gilda_elise

Kirk pulled his uniform off and headed for the shower. The last diplomat was finally off his ship, and things could settle back to normal. Stepping into the stall, he set the temperature high, letting the steaming liquid pound his body. He needed to relax, loosen up.

After ten minutes or so, he stepped out and toweled off. Spock would be here any minute for their long over-due talk. He had been madder than hell at the way he had learned who Spock’s parents were, mad enough to have stepped back from the Vulcan, emotionally. At first, what with Sarek illness, the attack on the ship, and his own injury, he had been able to shove the hurt aside. But once the emergencies were over, and he and Spock were both confined to sickbay, Kirk’s hurt and anger had resurfaced. Spock had picked up on it immediately.

The Vulcan had been released from sickbay after only twenty-four hours, and had been waiting at the door when his captain was released sixteen hours later. Spock had requested, strike that, hell, he had demanded a meeting with him. Kirk had put him off for two day. Now it was time.

He decided on jeans and a t-shirt. Maybe the informality of it all would help. He was still hurt, but he really didn’t want this state of affairs to go on. He missed Spock.

They hadn’t had time to explore the subtle change in their relationship after their return from Gamma Seginus II. One mission after the other had interfered, unexpected emergencies keeping them on alert...and apart. But Kirk had known that soon they would deal with the feelings both held. Or, at least, he had thought they both did.

It scared him, the thought that Spock didn’t feel what he did. Over the several weeks that had passed, Kirk’s feelings for his friend had only grown, the desire a white-hot need. He loved Spock, wanted them together...always. If Spock didn’t want this, if there was something, or someone, that would keep them apart, how would he deal with having the Vulcan near, but not his?

He settled at his desk, trying to remain calm. But he jumped, startled, and signaled the door to open at the first sound of the tone.

Spock stood a moment at the doorway before slowly walking in, a wary look in his eyes. He was dressed in a loose grey tunic and pants, and to Kirk’s surprise, had what looked like sandals on his feet.

“Captain.” Spock bowed his head slightly.

“Have a seat, Mr. Spock.“ Kirk motioned to the chair in front of the desk.

Spock sat silently for a while, as if gathering his thoughts. Finally, he cleared his throat. “I wish to apologize for any embarrassment or...hurt I may have caused you due to my inexcusable lapse. I should have told you, earlier, who my parents are.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I am not sure. Perhaps because of the estrangement between my father and myself, I did not believe that he would speak of it.”

“Yes, your mother mentioned there was a problem between you two.”

Spock grimaced. “Yes, a problem. As you may have surmised, my father was not in favor of my joining Starfleet. Since that day, over eighteen years ago, we had not spoken.”

“Never?” Kirk asked, unable to fathom such a breach between father and son,” What about when you went to Vulcan...during your...you know, during your...marriage?”

Spock’s eyes filled with such pain that Kirk could not stop himself. He got up and came around the desk, pulled another chair over and sat next to the Vulcan. “Tell me.”

Spock closed his eyes for a moment. He swallowed nervously and then began to speak. “There was no marriage, at least, not one that you would have recognized. My...bride was waiting for me at the place of challenge, the arena where my family has gone for millennia to claim their mate. She was not alone.”

“Not alone? I don’t understand.” Kirk shifted, bringing his body closer, as if to lend physical support.

“She refused me, did not desire me as a mate. That is her right. She was accompanied by her champion, the one whose victory she hoped would free her from my claim.”

“You fought?” Kirk was horrified. It had never occurred to him that anything could go wrong once he had managed to get Spock to Vulcan on time.

“Yes.”

“And who won?”

Spock almost smiled, a bitter smile of infinite sorrow. “I did. But, Jim,” He looked directly into Kirk’s eyes, “The fight is to the death.”

“Oh, Spock.” Kirk instinctively reached out, wrapping his arms around the rigid figure and pulling him close. After a moment, he felt his friend relax into the embrace and his hands settle on Kirk’s waist. “What happened then?”

Spock slowly shook his head, his words muffled against Kirk’s chest. “I did not want her, but I needed her in order to survive. So I...took what I needed.”

“Dear god.” He brought one hand up to stroke the fine strands of hair pressed against his shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Spock. So very sorry.”

They sat in a loose embrace for several minutes. Kirk had thought that was all of it until Spock began to speak again.

“I did not know the depth of despair one can sink to until that day. She had forced me to kill, and yet she would be the mother of my children.” Spock’s voice choked, the sound harsh in the quiet room.

“Is she?” Kirk whispered, “Is there a child?”

“No. Never have I been so grateful for my hybrid status.”

“Because-”

“I am sterile. And I am glad of it. Once it was determined that she had not quickened with child, I was allowed to rid myself of her.”

“You were...divorced?”

“We were never truly married. Because she dared challenge, and lost, I am not accountable for her welfare. It is as if none of it had ever been.”

“But a man died. What about him?”

“Stonn? His life lost all meaning when he agreed to be her champion. What they did is legal, but is considered anathema. No Vulcan man will ever bond with her, no one will mourn his passing.”

“Good lord. Here I thought I had got you safely home. Your nightmare had just begun.” He unconsciously pulled Spock tighter. “Why didn’t you say anything before?”

“What could I say? There was nothing you could do. It was over and done.”

“Spock, what about next time?”

“I do not understand.”

“The next time you go into this thing...pon farr?”

“I do not know.”

“Could...could you die?”

“It is a possibility. But it is also possible that I may never experience it again. I am no longer linked to anyone. Perhaps-”

“But you don’t know.” Kirk’s hand tightened in Spock’s hair, pulling the Vulcan’s head up so that their faces were inches apart, their lips almost touching. “You don’t know. I couldn’t bear to lose you. I need you, Spock, so much...”

The Vulcan only stared at first, but slowly his arms pulled Kirk in, so that finally their bodies were touching, their chests pressed against each other. “Jim, please...”

“Yes? What is it you need, Spock?”

“You. I need you.”

With that pronouncement, Kirk found himself swept into the vortex of passion that was Spock of Vulcan. Their lips met, tentatively at first, but with each kiss their hunger grew, until they were devouring each other, the long months of denial finally over.

“Wait, wait.” Kirk pulled back, breaking Spock’s hold on him. He stood up and, reaching out his hand, pulled Spock to his feet. “Come on. Let’s do this right.”

They walked to the sleeping area, and Kirk lowered the lights as he hit the lock control to his door. He pulled his shirt partially off, his arms still within its sleeves as he waited for Spock to follow his lead. When the Vulcan began removing his shoes, Kirk grinned and rapidly finished undressing.

He slipped under the covers, holding them open for Spock to join him. The Vulcan lay down and gathered him into his arms, returning to the interrupted kiss. Slowly, his hand slids down Kirk’s body, settling on his hips and pulling him closer. Their groins came together, and Kirk moaned his pleasure. He could feel Spock’s hard, pulsing cock nestled next to his own.

The kiss continued, their tongues entwining, tasting deep of each other, until Spock broke off his plundering of Kirk’s mouth to explore the rest of his body. Starting at his neck, he trailed kisses down the broad chest, down to the taut stomach and muscled thighs. “I have desired this for so long,” Spock whispered between gentle sucks on Kirk’s skin.

“How long?” His hands reached out to pull at Spock’s hip, communicating his desire.

“Since the day you came to me in sickbay and offered your friendship.” Spock swung his lower body over, bringing his groin within reach of Kirk’s mouth. “No one had ever treated me as you did. I wanted all of you.”

“You have all of me.” Kirk came up on an elbow and started returning Spock’s caresses, licking and sucking at the lean body next to his. The thick, needing column of flesh enticed him, and he leaned down to take the Vulcan’s cock into his mouth.

Spock moaned, “Oh, yes, Jim.” He wrapped his hand around Kirk’s penis, slowly pumping it to the languid rhythm of his own hips. He looked down, his senses overloading at the sight of his captain sucking his cock.

Kirk’s hands strayed over the Vulcan’s body, memorizing the sharpness of hip, the flat stomach, and the neat roundness of his ass. He trailed his finger down between Spock’s buttocks, pressing a finger into the puckered orifice. The cry from his lover only made him suck harder, while driving his finger deep into Spock’s body. Suddenly, his mouth filled with the unique flavor of Spock’s semen, the Vulcan’s body convulsing in orgasm.

He pulled his finger from his lover’s body, but continued to lap at the slowly deflating cock, stopping only when he felt Spock’s heated mouth descend on his organ, taking it all in, the Vulcan’s throat muscles constricting around its head.

“Oh, god,” Kirk threw his head back, one hand coming down on the back of Spock’s head. He held on, his fingers intwining in Spock’s hair as his cock was sucked, caressed by the Vulcan’s tongue and mouth, Spock’s hands clutching at his ass.

“Oh, yes, love, there, right there,” Kirk panted, his hips pistoning as he buried his cock into the Vulcan’s mouth. He knew he was close, and all it took was Spock’s hand coming to rest in his, clasping it tightly, to push him over the edge. With a low moan of ecstacy he came, his sperm spewing forth to be greedily swallowed by his lover.

With a last gentle pull, Spock fell back against the bed, releasing the spent organ. After a moment, he crawled over and lay next to his lover, sliding his arm under Kirk and nestling him against his chest. “You are everything to me. You always shall be.”

“I certainly hope so, Mister, because I’m not letting you get away. You’re stuck with me now.” Kirk looked up and smiled, his hand on Spock’s chest toying with the soft hair. “I’ve never had a male lover, you know.”

“I was not sure, though I did not believe so. I am illogically pleased at the confirmation.” Spock closed his hand over Kirk’s. “It is the same for me.”

“Is it? I’m glad, too. Maybe I’m selfish, but I don’t think I’d like the idea of you having done that with anyone else.” He thought a moment. “It’s funny. I know you’ve been with women, but somehow that doesn’t bother me...of course, you can’t have any more.”

“You are aware that you are constrained by the same rule, are you not?” Spock teased.

“Uh huh.” Kirk’s eyes were refusing to stay open. “Spock?”

“Yes?” The same sleepiness was evident in the Vulcan’s voice.

“Are we bonded?”

“No, t’hy’la, not yet.”

“Soon?” Kirk yawned.

“Yes, very soon.”

“Good.”

After that, there was only the sounds of the ship as the two men slept.

* * *

Spock turned and pulled the cool body closer. He opened his eyes, startled by the head of sandy hair inches away from his. Then memory flooded back, and he hid a smile within the silky strands, breathing in the scent of the beloved human.

Jim. His t’hy’la, and soon, his bondmate. Never would Spock have imagined this outcome. Wished for it, dreamed of it, yes. But to actually be granted what he wanted more than anything else? Truly, there were many wonders in the universe. He felt his lover stir, and pulled up on his elbow to look down on the waking human.

Kirk looked up, rubbing his hands over his face. “’Morning.”

“Good morning.” Spock leaned over to plant a chaste kiss on Kirk’s brow.

“Is that all I get?”

“It is five thirty five. We do not have the time for ‘that’.”

“Killjoy.” Kirk looked over at the chronometer. “But I guess you’re right. Wouldn’t look good for both the captain and first officer to be late for work.”

“No, it would not.” Spock bit his lip, “Jim..”

“Yeah?” Kirk sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.

“What if the crew were to find out?”

“About us? Then they find out.” He leaned over and kissed Spock on the mouth, a kiss of promise. “I might not shout it from the rooftops, but I’m not ashamed of what we have. If they find out and don’t like it...well, that’s their problem.”

“And Starfleet?”

“I don’t think Starfleet’s going to have a problem with it. We’re both of command rank, we’re both single and we’re both adults. As long as we do our job, they won’t complain. Besides, once we bond, there won’t be anything they can do about it.”

“That is true. Vulcan demanded that such a stipulation be written into the regulations as a condition of their joining the Federation. A bonded couple cannot be separated.”

“Well, there you go.” Kirk stood up and headed for the bathroom. “Come on. I’m looking forward to showering with you. It’s got to be a ‘fascinating’ experience.”

With a contented sigh, Spock got out of bed and followed his lover into the shower. He had a feeling things were just getting interesting.

* * *

Gary Mitchell had his own ideas of what was going on between his captain, his erstwhile friend, and the Vulcan. And he didn’t like it much. The guards that had followed the first officer for months had been removed. But now Kirk seemed to have taken over the role. Mitchell couldn’t count the times he had seen the two together, on or off duty.

“Activate main viewing screen.” Kirk’s voice was underlined with a still unresolved tension.

Mitchell turned and checked out his captain. Kirk was sitting in the center chair, McCoy at his side. The hazel eyes were glued to the screen that now showed the stars clear of any obstruction. They were all safe, except perhaps one expendable Vulcan.

“Mr. Mitchell, report.” Kirk turned and looked toward the science station.

“The organism is destroyed, sir. The explosion must have ruptured the membrane and thrown us clear.” Mitchell looked up from the viewer, and headed back to his own station.

“Power coming back on, Sir.” Mr. Scott turned to his captain, relief washing over his face.

“Shuttlecraft?”

“I don’t know how, sir, but it’s still with us.”

“Shuttlecraft to Enterprise, shuttlecraft to Enterprise. Request permission to come aboard.”

The Vulcan’s voice over the intercom brought an instant change in the atmosphere of the bridge. Kirk smiled, his joy overwhelming as he punched the intercom control with his fist. “Spock! You’re alive!”

“Obviously, Captain, and I have fascinating data on the organism.”

“Don’t be so smart, Spock. You botched the acetylcholine test,” McCoy interjected, though it was plain to Mitchell that the doctor was almost as happy to hear the Vulcan’s voice as Kirk was.

“Later, later, later.” Kirk laughed in relief. “ Bring the shuttlecraft aboard, Mr. Scott.”

“Aye, Sir.”

When the shuttle was brought safely aboard, Mitchell lay in the course for Starbase Six, per Kirk’s orders. He turned to see Kirk and McCoy leave the bridge, the turbo lift having deposited their shift replacements. Kirk was obviously on his way to the shuttle bay, and Spock. When he had picked the Vulcan to go out, meet the thing that was slowly leaching the life from all of them, it had been obvious to everyone that it was killing the captain. Mitchell waited a few minutes before handing his station over, and then made his way to the turbo.

“Shuttlebay.” He was alone in the turbo, and made his destination quickly. The corridors were empty. This part of the ship tended to get little traffic, and right after a shift change would be deserted. Mitchell cautiously exited the turbo, looking both ways. He vaguely heard voices off to his right, and preceeded silently toward them.

He peered around the corner and spotted Kirk and Mr. Spock walking down the darkened corridor, talking quietly. Suddenly, Kirk grabbed the Vulcan’s arm, and pushing him against the wall, wrapped an arm around his neck and brought them together in a heated kiss.

“Dear god, I thought I’d lost you,” Kirk fiercely whispered between his plundering of Spock’s mouth.

Mitchell froze in amazement, unable to look away from the two men.

“You will never lose me.” Spock’s arms had wrapped around Kirk’s waist, pulling their bodies together, hard.

He couldn’t believe this. Jim Kirk, making love to his male first officer. He thought he knew Kirk, but this was something he never would have dreamed, no matter what Kirk’s duplicate from the other universe had implied. He felt sick, the sight of the two men locked in an embrace, the moans and wet sounds as they kissed each other, turning his stomach. Unable to watch anymore, he slowly backed away. He returned to the turbo, falling to his knees as the doors closed on him. What now? He had to think, figure out what to do.

Like a spotlight pointing it out, it dawned on him. The Vulcan must have used his mental powers on Kirk, forced him into the relationship. Of course, that had to be it, probably during that meld Spock had insisted was only to stop Kirk’s pain. Somehow, he had to break the hold Spock had on the captain. This time, he’d make sure the Vulcan died.

* * *

Spock stroked his hand down Kirk’s chest, the sweat drying as the human’s breath returned to normal. He reached up to the headboard and grabbed the cloth they kept handy for times like these. He carefully cleaned the evidence of their lovemaking from Kirk’s belly, skirting around the still sensitive penis. He wiped himself clean and threw the towel on the floor.

“That’s not like you.” Kirk teased. “Tired?”

“You have thoroughly depleted me.” Spock lay back down, resting his head on his bended arm. “I shall deal with it...later.”

“Hmm, you seemed to enjoy it.” Kirk stretched, and resettled himself closer to his bedmate.

“There is nothing about you I do not enjoy. You are all things to me.”

“Am I?” Kirk grew serious. “Then what about what we were talking about yesterday?”

“Jim... it is not something lightly gone into.”

“Don’t you think I’ve thought it out? I have. There’s no reason in the world why we can’t bond, right here, right now. And every reason in the world why we shouldn’t wait.”

Spock watched the firepot’s flickering light cast shadows over his lover’s face, deepening the frown that creased his brow. Kirk seemed to prefer Spock’s cabin when it came to their lovemaking, rarely sleeping in his own anymore. He had teasingly stated that it was more “romantic,” but right now, it only seemed to add to the tension settling over the human. “The organism.”

“Is only one reason. After our little public...exhibition, I just feel it would be safer if we were bonded, before anyone finds out.”

Spock frowned, remembering their response to each other. They had both been shocked by their lack of control. True, they had only kissed, but if someone had seen them...”But we have already promised each other that we would not repeat such a display.”

Kirk snorted, “Sure we have. But are you going to lie there and tell me that you’re absolute positive we never will...ever?”

“Perhaps you are right,” Spock sighed. “Though I would prefer to perform the bonding away from the ship, somewhere where we would be assured privacy, I would not be adverse to bonding us in these less than ideal circumstances.”

“Right now?”

Spock smiled slightly. “ No, not now, t’hy’la. It must be done during sexual intercourse, ideally at the moment of orgasm. I fear neither of us is capable at this time of the sustained energy required.”

“When then? Tomorrow night?”

“If that is what you wish, I would be pleased to bond us at that time.” Spock pulled the human’s body closer. “The idea of us being one is very much what I wish.”

“Okay. There shouldn’t be any problem. We’ll be in orbit in the morning. We can beam down with McCoy, check out what we can do to either deflect the asteroid or relocate any inhabitants. After that, it’s back to star mapping. It’ll be quiet for a while.”

“I have worked out the figures for-”

The signal from his com-link interrupted him, and both men looked up.

“Were you expecting someone to call?” Kirk asked, surprised.

“No, no one. Perhaps it is the lab. We are working on a particularly sensitive procedure. Timing is vital to its success.” He stood up, taking time to shrug into his robe. He walked over to his desk and hit the switch to open up the channel. There was a flash of light and then his world went dark.

* * *

Kirk paced within the outer office of sickbay, wringing his hands and fighting the panic growing in his gut. The explosion had torn apart Spock’s computer terminal, imbedding pieces of it in Spock’s face and hands. The force of it had thrown the Vulcan across the room, his broken form landing in a smoldering heap at the foot of the bed.

Kirk had jumped up, his first concern getting the burning robe off Spock. He remembered calling for McCoy, and then kneeling down next to his lover, holding him gently, afraid of letting go. Please, god, not again, not now.

McCoy had rushed in, the doors opening to his medical override, and had skidded to a halt in shocked surprise at finding his captain, naked, next to the equally unclothed form of the first officer. Whatever he might have thought, the doctor quickly recovered and knelt down next to the men. “Jim, let me see what’s going on, okay?”

Perhaps it had been the shock, but Kirk had found himself complacently giving in, standing aside to allow McCoy and the two medical technicians room to work on Spock. He hadn’t even bothered to dress, a robe his only concession to modesty. He had wanted to follow them immediately as they wheeled the still form of his lover to sickbay, but command training had finally kicked in. He walked through the connecting bathroom to his quarters and, throwing on his uniform, became the captain once more. He ordered a security team to Spock’s cabin, and another to sickbay. Only then did he make the journey to stand here, waiting to hear if Spock would live or die.

Who was behind this? Kirk ran a shaking hand through his hair. They had gotten careless, thinking the threat behind them, too wrapped up in their new relationship. He glanced again at the door leading to surgery. They had been in there for hours.

He finally took a seat at McCoy’s desk, and turned on the terminal to call up the duty roster for the last week’s service. Somewhere on this list was Spock’s would-be murderer. He scrolled through the list, trying to place the names and faces to motive and opportunity.

Hours later, he was jarred from the uneasy sleep he had fallen into, his head resting on his folded arms. He sat up, instantly awake, to find McCoy standing over him. “How is he?”

McCoy took the seat next to him. “He’s in a healing trance. There was quite a bit of damage to some internal organs...mainly his heart. I went in, did what I could. The burns weren’t too bad. I’ve got plasti-skin on him to help with the healing. The rest was mainly cuts and bruises. But, Jim, it’s not a sure thing, not yet. It’s up to him, now.”

“Can I see him?” Hadn’t he been here before? Heard these same lines, asked these same questions?

“Sure, he’s in the back room. He probably can hear you, but don’t stay too long. He needs to concentrate on what he’s doing.” McCoy gave him a gentle smile. “And you’re probably quite a distraction for a certain Vulcan we know.”

“Thanks, Bones.” Kirk cleared his throat, his emotions in a state of flux. “I’ll only stay a moment.”

The room was warm, the lights set to a reddish glow. Kirk stood at the side of the bed, watching the slow rise and fall of his lover’s chest. Spock was so still, so pale, like death. He mentally shook himself. Don’t go there. He’s going to live. I won’t allow anything else.

“I’m going to find whoever did this to you. And when I do...” He clenched his fists onto the bed railing, fighting the anger that was threatening to eat him alive. He abruptly turned, and headed for the bridge.

* * *

Kirk fidgeted in the command chair, fighting fatigue and the bone-jarring headache that had started at the base of his skull and then spread to pound against his temples. He rubbed his forehead, wishing he could be somewhere else, in sickbay at Spock’s side, or on the planet leading the landing party. But he knew he had no right to do the first, and was in no shape for the second. Instead, he had sent Mitchell down with Chapel and an ensign from the science department.

That was three hours ago. The ensign, what the hell was his name? had stumbled across an ancient obelisk, its sides covered with some sort of hieroglyphic writing. Even now, the entire linguistics department was frantically trying to decipher them. He knew they would have to leave soon in order to deflect the asteroid in time, but he wanted to give his people the time, on the small chance that this would be the key to solving their problem.

“Mitchell to Enterprise.”

“Got anything, Gary?” Kirk asked.

“I think so, Captain. Seems we have a science officer in the making down here. Ensign Chekov was trying different frequencies on his tricorder, trying to see if he could scan into the obelisk. Somehow, the noise the thing made accidentally opened it up. He’s down there now, checking it out.

“That’s great. I’ll send Scotty down, see if he can figure out how that thing works. Kirk out.” He contacted the engineer, relaxing into the knowledge that they were half way home with this. There wasn’t a machine in existence the Scot couldn’t make work. He turned to the communications officer. “Uhura, I’ll be in sickbay. Have Mr. Scott reach me there as soon as he knows anything.”

Leaving Sulu the com, he headed for the turbolift.

* * *

Mitchell watched the three young women as they knelt beside the stream. Two of them were carrying large clay jugs and filling them with water. The third held onto a basket full of rushes.

He inched closer, trying for a better look. They looked like Amerindians, the same dress and color. He couldn’t take his eyes off the third one. Taller than her companions, she was darkly beautiful with a willowy, but rounded figure. Here was someone worth taking time for.

Mr. Scott had effectively taken over the landing party, bringing two of his engineers with him, the three men fawning over that shrimp, Chekov. Anyone could have done what the ensign had. By sheer accident, he had managed to save the planet. No telling the Scot that. He had praised the boy for his quick thinking, and Mitchell had found himself pushed aside in favor of the “bonny lad.” Fine, he had better things to do. Stepping forward, he brought his phaser up and fired.

* * *

At first, all he could manage was a gasp for breath. But he continued his struggle, until finally forming the words that would bring him home. “Strike me.”

“Spock? Spock, it’s Jim.” Kirk’s fingers curled around his wrist.

“Strike me, please.” Spock felt himself pulled to a sitting position, and a hand come down across his face. “Again.”

The blows continued, and Spock felt himself rising out of his trance, reaching for the essense that streamed through the contact on his wrist. With one last surge, he gained consciousness, and grabbed the hand as it swung through. “That should suffice.”

Kirk’s smile greeted him, the human barely keeping his joy in check. “I’ll go get Bones.” Kirk turned to leave the room, but not without a backward glance at the doorway before going for the doctor.

Spock lay back down. He was tired, but the pain of his injuries was gone. He remembered the explosion, and then Kirk huddled over him as they waited for help to arrive. After that, nothing. It seemed whoever wished him dead stilled lived, had not been the unfortunate Lieutenant Galloway. They would have to be on guard, alert to anything out of the ordinary. Spock grimaced. For such as this to mar the contentment he felt....

“Well, how’s my favorite patient?” McCoy walked in, with Kirk right behind him. The doctor turned on the panel over the bed and began to check the readings, “Looks pretty good, if I do say so myself.”

“Does that mean you’re releasing him?” Kirk’s tone was hopeful.

“Now, did I say that?” McCoy switched off the machine, and began running his medical tricorder over Spock’s body.

“Doctor, I do not understand your need to reexamine what your equipment has already verified,” Spock’s patience was wearing thin. He wanted out of here, as quickly as possible.

“Who’s the doctor here, me or you?” McCoy glared. “You’ll get out of here when I say you can, and that won’t be until I’m satified you’re fit to leave. You were in a healing trance for almost two days.”

Spock put up with another twenty point three minutes of McCoy’s questions and intrusive physical examinations, but was finally released into his captain’s custody with specific instructions that he not leave his cabin for another twenty-four hours. In that, the doctor received no argument from either man. They walked together to Spock’s cabin, the two guards trailing behind, back on duty.

Kirk remained quiet until they entered Spock’s cabin. “I’ve had the place swept for any other surprises. It’s clean.” He sat down at the foot of the bed, motioning Spock to sit beside him. “I guess we really blew it, didn’t we? Caught off guard like that.”

“We believed the danger to be over.”

“Maybe.” Kirk gave him an rueful look. “But the more I think about it, the more I think I wanted to believe that it was over, and jumped at the chance to assign blame. If it was Galloway behind it, we could spend our time together without anyone around. Well, Mr. Spock, we’re just going to have to get used to your guards, because you’re not going anywhere without them anymore, is that understood?”

Spock sighed. He had known this was coming. “Yes, Captain.”

Kirk threw his arm around him. “Hey, it’s not like we have anything to hide, anymore. After the other night, it’s pretty common knowledge that you and I are together.”

“Indeed?”

“Uh huh. Finding the captain and his first officer in the all-together during their sleep tour pretty much gave the game away.”

“Are you sorry, Jim?” Spock turned to look at his lover.

“No. I may have preferred it remain our secret for a while longer, but sorry that people know that I care that much for you, and that it’s returned? How could I be sorry about that?” He kissed Spock on the lips, a gentle, closed-mouthed kiss between lovers, and stood up. “Get some rest. I’ll be back after my shift. Things are almost cleared up on the planet and then we’ll be heading for Starbase Eleven and some well-deserved R and R.” He was almost to the door when he turned to ask, “By the way, who’s this Ensign Chekov from your department?”

“He was assigned three weeks ago. He came on board at our last stop as a replacement and has been working in the lab under Fields, head of the life-sciences department. Why do you ask?”

“He inadvertantly saved the day down there. Maybe I should keep an eye on him, see if he’s bridge material.”

“I am sure he would be most appreciative.”

“Okay, I’ll look into it.”

After Kirk left, Spock lay down and lowered the lights, throwing the room into dim shadows. He was still quite tired. The healing trance tended to draw all excess energy from the body, leaving it depleted. He did not wish to be in such a state on Kirk’s return.

* * *

Kirk entered the mess hall and headed for the food replicators. He figured a couple of dinner salads and soup, tomato for him, vegetable for Spock, would do the trick. While standing in line, he glanced idly around the room. He had left the bridge a little early, wanting to beat the rush, but there were already a few crewmembers sitting at the tables.

He tried being nonchalant about it but he couldn’t help wondering what they were thinking. So far, everyone had been very proper. He laughed silently to himself. Well, almost everyone. There had been a few, like Uhura, who had seemed almost estatic about the news. Even Bones seemed to have taken to the new situation with aplomb.

Mostly though, questions about Spock were couched in terms that made it clear that they were asking the captain, not the Vulcan’s lover. He hoped it continued that way, for Spock’s benefit moreso than his own. He started gathering his selections, relieved that their new relationship didn’t look to be a problem for the crew.

“That’s a lot of food for one person, Jim.”

He turned to see Mitchell standing behind him, his tray balanced against one hip. “I’m taking Mr. Spock his dinner. He’s not allowed out of his quarters tonight...doctor’s orders.”

“How very convenient,” Mitchell drawled out, and turned to punch up his selection.

Kirk frowned, and then turned to finish gathering his selections. “What happened to your face, Gary?”

Mitchell brought his hand up and touched the scratches running down his left cheek, “They’re nothing. I, uh, ran into a tree. You know, on that planet.”

That didn’t sound right somehow, but Kirk let it go, his own concerns on his mind. He nodded and started for the exit.

“Can I talk to you for a minute, Captain?” Mitchell put his tray down on a near-by table and motioned Kirk over.

He hesitated a moment but then walked back to the table, keeping hold of his tray. He wasn’t staying long. “What it is you need, Gary?”

I hear we’re heading for Starbase Eleven.”

“That’s right.”

“I thought we might spend some time together, maybe look up Tina and Kelly. Be like old-home week.”

He stared at his friend, unable to figure if the man was being sincere, or trying to be funny. “I don’t think so, Gary. I’ve already made other plans. Maybe next time.”

“What plans would that be?”

“Spock and I have a cabin rented. We’re going to just kick back and relax for a few days.”

“How about McCoy? He gonna...chaperone you two?” Mitchell gave the words an ugly connotation.

“No,” Kirk said in a quiet voice. “It’s going to be just me and Spock.”

“I see.”

“Do you, Mr. Mitchell? I’m glad. I don’t want there to be any misunderstanding about it.” He gave the navigator a long look and then headed out the door. Apparently, his earlier reflections had been way too optimistic.

* * *

They materalized just before sunset, the shadows of the trees circling the small cabin like elongated soldiers, guarding their retreat. A shiver of expectation coursed through Spock’s body, for it would be here that he and Kirk would form their eternal union.

“Well, here we are.” Kirk walked up on the porch, surveying their home for the next two days. Not fifty feet away the lake shimmered with the last rays of the setting sun, and the forest behind them whispered the wind’s song. He looked at Spock. “Beautiful, simply beautiful.”

Spock smiled and followed Kirk as he entered the cabin.

It was cold and dark inside, so they spent their first hour getting a fire going, working by candlelight until they were able to locate the power controls. Heat gushed from the floor vents as lights came on through the small dwelling.

“I think I almost liked it better, before.” Kirk gazed around the main room. Rustic, almost to the point of spartan, the harsh artificial light destroyed the soft, romantic air candlelight had given it.

“It shall always shine as a place of unimagined beauty in my memory.” Spock stared intently from across the room. He had felt his lover’s pull as the time had drawn nearer, the mind that called to his and begged to become one. He walked over and took the smaller man in an embrace, burying his face in the small of Kirk’s neck and breathing in the male scent that intoxicated him. “I need you, Jim. I need you now.”

“Maybe we should check out the upstairs,” Kirk whispered seductively, and tugged at Spock’s waist where his hands had settled. He reached down and grabbed the valise he had brought and turned toward the stairs.

Together, they made their way up the narrow staircase that led to the upper floor and the bedroom awaiting them. It, too, was sparcely furnished, but neither of them was aware any longer of such details. In unvoiced agreement, they deposited the two small bags they had brought on the dresser and began to unpack. Each showered in the tiny stall, Kirk first. So when Spock stepped out of the bathroom, his robe loosely tied, it was to the sight of his lover stretched out on the bed, the covers draping his lower body.

“Care to join me?” Kirk smiled and pulled the covers aside in welcome.

He removed his robe and slid in next to the human, wrapping his arms around Kirk to pull him closer. “You are always so cool to the touch, as if made to quench the fire that has always burned in me. I never knew until we came together how high that fire burned, the need growing in me to fulfill myself within you.”

“My romantic Vulcan.” Kirk hands slid down Spock’s body, coming to rest on his hips. “We both burn. God, the things you do to me.” He tilted his head up, presenting his mouth to be taken in an open-mouthed kiss.

Spock felt he would devour the man beneath him, his tongue sliding into the welcoming orifice, the kiss deepening. The noises Kirk made, his body undulating beneath his, was bringing Spock to a fever pitch. He explored his lover, the wide, strong back, the muscular thighs, the full buttock his hands seemed to mold around of their own volition. He pulled Kirk tightly against him, until their cocks pressed firmly against each other and the human moaned in desperate arousal.

“oh, god, Spock.” Kirk brought his hands up to clutch at Spock’s hair, pulling his head back. “Now, do it now.”

He fumbled at the bedstand, and grabbed the tube of lubricant Kirk had placed there. Undoing the cap, he squeezed out a generous amount unto his shaking hand.

Kirk grabbed it with his own, smearing the ointment over both their hands and then bringing his down to wrap his oiled fingers around his lover’s shaft.

Spock hissed, the feel of those strong fingers fisting his organ sending spikes of orgasmic shock through his body, centering in his pulsing cock. He pulled away and pushed Kirk’s thighs apart. He moved down further on the bed and leaned over to take his lover’s organ into his mouth, while his hand explored between the spread legs, searching for his ultimate prize.

Kirk moaned as he moved his hips up and down, burying his cock deeper into Spock’s mouth. When his lover’s finger breached the tight ring of his anus, Kirk’s movements became more frantic as he cried out. “Oh, Spock, please.”

“Yes, I want you, yes.” Spock released Kirk’s organ and pushed his finger harder into Kirk’s body, then two, then three, as he brought Kirk to the edge of completion time and time again, only to pull back at the last second. He returned to sucking the human’s penis, Kirk’s pleas of want driving Spock mad with unmet need. He didn’t want to stop, no, not yet. The taste of the human was intoxicating, the full, hard cock in his mouth and the buttery feel enclosing the fingers buried deep in Kirk’s body like a drug, and it was only the frantic need of his mind that finally made Spock pull back.

He knelt between the human’s legs, throwing them over his shoulders and looking down at the human, Kirk’s chest heaving, the sweat glistening off him. “You are mine, now and forever, mine.”

“Yes, god, yes. Just do it...finish it!”

He grabbed Kirk’s buttocks with both hands, spreading him wide, and with one quick lunge buried himself in the human, his cock stretching and filling the welcoming sheath.

Kirk gasped and bucked up, taking Spock deeper into himself. It impaled him over and over, Spock’s grunts echoing each thrust of his cock. He grabbed his lover’s arms, rocking himself up to meet each lunge, moaning with each slide of the organ against his prostate, each press of fullness as it shoved up inside his body.

Spock threw his head back, panting, on fire, and blindly settled his hand on Kirk’s face. The explosion of orgasm swept through him, and he cried out his lover’s name as he buried his seed into the waiting body. “Jim, yes, JIM!”

The bond came alive and shook him, held him in an embrace of passion, and then doubled back through the link, smashing into Kirk’s dazed consciousness. The human screamed and came, his semen spewing out to cover their bellies.

* * *

Kirk came to, the weight of his bondmate pressed heavy on him. He looked around almost in a daze. He had never had such mind-blowing sex...literally. He focused on Spock’s face, inches from his own. Cast in shadows by the moonlight filtering in from the window, nevertheless, Kirk could see the change in his lover. The joy Spock felt was palpable, his countenance set in the relaxed lines of contentment.

“How you doing?” Kirk brought his hand up and ran his fingers through the mussed strands of Spock’s hair.

“I am well,” Spock said, a lazy smile playing over his lips. It was a smile Kirk didn’t ever remember seeing on his lover before.

“Just ‘well’? I feel like I’m floating, like everything is new and fresh-”

“Reborn.”

“Yeah, that’s it exactly. It’s a lucky thing we didn’t do this on the ship. Wouldn’t do for the captain to run around with a silly grin plastered on his face.”

“You will lose this ‘silly grin’?” Spock teased.

“I’ll work on it.” Kirk’s expression became stern for a moment.” How’s that?”

“Ah, the captain I have come to love.” Spock closed his eyes, and then rolled over, pulling himself off Kirk. He lay on his back, silent.

“You okay?” He came up on one elbow, concerned at the sudden change in his lover.

“Just extremely fatigued. It is to be expected. The forming of a bond is very taxing. I will recover quite swiftly after sufficient rest.”

“Okay, lie here.” Kirk got up, and going into the small bathroom, gathered up a couple of towels. He thoroughly soaked one in warm water and then returned to the bed where he proceeded to clean his bondmate, gently wiping down the slender form. He could tell Spock was still awake, though the Vulcan’s eyes never opened.

The bond stretched between them like a silken cord of thought and emotion, tying them together beyond all untying. It gave him a new insight into the man he thought he knew almost as well as himself. He had realized almost from the start how very lonely Spock had been. But only now did he see the quiet desperation that had followed his lover, as the Vulcan struggled with the frightening possibility that his aloneness would never end. Kirk vowed, then and there, that nothing would ever come between them, that he would keep Spock safe, protected from the hurt and cruelty visited on him since childhood. The rush of feelings that swamped him as he looked down on his lover threatened to undo him.

“You’re not alone anymore,” he whispered at the still figure. “You’ll never be alone again.”

Spock reached blindly out, finding Kirk’s hand and holding on tight for a moment. “You have given me my life. It shall always be yours.”

Kirk bent down, kissing Spock chastely on the lips. “I’ll be right back.” He got up and returned to the bathroom. He threw the towels in the hamper placed under the sink, and then stepped into the shower stall. He turned the water on high and let the heated liquid wash over him.

He felt Spock’s seed slowly trickle from his body. It gave him an overwhelming feeling of possessiveness, as if the Vulcan’s claiming of his body had somehow stamped Spock as his. Kirk chuckled at the illogic of it all. They had done this before, Spock penetrating him, as well as the reverse. He had always enjoyed it, the fullness and sense of belonging it brought him. But this...he could feel Spock within him still. Not in the physical sense, but an intangible force that had taken up residence in the very core of his being. He wondered how he had ever lived without it.

He finally stepped out and dried off. He returned to the bed to find his lover soundly asleep, the slow rise and fall of Spock’s chest his only movement. Kirk arranged the blankets and then crawled in next to him, settling into the crook of Spock’s arm. He pulled the covers over them and closed his eyes.

* * *