Upon Waking

[iron_command]

How long it had been that he had been asleep was an unknown. Christopher Pike woke all at once but did not jerk or jar awake, simply became conscious and let his body remain relaxed and limp. He took in his non-visual surroundings first. He heard no other movement except the slow breathing of the body beneath his. He was sweating, but considering

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[iron_command]

Pike dried himself off and pulled on the leather gloves, flexing his hands within them, feeling the tingle as the nanoprobes searched and mapped out the electrical impulses of his body. Perhaps his eyes chanced over Spock's body, a few times.

[original_fine]

It was then that the door chimed, a distinct sound from the message beep at console.

Jim, fresh from the bridge stood outside, giving them a moment. He eyed the guards as he stood. Jim had given him clearance for nearly everything, in preparation for their experiment, so there was no one to say he should not be there. He had instructed them to enter only if they heard him call; there was no way to interview them behind a force field, as in the brig, and he was not about to stand in the hallway with the door open.

"It's Jim Kirk," he said into the module beside the door. "Is it all right if I speak with you for a few minutes?"

His tone was even and serious but his courtesy was a reminder that he was not interested in treating them as criminals. He could enter now, he could enter with an armed guard, but he would not interrupt unless forced.

[iron_command]

Pike paused, towel wrapped around his body. He hesitated only a moment before gesturing for Spock to finish. He took only a moment to pull on a pair of pants before calling out, "Enter."

There was an honest moment of pleasure at the courtesy that was completely ignored in their own universe. Or, more perhaps, that he knew it truly was a sense of courtesy and not fear of being killed that kept Jim from entering.

[original_fine]

Jim did so, one last look of command at the guards before stepping into the room and letting the door slide shut behind him. Pike was, clearly, fresh from the shower.

No doubt, an act Jim and Spock ought to have completed before gaining the bridge.

He nodded at Pike.

"Captain," he said. "I am relieved to see you looking well."

This was not small talk, nor dissembling. He would get to the point, but he was not at all insensitive to the great improvement having his Spock here meant. Nor to the pain his absence had caused.

[iron_command]

The words caused a smirk to flare up on the older man's lips, watching this stranger bearing Kirk's name. This one, at least, he had an iota of respect for. With Spock just in the other room, with the leather curled around his fingers again, Pike was beginning to feel like his own self again. Now if he could just obtain his freedom.

"And yourself." He said simply, giving a small nod. "And your Spock?" He asked not so much to actually know the status of Spock but how he handled the last remains of the mind-meld, and just how much Jim knew of it.

[original_fine]

"Spock is well," Jim said. He noted the gloves, but his eyes did not linger. "I believe he only was momentarily fatigued, and he is now on the bridge." Unharmed, functional. Perhaps rejuvenated in a similar way as the man before him. "I believe we owe you an explanation for leaving the interdimensional bridge."

Explanation. Not apology. Jim remained fairly close to the door, as much because he had not been invited elsewhere as to keep reasonable distance. He stood with assured casualness, watchful but not unduly tense.

[iron_command]

"You're far from an idiot to understand why I would be less then pleased about waking up to such a message." Pike said in a blunt tone, eyes never leaving Jim despite the fact that his stomach was beginning to complain about not having eaten yet.

"So now I'm just dying to know why." There was a sense of sarcasm that came through, but it was matched by an honesty in a strange combination.

[mirroredspock]

Spock had completed his shower. Now he remained, still, on guard, listening. He held a position of advantage and until he knew what, if any, threat this visitor posed, he would maintain it.

[original_fine]

Spock had not emerged. This was suspicious, but not immediately so. Jim well knew the strategic advantage of the hidden ally. He wanted to meet this Spock, but he would let him be, for now.

He inclined his head to Pike.

"It was certainly not our intention that things happen in this way," Jim said. "Nor to displease you intentionally, though your displeasure is natural. The ion trail that was our only lead to the whereabouts of Captain Kirk was dissipating quickly. It was necessary, when weighed against our demonstrated ability to locate your universe, to follow that trail before it became utterly unreadable. I would not have postponed your return so except in the most dire circumstances."

He had not, of course, given that order. But neither was he lying.

[iron_command]

"We heard the message." Pike murmured low, frowning slowly as he was starting to remember things. Damned, his mind had been completely wrapped up in the fact that his bond mate had returned. It was far from like him, and the fact he felt like this universe was making him slip was annoying him.

"Has your ship read the ion trail?" Pike asked almost out of habit, thinking to his own ship. The ion trail could identify much about a ship's origin and making if done carefully.

[original_fine]

Jim read that first murmur as, "but it didn't register." Interesting. He was, it must be said, intensely curious about their relationship. What did the bond mean, in that other world? What did they mean to one another, beyond what he'd seen in those borrowed memories, still banging about his mind as if untethered?

"We know who took them," he said, one captain to another. "And we are following. The timing is unfortunate. I will ensure that you are returned as soon as our men are safe. In the meantime, is there anything I can have sent to you?"

[iron_command]

Spock? Pike asked quickly through their bond. Can you think of anything you want? A tiny smirk touched his lips at his own words, but it all changed into a slightly thoughtful look as he sought to cover it up.

[mirroredspock]

A hint of reserved amusement.

A change of clothes, something clean? Computer access.

[iron_command]

As much computer access as they will let us have. He sounded doubtful of it, If any.

[mirroredspock]

At least the capability to send messages. There are questions I wish to ask.

A slight, humming pause.

Would my presence be beneficial?

All of his clothes were in the room with Christopher and the unnamed visitor but Spock had no use for modesty or shame.

[original_fine]

Jim watched Pike during the short exchange he was not privy to. His gaze lacked intensity but was rather, in point of fact, faintly amused. Not at the man but just with the recognition of communication. Which he, too, attempted to be subtle about. Though possibly for different reasons.