Jim was over the Moon when he heard that Spock didn't go through with Kolinar. He was so happy that he dragged them instantly to take the partnership oath. They were now bonded together not just by Vulcan's customs but by Federation laws too.
They were protected from relocation and separation. Unless they demand it to be so.
Waiting before the doors of Kolinar was the longest wait of Jim's life. It was like he didn't know will Spock who exits be his Spock or someone strange and new he will have to conquer all over again.
The only reason Jim didn't break through that door to stop Spock was his confidence that he would be able to break through any barrier in Spock's mind and reclaim him as his own again.
Instead of Spock, Sybok exited through the door and discussing against him distracted Jim for a while.
"Damn it, Jim," Bones snapped at him. "Don't argue against the man like a child. If he says he's Spock's brother, he is. You can't trust your knowledge of Spock so much. He shares almost nothing of his affairs. We had no idea he has a wife let alone anything else."
"Had a wife," Jim said absentmindedly searching for the likeness of Spock on Sybok but he found none it was like they shared no genes, would that mean that Spock took most of his looks from his mother?
"Had? When did he had the time to divorce?"
"Back on Intrepid. That's what that fight was all about. I won and got Spock as my partner."
"You mean to tell me you stole him from his wife?" Bones was appalled.
"Yeah, well, she wasn't really a good wife. She wanted him dead so they divorced."
"And he partnered up with you instead?" Bones said in disbelief.
Jim just shrugged his shoulders in response not willing to discuss it. His focus was on Sybok.
"Then we are family, Kirk," Sybok said loudly. "Father will be relieved we have a Human member again. I was fond of my step-mother. She showed me the way of emotions. Are you on the path towards emotional balance? Is there any deep pain you need to remove? Without pain, you will be less of a burdensome company to Spock. He's still determinant to reach Kolinar and be the most logical Vulcan of them all."
"No, thank you," Jim shook his head. "I need my pain to function. It's the thing that drives me forward, that makes me fight. Besides, my company isn't bothersome to Spock. He finds it fascinating."
"Spock finds fascinating things that are puzzling. They are a challenge to the mind. There's no greater goal for my brother than to make his mind into a knowledge treasury any Vulcan would be proud of."
"There's more to Spock than just his knowledge, which is vast. In dealings with trappings of the universe he finds fascinating things that display high level of logical order."
"That would mean you have the high level of logical order," Sybok nodded accepting. "I wouldn't expect anything else. Spock's choices are always logical and serve the greater purpose of perfecting one self. If a Human fascinated him enough to bond with, it must be a mind that can think despite emotions, which is a rare find among Humans. When he encountered one, he came too close in his scientific curiosity and fell trap to emotional aspect of the bond. Luckily for you, Kolinar will correct that and you'll be free from your obligations."
"Wait just one damn minute, that won't change…" Jim objected but was interrupted by Spock exiting the gate with his father by his side.
"Spock," Jim stepped a step forward but restrained himself from going nearer.
Spock looked alright. Bones silently scanned Spock behind his back as he spoke with his family.
"Green-blooded as always," Bones showed him the scanner with Spock's normal readings.
Jim nodded and went after the Vulcan trio as they navigated the streets together. He observed Spock's movements and they were the same as ever. The feeling remained the same but Spock's face was closed off and unreadable. Will it be like that forever from now on?
They sat and ate. Jim tried to be entertaining talking and asking questions all the while aware of Spock's silence. He didn't intrude or draw attention to himself. Jim will be patient as he promised he will be.
They walked the streets after the meal and Jim grabbed on to Spock's sleeve as he did before. It gave him the sense of security, like nothing has changed between them and it never will.
Then Spock asked to go and sign partnership papers. Jim was confused. He didn't expect that to be the outcome of Kolinar. Was that the most logical thing he could think of?
"I declined them," Spock said and Jim's world lit up.
That's why everything felt the same. This was his Spock, unchanged and unscaled. His to keep and his to hold. With that thought, Jim grabbed Spock's hand and led him through the narrow streets in search of an embassy.
They needed to sign their papers now. Afterwards they'll discuss what that means for them but for now it meant that Spock choose Jim over Kolinar and Jim will choose Spock over anyone else.
He silenced Bones to prevent him from ruining the moment. They signed the papers and were soon in the sane safety of Enterprise sailing on. Walking through narrow corridors of Enterprise brought the sense of security to Jim.
Sure, it was a bucket in space that could get them killed at any moment but in it there were all the people he cared about with him and among them was Spock. His partner, his mate, his friend that stood by his side ready to act and react, to move as one and solve any problem that came their way.
The only thing that they didn't discuss fully was the question of intimacy. That was the question Spock needed time to resolve. Trusting his capable mind, Jim waited patiently. What was intimacy but an additional perk in a relationship where his every whim was listened to, considered and often indulged?
Like just now, Spock squeezed just the right muscle realigning Jim's shoulder blades allowing him to think clearly as Klingon vessel approached them cloaked. Those Klingons will never learn not to mess around with him.
After a while, Spock realized he was bothered by the fact that things between Jim and him remained unchanged. Women still advanced at Jim trying to catch his eye, draw his attention, or provoke a reaction. Even when Jim would fail to notice it happen, Spock wouldn't miss out on it. Jealousy was the name of the feeling that would pass through his mind when that would occur. It was a feeling that would pass by not disturbing him but nevertheless it was there to be observed.
Jim was his but no one seemed to notice that. His right was as it was before, non-existent. It was just something between the two of them they didn't discuss further.
The computer accepted their partnership and now it was taken into consideration when things were asked of them. No tasks that would demand secrecy from the other came their way. Still, tasks where his scroll would activate, or counter-measures Spock left with him would sometimes be necessary.
Even the old wiser him took jealousy into consideration as an emotion that shouldn't be let un-check and which shouldn't be provoked.
Maybe he, in this younger form, shouldn't discount the vast experience of his other-self.
As they used the instructions of preventing women of drugging, mind controlling or invading either of them, they could use some less direct ways that would diminish the need to fend women off but before that he would probably be obligated to talk to Uhura in private.
Even if they did break up some time ago, it felt that she expected something more of him, some sort of explanation.
"I summoned you here to inform you about my partnership with Captain and answer any questions you might have about it. I think I owe you as much. If you feel compelled to ask for a reassignment we will understand."
"Reassignment?" she said in disbelief. "Why? Because I dated you thinking you can provide an emotional response? Please, this ship would be destroyed over and over again if I wasn't here to do my job. I have a responsibility to this crew to survive as much as you, or the Captain do."
"That is true, your contribution is immeasurable and is noticed. Our efficiency would drop with you gone. I'm glad you're rational enough to see things for what they are and stay."
"See things for what they are," she laughed. "We all know what the partnership between you and Captain is, don't worry. No one thinks of it as strange. Everyone agrees it's the most logical thing to keep a duo as efficient as you two at resolving conflicts and surviving together. It's creative to use a life-partnership to do so but it is the most efficient and easy way to force Starfleet to respect your dynamic and not separate you. It's about your careers."
Spock stared at her for a moment. That was what Doctor said but Spock didn't realize how that perspective discounts any trace of intimate involvement between the two of them. That's why everyone acted as it nothing has changed.
"You misunderstood me…"
"No, Spock," she lifted his hand to interrupt him as she usually did never letting him finish a sentence and explain himself. "I understand perfectly. You didn't even consider how it might sound. That it might sound you're letting me down easy because you found another love. I get it, career is before everything else for men like the two of you. That's why you are a perfect match in a weird sense. No one else would be able to stick around for long enough to stay. Even when that happens, they would have to understand, like I did, that you two just think alike."
"It's not like that," Spock frowned thinking of how to explain it properly. "I can assure you with great degree of certainty that our minds are nothing alike."
"Come on, Spock. Even if you don't acknowledge that, it's an observable fact. Why would you two after the whole day together on the bridge, in danger, on planet side, choose to have a long round of chess if not because you're so alike that you barely notice the other."
"Because we bonded slowly over time not even noticing it. It took me awhile to even observe the phenomena. Sometimes bonds are created like that, over time, slowly."
"Sure," Uhura placed her palm against Spock's cheek like she used to with fondness. "Whatever you want to call it. You click and work together well. Why change the combination that works?"
"What would have to happen for you to believe there is something else between Captain and me than work cooperation? What would make it strange enough for crewmembers to see us as an item in private as we are on duty?"
"First, you would have to stop calling him Captain."
"But that would be highly illogical since that is his function and he is our Captain. He wasn't demoted as far as I'm aware of."
That made her laugh and she removed her palm from his skin.
"I forget how adorable you can be. How could I be angry at you for real when you make everything so honestly? I'll help you so you wouldn't make people misunderstand, although I think there's no danger of that. This late in the game when everyone got accustomed to see you two move as one, talk as half of the conversation is hidden and be in each other proximity constantly nothing short of a kiss would convince anyone you two are anything but good mates."
"We are mates, I hope we are good at it too," Spock was confused and made Uhura laugh even more seeming in a good humour.
"A couple, Spock. That is the thing people would think, if they didn't know you like we do, that you two decided to be a romantic couple like the two of us tried to be in the past but with this level of involvement I think that even if you kissed people would just stand aside waiting to see what is the angle, which alien possessed you this time or what crisis would be resolved by a kiss."
"Then what would suffice?"
"I guess if there's no danger, or we're not on duty, and you danced while kissed no one could read in any tactical and logical advantage in the kiss, but can you imagine that," she shook her head. "It's silly to even think about it."
"Why it's silly? Captain once showed me what dance is. I think I got the hang of it. He said that I wouldn't look stiff if I lead. That it would suit me."
"Of course he did," she turned to leave. "Who else would try to make you Human like that? No one else would dare to try. Even to me that seemed like too much of a stretch to even try."
With that, she exited and Spock remained in the room alone.
"But I am half-Human," he said to the empty room.
Was he so efficient in suppressing emotions that his Human side couldn't be even detected anymore? He wasn't sure he likes that. This was a problem he will have to give some more thought to.
"A dance, Spock?" Jim was amused when Spock made his request in the privacy of Jim's quarters. "You want me to teach you to dance. Which dance?"
"One that might suit me the best. I'll leave that estimation to you, you're better at that subject."
"Alright, I'll do my best. I guess you enjoyed dancing enough to give it another go."
"It occurred to me that it would be favourable to seem efficient at it if the necessity arises in which I would be obligated to dance."
"Necessity to dance. I guess that is the one thing that would propel even you to comply to the form. When do you think that necessity will arise?"
"I'm still thinking about it," Spock said curtly and they proceeded to try out dances.
"I need to see you move to see which one is the best," Jim justified himself. "It's not a thing you can decide upon by just thinking about it, there are things that can only be determined in experimentation."
"Agreed, most of knowledge comes from trial and error," Spock agreed and they danced some more.
"I must say, Spock, I personally like you in any dance but I think that for public outings you could stick to the basic two step. It's the best to be able to think while you move and not to lose the sight of your surroundings."
"Captain, it seems that you assume it would take hostile intentions to make me dance," Spock repeated the two step.
Jim was as considerate as ever, two step was sufficiently simple to be able to perform complex calculations while at it.
"With whom would you consider dancing, Spock?" Jim interrupted his train of thoughts.
"I see no occurring necessity to dance with anyone except you, Captain. In any other case, there would have to be a matter of outer force implementing its will upon us."
"We've seen our fair share of those," Jim sighed pushing Spock slightly to change direction.
Even when Spock led, Captain's commanding nature would unnoticeably correct his course if he calculated it wrong. That was most appreciated by Spock.
"Now that I assimilated different techniques we can discuss the necessity of holding a party for the crew," Spock let go of Jim and moved away to a suitable distance for conversation. He found it most distracting when Jim was pressed against him.
"A party, Spock? You never cease to amaze me. How come?"
"It was brought to my attention that our crew is well aware of our life-partnership status. Considering Earth's customs we failed to honour a common ritual for such occasions."
"A party?" Jim's face lit up in a smile, he seemed genuinely delighted by the idea. "That's a lovely idea. We're in transit for days anyway. We can have one before our next assignment. It's good for morale to mark any kinds of occasions that tell us we are still a part of our society."
"I shall make it so," Spock moved to leave.
"Spock," Jim grabbed his lower arm. "Are you sure you're up for the task? It involves invitations and other social things."
"I believe I researched the topic sufficiently. It will be a nice opportunity to test out my knowledge of how to approach the problem at hand. Only one question, are you comfortable with the crew knowing the nature of our bond?"
"How we on Earth would say, the cat is already out of the bag, there's no point in denying it. I find it always less distracting when there's no secrets I have to keep. There's enough of them as it is."
"Agreed, honesty leads to the most efficiency," Spock exited the cabin focused on his next task.
As he predicted, he was sufficiently informed and was able to read reactions of those around him. Soon, Sulu and Chekov offered help. He accepted knowing that it was rude to refuse such offers of aid. It didn't take long and the party was on its way.
"Spock, you outdid yourself," Jim said taking a drink from a tray.
"Jim, I performed only within parameters, the extra part is due my helpers," Chekov and Sulu toasted them.
"For our Captain and First Officer," Chekov said loudly. "Let them conquer any challenges, stay healthy and happy for a very long time. If we were in Russia, I would now break a glass in their honour but since these glasses won't break we shall all drink to their honour until we can't stand anymore."
They saluted and drank.
"I see no point in losing an ability to stand, Jim," Spock said puzzled.
"There's no point, Spock," Jim smiled. "It's for fun."
"Fun, the activity without purpose but having a good time," Spock said nodding. "Like dancing?"
"Yes, Spock, dancing is fun. I appreciate that you incorporated music into the party it makes it much more relaxed. No one is fearful you'll hear them if they speak."
"I observed everyone is more talkative than usual, is that why? I wasn't aware they are in fear of being listened in. I have no intention in prying in their conversations."
"I know you don't but you hear things in unpredictable moments. The surprise factor of you speaking up offering logic is sometimes the thing people try to avoid."
"They try to avoid reason? That is most illogical."
That made Jim laugh. He seemed relaxed enough so Spock decided this was his chance.
"It is true I hear unexpected things like that people are hesitant to dance despite the music. They aren't sure is it appropriate. Shall we help them by example rather than with logic? They might find that less disturbing."
"Are you asking me to dance, Spock," Jim put away his glass. "Here, in front of everyone?"
"If that is what you wish, Jim," Spock lifted his eyebrows to show he can decline.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world, Spock," Jim grabbed his arm and pulled him to the middle of the room. "Two-step?"
Spock nodded and they started to dance.
"If I may notice, Jim, no one is joining in the dance."
"I think they are too surprised. I guess we shocked them a bit," Jim laughed not disturbed by their solitude in the middle of the room as everyone looked at them.
"They even stopped talking," Spock informed Jim. "I think that they might recover if we perform another customary ritual. I believe it is an often practice to kiss your partner upon signing the contract. We failed to fulfil that obligation."
"A kiss?" Jim stopped their dance.
"If that is too much…" Spock was cut off by Jim grabbing his head and kissing him firmly on the lips.
Only when Jim moved away breaking the contact did Spock became aware that there was applause and whistles all around them. Soon, they weren't alone in the middle of the room anymore. Everyone swarmed in surrounding them giving out congratulations. They patted Spock's back smiling and shook Jim's hand.
Spock held his hands pressed to Jim's waist not offering direct contact and nodded in response too surprised to formulate a response.
When the crowd cleared, everyone started dancing and they were left in the middle alone. Jim put hands on Spock's shoulders pressing Spock to start sway from side to side. They swayed as Spock processed the chain of events.
"This wasn't a reaction I was expecting," he finally spoke up.
"And there was a reaction you were expecting, Spock?" Jim smiled. "It did seem planned. You're not a guy to do things in a spur of a moment."
"I expected of them to realize the nature of our bond and carry on with their conversations."
"I still think," Uhura said as she danced by them with Scotty, "that it's because your minds are similar. Although: message received. The answer is: I'm not relocating. Someone needs to hold things together."
"Well, that's the nicest compliment I ever received," Jim smiled delighted. "Our minds do fit together nicely, don't you think so, Spock?"
"I must concur that there is a level of logical compatibility," Spock nodded accepting that she will perceive things in alignment with her understanding of things.
"You devils," Doctor said as he waltzed by with Chapel, "you made me your accomplice without telling me that Spock finally folded. I'm a doctor not a damn ring bearer."
Jim laughed and leaned his head against Spock's shoulder pressing them in closer.
"This is nice," he said quietly. "To share this with our friends and family. I wasn't expecting of you to make such a move. I sort of thought you would want to keep things private."
"That was a correct assumption but then I thought about it some more and realized that sharing will lessen our burden."
"Which burden is that, Spock?" Jim moved away to look him in the eye.
"Of keeping the other safe and fending off suitors. This way they too will step in if someone is making unwanted advances. Without them knowing, any random passer can try to gain access to that which is mine. I find jealousy the most distracting of all emotions. We will be more efficient if we are perceived as an item and not available for courting by others."
"Yes, most logical, Spock," Jim nodded trying to be serious but a corner of his lips escaped upward. "We did promise fidelity in our vows before the oracle."
"Fidelity and proximity, Jim, if I remember correctly," Spock nodded.
"Does that mean…" Jim's hands grabbed his shoulders.
"I should have known," Uhura came closer to them once more. "When you almost mauled Khan to death, I should have known. I think I did. Don't think I'm upset. I'm surprised of how happy I am for the two of you. Seeing you like this it's like I don't have to worry for either of you anymore. Everything makes so much more sense now."
"Lassie," Scotty grabbed her under her arm. "I think you need a drink or two more. They are excellent, they make everything fuzzy and nice."
"Three drinks but don't think I would ever be foolish enough to get into a drinking competition against you," they went only to be replaced by Sulu and Chekov firing confetti at them.
"You should have told us what the party was about," Sulu said patting Jim's back. "We would bring much more bling to the party if we knew."
"And some Russian customs of turning water into vodka and drinking it like water until we drop under the table."
"We're doing that already," Sulu toasted before they moved away.
"The party is nice, it really is," Jim murmured, "but some privacy would be nice. How can a man get a decent answer in all this commotion?"
"Your cabin or mine?" Spock surmised their problem to a simple binary solution.
Jim stared at him for a moment.
"It's less likely someone will barge in yours. I'll go right, you go left. You leave first and we'll meet there."
"Your left and right, or mine? If we use our own we'll go to the same side."
"Of course, of course, most logical. Let's just go left and talk our way to the door. To escape your own party one must appear casual like we're going to take a bathroom break."
They parted and Spock found himself on his own facing greetings, comments and pats from all sides. People didn't treat him like that usually so it was a challenge to muster a right kind of a reaction but it seemed that his choice of nodding and short answers satisfied those around him.
It didn't take long for Spock to reach his cabin but once he was in there he realized that Jim will have much more difficulty in getting here. For him, short nods weren't enough. He had to go through short conversations and jokes, even toasts. It will take him time to get here.
To diminish the possibility of getting nervous Spock sat down in meditation to clear his mind. To his satisfaction he discovered his insides are calm. His inner lid was still undisturbed. There was no disturbance within him. His logic operated as it should, flawlessly.
"Spock?" there was a quiet call on his door.
"I prefer it dark," Spock answered sensing Jim's urge to light up the room.
"Of course," Jim moved in his cabin pacing and touching things while Spock slowly regained his full awareness. "I feel I had an uphill battle. Escaping your friends while they want to share your happiness is harder than outmanoeuvring Romulan war ship."
"The crew seemed quite happy. The party was a good decision," Spock sat up focusing on Jim. "Why do you seem nervous?"
"Why? I'm a nervous wreck, Spock. Proximity. What does that mean for you, for us? I've been waiting for the answer patiently but now that you brought it up it feels like I'll burn up from the inside."
"Proximity means whatever the custom entails and whatever we choose to do," Spock got up. "I thought that was apparent. I'm sorry if I was vague about it."
"But what are we choosing to do, Spock?" Jim charged at him stopping an inch away from him.
"That depends upon us, doesn't it?"
"Yes, Spock, but what do you want to do? Fidelity is when you want someone just for yourself. Proximity is to have and to hold but does that mean…" Jim paused unable to say it.
"I think I have to apologize, Jim," Spock reached out and pulled Jim by his waist for the void between them to disappear. "I assumed once more that you do understand what you don't. When I refused Kolinar, I choose you. I refused it because of you, not to lose our connection. I thought that much was clear when we signed the agreement. I wouldn't do that if I didn't agree upon Human rules of intimate affairs. Without Kolinar, I can guarantee that I will be able to respond and be willing to reciprocate."
"Well, why didn't you just say so," Jim smiled lifting his hand to place fingers on Spock's cheek.
"I assumed that you'll be assertive in what you desire. Even if our minds are one, the arguments and miscommunication will still occur as it seems."
"In any other case I would be quite assertive," Jim's fingers caressed Spock's skin sending pleasant sensations all over his body. "I guess I felt lucky enough to be in the right place and the right time to become your mate. It felt greedy to pressure you for more. Especially since your compelling biology makes you lose choice in the matter."
"No, Jim, you assumed wrongly. There was a choice for me and the choice was always you. There would be no Pohn Faar for me without you. You made my blood burn. I fought it off but when you walked behind me on Intrepid I could not see you so my mind vividly envisioned you sending me into the spiral of Pohn Faar. If you weren't there, Pohn Faar wouldn't happen. If you didn't accept me, my biology would have killed me because no one else could feed the hunger of my blood. It wants you, not someone else."
When Spock said that, it was like some inner flood gate were released inside of Jim making him lose his reserve and restriction. As Jim kissed him Spock thought how Uhura was right in some extent. The two of them had similar minds in a sense that they possessed abilities that needed to be controlled and managed. Because of that they couldn't be relaxed like people around them were. They had to suppress, manage and dose their reactions not to crush the world around them.
For Spock, that was his mental and physical strength that could be provoked by his uncontrolled human emotions for which he created an inner volcano to burn them.
For Jim, that was his commanding nature that could make people follow him to the pits of hell and it often did just that. To prevent himself from becoming a ruthless version of himself he had a flood gate Spock wasn't aware of until it opened to wash Spock over with a demanding all-encompassing need to conquer the world before him, for the world to give him everything it has without any restrictions.
Now that need was poured at Spock and it demanded complete surrender, it demanded access to every hidden corner of Spock's body and mind. Spock could easily observe how someone else could feel fear before his insatiable hunger, how it could frighten people away just as easily as Spock's strength could injure when the need arises and overpowers reason.
Spock submitted before Jim's commanding nature with ease satisfied that he was in good skilful hands of his Captain who can lead them to the heart of any danger because he was the man capable to get them out unscratched as he did just now.
They descended down into the animalistic madness of intercourse where their minds entwined to such level that for a while Spock was unable to distinguish between two of them losing track of his own identity only to be brought back to the surface looking at one another with certainty of who the other one is.
The other one was the one who was allowed to get access wherever he wants to thread.
"I'm sorry," Jim smiled at him caressing his face. "I charge without thinking where angels wouldn't dare to thread. Are you alright?"
"I'm quite well, Jim," Spock reassured him by putting his fingers on Jim's temple and offering a small glimpse to his thoughts to assure him of that.
Jim smiled kissing his palm.
"I'll be less commanding the next time. I quite like it when I manage to let go of the reins for a while. It's relaxing."
"Speaking of relaxation, you are quite fatigue. May I suggest you to go and rest for a while?"
"Are you sending me away into the night?"
"No, it's just that I'll go into my regenerative state. It can be quite disturbing as you can remember. The last time you were so upset that you had to check upon my heartbeat."
"That was just because you were far away," Jim nestled against his chest pulling the blanket over their bodies. "If I can feel your warmth, there's no place I'll rest better at."
"If that is so, you are welcomed to stay."
"I should hope you. It would be quite rude to throw your bride out of the bed on the eve of your wedding," with that Jim was already dozing out into dreams.
Spock put his arms around him to steady them and descended into deep meditation to repair any damage to his rational processes by this display of irrational passion.
In his deep rest, Spock roamed his body and mind repairing what needed attention but in all his inner roaming he couldn't find his inner volcano where his emotions should be firmly suppressed.
Spock worried that they did perform Kolinar on him without his permission.
Spock was worried.
That was an emotion.
He was also quietly pleased by Jim's breathing he was aware the whole time he sorted out his mind. Spock felt love towards Jim whenever he would notice his restless sleep as his body twitched in some inner dreams where he followed suspicious conspirators on governor's tail.
When Spock looked at memories, he could sense a warm glow of gratitude he felt towards their crew for their welcoming reaction of Jim and Spock's union of minds.
Spock's emotions were there scattered all over his mind no longer separated from his logical processes in which he observed the world. They were like coloured lenses that shaded his point of view. They weren't taking anything away from his ability to logically discern the world around them. On contrary, it was like he told T'Pau, it was like they allowed him to see more clearly the nature of reactions and situations around him.
It felt like logic was only the beginning of wisdom, not the end of it. There were so many other ways to interpret the data if you included unpredictable factors and irrational reactions that would allow him to guess things he wouldn't be able to estimate using just his logical assumptions.
It was fascinating as it could be but Jim was waking up snuggling against Spock expressing needs that still weren't met.
Spock came about from his rest ready to engage with his mate. As they kissed, Spock decided that this physical dimension of their bond is equally important to maintain as their mental bond was. Relaxation was equally important as nutrition was to the optimal function of the mind.
Jim relaxed under Spock's hands and they forgot time exists for a while.
