Here's the end, folks! Thanks for all of you who stuck with this story through sporadic updates and for those who just recently picked it up. I hope to see you again!

A Bitter Affair - Epilogue

"Spock?"

"Yes?"

"I love you."

"I know."

McCoy shuffled expectantly. (A/n: I sort of imagine this as him scuttling side to side like Zoidburg)

"Spock?"

"Yes?"

"You could say it back."

"I know."

McCoy arched an eyebrow at the Vulcan laying on his bed.

"Spock!" he whined.

"Why do humans require constant reinforcement of their relationships?"

McCoy sighed as he sat on the bed. "Because when there's a traumatic event," he said, poking Spock in the chest, "we like to know *poke* that our loved ones *poke* are still important *poke* and that they know we care *poke poke poke* when they die."

Spock looked at McCoy and raised an eyebrow.

"I was not dead, Leonard. As I have told you on numerous occasions , the trance I entered was begun without adequate preparations. As a result, I was unable to control the abrupt suppression of the bond."

"You looked dead," McCoy said, pouting slightly.

"It was highly dangerous," Spock agreed. "Had you not given me the transfusion I needed, I would have died. You saved my life, Leonard. What more could you want me to say?"

McCoy scoffed. "I have saved lots of lives. Doesn't mean I want them all in love with me."

Spock sighed. "I also listened to your advice. You instructed me to enter a trance and I did so."

"And it nearly killed you!"

"Taking your advice often risks that particular consequence," Spock admitted.

McCoy turned so that he lay next to Spock.

"That is not what you wished to hear?"

"No."

Spock rolled onto his side and cupped Leonard's face.

"Is it enough to know that the minutes I spent away from our bond were the most miserable of my life?"

McCoy shifted, simultaneously pleased and embarrassed.

"Now you look uncomfortable," Spock said, tilting his head to the side. "When I don't praise you, you are angry. When I do praise you, you are embarrassed."

McCoy nudged him. "Keep praising."

"You have a spark of curiosity that I find most...fascinating," Spock said, slowly running his lips up Leonard's neck.

McCoy reddened. Spock's catchphrase would never be the same again.

"And I do love you," Spock added.

McCoy grinned. "I knew it!"

"You should sleep, doctor. You have not slept in quite some time."

"I'm not tired."

"Yes you are."

"Don't try that Vulcan voodoo on me. I'm...not..."

The corner of Spock's mouth turned up as he watched McCoy sleep.

"Sleep well, Leonard," he said, dimming the lights. Turning so that his body was pressed up against his sleeping lover's, Spock placed his lips against the back of his neck and sighed. He felt a remarkable peace settle over him as he drifted off to sleep.

"I will be here when you wake up."

Fin