Author's Note: This is essentially a scene I wrote that would fit into the newest Star Trek movie just after Kirk beams off of Delta Vega, but remaining with Spock Prime instead of cutting to the Enterprise to follow Kirk's story. What was going through our favorite Vulcan's head? Verges on slash, but focuses on what Spock may have legitimately been thinking. Short but sweet. Spock's POV.


Spock… the real Spock, the original Spock… watched as the soon-to-be Captain James T. Kirk was swallowed in the swirling effect of the transporter beam, fading away right before his eyes. Spock allowed himself a small sigh as the person whom he cared about most in the universe blinked out of existence from Delta Vega, hopefully to reappear aboard the USS Enterprise.

He, of course, had not been expecting to see Jim on Delta Vega of all places, this planet of his forced exile. The shocking yet pleasant revelation had filled a long-since emptied hole within him, even if temporarily. His Captain, his Jim, was dead, but this Jim had a long and eventful life before him. But Spock firmly reminded himself that his own younger counterpart was to play a role in this Jim's life, not he himself.

The younger version of Spock would soon learn just how much he needed Jim, and just how much Jim needed him. "A friendship that will define you both," Spock would soon tell him when they met face to face. And maybe something a little more…

Spock suppressed an unexpected shiver as he recalled some of the more intimate moments he and Jim had shared: the little things that had never quite built up to the next level. Those moments that left Spock wondering just where the fine line between friendship and the 'something more' had gone.

Spock had never fully discovered the logic behind why his 'plak tow', his blood fever, his sex drive to be perfectly blunt, had faded so quickly after he had 'killed' Jim on Vulcan. He had never understood why he would so easily throw away logic when Jim's life was in danger. Why had he gripped Jim's hand so easily and without thought when the Captain had been trapped in a woman's body? Especially considering how intimate the touch of Vulcan hands are considered to be. And during the V-ger incident, Jim gently holding his hand as he lay in sick bay with that soft, encouraging smile on his lips…

But most of all, when Jim had hugged him, closing the gap between them and pulling Spock so easily into his arms aboard the Klingon vessel. "Please, Jim. Not in front of the Klingons," he had said despite his inward appreciation for Jim's actions. Spock allowed a small smile at the memory. There were so many things about Jim he would never forget…

And now, here was Jim. The same Jim, yet a very different Jim, at the start of his career with so many incredible and dangerous adventures yet to come. But this time it wouldn't be this Spock at his side; it would be his younger counterpart. They needed each other. Be it as friends or as lovers, they truly needed each other. Their own lives, and the lives of the many crewmen aboard the Enterprise depended on them and their unique friendship.

Spock set off, determined to ensure that Jim and Spock stayed together aboard the Enterprise. They were destined to become friends, brothers…lovers? They were meant to be together, amongst the stars and planets, side by side, no matter which universe they existed in.

"Jim." The Vulcan's voice was soft as he spoke aloud for the first time since Jim, the other Jim, had disappeared. "My T'hy'la."