It was no wonder Mr. Spock had been thrown.

It was obvious now.

Completely obvious.

Jim sighed, ran his fingers through his hair and contemplated on the situation. He was sure that the older Spock was curious why this would enrage his younger self, but he wasn't asking. So, did Jim still have to tell him? He rolled his tongue a few times around his mouth, debating what to do and how to approach this topic. How would Mr. Spock take the news? How was he supposed to even tell him about it? Wouldn't mentioning the Narada and Nero and all that shit, like, cause more trauma and unwanted futuristic events? Jim was unsure what to do, but before he could come up with a plan, Mr. Spock began for him.

"From my counterpart's behaviour and from your frustrated motions, I am to believe that something of misfortune has happened to our mother, am I correct?" So…that was easier than he'd thought it'd be. Jim looked up at him, the expressionless older Vulcan staring him down with a content intensity.

"Uh, yeah." He rubbed the back of his neck suddenly, "Something did happen to her." Mr. Spock stood still, hands moving behind him in their typical clasping, and tilted his brow in an indication that he was ready for a melodramatic explanation. Jim didn't think it would be right if he told him, but it didn't look like his Spock was going to be doing it anytime soon unless said explanation involved maiming his older self.

Violently.

Probability of a Spock versus Spock mud wrestling match?

0%, but one can dream, right? At least a mud wrestle to settle the counterpart differences would be easier than trying to convey the death of an entire fucking planet.

"Um…you see…this really isn't easy to tell." He hesitated for a few more moments and decided, damnit, well, might as well lay the cards on the table. It might be his Spock's mom but she was apparently this Spock's mom too. He had a right to know, didn't he? "She died a few months ago. On Vulcan. When it…imploded," he was sure to say 'imploded' under his breath, "into a black hole. I can't…really go into the messy details…I mean, this could affect your future as well, so all I can tell you is that she's passed and Vulcan with her." Jim witnessed the subtle changes in Mr. Spock's face and was quick to add, "Oh, but over 10,000 survived, so, there's still hope. Starfleet Command and the Vulcan people are all working together to make a new colony. It's underway as we speak." It didn't seem to help much.

It appeared that it had only made things slightly worse. Mr. Spock's gaze drifted for only an instant before his dark eyes met those of Jim's. "You are saying that Vulcan has been destroyed?" Jim nodded. "And my mother?" Jim nodded. "Only 10,000 survivors?" Jim nodded reluctantly again. There was a tense silence that entered the room.

"Suddenly," he said in a slow whisper, "I realize my error. To endure such events would be…" He trailed off and turned away from Jim. He could see Mr. Spock clutching his hands tightly behind him now. The older Vulcan then turned back around, almost like a soldier would in the face of certain death. "I am pleased that my counterpart has still managed to work as efficiently as he has on this ship, considering the turn of events." Jim hesitated for an instant, taken slightly aback by the emotional change.

"Yeah, he's been a real trooper."

"You have been supporting him since the situation, have you not? I am sure your guidance has helped him significantly." Jim went to speak, but then he closed his mouth. No, he hadn't been very helpful since the problem. He had made it much worse before it got any better. The Elder Spock (the one on Delta Vega) had said that they had a wonderful friendship where he was the captain and Spock was the First Officer. These two alternate reality older selves were obviously from that timeline. Why else would Mr. Spock naturally assume he had been there for the Younger Spock since the beginning?

"Actually, no. I wasn't there for him." the brow tilted and Jim knew he was in for an explanation. "Spock and I…well, we didn't exactly start off on the right foot…" He seemed lost for words. He didn't know how to convey everything without giving away information that could jeopardize the other's reality. His words fell flat in that moment. Mr. Spock seemed to understand this and stepped back a step from him, as if to say 'I will remove myself, should it help you concentrate'.

"H-hey. I have an idea." Well, less of an idea and more of a way out from explaining, "Why don't you do that mind meld whammy thing and look for yourself?" It was a stretch and the older Vulcan might not have wanted to consider it. Jim knew it was forward of him to ask, but it seemed better than tripping over himself in an attempt to explain. Mr. Spock appeared to consider the idea, to his surprise, and stepped forward, his hand extending like that of the Elder Spock. He was frightened at first, but allowed the warm fingers to press firmly on his face. He stopped just before.

"Are you sure this is how you wish to convey your memories?" Mr. Spock asked. Jim nodded slightly. "You are aware of the risks of such an intimate act, are you not?" Jim nodded again. He didn't know really, but hell, he'd done it before and surely a second time wouldn't hurt. Mr. Spock still appeared cautious, his eyes tensing ever-so-slightly, "You can still choose another method if you find this—"

"Look, I'm giving you permission, so just do it. If you're not interested, then cool, back out, but this is the only way I can think of right now that could possibly explain it better than my fucked up tongue." Mr. Spock's eyes studied him silently for a moment before they fell shut and a tingling sensation filled Jim's thoughts.

"My mind to your mind." My thoughts to your thoughts. After a spilt second, Jim felt the other Spock enter his mind and turn it into a flashback video of all that happened. Jim was careful to try and not think about certain events that could prove troublesome when the older selves were returned back to their reality, but in the end, Mr. Spock got the basic idea of exactly what had happened. When the fingers left his face, he felt flushed with fever and nearly toppled over in faint. Mr. Spock had fortunately grabbed him around the waist to stabilize him and the two found themselves locked tightly in the other's embrace. Mr. Spock's older, more experienced eyes were staring directly into his which were conveying how hard the meld had settled with him. Strange. Those eyes looked more dramatic now than they had before. Jim found himself captivated by them.

"I understand...now." Mr. Spock said as he held Jim's body tightly to prevent the young Captain from falling. The meld had been so concentrated that Jim was still having difficulty operating the rest of his motor skills. It suddenly dawned on Jim that, you know, Mr. Spock was like, holding him and a blush flushed over his cheeks.

Some manly dignity you got there, Jim.

Shut up.

He attempted to move away from the older Vulcan, but it proved for naught as his limbs were not responding properly. Mr. Spock seemed to sense Jim's want to be released, and guided him over to the small bed where he laid the young Captain down.

Yeah, this wasn't weird at all.

"You should rest until you regain control of your extremities." He told a reluctant Jim. After a few more seconds, he was able to speak again, but his voice sounded foreign since it was out of breath. Just like the first meld had done to him.

"I'm…I'm fine."

"Nonsense, Captain. You can hardly move. I insist that you stay put until you can." Jim looked up into those dark, older eyes and saw a slight flicker of concern. He conceded to the man, it wasn't like he had much of a choice. What was he going to do? Flop around until somehow he made it to the door? Yeah, that would look awesome by the passing crewmen. Jim rolled his eyes.

Looks like I'm parking it.

"So, since you did the meldly thing, you know now, right? I mean, what happened between Spock and me?" The older Spock nodded slightly.

"Correct. I find it fascinating that given the circumstances that you managed to become friends with my counterpart at all. It seemed as though the universe's intention was to keep you as enemies, and yet, you are not."

"The universe's a bitch, but I'm a stubborn ass."

"As I am also aware." Jim smirked the best he could and gave a laugh. Mr. Spock raised a curious brow.

"You're implying that Other Me is also an ass?"

"'Ass' would not be an appropriate word for his actions, but 'stubborn' is accurate. On numerous occasions I have witnessed him act as such. Most illogical, but somehow appropriate to the given situations." He paused. "Though, I am not sure if he would react the same way you did after Vulcan's destruction. Might I ask what encouraged you to emotionally compromise my counterpart?" Jim felt it. His cheeks were bright red again. He had left out the little part of meeting Elder Spock from the memories.

Time to bullshit.

"Yeah, well, you know. I needed to get Pike back and Spock was being a bitch and all that shit…plus he marooned me and I was pretty pissed off. I figured the best way to get control would be to equally piss him off. It worked out for the best." A brow was raised and then it fell. Mr. Spock had been standing beside him this entire time and now just decided to sit on the bed.

"I will admit that in my reality, my Captain also found it necessary to emotionally compromise me on several occasions to regain control of several situations."

A smile from the bedded Jim.

"Wow, Other Me sounds like a hardcore asshole."

"He does his job well."

"I didn't hear a 'no'." Mr. Spock turned his gaze to Jim and a sudden ignited flame entered his chest. He felt different, calm, and comfortable. Looking into those eyes he felt he was at home, like this Spock had accepted him for all the he was. It was a nice feeling. It was homey. Jim liked it.

Jim liked it a lot.

So much that when he regained control of himself again, he didn't bother to move. He felt welcomed by the older Spock. It was something new he hadn't experienced. How strange.

"So," Jim said after a moment, the older eyes still peering into his soul, "I know it's different from me and my Spock, but just how close are you and James?"

"A story for another time, I am afraid." Jim gave a little childish pout and he could have sworn he saw a tiny smile spread on those stoic lips. "We are close friends, but if you require more detail, that will be for another time. It appears you have regained yourself and I do not wish to keep you from your duties any longer than I am allowed." Jim gave a tilt in his head and then shook it slightly.

"I haven't regained all my motions." He pleaded. Mr. Spock eyed him and then drifted his gaze to Jim's foot. When Jim followed that trail as well, he saw that he had been wiggling his foot for some time now. A nervous-happy habit he had formed. Blushing, he realized he had been caught. He sat up immediately.

"Hey, look! I just suddenly regained control of myself! It's a miracle! This is pure awesome! Look! I can move again!"

"I am most relieved, Captain." There was sarcasm behind that, Jim knew there was. Clapping a hand on the older Vulcan's shoulder, he gave a warm smile.

"Okay, I got Captain stuff to do now. Hopefully we can come up with a way to send you guys back to your own time."

"That would be acceptable."

"Until then, please call me if you need anything and keep in mind all the things you learned from that meld. It would be best to stay away from my Spock." He started to leave and managed to get to the door before Mr. Spock called to him. Somehow, hearing that man's voice made his heart stand still.

"Captain, may I share this new information with James? It would be in his best interest to know as well." Jim gave a grin.

"Of course, Mr. Spock." The door opened and Jim exited, a smile plastered on his face—but it quickly dissipated as he turned and was greeted face to face by a furrowed brow and another set of dark eyes. It was his Spock and he did not look happy—or any other emotion for that matter…unless you count that tense in his fists. "Oh, hey, Spock," he gave a slight gulp, "how long have you been standing out here?" He watched as his Spock snapped to attention and clasped his hands firmly behind his back, his jaw locking in place.

"Exactly ten minutes and forty-three seconds, Captain. You were in my counterpart's room for some time." Jim bit his lip trying to keep a flush from forming, but he knew he would have to explain himself. He had been in there a while.

"Uh…well, I was just giving Mr. Spock some updates on our situation here in this universe. You know, giving him vital information because he had mentioned Vulcan and not feeling it and stuff like that…"

"You told him of Vulcan's destruction." It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yeah. Yes, I did." Spock's brow never went back down. "He took it as well as you think, he was a bit devastated and I…you know…I had to comfort him a bit."

"Comfort?" The way Spock said it almost made it sound like an accusation. Jim tried to delete that word and back-pedaled a bit.

"I…I was supportive." He corrected. Spock went a little more ridged and his jaw tightened. Jim could practically see the intensity forming all over him.

"Captain, I do not find it logical that you, a human, try and be supportive of a Vulcan whom has lost his planet. You should have left it up to me to tell him." There was more venom in those words than Jim would have liked, though if it had been anyone else looking on they would have thought Spock appeared no different or sounded any different than he might on the Bridge, but Jim knew better. Jim tasted a sour taste in his mouth.

"You know what?" Something in him snapped a bit, "You're absolutely right, Spock, I should have left it up to you, but considering you decided to play Vulcan musical-fucking-throw-people-around, I didn't find it logical to leave you alone with the guy again." Why was Jim so upset? He stepped forward and crowded Spock towards the wall. Spock backed up on instinct, but his emotionless exterior did not change. "I might be human, but I found that it was necessary to tell him myself rather than trust you." He didn't mean that.

He really didn't mean that.

Why had he said that?

Why?

Spock turned away for only a moment and then his eyes were back on his Captain. They stayed that way, studying each other's irises like data computers. It was a full minute before anyone spoke.

"Your mistrust…is logical." Damnit. "My apologies, Captain." With that, Spock removed himself and began to walk down the corridor, leaving behind him an upset Captain. When Spock disappeared in the turbolift, Jim mentally kicked himself and punched the nearest wall. He was mad. He was upset. Why?

"Damnit all to fucking hell! Why did I say that?" He punched the wall again. "Of course I trust him! It was just…just…" What was it? Seeing Mr. Spock getting ruffled up by his First Officer had made him so angry. It was like watching his best friend get beat up, now that he thought about it, but he hadn't felt that way before. Jim then remembered the feeling he got from being in the same room as the older Vulcan. He was missing something. His mind was keeping him from something. But what?

In a slight rage, he stormed down the hall to his quarters. He needed to think. Something was wrong with him and he didn't know what it was.

This…this was bizarre.

When he reached his quarters, he flung himself on to his bed and covered his head with his pillows before screaming a string of curse words and kicking his feet like a child. When he was certain he felt better, he raised himself up and flopped down onto his back. He stared at the ceiling thinking that, maybe, the answers were up there smiling at him. Nope. All dark and ceiling-y.

He sighed.

He sighed again.

He sighed and rolled over.

When he had rolled over he got a complete view of his desk and noticed a little blinking light that signaled he had an incoming message.

Jim jumped up, thinking it could be Elder Spock's reply. He nearly toppled himself over to get to the computer and when he did, he hit the button to initiate the video chat and slipped at the same time so that whoever was actually on the other side got a complete view of his falling down and knocking his head against the desk. Which, yeah, hurt like hell.

Moving his jaw in pain—I think I bit my tongue—he heard an elderly chuckle.

"Is this how you greet all old friends," Jim looked up as saw the familiar features of Elder Spock, "or is it just how you choose to greet me?" A smile slowly crossed his lips.

"'Sup, Old man. How's the colony?" He repositioned himself in his chair while Elder Spock went to explain that the colony was doing well. Good. Jim needed some good news. It was pleasing to him to see the guy again. Almost too pleasing, Jim noted. God, today just keeps getting weirder and weirder. In the middle of an explanation, Elder Spock stopped for a moment and eyed Jim.

"I do not wish to bore you with my colony procedures, Jim. I received your message, as you can tell from my reply, and I was most intrigued. You are experiencing time travel problems?" Jim gave a nod.

"Yeah, something like that. First of all, you're full of shit. Let me just say that out in front." A curious brow (one that he had seen several times today) lifted. "Back on Delta Vega you mentioned that you couldn't meet with Spock because of paradoxes and shit like that, and yet, due to circumstances, I have reason to believe that you lied to me. You. Lied. To. Me." He had pointed to the screen with each word. "A Vulcan. Vulcans aren't supposed to lie." Elder Spock nodded casually.

"You are correct. Vulcans do not lie. I merely…implied. It was for a greater benefit, mind you. I knew you would understand…though, I am curious to know how you solved this problem out on your own. Does this have something to do with the time travel you mentioned in your message?" Yup. In your face, fogie. I'm handsome and brilliant.

"Okay," Jim got in an explanation mood, "get this. Picture me (handsomeness and all) and Spock (minus the bitchy mood) and Bones all doing our job. I mean for real and not just being idiots and shoving fingers in our asses." A playful brow twitched. "We saw an anomaly, saw a strange vessel, saved said vessel, and in it was—you guessed it—us! We saw ourselves! But, not just ourselves, no, it was us only older. Eight years to be exact." Elder Spock seemed to be thinking about that. If he hadn't been a Vulcan Jim was sure the man's face would be going through a barrage of expressions.

"More beings from an alternate timeline?" He finally said, slowly.

"Yeah, and I think they're from that timeline where you said Spock and I were like, all buddy-buddy. They seemed really close."

"Fascinating."

"No."

"It is not fascinating?"

"No. It's bad. We now have older counterparts stuck in our time."

"That wouldprove troublesome."

"It is troublesome." Silence.

"You appear frustrated."

"Duh."

"Excuse me?" Jim waved his hands instinctively.

"Sorry. I mean, I am frustrated. This whole situation is frustrating. For starters, Spock and Mr. Spock aren't getting along at all." Elder Spock nodded to his statement.

"That does seem probable. Considering an older version from a separate timeline would not be aware of all the destruction in your reality, that does make it almost certain that there would be rival—even jealousy issues. You separated them?"

"Yup, after Spocky threw older Spocky, that is. The older one mentioned their mother and all hell broke loose, angels lost their wings, crying and fire everywhere. The causality count should be finished by now." When Elder Spock did not reply, Jim was quick to add that he was being sarcastic. There weren't really any causalities. At least, not yet. "Lighten up, Old man. It was a joke."

"Oh, I am aware, Jim. I was just noticing that there was another disturbance in your demeanor. Is everything all right?" He was taken aback by the blatant perspective on his body language. He was still upset about blowing up on Spock and those weird, homey feelings he was getting with Mr. Spock. Hey. Come to think of it, he was getting them from Elder Spock too. This was so uncool. Why wasn't he noticing these things?

"I feel comfortable around you." He said it absently, he didn't actually mean to say it.

"Oh?" Jim could have kicked himself again for saying stupid things, but it was true. He did feel comfortable around Elder Spock. It was nearly exactly the same feeling he got around Mr. Spock. An accepting, homey air. It was welcoming and distinguished.

"Aw, well hell, there's no way of bullshitting around that one, is there?"

"I am not certain I know of your meaning." Jim blew a sigh of air and stretched for a minute. Alright, how do you tell an old man he makes you feel awesome without sounding like a total idiot-elder-pervert? Hmm…this was going to be difficult.

"Mr. Spock and James have been here for a short while already. In that time I got to speak with James and helped Mr. Spock to his room. In there, I felt…well…while I was in his room I felt…" Elder Spock finished for him since he appeared lost for words.

"At home?"

"Yeah! At home. It felt…nice. I'm getting the same feeling from you. I don't feel that way around my Spock, I've just been getting upset with him. Do you have any idea what's going on with me? Is this more alternate reality induced bullshit?" Jim hadn't been looking into the man's eyes until that moment. When he looked up, Elder Spock appeared to be subconsciously biting his lip—quit uncommon for a Vulcan to do. He appeared slightly worried. Now Jim was worried. "Am I going to die?"

"No, Jim, that is most inappropriate for this situation." He was silent. "You had to explain to the future selves the circumstances that took place in your reality, did you not?" Jim nodded. "And, for Mr. Spock, the middle-aged one, I surmise you had to induce a mind meld to explain?" Jim nodded again. "You also did a mind meld with me." Jim nodded…again. "But, you have not melded with my youngest self."

"Uh, no."

"This is interesting. It appears that the melds have left some of our memories and emotions behind. The reason you are feeling as you do towards myself and Mr. Spock is because we melded with you and you received a small taste of our strong feelings for our Jims. You feel at home because you are his counterpart. I did not expect this to happen. A regrettable side-effect."

"Whoa, wait, so I feel like this because I got some First Officer-Captain wire-crossings?"

"A crude metaphor, but accurate. Yes."

"So…what I am supposed to do about them? They're, you know, kinda making me snappy towards my Spock." Elder Spock sat for an instant and sighed.

"From what I can gather, the best method would be to induce another meld with any of us and have that chosen individual remove the unwanted memories and feelings." Yeah, Jim could picture how that would blow over. 'Hey Spock, wanna get some unwanted alternate reality Spock juice out of my brain?' and Spock would reply 'Live long and suck it, bitch.' Okay, maybe he wouldn't say it like that, but it'd be pretty damn close.

He'd at least think it.

Snicker.

So in all seriousness, Jim had a problem. This now explained why he was feeling so snappy towards his Spock and why he was feeling really good around the other two. But, how could he ask Spock to do that? Hell, how could he ask any Spock to do that? Thinking about it, he figured the more experienced one would do a better job. He decided to ask Elder Spock to do it. He seemed easy enough to talk to once you got past the whole 'elderly Spock from another timeline' part.

"Before you make your decision," Elder Spock was quick to say, "please keep in mind that I am farther away from you than the others. To seek my help would be out of the question." Damn.

"So, who do you recommend?"

"I am not certain. Both would be capable of removing the unwanted material. I would say, 'use your judgment'." Jim rolled his eyes.

"Okay, you know that, that you just did? Yeah, not helpful. How am I supposed to figure out which one is better for the job?" They're the same fucking person. "I mean, they're the same, but they're different and I don't know which one would be capable and who would be willing—"

"Jim," the Elder voice said in a calming tone, "please, calm yourself. You are exciting your nerves and this is not good. I suggest that you take a night or two to figure out which one would be more helpful to your situation. Until then, I must leave. I have duties to attend to." It was saddening to hear the man say that. Was it really? Or was that the planted memories and emotions? Jim couldn't tell, all he knew was that it was sad to hear him say he was leaving. Just as the Elder was about to shut off the screen, Jim called to him.

"Hey, one more question." Elder Spock looked up and tiled a brow in response. "Any ideas on how I can send them back?" Silence. Jim realized that it was a stupid idea to bother asking that. The look the Elder gave was one Jim could clearly read: Don't you think if I knew how, I'd send myself back? At length, he finally answered.

"I will research and see what I can find, Jim. I will keep in touch. This was a pleasant engagement." That sucked. Jim could have kicked himself for not filtering that question sooner, but he bid farewell anyway and the screen was shut off. A sudden emptiness filled him. It was like a void had formed.

No, it's just those implanted emotions, Jim thought. Shaking them off, he looked at the clock and realized he should return to his duties on the Bridge. The crewmen were probably worried about the supposed "passengers". He figured he would just report that the crewmen in the vessel had been found dead, but to be sure, he would run this by Spock and Bones.

He stopped half-way down the hallway. Spock…how was he going to face Spock with what had just happened? Should he apologize? Ignore it? Tell him of what the Elder thinks it is? Was Spock even aware of the Elder's existence?

This was going to be hard. He continued to walk towards the turbolift but then stopped as it opened and from it walked out a familiar Vulcan.

Spock.

My Spock.

...

A/N – Another chapter. Wow. I didn't think so many people would like this story. I'm impressed. Thank you to the 60+ who story alerted this and the 40+ of you who favourited this story. Also, many many thanks to the reviewers. They encourage me and I really enjoy reading them. Thank you to everyone. *sob* You make me so happy.