Disclaimer: I don't own anything Star Trek it is all property of Gene Roddenberry, J.J. Abrams, Paramount, and whoever else owns rights to the franchise. I am not making any profits off of this so please don't sue me.
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Chapter 2: How it Happened and the Late Night Wish Heard Round the Galaxy
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Deep blue eyes stared up at the bare metallic gray ceiling blankly. It was a very late hour with most on board the USS Enterprise enjoying the benefits of a good sleep. The same could not be said for the Federation ship's Captain. Sleep was proving to be elusive for Jim Kirk as he lay flat on his back on the bed inside his darkened quarters clad in a thin light colored t-shirt with the Starfleet emblem over the right pectoral and matching sleeping pants. Jim new he should had been asleep but his mind simply wouldn't stop thinking about certain aspects of his life, mainly his duties as Captain of the Enterprise and his secret marriage to the half-Vulcan who served as First Officer on the very same ship.
Jim felt an immediate surge of want rise up inside him as the very thought of Spock. As the moment Spock was on the Main Bridge, it was his turn to be in charge of the Night Watch. This meant that Jim wouldn't see Spock until the early afternoon once he started his own shift. With a small huff Jim shook his head and pulled himself up from where he laid. He sat over the edge of the bed and lightly kneaded the back of his neck with his fingers. Then with another soft sigh Jim slowly rose to his feet. Pale bare feet softly padded over the dark blue carpet of his quarters as Jim walked over to the large viewing window that stood across from the bed.
The light from outside painted the Enterprise's Captain in a pale blue hue as he stood before the window and stared out into the star-filled blackness of Space.
Jim crossed his arms over his chest and took in the quietly breathtaking sight. At this moment he was not James Tiberius Kirk Captain of the USS Enterprise and youngest Captain of the whole Fleet. Right now he was just Jim who couldn't fall asleep because thoughts about his mentioned job and his concealed joining simply wouldn't leave him in peace. As he stood there by one of the windows of his quarters, Jim Kirk's mind went to the fateful day nearly five months ago when an away mission to explore a relatively safe looking yet not fully charted out planet changed his and Spock's lives in a way that neither of them ever saw coming.
Five months ago...
" Cepten ve haf reached ze planet." Announced Ensign Chekov.
" Evnul Theta, finally." Said Captain Kirk as he stood from his chair and eyed the atmospheric surface of the planet on the main screen. The he spoke.
" You have the conn Mr. Sulu." He Ordered.
" Aye Sir." Acknowledged Sulu.
Kirk turned to his First Officer.
" Mr. Spock, let's go check this place out." He said with an eager glint in his blue eyes.
" Affirmative Captain." Said Spock as he rose from his own station and joined Captain Kirk as they made their way to the Turbo-Lift. The ride down was made in comfortable silence, both officers silently excited to see what this new planet had to offer.
After a couple of minutes the lift's door slid open and the two men stepped out, walking side by side down the corridor that let to the transporter room.
" Hello Captain, Mr. Spock." Greeted Scotty with a small grin from where she stood by the transporter controls.
" Hey Mr. Scott." Replied Kirk while Spock nodded to the Chief Engineer before they set about gearing up to beam down to the planet.
Two young security officers were ready and waiting on two of the transporter pads waiting for the Captain and First Officer. Once they had all the necessary items like scanners and phazers Kirk and Spock stepped onto the transporter platform.
" Beam us down Scotty." Ordered Captain Kirk.
" Aye Captain, and sir?" Asked Scotty. Four heads turned to stare at him to continue.
" Be careful down there and give'us a call the second anythin seems off." Finished Scotty.
They all nodded and got ready.
" Energizin." Said Scotty as he raised the controls.
Energy swirled around the four officers on the pads as they dematerialized from the Enterprise. Moments later there were first swirls of energy and then Kirk, Spock, and the two security officers were materializing on the soil of Evnul Theta, in a moderately wooded area.
" Alright people let's have ourselves a look around." Ordered Kirk as he took in his surroundings.
The place seemed almost Earth-like, almost. From some of the vegetation that could be seen this was definitely an alien planet, some of the plants were full on purple instead of the normal green. They spread out just a little bit as they started exploring. Spock caught sight of a blood red plant with equally brilliant red flowers. The Half-Vulcan made his way over to the plant and knelt down before it with his scanner open and ready to take some readings. He was just about to run the scanner over one of the flowers when all together the many flowers of the plant suddenly and rapidly released a yellowish red dust from within it's crimson as an unsuspecting Spock
Before he could help it Spock found himself inhaling a lung-full of the dust floating about the air around him.
The Vulcan immediately started coughing loudly which instantly alerted the others.
" Spock!" Yelled an alarmed Kirk as he rushed over to his distressed First Officer.
" You Alright?" Asked the Captain as he knelt beside the still coughing Vulcan.
Spock looked up at the Captain and trying desperately to regain his composure as he haltingly began to explain.
" I was...Cough...About to run my...Cough-Cough... Scanner over this plant when it... Cough... Released some sort of airborne pollen... Cough... I unfortunately breathed some of it in... COUGH!"
Spock broke off into a round of harsh coughs after that and unbenounced to the Captain, he too was breathing in some of the dust particles that had been released by the red plant. The next thing he knew Kirk himself started coughing hard as well. The two security officers that had accompanied Kirk and Spock cautiously stood back from their commanding officers, eying them with deep concern.
" Are you alright Captain? Commander Spock?" Asked one of them.
Kirk pulled a still coughing Spock up with him as he stood before he turned to the two security officers. Feeling his throat still spasming he simply pointed first at one of the officers and the gestured upwards with his thumb. The officers got the message loud and clear.
" Get us the Hell outta here."
At once one of the officers pulled out his communicators and started rapidly relaying the situation back to the Enterprise.
Kirk bent over and braced his hands onto his knees as he started wheezing a little bit. He could hear Spock still coughing up a storm beside him before a strong tingling sensation enveloped him. Kirk felt relief wash over him as he realized that they were being beamed back up to the Enterprise. The four Starfleet officers rapidly dematerialized from the grounds of Evnul Theta and second later they were all reappearing on the transporter platform of the Enterprise.
No sooner had they rematerialized the doors to the transporter room were sliding open as the Chief Medical Officer made his entrance with nurses flanking him.
" What have you gotten yourselves into this time?" Asked Dr. McCoy flatly as he made his way over to Kirk and Spock.
" Oh, the usual Bones." Said Kirk breathlessly.
" Of course." Said Bones under his breath as he set to work.
Twenty minutes later they were all in the Enterprises Sickbay with Kirk and Spock both sitting at the foot of two medical beds.
Kirk cried out as Bones pressed a hypospray to his neck.
" Ow." Grimaced Kirk as he rubbed the sore spot on his neck left behind by the spray.
" Shut it Jim, serves you right for inhaling alien plant dust in the first place." Shot back Bones as he stepped over to Spock and pressed the hypospray to the Vulcan's neck like he had to the Captains.
Unlike Kirk, Spock barely gave a reaction to the spray. The two of them had stopped nearly coughing up there internal organs about ten minutes earlier. Now they both appeared to be alright with no other adverse symptoms from the dust. After he had been sprayed Spock immediately got to his feet.
" Thank you Doctor, if there is nothing further I will resume my duties on the Bridge." Said Spock as he turned to leave the Sickbay.
" Hey wait up Spock, I'm comin' with." Said Kirk as he too got to his feet and waled over to Spock who had paused for him.
" Hold it right there you two." Ordered Bones sternly.
" Bones c'mon. were both just fine now." Insisted Kirk.
" Yeah, you're fine now but the stuff you inhaled might cause a delayed reaction. If either of you start feeling even the slightest bit off in the coming hours I was you back in here immediately. Is that clear?" Ordered Bones.
" Understood Doctor." Said Spock with a nod.
" Crystal clear Bones." Nodded Kirk before the Captain and his First Officer proceeded out of Sickbay.
The two made there way back to the Main Bridge and resumed their duties. The Enterprise pulled out of orbit around Evnul Theta and plotted a course for the nearest Federation Starbase. It was going to take them three days to get there. The rest of the day passed by without any further incident and much to the relief of everyone else on board both Captain Kirk and Commander Spock showed no further signs of distress.
It was very late when Captain Kirk finally handed over the Bridge to Night Shift staff. He headed over to the turbo-lift and pressed the button for the desired deck and headed upwards several levels. When the door slid open a very weary Jim Kirk trudged out and walked down the corridor that led to his quarters. The gray door slid open for him when he reached it and his slipped inside his dimly lit quarters. Running on the barest of fumes the captain of the Enterprise made a b-line for his bedroom. He shuffled over to his bed and wearily sank down onto it.
With a small groan Jim peeled off his boots and his socks. Then he slowly got back up and trudged over to one of the inlaid drawers that stood in the wall across from his bedside. He pressed the button to open it and once it slid out he pulled out some sleeping clothes and then slipped into the bathroom. A nice hot shower was in order. Fifteen minutes later he came back out dressed for bed, feeling a little better and less achy, but still completely bushed from a hard days work.
He paused at the light panel by the entrance door and turned off the already dimmed lights of his quarters living room area before shutting off the lights to his bedroom. With a deep sigh Jim made his way over to the bed and climbed in. He was asleep before his head even reached the pillow.
However three hours later...
Pale blue eyes burst wide open and Jim Kirk shot straight up in bed, having been abruptly yanked out of a dead sleep.
The human sat with the sheets tangles around him, his chest heaving as he breathed hard like he had just run several miles as fast as his body could go. His whole body itself felt like it was on fire, heat radiating off of his like he was a furnace. His heart pounded inside his chest, the beat roaring in his ears. With a small grunt Jim untangled himself of the sheets and stood. His head spun a little when he rose to full height but it quickly passed. Once he was sure that his head was more or less alright Jim all but ran into the bathroom and turned on the lights before standing in front of the mirror.
Pale blue eyes grew even wider as Jim stared at himself, his face was flushed a dusky pink like he had a fever, his shirt was slightly clinging to his skin, damp with seat. And then to his embarrassment he realized that other, lower more private parts of him were also being affected by this sudden onslaught.
" The dust." Whispered Jim breathlessly in realization. The freaky red plant dust from Evnul Theta.
He needed to call Bones immediately about what was happening to him, and also see if Spock was alright. With that in mind the Captain dashed out of his bathroom and then clear out of his bedroom, intent on getting to the ships communication panel in the living room. He had just entered the living room when the main door to his quarters suddenly chirped, signaling that somebody was on the other side wanting to come in.
Without clearly thinking it through Jim made his way over to the small panel by the door and pushed the button to open it.
The second the door slid open Jim Kirk felt his pounding heart suddenly freeze into complete stillness.
" S-Spock." Whispered Jim as he beheld his first officer.
The Half-Vulcan stood in the doorway dressed in loose black robes, his own sleeping attire.
What had Jim feeling the beginnings of all out terror the look of Spock's face. The normally blank and careful, calm controlled expression was nowhere to be found. In it's place was something far more dark and far more dangerous. And there was also a peculiar light green flush to the Vulcan's cheeks. The flushed look to the skin aside, Jim had seen this look before. He had seen it after he and Scotty had beamed back on board the Enterprise from Delta Vega. They had been on the bridge and he had started saying all those horrible things to Spock who had just lost his mother and literally his whole world. His words had let to him getting the most vicious beating he had ever received in his life, at the hands of the Vulcan he had succeeded in emotionally compromising.
Right now Jim found himself staring once again at a Spock who simply wasn't right.
Belatedly choosing to act Jim reached out for the panel to shut the door, but it was already too late. The next thing Jim knew he was flying backwards and landing on the floor several feet from the door with a low grunt. He distantly heard the door sliding shut and footsteps advancing towards him slowly. Jim did his best to get to his feet as quickly as possible, only to yelp as he was seized by the throat and feel his back slam forcefully into his living room area wall.
" Sp-ock, st-stop, let go." Choked out Jim as he clawed futilely at Spock's hand that was like a vice around his throat.
As he stared at his clearly enraged First Officer, Jim Kirk felt another realization his him like a ten-ton weight right to the chest.
" Oh my God, he's in Ponn Farr. The dust must've set it off in him." Thought Kirk in utter mortification.
He had actually took the time to research a little on his First Officer's kind, mainly their mating habits. Bones had recommended it actually and he had been genuinely curious. Besides reading up on it he had actually gone and asked Spock had given him the general gist of things, but finding himself in the situation itself was something else entirely.
This put Spock and himself a very dangerous situation.
Ponn Farr was when a Vulcan completely lost it, all semblance of control gone with the urges to mate. And from what Jim could tell, Spock was clearly in the throws of the blood fever.
For Jim the realization just kept on coming without mercy.
Spock was in a state where reason could not penetrate.
Spock could kill him this very second with a mere flick of his wrist.
He could end up getting out and hurting others on board the ship in this state.
If this went on Spock could die.
The last thought had Jim feeling his fear increase ten-fold. In that moment Jim Kirk made a decision, as both Captain of the Enterprise and as Spock's friend. A decision that would have far reaching consequences on them both. In addition, Jim found himself feeling the full blown waves of need crashing onto him as well.
Great, the red plant dust on Evnul Theta turned out to be some sort of freaky sex pollen. Just fantastic.
Jim grunted as he felt Spock's hand tighten painfully around his throat. The Vulcan's breath was searing hot against his face. Staring up at him Jim could see the full blown lust and desire burning brightly within those deep eyes, blackening the normally dark brown orbs.
" Sp-ock... Spock." Gritted out Jim with great difficulty.
" Captain, I cannot control what is going on with my body. Ponn Farr... The urges... They are proving to be too much. Too strong." Gritted out Spock with difficulty as well. Thankfully his grip on Jim's throat eased a little after saying these words.
" I know Spock, I know, it's the dust that we breathed in, it's doing this to us. Listen to me Spock, I know this is gonna sound crazy, hell it is crazy but it has to be done. Spock I want you to go ahead and take me, do whatever you gotta do. Take me as your mate." Said Jim, no really believing what he had just said himself.
" What?" Whispered a completely taken aback Spock.
" You heard me Spock. As captain of this ship I can't allow you going on a rampage and end up hurting someone else on board, and as your friend I can't sit back and let you die from this either. So given the situation this is the most logical choice, so do it." Said Jim in desperation.
" Jim I-" Spock began when the human suddenly cried out in agony.
" Oh God." Gritted out Jim as it felt like a hot poker had suddenly skewered him through the chest. His body suddenly lost all tension and his knees buckled beneath him. Spock instantly released his hold around Jim's throat and his hands went to the human's shoulders to keep him his Vulcan strength it was easily done.
" Jim what is it? What is wrong?" Asked Spock urgently, momentarily forgetting his own dire situation as he stared at his glassy eyed captain.
" Spock it hurts, my chest... everything. I think the dust is doing the same thing to me as it's doing to you." Whispered Jim as he battled to stay focused.
Then he looked up at Spock and spoke.
" You called me Jim." he said almost dreamily with a small smile. But the smile quickly faded and with an unexpected burst of strength rallied from deep within the human surged forward breaking Spock's hold on his shoulders.
Spock's eyes widened in shock as he found himself with Jim Kirk holding onto him for what could very well have been dear life.
Jim took in a deep rattling breath through his lips and spoke against the Vulcan's neck.
" Spock... I give myself to you willingly. Please hurry, cause I don't want you to die. I can't let you die and I think I won't make it either if I don't do this. Please, I give myself to you." Whispered Jim as his eyes suddenly began to burn.
He nearly jumped as he felt and heard the low rumbling growl that rose up from the Vulcan he was clinging to. The next thing Jim knew he was once again being shoved hard into the wall only this time instead of an unyielding hand wrapping around his throat and cutting on his airways, Jim felt a molten hot mouth seal itself over his own parted lips. Jim let out a muffled gasp as it felt like an electrical current was surging through him from his mouth to every nerve ending in his body. With a low moan Jim melted against Spock and kissed him back with the hunger he himself was feeling.
Then Jim vaguely felt himself being half carried half dragged away from the wall and further inside his quarters. Into his bedroom.
What happened after that was something desperate, hungry, uncontrolled, filled with passion, and something neither Jim nor Spock would ever forget or could ever erase.
As they laid their in a tangled and boneless heap of limbs and bliss, Spock slowly pushed himself up onto his elbows and loomed over a breathless Jim Kirk.
They had both significantly calmed down now, the danger of before seemingly having been averted. But at a cost to them both.
Spock stared down at Jim, Jim stared up at Spock. Both of them at once seemed to understand the monumental gravity of what had transpired between them.
Spock slowly reached up with his right hand seeking out Jim's face. From past experience Jim instantly knew what this meant.
A mind meld.
A small smile curled the corners of Jim's lips upwards and he nodded to Spock, going to far as to turn his head to the side in total consent to what Spock wanted to do. To Jim silent amazement he watched as a tiny smile graced Spock's own lips for a moment before the Vulcan schooled his features back into a serious expression as his finger made contact with the meld points of the human's face.
The moment Spock's fingertips touched him, Jim's pale blue eyes grew wide and he gasped at the sensation. It was nothing like what he had experienced with the Older Spock on Delta Vega, full of unimaginable pain and guilt, failure and utter loss. No this was warmth, this pleasure far richer than the physical one they had shared, this was love.
Jim turned his head a little so that he was once again face to face with Spock. The Vulcan leaned down and pressed his forehead to Jim.
Through the meld their minds were one with each other, the terror, the confusion, the rage, and the pain that had been induced by the delayed effects of the dust were obliterated. There was only peace, there was only the establishment of a new and powerful bond, there was only completion.
After that night they were irreversibly bonded to each other for the rest of their lives.
Pale blue eyes blinked as their owner came back from the depths of memory. Jim took a moment to look about, he was on board the Enterprise, standing before the window in his bedroom with the dim light of Space bathing him in a pale blue hue. It was still late in the hour and he had yet to fall asleep.
With a sigh Jim began to think about his mate.
Spock. He could've died that night and it would've been another Vulcan senselessly lost.
Jim felt a small tug at his heart as his mind went to the Vulcan with whom he was now bonded with for life, and the small number of Vulcan survivors who had started anew on far away planet. There were so few where once there were billions. All wiped away by a madman bent of blind revenge.
" I wish I could do more for you Spock, for you and your people. I wish I could perform the full duties of a bonded mate." Whispered Jim to no one.
Then he looked out the window and caught sight of a red sparkling star amidst all of the white.
Jim suddenly snorted and shook his head at the sheer ludicrousness of what he had wished for. Like he would ever suddenly grow female parts and be able to carry a child for the Vulcan he loved.
With a small huff and a soft chuckle Jim Kirk turned away from the window and headed back to bed. He did have duties in the morning and he was going to need whatever hours of sleep he could get now.
Unbenounced to Jim Kirk, millions of light years away from the the Enterprise, the red star he had been looking at turned out not to be a star at all, but an extraordinary being that no one knew even existed.
The being was seemingly a massive swirling mass of red energy suspended in space.
But this was a sentient being that had actually heard a mere mortal man's softly spoken wish from nearly all the way across Space.
With the melodious voice, the red star being spoke to the vast expanse of Space where the Enterprise gracefully flew by.
" I will remember this moment mortal man. I will remember this selfless wish and find you when the time is right. I will give to you that which you desire most, not for yourself but for the one to whom you are eternally bound. I shall remember, I shall wait with patience, and I shall find you when the time is right. This I promise, this I swear."
A solemn vow by a powerful yet unknown being of the universe across space to an oblivious mortal Captain of a Star ship.