Author's Chapter Notes:
Hehe, hey guys…Sorry about the monumental wait. I got sucked into other fandoms and I just didn't know what to do with this story. I got a very nice review from a fan recently and I figured, what the hey, I may as well practice writing and get into it now before Summer starts. I don't much like this chapter but I'm going to give you this hot off the press cause I know if I look at it later I'll just end up hating it. I know a lot of you have been suggesting I get a beta, and I had a friend who used to look over my stories and assignments at a point, but we're no longer on good terms. So I'm basically on my own for this now. I've done my best to work alongside spellchecker but it is 2AM and I feel like shit so take it for what it is. Needless to say I hope you guys enjoy it and I thank you all for sticking with it despite my horrible inconsistency.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek. This is a work of fiction from which no profit shall be made.
Almost immediately upon entering his quarters, Spock's commlink sounded. He walked over to the wall and pressed the button that would allow him to speak, "Spock here." Then the audio started up. McCoy was frantic and an awful muffled screeching came from somewhere in the background.
"Spock, you gotta get down here quick," the doctor panted, "The boy went berserk a few minutes after you left."
"McCoy I'm not sure how I can be of service in this situation."
"God damn it ya pointy eared bastard! He's hollerin' for you! Now get your green ass down here before I haul it myself."
"Understood." His voice fell on deaf ears, the transmission had already been cut.
The Vulcan didn't have to go very far until he heard Jim's pained screams. It was horrific, how he could hear them even from here was a marvel. He walked with renewed haste and an unfamiliar weight of worry in the pit of his stomach. When he opened the sickbay doors he was nearly deafened by the sound of Jim's anguished scream of Spock's name.
The captain was surrounded by a swath of medical professionals scrambling fiercely to get all sorts of IV drips going, checking vitals or restraining the hysterical patient. Spock could see Jim was red and sweaty under the bright sickbay lights, sobbing and battling for all he was worth against the titanium restraints pinning his limbs. When Spock walked in to sickbay, ears covered painfully, Jim stopped. His head whipped to the side in a motion that looked almost certainly painful and his pupils blew wide so as to block out the usual piercing blue.
James Kirk didn't blink as Spock moved tentatively closer. Then he gave a harsh jerk, straining harder than ever before, red gushing from his chafed wrists and ankles against the metal bonds keeping him from Spock. The doctors attempted to push him down again but he screamed a very forceful, "Don't. Touch. Me!" Before turning back to Spock, wide grin lighting up his haggard features. "Spock. You came back. I thought…I thought you were dead. I-I couldn't feel you anymore." This only served to puzzle the young Vulcan further.
He approached the bed with caution, wary to keep from touching the captain for fear of a repeat of the incident on the bridge. "Felt me? Please clarify, captain."
Jim giggled in a manner highly uncharacteristic of himself, "In my mind silly. You would talk to me." His face fell and turned away, "and then it was gone. Like…Snapping," he turned back, "But now you're here. I can hear you again, only like a whisper."
"And what exactly did this…voice say to you?" He was not sure he wanted to know the answer.
"That you loved me of course. That you'd keep me safe. When I was stressed or upset you would recall old times. Except… I don't remember those times. It didn't really matter though. Would you touch me again?"
"I beg your pardon?" The Vulcan asked indignantly. This could not be his captain. Some sort of trickery for sure.
"Like you did on Delta Vega and how I did on the bridge yesterday, or last week. I can't really remember."
"Certainly not. Doctor, I believe we have matters to discuss. May we retire to your office?" The Vulcan seemed impatient now, eager to leave the situation.
"Please don't leave." He whined, but his efforts seemed to no avail, the Vulcan as stony as ever.
The good doctor frowned at the First Officer before kneeling down to Jim's side and holding his hand gently. "Look Jimbo, he'll only be gone a few minutes. I promise I'll bring him right back." Jim clenched McCoy's hand tightly, seemingly deliberating over whether to agree or not. Eventually he nodded and released his iron grip.
"Right back, okay?"
"Sure thing, Jimmy. Sure thing." He smiled sadly before motioning harshly for the Vulcan to join him in his office.
Once the door was locked securely McCoy spun on the Vulcan, "What in the fresh hell is your problem!"
"Doctor, I would like to point out that I was not the one wailing hysterically, restrained to a biobed." Spock retorted, raising an eyebrow.
"Well you god damn will be soon if I have a thing or two to do with it! That boy's hurting and after you've been giving him the cold shoulder the past three years of this mission, the least you can do is show a little compassion!"
"I am a Vulcan. I am afraid I'm incapable of such an act."
McCoy was fuming, "Don't even try that bullshit with me. If you're too good for your emotions, then try this one on for size: respect for your senior officer. Jim has been demoralized enough today without you adding your little smidgen of disdain to the pot."
Spock levelled his breathing, "Perhaps it would be beneficial to the captain if we worked toward a solution."
McCoy rubbed his face in consternation, "Fine. Let's start with that bit about him talking to you in his head. What was that about?"
Spock was silent for a long moment. He thought it couldn't have been. Indeed, he was almost sure it was impossible. However denying wouldn't help their case, he decided to come out with his theory. After all, once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains must be truth. "It would seem, that the captain has entered a Vulcan mating bond. Though I can't be certain. The conditions of how this might have occurred remain elusive to me."
"And this uh, bond? What makes you think he might have it?"
"When bonded, Vulcans can communicate telepathically. Jim mentioned someone speaking to him,"
"You,"
"Yes, well, whomever it was, I was able to sense their…lack of presence I suppose; when James melded with me on the bridge. I have never experienced it before however I could sense the pain as if it were my own. From what I have read, whoever has initiated the bond has severed it somehow. In his state, I supposed his mind simply reached out to mine."
"Then, if some Vulcan decided to get hitched with little Jimmy over there, why's he so fixed on you? Why hasn't he ever mentioned them before?" The doctor inquired, seeming equally, if not more puzzled than Spock.
"I'm afraid, doctor, I have no idea."
Chapter End Notes:
There it is, a ton of dialog which I don't usually write. Tips are appreciated of course. Thanks for reading.