Janith-Lau looked at him skeptically. “I’ve heard your Enterprise stories, Len. You, Jim, and Spock are all extraordinarily terrible at delegating responsibility. So don’t act so surprised that I want to do this myself.”

“I suppose you do have a point,” McCoy muttered.

“But seriously… if I’m truly committed to peace, I can’t limit myself to speeches and rallies and protests. Sometimes it’s about individuals. Those five survivors—especially Portia—have a real need for some kind of peace in their minds, their hearts.” She shrugged. “Even if it’s peace with being a soldier, a warrior. But they need to find it first, to build it within themselves.

“I saw how lost they were when they took us hostage. It wasn’t an act of hate or bullying, but of desperation. They didn’t know how to cope with a crisis beyond using force. They knew it was a bad idea, but it was all they had.” She smiled and shrugged. “I felt that, in a weird way, they were hoping we could give them answers. I mean, I know they wanted answers about the murder, but it felt like that was just the excuse. They needed guidance. Not on how to be a Starfleet officer, but on how to be themselves. That has to come first. And their prior upbringing didn’t provide it.”

McCoy pursed his lips, thinking it over. “I suppose that’s a worthy challenge for a pediatrician, as well as a peacemaker.”

She hugged him. “Don’t worry. Vulcan isn’t that far. We can still see each other from time to time.” She pulled back and smiled. “That is, if someone else doesn’t snatch you up first. I won’t demand you be faithful to me or anything.”

“We never really got that far anyway.” He met her eyes with regret. “But I was open to the possibility.”

She gave him a long valedictory kiss. “Maybe someday.”

Once she went on her way, McCoy started back toward the main campus, spotting Kirk waiting for him along the path. “Too bad,” the admiral said. “I was rooting for the two of you.”

The doctor glowered at him. “You were just getting revenge for me trying to play matchmaker with you.”

“I don’t deny it.”

He sighed. “I dunno, maybe it’s for the best if we just focus on our careers from now on. We’re both getting a bit too long in the tooth for our fancies to turn to thoughts of love.”

Kirk grew contemplative. “I don’t know, Bones. Ashley came into your life when you weren’t even looking. Maybe we should just live our lives without expectations and be open to the opportunities that come our way.”

McCoy looked around them at the students passing by. “I suppose even here, there are new things to discover.”