Chapter 10

Kirk had decided that he had to do something for Spock that would show him just how much he cared, and how much he was willing to try for him, and he figured that taking the other on a trip that would allow Spock to study the wildlife on the planet they were to spend their shore leave on would be a nice gesture.

And it definitely would be a nice thing to preclude what he had planned later that night.

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Spock, since his release from sickbay on the condition that he keep his intake of certain foods to a bare minimum, had noticed that he was spending a large amount of time thinking about the planet they were to take their shore leave on. It was extremely well-known for its marine wildlife. He doubted he'd have time to observe it firsthand, but he was sure he'd have time to ask the locals some questions.

He got up from where he was sitting in his quarters when he heard the door buzz, knowing that it must be Kirk, as they had planned to leave the ship together at this time. He grabbed his bag and opened the door. The edges of his lips twitched upward at the warm look Kirk was giving him and replied softly, "Jim."

Kirk grinned back at him and said, "Ready to go?"

Spock nodded, and then he saw Kirk fidgeting slightly as his grin turned a little nervous, "Well, I...I arranged to spend the day with you today. Like...just you. Just us."

Spock could tell that the other was really trying to make their relationship more than just sex, and the idea was exciting and a little daunting at the same time. He was such a private person, it was a little difficult to accept.

Spock felt his cheeks tinge green as he replied, "You would want to spend the day together?"

"Yeah, I really would." The look in his eyes as he replied was downright affectionate and it made Spock want to melt.

Perhaps there really was hope for something more. Spock's cheeks tinged further as he moved a little closer to Kirk, "It sounds like it will be a wonderful day."

Kirk then couldn't resist pulling Spock into a quick hug and placing a soft kiss on the other's cheek, and Spock could feel through his touch telepathy that the other was slightly embarrassed at how sickeningly sweet his action was, but strangely it seemed that the other didn't want to stop. Facinating, indeed.

Finally Kirk pulled back and then led the way to the transporter room, saying, "This planet is supposed to have a great deal of its surface covered by oceans...somewhat of an island paradise."

"So I have heard," Spock said. "It is known for the wide diversity of its marine wildlife." He couldn't help but show at least a little of his awe show in his voice. Vulcan had very little marine wildlife, so marine biology had always fascinated him.

Kirk's smile grew again and when they finally they got to the transporter, Kirk requested to have them dropped off at a particular point on the beach.

When they arrived on the beach, Spock subtly took Jim's hand, rubbing his thumb over the back. He noticed the look on Kirk's face was absolutely serene as he looked out toward the horizon and it made his heart skip a beat. He was truly blessed to have Kirk in his life this way.

Kirk gave Spock's hand a squeeze finally as he said, "Nice, isn't it?"

"Indeed," Spock agreed, looking at the water with a look of intense curiosity. He wished dearly to see what was under the surface.

Kirk grinned when he saw the way Spock was regarding the ocean in front of them and said, "Well, I've planned for us to go scuba diving today...you know, to see all the cool fishes and stuff."

Spock turned to look at Jim, his eyes wide. "Jim..." he whispered, grinning for just a brief moment before remembering that he was a Vulcan. "Jim, this is..." he trailed off, at a loss for words.

"It's not even close to what you deserve, Spock, but it's a start." Kirk said, giving him a bright grin that reminded him of a star.

Kirk then led the him over to the people on the beach who lent out the scuba equipment and gave lessons, seeming to have done all his homework before coming to this planet.

Spock kept closer than usual to Jim. "Jim, this is amazing. I cannot think of how to thank you for this opportunity."

"Just...be happy. All I want from you is for you to be happy." Kirk replied simply, touching Spock's face for a moment, then going over to the people to arrange for what they needed for the excursion.

Spock felt his cheek tinge impossibly greener when Kirk touched him, and he just watched Jim for a moment, admiring him.

They both got on their gear and Spock thought Kirk looked clumsy and ridiculous in the suit and he couldn't help but smile the smallest bit, "Forgive me for saying it, Jim, but you look absolutely ridiculous."

Kirk laughed a little more and he said, "I was just having the same thought."

Then the teacher motioned them over to the water and began giving them their lesson.

Once they were underwater together, Spock felt as if he was in Heaven - this was so vastly different from Vulcan, and so much more intriguing.

Kirk wished that they could speak as they moved underwater with the fishes, finding the looks of wonder and awe in the other's eyes to be more breathtaking than the sights of the unusual fishes and other creatures that the planet offered to them.

Spock reached out, touching Jim's arm. It is breathtaking, Jim. Thank you so much.

Kirk smiled in reply to the thought pressed into him and though he wasn't telepathic like Spock, it seemed as though he had some special skill in sensing just what he was feeling anyway. This made Spock smile inwardly, feeling safe with letting Jim know his emotions.

After a few more minutes of admiring the sea animals, Kirk motioned his want to resurface. Spock nodded and followed the other to the surface. Finally, they returned to the shore and returned all of their scuba gear, and Kirk barely waited till they were dressed to give Spock the most loving kiss he could manage, right there on the beach, not caring if anyone saw them, even if, admittedly, there were very few people on this beach as it was.

Spock reciprocated, unable to resist - being with Kirk felt amazing in ways he couldn't describe, and he was not about to let any contradictory thought work its way into his head for any reason. Kirk held that kiss as long as his breath held out, and then he brought him in for a warm and tight embrace.

Spock rested his head against the side of Kirk's. "T'hy'la..." he murmured, "Thank you. For all of this..."

Kirk held on tightly as he whispered back, "I'll live up to the honor of being called that, I promise you...I don't know what it means exactly, but I can tell it's important."

Spock smiled softly, feeling safe since no one else was there to see the blatant emotion on his face, "There is no precise translation into Standard, but it is a term used only for those closest to a Vulcan's heart."

"Spock..." Kirk said softly and lovingly in the other's ear in response, and it made the love he felt for Kirk well up so strongly in his chest.

Kirk kissed Spock one more time, and once again, Spock counted his lucky stars that Kirk was with him, even when it seemed most hopeless. His t'hy'la...to even have this much was more than he'd dared hope for, and the only thing he wished for more than anything else was never to be parted from him.

Finally, Kirk pulled back from him and gave him another one of his bright smiles that never failed to make his heart skip a beat, and he led them back to the transporter that would return them to the ship.

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