Alright, another update! -throws confetti- I passed up my 350th reviewer because I've noticed how close together the two 50 marks are getting! Number one, wow guys, thank you so much for reviewing that often! Number two, OH MY GOD I'M ALMOST AT 400 REVIEWS! This story is already my most reviewed one, and it's just getting higher! I feel so humbled... -bows- Thank you all! But since I've gone away from the 50 mark, we're moving to the 100 one. So my 400th reviewer will get a word.
-grovels- You guys are so awesome! You make the time I spend writing all worth it!
Okay, warnings for these are some OC!Spock in the first one, along with some slightly OC!Jim, but it's cute, so I don't care. The last two are pre!Spirk and there's some violence in the second one.
66
Close
near, or near together, in kind or relationship: intimate
"Can you believe it?"
Spock turned slightly to meet Jim's eyes, a brief flash of tender affection and amusement coloring their bond. He slipped a hand into Jim's beneath the table, and happiness spread across his mate's features at the touch. "I have no troubles believing this development. I believe that we have always been moving towards this outcome."
Jim smiled again, the pads of his fingers sliding across Spock's skin. There was the soft sound of people around them talking, music playing somewhere in the room, but it didn't matter; Jim only had eyes for his new husband. "I knew that part." Jim teased gently. "We've been bonded for 6 months now, but to actually be married?"
"We were married already, ashayam." Spock replied, raising an eyebrow.
"Terran marriage, Spock." Jim answered, his tone slightly exasperated even though there was a smile on his lips and a shimmer of mirth in his electric blue eyes. "It's a different thing for me, at least, to be married by Earth standards. I never thought that it would happen to me."
Spock's lips twitched in a faint smile. "Then I shall count myself lucky that it was I that proved that assumption wrong."
Their fingers glided together in a hidden Vulcan kiss, and Jim felt his body warm at the touch. He loved being able to touch Spock whenever he wanted; he was a tactile creature by nature, and that closeness with someone who loved him in return was like heaven.
"Jim, Spock."
The sound of their names made them look up, and they spotted Uhura standing in the corner of the room, a smile on her face and her wine red dress shimmering in the lowered lights. Jim tilted his head in confusion, but Uhura's smile widened as Spock raised an eyebrow.
"There's a tradition that I think we're neglecting, you two." she said, warmth and amusement in her tone.
Spock frowned. "I was not aware of any other traditions."
Bones interjected at this moment, a grin on his face and a glass of questionable liquid in his hand. "The first dance! Come on you two, get up!"
Jim shook his head slightly, a resigned smile on his features. "No, you guys know that Spock isn't into public affection, it's no big deal. You guys can keep dancing, it's -" His voice trailed off as Spock stood up beside him, extending a hand to his mate.
Spock allowed a slight smile to cross his features. "I believe that you should be able to experience a wedding in its entirety, Jim, as you will never have another chance to do so."
"You don't have to, Spock..."
The Vulcan reached down and took Jim's hand, pulling him up to his feet. "I wish to, t'hy'la."
With those words Spock led Jim out into the center of the cleared floor, and soft music started as Uhura gave the computer the command. Jim hesitated again as they stood, ringed by their crew and friends on the observation deck of the Enterprise. Again a flash of amusement tinged their bond, and Spock solved Jim's indecision for him.
A warm Vulcan arm wrapped around his waist, drawing their bodies together, and a slim hand lifted his to rest against Spock's chest. Jim paused only a moment more, and then tentatively stepped forward, lifting his right hand to hold onto Spock's shoulder, his left cradled in Spock's against the Vulcan's chest.
Uhura's voice echoed in the room a moment later, and Jim felt warmth explode through his body.
"Love me tender, love me sweet...
Never let me go...
You have made my life complete...
And I love you so..."
Jim couldn't help the smile spreading across his lips, and he slowly laid his head against Spock's shoulder, their bodies swaying together and their fingers slowly intertwining. His blue eyes slipping closed, Jim let out a sigh of content, close to the man that he loved and completely at ease.
"Love me tender, love me true...
All my dreams fulfill
For, my darling I love you...
And I always will..."
"Thank you..." Jim whispered.
Spock squeezed his mate's waist gently, passing his thumb across Jim's skin where their hands were cradled together against his shoulder. "I would do anything to make you happy, Jim. This is a small allowance in order to see you smile."
Love bloomed warm and comforting between them as they swayed together under the passing stars, Uhura's lovely voice filling the dimly lit room.
"Always will..."
The song is "Love Me Tender" and in this case is the version sung by Norah Jones. I do not own!
67
Flood
a great flowing or overflowing of water, esp. over land not usually submerged.
"Enterprise, now!" Jim Kirk shouted into his communicator, herding the shivering, terrified group of colonists closer together. There was a shimmer in the air, and then the brilliant white light began to consume the people standing beside him. Jim only just caught the gaze of a tiny child before they were gone, taken up to his ship high above the planet.
Whirling around, Jim tried to make sure that they had gotten everyone. It appeared to be true, but with the pounding rain and gusting wind it was difficult to see properly. He slopped forward in the muddy ground, shaking his head sharply to get the blond fringe out of his vision. "Spock!" he yelled, knowing that his First Officer was nearby.
A moment passed and then Spock was suddenly at his side, moving like a shadow through the torrents of rain. The half-Vulcan glanced over his Captain, assessing his well-being before speaking, voice raised above the hurricane-like weather. "I believe that we have secured all of the colonists, Captain!"
Jim glanced around apprehensively, some instinct screamed at him that they were missing something, though he wasn't sure what. His blue eyes darted towards the nearby hills, and his gut wrenched. "I just want to have one last look! You can beam back up!"
"I will not leave you on your own, Jim!" Spock replied in a firm manner, and Jim shrugged in response, turning and loping towards the hills, blinking water from his eyes.
The rain was heavy around them, and the closer they got to the valleys and hills that made up the nearby land the mud they were slopping through changed to water, gradually going from ankle deep to nearly their knees. It didn't help that the water was freezing cold, and the wind that continued to buffet them only made it worse. Jim ignored his discomfort, some part of him pushing him forward.
Sure enough, his instincts proved to be right once more. As they crested a smaller hill Jim spotted a tiny figure on an opposite hill, what appeared to be a terrified child. The little girl didn't appear to be hurt, but she was on the other side of a near river of freezing floodwaters. Jim pressed forward, ignoring the exclamation of protest from his First Officer and running towards the small form.
The shock that coursed through his body as he hit the water made his breath halt for a split second, but Jim continued forward, all of his muscles straining as he fought the current. Just as Jim reached the other side, still fighting the water, he heard the distant splash as Spock followed him in.
Scooping up the little girl, Jim whirled back around and threw himself forward, trying to meet Spock before he could get any further into the water. The half-Vulcan paused, seeing that Jim was coming back, though he didn't back up, instead holding out a hand in order to assist Jim. Gritting his teeth Jim pressed through the raging current, his being focused on the little girl clinging to his tunic and pressing her face against his neck.
There was a roar, and Jim's wide eyes turned to see a fresh wave of water heading over the hill and towards him. With an extra burst of strength he thrust the little girl from his arms and towards Spock, screaming "GO!" as he did. Spock caught the child just as the water slammed into both of their bodies.
With his Vulcan strength and because of the fact that he was closer to the shore, Spock managed to keep his footing, clutching the tiny child to his chest. Jim, however, was in the center of the river of water, and was already tired from fighting his way across the first time. The water swept his feet from under him, sending him tumbling through space, air cut off and sense of direction completely wiped out.
"Jim!" Spock shouted into the distance, quickly whirling to set down the girl and whipping out his communicator. "Enterprise, beam up the life sign next to my signal! I must retrieve the Captain!"
He didn't wait for a response, he merely ran forward along the bank, glancing behind him to see the silvery lights taking the girl from the planet. The water rushed alongside him, and Spock frantically searched the waters for his friend and Captain. There was a flash of gold, and then a resounding bang in the air.
The water rushed for a moment, and then the ground seemingly opened up in front of Spock before he could check himself, and the mud and water carried him over the edge and into a large underground cavern. Water was rapidly filling the area, and Spock quickly looked for a way out before spotting a golden shimmer lying prone in the water, facedown.
Moving quickly, the half-Vulcan lifted Jim from the water, feeling a bolt of panic in his chest at the sight of the blue-tinged face. Spock shifted Jim in his grip, pressing on his chest and stomach with both hands, praying that Jim hadn't inhaled too much water.
The action worked like a charm; Jim choked up water and very nearly leapt to his feet, eyes meeting Spock's before he relaxed marginally. "Spock!" He glanced around. "The girl?"
"She has been beamed to the ship." Spock replied, raising his voice over the waterfall of water.
Jim nodded. "Good!" Reaching to his belt, he lifted his communicator before giving it a disgusted look; one side had been crushed inwards and it was now useless. "I don't suppose that yours is working?"
Spock lifted his own communicator, it feebly flickered for a moment before going out. Jim swore valiantly as the half-Vulcan began to pry off the cover, trying to get it working long enough to call for a beam out. The water was rapidly filling up the cavern, already it was up to Jim's thighs and steadily rising.
As Spock worked he felt the shift beside him as Jim moved closer, one hand absently raising to touch the Vulcan's shoulder. "I really hate water, you know?" Jim murmured, only just loud enough for Spock to hear.
Even through his work Spock raised an eyebrow. "You have not displayed any fear until this point in time, Jim."
"Cause I knew that I didn't have time for fear. I might hate it, but I'm not going to let that stop me from doing my job." Jim replied, although he shifted closer as the water began lapping at his waistline.
"Perhaps I might inquire as to the source of your discomfort?" Spock asked, knowing that the conversation was helping keep Jim focused. Even though the blond wasn't displaying much of his fear on the outside, he could sense the roiling terror that boiled just beneath the surface of Jim's relatively calm exterior.
Jim paused for a moment, long enough for Spock to connect another set of wires and begin to replace a few of the components he had removed. "My stepfather." Jim said finally.
There was no need to continue further; the communicator flickered to life and Spock hailed the ship, feeling a wave of relief from Jim as the shimmering lights of the transporter took them out of the drowned colony.
While Jim didn't continue his words, Spock knew that there was more, and he knew that this wasn't the time. Jim moved away from him as soon as they materialized, quickly and efficiently taking control of the situation and making sure that all of the colonists had rooms to stay in and that the entire crew and colony had been evacuated from the planet.
Later that night however, Spock found an opportunity to inquire further into what Jim had started. He was admittedly curious, although if Jim resisted he wouldn't press. The two of them were settled in Jim's quarters, playing a calming game of chess before bed as well as talking over the events of the day.
"Jim, if I might ask..." Spock paused, and Jim's smile let him know that Jim understood what he wanted to ask.
The blond sighed faintly, leaning back in his chair and folding his hands on his stomach. "I suppose this is something that you can know... I've only ever told Bones, you know." Jim stopped again, and Spock shifted forward slightly.
"If you do not wish to tell me, Jim..."
Jim raised a hand, blocking off his words. "No, Spock, it's alright. I've never had a huge like for water regardless, but when I was 11, it got worse. My stepfather Frank, he was..." Jim paused, searching for the right word and then sighing. "He was an asshole, that's really the only way to describe it. He drank, gambled, and smoked; he was disgusting inside and out. Mom was never really around, so he had his way with Sam and I. Sam kept his attention for the most part, but he left when I was 9, and I had no one else to look out for me."
Spock frowned, understanding almost immediately where this was heading. He had known that Jim hadn't had the greatest of childhoods, that it was likely his Captain had been abused in his younger years. Jim did a remarkable job of hiding that nature, but it was visible, if you knew what to look for.
"One night he came home drunk, and, for some reason decided that it was my fault that he had been kicked out of the bar he was in. I was sleeping, and then all of the sudden I was pulled out of bed and dragged into the bathroom across the hall." Jim's expression darkened and he tensed slightly before pushing himself out of his chair and standing. "He held me underwater until I thought I was gonna pass out, and then he pulled me out before putting me back under. He did this several times, and then I finally passed out. I woke up in the hospital; Frank had told them that I'd fallen into the pond that wasn't far from our house."
"Jim..." Spock murmured, standing as well and taking a step towards the blond.
Jim waved a hand, smiling bitterly. "It's alright, Spock, it's in the past now after all. Frank's in jail and I'm out here in space, so there's no reason to think about it. I've settled those evils already."
Spock took another step forward, unsure of what he was doing, but knowing that something needed to be done, something needed to be said. "I grieve with thee, Jim."
A blink was his answer. "What?"
"I grieve with thee, for the horrors that you suffered as a child." Spock answered, his voice softening ever-so-slightly.
The hard edge that had overtaken Jim's blue eyes crumbled and his entire face softened before a smile spread across his features. "Thanks Spock. And you did plenty today, just by being there with me and keeping me calm down there. I don't know what I would have done without you."
Spock nodded, a faint smile tilting his lips. "I was performing my duty as both your First Officer and your friend."
Jim's smile widened. "All the same, I'm glad that you were there. Let's do it again in the future, yea?"
A quirk of the eyebrow. "If you wish it, Jim."
68
Inclination
something to which one is inclined; a tendency toward a certain condition, action, etc
Jim was upset.
Spock was absolutely certain that Jim was hiding something, and he was fairly sure that he knew what it was as well. Their recent mission hadn't gone smoothly at all, and they had lost an ensign during an attack from one of the native animals. The boy had been young and aspiring to rise in the ranks, and Spock knew that Jim felt personally responsible for his death.
Then again, Jim felt that way about everyone who died under his guidance.
As was his inclination, Jim grew louder and more expressive when he was upset and trying to hide it. He laughed more, although the sound was noticeably forced, and there was nearly always a smile on his features. Spock could see, however, that the smile didn't reach Jim's eyes like it usually did. Not only was he hiding guilt and sadness about the death of the young ensign, but Spock could also tell that he hadn't slept in some time. There was a sort of pinched look around Jim's eyes, as well as a lingering stiffness in his body that was normally not there.
Spock wanted to help his friend, but he wasn't entirely sure how to go about that. He had never been particularly good at providing comfort to anyone, as he didn't quite understand the entire prospect of doing so. Even though he wasn't sure as to the best way, he did know one thing that he could do to help.
He remembered Nyota mentioning at some point during their relationship that sometimes just being with the person was the best way to comfort them, and so that was what he was going to do.
As their shift came to an end, Spock moved forward to stand beside the Captain's chair, his hands settled in their customary position at the small of his back. "Captain."
Jim started slightly in his chair before turning to look up at his First Officer, a smile spreading across his face, though it did nothing for the sadness and guilt that was buried in those blue eyes. "Hey Spock. Need something?"
"Our shift is nearing its completion, I wish to inquire if you would like to engage in a game of chess." Spock replied, his eyes wandering briefly over Jim's tired features.
The smile softened a bit, and Jim nodded. "I'd like that, Mr. Spock. Shall we go to my quarters? I don' think that Sulu would mind if we took off a few minutes early." At those words he shifted his chair to look towards the helmsman.
Sulu nodded with a smile. "It'll only be a few minutes until my replacement gets here anyway. You two go get some rest, it's been a tough couple of days."
Jim pushed himself to his feet, and Spock followed him to the turbolift, quietly observing the heavy, exhausted sort of way that Jim walked. The doors closed behind them and Jim let out a sigh, lifting a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose as he closed his eyes wearily. After a moment of silence he raised his head, smiling at Spock. "You'll have to forgive me, I probably won't be the best opponent tonight."
"Do not concern yourself, Jim. I merely wish to...spend some time with you." Spock replied, pausing briefly before using that phrase.
Jim looked up at him with a shocked look on his face, eyes a little wide and lips parted faintly on a soft gasp. A moment later a smile spread shakily across his features, and this time it seemed to be a true smile. "R-Really? Well cool!"
The brief wave of joy that came from Jim was enough that Spock could feel it from their close proximity, and it made a sort of happiness bubble in his own mind. The half-Vulcan followed Jim as he led the way down the shimmery hall of the Enterprise, his eyes still watching Jim and the way that he moved. While there was still a tiredness in his gait, some of the heaviness appeared to have lifted.
Their game went quietly and easily, and Jim was correct in saying that he wasn't much of an opponent. He played marginally well, but it was not the challenge that it usually was whenever they played. Jim was leaning on one hand, fingers curled loosely on his cheek. Spock watched idly as he yawned, and then sat back in his chair.
"Perhaps it would be wise for you to retire for the night, Jim." Spock interrupted Jim's turn at the board, and the blond looked up at him, blinking the sleep away from his eyes.
Rubbing at his eyes in a rather adorable way, Jim shook his head. "Nah, I'm okay Spock. Besides, I'm not sure if I could sleep even if I tried."
Spock tilted his head slightly, and then rose to his feet. "Come Jim, you need sleep. Humans cannot function with the amount of sleep that you have been getting these past few days."
Jim blinked in a vague sort of surprise. "You've been watching my sleep patterns?"
"I have been noticing them is a more correct statement. You have been tired, Jim, and it is beginning to worry your crew." Spock said firmly, remaining on his feet.
"My crew?" Jim raised an eyebrow, though this time he pushed himself to his feet, standing in front of Spock. He folded his arms across his chest, watching Spock as the Vulcan rested his hands in the small of his back. "Does that include you, Spock?"
Spock did not answer for a moment, and a faint smile came across Jim's features, a sort of knowing smile. The Vulcan paused a moment more, and then spoke. "I find myself... unsettled at your discomfort."
Jim's eyes softened slightly as he watched Spock say this, and then he ran a hand through his hair, closing his eyes briefly as he moved to sit on his bed. "It means a lot to me to hear you say that. But I've tried to sleep, and I just can't seem to calm my mind down enough to actually drift off. I kind of doze, but it's not the same thing."
The Vulcan frowned minutely, watching Jim as he sat. "Perhaps I may be of assistance, Jim?"
"Oh really?" Jim asked, looking back up at his friend as Spock stepped forward, hesitating before sitting beside the blond. "I'm open to anything you think might help; I'm exhausted, I'd give anything to s-!"
Jim's words were cut off as warm fingertips pressed against his temple, Spock's touch gentle and yet firm. "Calm your mind, Jim." Spock murmured.
A sort of peace radiated from the Vulcan, and almost against his will Jim felt his eyelids growing heavier, his body drooping to the side towards Spock. Spock carefully moved him the other direction, laying him on the bed with an infinite sort of tenderness that Jim had never felt before.
"Sleep..." Spock murmured, his fingers moving briefly in what felt like a caress, but Jim was gone, finally sleeping, deep and dreamless.
Spock sat for a moment more, watching the easy movement of Jim's chest as it rose and fell, and then he carefully removed Jim's boots and lifted him all the way onto the bed, draping a sheet over him before leaving the room.
Rest your mind, Jim, and sleep without dreams...