A/N: Hi, here is some more Kirk maneuvering :)

Beta-ed: Bride of Spock

Enjoy


Okay, maybe he has gone too far.

Maybe.

The talk with Bones didn't improve things for Kirk. In fact, it may have just irreparably sent things further down the line. For a while Kirk will think of him as responsible for the course of his actions. He had no justification to talk so freely about Mr Spock's groin, or possible lack of any. Jim didn't really think about it before. It was a simple and somewhat innocent game, but now it made a dangerous turn towards more concrete curiosity. Jim just had to find out - is there, or isn't there possibility for that act between human and Vulcan, or was it all science?

It was really disappointing to think the latter because he was the man who liked to have his options open. Not that he really thought there could be something concrete between him and Spock, but he just didn't like that option to be completely closed. It was too final, and he was bad at taking unsolvable tests, it was likely he would cheat to win rather than to give up. It was better if he thought that there is a solution, then his mind wouldn't get so obsessed with finding a solution.

He took it upon himself to find out whether there is or isn't there anything active about his Vulcan's groin. Records didn't help at all, not that he'd expected them to. The Federation had a very...modest view in sharing information.

With diversity and the uncontrolled nature of information in previous decades of human development space exploration showed how harmful vast diversity of information can be. Things that other species consider offensive are bottomless, one shoot of bikini on the beach banned them form ever visiting Sergo 4 for an unspecified amount of time. The same went for food, gestures and behaviour. It was better not to go into cultural convictions. The other part of the problem was the wave of information that aliens received before any real contact with humans. It was unpredictable what they would be able to decipher. That resulted in some awkward and spectacularly wrong welcome boards. The thing with torturing chambers on Prime 6 was one of the more colourful ones. They understood few crimes shows too literally, thinking it was preference among Humans.

That resulted in design of new transmitters that were coded on private frequencies and adjusted to personal profile that no one could see; as the official record went, they were very vague and without anything that could offend anybody; just plain information. Information about alien species didn't pry into affairs that said species weren't ready to disclose. In the case of the Vulcans, physical aspects were so few that they made problems for the doctor, and matters of reproduction were out of bounds.

That left Kirk with only practical options to rely on. The tricky part was to do it without being exposed, because that would be one huge offensive gesture towards Spock, and might set their relationship back. Sure he could just ask, maybe he would be met with the usual Vulcan dry response, but Kirk had a feeling that this issue wouldn't be as easy for Spock as an innocent question about green blood. It was during one of the first missions when green liquid covered the corridor. Spock didn't disclose with the doctor that he was injured. Later he explained himself easily stating that he had all the help needed in his quarters and delaying it would have severe consequences.

Making him strip down, as much that sounded appealing and satisfying for his curiosity, was out of the question. It was only one time he even saw him in short sleeves, and even that had proved to be a captivating sight. Modesty did wonders for the senses.

All that was left after these options was feeling him out. He couldn't just reach out and grab him by his groin, although it would be a hilarious sight. No, he'll just have to bump into him in the right angle. Like with hand grabbing, fighting gave them enough options for that kind of accident.

It took several pretty strong colliding to get the right angle. First time he came close in lining up in right area it seemed flat and unmoved. That was unnerving. Finally he got a perfect opportunity for closer examination. That was not case of bumping into, that was a bad plan anyway, and the touch would be too random and short, nothing decisive.

But luck served the good captain, as it often does, in an albeit dangerous and uncomfortable way. He and Spock were separated from the landing party, serving Spock's curiosity, and were attacked by natives with masses of indigo fur. They seemed to find their lack of hair offensive. Not wanting to start a war with a accomplished new culture that was warp capable, they withdrew into a narrow path of steep cliffs and soon their persuaders couldn't get in. But this meant the captain and his first had to squeeze in together. Kirk, doing some quick thinking, manoeuvred himself into the right position for his inquiry, choosing not to expose himself to embarrassment. He aligned his back against Spock's front and the narrow path served him well, pressing them firmly together.

"Captain, we could have gone in one after the other. Now we are stuck," Spock pointed out into his ear. Unseen, Kirk grinned.

"No, we're covered by this ledge; their lasers could reach us just an inch forward."

"Not an inch, more a reach of the hand. Because of the curve of the path it is hard to determine exactly. Also, we are unfamiliar with their type of weapon," Spock argued calmly. Kirk felt light and cheerful: his investigation had gone well and given results. There was definitely something down there. It was time to go home.

"Scotty, two to beam up, a bit crowded down here," he said into the communicator.

"You don' say, sir," Scotty replied. "Th' others are under heavy fire, should ah get you firs'?"

"No, we're fine for now," Kirk replied, perfectly comfortable standing close to Spock for as long as possible. "Get the others first, we'll wait."

After he closed his communicator there was a silence. He could feel Spock's hot breath on his neck. He told himself to keep a calm posture and not to further lean into Spock, but soon his mantra became hard to follow.

"Scotty, what is with that transporter?" he barked into the com, feeling that he was at the verge of snapping into action, but he wasn't sure. Would he run out with his phaser, shooting his way out, or would he back up, crashing Spock into a cave wall?

"Sorry Captain, but it's hard to align the transporter to your location. Your signals are intertwined, and on top of that there is a rock formation that makes signal weak." Scotty was upset at disclosing the brief failure of his beloved technology.

"We are in the canyon," admitted Kirk. "Should we get out, would that improve the signal? Some locals are waiting for us there, though, and I doubt they'll be pleased to see us."

"No Captain." Scotty was offended. "Ah'll fix it in a minute, could you just stand a bit longer?"

"No problem Scotty, but hurry, it's getting hot in here," Kirk said with a smile.

"Aye sir."

"The temperature is usual for human beings," Spock said, confused. Kirk didn't have to turn around to see the slight frown on his face. "I find it quite chilled."

"Maybe I should check on our friends out there. Perhaps they tire easily."

He wiggled out of Spock's touch, it was unnecessary now when he knew that there isn't a wall there, just a regular lock that could be picked. He moved an inch forward and was rewarded by a wall of indigo fur on the far end. Phaser fire burned the rock in front of him and he dived backwards into Spock's arms. Spock pulled him hard against his waist and they stood there in silence while Kirk evened out his breath.

"Our welcoming committee is persistent in making us feel well received," he said trying to straighten up, but Spock's firm hand held him in place.

"No Captain," he said in a low voice. "Your estimation was correct, it was just an inch away, and this was close." Kirk nodded and leaned into his touch, Spock holding him up.

"You could just stand here for hours, couldn't you?" Kirk said after a moment.

"Affirmative." Spock nodded his head in his familiar way. The simple gesture caused his head to brush against Kirk's. This was a bad idea, Kirk thought, and now he was paying for his curiosity - he was on the verge of starting to rub against the unsuspecting Vulcan.

"Captain, we're ready, but ah can only take you one at a time," Scotty mercifully sounded on the communicator. Universe still loved this little Captain.

"That's fine. Take Spock first, just give us a second," he answered, relieved.

"It would be more logical if you went first, Captain. I am better concealed than you." Spock said.

"Exactly, my teleportation beam would be seen and they might try to crush the rock to get to you, so let me to use that inch now." He straightened himself up. Spock seemed to hesitate for a split second before releasing him, but Kirk attributed it to his worry about the shooter outside.

When there was an inch between them Kirk could feel the chill that Spock had mentioned.

"One to beam up," Spock said into his communicator and after a second, Kirk could lean back on the empty rock.

"Captain?"

"Give me a second," Kirk answered and took a few breaths, composing himself. Separate beaming was a blessing. Showing up entangled and flustered wouldn't be his best moment.

"Beam me up Scotty," he said eventually.

When he reached the transporter room he was greeted with a raised Vulcan eyebrow.

"Everything in order Captain?" Spock said, looking him up and down.

"I didn't peek out, if that's what you mean. The air was fresh there, I took a few more breaths," he said, descending from the transporter pad. "Everyone alright?"

"Everyone on board," said Scotty proudly.

"Mr Spock, you look puzzled," he turned toward his Vulcan who looked as he was solving a troubling problem.

"How can one place be at the same time hot and cool?" He tilted his head, obviously puzzled and Kirk chuckled.

He looked at an interested Scotty.

"Well it's a matter of placement, when you left the fresh air came through the other end," Kirk answered seriously, admiring his own ability to make up a lie on the spot. One look at a skeptical Scotty's face said he wasn't as good as he thought, but for a Vulcan his skills would do.


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