Jigsaw

Monday, October 25

West of Arkham the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut. There are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight. On the gentle slopes there are farms, ancient and rocky, with squat, moss-coated cottages brooding eternally over old New England secrets in the lee of great ledges; but these are all vacant now, the wide chimneys crumbling and the shingled sides bulging perilously beneath low gambrel roofs.

Skipper and Bobby drove down the old back road, wondering what it was they would find this Monday morning. Their enigmatic passenger had tried to explain, but the answers were still less than clear. Sandy blond hair topped his 12-year-old head and body, looking remarkably like Logan Hayes whom they had met the night before at the Clan meeting in Orlando.

Bobby was still unsure what exactly Todd had said to his mother when he beamed in, but he'd been excused from school for the morning 'to aid in Federation legal matters,' yet! "What exactly is it you expect to find?" he asked Todd again.

"I don't know; if I did, we wouldn't need to make this trip," Todd answered. "What we can discover at the site should tell us something about the people who did this, and we need to know as much as possible. Dr. Tony had no idea this site even existed."

"After the fire, there may not be much to find," Skipper said. "I've never seen a structure fire that fierce. It's a wonder Jondo got out alive. We have no idea how it got started, either."

"Oh, we know that now, as of this morning," Todd replied. "It was Jimmy; Adam, Jory, and the rest relived it with him in his nightmare."

"Our little, scared Jondo set that fire?" Bobby asked incredulously.

"Not set it, exactly," Todd said. "He created it. You know about telekinetics, right?"

"Yeah," Bobby answered, grinning. "Eli and his 'pet leg' levitated Jared and Mickey when they couldn't walk. And we saw Nathan flying the Dragon guys around last night."

"Well," Todd said, "Jimmy is one of them -- but his gift is pyrokinesis. He can start fires with his mind, like Nathan with the dragon. Evidently what they were putting him through that Tuesday was the last straw for him, and he lost control, and burned everyone and everything."

"Our little Jondo, I mean Jimmy?" Skipper said. "It seems impossible to believe. He panicked at the thought of doctors and authority figures. It took all the three of us could do to get him calm and comfortable staying with us. We managed, but he was hurting bad."

"What the Clan telepaths said was that after seeing what he'd done, he repressed everything -- his pyrokinesis, his memories, the whole thing. That's why he had amnesia when you found him. But seeing Kent was the trigger that broke out those repressed memories." Todd was solemn.

"Here we are," Skipper said as he pulled to a stop. They exited the mobile unit and walked over to the burnt-out ruin. A few charred bracing timbers remained standing; otherwise it was burned down to the foundation. A few half-melted metal tables and cabinets stood incongruously amid the wreckage.

"In your experience," said Todd, "do houses around here tend to have these sorts of furnishings?"

"N-no," Bobby said. "Only place I've seen stuff like this is at the Regional Hospital and in the science labs at school." Skipper taciturnly agreed.

"Do you know where the fire inspector thought it started?" Todd asked.

"Yeah," Skipper said, pulling an envelope from his jacket pocket. "I ran by the V.F.D. and made a copy of his report. Here," as he handed it over to Todd, who glanced through it.

"Over here," he said, walking into the ruins. "This is the supposed point of origin. Notice anything?"

"Yeah," Bobby said. "It looks like it's right past what was a door." Looking down, he added, "...a big metal door," It lay on the ground, partly melted from the heat of the blaze.

"From what was in the dream, as Adam recounted it this morning, that was the door from the lobby to the 'treatment area' where they were trying to make him over into another super-soldier like Adam, Juan, Chang, and the rest." Todd went on, "As near as I can figure from this report and the dream, they kept the outside looking like a big old farmhouse, the sort of thing that's all over out here. Inside, though, it was a state-of-the-art medical facility -- if you can call something built to torture a kid into becoming a super-soldier a 'medical facility.'"

He pulled out a digital camera and began taking pictures of the site. "Look around, see if you see anything that seems out of place," he suggested to them. "I'm at as much of a loss as anyone on what exactly to look for -- everything the Genesis Project did was a little bit different from everything else, so I can't go by what Adam, or Jory, or my brothers and I, knew."

"This is odd," Bobby said, picking up with gloved hands a bright orange translucent hexagonal crystal about seven inches long. "Doesn't look like any mineral I ever saw around here."

"Or anything I've ever seen either," Todd added. He held out a specimen bag, and Bobby dropped the crystal into it. "Maybe we need to check it out with the Starfleet Extraterrestrial Minerals Database or something."

They walked the site for about a half hour more, looking through the debris without finding anything else that seemed significant. Todd took more pictures, from different angles, including close-ups of the cabinets and tables.

"Guess we've covered everything we can," Todd said. "On the way back, show me where you found Jimmy, if you please." Smiling, Skipper nodded OK.

---

As Josiah prepared himself for the morning in court, Maureen watched lovingly, Peter cuddled on her lap. Jonas was staying the night at Abbie's with Harry, the temporary agreement the five of them had reached when the boys refused to be separated -- until everyone could be together in the large new house. Thinking of this reminded Maureen. "When do you plan to try to close the deal with Jed and C.J.'s guardian?" she asked.

"We'll have to find a time when they can get up here, or us there," Josiah said. "I have no idea how long that might be."

Rolling his eyes, Peter said, "Daddy? Aren't you forgetting about me?"

"Never, little one," Josiah said. "You'll live there with us after we close the deal and build the addition."

"I mean," Peter said, "I can handle all that stuff. Be right back!" He bounced up, hugged Josiah, and poofed out.

---

Mickey and Rina were lingering over coffee in the dinette area of her apartment. C.J. was reading a children's book in Russian, while Jed was just walking in the door from a morning visit to Jared. Peter popped into existence next to the refrigerator. Everyone started in surprise.

"Even knowing you Mikyvis can do that, it always catches me unawares," Rina said with a nervous laugh. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your dramatic little appearance this morning?"

"You guys got to go see the judge in Arkham," Peter said. Rina tensed up; the three boys looked startled.

"Why?" "What's up?"

"Nothing bad," Peter said calmly. "He's got a deal to propose on your house," nodding to Jed and C.J. "I'll transport you up and back, if that's okay with you."

"Go for it," Jed said. "Rina, you up for a quick trip north?" She looked undecided.

"I've got to try to put a treatment together for that insurance agency we just landed the account for," she said.

"This shouldn't take long," Peter assured her.

"Okay, I guess," she answered. "Mickey, would you take care of things here until we get back?" Her eyes conveyed a message to the 16-year-old.

"Sure," Mickey said. "Be careful, you understand? Keep safe."

"And let Jared know where we've gone," Jed added.

"Uh, yeah, will do," Mickey said.

"Ready?" Peter asked, glancing at each in turn. He then teleported Rina, Jed, and C.J. out.

Mickey's face slumped, his eyes full of worry. He got up, turned off the coffeepot, and walked slowly towards the door, his mind churning.

---

Peter, Rina, Jed and C.J. materialized in Maureen's dining room. Josiah, startled, completely lost the train of thought of what he'd intended to say to them. "Maureen, dear," he said, "would you be so kind as to call the courthouse and tell them I'll be late?"

Smiling, she did just that, poured a coffee for Rina and juice for the boys, reflecting as she did on just how lucky she was, and joined everyone at the table.

Pulling himself together, Josiah began. "Boys," he said, "I have an offer for your parents' house that I think is fair, but it's up to you, and Rina as your guardian, to decide whether to accept or reject it. And I want you to get some advice first, before you decide."

"Oh?" said Rina. "I thought you would be able to handle that as their parents' executor."

"It's a major conflict of interest," Josiah said, somewhat bashfully. "You see, it's Maureen, acting on behalf of the two of us, who is making the offer. While I believe it's fair or we wouldn't be making it, it would really be collusion and against all legal ethics for me as executor to sell it to her and me as buyers. We could cheat the boys terribly that way if we weren't honest."

"Just your telling me that says to me that it's fair," Jed said. "We'd never have known if you'd tried to cheat us, so you saying what you did tells me that you're trying to do right by us."

"I agree," Rina added. "But with my new job, I've seen a lot of property transfers where we've been hired to do the interiors. So tell me about your offer."

Josiah quoted off the offer price. "I had it appraised, and then added $9,000 to the fair market value to come up with that figure. Going a little above fair market is a statement of good intentions, to demonstrate we're not trying to cheat you. I've got a copy of the appraisal at my old place in Farmington, if you want to see it."

"George and Rhonda's insurance and investments will take care of Jed and C.J.'s college and leave them a good nest egg to start adult life with," Rina said. "You did a wonderful job with that. What are houses selling for around here, anyway? Is the market tight or slack?"

"Pretty slack at the moment," Josiah said. "There's hardly a rush to move to metropolitan Arkham, or Farmington either for that matter. But if I draw down my savings, we can do this."

"Hmmm," Rina thought. "Can we three have a couple of minutes to talk privately?"

"Of course," Maureen said. "Use my study, through that door there."

"Thanks," Rina said. "C'mon, you two."

After a few minutes, the three returned smiling.

"We're making a counter-proposal," Rina said. "First, the boys want to sell for fair market value plus $100 to make it an even figure. Second, we propose that you give us 21% down -- 20% to go into their inheritance trust funds and 1% cash for spending money for them. We'll hold a mortgage on the other 79%, at the prevailing rate for this area. You'll need to get a formal statement of that from the appraiser or a banker, so we have something on record to document that the boys weren't cheated in setting the rate. Mortgage life insurance on you, Judge, just in case. That way the boys actually get more income in the long run, the money a bank would make off the mortgage, and they have time to collect it. But you don't have to liquidate your savings to buy the house from them."

"And that gives us the money to build the new addition for the rescued kids!" Maureen exclaimed.

"Mommy!" Peter said. "You don't need money for that; you got me!"

"It's easier if you have the raw materials, right?" Jed asked Peter speculatively.

"Well, yeah, but I can work with 'most anything," Peter answered.

"Take me to Kayla's office?" Jed asked. The boys popped out.

"What was that all about?" Maureen asked.

"I think Jed's gettin' the money for the addition from F.Y.S.," C.J. offered by way of explanation.

Peter and Jed reappeared at that moment, Jed carrying some official-looking paperwork. "Here, give this to the Home Depot down in Farmington," Jed said, handing the papers to Josiah.

"What is it?" Rina and Maureen asked at the same time, then looked at each other and laughed softly. "Jinx!" Rina said with a grin.

"It appears to be an open-ended voucher for everything we'll need for the addition," Josiah said in wonder. "How in the world did Kayla get it done that fast?"

Peter giggled. "It helps that we cornered Levi, and had him go back in time and tell her yesterday to get it done up for us," he said shyly.

"O-o-okay," Rina said. "Isn't that, like, some kind of time paradox?"

"Not if you hold your head right and look at it the right way," Jed said with a grin.

"Well, I think I should probably check what we've agreed on with someone, just to do my duty as the boys' guardian, but unless you hear from me within 48 hours, consider it a done deal. In fact, you can start acting from right now that we're in agreement, since what the boys wanted and I've agreed to won't change," Rina said in confirmation.

They talked a bit longer, sorting out the details of who'd do what in getting the legal paperwork together to close on the sale, but with that statement, they were done. All that remained was to firm up the details of the legal sale, mortgage, and transfer.

Rina motioned Maureen over and spoke briefly in low tones to her. Nodding agreement, Maureen smiled, and said to Jed and C.J., "Boys?"

"Yeah?"

"With all the things you've been through, nobody's brought this up to you before, but with the house selling now, it's probably time we did. Do you think you're up to going to your old house and picking out things that you want to keep? Your personal stuff and things to remember your parents by?"

Jed looked at C.J. The younger boy's eyes were moist, but he was smiling. "I think we oughta, Jed," he said. With that wordless communication by expression that came so easily to him and Maureen, he turned to her and nodded.

"I'll head in for court now," Josiah said. "If you need me, just ring my law clerk, and I'll call a recess if we're sitting. I'll be a little late tonight -- you know, what we set up at the high school before the boys left for school." Maureen gave him a brief kiss, and they trooped out, Josiah to his Lincoln to leave for the courthouse, and the other five to Maureen's car to head for the former Templeton house.

---

Jed paused as he got out of Maureen's car. This was where it had all started, three weeks ago -- when he had gotten off the school bus with Ceej and seen... seen... He felt Rina's hand, reassuringly firm, on his shoulder. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Maureen's smile. He squared his shoulders and walked firmly toward the house. He sensed them following, dropped back, and took hold of C.J.'s hesitant hand. "We can do this," he said to his brother. He didn't notice the sighs that came from the two women as they released their held breaths.

Rina looked around. Rhonda had not been a professional, but she knew what she wanted, what would make that house 'home' for her family, and the furnishings, the walls, the floor, all spoke volumes about the woman to her experienced eye.

"If you wanna pick out some furniture for the apartment, do it," Jed said to her. "Mom always bought nice stuff, and it's all ours now. So let's take anything you want with us."

"It'll cost a lot to ship it down to Florida," Rina started to demur.

Peter interrupted; "I don't charge much, just hugs," he said with a grin. "It'll be easy to 'port it down there."

Jed and C.J. headed for their rooms, the sense of being back in their home strong within them. Each came out with armsful of things, from clothes to treasured toys and games, the stuff of their childhood gathered together.

Jed picked up a throw pillow embroidered with his name and birth date, which his mother had made during and just after carrying him. His eyes teared up, missing her. He set it on the pile of things to go. Then he glanced over at C.J. carrying something from his room.

"You're not bringing that, are you?" Jed challenged. Maureen and Rina took one look at what C.J. was carrying and broke into laughter. It was a goat's head, stuffed and mounted on a plaque. A pair of John Lennon-style 1960s sunglasses perched incongruously on its muzzle. Around one horn was wrapped the label from a bottle of Jose Cuervo tequila. Anchored somehow to the plaque was a black-colored ace of hearts from a deck of cards.

"It was Grandpa Chris's, he shot it down in Arizona, and he gave it to me 'cause I always liked it!" C.J. said defiantly. "They told us to get whatever meant stuff to us, and this reminds me of him. It's mine and I'm taking it!"

"Oh, C.J.," Rina said. "When did he die?"

"He's not dead," Maureen said. "He had a stroke that confined him to a wheelchair, paralyzed his legs and part of one side, so he went into the County Extended Care home."

"The same place they were going to send Mickey," Jed amplified.

"Be right back," said Peter. He 'ported to Orlando, and popped into existence in the Rec. Room at Clan HQ, where Seth was holding some of the youngest on his wheelchair-bound lap as they watched Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. "Random hug!" he announced, startling them, and gave the munchkins and Seth hugs while they giggled. As Snow White sang "Someday My Prince Will Come," Matty asked Seth, "What's that mean?"

Seth answered, "It says there's somebody special for everyone. For Snow White in the story, of course, it's a for-real prince." Peter noticed the tinge of sadness in Seth's voice, and made a mental note of it. Then he popped over to where Cory, Sean, Jason, Nathan, Levi, and a few others were talking, gave Levi a hug, and announced, "You was yellin' so loud I heard you clear up North." Letting Levi know he'd be back for the training, he jumped back to Maine.

---

Franklin County Extended Care Facility:

Peter appeared next to the caregivers' station. "Ma'am? Can you please tell me which room Christopher Sarles is in?"

"Well, hello there, young fellow! I didn't see you come in. Are you family? Mr. Sarles has room 20, but he's sitting down in the solarium right now." The CNA on duty gestured the right direction.

"Thank you. I'm friends with his grandsons, and wanted to see him."

"Oh, good! He'll be glad for the company. But shouldn't you be in school?"

"No, I was really bad sick so I couldn't go. And I just got better."

Peter scurried off in the direction she had pointed. He saw what had been a handsome older man sitting in a wheelchair. Spare and gray-haired, the boys' grandfather had piercing blue eyes and what would have been a warm smile but for the uncooperative muscles at the right side of his face that left the corner of his mouth in a perpetual frown.

"Hello, Mr. Sarles. I'm Peter Lambert, and I met your grandsons and wanted to come see you."

"That's wonderful, young man! I haven't seen them since Rhonda...." the older man paused, clearly not wanting to put words to what he knew.

"Well, Jed's had to grow up a lot in a hurry, with his parents gone. They must have been really nice people," Peter said invitingly.

It took no more than that. As Mr. Sarles began to reminisce about his daughter and grandsons, Peter listened with half his attention. The other half was engaged in retrogressing half the man's body to before his stroke. As he neared completion of the retrogression, Peter teleported a small dose of the anticlotting drug from the hospital and implanted it in Mr. Sarles' bloodstream, where it would dissolve the clot that had caused the stroke.

Satisfied with the results, Peter interrupted an anecdote about C.J.'s sixth birthday party with, "I'm sorry, sir. I have to be going; I'm needed to meet some travelers. Won't you try exercising some and see if you can get about better? Your grandsons need you. I hope I'll see you again soon."

Mr. Sarles' smile was full this time. "Thank you for visiting. I'm glad you came. Tell the kids I miss them and hope to see them sometime soon."

"I will." As Peter left the man's line of sight, he teleported first to the former Templeton home, 'ported Rina and the boys back to Rina's apartment in Florida, then himself popped over to Clan HQ and phase-shifted to join Levi and Tyler in observing the first meeting with the Farnsworths.

Christopher Sarles shifted in his wheelchair, stretched his legs, realized what he'd done, and called out excitedly to the CNA, "Heather! Come down here! It's a miracle!"

---

Rina's apartment, Orlando

As Rina, Jed, and C.J. appeared in Rina's living room, a teary-faced Jared immediately grabbed Jed and held him tight.

"We're moving away!" he announced and broke again into tears.

"What?!" a startled Jed exclaimed.

"Mickey says so," Jared snuffled.

"That nincompoop!" Rina said, a determined expression on her face. "C'mon, you three, next door. We need to have a little family talk."

Rina dropped what she'd been carrying and walked briskly out the door, across the driveway and lawn to Sylvia's. Jed and C.J. set down their share of the things they'd brought from their old home and followed wide-eyed, Jed collecting the sniffling Jared as he went, with an arm around his waist.

"Sylvia?" Rina asked.

"You know what's wrong, child," Sylvia said sympathetically. "I'll do what I can, but it's your decision how to play it out." The boys exchanged confused looks at this.

"Mickey!" Rina called out.

"I'm packing," came a voice from down the hall.

"Come out here!" she called back firmly.

"I'm busy," Mickey said, coming to the hallway.

"Not too busy to have this conversation," Sylvia said compassionately but firmly. "Those things can wait a half hour or so; they're doing no harm where they are."

"Mick?" Raffy said tentatively.

"What, little bro?"

"You're my big brother and my gar'jun. I'll do what you say. But Mickey, something inside me says, if you don't talk this out, you'll always regret it. C'mon and talk -- please?"

Mickey looked at Raffy, then at Sylvia, then at Jared, Jed, and C.J., clustered together at the door. "Okay," he said.

"Why are you doing this?" Rina said. "Jared's heartbroken, and I know what it's going to be like for Jed. Raffy and C.J. are the best of friends. This is becoming your new home. Why leave?"

"I can walk now. I don't need to depend on a wheelchair, and this house that was built for one. And Sylvia's not moving to her daughter's, so she's going to want her house back. We've got a perfectly good house in Maine that's ours; we don't need to take someone else's." Mickey was going full throttle with his explanation.

"In the first place, young man, whether you need a wheelchair or not is immaterial. That's what brought you here, but it's you and your brothers that matter, not whether or not you can walk. And I thought Raffy made it clear that he wants me for a grandma. Am I supposed to drive up to Maine to see my only grandson? You invited me to share this house with you boys, when I came back from Dottie's. What's changed, other than you walking?" Sylvia was clearly unhappy.

Jed was holding Jared tightly against him. He said nothing, but his eyes were burning as he looked on.

"Do you know what you want out of life, Mickey?" Rina asked calmly.

"Yes," he answered, not meeting her eyes. "And I'm only sixteen."

"How old is Antonio?" Raffy said.

That question had a powerful effect, but not on Mickey whom he'd aimed it at. Rina sat up and gasped.

"Mickey," she said. "Look at me. We've talked a little bit about what happened before we ended up here, but you never heard my life story. And you need to, right now."

"We were what they call 'working poor'", Rina began. "My father worked for the city. My mother stayed home and kept house. Actually, most of what she did was watch TV.

"I was an interruption, a problem. She named me Sabrina, after Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Imagine going through school saddled with that name! When I turned 18, I dropped the 'Sab-' and adopted Rina as my legal name.

"Our house was drab. We had what we needed, but no beauty, no hope, and no real love. I know my father loved me; he worked to support mother and me. But he almost never showed it. The one time I can ever remember him holding me, I'd fallen and hurt myself bad enough they wanted the hospital to check me over, and he carried me in, crying my eyes out. That's the only time he ever held me.

"There were kids in the neighborhood, but I didn't get into the things they were doing. I stayed in my room and drew pictures of castles and mansions a lot. But there was one little boy, younger than me, that seemed to think deep thoughts. I became his protector, the one who stuck up for him when someone tried to bully him.

"You all know him. His name was 'Tonio. And when kids got hurt, 'Tonio was there, and I helped him help them. Then he and his family disappeared. I found out much later that they moved, to cover up the fact that he wasn't growing up.

"In my teens, I was popular, the slender model look. But I found out real fast that most of the boys were interested in one thing. They didn't care about beauty around them; they didn't care about people that needed caring about.

"Well, I finished high school, went to college and studied interior design. It was a way to bring beauty into things, to make a place where people could find a home where they were happy and cared about people. But I found out that most people aren't interested in that. And I resigned myself to working as a store clerk.

"Then this Vulcan boy came into the store, and 'Tonio was with him. And a week or so later, Xain came back -- and before I knew what was happening, I had my new job and two boys to love.

"The thing was, those boys that were interested in me when we were growing up -- it wasn't that I didn't like boys; I did. It was that none of them cared about what I cared about. They didn't want to take care of younger people; they didn't want to find the beauty in nature or in what people can do with their homes.

"Then Jed brought you guys back, to live in Sylvia's house, right next door. Raffy was the little kid trying his darnedest to be big, to do the things for his brothers that they couldn't for themselves. Jared was wrapped up in Jed. And you, Mickey, you were trying your best to make a home for your little brothers, to be the replacement for the parents they'd lost. You may have been stuck in that wheelchair, but it was what they needed that was on your mind.

"I found in you someone I could talk to, someone who finally cared about what I cared about. I loved sitting with you over coffee and talking, about the boys, about our homes, really about anything. I found a friend in you, Mickey," Rina ended as she wound down.

"Just a friend, Rina?" Sylvia asked. Mickey had been listening, his eyes growing wider as Rina went on. Rina drew a deep breath and flushed, her eyes refusing to meet anyone else's.

In the silence that followed, everyone could hear, faintly, the radio Jared had left on in his room when he'd bolted for next door after Mickey came in and dropped his bombshell about moving.

I can't fight this feeling any longer
And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow
What started out as friendship has grown stronger
I only wish I had the strength to let it show

I tell myself that I can't hold out forever
I said there is no reason for my fear
'Cause I feel so secure when we're together
You give my life direction
You make everything so clear

And even as I wander
I'm keeping you in sight
You're a candle in the window
On a cold, dark winters night
And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might

And I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
It's time to bring this ship in to the shore
And throw away the oars, forever

'Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore
I've forgotten what I started fighting for
And if I have to crawl upon the floor
Come crashing through your door
Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore

(recorded by REO Speedwagon)

"Why did you decide, all of a sudden, you have to leave, Mickey?" Sylvia's voice was gentle but probing.

"My legs work now," he answered, not meeting her eyes. "I don't need to find a house that's handicap friendly. I can't take your house."

"Who said anything about taking?" Sylvia asked. "I think the idea was sharing -- sharing my house. And sharing lives. I've come to realize how much I need you kids in my life. But you're still not answering the question, son -- why right now, this morning?"

"I'm only sixteen," Mickey mumbled. "There's no way...." His voice trailed off.

Raffy had been listening to Rina as well. "Mickey?" he said.

"Yeah?"

"Remember when I couldn't learn to ride a bike? What did you tell me?"

"I said that you could, the reason you weren't doing it is because you'd convinced yourself that you couldn't. What you needed to do is get up and get on the bike and keep trying," Mickey answered. “And I was right."

"That’s what you’re doing," Raffy said. "You made up your mind you couldn’t, just like I did. And you’re wrong. Rina said so."

Rina’s and Mickey’s eyes swiveled to the eight year old in shock. "Gramma Sylvia, am I right?" he asked.

"Sounds that way to me, punkin," she said. “Come with me, Raffy. You too, Jed, Jared, C.J. I’m going to buy you four banana splits, while these two talk.” She stood up and strode briskly to the door, with the four younger boys following her.

As they walked out, Mickey raised his eyes to meet Rina’s.

---

 “Oh, shut up!” Jordan Eccles said irritably to Elvira Oakridge. “I don’t like this any better than you do. But we have to lay low. Even if Roscoe keeps his word, and I don’t trust him, sooner or later somebody’s going to notice there’s Federation warrants out for us.”

The decrepit motel room a half mile from the turnpike had seen better days. Drab walls flanked a wall-mounted desk from which the blondwood veneer was peeling. The two double beds sagged beneath the yellowed spreads. A wall light fixture between them hung crookedly.

“No point in fighting between ourselves,” Mary Eccles said acerbically. “I’m going to slip over to the diner and get us something to eat.” She glanced out the window at the parking lot, empty but for their rental car, and the abandoned warehouse beyond. This blighted section of a small suburb in central New Jersey was a far cry from Arkham, but it at least meant safety. Nobody would expect three fugitives from Maine and Federation justice to be lurking here.

She slipped out the door and walked to the street, passing the front of the warehouse en route to the Deluxe Diner, of which the only thing deluxe was the name.

---

Danny O’Ryan’s stomach was growling. He stretched and twinged, muscles sore from trying to sleep on a hard workbench with only empty burlap bags under and over him. Still, the abandoned warehouse was the best choice he could think of for a place to stay.

‘I won’t go back,’ he thought determinedly. ‘I’m sick of not being wanted, always reminded that I’m no good and not Stan’s son.’ He refused to consider Stan Polabski his father, which was virtually the only thing they agreed on. ‘I wish Ma would say something, just once,’ his thoughts continued. ‘If only she hadn’t had to go into the hospital....’

Abruptly he shook off that train of thought. After Stan had belittled him in front of Brett yet again, then sent him to his room without supper, he’d packed a backpack, got the money he’d stashed, and climbed out the window. Stopping briefly at Brett’s to let him know what he was doing; Danny had holed up in the old warehouse.

Beyond that, he had no plans. Ma certainly wouldn’t go against Stan for him -- besides, there was Annie to think of. His little half-sister, only four, was the apple of both Stan’s and Ma’s eye -- and Danny kind of liked her a lot too, in a big brother/annoying baby sister sort of way. Ma’s family, way up in Maine, had all but disowned her when she ran away with the father Danny had never known -- he was gone by the time Ma knew she was carrying him. No help there! One Christmas card a year was all they wanted to be bothered with Kelly O’Ryan Polabski. He wasn’t even sure they knew he existed. ‘No,’ he thought, ‘I’ll just have to make it on my own -- somehow.’

He eased himself up and off the old workbench, and looked to see what was left of the stash of food Brett had brought him. A few crackers were all that was left. ‘Well,’ he thought, ‘I’ll just have to go over to the diner. If I ask for takeout, as though I’m taking a meal to my family, they’ll never catch on.’ He stretched out the kinks again, and headed down the stairs to the broken-out window he used for access to the warehouse.

---

Earlier that morning

Jonas and Harry awoke, entwined in each other's arms and legs, in Harry's single bed. Jonas leaned over and gave Harry a quick 'good morning' kiss. They stretched.

"One item for the new house: We get a bigger bed!" Harry said with a grin, arching his shoulders. "I love having you in the same bed, but these narrow beds just don't make it for sleeping."

"Not bad for other purposes, though!" Jonas said with a grin and a Groucho Marx wag of his eyebrow. Harry blushed and grinned back.

They got up and performed their usual school day morning routines, enjoying the sight of each other's bodies. As they were dressing for school, a shimmer next to Harry's dresser caught his attention. "Jonas, look!"

The shimmer resolved into the pale translucent form they had seen on Saturday: Jonas's father Neil. This time, though, there was the slightest hint of wings flanking his torso.

"Jonas," Neil said, "save your brother! He is going into danger, and you must rescue him."

"Hello, Father," Jonas said. "I did what you said." He smiled. "What's this about a brother? I don't have a brother. And that's a pretty cryptic bit of instructions, to boot -- sounds like some sort of supernatural thriller, if you want to know!"

"Hey, there are rules to this sort of appearance," Neil said, "and I'm still on a sort of probation. If I had my druthers, I'd tell you, 'go to such and such a place, where you'll find your brother, and save him from such and such a danger.' But that's not how these things work. Besides, you two are teenagers; don't you secretly relish a bit of adventure and a mystery to solve?" He smiled.

Jonas grinned. "I'm beginning to see why, every time Mom cussed you out in absentia, there was a little twinkle in her eye. Okay, you know us too well. I've got a pretty full plate today, though, as I'm sure you watching angel types know. Don't I get any clues about where to even find this brother I never knew I had?"

"Harry knows what to do," Neil said.

"I do?!" said an incredulous Harry.

"You get a bright idea later today. Act on it. And both of you go along on what it results in. That's as much as I can say."

"Okay," Jonas said. Neil faded from view.

"Boys?" Abbie called up the stairs. "Breakfast's ready -- and you've got twenty minutes until the bus comes."

"We're up and ready, Mom," Harry called back. "Be right down." He looked at Jonas. "Looks like we talk this one out in private, later." Jonas nodded, and they headed for the stairs.

---

As they alighted from the bus at school, Tanya came sashaying over to Jonas. "Jonas, honey, I decided to let our little tiff Friday go under the bridge. Let's get together later and pick up where we left off." She attempted to slide in next to Jonas between him and Harry, her back to Harry, using body language to push him away.

Harry backed off a step. The two boys had stayed up late the night before, but sex had very little to do with it. Beyond cuddling and an orgasm each when the cuddling produced the expected reaction, they'd spent most of the time talking about what would happen today and how they would play it.

"Tanya," Jonas said, "I had to do a lot of growing up over the weekend. I'm sorry, but I'm engaged now, to someone I've known and loved for a long time."

Tanya was taken aback. "I'll claw her eyes out!" she said. "Do I know her?"

"Yeah, you know my fiancé quite well," Jonas admitted with a smile. "I thought you'd be happy for me." This little white lie was purposeful, to give Tanya a way to save face.

"Oh, I am, sweetie!" she said. "But this was so sudden; don't you think you might reconsider?"

Pen drove into the parking lot at that moment, pulling smoothly into a parking space. As he climbed out of the driver's seat, Doug emerged from the right door of the car. He paused as Pen walked around the car, looking slightly nervous. Pen smiled at him and held out his hand. Doug took it, and they walked together towards the school door, hand in hand.

Tanya's eyes bugged out. Tony and Lisa came around the side of the building, where they'd been making use of what was known to the school populace as the 'make-out wall'. Doug glared at Tony. Harry caught his eye, and breathed "Later." Doug made a near-imperceptible nod, and turned his attention to Pen.

The warning bell alerted everyone to proceed to home room. Tanya hurried to catch up with Lisa. Smiling, Pen nodded to Jonas and Harry, and walked into the building, still hand in hand with Doug. Jonas smiled at Harry, and extended his hand. Harry took it, and they walked toward the door.

"I feel bad not being honest about you," Jonas said.

"Don't worry; I know how you really feel," Harry said. "And like we said last night, it's better not to totally alienate Tanya. Lisa is very likely to need her later." Jonas nodded agreement, and they walked in.

---

Sylvia's cellphone rang. She got it out of her purse and fiddled with it a few seconds, then answered it, "Hello?" Offline she said to the boys, "I guess I'm finally getting old. I just can't get the hang of cellphones."

"Sylvia? Caroline from FYS Medical here. Is Jed with you? When I called Rina, she said he'd gone out with you."

"He is, ma'am," Sylvia said. "Just a moment," and passed the phone to Jed.

"Hi, Caroline! What's up?" Jed was perky.

"I'm starting to get that paperwork together for the lady you were helping yesterday. I need a full name and address, though."

"Oh, jeez!" Jed said. "Peter healed her last night, just before we brought her and her boys to the Clan meeting. I forgot to let you know, in all the excitement."

"That's okay," Caroline answered. "She can still get what she was entitled to while legally disabled and they weren't paying her. I'm going to shoot this stuff over to Kayla; she's got a way of pulling strings to get bureaucrats off their..." Her voice trailed off.

"Kewl," Jed said. "I'll talk to her later."

---

At the courthouse....

'Thank God this morning's calendar was all motions,' Josiah thought as he buckled down to the paperwork before him.

His phone rang. "Judge Brewster's chambers, Josiah speaking," he answered it.

"Josiah! Therese here. I thought you'd like to know that the Governor made Maine a Safe Haven State late yesterday. We were the sixth state to opt into the program; there's ten now."

"Excellent news, Therese! If you need any help with the Safe Haven Act, I have several resource people with the Act itself and how it's been used memorized."

"Really? Do you think they could free up from their jobs to come give me a hand?

"They're all young people, part of Clan Short, Therese. But I suspect they may be quite willing to make the trip down to Augusta, or at least some of them."

"Wonderful. Let them know I'll be looking forward to meeting them."

"I'll do that -- and it will give me an opportunity to have you meet Maureen too." Josiah smiled warmly to himself.

"Great! We're swamped here -- cases springing up all over the state. Talk to you soon!”

As he hung up the phone, George Wentworth looked in the door. "Josiah? Got a second?"

"Surely, George. What's on your mind?"

"I just wanted to let you know there are some interesting things coming to light in the affairs of Scordo Contracting -- things that may benefit young Peter. Are you adopting him?"

"We certainly plan to," Josiah said. "Although with a Mikyvis, it's out of love and family feeling, not because a child needs a home. But we've both wanted him since the boys rescued him from the hospital."

"I'll get back to you when I have everything sorted out. But it looks like he may be a creditor with interest in the business's assets." George had his serious investigator face on; Josiah knew he was not joking.

"That's very interesting. Let me know what you find out. Are you all set for this afternoon?"

"I think so. You want me to take the lead on the first part, right?"

Josiah nodded. "That's what Jonas, Harry, and I figured would work best. Take the supporting testimony first and make it show him how deep he's in, before we hand him the choice."

George nodded. "I'll let you get back to work. I've got enough cases backed up for five people. By the way, the Attorney General finally called me this morning. He was not amused to find Starfleet had pulled rank."

"Did you tell him to go scratch his mad spot?" Josiah asked jokingly.

"No, but I did feel like it. See you this afternoon!" And George was gone.

---

As they disposed of the remains of their lunch in the school cafeteria, Jonas elbowed Harry. "Hey, before we take off for class, I need to talk. That bit about my brother this morning -- I'm all messed up about that!" He paused. "Mom never had any other kids."

"Right," Harry said. "But think about it: who was it who told you that?"

"My father," Jonas said, then slapped his own forehead as his eyes widened in realization. "He must have had another son after he left. And he said he's going into danger, and I need to rescue him. But how can I find him?"

"I don't have a clue," Harry said. "But remember that he said I'd have a bright idea, and we needed to follow up on it."

"That's not much of a clue," Jonas groused.

"Well, it's all we've got," Harry answered him. "I know how important this is to you, but let's put it to one side, and focus on school and then the bit with Tony's hearing. I think we'll know what it is when it comes along."

"I suppose so," Jonas said dubiously. "Not much else we can do." They headed out the cafeteria door to their separate classes.

---

Mary Eccles entered the motel room and closed the door behind her. "We may have problems," she said. "That kid was around again. He came into the diner while I was there, ordered take out just as I did, and then followed me back nearly to the motel. He cut down behind the warehouse next door. I have a feeling he's spying on us."

Jordan pooh-poohed her concerns. "Nobody should have any idea we're here. In fact, Roscoe set it up to look like the judge released us as having been arrested in error. It's foolproof. God is taking care of us, his righteous ones."

"That's what you said about your scheme to finance the church and us," Elvira said. "And as a result, instead of being a respected public official, I was locked in that horrible jail and now I'm stuck in this hideous motel."

"I think we need to find out just what that kid is up to," Mary said. "I have a bad feeling about this. Our safety may depend on it. Now, here's what we need to do...."

---

Harry walked into History class less than happy. Lunch had been uncomfortable. Tanya was just plain not getting the message that Jonas was committed to someone else -- and, for reasons they'd agreed on, they had not yet told her who. Lisa, Tanya's closest friend, had sat at the same table as Harry, Jonas, and Tanya, and Tony, Lisa's boyfriend, had joined them. Realizing what was in store for Tony and having to keep a civil front and not let on what he knew, Harry had been nervous the whole time.

Mr. Ditworth called the class to order. "While I know you're all avidly awaiting my gems of wisdom on Jacksonian democracy and Manifest Destiny...," he pretended to ignore the groans and eye-rolls, "...I think it may be worthwhile to devote both today and tomorrow to a discussion of this weekend's events. Who would like to summarize what happened, to begin discussion?"

Paul raised his hand; Mr. Ditworth recognized him. "From what I got from the cable news, this radical church group sent in a squad of thugs to take out that deputy sheriff that's been in the news for adopting homeless kids. His oldest kid called Clan Short for help, and it escalated from there."

"That's not what happened at all," Mary Lou interrupted. "The church sent in a party to protect some boys from a known child molester, and they were shot at..."

"That's a lie," Pen said heatedly. "To start with, the man was not a child molester, and the thugs from the church were ready to kill the kids as well."

"How do you know that?" Mary Lou asked. "Pastor Bensen told us what really happened, in church Sunday."

"Well, uh..." Pen was at a loss, not knowing how much of what had happened Sunday night he was free to reveal. He glanced at Harry, who looked grim and determined. Harry flashed him a smile and a nod that said 'Go on.'

"Because I met Mike Reynolds and his sons Sammy and Brian last night," Pen said. "I had a chance to have a long talk with them, along with others, about what happened. And Pastor Bensen was lying to you, Mary Lou, if that's what he said."

"How can you believe them over a man of God?" Mary Lou asked vehemently.

"Because they were there, they said what happened, and I could tell that they were telling the truth," Pen answered.

"How in the world did you meet them?" Butch asked wonderingly.

"Sixteen people from Arkham, including Pen and I, went down to Orlando last night," Harry spoke up. "He's telling the truth; I met Sammy while I was there, and that kid wouldn't know how to lie. He says what's on his mind."

"You can't believe gay people; they're always lying to serve their agenda. And they all want to overturn marriage so they can have promiscuous sex with anyone, and molest children!" Mary Lou was shrill.

"More of Pastor Bensen's bullshit?" Butch asked. Mr. Ditworth glared at him. "Sorry, Mr. D," he said. "I just know my brother has had sex with two people in his life -- his life partner that he just married, and the boyfriend he had before that, who broke up with him. And he was committed to them. He's one gay man that doesn't sleep around. Just like for the rest of us, he only wants sex in a committed loving relationship."

Harry looked at Pen. It was a moment of truth for both of them. "I feel the same way," said Pen. "There's only one guy in my life now."

"The same for me," Harry drew a deep breath and backed him up.

Butch smiled. "Good for you," he said. "I was wondering if you two were going to come out of your closets."

Larry asked, "Huh? You mean Pen and Harry are gay, going out with each other?"

"No," said Pen. "I'm gay, but Harry has a boyfriend and so do I. He and I are friends, not boyfriends."

"You expect me to believe that?" Mary Lou exclaimed. "Everybody knows gay people sleep around all the time."

"You're a fine one to talk," Butch said. "Before school today, Tom told me he'd gotten some from you at the party at Pete's parents' camp after church yesterday. Then in the locker room after gym this morning, Pete told me he'd slept with you at that party. And at lunch, Heather said that Donny O'Rourke had cheated on Mia with you, at that party. Sounds like you had a pretty good time there!"

Mary Lou was livid. "Mr. Ditworth!"

"I think discussion of class members' love lives is very much off topic, and needs to stop," Mr. Ditworth said. "Can anyone tell me the consequences of what happened?"

Harry spoke up. "Over a thousand people were killed. Starfleet is holding more than two hundred for trial, on board the Lafayette and the Hood, and at Terra Main. And four or five states have declared a State of Emergency, and invoked Vulcan Law, to protect their citizens, especially young people, as a result."

"Actually it's ten states now," Mr. Ditworth said. "Including Maine."

"You mean aliens are in charge of this state?" Paul asked.

"No, Vulcan Law is founded on logic and an ethical code that protects young people," Harry interjected. "Clan Short is in charge of enforcing it, and the Safe Haven Act, on Earth, and we're mostly Earth humans. Grandfather Sarek empowered us to do that, when Earth authorities were not acting responsibly."

"How do you know that?" Butch asked.

"Pen and I, Jonas, and um, six other people from here are members of Clan Short," Harry said.

"I think I'd like to see proof of that," Mr. Ditworth said reasonably. Harry walked up to the front of the room, pulled out his Vulcan I.D., and showed it to him.

"I just joined Saturday," Pen said. "I don't have my I.D. yet."

"We'll take care of that later," Harry told him. "The important part is, Justy's already got you recorded as a member of House Surak in Vulcan records. If you need proof for something, just tell them to confirm it with the Vulcan Embassy." He returned to his seat as he was talking.

Rachel, who had remained quiet so far, leaned over and whispered, "You and Jonas?" Harry's beaming smile was answer enough; she smiled back.

"I'll never be able to thank you enough," he said quietly.

"Just knowing you're happy is plenty," she said.

The discussion went on. Harry felt a sense of peace within him -- that he was finally able to be himself, no cover-ups needed, wherever he was.

---

Kelly Polabski wearily carried her suitcase through the front door. Her time in Rehab. had been productive, she thought to herself; she finally had the strength within herself to kick the bottle, and be the wife and mother that Stan, Danny, and Annie needed. She looked forward to seeing them. Annie was due home from pre-school any time now; Stan's shift at the convenience store would be over in an hour. And Danny would be home from school a couple of hours after that. Stan's pride was wounded by having to clerk instead of being the skilled machinist he'd trained to become, but after the plant had closed, they'd had no choice. Now, if she could only keep him from taking out his frustrations on Danny.

She glanced at the picture of her mother, then at the phone. No, that door was closed, slammed shut. When she'd run off with Neil thirteen years back, they'd told her she was foolish. When she'd left Neil, the call home had been stormy, and she knew she wasn't welcome back home. At least, she thought, she had gotten something worthwhile out of that -- her son. He was mostly a good boy, a little difficult as he approached his teens, and deeply wounded by Stan's refusal to accept him. But Stan was a good father to Annie, his own child. And if things had been rocky between them, she ruefully admitted, her drinking had had as much to do with that as Stan's attitude.

"Mommy, Mommy, you're home!" the four-year-old dynamo that was Annie came running in the door, a huge smile of joy splitting her face as she saw her mother. Banishing thoughts of what might have been, and resolving to do better from now on, Kelly scooped up her little girl and held her tight.

---

The boys piled out of Sylvia's car and went running into her house. 'Where do they get the energy?' she thought affectionately, and climbed out herself. She walked in to find the boys flopping down throughout the living room, Rina and Mickey sitting tensely on the edge of chairs. Wondering how things had gone, she took her chair and decided to listen before she spoke.

"Jed," Rina said, "we've talked a lot about how you and Jared feel. Tell me again, do you think you're too young to know if Jared is the right person to spend the rest of your life with?"

Jed looked angry. "You know better!" he said. "How old you are has nothing to do with it. It's what you feel inside, whether you're willing to make a promise and keep it, no matter what. I know we both got a lot of growing up to do; that fight yesterday shows that. But I made Jare' a promise and I'm going to keep it, no matter what! You know better, Rina -- that's a question that grownups ask when they think kids don't have a mind to think with or a heart to feel with. And it's a lot of bull!"

"I know that, Jed," she said. "And I don't doubt you in the slightest. I wanted you to say just what you did, because you made some points I've been trying to drive through a chunk of granite for the last hour." She set her jaw firmly.

"Jared," she went on, "you know Jed's a part of the Clan, and you saw him in action yesterday. From what I know of the Charter and the Safe Haven Act, he's supposedly qualified, after getting testimony from one of the telepaths, of sentencing someone to prison or exile. Is he too young to do that?"

"Heck no!" Jared was quick to his boyfriend's defense. "Jed will use the Vulcan logic he learned to make the right decision, if he ends up being faced with the need to do it. It's not age that counts; it's being willing to take on the responsibility. And Jed did, and as of last night, so did the rest of us too."

"Why're you asking all those questions about Jed being too young?" C.J. asked Rina. "I thought we talked out all that stuff when you first 'dopted us."

'Aha!' thought Sylvia. 'I know what she's up to.' "Raffy," she said carefully, "you and Ceej are the littlest ones. Most Earth people would think that we grownups are supposed to make decisions for you, not find out how you feel and then try to do what's right for everybody. How would you feel if we did that?"

"I'd be mad," Raffy said. "We're people too, 'n' we're not Vulcans. If people make decisions, they need to take feelings into account, and then they need to use their logic. Doin' what other people say is right is stupid ... well, not that, but doin' something just because somebody who doesn't know us thinks it's the right thing for us, that's stupid."

"Okay," Rina said agreeably. "So, Jed and Jared, why didn't you tell each other you were in love with each other, back in Arkham?"

"Because we were afraid of what other people would say," Jared answered.

"Because we were afraid to admit how we felt, in case the other one didn't feel the same way," Jed said. "And that ended up that I nearly lost Jare' -- which was a huge mistake."

"Next question," Rina said. "Anybody answer it. How do you guys feel about Skipper and Bobby?"

"They're cool; they helped save us," Raffy said.

"Real nice guys," Jed threw in. "I think it's kewl that somebody only a couple of years older than me and Jare' is a fully trained EMT and can drive their big old rescue vehicle."

"That's not what I meant," Rina said. "I just met them last night, and was a little startled that they're a couple."

"Why? They love each other -- a lot!" Jed answered. "I saw that when we went to rescue you guys" glancing at the McKendrick brothers in turn.

"So it doesn't bother any of you that they're six years apart in age?" Rina asked.

"Nah," Jed said. "It's just like with me and Jare' -- Bobby made a commitment, 'cause he loves Skipper."

"What if people think there's something wrong with them being a couple, with that age difference?" Rina said challengingly.

"Then they don't know Skipper and Bobby -- they're making judgments without seeing how the two of them really feel," Jared answered.

"So what you're saying," Sylvia picked up the thread, "is that what matters is if people love each other, if they're committed to each other, and the only other thing that matters is how other people might be hurt by their decision. That people who make a judgment on them on the basis of age are wrong. And that maturity, measured as a commitment to the welfare of other people in your family, has nothing to do with calendar age -- it's what responsibilities you've chosen to undertake. And that if it makes you happy, and makes your family happy, then go for it. Making a decision just because of what other people will think, especially if it hurts your family, is pretty much a big mistake, right? Is that what you're all telling me?" Rina, Jared, C.J., Raffy, and Jed all nodded enthusiastic agreement.

Mickey sat, staring into space. "Wouldn't you agree, Mickey?" Sylvia asked probingly. Mickey got up, a look on his face of mingled panic and anger, and started for the door.

Jared jumped up and ran to block his way. He motioned Raffy to join him. "Big brother," he said, "back when we were at Maureen's after they sprung us from the hospital, me in a cast and you in a wheelchair, you told me to follow my heart, and you'd stand by me. And I did, and you did. Now it's time for Raffy and me to tell you the same damn thing. Age doesn't matter; follow your heart. And your brothers will stand behind you."

"All your brothers," Jed said, joining Jared. C.J. paused and then ran over to stand with the others.

Rina stood up and walked over to Mickey. "They're right, you know," she said softly. "Who cares what age you are? You're a legal adult, and much more a man than the twentysomething guys who hang out in singles bars hoping to get laid. Don't be afraid to admit how you feel. I'm not." And she slowly moved in front of him, inclined her head, and gently kissed him on the lips.

Four boys started cheering raucously. Mickey blushed, looked at Rina as the kiss broke, then drew her to himself and kissed her more firmly."

---

Josiah's intercom beeped. "Gentleman to see you, judge," it chirped.

"Send him in," he said.

Through the door walked a spare, tall, gray-haired man who looked strangely familiar to the judge. "May I help you, sir?" he asked his visitor.

"Yes, I'm told you had something to do with placing my grandsons," the man answered. "My name is Christopher Sarles, and my boys are Jeremiah and Christopher Templeton."

"Oh!" said Josiah. "Come in and sit down!" Sarles did as he was bid. "I'm amazed to see you walk in here. I understood you were in the county extended care home, handicapped from a stroke."

"That I was, until this morning," Sarles said. "A young boy who said he was their friend came to visit me. And after he left, it was like a miracle. I discovered I could walk again. It was like the stroke had never happened. So the first thing I did was to come here, to get my boys out of whatever foster family you ended up placing them with. Then I'll rent a home for us."

"Well, it's not quite that simple," Josiah said. "You know what happened to your daughter and son-in-law, don't you?"

"Yes," Sarles' brow became stern and angry. "They were murdered in cold blood, and I couldn't do anything, stuck in a wheelchair. But I gather their killers were indeed brought to justice."

"They were indeed!" Josiah said. "But the reason I ask is that an arm of the Federation got involved, because the boys were threatened too, and they, not I, did the placement. The boys are with a very charming young woman down in Florida, somebody who cares very much for them, not in a foster situation at all."

"Ah, that's good to hear," Sarles said. "But I am their grandfather; it's my responsibility to take care of them, now that I'm able to do it."

"If you'll give me 24 hours, sir," Josiah said, "I'll arrange for you to meet with them and the people who placed them. But," he continued, reflecting on what Sarles had told him, "You said a friend of theirs visited you just before your miraculous healing? Was his name by any chance Peter?"

"Why, yes it was!" Sarles said. "How did you know that?"

"I'll explain in detail later; it ties directly into what happened when your boys were placed," Josiah said with a smile. "For now, let me just say that there's more to that little boy than meets the eye."

---

Kelly kept glancing out the window. Stan had been home for two hours, school had been out for nearly an hour, and no sign of Danny. She finally decided to ask.

"Stan, did Danny tell you he was going to go somewhere after school today? It's past time for him to be home."

"Naw. Him and that Brett kid, they were hangin' out in the living room playing some stupid game Saturday, and I couldn't hear the game on TV. So I sent your brat to his room, and told what's his name to get out. He took off, and he hasn't been around since. Good thing, too; he's done nothing but sass me since you went into Rehab whenever I tell him to do anything. I nearly hauled off and decked him a couple of times."

Kelly felt three things: anger at her husband, a desperate need for a drink, but above them all fear for her boy. She bit down the retort that came to mind, turned, and walked to the phone.

"Marsha? Is Danny over there with Brett?" -- "No? Would you ask Brett if he knows where he is?" -- "He doesn't? Okay. Thanks. Stan says he hasn't been home all weekend. I'm worried, and hoped he was with Brett." She walked to the kitchen, started a pot of coffee, and sat down to think. Where could he have gone?

---

Josiah walked briskly into the high school office, pleased to see Skipper sitting there reading a magazine. "Been waiting long?"

"Well, I dropped Bobby off at noon," Skipper said, "and considering we had this scheduled, I decided to just wait here. The mobile unit's right outside if I was to get a call."

Josiah nodded and smiled, and turned to the secretary. "Would you let Ms. Kilbride know I'm here, please? And can you tell me how to get to the conference room she said she'd reserve for us?"

Sarah Kilbride, principal for the last four days, stepped out of her office. "Josiah! It's good to see you. I'll show you to the conference room, but I confess to being very intrigued what you need it for."

"I'll be glad to fill you in, in just a minute, Sarah," he answered. "But if I have my figures right, the bell should be due to ring in about three minutes for the last period of school. Am I right?"

"Yes, you are."

"Good. Then would you kindly make an announcement to have this list of students join us there?" Josiah's attitude was affable but firmly businesslike -- there was little doubt he was a judge 'on the job' from his demeanor.

Sarah took the list and stepped briskly to the P.A. system. "Will the following students report to Room 100 at the bell: Jonas McConnaghay ... Harry Johnson ... Robert Martin ... Philip Wentworth ... Douglas Murdock ... Tanya O'Ryan ... Anthony DiPuglia ... Lisa Murray ... Penfield Throxton." She repeated the names, then "Report to Room 100 instead of your last period class."

As she concluded the announcement, George Wentworth arrived with the twins. Josiah nodded greetings, which George returned; Skipper picked up both boys, each with one arm. They were smiling broadly.

"Follow Ms. Kilbride, gentlemen," Josiah said. Turning to her, he explained, "A criminal case came up over the weekend that appears to call for joint jurisdiction with the Federation. To avoid unnecessary publicity, we're holding the preliminary evidentiary hearing here at the school, as it involves several students, suspect, victim, and witnesses. That's why George and I are here, as well as Skipper, who may be a witness if necessary."

"That makes sense," Sarah answered. "George, would you like me to find someone to watch the little boys while you hold the hearing?"

"Oh, no," Josiah interrupted. "They're likely to be needed as expert witnesses." He made a point of ignoring the quizzical look Sarah gave him.

---

Mary Eccles kept an eye on the window she'd seen Danny climb through. When he emerged again, she strode up to him. "All right, young man. I've seen you hanging out here watching us. The time has come to find out why!" She grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back, with experience from years of subduing unruly students, and marched him over to the motel room.

"Who sent you to spy on us?" she asked him harshly.

"Nobody, ma'am," Danny said, terrified of this old termagant.

"You're lying to me," she said. "I want you to tell me who sent you."

"Nobody, I swear!" Danny gasped, as she twisted his arm.

"Jordan, see if the belt will improve his memory." At his wife's words, Jordan Eccles peeled off his leather belt, folded it once, and ripped Danny's shirt back open. Whomp! The pain was unbelievable. "Nobody! I'm telling the truth!" Whomp! Agony. Whomp! After seven strokes of the belt, Danny passed out.

---

"Kelly?" The voice at the kitchen door roused Kelly from her worries.

"Oh, Marsha! And Brett! Come in!"

"This one doesn't lie worth a pile of rocks, thank God!" Marsha's tone was frustrated but affectionate. Brett blushed. "I figured out he's lying about not knowing where Danny is, but he's refusing to tell."

"Brett," Kelly said, "look at me. I know you're covering up for Danny, and I have a pretty good guess why. I admire your loyalty to him; apparently while I was in Rehab, he needed it. But I'm home now, and I want my son back. Sit down with your mother and me, and let's talk."

---

As the teenagers filed into the conference room, Peter flickered into existence next to Josiah as he began to take his seat. "Just to let you know, Daddy, I'm time looped. They needed me in Orlando a few minutes from now, so Leev showed me afterwards how to jump back to now so I could be here too. I can't do it for long times, though, until Kyle says it's okay."

"All right, son. That won't cause a paradox, will it?" Josiah asked worriedly.

"Not as long as I don't jump down there and do something that I didn't do ... if you see what I mean," Peter said, scrunching up his nose as he concentrated on how to explain it.

Josiah chuckled. "I think I understand what you mean," he smiled.

George rapped the table with his knuckles to gain everyone's attention. "Let me explain what we're doing here. Over this past weekend something happened that constitutes a serious crime by both Maine and Federation law. What we will be doing for sure this afternoon is holding a hearing to take evidence regarding it, and determine whether the State or the Federation should press charges. There is a possibility that it might move to actual disposition of the case, depending on what happens. Judge Brewster will be presiding for the State, for now." He glanced at Jonas, who nodded his agreement. Lisa and Tanya were wide-eyed.

"I want to caution you to keep what you hear here confidential," George continued. "You can discuss it among yourselves, of course; at least a few of you are legally bound to do so. But don't go spreading it as gossip to others who aren't here, until the case is legally closed."

"How will we know when the case is closed?" Doug asked.

"When sentence is pronounced by either the State or the Federation, and those with judicial power from the other sovereignty agree that it suffices for their responsibilities as well," George responded. "Or, of course, if the case is dismissed --- by both sovereignties."

"That's not double jeopardy?" Pen asked.

"No," said Josiah. "We had to study that in law school, and again when I was training for the bench. The same event can violate two separate laws, like a man punching the Ambassador from Brazil. It would be assault pure and simple under state law, but because the Ambassador was involved, it would also be a Federal crime, and they have jurisdiction too. If it were the Ambassador from Mizpoth, which is a member planet of the U.F.P., it would be State, Federal, and Federation offenses all at the same time. Double jeopardy only says that the same sovereignty cannot prosecute twice for the same illegal act."

"I'm going to leave this as informal for now," Josiah continued, "so feel free to ask any questions you may have. But do remember that it is an actual court in session, and I reserve the right to rule something out of order, tell someone to shut up, or go to a more formal procedure if I think it's needed. Will you all agree to the confidential status George mentioned, and to the mode of operation I just stated? Signify by saying 'yes'."

A chorus of yeses echoed from around the table.

"Then let's begin," Josiah said. "George?"

"Let's start with you, Lisa," George said. "Would you describe for us your activities Friday night?"

"Am I in trouble?" Lisa asked with a shocked expression. "Do I need a lawyer?"

"Not at all," said George warmly. "But your evening's activities are relevant to the case, for reasons that will come out in other testimony."

"Okay," Lisa said. "Well, I ate dinner with my mom and little brother, then talked to Tanya for a while on the phone, then got ready for my date with Tony. He came by and picked me up; we went to the movies, then walked back to my home and hung out for a while. When my dad came home, Tony left, and I went up and listened to music for a while and then went to bed."

"Good overview," George said. "Thanks. But I'm going to need a bit more detail -- and I'm afraid it's going to be embarrassing detail. I apologize. At the movies, did you both sit there primly and properly, or was there interaction between you?"

Lisa blushed deeply. "Go ahead," Harry interposed. "I know this stuff is pretty private, but it's important, or George wouldn't be asking. We really don't want to snoop." Several heads turned at this interjection, and looked to see if Josiah would shush Harry. Instead, he nodded agreement.

"Um, we necked some, and stuff," Lisa said, bright red.

"What 'and stuff'?" George asked.

"Well, uh, this is embarrassing," Lisa said.

"I know, but just as Harry said, it's important to what developed later. Forgive our intrusion into your private affairs, but I do need answers," George said compassionately.

"Okay, Tony was feeling up my boobs, and touching my, um, down there." Lisa was red as a beet.

"And you did the same to him?" George asked.

"Yeah, I was rubbing his crotch," Lisa said.

"And was he aroused?" George asked.

"Yeah, he was hard," she answered.

"Then you walked home. What was said then?"

"Tony told me that I was sexy, and had got him all hot. He said he wanted to make out more, that he couldn't get enough of me. I told him that dad would be out and mom and Cody would be in bed, so we'd be alone downstairs."

"And when you arrived home, you invited him in and continued to make out?" George asked.

"Yeah," she answered, continuing to blush.

"Embarrassing as it is, I need to have you describe what happened," George said warmly.

"Well, we went in and sat down on the couch together, and we embraced and started kissing, and then -- do you have to know all this?"

"Yes. I'll explain why later if it doesn't become obvious," George said. "I really regret putting you through this."

"Well, okay, we both got really hot and started feeling of each other, and stuff."

"The state of your clothing?" George prompted.

"Tony undid my blouse and unlatched my bra, and he was messing with my boobs," Lisa went on reluctantly.

"Below the waist?" George asked.

"Jeez! All right, he had my jeans off and my panties slid down, and he was using his fingers...." Lisa was visibly irritated.

"And what about his clothes?"

"I unzipped his pants, and I was playing with his, uh..."

"Penis?"

"Yeah."

"And he was erect?"

"Yes."

"What was your intent?"

"Oh, for heaven's sake! I was going to let him go all the way; there, are you happy?" Lisa snapped off.

"And you didn't because...." George led her to continue.

"My dad walked in, took one look, and started yelling at us. He ordered Tony to leave, and sent me to my room." Lisa was feeling very much belligerent now.

"Thank you, Lisa. I can really appreciate how embarrassing that must be to talk about in front of this group. But, in summary, you and Tony ended up sexually aroused and frustrated, through no fault of your own; is that correct?"

"Yes," she bit off.

"There won't be any more questions, I think," George said. "Once again, thank you for being so forthcoming about something so private, and I'm sorry I needed to ask you that. If it's any consolation, you'll hear worse in a few minutes." George paused, looking around the room.

"Bobby, I think probably you would be best next," he continued. "I've got Skipper's medical testimony, and I'll read that in if necessary. But let's get your perspective." Bobby nervously nodded OK. "Skipper, feel free to speak up if you think something needs to be amplified, but I want to get Bobby's answer first." Skipper smiled and nodded.

"All right, Bobby," George asked. "Would you describe how you became involved in what we're taking evidence on?"

"Sure," he answered. "I was headed for the kitchen to get myself a Pepsi when the E.M.T. Service phone rang. I answered it, and it turned out to be Dougie calling. Skipper and I went to the parking lot of the bowling alley in response to that call. Dougie was helping someone stand, which turned out to be Pen."

"What did you think?" George asked.

"I figured that with Dougie's reputation, he'd probably hurt Pen. That turned out to be the farthest thing from the truth." Bobby smiled at Doug.

"What happened next?" George continued.

"We got Pen into the back of the mobile unit. He was in pain, and there was blood running out of his butt. When we examined him, there was torn tissue on the inside of his right buttock, angling out from his anus."

"And you transported him to the Regional Hospital?"

"No, he refused to go there. Instead, we took him to our home, and Skipper stabilized the wound there with surgical stitches."

"He's not a doctor," George said in a leading manner.

"No, he's an E.M.T. technician, and he also had the training to close minor wounds as a Navy corpsman. That's why he knew what to do and could legally do it. Pen signed off on requesting surgery from him, to keep it legal. My mother and I assisted on the surgery."

"Qualifications?" asked Josiah.

"Mom's an R.N.," Bobby said, "and I've got my E.M.T. certification."

"So you stabilized the wound. What further treatment was done?"

"The next day, we were transported to Broadlawn Hospital in Des Moines, where we did some volunteer work with the kids injured in the fight in Montana. In the course of that, Pen was put on a Federation-issue Biobed."

"The results of that?" George asked.

"Well, it accelerated the healing of the wound about 350 to one, so that in a half hour he was mostly healed. But it also discovered a small tear inside the rectum and healed that."

"What are the medical consequences of that?" George asked.

"If it hadn't been discovered and healed, there was a fairly high likelihood it could have become infected, caused peritonitis, and potentially killed him," Bobby responded.

"Thank you, Bobby," George said. "Skipper, anything you'd care to add?"

"Two questions, George," he replied. "You're going to enter the full medical description I dictated at the Throxton's?"

"Yes."

"And you don't want any hearsay testimony?"

"Right."

"Then I have nothing to add. Bobby covered it quite thoroughly," Skipper said, with a smile at Bobby, who was beaming.

"Doug, I think you're up next," George said. Doug gulped and sat up straight. "Would you please describe how you became involved?"

"On Friday nights, my mother usually has some of her friends over for cards and drinking," Doug began. "When that happens, I make myself scarce. I was walking around the Square and Main Street, hanging out, and needed to take a piss. So I went over to use the men's room in the bowling alley."

"When I got through in there, Pen was sitting in the snack bar, and he motioned me over, so I went over by him. He wanted to talk to me."

"What about?" George asked.

"I'd as soon not say," Doug responded.

"Don't be modest," Pen interjected, speaking up for the first time. "You did something good; be honest about it."

Doug ducked his head. "He wanted to thank me for stepping in when he was getting bashed on Thursday," he said blushing. "Then he insisted on treating me to something from the snack bar. And we talked for a while, mostly about stuff going on at school."

"Can you put a time on this?" George asked.

"Yeah, I happened to notice the bank clock said 10:11 when I went across the street," Doug answered. "So it was maybe 10:15 when I went into the bowling alley."

"And you talked for how long?" George continued.

"After about ten minutes, Tony came in, and asked Pen for a ride. I thought that was weird, because he only lives a block away, but Pen jumped up and went to take him."

"I waited there for Pen," Doug went on. "When he came back, he was walking funny and wincing, and when he turned around, you could see blood on the ass, I mean butt, of his pants. I told him we needed to get him to a hospital, but he didn't want that, so I called Bobby and Skipper."

"And this was about what time?" George asked.

"Um, maybe twenty minutes later that he got back," Doug answered. "It was 10:51 when Skipper got there."

"And you know that because...?" George prompted.

"It was on the log of the security company that Pen's father hired. I think you've got a copy of that," Doug responded.

"Yes, I do. Thank you, Doug," George said.

Before George could say anything more, Pen spoke up. "I guess it's time for me now, right?"

"Yes, I believe so," George answered. Pen's body language was full of tension, though his face was resolute if nervous. Doug and Jonas both stood up; Doug wrapped him in a hug. Jonas stepped over and hugged both of them, followed one by one by Harry, Bobby, and Skipper to produce a six-way group hug.

"Sorry, George, Judge," Skipper said in behalf of all of them. "But he needed that, badly."

"I could see that," Josiah said calmly. "That's fine; that's part of why we've gone informal."

Tony had been acting more and more nervous as the testimony went on. He made as if to get up and dart for the door. Harry had his Phaser out instantly and aimed at him. "Sit. Down!" He said in a commanding voice.

"Do it," Josiah said to Tony. "If he tries that again," to Harry, "stun him."  Harry's quick glance bespoke his willingness to obey that directive.

Pen looked at Doug. "This isn't going to be easy," he said.

Doug looked back affectionately. "You can do it, babe. Remember, I'm here for you -- always."

Pen's eyes were full of love. He drew a breath, turned resolutely to George, and said, "I'm ready."

"All right, Pen," George said. "Why don't you begin with what you were doing at the bowling alley Friday night?"

"Sitting there alone, like always," Pen answered. "I'd come down because I was lonely, in hopes that I might find a friend, or at least someone who could tolerate me being around."

"You live in a mansion," Lisa said. "Why in the world would you want to hang out at the Arkham Lanes?"

"Nobody our age ever comes to my home," Pen said. "If I wanted to hang out with 40-year-old businessmen talking finance, it's a great place to be. But I wanted to be with other teens."

"And did you find any company?" George said.

"No, I was there for a couple of hours, sitting in the snack bar and occasionally ordering something to justify my presence. The only teenagers who showed up were on a double date, going bowling. They nodded hello on their way to sign up a lane, but that was it. Then Doug came in, and went back to the men's room."

"You called out to him. Why?"

"Because he'd stuck up for me, when Bruno, Jack, and Frank were trying to gay-bash me, the day before. I wanted to thank him for that, at least. I didn't have any hope that it'd amount to anything; I knew his reputation. But that he'd done something nice for me like that, I at least owed him my thanks, and whatever I could do for him."

"And you talked with him for ten minutes or so?" George continued.

"Yes."

"Explain what happened with Tony when he arrived," George led his testimony on.

"When he walked in, I got my hopes up. It was terrific just talking with Doug, even though the conversation was guarded; it was like actually having a friend for once. But with Tony, it was something different," Pen continued.

"Why was that?" George asked.

"Well, I'd asked him Wednesday if we could get together Friday, and he said no, that he had a hot date with Lisa," Pen said, blushing. "When he showed up and asked me for a ride, I was excited."

"Why?" George asked leadingly.

"Because there was a chance he was horny," Pen explained, embarrassed but steadfast.

"I think you may need to explain why Tony's state of arousal would matter to you," George said.

"Probably I need to go back to last June to explain that," Pen replied. "I was out for a drive one evening, down by the south edge of town, and I saw Tony hitching. So I stopped and picked him up."

"This is relevant how?" George questioned.

"I need to explain our relationship," Pen said. "Tony told me that he'd been over to see Lisa, and she wasn't willing to put out, so he needed a lift down to Farmington. He explained that there were a couple of gay guys he had met down at the university, and he could get a blowjob from one of them. Since I was giving him a lift, he suggested that I go along, and the gay guy would be willing to suck me off too."

"You son of a bitch!" Lisa said angrily at Tony.

"I was a bit surprised at his cavalier attitude about gay men, but intrigued. So we talked a bit going down Route 4. I decided to take a gamble, and asked him if he'd keep a secret for me. He got a gleam in his eye, and said sure. So I told him he didn't have to hitch to Farmington, that I wanted to blow him. So I pulled off onto a back road, and we did it."

"That started a, um, custom," Pen continued, looking steadfastly at a wall. "When Tony was horny and Lisa wasn't available or wasn't putting out, he'd use me to get off -- sometimes twice in a row if he was really horny. And I liked blowing him. Then I decided I wanted to try anal sex. I looked up on the Internet to learn what I'd need to do, and started doing things to gradually stretch myself to accommodate him. And then one night I sprung it on him. And it was great. It hurt when he penetrated me, because he rammed it in fast, but afterwards...." Pen smiled reminiscently. "So what we ended up doing is that I'd blow him first, then open myself up, and then we'd fuck."

"Is this appropriate to talk about in front of children?" Ms. Kilbride interrupted, with a nod at Peter and the twins.

"Everyone here is familiar with sex and sexuality," Josiah answered evenly, "including, unfortunately, Drew and Randy. They helped with some brainwashed abused children; they've heard it all, already. And they have had special training to deal with sordid details without it warping them."

"So you left Friday night in expectation of having sex with Tony?" George asked Pen.

"Yessir," Pen answered. "Or at least I hoped that's what he had in mind, since there was no other logical reason for him to look me up and ask for a ride."

"But this time didn't go like normal?" George led him on.

"No, it didn't. I expected he'd want to fuck, sure, but he was more impatient than usual, and as soon as I dropped my pants and got into position to get myself opened up for him, he rammed it into me. It always hurts some when he does that, but this was worse than usual, and it didn't stop hurting, turn into pleasure, like it usually did. When I realized that, I told him to stop, he wasn't that far along, but he kept going until he came."

"I got my pants back on, and it kept hurting. I drove him back to the pizzeria, and went back to the bowling alley. You know the rest," Pen finished with a hint of shame.

Thank you, Pen," George said, as Doug stood up and embraced Pen. "I know that was tough for you to talk about. I appreciate your being so candid." Lisa was glaring at Tony; Harry was watching him intently.

George turned to the twins, who had been sitting quietly with an abstracted air while all the testimony was being taken.  "I guess it's down to you two, now," he said. "Are you prepared for it?"

Drew and Randy exchanged glances; Randy stood up, took a step forward, and assumed a Vulcan-like emotionless stance. "The testimony of all four witnesses was accurately and honestly given," he began. "Lisa omitted stating that she encouraged Anthony to pursue sexual contact with her, because she feels sexual desire for him. She has felt deep affection, approaching a wish to marry, for him in the past, but is now disgusted with the way he has used her. Douglas omitted to state his feelings towards Penfield, and it is unclear if that would be relevant to explain the motivation for his actions."

"I think it can be passed over for now," George said.

"Penfield was careful to keep his own motivations from influencing his account. He feels intensely attracted to Anthony's penis, and it would be accurate to say that that attraction approaches obsession. Anthony is focused on sexual gratification. He views both Lisa and Penfield as conveniences. Both provide him with ways to obtain sexual pleasure and release. He also sees Penfield as a convenient source of money. He does feel a degree of affection towards Lisa, but her primary value to him is as a sex partner. Penfield he views with contempt. He kept that covered up carefully, so he could get sex and money from him. In the incident on Friday night, Anthony expected to have sexual relations with Penfield by mutual consent as in the past. When Penfield told him to stop, he disregarded it. He did not intend to cause harm to Penfield, but he negligently failed to stop when told to by Penfield, even though he could well have done so, instead continuing until he had an orgasm satisfying to himself. He believed Penfield to be reacting much as usual to receiving anal sex from him. No intent to harm was present, but there was intent to gratify himself without thought of what Penfield was feeling."

"How do you know all this?" Lisa asked, shock and dismay on her face.

"He and his twin brother are Vulcan-trained telepaths," Jonas said calmly. "You can trust it as the truth, as you no doubt know from what he said about you." Lisa burst into tears; Tanya reached over and comforted her.

"This concludes our testimony," Randy said stoically, then broke out of the emotionless state, looked at his father and said, "Did I do okay, daddy?"

"You did just fine, son," George said with a warm smile and open arms. Randy jumped into his embrace. Holding his son, George turned to Josiah and said, "That concludes my questioning of witnesses."

Josiah was wearing his most judicial demeanor. "Mr. State's Attorney," he said gravely, "what is your professional opinion based on the testimony?"

"Your honor," George responded, "I believe that the evidence is sufficient to ask the court to bind Anthony Benedetto DiPuglia over for trial as an adult in superior court for forcible buggery, owing to his failure to stop when told to. I would add that I am fairly convinced that I can obtain a conviction with the evidence at hand, and that such a conviction carries a mandatory prison sentence unless there are sufficient exculpatory factors presented at trial."

"Jonas?" the judge prompted his son in spirit.

"Tony, I am present here as a representative of Clan Short of the Family of Sarek of the House of Surak of the Planet Vulcan, as are nine of my Clan brothers, including Pen," Jonas said formally. "You should be aware that forcible sex is a violation of Article 13 of the Safe Haven Act, and that Clan Short is entitled, under its Charter and Article 200 of the Safe Haven Act, to sit in tribunal over your actions -- the more so since Pen is a Clan member, our sworn brother. We are bound to act logically under Vulcan law and custom, and the sentence we impose may be either more lenient or more severe than that of the State, as logic dictates."

"Since the State of Maine is prepared to administer justice," Josiah picked up the discourse, "Clan Short is not obliged to intervene, but retains the option to do so. For that reason, State's Attorney Wentworth, Clan representatives, and I have jointly agreed to give you the choice of which jurisdiction will sit in judgment on you."

"You should also know, Tony," George added, "that giving you this choice was at the specific request of your victim, who is aware you did not intend to commit forcible rape on him."

"I want a lawyer!" Tony said.

"You or your parents are entitled to hire a lawyer if you opt for State trial," Josiah said. "You are entitled to remain silent after making your choice until your family has engaged a lawyer. If you can demonstrate that you are unable to afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you, but I should caution you that the value of your father's business makes that unlikely."

"If you choose to opt for Vulcan justice," George added, "you will not need a lawyer. They are bound to act logically and to take all elements of the case into consideration."

"I am concerned that Tony be given fair treatment under the law," Sarah Kilbride spoke up, "and it sounds like you, judge, and you, George, are offering to hand him over to gang justice. I won't have my school be a party to any such vigilante-ism."

"Quite the contrary," George said. "The choice is Tony's alone, and the offer is as a result of Pen's insistence on fair treatment for him. Without that, I'd have obtained a warrant as soon as I was made aware of the crime yesterday, and Tony would now be sitting in jail awaiting trial. If the Clan intervenes, young though they are, they will be following a legal code older and in some ways fairer than our own, and following it to the letter."

"So what are my choices?" Tony asked. "Sounds like I either go to jail or let these guys" he gestured at the others at the table "do whatever they want."

"It won't be 'whatever we want'," Jonas said equably. "We're obliged to rule in accordance with Vulcan tradition, using their logic and ethics, if you choose to let us act."

"As a human being, and one that loves Pen," Doug spoke up, "I'd like nothing better than to see you executed and dead right now. But I got a crash course in how we work as a Clan dumped into my brain last night, and if you choose Clan Justice, and Vulcan law says to let you go free, then you'll walk free with my heartfelt consent. We're bound to do the fair and logical thing."

"Do I get a lawyer?" Tony asked.

"No; you won't need one," Harry responded. "The twins will know the validity of any defenses a lawyer could present, and will make sure we all understand them. And Vulcan law doesn't have legal technicalities that only a lawyer would know to bring up."

"So it's jail and probably prison, or risk what your Vulcan logic comes up with?" Tony asked. "What kind of sentence would you pass?"

"Whatever is logical," Doug answered him. "I'm under a suspended sentence of castration right now, under Vulcan law. You could face execution, if that proved out to be the logical decision. But we'll argue it out fairly before passing sentence."

Tony gulped. "Lisa..." he began.

"Don't you 'Lisa' me!" she answered. "Pen may forgive you just using him for sex, but I sure as hell don't! And knowing you went and got gay sex whenever I wouldn't spread my legs for you, doesn't make me a happy camper, Mr. Hot Stuff!"

"Why'd you turn me in, Pen?" Tony asked.

"He didn't; I did," Doug said. "And I don't think you followed the testimony very clear. If it hadn't been for Starfleet Medical Technology and Skipper's skill before that, Pen might have bled to death, he would definitely still be severely injured, and he might be facing death from peritonitis, from your dick tearing a hole in his rectum -- all because you were impatient, when he was ready to give you what you wanted. And despite that, he's been the guy most ready to speak up for you. Think about that. I have; it helps me swallow my anger at what you did to him, and remain calm and ready to be fair."

Tony was silent. After a minute, he looked up. "I choose Vulcan justice," he said.

"Do you wish to say anything in your defense?" Jonas asked, schooling himself to behave judicially.

"Pen, I want you to know that I didn't intend to hurt you.  I figured it was just like always," Tony said to him.  "Jonas, I don't know what I can offer in my defense."

"The truth is sufficient," he answered. "Thanks to the twins, we'll know it anyway."

"Hey, I like sex, like any healthy guy," Tony said.  "But I'm not a rapist."

"Could have fooled me," Doug commented acerbically.

"Dougie," Pen said to calm him.

"Okay, Clan guys convene down here at this end of the table, in a circle," Jonas said.  "You too, Philip; you're a part of us" when Philip didn't stand to move with the others. The twins each took one of his hands as they went back to join the others.  Harry took position near the door, with phaser in hand and a meaningful glance at Tony; the rest of the circle formed around him.

There was quiet deliberation among the ten of them, with Pen and the twins having the most to say, so far as those left at the table could tell.

After about ten minutes, they solemnly returned to the table.

"We have reached a determination," Jonas said. Tony drew in a breath.

"An intentional act of forcible anal rape traditionally calls for execution of the offender, which may be mitigated to castration or to lifelong exile," he continued.

"However, we found that the intent to rape was not present, so we fortunately do not have to convict Tony on those terms." Tony let out a sigh of relief.

"However, his impulsiveness and impatience caused life-threatening injuries to Pen," Jonas went on.  "That cannot go unpunished."  He stood.

"Anthony Benedetto DiPuglia, after deliberation this Clan Tribunal sentences you to five years of imprisonment in a facility of Clan Short's choice." Tony stiffened; Harry drew a bead on him with his phaser.

"That sentence is suspended on condition of good behavior for the next five years and your spending a week at Clan Short headquarters."

"During that week you will be exposed to a large group of people who have been used by others and who have gone on to establish committed loving relationships which include satisfying sex in most cases. Most of those who abused them went down the road you have started on. It is our hope that you will learn from it how to move from using others to how to love. I will say that I hope but do not and cannot require that you permit one of the Clan telepaths to give you a sharing of the feelings of people who have been abused, so that you can experience firsthand what they went through, but that must be your voluntary choice after you have been there and gotten to know them."

"Tony, do you accept the terms of your suspended sentence?" Jonas asked.

"I do," Tony said.

"Then you need to learn how to really love someone, to care about the person and not just about the sex," Pen said. "Some of us will be willing to help you with that."

"Not including me," Lisa said. She had been crying on Tanya's shoulder, and now drew herself together. "Your balls can shrivel up and fall off, for all of me." She stood up and walked out of the room, doing her best to regain her dignity.

"Jonas, that was simply wonderful!" Tanya purred, and simpered toward him, undulating her hips. Drew giggled.

"Tanya, I..." Jonas began.

"You know, the more I see of you two together," Sarah Kilbride said, "the more you remind me of your father, Jonas, and your aunt, Tanya, back when I first started teaching.

"You know what, Tanya?" Harry said. "I really think you need to visit and have a long talk with your Aunt Kelly, and learn what that coquette act gets you in the long run. And it just so happens we can transport you there."

At that moment, it dawned on both Jonas and Harry where Jonas's brother in danger was, and that what Harry had just said had been Harry's "bright idea" that Neil had spoken of.

"And we're both going along," Jonas added, slightly shell-shocked.

Peter scanned the future, and added, "Skipper, you need to come along on this. I know right where to go." He motioned them together and teleported them out.

---

"Brett," Kelly said patiently, "just why won't you tell us where Danny is?" The boy sat there stubbornly. "I'm really worried about him, and I want to bring him home."

No answer. "You know, I could ground you," Marsha said. Brett rolled out his lower lip and stayed silent.

Stan walked into the kitchen. "When's dinner?" he asked.

"My son's been missing for two days, and all you can think about is dinner?" Kelly asked angrily. Stan hulked away.

"That's why," Brett said defiantly.

"What do you mean, Brett?" Kelly asked.

"He hates Danny. He was always calling him useless and stuff, even the B-word. After Mr. Polabski told him he cost him more than he was worth in front of me, and sent him to his room for playing a game with me in your living room, he said he wasn't taking any more. 'N' you can do what you want to me; I won't rat on him and make him come back here!"

"It can't have been that bad," Kelly said.

"It was that bad," Brett retorted. "If my mom or dad had treated me like Mr. Polabski does Danny, I'd have done the same thing."

"Stanley, come here!" Kelly called out.

"I'm watching ESPN," he called back. "If it's about that brat, forget it. We're better off with him gone anyway."

Kelly was stunned. The time she'd spent in Rehab, it seemed her family had self-destructed.  She drew a deep breath.

"Annie, come here!" she called. The little girl came running in, called out "Brettie!" and jumped into his lap. "I didn't think you was gonna come back after what Daddy said, and I was sad." She made a sad face at him; he kissed her forehead and tickled her, making her giggle.

A knock at the front door interrupted things. They heard a teenage male voice ask, "Is this where Kelly O'Ryan lives?"

"Nobody here by that name," Stan answered.

"Jesus, Stan, don't be playing games!" Kelly yelled out. She walked in to find a party of two teenage boys, one of whom looked like she should recognize him, one young adult male, one teenage girl, and one small boy standing on her doorstep. "Come in, folks. That was my maiden name.  Here, come into the kitchen with me."

"Well, ma'am, I'm Harry Johnson. The folks with me are Skipper Hamilton, Peter Lambert, Jonas McConnaghay, and your niece Tanya O'Ryan." Kelly went wide-eyed as Harry said Jonas's name, and nearly missed his next remark. "We're here so Tanya can get to know you. But do you have a son?"

"Yes, and he's missing; that's what we've been talking about," Kelly said. "These are Marsha Wilde and her son Brett, who's my boy Danny's best friend."

"You don't know where he is?" Jonas asked.

"No, only Brett does, and he's not saying," she answered.

"I won't give him up so they can drag him back here," Brett said stubbornly.

"Brett!" his mother said warningly.

"Are you...?" Kelly began to ask Jonas at the same time as he started, "I need to ask you...."

Kelly gave a nervous laugh.  "You first," she said.

"Well, ma'am, I need to ask you a personal question, and I hope you won't be offended. Who was your son's father?"

"I was about to ask you who your father was," Kelly said. "I suspect we'll be giving the same answer. You're Maureen's boy?"

"Yes," Jonas said. "I grew up disliking you, ma'am. Mother didn't say anything, but my grandma did before she died. I wanted Tanya to meet you, because she's trying to play the same game that I understand you did back in high school."

"Well, you're certainly direct!" Kelly said. "But yes, if I could do it all over again, I'd have never run off with Neil. The only good thing to come out of that was Danny -- and now I don't know where he is!"

Brett's attention had been drawn to Jonas and Harry's waists. "Are those real Starfleet Phasers and Communicators?" he asked.

"Yes, they are. We're part of Clan Short of Vulcan, and entitled to carry them," Harry answered.

"Do you know where your father is?" Kelly asked Jonas.

"In heaven, by the skin of his teeth," Jonas answered. "Um, I need to tell you something you're going to find hard to believe."

"Try me," Kelly said challengingly.

"Well, Neil was killed in Ireland about a month ago. He appeared to a bunch of us Saturday morning, and kind of saved us from getting killed. Then he popped in again this morning, as a spirit, as Harry and I were getting up, and told us that my brother was going into danger, and I need to come save him. That's the other part of why we're here."

Harry had meanwhile been mulling over what had been said. "Brett," he asked, "just why won't you tell them where Danny's gone?"

"They ain't bringing him back here, 'cause Mr. Polabski hates him and's mean to him," Brett said.

"What if I can guarantee you that he won't have to put up with that?" Harry asked.

"How you gonna do that?" Brett asked skeptically.

"Our Clan is chartered to intervene when kids are abused -- physically, verbally, mentally or sexually -- and if we need to, remove them from parental custody," Harry answered.

"You're just kids -- teenagers!" Marsha said. Jonas showed her and Brett his Vulcan I.D.

"Annie," Kelly said, "get your jacket and some of your favorite toys, and come right back here." As the child scampered off, she turned to the others. "I can't believe what happened while I was in Rehab. But I'm not going to put Danny through that again. I'll take Annie and him and go to a shelter."

"No need for that; we have resources," Jonas said. Turning to Brett, he continued, "Assuming we can get to Danny and save him from whatever danger he's in...." He arched his eyebrows at the younger boy in question.

"I'll show you where he is, if you promise not to let Mr. Polabski be mean to him," Brett said.

"It's a deal," Jonas said, and held out his hand to shake.

Annie came running back, Kelly threw on her jacket, and they walked out.

---

To be continued...

Authors' Notes:

Grateful acknowledgement is made of assistance provided by Roland, ACFan, and Iluvantir -- and one other "ghost" writer. The opening paragraph of this chapter is also the opening paragraph of "The Colour Out of Space," by the late Howard Phillips Lovecraft, which is in the public domain. And it was, of course, just perfect at setting the scene!

Hope you enjoyed this excursion through the lives of the boys from Arkham! Feedback is always appreciated, at The Fort Family Forum or to d-and-b@cornercafe.us

D&B

Clan Short Archivist's Notes:

Well I guess all I can really say is wow!!! I don't know where to start there was so many things covered in this chapter. We had some loose ends sorta tied up; but then we also had a lot of new ends unraveled as well. The sleepy little town of Arkham seems to have a large amount of secrets and subterfuges going on. I can only hope that things continue to work out positively for all the good people who live there.

Now D&B I am going to go and see if I can find that vaccine for AAKD; I know it is around here somewhere.

The Story Lover