For and betaed by Val, who is amazing!
This is my first Star Trek story but I'm sure there will be lots more!
Spock had dealt with jerks. He had dealt with bullies. He had dealt with creatures that threatened to suck out his very being both figuratively and literally, but he had never dealt with a Kirk before.
Kirk was a walking contradiction. The man was completely illogical, but with method. He was cocky, but there were moments when self-doubt flickered in his eyes. He attracted everyone to him but kept them all at arm's length.
It was illogical. It was James T. Kirk.
Spock could have killed him that day Scottie beamed Kirk back onto the ship and they exchanged those heated words in the deck. He could have strangled him then and about a thousand times since then.
Kirk was an irresponsible, immature risk taker. He was the best captain Spock had ever seen.