Sorry, it has taken me so long to update. I have been really busy.
Thank you to T'Arrah for being my beta. All mistakes are still mine.
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Jim, Bones and Spock just finish their first glass of Romulan ale when the comm unit buzzes, followed by Scotty's heavily accented voice. Kirk activates the comm unit on McCoy's desk and addresses his chief engineer.
"Hey, Scotty. What can I do for you?"
There is a small crackle of static before Mr Scott responds.
"Actually it is more of a case of what I can do for you, Captain. I just thought you would like to know that I have completed all my checks and the transporter is ready whenever you and your beau are."
From the corner of his eye Jim spots Spock scowl, obviously not impressed with his new title. He tries to hold back a chuckle, knowing that the Vulcan would not be impressed.
'Calm down, Spock. You know Scotty isn't the most culturally sensitive person around, but he never means to be insulting.'
Spock mentally huffs in indignation.
'The correct term is "bond-mate". "Husband" is acceptable, but not nearly as accurate. I do not understand why so many people on this ship find this concept difficult to grasp.'
Jim tries to hold in his laughter, he really does, but Spock's mental voice, with its petulant tone, just breaks through all of his self control. He throws his head back and laughs loudly. McCoy is staring at him as if he is seriously contemplating running him through a psych evaluation, and he can practically hear Scotty's confusion through the speakers. Spock on the other hand is glaring at him, but Jim can see there is not real heat behind it.
"Sorry. Something funny just... popped into my head." He says to no-one in particular.
He smiles when his see the small twitch of Spock's lips. He loves the fact that this Spock can see the humor in things and actually react to it. It is times like this where he just knows that he is the luckiest man alive to be bonded to this Spock. The moment is short lived though when the sound of Mr Scott clearing his throat comes across the comm line.
"Ah Captain, I donnae want to rush you, but I do have other things to do."
Kirk focus reluctantly returns to Scotty.
"Of course, Scotty. Just give me a sec."
He turns back to Spock to have yet another mental conversation, but this time the discussion is about their departure plans. McCoy must have cottoned on to what the bond actually entails, because he just sits down and glances between Jim and Spock with a fascinated expression. Jim knows that if they had more time Bones would probably demand that he be allowed to run tests on the bond, seeing as how he would never get the chance otherwise (Vulcans being as secretive as they are and all). Once they come silently to an agreement, Jim addresses Scotty.
"Have the transporter ready in 15 minutes. That'll give me enough time to send my XO all the documents he might need and for me and my bond-mate Spock to drag all my things down and onto a pad."
He added the 'bond-mate' for Spock's benefit, knowing that Scotty wouldn't pick up such a subtle hint. By the appreciative smile on Spock's face, he knows that it didn't go unnoticed.
Aye, Captain. Everything will be ready."
The comm goes dead and Jim stands to his feet. Spock and McCoy are quick to follow suit. Bones grabs Jim and pulls him into a tight hug before letting him go again. If Kirk didn't know any better, he would swear that the doctor has tears in his eyes.
"Well, I guess this is it. You and your Vulcan better go get your shit together. You don't have much time before your flight leaves."
Kirk quickly jumps in before Spock points out that they will not be leaving on any devices that can fly. He may be more relaxed, but he is still far too literal most of the time.
"You're gonna be there, Bones? You know, when we leave?"
McCoy rolls his at Jim as if he has said the most ridiculous in the history of the universe (which Jim knows is absolutely not true. He has said far more ridiculous things, especially while under the influence of alcohol).
"Of course I will be there. Just don't expect me to get all touchy-feely. I don't do that crap when I have an audience."
Jim nods and then quickly grabs the sides of the, now startled, doctor's face and pulls him down to plant a kiss on his forehead. A second later he lets go of Bones and grabs a hold of Spock's hand, quickly dragging him out the door before McCoy can come back to his senses. They are just stepping into the hallway when Bones' loud voice reaches them.
"Goddammit Jim! Just because you're leaving doesn't mean you can slobber all over me like I'm a bloody hobgoblin!"
Both Spock and Jim chuckle at McCoy's mock indignation as they make their way back to Jim's quarters hand in hand.
It is no surprise to Jim that when he and Spock walk into the transporter room, one box in each hand, every member of his bridge crew are standing there waiting. He always knew Scotty had a big mouth.
He steps over to the transporter pad and deposits his box and then he turns to face his crew. His gaze lands on Chekov, who is, unsuccessfully, trying to hold back tears. Jim holds out his arms and the young man he thinks of as younger brother quickly steps into them. They hug for a moment and then pull away, giving Jim the opportunity to ruffle the young man's hair one last time.
"I'm sorry I can't be here to watch you become the man you were born to be, but at least I go away knowing that that man is going to be just as kick-ass as you are. It's a great comfort."
The young navigator gives him a watery smile. The boy swallows a few times, obviously trying to gather his voice, but all is manages to choke out is a quiet "I vill miss you, Keptin."
As Chekov steps back, Sulu steps forward. The Asian glances over Kirk's shoulder at his bond-mate, who is trying to stay out of the way, before letting his gaze once again rest on his captain.
"I still don't fully understand why you are going, but I do know that you wouldn't do anything without a good reason."
Sulu's serious expression soon turns playful. "If anything, I'm just pissed that I will never get the chance to jump of a moving platform with you again. Good times."
Jim laughs and slaps the pilot on the shoulder. "If memory serves me right, I was the only one who jumped. You fell."
Sulu shrugs. "Semantics."
Jim is about to argue further, but then one of Sulu's hands is thrust in front of him, so he closes his mouth and takes the offered hand instead.
"It won't be the same without you, Captain. Take care."
They shake for a moment longer and then Sulu lets go, moving to stand next to Chekov. He wraps his arm around the younger man, who is now openly sobbing in the far corner of the room.
Jim feels rather then sees his Spock move to stand next to him. He soon spots the reason why. Uhura is walking towards him, practically dragging her Spock behind her. Jim plasters on his most friendliest smile and he mentally shoves at Spock, so that he will do the same. When he risks a small glance over at his bond-mate he notes that there is no sign of a smile, but there is also no sign of the murderous rage he witnessed earlier. Lack of murderous rage is definitely a good thing in Jim's books, and the hand wrapping possessively around his waist was a nice added bonus.
When Kirk turned his head again he found Nyota standing in front of him with a hesitant smile. Her hand, the one that wasn't holding onto Spock's, was out-stretched. Jim took it gently and let her set the pace for the shake. It wasn't long before she was pulling back, smile still in place and nodding at him once. Jim can't help but feel warmed by this little encounter.
"You were an okay captain... when you weren't being a moron. We definitely could have had worse."
At those words, the warm feelings are gone. His smile falters for a moment, but then it is firmly back in place. He hopes no one saw the lapse. The hand tightening on his waist tells him that he is wishing in vain. He shouldn't be surprised by the fact that his Spock seems to pick up on everything, but it still does. He has never had anyone pay him such close attention before.
'This is the woman you wish to protect? She does not deserve your kindness, ashayam.'
Jim sighs mentally. 'Thatmaybeso,butIamnotgoingtohurtheroutofspite.I'mnotthatkindofperson.'
Spock doesn't agree with him, but he doesn't argue either. He just pulls him closer.
Jim's attention returns to the woman in front of him and he is just about to jokingly respond to Uhura's subtle jab when Scotty, who is fiddling about over at the control panel, addresses Nyota in a raised and more then a little agitated voice.
"James T. Kirk is the best captain any of us could have asked for. I'm willing to bet he saved your life at least once, Lieutenant. A little more respect should be shown, lassie. Especially since you will nae be seeing him again."
Everyone in the room has turned to Scotty. Nyota is gaping, but also blushing, which Jim thinks looks quite hilarious on her. His Spock agrees. Both Spock's are stone faced (though Jim's Spock has a twinkle in his eye directed at the engineer), and the others seem to staring at Mr Scott with a new found respect, especially McCoy. Scotty just shrugs at the attention and finally lifts his head to address Kirk.
"Captain, if it weren't for you, I would still be stuck on that ice rock. Also, you don't question any of my 'improvements'. I know I won't be that lucky a second time. What I'm trying to say is; I'm gonna miss you."
He keeps eye contact with Kirk for a second longer before dropping it once again to his beloved machines.
Everyone turns back to face Jim; except Uhura, who has skulked over in embarrassment towards the exit. Jim quickly notices that her husband has not followed her, but has instead held his ground before him. Jim steels himself for what is to come and hopes that his soon-to-be ex-first officer doesn't make a scene.
"I received the files you sent. They seem to be all in order. Thank you for taking the time to ensure that I am prepared for the job ahead of me."
Jim releases the breath he was holding and smiles at his XO successful attempt at professionalism. That, apparently, was a big mistake. Somehow the Vulcan in blue saw that smile as permission to try and take a hold of Kirk's arm to pull him away from his mate. Before the Vulcan can get a hold of him, Jim squirms out of the way, but not before he hears his first officer's whispered words.
"Stay with me, Jim."
No one else except Jim and his Spock hear the desperate words, but it is clear, by the way he is rushing over to them, that McCoy has realised what has just happened. He doesn't stick around to watch his best friend grab Spock by the shoulder, and instead pulls his beyond furious husband to the transporter pad. Spock makes a token effort to escape his grasp and go after his counterpart, but he would injure Jim if he broke his grip and Jim knows that his Spock would never intentionally cause him harm. He shamelessly uses that knowledge to his advantage.
Kirk looks over a Scotty, who is glancing between him and the CMO and XO who are silently facing off. When his gaze finally stops on Jim, he give the engineer a quick nod.
"I think it's about time you sent us on our way, Scotty."
Mr Scott salutes him and starts fiddling with the controls. The hum of the transporter activating fills the room and Jim looks around the room at the people that came to see him off. Some he considered friends. One he considered his best. The others... well, he knows he gained something from them being in his life. His eyes settle on Uhura, who is staring at her husband in confusion and what looks to be hurt. He makes a decision that he assumed he had already made, but apparently was still on the fence about. Jim can hear the sounds of the transporter change and he knows he only has moments left to do what he now feels he needs to do. He pulls out his PADD from his back pocket and quickly presses a few keys.
As the swirl of the transporter begins to surround him, he glances up and over at McCoy and blows a kiss. His friend, who is still holding other Spock's shoulder, shakes his head, but grins widely. He then turns to stare at Nyota. A rush of relief goes through him when he sees that he has accomplished his goal. She looks away from her husbands and reaches for her own PADD. Her eyes scan over the screen for a few seconds before they widen, rise and lock with Jim.
Just before the room disappears, Jim mouths the words "You had to know. Sorry."
The sad thing is that he actually is.
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There will be one more chapter (hopefully longer than this) and an epilogue.
Again, I should have everything written by the end of the month.