I know I promised this earlier, but I have been having a hard time of it lately. It is longer than the past couple of chapters, sot that is something.
Thank you to T'Arrah for being my beta.
Star Trek isn't mine.
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Jim hasn't even fully materialised when he is engulfed in an almost painful bear hug. Once the transporter beams finally dissipate, Jim gains enough of his bearing to figure out that he is back in the other universe. What clues him in to this fact is that 'his' Uhura would never try to kill him through a hug like this one is trying to do.
"Uh, I sort of need to breathe, Uhura."
She doesn't let go, if anything she holds him tighter.
"We were so worried about you. We thought you were dead, then we all thought Spock was going crazy, and then we thought we had lost you both to the other universe."
She finally lets him go, steps back and then punches him in the arm... hard.
"Ow! What was that for, Uhura?"
She rolls her eyes at his whining and jumps off the transporter platform. She steps over to Scotty and wraps an arm around the, relieved looking, engineer.
"That was for worrying us, of course. And call me Nyota, for goodness sake."
Jim smiles at that as he rubs his arm. He glances to his side and discovers that Spock is smirking.
"What about Spock? Doesn't he get a smack for worrying you as well?"
Scotty and Uhura turn to each other for a second and grin, before glancing over at Spock, who is
growing less smug by the second. Just like Jim he obviously can tell that they have something up their sleeves. Jim turns to McCoy, who is standing by the door with his arms crossed over his chest and has a glint in his eye. The doctor motions with his head towards the door and within seconds it whooshes open to reveal a very agitated looking middle-aged woman. The woman rushes into the room and heads straight for the transporter platform where Jim and Spock are still standing. As she gets closer, Kirk can't help but notice that there is something familiar about her eyes. He turns to Spock because he is getting nothing helpful through the bond, and is puzzled to find his bond-mate staring at this woman with a mix of affection, surprise, and a tinge of horror. Then the confusion leaves him as he takes in Spock's face, or more precisely his eyes. He can't be sure, since in his universe he never met her, but he thinks he knows who this woman is.
'Ah. This is going to be interesting.'
The woman jumps up onto the platform and hugs Spock. Spock is stock still for a moment, and then he is hugging her back. The woman soon lets go and just stares up at Spock for a few moments before her whole demure changes, and suddenly she flicks the tip of one of Spock's ears. Both Spock and Jim flinch at the action, Spock because it is his actual ear, and Jim because the sudden pain managed to make it's way through the bond.
"I comm to talk to you about plans for your upcoming birthday, only to find out, from the very nice Mr Scott, that you have travelled to another universe and that there is a chance you might not come back. You didn't even tell me you were bonded! A mother should be the first to know these things."
Jim's suspicions are confirmed by that last statement and he watches in amusement as Spock shuffles his feet and his mother in-law places her hands on her hips.
"I... I am sorry, Mother. There was no time to inform you. It was not long after we were bonded that the ship was attacked by Romulans. I also feared that if I informed you of my plans to retrieve James from the other universe that you might have tried to stop me."
All the anger drains out of the woman and she reaches out to caress Spock's face.
"I would never come between you and your bond-mate, Spock. Please, just give me a little warning next time. I nearly had a heart attack and I am of the age where I might not bounce back from one of those."
Before Spock can comment, his mother has dropped her hand from his cheek and steps over to Jim, who feels as though he has suddenly been shoved under a microscope with the way she looking him over. Her gaze finally meets his and she gives him a small smile.
"You must be my son's bond-mate, James. If you haven't already figured it out, I am his mother. You can call me Amanda."
She holds out her hand for him to shake, but Jim does one better. He takes her hand in his and lifts it so that he can kiss the back of it. He looks up through his eye lashes to find that Amanda is blushing slightly.
'I've still got it.'
'Yes, you do, but could you not use 'it' on my mother. I find it extremely discomforting.'
Kirk just ignores Spock and stays focused on not messing up with the one person he needs to actually impress. He releases Amanda's hand and tips an invisible hat to her.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Amanda. I have heard so many wonderful things about you from your son."
She tilts her head in the exact same way Spock does and her gaze once again travels up and down his body. Jim just stands there and lets her take her fill. He has never been embarrassed by appreciative stares and he isn't going to start now. Spock, on the other hand, seems to be getting more and more uncomfortable as the seconds pass by.
Amanda turns around to face her son and gives him a knowing look.
"I can understand why you travelled all that way to get him back, Spock. He is extraordinarily handsome, and a charmer to boot."
Spock's whole face goes green, flushing at his mother's words. Jim chuckles and from the corner of his eye he can see that Scotty, Uhura and McCoy (who at some stage joined them in front of the transporter pad) are trying valiantly to keep their amusement to themselves.
"Mother, this is an entirely inappropriate conversation topic. I would rather discuss how you managed to get on-board. I thought you were still on Vulcan."
Amanda doesn't get insulted, like anyone else would, by his words and instead simply shrugs.
"I was travelling to a human colony within communication range of your ship, and like I said before, I wanted to find out your plans for your birthday. When I discovered what had happened to you, I got the captain of my transport to drop me off here instead."
Jim decides that, although this little get together has been highly entertaining, he thinks it's time they move this to somewhere less open and a little more comfortable. His back is starting to hurt from standing in one spot for so long. He claps his hands to get their attention.
"I love this transporter room as much as the next person... okay, maybe not as much as Scotty, but I think we should move this to the conference room."
Kirk holds out his arm to Amanda, who does not hesitate to hook it with her own, and uses his free hand to take a hold of Spock's. All three step off the platform and head for the door, Uhura, Scotty and McCoy close on their heels.
In the hall, they pass a yeoman and Jim stops them for a moment so he can ask her to ensure that the boxes waiting in the transporter room are safely stored in Commander Spock's room. She nods and quickly scurries away, allowing Jim and his 'party' to carry on towards the conference room.
Once they were all seated, Jim jumped straight in. He had missed out on a lot and so had Spock, so he needs to know what has been happening on the ship.
"What is the ship status and what has happened to Pike?"
McCoy decides to answer the more simple query first.
"Starfleet sent a medical ship to come pick him up and Selik went with him to make sure that he was taken care of. Who knew Vulcans could be such mother hens? They have been on Vulcan for the last 3 days. The old hobgoblin tells me he is recovering well. You will get to see them both when we get there ourselves."
Jim's head snaps towards Scotty.
"We're heading to Vulcan?"
Scotty nods his head.
"Yeah. That is where Starfleet Command is temporarily camped out. The brass has called us back. There's a ceremony you need to attend so that you can officially take over this ship. They also need your account over what happened with the Romulans. I think their looking at awarding you a commendation."
Jim's mouth opens and closes a few times before he finally finds his voice.
"They aren't angry with me?"
Uhura answers him this time, disbelief in her voice.
"Why would they be? You saved us all and ensured that the war they were obviously planning didn't take place. They know a hero when they see one."
Spock's hand covers Jim's and he squeezes it, gaining his bond-mate's attention.
"I did inform you of the fact that the Admiralty of this universe were very eager to have you back. Did you forget, James?"
Jim shakes his head. "I didn't forget. I just thought that you might have been over-exaggerating a bit to see that I came back."
Spock stares at him with an insulted expression. He goes to speak, obviously wanting to tell Jim off for jumping to such a conclusion, but Amanda elbows him in the ribs. She then addresses Jim.
"James, my dear. Spock will tell you that Vulcans never 'over exaggerate' and I can tell you now that that is a total crock. Spock however would not lie to you about such an important matter. Vulcans only use that particular skill on trivial matters, like cooking skills and fashion choices."
Spock looks even more insulted, if that was even possible, but he keeps his mouth shut, knowing that he would not win against both his mother and Jim.
Jim gives Amanda a nod in thanks and then looks over at Scotty.
"Anything else I need to know, Mr Scott?"
The engineer glances down at his PADD before answering.
"It will take us 32 hours to reach Vulcan. Starfleet Command were very clear that you and Commander Spock were to take medical leave during that time. After everything you have been through, you deserve a little free time. You donnae have to worry, I have everything under control."
Kirk stood and pulled Spock with him. Everyone else soon followed. Amanda lays a hand on Spock's shoulder and tells them both that she also needs to rest and invites them to have dinner with her in her quarters later. After Spock accepts for the both of them, she leaves and is followed out by Scotty and Nyota.
McCoy is hovering at the door, waiting until it is just him, Spock and Kirk in the room.
"I would demand that you march yourselves down to sickbay so I can check you out, but you both do look like you need some rest."
Jim doesn't believe a word of it. No McCoy, in any universe, would delay inflicting his own brand of torture on anyone, especially for such a flimsy reason. By the way Bones' face darkens, he must have picked up on the fact that Jim isn't buying it.
"Fine! I promised I would help Joanna with her homework and I only have a couple of hours before I have to be on shift. I always keep my promises, so you guys get a temporary pass, but I expect to see you before we reach Vulcan."
And with that said, McCoy stomps from the room, leaving the bonded pair alone.
A wide grin spreads over Jim's face and he grabs Spock's wrist, pulling him through the door. He knows that Spock knows what he is planning and that is why the Vulcan doesn't pull himself free. He's not going to stop Jim when their goals are the same.
They make it to Spock's room and the moment they step through the door, Spock locks it and presses Jim up against it. Jim moans as Spock presses open-mouth kisses to his neck and insinuates a thigh between his legs. He can't help but push against it to try and relieve the pressure building up inside of him.
"Fuck!"
Kirk can feel Spock's lips form a smirk against his neck before his head lifts and he responds.
"That was the plan, ashayam."
Jim's brows farrow in confusion for a moment, but Spock soon makes himself clear when he lifts him off the ground and starts backing towards the bed. Jim wraps his legs around Spock's hips and grinds against his bond-mate's firm stomach. Spock's step falters for a moment, but then he soon regains his stride. Kirk is lowered to the bed and has just enough time to scoot into the centre of it before he has a very eager Vulcan crawling on top of him.
Nimble fingers work at the fastening of Jim's pants, as he reaches up and runs his hands through Spock's hair. They still for a moment, however, as a thought occurs to him. A grin quickly spreads across his face.
"You know, this will be the first time we have ever done it in this bed."
Spock finally gets his pants undone and he wastes no time pulling them, with briefs, down to his knees. Jim lets out a gasp when Spock takes a hold of him. Spock's face is now hovering over him and he is smiling. Not one of his barely there smiles that Jim has become so accustomed to, but a full blown 'lights up his whole face smile'. Jim just stares up in wonder.
"Well then, we must ensure that it is special."
Kirk's eyes soften and he wraps his arms around Spock's neck and pulls him down until there is is barely a hair's breath between them.
"With you, it is always special."
Hungry lips press against his and the only words spoken for the rest of the night were declarations of love.
The Enterprise makes it to Vulcan without incident and it isn't long before most of the crew have been debriefed and beamed to the surface. Only the maintenance crew and Spock and Kirk are left on board. Spock is making some last minute adjustments to his report while Jim lounges on the bed. He is shifting through some of Spock's family photos and wondering how it is even possible to fall more in love with his husband, when said husband's deep voice travels across the room.
"James, there is something that has been bothering me, but I am hesitant to bring it up. I do not wish to make you upset and I fear that this discussion may do just that."
This grabs Jim's full attention. He sits up, facing Spock, who has spun his chair away from the computer screen, and places the photos gently on the bed next to him.
"You can ask me anything, t'hy'la. We don't have secrets. I am actually surprised you didn't just look for the answers through the bond. Wouldn't that be easier?"
Spock shakes his head. "It would be easier, but that should not be how a relationship should work. Just because your mind is bonded to my own does not mean that I should have free access to everything inside of it. Your mind is still your own. I am merely a guest who gets to visit from time to time."
A small part of Kirk is relieved by this information. He loves Spock and he wasn't lying when he said there are no secrets between them, but the fact that he is still in charge of when and how he gets to explain things makes him feel more secure. He trusts Spock with his mind, but it is nice to know that Spock trust him enough to just ask for the information he seeks instead of trying to find it himself.
"Good to know. A little mystery is good for a relationship after all. Now, what did you want to know?"
Spock move the chair, and himself, closer to Jim until he can rest his hands on the man's knees. He does not break eye contact, which allows Jim to see the nervousness hidden in his gaze.
"You do not have to answer if you do not want to, but I am curious about the message you sent to Uhura from your universe just before we were beamed away. What did you tell her?"
Jim sighs and reaches out to place a hand on Spock's neck. Spock leans into the caress, as Jim unconsciously traces the green bite mark he left last night with his thumb.
"I didn't tell her what her Spock had done if that is what you are thinking. Like I said before, I couldn't hurt her like that. I just gave her the full meaning of t'hy'la. The explanation Selik gave me before we bonded."
Spock's eyes widen as he takes in what Jim has just said. He stays quiet, knowing that Jim hasn't
finished.
"After she asked us to explain the meaning to her, I went and typed up everything I remembered from my conversation with Selik. I really didn't think I would send it to her, but when I saw her standing there in the transporter room watching her husband reach for someone else I decided that she needed to know why her Spock would not be able to give her everything. It's up to her to decide if she can settle for that. Maybe she can, but she needed to know all the facts before she bonds with him. I got that before I bonded with you."
Spock moves forward and places a chaste kiss on Jim's nose before leaning back into his chair.
"I will forever be thankful to my older counter-part for that service. I would have convinced you in the end, but his meddling ensured that we got together much sooner."
Kirk chuckles and suddenly the somber mood has evaporated. He glances over at the wall clock and then back at Spock with a questioning look.
"So, are you nearly done? We have a meeting with the admiralty in 30 minutes."
Spock's eye brow goes up. "I completed all of my revisions before speaking with you about the message you sent to Uhura."
Jim chooses to ignore the sass that has leaked into Spock's voice and instead stands, holding out a hand for the Vulcan to take.
"Come on, smart ass. Our backs aren't going to pat themselves."
Spock takes Jim's offered hand and allows the Human to pull him up. He gives him an exasperated eye roll as he is led from the room and towards the transporter room.
"I do not even know where to begin with that illogical statement."
Kirk doesn't stop walking as he turns to face Spock and give him a wink.
"Then don't. Just suck it up and deal with the fact that you are bonded to an illogical, albeit incredibly handsome, human."
Spock releases an exaggerated sigh, but ruins it by squeezing Jim's hand affectionately.
"It is a burden I am willing to endure."
"We are here today, not only to see the command of our flagship pass from one great man to another, but to also show the people of Starfleet and the Federation that not only do we acknowledge selfless acts of bravery, but that we also reward it."
Admiral Nogura stepped away from the podium with a box in his hand, and moves to stand in front of Kirk, who has been standing on the stage since the official transfer of command. He looks the picture of calm, but on the inside he is a nervous mess. He was not told their was going to be more to the ceremony until he had shown up and no one would give him any details. He was just waiting for the moment when Nogura explains that this was all a joke and that he actually getting sent to Rura Penthe for invading their universe.
Suddenly he is awash with feelings of calm that are not his own.
'They would do no such thing, James. They see you for who you truly are.. a good man.'
Before Jim can argue with him, Nogura voice brings him back to the situation at hand. The box he is holding is now open and Jim can see an award nestled in the velvet. He doesn't recognise it.
"James T. Kirk, you were not born into this universe and yet you walked into almost certain death to secure the safety of the Enterpriseand the entire Federation. Most men in your situation would not have acted the way you did. You are an example to all that do and will wear the Starfleet uniform. You will lead us into a brighter future. You are the very epitome of what it means to be a hero."
Jim can feel Spock's smugness through their link and can almost hear the 'I told you so' in his mind.
"The Admiralty felt that no award that currently exist would fully show how appreciative we are of your actions, so we decided to create a new one for the occasion."
The hall explodes with chatter and Jim chances a glance over Nogura's shoulder towards the front row. McCoy, Uhura, Scotty, Sulu, Chekov and Gaila are chattering excitedly amongst themselves, obviously surprised by this turn of events. Spock, Pike and Amanda, on the other hand, are sitting in their seats quietly with identical expressions of pride.
Admiral Nogura calls for silence and when the noise dies down, he reaches into the box and takes out the medal.
"I presents to you, Captain James T. Kirk, the Earth's champion award. Your actions protected the people of Earth and their allies, and by doing so you have kept our planet's memory alive."
The older man pins the a medal to Jim's dress tunic and then steps back. Everybody in the hall jumps to their feet in applause.
Kirk scans the crowd. His eyes travel over people he has known and who is just beginning to know
again. They are all smiling at him. Real smiles. Care and acceptance shining through their eyes. His focus does not linger on them for long though. The need to look upon Spock too strong. Once their eyes meet, something finally clicks within Jim.
There has been a feeling that has been bubbling inside of him since meeting Spock. He had assumed that it was love, but that doesn't seem quite right. The love is there. It is bright and hot and nearly all consuming. This other feeling is warm and more like a soft caress. Now it finally has a name. It is the feeling of finally being home.
/
There will be a short epilogue and then this will be finished (I should have it up in a week). I don't see myself writing a sequel, but never say never.