AN: This chapter references the Original Series episode The City on the Edge of Forever and the film The Search For Spock.


"May I have a word?"

Jane and Spock sent each other puzzled glances at T'Pau's question. "With both of us?" asked the former.

T'Pau nodded, and the group moved away from the wedding reception before she spoke again. "During the joining of minds I sensed something I did not expect in yours, Captain. A katra."

"We are aware of the katra," said Spock.

"It is one I have never sensed," said T'Pau. "The katra is human; I have never known a human to be able to transfer their katra before. And this human was-"

"Like me?" Jane nodded. "That's because she is me, from the other reality. We have no idea how she got into my head, but she's been there since after I became Captain."

"Humans usually do not survive this long with a katra," said T'Pau. "Because the katra is human and she is you, that must be the reason you are still alive."

This was how we saved Spock from death, her counterpart explained. Before he died, he transferred his katra to Bones. We were able to get his body back, and upon arriving on Vulcan, the katra was transferred back into Spock's body.

So what am I supposed to do with you?

I don't know. Ask her.

"So what do I do with the katra?" asked Jane.

"We are still building the new Katric Ark here," T'Pau replied. "When it is done, you may release her into it; an honour no human has had before – and an honour that shall be granted to her."

If that's what you want?

The elder Jane was silent at first, before she said, Yes. I feel that I have intruded into your life for far too long. It is time for you to carry on without me.

You couldn't have decided to depart sooner? But inside, Jane felt a tinge of sadness at the thought of her counterpart not being there.


"Was it worse than the dressing down she gave your father?"

"According to him, yes," said Spock. He and Jane were lying in bed the next morning, the latter curled up in the former's arms. Spock had just finished telling the story of the time when his mother had attempted to sort out the bullying Spock had been subdued to. "In fact, he described it as the only time when the High Council showed any form of emotion."

"Flat out terror?" Jane smirked. "Well, that proves it. If you anger a mother, you must have a death wish. I wonder if I'll be that scary when I become a mother." At Spock's arched eyebrow, she added, "We had a kid in the other universe, so we're bound to have one here."

Did you find out about that, by the way?

We checked. That Pon Farr didn't result in Ama.

Then it'll be the next one.

The room's comm beeped, and while Jane contemplated ignoring it at first, Spock's eyebrow only rose higher and she sighed. "I don't get how one little eyebrow can say so much." She pressed the button to answer. "Kirk, here."

"Captain." It was Uhura. "We've received a transmission."

"From who?"

"The other Spock."

Jane and Spock exchanged glances. "We'll be right there. Kirk out." They both climbed out the bed, and after changing back into their uniforms they hurried to the bridge.

"Lt. Uhura, was the transmission live?" asked Spock.

"I don't think so," she replied. "It looked recorded. Shall I play it?"

Jane sat in her chair before nodding. "On screen, broadcast ship-wide."

Uhura nodded, and seconds later the face of the elder Spock appeared on the screen. In her mind, Jane heard her counterpart gasp, and she couldn't blame her; this was the first time the elder Jane had seen her Spock outside of a memory. He looks so…old.

He's over 150 years old, of course he looks it. Although judging by how strong my bond with Spock is, his ageing could also be a result of losing you. Jane then focussed her attention on the screen, and she felt her counterpart doing the same.

"Captain Kirk," the elder Spock began, "I need your help. When my counterpart first contacted me after you foiled the Vulcan plot to destroy Romulus, he stated that you somehow knew of it; he thought I had informed you, which was incorrect. I did not think much of it until he contacted me again, asking for information about a man named Khan Noonien Singh. He mentioned off-hand that your usual method of gathering information was not enough. I thought maybe he was referring to the computer, but later thoughts made me realize that in the way he had phrased it, he was talking about a someone – someone from my reality. So I journeyed to a planet you yet do not have a name for and found something you must see – something which must be fixed, and only you can help me. The planet holds the Guardian of Forever; if I am correct, you will be told where it is. I will explain fully when you arrive."

The transmission ended, and Jane was left wondering what the elder Spock could be talking about. She knew, from what he'd said, that he'd found out about her counterpart in her head, or at least suspected something. But then why did they need to go to this other planet?

I know of the Guardian of Forever, she heard her counterpart say. I can take you there.

"Captain?" Spock didn't need to ask anymore.

Jane looked up at him, nodded, and then turned to Uhura. "Open up a channel to Sarek's home below."

It was where her family were staying; Admiral Barnett had already left for Earth. Barnett had taken over from Admiral Marcus a year before, and had attended the wedding because they'd needed a Starfleet officer in order to make the marriage official on Earth. Jane was surprised they'd been able to get Starfleet's top Admiral to do it, but she knew she shouldn't be really; Barnett had been very supportive of her relationship with Spock from the get go, and had even told them both to come to him immediately if anyone bothered them.

"May I ask why, Captain?" Spock asked.

Jane replied, "I need to explain that we'll apparently be taking a honeymoon, after all."

"Captain, I doubt this trip to the undiscovered planet will be relaxing or romantic-"

"It was a joke, Spock."


It took several days to reach the planet, even at maximum warp. The elder Jane had been able to provide them with the quickest route there, and had also explained her first meeting with the entity the elder Spock had called the 'Guardian of Forever'.

"I think she's making it up," said McCoy. "I mean for starters, why would anyone believe that a doughnut shaped rock could transport anyone to any time and place? But to ask the bigger question; why on Earth would I inject myself with cordrazine?"

"She said it was an accident," said Jane. They were all gathered on the bridge.

He scoffed. "Even then-"

"We don't have time for this, Bones," Jane interrupted. "What we need to think about it why the other Spock called us here."

"Your counterpart said this Guardian was able to see other realities; it is not just the Guardian of our time, but the times of other realities and other places," said Spock. "The fact that my counterpart of all people has called us there seems logical."

"Fair point, but there has to be a specific reason," said Jane. "He mentioned that he knows about my counterpart, or at least suspects something; does that have anything to do with it?"

I suppose I better prepare to explain myself, said her counterpart.

"Captain, we've dropped out of warp," Sulu reported. "We're orbiting the planet now."

Jane rose from her chair. "Alright, I need a landing party. Spock, Bones, Uhura, with me. Scotty, you have the conn."

"Aye, Cap'n."


When the group beamed down to the planet's surface, they found themselves stood among ancient ruins which stretched as far as the eye could see. Jane looked around before spotting a large rock a short distance away, fitting the image her counterpart had shown her. There was a figure stood before it, who Jane guessed was the elder Spock.

The four made their way over, and suggesting he had heard them approach, the elder Spock turned to greet them. "How much time has passed?"

"Since when?" Jane asked.

"Since I was contacted about Khan."

Jane blinked in surprise. "…That was a year ago," she replied. "You didn't know?"

"Time here passes differently." Spock's voice was distant. He then raised an eyebrow after noticing something very different about the Captain and her First Officer – the rings on their fingers. "So you are finally married. I had hoped it would happen sooner than it did in my time."

Jane looked down at her ring, smiling. "It's only just happened. You see, there was this incident with Pon Farr, although you probably would have guessed that… But what am I rambling on about? Why did you call us here?"

The elder Spock approached her slowly before reaching out a hand. "Our minds, one and together."

He knows. Oh God, what do I tell him?

What you told me; that you were only thinking of him. Jane nodded before allowing the other Spock to place his hand on her face, creating a connection. She could feel the elder Spock searching through her mind…before he froze.

He had found what he was looking for. Jane.

Spock. I'm-

Do not apologize.

Jane was tempted to comment on the similarities between the counterparts, but didn't want to ruin the moment. The elder Spock then broke the connection, and for the first time since he had first seen her on the cold Delta Vega, Jane saw a warm light in his eyes – one of hope. "She didn't want me to tell you; she said it would be too much for you."

"I understand," he said. "And I am pleased to know that her katra is safe within you. Otherwise there would not have been a chance."

"A chance?" Jane sent him a puzzled look.

Without a word, Spock led the four over to a rectangular stone a few steps away – but when they reached it, the four realized that while it looked like stone from the side, the top had a glass cover. And inside was a familiar, elderly figure.

Uhura gasped. McCoy cursed under his breath. Spock's stoic expression dropped. And Jane only froze, while in her head she felt her counterpart go into shock, as well. For lying under the glass, eyes closed, was the body of the elder Jane.

"OK… How, when and why?" Jane sent the elder Spock a questioning look.

"Those were the questions I asked the Guardian," the elder Spock replied, nodding over to the large round rock he had been facing before. "And he answered accordingly. The how: he knew this other reality would be created, and he knew that I would be trapped here alone. So when my Jane died, he brought her body here through a portal and kept her in status. And when her body was secure, he placed her katra within you until the time was right."

Jane admitted that the explanation made sense. "So, what about the when?"

"He brought her into this reality after Nero's defeat," he replied.

"Ah." She nodded. "I can remember when; before I fell asleep and met her, I was feeling tired all day," Jane recalled. "So now for the why; why would he want to help you and her? I mean, you're a great guy and all and she's awesome-"

"My Jane and I have saved the galaxy – and even the universe – so many times, that he wanted to repay us," said the elder Spock. "To allow us to be together once more, in this new reality, and to witness ourselves coming together all over again."

Jane sent Spock a smile. "You mentioned there was a chance to save her," said the latter. "The only way I can think of is the Fal-Tor-Pan ritual, but it is dangerous for both the recovering deceased person and the keeper of the katra. It is for this reason that it is rarely performed – and that is on Vulcans, let alone humans."

"It has been done successfully before, and in this circumstance, I am certain that it will be successful again," said his counterpart.

Remember what I told you? That was how we brought Spock back to life, said the elder Jane. He was revived on Vulcan.

"The other me just said it was how they brought you back to life," said Jane. "But she also said the ritual was performed on Vulcan. And since Vulcan's gone-"

"It is not a necessity for the ritual to take place on Vulcan," explained the elder Spock. "New Vulcan will suffice. I know I am asking much from you – from both of you."

But Jane shook her head. "No. You're not. You want to be with her, and I understand that. She's me, you're him; you're both of us. Because of your Jane, I was able to see what was in front of me the whole time. She helped me find my true love – and I want to do everything I can to help her reunite with hers."


Jane felt a little intimidated when their shuttle landed on New Vulcan and saw a crowd waiting for them, but Spock's presence by her side calmed her and they climbed out first.

They approached the family first, and Winona asked, "Can we have an explanation now?"

Her daughter shrugged. "We went to this planet called 'Gateway' – only that was its name in the other reality and it hasn't been named here yet – where we met this stone called the Guardian of Forever, and it turned out he had saved the body of my counterpart from the other reality. The elder Spock had found her, and he wanted to know if I had her spirit slash soul in my head, which I did, and I've had it in my head for over two years now." Jane paused to think. "It says something about my life when that's not the weirdest explanation I've ever given."

The senior officers had come down with them – McCoy, Uhura, Scotty, Chekov, Sulu and Carol – and after they climbed out of the shuttle, the elder Spock followed with the elder Jane cradled in his arms. Everyone fell silent as he approached T'Pau, and Jane joined him at his side.

"I wish for you to perform Fal-Tor-Pan," he requested. "We know it has rarely been done, and we know the risks. But we have agreed to try."

T'Pau only nodded. "Very well." Two stone tables were pushed over, and the elder Spock laid the elder Jane onto one. Jane took the silent cue to lay down on the other one. She closed her eyes as T'Pau stood between them. The woman said something in Vulcan before she laid a hand upon Jane's face. Jane suspected she had done the same to her counterpart's body.

I'm going to miss you, she heard her counterpart say.

Talking in my head, anyway. They shared a final moment of amusement.

The sensation was unusual. It was like her mind was being searched and cleaned, separated from the katra within her before the katra began to be pulled from her. Jane understood why it was dangerous; part of her mind wanted to go with the katra, while another part was going into shock at the sudden invasion. It felt different than a mind-meld; this was far more intense, and while Jane was unsure, she swore she could feel the energy of every other Vulcan around her; Sarek, the two Spocks, T'Pring… It was like they were helping with the process; focussing to make sure she made it out alive.

And then, just like that, it was over.

Jane's eyes blinked open, and found that she had lost a lot of energy. She needed help to stand; Spock, McCoy and Uhura came to her aid, and helped her off the table.

"Did it work?" she asked.

"We are uncertain," replied Spock. He nodded over to the other table, where the other Jane still lay motionless. The other Spock had approached her, hope in his eyes.

Jane felt through her consciousness, and where the katra had been before was now empty. The elder Jane was gone from her mind. Shouldn't that mean she's alive? Then again, she may not have survived the process… She hoped, for the elder Spock's sake, that her counterpart still lived.

Then the woman's eyes opened with a sharp intake of breath, and Jane felt relief flood through her which was both her own and Spock's.

"Ugh…I haven't felt like this since that hangover on Starbase 9," the elder Jane muttered, trying to sit up.

The elder Spock laid a hand upon her shoulder. "You should not overexert yourself."

The woman froze before she looked up, her eyes meeting with the elder Spock's for the first time. While she had seen him before through Jane's eyes, seeing him like this – in her own body, able to reach out and touch him – was different.

She slowly rose from the table, and while she stumbled a little upon getting to her feet, she was determined to stand and leant against the stone for support. Her eyes never left the elder Spock's. And then, cautiously – as if she was afraid it wasn't real, and he would vanish at any moment – she reached out and cupped his cheek. Spock reached out as well, but his fingers only gently brushed her face, like he was afraid of moving too fast; as if she were breakable and would crumble under his touch.

Jane realized that the two were communicating through their bond, for at the same time they leaned in and their foreheads touched. Both their eyes closed as they bathed in the feeling of each other, which they hadn't felt for so long; for the other Jane, a few years since she had gone through a time skip. But for the elder Spock… It had been decades. In that moment it didn't matter how many, because either way, it had been far too long.

No one wanted to interrupt the pair, and Jane wondered whether they would have been able to. Not even the Vulcans watching spoke out when the pair's lips crashed together in a fiery passion Jane thought no elder couple could achieve.

And through the universe, she felt that some form of balance – a decree written in the stars themselves – had been restored.