His name was not Richard Grayson.

He kissed a picture of Saavik Brianna Kirk, his adopted sister and lover--if either of them knew how to make love. Childhood abuse made them seize up when they tried. Sometimes---it made them do far, far worse.

Peter Claudius Kirk put the picture away. He knew her face and form well, anyway. A voice came from behind him.

"Hey, Rich? You okay?"

'Richard Grayson' was supposed to be a nephew of The Lady Amanda Grayson, wife of Vulcan Ambassador Sarek. As far as the galaxy knew, Peter Kirk had died in 2268, and was buried in Iowa. Few would believe the truth, a mix of conspiracy, myth, prophecy and genetic descent from a dinosaur hybrid called the Gojirasaurus.

"I'm fine, Taouru. Just missing my Saavikkam."

"Saavik--kam?"

"Yes. We are Thy'la. Sri Sarek and Sra Amanda were very generous in tolerating our relationship."

The dusky-skinned, reddish-brown haired Cadet shook his head.

"Boy, I've never met a human so into Vulcan before."

Peter nodded.

"One Vulcan in particular. I forgot to ask-- what track are you on?"

As though the question were an insult, Taouru Valmont answered back sharply.

"Command."

"All right. It was just a question. Did your parents bring you here?"

"No. I came here myself. Ran into this little blonde number. Dumb but cute. I figure I'll have her by semester's end."

Peter felt a bit put off.

"You'll have her? That's a bit crude, don't you think?"

"No, I don't think. And don't you dare judge me, Grayson. You'll regret it."

Peter responded to the barely-veiled threat by picking up a steel trash container. Valmont sneered.

"You gonna throw that, tough guy?"

Peter crushed the container.

"Why would I throw it?"

Any further escalation was interrupted by a knock on the door. Peter's head turned.

"Saavik?"

Valmont wondered how 'Grayson' knew who was there, when all he heard was a knock. But sure enough, not only was it the young Vulcan woman--but she was crying.

"I need you! She is driving me out of my mind! I do not see how one such as her even got into The Academy!"

He kissed her on the lips.

"I love you. Now, let's calm down. Bunny Serenity may be a pain—but we've had our share. Can she be as bad as Valeris?"

Now, she almost smiled. Valmont was confused.

"Can we do to her what we did to Valeris?"

They walked off, both feeling a little flustered at how little time they had spent apart before falling apart.

Alone, Valmont pulled out a recorder.

"Agent's Log. This Richard Grayson I'm saddled with is a moralistic fool. But at least he's not like those foolish Order bigots. If Humanity Prevails, as it does in our universe, its because we struck first. Its like Captain April taught you, Dad. Any fool who believes that conquering is their destiny is handing that destiny to someone smart enough to fight like it wasn't. He was a great man. It made me happy to know that you killed Pike in his name, among other things."

The agent continued.

"With you and Mom hunting Spock and Moreau's Maquis forces back home, and me here scouting for the invasion, I really feel like we're making a difference for the future of The Empire. We'll only remain on top so long as we have foes to fight and new realms to conquer."

"Mom--that bet you made with me concerning the True Corruption Of The Innocent? This Bunny Serenity is so stupid, I could tear that little skirt off her, and she'd be a minute figuring out she's exposed. So I'm going to make her beg me for it. Let her think its her idea. Its always best that way. And then, Mother--I will collect."

"I pray that I am strong enough to be worthy of being your son. Both of you. In case I didn't tell you, I thought it was brilliant the way you got Sulu and Chekov to finish each other off. Maybe I can turn Richard and that crazy Vulcan of his on each other. Now there'd be sport."

"I pray that The United Empire Of Planets will one day rule over this chaotic alternate world you two discovered, during that transporter accident. It so obviously needs a firm hand. By tomorrow, I should have the first series of bugs planted in Admiralty Hall. Oh, and trust me--THIS Cartwright does NOT have a Klingon mistress."

Chuckling, he turned off the recorder, and hid it carefully, awaiting the return of Richard Grayson. In his labyrinthine mind, he plotted the complete seduction of Bunny Serenity, down to every last word and gesture he'd use.

His name was not Taouru Valmont. He had been born in the world some called The Mirror Universe, in the United Empire Of Planets, on a world called Tarsus Four.

He was the son of Field Captain James T. Kirk and his First Officer, Commander Upenda Uhura, of the legendary ISS Enterprise.

Peter Claudius Kirk eventually returned from his talk with Saavik. When he did, waiting for him was Peter Taouru Kirk.

School was now in session.