Jim sat in the rocking chair watching Kirk sleep. He had reviewed the events that transpired prior to his arrival. He had studied it extensively. He had studied the train of thought that was in Kirk's mind. He didn't think of himself as a captain. Kaput. Nothing. It was sad to see of this from his counterpart. Jim had a sigh stopping the chair. How do you wake someone who feels extremely guilt and very much not . . . up for it?

Jim looked over to see a bright white light from the door.

After the previous mission, Jim's legs were slowly coming back.

There was a faint outline of light around the door.

"What is this? . . ." Jim came toward the door.

He took the knob then opened the door.

"Where is the captain?" Spock asked.

"Meditating." Bones said.

Spock raised an arched eyebrow.

"Meditating?" Spock repeated.

"Yes, Spock," Bones said. "He is actually taking my advice for once. Resting!"

Spock lowered his eyebrow.

"I am unfamiliar to this sudden shift," Spock said. "Normally the captain does not take your advice. Which is unusual of him."

"Jim is still Jim," Bones said. "Just a little more responsible. I thought you would be happy about that."

"Yes, that is desirable," Spock said. "He has notice-ably cared about his landing parties casualties more than before . . ." Spock shook his head. "Logically, I am over thinking this."

"That you are." Bones said.

Jim walked through the door.

He came into what was apparently a meditating room. There was a mat on the floor. The drift (more so the aroma) of a Vulcan incense was clear in the air. As was the smoke. He looked around to see a glass panel displaying images of Surak and the other godly Vulcans on the glass. He looked over to see on the mat was a old Spock. His Spock. Jim came over to the side of his Spock. A smile danced on his face. It was part of many emotions that returned to him.

Spock . . .

A memory flashed into his mind.

One memory of Spock Prime placing his katra in Bones Prime's mind.

Perhaps he can leave his counterpart in a vegetable state. . . Or, he can plant his-but wait, he does not have a katra! But isn't Katra the equivalent of a soul? Right, it is. Jim carefully placed his hand on the side of Spock's face. It had to be tried in case he died with his counterpart in the same body. The universe was not ending due to this unwelcome union. Spock and Jim, at one point, had a relationship. Before the Nexus. If Spock were to die, then at least let him do so with the mind of his best friend. The one who went across the galaxy to save him.

Jim closed his eyes.

"Remember." Jim said.

Five minutes later Jim took his hand off the side of Spock Prime's face.

"I will always be with you," Jim said. "Unlike how I was half of the time alive."

Jim stood up then looked in the direction of the door.

"Have to go now," Jim said, stroking the Vulcan's cheek. "Spock . . . Kid can't stay there forever."

Jim walked away then went through the open door.

Spock Prime's brown eyes opened.

"Jim." Spock Prime said.

Spock was looking over Jim, his arms behind his back military style, and his head tilted.

"Jim, I fail to see how one can be meditating in bed sprawl in a illogical position." Spock said.

Jim smiled.

"How long were you here?"

"Exactly ten minutes," Spock said. "I thought you were not breathing but then I realized you were covered by the bed sheets."

Jim laughed.

"Now," Jim said, getting halfway up. "What is the reason why you have come to my quarters?"

"You said we would do chess today." Spock said.

"Oh , that," Jim said. "I totally forgot about it!" Jim reached out for his black regulation shirt on the other side of the bed. He caught it with his finger tips as it were dangling off the side of the bed really then he brought it over to himself and put it on. "Sorry, Spock," He looked over toward Spock with a sheepish smile. "Time got the best of me, why don't you wait for me in the recreation room?"

The Vulcan nodded then left Jim's quarters.

Jim sighed.

Great, he forgot a chess match. Jim froze. What else might he forget? Memories of his Enterprise family?

No!

Jim shook his head putting on his shoe and started to tie them up. The melding of the two minds would eventually leave one mind standing. Jim put on his yellow shirt then looked over toward the mirror. He used a brush to straighten his hair out. But it still was left wild. It was unnerving to have unkept hair. He really liked it when he had curly hair that stayed in place. Jim put the comb back into the drawer then looked back at the mirror once more. He saw the face of a young man staring right back at him. The face he has been seeing for weeks.

Jim missed his face.

Jim put the belt through the loops then he exited his quarters.

Kirk's eyes opened to see a fan above his head attached the ceiling listening to a voice.

"And here I am using this kids body to play with chess with a Vulcan less my age!" Came a voice he somewhat recognized. He closed his eyes feeling a heavy sleepish feeling tug him back down. It felt so peaceful. "I should be here living a lie-" The voice abruptly stopped. "Kid, do not fall deeper."

His head.

God.

It hurt!

Spock.

Bones.

Dead.

"Spock and Bones are alive," Came the comforting voice. "Wake up." He felt a hand place itself on the side of his head. "You are so important to Spock in more ways than one. And he is just as important as you are to him. It is not just a passing friendship there is something more of it. Something greater. It ties you two together, you know," The warm hand was placed off the side of Kirk's head. "For eternity. I wasted it." There were lingering regret in the voice. "I regret not spending the time I had with Spock being alive."

The image of Spock looking over Kirk came into Kirk's vision.

But he was. . . different.

It looked as though Spock were wearing make up and he was in 1930's attire complete with a black hat that covered the side of his ears. His face, the cheek bones, the eyes, those eyebrows, and the chin itself was completely different. It washed away to reveal the Spock that Kirk knew. Different but alike. Counterparts. He saw the image of Spock by what appeared to be counterpart, older, in red and black uniforms on a dark bridge that seemed so alien. The next he was shown a image of what seemed to be a Vulcan slumped against his counterpart's chest and his counterpart seemed to be relieved, his eyes closed, and one hand wrapped around the backside of the Vulcan. Kirk could tell it was a Vulcan because of the pointy ears.

"Spock doesn't have to die on you this time." The voice went on to say.

Kirk's eye opened.

"But you just said he isn't dead," Kirk saw a young blonde man in the rocking chair with his hands together and a well played smirk on his face that seemed recognizable. "Wait, you are dead!"

Jim smiled.

"I should be dead," Jim said. "But someone drew me into your body," He stopped the chair from rocking. "If you like a hand in chess then I give you that. And I cannot leave your body until the day you die." He sounded sad when he said that part. "It seems I am stuck with you. Spock is alive. Bones is alive."

Kirk saw a screen of Spock playing chess.

"I got an idea," Kirk said. "How about you help me when I most need it? Control my body."

"Your move, kid." Jim said.

Kirk moved a chess piece earning a raised eyebrow from Spock.

"How does the idea sound?" Kirk asked.

"It sounds good," Jim said. "But you are the captain of the Enterprise, thrown in too un-experienaced but I believe you can become the best captain there is. I had the liberty of bringing trust to you with your crew." Jim smiled rubbing his hands together at a warm memory. "Your destiny is on that bridge. There? You matter. Don't ever accept the offer to become admiral. Because right there is where you are needed the most."

Kirk fell out of the bed.

"Oow." Kirk said.

"There is more where that came from in the future." Jim said, holding his hand out.

Kirk took Jim's hand then Jim helped up Kirk to his feet.

"Where are we?" Kirk asked.

"In our house," Jim let go of Kirk's hand. "I left some family memories I had with father for you."

Kirk walked over to the desk where he could see his mother, his brother himself, and his father in a family picture.

Spock made his move.

"What was he like?" Kirk asked, softly.

"Spock already told you." Jim said.

Kirk looked up.

"I want to hear it from you." Kirk said.

Jim smiled.

"He was a excellent father," Jim said. "We played games on our free time when I was a kid. He was there for me when I first started riding a bike."

Kirk closed his eyes, disturbed.

"My brother taught me," Kirk said. "After a beating from Frank. He lightened my mood up."

Jim placed a hand on Kirk's shoulder.

"We never had Frank in my parents lives," Jim said. "He died alone. A drunken man." He took his hand off Kirk's shoulder. "Just the road you are thinking of going down after making one stupid mistake and getting yourself kicked off the Enterprise!" He stepped back narrowing his eyes at him. "Not on my watch are you doing that. Instead, I am going to make your life left better."

Kirk moved the chess piece.

"Hey, you are a passenger in my mind." Kirk said,.

"You are going to thank me for this later," Jim said. "I can give you advice to beat Spock at chess and give advice for you on life in general," Jim grinned. "In a way, I will be your Yoda." He held his hand up. "I will not be in control of your body twenty-for-seven is that understood?" Kirk nodded. "Good, you are in control now."

Spock tilted over Kirk's queen.

"Checkmate." Spock said.

Kirk grinned.

"You have won, Mr Spock." Kirk said.

"Your moves were illogical and irrational," Spock noted, raising an eyebrow. "It made me wonder if you were having multiple strategies at once."

Kirk glared over to Jim.

"I lied about the winning part." Jim said, with a meek shrug.

"How about another game?" Kirk asked.

Spock's brow had lowered.

"If that is what you wish." Spock said.

"Kaddish." Jim said, fondly watching the chess game be put back together.

"What does Kaddish mean?" Kirk said.

"What is, is." Spock said.

"Interesting." Kirk said, reordering his chess pieces on the board.