Disclaimer: I don't own anything Star Trek it is all property of Gene Roddenberry, J.J. Abrams, Paramount, and whoever else owns rights to the franchise. I am not making any profits off of this so please don't sue me.

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Chapter 27

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" Have you regained your composure Young One?" Spock Prime asked quietly as he sat across from his younger self on one of the plush sofas in his living room.

" Y-Yes Elder, I am adequately composed." Spock replied, his eyes now only slightly irritated from the tears that he had shed earlier. Now though, the younger Vulcan male's usually pale face had a pronounced emerald flush to it. The sign of just how utterly embarrassed he was at his uncharacteristic loss of Vulcan decorum.

" Please excuse me for my emotional outburst, it was most unbecoming of me." Spock said, not meeting Prime's weathered gaze.

" There is no need for you to make such apologies Young One." Prime said before he allowed the barest hint of a smile to curve the corner of his lips while his eyes exuded silent warmth as he continued. " We are within the walls of my private residence, and I most certainly am not going to pass judgement on you for not keeping proper stoicism. That in and of itself would be, highly illogical, if I were even to attempt to do such a thing."

Spock felt some of the mortification he was feeling ebb away at the elder's words of reassurance. With a small sigh, Spock finally looked up to meet the weathered gaze of his older self and spoke.

" I may have earned Jim's forgiveness, but there is still much forgiveness I must earn, both from my father, and from you." He said softly.

" Indeed, it does seem like a tall order." Prime said with a nod before continuing. " But if you could earn the forgiveness of Jim, the one who you so grievously wronged, then there truly is nothing barring you from redeeming yourself in both my eyes, and those of our father Spock."

Spock contemplated the elder's words before he nodded in acceptance. It was then that Spock Prime slowly reached out and gently gripped his younger self's shoulder as he spoke.

" In regards to matters of forgiveness, it is one thing for you to earn the forgiveness of the one you wronged, but it is an entirely different matter when it comes to forgiving yourself. It is quite clear to me that you have not yet done this Young One."

Prime felt Spock stiffen under his hand, his dark eyes slightly wide with veiled anguish as the color completely drained out of his face. Then in one fluid motion, Spock was on his feet with his back to the elder Vulcan as he spoke.

" I have not done this." He said lowly before he turned to face his older self with a tortured gleam in his dark eyes. " I will never be able to do this."

" I do not believe this to be so Young One." Elder Selik said sagely as he rose to his feet and took a step towards his younger self.

" Then respectfully I must say that your belief is misguided Elder." Spock countered with soft vehemence.

Spock nodded, holding back a sad smile at his younger self's stubbornness as he spoke.

" I can see that you wish to hold on to your guilt and your shame, but I do not believe this to be a wise decision on your part." He said.

" So am I suppose to simple sweep my guilt and my shame aside and put up the facade on being completely fine, is that what you are suggesting?" Spock challenged with a slight raise of one elegant eye brow.

" Not by any means am I suggesting this Young One." Selik replied as he sent Spock an intense look that had the younger Vulcan almost visibly squirming where he stood. Then with a small breath, Selik continued.

" What I am attempting to make you understand Spock, is that while it is clear to me that Jim is well on his way to healing from everything that he has lived through, you have yet to fully reconcile yourself with what happened."

To these, Spock looked away as he spoke.

" To reconcile with what I did to Jim is impossible elder." He said flatly.

" It is my opinion that reconciling yourself is feasible with a great amount of difficultly, not impossible." Selik countered as he reached out and gently tapped Spock under his chin to get the younger Vulcan to look back up at him.

The sadness that radiated openly in the dark eyes that were so very much like his own when they met his weathers gaze had Elder Selik's heart clenching despite himself. For a long moment the two Spock's simply gazed at one another before the younger Spock finally broke the silence.

" How do I even begin to do as you have advised elder?" He said softly.

" Forgive yourself Young One, you know that you made a grievous error in judgement and harmed the one you love, but you must move past that. Never forget the part you played in Jim's misery, but do not allow it to own your life, and Jim's for even a moment longer. For the most part, you have been doing quite adequately in rebuilding your relationship with Jim, but you cannot get any further in mending things with him until you have mended that which you broke within yourself." Selik answered with warmth in his weathered eyes and conviction behind his words.

Spock let out a shaky breath, but managed to keep his composure otherwise as he slowly nodded his head in acceptance of the Elder's words. Selik allowed himself a small, sad smile before he nodded as well and spoke.

" Forgive thyself, and keep loving Jim with the same kind of purity that he loves thee with Spock. The rest, I am sure, will work itself out." He said sagely as he reached out and firmly grasped Spock's shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze before he let go.

After a long pause, Spock spoke.

" I shall endeavor to do as you have advised Elder, and I am most grateful to have received your wisdom." He said quietly, and if his voice was just a little raspy, Elder Selik made no comment on the matter.

" Thanks are not necessary Young One, for despite how angry I still am at you for your foolishness, I still desire only the best for you, and for Jim." Elder Selik said, clearly meaning every word.

" I-I thank thee." Spock whispered, his throat having constricted painfully upon hearing the elder's words.

" You are welcome Young One, and know that just as you are able to go to our father for his council, you may always come to me for mine if you feel that you require it." Elder Selik said quietly, with warmth, and a hint of sadness swirling within the dark coffee colored depths of his weathered eyes.

" I am truly grateful Elder." Spock whispered.

Selik nodded before he spoke.

" The hour is fast becoming late Young One, you should go now back to our father's house, I am sure that both he and Jim are wondering why you have not yet returned to them." He said.

" Yes, I should head back." Spock agreed and turned to leave, but paused and looked over his shoulder back at Prime as he spoke.

" I shall endeavor to do as you have advised me elder, and I shall be sure to bring Jim here to your residence for that evening meal you proposed earlier this evening."

" I shall look forward to that evening." Selik said with a barely there smile before he continued. " Now I have held you here for long enough, I wish you a safe journey back to Sarek's residence."

The pair walked together to the front door of Selik's house and paused in the doorway as Spock spoke.

" Peace and long life Elder." Spock said as he held up his hand in the Vulcan salute.

" Live long and prosper Young One." Selik replied, raising his own hand.

Then with a final nod, Spock walked out the door of Selik's house into the New Vulcan air and proceed to where his father's hover-car was parked and waiting.

Selik watched on from where he stood as his younger self activated the hover-car and climbed in. The elder watched until Spock had backed the car out of the drive-way area and cruised away down the street back towards home. Selik watched until the hover-car had completely passed from his line of sight.

Though his heart still ached for both Jim and his younger self, Spock Prime also felt the warmth of hope slowly rising up with each beat. However illogical his fellow Vulcans would have found this, Spock Prime cared not at all, for it was his feeling that despite everything that had been revealed to him regarding Jim and the younger Spock, the elder was truly confident that at the end of it all, Jim and Spock were going to be alright, perhaps even better than how they were before everything that happened.

With this in mind, Spock Prime headed back inside his house. It had been quite an eventful night, which naturally meant that there was a great deal for the Elder to meditate on before he turned in for some much needed rest.

Meanwhile, back at Sarek's house...

Sarek paused in setting his now empty cup of Vulcan tea down on the coffee table when his eyes caught sight of Jim. The two of them were currently sitting inside the living room area of Sarek's house, each having been serve a cup of freshly brewed Vulcan tea several minutes earlier. However, Sarek seemed to be the only one to have partaken in actually drinking his tea. From where he sat in a plush chair, Sarek silently eyed his young human guest who was currently seated on the sofa that was directly adjacent to Sarek's chair. Jim sat with the tea cup in one hand and the saucer in the other, but his gaze was focused solely on the front door that stood just a few feet away.

Instantly putting two and two together, Sarek leaned back a little in his chair and spoke.

" I believe your tea has grown cold James." Sarek said quietly, watching as Jim gave a small start and quickly turned his attention to Spock's father.

It took Jim a second to grasp what Sarek was talking about, but in an instant the young man was looking down at the cup of now luke warm tea he was holding.

" Oh crap, sorry." Jim said quickly as he set the saucer down on the table and then placed the cup of untouched tea down on it. He looked back up to give Sarek an sheepish and apologetic look as he spoke.

" I'm sorry, I didn't mean any disrespect by wasting a perfectly good cup of tea, I just..." Jim trailed off from his rambling as he felt his face heat up in embarrassment.

From where he sat, Sarek was silently amused by what had been unfolding before him, for he had never thought the famed Captain of the Enterprise could become so flustered. In all honesty, Sarek could not help but find this new found facet of Jim to be quite endearing, though, he would be caught dead before he would ever say it out loud.

" Be at ease James, it is illogical to apologize for something a trivial as not drinking a cup of tea before it becomes cold." Sarek said with as much assurance as he could give, what with his Vulcan neutrality and all.

Sarek watched with mild curiosity as his words seemed only to embarrass Jim further as the color rose in his already tinted cheeks and he ducked his head, a small, sheepish smile across his lips. After a moment Jim composed himself and looked back up to meet Sarek's gaze as he spoke.

" I am human, therefore I will undoubtedly do illogical things sir." He said with a hint of the famous Kirk brashness.

" Indeed that is true, I merely meant that you needn't apologize for it." Sarek replied.

" Thank you for that, and for the cup of tea." Jim said with a warm smile before he eyes glanced yet again at the door.

This subtle act did not go unnoticed by Sarek.

" You need not worry James, my son should arrive at any moment." Sarek assured.

Jim nodded and leaned back in his seat before he gave a light shake of his head as he spoke.

" I just hope Elder Selik has left him in one piece."He sighed.

" Why do you say this James?"Sarek asked with a small quirk of his brow.

" Well." Jim began, pausing for a moment as a shadow cross his face before he steadied himself and continued. " I told Selik about everything that happened to me, and naturally he wasn't exactly thrilled about finding out about the part Spock played in that whole nightmare."

" He was displeased?" Sarek asked.

" He was pissed as Hell." Jim replied softly.

Sarek took a moment to digest Jim's words before he nodded and spoke.

" Be that as it may, it is my belief that regardless of how 'pissed' as you have put it, that Elder Selik is at my son, I doubt the elder will resort to any kind of physical dismemberment as a means of seeking retribution on your behave James. Elder Selik is a Vulcan after all, and if there is one thing a Vulcan is good at besides having superior discipline in logic, it is the use of words to cut any opponent down. I am quite sure that Elder Selik will have employed this skill on Spock once they reached the elder's residence, and this is why it is taking so long for Spock to return." He said with a knowing tone.

" But I have no doubt that Spock shall return here fully intact, or in one piece as you put it." Sarek added deadpanned.

Jim blinked owlishly for a moment, there was complete silence and then before he could stop himself, Jim was dissolving into hearty laughter. Sarek watched on, utterly perplexed, but definitely not displeased that he had caused his young guest to forget his earlier anxiety and so openly display his mirth. Sarek could not help but finding it oddly refreshing. Sarek could also not help but notice that he preferred Jim this way, with a smile on his face rather than a worried frown.

"Who said Vulcans totally lack the ability to be humorous?"Sarek thought to himself as he waited for Jim to sober.

It was a good few minutes before Jim finally regained his composure, and after explaining why he had laughed so hard in the first place to Sarek, the pair entered a quiet conversation, in which Jim regaled Sarek with a few stories about some away missions in space that didn't go quite according to plan. He also recounted to Sarek of the two warring clans and the unusual but highly effective solution he had come up with to finally bring them to lasting peace. Although he was sure that there would most likely be a few harmless spats between the now in-laws. Jim and Sarek were carrying on in there conversation when the front door to Sarek's residence slid open with a soft hiss, the pointy-eared individual they had both been waiting for up until that point finally making his appearance across the threshold.

" Spock." Jim said as he swiftly rose from his seat and eagerly made his way across to where Spock was standing in the foyer, Sarek following in his wake.

Jim stopped himself just short of pouncing on Spock, keeping in mind that it probably wasn't a good idea what with Sarek being present and all. Perhaps when they were in the privacy of their quarters, and if Spock would allowed it, Jim could shower Spock with open affection to his heart's content.

Instead, Jim spoke.

" Did everything go alright Spock?" Jim asked, eager for some details. " You were gone for a while."

" Forgive me for my delay Jim, Father." Spock said as he looked from Jim to Sarek before he proceed to explain.

" When Elder Selik and I reached his residence, he... asked me inside because he wished to speak to me about certain matters. We partook in a very in-depth discussion, which was the cause for my delay in returning."

" I trust that this discussion was enlightening for you, my son?" Sarek asked with a veiled look of knowing.

" Indeed, it was very enlightening, such in the wisdom and skill of the elder." Spock replied with a small nod as he met his father's gaze unflinchingly.

Father and son stared at each other for a beat before Sarek blinked and nodded in what seemed like acceptance before he spoke.

" Very well my son." He said before his eyes when to the chronometer that was situated on a far wall and continued.

" Though I am curious about your conversation with Elder Selik, it can wait until morning. As of now the hour is growing late, and I am sure that this particular even, though pleasant, was also somewhat difficult." Sarek said while his eyes fell of Jim, who sent him a wan smile, before he looked back to Spock and continued.

" I shall therefore leave you both and retire for the evening." He said before he pinned Spock with a look. " There is a great deal I wish to meditate over."

" I bid you farewell for this evening James." Sarek said to Jim.

" Thank you Sir, and good night." Jim replied with a smile.

Sarek then turned to his son.

" Farewell for this evening my son." He said. " I shall speak with you come morning."

" Farewell to you as well father, I shall greet you in the morning as you desire." Spock said neutrally.

Sarek gave a final nod before he gracefully turned and walked away down the hallway towards his quarters, leaving Jim and Spock in his wake.

Spock quickly turned his attention to Jim.

" Shall we retire to our quarters Jim?" He asked.

" Yeah, it is getting late." Jim replied with a nod as he and Spock began walking down the opposite hallway from the one Sarek had taken.

The pair walked in relative silence, but there was a definite charge in the air between them. It left Jim wondering what would happen once they would reach there quarter within Sarek's house, and the privacy it would afford them. As they walked, Jim and Spock kept subtly stealing glances at each other. Jim's curiosity was definitely peaked because Spock and Elder Selik had had a long talk, and Jim was more than certain that the topic of their conversation had been about what had happened with It'Vek and the part Spock had played in that giant mess.

But as he and Spock neared the arched door to their lodgings, Jim promised himself that, even though he wanted to know details, he was not going to try and pry it out of Spock. Jim was willing to take anything Spock was willing to share.

" After you." Spock said once he had reached the door and pressed the button to open it.

" Thanks." Jim said lightly as he stepped through, Spock following in his wake.

No sooner had the door shut behind them, Spock immediately employed his Vulcan speed. Jim had just started turning around with the intention of asking Spock if he wanted to turn in or if he wanted to talk, when he suddenly found himself wrapped in an almost crushing embrace.

" Wha-Spock?" Jim asked as he instinctively reached up and wrapped his arms around Spock.

Jim felt a jolt go through him when it realized that Spock was lightly trembling beneath the hands he had splayed over the Vulcan's tunic-covered back. Though he was deeply alarmed at this point, Jim tightened his hold around Spock and spoke.

" Spock, what is it? What's wrong?" He asked. " Please tell me."

At first there was only silence, and then Jim felt Spock take in an audibly shaky breath and speak.

" It seems that at this moment, I am emotionally compromised." He said, his voice quiet and with the barest hint of a tremor instead of what was usually a strong baritone.

" Was it something Elder Selik said?" Jim asked, one of his hands unconsciously stroking across Spock's shoulder in an effort to alleviate the faint tremor that was still wracking through Spock's being.

After another beat, Jim felt Spock nod lightly against his shoulder before he spoke.

" Yes, my current emotional state does stem from the conversation I had with the Elder at his residence ten point eight minutes earlier." Spock answered.

" He's really angry with you." Jim said knowingly.

" Indeed he is, but it is not as though I do not deserve as such from him." Spock replied before he let out another shaky breath and continued. " However, it is not because of Selik's words of anger that I am in my current emotional state, it is because of what he spoke to me about afterwards, after he had finished verbally castigating me for my foolishness."

" What did he say to you Spock?" Jim asked instantly.

To this, Jim felt Spock shake his head against his shoulder as he spoke.

" Forgive me Jim, though I do wish to tell you what you want to know, I feel that at this time I cannot do so without running the risk of causing myself to become further emotionally compromised." Spock said, with great difficulty, for Jim could hear the strain in the Vulcan's voice.

Forcing himself to calm his own thundering heart, Jim took a deep breath and tightened his already vice-like hold around Spock and spoke.

" It's okay Spock, you can tell me when you feel you're ready, I'm not going anywhere." Jim said, his voice just a few octaves above a whisper.

Jim then turned his face so that his lips were right by Spock's delicately pointed ear as he spoke.

" What do you need Spock?" He whispered. " Tell me what you need from me, I'll do it."

At these words, Spock slowly drew back a little from from Jim, although he still kept his firm hold around the human. Dark, black-coffee colored eyes swirling with a myriad of powerful emotions stared into pale, ice-blue eyes filled with earnest concern and many questions. After another beat with Jim and Spock simply holing each others' gaze unflinchingly, Spock finally spoke.

" I need you to stay with me Jim." He said softly before he leaned in and gently pressed his forehead to Jim's and continued. " Can you stay with me like this? Just for a few moments, can we stay as we are right now?"

In that moment, Jim felt his eyes starting to burn and his throat constricting painfully as many emotions rose up inside him all at once. In that moment, Jim could see a side of Spock that nearly no one else ever saw, he saw Spock's vulnerability and need to just be close to the person he loved. In that moment he saw Spock's humanity, and it made Jim's heart both swell and bleed. Letting out a shaking breath of his own, Jim swallowed painfully and spoke.

" Y-Yeah Spock, we can do that." Jim whispered as a slightly watery smile spread across his face.

" We can stay this way as long as you want." He added.

At this, Spock seemed to almost give a small, suspiciously relieved sounding sigh before he promptly buried his face into the junction where Jim's neck met his shoulder. Jim in turned melted fully into Spock's embrace, knowing that Spock needed him, and that maybe he needed Spock too right now.

And so, the two stood in this embrace, for a very long time after their words had ceased.