Slow Way Home
Chapter 3

[Day 7 of 45]

Jamie Kirk opened her bright blue eyes feeling a deep ache in her bones, but the pain she'd felt before was mostly gone now. Glancing around, her eyes had trouble focusing but she felt a hand in hers and automatically turned in that direction.

Spock was sitting at her side, his hand in hers. He was as rigid as when they were children.

"Spock," she whispered, her voice dry and raspy. His eyes snapped open and focused on her. The brown was intense and focused as if he couldn't believe she was really awake. "What happened?" What she really wanted to know is why the hell he was there with her. And how long she'd been out? A major part of her was still furious with him and hurt.

"Your injuries were severe and your refusal to receive treatment led to your collapse," he said and she heard that note – slight hesitation that was almost natural – most wouldn't notice that told her he'd been worried.

"Why?" she asked.

"I am not aware of why you did not seek treatment," he began but she cut him off.

"No – why are you here?" she asked, not caring that Bones was walking towards her, having realized she was now awake.

"I do not understand. You are my wife and are injured. I am off duty so where else would I be?" he questioned though she could hear it – he was struggling to find true logical decisions. Just because she was his wife, and injured didn't mean he would be there. That was faulty logic.

"Why though?" she asked. "I'm trying to keep up Spock, I really am, but your mood swings are giving me whiplash. One minute you are open, helping me then our bond is back. Next you're marooning me on Delta Vega where I could have been easily killed." She ignored his involuntary flinch. "Just tell me what you want? If you want to go back to before we found each other again then fine… but if you want to try and work this out…" she spoke, her throat hurting but she began coughing.

"Stop upsetting her," Bones snapped before moving to her side. "You need to calm down – your injuries are still severe."

"Yeah, I'm sure. Getting your ass handed to you tends to have that affect," she said and Bones snorted.

"How many hits did you lay on them?" Bones asked as he began scanning her.

"A few… but Romulan's are built like brick walls – literally. They hurt about the same," she told Bones who paused before shaking his head. Spock looked at her as if he was startled by that. "Anyways, my punches did more damage to me than it did them."

Bones grumbled something under his breath.

"I know you won't get any rest while here… you never do," Bones told her. "I will be sending you with your husband."

"What?" Jim asked, shocked. She really didn't want to be left alone with her husband.

"You need to rest, which you won't get here. Everyone's doubling or even tripling up in the quarters that are safe. Your husband is going to take you in," he said in a tone that told her not to argue. She grumbled under her breath.

"At least get some sleep yourself. Have you slept at all?" she asked and he did not respond. "Damn it, McCoy… you need sleep too. You're chief medical officer. If you collapse then who's going to save our asses when we get hurt?"

"Fine, brat. You go with your husband – sleep and relax. No worrying about anything," he told her.

"Easier said than done," she muttered. "When do I get out of here?"

"Spock, pick up your wife," Bones said and Spock did just that.

"Hey, I'm capable of walking," she argued as Spock picked her up bridal styled. Then they carried her from the room, her in that flimsy infirmary nightgown though she was glad this one had the ass in it. That would have been mortifying.

Instead she had to hide her face as everyone stopped respectfully as Spock carried her through the halls, Bones leading the way. Soon they arrived at a room and they entered. The room was Vulcan temperatures and she closed her eyes. It was fine with her but apparently Bones disagreed with her opinion.

"Why the hell is it so hot in here," Bones growled.

"It's set for Vulcan temperatures," she said as Spock moved to lay her down on the bed.

"You'll sweat to death in here," Bones told her. "Find a midpoint… how the hell did you survive temperatures like this?"

"Lots of water ingestion and a high amount of adaptability," she said cheekily as Spock returned, having disappeared. He had brought a glass of water with him. He sat it at her side. Once curled up she fell asleep – warm scents filling the air.

~Slow Way Home~

Spock went from meditation to fully alert in one second as he heard a muted scream. He'd been in the living/sitting area of his quarters so he stood and walked to the bed room. Jim was on her stomach, face pressed into a pillow, her knuckles white as she screamed.

Pain suddenly came toward him, fear. Whatever had been blocking their bond was gone right then and he sensed every emotion.

Hurrying to her side he placed a hand on her back. She came awake swinging fast which he caught gently and securely. Facing him sudden realization dawned on her and he released his grip.

Tears ran down her cheeks and he was unsure of what to do. He did not know how to help her. That's when she pulled him forward, latching on. He wrapped his arms around her shaking body. Whatever she'd dreamt it had truly rattled her.

After some time she relaxed and he felt her grip loosen. Looking down he saw he saw her breathing was slow and steady, even. She'd fallen asleep. Lowering her gently he wished he knew what she'd dreamt about. But her mind was a mystery to him. He didn't know what made her become the woman she'd become since they were eighteen.

Mentally shaking his head he brushed a strand of her short chin length dark blonde-almost light brown hair out of her face. It had darkened with age and he found he did not mind. He did miss the length.

He had not realized he always imagined her with long hair so much that he would not recognize her with short hair. Controlling the urge to sigh he stood up and checked the air's temperature. It was almost earth normal. She didn't need to get sick.

With her immune system being as it were, it would not take much prompting to become compromised.

From there he went to go back to meditate but thought the better of it. Instead he went and laid on the bed. She curled up into his chest and he couldn't help the corner of his lips turning upwards as he felt her weight leaning against him. Then his arms wrapped around her as he drifted off to sleep.