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.
Chapter 36
" Ow! Jeeze Bones, not so hard!"
Jim hissed as he reached up and rubbed at the sore spot on the side of his neck where his best friend and doctor had just administered a hypo-spray.
" Quit your whining, I just injected you with a new and improved Tri-Ox formula I came up with." Dr. Leonard McCoy grumbled as he put away his trusting injecting device back into his kit.
" You'll thank me when you find yourself not passing out when you exchange your vows with the hobgoblin."
At this Jim let out a happy laugh despite the nervousness coiling inside his stomach.
Today was the day. He and Spock were finally bonding as mates. Jim could scarcely believe it was happening, that by the end of it Spock would officially be his husband, and he Spock's.
Jim and Bones were currently in Jim's bedroom area in Sarek's guest quarters. They had just finished up breakfast, where Spock had been tellingly absent, the custom being that the intendeds would have to remain separated until the time of the ceremony.
Spock had gone to stay the couple of nights at Elder Selik's house. To say that it had been tough on both of them had been an understatement, especially after that night that they had spent together reclaiming their intimacy and banishing It-Vek's lingering hold on Jim once and for all.
Sure, they had seen each other and talked through the Comm-link terminals, but that had not been enough in the least. Jim had additionally insisted that Spock take Khiori with him since it would only be for a little while. Khiori had not been please with being separated from Jim, but the little while Sehlat cub seemed to understand that it would only be for a little while. The little walrus-bear had seemed to want to climb right through the screen of the terminal whenever Jim and Spock would call each other.
Now was the day the forced separation would end.
" Jeeze kid, are you gonna have the gooey expression on your face all day or are you gonna be coherent enough to get ready?" Bones asked in mock disgust, effectively pulling Jim out of his musings.
Jim just snorted before he let this mega-watt grin spread across his face as he pounced on Bones, wrapping his arms around the good doctor in a rib-bending hug.
" Thanks for being here Bones." He said softly against the older man's shoulder.
" I'd be a pretty crummy brother if I wasn't." Bones said simply as he squeezed Jim back.
Jim had to close his eyes for a moment at these words, and if Bones himself let out a shaky breath well, there was no one else in the room as of yet to witness it. They broke apart several long moments later and then went back to ribbing each other for being such saps.
They made their way out of Jim's sleeping area into the living room area. The furniture had been moved back towards the walls to make more room, because in a little while it was bound to be flurrying with activity.
As Jim and Bones took a seat on one of the sofas by the wall, the door to the guest room suddenly slid open with a soft chime. Jim's face broke out into a full grin when his bright blue eyes fell on just who it was that stepped over the threshold into the room.
With a simple metal cain in his hand and a light limp, the two signs of the ordeal he had endured at the hands of a crazy, vengeful Romulan from a whole other time-line, Admiral Christopher Pike made his way into the guest room.
" Hey kid." Pike said with a warm smile on his face.
" Morning Chris." Jim said as he and Bones rose to their feet and made their way over to the senior Star Fleet officer. The Admiral had arrived the day before, much to the open delight of Jim, and Spock as well, although he had kept his Vulcan reserve when he and Jim had gone to pick the Admiral up from the space port. Jim and Bones both shook hands with the admiral before they all but herded him towards the sofa they had just been occupying. Pike grumbled at this, but inwardly smiled at the way the youngsters were trying to subtly take care of him. Once he had taken his seat and gotten comfortable, Chris turned his blue eyes up to Jim and spoke.
" Nervous?" He asked with a quirk of his brow.
" A little, Bones here took care of the risk of me passing out due to the heat but I still gotta face Elder T'Pau. From what I've heard from Spock and Sarek, she's not someone you wanna offend." Chris gave Jim a knowing nod.
" Oh I can attest to that, but I'm sure you'll manage to wiggle you way into even her heart." Though this was said with an air of teasing, and Bones did snort, Jim could see that behind the lightness, Chris was completely serious regarding him and Elder T'Pau.
It made Jim feel even more glad than ever that Chris was here on this special day. Just as Jim was about to voice his thoughts and his thanks, the door slid open again with a soft chime.
Over the threshold came the rest of the command crew, all noisy excitement and smiles. Scotty grinned as he held up a bottle of his best engine made moonshine, while the rest of the group had glasses in hand. Jim just laughed hard and happy as he was surrounded by his family, and they all shared a celebratory, except for Chekov who wasn't old enough, Bones going all parental on him. Pike himself commended Scotty on the surprisingly good alcohol, causing the Scotsmen to duck his head coyly at the praise from someone so high-ranking.
Jim had to hide his own blushing from the good-natured teasing he got from everyone, and also congratulations as well. If Uhura hugged him hard enough to make it feel like she was bending some of his bones out of alignment, well no one commented when he squeezed her back just as hard. And if a couple of the male members of the command crew looked a little misty-eyed as they had followed Uhura's example, well no one really commented on it.
" Thank you guys for being here, truly." Jim had said, meaning ever word.
" Anything for our captain." Sulu grinned.
" End friend." Chekov added with his signature thick accent, causing sounds of agreement all around.
Jim may or may not have had to swallow the sudden lump that had formed in his throat, before he declared that they should all have another round of Scotty's famous moonshine, this time telling Bones to ease up and let Chekov have at least a tiny sip, the kid was Russian after all. It was while they were enjoying this round that the door chirped again, signaling the arrival of yet another person. Everyone, still all smiles and excitement turned in time to see the door slide away with a soft hiss to reveal none other than Elder Selik, Spock Prime himself carrying a long and thin box in his hands.
" It appears the celebrations have commenced already, and before the actual event we have all gathered to celebrate has even taken place." Elder Selik had a warm glint in his weathered eyes as he set the box in his hands down on a nearby sofa and then joined the happy group in the center of the room. Already dressed in dark green Vulcan robes, the elderly Vulcan still cut a very regal figure as he made his way across the room.
Without any prompting, Scotty poured Elder Selik a shot of his famous moonshine. Selik gave a quirk of his slanted gray brow, Jim smiling at the expression and absolutely tickled inside that this was the same expression he would often see on his own Spock, the one he would be marrying today. Even with whole timelines and universe between, there were some things about Spock that remained thoroughly Spock regardless.
Jim grinned as he and the others watched Spock Prime accept the offered drink and toss it back with effortless ease. As he handed the glass back to an impressed Scotty, Elder Selik spoke.
" It is good to see that some things remain constant regardless of time and space. Your engine made alcohol is still quite enjoyable, though without much affect on Vulcans." Scotty just grinned.
" Well, at least ye tucked it in like a champ. By the way, wot's in that box ye came in with Elder?" All eyes turned curiously to said box before turning back to Elder Selik as he replied.
Elder Selik allowed a barely there quirk at the corner of his lip as he spoke.
" That Mr. Scott, is your Captain's wedding garments, a wedding that you are all meant to be in attendance for and due to take place in mere hours."
This caused everything to freeze for a moment as Elder Selik continued.
" And I might add, a wedding you all have yet to be ready for yourselves if your attire is anything to go by."
That seemed to snap everyone out of there collective impasse. In a mad scramble, everyone from Pike and Bones, down to Chekov hastily said their goodbyes to Jim with several hugs thrown in before they were all but dashing out of the room to get back o their own and get ready for the main event. This left a chuckling Jim with an mildly amused looking Elder Selik. Selik turned to Jim and spoke with warmth in his sagely eyes.
" Speaking of getting prepared, it is high time the other half of this bonding pair got dressed for the occasion as well." Jim ducked his head but grinned brightly before he nodded. Selik made his way back to the box and pulled off the lid, revealing cloth the color of sandy gold held within, the same color as Jim's Starfleet Uniform. Selik reached in and pulled out a garment that looked like a light, cream colored robe.
Selik then reached out and gently cupped the side of Jim's neck, Jim unconsciously leaning into the touch as the elder Vulcan spoke.
" Jim, Tal-Kam. It is traditionally the parents who help their children dress on the day they are to bond. While Sarek has gone to assist Spock, will you allow me the honor of doing the same for you?"
Jim felt his eyes sting and his throat close up as several powerful emotions rose up inside him and the elder's quiet request. Swallowing thickly, Jim managed to keep the tears at bay as he nodded his head rapidly and spoke.
" T-The honor would be mine. Shaya tonat." Selik simply nodded before he handed Jim the cream colored under garment.
Jim quickly ducked back into his bedroom to change into the under robe and also to wipe at the tears that had gathered in his eyes before he came back out and waited for Elder Selik to continue.
It was quiet, reverent after that, with Jim standing in the center of the room with Elder Selik gently and carefully garbing him in the marriage robes. While the garb was formal, the material was surprisingly light and allowed movement. There was a sort of intimacy to this as well, the Spock from another time and place dressing the Jim Kirk of this time, for his impending marriage to the Spock of this time as well.
Jim could feel nothing but love and nostalgia from Elder Selik as the weathered Vulcan made the final adjustment to Jim's collar and stood back. Jim looked breathtaking, the color of the robes, with Vulcan symbols painstakingly stitched with gold and silver thread along the hem and borders of the garment, and down the back of his right shoulder. It was simple and elegant, showcasing Jim in his handsomeness.
" So, am I presentable?" Jim asked jokingly, although inwardly he did feel a small spike of anxiety despite himself. He was getting married today after all, the last thing he wanted was to offend anyone, especially the Vulcan in-laws like T'Pau and Sarek.
With a mischievous glint behind the Vulcan control in his eyes, Selik gave Jim a once over and spoke.
" Let us hope my younger self shall be able to control himself once he catches sight of you." He said simply, to which Jim burst out laughing before he stepped forward and threw his arms around Selik, who easily returned the embrace.
" Thank you for being here." Jim said softly once his chuckles had subsided.
" I know it must be really hard."
Selik just gave Jim a light squeeze as he voiced his reassurance to the young man.
" I will admit, however illogical, I feel as if I am being buffeted by the echoes of a past life. But do not fret for I welcome it, for regardless of whatever time or space, you and the others from the Enterprise have, and always shall be the one family I have ever had. While I feel the absence of my Jim, my T'hy'la most keenly, I shall be witnessing the joining of T'hy'la in this plain of existence. I can admit to you that while there is sadness in my old heart, seeing you and Spock finally coming together as you are has pleased me so greatly as to eclipse the sadness."
Jim let out a shaky breath but otherwise remained moderately composed as he tightened his hold around Selik. After several long moments they finally drew away, Jim noting but not commenting on the slightly over-bright quality to Selik's eyes. They took a seat on a nearby sofa and started to talk quietly, Selik going over Jim's part in the ceremony, and reiterating that things would be somewhat relaxed since Spock's time had not come, which would have added the usual tension and urgency associated with the koon-ut-kal-if-fee.
A few minutes later the rest of the family returned to the room. Bones was grumbling as he pulled at the collar of the dark blue Vulcan tunic he was wearing, joining in the formalities seeing as to how he was Jim's best man. The rest of the command crew had opted to don their formal dress uniforms as a sign of respect to Jim as their Captain. Chris Pike was also in his formal white and gray dress uniform. Scotty caused a small chuckle from Jim seeing as to how the proud Scotsmen had also donned a traditional kilt along with his uniform. Of course, everyone gave Jim the thumbs up for his attire, loving the color and the details on it. With a laugh Jim spoke.
" Alright people, let's get this show on the road, cause there's this gorgeous Vulcan I gotta marry." Bones just rolled his eyes.
" Yer makin me gag here Jim." Jim just snorted.
" Oh shut it you bag of grump!"
With only laughs and smiles, Jim led the way out of the room and then the house to the waiting hover cars, everyone piling in and heading off towards the grand space where the ceremony would take place.
While Jim and his party were driving in from the outskirts of the main city, another hover car was heading out from Elder Selik's quiet residence, carrying two tall vulcan's and one very excited snow white sehlat cub.
Khiori trilled happily from where he sat in Spock's lap, his stump of a tail wagging as he gazed up at the Vulcan with his bright blue eyes. Spock gazed down at Khiori with his face as neutral as ever, but his dark eyes warm as he wrapped one of his hands loosely around Khiori's back to hold the baby steady, while in his other hand was a small black box. Khiori trilled happily and nuzzled at Spock's front, a simple collar with a small hook attached to it around his little neck. Spock was dressed in fine robes of dark cerulean blue, the same color as his duty uniform, with his silver IDIC pendant hand around his neck and glinting softly in the day light. Silver Vulcan symbols ran down the back of his right shoulder, and silver piping along the borders of the robes.
Sarek sat behind the wheel of the hover car, his eyes on the road as he navigated the streets. He was dressed in deep amber color robes that resembled Terran corduroy, with silver and red Vulcan symbols over the left shoulder, and a few Vulcan pins along the sleeve to show his rank as an Ambassador. Without taking his eyes off the road, Sarek simply spoke what was on his mind.
" She would have been most pleased on this day, as I am."
Spock felt several powerful emotions rise up inside him, knowing full well to whom his father was referring. They had both been keenly feeling Amanda's absence in the days leading up to this one. She truly would have been overjoyed on this day. Composing himself, Spock too kept his gaze forward as he spoke.
" I have still have you Sa-mekh, and for that I am most grateful."
Sarek was silent, but from the way his hands minutely tightened around the steering wheel, it was clear his son's words had moved him. Father and son did not utter another word after that, they didn't need to in order to understand that they were both very happy. They were Vulcans after all.
About half an our later...
Spock handed the small black box over to Sarek, who already had Khiori in his arms. They shared a wordless nod before they headed off to one of the special alcoves that was attached to the main ceremonial arena, Jim was no doubt secluded in the other alcove. They would have to wait just a little bit longer to finally see each other, but just for a little bit.
Then a loud gong sounded through the air, followed by the chime of many bells. In both alcoves everyone stood to attention. The command crew of the Enterprise lines up and walked out of the alcove, walking across the stone and waiting, seeing Sarek come out of the other alcove. They all paused on either side of a large, elegant stone archway that led to the main arena. The sound of the bells filled the air as a solemn third party came into view. Everyone bowed in respect as Elder T'Pau made her entrance.
She was tiny in stature, but severe and elegant, her hair done up in an intricate up-do of bun and braids. Her face was emotionless, her slanted brows still dark despite her age. Dressed in robes of silver and purple, she sat atop a chair held aloft on the shoulders of four sturdy looking Vulcan males all wearing black masks. In front and behind them were two other vulcan males, masked like their fellows and holding the ceremonial bell-shakers in their hands.
T'Pau merely glanced at the parties on both sides, her only acknowledgment before she regally proceeded through the archway into the arena. Another gong sounded in T'Pau's wake, and it was the command team's cue to proceed. In single file, with McCoy leading as he ranked the highest, the officers filed into the arena. They walked across the hard packed reddish sand aisle towards the center of the arena where a large circular stone dias was situated, surrounded by several torches. On this dias, Elder T'Pau sat in wait, her eyes cool and collected as she watched the command crew make there way down the aisle and then move to her left, coming to stand a few feet off to the side. On either side of the aisle, there were many Vulcans dressed formally sitting in attendance, no doubt colleagues and members of the House of Surak who had come to see the bonding.
Once the command team were clear another gong sounded and all eyes turned back to the archway. Spock came through with Sarek by his side, Khiori was no where to be seen. Father and son looked regal in their formal robes as they walked over the reddish sand, both with their faces carefully controlled and neutral as their discipline dictated. They made their way down the aisle and came to stand before the dias, bowing in respect to T'Pau, before they both stood up and held their right hands in the traditional Vulcan greeting.
" Peace and long life, matriarch of the house of Surak." They both said in near perfect sync. T'Pau in turn greeted them back.
" Live long and prosper." She said simply before she continued.
" Why come thee here before me on this day, Sarek Cha' Sovek?" The Vulcan Matriarch asked with all formality, her voice deep and thickly accented.
" I come before thee clan mother for my my son, S'chn T'gai Spock desires to enter the bonds of marriage on this day." Sarek answered just as formally.
T'Pau's face remained as neutral as ever as she turned her dark eyes to Spock.
" S'chn T'gai Spock, thee stands before me ready and willing to enter into the bonds of marriage. Know that once these bonds have been entered into, they are for life and shall not be easily discarded."
" I understand fully clan mother, and shall treat such bonds only with honor and respect." T'Pau gave a blink of acknowledgement.
" Then name thy intended mate." Spock stood up straighter, if that was even possible, and spoke loudly for all to hear.
" I name James Tiberius Kirk as my intended mate." No sooner had these words left Spock's mouth, the gong sounded and all eyes turned to the archway to behold the other half of this couple.
Spock had to restrain himself from whirling around too quickly, instead turning slowly and keeping his eagerness in check. When his eyes fell on the stone archway, Spock felt his Vulcan heart do something completely illogical from it's place in his side.
It skipped a beat.
To say that Jim looked absolutely resplendent would not have done the human justice. Spock could not find the proper words to describe the emotions that seeing Jim, dressed in gold robes, with the light of the sun softly reflecting off on his blond hair, and his crystalline blue eyes focused solely on him as he walked down the aisle with Christopher Pike beside him. Had he been human, Spock was sure that he would not have been able to contain his joy, but seeing as to how he was in the presence of his clan mother, his father, the command crew, and several prominent Vulcan officials, Spock restrained himself. However, there was a barely there sheen to his dark eyes that he simply couldn't shake as he gazed at his T'hy'la walking towards him.
Time seemed to slow, feeling like ages passed as Jim and Chris made their way down the aisle. Then it seemed to speed up as Jim and Pike finally reached the dias and bowed before T'Pau. Spock and Sarek stood a little to the side and watched on as Jim and Chris straightened and then greeted T'Pau with the Ta'al.
" Peace and Long life clan mother T'Pau." They both said. T'Pau raised her hand in greeting as well and greeted them back before she turned her attention to Jim.
" James Tiberius Kirk, thee has been named as intended bond mate of S'chn T'gai Spock, does thou accept his intention?" She asked.
" Ha Maat Ko-mekh, I accept." Jim said, addressing T'Pau in Vulcan.
T'Pau tilted her head at that, and her expression seemed to soften for a split second before smoothing out, or Jim was just seeing things due to the nerves. Anyway, T'Pau then turned to Chris.
" Does thee have any objections to this bonding as the parent of James Tiberius Kirk?" Chris just sent Jim and Spock a small smile as he shook his head.
" No Clan Mother, I have no objections." Jim felt his throat tighten up a bit at that but quickly swallowed it back as T'Pau then addressed the rest of the arena.
" Is there any who would voice objection to this bonding?" She asked, receiving only hallowed silence, and maybe some stifled chuckles from Bones and the rest of the command crew. T'Pau was satisfied by the silence as she turned her eyes to Jim and Spock.
" Kneel before me and lend me thy minds."
Obeying immediately, Jim and Spock stepped forward, coming to stand side by side as they each took a knee before the petite yet formidable clan mother. T'Pau's weathered hands reached out to each of them, Jim with her right and Spock with her left, her fingertips touching the psi-points to initiate the mind-meld between the three of them.
The rest of the world faded away, and for a split-second everything was completely blank in Jim's mind. Then, like a spark going off everything seemed to explode like a super nova, brilliant light dancing across Jim's vision behind his closed eyes.
It was like he was flying through space at warp speed, but in an instant it all stopped and everything stilled, even the etherial vision of the cosmos that surrounded Jim. Then T'Pau's accented voice sounded from somewhere up above, echoing as if she were very far away.
" James Tiberius Kirk, thou hast chosen to bind thyself to S'chn T'gai Spock for all time, look to thy left hand." Came her disembodied order. Jim immediately did as he was told and to his astonishment found his left hand holding a thin thread that seemed to be glowing with golden light. As he stared at the glowing thread, Jim suddenly felt this strange pull from it that compelled his "feet" to begin moving forward.
" Let the beginnings of the bind guide thee, through past experience, through all past trials and tribulations." T'Pau's voice sounded from above.
As he walked, seemingly along an invisible bridge over the beautiful cosmos beneath him, Jim looked around and felt his heart jolt as the scenery shifted and morphed into images of a different sort, memories of when he and Spock first met at the disciplinary hearing regarding the Kobayashi-Maru. And then the Narada Incident followed, showing how they had first come together as friends. As he walked, Jim realized that he would have to see everything that had happened in his relationship, both the good and the bad.
The pull on the thread in his hand intensified as he continued onward, walking past the images of him and Spock as they had first embarked on a romantic relationship, those first ten months where they had learned many things about each other, had made love for the first time, and become close. But as the images began to pass and shift, Jim felt his insides grow cold as he realized the events he would have to relive now, the storm that came after the ten months of happiness.
Jim gritted his teeth as he felt his eyes burn with tears of distress. While he was mercifully spared from having to relive his rape at the hands of It'Vek, his heart still felt like it was rent in half as he was surrounded by images of how everything between him and Spock was shattered and he was left alone. Jim let out a sob he could not stifle as he saw the confrontation with It'Vek, how Lt. Mirna Bansali had intervened and saved his life, and him waking up in sickbay hurt and furious at Spock and Bones, the walls that had gone up that day between him and his love, between him and his family.
Jim barely bit back the gut-wrenching sob that threatened to shake his whole body, instead he took a deep breath, steadied himself and then kept moving forward, looking ahead and letting the tug of the golden thread in his left hand guide him. More images passed by him, from all the lonely moments he spent in his despair and anger, to Chekov finally being the first one to seek him out and apologize to him with an impromptu lunch together. Jim felt the pain in his heart ease as he relived the many reconciliations between himself and his crew, culminating with him and Spock meeting on that observation deck on night and deciding to become friends again.
The blond continued on, past the images of his life as he had worked hard to rebuild it after so much heartbreak, and then as he walked something seemed to shift, the thread in his hand starting to hum and grow warm. To his very soul, Jim felt this familiar presence and found himself grinning. As he looked to the distance, past the images and the cosmos that swirled and made up this mind-scape, Jim felt his grin grow wider while his eyes grew just a little more bright with a definite sheen as he a figure materialize, tall and slender with something glowing around it's left hand.
With a breath Jim gave up all pretense of being calm and collected, and making a dignified way through the memories, laughing lightly the human took off at a break-neck run and yelled out the name echoing in his heart.
" Spock!" Jim's joy-filled voice echoed through the mind-scape, the figure in the distance picking up his own pace as he made his way towards Jim in turn.
" Jim, T'hy'la." Spock's deep baritone echoed back as he too moved forward. Within a few moments they could both see each other clearly, and this only spurred them to move faster.
After what seemed like forever, Jim and Spock were within each other's reach. Now, one might have expected Jim to simply launch himself into Spock's arms at the speed he was going, but since Jim was in no way some blushing bride, he settled instead on basically tackling his Vulcan into a bone-crushing hug as the bonding pair finally met at the center.
The warmth from the threads around Spock and Jim's hands spread through them like a warm deluge of peace and pure joy, humming with a contentedness that was beyond all description.
" Ashaya." Spock said against Jim's ears as he returned Jim's embrace just as tightly, and if he sounded a little shaky and less reserved than he normally did, Jim made no comment, already realizing that just as he had relieved their journey to this moment, so had Spock.
" I found you, I found you." Jim said against Spock's neck as he revealed in the feeling.
" As I found you." Spock replied in turn.
They would have stayed that way for as long as they wanted, but the familiar voice of Elder T'Pau sounded from high above them. Jim and Spock reluctantly parted to arms length and looked up to the golden heavens that swirl above them.
" Thou hast found each other through the meld, now thee must complete the bond once, and for all time. Join thy left hands."
Jim and Spock did as they were told, gripping each other's left hand tightly, the threads around their wrists glowing gold and silver respectively.
T'Pau's voice then sounded again, saying to simple words.
" The words."
Jim and Spock both felt a light jolt through their joined hands as the delicate, glowing threads unraveled from their wrists. In their minds, they both felt the gentle compulsion to speak now. As they spoke, the two separate threads glowed even brighter and began to swirl around each other, delicately wrapping around Jim and Spock's hands and each other as the pair spoke as one.
" Parted from me, and never parted. Never and always touching and touched, with you I will remained, until the end of time."
The moment their voiced faded after saying these sacred words, the threads stopped swirling, having tied themselves around Jim and Spock's hands, seeming to lock something together, binding forever more as T'Pau's voice sounded.
" It is done."
Jim looked to Spock, to see those dark eyes he loved so much shining with clear and unveiled warmth and happiness.
" T'hy'la." Jim said, his voice breaking with emotion as it hit him full force, they were one.
" Till the end of time, we are T'hyla, my Jim." Spock said in turn.
And then out of nowhere, everything began to grown brighter and brighter, the golden light from up above cascading down onto them in a warm deluge, bathing them and everything else in a golden resplendence, making everything fade peacefully away from the mind scape.
Jim let out a small gasp as he suddenly found himself back in reality, kneeling before T'Pau in all her regal severity as she was drawing her weathered hands away from the side of his head. What was different now was that he could feel a warm buzz at the back of his head, and when he turned to look to his left he found the familiar warm dark eyes of Spock gazing at him with a smile shining clear within their depths. Jim blinked, and then looked down to see that he and Spock were still grasping each other's left hands.
" Spock?" Jim asked, to which Spock simply nodded before he gave Jim's hand a firm squeeze of reassurance.
All around them there was a hallowed silence in the ceremonial arena, all eyes focused on the two who knelt before the Matriarch of Clan Surak.
" S'chn T'gai Spock, James Tiberius Kirk." T'Pau's voice made the pair turn to meet her wise gaze. She looked between them and spoke the final confirmation.
" From this day forth, thou art bound by the sacred bonds of marriage in the ways of Vulcan, now and forever shall thou be joined. Let none dare pull asunder that which has been forged on this day. Rise and go forth now, as one."