It was a routine diplomatic mission. Until it wasn't. It was supposed to be a quick visit to a slightly primitive and aggressive society, with the good ole "Hello, we're the United Federation of Planets!" speech. Followed by dinner with their leaders as a formality, then right back to the comfort of the USS Enterprise. But no, as fate would've had it, the civilization was more than just slightly aggressive and primitive, and they did not understand nor appreciate the casual colloquialisms of one James Tiberius Kirk.
Captain Kirk received orders at 0700. Go to a planet in the outer rim that has only recently discovered space travel, investigate the means of which have provided for the odd and sudden advancement, under the pretense of simple introductions. He made his way to the bridge and informed Mister Sulu of their mission and coordinates, to which they arrived at in only a few hours. "Captain, who will accompany you? Due to my extensive knowledge of Xenolinguistics, and the inhabitants of this planet having only a basic understanding of Federation Standard, I believe I should join you." Lieutenant Uhura stated matter-of-factly.
"Alright, Spock, Uhura you two will beam down with me. Remember, we are here to investigate their premature advancement, without causing suspicion." The Captain commanded as his first officer and communications officer both gave similar curt nods.
The Enterprise's 'Diplomatic Landing party' beamed down to the surface, and were greeted by a group of humanoid aliens with skin deepened by the planet's sun. They had several ridges decorating their faces, from their cheekbones to temples. The majority did not have hair, only more intricate ridges and tattoos of a sort gracing their heads. They wore pelts and hides of unknown animals and spoke slowly with proper Standard but thick accents. "Cap-tain. Welcome, I am the... Advisor to our Prince. We will take you to our dining hall." The tall alien in the middle spoke.
"Thank you, lead on," Jim replied putting on his professional, commanding charm. They passed by many tents varying in size, covered in more odd animal furs. As they reached a large makeshift building, Jim noticed a metallic glint from behind the side of it. "Look, do you see that? What could that be?" the Captain whispered inquisitively to Spock and Uhura.
"I can't see all of it but it looks almost like... a Klingon shuttle." Uhura whispered back.
"What the hell is a Klingon shuttle doing here?" Jim wondered quietly.
"Perhaps that could explain the sudden technological advancements found here Captain." Spock interjected. Jim and Uhura nodded in agreement, all beginning to tense ever so slightly. They continued walking, following their guide, finally reaching the building which they assumed held the dining hall.
"Nice uh... loincloth, must be nice and breathable." Kirk tentatively spoke to fill the awkward silence between them and their guides. He and his party were being led through a hall with impossibly high ceilings for how primitive the construction seemed. There was an oddly musty and disconcerting, freshly killed animal smell floating through the hall. The captain let out a nervous chuckle as their second guide slowly turned as he came to a sudden halt.
"You dare make suggestive comments towards the Prince's consort?" they struggled to keep up with the accents and limited knowledge of Standard, but the accusation was quite clear.
"No, no! I apologize, I was simply trying to make casual conversation." Jim explained with growing anxiety, he did not want to upset yet another delegation, or alien prince or princess, especially since they could not yet explain the Klingon vessel, and their hosts were beginning to seem more and more unpredictable. He tried to hold back another nervous laugh beneath the apologetic horror he was experiencing.
"Seize him! And ensure the rest leave at once!" the alien barked at nearby guards.
"Captain!-" Spock began, voice uncharacteristically concerned.
"Spock, Uhura, back to the ship now!" Jim commanded firmly, "The last thing we need is another diplomatic disaster. I'll deal with this so do what they say, I'll be fine. " their Captain continued quietly trying to project confidence, but slightly failing. Spock looked at his Captain and could feel the nervousness that was being hidden, letting slight hesitation slip as he spoke, feeling more panic then he led on.
"Yes, Captain." He then managed in his usual calm, calculated manner. And with that, Spock and Uhura left, with a less than gentle shove out. Their captain now completely out of sight and in the hands of unknown aliens seemingly in possession of Klingon technology.
A few months prior...
For quite a while Jim had been feeling... strange. Ever since the great debacle with Khan, when he'd only sort of died. He felt as if he and his first officer had become closer friends as a positive side effect in recent months, despite their earlier reintroduced difficulties. But with that, he began noticing odd ...new... feelings and thoughts concerning his half-Vulcan crew member. Things he had been attempting to forget about. He noticed it first when Spock had left his side after he'd been revived by Bones and Khan's regenerative blood. He was incredibly relieved when he awoke, not simply because he was alive, but at the sight of Spock unharmed and at his side. When his first officer inevitably soon after had to part with him to return to his post, Jim felt a pang of... something... in his chest, followed by a strange sense of emptiness. But as he normally did with complex emotions, especially compromising ones concerning his friends, he ignored it and decided it was simply a side effect of dying and returning to life.
The thing was, it continued. Jim would feel his mood almost instantaneously improve when he'd see Spock. He found himself just biding his time waiting for their next chess game, or casual conversation at breakfast. The few times his hand had brushed Spock's, or they'd accidentally met eyes when he'd been subconsciously staring in his first officer's direction, Jim nearly had a damn heart attack. It had been long since he had tried his very best to quell and supress any and all... attraction.. he felt towards his First Officer, so as it continued, the Captain continued to try and ignore it, tried to just enjoy Spock's presence when he got to, and act as casually and nonchalantly as he could. Especially after certain events that had occured prior to the launch of their five year mission. One day, it was particularly difficult though...
Jim walked over to his first officer's quarters that were just beside his own. Their doors were almost always locked, due to rare need to visit each others personal quarters. But he decided to knock on the door gently anyways. It was nearing Alpha shift and Spock had not joined him for breakfast as he usually did. Thus Jim was wondering with a slight twinge of concern hiding underneath the humourous curiousity, whether the rigidly punctual Vulcan perhaps slept in somehow, or had simply forgotten about their usual breakfast plans. There was no answer at the door but Jim saw that it was unlocked, feeling a slightly uncomfortable knot form at the bottom of his stomach. He decided to press on and open the door, "Spock..?-" he began with a light nervous chuckle. What he saw though, he was in no way prepared for.
"Captain, I apologize for missing our appointment for breakfast. I found myself in need of meditation." The dark-haired man spoke calmly with only a slight tweak of his right eyebrow. But below those attentive and ever questioning Vulcan brows, below his face was his body. Oh, his body. It was on display in no way Kirk had ever witnessed before. Spock was wearing his earth-toned Vulcan meditation robes, which looked very soft and were continually slipping off one shoulder. Although, not quite as impossibly soft as the pale skin of his toned chest peeking out from beneath the silken fabric. Kirk felt a shiver of deja-vu for a short second, before snapping back into the moment.
Jim's jaw dropped open slightly, only to snap shut to avoid being too terribly obvious. "Oh god, Spock uh.. I'm sorry to have interrupted you. I was... um... I'll get out of your hair." Kirk sputtered out with a growing rose flush appearing on his face.
Spock stepped closer and spoke inquisitively, "You are assuredly not in my hair Captain, that is quite an illogical phrase due to the obvious fact that you are not at all close enough to be in any way 'in my hair'." One eyebrow rose slightly, an onlooker might assume that Spock was maybe, perhaps flirting with the flustered man in front of him, but Jim 'knew better' and brushed it off as the Vulcan's usual picking apart of human vernacular. But very oddly, the raven-haired half-Vulcan continued to step closer to his captain, closer than they'd ever be under most circumstances. Until he was close enough to really see the pink hue speckling Jim's face, close enough to feel Jim's held in puffs of breath. "I'd reason that you'd have to be at least this close in proximity, to be in my hair, Captain." Spock spoke again with a slightly raised eyebrow and a tiny quirk of the corner of his lips. His perfect, wonderful lips...
The blonde man couldn't help but look upon and appreciate the perfectly curved and distinct lips that had spoken. "I.. suppose you are correct mister Spock. I will, um.. I'll see you on the bridge!" Jim awkwardly laughed and patted Spock on the shoulder, in a way that was almost a slap, as he nearly stumbled out of the entrance to retreat back into his own personal quarters.
Once the door slid shut with a familiar metallic swoosh, the half Vulcan's lip quirked yet again as he quietly noted to himself, "How curious."
AN/ Well oh boy, this is the first fic I've written in damn years, but I love Spirk way too much, and am waaaaayy too bored at work to have not started writing this. I already have a couple more chapters possibly in the works, so it shall be continued. Since I am very rusty with writing this type of thing, any constructive criticism and feedback would be VERY appreciated. Thanks to anyone who reads this! :)