Hey guys, if you've read some of my other fics, you may have noticed that I have A LOT of Prime feels. For ages I've been meaning to write a Prime fix it, and on my Spirk spree this week I finally got around to doing it.
I don't claim to know everything about Star Trek or the nexus or anything, but I tried to keep it as canon as possible. That being said, I have ignored most of the Generations movie, only using the first part.
This is a bit of a come for the feels and stay for the banter kind of fic
Vulcan translations at the end
Without further ado, I hope you enjoy my Prime fix it fic, much love xox
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"Jim!" Spock jolted awake and sat upright in bed, his cheeks were damp; he'd been crying in his sleep. In his mind, Spock replayed the dream he'd just been having, he didn't dream often but when he did, he dreamed of his beloved. This one was different though, he didn't know how to explain it; it had felt as though it had come through the bond rather than being supplied by his own mind. Like a projection from Jim.
It had been years since he had lost Jim, meaning that their bond had been closed off for just as long, not to mention that he was in a whole other timeline now. Yet he couldn't shake the feeling that their bond had been used. Spock drew a tissue from the bedside table and dabbed his cheeks and eyes. He hadn't been there when Jim had 'died' and for that he blamed himself, if he had been there he wouldn't have lost his bondmate, he just knew it.
Spock had analysed the reports of what had happened that day countless times, trying to find something, anything. He tried to research the nexus, but there were next to no records of it, and what he could find was not helpful in the slightest.
Meeting Guinan, an El-Aurian, was too much of a coincidence to be one, and Guinan said as much herself. She had been one of the people rescued the day Kirk had been lost, and she had more information about the nexus than anything or anyone Spock had been able to find previously. After speaking with Guinan, Spock was convinced that Jim could be alive and un-aged within the incredible universe of the nexus. For a long time, Spock endeavoured to locate the nexus, but to no prevail. Eventually he was forced to accept that his t'hy'la was lost to him forever.
Now, here in another timeline, many years later, something had stirred in the bond that had been dead. Spock tried to quell that minute spark of hope that rose in him; he couldn't go through this again. It had probably just been a dream, an echo of the bond in a memory…but what if it wasn't?
All morning he considered the possibilities, Spock was so lost in thought that he dropped his mug of tea, and even put his slipper on the wrong foot. What if the nexus had appeared in this timeline? What if it was not limited to one timeline? What if it was close? What if Jim was inside?
The thoughts swirled round and round, he tried to disbar them but found that he couldn't, he either didn't know enough about the nexus, or found that logic could not dismiss the idea. They had seen some things out in space that Spock would never have believed possible if he hadn't experienced them himself.
Eventually he decided to give it one last attempt. He knew that they didn't have the right equipment set up yet on New Vulcan to detect the nexus, but he did know exactly who would.
XXX
On the bridge of the Enterprise sat James T Kirk in his Captain's chair reading through a report to be signed off on. Everything had been very routine, nothing exciting was happening in their current quadrant of space.
Suddenly behind Kirk, Lieutenant Uhura swivelled in her chair, "Captain we are receiving a communication from Ambassador Spock on New Vulcan…"
"On screen," Jim directed as he set his PADD down.
The view screen lit up with an elderly Vulcan in baby blue robes, "Greetings Captain Kirk," the Ambassador said once he could see Kirk.
"Ambassador Spock, it is good to hear from you. However unexpected, are you well?" Kirk welcomed in return.
"Yes, thank you, however it is not my health that I have contacted the Enterprise about," the elder Spock replied, and took a breath, "I have a request, if you would indulge an old man? How close are you to New Vulcan?"
The Captain referred the question to his helmsman, "Mr Sulu?"
"At warp five we could reach New Vulcan in six hours, sir," Sulu replied almost immediately.
"Will you come, Captain?" the Ambassador asked.
"Of course, but may I ask what this is about?" Kirk replied curiously.
"I have reason to believe that somewhere close to New Vulcan, a potentially dangerous entity could be travelling through space. We do not have the instruments to detect it on New Vulcan currently, I had hoped to use the Enterprise to prove, or disprove my hypothesis," the older Spock explained.
From his station Spock raised an eyebrow at his older counterpart, "What is the basis of your hypothesis?"
The Ambassador looked directly at his younger self, "I do not wish to disclose that information yet, once I have beamed aboard and scanned the area myself, then I shall tell you."
Spock and Kirk exchanged a glance, "You're playing this close to the chest for something that is potentially dangerous. We will come, but I expect an explanation, do I make myself clear?"
The Ambassador nodded, "Yes Captain, I promise."
"Alright, we will be in contact when we arrive."
"I look forward to it."
The connection went dead and the screen showed the stars again, everyone on the bridge was silently waiting.
Kirk took a moment to process his thoughts, and then gave the orders, "Plot a course for New Vulcan, let's see if we can do better than six hours Mr Sulu."
"Aye, Captain."
Kirk stood from his seat and sauntered over to Spock's station, "I want every scan you can think of done before the Ambassador comes aboard. He was most certainly hiding things from us, I trust him, but…"
"Your gut is telling you that something is wrong," Spock finished for him.
"Yeah."
"It seemed as though he may have history with whatever this is, perhaps he is being cautious as to not disturb the timeline," Spock suggested.
"Hmm, maybe, let's cover our bases anyway," Kirk told him.
"Yes Captain."
XXX
Five hours and thirty six minutes later the Enterprise was granted orbit around New Vulcan.
"Captain, I am picking up a significant energy reading within moderate scanning range, and it appears to be moving," Spock paused in his read out, "it is rather large, though I cannot say if it is dangerous at this point. The Ambassador was certainly on to something."
"Hmm, I am very interested to hear his explanation," Kirk rubbed his chin.
"Captain, the Ambassador is ready to beam aboard," Uhura informed him.
"Very well, I will meet him in transporter room two," Kirk replied as he rose from his seat.
Spock followed the Captain into the turbo lift, once the doors had shut, Kirk ran his pointer and middle fingers down the same fingers on Spock's hand and smiled at him.
"This is going to be one of those crazy things that you had to be there to believe it, isn't it?"
"It is entirely possible," Spock replied feeling Kirk's nerves and excitement through their shared bond.
They entered the transporter room in time to see Ambassador Spock materialise on the transporter pad. Spock raised his hand in the ta'al as way of greeting.
"Welcome Ambassador," Kirk greeted.
"Thank you for coming Captain, I know that it is not exactly regulation," the elder Spock responded while reflecting Spock's greeting.
"We were able to make an exception for you," Kirk smiled charmingly.
"Would you mind if we forwent the pleasantries until after I have checked the scanners," the Ambassador requested as they stepped into the turbo lift.
"As you wish," Kirk frowned; he had thought that they were on better terms with the Ambassador than he was acting.
Spock exchanged a glance with his Captain and then launched into what he had discovered on the scanners already.
"I will need to examine the findings myself, but it seems likely that I am correct," the elder Spock stated. He seemed off, by Vulcan standards he was just about acting frantic.
They took the Ambassador to the bridge and allowed him to use the scanners at Spock's station. After comparing his own scans to Spock's ones, the Vulcan went very still.
"Jim…?" he whispered quiet enough that even Spock couldn't make out what he had said.
"Sorry?" Kirk queried.
"If it stays on this trajectory, the nexus will sweep over an uninhabited planet not far from here in two hours and three minutes," the older Spock gripped Kirk's wrist, "I need to be on the surface of that planet, please Captain. This is my last chance."
Kirk could see the desperation in his face, he could tell that this was incredibly important to the Ambassador, but he had no idea why. He needed answers, "Alright," he replied gently, "but you are going to tell me everything before I allow you to go down onto that planet."
"Agreed," the Ambassador conceded.
After plotting the course into the helm, Kirk and Spock, took the First Officer's counterpart into a conference room to get the full story from him.
The door closed behind them and Jim was wasting no time, "Okay, spill…"
The old Vulcan sighed and went over to the port hole. As he stared out at the stars he began to speak, "Many, many years ago, back in my own timeline, my James Kirk accompanied the maiden voyage of a brand new star ship. He was only supposed to be gone a few days, he promised to be back in time for our anniversary. We were going to Vulcan to celebrate," he swallowed back tears before continuing, "I had my own Starfleet matters to attend to, otherwise I would have gone with him…if I had only gone with him…whilst out the maiden voyage, the star ship picked up a distress call, and being the only star ship in the area they went to investigate. They encountered two El-Aurian vessels being destroyed by a mysterious energy ribbon; the nexus. They were able to beam aboard some of the people from the two vessels before they were completely destroyed. Jim volunteered to go down to the lower decks to get the deflector relays working. The energy from the nexus was unstable and it struck out at the star ship damaging parts of the vessel…including the section that Jim had been working in."
Both Kirk and Spock had known that the James Kirk in the Ambassador's timeline was no longer around, however they had no idea what had transpired.
"I'm sorry Spock, I can't even imagine how that must have felt," Kirk knew there was nothing that he could say to make it better, "please continue…"
"Mr Scott and Mr Chekov had gone with Jim in my place. They came to deliver the news in person…I-I knew from the moment I saw them. The bond had gone blank, it was extremely rare for Jim to block me out, I had tried not to worry…" the elder Spock clutched a ring on a chain around his neck, "I became obsessed with learning everything I could about Jim's death, but there was barely any information about the nexus. Later I met an El-Aurian, one who had been saved that day. She told me about how the nexus contains a universe where time means nothings, where it creates worlds based on your own memories and desires. It sucks you in and convinces you to stay by giving you everything that you could ever want, you wouldn't even realise it wasn't real. You do not age, as time does not pass inside the nexus."
"You believe that your Kirk is inside the nexus," Spock stated, his face blank.
"Yes. I searched for the nexus for many years, I was unsuccessful, and eventually had to admit to myself that Jim was gone."
"If you spent so many years fruitlessly looking for this thing, how did you know that the nexus was here now?" Kirk inquired suspiciously.
"I, well, I had a dream," the Ambassador admitted sheepishly.
"A dream!?" Kirk was in disbelief.
"Yes, however it was less of a dream and more of a projection…through our bond."
"That is impossible," Spock interjected.
"Yes, I thought so too, which is why I was so reluctant to tell you without proof. This is proof though! The close proximity must have allowed for Jim to project to me, he is alive," a tear rolled down his wrinkled cheek.
Kirk's communicator chirped, "Kirk here," he said upon flipping it open.
"Sulu here Captain, we have entered orbit of the uninhabited planet. Thirty seven minutes until contact."
"Thank you Mr Sulu, maintain orbit for now, Kirk out," Kirk put his communicator away, "We're going with you," he told the older Spock.
"It is too dangerous, you must let me transport to the planet alone and then take the ship away from here or it will be destroyed. I only have the information that I was given. There is always the possibility that it will kill me instantly, or that I will become stuck in the nexus also," the Ambassador warned, "I will not allow you to take that risk."
Spock nodded, "Very well, we should get you to a transport room, there is not much time left."
"Wait. How will you get back out?" Kirk questioned.
"If Guinan's information was correct, than as long as I am aware of where I am and that it is not real, I can make the conscious decision to leave. Apparently she just materialised wherever she was thinking about," the elder Spock relayed.
"I can't let you go alone," Kirk tried, "what if you need someone to remind you why you're there, you said yourself that the nexus will try to draw you in."
Spock took Kirk's hand, "Jim, he has made up his mind. Any way you look at it, this is a win for him; he will either die, find his Kirk, or the nexus will give him his Kirk."
Kirk stared at the Ambassador, not willing to believe it.
The older Spock nodded, "Spock is correct, I am old and I just…my life has been empty without him. Yes I have made grand achievements academically, but nothing can ever replace Jim in my life. My bed is cold, and my heart is broken. I wish for the sun to shine again."
"I understand," Kirk finally conceded.
"We should go," Spock announced.
Tears had welled up in the older Vulcan's eyes so that he could no longer see the stars, and then they trickled down his cheeks, he wiped them dry before he turned back to the young pair, "I am ready."
The trio quickly made their way back to the transporter room, where the Ambassador stepped up onto the transporter pad.
Kirk handed a spare communicator to the older Spock, "If you make it out you might need us to pick you up. Good luck, I hope you find him."
The Ambassador gave him a tight smile and clasped their hands together briefly as he took the communicator, "Thank you for everything James Kirk."
"Good luck," Spock nodded to his older counterpart and made the ta'al.
"Farewell Spock," the Ambassador reciprocated then gesture, and then dematerialised before their eyes as he was transported planet side.
Kirk continued to stare at where the Vulcan had been, his mind was reeling.
Spock pulled out his communicator, "Mr Sulu, Spock here, take us back to New Vulcan please."
"Aye Commander, is everything alright?"
Spock glanced at his bondmate, "It will be."
XXX
Spock's mind was fuzzy, as if he had consumed far too much chocolate. He tried to concentrate but it was difficult, and the smell of pancakes was so enticing. Spock opened his eyes; he was in bed, in their bedroom, in their apartment in San Francisco. Spock knew that this wasn't right, but he couldn't figure out why.
The next moment James T Kirk walked through the bedroom doorway with a tray of pancakes and two mugs; one tea, and one coffee. Spock could smell them from the bed.
"Damn, you're awake. I should've known that you wouldn't sleep through me making you breakfast," Jim smiled at him, and it lit up the room brighter than the Terran sun.
Spock couldn't help but to smile back at his beloved, "It was the smell of these delicious pancakes," he sat up in the bed to receive the plate that Jim was holding out for him.
"It's the recipe your mother gave me; she said it was one of your childhood favourites," Jim sat the mug of tea down on the bedside table and then took his own meal around to his side of the bed and set himself up.
"I don't have to leave until two, so I thought that we could spend the morning in bed. I know you don't like to waste the day, but I think I can make it worth your while," Jim had his charm on as he spoke.
And just like that everything came rushing back to him. The apartment, the pancakes, spending the morning in bed; this was the last time he had seen his bondmate. This was a memory from long ago, which could only mean one thing; he had made it into the nexus.
As much as he loved this memory, he also knew that this was not the real James Kirk. Spock was certain that he wouldn't find the real one in his own memories; he had to find Jim's memories. Guinan hadn't been quite so sure on how to go about finding someone, as it was not something that she had attempted, so Spock would just have to try until something worked.
He looked down at the pancakes and then at Jim as he stuffed a forkful of pancake into his mouth. Spock wanted so desperately to just stop Jim from leaving that day, but the past was the past and this was only a memory.
Spock left the bed and walked out of the door before he could stop himself. Immediately the scene changed and he suddenly found himself in his parent's kitchen on Vulcan. He could hear voices coming from the back garden and went over to the window to find his mother and Jim working in the garden together. It was endearing to see again, Jim and Amanda had hit it off from the first time they had met, and became good friends once he and Jim had become a couple. He grieved for that lost relationship in the timeline that he had been transported to.
Spock sighed, he wished he could just watch them for a while, but he was on a mission and afraid that he would get sucked back into the trick of the nexus. He took one last look at the happy pair in the garden and then turned and walked through the nearest doorway.
This time he was standing in front of a closed door with a bouquet of flowers; he recognised the door as the one from Jim's old apartment. Oh.
The door opened and Jim appeared in the doorway with a three day growth and looking bedraggled, "Spock!?" the surprise was evident in his voice, and the way his eyes lit up.
Spock's heart hurt; he didn't know it at the time, but Jim had been struggling to cope. Spock's rejection after their five year mission had especially hurt, and then Spock had left without a word the next morning. To really drive it home, Jim had been put on mandatory three month leave upon arrival back on Earth.
"Jim…" Spock heard escape from his mouth.
"What are you doing here?" Jim asked, his eyes flicked to the flowers and then back up to Spock's face.
Spock could remember exactly what he had said, and it was not what he should have said. He should have confessed the depth of his love and kissed Jim on his doorstep. He should have apologised and begged Jim to take him. Instead he said, "I did not like the way we left things."
Jim visibly deflated a little, "Would you like to come in?"
"Please."
This one had really hit home. He wondered how many more memories he would have to go through to find the real Jim. He had just as many bad memories to match the happy ones, would he relive those too?
As Spock stepped through the doorway he was taken to yet another scene. It was night time and there was a campfire blazing in the middle of a small clearing. A tent was set up to one side, and there was a log on the opposite side, on the log sat Jim with a content smile on his face, and a marshmallow on a stick.
Jim looked up as Spock approached, "There you are, I was starting to get worried. Where's the firewood?"
Spock looked down at his hands, and when he looked back up the scene had already changed.
This one was different; he was aboard the Enterprise, but he didn't recall this particular event happening. Jim and McCoy were sitting in the Doctor's office opposite each other; both men had a glass in his hand.
McCoy refilled their glasses and then sat back in his chair, "Look Jim, I know you've been makin' eyes at the hobgoblin for a while now, but what makes you think that he'd be interested in pursuing something after the mission ends?"
"I dunno Bones, it's the little things; like he will linger for a while after our chess game finishes, then there's all the casual touches, and he got me a gift for my birthday. Spock never used to do any of those things," Jim knocked back a mouthful of whiskey.
"Maybe he's just being your friend," McCoy suggested with a shrug.
"He's friends with you, does he do any of that with you?" Jim pointed out.
McCoy raised his glass in the air, "Alright, I see where you're coming from. I just don't want to see you get your heart broken Jim."
Jim's head suddenly turned and he stared right at the Vulcan, "Spock?"
"Yes Jim?" his heart fluttered a little.
"I don't remember you being here for this conversation," Jim told him confused.
"I do not believe that I was," Spock told him, was this progress?
"What are you doing here then?" Jim asked him.
Before Spock could answer, the scene changed around them.
Jim sat back in the Captain's seat on the bridge of the Enterprise, his legs spread, and a playful smile on his face. There was no one else on the bridge except for them…Spock recognised this; this was the time that Spock had managed to get the bridge cleared on Jim's birthday (during a refit), so that he could fore fill Jim's fantasy of having sex in the Captain's chair.
"Oh, right, that's what we're doing here," Jim chuckled and licked his lips in anticipation.
This was a memory that both of them would share, and god he was tempted to play out this particular memory. However he recognised it as an attempt by the nexus to draw him back in.
"We aren't having sex Jim, as much as I'd love to, but now is not the time," Spock told him and stayed where he was a couple of feet away.
Jim cocked his head, "That is not what I remember you saying. If I remember correctly, you told me that no one would be bothering us for a few hours, and then you straddled my lap and kissed me."
"That is correct, however I am not the Spock in your memory, I am the real Spock," he tried; his heart was pounding in his chest, could this be the real James Kirk?
"The real one?" Jim laughed, "Stop fooling around Spock, come here and kiss me."
It was almost too overwhelming; Jim all willing and wanting, trying to persuade Spock to just give in to his desires. It was a sight that Spock had not seen in far too long, he yearned to just give in and kiss Jim, to hold him, to make love to him, and feel their minds and souls as one again.
Spock took an involuntary step forward, "James, please listen to me."
"You never call me James…unless it's extremely important," Jim blinked at him, "or we're having a really bad fight. Nothing like that happened now though. This is one of my favourites…"
"This is extremely important ashayam. Do you know where you are?" Spock asked, trying to get an understanding of where Jim's head was at.
"On the bridge of the Enterprise…?" Jim told him as if Spock was being deliberately obtuse.
"But you are not, not really, this is just a memory. Do you remember the energy ribbon? The El-Aurian vessels being destroyed? You went down to get the-"
"Deflector relays working…" Jim stared at him and sat up straight in the chair, "Spock, you weren't there for that. It was only a few minutes…I was just there. How do you know about that already?"
"I understand that this is very confusing. Do you not think that it is strange that you are reliving your memories?" Spock asked.
"I-I hadn't really thought about it. Is the ship okay? Did we make it?"
Spock couldn't help but to smile; it was just like Jim to be more concerned about the safety of his ship and crew than himself, "The ship survived…but you fell into the energy ribbon. Jim, you've been here ever since."
"How do I know that you are the real Spock? How do I know that this isn't a trick, or that I'm not in a coma and Bones is fretting over me like the mother hen that he is…?" Jim had a point.
"Surely you have noticed that I have aged considerably since the last time you saw me."
Jim looked over the Vulcan slowly, "You do have a few more greys and wrinkles than I remember, not that it bothers me, you know that I love you regardless of looks."
Spock fought to control the storm of emotions brewing inside of him, "Jim, it has been decades. Decades with-without…" he took a steadying breath, "you."
Jim frowned, "Why haven't I aged then?"
"Because the nexus, the energy ribbon, preserved you the way that you were the day you entered it. It has taken me so very long to find you Jim…too long," Spock tried to reason with him, it was as if Jim was aware but not at the same time. All he wanted was to have his bondmate in his arms again, but he needed Jim to be released from this mind trap first.
Jim looked sceptical, "I dunno, this all seems a bit farfetched. If this place really is so powerful, than maybe you are just a figment of it."
Spock's eyebrows furrowed in frustration, his t'hy'la was right there, but the nexus had really done a number on him. He only had one option left, "Meld with me, I will prove everything."
"Aha! If you were really my Spock, we wouldn't need to meld, our bond is strong enough that you wouldn't need to touch me. Thanks for playing, mysterious imposter, but I'll be getting back to my birthday sex now," Jim sat back in the chair again and waited for the memory to continue.
"The nexus has fogged our minds, I cannot feel you, try it for yourself…" Spock was growing desperate.
Jim rolled his eyes, but it became obvious that he had gotten the same result as he leaned forward in the chair again, "I-I can't," he said, panicked.
Spock dropped to his knees, "Please meld with me. I am begging you."
He was hesitant, but finally Jim nodded, "Okay," slowly he got out of the chair and joined Spock on the floor, kneeling in front of him.
They were so close, Spock's face only inches from his beloved's, he could smell Jim's cologne; the one he had worn the day that he had been lost to Spock. By some miracle, he kept the tears back and tried to clear his mind as much as possible. After a deep breath, Spock raised his hands to the meld points on Jim's face.
There was so much fog in Jim's mind that it was hard to find Jim at all. He pushed through, going deeper, determined to find that warmth that was the other half of his soul. It took much longer than it should have, but there in the middle of the fog was his sunshine, his love, his t'hy'la. He touched their minds, their essences together and it was like putting the last piece of a puzzle in place; he felt complete again, something he had not felt since Scotty and Chekov had shown up at his door.
The switch had been flicked in their minds, the light casted out the fog, leaving just Spock and Jim twined together, reconnected and solidified as one again. Still they did not let go of each other, instead basking in the warmth and purity of their undying love.
Eons could have passed, Spock did not know as time meant nothing there, but eventually he removed his hands from the meld points, only to wrap them around Jim. It was then that he realised that they were kissing passionately, one of those kisses that was a little frantic, and a little wet, but said everything. Spock continued to kiss back, cherishing the feel of Jim's soft, full lips against his own. The taste of his tongue as they met in Jim's mouth, the feeling of Jim's skin under his grasp; he never wanted to stop doing this.
With each caress the icy pain melted from his heart, and the dark loneliness evaporated in the light that was Jim. Tears streamed down Spock's face, and he couldn't stop them, nor did he care to; he finally had his t'hy'la back and that was all that mattered.
"Jim…" Spock's voice was low and cracked.
"It's okay ashayam, I'm here now. I'll never leave again I promise," Jim rested his forehead against Spock's and continued to whisper reassurances to him.
Spock wept in Jim's comforting arms until there was nothing left to cry out. He could hardly believe that he'd finally done it. It only went to prove once again just how deep their love went, and how strong their bond was; nothing would ever truly keep them apart.
"Are you ready to go home dearest sa-telsu?" Spock queried, his fingers brushed Jim's cheek and Spock kissed him again purely because he could, "Although I must warn you that it will not be the home you remember. I have many things to tell you."
Jim's smile made him tingly, "Anywhere with you is home k'diwa. Let's go."
XXX
They materialised back on New Vulcan in front of Spock's home. He had never been gladder to feel the arid heat of New Vulcan's surface.
Jim squinted around in the brightness, "You don't live on Vulcan?"
"This is New Vulcan. I will explain everything once we get you out of the heat," Spock assured him, noticing the sweat already beading on Jim's forehead.
"I guess I have a lot to catch up on," Jim conceded.
Spock nodded as he opened his front door and held it open for Jim to enter first, "Welcome home, t'hy'la."
Jim stepped across the threshold and gradually took everything in; it was only a small house, big enough for a maximum of two people, "This is cosy."
"Yes, it was enough for just myself, and I do not often have visitors. If it is not to your liking then we can apply for a bigger home," Spock offered as his hands slid around Jim's waist and he kissed his bondmate's forehead.
"We can worry about that later. For now though, how about I make us some tea and we sit on the couch and you can catch me up on everything," Jim suggested with a carefree smile.
Spock nodded, "I would like that, however I do not believe that one pot will be enough for how much I have to tell you."
A few hours, and three pots of tea later, Spock had caught Jim up on the most important highlights of the time that Jim had been gone. Jim was reeling with all the information, but he was most surprised by the events of the alternate timeline.
"We didn't even think that this was possible, although there was that one time when we crossed over with the Terran Empire. And I thought we had sexual tension," Jim chuckled, "You haven't tried to get back to our timeline?"
"No, and now I am glad that I did not; I may never have found you if I did. Additionally, my services have proven useful here, with the establishing of New Vulcan, and providing nudges in the right direction for the Enterprise," Spock confessed, linking their fingers together.
"You mean like encouraging our younger counterparts to get together?" Jim teased and brought their linked hands up to kiss the back of Spock's.
The tips of Spock's ears tinted green, "I did not wish for them to make the same mistakes as I did. And you know how we were; they would have just made eyes at each other from across the bridge for five years and driven Doctor McCoy to almost insanity."
"You know that they will drive Bones insane regardless, but he will love every second of it in his own twisted, mother hen way," Jim laid back into Spock and sighed contently.
"You are correct," Spock could not supress his happiness, it was written all over his face as he held his husband.
Jim shifted and something dug into Spock's hip. He put his hand into the pocket of his robes and retrieved the communicator that Kirk had given to him earlier.
"Oh, this is a bit different," Jim commented as he studied the device.
"Yes, even the Enterprise is a bit different than ours, but it still feels like the Enterprise. I should inform them of my return. I have no doubt that they are lingering in the area. The Captain was determined to come with me to find you, I believe he will be quiet anxious to meet you."
"I presume that you talked him out of it then?" Jim handed the communicator back to Spock, "I would be interested to meet them also…and take a tour of the Enterprise if it is permitted.
"His own Spock did, there was an understanding," Spock answered a little cryptically. "I am sure that a tour could be arranged, I will contact them now."
Spock flipped open the communicator and after a moment a voice came through, "Kirk here."
"Captain, this is Ambassador Spock, reporting a successful mission," Spock informed Kirk.
"Spock! That is wonderful news. I couldn't be happier for you both," Kirk replied cheerfully.
Spock couldn't help but to smile himself, "Thank you Captain. I know that I have already asked much of you, but would you do me one more favour?"
"Hmmm, I dunno Spock…" Kirk teased, "Yes of course, what do you need?"
"Would you allow us a tour of the Enterprise; someone misses his ship."
Jim playfully slapped Spock's forearm. Spock just kissed his hair.
"Of course, where are you?"
"We are in my-our home on New Vulcan."
"We are already in orbit, I just need to find Spock, I think he's gone to fiddle with his science experiments. We'll meet you both in the transporter room soon. Kirk out."
Spock closed the communicator as Jim turned in his arms to kiss him, "You are a most wonderful husband."
"You are rather adequate yourself," Spock teased him, "there is no other that could compare."
"Not even a younger version of myself?" Jim asked cheekily.
"Not even."
XXX
"Ambassador welcome back. Admiral, it is so good to meet you," Kirk extended his hand to his older counterpart.
Jim stepped off of the transporter pad and took the young man's hand, he marvelled at how similar (and good looking) they both were at that age, "It is a pleasure, thank you for allowing me aboard Captain."
"It was the least I could do. She is an impressive ship, so I understand your attachment to her," Kirk smiled, "You are welcome aboard anytime we stop by New Vulcan."
"Be careful Captain or you might end up with a pair of stowaways," Jim laughed.
"Jim is not quite settled with the idea of retirement," Spock explained as way of apology.
Just then the door swished open to the transporter room and the younger Spock walked over the threshold, "Please forgive my tardiness, I had an experiment that could not be paused at just any moment."
"That is quite alright, we only arrived momentarily," the older Spock informed him.
"Oh my god," Jim elbowed his bondmate, "you didn't tell me you were so cute at this age."
The tips of the younger Spock's ears turned green, and Kirk suddenly understood Spock's jealousy of his older counterpart.
"Do you not still think me cute sa-telsu?" the Ambassador deadpanned.
Jim laughed, "Kwon-sum k'diwa."
The elder Spock leant in and kissed his beloved with a soft smile.
"I think we're scaring the kids," Jim stage whispered with a smirk, "it is a rare opportunity to tease two Vulcan's at once. It was one of Amanda's talents, so I learnt from the best."
"Maybe you should have married her instead," the Ambassador feigned being offended.
"I couldn't have, your father would have glared me to death for making the joke," Jim told him.
"Perhaps he would have been grateful for the peace and quiet."
Jim gasped dramatically, "And here I thought you liked hearing my voice."
Kirk and the young Spock stood and watched the banter unfold; they were the definition of an old married couple. Now most of Spock's ears and cheeks had flushed green, while Kirk found it somewhat amusing, but unsure of what to do with himself.
"This is going to be us one day," Kirk told his Spock.
"Not for some time I'm afraid, we have been very embarrassing by Vulcan standards. I apologise for making you uncomfortable Spock, I have simply reached the point that I do not give a damn about Vulcan decency where it concerns my relationship with Jim," the Ambassador stated as he reached out to hold Jim's hand.
"Have you kept up with using swear words?" Jim chuckled.
"When the occasion arises," Spock admitted fondly.
"I will never forget the look on that lady's face when you told her that they were not the hell her whales. That was a fun trip," Jim leaned into Spock a little.
"You and I have very different definitions of fun then," Spock commented.
"I thought you enjoyed swimming with the whales…"
"I admit that that was a pleasant experience, they are such peaceful creatures."
Kirk and the young Spock just glanced at each other.
XXX
Eventually they did actually get around to a tour of the ship, with plenty more banter, and some shocked and confused crew members left in their wake.
Spock and Jim couldn't thank their younger counterparts enough for everything.
Now that the older pair were back in their house, and they couldn't keep their hands off of each other. They had barely made it through the door when Spock pulled his bondmate in for a deep kiss. Jim's hands ran down Spock's back to grip his ass and bring their bodies flush together.
"Mmm, your ass is still just as firm," Jim smirked in between kisses.
Spock whined and kissed his bondmate with renewed fervour, his hands pulled at Jim's hips, "Jim…"
Gradually Jim pulled back breathless, "The air isn't much better here than Vulcan, and your passion takes my breath away ashayam."
"Perhaps you should lie down," Spock suggested as slightly shaking fingers undid Jim's jacket.
"Spock, are you okay?" Jim gripped Spock's hand and pulled it away from his jacket to kiss the back lightly.
"I-I find that I am nervous," Spock admitted, surprised with himself.
"Why? We've had sex hundreds, probably thousands of times," Jim said gently.
"I fear that I have become vain in my old age…" he avoided meeting Jim's eyes.
"You think I won't like what's under these robes anymore?" Jim asked incredulously.
"Yes," it was barely audible, and then louder he added, "also, I have not been sexually active, I do not know if I can still keep up with you."
Jim would never have expected his Spock to be so self-conscious about such things, they were passed all of that in their relationship, "Firstly, there will never be a time where I am not physically attracted to you, wrinkles or not. Secondly, considering you are alive, I am going to say that you will be just fine, you've never been bad at sex, I doubt you're going to start now," Jim assured him, secretly he was a little jealous of whoever Spock had been sleeping with during pon farr. He wasn't angry or upset though, it was life or death, and Jim was glad that Spock had chosen life, "Uh, speaking of, where are we at in the ol' seven year cycle?"
"You misunderstand me Jim, I did not ever take another mate, I have been celibate since your disappearance," Spock corrected him, and then sighed heavily "unfortunately six point five years have passed since the last time."
Jim's eyes widened, "What do you mean? You had to of, how else would you have survived?"
"Intense mediation, it is unpleasant, but I would rather have died than bond and mate with another soul," Spock admitted still not meeting Jim's eyes.
"Spock, you damn fool, you are not meditating through the next one. Tomorrow we are going out and putting a kit together," Jim lifted Spock's head to look him in the eyes, "That was a stupid move…but it's also a little bit sweet," he kissed Spock lazily, drawing out each movement of their lips, "I love you."
"As I love you Jim," Spock replied softly.
"How about we take a shower together, with no pressure for sex," Jim suggested, "we'll just take it slow…"
A short while later, Jim and Spock were tangled up in each other on the bed panting.
"And you thought…you wouldn't be able…to keep up," Jim chuckled breathlessly.
"I no longer have those doubts," Spock confirmed before kissing Jim's cheek, and then down his neck and shoulder.
"Mmm," Jim hummed, "wanna go again, or are you too worn out?"
"I am old, not dead. Give me ten minutes…"
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Vulcan translations from Vulcan Language Dictionary
Ashayam = beloved
sa-telsu = husband
k'diwa = beloved (shortened version of K'hat'n'dlawa (half of each others heart and soul))
Kwon-sum = always
T'hy'la = friend, lover, brother
