Planet Earth, home to billions of humans, and dozens of other races who chose to stay there at the humans' invitation. Home to Starfleet Academy and the Federation headquarters.
Now all Jim saw was brown, mottled red, and space debris orbiting the dead planet. Jim tried to tell himself that this wasn't real, that this wasn't his reality, but seeing it and feeling the deep pain in his chest meant that this was as real as his growing relationship with Spock.
And the betrayal he felt from Pike was nearly destroying him. But he had work to do, and couldn't let his internal struggle show through to these people who had lived through it all.
"Scanners are picking up signals from two ships," one of the ensigns said from behind him.
"Zere is ze Wulcan ship, keptin. As well as a ship I am not familiar wiz."
"Put it up on screen."
The moment Jim saw the ship, his heart skipped. He knew that design, the rotating engine on the small one man ship. The shuttle holding Pike lost his interest as he saw the two ships engage on another.
"Shields to fourty percent. Sulu, get us close enough to pull in both ships."
"Yes, sir."
His piloting skills were beyond anything Jim could do. He knew Sulu's skill and watched as the ship came within reach and stopped just short of crashing into both smaller vessels. Jim jumped up and hurried from the bridge. "Spock, you have the conn!" he shouted just before the lift door slid shut.
Security was already surrounding the shuttle Pike was in. Several of the security team had phasers pointed at the second shuttle, but Jim ignored that as he rushed forward to watch as the ramp lowered and revealed a very familiar face.
"Ambassador Spock!" Jim greeted the old Vulcan. "Your just in time, or rather two years late, but I'll explain that all later."
Spock walked down the ramp, giving Jim a quizzical look. "James T. Ki-"
"Yes, Kirk, but no time for that. I have to get you up to the bridge before you try to convince me that meeting yourself will cause some sort of paradox. I've met too many versions of you to believe that anymore."
Whatever Spock was going to respond with was cut off as Pike was dragged kicking from his shuttle by three members of the security team. Although it seemed uncharitable, Jim secretly hoped someone knocked him out before his delirium caused him to say something he would regret if he ever regained his sanity.
Sure enough, a tall, dark haired woman took two steps forward and performed a Vulcan neck pinch, something that Jim didn't know humans could learn. "I gotta learn to do that," he muttered as he passed the security team who were carrying Pike away.
"Jim, I confess myself confused." Spock kept stride with him, and Jim glanced over. The lift door shut and started moving.
"As well you should be. Nero destroyed Earth, but that's in this timeline. I'm not from this timeline. This is way too complicated to explain in words." He pressed the emergency stop and looked at Spock. "Meld with me." At the Vulcan's confused expression, Jim smiled. "Trust me, I've been in enough mind melds to know what to do."
"Jim, that is a highly-"
"Logical idea, yeah I know." Jim turned and gave Spock a look. "You need to know what I already do before we go up there."
Spock nodded and lifted his wrinkled hand to Jim's face. As soon as they were linked, information from both universes crashed through Jim's mind at an incredible rate. There was nothing Jim could do to shield from Spock, and he already knew that. He wasn't sure when the transfer became too much, but eventually the floating stopped and he found himself on the floor of the lift with his Spock (when did this Spock become hisSpock?) knelt near him, eyes looking concerned.
Jim tried to push himself off the floor, but his vision swam and he leaned back again. "Shit. Where is he?"
"Speaking with Sarek. Please, captain, allow me to take you to sickbay."
"No, I need to-"
"There are no current emergencies, Jim." Spock pressed a button on the lift wall and turned to help Jim to his feet. "You should at least return to your quarters."
After taking several deep breaths, Jim leaned heavily into Spock and nodded. "Yeah. I didn't get much sleep last night anyway."
Jim could have sworn a smile flickered on Spock's face. "Indeed. If you wish, I can accompany you to your quarters."
The lift stopped and Jim staggered forward. Spock held him upright until it became abundantly clear that Jim's coordination was suffering. The Vulcan swung Jim up into his arms bridal style and strode down the hall.
"Shit, Spock, this is embarrassing."
"I am certain your pride will survive, captain."
"It's not my pride I'm worried about." Jim was relieved when Spock was forced to set him down so he could palm open the door. As far as his pride was concerned, Jim's crew had seen him in so many awkward situations that it barely mattered to him. But even when he went home, Spock would still be here with the people who might judge him.
That thought stung so deep that Jim had to catch his breath. Spock looked sharply at him and quickly took his wrist, misinterpreting the sound for pain. Jim staggered again as he was moved forward into the room. It took a moment to realize that this wasn't his room. Or rather, it was the room he lived in for two years, completely redecorated.
Red curtains draped over surfaces, Vulcan artifacts littered the area. It was clean, organized, and personal. It was also completely Spock.
Jim was set down in a chair as Spock moved to his replicator and started punching in codes as he spoke.
"Captain, before you rest, I have a question if you will excuse my impertinence."
"Of course, Spock. What did you want to ask?"
The Vulcan took a moment, gathering the two steaming cups as he turned and walked over to the second chair. He spent a good deal of time arranging everything to his satisfaction before he looked up at Jim.
"Why did you not feel it important to inform me of your preexisting bond?"