VULCAN, 2282

Sarek is taking our tagalong Academy roommates with him to the Q'onos signing. The most logical man in the universe is traveling with the most annoying and most manipulative people in the universe.

Dearly though I love Sri Sarek, better him than me. I make my way home by low-level flight.

When I arrive, Amanda hugs me. She says there's something wrong with Saavik. Despite our blow-out on Earth, there's no way I won't be there for her.

When I go in her room, she's half-nude. She looks like hell.

"Take me, Peter. Make the pain go away."

The first thing I do is ignore the ache and pull her trousers up. She doesn't need a lover, right now. She's sobbing openly, into my chest.

"I went to the old school. To honor a revered instructor, who had passed. They-- they were waiting for me."

T'Pring's nieces. I killed that witch, two years ago. But the scent lingers. Like Saavik, T'Pring once violated me. Unlike Saavik, it was not because of a love that drove her mad. I was 13. She was the only non-human in that room. I took out her eye. I stomped her flat. But it still isn't enough.

"Peter--am I really pretty?"

I have to tread carefully, here. No sex in mind. That's not what she needs.

"Yes. So very, very pretty."

I have to speak as a big brother would. But the feel of her, pressed up against me. The sight of her prone, when I first walked in. Thank God telekinesis can help redirect blood flow.

"Now, what did they do?"

She had felt like an adult, when she walked in. She had kept her composure, all the way throughout. She had remained a Vulcan while they engaged in name calling, insults, lies, slurs and threats, all couched in polite Vulcan chit-chat. Small wonder she's like this now. I tell her to lie down.

"Lie down with me."

Neither of us remove anything, even our shoes. She has her arms around my chest. I feel like I'm giving her strength.

"I am safe with you."

It might seem cold to some, not to do more. But our sex life is pockmarked enough. She's mentally drunk on emotions that she normally keeps away, even from me. To do anything more would be taking advantage.

"I--I was so very certain that I was past it all...."

No, my little heart--you never get past it all. You and I, we are anger. We just wear humanoid form so that the rest of the cosmos can sleep at night. One day, we will give that anger back to King Death itself, when that dreadful day comes round at last, that day of wrath, as in the past.

She sleeps, and an extra nudge telepathically will ensure she dreams of brighter days. I tuck her in, and step out.

I decide against my better nature to find the five who did this.

When I arrive, they speak of death, and how they have accepted this possibility. They speak of rape, and doubt that a human was strong enough to hurt them that way. They call me an ape that ruts with a whale, which proves they understand nothing of either of those noble creatures. I prepare to destroy them, forever. But I do not atomize or rip them limb from limb. My punishment strains my abilities so far, that when I arrive home, it is Saavik who must care for her big brother. I'm not a subtle creature. But this fate was subtle.

She is on my arm as we await Sarek's transport. Leaving as our three travelers arrive are five human females---who used to be five Vulcans.

They are crying as they go. Despite the pettiness of what I've done, my sister smiles, and in this, she lifts me up.

Later that same night---another aspect of our relationship is joyfully resumed.

Siblinghood has limits, after all.