Part One - Through The Gates Of Hell

"We have crossed The Neutral Zone. Again. Spock's late captive, Romulan Commander Linviaj, said that Vulcan children were held here. This once, she spoke truth."

"The Romulans are retreating as we arrive. My God, they're killing the witness children in front of our eyes. We respond. One is actually raping a girl in plain view. I take joy in killing him."

"The little one seems enamored of Spock. He is not taken with her, and hands her off. With sweet eyes, she looks up, and from her garbling I find out a name. It's Saavik. It means 'Rock'. Like my Peter."

Part Two - I Wish You Were Someone Else

"Where Spock?"

She wouldn't even let another officer near her. She's almost feral. I cleaned her, and I even cut her hair. Now, I'm treating the scratches she gave me as gratitude.

"Where Spock?"

She makes my skin crawl. Cleaning her little legs, red from the abuse she endured. Getting the stink of feces out of her mouth. Being assaulted with a question I'd like answered, as well.

"Where Spock?"

Uhura won't go near Saavik, having once given her heart to Peter. Bones says she's bonded to me. You couldn't tell.

"Where Spock?!!!"

That's what I'd like to know, too.
 
Part Three - The Neediest Heart

Its like watching a pathetic love affair. The girl Saavik adores Spock, and Spock avoids her like a bad memory.

She comes to me for her lessons. She finally has enough modesty that she prefers Nyota help her bathe. Nyota, bless her, opened that big heart, so closed up by Peter's death.

Saavik tries not to ask where Spock is, anymore. But you can see it on her face. Its etched into her young soul.

After her Surakian lessons, Nyota comes by, and we start in like we haven't in weeks--then Saavik walks in.

"Can I Stay Here Tonight?"

Part Four : Because You're Mine, I Walk The Line (Of Surak)

I read to Saavik from some of Surak's behavioral teachings.

"We must remember the path we have turned away from."

"We must choose to flow as water, which is scarce."

"We must choose to shift as sand, which is plentiful."

"We must choose the cold calm of the sunless places."

"We must choose the omnipresent heat of The NoonDay Forge."

"We must choose to belittle the pain of no one."

"We must choose to believe that there is no pain."

"We must strive to know true control while accepting that true control is a falsehood."

She asked a question.

"Why?"

 Part Six - He Tells Her A Fairy Tale

"I know you want to stay with me. So did Peter. But honey, you'll like Vulcan. There, people behave themselves, and do everything according to what best makes sense. They have complete control over their emotions, and they'll teach you how to control yours. There's no misery there, and no loneliness.  People care for others, and no one has to say that they do, because its just a given. For  Vulcans, a half-smile means delight. A chuckle means guffaws of laughter. So long as you obey the laws, they protect you. No one is cruel. Its all based on logic."

Part Seven - The Fortunate Child

To my delight, Sarek and Amanda adore Saavik. Sarek almost seems emotional around her. He acts like a man clearing up a debt. They couldn't care for Saavik more if she was their own.

God, we will miss each other.

Spock is at the Presentation  in T'Pau's Hall. Both Sarek and I spoke to him of dire consequences if he missed it. Spock, I lost Gary, and I lost Sam. Brother, where art thou?

T'Pau calls her 'unfortunate'.

But I gave her a different name, including that of my late reformed mother.

"I Am Saavik Brianna Kirk--Daughter Of James."

Epilogue - A ReBirth In The Family
 
VULCAN, 2279
 
Its been ten years of leaves given over to her, and more tears, smiles, and hugs than I can count. Careful to give her some freedom, careful not to undercut Sarek. Striving to be more than an amusement-park Dad.

I imagined that one day, she might give me a grandchild. I never once imagined that she could restore the dead.

Peter is alive. Sarek found him, and Saavik retrieved him. My daughter rescued my son. She repaired the hole in my heart and then erased it.

Amanda says they pet heavily and are deeply in love.

Fatherhood---The Real Final Frontier.