Jim sat alone in his quarters, Spock was in the labs working on an experiment, and reflected on the first few months of their official, romantic relationship. Jim had to admit that Spock had been a soothing, maturing influence; while he had brought spark and spontaneity to Spock's rigid life. Jim also realized that he had begun to bring balance to Spock's two warring halves. Jim couldn't have imagined when he accepted this job that he would meet his bondmate. In the midst of his reflections, he heard the chime of the door, and answered, "Enter!" Bones entered the room, carrying a bottle of Romulan Ale, and with a smirk said, "I've come to catch up on how the two love birds are doing." Jim rolled his eyes as he went to get two cups. Bones filled the cups, sat back and arched his eyebrow at his friend.

Jim sighed, took a moment to gather his thoughts before he began speaking. "I should begin by thanking you Bones, it was because of you that I had the courage to start this whole thing to begin with. Thank goodness you have that psychology degree."

At that, Bones blushed and responded, "Jim, you were in pain and my best friend, of course I couldn't let you suffer if I could help!"

Jim smiled before continuing. "As you know we began to repair our professional relationship, but it was after Gary's death that things took a more personal turn. Spock came to me that night to say that he grieved with me at the loss of my friend, and that he wanted to talk with me about a personal matter. Of course I agreed." At this Bones harrumphed, as if to say "Get on with it man! I know this part!"

Jim shook his head at his friend's impatience. "The night we made our romantic relationship official, I found out that Spcok had an arranged marriage already set in place, it occurred at age seven. I realized that rationally, having studied Vulcan culture at the Academy, but it was still a surprise. He stated that they had tried to make the relationship work but, according to him, she couldn't understand his devotion to Starfleet and he was a little too human for her." Jim paused and shook his head, as if he couldn't believe that anyone would give up on a relationship with Spock! Bones smiled and said, "Her loss is your gain, don't you agree?" Jim nodded in agreement before continuing on. "At that point I disclosed the whole Carol episode and Gary's hand in it," with a soft smile he remembered Spock's response to that, "Spock was unexpectedly tender in his response - saying that neither Carol nor Gary were worthy of my love or friendship."

"My God man, you have it bad don't you?" Bones interjected; at which point all Jim could do was shrug his shoulders. He was in deep and he wouldn't have it any other way. "Anyway, we discussed what we both wanted and how we wanted to proceed. We decided it would be good to keep it under wraps for a while, not out of shame but because we wanted the relationship to be on firm ground and for people not to exploit it to their own advantage. That's all Bones, that's current."

Bones eyed his best friend, "Really? That's it?" Jim shifted nervously in his seat, "Well, beyond the Alpha/Omega bond we are actually soul mates. When we shared our first Vulcan kiss, we had a literal shock, so Spock did some research and confirmed his suspicions…" Bones eyebrows almost disappeared into his hairline at that revelation. "You two don't do things by halves do you?" He shook his head, happy beyond belief for his two friends but also miserable at the fact that he had not found his other. Jim reached over and gently grabbed his friend's hand, "Bones, you will find someone. I promise, they are out there waiting for you." Bones gripped his hand firmly and responded with a quiet, "Thank you" before clearing his throat and wiggling his eyebrows, "Have you two done the deed?" Jim flushed scarlet and looked down at his drink. Bones mouth dropped open in surprise, "The great Jim Kirk embarrassed at the mention of sex? Well, this is an interesting turn of events. I'm guessing by the silence and the scarlet hue of your face that you haven't done the deed?"

Jim silently shook his head, took a sip of his ale, then scrubbed his face before responding. "Bones, I've had my fair share of relationships but this is something like I've never known before. I don't want to screw this up, we are meant to be together in every sense of the word. What if I'm lousy at sex? What if I don't fulfill his needs? I've never been with a man before and I am used to being the dominant one in my sexual life but with Spock, I want to surrender in every sense of the word. That terrifies me." By the end, Kirk had put his face in his hands, as if unable to face McCoy or the absent Spock. Jim Kirk was truly at a loss and it was something McCoy was unused to seeing in his confident friend.

McCoy put his drink down, and came to sit next to his friend. "Jim," he said softly and when his friend wouldn't look up at him he firmly repeated, "Jim!" Finally, Jim looked up with a vulnerability in his eyes he rarely let show. "Based on what you've told me tonight, and what I have observed over the past several months between the two of you, you needn't worry. Be honest with Spock, honesty has worked before. As someone who has been with both genders … don't look so surprised Jim! This country doctor has some surprises up his sleeve." He winked at Jim before continuing, "The first time, take it slow. Let him be the bottom, figure out what you both like. Without breaking confidence, Spock has been with male partners before so he has a little experience in this area. Don't look at me like that Jim, they were both long before he got involved with you. Point is, he'll know how to guide the both of you. Now before you melt of embarrassment, I'll leave you to think over what I've said. Trust Spock, Jim, he loves you with all of his soul and would never intentionally hurt you," with a smile McCoy stood up, grabbed his bottle of ale and left Jim to ponder what his friend said.

Jim was so lost in thought he didn't hear Spock enter his quarters until he felt Spock's lips touch the top of his head. "T'hy'la," he murmured, "why are you so worried?" Jim looked at his partner, and said, "I know you don't do them often but I don't know if I have the words to express what is on my mind. Would you do a mind meld? Look at tonight's conversation with Bones?" Spock gazed at his partner, an eyebrow disappearing into his hair before shifting to sit closer to Jim. He placed his hands on Jim's PSI points and began the meld. Jim couldn't tell if it had been several minutes or an hour before Spock withdrew from his mind. Spock hummed, and sat for a moment before he began speaking, "Dr. McCoy was correct in what he said to you, we should, and will, take our first coupling slowly. He is also correct in his statement that I have been with men previous to this but it was long before we became a couple. I too am growing disarious to have sex but also to bond with you in every sense of the word." Jim gasped at that, realizing what Spock was saying. Spock looked him in the eye, "Are you really so surprised Jim? I love you. I have told you that each and every time I have called you T'hy'la. I want no other, do you feel the same? If not, we will terminate our relationship here and now."

Jim paled at Spock's last statement before vigorously shaking his head. "God no Spock, I cannot imagine what would happen to me if we were to 'terminate our relationship'. I was just surprised at the suddenness of your wanting to bond, it's so unlike you. I want nothing more than to be joined with you, forever, and to bear your children."

If Jim had not intimately known Spock, he would have missed the feral spark in the dark brown eyes before he closed the small space between them and placed a searing kiss on Jim's lips. Jim placed himself on Spock's lap, and automatically bore his throat for Spock, begging the alpha to break his gland and seal their bond. Spock immediately latched on to the gland, kissing and lapping. Spock, with his famous Vulcan restaurant, pulled back from his omega, placing his forehead against Jims, harshly panting before whispering in his ear, "Jim, I would love nothing more than to knot and break your gland, sealing our bond." At that Jim bucked against Spock, letting out a quiet moan as the Vulcan continued, "However, neither one of us are ready, especially you my love. Tonight we will play, but I will not take you until you are completely ready."

"I'm ready now!" mewled Jim.

Spock huffed a laugh and responded, "No, T'hy'la you are not but that doesn't mean we cannot enjoy ourselves tonight" and with a wicked smile Spock picked up his beloved and took him into the bedroom.

Hours later, tangled in Spock's bed, with Jim's head resting on the Vulcans chest and his arm wrapped around Spock's torso, Jim reflected on the night's conversation. Spock wanted to bond, permanently, with him. Jim had known in a vague sense that was where their relationship was headed but to hear the Vulcan utter it out loud was something else entirely. How he had managed to interest the Vulcan enough to want to bond with him was beyond comprehension. He was surprised out of his thoughts when he heard Spock's voice, rough from sleep, "Ashal-veh, your thoughts are quite loud." Jim murmured a quiet, "Sorry."

Spock sighed quietly, sat up and brought Jim with him so that he was sitting fully in the Vulcans lap, his head resting in the crook of the Vulcans neck. Spock began to rub Jim's arm as he began to speak. "K'diwa, I am unsure where this low self esteem comes from or why you think I wouldn't want to be with you. You are kind, witty, energetic, and driven. You would not be the youngest starfleet captain in history if you were not intelligent and beyond reproach. Your compassionate nature is part of the reason why you are a successful captain and what drew me to you. These are just your inner qualities, which I could elaborate on for hours, to say nothing of your physical body. Your body is everything I could ever want in a spouse. Having said that, I don't care what age does to your body, I will still love you because of what is in your heart and mind. Jim, I want to take it slow because I want the both of us to be ready, emotionally and physically. I am not the best at expressing myself but never doubt I love you. You are my soulmate, my T'hy'la. I want no one but you."

Jim, who had not cried since his grandfather died when he was eight, felt the tears slip from his eyes and onto Spock's chest. "Jim, I did not intend for you to cry. I was merely trying to elevate the worry I could feel radiating from you earlier." Jim dried his eyes, and horsley whispered back, "I know and Spock, Ashau nash-veh tu."
Spock softly chuckled and responded "Ashau nash-veh tu and we will have to work on your Vulcan." Spock held out his fingers and Jim gladly reciprocated the gesture. He cuddled into Spock's side, and both fell into a contented sleep.
Ashal-veh means darling

K'diwa means beloved
Ashau nash-veh tu means I love you