It was only by chance that Pavel Chekov had caught any of the fight. He was at the Academy on an errand for Captain Terrell. But having watched the young man take on twenty of his very worst tormentors, Chekov knew that the cadet was plainly not all right.

"No. They teased and pushed me, but I’m getting punished, too."

Chekov sighed. "Then I suggest you not throw the first punch in front of so many witnesses. Also, apologizing to the first man you punched might make you look better to the Dean, and it might even make you feel better."

And when that soon-to-be former cadet emerged from the Commandant's office, Peter Kirk indeed moved gingerly toward him to apologize. The upperclassman nearly panicked. "Ke-ke-keep him away from me!"

Peter Kirk sat back down, confused. Pavel considered that as often as he had given advice that wasn’t an order in nature, he had never really seen someone take it so seriously before. Chekov pointed at the door the cadet had hurried through. Both had slight smiles, despite the situation.

The prisoner had literally forgotten that the brig’s force-field was there. In addition, his rage and snide quips had given way to an uncharacteristic silence. How had all this come to pass?

"No. I did stupid scummy things, and now I’m going to jail."

He still hadn’t gotten off the floor. Chekov drew his sidearm, nodded to his men, and dropped the field. It was almost sad when the prisoner made no attempt. He had surrendered in more ways than one. Pavel helped him back into the seat/cot.

"Vwell, you likely are going to jail, deservedly so, I might add. But Peter, even in the harshest of Federation penal colonies, you will find help for your pain. Take that help. You didn’t always hate us or yourself. So take that help they offer. Drink it in, like water in the desert. Because the desert is where you are."

From behind the field, the prisoner shook his head. "I never hated you. And I try not to hate Jim. He just doesn’t make it easy."

And at that moment, Chekov would have gladly quoted the laundry list of why Jim Kirk should be the one doing the hating, in this accused criminal’s case of very real crimes. The problem was, he found that for the first time, an unspoken sentiment of his had been seconded. He muttered, well away from the cell and its broken occupant.

"Da. He does not make it easy. Have a piece of the wedding cake. It won’t help how you feel, but it may take your mind off of it for a while."

His back now fully healed, Peter Kirk put down the gift-wrapped package, his face beet-red. "No. I just gave a wedding anniversary gift to a man who’s been divorced. And begging the chief’s pardon, but your silence tells me that maybe it wasn’t all that amicable."

Chekov opened the gift, a stylized wrist exerciser made for those who had to use weapons constantly. "I like it. Besides, Ensign Kirk, this thing is truly unique."

"How so, sir?"

Chekov began to work a sore wrist and hand. "Simple, lots of people gave us gifts of various kinds when I got married. But this is the first one I get to keep!"

Peter Kirk smiled. "You didn’t have to bring a piece of wedding cake by the cell, you know."

The datapadd closed, and Lieutenant Kirk looked at his captain. "I am now, sir. They finally stopped coming around."

Chekov had nearly kicked himself. How some crew could misconstrue his instructions for Peter to aid the grieving Willis O’Brien was beyond him. But now that was done with. Doctor Beals had an office, said captain to crew. They should use it, and not the Assistant Science Officer’s station, as their source for "increasingly less-than-friendly advice," as Saavik had wryly observed.

"You could have said something to me, you know. I do listen, on occasion."

Kirk shook his head. "Always. You’ve always listened to me, Captain. From the very earliest times aboard Enterprise."

Chekov nodded. "Da, but at times I’ve listened better than others. Plus, you have quite a few untapped talents. I sometimes get the yen to see them come out more. That’s probably where I stumbled. You need to be able to tell me when I have. So, in recognition of your loyalty and service, when we are in private, I wish you to call me—"

Wincing, Kirk interrupted, "You’re kidding, sir!"

Chekov looked him in the eye, smiling. "Say it."