Their late dinner was interrupted by a communique from the officer prosecuting Dookal's case. The judge had agreed to allow their witness and the proceedings would resume tomorrow at 0900.

"I've convinced the judge to allow you to watch the trial via an encrypted link to your monitor, much like the one we used to present your testimony," the prosecutor added. "As always, you are expected to conduct yourself as befitting your rank." In other words, for his eyes only. Though he didn't think it would hurt to have Nyota and Spock join him. "I will inform you of the verdict and the sentence as soon as I'm able. Have a pleasant evening, Captain."

The screen went black.

"Well," he murmured, running a hand nervously through his hair. "This is it."

Just as he finished his soup, the sound of the door chime echoed through the small space. He grinned.

"Come in, Spock," he called.

The doors parted and Spock entered, favoring Jim with an arched eyebrow. "How were you certain whom was at the door?"

Jim tapped his temple. "I could feel you coming a mile off."

Spock opened his mouth, to state the illogic of Jim's statement presumably, but shook his head seeming to think better of it. Jim stood and moved to greet him, brushing his lips against Spock's in greeting.

"Missed you," he murmured.

Leaning his head against Jim's, Spock nodded. "And I you, my Jim. What I know to be merely days seemed like an eternity." He pulled back, laying a hand on Jim's cheek. "You appear well. I am pleased that Nyota's company provided you with a measure of comfort in my absence. I regret the need for it; however, I would have been unable to dissuade Admiral Archer unless I were to reveal our bond. Logically, it was best to simply follow orders."

Another teasing brush of his lips against Spock's and he rasped, "Enough talk. Take me to bed. I want to show you just how much I missed you."

# # #

He awoke fairly early the next morning, despite a late night of making love to his partners. They both slept on in the bedroom as Jim indulged in a rare cup of coffee from the food resequencer. Glancing at the chronometer, he realized he still had two hours before the trial was set to reconvene so he decided to catch up on the news feeds.

There were, of course a couple reporters speculating on the outcome of Dookal's trial and, much to his displeasure, both brought up his name several times. Other than that, the usual stories about the opening of this restaurant or the restoration of that historical building. Noting nothing else of interest, Jim checked his inbox for messages, unsurprised to find a couple from his mother, wanting to know how he was.

The coding indicated she was back to duty so he recorded a simple message, telling her about the last three days, including his proposal to Spock and Nyota. No doubt she'd be over the moon about that. God knows she'd prodded him over the holidays about 'doing right' by his partners. He replied to messages from a couple of others before answering an incoming communique from McCoy.

"Yeah," Kirk offered with a smirk. "It was quite a reunion."

McCoy grimaced. "Okay, okay. I really don't need that damn picture. Lord knows it's taken me this long to get the image of you and Spock playing tonsil hockey at New Years out of my head."

"No worse than hearing you and Christine going at it through those paper thin walls." He shuddered. "That's going to take at least a dozen brainwashing sessions."

McCoy scowled. "Don't be a shit."

He jumped slightly when he felt a pair of arms wrap around him from behind, smiling when he realized it was only Spock. Turning his head, he brushed his lips against his lover's. "Morning, honey."

The corners of Spock's lips turned up slightly. "Good morning, Jim." The half-Vulcan's gaze lifted to the screen to find McCoy's gaze diverted, a grimace twisting his features.. Jim could swear a slight green flush filled his lover's cheeks when he realized whom Jim was talking to. "Doctor," he acknowledged with a nod.

An awkward silence stretched between them before McCoy interrupted it. "I'll see you both back on Enterprise. As far as that bastard, Dookal, I'd prefer they put him in the chair and crank the knobs as high as they'll go; but with Starfleet's no corporeal punishment policy, I suppose the best we can hope for is a life-long stay at a Penal colony with no chance of gettin' out for good behavior."

Jim sighed. "Yeah. Thanks, Bones. See you hopefully in a couple of days."

# # #

At 0855, Jim sat down in front of his monitor with a cup of chamomile tea. Spock and Nyota joined him a few moments later, the former sipping a cup of ploomek tea while the latter indulged in a cup of hot chocolate. His free hand laid ready to key in the command to accept the transmission. A warm hand covered his and he smiled wanly at the love and warmth enveloping him. He returned the feelings of love and his gratitude for his partner's support. A few moments later, the transmission came in and he released a heavy sigh.

"Let's get this over with," Jim murmured.

On the screen, the session was being called to order. "Silence, please." The judge then turned to the prosecutor, who was standing with an older woman, and asked, "Is the witness ready to proceed?"

"Yes," the prosecutor replied.

"Call her forward, then."

With a nod, the prosecutor boomed, "The prosecution calls Ambassador T'Pol."

Jim's eyes widened. When the woman turned, he recognized her immediately, wondering why he hadn't before. He'd seen her picture in well over a dozen Academy texts. The older Vulcan woman commanded a great deal of respect and awe, even amongst the Academy's most distinguished instructors. She had been the first Vulcan to immerse herself entirely in Human culture, even to the degree of becoming almost Human herself.

Ambassador T'Pol strode toward the stand, settling herself into the chair with unparalleled grace for a woman of her advanced age. She inclined her head and the prosecutor swore her in. Once done, he asked her to state her full name and rank for the court.

"Ambassador T'Pol of Vulcan."

The prosecutor inclined his head. "Thank you, Ambassador." He studied the PADD in his hand for a few moments before meeting her gaze. "You've had the opportunity to study Captain Kirk's testimony?"

"I have," she replied.

"Please state for this tribunal the reason that you were called upon to testify."

T'Pol arched an eyebrow. "I was asked to review Kirk's testimony for verbal and non-verbal indications that his statement wasn't entirely truthful or that his memories of the events had been tampered with in any way."

"And your analysis?"

"Based on his recorded testimony, Kirk was being entirely truthful and, in fact, related the events in great detail that would not be possible in an individual whose memories had been tampered with."

The prosecutor smiled and made a note on his PADD. "Ambassador, if would kindly explain the nature of a mind-mind."

"Your request is broad," she protested. "However, I will reply to the best of my abilities. A mind meld is a connection initiated with another being for multiple purposes that includes the healing of the body and mind."

"And Commander Spock's reason?"

T'Pol paused. "It is stated in his report that it was necessary to spare Kirk a great deal of emotional difficulty."

"What sort of emotional difficulty?"

"It is my understanding," she stated. "That Captain Kirk had endured significant trauma from his imprisonment that was similar to the circumstances of a childhood event that caused Kirk a great deal of pain."

The prosecutor nodded. "And what actions specifically did the Commander perform?"

"He suppressed Kirk's memories of the events-buried them deep within his subconscious to be revealed and reflected on at a later date."

"Is this dangerous?"

"No. It is quite common among Vulcans and is used to protect individuals from the overpowering emotions associated with these memories. The memories are revealed in fragments, allowing the individual to better control and master their emotions regarding what has happened to them."

"Does this procedure alter the memories at all?"

"Again, no. Though the mind can be temporarily deceived, the true memory cannot simply be removed."

"So it is your judgement that Mr. Kirk's memory of these events in as accurate as it can be given the time that has elapsed between the date they occurred and today?"

"Yes."