After blasting the navigation computer to hell, Jim stepped away, allowing Amanda to start taking out the life supports on the crew deck. She said that it was a delicate operation and needed her full attention. Jim took the opportunity to open his communicator.

"Kirk to Spock," he said quietly, not wanting Amanda to overhear this conversation.

"Captain?" came the immediate response.

Jim smiled at the sound of his lover's voice. But is was a was the sad smile of someone who knew the truth. "You need to abort your mission and return to the Enterprise. We have everything under control here. The Narada is no longer a threat."

"Captain, this must be done to destroy the threat Nero poses to the-"

"No, Spock. Go back."

"Captain-"

"Don't argue."

"Jim!" The note in Spock's voice told Jim to listen to what the Vulcan was trying to say. "I know about the transporter."

A ragged breath left Jim. "Then you know there will be no rescue for any of us."

"The loss of a bondmate causes emotional instability in Vulcans. If you are bound to die-"

"Okay," Jim said, closing his eyes tightly. His heart was breaking at the thought. But dying together was the best option. Neither would be forced to live without the other.

"Spock, did anyone tell you that your mother insisted on coming with me?"

"Doctor McCoy informed me."

Slowly, the captain walked back to where Amanda was programming things into the ship's computer. The small woman looked up at Jim with a smug smile, but that vanished as she saw his communicator open.

"Spock?" she asked shakily. Jim could only nod as she reached and snatched the device from his hand. "Spock! Baby, are you headed back to the ship yet?"

"No, mother, I will not be returning."

Amanda's eyes widened as she realized what he was saying. "You...should go back. Protect yourself. I did not come here to watch you die."

"You will not. The odds of you surviving long enough to witness this are extremely low."

A tear escaped from Amanda as Jim wrapped his arms around the woman, understanding all too well what she was feeling. It had been only an hour ago when he held Spock, telling him that he wanted to stay.

"I love you, my son. I don't want you to die."

"It is necessary." There was a pause. "I love you as well. Both of you. If you manage escape, live long and prosper."

The connection died and Jim stared at the communicator. He wanted to order Spock back, force him to safety. But that would be unfair to the Vulcan. In his arms Amanda shook with grief and Jim tightened his hold on her, as if by holding this woman his world would hold together a bit longer as well.

There was nothing left to do but wait. Communications came in from the Enterprise asking for orders and Jim told them to proceed as planned. A few more Romulans appeared and were dealt with efficiently. There was a coldness settling over the once warm human as he came to terms with his impending and unavoidable death.

Then the world around them exploded. Jim could only guess that the engineering deck had been hit by fire from one of the Warbirds. The bolt hit and Jim grabbed Amanda, hugging her close as they both were thrown by the power of the destruction. Large pieces of metal flew past, some coming close to slicing into their soft flesh. Jim lost sense of time, couldn't hear what was happening. The entire ship rocked and sent the humans to the floor, Amanda landing on top of Jim.

This was it. Jim knew death was upon them. The collision of the Jellyfish into the Narada sent shock waves through the entire hull. The gravitational pull was almost painful. But not as painful as the sudden feeling of loss that permeated Jim. The knowledge that Spock was gone tore a this heart worse than anything he had ever felt in his too short life.

Still he refused to let go of Amanda. They would not die alone, Jim would not allow it. Spock died alone, Sarek died alone. Jim would not let Amanda suffer that fate. He wished more than anything that he could keep her from suffering any more.

The cold from the ship sank into his bones. The metal was tearing itself apart and every bit of Jim struggled to hold on to life. He couldn't breath, his mind was growing slow. Amanda was struggling in his arms until even she grew still.

Atoms scrambled and reassembled. The cold vanished, the sensation of being pulled apart disappeared. Jim knew he was dead, there was no other explanation. Warm hands pulled his arms apart, vague voices gave sharp orders, but it was as if everything was happening under water. Jim refused to open his eyes to see where he had ended up after death for fear that Spock wasn't there with him.

What if they found themselves in two separate afterlifes? Was that possible? The slight sting of a hypo being pressed into his arm brought his mind back to the moment. What if he wasn't dead?

His mind screamed. No! He had to be! He could not still be alive after losing so much!

Blinding light cascaded into his mind. Jim recoiled from it, as it surely meant nothing good. Not until that comforting feeling of belonging settled in did his mental being relax. This was not the bad thing he was expecting. This was warm/safe/love. And relief.

Jim relaxed into sleep, no longer able to hold on. He didn't know where he was, but if it meant this happy feeling, he was more than content to stay.

When he opened his eyes, he was in sickbay. Bones was checking his vitals, making notes on a PADD as he did so. The first realization to sink in was that he was alive.

The second was that a warm, familiar, and comforting hand was holding his own.