Life aboard the Enterprise was a lot brighter from then on out. This was for a few reasons. One, his personal life was much better off. Since he didn't have to guess at Spock's feelings for him (or any of his feelings, for that matter) his confidence had sky-rocketed. Though his anxiety wasn't gone completely, it was much lower, and that was greatly in part due to his never being alone. As soon as he felt the palpitations, increased heart rate, or any other telltale sign of an impending panic attack, Spock was right there with him, in his mind, reminding him to breath. His depression had improved as well, though the dark thoughts crept up every now and again. It really helped that he had someone to confide in and wasn't alone. He knew that, had he not been bonded, when things got tough, he would have retreated back to his quarters and most-likely dealt with his problems in an unhealthy way. Now he was meditating, eating better, and living a healthier lifestyle with the help of his bond mate.

And husband. After they bonded, the two approached Jim and asked if he would perform a Terran marriage ceremony for them. It was small, and only the senior staff was in attendance, but as the doctor had imagined, they stood up in front of witnesses dressed in their formal uniforms and Spock even gave him a chaste kiss in front of their audience. Jim had chuckled happily.

The ceremony had been three weeks previous, just at the end of year two of the mission. Truthful feelings came out in the mess hall among the crewmembers in forms of whispers and comments that, thankfully, all seemed positive. "I knew you two were something," Sulu mentioned to McCoy at the replicators at lunch one day. "I could tell by the way he looked at you. Maybe you'll get him to loosen up a little, hey?" He left with a chuckle.

"I think it's wonderful that you and Mr. Spock are able to have a life together!" Uhura chimed in one day on the bridge. Spock's ears perked from his science station. "It's difficult to find love when you're out here in space…" Leonard laughed and patted her on the shoulder.

Jim remained silent on the whole matter in public, but behind the scenes he seemed secretly happy. "You two couldn't hide it from me," he jibed in their quarters one night as he and the doctor sipped bourbon from tiny alien glasses. Spock sat nearby. "Well…maybe Spock could, but McCoy, you're an old-fashion boy. You pine for your loved ones, there was no way you could have kept this one a secret."

Spock looked to his husband for some reaction of annoyance, but his human features were graced with a smile. "I wasn't trying to keep it one," he said as he raised his glass. Perhaps the alcohol was going to his head. "No no, Jim, this is it. No going back now. And I couldn't be happier." He looked over at Spock and gave him a wink. Spock perked an eyebrow.

"What do you think about all this, Mr. Spock? How are you taking to the changes? Is it difficult sharing your mind with such an emotional creature?"

Spock considered this question for a second and felt a tiny bit of nervousness radiate from McCoy. "It is not difficult," he said simply. "However, it is constantly interesting. I am learning much more about human nature."

Jim laughed. "Making any more sense of it?"

"Negative. Leonard is even more illogical now than before." The other two men laughed together. Spock waited for them to quiet down and then continued. "Nevertheless, I am quite content."

Jim smiled. "Well…good. I think you two make a good match."

Leonard smiled at him. "Thanks, Jim."

The captain raised his glass. "A toast. To my two best friends and their new life together." McCoy raised his glass as well. "Join us in a toast, Mr. Spock."

"No, thank you, Captain. I believe Leonard is drinking enough for the both of us tonight."

"You better believe I am."

"A toast to your relationship and your health.

"A toast!"

"Indeed."

Later that evening, Jim had staggered down the hall to his own quarters (accompanied by a very perplexed Vulcan) and Leonard had stripped out of his medical tunic and trousers and crawled into bed. Before Spock had even returned, he was out cold.

The Vulcan entered the room, turning the lights on low and dropping the temperature a few degrees to make a more comfortable sleeping environment for his mate. He slid easily into bed beside the doctor who was sprawled out in the middle. With some maneuvering, he managed to insert himself so that Leonard was curled around him, using Spock's shoulder and chest as a pillow. The Vulcan sighed and gently lifted the doctor's arm to inspect the knife cut from so many months ago. His self-inflicted wound was only a faint scar now, a bad memory of the first night that Spock had cared for the man and decided that his life was not safe in his own hands. An illogical decision, to take on such a project and attach himself to such an emotional human being, but one he was glad he made. As his father had once told him - what was right was not always logical. So he brought the tiny wrist to his face and pressed a kiss on top of the scar before tucking them both under the covers. Leonard grunted some sort of thanks and settled into sleep again quickly.

"Good night, sa-telsu."

"Run-tor-rom."

Spock chuckled inwardly and closed his eyes, allowing his body, his mind, and the mind of his mate to relax and find peaceful sleep.