Unsurprisingly, Jim did not sleep well.

He woke up at one point, a few hours after having turned out the light, and wondered who turned the heat up. Still half-asleep, it took him a second to realize that just maybe it was so hot in his bed because it wasn't his bed, and he was sharing it with a Vulcan. Even though they weren't touching, Jim could feel all that body heat trapped under the blankets, and wound up sitting up to push them away, towards the center of the bed. They were in the south, it was almost summer - it wasn't like he needed more than a sheet anyway.

It was a good thing he'd done so, because the next time he woke up, his arms and legs were wrapped around something next to him. He couldn't remember who he might be sleeping with - there hadn't been a lot of opportunities lately - until his mind drifted right on to Spock. Spock? That woke him up in a hurry, enough for him to almost immediately realize that what he was holding onto was way too small to be Spock. In fact, it was just a wad of sheets and blankets he was snuggling up to. Well, no kidding; if he'd been snuggling up to Spock like that, Spock would have woken him up, and probably kicked him out of the bed. ...Or, well, no - Spock probably would have disentangled himself as gently as possible and then taken his pillow to the floor. Stupid selfless tendencies.

And Jim's realization that he wasn't cuddling with anyone really made him want to cuddle. He liked having someone right there while he slept, even if they weren't doing a thing besides cuddling. Bones was usually pretty good for that, and for a second Jim entertained the thought of going down and joining him on the couch. But the couch wasn't that big, and he'd taken advantage of Bones and his willingness to indulge Jim's weird personal whims more than he probably should have, so Jim decided to stay where he was, just listening to Spock's even breathing, looking at the faint dark shape of him outlined by the dim light through the window. He could see the tip of his ear, a pale angle peeking out from within all that dark hair. Kind of like with Spock's toes, he had the urge to reach out and just...

Jim turned onto his back, staring up at the ceiling again. This wasn't going to help him relax and sleep.

He must have fallen asleep again, though, because he woke up some time later on his side, wrapped around those blankets again. This time it wasn't too early to get up, maybe go for a morning run... except he had a little problem. Not an unusual one, though, and it would sort itself out with a little time, so he just lay there and waited, letting himself wake up more fully. Listening to Spock breathe. Looking for that little pointed tip of his ear, but Spock had shifted positions again and was on his back now, so instead Jim wound up looking at his eyelids and his mouth, slightly crooked with sleep. He wondered what Spock dreamed about, if he dreamed at all. Maybe Vulcans didn't dream. He wondered if Vulcans got morning wood.

...All right, that wasn't helping. Jim gave up, and just got up to take a shower. A nice hot one. If he'd been that warm just sharing a blanket with Spock, he could just imagine how hot Spock was if they were right up next to each other, lying against each other with nothing in between. And Spock's mouth - it had to be hotter still.

Jim had to admit, as he was rinsing himself off, that letting himself fantasize like that probably wasn't going to help him put it out of his mind, which was what he really needed to do. But on the other hand, he was way more relaxed now, instead of lying there grinding his teeth. When he went back to the guest room, in fact, he could look at Spock sleeping and just see Spock sleeping, no big deal.

Much better. He picked up his handheld, just to make sure he didn't wind up getting himself lost, and headed downstairs. It was still early, and he might as well get a little run in. Or more likely a jog, since he'd already showered. No sense in really working up a sweat and having to do it again.

And it wouldn't be hard to work up a sweat, considering the time of year and his location. Even with the sun just barely coming up, it was warm. Jim took a little tour of the neighborhood, peering with interest at some of the houses as he passed - there were other old-fashioned houses besides the McCoy place, some looked to be even older than that - and then headed back.

His hosts were already up when he returned, Bones making breakfast while Jo was getting dressed, and Bones poked his head out of the kitchen, raising an eyebrow to see him coming in. "Where'd you run off to?"

"Just around the block in a few different directions," Jim told him. "Thought I'd have a look around... and since I'm somewhere where I've got room to run for the moment, I thought you'd appreciate me sticking to the exercise regimen."

"You don't need room to run," Bones reminded him. "On the ship, there are these things called treadmills..."

"Treadmills are boring." As if they hadn't had this discussion dozens of times already. Jim sat down at the table. "Hey, I've been good - and I'm on vacation besides. You're not going to make me eat salad, are you?"

"Does it look like I'm making a salad?" Bones gestured to the sliced fruit and various toppings sitting out on the counter. "Of course, first round is for Jo, since I didn't know when you'd be up. If you want salad, it could be arranged."

Jim grinned. "Not for breakfast, thanks." It was too easy to just fall back into the usual habits with Bones.

Joanna appeared a few minutes later, and after greeting Jim, was all too happy to take a plate of pancakes from her father, covering them with all kinds of toppings... and asking if Spock was still asleep. Since he hadn't come down, Jim assumed he was. And that reminded him, he had been thinking about making a call. Just a quick one, he didn't want to miss breakfast.

Given the time difference he'd observed before, Jim knew it was definitely an acceptable hour at the Vulcan colony, so he stepped out to the front porch. Apparently Spock was better at keeping track of the time differences than he was. "Good morning, Jim - I see you must have left the Academy."

"Yeah, I'm in Georgia with Bones." Jim grinned at the figure on the small monitor. "And you're with me."

There was that eyebrow raise again. "I must assume, then, that we made peace after that last transmission."

"Er, yeah. Right, I forgot that was the last time I talked to you," Jim admitted. "Yeah, it was sort of a knee-jerk reaction, and he decided it was illogical to run off just because I was talking to you, especially when he'd given his word. I never even told you about the bet we made, did I?"

"Regarding the bed? You did."

"No, the other one. I got you to agree to come with me when I left San Francisco."

"Very impressive," Spock said, nodding slowly and thoughtfully. "I am doing well, then? From the lack of correspondence, I must assume there have been no further emergencies."

"Not at all. Actually, I think I'm starting to get through to him a little," Jim told him. "Last night he actually expressed gratitude without me doing anything. He told me he kept himself from making a joke at my expense, too, because he didn't want me to take it seriously."

"...Hmm. As I have not seen him for years, I could not say whether or not this is progress."

"Trust me, it's progress," said Jim. "The fact he'd thought about making a joke at all is progress, considering how uptight he was when I found him. I like to think I've been good for him."

"I am certain of it, Jim."

He sounded way too serious for Jim's flippant comment, but Jim didn't think he disagreed. "Yeah, well... it's not just me. He had a talk with Admiral Pike too - I wasn't there, I don't know what they talked about, and I'm not sure it did him much good at the time, but at least he knows there's someone else who thinks he's worth keeping around. And even if he didn't say it, I think he had fun shooting pool with a bunch of cadets, and playing holo-games with Jo - that's Bones's daughter, by the way, don't know if you ever met her."

"Joanna McCoy? In passing, yes."

Jim grinned. "Probably didn't have a crush on you in the other universe, then, huh?"

Spock appeared mildly surprised. "If so, I was unaware."

"She's definitely crushing on you in this one," Jim informed him. "Can't take her eyes off you. Ever since we got here, she's been practically ignoring me and Bones."

"Quite puzzling."

"I don't think it's puzzling," Jim told him. "You're hot." He gave Spock a little smirk. "Did I ever tell you you were hot in that other universe?"

"Of course; the relative average temperatures of our species have remained consistent, naturally, and therefore-"

"You're as bad as he is," Jim groaned. And now he was a little curious. "I mean, did I ever tell you that you're attractive?"

"Yes, you did."

Spock had gone oddly blank all of a sudden. It was reminiscent, actually, of the younger Spock. Jim supposed he knew what that meant, then. "I bet it made things weird, didn't it?"

"Not at all," Spock assured him. "I was aware that you found many creatures attractive, regardless of race or gender. I was merely somewhat pleased to be named among them."

Well, at least he hadn't flipped out. But that didn't mean the younger version of him wouldn't, so Jim just put it aside. There was a reason he'd called. "Anyway... Jo's still got school for another few days, so it's just me and you and Bones today. We thought we'd go somewhere in the area, sightseeing and so on. So last night I made a list, and had you look it over..."

He transmitted the list, and Spock confirmed that Jim's choices were good ones, places that would have held some interest for him when he was that age. "To be honest, I might still be interested in visiting some of these attractions with you - I never spent much time on Earth."

"Hey - just let me know," Jim told him. "I'm not going to be here forever, but looks like I've got a couple more months before I'm shipping out again, so if you have the time... We really haven't spent much time together in person, I think it would be nice."

But Spock was already shaking his head. "Although the thought of spending time in the company of my old friend is certainly a tempting one, I would be most pleased if you spent the time you have remaining on Earth with the younger Spock. Jim Kirk has already had a great impact on my life - it is not so with him. And as he holds little respect for me, I would not want to be a factor that might come between you."

Jim supposed he understood. "All right, I get it. But maybe when all of this is straightened out... Actually, it doesn't have to be before I go. Maybe we can swing by New Vulcan sometime - I don't really know anything about what the new colony's growing into, especially compared to the planet. What you like, what you don't like, what's just like home, what's nothing at all like home... I'd like to have you show me around."

"I would be honored, should the opportunity present itself," Spock agreed. "However, ideally, again - I would prefer my younger self to play a part. Things have changed significantly since his departure, in fact; perhaps someday, if he and I come to terms with our differences and similarities, I may show the both of you around."

"...That would be really great," Jim murmured, with a small nod. It was kind of weird, how much he liked the idea. And the thing about differences and similarities reminded him... "Do you know why he's mad at you?"

"I have some idea about what I have done to upset him," Spock admitted. "As I told you previously, I may have interfered too much."

"Yeah, that's more or less what he implied," Jim agreed. "He doesn't want to believe in fate."

"My intentions were unclear," Spock sighed. "I never meant to imply that his life was entirely predestined - I only wished for him to find the peace that I found."

"I kind of thought so. We talked about it, you know," Jim told him. "And I told him as much. It's not like the Enterprise just fell into my lap out of nowhere - I worked for it. I wouldn't have had it if I didn't want it that badly."

"And it would seem that he does not want his."

"I don't think it's that," Jim said, and glanced back over his shoulder, hoping the other Spock hadn't come downstairs yet. "He said he wants whatever happens to happen by his own merit."

Spock looked thoughtful. "Perhaps that is true... but I also believe that he is afraid."

"No, not really... That was what I thought too, but he said that whatever you told him about wasn't necessarily a bad thing."

"Even so, I believe he is afraid." Spock nodded seriously. "In retrospect, I realize that I would have been afraid."

But he wouldn't admit it, of course, because Vulcans didn't feel any of those inconvenient emotions like fear. Right. "What did you tell him about?" Jim asked.

"It is his destiny to claim if he wishes it, Jim," Spock stated. "Not yours."

"...That's fair," Jim admitted.

"Is it...?"

The murmur was so faint, Jim wasn't sure he'd even heard it. "Huh?"

"Life is a strange organism," Spock said aloud. "No two are alike - and none is ever truly alone. Each is shaped by those surrounding it, pushing and pulling and occasionally intertwining. I have been content with the form my life has taken. Do you feel the same?"

The friendship between them that had meant so much to them both... that had to be what he was referring to. "Mostly," Jim replied. "But there's always room for improvement."

"Indeed there is," Spock agreed quietly. "Take care of him, Jim."

"I'm trying," Jim affirmed, giving him a little nod. "Talk to you later?"

"Yes, and thank you."

Bones approved of spending the day out in the fresh air, and so their first excursion into the city proper was to the zoo. He and Jim had seen all kinds of creatures throughout the galaxy, and Jim remarked how funny it was to think that once he'd thought things like lions were exotic. Now even animals from the furthest regions seemed comfortable and familiar - and although the zoo did house some extra-terrestrial species as well, they were species that were well-known. The two of them joked, more than once, about how it was nice that there was a barrier between them and the wild animals this time.

Spock, on the other hand, was unfamiliar with the majority of Earth creatures, and found the experience quite interesting in a more conventional way. He and Jim stayed while Bones left to pick up Jo; her school wasn't far off, and she'd probably like to join them, he reasoned. While he was gone, they headed for the polar exhibit, and Jim couldn't help but be amused at the utterly fascinated expression on Spock's face as he stood by a large display tank watching the penguins. Spock, and penguins. There were two things he'd never expected to go together. When he said so, Spock gave him some entirely logical answer that involved him having been born on a hot, dry world; he had never before seen aquatic creatures who thrived in the cold, and therefore penguins were particularly interesting. Jim wasn't convinced, and became less so when Jo arrived. Once Jim had started talking to Jo about how cute the penguins were, waddling around and everything, Spock moved on, pretending he wasn't listening. Pity Jim didn't think he'd get away with getting Spock a big stuffed penguin at the gift shop or anything. He'd probably get kicked out of the bed. And the penguin would get his spot.

...Actually, he was even more tempted, just to see if he could get Spock to snuggle a stuffed penguin, but no - that definitely qualified as teasing.

The next day, it rained, and it was off to museums. The museum of natural history was a shoo-in, of course... and Jim had rather a lot of fun teasing Bones when he discovered that they had gigantic fossilized dinosaur skeletons - which 'bones' was he talking to, again? The doctor just rolled his eyes and assumed from there on out he was talking to the dinosaurs. Not far off, there was a museum of broadcasting and communications history, which Spock proclaimed 'fascinating' as he examined early prototypes of everything from radios to televisions to interstellar arrays. It actually kind of made Jim's head hurt trying to figure out how they managed to get some of those things to work.

The third day, the weather had cleared up and they set off to the botanical gardens. It was there that Bones first gave Jim a funny look when they made their donations, but he didn't say anything about it until later, after Jim had paid for Spock's lunch too.

Both of them had noticed that Spock seemed to be intrigued by the water - he had lingered in the desert house, unsurprisingly, but seemed far more interested in actually examining the plants in the tropical garden - and so without any need to explain to each other, after they'd picked up some takeout, they headed for a nearby park that Bones suggested, with a lake. It would be nice to just relax and eat away from most of the noise of the city, even if there were still shuttles whizzing overhead frequently. Finally, when they'd found a good spot under a tree and settled down, Bones spoke up. "So what is it with you two, anyway?"

Spock turned his head to regard the doctor curiously. "What do you mean?" Jim asked.

"Well, it was funny enough that you were hanging out together on campus," Bones reasoned. "Funnier still that he'd come with you to visit me, when he hardly even knows me. And here you are paying his way into everything, buying his lunch - and don't give me that look, Jim, I know you said not to mess with him, and I'm not." He looked to Spock. "I know it's none of my business, and you don't have to answer, but I'm honestly curious about the situation."

"Should've known you couldn't keep your nose out of anything for long," Jim sighed.

"It is no trouble. There is a very simple answer as to why Kirk has been providing for my expenses," Spock said, without a trace of self-consciousness. "I have no credit, and have been without for some time."

Bones frowned, giving him an even more curious look. "Then what are you doing?"

"Currently?" Spock looked down at the wrapped sandwich in his hands. "I am eating lunch."

Jim really shouldn't have wanted to laugh, especially since he could see where this conversation was going, so he refrained. "You know what I mean," Bones growled. "What are you doing for a living? How are you making ends meet?"

"At the moment, I am not," Spock replied. "I have been living as what you would term, historically, a vagrant."

The doctor's eyes widened. "You can't be serious."

"I am quite serious."

"But that's..." Bones seemed lost for words momentarily, and Jim had seen that look on his face often enough to know that this was about to go downhill. He knew Bones wasn't actually mad at Spock himself, he just... didn't do a good job of making it obvious. "Look, Spock - I know we don't know each other very well, but I know you've got a head on your shoulders. You could do anything."

"Having a head on one's shoulders only qualifies one as being a creature of typical anatomical build," Spock remarked. "It does not make one omnipotent."

"You know what I mean," Bones snapped. "I mean you're smart. If you were out of a job, why didn't you come back to Starfleet? You were going to be the first officer of their flagship under Pike - someone sure thought you were capable of great things."

"Being capable is no indication that it is the best pursuit," Spock replied.

"Isn't it better than being homeless, though?" Bones argued. "Even if the only home you've got is a ship flying through light-years of nothing, at least you've got a place to rest your head. And you know - the Enterprise could use a guy like you-"

"Bones," Jim spoke up finally, in warning. "Leave him alone, it's his decision."

"You know I'm right, Jim," Bones insisted. "Number One's got her own ship now, and Sulu would make a good first officer, sure - but he'd still rather be helmsman rather than heading the science division again. We've got gaps, and-"

"I know, Bones," Jim told him steadily. "Those are my problems, not Spock's." If Bones could see how easily Spock filled those gaps, though, without even knowing what Jim had learned from the other Spock - how much more obvious did it have to be? "I'm working on them, so there's no need to drag him into it."

"They're not your problems, they're our problems," Bones told him flatly. "If I'm going to be your CMO, we're in this together. And I'm not dragging him into it, just saying he's got options. Pretty good ones, if you ask me."

If they'd been alone, Jim would have agreed. But since Spock was sitting right there, listening to them discuss his options... "He has the option to do what he wants. That includes not explaining his reasons to you. Since you agree that Spock is an intelligent guy, why not assume that he does have them? Right, Spock?" he finished, not wanting to talk about someone who was right there.

"Indeed," Spock confirmed. "Today is certainly not the first time that the subject of my return to Starfleet has been addressed. I have decided against it," he stated, looking to Bones. "That should be sufficient."

"...I guess so," Bones conceded, grudgingly. "I just don't see how it's logical, given the alternative."

"Maybe we would if we had all the information," Jim pointed out. "But we don't. And Spock's not obligated to give it to us," he added, with a nod to Spock. "His business. That's that."

"All right." Bones looked defeated, and a little annoyed by it. "Sorry, Spock."

"You did not offend me," Spock replied. "Your questions were quite reasonable, given the limited knowledge you have about my current situation. However, as Kirk has said, it is my prerogative whether or not to inform you further, and at this time, I choose not to do so."

Bones nodded. "Fine... So can I ask what you're planning to do after this? Because whatever your situation is," he said, his voice lowering in frustration again as he leaned a little closer, "you shouldn't have to live like that. No one should. Like I said, maybe we don't know each other that well, but if there's something I can do to help, I'd like to know. Not that I have much to offer - I don't have anywhere on this planet to call my own anymore either. But if there's something..."

"I don't believe that there is. And my plans are still as-of-yet unformed."

It was something Jim had been thinking about, and wondering if he shouldn't. He'd gotten Spock this far, sure, but with their arrival in Atlanta, technically the terms of their bet were fulfilled. Spock could leave anytime, there was nothing left to hold them together. Except, possibly, his willingness to find a place for Spock to stay, food for him to eat... The fact he hadn't taken off yet rather than accept Jim's further help might be a sign of something, at least.

So there was no reason not to offer. "You could always come back to Iowa with me," he suggested. "Unless you feel like staying here, or heading back to San Francisco."

"Your offer is appreciated," Spock responded. "I will consider it."

No clue whether or not he really meant it or not - it sounded cold and automated to Jim. He looked to Bones, half expecting he'd have something to add, but the doctor was silent, with an expression that was half frown, half distance. It looked, Jim thought, like he had something to consider himself. If so, he didn't share it for the remainder of their lunch break.

The whole exchange was almost forgotten among everything else, the sightseeing and joking around (mostly Jim and Bones; Spock was, as usual, quiet and serious), and later on in the evening, the holo-gaming. Bones still hadn't said a word about whatever he'd been thinking about. He was still thinking about it, that was obvious from his distraction for much of the evening, but he didn't say a thing. It was Spock who spoke up again, as he and Jim were getting ready for bed. "I appreciate your having defended my right to privacy this afternoon."

It was kind of out of nowhere, so Jim was momentarily confused. "...Oh. Right, no problem." He gave Spock a little smile as he climbed in, turning back the covers. "I guess you didn't expect that, huh, considering how nosy I am."

"On the contrary," said Spock, not looking at Jim at all as he did likewise and lay back. "I will concede that initially I misjudged your motivations on a regular basis; since that time, you have, in fact, offered me assistance in averting attention from the matters I do not care to discuss, thus proving yourself able to respect my boundaries. Although," he added, turning his head briefly to regard Jim, "I suspect that you would still be quite interested in having certain matters brought to light."

"Well, yeah." Jim couldn't deny that.

"Curiosity is not a fault," Spock said, lying back again to look up at the ceiling. "Therefore, as your actions have been respectful, I can offer unconflicted gratitude."

"You're welcome." Jim couldn't say he wasn't surprised, but not a whole lot. He thought he was starting to understand the way Spock worked, at least a little bit. He certainly couldn't figure out whether Spock was likely to take him up on his offer, though. "...You really are welcome, you know. To come with me when I go," he told Spock, propping himself up on his side on one elbow.

"I do," Spock admitted, "have very little reason to stay here, and no means of going elsewhere."

Since Jim had dragged him across the continent on a bet when he was completely broke. He felt slightly guilty. "If you wanted to go back to San Francisco, I'd pay your way. It's my fault you'd need to travel anyway."

"That would make very little sense. You would receive nothing, should I return to San Francisco," Spock reasoned, "although it would be at your expense. Meanwhile, although I still do not understand why, you seem to at least believe that my presence is beneficial."

"You're good company," Jim informed him. "It's not really much fun traveling alone. Especially when you've spent the last five years traveling with a whole ship full of interesting people."

Spock nodded thoughtfully. "I am... not averse to traveling further with you," he said. "And I know little of Iowa."

"It's not exactly a hotbed of innovation, compared to some other areas," Jim observed. "Our greatest natural resource is pretty much wide open space. A lot of it's used for agriculture. Some of it was used to build my ship, though," he added, shooting Spock another little smile. "It's like the Enterprise and I grew up in the same hometown."

Another thoughtful nod from Spock. "So did you just agree to come with me?" Jim asked. He was already pleased, because it sure sounded like that's what Spock was doing, but he wanted to make sure.

"Presently, it seems like an acceptable course of action." Though Spock's expression didn't change, he did glance over to see Jim's smile brighten.

"Good." Jim settled back himself. "...I guess tomorrow I should let my mom know I'm bringing someone."

"A wise idea. She should have time to prepare, and perhaps certain aspects of a visit can be worked out in advance - such as sleeping arrangements."

"...Yeah," Jim said with a thoughtful nod of his own. He didn't expect it to be a problem at his mom's place, since Sam had gotten married and headed offworld. He also wasn't sure whether he actually liked the idea of having a bed to himself anymore; after they'd gotten past the initial awkwardness, it was kind of nice to share. He couldn't even quite figure out why, considering they weren't doing anything, and if he so much as brushed a finger against Spock, it would probably be considered an invasion of privacy.

But whatever it was, he was getting used to it.