Jim walked in just as the bailiff was making his announcement. Judge Duvitri walked out and gave the order for everyone to sit. Jim slid into the seat next to his mother, his earlier embarrassment forgotten.
"This has been a very difficult case." The judge picked up her stylus absentmindedly and twirled it. "I always give domestic violence cases the strictest attention. One involving a Vulcan is magnitudes bigger. I've always believed stereotypes, be they positive or negative, are harmful."
She dropped the stylus and folded her hands. "However, I cannot find just cause to hold Commander Spock any longer. All the evidence points to a caring, compassionate man. This charge is dropped, with prejudice. The defendant is to be released. Court is adjourned."
The gavel came down and Jim went up. He dashed forward, springing over the partition and coming to a screeching halt in front of his husband, who blinked at him.
"Consider yourself bear-hugged as soon as we're home." Jim grinned and tugged gently at Spock's sleeve. "Come home. It's time to come home."
Spock shook his hand slightly to loosen Jim's grip. "I must go downstairs and retrieve my belongings."
"Sons, you need to be forewarned. The press is here, and they are most intent on getting a statement." Sarek walked up and stood on the other side of the divider.
"I've got a soundbite for them," Jim growled.
"No!" Three voices chorused. Jim stared at them, and then focused on his husband.
"Trust me?" Jim asked. Spock balked. "No lawn darts, no sandwiches and soups, I'll be a good boy."
"You will watch your language?" Spock queried slowly.
Jim crossed his heart. "Promise. You go get your stuff." He walked out of the courtroom into the throng of reporters. Cameras were thrust in his face, along with a ton of microphones. "I have a statement from the Spock-Kirk household."
Everyone fell silent. Jim arched up on his toes and cleared his throat. "It is one thing to disagree with someone. We're not all going to think alike. But to purposely lie; to cause someone irreparable harm both legally and emotionally with malice is wrong. We ask that people use their common sense. If it sounds impossible, it probably is. Unless you're talking about my boyish good looks, and then you're right." The crowd laughed.
"Commander Spock is quite possibly the best thing to ever happen to me. I mean personally as well as professionally. I hold myself responsible for this drama, and I hope one day he forgives me. Now we'd like to have a little private time, so I'm going to ask like a big boy that you all give us our space. Don't follow us, don't call us, just leave us alone. The next time you hear from us we hope it'll be for a better reason."
With that, Captain Kirk smiled and walked through the reporters, who for once stood back. Not a single reporter followed Jim down the stairs to where he met his husband. No reporters were waiting outside when they took him to the aircar. It was a quiet ride home.
Spock refused to cuddle with Jim, citing that he felt 'soiled' and would prefer a shower when he got home. Jim sat beside him, not saying anything. In the front seat, Winona chatted quietly with Sarek. When they pulled up in the barnyard, Winona parked and handed Jim his keys. Spock got out and walked up to the door, testing the lock and entering when he found it unlocked.
Jim walked in and kicked off his shoes. He was halfway up the stairs when a sneaker hit him on the back with unusual precision. Jim whirled around to find his father-in-law standing at the bottom of the stairs.
"Your mother requests that you not leave your footwear in the hallway."
Jim laughed and came back down the stairs to snag the lone shoe left in the walkway. He gathered its mate on the stairs and walked up to his room. There he turned down the bed and pulled the shade down. Rummaging through Spock's suitcases, he found his meditation incense and lit a piece. Then he sat on the bed.
Spock walked in five minutes later, hair still damp. He had apparently taken a water shower. He must have felt really bad. Jim stood up and unrolled Spock's meditation mat and pointed to it silently. His mate looked to him gratefully but headed instead for the bed. He climbed in his side (always away from the door) and patted the mattress beside him. He didn't have to ask twice. Jim jumped in the bed and pulled the covers up around them.
Jim found a cool hand and held it. "What do you need, baby?"
Spock snuggled down. "Please hold me. I am so sorry, James."
Jim pulled away momentarily. "You're sorry? For what, Spock? This disaster was my fault, all the way. If I hadn't fallen into Carol's clutches six years ago none of this would be happening."
"Ahh," Spock murmured, "but then you would not have such a special child as David."
Jim pursed his lips. "David is the only bright spot in this whole mess." He wrapped his arms around his love and hummed in his chest. "What can I do to make it better?"
Spock closed his eyes. "Simply be yourself, Jim. You are all I need."
They lay there in each others arms, feeling their tension ease. They were almost asleep when the comm. station chimed.
Jim got up and there was a noise, and then the chiming stopped and he came back to bed. Spock opened one eye.
"Do we owe your mother a comm. station now?"
"Nah. I unplugged it. Not that gently, but I only unplugged it. They'll have to leave a message." Jim kissed Spock's forehead. "Go to sleep, t'hy'la. You're home now."
The day passed quietly. Winona left a note for the boys and took Sarek back to the hotel. She tried to avoid the reporters camped out at the entrance, but it was all for naught. All Sarek said was 'no comment' and pressed his way through to the stairs. He made sure no one was following him and he went to his room.
Spock awoke around six in the evening. He felt absolutely wicked for having slept so long, but after his ordeal he couldn't have stayed awake any longer. He slipped out of the bed and lit some more incense and knelt down on his mat. He dropped into the deepest meditation possible, just above a healing trance.
Consequently, he didn't hear Jim get up and access the computer. When he came back to himself, he was surprised to find his husband sitting beside him.
"Shh," Jim began. "Just listen." He pressed a button and a song began. Spock's memory placed it instantly. "I haven't been the best husband lately, and I'm sorry Spock. I never want to make you think I don't love you or appreciate you. You're the rock I rely on. You're my soft place to fall. You're everything to me, and I love you. Will you forgive me?"
Spock nodded slowly. Then he reached out and took his mate's hand. They sat and listened as Sarah McLachlan sang about being the answer, and they knew they had found their answers in each other.
A/N: One last chapter to bring in the epilogue and that's it, guys. Thanks so much for reading!
