive. If things got violent, if Joel was that concerned, Brant was not sure if he could get away or restrain Joel without either hurting him, or being hurt himself.

Joel just stared at Brant. "You smell... you smell dead, Brant."

Brant sniffed his underarms, "Dang it, Cory told me that new deodorant would work!" Then more seriously, he added, "It kinda comes with the species."

There was another brief pause, then, "You're a vampire."

It was not a question.

"Technically, you could say that; actually I'm Moroi... Count Dracula I ain't, though."

Joel moved closer and knelt down in front of the boy. "Moroi," he murmured as he slowly reached up and, after Brant nodded his accent, gently parted the boy's lips to look at his teeth. Joel tapped at one of Brant's upper canine teeth. "Hollow and sharp, but why ain't they longer?"

Brant giggled as he slowly reached to remove Joel's hand. He parted his own lips and made his canines grow out briefly before they returned to their normal position. "I can retract them," he explained.

"Ah," Joel nodded. He remained there, kneeling in front of the seated Brant, still studying him yet now holding Brant's hands. "Your emotions seem distant," he said, as he looked down and turned the Moroi's hands over to look at the nails. "Mmm, normal. You're not a story-vampire, that's for sure."

"Nope, mirrors are kewl... I am allergic to Cory eating garlic though. There are times enhanced senses are a bad thing," Brant giggled.

Joel smiled, then giggled as well, "Same, but then, I'm just like Cory too. Garlic's nice!"

Brant rolled his eyes and giggled as well. "Great... I wonder if Javyk can make personal nose filters!"

Joel cocked his head at the new name, but let it pass. "Why were you sneaking around following me?" he asked curiously. "It's not likely you wanted to feed off me - I've copper based blood. I'm sure I'd make you quite ill."

Brant giggled, "No, I'd never feed from my brothers. I was just watching you. I felt that you were upset, and we all take it in turns to look out for you. I didn't want you to feel like you were being watched, though, so I was trying to keep hidden. Seems like Vulcans' senses are higher than I expected."

Joel nodded, then sighed. "Thanks for watchin' out for me, but I really wanna be alone."

"If you want to be, then I'll go wait with the Cats," Brant agreed, "but keeping things bottled up ain't good, Joel."

The reaction was not as expected, for Joel burst into tears and fell forward into Brant's arms.

Brant pulled Joel in closer and held him in a comfortable position on his lap, then simply let Joel cry out the worst of his tears. He knew that anything said right now would not even be heard.

Once the Vulcan's tears had lessened, he whispered, "Want to talk?"

Joel nodded, and whispered, "It's Kev. He... I don't think he loves me any more."

"Love is a pretty strong emotion, especially at your age. Trust me, I 'died' for it, and almost died a second time once it was stolen from me. I think Kev just needs time to sort things out; he's not really too good at dealing with emotions like love yet because up until a couple of months ago he never knew them," Brant replied softly.

"But neither did I," Joel continued to whisper, "I only jus' said it today. I wish I'd never done so." He wiped at his eyes quickly; angrily. "I said it, then just after, Kev started feeling guilty. Then he'd get angry. I can't touch him any more. It hurts. Why's he so angry? What did I do wrong? Why'd I have to be so fucking stupid and say that word and ruin everything!?" he finished with a yell before leaping away from Brant and out from the bushes at a run.

To Joel's surprise, Brant was almost immediately at his side keeping pace with him. "Follow the side walk around the Rec Garage; there are a bunch of trails in back you can run on while I help you sort this out." Brant said, the exertion of running not even phasing him. "You didn't say anything wrong; but I think Kev finally acknowledged in his head how he felt. It took you a while to say it, now you need to allow Kev the same time to sort things out that he gave you."

What his new friend said filtered into one layer of his mind, and he nodded with acknowledgement. Another layer of his strange little mind, however, stubbornly refused to allow Brant the chance at helping him. He did turn towards the Rec Garage, but he increased the speed of his running. Just as Brant was not phased by the previous exertion, neither had Joel been. He still was not at the new rate of speed, yet, amazingly, Brant still kept pace.

"How fast can you run?" came a remarkably emotionless question.

Brant answered, "No idea - I've never really pushed myself."

"I do not know either," Joel answered, or at least that more logical part of his mind answered. "I know that Captain Spock is stronger than a full Vulcan by 50%, but I do not know if that is the same for myself."

"Shall we find out?" Mercury and Hermes asked as they moved up from behind them both.

Brant turned his head briefly to see that the two cheetahs were behind them and so was the Sehlat and Wolf Pup.

"You guys take lead, we'll let you know if it's too fast or too slow." Brant giggled. "I think a good workout might help all of our heads."

And so, to any observer, the next half hour looked much like training for a marathon. The two cheetahs setting the pace with a Vulcan and 'human' right behind them, and bringing up the rear, a wolf and a large bear. The only thing different about this training was that they were moving faster than the fastest human sprinter.

The two cheetahs slowed first and sat themselves on the nearest patch of grass.

Brant slowed as well and sat next to them, Joel following.

I-Cheya and Blackie glanced at each other as they stopped, then sat there. They were completely un-fazed by the exercise.

Joel wiped at the sweat from his brow and looked at it curiously. "That was unusual. I think running is enjoyable," he murmured to himself, still detached from his emotions.

"You okay, Joel?" Brant asked with some concern at the boy's strange behaviour. Strange for Joel, that is.

"Yes."

"You don't seem like the Joel we know," Hermes said, his eyes closed as he sunned himself with his brother.

Joel shook his head, and then looked sad. "I was trying to keep my emotions away. I think it worked," he murmured.

"Ah," Brant nodded. He looked around, "I think I'm going to need to feed again, soon. That was a lot of running."

Mercury raised one paw and extended his claws. "You bite, I claw - got it?"

"I don't do pussies," Brant giggled, "I'll just tell Justy that Bear and me get the next punishment."

Mercury blew a raspberry at him, then continued to sun himself.

Joel giggled mutely before crawling over between the two cheetahs, pulling Brant with him. Hermes cracked open one eye and glared at them both. "What you up to?"

Joel didn't answer. Instead he opened the cheetah's robe and started rubbing his hands in circles on Hermes' furry belly, making the ten year old cat start purring loudly.

Brant sniggered and did the same for Mercury. "Kitty therapy is relaxing," Brant laughed as the stereo purrs reached both his and Joel's hearing.

---

"Hey!" Justy called out as Joel and the others walked into the Kitchen looking for something to drink. Brant had followed them mainly due to his hand being held in a vice grip by Joel.

Brant turned to face the furiously grinning Justy. "Yeah, bro?"

Justy handed Brant a *yellow* piece of paper.

"What's that, Fangie?" Joel asked as he pressed himself back into Brant's stomach.

Brant giggled. "A speeding ticket... it looks like the fine is 50 cuddles!"

Joel grinned, then moved over quickly to Justy and climbed into his arms. "Here's the first," he whispered as he also added a kiss to the 'fine'.

"I think I need to issue these more often!" Justy giggled as he returned the cuddle.

"You don't have'ta fine me to get a cuddle, Justy," Joel whispered seriously. "I'd give you lots and lots if you wanted them. Honest!"

"Awwwwww!" Hermes and Mercury said without thinking.

Brant agreed.

"Just joking, Joel. I know you give cuddles out freely," Justy assured the Vulcan was an extra special hug before putting him back down.

Mercury came over with a glass of orange juice for Joel, and he greedily drank it down. He then looked up at Justy and smiled, "Fangie said that he's gonna need to feed soon, 'cos of all our running."

"Fangie?" Justy asked, tilting his head at Brant while getting a huge grin.

"Don't even go there, Bro; only elves get to call me that!" Brant immediately stated, making sure to thwart any plans Justy might be plotting.

"Awwwww Mannnn..." Justy giggled. "So that means it's only Joel and Antonio... well, I'll just have to plot with those two then!"

Joel smiled briefly at them before moving towards the Dining Room door. He stopped, however, when he saw Kevin in the Rec Room beyond.

He just couldn't, not yet.

He sighed and moved in the direction of Main CIC instead.

He spent the first hour there reading up on the various sub-species on earth, as well as double checking the current Federation Tech levels. He was soon joined by Jude Lee who started to read up on Starship Engines.

"Seems to be all the same," Jude muttered to himself.

Joel nodded, "Yeah. Want to try designing the 1701-E?"

"Well, I know the layout and some of the technical stuff, from books I've read," Jude pondered. "I'll give it a go."

"Then I'll come along after and add in the parts you miss. I'm gonna try doing something else first," Joel added.

The small Vulcan still felt low in his spirits, but maybe focusing on this task would take his mind off it. Both boys began simply chatting about various episodes of Star Trek that they had seen as they both worked on their own projects.

"What about that telekinesis stuff the Vulcans did in Search for Spock?" Jude asked at one point.

Joel shrugged, "Kolinahr, I think. I don't think I could do that yet."

From the other side of the room, Seth sat quietly and watched. After doing so for ten minutes, he decided to indulge his curiosity. "What are you working on, Joel?" he asked as he rolled in next to the boy. Jude was oblivious at his own console, and seemed to not have heard the older boy.

"Tricorder," was Joel's one word, clipped response. Anything more, and he'd break down; he just knew it.

"That's some tricorder!" Seth commented as he looked at the plans quickly appearing on the screen. "You're gonna blow Cory's mind with that! He'll love it!"

<I agree, this is definitely impressive. Where did you get this design specification from, Joel; if I may ask?> Ark asked curiously.

"Ark?" Joel asked quickly. "That you? The one from Monday?"

<Yes. Hello, Joel. I am glad to see that you are okay.>

Joel smiled briefly. "Depends what you mean by okay. Thank you for helping me. You were right, and I didn't get hurt or die or nuffin'. Thanks."

<My pleasure, Joel. Now, about this tricorder. Where did you get this design from?>

"From Star Trek," Joel replied as he continued to type, focusing his mind on the equations again.

"The television show you watched in that other Universe?" Seth asked.

"Yeah," the boy nodded. He then had an idea. "Ark?"

<Yes?>

"Can you fabricate these pieces if I put the plans in order for you?"

<Yes. I can see that the materials required are common to Earth.>

"Cool. Here's the first. Can you make that for me please?" Joel asked politely as he pressed a button.

<Certainly.>

Joel returned to his work, but a minute later the piece he had requested appeared on the desk. "That was quick," he murmured.

<Thank you. Next?>

Seth watched in awe as Joel's fingers literally became a blur as he started designing more and more screen pages of information, and slowly, piece by piece, a tricorder was taking shape.

<Is that the final one?> Ark asked after half an hour.

"Yuppers!" Joel bubbled happily. "Thanks a heap, Ark! You're the greatest!"

<Thank you. That is very nice of you to say, Joel. I think you are remarkable as well. Would it be okay for me to give the plans for this scanning device to Javyk?>

"Yeah, but who's he?" Joel asked curiously as he picked up the tricorder he had just assembled.

<Someone who will want a very long talk with you as soon as he knows about your technical knowledge.> Ark replied.

Seth took a look at the new tricorder that Joel was holding and breathed out in awe, "What else can you make?"

"Ark? Could you help me with something else?" Joel asked with a grin.

<If it is within my capabilities and authority, yes.>

Joel started quickly typing in Vulcan code the name of his next project.

<A phaser?>

Joel nodded, "Uh huh."

<I will need clearance from a Council Member before doing so, but if the materials are as readily available, I certainly have the ability to do so.>

"Who's on the Council, and where are they so I can ask?" Joel bounced in his seat.

Seth giggled, "Kyle, Cory, Xain and Brant for starters."

"CORRRYYYYYYY!" Joel started yelling as he ran from the room.

<Seth?>

"Yes, Ark?"

<I am reducing the gain on the microphones in CIC. Joel is loud.>

"Yes, Ark."

---

Cory, his face drawn and pale from the emotional drain of the funeral, held the tricorder in his hands with wonder. Joel watched happily as more and more colour returned to his big brother's cheeks due to Cory's building excitement.

"You said you wanted to make a new phaser?" he asked eventually, his voice barely able to contain his wonder.

Joel nodded quickly. "Anything from Star Trek, I know how to make!"

"Ark? I will have JJ here to make sure of the security issue, but you have clearance to make weapons for Joel," Cory stated, then took a seat next to Seth to watch.

<Thank you. If you will start, Joel, then I shall assist.>

Again, Joel started typing quickly, but this time he had a growing audience. Most of his brothers were now in CIC, and Kevin had come over and was seated next to him, but thankfully he was not in contact. On one level that was a relief for Joel, yet on another it was a strain. Ever since meeting Kevin he had not spent any time with his friend when they were not touching at least 80% of the time. Yet now, he both wanted and did not want contact. It hurt to have Kevin feel guilty whenever he looked at him.

Joel sighed inwardly and held his tears in, barely.

Slowly, piece by piece, a new item was taking shape as Ark delivered parts and Joel assembled them.

"Done!" he said, eventually, holding out a phaser for Cory to inspect.

"It's more powerful than the ones you have, can have a finer beam, more settings and lasts longer," Jude said as he continued to tap away at the console he was on.

JJ moved over to look with Cory, "Sweeeet! I gotta try that!"

"Here," Cory giggled as he passed the phaser to JJ, "have fun!"

JJ grinned and nodded at the other security guys there. They all ran from the room, for all the world as it if was Christmas and the best present in the world had been dropped in their laps.

Antonio was still drooling over the tricorder, "I gotta show this to Doc Austin... can I take it for a while, Joel?"

"Sure," he giggled. His joy disappeared, however, as Kevin started cuddling him. He tensed and turned to face his friend, and as soon as their eyes met, Joel felt the guilt return. "What's the matter, Kev?" he asked as the tears he'd been fighting broke out.

Cory became concerned and wrapped both boys in his arms.

Kevin's face creased, then his own tears broke out. "I... I'm sorry, Jo'. I can't help it."

"What's wrong? Am I bad?" Joel trembled as the brown haired boy pulled from his arms and stood up.

Kevin faced him, "Never! Never that. It's me, Jo'... I... I love someone else, and... but I also love you... I don't know, I just..." He stopped talking as his sobs hitched in his throat, turned and ran out, calling for Allen.

Joel crumpled in Cory's arms. "But... Kev..." he whispered.

"It'll be all right, Elf," Cory whispered to him.

Xain moved over from where he had been standing with Antonio studying the tricorder. "Uncle Chip is the one that holds a part of Kevin's heart, Joel," he supplied softly.

Cory increased his hold on his sobbing little brother.

Joel's pain filled eyes looked up at Xain, "But... I love lots of people. I don't feel guilty loving Kev... why's he guilty loving m...me?"

Xain sat down next to his fellow Vulcan, "Kevin loves Uncle Chip deeply, Joel. How do you love your brothers? Is it anything alike to the love you feel for Kevin? From what Kenny, Jake and I know, Kevin loves Uncle Chip deeply; as he does you."

Joel continued to shake, and yet he glanced about at his brothers. He consciously pulled his emotions up and looked at what he felt for each one. "I..." he started. He tensed again before continuing, "I love three..."

Xain's eyebrows raised into his hairline. "Then I believe you can understand..."

"No," Joel interrupted. "I don't. I love three, but Kevin's is the most powerful. What I feel for each is exactly the same, but the strength is different. I don't feed the love of the other two."

Cory kissed Joel's head and asked, "Who else do you love?"

Joel shuddered nervously, "Uhh..."

Quickly, Cory added, "You don't have to say, Joel. I'm interested, but only to help you and Kev. You don't have to say."

"Thanks," he breathed.

Allen came back in at that point, leading a sobbing Kevin by the hand.

"Kevin," Allen said softly as he sank down to pull the boy in close, "look at your friend."

Kevin raised his streaming eyes and did so, and his sobs grew louder as he saw the distraught look in Joel's face.

"Do you care for him?" Allen asked gently but firmly.

Kevin nodded.

"Love him?"

Again, the boy nodded.

"Do you know what Chip would think and feel if he knew?"

Kevin hesitated.

"He'd be happy, Kev. You're not betraying him. He'd be overjoyed that his little Kevin has found someone special at last," Allen whispered softly.

"But... what if I love him more than my Jo'? I can't be with Jo' and hurt him like that if I love Uncle Chip more," Kevin wailed as he spun and tucked his face into Allen's neck.

Allen laughed softly as he rubbed Kevin's back. "'My Jo'?" he kissed Kevin's head. "Did you hear what you just said, Little One?"

Joel slipped from Cory's arms and padded across to his best friend, his own tears still falling thickly. Kevin slowly turned when the touch from Joel's hand registered. He looked into Joel's eyes.

"I can't share my heart, Jo'. You deserve better than that," Kevin whispered as he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

Joel said sadly, "I love you, Kevin. I... I also love others; two. But you... I... I'd feel the same as you, but I don't love you with a third of my heart. I love you with all of it. I love those other two with all of my heart for each. That's the only way anyone can love, Kev. You don't love one person with one small bit, but have a type of love with all your heart."

"How can I be sure of that, though?" Kevin cried out, hiding his eyes with his hands, "and how do I know you really love me, now you've said that??"

Joel stated seriously, "I choose to be with you. And if it would make you feel better, I would never sleep in a nest with Cory or Sean again unless you were there to know we weren't doing nuffin'."

Sean, now standing next to Cory, stared in shock, and Cory's jaw dropped open. "Us?" they both chorused.

Joel turned his sad eyes on them, "Y...yeah..."

Seth whistled, and rolled his chair to make a way out of the room. "Come on guys, this is something these four need to talk about. Out. Now."

Allen also stood and gently pushed Kevin into Joel's arms. "I'll be outside if you need me."

Cory nodded mutely as he and Sean gathered up both little boys, turned, and made for the nearest conference room.

Joel looked over Cory's shoulder as they started into the room and called, "Xain? Mother is asking for you to come too, just to start."

Xain turned back and headed into the Meeting Room after them.

Once Main CIC was empty, Ark said, <Just when things were becoming interesting. The start of these plans for this 'Ent-E' look intriguing.>

"It's a starship design," Jude said after the shock of the recent events had worn off. He had sat there through all of the excitement oblivious until the very end.

<A Starship? I do not think I should help fabricate that, Jude.>

Jude agreed. "It would be like giving a tank to the Dark Ages. Not wise."

---

Cory and Sean sat together and remained silent as Xain melded with Joel. After a moment or two, the meld broke and Xain left - after hugging Kevin tightly for a moment. The smaller boy then moved and sat near to the doorway, and shot dirty looks at Cory and Sean.

Joel sighed. "Kev, I..."

"How long?" Kevin asked, his voice clipped and short. "How long have you known you felt the same for them like you say you do for me?"

Joel was taken aback by this, and mumbled, "I've... kinda always known I felt the same type of Fire, love, for you and them, Kev."

"Why'd you not say anything?"

"Didn't wanna worry my brothers and have them think I would try something... Kev, I feel that Fire strongest for you; that love."

"And how do you KNOW that?" Kevin half shouted, tears running down his face, "You only just managed to say it today! How do I know you won't stay with me a wh...while, then go fuck with them, or someone else? How do I know?"

Joel crumpled as his back touched the wall, such was the power of the emotions he felt rolling from Kevin. He slid down it and hid his head as he managed to whisper, "And how do I know about this other guy? Your Uncle Chip?" The small Vulcan then fell to his side and curled into a ball, sobbing.

Sean looked at Cory. 'Try to keep Joel from freaking any more; I'll handle Kevin.' He then turned to Kevin. "Kevin, do you honestly think for one second that any one of the Empaths would have let you and Joel hook up if that was possible? Did you know that in some ways Kyle is closer to my husband than I am? Or that the minute I met JJ I had the hots for him? Just because you love multiple people don't mean shit; the bond that you develop with a single person is what makes a relationship. I just about LOST my husband before we were even married because of all the crap that's happened; up until now you've been the most help to Joel with him learning to re-adapt to his rightful home. Now you're acting like a little three year old; instead of being happy that you were chosen out of three possibilities, you're destroying Joel because you can't handle the fact that love is not relegated to one person and shut off for everyone else. Love is nothing without trust; if you can't trust, then maybe you need to take a hard look at why you felt like you did for Joel in the first place."

Each word from the normally even tempered Sean struck Kevin deeply, and when Sean said that love "is not relegated to one person and shut off for everyone else", Kevin himself start to crumple to the ground. Sean added hotly, "And what just made what you're doing worse is that you love Uncle Chip! Is it okay for you to love two people, but Joel can only love you?"

"Stop shouting at him!" Joel cried out as he pushed Cory away. Cory had been trying to cuddle the small Vulcan, but now, with Kevin in the firing line, Joel was moving. He stood between his big brother and his best friend and shook. "Don't shout at him... don't..." he whispered, fear of reprisal clearly seen in his eyes.

"Jo'," Kevin's arm reached up and gripped Joel's hand that was limply hanging at the boy's side.

Joel spun at the contact and, now on his knees, pulled Kevin into his arms. That guilt was there, and it was surrounding the love coming from Kevin, and more guilt behind it, and fear and nervousness. Joel looked up at Sean, his eyes streaming. "I need you... both of you... hold us? Please? I can't... I need you; not to shout at him... but to help him by helping me... please?"

Sean's eyes were still showing his anger, but he could never refuse any brother anything. He would not have refused this plea from Kevin, as angry as he was with him. He got to the two boys at the same time as Cory, and between them both, they carried the crying kids to the nearest sofa and sat down. Joel was on Cory's lap, while Sean held Kevin on his own.

Kevin didn't notice, as he was overwhelmed with confusion and guilt. He loved Chip, he loved Joel, and he hated that Joel loved Cory and Sean? Why? Such thoughts rolled through his head, and he missed everything being said by the other three in whispers around him.

"Sorry, Elf; but what he said was out of line," Sean started, but Joel silenced him with a single finger to the lips.

"S'why I melded with Xain. He told me more 'bout how Kev thinks. I... I'm having a hard time understanding what I'm feeling, but Kevin has his own hard times. He's angry at me 'cos he's angry at himself. He hates that he loves two people this way," the surprisingly astute Vulcan explained. Then, "You don't mind that I love you two?" he asked hesitantly.

"We'd be more worried if you didn't, Lil'elf." Cory replied. "I've known for a while that Sean has feelings for JJ; yet it never worried me because while he was sharing his heart with more than one, I was getting that little bit extra that he reserved just for me."

Joel trembled more. "You don't understand, though," he whispered sickly. "I... you... uh... I need to use the Sharing 'gain. Would that be 'kay for you?"

Cory and Sean spared the other a brief look and a shrug. "Sure," Sean said, confused at the fear from Joel.

"First, though," Joel murmured, making himself rip his gaze from his brothers and focus it on Kevin. "Kev? T'hy'la?"

Kevin's eyes jerked up in wonder for an instant before shame and guilt started flooding back into them. Joel didn't let them. He pulled on Kevin's feelings and said haltingly to his big brothers, "Hands on back... under my tee-shirt... quick..."

They did so, and Joel Shared Kevin's emotions out evenly. Sean saw immediately that Kevin was in an emotional mess right now.

Kevin's eyes cleared. Joel said, "Kev. I need you to focus. I can help you, 'cos Xain let me see some stuff, and I think I can show you some answers. Do you trust me?"

Kevin nodded slowly, then a single tears trickled down his face, "I'm sorry, Jo'. I said something stupid and really wrong. I'm sorry."

Joel nodded and kissed him lightly, "We'll talk 'bout that later, but you need to see some stuff... or feel I should say." He then stopped the Sharing. Kevin's emotions snapped back, yet now he was no longer being controlled by them.

"Sa'kai'am? I need to Share what you feel for a number of people, and I need to Share it between all four of us. It... it'll be about people you guys love lots. Same for me, and same for Kev... I understand if there's someone you don't want the other to know about, so you best say no now..." Joel trembled as he held Kevin's eyes with his own.

"We have no secrets," Cory said softly.

Sean added, "And we don't mind."

Joel put Kevin's right hand under his tee-shirt and against the flesh of his chest. He started with Cory, and the blond could nearly feel gentle fingers rummaging around in his 'heart'.

"This is what Cory feels for JJ," Joel said as he Shared what he'd found. Once Kevin had nodded, the feelings changed as Joel said, "And this is what Sean feels for JJ."

Cory giggled, "Sex mad."

"Bite me," Sean smiled back lovingly, "he's cute... you're cuter!"

Kevin smiled slightly at the banter.

"It's different, isn't it," Joel said in a statement to his friend. At Kevin's nod, Joel asked, "Yet isn't each feeling all of Cory or Sean's heart?"

The feelings flipped back and forth over and over so that Kevin could compare. Kevin even started using his empathy to gauge it as well. "All," he whispered eventually. "Sean loves JJ with all his heart, and he loves Cory with all his heart. It's the love that's different; but it's still all the heart."

"Cory loves JJ as a brother only. Sean loves him as a brother, yet it could become something else if he let it," Joel whispered.

Sean nodded seriously in agreement.

"'Kay," murmured Kevin, his eyes now elsewhere as he thought.

"Now, this is what Sean feels for Adam... and now Cory for Adam..." Joel started flicking through those of his immediate family that he knew. He was placing first the love of Sean, then of Cory, with each name.

"Wow, you sure love a lot of people... serious love," Kevin whispered to Cory, his voice confused and a little frightened.

Cory nodded, "Love is love, Kev. It's different for everyone. That's true for everyone. I love Sean most, though."

Joel sighed then. "That last is true, Cor. The first is as well... but different for everyone? Sorry, you're wrong on that..."

Cory's brow crinkled in confusion. "How do you mean?"

Joel sighed. "This is what Sean feels for Cory. Sean for JJ... it's real 'sexy' romantic love, yes? But different?"

All three others nodded.

"This is what Sean feels... for me..." Joel closed his eyes. Kevin noticed first and gasped.

"So... he loves you, Joel," Cory mumbled. "I knew that. So do I. Real love, I mean, not just brother. We both do."

"No, you don't get it... look again... look at what he feels for you, then for me... THEN for JJ..." Joel answered, keeping his eyes closed. He held before all their hearts those three 'feelings' in a row.

Sean's eye grew wide, and so did Cory's. "Now for what Cory feels for Sean, and for Jason, and for... for me..." Joel said then.

After a few more dead silent minutes, Joel spoke yet again, "Now I'll take JJ and Jason out of the picture... what's the difference, Cory? Sean? The love - or just the strength of the love?"

Kevin whispered in awe, "It's identical, just smaller!"

"Yeah, and now..." Two more feelings rose up... and they were identical... "My love for each of you, Sean, Cor. We love each other the same, just it's stronger between you two. The Fire is the same shape and colour, just the size is different. And this is what I feel for Kevin..." Another feeling joined the picture, "And it's identical too! Only what I feel for Kev is the same strength as what you two feel for each other! And this," another feeling popped up, "is Kevin's for me... and this is what he feels for you."

The four boys sat there as they looked between every emotions Joel was holding in place. Kevin felt for Joel EXACTLY what Joel felt for Kevin. It was EXACTLY the same as what Cory felt for Sean. That massive sized Fire was then lessened in size between Joel, Cory and Sean, yet still the same 'shape and colour'. Then, it reduced in size again between Kevin, Cory and Sean... yet was the SAME 'shape and colour'.

"This ain't normal, guys," Sean whispered as Joel stopped the sharing.

"Since when have you ever been normal, honey?" Cory quipped.

"Point taken... same goes for you too!"

Joel giggled slightly in relief. They weren't mad after all!

Kevin, however, was still confused, "How? How can we four love each other the same way? It's not right... not even possible! All empaths know that love is different even if it is focused on the same person! Cory should feel one 'love' for Sean, and Sean's love for Cory should have a different... colour, shade, shape... still love but... it's never identical!"

"I kinda worked that out," Joel nodded in agreement. "JJ and Adam. They really love each other, yet Adam's love isn't exactly the same as JJ's. It's still love, though," he added.

"Maybe I can explain," the Doctor stated with a small grin as he Folded in.

"How long have you been listening to this?" Cory asked with a giggle.

"Thirty six hours," the Doctor said seriously.

"I'm gonna have Kyle glue a cow-bell to your butt so that we know when you're lurking," Sean giggled.

{Do you have any idea how irritating it will be when Jay keeps ringing that bell just for the amusement value?} came a voice Joel had never heard before.

"I thought Jay already 'rang his bell'!" Cory snickered.

"Anyway!" the Doctor said loudly, trying to change the subject quickly. His face was flaming by this point as he came over and squashed himself into the mass hug already going. "God! Teenagers... and to think I may have to go through that again!"

"You're looking forward to it and you know it!" Sean giggled.

"No, not especially... Alpha Stage is more fun!" the little ginger Time Lord grinned up at Sean cheekily.

"Who was that other person?" Joel asked with a giggle.

{I am the Tardis, S... Joel.}

Joel's eyebrow raised, "You talk? Cool... but what were you about to call me?"

{You shall find out.}

Joel turned to look at the Doctor, his eyes probing. "You tell me."

"Oh, well fucking done, Tardis... Jeez..." the Doctor rolled his eyes. "Shaper. It is what you are, Joel. Don't worry about it, though; it'll make sense in time."

"Shaper? As in those changes you said I made when those shivers happen?" Joel asked, and received a nod for his trouble. "Oh, okay. You lied, though. I could feel it. It wasn't 'Shaper' that your Tardis was going to say... was it?"

The Doctor's eyes popped wider, "Wow, you're good. No, it wasn't. But you'll find that out soon. Trust me. Now, about this love business..."

"Busted!" Cory, Sean, and Kevin exclaimed in unison.

Joel, however, did not join in the laughter that came with the cry of 'busted'. "I wanna know, Doctor. Is it my birth name?"

The laughter died away as the Doctor looked at the small Vulcan seriously. "You'll find out soon, Joel," the Doctor whispered. "As I told others today, I cannot reveal the future. Not allowed."

Joel nodded slowly, "Okay, I'll buy that. But I'll find out 'soon' soon?"

The Doctor smiled and nodded again.

Cory felt a change of topic was needed, "You were going to explain this mystery for us, Galli? This same love we all have?"

"Yeah... yeah, that's right," the small Time Lord started to smile again. "Okay, first of all, Cory and Sean. You two are the Heart of the Nexus. You have loved each other from the moment you saw each other with 'understanding'. In Cory's case it was when he was one year old. In yours, Sean, it was when you were 13 months old. You are Special, and your love for each other is twinned."

"What is this Nexus, Doc?" Sean asked curiously.

"A Twist in Time. Strands of Fate woven around Destiny. The Point of Change and Possibility. The Heart of Salvation or Destruction for All Creation. The Nexus."

Cory gulped. "I think I need to change my shorts, dude!"

"No pressure," the Doctor giggled, "if I'm responsible for bringing my Homeworld back to Alpha Prime and thus saving Time itself, you being responsible for gathering the largest force of Creation changing and saving people to your Family is small potatoes!"

"Suuure," Sean poked his tongue out at the Doctor. "Okay, so Cor's love and mine are twinned. What about Elf's and Kev's?"

"The first unconditional love from mortals that Joel remembers having was from you two. He is the Shaper. He wrapped himself in your love, and his modelled itself after yours. Why do you truly love him in return? Because he instils that love in everyone. If people let themselves, they will fall in love with Joel... he offers his love without reserve, so it's an automatic response. In your case, Cory, and yours, Sean, if you could and it was permissible, you three could have become a three-way loving relationship of three equals. Now, for Kevin. Joel has known of Kevin for quiet a lot longer than you guys think," the Doctor giggled as he turned to address the now startled Vulcan, "you don't even recognise it, do you? That one small CSU passage you once read on the Internet in that other Universe?"

"CSU?" Joel muttered. "I read about a large, huge collection of stories that was wiped from the net thirty years before I got on-line... only one page was saved... about some kid called Rory swimming and... FUCK!" Joel's eyes shot open wide as he turned to stare into Kevin's eyes, "... and Rory had a water ring blown up by mouth by some kid called Kenny, and some other kid called Kevin found the other toys and the motorized air-pump... I thought that was so cute how that Kevin found the pump after... and you... you're him?"

Kevin's jaw had dropped open.

"It went on... that Kevin was in his bedroom... and was all upset 'cos he loved someone else, someone older... and he let his brother have the room private just with Rory... that was it... I... he... you weren't in it much, but I kinda liked you the most there, Kev... you were so sweet and kind with your brother, even though you were hurting inside... I saw me in there..." Joel's eyes were streaming tears.

The Doctor smiled at the shocked looks, "Joel's love mimicked yours, guys. And he has loved Kevin at a level he never had access to for years... once the love came out, it mimicked yours. And Kev?"

"Y...yeah?" the shocked eleven year old muttered as his eyes were lost in Joel's.

"You have loved Joel since you were four... and your 'link' to Joel became readable by your soul when he appeared in this Universe," the Doctor said mysteriously.

"Four?!" Kevin said in shock, and he was echoed by Cory and Sean.

"Come on, guys. Back to the Rec Room," the Time Lord ordered. "There are a number of things to cover, and we need some of the others for it. Once done, you four can come back and complete your chat."

"One second, Doc... umm, why did Cory call ya 'Galli'?" Joel asked.

"My birth name is Gallifrey. My 'rents named me for our Homeworld - silly people. I prefer Galli or Doctor, my chosen name," the Time Lord blushed.

"Gallifrey... I like it," Joel mused, "Ah anyhow, umm, first; Kev? I need to show you something... before we find out 'bout this knowing me when you were four stuff."

"Okay," Kevin trembled nervously.

Joel pulled up what Kevin was feeling for him, and then what Kevin felt for Chip, and Shared it between all five of them this time. The Doctor giggled, "Wow, and you're worried about loving your Uncle more, Kevin?"

Joel whispered, "You love your Uncle Chip with all your heart, Kev; and you love me with all your heart. It's the love that's different. I don't share a piece of your heart, I have all of it. Same for you. You have all my heart, and so do Cory and Sean... and Mammy and Adam, and Sammy... it's just the love that changes, not the heart."

Kevin just blinked happily as he had his heart laid bare before them all. "I really love you, don't I? Oh, Joel - I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry I was mean to you..." the boy said as he started crying in shame.

Joel pulled his friend in and held him close. "You were angry with yourself, and then angry with me 'cos you thought we were both being bad. It's okay to be angry when you don't understand things, Kev; and since I love you and you knew it, you felt able to unload on me. If I'd been stronger, I'd have been able to help you better. Don't worry now, Kev - we'll talk more after, 'kay?"

"'Kay," Kevin sniffed as he rose out of the hug and wiped his eyes. He turned them on Sean and found the older boy smiling down at him. He felt a pang of guilt again, "Sorry I shouted at your brother, Sean. I... sorry..."

"Hey now, Joel's forgiven you, and so have I. Can't hate someone I love, now can I?" Sean whispered as he increased his hold on Kevin. "After what Elf showed us we all kinda love each other the same. I don't stay angry with those I love, Kev. Especially not if they are my brothers."

Kevin smiled as he accepted the forgiveness, then he giggled with a little mischievousness, "Could be interesting... next time we 'shower', huh Jo'?"

Joel blushed deeply, and Cory started laughing. "No! No four ways, guys! Nuh huh!"

"Awwww! Spoilsport!" Joel pouted through his blush as he reached around behind Cory and goosed his butt.

"Hey!" Sean teased. "That's my butt to grope, you thieving little elf! You have your own Kevin-butt to do that to!"

Joel blew Sean a huge raspberry as Cory pulled him in and covered his cheeks and forehead in kisses.

The Doctor smiled joyfully as the four brothers bonded after the 'storm'. "Come on," he said quietly as they finished, "the final answer to the mystery needs others. And it will lead to a lot of questions and answers - about Sa'ren."

Joel felt a tremor of nervousness run up his spine at that fateful name.

---

"Why'd we need to be out here then, Galli?" Joel asked as the little Doctor stood the them in the middle of the Rec Room. The others there started watching curiously, and it was making Joel uncomfortable.

"You will need someone that is here to explain some stuff," was the only response the Doctor gave before addressing Kevin, "Hold on tight to Joel and open your empathy."

"'Kay," Kevin murmured as he wrapped himself against Joel's back, snuggling his chin into Joel's left shoulder. Cory looked on in wonder at a pose that would become the standard for these two when cuddling: Joel standing between his Kevin and Danger, with Kevin protecting Joel through support and strength.

"Son of T'Khasi," the Doctor said, now looking deep into Joel's eyes, "I know this is going to upset you, but you may need to explain to us all something about your past. Do you trust me?"

"Uh huh," Joel whispered nervously.

"Does anyone here feel curious as to how Joel knows when his birthday is, yet he has been missing in that Hell-Earth all his life?" the Doctor asked generally to those in the room.

A purple haired boy with a mane of hair running down his back looked over at the small Time Lord. Joel curiously watched him and wondered why he'd not talked to this unusual looking boy before now, then giggled as the boy asked, "Yeah. I've seen some freaky things but Joel here is just one step over the line. He talks languages he never learnt; okay, I can deal with that, seen it before - but I've never known anyone who knows things from being a baby! How's he know that?"

The Doctor smiled, "Joel, this is Bjorknagonspek Yajresunretorik, or just 'Bork' to the guys here."

Joel blinked then waved at Bork.

"Could you tell us Joel? How you know what your birthday is, I mean?" the Doctor asked gently.

Joel nodded slowly, "Okay.."

---

:Flashback:

"This way Mr. Williams, we have a few new ones here for you to look at. Maybe one of them you'll find useful to buy."

The Orphan Seller came into the room where a group of six year old boys were sitting together on the floor, and behind him came a large monster of a man. The boys gripped each other in fright. One of them would leave today, and he would have to work. He would have to pay these Eldar for the privilege of having food. Free loading time would be over.

"Mmm, they are a bit on the runty side, aren't they?" mused Mr. Williams. He looked over each boy cowering before him, and then his eyes settled on a pixie-faced, black haired kid. "He'll do," he pointed, "He looks like he'll last a while."

The Seller moved quickly and reached into the huddle. The boy was grabbed by the scruff of his neck and jerked standing, "Go to Mr. Williams, and be grateful you are getting a home, boy." Turning to Mr. Williams he continued, "Follow me, good sir, and we'll take care of the paperwork." He chuckled, "Though paperwork about orphans never seems to be read."

Five minutes later, the last paper had been signed and money exchanged. "What?s the runt's name?"

"Joel," was the Seller's curt reply, "and here is his birth certificate. Abandoned outside this door nearly six years ago with a birth certificate, of all things!"

"Strange. Let me see it," Mr Williams said as he took the certificate from the Seller. He looked down at the young Joel, "Mmm, mother's name was Sara... something. The surname is smudged. Is this a T? Never mind, never mind... 28th of October? Well, boy, don't expect 'parties' on your birthday."

"They are trained not to, good sir. Is there anything else I can do for you?" the Seller asked.

"No. My thanks. We shall leave now." Turning, Mr Williams grabbed the boy's hand in his and marched him from the room and the Orphanage. Joel had to run to keep pace.

As they went down the street towards the car park, the little boy turned to the man and in a small voice asked, "Are you my new daddy?"

Slap!

Mr. Williams had left a bright red hand print on the boy?s alabaster cheek, "I am 'Mr. Williams' or 'Sir'. You are my servant and will NOT forget it, is that clear?" he thundered.

Sobbing, Joel mutely nodded.

"Get in the car, boy..."

:End of Flashback:

---

Joel was weeping softly as he finished speaking, and hung his head in pain. The remembered loneliness of that moment was there again; the day his hope died away. He just about felt Kevin's arms around him, and the warmth from his friend's body pressed into his back brought him back. He looked up and glanced around at the room full of children through his tears.

His eyes fell on Bork who had tears running down his face. Of all the kids there, Bork's emotions could be felt easily, even at a distance, by the small Vulcan. Then, those emotions seemed to envelop Joel in a caring blanket as Bork smiled through his sad tears.

Joel grinned briefly in thanks, then looked back at the Doctor. He was about to ask why he had to say all that when he felt Kevin's building awe and excitement through the hug.

"Oh... oh God..." Kevin whispered, "I... I've felt this... LEVI!" Kevin sprang away from Joel and grabbed the small Mikyvis. "Can you take me home? To my room? I gotta get something!"

Levi nodded with a curious smile and vanished, taking Kevin with him.

Joel simply stared at the space his friend had been in, then raised an eyebrow at the Doctor. "Wait five minutes, Joel," the Doctor smiled as he gestured for Jason to come to the front and stand by Cory.

Everyone waited patiently until there was a slight 'pop' sound and a grinning Levi appeared... next to a wide eyed, smiling yet crying Kevin. The brown haired boy had a piece of paper held against his chest as if it was the most precious object on earth.

Kevin looked at Joel and felt his friend's curiosity clearly through his empathic powers, yet he also felt it from something else.

From the paper.

"What's that, Kev?" Jason asked, picking up on the boy's wonder and joy easily.

"My first picture. I was about four when I drew it. A...as soon as I'd finished it I could feel what I just felt then with Joel. Pain and loss of hope. I didn't understand. As I drew more pictures I learnt that they were people, and I could speak to them and help them, so I got out this first one and tried with it as well. Nothing changed, and what I was feeling from it was always as if from very far away," Kevin murmured, still staring at Joel. "In the end, I put it with those picture of those that died, 'cos I couldn't do anything to help."

Kenny came over and touched his brother's arm, "Kev? Can I see it?"

Kevin lowered the picture lovingly, and Kenny took one look and touched it. He glanced up at Joel in shock.

Kevin looked down at his first picture, "I got a weird feeling from it, a weird name."

"What's that?" Joel whispered in stunned awe.

"Redeemer," Kevin answered, as he turned the picture so that the others in the room could see it.

Jason fell to the floor next to Cory as his knees gave way. "Oh God," he croaked.

Cory looked at the picture, and it dawned on him what he was seeing. It was similar to the Sa'ren icon on the Crest of House Surak. It was a broken, shattered S'harien Sword.

"Sa'ren... it's Sa'ren," Jason managed as Cory helped his fellow patriarch to stand up. Jason was leaning into Cory's side weakly in shock. "It's exactly as it is set out on Vulcan, on Mount Seleya. Kevin... how?"

Kevin shrugged as he kept staring into Joel's wondering eyes. "All I know is that it's Joel. But why'd I call it 'Redeemer'?"

Jason shook his own head, "Sa'ren is an ancient word from Vulcan's past. It no longer has meaning to them in most things, so it is not a word you guys would likely know. 'Sa'ren' means 'Redeemer'."

Joel's eyes darted between Kevin, Jason and the Doctor. Finally, he held the Time Lord's eyes in his own, "Tardis was going to call me a name beginning with 'S'... is this why?"

The Doctor simply smiled and said, "Until you find your name for certain, and until it is bestowed, I cannot say. That memory I hold is in flux. I must see it become reality before it will stabilize."

Sean moved over to Kevin and looked at the picture carefully. "Shall we put this in a frame, Kev? To keep it safe?"

The little boy nodded happily, still not taking his eyes off Joel. He handed Sean the picture, and Levi then presented a glass fronted frame from nowhere. "It's unbreakable, Uncle Sean," the little cherub giggled as he watched Sean place the picture inside it and put the filled frame on the bookshelf in the Quiet Area of the Rec Room.

As Sean turned back to the others, he heard Kevin start to sing:

"Maybe it's intuition
But some things you just don't question.
Like in your eyes
I see my future in an instant,
and there it goes
I think I've found my best friend.
I know that it might sound more than
a little crazy but I believe:"

"I knew I loved you before I met you,
I think I dreamed you into life.
I knew I loved you before I met you,
I have been waiting all my life."

Joel started taking baby steps towards his friend, and soon he was pulled into Kevin's arms as the eleven year old continued singing:

"There's just no rhyme or reason
only this sense of completion,
and in your eyes
I see the missing pieces
I'm searching for;
I think I found my way home.
I know that it might sound more than
a little crazy but I believe;"

"I knew I loved you before I met you,
I think I dreamed you into life.
I knew I loved you before I met you,
I have been waiting all my life."

A sobbing, happy mess of a Joel murmured the rest of the song back to Kevin as the emotions building between them became too much for the brown haired boy:

"A thousand angels dance around you,
I am complete now that I found you:"

"I knew I loved you before I met you,
I think I dreamed you into life.
I knew I loved you before I met you,
I have been waiting all my life."

(Savage Garden - I Knew I Loved You)

"Jo'," Kevin said thickly as they sank to their knees in their hug within the deathly quiet room. "Jo'... will you be my boyfriend? I can't promise to have my feelings for Chip worked out soon, but I can promise my heart is yours alone."

"Yes! Oh, yes please," Joel cried out. "And my heart is yours, T'hy'la. We'll work on both our problems together, but yes, I want to be your boyfriend forever..."

Cory and Sean just smiled, neither able to express the words that matched their emotions.

Timmy started bouncing up and down with Ricky, Belar and the other Tribe members. "Oh kewl! We knew it, we knew it, we knew it," they started chanting.

The two kissing boys in the middle of all their brothers, sisters and friends, started laughing as they broke apart and watched the antics of the Tribe. An Indian dance was started by Timmy and Ricky and all the Rugrats and Tribe kids were pulled into it and around Joel and Kevin.

Cory shook his head in wonder, then laughed himself silly with the others as one mass pounce later left Joel and Kevin in their under shorts and covered in Indian War Paint. Belar's loud voice was heard clearly making the Vulcan and his new boyfriend honorary Rugrats, and Timmy added honorary Tribe membership as well.

"Buts yous gotta do da Swearing In," Belar added with a wide grin.

Kevin giggled as both he and Joel were lifted up by all the Rugrats and carried out of the room towards the Swimming Pool.

After a moment or two, I-Cheya huffed quickly at Blackie and both sped after their Boy in near panic.

Levi's face creased in concern, "They don't seem happy."

The Doctor's own face registered worry as well, "No, they... oh, HELLS! Joel can't SWIM!"

That statement brought fear to Cory's heart as he gaped at the Doctor.

Jason, however, smiled. "Ollie and Donna are there, don't worry. It's a test of faith," he explained.

Sean grunted shortly, "Don't care. Come on, guys. Let's make sure, and I think a swim might help us all anyway."

As one, the entire roomful of kids agreed and all started running for the Swimming Pool.

---

Joel couldn't see anything once the blindfold had been placed on him by Ross. "You trust us, Unca Joel?" Ross asked softly.

"Yeah," was Joel's nervous response as he heard Kevin whisper the same to Belar.

"Otay! One, two, three... HEAVE!" Belar commanded, and Joel found himself flying through the air...

*SPLASH*

Panic! Pure panic gripped Joel as water covered him and he felt himself sinking. He started thrashing about briefly, but two strong hands grabbed him less than a second after he had submerged and brought him back to the surface. He ripped off his blindfold and saw the smiling face of a girl with red hair. She held him up in the water while trying to hold in her giggles. Next to her, he saw Kevin being held up by a brown haired boy.

"Who're you?" Joel whispered in shocked fright.

"Donna," came the giggled reply. "I'm the daughter of Telez and Antony, Uncle Joel."

He grinned at her as he found his feet and stood waist deep in the water. "Who's helping Kev?"

"That's Oliver, Uncle Jason and Uncle Nathan's son," Donna supplied helpfully. Then, "You can't swim, can you."

"Nope," Joel shook his head as he was watching Oliver tickle Kevin. "S'why I was so scared when I was thrown in."

"Want to learn?" she asked as the doors opened and a stampeding Sehlat charged in.

The Tribe all scattered as I-Cheya slid on the wet tiles and skidded right into the middle of the pool, causing a tidal wave of water to rush over Joel and the other three.

Joel nearly lost control of his bladder as he laughed at his large furry friend. I-Cheya paddled over, snorting water from his nose and huffing to himself. Wet. Water. Tried save Boy, get bath instead. Balls!

"And THAT is why we don't run by the pool!" Cory giggled as he and the rest of the Clan piled into the room.

Bite Furry Wet Butt, Cory-Boy! I-Cheya snorted as he batted water out and over the grinning Patriarch. He then sat himself down in the shallow end, his shoulders and head above the water and relaxed. No much water on Vulcan. This Nice. Back rubs? he sent as he glanced over at Timmy and Belar as they were quickly stripping to dive in and play.

"Sure!" they and a bunch of the other now naked little kids crowed as they jumped onto him.

Joel giggled at his Sehlat friend as he stripped out of his boxers and tossed them onto the growing pile of clothes the Tribe had rid themselves of at the edge of the pool. He then watched in amusement as Nathan sighed and levitated the whole mass of garments to the changing rooms. He turned back to see Kevin blushing beet red.

"What's wrong, T'hy'la?" Joel asked him.

"Donna's naked. So's Viccy! I... they'll see my..." Kevin began, his face getting redder and redder.

Donna giggled, "So? If you want to stay in your shorts, do so. No big deal, Uncle Kev."

Joel shrugged as well, "Yeah, it don't matter, Kev."

Cory and the rest had now stripped as well and were all sliding into the huge pool. "They're right, Kev. Do as you want. You're teaching Joel to swim, Donna?" he asked the red haired girl.

"Yeah. I'm one of the best swimmers in the Division. If you live on an Island Nation, it's a damned stupid thing to not learn to swim."

"Agreed," Telez echoed as he bobbed to the surface next to his daughter and began tickling her, "she'll teach him well, Cory."

Joel grinned widely and waded over to the giggling ten year old girl.

"Ah, Timmy?" Cory called as he reached and hoisted a startled Joel out of the water and sat him on the edge. Kevin soon followed. "Can you come here, please?"

Timmy swam over. "Yes, Daddy?" he asked.

"What paint did you use on these two, and when did you paint their butts?"

"Normal paints, and we didn't," Timmy eyed his two small uncles curiously.

Joel raised an eyebrow, then manoeuvred and stripped Kevin so he could see. He then checked himself. They were both still covered in war paint even though they had been completely soaked, and it was a complete covering. Not an inch of skin was not painted in some way or another.

"Wow," Timmy breathed. "Honest, Daddy. We were only making them 'onorary warriors."

Blackie, lying on the edge of the pool, yapped at Timmy, then panted in his wolf-like laugh.

"Oh, umm... Daddy?"

"Yes?"

"Talk to Unca Mikey. I'm gonna go play."

"Oh... MIKEY!!!!" yelled Cory, making Joel jump briefly in fright.

Cory felt a tap on his shoulders. He turned to find Mikey seated cross-legged on the surface of the water. "Yes, little bro?" the angel grinned impishly at the blond.

"Why?" was Cory's one word question as he pointed to the two small boys on the edge. Kevin, his nervousness gone due to the curious paint he was now in, was being checked out by a giggling Joel.

"Instructions," Mikey giggled.

"Explain?"

"Nope," Mikey grinned again, "that's for me to know, and you to whine about!"

"Mikey!"

"What? I'm not allowed to tease my favourite Tigger?"

Cory giggled, then reached and hugged his brother, pulling him down into the water. "If you're not going to answer, then you can stay and swim with us instead."

"Okay, I've finished my 'shift' for the day," Mikey laughed.

"Will it wash off?" Joel asked as he slipped back into the water and waded over to climb into Mikey's arms.

"Nope, but talk to Timmy, Ricky, Austin or Ollie. They'll tell you how to make it appear and disappear when you want it to. Also, when one of you is in danger, all of you will go into 'war-paint mode'. It's a quick way to tell others something's wrong," the Saint replied as he snuggled with his elven cuddle monster.

"'Kay. Gonna learn to swim now, Mikey! You staying long?"

"Yes, until you guys go to bed at least," Mikey answered, kissing Joel's nose before lowering him down next to Donna. "Have fun."

Before he reached Kevin and Donna, Joel was waylaid by Austin who quickly explained how to control his War Paint marking. "Thanks," Joel whispered as he hugged Austin, "I'll tell Kev how as well."

Austin giggled, "Okay, Joel. Have fun."

When Joel finally got to them, Kevin was standing shyly next to Donna and kept looking at her quickly, but when she caught his glance, he averted his eyes.

"You can look," she said to him. "Viccy said she did the same for Daddy and Pop when she met them. If you look at me, you'll get used to me. Then it won't bother you."

Kevin nodded shyly, "Okay."

She moved to the edge and got out of the water. She sat down with her feet over the edge. Joel and Kevin looked at her for a few minutes, then Kevin noticed something.

"I thought you were gay, Jo'," he muttered.

Joel glanced at him, then down at himself. "Ahh, well... I thought I was!"

Donna giggled, "You're Bi, Joel. You think both boys and girls are sexy. But you love Kevin. That simple." She shrugged as she slipped back into the water, "Come on, Kev. Let's teach your boyfriend how to swim!"

---

"Ready?"

"Ready."

"POUNCE!"

Cory turned from watching Kevin and Donna teach Joel how to swim and ended up going under the water with two blond boys in each arm.

Sean giggled as he fished his husband to the surface, "You're as good as Timmy at that, guys!"

"Uh huh..."

"...thanks!" they replied.

Davy jumped in the water and latched onto Sean's back, "Your turn to give us rides!"

"Yeah!" Drew said as he climbed up to join his brother.

Cory laughed, "One on each of us, guys; we don't want to overload Sean now, do we?"

"But," Drew started, making his face reflect pure innocence, "he's meant..."

"...to be the horsey!" Davy completed, his face also 'pure' innocence.

Ross piped up, "That's right, Unca Cory! He gets the most practice, Timmy says!"

Timmy quickly made his way to the other side of the pool, pretending he had not heard any of that.

"Timothy Christian Short!" Cory exclaimed, his face copying a tomato. "Get your skinny little butt over here!"

Timmy sighed, then swam over. He grew progressively slower and slower until he stood in the shallow end in front of his parents. "Uhh... yes, Daddy?" he asked.

Joel had stopped swimming about on his back and was now standing next to Kevin, watching curiously.

Cory picked Timmy up. "Have you been telling all of your friends about your Poppa and me?" he asked, looking Timmy in the eyes as he held him on his hip.

Before Timmy could add his voice to his already shaking head, Drew piped up from Sean's back, "Ross only meant that Sean gives the bestest Piggy-Back rides."

Ross nodded, true puzzlement and concern on his face, "Uh huh. Timmy was talkin' to me bruvers before da sad thing we was at at dinner time, and dey were talkin' 'bout being horses and stuff, and I asked and Timmy said he was telling my bruvers how good a horsey Unca Sean is. Unca Sean? Can I have a swimming Piggy Back pleaassse? And is Timmy in trouble or somethin'?"

Cory looked between all the kids, then nodded at Sean. Sean splashed the twins back into the water and picked up Ross, "Sure thing, little guy." He then turned to the twins, "You two stay here and talk to Cory."

"Yes..." Drew nodded quietly.

"We will..." Davy said at the same time, just as quietly.

As Sean swam off with the now happy Ross on his back, Cory looked back into Timmy's eyes, "I'm waiting."

Timmy looked quickly at the twins, and they nodded. "Drew asked me how me and Ricky manage to sleep when you and Poppa are having your special times, 'cos they keep gettin' woke up by Unca Tel and Tony, or Unca Jace and Nath'. I 'splained, and then we started making jokes about the noises we both hears and stuff. Ross came over then and we pretended that it was just about Piggy-backs, 'cos Drew told me in me head that Ross and Bel don't knows too much 'bout this stuff yets as Bel is scared some of sex stuff, and Ross tells Bel everything, so they bein' kept... kept..."

"Innocent," Drew and Davy offered quietly.

"Yeah. Honest, Daddy. It was jus' me and Drew and Davy, and we was not tellin' others or nuffin', jus'... 'm sorry, Daddy..." Timmy finished, a few tears trickling down his cheeks.

Cory looked at the three boys seriously. "You guys need to be careful; a lot of your new friends either ain't ready for this kinda stuff or they have really bad memories of things that were done to them. Just hearing you talking about it could hurt them. Watch the older guys and the telepaths; you'll learn a lot from them as to when it's okay to make comments like that. You guys need to take this as a lesson; you're not in trouble, but I don't want you to hurt someone's feelings by not thinking about what you're saying."

"Sorry, Uncle Cory," the twins said contritely. "We should know better, but we weren't thinking or paying 'tention."

Cory smiled, "Uncle? Thank you, guys. Go on, we'll talk later. Go play."

They nodded, grabbed Timmy out of Cory's arms, and swam off to play with Belar and Jessica.

Cory looked around and motioned for Nathan to come over, which the other blond did by walking on the water.

"Show off," Cory muttered with a grin.

"Hey," Nathan giggled back, "if ya got it, flaunt it!" He struck a pose while standing there, earning him a flying tackle by Jason.

"You do that again, and we'll be giving the guys a 'show', sex-on-legs!" Jason giggled after kissing his husband. He then swam off, winking at the laughing Cory.

"What's up, Cor?" Nathan asked as he waded to stand by his friend.

"Jace, obviously," Cory smiled, "He's like a submarine right now."

"Yeah, I get him every time," Nathan smiled fondly as he watched Jason grab Jamie and Jacob and toss them a few feet to splash into the water. "Seriously, though; what's wrong?"

"Belar. Why is he scared of sex? He was talking about sword fighting on Sunday, and he seems fine," Cory asked quietly.

Nathan sighed. "He was being raped when Korris and Poppa Spock saved him. He didn't know he was, only that he was being hurt. Long story, tell you later; but when he walked in on me and Jace... doin' it... well, he freaked. He put together 'what' had been hurting him, and it's taken months to get him to relax about just playing with Ross with 'sword fighting'."

Cory nodded seriously. "You might wanna have him hang with Kyle, and not because he's Mikyvis. I think Kyle's history might do some good for him and Belar to relate. Maybe Kyle can help him through it."

Nathan nodded seriously, "Koth too. And Donna. Hell - Llew, Trist, Matt and Rhys as well! We've done all we can for them, and they have helped each other, as well as the others in the same boat. I would say Korris as well, but he's the proudest Klingon I've ever met, and I've met a few over the past few months."

"Raped?!" came a voice from behind Cory.

Nathan and Cory turned to see Joel standing waist deep behind them, shaking in rage.

Nathan narrowed his eyes. "You're not Jo... wait. Joel's Mam?" he asked.

Joel nodded while his mother said from within him, "He is listening as well. Please get those children involved and have them gather here."

"What are you going to do?" Cory asked cautiously.

"Share," came the response as Joel's eyes returned to normal.

"You can help me?" Donna whispered.

Joel, this time back in control, nodded, "All of you, at once."

"Help with what?" Korris asked as he walked into the room, answering Nathan's mental summons.

Nathan climbed out of the pool and gestured for his Klingon brother to follow him. Koth suddenly beamed in with four other boys. "What's the problem?" Llywelyn asked as he was joined by Oliver.

Joel and Cory walked up to them, and waited for Belar to run over hand in hand with Donna.

Koth saw Joel's curious glance at some of the new faces. "This is Matthew and his brother Tristan. This is Llywelyn and his brother Rhys. Now, can someone tell me why we've been called? We're up to our necks in FC-bloody-C investigations!"

Joel gestured for them all to move over to where a firm Nathan was trying to calm down a now enraged Korris. "I will not! I am a warrior! I will fight this myself! I thought you knew that, Nathan, and I thought we had an understanding..."

"Korris," Joel said, his voice echoing with another's, "a warrior cannot fight all battles alone. A warrior sometimes needs a fellow to help them fight. Your victories will be theirs and theirs yours."

Korris stared at the little Vulcan. His hands were clenching and unclenching over and over. Eventually, he spoke in a deathly quiet voice, "I can't, Joel. I... I... I'm scared. I don't want anyone to know that I couldn't stop them... I should have stopped them! I..."

"You were a slave, my brother," Jason said as he padded over and quickly embraced the now weeping Klingon, "you are and were a child. There is no disgrace in asking for help after something like this."

"I have tried so hard... I have tried..." Korris wept into Jason's shoulder.

Jason was also crying, his empathy absorbing his brother's pain, "You need to do this. You have taken a huge step and bared your heart to Chang. You need to do this to be free of this poison."

"I'm ashamed," came the whispered response.

"I know," Joel said then, his voice strong and sure. "But you should not be. None of you. Everyone. Place your hand on me. As long as you are skin to skin, this will work."

They all did so, and little Belar whispered, "Please make him go 'way, Unca Jowl. Make him go 'way for all of us."

"I cannot do that; but I can make the hurt less," Joel said. Everyone in the room was now silent, and they all were watching. Hoping.

"Kyle! Get over here!" Cory called loudly.

Kyle popped into Cory's arms, his eyes pain-filled, and face doubtful, "I'm a Mikyvis, Cor. I don't know if a Vulcan can cope with my emotions now."

The Doctor's voice whispered in his mind, in all their minds, "Yes. A Vulcan can deal with it. Trust me."

Kyle nodded and quickly joined the group touching Joel.

"All men hide a secret pain," the tiny Vulcan's voice began to echo, "Share your pain with me... and gain strength from the Sharing!"

---

Jason, Nathan and Oliver stood apart from the group around Joel, and watched. Cory was near to them, and the others in the room were silent. Whispers only were heard as the group in the Sharing cried and wailed with Joel; one of Kyle's son's had muted the words, leaving only the faintest of sounds to bare witness to what was happening. To provide dignity.

"Why didn't a Vulcan do this for your brothers before, Jace?" Cory asked, his voice sick sounding.

"The Sharing is no longer taught for it can be misused. Only a few Vulcan's have discovered how to do it in the last 400 years outside of the Halls of Kolinahr," Jason started. "The last to discover it was Spock's brother, Sybok. Joel is one of the few with the natural gift, it seems."

"What does it do?" Adam asked as he came over to wrap his arms around Cory from behind in support. "Does it heal?"

Nathan half smiled, "Yes and no, Adam. Yes and no."

Jason explained, "The Sharing, done correctly, takes the pain and removes the edges from it. It lets the person deal together with the one doing the Sharing, and as Joel said, take the poison out. Once done, you feel stronger for it, and have more tools to fight the pain and the demons. In their case, rape. They are losing the deep, soul killing poison, and gaining inner peace and strength with which to fight. The road after is not easy, nor quick. But it is easier."

Some of the others in the room started looking around at each other then over at Joel hopefully. Cory turned at the sudden whispers and saw their faces. His heart broke. "Guys, I'm sure Joel will want to help you all too, but please, not all at the same time or on the same day. He's in pain himself."

"Yeah," little Scooter Carr answered with a soft smile, "we know, Cory. We won't ask him anyway, but... can you..."

Joel, his face filled with the horror of Kyle's quickly relayed past, looked up. He had heard all the whispers clearly. "Once I'm finished, I shall help any that want it." He then turned back to Kyle and continued to Share out the young Mikyvis' pain to the group touching him. Each felt what Kyle felt and each heard Kyle's tale, and each cried with Kyle, and Kyle gained strength from each.

Such was the Sharing.

Such was the wonder that those watching felt.

Levi was the only one no longer watching.

His heart, innocent unlike any other but one in the room, was breaking. For he was the one muting the details from the rest... muting for all, but he could hear.

He was at the far side of the room...

... crying. Crying at the knowledge of what his daddy had gone through; knowledge that had been kept from him until now.

---

The Sharing was over, and those that had been with Joel were now being cuddled by various of their respective brothers or sisters.

Joel said, "I'll start with another group in a minute. I need a drink first." He wiped his eyes and slipped from Sean's arms where he had been recovering from the remembered pain. As he padded naked from the room he saw Levi crying in the furthest corner. He turned and quickly got Cory's attention and then pointed back to where the little boy was sobbing before running out towards CIC.

On reaching the Kitchens, he ran up to Teri, "Mama? Can I have a drink, please?"

Teri looked down at the slightly damp, naked Vulcan hopping up and down in abundant energy and smiled. "Of course, little one. Orange juice? Kool aid?"

"Ummm... Dunno what Kool Aid is. I'll try that later. Orange juice, please!" Joel smiled.

He watched as his mother poured him a tall, cool glass full. He then hugged himself close to her side as he drank it down.

"Thank you. That was very yummy," he grinned up at her.

She laughed as she wiped the 'orange moustache' from his top lip. "You're just too cute, Joel. Go on; go back to playing. You need it."

Joel gave her one last snuggle before running off.

---

The door opened to reveal Joel. He bounced inside the pool area and grinned at the boys now back playing in the pool. He was about to dive in and wait until someone wanted to be helped when he saw, in the same place as before, Levi.

Still crying.

Alone.

He glanced at Cory and found him playing with Belar and Timmy, without a care in the world it seemed. Joel sighed sadly. He went over to Levi and sat down next to him, pulling him onto his own lap.

Levi stiffened. "How'd you see me?" he asked in shock.

"I used my eyes," Joel replied literally, his face confused.

The little Time Lord appeared next to them both, "I showed him, Levi."

"Why?" Levi asked, his tears still falling.

"'Cos he can help you," the Doctor answered as he Folded away again.

Joel looked over at Cory and understood, "You were invisible?"

"Still am," Levi replied quietly, "and so are you now."

"Okay. What's wrong?"

Levi told Joel about learning about his Dad's abuse in the Sharing that had just happened. "I... they never told me. I didn't know. My daddy got hurt and they didn't tell me."

Joel hugged the crying boy tighter, "Maybe they didn't want you to see something like that, or know it, Levi. You're full of life and love, and they probably didn't want you to see those things."

Levi sniffed. "But I could have helped."

"You still can. Your Daddy really needs his family now, Levi. His hurt feels worse right now. It happens after a Sharing. He feels worse, but feels lighter. I think he could really use some of those Levi-hugs that you gave Kev and me this morning."

Levi wiped his eyes. "I wish he'd told me."

"He was ashamed, Little Mouse," Joel whispered.

Levi giggled then, "'Little Mouse'?"

"Yeah... oh, sorry... your daddy don't like that, does he?" Joel stuttered, suddenly feeling nervous.

"It's okay, Uncle Joel. I like it, and I'll let Daddy know you can call me that!"

Relief appeared on Joel's face, "Cool. Go over, Levi. Lil'Bear needs some hugs."

"'Kay!" Levi smiled as he turned and kissed Joel, hugged him back quickly, then vanished to appear above Kyle.

It was a good thing Kyle was on a rubber ring in the deep end of the pool, for Levi's sudden landing on top of him drove both him, the ring and his son under.

Joel bounced up from where he had been sitting and made his way back to the pool. He sat on the edge and let his feet soak in the water.

A moment passed as he watched his brothers and friends play before he felt a hesitant tap on his shoulder. A strawberry blond boy was behind him.

"Hi. I'm Salvador Vincent Carr, but people call me Scooter. I, ah... I was wondering..." Scooter started but his voice caught in his throat.

Joel got up and pulled the nine year old into a hug, "Do you have any brothers or sisters who need help too?"

"Yeah," sobbed Scooter. He raised his face from Joel's neck and called out loudly, "GUYS!!!"

Joel moved Scooter to a more open area and they were soon joined by eleven others, all between the ages of eight and fifteen.

"We've all got the same type of story," Scooter whispered through his tears, "so we kinda talked when you were helping Kyle and them... could you do all of us at once? We're all brothers, and..."

"Make sure you keep touching me," Joel answered with a sad little smile. Once they had, he spoke again; and once again, his voice started echoing loudly.

"All men hide a secret pain - Share your pain with me..."

---

"Can you cope, Joel?" Cory whispered into his tiny brother's hair as Joel sobbed into his chest.

"Y..yeah," came the answering murmur.

Scooter and his brothers had finished with their Sharing, and were now gathered around Victoria Evans as she gave each a hug and some sage advice. Joel, however, had gone straight for one of the three people who were able to offer him comfort.

"Yeah," he said again, stronger this time. "I can... if you hold me a while."

"Forever and forever," Cory smiled. "Just don't push yourself too far, Lil'elf. You have a lot of pain from your own past. Don't try taking everyone else's pain without dealing with your own."

Joel looked up and blinked at his brother. Seriously, he stated, "I feel every emotion that I've ever felt right now, Blondie. When I was scared when Mikey brought me here? I feel it now. When I was scared thinking I was about to be raped? I feel it now. All emotions from every day that I remember I feel right now. All the fear, added onto itself... it's why I'm always scared and frightened. Someone else's pain being Shared? What else could it do to me?"

"Overload you," Cory answered.

Joel shook his head, "No. It won't. Every second I live, the new emotions I experience get added to those I feel alla time. I should have overloaded already. Your pain... when I Shared yours... your pain is felt differently to mine. You don't have alive memories. Your emotions are not compound. Xain's ain't either, and he's Vulcan too. It's... it's 'cos of my type of memory. Sharing your pain hurt, and it made me cry, but it's like me sharing a Hill and carry a Mountain. I'll be okay Sharing."

Sean moved closer to them both. "Can you explain that?"

Joel half smiled. "If you prick your finger with a pin, you hurt. Imagine that the pain at its height stays always. Prick yourself again... then again... then again. It's the same for what I feel. When I first saw you two, I was scared of you. So I'm STILL scared of you. Even though I trust you, love you, and feel safe around you, I'll always be scared of you, for the scared feeling is still 'alive'. Same for every fear, every sadness. Everything. It all stays. Always. My 'hurts' and 'fears' are no worse than Kyle's about some stuff, but he don't still have those fears that he felt there as if they are 'forever'. I do. My fear is compound. Each time I fear something, that new fear adds to the rest. And so I have a level of fear that is larger than anyone else's."

Sean looked suddenly sick. "That's why it was so bad last night when you Shared yourself."

"Uh huh," Joel nodded, then closed his eyes and tucked his face back against Cory's chest.

"After hearing that, I won't ask now," Jamie whispered to his twin as they stopped moving towards Joel. They started to turn back, but Joel had heard them.

"You need to Share?" he asked as he moved from Cory's arms and took their hands.

"Joel... no, not now... not after..." Jacob started, but Joel kissed him to silence him.

"I can help, if you want. Please?"

The two boys glanced at each other, then nodded slowly. "Can you help our baby brother, Asher, as well?" Jamie asked, tears already forming in his eyes.

Joel nodded, a peaceful look in his eyes.

He was needed. He could help.

---

There were soap suds everywhere, and a blanket of them was spreading out from the epicentre: I-Cheya. The Tribe, and Joel, had decided that giving the large Sehlat cub a complete 'shampoo and rinse' was a 'wicked cool' idea... and I-Cheya let them do so, huffing out his laughter all the while.

Even the G-Cats had gotten in on the action and were helping. They did not expect, however, to be the next targets for 'all over shampooing'.

Cory and the rest sat out of the pool and just laughed until their ribs hurt; all except Bork, who was trying his best to avoid the shampoo-fest. The occasional glances from the Tribe pretty much told him that his mane was on the list, though.

"I've got bubbles in my nose, Joel!" Mont complained to the Vulcan on his shoulders who was working the suds into the Lion's forehead and between his ears.

"Aww, poor puss-tat!" Joel giggled, but he did reach and brush lightly over Mont's face, clearing the soap away.

Meanwhile, Kevin had sneaked out of the water and into the crowd watching. A startled yell later and Bork found himself being chased out of the mass of bodies and thrown back into the pool. Timmy and Belar pounced him, and he sighed with resignation: shampooing was a go, it seemed.

"I've lost my cool spikes!" Mercury complained as Jessica Evans made him sit down so that the shampoo could be massaged in-between his ears easier.

Hermes sniggered, "I'm sure Aunt Teri can help you later, bro... ack, soap don't taste good... soap don't taste good!" The cheetah started spitting bubbles everywhere, making Paul and Paulie giggle.

Wacko snorted water in amusement as he swam around them all, Ricky chasing him with more shampoo.

"You cats are all babies!" Joel giggled, earning him yet another toss far down towards the deep end of the pool. His head resurfaced and he mock glared at Mont, "Just you wait, puss-tat! I'll gets you good!"

"Yeah? You and what army's gonna toss me, then?" Mont taunted playfully.

Joel swam up quickly, impressing Donna yet again at how fast he picked up the skill, and giggled "These armies!" as he wrapped Mont in a hug... and heaved upwards and backwards.

"MEAWWWW..." *Splash*

"Told ya!" Joel's yell could just about be heard over the escalating sound of laughter.

Bork was trying manfully to escape Timmy and Belar's attentions, but it wasn't working for Kevin was keeping him corralled from the edge of the pool. "Not fair! I showered this morning, honest!" he giggled as he was pounced underwater yet again. Chocolate scented shampoo was applied quickly, making the purple haired boy laugh, "Oh, just great! Now I smell like my favourite food!"

One splash later and Bork had someone else helping the younger kids to 'clean him'. "Traitor! Robbie, how could yo..." Bork's yell was cut off as Robbie kissed him thoroughly. While the kiss was taking place, Robbie was adding as much shampoo as possible to Bork's mane.

Meanwhile, Joel found himself being tickled by all the G-Cats as he was passed from one to the other. "This was your idea, Elf!" Artemus accused playfully, "so live with the tickles!"

Kevin felt that Bork was going nowhere for a while, and so waded in to protect his investment... it didn't work. He was soon in the same condition as Joel - laughing fit to bust.

Once the final round of shampoo application had been done, Timmy called for his Uncle Kyle to clear out all the suds from the pool. "Okay, we can all play 'gain!" he bellowed once the laughing King Mikyvis had sorted out the mess.

---

I-Cheya huffed quietly to himself as he pulled his bulk out of the pool. Water ran from him and his thick coat of fur like a waterfall, yet he curiously did not shake as the other animals had done.

Instead, he plodded out of the doors towards the outside.

Cory soon found out why.

"I-CHEYA!" Teri's loud voice could be heard yelling from the outside.

Joel dived back into the pool seconds after hearing it, and hid behind Cory, trembling. "He's in trouble... I'm in trouble..." he whispered over and over as Cory tried to comfort him. It was not easy as Joel refused to move from behind his back.

A dripping wet Teri entered the now silent room, and the children stared at her.

From outside, a wicked, Sehlat laugh could be heard. 'Huff, huff, huff'

Teri looked around the room, her eyes finally settling on Joel peeking out from behind Cory. "Joel? Could you tell your oversized puppy that next time he wants to try a stunt like that, use WARM water?"

"You..." Joel trembled, his face tucked under Cory's arm, and his own arms wrapped tightly around his brother's belly. He sucked in a breath and released Cory. He slowly climbed out of the water and shuffled closer to his mother. "You're not mad, Mama? Please don't hurt him if you are. You can punish me instead. Please don't hurt I-Cheya," the little Vulcan finished with a scared sob. He was trembling violently, and his eyes were shut so tight in fear that his forehead creased.

"Open your eyes, son," Teri said softly. "You can't see the truth in other's eyes if you are not watching them."

Joel opened them, and his deep blue eyes peered up into his mother's face. They were like pools of dark waters, Teri thought; dark waters filled with memory - and pain.

"I don't get mad for innocent pranks, Joel. I-Cheya better not complain when he wakes up with braided hair tied in pink ribbons though." Teri said calmly. "Punishment for a prank gone wrong is standing in a corner; I'm not sending anyone to a corner, so nobody is in trouble. If ANYONE ever tries to punish you in a way that causes you physical pain, they're going to have to deal with the Wrath of Mom. I-Cheya was having fun; you go back to doing the same, and I'll plot my revenge."

Joel smiled uncertainly at her for a moment.

'Huff huffff, huff,' I-Cheya plodded in and stood by Teri, with an equally soaked Blackie at his side. They both stared into their Boy's eyes for a moment.

"You sure?" Joel breathed out nervously.

They nodded.

Joel reached and took Teri's hand and, with light hesitant tugs, motioned for her to follow him to the edge of the pool.

He released her hand and slid into the water in silence. Everyone was watching curiously, although Timmy and Ricky were staring at their eagle companions and grinning. They moved in the water to get their own vantage point for what was about to happen.

Teri saw Joel pause as he stood, waist deep in the water. He glanced again at I-Cheya.

Inside her heart, Blackie sent a quick message, and she grinned. She dropped to her knees and started splashing Joel.

The little Vulcan sneezed in shock as the sheets of water she was sending at him went up his nose. He retaliated.

Timmy and Ricky launched their assault on Cory and Sean at the same time that the Double J's and their little brother started doing so against Dean, Justy and Liam.

In the end it was the larger kids, plus Teri, verses the little kids.

The little kids won, however, when their 'Secret Weapon of Mass Soakings' was unleashed. In other words, I-Cheya ran and bombed the pool in such a way that Cory and Teri's team had a tidal wave of water rushing towards them.

"So!" Cory spluttered as Teri called a halt to the fun, "Food ready, Mom?"

"Yes," she smiled as Joel climbed out of the water and squirrelled into her arms. "Although I have to change first!"

"No you don't, Grandma!" Levi giggled as she suddenly became as dry as she had been pre-Sehlat-Soaking. Joel found that he was now bone dry as well.

"Thank you, Levi," she grinned at him. "Okay. Up and out of the water; get dry and then we can eat."

She started to walk back out carrying a now happy and bubbling Joel as the place became crazy around her. She stopped by the door when Kevin hopped over as he tried to get into a pair of boxers while attempting to bring Joel his own.

"Thanks," Joel grinned down at his boyfriend as he took his boxers from him. He then glanced over to where Mercury and Hermes were on all fours, shaking the excess water out of their fur. He giggled and called over to them, "Is this how you wear this?"

Both cheetahs looked up, and promptly fell back into the water due to uncontrollable laughter.

Joel was wearing the boxers as a hat, and his little pointy ears were doing a very good job of keeping it in place on his head.

---

Jason was one of the last to get dry, and he was about to leave the Pool area and go over to get something to eat when his communicator went off. "Voice here," he answered.

"Voice," Telez' voice answered, "we have been told that Adam Casey is awake and now ready to come up and deal with the prisoner."

"Understood, I'll grab Uncle Mike and those here who are coming. You bring Adam and the Cats up from Utah."

"Understood," Telez answered as the comm went dead.

Jason grinned to himself for a moment before leaving to find his Uncle Mike.

Payback was such a bitch...

---

Joel was still wearing his boxers on his head as Teri entered the Dining Room. Helen started laughing the moment she laid eyes on him, "I like it, kiddo, but they are meant to be worn elsewhere."

Joel grinned at her.

Cory came up next to them and sniggered, "Shirts and shoes for dinner, Lil'elf."

"Oh, okay," Joel smiled as he slipped from Teri's arms and ran into the Rec Room, his bare butt disappearing behind the coach as he looked for his discarded clothes. Kevin followed him to continue to enjoy the view.

"I wonder," Teri murmured to herself as the other kids ran in, all dressed appropriately. Apart from Riti, of course.

"Wonder what, Mom?" Cory asked as he watched his brothers and sisters start on their food.

"If Joel will do as you guys did once," she answered with a short laugh.

Cory shrugged, turned around, and started laughing loudly.

Kevin was walking back with Joel, hand in hand, and he was dressed correctly.

Joel, however, was still wearing his boxers on his head. He did have his tee-shirt on, and his trainers on his feet, but nothing else.

Kevin was not complaining.

"There," Joel smiled proudly, "shirt and shoes on, Cor!"

Others in the room started to notice, and they too started laughing.

"You're definitely my brother!" Cory giggled as he came over and picked up Joel. "You're my favourite silly lil' elf!"

"At least he's wearing his boxers too!" Sean added as Cory placed Joel back on his feet. "You never said WHERE we're supposed to wear them, Mom!"

"Blondie didn't say nuffin' 'bout boxers," Joel murmured, "but I just like them there. My head's warm!" He grinned up at them all.

"I like them there too," Kevin murmured, but he wasn't looking at Joel's new 'hat'.

"Your logic is flawless, brother," Sean managed to get out seriously before breaking into a grin. "Maybe we'll make that the new uniform!"

Teri decided that she should put her voice back into this before it went too far. "I don't think it sets the correct tone as a uniform. Joel, sweetie; the guys tried this prank a few months ago. We let it slide then but ever since they've worn clothes properly for dinner. At least a pair of boxers or swim shorts, a shirt and shoes."

Joel began to look pensive, "B...b...but Cor only said shirts and shoes... I'm sorry, Mammy... I won't be bad 'gain..." He ripped the shorts from his head and started to pull them on, almost in a panic. He ended up falling, and only Kevin next to him caught him before he hurt himself.

Teri helped him up and pulled him into a cuddle. "You followed instructions to the letter, son; there's nothing wrong with that. Why don't you go ahead and have Kevin grab you some shorts for your bottom half, that way you can keep your giggle boxers on your head. I want everyone to have shorts on so that food doesn't drop on places it shouldn't be. You've made a lot of people smile; that's not bad, it's really, really good."

Joel looked into her eyes for a moment, then grinned, "Okay, Mama!"

Kevin giggled and ran back into the Rec Room, returning a second later with one of his spares. After helping Joel into them, he made sure Joel's own pair was back in place as a hat.

"Now, we can eat," Helen managed through her laughter.

"Gonna get a drink," Joel said to Kevin as the brown haired boy sat down. "Want one?"

"I'll have a coke," Kevin pointed at the cans on the table. "You could have one of these too, if you wanted."

"Na. I wanna try something Mama mentioned earlier. Be right back," he grinned before kissing Kevin's cheek and running into the Kitchen.

Teri was about to pick up another platter of food when Joel appeared next to her. "Can I have some of that Kool-Aid stuff now, Mama?"

She smiled, "Sure."

Joel watched with interest as Teri made him a glass of the drink, then he accepted it with wide eyed wonder. "It's blue."

"Yes, I do believe it is," Teri chuckled.

Joel sniffed it, then looked back up at her. He cracked a grin, "But blue and green should never be seen, Mama!"

Teri raised an eyebrow, then chuckled again. "Enjoy it, comedian."

Joel did.

Joel then placed the glass down carefully, hugged his mother, and sped from the room on a major sugar rush.

Doctor Austin, in the middle of eating a sandwich in the relative peace of the Kitchen, murmured, "You gave him that?"

"Yes," Teri looked over. "Something wrong?"

"Oh, no no no," the Doc answered quickly, suppressing a smile, "other than the fact that soon he'll be in orbit."

"Oh?"

"Yes. His metabolism will have... an unusual reaction to it. Soon, he will be completely hyper."

"Oh..." she replied nervously, looking out at at her seemingly normal Vulcan son as he sped over towards his big brothers and Kevin.

As Joel sat down next to Kevin, Sammy walked in with his brothers. He half waved at Joel, but the sad smile on his face just did not reach his eyes.

"You okay, Sammy?" Cory called over.

Sammy nodded, "Yeah. Dad's off dealing with something, and it's making me feel a bit sad is all."

Cory nodded with understanding before going over to give the younger boy a brief hug.

Joel wiped at his eyes briefly, remembering what Sammy had Shared earlier that day, before starting to feed Kevin as was normal.

Sean motioned for Sammy to take a seat on the opposite side of him from Cory, and placed and arm over Sammy's shoulder to pull him close. "We're here for ya, Bro; you're family, and we'll do anything we can to help."

They sat down and began eating, while Sammy explained why he was feeling out of sorts. Finally, he said, "It's just that I've never wanted to kill someone like that before. Not even when I executed that man on Monday. If it wasn't for Joel, I'd probably be up there now."

Sean pulled Sammy over and hugged him briefly, and Cory opened his mouth to reply. He never managed to, however, as a loud burp from his other side drew his attention. Sammy giggled at Joel's shocked expression.

"This is a fun drink!" Joel giggled as he quickly drank down more.

"Pepsi," Sean snorted with laughter as he watched Joel drain the glass.

Another thunderous belch and Joel started giggling harder. He seemed wired to the max.

"Better to taste it than waste it!" Cory giggled.

Joel started bouncing in his seat. From across the room, Cory heard Doc Austin say to Teri, "Told you. Boy, am I glad he's your son! See you tomorrow!" Doc Austin turned and made his way out, his shoulders shaking with repressed laughter.

"Just wait; I'm sure your sons can be wired too!" Teri chucked after him before heading towards the boys. "Cory, Timmy hasn't brought home a giant frog has he?" She asked, her grin giving away the joke.

Cory was about to play along when Joel started making *Ribbit-Ribbit* noises next to him. At the same time, a red faced Kevin was trying to keep Joel's hands out of his boxers.

"What has he eaten?" Kenny asked from the other side of the table as he watched with amusement.

"Kool-Aid..." Teri started to respond.

"Can I have more?!" Joel asked quickly, his attention shifting from the contents of his boyfriend's shorts at the mere mention of the drink, while Jake and Kenny exclaimed in unison, "Oh crap! Sucrose!"

"Did no-one tell you of the effects the contents of certain sweet foods have on Vulcanoids?" Xain asked at the same time.

"You're just jealous that he got some and you didn't," Cory giggled.

Teri pointed at Cory and Sean. "These two clowns seemingly felt I had no need of that information."

"Hey! No fair, we didn't know!" Sean protested.

Cory whistled.

"Okay - No fair! I didn't know!" Sean corrected while nudging his husband sharply in the ribs and shooting him a dirty look.

"We gotta let our bro enjoy finding things out..." Cory replied innocently.

"Finding out how 'fun' intoxication is?" Xain asked with surprise.

Jake nodded seriously. "Cory, how much do you know about the effects of sucrose on the Vulcan biology?"

Cory began to look a little concerned then. "Not much, only that it lowers their inhibitions and makes them feel energized."

Sean sighed and lowered his face to his hands. "Cory, that's what being drunk is!"

Cory's eyes widened. "Oh..."

"I'm drunk? Is this drunk? I don't wanna be drunk!" Joel said as the words sunk into the murk that his mind had become. "I don't wanna hurt no-one, and drunk people hurt people, and I don't wanna!"

Xain moved and held him tightly, whispering quickly to him. Kevin looked between Cory and Jake, "How long will it last?"

"Not long," Jake answered, "Kool-aid doesn't have that high a concentration. Since the Doc wasn't concerned, I don't think Joel's going to get too wild. Unlike those pixie sticks and mint sweets Xain ate that one time."

"Don't remind me," Kevin muttered as he turned to look at his boyfriend. He then had an idea, and blushed. "Ah, exercise helps, doesn't it?"

"Yes," Xain answered quickly before continuing to whisper to Joel.

"Okay... seeya in a while, guys," Kevin murmured with embarrassment as he rose up, took Joel's hand and pulled him from Xain's arms.

Sammy started giggling harder when he saw where Joel was being led too. "Fun time!" he sniggered as Kevin closed the bathroom door behind him and Joel.

---

"Am I really drunk?" Joel asked Kevin as he focused on his boyfriend's face.

"Kinda," Kevin giggled. "Although you're not as bad as Xain was when he had a pixie stick."

Joel looked at his fingers, "They feel numb."

Kevin smiled as he started to pull off Joel's tee-shirt.

"What we doing?" Joel asked curiously as the tee-shirt came over his head.

Kevin grinned, "Doing exercises makes it work it's way out of your system quicker."

"Like sex stuff?"

"Yeah," Kevin smiled again as he reached for the boxers Joel was wearing.

At his touch, Joel felt Kevin's uncertainty and doubt. "You still thinking about your Uncle Chip?"

"Yes and no," Kevin said as he stopped his hands and pulled Joel into a hug.

"Wanna talk?"

"Yeah," the brown haired boy nodded as Joel hugged him back. "It's just that... well, I've always kept from doing sex stuff, and now this morning I did it twice with you - and loved it... loved you. But then I remembered that I love Uncle Chip too, and now I'm worried I'd wanna do more sex stuff with him as well, then I'll get addicted and then..."

Joel nodded and pulled back slightly, "It'll work out, Kev. We'll find help - for both of us. I'm still scared too. I love you and want to love you, but I don't think I can - well, wanking is kinda okay, but even that still scares me."

Kevin nodded as he pulled off the last of Joel's clothes. He looked back into Joel's eyes, and they still looked unfocused. Taking hold of Joel in another hug, he whispered, "Yeah - we'll find help with it."

Joel started smiling, but then stopped Kevin as the boy began to use his hands on his body. "Wait."

Kevin looked concerned. "You want me to ask Cory or Sean to come here too?"

"No. You're still dressed," Joel said shyly as he began to remove Kevin's own clothes.

"Oh," Kevin grinned shyly as well, "can't have that..."

---

"That didn't take long," Cory said as Jason sat down next to him ten minutes later.

Jason half smiled, "Sentence has been passed, and he's gone. No, not long. We didn't drag it out. We're better than he was."

Sammy looked over, "Is dad back too, bro?"

"Sure is. He's in the Kitchen talking to Aunt Teri and Aunt Helen, cariad. You feeling good now?" Jason smiled at his brother.

Sammy nodded then rose and left towards the Kitchen.

Jason looked around. "Where's your elven shadow?" he asked Cory.

"Playing with Kev," Cory replied. "Trying to work off a glass of sucrose filled Kool Aid."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "I know that the drinks here are mostly sucrose free - you know, Vulcan friendly. Why is there sucrose laden Kool Aid in the Compound?"

Xain looked over, "I do not like Kool Aid, so it is not something Dad had asked Aunt Helen to change."

Jason still looked surprised, "And Aunt Teri allowed Joel to drink it?"

"She didn't know," Cory said softly. "Helen would have, but she wasn't there, and I knew, but I didn't think it would be like being drunk or anything." He gave Jason a wry look, "Yes, you can say it. They have been. I had a blond moment."

Jason snorted with laughter, then moved over to hug Cory. "You're always having a blond moment, my big brother. You and Nathan both!"

"Don't feel bad, little bro; I didn't know either," Aaron said as he walked up and gave Cory a hug from behind.

Cory gave them a small smile, then sighed. "I don't feel bad right now, but if my Lil'elf gets a hangover, then I'll feel real rotten."

"He will not," Xain offered simply. "Not with the small amount he ingested."

Cory looked relieved, then pointed at the nearest chair for Aaron to sit with them. "How long will it take to wear off?"

"Any time now," Jake smiled as the bathroom door in the Rec Room banged open and two relaxed looking boys wandered out, naked as the day they were born.

"Forgetting something, bro?" Kenny called out.

"Leave them," Rory giggled, "they look cute like that!"

Kevin looked down, blushed and pulled a puzzled Joel back into the bathroom.

After another minute, they reappeared. Joel had decided that he didn't want to wear his boxers on his head this time, but they were both now dressed for dinner, as it were. They ran over and plopped themselves back on their chairs. Kevin saw his brothers' looks and blushed.

Joel looked up into Cory's eyes sadly, "I liked Kool Aid, but I don't wanna get drunk again, Cor."

Aaron reached over and gave Joel's shoulder a quick squeeze. "Don't worry about it, little brother; I'm going out after dinner and getting some Vulcan-friendly kool-aid that won't mess with you. Mom didn't know; and since Xain don't like Kool-Aid at all nobody thought to get the safe stuff."

"Where you going? To the shops again? Can I come with you? It was fun yesterday!" Joel bubbled suddenly.

Jake rolled his eyes, and smiled, "The worst is out of his system, but..."

"So I can tell," Aaron laughed as Joel pounced into his arms and sat down on his lap, still asking a million questions in rapid succession. "Hush, little one. Yes, you can come, and yes, it'll be fun, and no, we won't leave Kevin, Blackie, the Cats nor I-Cheya behind, and Cory and Sean can come too if they want to, but Timmy's turtles might object."

"YIPPEE!!! But where we going? New York? London? Paris? There's loads and loads and loads and..."

Cory got up and snuggled in behind Joel, half sitting on the edge of Aaron's legs in the process, "Hush, Joel. First, we'll all sit and talk here for a while to let our food settle. Then, if Aaron wants, we can all go somewhere to shop that the Clan hasn't been yet. Somewhere nice and safe, yet fun too. Sean and I have been there, but the rest of the guys not in the Fleet haven't, and I've wanted to take my kids there for a while."

Sean's eyes widened with excitement at that. "Terra Main?! Oh, yeah! Timmy will LOVE that. I've got to see his face at the play area they built for the kids of Starfleet personnel!"

"We're going to Terra Main???" Timmy crowed out as he came running around the table on a bee-line to his parents.

Sean caught the flying six year old in his arms and nodded. He addressed the now silent room, "In a short while we'll go up, guys. We'll go as family groups, and anyone wanting to go, can. If you want to stay behind, feel free."

The noise level went north at an unbelievable rate, while Joel continued to bounce happily on Aaron's lap.

"Well," Jason smiled, "come on in the Rec Room. While we wait for Joel to 'digest' his food, I'll tell you about the Legend of Sa'ren as I've been meaning too for a while."

They made their way out of the noisy Dining Room and found a few chairs to arrange themselves on. Paulie dragged his friend Paul with him and they sat near to Joel, Kevin and Aaron.

Cory and Sean sat there, hand in hand. "Jace, where are you going to start with this legend? From the little I've pieced together, it's huge," Sean asked quietly.

Jason smiled, "It is large, but it can be said simply. Most of it comes from Sarek himself, and his greatest pupil, T'Klass. It was she that laid most of it down, so I'll start with her.

"At the end of the War of the Raptor, once those who eventually became the Romulans were exiled, T'Klass came forward saying she had had a dream. A Vision-Dream. The Sword of Surak, Sa'ren, was shattered and in pieces, and it was due to it's shattering that the road to peace had been paved. Had it not been in that last fight, and had it not shattered as an everlasting symbol of the pointlessness of war, Vulcan would not be where it is today.

"I can say most of what she said, apart from one line of the main prophecy. It has been kept by the Masters of Kolinahr until the Blade is reforged. She said:

"...He comes, and It comes and the Sunlight shall tremble...

In that time, in Vulcan's greatest hour of need, 'Sa'ren', the Blade and Scion of Surak, shall return to where It was Made...

Awakened in Time, It shall be forged in pain and tempered in love...

No blood shall stain It, for It must again fulfil It's destiny..."

"The Line and Blood of Surak shall not fail, nor cease to defend our home, 'til Sa'ren is re-forged...

Watch for that day, for should the Blade of Surak fail, not only Vulcan shall fall...

He comes, and the Ending of all things is in His power...

It comes, and It shall Oversee all Life...

And by Its destruction shall the Sword reform..."

"Then, a close friend asked, 'And whom shall it be that shall re-forge the blade? The method and knowledge has long passed!' Her answer was:

"The One to Re-forge the Blade shall come. Unknowing shall he speak - Words that he shall not have heard. Untaught shall he know - Using his power to heal. Unguided shall he find his Strength... and forge the Destiny of Sa'ren. He shall Shine as Behr'ak; he shall Shimmer as the Sister; Alam'ak shall Rise over his coming, and the Brother shall crown his brow. He shall change what Was to Be anew, and It shall be Reborn - the Blade and Scion of Surak, the Ruler of Red Sands."

"He then asked her, 'Who is the Brother, and where shall we find him?'"

"She replied, 'Sa'Kai-T'Khasi shall be found, and T'Khasi shall stand as his M'aih. Sa'Kai-T'Khasi shall grow and T'Khasi shall become his Khut. The Wielder of Destiny shall be from the two, yet Marked of T'Khasi. He shall fit 'Fo-wein Sa'ren' instantly and be Shielded from Harm. He shall be Ashaya-Sa'Kai-T'Khasi and Kor-shau T'Ran.'"

"Okay," Paul held up his hand, "I've not had the language dump yet, guys. Can you translate all that?"

Jason grinned at him. "Behr'ak is Vulcan's sun. Alam'ak is the secondary sun, their brightest star in the sky. Sa'Kai-T'Khasi means 'Brother-Vulcan', or a brother world to Vulcan. T'Khasi is the ancient name for Vulcan itself. Khut is Sister, Sa'kai is brother, and M'aih is foster-mother."

"Ashaya-Sa'Kai-T'Khasi? Beloved of Brother-Vulcan?" Joel asked softly. "Beloved of... Earth?"

"Yes, Joel. Earth is Sa'Kai-T'Khasi. There is an ancient starmap on Vulcan, at least 500 thousand years old, and Earth is on it with that name. Also, most of Starfleet think of the Vulcans as brothers," Jason nodded at the boy.

Cory was looking at Jason with his jaw on his chest. "Kor-shau T'ran? Cor, Sean with no 'n', Terran??? Joel is Beloved of Earth and Cor, Sean - Terrans?!"

Jason nodded seriously. "I never understood why the Blade Finder would be called 'Preserver Death', which is the literal translation. It could mean 'preserve from death' or even 'through death'. But once I saw the things around Joel happening and heard his name for you out of his own mouth... well - it fits."

"What is Fo-wein Sa'ren?" Paul asked.

Joel looked at him, and said softly, "The armour I wore to the funeral. I fitted into it without it having to be adjusted, and then it went nuts in a light show, just as that prophecy said it would."

Sean reached out and squeezed Joel's shoulder, for the little Vulcan was beginning to look nervous.

"Wait," Cory held up his hand. "Jason, the first bit talks of the Blade returning, and when it is destroyed, the Sword shall reform. Aren't they one and the same?"

"That has puzzled people since the prophecy was given. We don't know," Jason shrugged.

Joel was looking at Jason, "He shall be of the two? Of Earth and Vulcan. I'm a hybrid, I fit the armour, I speak Vulcan and have never been taught it, I heal with the Sharing, and have never learnt how. How did they know?"

Aaron gave Joel a squeeze as well, "The Founders can see the future. Maybe Vulcans can too, or some can, or something."

"Maybe," Cory nodded. "What of Alam'ak rising over his coming? What's that to mean? I can see how Joel fits the rest about the finder of Sa'ren, but..."

Jason shrugged. "I don't know. My only guess is about when Joel was born."

"28th October, 20... no, I mean 1991," Joel supplied with a small smile.

"Joel, sweety," Jason smiled at him, "We can't be sure of that date. We don't know how you got to that other Universe, and we don't know about that Birth Certificate. Is it accurate?"

"Mother said it was. She said she wrote it," Joel offered helpfully, tapping his head.

Jason glanced at Xain. "What would that date be in Vulcan time?"

"15th day of K'ri'lior, in the Vulcan year 1804. If Joel's birthday is tomorrow as humans measure time, then he is just over 12 and a half Vulcan years old tomorrow," Xain answered. "Just as I am younger in Vulcan time than by human measurements. I am nearly 13 going by TST, but by VST, I am just over 12 years and four months old. My day of birth was the 18th day of T'lakht, year 1804."

"K'ri'lior? The eighth month, and it means 'Bright One'," Jason crowed out as he bounced on his heels. "It's the month when Alam'ak is at it's height! And it reaches apex on the 15th day! Alam'ak rose over your coming, Joel!!"

Joel half smiled at him, then asked, "Well, that's what T'Klass said. What of my ancestor, Surak? What did he add to the prophecy?"

"He gave the first part of all, Joel; right before making the Fo-wein Sa'ren," Jason bubbled. He then recited:

"For the Day of Sa'ren is near in Ku-li'Klopau.

The Sun and Sister will grow dark,

And the Stars will diminish their brightness.

Oekon also will roar from Yon'Kahr,

And His Blade shall proceed from Shi'Kahr

Stukh-Oigen and T'Khasi will shake;

But Sa'ren will be a shelter for It's People,

And a Defence of the Children of T'Khasi and Sa'Kai-T'Khasi"

"What's that mean?" Paul asked, his voice hollow and his throat dry. "I almost feel I recognise that."

"I'll translate," Jason smiled, "'For the Day of Sa'ren is near in Valley of Decision. The Sun and Sister will grow dark, And the Stars will diminish their brightness. Supreme One also will roar from Fire City, And His Blade shall proceed from East City. Heavens and Vulcan will shake; But Sa'ren will be a shelter for It's People, And a Defence of the Children of Vulcan and Earth.'"

Paul's jaw dropped open, and he got up, dumped Paulie on his Sean's lap, and ran from the room.

"What's with him?" Kenny asked curiously.

Joel was shaking on Aaron's lap. "I recognise it too," he whispered in fear.

"Fill us blonds in then..." Aaron asked as he looked at Jason.

"I don't know," Jason said as he looked at Joel in shock. "I've no idea what they saw in that. Ku-li'Klopau, the Valley of Decision, is between Seleya and the Forge, and it was on the edge of that where Surak defeated D'Tan and the Sword shattered. Yon'Kahr is the old City-Temple inside the Forge, where Kolinahr first started before the War of the Raptor. Shi'Kahr is the Capital of Vulcan, and the Sister is the planet that orbits close to Vulcan, their only 'moon'. Other than that... I don't know. Joel?"

Before Joel could find his voice, Paul returned with his Bible. He had already found the place in it that he had been searching for. "Ummm, listen, guys. '...the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.'"

Paul lowered the Bible once he had finished and looked at them all.

"What passage was that?" Cory choked out.

Joel whispered in the stillness of the room, "It's from chapter 3 of the Book... of Joel."

Jason fell to his butt. "Oh shit, I just thought of something. 'Sa'ren' means Redeemer, right?"

"So you told us," Sean replied.

"The name 'Joel' is Hebrew, and it directly translates as 'The Lord is God'. But, it is derived from 'go'el', which is Hebrew for 'the one who redeems', or 'who saves'."

Joel barely heard him.

He just hugged himself into Aaron's chest, and carried on shaking while the names of prophecy rolled through his mind...

'Sa'ren' - Redeemer.

'Joel' - The one who redeems.

'Ashaya-Sa'Kai-T'Khasi' - Beloved of Earth.

'Kor-shau T'Ran' - Preserver-Death.

'He shall change what Was to Be anew...'

... The Shaper...

---

"Kyle?" the Doctor called out as he walked into the Rec Room. Joel was on Cory's lap, playing some weird 'Joelish' game with his brother's fingers, and the five local Mikyvis were watching in rapt attention.

Nothing.

The Doctor waved his hand in front of Kyle's face. "God, you're a let down. A Vulcan logic game and a High Race gets disarmed," the little Time Lord giggled.

"What happen? You steal all of Jay's snacks again, Galli?" Dylan asked with a grin, his eyes not wavering from watching Joel.

"You didn't see me. No-one caught me. I did nothing!" the Doctor giggled back wickedly.

"That's not what the Tardis said..." Bryce giggled.

The Doctor sniggered, then said, "Don't believe the Tardis... he lies! Just like the Deer! They're in on it together, you know."

"Timmy says deer don't lie," Levi giggled.

The Doctor smiled briefly at him, pulled him over and into a cuddle, before saying, "You're one of the most pure souls I've ever met, Levis Hunter Richardson."

Kyle and Tyler smiled as they turned to watch. "Cute too," Tyler giggled.

"Especially when he blushes," Kyle added.

Tyler then looked into the Doctor's eyes. "Something's up. Anything serious?"

The Doctor shook his head. "No, not in the way you're thinking anyway. I've been getting a 'call' from an old friend. There's something he needs to inform me of, but for that, I have to take the Tardis into the Great White. And since I'm going there, I thought I'd kill three birds with one stone. See my friend, teach you guys some more about Time and our role, and... well, basically my friend has been wanting to meet the Prince of the Mikyvis for a while, now."

"Daddy is King, so there are three Princes!" Dylan quipped as he rolled to avoid Kyle's swat.

"So," giggled the Prince of the Time Lords, "you guys want to come along?"

"Sure!" Tyler giggled as he watched Dylan trying to avoid Kyle. "Maybe we can get some tips on taking care of kids who take after their Uncles..."

"I HEARD THAT!" JJ yelled across the room. "Just because Levi is innocent don't mean we can't spoil our other nephews!"

"Let's get going before things get nasty," the Doctor giggled, as he waved his hand and the Tardis thrummed into existence.

The doors opened and in they ran to see Jay and Jack at the controls.

"Hey there, kiddos," Jack smiled as Bryce ran over and into his arms, "ready for some fun?"

"Sure! Can we go check on our pet dinosaurs while we're at it?" Bryce asked as he snuggled into Jack's lap.

"Pet what?!" Kyle asked, glaring at his son.

"Not this time," the Doctor laughed, "and Kyle? You can tickle it out of him later."

Jay sniggered and tried to look innocent.

"Wasn't me this time, Daddy!" Levi said honestly, while pointing at the nine year old Time Lord trying to hide behind his father.

"Hey, don't get me involved! Just because I'm immortal doesn't mean I want a High Racer to zap me! The Daleks did that enough last time!" Jack protested.

The Doctor tapped his hand on the arm of the Control Chair he was now sitting in, "I need your attention, guys, or you're going to freak out."

Kyle shot one last dirty look at Jay and Bryce before taking a seat. He made sure the others were also seated before nodding at the Doctor. "Go for it, Doc. Why would we freak out?"

"You exist in all universes at once, in a way. Yet you can still exist if you pulled yourself out of all those universes, correct?" the Eldest of All asked.

All but Levi tilted their heads in thought. Levi giggled as he nodded. "Yeah, just ask the Queen!"

"Right. Brakkii is like you in that regard. Now," the Doctor leaned forwards slightly, "when the Time Circuits become active and we start to Ride the Winds of Time, you'll be cut off from everything outside of the Tardis. And I do mean cut off. You cannot leave, and no being lower than the Guardian of Forever can enter, until we arrive at our destination. I just want you to know so you don't freak out when things go dark in your minds for a limited time. Don't worry about the guys we're leaving here. Peter is around and he can deal with things until we finish flying." He paused and looked at each of them, "You okay with this? None of you have experienced this, so if you choose to change your minds until a later date, I'd understand."

"That sounds KEWL; we'd find out what it's like to be blond!" Dylan giggled.

"I heard that!" came a load of voices from down the spiral staircase.

"Be careful," Kyle warned playfully, "I think we're outnumbered by Time Lords."

The Doctor giggled, "Well, there's only three full Time Lords right now, but most of the guys and gals down there have the power level of a Ferox. Some even more than that. Anyway; ready?"

The Mikyvis grinned and nodded.

"T! Let's fly!" the Doctor crowed out as he moved a few controls.

{It is my pleasure. Time Shifting.}

"Dang; that's the quietest my head has been... ever!" Kyle muttered. "Is this what it's like to not be a telepath?"

"I dunno, hon; I've felt emotions all my life," Tyler replied.

The Doctor grinned, "Yep. This is what it's like for non-telepaths and empaths. Time overpowers all other abilities. Welcome to the World of Time, my little friends. And you're about to get a crash course..."

---

Terra Main Transporter Room:

Joel had recovered from the shock of the Legend of Sa'ren enough that his first trip in a transporter caused him to go into fits of giggles. In fact, so worked up had he become that had climbed up on Cory's back and was kissing his brother's cheek over and over.

"I think you liked that, huh, Lil'elf?" Cory giggled.

"Yup yup yup!" the Vulcan bubbled.

The transporter chief was looking in wonder at the boy. "A laughing Vulcan; okay, I've seen everything!"

"If you only knew..." Brant muttered with a giggle as he tried to claim some of the hyper-elf cuddles.

Joel obliged and transferred over from one strong back to another. "Hi ho Fangie, AWAY!" he crowed out from his new piggy-back ride.

"As I said...." Brant giggled.

"I gather he is one of those you've rescued?" the chief asked. After getting a nod from all the boys, he looked shocked, "A Vulcan child in need of rescuing??"

"He was... lost," Sean said diplomatically. "We're searching for his Family, but 'til then, he's our Lil'elf."

"So I can see. Well - Welcome to Terra Main - Habitat Level, Clan Short. I never thought I'd meet any of you since I'm stationed here more often than not. I am Chief Petty Officer Howardson."

"Thanks for the welcome, Chief; I just hope this place can handle this group!" Cory giggled.

"We're Starfleet," the chief chuckled wryly, "our mission is to explore space, meet new life forms, and deal with anything the Universe throws at us... we don't have a chance against you boys, do we?"

"No," Timmy giggled before pouncing him. He was soon joined by Ricky and Paulie - soon as in a nanosecond later.

"I was right," came the muffled laughter from the man now on the floor as he struggled to find a way to cuddle three energetic children at once.

"Your console is beeping, Chief," Joel said from Brant's back as he looked over at the controls. "I think the next lot is ready to come up."

Cory laughed, "With your permission, Chief?"

"Feel free, Lieutenant," came the still muffled response. "From what my screen told me, all this level's transporter rooms are beaming up people from your home.

"They are," Cory sniggered as he worked the console and brought up JJ, Adam and yet more kids.

"Should I call for a Red Alert?" the chief asked jokingly as he managed to sit up. Timmy was on his back, now, and Paulie and Ricky were tucked under each arm. "Are we being invaded?"

"You are, and no need. We come in peace!" Joel giggled as he blinked at the man.

Chief Howardson laughed, "Oh, am I glad I'm off duty in a few minutes!"

"You can go now, Chief," came a new voice from the doorway as another petty officer entered. "I can take over for you."

"Thanks, Ben. This group of cute looking rugrats are from Clan Short, and this is their Patriarch, Lieutenant Cory Short," the chief said as he stood up, placing the three small children back on their feet.

"Pleased to meet you, and honoured," Officer Ben smiled at them. "I can take over now, Lieutenant; unless you wish to bring any more up?"

"No, that's it," Cory giggled. "Invasion Force is all accounted for. Let the attack begin."

"Glad I'm staying here, Chief," Ben smiled at his section leader. "You going to do your thing and give them a tour?"

The Chief looked at Cory with question.

"We'd like that, Chief," Cory smiled at him, "but only if you want to. I know that you're probably tired after a full shift."

"I am, but this wouldn't be work," the Chief replied seriously.

Joel slipped down from Brant's back and padded over to stand in front of the man. He looked up at him sadly. "What's wrong?" he asked as he took hold of one of the Chief's hands.

A single tear trickled down the man's face. "I'll... I'll tell you after, son. I'll tell you after." He coughed briefly and smiled at them, "Well, come on. You must be here to shop and see the sights. Let's be getting to it!"

Cory smiled and said, "Lead the way, Chief!"

The entire group of 15 kids and teenagers followed behind the man as he led them out of the large transporter room and down the hall towards the central section of the level. As they entered the central area, he said, "This is the promenade; here are shops, stores and merchandise from all over the Federation. The level you can see above us extends over this one right to the outer hull, and most of the restaurants and Entertainment sections can be found there. So, it depends on what you want to do first."

"Play area, play area, play area," the smaller kids started chanting, as led by Timmy.

Cory giggled, "That works fine for us. We've eaten an hour ago, so I think a post dinner snack is also needed."

Chief Howardson laughed, "The turbolifts are this way."

Five minutes later, and the tribe members had gone into a hyper frenzy as they saw the play area. Cory, JJ and the other parents in the group talked briefly with the area overseer and, once they had made sure their little ones would be taken care of, moved to the nearest snack-bar.

---

Inside the Tardis:

Time - Unknown:

Location - Unknown:

"Now then," the Doctor giggled a moment later, "let's bring us to a stop. We're a little early for my friend, but I wanted to show you some things."

{Time Shifting over. Doors unlocked. Stasis Field in effect,} the Tardis said.

The Doctor got up and moved to the doors, prompting the others to follow. "I know you guys don't need to breath, but I've kept the Field up as I require it. Here. This is what our home Universe looks like from the Great White. Behold, Alpha Prime," he said as he threw open the doors.

The Great White was aptly named, yet it was not like space. It was not a white background with things in it, but more like a liquid or mist that moved and eddied. It was translucent, yet also opaque.

Ahead of them, they could see something large.

Very large.

It was a sphere. Black as night, yet rainbow effects rippled over it's surface. It seemed close enough to touch, yet as far away as forever.

"That's our home?" Levi asked with wonder. "It's beautiful! Why've I not thought about coming here before?" he asked himself quietly.

"Don't ask how far from it we are," the Doctor smiled, "not even I can absorb that type of number. Look over there. And there. That's the new Alpha One and Two..." he said as he pointed at two more spheres, seemingly a lot further away, and one was half behind the big one in front.

Kyle poked his head out of the door and looked up and down, then around. There were spheres everywhere. "Sweet!" he exclaimed. "This is awesome!"

"Now, look at it with your Sight, guys. See the physical and see Time as well," the Doctor prompted.

They did, and gasped. Levi started to giggle, "Just like the tree of Time I showed Tyne on Monday!"

In their mind's eye, the Spheres vanished to be replaced by what could only be called black trees. Only Alpha Prime had the least 'branches' due to the little fight Kyle and Tyler had had with Axon. The others made the Great White look like a wild forest.

"Okay, go back to normal sight," Jay giggled as he caught Dylan and stopped him from falling out of the doors in childlike wonder.

"Seeing it in the 'flesh' is always better than just with your mind, right?" the Doctor asked gently and happily as he watched the five little boys' faces light up in wonder.

Kyle could only hug the Doctor by way of a reply.

"Come on. A small snack as we wait for my friend. There's another thing I want to tell you before he arrives," the Doctor whispered to the over-awed Mikyvis as he closed the doors again.

"Got them ready," Jack said as he placed a tray of snacks down at a table near to them.

They all sat there in silence, munching on cookies, potato chips and Jelly Babies. Bryce had taken a major liking to the Jelly Babies, and was fighting the Doctor for each and every one of them.

Once Kyle had recovered his voice enough, he asked softly, "What's the other thing you wanted to teach us?"

Giving up and giving the eleven year old the whole bowl of Babies, the Doctor smiled and said, "Basically; Time is the most powerful thing there is, other than the Creator. It is a power that transcends all, is through all, and empowers all. You, like I and the other High Races, are outside of Time, yet even so, the rules around time affect us to one degree or another. We don't 'age' as such, but Time is still a power we have to tread carefully with.

"I have a natural affinity to Time, more so than any other High Race. That goes for those killed in the Great Time War as well. The Time Lords are named truly. Yet, there are rules not even I can break.

"I've heard from other High Races in the past that power over Matter is more important, and that is certainly what my friend's people believed. Yet, after they tried to disregard Time, they soon came around to the truth. The focus of each High Race in the Old Time before the War was always different, yet I and my kind always had to teach them about Time. As I teach you now. This is highly serious, guys. I am the High Race Custodian for the Teaching of the Time Directives. The Guardian of Forever entrusted me and the Time Lords with it, and we have a responsibility. I need to know: are you willing to learn now? If not, I shall give you 'time' to prepare. In that 'time', however, you will be barred from your abilities over Time. If you choose to not heed me after that 'time' has passed, then my orders are to remove from you and all your kind the power of Time. You would become Intermediate Middle Race. This is not a threat. The Daleks showed us that a High Race without the teaching will grow to become a threat to all. I cannot take that risk, especially as your 'Home Universe' is Alpha Prime. If the Heart of Creation is destroyed due to a mistake or evil act by a Mikyvis, then all life everywhere ends. Forever."

He paused and looked each of the five boys in the eyes. "I hope you understand what I'm saying. You are at that point now where you have to learn it. If I don't teach you, you'll grow too strong for me to change should your Race fall to evil. We are at the moment of choice now. I can pause you while you think with your brothers at home, or I can teach you, now, or I can remove your power forever. That last I don't ever want to do, but I will if I have to. The risks without the Teachings are simply too great. If you choose the Teachings now, Peter can be taught by me later. He is locked down. He is no danger."

He paused again.

"No rush, brothers. Talk it over as long as you want. I love you and trust you and I know the answer, but you need to know it for yourselves. Jack, Jay and I'll be over on the other side of the room," the Doctor said finally as he stood, and together with his Bonded and father, he started across towards another sofa.

They never made it. "Doc?" Kyle whispered out.

The Doctor turned and looked him in the eye, "Yes, little brother?"

"Teach us. Now."

The Doctor smiled and sat back down.

"Okay, the First Directive of all: There are three things in Creation that we can affect: Time, Matter and Energy. Of the three, Time is the greatest, then Energy, then Matter. If Time was the wind, matter was the windmill, then energy would be the power generated in the windmill. You take out the energy, and matter would stop moving, yet Time remains in motion. You stop Time, however, and whether or not energy is there, nothing happens. Time is First. Time is Master; and Time is to be respected above all..."

---

Terra Main:

The older kids settled down at the tables and chatted, as well as look out of the windows at the earth below and the stars beyond. The Chief sat with them, Joel on his lap. After five minutes of casual conversation, Joel pipped up, "You're sad, Chief. What's wrong?"

The man sighed. "Call me Gary, Joel." He hugged the Vulcan tighter for a second, then looked around at the others with them. At their table, Cory and Sean were seated, along with JJ, Adam, Brant and Austin. "It's a long, sad story," Gary murmured.

Joel looked into the man's eyes before turning around and pulling Gary's arms about his body. He kept his fingers interlocked with Gary's. "Share your pain, Chief. We can't help if you don't Share."

Gary sniffed for a second, then said, "Well, simply put, I was married and had two wonderful children; a son and a daughter. When my daughter was a year old, my wife and I broke up. The love had just... gone. She moved away from Earth to one of the new colonies, and she took the kids with her. We had arranged for each other to visit. Sometimes she'd come to Earth for a few months, sometimes I'd go there as duty permitted. We, for our kids benefit, made sure that they would always have us in their lives.

"Two years ago, that colony was attacked by Orions. They murdered my..." he could not stop his tears this time. Joel pulled on the emotions as they rose up and halved them immediately. He too started crying. Gary sobbed out, "My little boy and my princess... gone. My ex-wife, dead. The house was vaporized, there was nothing left. I was there with them at the time, but had gone out to get something from the shops as a present for my son's birthday. I was injured in that attack, but... I wish I'd died."

"Orions," Sean muttered. "Are you sure they are gone, Chief? Orions are child-slavers. Maybe..."

"I hope they are, Sean," Gary stated sorrowfully. "To think of them as enslaved would be worse than vaporised."

Joel gently let the man's emotions fold back to him. He sighed and wiped at his own eyes. "Sorry, Gary," Joel whispered.

Gary half smiled through his grief, "Thanks, son; but it's not your fault. You didn't do it, so you don't have to be sorry."

"Joel feels other people's pain as if it were his own, Chief," Cory said with a sad smile. "Just hug him harder and you'll feel better."

---

Tardis:

"Wow," Tyler giggled, "I'm just glad my mind's bigger than it was before. That was a head rush, Galli!"

"You should've tried being the one getting that lesson from the Guardian, Ty," the Doctor giggled.

There was a blinding flash of light by the door, and a man with pitch black hair, black eyes, and a mischievous expression appeared. He was dressed in a red and black uniform that the Mikyvis recognised from the minds of Joel, Jude and the Farnsworths as being a futuristic Starfleet Captain's uniform.

At his side was a seven year old boy, dressed the same, who had bright white-blond hair, yellow eyes, and a pouting expression. That expression fell away when he saw Levi. He smiled happily and waved.

"Wazzup, Quint!" Levi giggled. "Did they catch you... again?"

The boy, Quint, nodded, "Uh huh. I got tanned good this time."

"Don't tell lies, son," Q said sternly. "I only wish a good thrashing would help, but you know as well as I that it doesn't work with us."

"Yeah, Daddy," Quint nodded, "like otherwise the Tribunal would thrash you!"

"That's enough," Q said again, before looking up at the others... and winking. "He got caught by Q, and Q said I had to keep him with me for a while. Personally, the Streeeka had it coming, but Q, Q and Q disagreed..."

"I believe Joel would say 'Like Father like Son....'." Kyle commented in his best Vulcan. "You mean to tell me you KNOW them, Leev?"

Levi nodded. "Yeah, me and Quint like to go Universe hopping to see all the kewl stuff that the Federation don't know 'bout yet!"

"So this is the 'new friend' you wouldn't tell the rest of your ENTIRE RACE about?" Q asked, looking down at his son.

"Uh huh. He's nice, ain't he?" Quint giggled back as he ran over and hugged Levi.

"Well, well... secrets in the Continuum? I never thought I'd live to see the day!" the Doctor howled out through his laughter.

"Well... surprises are good for my people," Q conceded after a seconds thought. "It's about time we changed our 'world view' as the humans would say. Well then," he added, getting down to business. "A new High Race. Have you warned them, my good Doctor?"

"Nope. Kyle?"

"Yeah?"

"Don't worry. He does this every time."

"Does what?"

Q morphed into his natural energy state and Kyle gasped. He looked down and found himself naked. "What the...?"

He started laughing when, suddenly, he found himself inside the energy-Q.

"Mmm... interesting..." said Q

"... hahahahahahaa... HEY! That's TYLER'S!.... hehehehehe...."

"Just... oh, just like a human's... does it work the...."

"DON'T YOU DARE!" shouted Tyler.

Tyler found himself naked the next second, and then drawn into the energy that was Q.

"Ah... that's why... Hybrid..." mumbled Q as he continued to examine the two madly laughing eight year old Mikyvis.

"DAD! POP! Get a room!" Bryce giggled. "Dylan is too young to see that stuff!"

"You're older than me by 10 nanoseconds, Bry!" Dylan protested as he watched what Q was doing curiously.

Levi politely turned his back and chatted to Quint.

"Uncle Galli? You takin' notes?" Quint asked as he shifted his full attention to talking with Levi.

"Been there done... no, I'm not THAT bendable!" the Doctor giggled.

"It's GOOD to be Mikyvis!" Tyler and Kyle chorused between giggles.

The two boys suddenly found themselves back in their clothing and each over one hip of Q as he resumed human form. "They were only being tickled. Do your kids have dirty minds or something, Kyle?"

"The two youngest have been spending too much time with my older brother," Kyle replied with a smile.

"And I'm an angel," Levi giggled as he turned and smiled up at Q.

"So I see. Pity, you could have so much more fun," Q chuckled. He winked at Levi, however, just to show he was not serious.

The Doctor stood up, "So, before we get down to anything non-serious; what was it you needed, my friend?"

"Oh, not a lot. Just that I'm sending help to Alpha Prime. I can't get in there yet, but I can push things in from other places, and one of those new Universes had a group of people who need to be with the Clan in AP. I have pushed them in," Q explained as he set the two Mikyvis in his arms down gently.

"Really?" the Doctor asked with surprise. "I felt nothing enter."

"Well.... It's not there yet. It's caught in a Time Flux. Not sure when they will get there as I still can't get in myself. I need you or these cute kids to keep their eyes open for them," Q said thoughtfully. "And they'll need help. The trip was... or will be... rough."

"What kind of help?" Levi asked curiously.

Q shrugged with disinterest, "Oh, you know. Save their lives, their starship, that type of thing. I can't get there to do it, so the details are up to you guys. All I know is they make it and all's going to end up okay. The details...? meh!"

Kyle shook his head. "This high race stuff gets weird!"

"You're only just working that out?" Q asked curiously. "Wait a few millennia..."

"Don't remind me; I'm gonna miss Cory and Sean. JJ and Adam will still be around, but Cor....." Kyle replied soberly.

Q raised an eyebrow. "Cory Patrick Short. Sean Michael Short. The Heart of the Nexus. Even if their path leads beyond the edge of Creation, you are aware that you can go to the Gateway?"

"Where?" the Mikyvis asked at once.

"He means what you call 'Heaven'. Where you go when you want to surprise your brother, Mikey?" the Doctor explained. "It's the Gateway. We cannot get further than that, but there we can see those who have passed over. You won't be truly apart from those who die, guys."

"Besides," Q added seriously, "all are destined for the same place... if this Third Age wins, that is. All become one when Time reaches completion."

"Don't make parting easier," Kyle said tearfully.

The Doctor nodded with understanding, "I know. However, don't count your lost chickens before they even get hatched, brother. There are things coming no-one knows about, thanks to Joel's presence. Wait and see."

"Joel?" Q asked. "It is this Joel that hides the Future of Alpha Prime?"

"Yes," Levi answered.

Q looked at the Doctor. "So... the Shaper has come at last."

"Yes, he has," the Doctor nodded.

"The Shaper... that poor, poor child. To change all Destiny, for everyone... but unable to change his own." Q looked sad for a moment, then, "I wonder if he will work it out in time..."

"To answer that," the Doctor said, "we would need 'outside' information. I'm not on speaking terms with the Power of Creation. Are you?"

"Nope," Q half smiled. Then seriously, he repeated himself, "Nope."

---

Terra Main:

They left the food court and collected their kids from the play area.

JJ and Adam collected Harley, Brad and 'Roo, while Cory and Sean gathered all their little imps. Austin and Brant helped them.

Joel giggled as the little kids made a game of being gathered. He hugged Kevin closer, and they in turn were being hugged by Mercury and Hermes.

"Come on, Aaron wants to do some shopping," Cory smiled down at Timmy once he had caught him.

"Where's the Chief?" Timmy asked as he gave his Uncle Joel a piece of his cotton candy. "Don't worry, Unca Joel; it's okay for Vulcans. The nice Tellarite said so."

Joel grinned as he took the candy while Sean answered his son, "He's gone to his quarters for the night. He said he'd come down to visit with the Clan tomorrow. It's his day off."

"Oh, kewl! Then he can come to J..." Ricky started to say, but Cory clamped a hand over the boy's mouth.

Joel didn't notice. The cotton candy was too enjoyable.

As they made their way towards the core of the shopping area, a loud voice rang out, "Lieutenants Cory and Sean Short; stand fast!"

"Ohoh... Daddy's in trouble..." CD giggled as the group came to a halt.

Joel peeked around Cory's body and saw a living legend walking towards them, dressed in a Starfleet Captain's uniform. "No way," he breathed.

Sean winced as he turned around, "Oh shit."

"If I get my ass chewed, love, you'll hear about it," Cory muttered out of the side of his mouth.

Joel stared as Captain Sulu stopped before them all. "Wow," he breathed again.

"Good evening, Captain Sulu..." Cory said with a smile, hoping that this was not about what he thought it might be.

"Good evening, Lieutenants, children," Sulu said, containing his feelings exceptionally well. He was, after all, an old friend of Captain Spock. "I have been looking forward to talking to you, Mr Short. Very much so," he continued, looking directly at Sean, yet addressing Cory.

"We've been looking forward to meeting up with you too, Sir." Cory replied, now sure that at least he would not need a pillow to sit on tonight.

Looking at the faces Sean was attempting to not show plainly, Sulu restrained himself and said, "I just bet you have. Cory Short, as senior officer, you are directly responsible for the actions of those men under you." Austin just managed to hold in a snigger. Sulu continued, "As such, I would like an explanation for this." He held out a datapad with a transcript from two months ago. "Care to explain how I ended up paying the cleaning and repair bill for someone else's car due to the actions of the then Ensign Sean Short?"

"I believe Commander Dodds was in charge of that mission... I was just a witness to that particular training exercise." Cory replied, barely restraining a giggle.

"I see," Captain Sulu responded. "However, I have already spoken with Commander Dodds, and he told me that he was 'Innocent as the day is long, Captain. I would never allow something as childish as that to go without comment.' Of course, being that I know the Commander so well, I believed him. In fact, he did not let it go without comment, did he?"

Sean couldn't help it. He started laughing. "N...No sir... he said, 'Well done'. Sir."

"Yes. I know. As such, I am exercising my authority over two junior officers. You are commanded to go directly to my Ship currently in Spacedock for your first tour of the Excelsior, you and your friends with you. While there, you, Sean, will pilot the ship on quick warp test to Pluto and back, while Cory will give the engine read outs a complete checking over. Is that clear, Lieutenants?" Sulu said firmly, a wide smile on his face.

Cory giggled. "As you wish, Sir... does your Chief have locktite for all of the bolts I need to put back in?"

Sulu was about to give a laughing response when his eyes fell on a now softly crying Vulcan child who was looking up at him in wide eyed, joyous wonder. He began to grow concerned. "Cory?" Sulu asked, plainly hurting inside at the shocking image of a supposedly emotionless person crying at the very sight of him.

Cory looked down and pulled Joel gently in front of him, wrapping his arms around Joel's chest protectively. "Captain Sulu, I would like you to meet Sean and my little brother, Joel Short. You might say he's been a fan of yours for a very long time."

Joel beamed a smile, even through his tears as Sulu nodded at his big brother. The Captain then knelt down and looked at Joel on eye level, "Pleased to meet you, Joel Short."

Joel couldn't contain himself. He flung his arms around Sulu's neck and latched on with his legs in a tight, limpet hug. "Captain Hikaru Sulu! It IS you! You... you... you are one of my heroes! I always dreamed you'd come and save me; you and Kirk and Spock and all the others... but you were always just a TV show... you weren't real!! But you ARE... Captain Sulu..." he finished, sobbing into Sulu's shoulder.

"I'll explain later, Sir." Sean replied at the look on Sulu's face. "Just accept that anything that he tells you is the truth."

Sulu nodded, and increased his hold on the child. "Yeah," Joel whispered into Sulu's ear, "I know all about your adventures. Everything, even stuff you didn't put in your log."

"You should hear some of the stories he's told us about Uncle Jim..." Cory added, somehow able to hear Joel's whisper.

Joel giggled. "Is Captain Kirk like that, Uncle Sulu?" he asked, half hoping he could get away with calling this great man something that personal. "Does he have girlfriends everywhere?"

"I think he's still trying to hook up with someone on the surface of the Sun; but otherwise you're right," Sulu replied. "Now, are you ready to have an adventure on my ship?"

Joel grinned, and sighed inwardly. Sulu had increased his hug the moment he had been called 'uncle'. "Can we bring Jude too? He'd love to see a Starship!"

"Sure. Cory, call him for us, and then call your Mom. Let her know what's going on," Sulu stood, then, with Joel in his arms. After getting the small boy comfortably over one hip he gestured to the nearest turbolift. "Come on, gang. The Excelsior awaits!"

---

20 minutes later:

"Lady Teri, please report to the Command Deck. I repeat..."

"What could that be about?" Dan muttered as Teri raised her communicator to her lips.

"Teri Short here. What is the problem?" she asked.

"Stand by for Emergency Transport. Three life forms acquired. Energising."

Dan, Teri and John disappeared from the cafe they were at and reappeared in the Command Centre of Terra Main. The station was on Red Alert, and a large amount of speaking and starship noises was coming from the speakers.

"What's going on?" John demanded loudly, over the noise.

Admiral Cartwright ran up to them, "Please. Follow me to my office. We have an issue."

Teri looked at him, fear rising in her, "Is it about the Excelsior?"

He nodded, but before he could say more, the sound of talking from the speakers became more urgent.

"Joel, the Newton's Chief Engineer saying he can eject the core and anti-matter, but it'll explode seconds after leaving the Warp field. The storm..."

It was Kevin Thompson. Joel's voice came a second later, "Tell him to do it!"

Teri's jaw dropped open. "What the hell! What is happening, Admiral?" she demanded firmly.

"They are rescuing the crew of the Newton," he answered quickly.

"Can we have visual?" Dan asked, his heart sinking. His sons and grandsons were on board.

Cartwright nodded and signalled the Comm officer. The screen flickered to life and they saw Sean at Navigation with Joel standing next to him between him and the Conn officer. Kevin, Timmy and Ricky were in the Command Chair, Sulu and his first officer were unconscious and Adam was at the Science station, standing over a concussed Andorian officer. Medics were milling around the Bridge while the other children, except for Cory, were gathered behind the Command Chair and huddled together.

The entire Bridge was heaving as if tossed on a storm at sea.

Kevin looked up at Joel's back, "He's refusing. He's saying only a Captain can order that, and he won't accept we are captains!"

Cory's voice came over the ship's internal communications, and it much relieved Teri to hear him; even if he was angry. "Fucking hell! As of October 27th, 2004 at 2134 hours, I, Fleet Commander Cory Patrick Short grant both Joel Short and Kevin Charles David Thompson the full ranks of Captains in the Clan Short Fleet and Vulcan High Command. There! Starfleet jar heads be damned!"

Dan reached and squeezed Teri's shoulder comfortingly. "They'll be okay, Teri."

She could not reply. She was feeling sick to her stomach. Her lips moved, and all John and Dan made out was," ... we need you. I need you..."

"Newton, did you copy that?" they heard Kevin demand of the other ship.

"Aye, sir. Ejecting in five seconds. I hope you know what you're doing!" came the response from the Newton.

Teri saw Joel's eyes grow focused, "Shields ready to compensate! Cory, You need to watch our core, this could be..."

What John, Dan and Teri saw next would be forever etched in their minds.

The screens around the Bridge started exploding, and more than a few Officers were felled.

What made Teri's heart nearly stop, however, was when the Main Helm exploded. Sean and the Lieutenant both dived to either side and were almost unscathed.

But her Vulcan child - he was lifted up and away by the blast.

The viewscreen they were watching went dark, but the sounds remained.

The only sound that registered for Teri was the sound of a small, frail Vulcan body slamming into the deck with terrific force...

---

To Be Continued...

---

Editor's Notes:

Now that was not a good thing. We have ourselves a situation here. It looks to me as if there is not even a cliff from which to hang. Here I was all warm and fuzzy about this cool chapter, and then you have something like this happen. Where are the cliffhanger police when you need them?

To recap just a bit, Joel and Kevin have managed to get their heads wrapped around the fact that they really do love each other and help make each other become whole.

We have finally met the ever powerful Q and Quint as well.

Now what will happen? I would guess that we will discover more in the next chapter. That of course is my optimistic view.

Darryl AKA The Radio Rancher