Spock made his way to the private bio-bed that housed the woman he had nerve pinched into a near coma the week prior and stood at her side.
The pair held each other's gaze and glared subtly.
"You brought what happened on yourself. I will not apologize." He informed her passively, sounding more Vulcan than he ever had before.
Instead of getting angry or sad like he expected, Uhura's expression turned smug and self-satisfied.
"What does it matter? You're living on borrowed time. Enjoy your last day. By tomorrow you won't even be a memory and my Spock will be back."
Uhura waved him away with a sadistically happy grin and pulled the curtain shut between them.
"Better hurry."
Spock waited until he could control his overwhelming urge to throttle the woman grinning to herself in her bed before finding Doctor McCoy.
"Doctor, if I might have a word."
Bones looked up from his paperwork at the voice of the young Vulcan he hadn't seen in over a week.
"Good to see you're still alive Kid. Come right in."
Spock locked the door behind him and sat opposite of Bones at his desk.
Bones couldn't help but notice the subtle veil of loss over his face. He'd seen the same look on the face of terminal patients during their last few days. The sense of knowing how little time was left.
It was heart breaking, but there was no time to grieve.
"We both knew how this day will end Doctor, nothing that either of us can do will prevent the inevitable, but it is the tomorrow I will never see that concerns me most. Jim and I have become bound to each other in ways neither of us foresaw and I would not trade what we share for the world, but…the loss of a bondmate has been known to shatter even the most emotionless Vulcan.
I have only a 1in a 100 chance of awaking and knowing what Jim is to me, but in the likely event that it is not so I have a favor to ask of you. I need you to promise me you will see him through this loss. That you will not let the grief consume him as I fear it will. I have touched his mind and know it as well as my own, which is how I know that you are the closest thing to family that he has left. He will turn to you and I ask nothing more than you accept him with open arms. I fear my older-self and his chosen mate will not be nearly as kind."
Bones nodded his agreement and sighed.
"Knowing the older you I have no doubt he will be cruelest while trying to be kind. By being his friend and feigning ignorance to Jim's feelings. I can't promise I'll be able to heal this kind of thing, but I swear that I'm going to try."
Bones allowed a small smile to grace his face as he looked at the man across from him.
"Don't look so sad Kid. You gave Jim the one thing he ever wanted even if just for a little while. I've never see Jim as happy as was when he was taking care of and loving you. You gave him unconditional love for the first time in his whole life and I thank you for it."
Spock's hands clenched on top of Bones's desk until his knuckles were bone white and his eyes were swimming with tears.
"I know. I have seen what he has suffered and know just how dearly he needs me. If it were in my power I would stay at his side till the end of his days, but I cannot. It is nothing I can fight, nothing I can prevent and I am powerless to protect the one I love above all others from a pain I myself will cause."
Bones reached over to place a reassuring hand on Spock's shivering shoulder and try to give what comfort he could.
"Don't dismiss your own pain either Spock. You're hurting and I'll bet my medical license that you're afraid too."
Spock looked up at his bondmate's best friend with a watery eyed smile.
"I have no fear for myself, I will face what comes when it comes, but I do fear for Jim. The recoil of a broken bond can kill."
Spock was sought out T'Lou last on his list of people to find besides Jim and she was expecting him.
T'Lou was nestled in a corner of her quarters and reading from an ancient Vulcan text when he asked to enter and she did not turn him away.
"It's nice to see you again Spock. I knew Jim would see you through your time."
Spock nodded his head and took a seat across from her.
"I thank you for your intervention on my and Jim's behalf. You were vitally instrumental in saving my life."
"No need for thanks Spock. Jim would have come to you of his own volition without my intervention."
Spock held her gaze and smiled a tiny smile.
"You have been very helpful and kind to me T'Lou, but I fear I must ask one more favor of you."
T'Lou looked back at him so understandingly.
"You may ask anything of me Spock. I will do what I can."
Spock gave her a melancholy smile as he made his last request.
Maybe a bit too dramatic? T really wanted an update and I just couldn't refuse her!
Sorry again about the chapter mix up between chapter 9 and 10 before. I've fixed it for anyone who didn't notice the fact I accidentally posted them out of order.
Anyway, be sure to read and review!
Yours Truly,
Jessica499499