"So what the hell's wrong with him that you know and we trained professionals don't?"

Jim could hear Bones yelling for the third time. This time at least he wasn't saying the words "brain damaged", "catatonic", or "unstable".

The pain wouldn't leave his chest long enough for him to speak or open his eyes again. His mind was lost in the sensation of a bleeding wound that could not be staunched. The only thing keeping him breathing was the hand that refused to let go of his.

"The captain is experiencing effects few outside our people have ever witnessed. Something many among our people are still suffering."

That voice belonged to another who Jim knew was dead. One who died in an explosion.

"So this is more of your Vulcan voodoo?"

"Indeed not, doctor. As my older counterpart would have explained had you not interrupted, the captain has suffered a tremendous loss on a level you cannot comprehend fully. In order to save his mental and emotional well being, the course to Uzh-Ah'rak will take us to a place he can be properly healed."

"Fine! I can't argue with two of you green bloods at once, let alone two Spocks at once."

Jim knew Bones had stormed out. The warm hand in his shifted its grip so their fingers were intertwined. This brought another wave of comfort/love/support to his mind.

"Is there anything we can do for him?"

"He has lost someone much closer to him than you were, with a connection that created the bridge necessary to find him. You understand that the breaking of that tether was what allowed him to return."

"And mother?"

"I can only assume that was an accident on Jim's part. They must have been together at the time of his return."

And then old Spock was gone as well. Jim felt the overly warm body slide onto the biobed, arms wrapping tightly around him.

"Captain...Jim...you must open your eyes," he whispered. "I know your pain, and I will assist in your recovery. You must first open your eyes."

He couldn't. It didn't matter to him if this one was still alive, his Spock was dead, that connection lost forever. Jim tried to tell himself that this Spock was exactly the same, but in his heart he knew the truth. His Spock was gone forever. That universe was in utter destruction. There was no James Kirk, and now there was no Spock. Nothing of either of them remained. Only a memory on a ship which he didn't know the fate of.

"I will wait for you," the voice whispered in his ear. Jim let his consciousness close down as he fell asleep once more.

The warmth didn't leave him through his dreams. The presence in his mind refused to diminish. And though he fought it, he felt his mind pulling back together. He couldn't stop himself from opening his eyes to see Spock sitting next to him on a stool, one hand running up and down his arm, the other working on a dataPADD in his lap.

The subtle differences between the two were obvious when Jim looked. His mind would never confuse this Spock for his Spock. And would never replace him.

"Jim, I have no wish to impose where I am not wanted," he said evenly without looking up. "However, I will stay if you want it." His eyes traveled over to Jim. "I would like to stay."

Jim took a deep, shaky breath and blinked. "What's happening, Spock?"

"Your mind is damaged. From what I can understand, you were sent to another universe and formed a bond with an individual there. Once that person died, the bond was broken. It is a painful experience which had only two known cures."

"And those are...?"

"You can give it time and your mind may heal itself. Or you may volunteer to strengthen a preexisting bond."

"A preexisting bond?" Jim asked. He knew what Spock was saying. "I can't. I can't ask you to do that. Uhura...I can't."

Spock set the PADD aside and turned to fully face Jim. "Nyota and I are no longer in a romantic relationship. I ended it once I realized the bond that was in place." His eyes narrowed slightly in confusion. "Jim, there is more to your hesitation, is there not?"

With a deep breath, Jim actually sat up a bit and turned away from Spock, unable to look at the man who was physically the same as the one he had lost. "You aren't him. I mean...you are him, but not him."

"I understand, captain," Spock replied. He pulled his hand away from Jim's arm and stood. "You should rest. I must see to the bridge. I will return shortly."

That gave Jim time to think. His mind was telling him that this was for the best. He could let himself bond with Spock. He was finally home. But a larger part of him was screaming that this was all wrong. Not even having Spock, the man he had fallen in love with so long ago, could lessen the hurt he was feeling.

The one thing that truly kept Jim going was the knowledge that his Spock wouldn't want him giving up and he had to find a way to go on.