The red alert woke him up but he was slow to get up to his feet. It was as sleeping drained him instead of energizing.
"Captain, to the bridge," Spock's alarmed voice finally got him to sober up.
As he walked to the bridge, he could see his crewmembers leaning against the wall, or simply sitting on the floor exhausted.
"Our axillary power will last only four hours. We need to analyse the phenomena before us as quickly as possible, Captain," Spock concluded his report as Jim sat in his chair.
"Of course, Mr Spock, resume with your analysis," Jim nodded looking at the patch of dark space before them where there were no stars.
They had no idea what was before them except that it was draining their engines and pulling them closer. What will be that thing which will consume them? More importantly when. Is this the thing Spock warned them about because it wasn't on the right place? They had a few parsecs to cross till the coordinates Spock gave them.
It would be more convenient if he said what they are looking for than what to do.
Vagueness, it always had to be vague those messages from another time, from their echoes.
They couldn't even get to the coordinates in time before they are in the web of another unexplored anomaly.
"Can we get around it?" Jim said impatiently. "We are in a hurry."
"No, Captain, it has a lock on us and we are spending all of our energy to counter its pull."
"Its pull," Jim leaned forward. "It is trying to pull us in. Mr Chekov cut all power from the engines. Mr Scott, generate an antimatter torpedo. Conserve power, only necessary systems remain."
"Captain?" Spock stepped by his chair with his hands clasped behind his back. "We don't know what it is. Further analysis is needed."
"We'll let it consume us," Jim smiled. "Then we'll see what's inside. I see no point in exhausting our power in resisting what can't be fought against. Some attractive forces can't be nullified no matter how hard you try."
Spock's eyebrow shot up acknowledging the jab before turning to the screen.
"Logical, Captain. It could be our anomaly. The difference in events affects everything. Hopefully, if it's not, we'll be as quick to fight it off."
"I once zoomed in and out of the universe and you managed to get me back. For now, there's no hostility, no warning shots, no technology, just an attempt to make physical contact. A firm physical contact isn't a thing to be afraid of. Most of opponents can be overpowered only from close proximity."
"Yes, Captain, to pinch a nerve you have to stand close by," Spock nodded and Jim noticed an ever so slight curve of his mouth that signified he was entertained by the unspoken.
They went in the darkness to discover a hungry giant one cell organism. It didn't take long. They were consumed, half of their crew fell unconscious but they managed to locate the chromosomes because they knew what they are looking for. They discharged a photon and soon the stars reappeared again.
"It would be nice to have a cheat diagram for threats like this one. Imagine if this thing spread, it would be the end of our universe."
"It would spread," Spock said calmly. "By the look of its chromosomes it was just about to split into two. By the rate it consumed our energy it would spread in no time. I guess this is the crisis that justifies breaking a rule or two."
"Breaking rules?" Jim got up from his chair ready to pace around, his energy wasn't nearly spent, as soon as the creature died his energy returned in a restless surge. "I guess as you get older you get more relaxed with rules. That gives one some hope."
Their eyes locked and images flared up in Jim's mind. Luckily, they were interrupted by the chime of the com.
"Incoming message," Uhura said turning from her station. "Intrepid asks what we are doing here. It's no on our route and they weren't notified with the change in the schedule."
"Intrepid?" Jim turned to the screen.
"Yes, manned with two hundered Vulcans," Spock said somewhat flat. "Before the Fall of Vulcan it was an exclusively Vulcan ship."
"Which would mean four hundered Vulcans," Jim whispered.
"It would seem so," Spock nodded unnoticeably. "Thank you, Captain. Your sacrifice means a lot to me."
"Don't mention it, Spock," Jim hit his back playfully. "Hail Intrepid and put them on the viewing screen. I don't think I can explain this through a message."
"This is Commander T'Pring," a female Vulcan appeared on the screen. "Has the Federation lost its faith in Vulcan's ability to defend and protect. This is our route, it is not logical to dispatch two ships to the same patrolling route."
"I must apologize," Jim smiled at her but no reaction came in return. "We received an urgent message and there was no time but to react. We'll rely our data to you so if anything similar appears everyone knows how to extinguish it."
"An urgent message from whom? Who would have an information about our quadrant and notify you instead of us who are closer and are more logical choice of dealing with a crisis."
Jim opened his mouth but before he could say anything Spock stepped in the line of view stepping before him. He has never done that before. Jim closed his mouth looking at Spock's back to decipher what he's feeling. By the line of his shoulders it could be sensed that he's rigid, tense and not happy at all.
"T'Pring," he said to the Vulcan lifting his hand in a Vulcan greeting. "May you live long and prosper."
"Spock," she said frowning a bit deeper. "From my mind to your mind we are one. Is it time? Was that the urgency?"
"No, not yet," Spock slouched a bit showing defensiveness. "Ambassador Spock sent us here with little time to spare. We apologize for stepping in your way but many lives have been saved by our swift reaction."
"Of course they were," was it Jim's imagination but he could swear he can hear a hint of resentment in her voice. "Your legend only grows as time passes us by. Will you come aboard so we can greet each other properly?"
"If the Captain can spare me," Spock stepped aside showing his profile for a brief moment but turning away before he could decide does Spock want to go there or not.
"Of course," Jim said not finding any reason to deny him to see his kin when they met like this in the vastness of the universe. "We'll need some time to repair the damage on our systems. Should I accompany you to extent my diplomatic greetings?"
"That would be appreciated," Spock nodded but Jim could swear T'Pring was furious by the suggestion. She looked down before he could be sure of it. "We'll beam aboard presently so we can return as soon as the repairs are done."
The transmission ended after polite greetings.
"Mr Scott," Spock called their engineer. "Be as efficient as you can with those repairs so we can move as soon as possible."
"The girl, Spock," Jim couldn't but ask, he had to get more information, it felt like he's entering a hostile terrain for some reason. "Who is she?"
Spock looked at him for a moment with an unreadable expression on his face.
"My wife," he said flatly and Jim could hear Uhura's earpiece smashing to the console before storming out of the bridge.
Jim went still trying to hide his inner turmoil. It was best to wait things out. They were rarely what they seem in Vulcan's different customs and rules.
"Do you really want me over there? I will excuse myself with duties if you would rather go over there alone."
"No, Captain, I would prefer to have your company. To have a point of reference that reminds you of the normal universe is always preferable. Without the point of reference, we can be truly lost as we experienced when we breached the border of our galaxy."
"I'm flattered," Jim jumped up from his chair and led them to the elevator noticing secret glances of their crew before the door of the elevator closed them in a bubble of privacy. "That means I'm more normal to you now than your own kind."
"Remember, Captain, I'm half-human. You're as much of my kind as they are. In both worlds, I'm equally alien. To have a friend who doesn't view me as flawed is favourable."
"Surely, your wife sees you as favourable and flawless as I do," Jim said lightly perked up by the compliment. Still, mentioning of Spock's human half made Jim even more alert. There was danger here. Spock never willingly mentioned his human half unless it gave him an upper hand in an argument.
"Far from it. My wife sees my every flaw. That's only logical since she has to think of ways to neutralize them in any future children we might produce together."
There was a sting of jealousy in Jim by the mentioned children but it was only fair Spock had them.
"There's no flaw in you," Jim dismissed it. "She should only counting your virtues looking forward to both handsome and smart offspring."
"Really, Captain," an eyebrow lifted as they turned in the corridor. "Flattery escapes me but I appreciate it. There is a dose of entertainment that makes this discomfort easier."
"Discomfort, Spock? Shouldn't you be rejoicing for seeing your wife after such a long time?"
"I saw my wife when I was nine years old. We went through a ritual of briefly melding our minds and that was the last we saw each other. I'm quite surprised to see her here since Ambassador Spock suggested that she died with Vulcan."
Jim stopped shocked by the variety of information. He was unsure which one to consider. It wasn't his wife in human sense. It was a Vulcan thing that was logical and calculated. It had nothing to do with love or affection.
"Affection, Captain?" Spock answered to his unspoken thought. "That is a rude word on Vulcan. The one no one admits one can feel."
"But you feel it, Spock, I know you do," that earned him a shrug of the shoulders that didn't deny it. "You must be relieved to find out that she lives."
"I'm nor relieved or stressed. She too is at odds of how this affects her. That's why we need to meet. To establish how we will proceed."
"A power play to establish the rules," Jim now understood the stakes better. "That's why you're letting me stall us. If you ran from the bridge there, you would show eagerness. Even inviting me has a cooling effect, doesn't it? Anyone would be better than me."
"Agreed," Spock just acknowledged it without a hint of a smile but it was enough to perk Jim up. "When we're there, don't speak if not asked. If everything goes by the plan, we should be summoned back within an hour, which is too much already."
"We can instruct a signal for Scotty to drag us out if we need to go sooner."
"No, T'Pring would see the deceit in my mind and take a great offence. This small tactic of stalling can be understood, it's expected, but a deceit would be interpreted as a divorce, nothing less."
"It's comforting to know you can get divorced on Vulcan so easily," Jim put his hand to Spock's back and they resumed their walk not hurrying.
"You can from your first marriage. Simple logic states that children can be estimated wrong and their compatibility unsuitable when adults. After we go through Pohn Faar, there's no divorce until one of you dies and then you probably spend the rest of your days alone."
"That sounds oddly romantic, Mr Spock," Jim let go of Spock's back as they entered the transporter room. "Will you now go through Pohn Faar?"
"Hopefully, no," Spock paused before the transporter while Jim stepped on his spot. "That reminds me, Captain. Can you do me a favour?"
"Of course, anything that can help."
"Don't engage with me when we're on the ship. Talk as little as possible and stay behind me, out of the line of sight."
"I've got your back, don't worry," Jim smiled, Spock looked away and Jim realized that was the wrong answer. "Alright, no jokes and smiles. I can do that. Any battle makes me grim and focused."
"Thank you, Captain," Spock said and finally stepped into the transporter.
"Beam us aboard Intrepid, Ensign," Jim said firmly adjusting his serious face.
There was no charming for him today. Not to be charming towards Spock's wife and more importantly not to smile at Spock. When he smiled, he could sense how disturbed Spock was by his smile. It was a painful kind of gratification. Spock reacted to him as he often did, he admitted he needed Jim's help and support but they went to see his bride to whom he'll be bound to one day.
They just saved the galaxy with ease, it was only natural that the universe immediately threw a curve ball at Jim. It was like that between Jim and the universe he defended from destruction. They were at odds constantly fighting but when a common foe would come along Jim would fall into line and do what was necessary.
What was necessary now was to follow Spock a step behind him letting him lead them through the ship full of Vulcans and different kinds of aliens. Jim had to notice how there were no Humans aboard. Did the Commander have a personal prejudice towards Humans or did the New Vulcan deemed Humans truly inferior?
Seeing some of the species they had manning the deck Jim highly doubted it was the latter. If it was the former, Spock's wife deemed Spock's humanity as a flaw. That wasn't right.
He resented that more than her claim over Spock. That was the mood with which he entered the bridge to meet the wife since she didn't come down to the transporter room to greet them. That was probably the wrong mood but no one paid any attention to him so he just idly stood behind Spock moving when he moved accepting drinks and offering smiles to those who weren't T'Pring and Spock. A man could smile even if the couple he was dealing with offered each other only coldness, curt words and long silences.
"You lied," T'Pring shouted throwing Jim out of his detached stance. "Your blood is burning. Pohn Faar is upon you. Why pride? If it's there, it's there. We should summon the witnesses. Send your friend away."
"No," Jim instinctively grabbed Spock's lower arm. "I'm not leaving Spock alone here."
"Alone?" T'Pring looked at him with disdain. "He's among his own kind. He's not alone after a long time of solitude. No wonder his Pohn Faar got activated as soon as he saw me."
"Spock's not alone when he's with us. He's as Human as he is Vulcan."
"There were dispute about that, that his blood is too thin to burn but look at him now. He's Vulcan after all. His blood burns with the necessity. He can't even speak anymore. Leave us. We will take care of him by our own laws."
"Spock can always speak. We operated on his brain and he spoke all through the surgery. Right, Spock?" Jim pulled his arm but there was no response. Spock's eyes were darkened and there was no sign of intelligence in them. He shivered slightly. "Spock, what's wrong? Talk to me."
Jim leaned in his face only to be burnt by the onslaught of images. In some of them, Jim lied dead, in other ones naked, but there were those in which he was both naked and dead.
"He will kill you if you stay," T'Pring told him not moving. "You're standing between him and his desired prize. I'm offering you to leave him now. That's the only way you'll exit here alive."
"No, Spock would never hurt me," Jim refused her logic grabbing Spock's hand, as he did, more images appeared, explicit ones.
"That's a foolish move," she got up moving away. "Now he's locked on to you. Either you will die or he will."
"Why would he die?" Jim felt panic but there was nowhere to run to. All he felt for certain was that Spock will die if he leaves him alone with her.
"You know so little of your companion," she poured herself a drink not seeming to be in a rush, shouldn't she call upon witnesses as she just stated. "Pohn Faar isn't something we discuss with strangers but I can tell you why you will die. Spock has the fever of the blood that can be fed only by the intercourse with me. He'll kill you because you stand between us. After he does, he will die. Pohn Faar will kill him since there is no mate that will grant him what his blood desires. Neatly, I'll report the both of you dead. Killed each other. I'll be free then to choose my own mate, the one who desires me more than he desires to roam around endlessly."
"If I leave, will you go through Pohn Faar with him? Please, he can't die," Jim shouted.
She smiled slightly.
"You can't leave even if you want to abandon him to die alone. I wouldn't touch that half-breed for the life of me. Even if he didn't come to my ship, when I would be summoned I would give him a challenger that would kill him with ease while he's dazed with the depths of Pohn Faar. No one could blame me for that. This is even better because then I would belong to the victor. Even if you manage to kill him, you won't want to claim me."
"I would never claim you," Jim growled at her. "The only thing I would give you is death."
"That shall be granted by Spock. Notice how he doesn't let go of your hand. The battle will commence with the right signal."
"No," Spock said with a deep raspy voice like he was struggling. "I won't hurt the Captain."
"It speaks," T'Pring came closer. "His blood is thin when he can speak this deep in but even he will succumb. If he doesn't the fire in his own blood will kill him."
The hand Spock was holding wasn't in a death grip. There was no pain. Only warmth was exchanged through their skin. Images of death were now outnumbered by the explicit ones.
"Leave us," Jim ordered T'Pring. "You'll be free as you wanted. Spock in his right mind would never want you anyway. Your compatibility has proven to be wrong. If we are to die, you won't watch it happen. Besides, our men will beam over to investigate. They won't take your word for it. They will check your logs and your whereabouts. You will be court marshalled for killing us if your presence here is found. This is a star ship. You are its commander. No Vulcan laws will protect you from them."
"Logical," T'Pring straightened her uniform. "Thank you for reminding me of that. I forgot about rules in the wake of my victory. I defeated the great Spock. My mind was more logical than his," she pressed the com. "My guests are tired from their encounter with the alien creature. I will borrow them my quarters to rest. Notify Enterprise that they will spend the night here."
After that, she took a few sharp weapons from the wall and placed them near Spock.
"I hope he'll give you a fair fight although your feeble Human strength can't compete even against a half of a Vulcan. A night shift on the bridge will give you two a sufficient time to kill each other. Don't worry the cabin is sound proofed and I'll lock the door in the case you change your mind and decide that you would rather live than be mauled to death. Human loyalty always baffled me. You know what's at stake. Why aren't you trying to flee? I would let you. It would be our little secret that you abandoned your friend and that I locked my husband in my cabin to die from exhaustion his blood is causing his body."
"You are not worthy of Spock."
That made her laugh.
"And you are? He'll kill you without hesitation," she took an instrument with bells on its lines and shook it violently.
It was as Spock was awoken from a slumber but not fully awake. He growled and surged at Jim grabbing him by the neck and throwing them at the floor. His fingers closed firmly around Jim's neck.
"That's too fast," she said and ran out of the room.
"Spock," Jim panted as the door closed behind her. "Spock, get a grip. Are you acting this to expose her?"
The fingers dug deeper and Jim had to accept that Spock wasn't faking it.
"You'll have to forgive me this," he said and reached out to find his skin.
His hand found a slid between his uniform, pulled on his shirt and found skin that was burning. As soon as he touched his skin, the grip on his throat lessened and Spock fell down on him losing the strength in his arms.
"That's it, Spock," Jim said gently embracing him tracing paths on his skin. "We can resolve this without a fight. Didn't you people ever hear about releasing yourselves from time to time? You wouldn't get this desperate if you did."
In response, Spock bit down on his shoulder through his uniform. Even through the uniform Jim felt the sting. That reminded him of the shreds Spock made from their uniforms.
"It would be better if we exited this with as much dignity as we can muster," Jim said before quickly pulling Spock's shirt over his head.
Spock didn't resist Jim's manoeuvre as long as Jim didn't try to leave his embrace. Manoeuvring with the space that was given to him Jim removed Spock's uniform first. It was imperative that Spock emerges from this with his dignity intact as much as that was possible given the circumstances.
Then he removed his own uniform. He was so preoccupied that he barely noticed when they were naked pressed on each other. Only when the clothes was off did he noted a death grip that was around him. Spock's arms went tighter and tighter. If it keeps up, Jim's ribs will be broken and they will be found like this, naked and embraced.
It wasn't the worst of deaths but Jim would avoid it if he could.
The Vulcan man would be as blind as a bat in this state, it was, probably, woman's duty to navigate him. No wonder Vulcans were so behind on any kind of variations in their marriage structure. Two men attracted to each other would just crush each other to death.
"I do apologize for skipping over steps," Jim said while reaching down to find the cause of the problem. "I'm usually a gentleman but this is an urgency. I promise I would wait patiently."
When he managed to grab Spock's throbbing member, Spock relaxed for a moment lessening his grip.
"Jim," Spock's voice was strained, hesitant as he lifted himself on his elbows. "I'll die. I won't hurt you."
"You won't hurt me," Jim found his clouded eyes and smiled. "You'll just give me what I want."
With that, Jim surged upward and kissed Spock fiercely. The hesitation was gone. Spock was now activated kissing Jim back. His hand found Jim's behind while his other one pressed Jim's temple. Soon, Jim was lost in a sea of sensations.
On one hand, their minds were one. There was no difference between Jim and Spock. They glided on a curve of logic exchanging points of view like they were a being with multitude of senses. Jim could sense Spock's immersion and complete abandon as much as his own shock before the onslaught that was Spock.
On the other hand, there was pain in Jim's body but those were just speck on the surface of pleasure that only grew and grew. The moments intertwined and Jim had no memory of when Spock had penetrated him. The only thing that existed was constant movement like they were like that since forever linked, never alone always in company.
The imminent end was nearing but both of them looked away from it postponing it time after time. Jim rode the wave of Spock's mind but soon they descended down into Jim's mind and found the hidden chest Jim never opened. As they passed, the hidden chest burst open releasing all the love he had stored for Spock and both of their beings echoed from that love and admiration.
Jim could swear that his love was echoed back from Spock in the equal amount but before he could switch back to Spock's mind to check the end was upon them.
The most pleasurable of all orgasms Jim had in his life came shaking him to the core but the pleasure of it came with the pain of it being over.
As he came down from the rollercoaster that was their union, Jim could feel the pains all over his body but he didn't care. Spock's hand fell from his temple and they weren't one and the same anymore.
"Spock, are you alright," he came back to alertness feeling Spock's firm body becoming limp.
"I guess we're married now, Captain," Spock said quietly before drifting to dreams which echoes Jim could almost hear.
"I would laugh if I had strength to do so," Jim panted feeling completely exhausted.
He wasn't the one to get exhausted by some rolling around in an embrace. He looked upon the clock and realized that hours went by. Soon, T'Pring will come to open the door.
That made Jim move despite his fatigue. First, he pulled Spock's uniform on. That wasn't an easy task since Spock was completely relaxed.
He won't let her have the pleasure of mocking Spock in any way. Second, he put his own clothes before lying on the couch. He wanted to curl next to warmth that was Spock but he didn't dare. She won't find them embraced.
Despite himself, he fell asleep being woken up by her agitated voice.
"Keep it down, will you," he sat up rubbing his eyes.
His sore body needed more sleep.
"How could you," T'Pring turned to Jim. "To willingly deceive your fellow officer. Aren't we in the same star fleet? You could have declined my polite invitation and not to come over to lie to me about the most sacred part of Vulcan heritage. To fake Pohn Faar is unheard of," she turned on Spock. "Your blood is truly too thin to burn."
"Clearly," Spock took Jim by his upper arm and lifted him up to his feet offering support to his tired legs. "Now, you'll return our communicators and let us return to our ship. They are waiting for too long."
"You act as you are Human. You'll never be one of them even if you rearrange your ears to resemble them. Or did your parents already did that to make you fit among us?"
"Your insults are most illogical. As you have the right to a challenger and to refuse me I have the right to test my future bride. I had no such opportunity before. Now I know I must not trust you with my heritage. You got what you wanted. You are free to choose your mate."
"Not what I wanted. If I was lost in a challenge, my value would rise. To be refused not even provoking a Pohn Faar is to be marked undesirable."
"I have no doubt you will overcome that obstacle with logic. It's most developed in your mind. I must say my logic is not on such level. I would revert before the murder from pure human infliction called guilt. I fear that without it we all would be unrestrained as animals."
"That's the point of Pohn Faar, to be unrestrained. How little of a Vulcan are you to lie about something so shameful?"
"I didn't lie, you assumed because my body temperature rose from the change in a heating system. Humans keep their ships much cooler. Didn't you notice how the Captain sweats from the strain of the thin air? You guessed wrong. I only took on the opportunity. The Captain didn't know. Don't hold it against him. When he realized my deceit, we were already locked in. At least, you enabled him to get some gravely needed rest. He has to be sedated to sleep otherwise."
"I don't care about your Captain and his sleep," she stepped back regaining her calm posture. "I accept my defeat by your superior logic. I see now how you became a legend. You can bend and avoid our Vulcan limitation by your Human biology. It was wrong of me to assume that you would be truthful as a Vulcan should. I hope our paths never cross again."
"Live long and prosper," Spock lifted his hand not letting go of Jim the whole time. "Let's never meet again."
She gave them their communicators and Spock called in Scotty to beam them aboard.
"You won't mind if we use our transporters not yours," he told her as he closed the com.
"Not at all. If you gave me the chance, it would only be logical to beam you into vacuum to prevent you from spreading lies of me."
"I shall do no such thing. I will say what was true. I was rejected in my Pohn Faar and got challenger instead. The lie I will say is that I killed the challenger but was too offended to take you afterwards. That way, both of our reputations will be restored."
"I'll say nothing to contradict that lie," she said proudly. "I thank you for the gift of your ability to lie. I won't say to others you can do that, for I was your wife for decades. That would smear my reputation too."
"Two to beam up," Spock said without a further goodbye and soon they were aboard Enterprise while Jim wondered does Spock remember at all.
"I can walk, just fine, Spock," Jim tried to move away from Spock but as soon as he tried to walk his legs gave up under him.
"You are not fine, Captain. You just fought a Vulcan. Doctor needs to examine you for any internal injuries."
"I just need a bit of rest, nothing more," Jim resisted but Spock conducted them to the sick bay.
"What's that I hear you fought a Vulcan?" Bones shouted at him as soon as they entered the sick bay. "Are you mad man? They can break you like a twig. Can't you go anywhere without causing a brawl? What did you do, tried to seduce one of their women? They might be logical but jealousy is the same everywhere."
As he spoke, Bones pushed him to sit on the examination table scanning him all the while. Lost of what to say, Jim looked at Spock seeking guidance. He wasn't sure what to say and how much he can reveal. Worse than that, he started doubting his own sense of reality.
Did it happen as he remembers it, or was he knocked out by Spock's strong grip and dreamt it all?
"Captain acted admirably, Doctor," Spock defended him without revealing anything. "He just assisted in one of our ancient Vulcan rituals that includes hand to hand combat. Is he alright?"
"Nothing substantial, just a few bruises," Bones said irritated. "You got away easily if you fought one of those people. They are worse than Spock is."
Spock said nothing to correct him. Bones scanner came to Jim's waist and he decided to intervene. Never mind was it all in his head or not, Bones had no business prying in his bodily functions further.
"That will be enough, Bones. I'm fine. I just need some rest."
"The hell you're fine. You're dehydrated, exhausted and starving. Didn't they feed you down there? Savages, the lot of them. I'll give you a shot to compensate for the lost liquid but you'll have to get a decent meal in you to recover."
"One thing at the time, Bones," Jim flinched away from the needle. "I think some sleep will be preferable to be first."
"You can sleep it off in here where I can monitor you."
"No, although I appreciate the sentiment, I don't want you poking me while I sleep. My quarters will be better. I'll call upon you if I need anything."
He got up but his legs were still weak. Spock supported his arm.
"I'll help you, Captain," he said quietly and Jim could sense something in his voice but he couldn't pin point it.
If he would have to guess, he would call it shame.
"I still don't get it. To have such a severe dehydration from a mere scuffle that caused just a few bruises," Bones mussed to himself.
"If it's of any help to your calculation," Spock paused on the door. "The air aboard Vulcan's ships is much thinner than ours and the temperature is higher by ten degrees. Captain was sweating quite profusely."
"That would do it," Bones hit his table. "That's why Vulcans so rarely report to work on Human populated ships. Luckily, you're almost Human so you're not cold all the time."
"There's no need to insult me, Doctor. I'm a Vulcan, we can regulate our temperature but when we can choose hotter is always better."
With that, they exited the sick bay. Jim tried to walk on his own but the temptation to just lean against Spock and melt into him was much too strong. He was sleep walking to his bed. Almost asleep, he grabbed Spock's hand and placed his palm on Spock's cheek.
"Was it like a dream to you, do you even remember?" he whispered afraid to voice it out.
"You need to rest, Captain," Spock touched his temple and soon Jim was drifting away in dreams.
In them, it felt like he's embraced. Like Spock was pressed to his back holding him tight, but that couldn't be, could it?
