Captain James T. Kirk of the U.S.S Enterprise worked furiously. He had to finish this quick.

He's done this before. He cheated on this test. But…it was going to have a different outcome. A poisonous gas will erupt, cut off his air supply, and his life will end. He hated to die, but if that was the price he pays for rescuing his crew and the ship, then so be it.

He quickly activated the controls, and then the test came to life. He began to feel weaker…the poison was affecting him. He began to lay down in a tight ball, thinking that if he would die, he'd die comfortably. He saved his crew, and that's what mattered.

He was getting dizzy, and almost all of his strength was gone. He had to fight for each breath. He was prepared to meet the end, when, all of a sudden, a single voice called out,

"JIM!"

Spock.

Kirk opened his eyes with great effort, and turned his head to where the unusually emotional voice came from. His sight slowly came into focus, and he saw his First Officer gaping at him, undisguised emotion written on his face.

Kirk smiled weakly and, using the glass to help him, stumbled weakly over to where Spock was. He leaned against the glass, panting heavily. He whispered, "Everyone…okay?"

Spock reported in a tight, yet wavering voice, "All casualties have been repressed, Sir." Kirk groaned in frustration at the word, 'Sir', but decided not to comment on it. If he did, he probably wouldn't have time to tell Spock what he really wanted to say to him.

Smiling softly, he continued, "I…did pretty good…for someone who…didn't believe in…n-no win-scenario's."

Spock placed both his hands on the glass, and leaned forward, as if he could merge through the glass, and join his dying friend. Kirk saw tears forming in his friend's eyes.

"Captain…Jim…why…?"

Kirk gave a weary chuckle, and looked at Spock lovingly, "A captain puts his crew first. Spock…I…don't think I'm going to make it…" Spock visibly stiffened.

"You've escaped death before 23.7 times, Captain. It is only logical that you'll escape death again." Kirk smiled sadly.

"Not this time."

He coughed, body trembling momentarily. He had fallen to his knees. Man, he was so weak. He opened his eyes after the spasms stopped, and was surprised to see the Vulcan on his knees as well, so he can remain still in eye contact.

He's never seen so much emotion in the Vulcan before, well, except when Spock thought he killed him on Vulcan during his Pon Farr. He always wished to see that much emotion again. He does now, but he desperately wished it was under different circumstances.

He whispered softly, "You were…the best f-friend…I've ever had. It was an h-honor to work with you all these years…T-tell Bones…"

"Jim…"

"Tell Bones…that he was the best m-medical officer ever. And Uhura…Chekhov…Scotty, and Sulu were… the best c-crew members I've ever had the p-pleasure to serve…with…m-me…Spock…"

Spock raised his hand against the glass, urging the captain to stop talking, to save his strength. But Jim needed to tell this to him.

"Y-you'll make a great Captain. I w-will miss you…" It was becoming harder to breathe.

Spock let out a sob, and the tears began to fall. He shakily rose a hand to the glass and gave Kirk the traditional Vulcan farewell salute.

"Live long and prosper Jim…my brother."

Kirk gave him a faint smile, and whispered, "Farewell…Captain Spock…my brother…"

Kirk's weight pressed him further into the glass. H e felt his heart slowing down. He closed his eyes and fell into the everlasting darkness.