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A/N: I know that last chapter was a little heavy-handed for everyone, and for some, not clear with direction. So I definitely took your criticisms in consideration. I am working to keep the chapters in pace with each other. As usual, I own nothing, yada, yada, yada (insert legalese here). I do welcome constructive criticism, so please feel free to R&R!
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The chill of the ship seeped into his robes and he pulled them tighter around him, nearly wishing for the heat of New Vulcan, with its hot blazing sun and warm expanse of sand.
"Computer," he ordered, "Increase temperature ten degrees Celsius,"
He continued looking out into the vastness of space, noting the thousands of tiny stars blinking in the still inky darkness.
He heard the chime at the door at briefly called, "Enter," before returning to his perusal of the space outside.
He turned momentarily to see Spock striding smoothly into his quarters.
"Elder Spock," he heard, "It is fortuitous that you have returned."
"That has yet to be seen Spock," he answered and faced his younger counterpart.
Spock's brow lifted slightly.
They were quiet a moment and Elder Spock inquired, "How is Nyota?"
"You may see for yourself," he answered, "She will be present at the tactical meeting."
Spock Prime's lip quirked for a moment before he spoke, "Spock, I was soliciting your opinion of her well-being."
"My—opinion?,"
"Yes,"
"I—believe that she is well," he ventured, "She appears healthy, she is laughing again, she is--much better."
"That is good," Spock Prime told him before asking, "But how are you, Spock?"
"I am well."
Spock Prime cocked his head to the side slightly and replied, "Spock, you and I are the same person, and I know that you are not well."
An expression akin to surprise crossed Spock's face.
"I—I have been having trouble controlling my emotions. Meditation has not alleviated this dilemma," Spock remarked.
"I too have experienced this," Elder Spock supplied.
"I do not understand why this is occurring,"
"It is called guilt Spock," the elder Vulcan replied.
Spock seemed to ponder his proclamation a moment and Elder Spock continued, "We have hurt the one woman that has truly cared for us. As we are partly human, these emotions are to be expected."
Spock let out a nearly unnoticeable sigh. "I—cannot stop thinking of her. She is constantly in my thoughts. My--feelings for her are quite intense. I had assumed that Jim and I--,"
"We assumed wrong. Some things are not meant to be. Do you love her still?"
Spock considered his question a long moment and replied, "I do."
The elder Vulcan nodded and he gave Spock a rare half-smile.
"Ah," Spock Prime remarked before sitting gracefully in a chair.
"Elder," Spock began, "Do you—is it your estimate--,"
"Do I feel that Nyota will take you back?," the elder self interjected, "It is not to one's advantage to speculate on the unknowable. The possibilities in the universe are vast and ever changing, thus, one must sometimes simply rely on faith."
"Faith?"
"Yes," Elder Spock confirmed, "I believe that Nyota's love for you is great enough that in time, she may forgive you and even join you once more."
Elder Spock stood once again and walked back to his place at the window and looked out into the starry depths.
"It is my sincere hope that Nyota will extend her forgiveness to me as well," Elder Spock's voice shook with sadness and Spock, confused at such a display of emotion came to stand next to his older self.
"Perhaps," Spock told him in an odd gesture of comfort. For a moment they both stood looking out into the cold, infinite and sterile beauty of space.
Elder Spock straightened and folded his hands once more behind his back. "I suppose it is time for the meeting. I am ready."
Spock nodded and the two walked outside into the corridor, each lost in their own thoughts.
