Be Careful What You Ask For

CampBam Bam – Adam Casey's office

As Kurt agreed to take the job that Adam Casey and Richard Grayson had offered him, a look passed between Adam and little Alvin. "Thank you," Richard said sincerely.

Adam had something more to say, however. "Kurt, I am real glad you agreed. Now I need to explain something to you." He seemed distinctly ill at ease. "Remember when you first made contact with the Clan?"

"Yeah..." Kurt said, wondering.

"Well, they had to Read you and the boys, telepathically I mean, for security reasons. It was right after we got attacked up in Montana. Well..."

"Get to it, already, love," Logan interjected.

Adam flashed a smile at Logan, seeming to draw confidence from his lover. "Well, there's an unwritten code of honor among telepaths around here – we don't Read anyone unless either they give permission to, they're a criminal, or there's a good security reason to need to. I just read you again, to confirm what we got from Kyle and the Wonder Twins." Kurt looked startled. "We don't snoop into what you want to keep private, beyond confirming there's no danger, so don't worry about that. But what it boils down to is this. There's nobody except the people already doing important jobs in this universe that have the combination of commitment to kids and organizational skills that you do. When Mr. Grayson overheard you talking about what you'd done before and that you needed to find work here, his ears perked up. That sparked a plan to put you in this situation, because we needed you for this job."

Alvin piped up. "There's another universe the Mikyvis know about where you and your sister Sonya run a nationwide network of children's homes, you making sure the kids really get cared for and about, and her handling the fund-raising."

Adam nodded. "You're just what we need. I could only hope you'd accept our offer."

Richard was nodding agreement. "If I can venture to suggest how you should proceed," he said, "I'd say to start with the site in North Syracuse. It's the one farthest along, because we had plans to turn it into a facility for homeless kids before the F.C.C. struck. Get that one set up the way you want first, while Starfleet Engineering finishes up renovations on the others."

"That makes sense," Kurt said, still a little stunned by the news. Marky giggled.

There was a knock on the door. "Come in," Adam said, obviously knowing what to expect.

A cute young redheaded boy of about 13 walked in nervously. "You sent for me, sir?" he said to Adam.

"Yeah, Bryan," Adam answered. "I'd like you to take these folks on a tour of Camp Bam Bam while Austin and Tilden free up to join you. Then the three of you meet with them."

"Okay, sir!" Bryan said, obviously relieved he wasn't there for a chewing out. "C'mon with me," he said to Kurt and the others, leading them out of the room.

---

Kurt and the three boys were awed by what little Levi had done to renovate and expand the old fallout shelter into a complex that held over 5,000 people now. Little Marky was exuberant – this was what his imagination had made of the Clan, kids going forth with weapons to defend other kids when adults failed them – until he overheard one little girl, no more than four or five years old, asking the older kid with her where 'her Marky' was. He was startled by hearing his own name at first, then sobered by the realization that she was asking about Mark Little – and she'd never see her Marky again. After that, chastened, he clung tight to Scott.

Scott for his part was torn – he loved seeing in actual rock, wood, metal, and plastic the site he'd imagined from the stories. But he was feeling a sense of responsibility bearing down on him – partly for Marky, his little brother who trusted in him, and partly an odd mix of emotions focused on Stass. He wanted strongly to be with him, regretted their being separated, wanted to take care of him, wanted to hold and kiss him, wanted to make passionate love to him. It came to him gradually that this must be what being in love was really like.

Kurt was overwhelmed at what had been handed to him to resolve. His mind was on overdrive, thinking of things he'd need to find out, to plan, to do, to ask. But he had little doubt he was capable of the task.. There was an inner assurance there he'd felt once before, when the effective management of the Center had devolved on him. This was all unfamiliar territory to him, but somehow he just knew he would get the answers he needed, find the people to do the jobs, handle the thousand and one aspects of making his facilities what a home for kids ought to be. It was the Clan, after all, and the Clan made things happen.

For Galen, it was also a time of seeing in reality the stuff that dreams are made of. But for him, there was a sense of fulfillment, as he put into practice what he had learned of being an empath two days before, to gently encourage young hearts who had lost people they counted brothers and sisters the previous Saturday, to grieve and heal. Of them all, he was the busiest s they took their tour, but it was work that was refreshing, strengthening for him. He found his own self-assurance blooming, and welcomed it. It's not fun to feel you're not worth much, and he was finding his way out of that trap as he helped others.

---

Short Compound

Hand in hand, Jude and Billy Joe walked across the Rec. Room to the "Quiet Area", a grouping of furniture at the far edge of the room from C.I.C. that had been set aside for boys who wanted to read or have quiet conversations. J.J. and Adam were cuddled together there, J.J. reading The Silver Chair and Adam The Lord of the Rings. A Tolkien fan himself, Jude asked Adam., "How far have you gotten?"

"Not very far," Adam answered. "Strider's just quoted off the poem that Bilbo made for him, to identify himself to the hobbits. I love that verse:

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those Forsaken are lost.
The Blood that is strong cannot falter,
Deep roots are not touched by the frost.
From the Ashes of Pain shall awaken
A Flame that shall save Ancient Ground:
Renewed is the Blade that was Broken...
The Heir, past all hope, shall be found

Billy Joe had never read this; Tolkien was not on the approved list of books for children of F.C.C. families. Jude however screwed up his face in confusion. "That's not how it goes! I know the second line's 'Not all those who wander are lost', because Bilbo meant Aragorn and the Rangers by it. Some of the rest of it doesn't sound right either!"

"That's weird," J.J. said.

Adam, though, had a guess. He put his book down and explained, "Jude's from another universe. Maybe the story's a little different in every universe."

J.J. giggled. "I wonder if there's a world where Frodo and Sam got married and lived happily every after." The three boys shared a laugh, joined by Billy Joe after a moment's shock.

"That'd be an interesting ending!" Jude laughed. "Even in our version, though, you can see how much they loved each other, and I guess that much at least is true in the C.S.U. as well."

"C.S.U.?" Adam asked.

"Oops – Alpha Prime, the universe we're in," Jude corrected himself. "For guys in our universe, though, it was the C.S.U., the Clan Short Universe." He grinned at J.J. "Bet you never thought they'd name a universe after the promise you made with three other boys in the shower!"

"That is a little mind-boggling," J.J. giggled.

"How much do you guys know about us, anyway?" Adam asked.

"Oh, the stories were quite thorough," Jude said. "For example, the first time J.J. ever saw you, you were running across a parking lot stark naked. So of course the first thing he did, before he even said a word to you, was to take off his own pants. Of course, it was to give them to you, so it's generosity, not horniness, that motivated him."

Adam smirked at J.J. "Well, maybe a little of both," he giggled.

"Nope, that didn't happen until later that day, when you decided to mess around in the swimming pool and ended up with an audience," Jude laughed. Adam and J.J. blushed.

"I see what you mean about them being thorough," Adam said laughing.

"What was that all about?" Billy Joe asked.

"C'mere, we'll let them get back to their books while I explain," Jude said, leading him to another couch a few feet away.

While Jude was telling his story to Billy Joe, Sammy Reynolds, D.J., and Tanner came walking over together, sitting on the nearest sofa with D.J. in the middle between the other two. They started talking quietly, and Jude began to go on with what he had been telling Billy Joe when he started overhearing things.

"I was so scared of losing him," Tanner was saying, "I nearly lost my head with a few of the guys. Nothing we said was getting though to him, and even though Doctor McCoy from the Enterprise saved him, he still wanted to... to leave us." Tanner took a few breaths to steady himself and then went on, "What changed D.J.'s mind about killing himself is why he wanted to speak to you. I... hon, I think you need to say this, not me," he finished, reaching out and wrapping his boyfriend in his arms.

D.J. turned to face Sammy, as Tanner protectively drew his back tightly up against his own chest. He looked into Sammy's eyes and said, "I had a buncha dreams. I didn't know what was happening, what was real or not. People were really with me and talking to me, but then others were there who weren't really there. I... I think you were, Sammy. Your boots, your clothes – when I saw you on Sunday, I recognized you. I'm so sure you were there, and I've had that feeling all week."

Sammy just blinked. "On the Enterprise?"

"Yeah, or somewhere. You talked to me. I can't remember what you said, but you talked to me," D.J. nodded firmly. "It all faded not long after I woke up, then Tan decided to rip me a new butt-hole."

"Someone needed to," Tanner said with a nervous giggle that said volumes about how he felt about the love of his life when coupled with the serious expression in his eyes.

Sammy looked completely lost. Jude glanced over and said, "Didn't mean to hear all that, guys, but Sammy? You did see him and talk to him, only it was a you from the future. That's all I know, 'cause the story I read it in never really explained where you had come from, or why."

"Jude's right," said a firm yet gentle voice from the corner. They all glanced over to see the Doctor. "Just accept that you did help, Sammy, and that we now have things on the right path."

Sammy shrugged and smiled. "Okay. I just hope 'I' helped," he giggled, and D.J. nodded happily. Sammy looked at D.J. and Tanner, "Wanna go find something to do?"

"Sure," Tanner smiled.

D.J. looked closely at Sammy, "You believe me then?"

"Sure I do. If John says it's true, and Jude says so too, then yeah, I believe it as well. I've got questions, but... I know 'John'; he won't answer them, will you?" Sammy asked, looking at the Doctor.

As the Doctor shook his head no, Jude turned back to Billy Joe. After a few more minutes, the three boys he had been talking to got up and left; the Doctor ? flickered, and then Levi was there with him. The Doctor began singing quietly, almost under his breath:

"It seems we stood and talked like this before,
We looked at each other the same way then,
But I can't remember where or when.
The clothes you're wearing are the clothes you wore,
The smile you are smiling you were smiling then,
But I can't remember where or when.
Some things that happen for the first time
Seem to be happening again,
And so it seems that we have met before,
And laughed before and loved before,
But who knows where or when?"

(© Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, 1937)

For "The Rest of the Story" on how Sammy, not yet part of the Clan, intervened to save D.J. from suicide, and the effect it had on, well, literally all of reality, see Sar'en, Part One, Chapter 10.

As Jude diverted his attention from them back to Billy Joe, John Martin walked into the room looking for his son. "Boy, Joel was so excited at getting to tour the Enterprise, it's a wonder he didn't transport himself up there without benefit of Scotty beaming him up!" Jude chuckled.

John asked, "Why didn't you two go up with him?"

"You mean we could?" Jude asked enthusiastically.

"Of course," John said. "Clan are always welcome on the Enterprise, and the boys who saved the Newton crew doubly so, I'd guess. Just go speak to Seth, and he'll make the arrangements."

Jude stood up with a grand smile, drew Billy Joe to his feet and gave him a quick kiss, then led him out to C.I.C. to ask Seth.

---

"You're sure they won't mind?" Billy asked as Jason and Nathan walked up to them.

Seth chuckled, "Of course not. Let me have a quick word with them before I have you beamed up."

Jude smiled, then noticed Jason and Nathan standing there. "Ah, Jason, right?" he asked.

Jason smiled and nodded, "Call me Jace."

Jude giggled. "I heard you took all our 'modification' data off Excelsior last night," he said.

Jason grinned, "Can't have future tech or information in the public domain, dude."

While this exchange was going on, Seth had turned to his console. "Clan Short to Enterprise," he sent out.

Uhura's voice came back over the communicator. "How are you, Seth? What can we do for you today?"

"I've got two more to tour the ship," he replied. "Jude Lee and Billy McAllister."

There was a brief pause, then Uhura said. "All set. They're ready to beam them up at your signal.

"You can go," Seth said as he ended his call with Commander Uhura, "Ready for transport?"

Billy and Jude nodded, and Jude waved at Nathan and Jason, "Seeya later. Going to tour the Enterprise!" Jude was grinning broadly as another of his dreams came true.

"Enjoy," the two Welsh boys called as the transporter beam took effect.

---

At Camp Bam Bam

After their tour, the three boys and their uncle entered a conference room, followed by the young redhead who had been their guide. A six-foot seventeen-year-old and a blond preteen who had the familiar Loganlike look were standing their waiting for them. They saluted Kurt.

After a split second of startled inaction, Kurt returned the salute. "At ease, or whatever I'm supposed to say," he said to them. "Look, I don't do 'military'. Just relax."

"Sounds good," the tall boy said with a smile. "One thing boning military is good for, though, is defining who's in charge – we saluted you, meaning we recognize you are the person that we answer to. I'm supposed to tell you what we've been detailed to do for you. But first I had to make it clear that you're in charge – we have to do it your way, not you have to do it ours."

"I get it," Galen butted in to say. "You're going to tell Unk what you can do to help him, but he gets to say whether he wants it that way or not."

"Exactly," the tall boy answered. "Oh ? names. We know who you guys are. I'm Lt. Austin Casey – unlike the several dozen Caseys running around this place who got the name from being adopted by Daddy Joe and Mama Janet, I'm a Casey by birth. I command Strike Team Charlie in the Unit. And if you agree, we'll be the core of your Security at the new facility. Bryan, did you introduce yourself?"

"Uh, no." The redheaded teen blushed.

"Your tour guide was Lt. Bryan Maxson, my second in command. Militarily, he's excellent; socially ? he's a doof!" An affectionate grin from the older boy to the redhead belied the insult. "And this refugee from the Clone Wars is Tilden Hayes. He'll be your intelligence and logistics."

Kurt looked at the little 4'11" blond, who appeared to be about 12. "You know we're talking about two thousand kids at that facility, plus several hundred employees? Based on what we had at the Center, I'd guess I'm going to need a half dozen people just ordering supplies."

"No problem," Tilden said. "Anything that anyone needs, just tell me. We'll have it there within a day." Kurt was dumbstruck at this – an expression that seemed fated to take up permanent residence on his face. "I ought to explain," Tilden went on. "I'm in constant real-time linkage with my brother downstairs here, right, Daileass?"

The disembodied voice of the positronic brain who ran the base and who had been a boy rang through the room. "Yep," he giggled.

"We have a couple of warehouses full of supplies," Tilden went on. "And Daileass keeps real-time inventory and orders more ahead of time. The fact your new base..."

"'Facility'," Austin corrected him.

"...your new facility is next door to an airport means we can fly everything in as soon as we know you need it," Tilden explained.

"The old base has a fence and gates," Bryan added. "We figure you should probably keep it that way – you can keep predators, reporters, nosey people generally, away from the kids, and have a little control over where they go."

"I figure on hiring locals to man the gates," Austin said, "and our strike force will be there if you need to take direct action."

"Like if we find out who was behind some of the abuse," Scott said pensively.

"Exactly," Austin agreed.

"Let me see: you are telling me you've got supplying and protecting this facility worked out already, but you need me to give the go-ahead?" Kurt asked.

"That's right," Austin replied.

"You've got it," Kurt said decisively.

"What about us?" Marky asked.

"You three? You'll live with me at the new facility," Kurt said.

"And Stass," Scott added firmly. Kurt shot him a look.

"But what about being part of the Clan?" Marky asked.

"You still will be a part of things," Tilden spoke up. "We've got a Starfleet transporter stage here, and there'll be one at the new facility as well. You can be here in Utah, down in Orlando, or wherever, as fast as you can say so."

"I want Chinese for lunch; want to go to Peking and pick some up?" Bryan grinned.

"There's going to be a lot of details to be worked out," Kurt said, "but it sounds like we have something put together that will work. Thanks, guys!"

"'We live to serve'," Tilden said with a grin.

"I knew I should never have let you read those books," Austin told him with a smile.

"Oh? And who renamed his daughter after Marion Zimmer Bradley characters?" Tilden retorted, sticking out his tongue at Austin, who laughed.

"You have a daughter?" Galen asked.

"Yeah. Becky and I adopted a little cutie, right, 'Uncle Til'?" Austin replied. Tilden grinned, obviously pleased at the little girl's affectionate adoption of him as honorary uncle.

They went on in that vein for a while, a new team getting to know each other. When the meeting ended, some solid friendships had begun to be formed.

---

On the Enterprise

As they beamed in on the transporter stage, the crewman on duty said, "Welcome aboard! Lt. Short's compliments, and would you please join him in Engineering?"

"Um, sure," Jude said, a little embarrassed at needing directions.

The crewman caught the problem. "Out the door here and to your left. About twenty feet down the corridor is a turbolift, to your right. Just enter it and state your destination."

"Thanks," Jude said with a smile, as he and Billy Joe hurried to follow the directions.

They arrived at Engineering at the same time as Cory, Sean, Scotty, Kevin, and Joel, who were on the other turbolift. "Hey! Uncle John said we could come up, so Seth called," Jude giggled as he joined them. Cory pulled him into a hug.

Scotty looked at Jude closely, "You the lad who helped Cory in the Excelsior's Main Engineering last night?"

Jude's jaw dropped open. "Wow.... I mean, ah, yes sir, Mr. Scott! I don't believe it!"

Joel giggled, "He knows about those Star Trek shows too, Unca Scotty!"

"Then I think I have a bit o' a treat for more than just Joel. Cory, Jude. What do you make of the new design? The Hood has been testing this for the last ten months, and we have been given the green light on it now." He led the boys over to the Chief Engineer's 'office', where the screens were all filled with the new data.

"WHAT are they doing to MY ship?" Cory exclaimed. "What is all of this stuff? I've never even seen prototypes of anything like this, and I've got access to ALL of the Starfleet Beta programs!"

Scotty laughed, "Most of this was covered under Vulcan 'Red One', Cory; so no, you'd have not seen it. Vulcan innovation. Especially that last one – the addition to the Warp Core they are fitting." He pointed to a strange looking device that was currently being worked on by a group of Vulcan scientists and engineers. "Not even the Hood had that one. That was tested by the VSO themselves."

"I don't care if it was tested by Mother Mary and the Twelve Apostles... is it going to hurt the Enterprise?" Cory responded. "Look at this... half of the stuff you might need to disable in an emergency is locked out!"

"Ah, Blondie?" Joel called from the console where some of the new engine specs were being displayed.

"Yeah, Elf?" Cory replied, now staring at the new equipment menacingly.

"Stop growling at it, for one. It can't do nothing to change itself. Second, get over here and take a look at what they've done," Joel giggled.

Cory walked over and looked at what Joel was pointing at. Jude, who was also looking at the screens, said, "They've streamlined the emergency procedures, and simplified the intermix disable systems. This is far more stable, and if it did go towards a breach, they could eject far quicker. Even the antimatter containment pods and systems have been upgraded. See? What's been disabled is redundant and is just going to be in the way. This bit here, however. This is.... not possible..." he finished with a whisper as he pointed at a second screen.

"I don't even know WHAT it is," Cory stated, obviously still not happy.

"Nor I," Scotty said as he came up behind them. "The Vulcans said it won't be active yet, and until it is, it won't interfere with standard ship operations. It took a direct order from the Cap'n to get me to allow them to put it in, though."

Joel looked up at them both, then at Jude and smiled softly. "I'm not surprised you don't recognise it. Jude and I do, but it's out of its time. It's like showing some Roman soldier a fighter jet. You... we, I mean... we shouldn't have this technology for at least, I dunno... two hundred years, yet!"

"Well then, what is it?" Cory asked. "And why do we have it if we ain't supposed to?"

"All I can offer," Joel said slowly and thoughtfully, "is a guess. This tech did exist at this time in Star Trek, just by another more advanced species, not the Federation. It's possible that the same applies here, only that species or one like them has made contact with my people... and gave it in trade. It's definitely not right for Star Trek, but since this isn't the 'TV Show Universe' then that don't matter." He paused again and looked at the screen. "It's Slipstream," he whispered finally. "It really is Slipstream."

"...And slipstream is what?" Cory and Scotty asked in unison.

Joel smiled again, and turned to look at them both. "I've just checked the Inertial Dampeners, the Structural Integrity Field and the new modifications they are making to the subframes of the hull. It all checks out. You both know of Transwarp and the theory behind it, right? It failed with the Excelsior and the Great Experiment?"

"Yes," Scotty nodded, "total waste of time."

"And it cost a load of lives," Cory added, remembering his History Class.

Joel raised an eyebrow at that last tidbit, for it was something different from the shows. However, he left that for now and continued to explain, "Transwarp, had it worked, would have increased a starship's speed by at least 20%-30%. However, even if you made it work, you'd end up tearing holes in subspace far quicker. Warp drive does that anyway, but you'll not work that out for at least a hundred years. That can be compensated for by changing the nacelles to a different shape and orientation, but with Transwarp, it is just plain bad."

He turned and started tapping on the console as he continued to speak, "Quantum Slipstream is simply using the nature of space and subspace in a more 'nature friendly' way – as well as exponentially increasing the speed at which you'll move. Getting from Earth to Vulcan at Warp 9.8 would take about a day. With Slipstream, you'd have to program the system to stop the ship less than three seconds after entering the Stream. You could get from one side of the galaxy to the other in a matter of months, not the 70 plus years with, say, Warp 9.5."

"Oooooo...kkkaaaayyyyyy...." Cory replied as he tried to process the new information.

Scotty just stood there, his jaw laying on the console in front of him.

"Don't start thinking about all those new systems you'll be charting any time soon, though," Jude jumped a moment later.

Sean moved over and asked, "Why not?"

"Simple," Jude smiled, "navigation. Our current tech for the sensors are based on standard Warp drive, not on Slipstream. When in Slipstream, you are traveling faster than the sensors can scan ahead, therefore you'd be flying blind. You can only use this if you know where you're going, and where everything is at that time at that location. Like from here to Vulcan; you know where Vulcan is right now – it'll be in the data systems, right?"

Cory nodded and Sean said, "Yeah, Jude. The computer has all the details to work something like that out."

Scotty completed the train of thought that Joel had just started, "So we can use this to get from an already charted location to another, but we'd need normal Warp to explore and chart new areas, or unstable areas, with?"

Joel grinned and nodded with Jude in agreement. The little Vulcan then took over and said, "Yup, Unca Scott. That's it. If you know where you're going, you can get there with this drive. The adaptation to the hull and the other systems will keep you safe in Slipstream, but you can't go to new places yet with it. Also, I don't think you could travel for more than a week, maybe two, at most without using up all your power. That," Joel paused as he tapped in some more calculations and then he continued, "that would get you from the Central Hub of the Federation to one of the outer Hubs easily, then after refueling the antimatter, hop back again."

"Just how much power does that thing use?" Cory asked.

Scotty whistled, "Well, lad; we can travel indefinitely at our new maximum Warp. If this drive drains that in a week..."

"Kinda like Dan's Camaro when he goes out to 'play'?" Sean asked with a giggle.

Cory giggled as well. "Can't wait until we can play with this drive!"

"You've stopped growling," Kevin giggled as he scooted in and made himself comfy in the circle of Joel's arms.

"Yeah, but I don't want this thing used until Joel and Jude have had a chance to check it out and show Scotty and me the tricks behind making it work right," Cory replied as he pulled the two munchkins and Jude to his chest for a quick cuddle.

The two Star Trek fans who were now Earth's experts on advanced technology thanks to their hobby exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. Then as Joel started to cuddle Kevin, Jude led Billy Joe over to check out the Warp Core.

 

---

 

Kurt and the boys settled with sighs on the overstuffed furniture in the 'casual lounge' Bryan had shown them to after their conference. "We need to talk," he told the boys.

"What's to talk about?" Scotty said. "This is what you want to do – what you need to do, here in the C.S.U. And the kids need what you have to give."

"I was thinking about you guys," Kurt said. "You're my kids now. I've always tried to be there for you, to give the caring your parents weren't. And when we got here, there was just no question: I became legally what I'd been doing all along. That means what you need comes first."

Galen saw where his uncle/adoptive father was going, and was nodding. "You don't want to take us where we aren't going to be happy," he said.

"Exactly," Kurt affirmed. "So we need to talk."

"We're Clan," Scott said. "What makes you think we're any less committed to finding kids that need help and giving them that help than you are? You've read the stories right alongside us."

"That's kind of the point," Kurt replied. "If I do this, we'll be settling down on a converted military base outside a city in upstate New York, hundreds of miles from anybody else in the Clan. You boys wanted to be a part of the Clan, not stuck somewhere far away from them."

"I wanna be with you, 'n' Scotty," Marky said. "I thought it'd be fun to be in the Clan. But it's scary!" Scott drew his little brother close, wrapping his arm around him.

"Marky's right," he said. "As long as I've got you guys, and Stass, I'll be happy."

"That's another thing," Kurt said. "It's my job to protect you – including from yourself. Have you seriously stopped to think what that boy you're in love with has been doing?"

"I think you're missing the point, Unk," Scott said with restrained heat. "You're looking at what he's had to do. I'm looking at who he is. Think about Jake." Kurt's face silently asked a question. "Multimapper never went into detail, but Jake supported himself the same way Stass did, before he got rescued. Stass is bright, how bright nobody who wasn't in Kenny's mental transfer really understands. He was headed for college and a career as an archaeologist, and he'd have been a good one, before his father's ship sank. And he's sweet and affectionate. And he needs me. Long as he needs me like he does, I'll be there for him."

"He's right, Unk," Galen said, startling Kurt with the self-assured way his formerly shy, nervous little nephew was speaking up to back his cousin and now brother. "Stass has some major issues in how he sees the world to work through, but the underlying person is a lot like Jake – a bright, deeply caring individual. Look past what you know about what he was doing, and his sheltered lack of knowledge, and see him as a person."

Kurt was taken aback by the two boys' insight. He paused and thought through what they had said. "I'll give him a chance," he said. "But I reserve the right to be concerned for you first and foremost, Scotty, and to speak up if I see the relationship is harming you."

"That's fair, Scotty," Galen said. "Unk does love us, after all." Scott nodded grudging agreement, not saying anything just yet.

"But the other aspect of things," Kurt said, "is what I really wanted to talk about. You guys won't be in Orlando with the Clan, or here with the Unit. You'll be in North Syracuse, with me and a bunch of rescued kids.

"That's not a problem," Galen explained equably. "We can be anywhere we want to be, just by contacting Starfleet or the Ark."

"I hadn't thought about that!" Kurt said.

"So we're going for it?" Scott asked.

"Let's each say how we feel," Kurt said. "Marky?"

"I don't know!" Marky said. "I wanna go home! I wanna be with C.J. I want to stay with you guys. This world is scary."

"All worlds are scary, Marky," Scott said, "when they're real and you aren't protected by family and stuff. Adventures are fun to be on, when they're in books and going on in your mind. But when you're cold and your butt and legs are sore, and the castle's still a long way off, and you have to walk the whole way there in real time, it's not an adventure, it's a drag."

"Well, we can't go home," Galen said. "But are you OK with going with Unk up to the new place?"

"Yeah, I guess so. I wanna be able to go see C.J. too."

"No reason we can't go down to Orlando so you can hang out with him," Scott said.

'Um, yeah," Galen said, blushing a little.

Kurt noticed, and decided to ask Galen about it privately later. "What about how you feel, Gale?" he asked.

"Oh, I think we need to do it – it's what we all signed up for. But, um, I need to talk to some of the guys about what's going on with my mind, you know, the Double J's and Kyle and stuff."

"Are you having problems?" Kurt was solicitous.

"Not really – it's just that there's so much of it that I need to learn how to use. Like when we were on the tour today – there were so many kids, so much pain, I could feel it and I could help and start them healing. I did what I could. I just gotta learn how better!"

"So you're for Orlando?" Scott asked, deep concern for Galen in his voice.

"No, I'm with Unk. But I'm gonna need to be able to transport down there."

"Scotty?" Kurt asked his eldest.

"Oh, I think we need to go to Syracuse. And take Stass with us."

"You know my reservations there, Scotty," Kurt said. "Then I guess it's three in favor and Marky on the fence?"

"Yep." Galen said quietly.

"So let's make plans – what do you guys want to do when we settle there?"

---

Later, on the Enterprise

Jude was profoundly shocked – and he was not alone; nearly every one of the boys that Teri or her sons had adopted was showing the same reaction.

First had been the news that Captain Spock was Joel's father. They were all happy for their brother, of course – there was just something about little Joel that made you love him – but that it was the legendary Vulcan Starfleet officer who was his father was icing on the cake. And Jude shared something special with Joel that made it even more poignant for them – for the two of them, Spock had not been not a celebrated public figure they might someday hope to meet, but a fictional hero, one of the stars of Star Trek. Even living in the same world as him was an adventure; meeting him in person was beyond their dreams before they had entered the CSU. And to find out he was your father, as they had, was so far over the top that Jude felt like he'd never come down.

For that was the second great surprise of the day. Not only was Spock their brother Joel's father, but, as was Vulcan custom, he had taken his blood son's brothers-by-oath as his own sons as well. He was now going through the Lesser Naming with them methodically, one by one, looking each in the eye and naming them, "Sean" or "Adam" or "Thomas – son of Spock" (or in a few cases "grandson").

Jude was the last to approach Spock, and he looked completely uncertain as he stood there watching his new brothers. It was the moment of truth, and his feelings were at war with each other – the remembered love of his parents, his hurt and loss, his hope, and the same sense he had felt when Joel persuaded Teri to adopt him, that it was somehow turning his back on his parents' memory. Spock glanced at him, and then at Joel, who whispered, "You didn't see him in my memories?"

Spock shook his head, "No. I did not see anything after you were brought out of that place, my Child. Your mother told me to meld with you later once I have regained my full control."

"Oh, okay," Joel nodded, then looked at Jude, "He's Jude, our new brother. Mama 'dopted him yesterday."

Spock looked back at Jude, and Tyler and Skirk moved to bring the fourteen year old closer to the kneeling Vulcan. Jude trembled in awe, for he had never expected to meet Captain Spock for real unless in a dream, never mind have the chance to be his son. Spock asked softly, "What is troubling you, child?"

Awash in his emotions, Jude paused to sniff back his tears and wipe his eyes, then said, "My Dad and Mom were great, Mr. Spock... I loved them and they loved me, but they died not too long ago. Mom... Teri Short... said she'd be my new Mom, but that I could keep my last name to honor my real Mom and Dad. I... I'm jus' scared that saying I want you as my new Pop would be... be like sayin'... I'm r...replacing my real D...Dad..." He finished in full tears and covered his face with both hands ,in a futile effort to hide his sobbing.

"Unca Jude?" Liam called to him from Justy's back, "Unca Jude? Your Daddy says he loves you and is proud of you lots and lots. He wants you to have a new Daddy, and says dat Unca Captain Spock is the bestest choice."

Jude looked up and at the small redhead in shock. "My Dad...?"

Justy giggled, "He sees dead people, Jude. Trust us and trust him; your Dad must have said that."

Jude just stared, first at Justy, then at Liam. In the back of his mind a small voice was saying, 'But he doesn't look like Haley Joel Osment.' Then he turned to Spock. On Spock's lap, Cory turned and beckoned his newest brother closer, and then, once Jude had stumbled near enough, reached and pulled him in between himself and Sean. Spock wrapped his own arms around all three boys in a four-way hug.

Jude looked into Spock's eyes. "I can still be 'Lee'?"

Spock nodded. "I am pleased to meet you, Jude Lee, son of Spock."

Jude's face broke into a soft smile, and he too snuggled in with his brothers.

The surprises were not yet over; Mikey appeared, in full angelic panoply, and delivered first a prophecy and then a message from Sean and Cory's long-dead biological fathers, that they approved and considered all Teri's, and now Spock's, sons their own as well.

"Ah, does that mean us too?" Billy Joe and Josiah asked in unison from the side where they and the other partners of the Short boys were standing.

Spock turned to look at them and smiled. "If you are partner to one of my sons, then you are also my son. Vulcans have no 'in-laws'. As for the Little ones: I am your Fa'Sa'mekh, as if by blood. Come."

---

Many other things happened before they were ready to leave the Enterprise, but as they do not directly connect with Jude and Billy Joe, and have been well told in chapter 12 of Sa'ren Part One, we will not speak of them here.

As they went to leave the ship, Jude came close to Captain Kirk, and quickly found the Captain's arm being put around his shoulder as they walked to the turbolift. Jude nearly fainted, and he thought the smile on his face would never leave. Billy Joe giggled softly at him.

As the lift came to a stop and the groups met back up to head for the transporter room, Jude asked quietly, "Joel, can I ask you something about what you said earlier?"

Joel looked from his perch on Kirk's hip, "Sure, what's up?"

"When we met yesterday and you looked at the book I was reading, when I mentioned Slipstream and you explained it, you said it would take an hour to get from here to Vulcan, but when you saw the new engine on Enterprise, you said only a few seconds. Why the difference?" he asked as he looked up at his little brother.

"The specs," Joel answered with a grin. "Whoever made the engine in this ship is a hell of a lot more advanced than those races who had it in the TV shows, Jude. The engine on this ship is a beast!"

"You know about Slipstream too?" Kirk asked them both in shock and wonder.

"Uh huh," Joel nodded as he absently kissed Kirk's cheek. "Yup, we do."

"And we'll keep it secret, Uncle Jim," Jude giggled.

"Good," Kirk laughed, although his eyes were thoughtful as he looked between the teen he was carrying and the one at his side.

---

The three boys and Kurt were chatting animatedly, alternating discussion of what their new life would be like with trying to help Marky cope, when the speakers overhead came on. "Attention, Clan Short. This is Patriarch Cory Short. You are all invited to the Orlando Compound for an important meeting of the Family of Sarek. If you cannot attend, please send at least one representative from your Division. All are invited, and all welcome. Thank you."

Daileass's voice replaced Corey's. "You guys want transport back to Orlando?"

Kurt looked at his three boys. Startlement was being replaced by nods of agreement on the faces of each. "Yes, please," he said.

"Okay, stand up," Daileass said.

They all complied. "How come?" Marky asked.

"So when I transport you, you don't land on your butt because you were sitting on something I didn't transport along with you," Daileass giggled. "Okay, energizing now."

---

As they entered the large Clan Auditorium, however, the stage was empty, though kids were piling in from each Division, and adults were filling up the balcony. The boys found three seats together, watched the crowd come in, and then were startled to see the little caramel-haired seven-year-old Mikyvis Levi walk up on stage alone. In a voice totally unlike his own, ringing with authority, he said, "...//I call to order the Conclave of Family Sarek of Vulcan//...". Strangely, this seemed to startle Sarek as much as everyone else. Levi then summoned to the stage Sarek and Lady Amanda, Spock, Teri Short, Jason and Nathan Evans, and Sean and Cory Short. They watched as Spock formally requested the Inar'tor, the formal acknowledgement of Joel as heir to the Family. Scott had the sense of being present as history was made from this – he didn't realize just how much history was about to be made. Joel came forward and claimed his heirship; Sarek acknowledged him. But what followed shocked them all.

Cory stepped forward, drew from the pocket of his ceremonial robe the Clan Short Charter, and tore it in half. As he handed the two shreds to Levi, both burst into flames.

"What's he doing?" Galen exclaimed. There were shouts and murmurs all around the vast auditorium as well.

Then Cory explained: Clan Short was the creation of Sarek as a part of his Family. But because Joel was, after his grandfather and father, heir to the House of Surak, and because Teri and her sons had adopted him fully when all believed him to be a family-less orphan, they had unwittingly set in motion something that had not happened since Surak's time, for 1700 years. What had been Sub-clan Short of the Family of Sarek was now entitled to recognition as equivalent to a full Vulcan Family, part of House Surak but independent of Family Sarek.

There was a lot more to it, but Galen lost sight of what all Sarek and Cory were saying. Peter was there, over with the Maine crew! He wasn't sure why this was so important to him, why he felt like he did, but he'd read the stories, and he had a pretty good clue.

"Scotty? What did it feel like when you, you know, found out about Stass?" The question was quiet, but the emotion behind it was evident.

Scotty tried to come up with a good answer. "It's like you want to take him and protect him, keep him from any chance of pain, you want to always be with him, and, um...." His gesture and blush finished the sentence without words. "But you know, Gale, I think it's a little different for everybody."

Galen didn't answer, just cuddled close to Scott, his eyes on the little towhead Mikyvis.

---

To be Continued....