Spock stood on the scorching Vulcan sand as the sun began to fade in the distance. It was so hot that a human would wish for the moon to cool the fire beneath the bones of his feet. He however, was used to it, and welcomed Vulcan's warmth compared to the occasional coldness of the Enterprise. The Enterprise, however, he must unfortunately admit, hadn't always been so cold to him. He recalled the eternal force that warmed him, now from afar, but that used to be nearer to him. Much nearer. Even though he was colder being alone, the light in his memories always warmed him. Though now, they were increasingly accompanied by a sense of longing he'd began to regret bringing upon the both of them.
"Set the course, Mr. Sulu."
"Aye, sir."
Sulu smiled back at Kirk before turning around to control his station.
When Captain James Kirk gave an order, his crew never hesitated to listen to him. They trusted him, and always depended on their captain to lead them to safety or out of trouble. He was their leader, but also their friend, and one they had begun to care for and wonder about when he was chosen to go on missions on planets away from them.
Yes, James Kirk was happy with his crew, and his ship, and his role as a Starship Captain of the Enterprise...but he wasn't as happy as he could've been. He had been happier...more lighthearted...a smile on his face almost every day...and now...a fragment of that smile had been taken from him. There was warmth in his eyes, but it was not the same. The light and occasional twinkle that had glowed in his eyes when he looked around his ship and upon his crew had faded. Something was missing...yes, a part of him had been missing for almost a year now. Christmas was coming, and he had had happier times, much warmer than he knew this one was going to be.
Why go home to visit Earth when the eternal force that drove him was in space on a planet far away from him?