Chapter Ten

Spock POV

I was surprised as soon as I saw the slanted brows and familiar features in Loraine, she, like some, had adapted to the emotional acceptance way of life and her being here must mean she'd been exiled from Vulcan.

Even her son, much younger than I, had a full trait of his mother's genes, nothing to indicate he was half human like I. It was fascinating and yet it troubled me, the second she had spoken my native tongue and the way Alex had smiled towards Jim.

It brought feelings towards the surface I had never experienced before, even when we had sat and the words my friend and brother escaped Alex's mouth in such a way.

My body stiffened and I felt my hands clench under the table as I stared the other man down, noticing the way Jim shifted uncomfortably as he looked between me and him. It made my heart thud painfully in my side as I came to the thought, did he have romantic feelings towards this boy? Were they intended, did Jim already have a bond with him?

It was logical, the boy before me could embrace his emotions without a worry of being criticized and could share them with Jim much easier than I. But it made me furious, a feeling I knew all too well, and I could sense Alex's confusion as I stared him down.

Jim was mine…

"I'll be back," Jim states before abruptly standing and making his way towards the kitchen, my eyes never leaving Alex's, causing the boy to sigh.

I don't utter a word, I don't move, I wait for him to make a move and if it came down to it I would challenge him for Jim. I had been through too much to lose him, I can't lose him and after what Salik had told me, I had accepted it. It was the truth after all, and how I could not see that he, Jim, was my T'hy'la I would never understand.

"Speak your mind Spock; you'll upset him if we do not get along." Alex sighs out, tussling his hair with his hand.

"Are you and Jim bonded?" I ask stiffly causing the boy to smile and let out a laugh.

"No Spock, is that why you were glaring at… oh..." He trails off as realisation flickers across his face. "You care for Jimmy; my words' structure meant no ill offence or wrong thoughts Spock. He is nothing but that, a brother and a friend. But I must ask, what if we were bonded?" Alex asks, causing me to stiffen more, my ears burning and my lip twitching in a slight snarl at the thought, making him smile.

"I would have invoked my right to kal-if-fee for your bonding with Jim." I grit out causing his smile to widen, I don't see the logic behind his smile or understand why it grows, a laugh bordering his lips.

"I am glad then that he has found someone to care deeply for him. I know him, I know his reputation. Worry not Spock, I have bonded with another, a woman she is my love. Tell me, what is he to you?" He asks, causing me to relax ever so slightly at the words before sighing. My eyes flick towards the doorway Jim had exited through before looking back at Alex.

"He is my friend, brother, lover. My T'hy'la." I reply for his ears only to hear, his eyes go wide.

"Does he know?" He asks, causing me to shake my head in the negative.

"He does not feel the same way, he is after all as a friend of ours has said, 'a ladies man'." I supply, making him frown and open his mouth in reply, then shutting it as Jim comes back to the table, a fresh mark on his neck catching my eyes.

"Don't." He states as he takes his seat once again, piercing me with a warning look.

"So how is that woman of yours Alex, I bet she still keeps you on your toes." Jim asks, stretching a little, his leg making contact with mine under the table. I can feel his content and slight pain, but the pain begins to lessen just as quick, from the look on his face I know his leg resting on mine was something he hadn't registered on doing so.

"She does, we're expecting a little girl come May." He replies causing me to stiffen slightly, many memories of my childhood coming forth.

Jim casts me a look before smiling at Alex, "That's great! I cannot wait to meet my niece to be."

I can't reply, flashbacks of the other children from my youth and their teasing, other full blooded Vulcans seeing my mother's and my heritage as a disadvantage. The constant battle between both sides of my nature, the want and need to express emotion and then the Vulcan practices of controlling and dampening those urges.

"Is he alright?" the sound of Loraine's voice bringing me back from the brink of memories as she places M'lu in front of me with kreyla bread.

"I am well, it is just the topic brought back many unpleasant memories of my youth." I state, picking up the knife and fork gingerly. I don't dare look up at them as I begin to cut the bread, but I can feel their stares, their burning curiosity.

"His mother was human." Jim supplies, causing someone to gasp, I'm unsure who but I dare not look to feed my curiosity. He changes the subject quickly after and I silently send my thanks to Jim while I finish my lunch. It was a decent meal, a home cooked Vulcan meal I hadn't had since my last visit with my mother when she and Father had come to Earth for business.

It made me miss her.

"So, what are your plans this afternoon?" Alex asks, catching my attention and I turn my eyes to Jim who just shrugs.

"I wanted to show Spock around town and what-not, I can't do much 'cause of… well, your mom will explain…" He trails off in a grimace and I turn away, flashes of his fear filled face behind the half inch glass surfacing.

"Okay, but make sure you come back and visit before you leave town, Mila wishes to see you again." Alex states before looking up as the door opens. "Work to be done, see you around."

He's gone and my eyes flickers back to Jim as he stares at me with something I can't read in his eyes.

"I should have told you, I know seeing them had taken you off guard and even more so with Alex and his bonded and their news." He offers, apology written across his face. I feel my lip twitch, enough for him to see and ease him.

Authors Note: Did you expect I would write someone to stand in their way? Nahhh, but poor Spock..

TDFS