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.

[iron_command]

Did Jim speak for them both, and his Spock allowed it, or was their silent communication even less obvious then the one he shared with his own Spock? An interesting notion to think on, considering. In all of his years with Spock, their communication had become second nature, invisible. It had to be in a an Empire where their bond was a crime worth of torture and death.

Had Jim and his Spock been bonded for nearly the same length of time? Had they worked together, known each other, previous to it? He had never personally met another human bonded to a Vulcan, though he had heard rare instances of people being killed because of it and less rare instances of people having to 'suffer' the pain of it because of circumstances beyond their control.

"As would we." Pike said with a smirk playing over his lips, meaning the words. Their honor might have been far more severe then the Jim's, but it did not mean they had any less of it.

[original_fine]

Jim had not communicated with Spock. Nor did he feel he was speaking for him. Merely making a quite logical assumption (to him) that Spock would be interested in such an encounter. But then, Jim did not come from a world where such questions meant life or death. He was bound to be more casual.

Nor was he aware, of course, of the questions running through Pike's or Spock's minds. He was certain there were questions, of course. But he could not begin to guess what precisely would interest them

[mirroredspock]

It was generally guaranteed that Spock had a never-ending stream of questions.

But he looked at Christopher. He would not ask them if Christopher wished to conclude this interview.

A chime at the door indicated the arrival of someone new. Perhaps with their clothes?

[iron_command]

"All I can think of." Pike did glance to Spock, allowing him to have a say if he had anything else to add, but Spock's own questions could wait. The questions in his mind would better be asked after they had gotten into clean clothing, had food, and could sit down with Jim and his Spock in a more casual sort of moment.

The chime on the door urged him to bid the person to enter.

[original_fine]

Jim was closest to the door. On top of that, he was a less threatening figure than either the naked Vulcan or the leather-gloved Pike, and no doubt rumors were flying hot and heavy around the ship.

So Jim was handed the pile of fresh, neatly-folded clothing, complete with underthings, and the security guard given the duty was quickly and gratefully done with it, sparing as little notice of his surroundings as he could while still doing his job. Jim thanked him politely.

Alone again, Jim offered a brief smile at the idea of the picture he presented, and held out the clothes to Spock.

[mirroredspock]

Spock warily stepped forward to accept them. He cut another glance at Christopher before taking the opportunity to test Kirk's scent again.

"Thank you."

[iron_command]

Spock was his beast, all feline grace and action, narrowed eyes and a devious mind, hidden claws and an even more hidden vicious nature. He could see much less of the beast in the three other Spocks he had seen, as if they were far less at ease in their own skins. It went up in time - from the youngest who was the easiest of the mind, the most defensive, the weakest, to the middle who had a well defended mind but a rigid spine unwilling to bend, and the eldest who had seemed at ease with himself but somehow lost.

He preferred his own Spock when it came to all of this. As a young man Spock had been much the same as the youngest of the Spocks, but with his hand to guide the half-Vulcan and their bond to later cement everything into place, Spock had bloomed into what circled Kirk.

Pike wondered if Spock would have merely killed his meal in a quick clean strike or played with Jim like a cat would play with a mouse before delivering the final strangling bite.

[original_fine]

"You're welcome."

In Jim's experience, courtesy was often met with courtesy.

It was not always met with sniffing, but he supposed the puzzle of the aroma he presented was difficult to resist. Especially in this less-restrained, leashed Spock.

He did not fear him. Perhaps that was foolish, an outgrowth of some romantic notion on his part that ultimately, that-which-was-Spock would not harm him. But it did not mean he was not aware of body language--especially in this man--or ignorant of danger should it arise. But Jim had not gotten where he was by being afraid of new and bizarre situations. Nor being unprepared for them to go sour. Hence his confidence, a sort of readiness that suggested easy energy, not tension.

Jim preferred his own Spock. He was actually looking forward to telling him about being sniffed. Subtle as it was.

"Doubtless you wish to talk things over and rest and eat," he said. "I'll see about the computer access. And speak to my Spock about chess. It was a pleasure, Spock. I do appreciate your patience, both of

[mirroredspock]

Spock had never been with anyone other than Christopher. It was still disconcerting, this bond between his counterpart and this James T. Kirk but it was also fascinating.

He reached out, slowly, and used a long finger to touch Jim's chest, he could not put words to why.

It was debateable whether Spock was more fascinated by his counterpart who would claim this human or by the human.

[iron_command]

A breath was sucked in through his nose as he watched Spock reach out and touch Jim, and he felt a very brief flare of definite jealousy that he could not have explained. If Jim had touched Spock without warning, he would have grabbed the other human's hand and broke the wrist.

He could not remember ever seeing such an action from Spock before. It made him shift in place, eyes narrowed, both wanting to see what occurred from the touch and simultaneously wanting to remove his mate from anywhere near Jim.

...Since when had he been particular jealous? It must have been the bond's last remaining urges from their separation, that was all.

[original_fine]

Jim did not move. He watched Spock, his expression neutral but for the curiosity he could not hide. Not "interest" in the sexual sense, though it might be mistaken for that by the possessive. But the patient, waiting curiosity with which Jim approached anything in his life that did not allow his strategy of taking it by both hands.

He did not need Pike's sharp intake of breath to know that any reciprocal motion would not be taken well. By either of them. And Jim had no interest in coming between them, even aside from threat of bodily harm.

[mirroredspock]

This was not a puzzle that would be solved immediately. Spock retreated, watched from his new position just behind his mate, something feral in his eyes.

"I look forward to meeting your Spock."

Kirk's Spock that has been in his Christopher's mind.

[original_fine]

Jim's eyes met Spock's without fear, fascinated by the unusual expression, almost wild. It made him nearly unrecognizable, as little his own Spock as Len with his round ears. Less, even, perhaps.

"I have no doubt that he looks forward to meeting you, as well," Jim said. Would this help, or hinder, Spock's new endeavor to understand relationships? It hardly mattered--he was going to be fascinated, anyway.

[iron_command]

He met Jim's eyes for a moment, almost approvingly. "Until then." Pike said in a smooth tone, a clear dismissal. He wanted to get changed, have his first officer clothed, and finally get a damned chance to eat something.

[original_fine]

Jim's own expression held something slightly calculating for a moment, as if tacitly accepting the dismissal knowing full well it was not binding. He had already taken his leave; Pike would not move him about like a chess piece, and Kirk would not abandon respect and courtesy.

"Indeed," he murmured, nodding to both men before touching a signal on his communicator for the door to be opened. He turned his back and strode out. A sign of vulnerability, perhaps, but also one of trust as well as self-assurance.

He had much to tell Spock, when he got the opportunity.