4 Years Later
A knock on the open door to his office made Leonard look up from the PADD in his hands. The Vulcan who knocked entered the room without waiting for a response. "Spock, are you alright?" Leonard asked once he saw who it was. He quickly stood, searching for the tricorder he knew was nearby.
"Be calm, doctor. I am not hurt." Spock assured the human who slowly returned to his seat, skepticism on his face. "I require your advice." Spock continued.
"I'm listening." Leonard assured him. The Vulcan closed the door and took a seat across the desk from the doctor. The action unsettled Leonard more than he wanted to admit.
"You are familiar with the condition of Pon Farr?" Spock questioned.
"Yeah, course. Is it your time?" Leonard shifted upright, listening more intently.
Spock nodded once. "Soon." He confirmed, unable to give a more accurate timescale.
"Okay, so we need to get in contact with your fiance right away." Leonard asked but Spock shook his head.
"The bond I shared with my fiance T'Pring was dissolved at her request when I adopted Sarek's teachings." Spock explained and Leonard let out a breath.
"So you don't have a chosen bondmate? Alright. We'll need to find one." Leonard was about to start planning ways to do exactly that when the Vulcan interrupted his thoughts.
"I am aware of that, Leonard. That is why I sought you. You are aware of my unique circumstance and no Vulcan will desire to bond with me because of it. I have spent some time considering who might be acceptable and willing and have reached a conclusion." Spock paused.
"Well don't keep me in suspense, Spock. Out with it. Who?" Leonard demanded and he caught the slightest hint of amusement from the Vulcan.
"You, Leonard, and Jim are the only two viable candidates I can think of at this time." The Vulcan announced.
Spock was taken aback by the sudden change to neutral in Leonard's expression, something that only happened when the doctor thought about his time before coming to live with Spock. After several moments Leonard spoke again. "I assume you're still considering which of us to pick so I'll tell you. Pick Jim." The doctor ordered.
Spock considered it for a moment. "May I ask your reasoning? I know you are a naturally selfless man, doctor, but you could not have possibly considered all advantages and disadvantages in so short a time yet you sound certain."
Leonard took a deep breath before he spoke again. "Honestly, it's not that complicated. Jim's better for you and you would be good for him. He's a good influence on you and I know you enjoy being near him. Yes, I'm aware you don't 'feel', but I can tell."
"And how would I be good for Jim?" Spock questioned, after debating for several seconds if correcting the doctor was worth it.
"He's got four brands. Even if you sent him off with a black one some day chances are his next master will kill him or send him to the mines. Being bonded to you would free him from that. He would never have to worry about being abandoned again." Leonard explained.
"With the exception of the number of brands, is that not all true for you as well, doctor?" Spock asked and Leonard nodded.
"Yeah, but it's not the same. I've never been abandoned and I've only got one brand, the other three are good. And I'm a well trained doctor, a surgeon for both humans and Vulcans. If something happens and one of us has to go I'm far more likely to do well. You can't deny that, Spock. That's why you should pick Jim." Leonard said.
The doctor sat back and crossed his arms, waiting for the Vulcan's inevitable argument, however several minutes passed without the Vulcan saying anything. "I will consider what you have said, but I must speak with Jim before I make a decision." The Vulcan said.
"Of course. He's in the garage, working on that model Corvette you got him." Leonard added. Spock nodded once before he stood and left the doctor's office. He immediately walked towards the garage. Inside were three vehicles; his car, Jim's motorcycle, and the red model.
"Jim?" Spock called.
"One second, Spock" came the reply, from under the model car just as Leonard had predicted. A few moments later Jim pushed himself out from under it. There was grease in several places on his face, but his smile was firmly settled on his lips. "What can I do for you?" He asked. Spock waited while Jim moved over to a sink and started cleaning his hands.
"You have oil on your face, Jim." Spock reminded when it didn't seem like the blond had any intention of cleaning it off.
Jim laughed and started wiping at his face with a rag that did not look clean enough to wipe the oil from his face, though it did. "You didn't come here just for that." He commented. Spock shifted, folding his hands together behind his back.
"No. I have something very important I must discuss with you." Spock said. Jim's expression turned more serious and he set aside the rag.
"I'm listening." He promised.
"Are you aware of the condition known as Pon Farr?" Spock asked and Jim shook his head. "It is part of the Vulcan mating cycle. Every seven years Vulcans are affected by an influence of hormones that can become fatal if not corrected." Spock explained.
"Fatal?" Jim looked nervous at the word.
"You need not be concerned. Leonard is aware of the risks of Pon Farr and knows how to counter them for a time if needed. However, the only way to recover from the condition is to mate and bond with someone." Spock continued.
"Okay, is that someone specific or can it be anyone?" Jim asked.
"It must either be ones bondmate or they must bond during Pon Farr." Spock explained.
"Okay, um, does it have to be a Vulcan?" Jim asked, more softly this time.
"No, and that is why I am speaking with you now. I have been considering for some time who might be a suitable mate for my upcoming Pon Farr and the logical conclusion was either yourself or Leonard." Spock said. Jim opened his mouth but Spock continued before he could speak. "The doctor has already expressed to me that he believes you to be the better choice."
Jim seemed shocked for several long moments. "Bones said that?" He finally muttered.
"Indeed. His logic is not unfounded however I find it was not particularly persuasive. I wished to speak with you before drawing any conclusions. How would you feel about becoming my bondmate?" Spock asked.
Jim seemed shocked and didn't speak for almost a minute. "You want me to be… your bondmate?" He mumbled and the Vulcan nodded.
"I will not force you, Jim, and if you require time to consider my offer you are welcome to have it. However as my Pon Farr is approaching I cannot give you any excessive amount." Spock reminded and Jim nodded.
"Yeah, if I could have a few days…" Jim finally requested and Spock nodded.
"If I may, I suggest you discuss this with Leonard." Spock said and Jim nodded.
"Not a bad suggestion, Spock. I'll do that." Jim promised. Spock was about to leave before he paused, hesitating. Jim waited patiently for him to speak, only the Vulcan said nothing before he continued on his way.
"What was that about?" He mumbled before he looked at the wrench in his hand. With a sigh he tossed it onto the tool bench and headed for Bones's office. He entered without knocking and it took him a moment to find his friend. The doctor was facing out the window with his back to the door. Jim couldn't see his face but his posture said he was thinking about something not entirely pleasant.
"Bones?" The doctor jumped and quickly turned to face the blonde.
"Jim. What can I do for you?" Leonard asked. His expression was neutral and despite something clearly bothering him the doctor seemed normal.
"Spock came and talked to me. He said he wanted to bond with one of us." Jim started, only to hesitate.
"You should, Jim." Leonard said. His voice was unnaturally calm and his expression was still neutral, but his eyes were sad.
Jim stepped closer to his friend and gently touched his shoulder. "Hey, what's wrong?" He asked softly.
"Nothing is wrong. You just need the security of a bond more than I do." Leonard said and though he smiled it didn't quite reach his eyes.
"That's not it. You wouldn't look so sad if that were the case. If you really want to bond with Spock you should. You deserve that happiness." Jim said and Leonard shook his head, a small smirk on his face. His eyes had lightened a bit.
"That's not it. I do like Spock, more than any other of those hobgoblins, but it's not love. And like I told him, you need the insurance more than I do. I'm not tryin' to be rude, Jim, but you have four brands. Other hobgoblins would only see that and not the wonderful person underneath." Leonard explained.
Jim beamed at the compliment, the one that made him look stunning even though he still had grease on his face and in his hair. "You are right. If you're sure then I'll accept his proposal." Jim offered, giving Leonard one more chance to back out.
"Do it. You make each other happy. And I know you'll still look out for me." Leonard added and Jim nodded.
"Of course I would. And Spock would too." Jim added and Leonard nodded.
"I know. Now go tell him the good news." Leonard nudged Jim towards the door and, laughing, the blonde allowed it. It wasn't until the door shut behind Jim that Leonard's smile faded and he sighed.