"Why don't you just send me back to Earth," Christopher said in a whispered voice. "Least then you won't have to worry 'bout what I'm doing or where I am..."

---

Those ten minutes seemed to drag on forever but when it was finally up, Pike moved to release James from the s-hook and gently massaged the blood back into his boy's arms.

"Ready to talk with me?" he asked more gently than before.