A/N – this chapter has been sitting finished in my folders for years now. I had no idea that it was never posted and I am deeply apologetic for that as life and much took me away from the writing hobby. Please enjoy this final chapter of the story and hopefully it will give those whom followed the updates, and new readers whom have come about, some closure.

…

Whispering Words

…

Chapter Seventeen

…

The Enterprise limped back to Earth. The beautiful pale blue dot was distant on the view screen, but Jim knew it would only be a matter of minutes before they would arrive. He didn't sit, but was standing in front of the command chair, looking out into the void at the planet he never knew was his home.

The Bridge was enveloped in silence. Save for the required noises, no one spoke. They only watched their acting captain as he peered longingly out into space. Everyone knew what he was thinking, and they were sure he knew what they were thinking, but no one voiced it aloud until a certain doctor and acting first officer deposited themselves on the deck.

Jim didn't bother to turn around, knowing why they were here. When Spock made no gestures, Bones decided to take the lead and stepped up to his friend.

"I heard our orders are to dock directly with Headquarters." Bones said. Jim pointedly nodded. Silence. Then anger. "Damnit, Jim!" He yelled, forcing the shorter man to turn around by his shoulders. Bones clutched him tightly, earnestly. "You know what that means, don't you? You know why they're ordering that, right?"

Jim looked away, but didn't fight in his grip. "I know." He replied. "And I'm prepared for it."

"Prepared!" Bones shouted. "You're prepared to be cuffed and thrown into another holding cell? Shipped off to an asteroid prison camp and whittled away until all that's left is your decaying spirit? Doesn't that seem wrong to you!" He questioned. "You fucking save Earth, and Starfleet doesn't give a damn because the hero is Kobayashi!"

Jim managed to twist out of the grip. He turned away, the crew looking on in equal sadness that matched McCoy's. When he said nothing, Spock stepped up. "The probability of your capture is statistically high, Mr. Kirk. It would be logical for you and your remaining family to man the escape shuttles and run for Romulus. Surely, you will be safe there among those that can vouch your birthright."

Everyone on the Bridge looked surprised to see Spock, of all people, encouraging escape, but they all agreed. "Even Spock agrees it's logical to run, Jim." Bones said. "There's nothing left for you here."

Uhura was trying to fight back her emotions. "Please, Kirk, I don't want to see them take you." She begged. Her response let loose a litany of comments from the crew.

"It iz not feir!" Chekov whispered.

"Please, Mr. Kirk, don't let them do it." Sulu told him, placing a calm hand on Chekov's shoulder. Still, they tried, begging Jim to go and run before it was too late.

Jim laughed. It was a sardonic laugh that brought everyone to quiet. He continued for a few moments, before it dwindled into a soft puff of air. "The point is to experience fear—" Jim said, "fear in the face of certain death… To accept that fear—and maintain command of one's self and one's crew." He looked up, deep blue eyes meeting those of Bones and Spock. "Isn't that what you said, Spock? Isn't that what you said made a captain a captain?"

Spock didn't know what to say.

Jim did. "I am the captain of this ship." He declared softly, "and you are all my responsibility. My actions reflect not only on myself, but on my entire crew. And what kind of reflection would I make if I abandoned you now?" He asked particularly no one. "What would my uncle think of me, if I ran from my problems?" He slowly traced the markings on his face, unaware that the dried blood was beginning to flake away already. "No, Bones; Spock. I will not run away. I may be human, but as a romulan, I don't cower in the face of danger;" his voice began to rise, "I take responsibility for my actions because they don't only affect me—they affect all of you!

"No—" he shouted, "I will not step down and prove my father right! I refuse to show weakness for my mistakes! Because I'm James T. Kirk—and if I'm going down, I'm going down with the honour and pride of a true romulan!"

In the sudden quiet from Jim's outburst, Uhura turned from her console seriously with a message. "Yard Dock has cleared us, Captain." She told him. "The admirals have requested we dock immediately."

Jim didn't look at her, but gave a smile to Bones and Spock that looked pitiful. "'Don't concern yourself over what has been, but instead, what you will do.' This is my choice. It's time I set things right." He blinked and turned gently to Uhura with a huge, forced smile. "Okay, Tabitha. Hail 'em."

…

No one understood what Kirk was about to do, but his confidence in the matter was uplifting and deserving of their respect. With silence, all seemed to acknowledge and accept the choice their acting captain was about to make. Whether it was to turn himself in, or go out in romulan suicidal fashion, everyone had his back.

When the face of Admiral Barnett flashed over the viewscreen with stern eyes focused on the one sitting in the command chair, everyone turned their attention to Jim. He had yet to signal clearance for dock and Spock assumed the hailing was to barter for the other romulans' lives. He was right. However, his method for this bartering came as a shock.

"Mr. Kirk," Barnett began, "As acting captain, it's your responsibility to dock on order." That was obvious, but instead of flinching under the command of a superior, Jim fell back into the false security of his sarcasm.

"Tell me something, Admiral, how does it feel knowing that Kobayashi Alternative is a romulan spy?" Barnett went silent, confused by the question posed to him and the bridge crew also baffled by whatever he was attempting. "Better yet, how does it feel that he's not only a romulan spy, but became captain of one of your most prized flagged ships and saved all of Earth?"

Barnett's jaw stiffened. He looked off screen, but then looked right back. "Did you hail us to gloat, Mr. Kirk? Or is there a point to this besides knowing I can order a full mutiny aboard your vessel?"

Jim smiled and smothered a laugh. Bones and Spock switched glances. McCoy looked uneasy, but firm by his side. He leaned down and whispered to his friend, "Jim, he can do that, you know. Don't patronize him or you'll only worsen your case."

Jim waved him off. "I know very well what he can do, Bones." He said looking straight at the admiral without a single shred of doubt. "I know he has the authority to detain a Starfleet officer—but I'm not an officer anymore, or at least, I won't be after I step off this ship." Quick hushes rushed through the bridge crew. What was he doing?

Jim stood up from the command chair and seemingly pulled a phaser out from nowhere. Gently, he pointed it around the bridge with a smile. Barnett's face drained in colour. "Everyone listen up," Jim started loudly, "you're all my hostages." He flashed a quick look at the doctor and the vulcan noting that they appeared uncertain of his methods. Jim winked and that seemed to connect with them briefly. He had a plan of sorts, as brash as it seemed.

"Admiral," Jim said again confidently, "I have wired the ship with my futuristic voice command to combust when given the word. Everyone, including your ship, will be destroyed if my demands are not met."

He was bluffing, Spock knew. There hadn't been enough time for anything like that to be constructed between their missions. However, Barnett didn't know this. As if they all seemed to suddenly understand Kirk's motives, all nodded and added their own bits to the bluff.

McCoy was first. "He's not lying. I saw him constructing it, sir. We're all in danger."

Uhura was next. "Communications show logs with discussion between Kirk and the romulans."

Chekov went last. "Scans show zat Mr. Kirk haz linked some sort of dewice to thee matter an' anti-matter chambers, sair."

Lies. All of it. Kirk had done the impossible and had gained the trust of the fellow officers. He was loved. Finally, Jim was loved. Jim smiled at them, but covered it up knowing that he needed to keep up the façade for the admiral and that this was no time to acknowledge their respect.

Barnett took a breath and searched the crew. After many moments, he answered. "And what are your demands, Mr. Kirk?"

The response came quick. Jim had already known what he would barter. "I want the romulan refugees to be able to take the escape shuttles and head back to Romulus in peace, without interference to their destination. In compensation, I offer the safety of this crew and ship, as well as my surrender in place of Captain Nero. I offer myself to serve for Nero's war crimes and stand alone from Romulus and the romulan people." He paused, the bridge still hanging over him with their full support that he would sacrifice himself for them. Even the romulans stored away in the depths of the Enterprise could hear him over the intercom and wept at his admission. "Do you accept my terms?"

Once again, Barnett looked off screen, but no one knew who he was looking at. Many moments went by, the admiral looking like he was about to call Jim on his bluff when he sighed and gave his answer. "Your terms are accepted. The romulan refuges may utilize the escape shuttles and return to Romulus in peace in exchange for the ship, crew, and your surrender. Please send confirmation when the refugees have left dock and we will dock you, Captain Kirk."

"Acknowledged." Kirk replied, and nodded to Uhura to end transmission.

The bridge sat in awe, feeling full of tension but admiration. Bones broke the silence when he placed a warm hand on Jim's shoulder and shook him. "You did the right thing, Jim."

"Have I?" Jim asked to particularly no one. Another hand met his other shoulder, but it was cooler than the other and more slender than a human's. When Jim followed the fingers to the wrist, to the arm, and up, he saw the accepting eyes of one vulcan first officer. Spock nodded, needing to say nothing more.

"Thanks, guys." Jim told them on the edge of tears. To stop the uncaptainly display, he hit the intercom and called to the shuttle bay. "Prepare to deploy escape shuttles for all romulan refugees on board. Kirk out."

…

Jim was helping load his family into the escape shuttles. Officers were also helping, but none as delicate as Kirk. McCoy and Spock stood off at the side watching their acting captain and friend through the windows of the shuttle bay.

McCoy gave a huff and crossed his arms. "What do you think they'll do to him?"

Spock gave a small shrug, for he wasn't entirely sure what the admirals would do and how long it would take them to come to a conclusion, but he gave his best logical guess on the matter. "I am uncertain. Considering his offer to be judged in place of Nero, I can only assume Starfleet will detain him. What happens after that… It will be up to the admirals."

McCoy fell silent, thinking on that and he didn't like it. "It's not fair, you know. Jim's a good man." Spock turned and looked at him with an eyebrow raised. "Don't look at me like that. So he was a spy all along, you can't say he hasn't changed into a goddamn hero by now. Repented for it all. I mean, look at him!" McCoy pointed out into the shuttle bay where Jim was helping an injured romulan into another shuttle. Carrying him in his arms and passing him off gently to another. "Does that look like a bad guy to you?"

Spock gave a small sigh. "My opinion on the matter will not determine what Starfleet does with him. He is still convicted of many crimes."

"But he saved Earth!"

"Irrelevant." McCoy snorted and turned away from the vulcan. "He has set his own fate now. We can only accept it. What ever happens, Mr. Kirk knows that we are on his side, as limited as that may be."

In the sudden quiet came a laugh. It was tiny, but enough to draw Spock's attention. When he looked over, McCoy was smiling and shaking his head.

"It's just sad, Spock." McCoy went on to say, trading his sights for Jim again. Spock was momentarily confused by the use of the word 'sad' but the doctor was smiling. "When you put the pieces together, when you listen to everything Jim has ever said, it's so clear now just how sad it all really is."

Spock switched from foot to foot. "I do not understand." There were many things to grieve, but the vulcan was uncertain which the doctor may be referring.

"The whole reason this all began was because Jim wanted love. He wanted his father to love him, to be proud of him. He was working on the idea that he'd never had it at all and that fueled him to commit the crimes and make the mistakes." The doctor stepped up the window until he could see his own reflection in the glass. With one hand, he traced Jim's figure in the distance and shook his head.

"So many people have written comedies and tragedies based around the single concept of love," McCoy went on to say, "so many people have lived and died for it in reality. It's just sad to think that he's going to be punished for never understanding that concept until now."

Spock looked at McCoy's hand on the glass and felt his heart quake. How many times had he heard the word 'love' today? How many times had it been in lieu of Jim Kirk? McCoy was right. Kirk hadn't understood the concept of love until now, but then again, neither had Spock. It wasn't a matter of being vulcan or being human, but understanding who cared about you enough to call it love.

Spock watched Jim usher in more of his family and looked at those soft blue eyes as they held back the wave of his sadness to say goodbye to his family once again. The strength Jim Kirk held was being held back merely by the knowledge of love Kirk had gained throughout his failed mission. He no longer stood before them as the romulan boy with a loveless father, but as James T. Kirk, captain, and beloved family.

That was love.

Kirk was sacrificing himself for these people so that they may live in peace, and that was love.

"There is never logic in love, my son. Do not try to make it so." He remembered Sarek had told him. Somehow watching Mr. Kirk and remembering those few words of his father was enough to give Spock the strength he needed to confront it. His throat felt tight, but it didn't stop him as Spock turned to McCoy and said, "I loved my mother very much."

McCoy blinked at him, taken by the abrupt admission. "And," Spock hesitated, "I understand that there is never logic in love and that it can make one do even the most illogical things for its acceptance. You and Mr. Kirk, my mother and father, I even understand Nero now."

"Why are you telling me this?"

Spock turned on his heel and faced the doctor directly, pointedly and with something unknown behind his eyes. "Because I wish to say that you are… correct. It is sad that Mr. Kirk must be punished." He couldn't say any more. His heart thrummed at the small release of emotion and Spock had to admit that it felt good to once agree with an emotional human rather than reject it and bear indifference.

Dr. McCoy didn't seem to understand the significance of what Spock had just done, but he smiled and nodded his head, turning to look back at Jim. "You realize that's why we should do something about it, right?"

Spock joined him once again, looking out into the shuttle bay with his impassive face once more restored. "I shall stand beside him." Vague, but it gave the right impression.

McCoy didn't reply after that, and if he did, Spock wasn't around to hear it. He had suddenly disappeared like a ghost, or like he had never been there. McCoy looked for him curiously, and saw his back as the vulcan entered the turbolift. The doors hissed softly in the distance and the doctor sighed.

"Yeah. I'll stand beside him too."

…

After Lt. Uhura had given the yard dock their signal, everyone had fallen into a tense state. Now that the Romulans were on their way back to Romulus, there was the matter of Kirk's surrender. Nearly everyone wanted to argue further that Kirk should make a run for it, but knew it would do little for Jim's already made up decision. They didn't know whether to admire him for it or think him foolish. Most were conflicted even after the acting captain reported that he was releasing the 'hostages'.

Admiral Barnett's face appeared again on the screen. He looked directly at Jim, sitting in the command chair with a strong pride worthy of romulans. "We've met your demands." He told him. "Will you surrender?"

"I'm prepared to allow you to beam aboard as many officers as you see fit to transport me into arrest."

"And the explosive?" Jim smiled at that briefly.

"You'll just have to find it." Barnett looked pale, then nodded to something off screen.

"James T. Kirk, you are hereby under arrest. Stand by for further instructions."

"Of course." The link closed. The bridge was in silence. Was there anything that could be said now? Jim looked up to his right and saw McCoy standing there. He looked just about as pale as Barnett had.

"Where's Spock?" Jim asked.

"I don't know. Haven't seen him since the shuttles left." Jim gave a small smile and sighed.

"He's going to miss all the fun." Bones rolled his eyes at 'fun'. Then Jim got up from the chair and crossed to the turbolift. McCoy went after him, determined to follow the man until he couldn't any longer.

Jim turned and faced everyone on the bridge. His voice was calm, relaxed, and at peace. "You have been a very loyal crew—to all three of your captains. Thank you… and goodbye." He winked, saluted, then disappeared into the 'lift, McCoy right behind him.

"That's all you're going to say?" McCoy asked him when the doors shut behind them.

"What would you have me say? I'm a criminal, Bones."

"They're wrong for doing this." Jim gave a laugh.

"No. No, they're right. I'm just sorry to say I've learned the error of my ways too late."

"You could still escape, you know." McCoy told him, his voice on the edge of desperation.

Jim shook his head. "You know I won't do that."

McCoy smirked and looked at his short friend. "I know. Just keep in mind that we've got your back." Jim smiled at that, sincerely. It felt good to hear it and felt right. He had earned it this time.

They shared a look, one that seemed to speak more than anything either had said. He found himself wishing Spock was there with them, in his last moments. He didn't know what Starfleet was going to do to him. He was scared and a bit nervous, but certainly not unprepared. There were so many things he had wanted to tell him. Things he wondered if he would get the chance to say. He thought about locating him via the computers and saying goodbye, but before he could do anything, the turbolift doors opened into the engineering deck and Jim was greeted by several Starfleet security officers. None belonged to the Enterprise that he knew about.

They said nothing. They didn't need to. Jim walked out calmly and stuck out his wrists. Immediately, they were shackled.

…

The next few things that had happened went by in a blur. He'd been taken into custody and delivered into the same Starfleet holding cells he'd been in before all this had begun. However long he was there, Jim couldn't have told. Time passed him slowly at moments and quickly at others, making his head spin and his internal sense of time deplete in accuracy. One thing that stood out to him, though, was the fact that his only visitors were the officers delivering his meals.

"Eat, Mr. Kirk."

"'m not hungry…" Jim mumbled from the far corner. The officer sighed and went away. That hadn't been the first time he'd declined food.

His stomach growled, but Jim ignored it. As far as he was concerned, he wasn't worth food anymore. His will to live had drained along with the rest of his friends. Why hadn't anyone bothered to visit him? He thought about Bones and Spock a lot while he sat there. He wondered if they were avoiding him or if he was being sectioned off on purpose. He didn't blame them, though. Perhaps they were still angry with him for giving himself up?

That's just what stupid Starfleet pigs… Jim stopped himself and laughed. That was old Jim speaking. He knew they must have had their reasons. Besides, it didn't matter anymore, as long as his family and his friends were safe.

"I'm going to die in here," Jim told the wall one evening when his stomach growled again, "but it's the one thing I deserve."

The next few days and nights, Jim stared at the wall and told it stories. About his youth and his time on the Narada. He told it about his uncle and how much he respected him and hated to watch the man die, and how he could have done things differently. He talked about Bones and Spock and mentioned off-hand about Elder Spock, his used-to-be sworn enemy. He laughed and cried some too. Actually, he cried a lot. To Jim, this was the end of his story. And he accepted that. Finally at peace with himself and the knowledge that he had finally done something good and had earned what he had wanted all along, Jim closed his eyes while thinking about all his friends' smiling faces. Nyota was beautiful; Bones was just Bones, and Spock… he was… but the thought didn't finish. Jim had already fallen, seamlessly, into a deep sleep. Spock's face glaring into him with a never-before-seen smile that Jim knew, just knew wasn't his imagination.

…

…

Jim woke with a feeling of severe heaviness in his body. He felt weak and tired with a fogginess that threatened to put him under again. Bright lights were glaring into his eyes and it took a moment for Jim to register that he wasn't in his cell anymore.

Everything was so bright. He wasn't sure where he was. The scenery looked familiar. It did, right? The blurs slowly sharpened and the first image that Jim focused on was a friendly face.

"Jim? You awake?" Jim gave a sincere smile.

"Bones…" Jim got out, but it had sounded more like 'bonds'.

Then the room focused completely and Jim saw that he was in the assembly room where his Kobayashi cover had been blown. In front of him was the same lines of desks and admirals that were there before, but this time, a certain one captain was sitting in a wheelchair beside them all.

He looked around, anxious to make sure this wasn't a dream. The students that had survived were all dressed in their best uniforms, sitting neatly like chocolates in a box in the raised seats around him. Bones was on his left, a huge smile in place, and a distinguished pointed-ear man stood on his right. It was Spock. All three of them were standing in front of the admirals, Jim the only one sitting, in a chair with his hands bound in front of him. He looked at the cuffs and jiggled them slightly. The tiny clinks got Barnett's attention and he nodded.

Spock reached down and released the cuffs with one hand.

Jim stared at his free hands, dumbfounded. "What's… going on?" His voice sounded like rough nails on dry wood. Spock and Bones traded glances, but neither said a word. And they didn't have to, because Barnett began.

"Mr. Kirk, we've brought you here today to discuss the charges against you." Jim attempted to stand and managed to wobble into an upright position. Bones took his upper arm and held him, Spock took his shoulder.

"We've got your back." Bones whispered to him, and that made Jim smile.

"You have broken several codes of conduct and breached more regulations than any officer whom has ever attended this facility. There are so many to list, that I have submited them in writing to the board to save time for this hearing." Jim felt his face grow hot. "You're a romulan spy, Mr. Kirk, a terrorist, and a liar. You've damaged Starfleet property and were involved in the destruction of Vulcan." Jim listened with a heavy heart as more words were flung at him. He knew this day would come.

"However," Barnett hesitated during his rant, making Jim looked up from his shame, "you're also a fine leader, an outstanding officer, and… a hero." The entire room felt like it was weighing on him. "You saved Earth and traded yourself for crimes that another enemy enacted. You truly came out of Starfleet better than when you came here, Mr. Kirk."

Jim looked at him in question. What did any of that mean? Was he thanking him? Barnett seemed to understand the confusion and continued. "Many arguments were brought up in your favour while you resided in the holding cells, Mr. Kirk. Signatures, testimonies, and many recommendations on your behalf. With so much support, we," he pointed at the admirals, "had no choice but to listen to their demands and reasoning. And this is how we've come to our conclusion." He picked up a dataPADD on the desk and began to read from it. "Mr. Kirk is hereby discharged to asteroid campsite Adella V—should he decline the following terms: One; James Kirk must accept community service and probation for the next 24 months here at Starfleet academy as the new instructor for Xenolinguistics and Xenocultures. Two; he must step forward and read the last item on this list to everyone in this assembly."

Whispers erupted in small bursts and Jim knew it was no contest. He looked at both Bones and Spock and they nodded at him to move forward and do the task. What was going on? They helped him with his feet and slowly, Jim approached the bench and took the dataPADD. Barnett pointed what he needed to read and Jim took a deep breath. When he looked at it, it didn't seem to be anything more than his Starfleet record.

"Name: James Tiberius Kirk; Serial: SC937-0176CEC; Species…" Kirk stopped there, puzzled and all at once full of excitement. "Species… Romulan. R-romulan?" He looked up at Barnett and the man smiled down at him.

"Congratulations, Mr. Kirk, you are hereby the very first romulan to enlist in Starfleet for active duty immediately. Cleared by the Praetor of Romulus himself by vouch of several notable refugees and the hard work of Commander Spock and Dr. McCoy."

Claps erupted all around him. Jim smiled. He didn't know what to say. He turned and saw that those who had been his crew were lined along the first row of seats. Bones and Spock were clapping with them. Whatever they had done had clearly worked to convince the board to keep him in Starfleet. He smiled wider, then began to feel tears leak into the corners of his eyes.

"So while I was…?"

McCoy nodded. "Spock gave me a scare when he ran off for a few days, but he was working on loopholes to get you out of jail time. We've been fighting for you against the board for several weeks now."

Spock nodded in. "I am apologetic that we failed to tell you any information until this point, however, I had gotten the idea shortly after the shuttle departure and required time to correctly collect data for the admirals." He looked at Jim a little pointedly, "Both Dr. McCoy and I knew you would not listen to reason, so we took it into our own hands, so to speak."

McCoy slapped his back. "Told you we'd have your back!" They laughed and Jim swelled with energy he hadn't felt in days. The applause slowly died down and final words were spoken, orders made into official notes and before Jim knew what was happening, it was closed and Jim was a free man.

Finally free. Just as his uncle had wanted him to be.

…

…

Time felt a little less rushed during the beginning of Jim's probation and community service. Somehow, time had always felt like it was flying by at warp speeds when he thought of the years he spent handling his misguided feelings and seething words from his lying father. But despite the anxiety and fear that had made him quickly grow, Jim was thankful for the knowledge it gave him to put into his tedious and slow paced classes. He was able to share with his cadets the things that didn't make humanoid and non-humanoid species so different. He could accurately share romulan traditions and culture with those interested in the differences between them and vulcans. But most of all, he was able to relay how important the trust and love of a crew made all the difference between failing a test and failing yourself.

"So do you take it back then, Mr. Kirk?" a cadet of orion origin asked in tall standard. Jim looked at him from his podium dressed in all instructor blacks and a curious bend in his brow.

"Take it back?" he echoed. The cadet nodded and continued.

"Take back what you did on the Kobayashi Maru exam—that there are no such things as no-win scenarios?"

Briefly Jim thought on that, laughing a little into his podium and biting his lower lip. How was he to respond to that? Uncertain what to say but knowing he had to say something, Jim went to speak but found himself unheard as another voice spoke over him.

"Although crude in his methods," Jim and the cadets all turned to the entryway and found themselves looking upon a ridged but soft elderly vulcan. Jim blinked as if he was sure the figure would disappear, "it is not beyond a strong willed officer to find and execute any and all options available to him or her or it should it prove favourable for the circumstances." The elderly vulcan stepped forward, approaching Jim as he wound his hands delicately behind himself. "In the end, it's not about winning or losing, but doing all you can to make the right choice, and when standing in the face of the opposing, to defend that choice."

When the elder's eyes met Jim's on the word 'defend', the bell followed shortly after for the signal to end class and the cadets began to file out. Questions of whom the old vulcan was and if he was one of the survivors pulled from vulcan before the implosion whispered among them like wind through trees. Neither spoke until each cadet had made their way out.

Jim was still in awe.

"Your persistent staring leaves me to conclude that you were not expecting my arrival."

"Well, it's been about eight months so you'll have to forgive me if I thought you had somehow made it back to your universe or died trying. You seemed really resistant to the idea of yourself finding out that you were here."

The elder Spock nodded and gave a small curl of his fingers to alert that Jim should walk with him. He obliged and together they exited the classroom and began a slow march through the halls. Cadets wandered about here and there for a few minutes until each had made their way to their next class or had gone to their dormitories. It was many seconds before either spoke.

"I have been working with Starfleet to find a suitable planet to establish a Vulcan colony for the refugees." he told Jim. "More to keep my younger self in Starfleet rather than have him run off to aide his people."

"I see," Jim replied; he had wondered why Spock hadn't taken the first ship out of dock alongside his father, Sarek. "and I suppose that after all the future romulan problems that the admirals are taking well to the idea of a Spock from the future?"

Elder Spock made a sound at that, "While I do assume some suspect of who I am, it has not been revealed that I am the Spock of this time at a much more advanced age and lesson. Merely, a refugee myself."

"You mean to say that you lied." Jim said flatly, positively tickled over the idea of a vulcan having lied.

"I implied." he corrected the young Jim Kirk.

"Is that what we're calling it now?" Jim laughed and was pleased to see the light behind the old vulcan's eyes shine a little.

"There is no doubt in my mind that at some point my identity will be revealed, however, seeing as it serves no purpose in the reformation of the colony beyond my knowledge to help rebuild, the information is, at best, negligible."

At this point they had reached the academy courtyard. Elder Spock bowed his head and stepped aside to allow the young Jim Kirk first. He took it and the vulcan followed after. The warm sun greeted them both. It felt nice on his face.

"So, then why are you here?" Jim asked more to the sun than to his company. Elder Spock didn't respond for a beat, having Jim turn away from the warmth of the sun and peer over curiously.

"I'm old, Jim." he began softly, "these bones of mine have lasted many lifetimes and I fear that when I say goodbye, it may very well be my last." The weight struck Jim heavily. He didn't speak, only looking to the older Spock in wonder. Why would he be telling Jim this?

"So," he breathed to Jim like a fact that could not be disputed, "before I made headway to supply my remaining time for Starfleet, I wanted to make sure that I could give to you something to make up for all the years Nero had taken. In a way, a parting gift as both an apology and my final leave of you." Jim stared at him confused. What was he saying? Before Jim could ask what he was talking about, the elder lifted his hand and waved over to the other side of the courtyard. Through the window, Jim could see Spock, McCoy, an Admiral and a heavily cloaked woman flanked by two officers. In her arms she held something wrapped tightly about her. When they saw the elder wave, Jim stood still as stone as the group walked out into the courtyard and approached them silently.

Jim wasn't sure what to expect and he was afraid of what the older Spock had said about not letting his younger self know of him but he briefly thought that may have been a little exaggerated as well since Spock didn't seem to recognise the older vulcan at all beyond vulcan civilities.

The group stopped just in front of them, the cloaked woman still flanked rather tightly giving Jim the impression she was someone of great importance. With smiles Jim didn't understand yet, McCoy and Spock took up his sides with the vulcan bowing his head in the direction of the woman.

"Mr. Kirk," he said formally and with a hint of enthusiasm, "this is the Romulan Ambassador S'Anra of Ch'Rihan." Just as he spoke her name, the ambassador removed her hood and revealed to Jim her startling dark hair and eyes, beautifully pointed ears and long eyelashes. She peered into him directly as though reading his soul and greeted him in perfect romulan.

Although unsure, Jim was quick to greet her back in true romulan fashion, bowing, and giving her his utmost respect. What did the elder plan this for? He turned back for answers but he was met with a knowing nod.

"You are the hero the refugees speak of." S'Anra said to him in strained standard. "I have heard much about the Terran with Romulan honour. Your stories have reached my world and do not fall on the unlistening." Here, she cradled the bundle in her arms gently, "And it has come to my attention and that of our capitol the struggles you have faced with a people from a much distance time forward. We have heard much in your name, James Kirk."

He smiled, not knowing what else to do. "I wish I could say something to you, Ambassador, but I'm at a loss to know what this is about?"

"He spoke to us," she replied in reference to the older Spock behind him, "and so have those whom to you are most loyal." she looked at McCoy and Spock. "For the strength and kindness you have shown your foster people, we wished to share with you..." here, the bundle in her arms was revealed as a tiny romulan infant. It made a little noise and rubbed at its tiny pointed ears. Jim wasn't sure how to react, even more so when the ambassador gently moved the young infant into his arms to hold.

"I don't understand," he breathed, holding the little romulan close to his breast. And he didn't. A baby?

"Oh, for the love of—" McCoy huffed, 'why don't we just tell him already? Jim," he looked up to the doctor hoping to find his answers somewhere on him, "this isn't just any child. It took a lot of strings being pulled and shit ton of paperwork, but that boy you're holding is—he's—" even Bones seemed to have trouble so Spock finished for him.

"The baby's name is Ayel."

The wind from Jim's lungs left him so quickly that he was certain he would suffocate. This infant? This child? Was his uncle? How could that be? Where? How? Jim looked into the blankets and stared with uncertainty until the small infant yawned and opened his eyes. The eyes that peered into his blue ones could be no other's. Jim knew those eyes. He had watched them for many years on the Narada. There was no doubt in his mind. Ayel, his uncle, was safely in his hold.

No one spoke as the blonde instructor took everything in. He looked as though he would faint, but then the silence was broken. Tears. Many wet tears began to fall onto the blankets and Jim's grin bloomed across his face.

"Ayel..." he said through a whisper, "my uncle... my friend and my hero. You are alive."

"His mother and father have given strict permission that you, James Kirk, are allowed to visit their home and their family when you would like." Jim didn't bother to look at the ambassador, so transfixed on the child form of his uncle he was. "Seeing as you are the first Terran to have recognised dual citizenship, this speaks positively for Romulus's cooperation with the Federation. At least, for now."

At that, S'Anra reached down and retrieved the baby Ayel. Jim had a hard time giving him up. His face was still wet and the smile had yet to wane.

"I must return the child to his clan for now." she said speaking to everyone in a tone that was not unkind. "I look forward to spending much time getting to hear your stories first hand, James Kirk." With that, the ambassador turned to leave but before she and her officers could make a step, Jim called out.

"Wait."

She stopped, looking to Jim with a blink. From around his neck, the young instructor pulled out the little necklace Ayel had made for him all those years ago. It held much meaning for him. It held memories and tears. Pain and suffering. But also hope and love. He then took the lace and lifted the infant's head, placing the small symbol of strength about his neck. Baby Ayel did not stir nor understand its significance but that did not matter. Jim smiled, paused, then leaned down and gave a small kiss to the infant's forehead.

"You are meant for greatness." Jim whispered into him. "Of this, I am certain."

And with that, the ambassador and the two officers flanking her with the admiral began walking from the courtyard. May your day find peace. The tears he cried were truly the happiest he could give. A second chance. A life given back for this universe. Everything could start over. And maybe this time, without the whispering words of lies and misguided hatred, it could be set right.

A slender hand touched his and two fingers extended to match his own.

Thank you...

END.