Yay another chapter! I choose to dedicate this one to theplanetmary, who contacted me last chapter and gave me warm fuzzies cause she said she liked it... I hope that you continue to like it!


Chapter 3

My Senses Touch Your World

Spock observed quietly while Jim ran his hands over the horse's sleek neck. The animal was completely calm, watching the young man with large brown eyes as Jim finished buckling on what Spock knew to be a bridle.

"Well, Spock?" Jim's blind eyes turned towards him. "Thoughts?"

"I am afraid I still do not understand, Jim." Spock admitted after a moment. "I do not see the special significance of this animal."

Jim sighed faintly. "I think you're just going to have to believe me then. Horses are just… special." He patted Light's muzzle once before moving back out of the stall, one hand extended toward the horse. Light followed him without much prompting, ears pricked forward.

"You're going to have to help me up, and to the arena. Okay, Spock?" Jim said, hunting for a moment for the wall and then leaning his cane there.

"I am not sure that you are safe in this situation, Jim." Spock said, eyeing the horse as Jim went to it's right side.

Jim tilted his head, looking towards him. "What do you mean?"

Spock frowned minutely. "There are no… means for you to secure yourself to this animal. And to let you go on your own is not advisable."

The younger man blinked, thinking. "Oh, you mean a saddle? This bridle I have on him will be fine, I don't need a saddle. As for me being on my own, Light is with me and he knows where not to go."

Spock still didn't like it. "As you have never been on this horse, Jim, I find this all to be illogical…."

"Look, just trust me, okay?" Jim said firmly, waving a hand in the Vulcan's direction. "I just know." He grinned. "Besides, you'll be nearby, won't you?"

"Of course."

Jim's smile widened. "Then I feel perfectly safe." He gestured Spock forward. "Now come on, give me a leg up."

Spock didn't question the strange wording; he understood Jim's intent as he braced both hands on the horse's back and shakily lifted his right foot. Spock was quick to steady him with a hand around his raised leg.

He barely had a moment to think when Jim suddenly used him as a stepping stool, his right leg extending powerfully to propel him onto the horse. Light stood calmly, making no move to show that he even noticed.

"That was kinda different." Jim murmured as he settled himself. "Supposed to mount from the left, but that leg isn't strong enough, so…"

Spock couldn't help but be slightly surprised; Jim had answered his unspoken question perfectly. He didn't say anything though, simply watched as Jim situated himself on the animal's back.

He looked rather natural up there, Spock noticed. Jim was perfectly at ease, hands lightly holding the reins. Once again Spock realized that they were well-matched, both golden and bright.

"Alright, do you think you could lead Light to the arena?" Jim asked, his voice breaking into Spock's thoughts.

Spock hesitated before hooking a hand around the leather of the reins. "Of course, Jim."

Light followed quietly, and Spock led him to the gate of the dirt-filled enclosure. The horse came to a stop when Spock did, and Jim turned his head slightly.

"Spock?"

"We are within the 'arena'."

Jim smiled. "Thanks."

And then the horse was gone from the Vulcan's side.


The sight before him was truly incredible. The only way he could think to describe it was that Jim had somehow become a part of the horse. At first Jim had taken Light around the perimeter of the arena at a walk, obviously discovering the dimensions.

Now, however, he was taking the horse through several paces, un-erringly directing him around the enclosure. Jim moved and rocked with Light's pace, easily following him in a natural series of movements. Jim truly looked at home on the horse's back, a smile on his face.

"Amazing, isn't it?"

Spock blinked in surprise; he hadn't heard any sound of someone approaching, and yet Dak was leaning at his side, forearms braced against the wood of the arena wall. The Vulcan did not speak, but Dak continued regardless.

"He's a true horseman, that's for sure. He's got a connection to that horse that I haven't seen for a long time, something that is very rare. It's quite a sight."

Spock looked back to his captain, nodding slightly. "It is indeed amazing how he is able to do all this while blind."

Dak chuckled faintly. "That's not exactly what I meant, but I suppose that is pretty incredible."

Spock turned away from Dak, his dark eyes traveling back to Jim. It was at this moment that he started to see the signs of his fatigue. He could see the tremors in Jim's left leg, as well as the slightly pained look on his face under the sheen of sweat. Jim had been riding for nearly a half an hour, and with the maneuvers that he had been performing, Spock could clearly see the strain it was putting on his depleted musculature in his left leg.

The Vulcan stepped into the ring, and he was faintly surprised when Light trotted right up to him and came to a stop. Spock could see the confusion on Jim's face; he obviously hadn't told the horse to do this. "Jim, I believe that it is an appropriate time to cease riding, you are clearly becoming fatigued."

Jim turned his blind eyes to Spock, and there was a brief war on his face before he nodded. "You're right. My leg is really hurting anyway." With those words the blond started to swing himself off the horse, leaning forward to press his chest to the ridge of Light's neck and carefully bring his left leg up and over the horse's hindquarters.

Spock went to the horse's right side as soon as Jim started to slide down, ready to catch him should his legs give out. Jim stood mostly on his right leg, but he remained upright for the moment. It was short-lived though, as when he turned to take a step, his knees buckled, a soft sound of surprise coming from his lips.

There was no time for thought, only reaction. Spock suddenly found himself standing right next to the horse's warm side, a slightly cooler body pressed against his chest.

Jim was in complete shock. His legs were limp beneath him, useless for the moment, his arms trapped between his chest and Spock's. He could feel the strong, hot bands of Spock's arms looped around the small of his back, pressing their stomachs together where he could feel the thrum of Spock's heart. But above all, he could feel the radiating heat of what he knew was Spock's face, inches from his own. His blank blue eyes were wide, lips parted slightly as he breathed in the warmth of Spock's breath.

Spock stared down into Jim's eyes, and there was a tug somewhere in his abdomen. For some reason, he felt the urge to keep a hold of Jim, to not let go of the lithe, cool body in his grasp. He wanted to lean forward, to lock their lips, to kiss Jim until the human couldn't remember how to breathe. His initial reaction to these urges was to step away from Jim, to distance himself from the temptation that may lead to more, but some part of his mind reminded him that if he let go of Jim, he would most likely collapse.

"T-Thanks Spock." Jim managed to force out, his voice little more than a breathy whisper. He clenched his hands into fists where they were curled loosely just by Spock's collarbone, tensing his arms. "You um… you could probably let go now."

Spock gave himself a mental shake and carefully set Jim back on his feet, still wary of his shaky legs. Jim stumbled briefly before steadying himself and brushing at his clothes. Spock handed him the cane that Dak handed him a moment later, and Jim settled it in his hand and beneath himself. The Vulcan couldn't help but admire the pink hue across the bridge of Jim's nose and on his cheeks, though it quickly faded as Jim gained his composure once again.

Dak took a hold of Light's lead rope, pulling the calm horse with him through the arena. "I'll go ahead and take care of Light; you should head back to your cabin."

Jim protested faintly. "I should take care of him; he deserves it for being so friendly…"

"Jim, if you will forgive me, I believe that we should return, as Dak suggests. You are experiencing fatigue, and it would be best for your health if you were to rest." Spock cut in, his voice calm and even as he spoke.

The blond hesitated for a moment before nodding reluctantly. "Alright."

Dak smiled at the two of them. "I know that I'll be seeing you two before too long. You get some rest, alright Jim? And don't push yourself too hard."

Jim smiled in return. "I appreciate your help, Dak. I'll see you soon."


The walk back to their small house was long and slow. Spock moved with infinite patience, easily reining in his long stride for Jim, who was moving slower than normal. His face was still slightly pained, and although this excursion had hurt him, he couldn't bring himself to regret remaining astride Light as long as he had.

Spock felt concern bubble faintly in his heart as he watched Jim. He was gripping the cane so tightly his hand was shaking, knuckles white. He had a pronounced limp now, and he was leaning rather heavily on his cane.

Even so, Jim was still trying to keep their contact to a minimum. He figured Spock had just about had his limit of touch for the day, and so all his weight was on the cane, only a fraction through the fingers that were resting against Spock's arm.

So, with this thought in mind, Jim was shocked when Spock pulled him closer, their arms now linked at the elbow.

"You may lean on me, Jim. I can see that you are in pain."

Jim grinned a little shakily. "I've got the cane Spock, its okay. I know that you're not a big fan of touch."

Spock didn't move. "I can see the strain you are feeling in that arm, and I have more than enough strength to easily support you. There is no logical reason for you to cause yourself unnecessary pain." Jim still hesitated, and Spock continued quietly. "I am not adverse to touch if it is you, Jim."

Shocked blank, blue eyes flew to look at Spock, and an instant later Jim's cane caught on the uneven ground. With a soft sound of surprise, the blond stumbled forward, but instead of hitting the ground, he fell into insanely warm arms.

Again Jim found himself against Spock's wiry body, and he couldn't help the blush that flared across his cheeks. "Sorry." he managed to mumble, pushing himself upright once more. "I guess that's the second time you've saved my dignity today!"

Spock's voice held a hint of dryness when he spoke next. "I believe your dignity would have been a negligible loss. It was, however, possible that you would have damaged your ribs had you fallen, as they are still healing."

"Oh." Jim mumbled. "I hadn't thought of that."

Spock refitted their arms together, and they started forward again. Jim hesitated a moment before leaning on the Vulcan, feeling him easily shouldering the blond's weight.

Jim could still feel his heart pounding. He… He doesn't mind my touch? He's never liked touch! He didn't even touch Uhura that much when they were together! Well, not in public anyway…

The young man shoved it aside forcefully, putting it from his mind. I'm looking into it too much, it's nothing really.

But even as he thought that, he felt Spock tighten the grip he had on his arm, his warmth reassuring. "I believe it would be wise to wait before returning to the stables."

Jim nodded, startled out of his thoughts by the baritone voice. He smiled shakily before speaking. "Yea, my leg is more messed up than I thought it was. I'm glad I got to ride though."

"I still do not understand your feelings for horses, but you did seem… very pleased." Spock mused out loud.

The Vulcan felt his heart warm as he recalled the wideness of Jim's smile, the way that his skin had seemed to glow with happiness when he had gotten onto the horse.

Jim breathed deep, letting out a content sigh. "There's nothing like being on the back of a horse. It brings back memories from when I was a kid; I used to go riding all the time whenever I had the chance. We had a couple of horses on our farm, and I had my own."

"You had your own horse?"

"Yea, but she's been dead for years. She was pretty old when Mom gave her to me; she was nearly 27 when she passed away." Jim said, a hint of sadness leaking into his voice.

Spock reached into his pocket for the key to the old fashioned home, unlocking the door before leading Jim inside. "I am sorry for your loss, Jim."

The blond smiled in Spock's direction before carefully moving through the house and to the couch and collapsing onto it. "It's alright Spock; I've been over it for years now. She was a good horse, but she was definitely ready for a long rest. She certainly deserved it."

"If I may ask, what was her name?" Spock wondered, genuinely curious as he settled on the couch beside Jim.

Jim closed his eyes, a soft smile on his face. "Dream Evermore."


Haha yay cliche moments... Please review guys, they brighten my day!