[An Important Meeting] -- [Kirk and Spock]
After meeting with the others, the only person left to talk with about his idea was Spock. Honestly, a part of him was more worried about his ideas on this more then any of the others simply because he understood Spock the least. His dealings about command and captaincy would take some work with Jim, but something told him that he could definitely trust Jim's judgment on things - after all, the man had run this very similar but more experienced crew for years. It would, in essence, be making something that was almost first officer but not. How would Spock take to that? Should Spock, his this universe's Spock, be superior to Jim in the chain of command? Equal? Lesser?
The sort of stuff they needed to talk about, for sure.
Kirk leaned back in his seat, glaring at a padd in his hands, trying to make sense of something engineering had sent up to him about changes they wanted to make. He had a feeling Scotty's hand was in all of this because it was definitely a boost towards the Enterprise herself. The thought briefly turned his scowl into a smirk. His crew wanted her to be at her best, too. He thought about the project he had put into the younger Scotty's hands and wondered how it would turn out. He was very interested in the young man's talent and seeing how far it would range out, along with a mixture of the best possible use of technology from another universe. Fuck, if Pher wasn't such a bastard, he'd ask the fucker about his Enterprise. Except he'd trust any information from Pher about as much as he'd trust someone telling him that grabbing the glowing end of a brand wouldn't hurt.
Spock had been meaning to respond to Jim's request to meet him about these personnel issues with their older crew. He knew, from talking to his elder self, that a majority of them had already met for this same discussion. Things just tended to get in the way--talking to, then comforting, his counterpart, managing his laboratories (shore leave always made transitions difficult), and finally his bit of...extra research. Hopefully, he would be able to tell Jim about that, and get his approval on the matter (though it was hardly necessary.)
He pressed the buzzer, and then (as the door was open), stepped in once the double-pocket doors swung open. "Captain." Official business called for official titles, though he predicted that Jim would likely tell him to drop his formality. If not now, than later.
"Spock." A gesture to the chair in front of him. Kirk put down the padd and gave a long look to Spock, then sighed. "We have a lot to talk about. Doors, lock." This was going to take a while, he had a feeling, "Where do you want to start? The pirate crew we've got, Starfleet, or the idea that I had originally called you here for?"
Well, it seemed that nothing ever did seem to stand still on this ship, or come in gradual increments of trouble. Spock took a seat in the offered chair, rested his elbows on the arm rests and folded his hands together. The door lock was not so intimidating as it had been before Risa. "Let us start with Starfleet, so that your annoyance may lessen by the end of this meeting." Or, at least, until Spock broached his own delicate subjects.
"Oh somehow I doubt that." Kirk end up two fingers. "Two weeks, Spock. We have two weeks to figure out what the hell is bringing people here from other dimensions or Starfleet is hauling us back to Earth." He was being particularly blunt about it, his anger/annoyance clear in his voice and expression.
Spock had his own flare of annoyance at hearing this news, but he stifled it, remaining calm. "Studying the ship on Earth will provide no answers. I believe this phenomenon is entirely dependent on this area of space." He paused, for a thought, a calculation. "Though two weeks is more generous than I would have predicted."
"I fought for those two weeks." Kirk rubbed a hand over his face, almost growling at the memory. "I think you're right, or at least... were. Either this anomaly is huge, or you're wrong. We've moved Spock. We moved from where the Farragut was all the way to Risa, and its still affecting us. So either we're still being affected from something very far away, it's following us, or something else all together."
"It could be something located on the ship itself, or embedded in its structure," Spock ventured, thinking back to his personal research at the academy, the subject of his dissertation (or one of them, at least). "As knowledgeable as we are about the applications of matter and anti-matter reactions, the full effects of warp speed on the structure of space have not been fully studied. It is part of the reason I maintain sensor readings while we travel, regardless if it is charted and empty space."
"If its something actually within the ship, what the hell are we supposed to do stop it, or even more, get people back where they belong?" Kirk's eyes narrowed, looking away with a displeased expression.
Spock could have brought up his mirror counterpart at this point. He could have told him they were already half-way towards initiating something with him that would link their ships together if maybe Jim went warp three at four-seven-mark-two back to their initial area of contact. But he was still so annoyed--it would be best to avoid the topic for now. "I am not omniscient, Jim. This phenomenon is entirely theoretical, and the lack of common values makes the study more difficult. I am also reluctant to indulge in philosophy regarding these circumstances, though it is the only alternative and just as illuminating."
"I'm not asking for all of the answers from you." Kirk sat back, letting out a breath very slowly. "I'm just frustrated as hell with all of this. Starfleet isn't just refusing to believe me, they aren't believing my mother or Pike either."
"I could discuss the matter with them." Spock immediately offered, already thinking about the people he would have to talk to. Starfleet Command was a labyrinth of bureucracy, unnaviagable to those unused to its hidden structure. But Spock was not one of those unfortunate outsiders. Young as he might be, he has spoken with the Chief of Sciences, the Chief of Exploration, and knew the pet projects of the Chief Cosmologist. If he could, too, get in contact with the Chief of the College of Science at the Academy, and remind her just how much he had already done for her research...well, she had sway with the Vice Commandant, who, in turn, was an Admiral.
"But that isn't the point, Spock! The point is that they aren't even listening to an Admiral they sent specifically to look into this, nonetheless me!" He slammed a hand down hard on the desk and stood up, every part of him tense. None of it made sense - what Starfleet was doing, the appearances of people, the way they appeared, their own movement that should have stopped this... "I think whatever is doing this is moving with us, or is already on board."
"Possibly. Then the matter concerns locating it, disabling its continuing effects, and manipulating it to allow the others to return to their respective universes." Spock gave him the slightest arch of his brow. "However, we do not know what parameters to scan for in such a search, manual or otherwise. And, if it held such power, there is the strong likelihood that it also holds sentience to some degree. We would be unable to find it."
"It could be anything." Kirk let out a breath, looking off to the side, "It could be a something or a someone. It could even be a someone who doesn't even know they're it. I... hate it, Spock. Not knowing. Knowing we could be in danger from people worse then Pher, one of our crew could disappear at some point. This is bothering me. All of this. Its a danger."
Kirk stood up, his fingers clenching a little at his side before he started to pace, "Something did occur to me, though. Listen this out. The three actors are on our ship that say they did a television show about us some odd fucking two thousand years ago. I mean, they're a dead ringer for your counterpart, Jim, and McCoy. And then there's all that stuff we found, the 'internet'... that has to be how they know about us. That show, they're writing about the show, and the movie that was done, not us. But then how the fuck is it so perfect? It's exact, Spock. That shouldn't be possible."
"It is illogical to speculate on the possibility of something that has already happened." Spock pointed out, remaining calm in contrast to Jim's pacing and annoyance. This would be getting into philosophy, which he hated working with it for its lack of absolutes, but he could do little to stop it. "Neither does their existence, or the presence of the written works, conflict with our own independence. If you feel this is causing you existential crises, though, perhaps you should consult Doctor McCoy."
"I think this is all connected somehow!" Kirk snapped, looking over with that blue-fire glaze. "I don't know how, but I'm sure of it. All of this stuff is connected. Who is being taken, brought here, when, where... all of it. Even the stuff that's happened in the past."
To hold out against Jim's frustration, practically pouring off of him now, was getting marginally more difficult. Spock's hands tightened over each other. He met his gaze evenly. "A connection does seem to be supported by recent events, but that does not make it any less fantastical to Starfleet Command. Unless we are able to find the center of the web, as it were, we are still faced with skepticism and a deadline."
"Don't you think I know that?" Kirk showed his teeth for a moment before turning away again, his pacing resuming. "Two weeks, Spock. Two weeks..." His voice dropped and suddenly he moved over, standing closer. "I won't do it."
Spock watched him move about the room, irritation obviously converted with no loss into nervous energy. As Jim moved closer, he glanced up at him. Jim always looked more alive, so fierce and human, when facing odds stacked against him. "You will not bring the Enterprise to Earth?"
"... I won't." Whispered but strong words of insubordination against Starfleet. "...But I will if my officers disagree, but as Captain? I won't do that to my crew."
The only betrayal of Spock's mental struggle was that he closed his eyes, sitting perfectly still as his thoughts looped endlessly among themselves. He could commit insubordination against his captain, or against Starfleet, or both, but not neither. Why did Jim always put him in these difficult situations? "Do your consider those not of this universe, yet on this ship, as part of your crew?"
"...they are. They're on the payroll, they're doing work now, and all of this affects them. It's them that are going to be like rats in the maze to Starfleet. I..." His eyes dropped, and he whispered, "I'm not forcing any of my officers to do this, Spock. This... I would take on myself, but... I can't let them end up as scientific curiosity. They don't deserve that."
"We have an agreement, Captain." Spock opened his eyes, to glance up at the other again. He would have Jim think that he was doing this completely out of loyalty. There was some loyalty, of course, especially because of all the efforts between them, the thread stronger yet still delicate. But there were other things: his own selfish curiosity, concerning these occurrences and other realms of his research, and the nagging feeling of unfinished business when it came to Jim's shields. Of course, if Jim got arrested, that wouldn't matter, but it was still a pressing point in his schedule.
Kirk studied Spock for several long moments, his eyes saying he didn't fully believe that, but for now held Spock at his word. "We need to call every officer to a meeting and figure this out. Who agrees, and who doesn't."
"In the meantime, my division will continue to study this phenomenon and search for a viable solution." Though having something that could manipulate space-time, even crudely, would be nice. But he had not been afforded the opportunity to take any of the red matter before running it into the Narada. "Shall we move on to the topic of the pirates we recently apprehended?"
"Shit never ends on this ship, Spock. We're going to be dropping off the whole crew off on the nearest industrialized planet and leaving them." Could he tell Spock the truth? He might have to. People would realize, but... the idea of Spock disagreeing with him was difficult. He needed this to work. "Their Captain..." How could he say this?
Hesitance in Jim was an unusual thing, and it caused concern to creep up in Spock's thoughts and in his expression. His brows narrowed slightly as he leaned back in his seat, still regarding Jim under a watchful gaze. "Yes?" It couldn't be any worse than asking-but-not him to be insubordinate to orders from Starfleet Command.
Kirk shifted and quickly typed into the computer, then turned the vidscreen so Spock could see. It was a picture of their captive. Would Spock notice it?
Spock leaned forward to get a closer look at the picture brought up. It was not a face he was familiar with in an exact sense, but there was something...ah, yes. He glanced up at Jim, then to the picture for another study, and then slowly leaned back in his chair again. "You have the same eyes." The quirk of his brow, the slight inclination of his head, gave a greater depth to his statement and an air of expectancy. Silently beckoning Jim to explain further.
"That's because we have the same parents." Kirk gave Spock a long look. With that information, he knew Spock would understand. What he didn't know was how Spock would take it, how Spock would react, and what Spock would chose to do. He just didn't know Spock that well. Yet.
Yet, Spock was still a Vulcan (more than just half, too), and so he remained impassive. His eyes did not waver from Jim's. "Do you plan to keep your brother aboard, or surrender him to the authorities as well?" Having another misfit on board, he--and the ship--could handle. There was some small annoyance, digging at the back of his mind, that Jim was asking him to accept this not-quite-regulation scenario for the second time tonight.
"...It--" Kirk stopped himself before saying Pike was agreeing with him on this. "On this one, I need you to trust me. You have your say fully on the other, but this, I need you to trust me. I think him being here, this impossible situation, is another part of all of this. I haven't seen Sam in fourteen years and he turns up here with all of this?" He hated having to put Spock in this situation, knew he wouldn't get sympathy from the Vulcan, and didn't want to put too much of a strain on the other and his honor.
That certainly wasn't sympathy in Spock's eyes. Regardless of the time that had passed between Jim's last reunion with his brother, it was still dangerous to harbour a pirate on your vessel. While he was now regarding his captain with caution, he did trust Jim, and it wasn't just because he hadn't taken advantage of Spock's inebriation (twice, now). He wouldn't have played his part in that ridiculously impossible plan on the Narada if he hadn't trusted him (and, perhaps--well, that was for another time). "I suppose you are using the loopholes in several regulations to orchestrate this?" Spock knew the number and details of a handful of them that could help, and he'd have to bring them up to get Jim out of his court martial, if necessary.
"Yes." Kirk said bluntly, as was his way. "I... I'm flying by the seat of my pants - old human expression before you ask - I'm learning fast and trying to deal with a situation that I doubt any captain has had to deal with. I don't know how to deal with this, but I'm trying. I want to get them home, I want to figure this out, and I want those that want to stay to have a home. With us. I know that's the right thing to do, even if it isn't the easiest. Or even remotely easy."
Spock wasn't going to argue philosophy and morals with Jim. The captain sounded set on this decision, to use the Enterprise as a safe-haven for so-called dimensional orphans. But there were details he needed, trust or not. "You have not told me what exactly you plan to do with your brother. Will you have him assume duties among the crew?"
"I don't know, yet." A very honest sentence. "He's been a pirate for fourteen years, there's knowledge there in his head Starfleet itself would do almost anything to get its hands on. He knows how to deal with people in ways we're not taught in the academy, about space itself, and about getting through the boundaries of the Neutral Zones and other such things." Kirk looked to Spock again, "Do you get what I'm saying?"
"Yes, Captain." Spock gave him a patient look. "He has skills that we will eventually find some purpose for, if the oddity of our mission continues at its current pace." He couldn't deny the usefulness of having such a person among their command crew, and his concerns about loyalties were mostly soothed by the familial connection. "Yet what of the time that we are not faced with situations of questionable legality?"
"He's been running a ship with a damn minimal crew for it for years. I think he can do just about any aspect of running it just as much as I've been learning, do know, and for more years. I have no doubt we can figure something out." Kirk sat down on his desk, his shoulders slumping. "...and the last thing we needed to talk about is either the easiest or the hardest. I asked if Jim, Spock, and McCoy would join the crew. Not just... as what they are, but who they are on their ship. We have our alpha shift, but what about when we're asleep? Or off duty? There's no CMO... what about when Bones was hurt? Our best surgeon... and now we have another on board for who knows how long. We can put that to use... CMO, First Officer... Captain."
His brows furrowed, "Jim and I haven't figured that out, but... we won't, if you don't like the idea or want to change it or ... whatever."
An interesting proposition. There was no reason to deny it. In fact, it would lead to greater efficiencies in their respective departments, as they would essentially being working two shifts but without the fatigue of such. He knew there were projects that he would pursue throughout the day and night if sleeping and eating were not a concern (or, more like, if McCoy yelling at him for not eating or sleeping). Yet there was still some pat of him that resisted this, always worried about slowly being replaced without his notice. "...I have one condition, Jim." Not Captain. From the surface this appeared to be all business, but things were never just professional between them.
"...Which is?" Brows up.
"Your counterpart is not my captain, in the same way that you will never be my counterpart's captain." He desperately hoped Jim wouldn't take it that way, and it showed in the dark edge of his expression. "Should the situation arise where he is holding your captaincy outside of his shift, and I were to assume my proper role as First Officer, I request the power to deny his orders if it conflicts with those issued by yourself, and to dispose of his command, if it is necessary to maintain yours."
It took Kirk a moment of figuring out exactly what Spock was aiming at, but it came like a light bulb clicking on a moment later. He finally nodded, "The question I have for you in turn is... could you allow him to be your captain if needed? Or would you rather take up being captain over him?"
"I would prefer, in most situations, to allow him to take the responsibility of being captain so that I may better aid the ship in my other capacities." Such was the burden of being Chief Science Officer and First Officer concurrently. Then, Spock averted his gaze to the window behind Jim. "However, you are already aware that I will not hesitate to assume the title myself."
"That doesn't answer my question, Spock. Can you do it? Listen to him, if it was needed? Or would you rather take over? I can tell him that he needs to be underneath you and me, or I can say that sometimes he has to be." Kirk's gaze was penetrating.
And Spock did his best to ignore it. "...I could follow his orders, if it was necessary." Though he kept it to himself how it discomforted him to think of a situation where he would have to relinquish such control, accompanied by a thought of how easy it would be to take it back. Mutinous thoughts, perhaps, but also idle and passing--just considering possibilities of the future.
"...I know that tone." Cautiously, "Alright. I'll say that above you is only me. Kay?" He offered a grin, "His Spock will respond to him when he's on duty, and if I take over, me... and you'll answer to me, and be captain if needed."
This thing, where he did not have to explicitly vocalize something for Jim to know he didn't like something--this was nice. It relaxed the tension from his thoughts that had arisen from the discussion. "That is an acceptable arrangement."
"I'm glad." Kirk seemed to relax a little as well. It wasn't going to be easy, learning each other, but they could do it. They could. He was learning how all three Spocks were different from each other, each with their own tendencies and ways of looking at a situation. "Jim and I really need to talk this out..." Another rare hesitation in his voice, before saying honestly, "I don't know how we'll do it. He's used to being captain, and he'll have to listen to me. Not full authority. And how will the crew take it?"
He shook his head, "I still know it's a good idea. They've got more experience then we do, so not having them actively on the crew would be stupid, and they're obviously bored to tears."
Spock reined back a comment about how such a situation would be impossible for a Vulcan, more so for him, as even with a lack of entertainment options, Spock would create some sort of intellectual stimulant. "I do not believe that the transition will be difficult, as they have already been afforded the time to become acclimated to the ship. As for the rest of the crew, they will accept it in the same fashion as they accepted your command. If the general of the ship is maintained between our shifts, the exact affairs of the bridge are of little consequence to a vast majority of them."
"Here's hoping." Kirk agreed, looking down at his swinging feet for a moment before looking back up. "Guess that's everything, then. I'll figure out a time for the officer's meeting." But he paused, and asked lightly, "Anything to report on your end?"
Spock hesitated. It would be easy to simply say, no, Jim, there was nothing, have a nice day. But that would be more than just dishonest. "...there is an incident that I have been meaning to relate to you," He started, slowly. His gaze was carefully averted from Jim's. The office really required more decorations, so he could blame his distraction and wandering gaze on something other than anxiety.
...Spock didn't look away for no reason. That made Kirk frown, his eyes staring at Spock's face. "What incident, Spock?"
Now came the difficulty in how he would explain this without tempting violence onto his person--Jim was too close already, and while Spock wasn't drunk or surprised, he really didn't want to wrestle his captain into the ground. "The night before the festivities at the beach," Before their meld, their-- "I was resting in my hotel suite. During this period, I took the opportunity to explore the links that my counterpart exposed. I do not enjoy being unaware of connections to my mind." He ventured a glance up to Jim, then.
Kirk's brows were furrowed together, already not liking this, "And what happened? What other links?" A hesitation, then, "What happened? Tell me." His back straightened, body growing tense from the looseness it had only a moment before.
Oh well. He had made his best attempt at getting to prolong Jim's non-tension as long as possible. At the back of his mind, he felt the nervous urge to reach up and touch his ear, but that would give it all away, and tempt Jim to take a closer look. His hands stayed still where they were. "I noticed that a certain link was fainter and more-far reaching than the others present, such as those to you and me. Out of curiousity--" As most things tended to start. "I followed it, and I made contact with my mirror counterpart." And his body tensed in expectation for the assault.
...What?
Kirk's eyes went huge and he was on his feet fully a second later, staring at Spock in a mix of horror and disbelief. "WHAT!?" He snapped out, disbelief flooding his voice, "Are you nuts!? What the hell happened?! Fuck that's... what happened?!" He needed to know now. About a million terrible things running through his brain like a herd of buffalo stampeding, enough to block out the mention of 'you and me' comment.
This was surprising--he was still relatively unharmed despite Jim's tendency towards yelling now. "We introduced ourselves to one another, and then discussed his bondmate."
Head tilt. "Bullshit. You're not telling me everything."
Spock averted his eyes again. "He was less than kind upon discovering that I had accessed his mind, especially during his meditative state. He is..." Spock paused for a moment, thinking of how to punctuate what he was trying to say without worrying Jim's hyperactive imagination. But unless he just came out and said it, it would aggravate Jim's mood anyway. So it didn't matter what he picked. "...stronger than myself, in both mind and body, likely as a product of his universe."
Kirk bristled like a cat, "He attacked you." Otherwise Spock wouldn't know that this other Spock was stronger in both. "What does he look like? Is he coming? What did he say?" He needed answers now, "And are you alright?" The last question was said as piercing as an arrow, but the look in his eyes meant he was serious about it.
"I have already healed from my injury," Spock informed him calmly, and didn't allow him to question that statement further before he moved onwards. "He looks similar, if not identical, to myself--though he prefers a less clean-shaven appearance."
"Injury?" A deeper frown, and he quickly looked Spock over, "Where?"
At the question, he tilted his head off to the side. "The ear." The marks at the tip of his ear were faint and, if he continued to apply the medication he had been given, would be gone within the week.
No surprise that Kirk stepped forward and touched Spock's jaw, tilting his head so he could look between his ears. It was quick to see which ear was injured, and whispered a curse at not having seen it before. "...how the hell..." He breathed out quietly, studying it. How the hell could a bite in a mental space enter the physical?
Once the injury had been seen by Jim, Spock maneuvered his chin up and out of his grasp and leaned back, out of the way. He did not take to having his face turned this way or that like some child. "The exact physics of the matter elude me, though there have been stranger incidents between the Vulcan mind and body."
"Dammit." Kirk didn't seem offended, just worried/angry. "Dammit, Spock. I wish I knew this sort of shit. Not like I could stop you from it, but... I hate this sort of stuff coming up without knowing it has the possibility."
Jim was not the only one that thought that; Spock would have liked to have been politely informed that scuffles in mental recreations could manifest into physical consequences. Now his thoughts strayed to what he had been told by the elder Spock. While he still did not feel comfortable relating such incidents to Jim, he knew the detail would come up sooner or later. Hopefully not at the precise moment his mirror found him. "It is the least of our worries. He intends to come here, and I will not keep him away." Not that he was any sort of dimensional gate keeper, but he was closing in on the coordinates himself, and he had enough power in their warp cores to disrupt the dimensions and prevent access. "I would have his Pike gone at the earliest convenience." Before something happened--such as temptation.
Kirk frowned, thinking for several moments. He started to pace all over again. "I want Pike gone too. The sooner, the better. I'd rather him to there instead of his Spock going here. If that's even possible. Anything we can do to keep him from coming and sending Pike there instead I'd prefer."
"He has one important advantage over me that I cannot possibly replicate, regardless of the time that I devote to the project. By virtue of his bond he has may locate the exact coordinates where the transference occurred, and thus where the weakest available point in space." Unusually, Spock felt restless; Jim was moving back and forth and his own mind was starting to consider calculations and quantum mechanics again. He stood from his chair and walked past Jim to stand in front of the window in an casual parade rest. He looked out towards the stars and the empty vacuum of space. "I can only approximate with the limited information I have acquired, and I can only know when he will attempt to initiate the breach...by further contact with him."
Oh, that got Spock a hell of a look. "You know, you know what I'm thinking about 'further contact with him' when evidently he can hurt you through your mind." Which was basically a lot of no, no, and more no. What if that bastard could do something worse to Spock? "...Seriously, I need to find a way to get bonds cut at this rate so none of you have any connection to either of them." It was half-serious. Okay, a little more then half-serious.
Spock actually flinched, a small and sudden tension around his shoulders and a momentary closing of his eyes.. Vulcan control was renowned, yes, and he usually prided himself on it, but to talk of breaking bonds, especially the links between his counterparts (of any quality)...no. Such a thing reminded him of the destruction of Vulcan, and for all his time healing--months and then the gifts and Nyota and now Jim--the anchor points were still raw, sensitive. "Jim." He wouldn't look at him, his gaze focused firmly outside the window. "Do not say that."
"I don't want you or any one else from this crew having any influence from them!" Kirk looked to Spock, staring at the Vulcan's reflection. I don't want you or Spock hurt. He knew Spock wouldn't fully understand it all.
Likewise, Spock glanced to Jim's reflection in the window. "He will have far more influence on me if he manages to come aboard this ship by his own devices, and my lack of assistance postponed his reunion with Pike." Though that influence may involve more injury than he would like to contemplate. "He is far more vindictive than I will ever be."
"...Is there a way you could be protected if... we're forced to need to talk to him again?" Each and every one of those words was pulled from Kirk's lips by force. He wanted to say no outright, make it a fucking order if necessary. His eyes were locked to Spock's reflection, unblinking.
"There may be a possibility that my counterpart, here in this universe, could aid me in the negotiations. I, however, doubt the efficacy of the method." Spock's hands tightened behind his back. "There is no interspace during melds, so there is no reason to think there is any such place in this situation. He is too cautious to enter my mind, and anyone entering his is at his mercy, from what I understand."
"...fuck." Kirk sighed. This was all stuff he didn't understand. "Why would anyone in your head be subject to his mercy or lack of it?"
He had a feeling that Kirk had no idea what the process actually entailed. He turned to look at him, still keeping his hands behind him. "He will not be inside of my consciousness if I traverse the link to meet him. This, I am certain, requires a disembodiment with delayed feedback--which may explain the physical injury." He stepped closer to Kirk, so he could see the brilliant blue of his eyes, every sign of worry etched into his face. "Yet...it is all conjecture. I am a child, in respect to this art."
That was a lot for Spock to admit, and Kirk had to relax just a little. Spock was right - he was new to dealing with all of this. "...Sorry." He muttered, "Sometimes... I stop remembering that you're not some expert on this." A tiny twitch of his lips, trying to show that he understood. "I just don't want something worse happening, Spock, specially with you. I don't want you ending up as his prisoner, or basically ransom, or something worse."
"...of course, Jim." Vulcans were not heartless, and he was (though he denied it often) half-human. The protectiveness warmed his thoughts, perhaps out of being captain but Spock felt it was just Jim being Jim, which was all right, too. He looked away more out of thin-veiled sheepishness than anything (what was that, especially with you?), because it was either that or reaching out to touch his shoulder--but that wasn't professional at all. They were still captain and first officer, here. "Though I cannot guarantee anything, not with this."
"Nothing in life's guaranteed." Kirk shrugged slightly, looking away himself for only a moment before stepping forward, "I have an idea. Maybe we can do some sort of practice with your counterpart or even just you and me and see if we can figure out how to protect you and/or anyone you're with from the other Spock." The corner of his mouth twitched, "You and I need to have our little shielding session soon anyway."
He glanced up at him, inwardly amused. Jim barely knew how to stop the roller coaster of his own thoughts much less use it against another, or protect it from such a malicious mind. Spock had been surprised before, though, so maybe there were possibilities yet undiscovered. "When you feel the ship has settled, we may begin." His gaze wavered over the meld points by Jim's temple, down by his chin, over his cheek. "You will need patience, for yourself and for me."
"Spock," Kirk gave him a look that broke out into a laugh, "If we wait that long, it'll never happen."
He reached up to place a single finger to place it against Jim's lips, to silence him, but it stopped midair--too close to the meld point, to his skin, to those honey-sweet thoughts. However, the motion's purpose, he felt, was still achieved. "Jim." His tone continued to be pseudo-serious, business like. "It is essential. I will be attempting techniques I have yet to perfect."
Kirk looked to Spock, then spoke quietly, "As much of a joke as that was, I'm serious too. Things don't seem to be slowing down, and the more time we wait, the bigger chance we have of something going wrong." He shifted, leaning forward almost unconsciously to brush his lips in the barest glancing of flesh to flesh with Spock's finger. His eyes went wide as it felt like a spark of electricity snapped against his mouth.
At the touch, Spock...held his position, not moving, locked into those widened blue eyes, sensing the surprise practically radiating off of the others skin. "We may begin tomorrow, then, if you wish." He kept his voice soft, but it was half-spoken, half-transmitted, touching briefly into that bright mind of Jim's.
...Fuck. Every thought in his brain basically deserted him for a single moment as Kirk concentrated solely on Spock. Wasn't he being good? He hadn't done anything in that way involving Spock, he had even kept it chaste in their meld... so why was this happening? Retribution, maybe, for every time he had ever teased or tortured someone in a similar way. He just stared into those dark eyes, trying to find a coherent sentence to reply with.
I would not have you hurt, He told him, directly injecting his words to Jim's thoughts, sampling a taste of that honey once more before he pulled back, both mentally and physically, slowly dropping his hand to his side. He was calm, heart beat steady at two-hundred-fifty beats, his own thoughts relatively still, but Spock did not understand how. "But you must understand that this is not a painless task, especially for humans."
"I--" Good start. Kirk swallowed, letting out a breath, "I told you already, I'll do whatever it takes." Wow, that sounded really pathetic.
Spock searched his face for a few silent moments, gave him a nod, and then half turned from him, his hands once again folded behind his back. They would see if Jim had anything left to give at the end of this. If either of them did.
The sort of stuff they needed to talk about, for sure.
Kirk leaned back in his seat, glaring at a padd in his hands, trying to make sense of something engineering had sent up to him about changes they wanted to make. He had a feeling Scotty's hand was in all of this because it was definitely a boost towards the Enterprise herself. The thought briefly turned his scowl into a smirk. His crew wanted her to be at her best, too. He thought about the project he had put into the younger Scotty's hands and wondered how it would turn out. He was very interested in the young man's talent and seeing how far it would range out, along with a mixture of the best possible use of technology from another universe. Fuck, if Pher wasn't such a bastard, he'd ask the fucker about his Enterprise. Except he'd trust any information from Pher about as much as he'd trust someone telling him that grabbing the glowing end of a brand wouldn't hurt.
Spock had been meaning to respond to Jim's request to meet him about these personnel issues with their older crew. He knew, from talking to his elder self, that a majority of them had already met for this same discussion. Things just tended to get in the way--talking to, then comforting, his counterpart, managing his laboratories (shore leave always made transitions difficult), and finally his bit of...extra research. Hopefully, he would be able to tell Jim about that, and get his approval on the matter (though it was hardly necessary.)
He pressed the buzzer, and then (as the door was open), stepped in once the double-pocket doors swung open. "Captain." Official business called for official titles, though he predicted that Jim would likely tell him to drop his formality. If not now, than later.
"Spock." A gesture to the chair in front of him. Kirk put down the padd and gave a long look to Spock, then sighed. "We have a lot to talk about. Doors, lock." This was going to take a while, he had a feeling, "Where do you want to start? The pirate crew we've got, Starfleet, or the idea that I had originally called you here for?"
Well, it seemed that nothing ever did seem to stand still on this ship, or come in gradual increments of trouble. Spock took a seat in the offered chair, rested his elbows on the arm rests and folded his hands together. The door lock was not so intimidating as it had been before Risa. "Let us start with Starfleet, so that your annoyance may lessen by the end of this meeting." Or, at least, until Spock broached his own delicate subjects.
"Oh somehow I doubt that." Kirk end up two fingers. "Two weeks, Spock. We have two weeks to figure out what the hell is bringing people here from other dimensions or Starfleet is hauling us back to Earth." He was being particularly blunt about it, his anger/annoyance clear in his voice and expression.
Spock had his own flare of annoyance at hearing this news, but he stifled it, remaining calm. "Studying the ship on Earth will provide no answers. I believe this phenomenon is entirely dependent on this area of space." He paused, for a thought, a calculation. "Though two weeks is more generous than I would have predicted."
"I fought for those two weeks." Kirk rubbed a hand over his face, almost growling at the memory. "I think you're right, or at least... were. Either this anomaly is huge, or you're wrong. We've moved Spock. We moved from where the Farragut was all the way to Risa, and its still affecting us. So either we're still being affected from something very far away, it's following us, or something else all together."
"It could be something located on the ship itself, or embedded in its structure," Spock ventured, thinking back to his personal research at the academy, the subject of his dissertation (or one of them, at least). "As knowledgeable as we are about the applications of matter and anti-matter reactions, the full effects of warp speed on the structure of space have not been fully studied. It is part of the reason I maintain sensor readings while we travel, regardless if it is charted and empty space."
"If its something actually within the ship, what the hell are we supposed to do stop it, or even more, get people back where they belong?" Kirk's eyes narrowed, looking away with a displeased expression.
Spock could have brought up his mirror counterpart at this point. He could have told him they were already half-way towards initiating something with him that would link their ships together if maybe Jim went warp three at four-seven-mark-two back to their initial area of contact. But he was still so annoyed--it would be best to avoid the topic for now. "I am not omniscient, Jim. This phenomenon is entirely theoretical, and the lack of common values makes the study more difficult. I am also reluctant to indulge in philosophy regarding these circumstances, though it is the only alternative and just as illuminating."
"I'm not asking for all of the answers from you." Kirk sat back, letting out a breath very slowly. "I'm just frustrated as hell with all of this. Starfleet isn't just refusing to believe me, they aren't believing my mother or Pike either."
"I could discuss the matter with them." Spock immediately offered, already thinking about the people he would have to talk to. Starfleet Command was a labyrinth of bureucracy, unnaviagable to those unused to its hidden structure. But Spock was not one of those unfortunate outsiders. Young as he might be, he has spoken with the Chief of Sciences, the Chief of Exploration, and knew the pet projects of the Chief Cosmologist. If he could, too, get in contact with the Chief of the College of Science at the Academy, and remind her just how much he had already done for her research...well, she had sway with the Vice Commandant, who, in turn, was an Admiral.
"But that isn't the point, Spock! The point is that they aren't even listening to an Admiral they sent specifically to look into this, nonetheless me!" He slammed a hand down hard on the desk and stood up, every part of him tense. None of it made sense - what Starfleet was doing, the appearances of people, the way they appeared, their own movement that should have stopped this... "I think whatever is doing this is moving with us, or is already on board."
"Possibly. Then the matter concerns locating it, disabling its continuing effects, and manipulating it to allow the others to return to their respective universes." Spock gave him the slightest arch of his brow. "However, we do not know what parameters to scan for in such a search, manual or otherwise. And, if it held such power, there is the strong likelihood that it also holds sentience to some degree. We would be unable to find it."
"It could be anything." Kirk let out a breath, looking off to the side, "It could be a something or a someone. It could even be a someone who doesn't even know they're it. I... hate it, Spock. Not knowing. Knowing we could be in danger from people worse then Pher, one of our crew could disappear at some point. This is bothering me. All of this. Its a danger."
Kirk stood up, his fingers clenching a little at his side before he started to pace, "Something did occur to me, though. Listen this out. The three actors are on our ship that say they did a television show about us some odd fucking two thousand years ago. I mean, they're a dead ringer for your counterpart, Jim, and McCoy. And then there's all that stuff we found, the 'internet'... that has to be how they know about us. That show, they're writing about the show, and the movie that was done, not us. But then how the fuck is it so perfect? It's exact, Spock. That shouldn't be possible."
"It is illogical to speculate on the possibility of something that has already happened." Spock pointed out, remaining calm in contrast to Jim's pacing and annoyance. This would be getting into philosophy, which he hated working with it for its lack of absolutes, but he could do little to stop it. "Neither does their existence, or the presence of the written works, conflict with our own independence. If you feel this is causing you existential crises, though, perhaps you should consult Doctor McCoy."
"I think this is all connected somehow!" Kirk snapped, looking over with that blue-fire glaze. "I don't know how, but I'm sure of it. All of this stuff is connected. Who is being taken, brought here, when, where... all of it. Even the stuff that's happened in the past."
To hold out against Jim's frustration, practically pouring off of him now, was getting marginally more difficult. Spock's hands tightened over each other. He met his gaze evenly. "A connection does seem to be supported by recent events, but that does not make it any less fantastical to Starfleet Command. Unless we are able to find the center of the web, as it were, we are still faced with skepticism and a deadline."
"Don't you think I know that?" Kirk showed his teeth for a moment before turning away again, his pacing resuming. "Two weeks, Spock. Two weeks..." His voice dropped and suddenly he moved over, standing closer. "I won't do it."
Spock watched him move about the room, irritation obviously converted with no loss into nervous energy. As Jim moved closer, he glanced up at him. Jim always looked more alive, so fierce and human, when facing odds stacked against him. "You will not bring the Enterprise to Earth?"
"... I won't." Whispered but strong words of insubordination against Starfleet. "...But I will if my officers disagree, but as Captain? I won't do that to my crew."
The only betrayal of Spock's mental struggle was that he closed his eyes, sitting perfectly still as his thoughts looped endlessly among themselves. He could commit insubordination against his captain, or against Starfleet, or both, but not neither. Why did Jim always put him in these difficult situations? "Do your consider those not of this universe, yet on this ship, as part of your crew?"
"...they are. They're on the payroll, they're doing work now, and all of this affects them. It's them that are going to be like rats in the maze to Starfleet. I..." His eyes dropped, and he whispered, "I'm not forcing any of my officers to do this, Spock. This... I would take on myself, but... I can't let them end up as scientific curiosity. They don't deserve that."
"We have an agreement, Captain." Spock opened his eyes, to glance up at the other again. He would have Jim think that he was doing this completely out of loyalty. There was some loyalty, of course, especially because of all the efforts between them, the thread stronger yet still delicate. But there were other things: his own selfish curiosity, concerning these occurrences and other realms of his research, and the nagging feeling of unfinished business when it came to Jim's shields. Of course, if Jim got arrested, that wouldn't matter, but it was still a pressing point in his schedule.
Kirk studied Spock for several long moments, his eyes saying he didn't fully believe that, but for now held Spock at his word. "We need to call every officer to a meeting and figure this out. Who agrees, and who doesn't."
"In the meantime, my division will continue to study this phenomenon and search for a viable solution." Though having something that could manipulate space-time, even crudely, would be nice. But he had not been afforded the opportunity to take any of the red matter before running it into the Narada. "Shall we move on to the topic of the pirates we recently apprehended?"
"Shit never ends on this ship, Spock. We're going to be dropping off the whole crew off on the nearest industrialized planet and leaving them." Could he tell Spock the truth? He might have to. People would realize, but... the idea of Spock disagreeing with him was difficult. He needed this to work. "Their Captain..." How could he say this?
Hesitance in Jim was an unusual thing, and it caused concern to creep up in Spock's thoughts and in his expression. His brows narrowed slightly as he leaned back in his seat, still regarding Jim under a watchful gaze. "Yes?" It couldn't be any worse than asking-but-not him to be insubordinate to orders from Starfleet Command.
Kirk shifted and quickly typed into the computer, then turned the vidscreen so Spock could see. It was a picture of their captive. Would Spock notice it?
Spock leaned forward to get a closer look at the picture brought up. It was not a face he was familiar with in an exact sense, but there was something...ah, yes. He glanced up at Jim, then to the picture for another study, and then slowly leaned back in his chair again. "You have the same eyes." The quirk of his brow, the slight inclination of his head, gave a greater depth to his statement and an air of expectancy. Silently beckoning Jim to explain further.
"That's because we have the same parents." Kirk gave Spock a long look. With that information, he knew Spock would understand. What he didn't know was how Spock would take it, how Spock would react, and what Spock would chose to do. He just didn't know Spock that well. Yet.
Yet, Spock was still a Vulcan (more than just half, too), and so he remained impassive. His eyes did not waver from Jim's. "Do you plan to keep your brother aboard, or surrender him to the authorities as well?" Having another misfit on board, he--and the ship--could handle. There was some small annoyance, digging at the back of his mind, that Jim was asking him to accept this not-quite-regulation scenario for the second time tonight.
"...It--" Kirk stopped himself before saying Pike was agreeing with him on this. "On this one, I need you to trust me. You have your say fully on the other, but this, I need you to trust me. I think him being here, this impossible situation, is another part of all of this. I haven't seen Sam in fourteen years and he turns up here with all of this?" He hated having to put Spock in this situation, knew he wouldn't get sympathy from the Vulcan, and didn't want to put too much of a strain on the other and his honor.
That certainly wasn't sympathy in Spock's eyes. Regardless of the time that had passed between Jim's last reunion with his brother, it was still dangerous to harbour a pirate on your vessel. While he was now regarding his captain with caution, he did trust Jim, and it wasn't just because he hadn't taken advantage of Spock's inebriation (twice, now). He wouldn't have played his part in that ridiculously impossible plan on the Narada if he hadn't trusted him (and, perhaps--well, that was for another time). "I suppose you are using the loopholes in several regulations to orchestrate this?" Spock knew the number and details of a handful of them that could help, and he'd have to bring them up to get Jim out of his court martial, if necessary.
"Yes." Kirk said bluntly, as was his way. "I... I'm flying by the seat of my pants - old human expression before you ask - I'm learning fast and trying to deal with a situation that I doubt any captain has had to deal with. I don't know how to deal with this, but I'm trying. I want to get them home, I want to figure this out, and I want those that want to stay to have a home. With us. I know that's the right thing to do, even if it isn't the easiest. Or even remotely easy."
Spock wasn't going to argue philosophy and morals with Jim. The captain sounded set on this decision, to use the Enterprise as a safe-haven for so-called dimensional orphans. But there were details he needed, trust or not. "You have not told me what exactly you plan to do with your brother. Will you have him assume duties among the crew?"
"I don't know, yet." A very honest sentence. "He's been a pirate for fourteen years, there's knowledge there in his head Starfleet itself would do almost anything to get its hands on. He knows how to deal with people in ways we're not taught in the academy, about space itself, and about getting through the boundaries of the Neutral Zones and other such things." Kirk looked to Spock again, "Do you get what I'm saying?"
"Yes, Captain." Spock gave him a patient look. "He has skills that we will eventually find some purpose for, if the oddity of our mission continues at its current pace." He couldn't deny the usefulness of having such a person among their command crew, and his concerns about loyalties were mostly soothed by the familial connection. "Yet what of the time that we are not faced with situations of questionable legality?"
"He's been running a ship with a damn minimal crew for it for years. I think he can do just about any aspect of running it just as much as I've been learning, do know, and for more years. I have no doubt we can figure something out." Kirk sat down on his desk, his shoulders slumping. "...and the last thing we needed to talk about is either the easiest or the hardest. I asked if Jim, Spock, and McCoy would join the crew. Not just... as what they are, but who they are on their ship. We have our alpha shift, but what about when we're asleep? Or off duty? There's no CMO... what about when Bones was hurt? Our best surgeon... and now we have another on board for who knows how long. We can put that to use... CMO, First Officer... Captain."
His brows furrowed, "Jim and I haven't figured that out, but... we won't, if you don't like the idea or want to change it or ... whatever."
An interesting proposition. There was no reason to deny it. In fact, it would lead to greater efficiencies in their respective departments, as they would essentially being working two shifts but without the fatigue of such. He knew there were projects that he would pursue throughout the day and night if sleeping and eating were not a concern (or, more like, if McCoy yelling at him for not eating or sleeping). Yet there was still some pat of him that resisted this, always worried about slowly being replaced without his notice. "...I have one condition, Jim." Not Captain. From the surface this appeared to be all business, but things were never just professional between them.
"...Which is?" Brows up.
"Your counterpart is not my captain, in the same way that you will never be my counterpart's captain." He desperately hoped Jim wouldn't take it that way, and it showed in the dark edge of his expression. "Should the situation arise where he is holding your captaincy outside of his shift, and I were to assume my proper role as First Officer, I request the power to deny his orders if it conflicts with those issued by yourself, and to dispose of his command, if it is necessary to maintain yours."
It took Kirk a moment of figuring out exactly what Spock was aiming at, but it came like a light bulb clicking on a moment later. He finally nodded, "The question I have for you in turn is... could you allow him to be your captain if needed? Or would you rather take up being captain over him?"
"I would prefer, in most situations, to allow him to take the responsibility of being captain so that I may better aid the ship in my other capacities." Such was the burden of being Chief Science Officer and First Officer concurrently. Then, Spock averted his gaze to the window behind Jim. "However, you are already aware that I will not hesitate to assume the title myself."
"That doesn't answer my question, Spock. Can you do it? Listen to him, if it was needed? Or would you rather take over? I can tell him that he needs to be underneath you and me, or I can say that sometimes he has to be." Kirk's gaze was penetrating.
And Spock did his best to ignore it. "...I could follow his orders, if it was necessary." Though he kept it to himself how it discomforted him to think of a situation where he would have to relinquish such control, accompanied by a thought of how easy it would be to take it back. Mutinous thoughts, perhaps, but also idle and passing--just considering possibilities of the future.
"...I know that tone." Cautiously, "Alright. I'll say that above you is only me. Kay?" He offered a grin, "His Spock will respond to him when he's on duty, and if I take over, me... and you'll answer to me, and be captain if needed."
This thing, where he did not have to explicitly vocalize something for Jim to know he didn't like something--this was nice. It relaxed the tension from his thoughts that had arisen from the discussion. "That is an acceptable arrangement."
"I'm glad." Kirk seemed to relax a little as well. It wasn't going to be easy, learning each other, but they could do it. They could. He was learning how all three Spocks were different from each other, each with their own tendencies and ways of looking at a situation. "Jim and I really need to talk this out..." Another rare hesitation in his voice, before saying honestly, "I don't know how we'll do it. He's used to being captain, and he'll have to listen to me. Not full authority. And how will the crew take it?"
He shook his head, "I still know it's a good idea. They've got more experience then we do, so not having them actively on the crew would be stupid, and they're obviously bored to tears."
Spock reined back a comment about how such a situation would be impossible for a Vulcan, more so for him, as even with a lack of entertainment options, Spock would create some sort of intellectual stimulant. "I do not believe that the transition will be difficult, as they have already been afforded the time to become acclimated to the ship. As for the rest of the crew, they will accept it in the same fashion as they accepted your command. If the general of the ship is maintained between our shifts, the exact affairs of the bridge are of little consequence to a vast majority of them."
"Here's hoping." Kirk agreed, looking down at his swinging feet for a moment before looking back up. "Guess that's everything, then. I'll figure out a time for the officer's meeting." But he paused, and asked lightly, "Anything to report on your end?"
Spock hesitated. It would be easy to simply say, no, Jim, there was nothing, have a nice day. But that would be more than just dishonest. "...there is an incident that I have been meaning to relate to you," He started, slowly. His gaze was carefully averted from Jim's. The office really required more decorations, so he could blame his distraction and wandering gaze on something other than anxiety.
...Spock didn't look away for no reason. That made Kirk frown, his eyes staring at Spock's face. "What incident, Spock?"
Now came the difficulty in how he would explain this without tempting violence onto his person--Jim was too close already, and while Spock wasn't drunk or surprised, he really didn't want to wrestle his captain into the ground. "The night before the festivities at the beach," Before their meld, their-- "I was resting in my hotel suite. During this period, I took the opportunity to explore the links that my counterpart exposed. I do not enjoy being unaware of connections to my mind." He ventured a glance up to Jim, then.
Kirk's brows were furrowed together, already not liking this, "And what happened? What other links?" A hesitation, then, "What happened? Tell me." His back straightened, body growing tense from the looseness it had only a moment before.
Oh well. He had made his best attempt at getting to prolong Jim's non-tension as long as possible. At the back of his mind, he felt the nervous urge to reach up and touch his ear, but that would give it all away, and tempt Jim to take a closer look. His hands stayed still where they were. "I noticed that a certain link was fainter and more-far reaching than the others present, such as those to you and me. Out of curiousity--" As most things tended to start. "I followed it, and I made contact with my mirror counterpart." And his body tensed in expectation for the assault.
...What?
Kirk's eyes went huge and he was on his feet fully a second later, staring at Spock in a mix of horror and disbelief. "WHAT!?" He snapped out, disbelief flooding his voice, "Are you nuts!? What the hell happened?! Fuck that's... what happened?!" He needed to know now. About a million terrible things running through his brain like a herd of buffalo stampeding, enough to block out the mention of 'you and me' comment.
This was surprising--he was still relatively unharmed despite Jim's tendency towards yelling now. "We introduced ourselves to one another, and then discussed his bondmate."
Head tilt. "Bullshit. You're not telling me everything."
Spock averted his eyes again. "He was less than kind upon discovering that I had accessed his mind, especially during his meditative state. He is..." Spock paused for a moment, thinking of how to punctuate what he was trying to say without worrying Jim's hyperactive imagination. But unless he just came out and said it, it would aggravate Jim's mood anyway. So it didn't matter what he picked. "...stronger than myself, in both mind and body, likely as a product of his universe."
Kirk bristled like a cat, "He attacked you." Otherwise Spock wouldn't know that this other Spock was stronger in both. "What does he look like? Is he coming? What did he say?" He needed answers now, "And are you alright?" The last question was said as piercing as an arrow, but the look in his eyes meant he was serious about it.
"I have already healed from my injury," Spock informed him calmly, and didn't allow him to question that statement further before he moved onwards. "He looks similar, if not identical, to myself--though he prefers a less clean-shaven appearance."
"Injury?" A deeper frown, and he quickly looked Spock over, "Where?"
At the question, he tilted his head off to the side. "The ear." The marks at the tip of his ear were faint and, if he continued to apply the medication he had been given, would be gone within the week.
No surprise that Kirk stepped forward and touched Spock's jaw, tilting his head so he could look between his ears. It was quick to see which ear was injured, and whispered a curse at not having seen it before. "...how the hell..." He breathed out quietly, studying it. How the hell could a bite in a mental space enter the physical?
Once the injury had been seen by Jim, Spock maneuvered his chin up and out of his grasp and leaned back, out of the way. He did not take to having his face turned this way or that like some child. "The exact physics of the matter elude me, though there have been stranger incidents between the Vulcan mind and body."
"Dammit." Kirk didn't seem offended, just worried/angry. "Dammit, Spock. I wish I knew this sort of shit. Not like I could stop you from it, but... I hate this sort of stuff coming up without knowing it has the possibility."
Jim was not the only one that thought that; Spock would have liked to have been politely informed that scuffles in mental recreations could manifest into physical consequences. Now his thoughts strayed to what he had been told by the elder Spock. While he still did not feel comfortable relating such incidents to Jim, he knew the detail would come up sooner or later. Hopefully not at the precise moment his mirror found him. "It is the least of our worries. He intends to come here, and I will not keep him away." Not that he was any sort of dimensional gate keeper, but he was closing in on the coordinates himself, and he had enough power in their warp cores to disrupt the dimensions and prevent access. "I would have his Pike gone at the earliest convenience." Before something happened--such as temptation.
Kirk frowned, thinking for several moments. He started to pace all over again. "I want Pike gone too. The sooner, the better. I'd rather him to there instead of his Spock going here. If that's even possible. Anything we can do to keep him from coming and sending Pike there instead I'd prefer."
"He has one important advantage over me that I cannot possibly replicate, regardless of the time that I devote to the project. By virtue of his bond he has may locate the exact coordinates where the transference occurred, and thus where the weakest available point in space." Unusually, Spock felt restless; Jim was moving back and forth and his own mind was starting to consider calculations and quantum mechanics again. He stood from his chair and walked past Jim to stand in front of the window in an casual parade rest. He looked out towards the stars and the empty vacuum of space. "I can only approximate with the limited information I have acquired, and I can only know when he will attempt to initiate the breach...by further contact with him."
Oh, that got Spock a hell of a look. "You know, you know what I'm thinking about 'further contact with him' when evidently he can hurt you through your mind." Which was basically a lot of no, no, and more no. What if that bastard could do something worse to Spock? "...Seriously, I need to find a way to get bonds cut at this rate so none of you have any connection to either of them." It was half-serious. Okay, a little more then half-serious.
Spock actually flinched, a small and sudden tension around his shoulders and a momentary closing of his eyes.. Vulcan control was renowned, yes, and he usually prided himself on it, but to talk of breaking bonds, especially the links between his counterparts (of any quality)...no. Such a thing reminded him of the destruction of Vulcan, and for all his time healing--months and then the gifts and Nyota and now Jim--the anchor points were still raw, sensitive. "Jim." He wouldn't look at him, his gaze focused firmly outside the window. "Do not say that."
"I don't want you or any one else from this crew having any influence from them!" Kirk looked to Spock, staring at the Vulcan's reflection. I don't want you or Spock hurt. He knew Spock wouldn't fully understand it all.
Likewise, Spock glanced to Jim's reflection in the window. "He will have far more influence on me if he manages to come aboard this ship by his own devices, and my lack of assistance postponed his reunion with Pike." Though that influence may involve more injury than he would like to contemplate. "He is far more vindictive than I will ever be."
"...Is there a way you could be protected if... we're forced to need to talk to him again?" Each and every one of those words was pulled from Kirk's lips by force. He wanted to say no outright, make it a fucking order if necessary. His eyes were locked to Spock's reflection, unblinking.
"There may be a possibility that my counterpart, here in this universe, could aid me in the negotiations. I, however, doubt the efficacy of the method." Spock's hands tightened behind his back. "There is no interspace during melds, so there is no reason to think there is any such place in this situation. He is too cautious to enter my mind, and anyone entering his is at his mercy, from what I understand."
"...fuck." Kirk sighed. This was all stuff he didn't understand. "Why would anyone in your head be subject to his mercy or lack of it?"
He had a feeling that Kirk had no idea what the process actually entailed. He turned to look at him, still keeping his hands behind him. "He will not be inside of my consciousness if I traverse the link to meet him. This, I am certain, requires a disembodiment with delayed feedback--which may explain the physical injury." He stepped closer to Kirk, so he could see the brilliant blue of his eyes, every sign of worry etched into his face. "Yet...it is all conjecture. I am a child, in respect to this art."
That was a lot for Spock to admit, and Kirk had to relax just a little. Spock was right - he was new to dealing with all of this. "...Sorry." He muttered, "Sometimes... I stop remembering that you're not some expert on this." A tiny twitch of his lips, trying to show that he understood. "I just don't want something worse happening, Spock, specially with you. I don't want you ending up as his prisoner, or basically ransom, or something worse."
"...of course, Jim." Vulcans were not heartless, and he was (though he denied it often) half-human. The protectiveness warmed his thoughts, perhaps out of being captain but Spock felt it was just Jim being Jim, which was all right, too. He looked away more out of thin-veiled sheepishness than anything (what was that, especially with you?), because it was either that or reaching out to touch his shoulder--but that wasn't professional at all. They were still captain and first officer, here. "Though I cannot guarantee anything, not with this."
"Nothing in life's guaranteed." Kirk shrugged slightly, looking away himself for only a moment before stepping forward, "I have an idea. Maybe we can do some sort of practice with your counterpart or even just you and me and see if we can figure out how to protect you and/or anyone you're with from the other Spock." The corner of his mouth twitched, "You and I need to have our little shielding session soon anyway."
He glanced up at him, inwardly amused. Jim barely knew how to stop the roller coaster of his own thoughts much less use it against another, or protect it from such a malicious mind. Spock had been surprised before, though, so maybe there were possibilities yet undiscovered. "When you feel the ship has settled, we may begin." His gaze wavered over the meld points by Jim's temple, down by his chin, over his cheek. "You will need patience, for yourself and for me."
"Spock," Kirk gave him a look that broke out into a laugh, "If we wait that long, it'll never happen."
He reached up to place a single finger to place it against Jim's lips, to silence him, but it stopped midair--too close to the meld point, to his skin, to those honey-sweet thoughts. However, the motion's purpose, he felt, was still achieved. "Jim." His tone continued to be pseudo-serious, business like. "It is essential. I will be attempting techniques I have yet to perfect."
Kirk looked to Spock, then spoke quietly, "As much of a joke as that was, I'm serious too. Things don't seem to be slowing down, and the more time we wait, the bigger chance we have of something going wrong." He shifted, leaning forward almost unconsciously to brush his lips in the barest glancing of flesh to flesh with Spock's finger. His eyes went wide as it felt like a spark of electricity snapped against his mouth.
At the touch, Spock...held his position, not moving, locked into those widened blue eyes, sensing the surprise practically radiating off of the others skin. "We may begin tomorrow, then, if you wish." He kept his voice soft, but it was half-spoken, half-transmitted, touching briefly into that bright mind of Jim's.
...Fuck. Every thought in his brain basically deserted him for a single moment as Kirk concentrated solely on Spock. Wasn't he being good? He hadn't done anything in that way involving Spock, he had even kept it chaste in their meld... so why was this happening? Retribution, maybe, for every time he had ever teased or tortured someone in a similar way. He just stared into those dark eyes, trying to find a coherent sentence to reply with.
I would not have you hurt, He told him, directly injecting his words to Jim's thoughts, sampling a taste of that honey once more before he pulled back, both mentally and physically, slowly dropping his hand to his side. He was calm, heart beat steady at two-hundred-fifty beats, his own thoughts relatively still, but Spock did not understand how. "But you must understand that this is not a painless task, especially for humans."
"I--" Good start. Kirk swallowed, letting out a breath, "I told you already, I'll do whatever it takes." Wow, that sounded really pathetic.
Spock searched his face for a few silent moments, gave him a nod, and then half turned from him, his hands once again folded behind his back. They would see if Jim had anything left to give at the end of this. If either of them did.