Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto)

“Mom, can you go on in and get the children settled in their seats in the shuttle?” Jim asked. “I want to have a quick word with Spock.”

“Yes, of course.” His mom put her hands on a shoulder of each of the younger children and then Desda followed behind as they trudged up a short flight of stairs into the shuttle.

Jim watched them until they were fully inside before turning to face Spock.

“What’s the plan?”

“I have instructed the pilot to take us to New Vulcan.”

Jim frowned. “New Vulcan? Why?”

“If the Orion Syndicate decides to pursue either Brick and Isabella or your daughter given her connection to Tolar, the first place they will think to look for them is Earth,” Spock replied. “I do not believe they will think that the children have been taken to New Vulcan. It is likely they will not even know of my role in this.”

Jim couldn’t really fault his…logic damnit…so he blew out a breath and nodded.

“Yeah, yeah, you’re right.”

“How did you become involved in this, Jim?”

“Winona. I’m on a…vacation, I guess…and I decided to visit my mom in Riverside. She sprung it on me, um, a couple of days ago? I don’t know. I’m having trouble keeping track of the days lately. She made it sound like we’d be in and out with those kids and be back in Riverside with no problems.”

“It does seem that she was unaware of the dangers herself.”

“Hmm. Speaking of involvement. How are you here? Did your dad tell you I was on Orion and what made you decide to come?”

Spock looked pained for a moment and then uncertain. “I was aware you were in danger before I was in contact with my father, though he did advise me of your contact.”

“Aware?” Jim narrowed his eyes. “Not the bond. I thought…”

“It does not simply shut off for me. I have shielded and blocked it on your end but…”

Jim looked away and then nodded again. “Yeah. I know. I get it. And if you hadn’t shown up when you did, we’d probably be dead. So…I should be thanking you, not berating you or whatever it is I’m doing.”

“We should be on our way while we still can. Once we make it to New Vulcan, there will be plenty of time for explanations.” Spock gestured to the shuttle. “After you.”

With a glance at the shuttle cave they were leaving behind, just to make sure they were still alone, Jim took the short stairs up and into the shuttle.

Spock went to the front and sat beside the Vulcan pilot. A moment later the shuttle rose, the cave top opened, and they were on their way.