Disclaimer: Star Trek is not mine. TOS belongs to Roddenberry, NuTrek belongs to Abrams.

A/N: The end is finally here! I wanted to thank all of my readers and reviewers for their tremendous support.

A/N2: I wanted to take this time to announce that I will be taking a huge break from writing fanfiction. It's just not fulfilling me anymore. I will always love Kirk/Spock and treasure the four years I spent active in the K/S community. I apologize but I will not be finishing any more of my K/S stories. I barely finished this one, but I'm glad I did. I will be looking in to getting an original story published – wish me luck!

However, I do have one more K/S story that I haven't uploaded yet that I'm going to share with my online readers as a parting gift. It was published in fanzine T'hy'la 31 in 2011 and I believe it is my best fanfiction to date. It's called Universal Constants featuring both Spocks and Kirks, though it is set in the NuTrek universe. I believe it is a 'feel good' story and it has lots of romance, fluff, humor, and adventure. Look for me to upload that in a few days. And now, for the finale!

.~.

Chapter 19: Truths Revealed

.~.

Kirk kept his vigil at Spock's bedside for several hours. He was just about to get up to go find a cot when he heard something wonderful.

"Jim?"

The whisper had come from Spock. When he looked over at the bed, he found that the Vulcan's brown eyes were open and they were focused on him.

Kirk took a deep breath. "Hey, Spock." He reached for Spock's hand and Spock held it with both hands. But hand gestures weren't enough. Kirk had to tell Spock how he truly felt about him. They had waited much too long. It was now or never…

"Spock. I just want you to know that…" Kirk gulped. He had to get it out. "I love you. And not as a friend. In a romantic sense. I have for a while now. I know you think I couldn't commit to one person for a long period of time, but I know I could with you."

Spock was silent.

Uh oh, Kirk thought. "On second thought, just forget everything I said. If you don't feel the same, please don't ask for a transfer. I need you in my life, Spock, even if it's not in the capacity that I'd truly want." He'd given Spock an out, if he needed to take it. The question was, would he take it?

"Jim, I care for you as well," Spock choked out.

"Really?" Kirk stared at the Vulcan. He had to be certain. "As a friend?"

"Yes. No! As a Vulcan would regard a…" Spock blushed, "a future bondmate."

"What?" Kirk cried. "You… you mean it?"

"I do," said Spock. "It is difficult to speak of, as I am not practiced at acknowledging my emotion but Jim, I want you by my side for always."

"Oh my God," Kirk whispered, his eyes tearing up. Spock wanted him! What he'd dreamed of for so long was finally coming true! "You're really serious. Can I give you a hug?"

"Please," said Spock. He tried to sit up but he was too weak.

"Don't move," Kirk said. "It would be simpler if I just got in bed with you. Is that alright?"

Spock nodded.

Kirk carefully peeled back the covers and scooted Spock over so that he would have enough room to lie beside him. Jim then pulled the Vulcan close in spoon position. They just lay there for a few minutes, enjoying the closeness. Then Spock turned over to face Kirk.

"Jim. I was afraid I had lost you to Khan," Spock confessed.

"Nah – I'm too tough to get shot by that weirdo," said Kirk.

"No, you misunderstand me," said Spock. "Although that situation was not enjoyable to watch. I speak of when you invited Khan into your bed."

"Oh." Kirk winced. "Yeah, that wasn't my best decision. If it helps, we didn't go very far."

"Why did you not simply tell me of your affections instead of trying to find fulfillment with another?"

Kirk thought about it. He knew he had to be honest with Spock about this; he couldn't just BS his way out of it. "I was scared, I guess. You were still recovering from the break-up with Nyota. I guess I was afraid it was the wrong time to tell you and you would reject me."

"Did your feelings for me play a part in your choosing not to engage in a deeper meld with me?" Spock asked, even if he was pretty sure of the answer.

"Of course," said Kirk. "You were still with Uhura then. It wouldn't have been fair to her if I'd agreed for anything but a surface meld. If I had, you would have known my true feelings immediately."

"I must admit that I have wanted to experience a deep meld with you ever since you denied me that privilege."

"Yeah?" Kirk grinned at Spock. "Me too."

"However, I regret that I am much too fatigued for a meld at this time." Spock sounded disappointed.

"We'll have plenty of time for that after you've recovered," Kirk reassured him. "Can I kiss you?" Spock held up his two forefingers and Kirk returned the gesture. "No, I mean the human way."

"Oh. That. Yes," said Spock.

"Hey, you're being obtuse on purpose," Kirk accused.

"Indeed. Is it working?" Spock asked.

Kirk brushed his lips against Spock's in response. After a few seconds, he pulled away.

Spock was not impressed. "I do not believe that was sufficient time to…"

Kirk rolled his eyes. This time, when he kissed Spock, he did it for real.

.~.

Three minutes later

.~.

McCoy rushed in to find Kirk and Spock making out in the bed. As soon as they saw him, they quickly moved apart, but only just.

"God dammit, Jim!" The doctor cursed, quickly averting his eyes. "I don't want to see that."

"Then why'd the hell you come in?" Kirk cried.

"His heart rate increased," said McCoy.

"Well, I hope so. He was kissing me after all," Kirk huffed.

"Do not blame the doctor, Jim." said Spock. "He was only doing his job."

"Did you just defend him?" Kirk gaped at the Vulcan. "Are you okay?"

"By human standards, yes. By Vulcan standards?" Spock considered. "No. I just admitted my affection for you. Out loud."

"Congratulations," Bones muttered. "It took you guys forever."

Spock glared at Kirk.

"What?" Kirk threw up his hands. "I had to tell someone."

"Did it get back to Nyota?" Spock asked.

"Not until today. I'm afraid I was rather obvious about my feelings for you when Khan held you hostage," Kirk admitted. "But, Spock, she's okay. Or she will be. Unless I miss my guess, she and Scotty are going to be an item."

"Interesting," said Spock. "Did you…"

"Yeah. I made that happen," Kirk bragged.

"That was very thoughtful of you to think of her wellbeing," said Spock.

"I try," Kirk kidded.

McCoy was still in the room, standing awkwardly.

"Bones, why are you still here? I think we deserve some privacy." Kirk hissed.

"Oh. Yeah." McCoy waved his medical scanner over Spock, and made a note on his chart. "He's made enough progress that I release him into your care, Jim. As long as you spend the night in Sickbay."

"Aw, Bones, do we have to?" Kirk complained.

"Yes, you do," McCoy said sternly. "He needs his rest. If I let you go, I know neither of you will get any rest."

"Fine." Kirk stuck out his tongue at the doctor. "You're no fun."

"If his heart rate goes back up out of the normal range, I'll come back in," McCoy warned.

"Okay, okay." Kirk held up his hands in protest. "Night, Bones."

"Good night, love birds."

Kirk decided to let that one go. He watched McCoy leave the room with a bounce in his step.

"He seems to accept our new relationship," said Spock, sounding somewhat relieved.

"Yeah," said Kirk. "He's been in our corner ever since I told him how I really felt about you." Then he frowned. "I guess we shouldn't make out like that right now."

Spock couldn't take that dejected voice from Jim. He fiddled with the controls on the bed for a few minutes. "I will not accept defeat that easily – something I have learned from you. I have disconnected and recalibrated the heart monitor so we may resume our pleasurable activities."

"You are so smart," Kirk praised. "God, I love you."

Spock's eyes returned the sentiment. They then resumed making out without the medical staff's knowledge.

.~.

Three days later

Thankfully, Spock had completely recovered from his fight with Khan. The only evidence that remained of the altercation was a faint green bruise on his left cheek. Spock couldn't wait for it to fade completely so ignorant crew members would stop asking him how he received it. Kirk personally thought it made his boyfriend look badass. Once Kirk informed Spock of this, the Vulcan was quite proud of his bruise and was more than happy to explain the story behind it.

Once the Enterprise docked at Starbase 12, Khan and his crewmembers were transferred off the ship to a special holding facility. Kirk felt incredibly relieved that Khan was off his ship, as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He was no longer responsible for the fate of the madman. That would be decided by a jury after Khan was tried for mutiny, not to mention all of his other crimes from the Eugenics Wars. Kirk tried to put Khan out of his mind and instead focus on his new life with Spock, but it was not easy.

Alice was the only one of Khan's group that was not handed over in a frozen state. Kirk had written her a glowing letter of recommendation, stating that there was no reason for her mind to be wiped of its memories and personally vouching for her character. The rehabilitation workers promised that Alice would not be treated with a mind wipe. Kirk promised to stay in touch with her, and to put in a good word if, after her transition into the 23rd century, she wanted to join Starfleet.

Not only were there transfers off the ship, but the Enterprise picked up additional passengers as well. To Kirk's delight, Ambassador Spock made the trip. Also, Lt. McGivers and Ensign Palmer's families arrived just in time for their wedding. The ceremony was held in the ship's chapel. Everyone not involved in the wedding party were wearing their dress uniforms. Uhura, Nurse Chapel, and several of their friends were behind the flower arrangements of white lilies and indigo irises. The flowers matched the purple bridesmaids' dresses. McGivers was radiant in white, wearing an off the shoulder dress that tapered out at the bottom. She walked down the aisle with her father to Trumpet Voluntary by composer Jeremiah Clarke, a somewhat traditional yet rousing musical selection.

Scotty stood next to Uhura as they watched the wedding progress. When Uhura took his hand in hers, Scotty's blinding grin was visible from Kirk's position. The captain was proud of himself for having a hand in that. Not only had he helped his Chief Engineer and Communications officers find each other, it had helped ease Spock's guilt over leaving Nyota for Kirk since she had someone else with whom to share her life.

McGivers's father kissed his daughter's cheek, handed her off to Palmer, and then took a seat next to his wife. The bride and groom then approached Kirk. The young captain welcomed all of his crew members to the wedding and gave a small speech concerning the solemnity of marriage. This effect was marred when he cracked a joke about McGivers being the one to come on to Palmer, when everyone knew it was really the other way around. But the joke helped to relax the couple, which was Kirk's intent. Then it was time for them to get serious.

"We are gathered here today to join Lt. Marla McGivers and Ensign Jordan Palmer in holy matrimony," Kirk announced. "They have requested a marriage contract for life. If anyone has any reason why these two people should not be wed, speak now or forever hold your peace."

No one spoke up.

"Thank God no one said anything," Kirk said under his breath. He hadn't prepared for what he would do if someone had objected.

Half of his audience chuckled at that, as they could hear his comment through the microphone. Luckily, McGivers and Palmer looked amused and not annoyed.

Kirk reddened for a moment, but then recovered his composure. He focused his attention on the couple. "We will commence with the vows. Please, repeat after me."

McGivers said her vows with prompting from Kirk.

"I, Marla McGivers, take you, Jordan Palmer, to be my husband. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part."

Palmer repeated his vows back to her and they exchanged rings.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," Kirk said triumphantly. "You may kiss the bride."

McGivers and Palmer happily kissed for the first time as husband and wife to thunderous applause from their audience.

Kirk caught Spock's eye from across the room and gave him a cheeky wink. Spock only raised an eyebrow in response. Both were imagining their bonding day when they would be officially recognized as two halves of a whole. (To be honest, Kirk was imagining more about the bonding night, but he saw no reason to inform Spock of something the Vulcan already knew.)

It wasn't long before the wedding party and guests found their way to the rec room, which had been converted into a reception hall complete with tables, chairs, and a dance floor. Appetizers and then dinner was served. Kirk ate at a table with Spock, Sulu and Chekov, as well as McCoy and Chapel. (Scotty and Uhura sat with their friends at a nearby table.) Spock accompanied the captain when he went up to fill his plate. Kirk was about to load up on fried chicken when he sensed Spock's disapproval. Instead, Kirk got one chicken leg, potatoes and then added a spoonful of the vegetable medley. He also added some fruit and one brownie.

"I only wish to keep you healthy, t'hy'la," Spock whispered.

"I know," said Kirk. He knew that Spock worried about the difference in their lifespan, how Vulcans usually outlived humans their age. Kirk decided that he wasn't going to be a Nazi about what he ate, but that he would generally make better choices than he had been. Junk food in moderation would be his new motto. He knew that this choice would not only please Spock, but Dr. McCoy as well. That was a win-win scenario if he ever heard one.

As they ate their dinner, Kirk and Spock watched the couple's first dance together, the father-daughter dance, and the mother-son dance.

"Why does the mother of the bride not get to dance with her daughter?" Spock asked.

"It's a human tradition," said Kirk.

"You don't know why, do you?" Spock said.

"Not a clue," said Kirk, gracefully admitting defeat. "Don't you have plenty of Vulcan traditions that you can't explain logically?"

Spock blushed and looked away.

Kirk knew he had said something that upset his Vulcan, but he didn't know why.

"Spock?"

"I cannot speak of it here."

"Why? What's wrong?" Kirk pressed.

"Please leave it," Spock hissed.

"Okay, okay!" Kirk backed off.

Just then, they were approached by Ambassador Spock. The ancient Vulcan raised the ta'al, which they both returned.

"What brings you here, Elder?" Spock asked.

"I came to give you two a push in the right direction," said Elder Spock. "But it seems you do not need my help to realize your true feelings."

"We've only been together a few days, but it seems like a lifetime," Kirk said with a glowing smile. "Lately we'd been spending most our waking hours together. I think we were already dating months ago and we didn't realize it until now!"

"And you, Spock? How do you feel?" The ambassador enquired.

"Pleased, Ambassador," Spock said smoothly. "Captain Kirk – that is, Jim - and I are bound together in our hearts if not yet in our minds."

The old Vulcan smiled at that. "Have you set a date?"

"Not yet. I wanted a chance to date him properly for a while before we make plans for marriage and bonding," Kirk. "I wanted him to be sure."

"That is well," said Spock Prime. "Spock, might I have a word? There is something I must tell you about that could potentially cause problems for your relationship later on if it is not addressed."

Kirk watched them go, wondering what that was about. It sounded serious but with Vulcans, you never really knew.

In a few minutes, Spock returned to him without the ambassador, who was speaking with McGivers' parents.

"Is there anything I should be concerned about?" Kirk asked.

"The ambassador wanted me to share something with you - something that had caused difficulties for him and his Kirk."

"Oh?" Kirk was flooded with worry. "What's that?"

"It concerns the biology of Vulcans," Spock said, barely loud enough for Kirk to hear him.

"Explain," Kirk ordered.

"We don't speak of it to outworlders," said Spock, looking around in vain.

"No one's eavesdropping on us," Kirk insisted. "Spock. Out with it."

"I cannot. I must speak to you in private."

"Alright," Kirk relented, since Spock looked like he was about to faint. "We'll go up to my cabin."

Once they arrived in the privacy of the captain's quarters, Spock told Kirk what was bothering him without too much prompting.

"You see, Jim, Vulcans have a mating cycle called pon farr where we must mate or die. We also need mental unity with our partner – physical gratification is not enough to break the fever."

"When is this supposed to happen to you?" Kirk had to know.

"Not for four more years. But with the destruction of Vulcan, it could be anytime," Spock admitted. "There have been reports of young Vulcans entering the cycle before their projected time, most likely to help increase our dwindling population."

"Let me get this straight. You expect me to be upset because we have to satisfy your need to mate and meld?" Kirk looked at Spock like he was crazy.

"This is serious, Jim. Unbonded Vulcans have killed their mates during our time," Spock insisted.

"Well, then we won't be unbonded." Kirk shrugged. "As soon as you feel any sort of symptom of the mating cycle, you tell me immediately and then we'll get bonded in a hurry if need be."

"We are also very violent at that time. I cannot subject you to this," said Spock, although he looked uncertain.

"I am perfectly willing to do this for you," Kirk insisted. "Besides, if Elder Spock and his Kirk survived it, then we can too."

Spock was silent. Jim's argument was logical, but he'd been raised to dread his time – even to fear it. He didn't want to hurt Jim during his time, but he didn't want to lose him either. It would be Jim's decision.

"I'm not giving you up, Spock," Kirk vowed. "I can't. I won't. Not for this, not for anything. Not when you need me the most."

"You really mean it." Spock sounded awed. "Jim, do you know what you are agreeing to?"

"Yes." Kirk sounded absolutely certain, because he was. He didn't know all the facts yet, but he knew that he and Spock loved each other and that was enough. "You can't scare me away, Spock. You've got me for life."

That earned him a bone-crushing hug from Spock.

"Feel better?" Kirk asked as he rubbed circles on his future bondmate's back.

"Yes," said Spock. "But you cannot speak of this to anyone."

Kirk knew they'd have to tell McCoy when the time came, but agreed not to tell anyone about it for now.

"Do you feel better to go back out there?" Kirk asked. "I wanted to dance with you tonight. That way we can announce our relationship to the crew without ever saying a word."

"I would like that," said Spock. Without hesitation, he followed his captain out of his quarters and down the hall.

They rode together in silence in the turbolift. Captain and Commander just stared at one another, just drinking each other in. Kirk was overjoyed that Spock had admitted his true feelings, and couldn't help grinning smugly at the Vulcan. Spock's lips twitched in response, almost as if he were trying not to laugh.

The turbolift opened. They quickly found the rec room, where the dance was in full swing. As fate would have it, the song changed to a slow ballad. Kirk identified the song as I Swear, by All 4 One, a late 20th century terran group. He doubted Spock had heard the song before, but he couldn't miss the sentiment behind it.

Kirk held out his hand to Spock, who took it. Swells of trust radiated between them as they took the first step to showing the public that they were a couple.

"Are you ready?" Kirk asked.

"I am," said Spock.

"Good," said Kirk.

They walked out on to the dance floor hand in hand.

.~.

The End!

Here's an excerpt from the I Swear song that I believe describes Kirk and Spock's relationship at the end of the story.

I swear (And I swear)
Like the shadow that's by your side
I'll be there (I'll be there)

For better or worse till death do us part
I'll love you with every beat of my heart

A/N: Thanks for all the memories! K/S forever. This is SpirkTrekker42 signing off.