Fruit of the Tree of Life 4/4 - for myjadedhavok
Author's name : creampuffsteph
Written for: myjadedhavok
Pairing/characters: Kirk/Spock, Kodos
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: Spock and Kirk must survive Tarsus IV together
Warnings: mentions of death (nothing explicit), hate speech
Disclaimer: Don't own, wish I did.
A/N I wish LJ would let me post more in one go
Jimmy had looked at their first night in the cave as a pseudo camping trip. Fun, kind of scary, and a lot exciting. But it’s a week later. And they are still in the cave. There is nothing fun about it.
He’s cold at night, missing the warmth even if it’s caused by something putrid and diseased in the air. And if Jimmy’s cold, Spock has to be freezing. Most nights Jimmy spends curled around Spock’s body, shivers so violent it’s made Jimmy bite his own tongue from the shocks.
“What I don’t understand,” Jimmy asks Spock, “is how Kodos’ estate was so nice. Nice air, nice weather, nice food growing on nice trees and nice vines and...”
He wishes he had thought to bring some of that fruit with him, now. But, as Spock says, hindsight is 20/20. They’d left in such a hurry, both too scared at the time, to really think out their plan. And now they are both hungry, stomach protesting the lack of anything even resembling food.
“Kodos discovered a way to extend an artificial atmosphere shield to encompass his land. His home suffered no ill effect of the plague he wrought upon the rest of the population.”
Jimmy’s stomach growls. “Bastard.”
“Indeed.”
Spock goes hunting and foraging for food several times a day. Jimmy offers to help, but as he’s not familiar with the area, Spock always shoots him down. Privately, Jimmy doesn’t think it matters either way, because Spock comes back empty handed nine times out of ten. He gets how the boy could go eleven days with no food.
There’s nothing out there, he saw that as they made their way to the cave. No furry little animals to trap. Or nuts and berries. Certainly no crops. If only he could find a grocery store. Though, Jimmy’s sure those were raided long ago.
“What about bugs?” Jimmy presses a hand against his stomach, willing the ache and sound to go away for just a few minutes.
He can tell he’s lost weight by the way his pants hang off him. And measuring time is made easier - not just because Spock is a freak when it comes to that whole internal time measurement thing - by the advancement of wear and tear on his clothes. Because he only has the one pair of clothing, they’re very quickly so dirty and gross and, just, not really providing much coverage, Jimmy wonders sometimes why he still wears them.
“Bugs?”
“Yeah, there’s gotta be bugs left, somewhere, right?”
“I do not believe that is a viable option, James.”
“Why not?”
“Any bugs that garner nutrients from soil will be exposed to the fungus. I am unsure if it can be passed on to humanoids.”
“Oh. Right.” Damn. His stomach seizes painfully and Jimmy rolls over hoping the change in position will alleviate the ache.
--
They’re at a stream, washing off for the day. It’s the best part of their routine because the water is somehow still crisp and clean, refreshing against his skin which seems permanently grimy after spending too much time in that stupid cave. He notices, though, that despite being dirty, Spock doesn’t fully immerse himself in the water; merely settles on splashing it against the exposed skin of his body.
Sometimes Jimmy forgets Spock is so different, when they get along so well and seem so alike in so many ways. But he is definitely Vulcan, or rather half Vulcan he’s come to learn, and is very different. It’s not a bad thing, not at all. And he hates anyone who thinks it is. The differences just make Spock cooler, make Jimmy want to know him more.
“Spock?”
He pauses mid splash. “Yes, James?”
“How exactly did you come to work for Kodos?”
Spock’s eyes darken as he looks down at his hands. “He killed all but three of us before Kodos realized we could be useful. Vulcans are stronger than Humans, can go longer without food or water. Useful traits in a servant. He kept us in service with the promise of food, given sparingly but with enough frequency to keep us alive.”
Jimmy hears the bitterness, should be shocked by it but can’t be after all Spock has suffered.
“When he learned I was a hybrid, I believed my chances of survival so inconsequential they do not bear mentioning. Instead, Kodos took interest. He seems to have an affinity with genetics. Kodos was responsible for the coding of the fungus. I believe he wanted to use me, experiment on the possibilities of infusing Vulcan strengths with Humans.”
“That man is sick.”
--
“Okay. That’s it. I have a plan!” Jimmy jumps to his feet, hitting his head on the cave ceiling, and shuffles to the tunnel leading out.
“What plan is that?”
“I know how we’ll get food.”
Spock is right behind him, so that when Jimmy turns, they are pressed nose to nose now.
“Heh. Uh,” what was he thinking again? Oh right. “We’re going back to Kodos’.”
Silence meets him.
“Spock?”
“Surely you cannot be serious.”
“Dead serious, as in, we will be dead if we don’t do something, Spock. Do you have a better idea?” He stares down Spock, trying to intimidate him into following his crazy plan. “I thought not.”
“What would you have us do?”
“Sneak back into the orchard.”
--
“James, the likelihood of your plan being successful is -”
“Spock! It’ll work, just shut up already.” He speaks with as much confidence as possible. Which is pretty hard considering Jimmy thinks that even if doesn’t work, they’ll be dead in a few days without food anyway.
“Do you not think Kodos has changed the passkey to gain entrance to his estate?”
Jimmy thinks about that, really. Kodos was always so nice to him. If Spock is right, which he tends to be, then Jimmy can safely bet on the fact that Kodos does see him as a son, or nephew whatever, rather than just another random boy. And if that’s the case, there’s a good chance Kodos wants Jimmy back. He’s not going to risk the chance of missing out on Jimmy’s return by doing something as stupid as changing the code.
“Nope.”
--
As it turns out, Jimmy is right. Spock enters the same code as before and the door swings open. He’s expecting someone to come striding through the door though, not having really thought past the point in the plan where they actually make it to the estate walls unscathed. It’s a little unnerving that no one does come out. Surely Kodos’ alarms are going off right now, blaring and annoying, alerting everyone to the presence of intruders. And really, Kodos was so obviously expecting Jimmy to do this. One would think he’d have been here waiting personally.
“Spock, let’s hurry up, grab the fruit and get the hell out of here.”
What he wouldn’t give for Spock’s giant basket right now. They are running, opposite directions to maximize fruit picking, to every tree they can easily get to, grabbing fruit and stuffing it in pockets and shirts and cuffs of pants. Any place that can possibly hold fruit is being utilized. If they make it out of here alive, they won’t risk it again by coming back. They’ll need as much fruit as possible, to last as long as possible, and hope a better solution presents itself for next time.
“Jimmy?”
Shit. Jimmy drops the fruit he’s holding and turns to see Kodos, standing alone between two gnarled trees.
“You came back.” His voice is filled with relief and happiness. It makes Jimmy want to throw up. To think he ever liked this man.
“Not for you.”
For the first time, Kodos looks past Jimmy and sees Spock. His eyes narrow and his entire stance shifts. From open and relaxed to closed off and stiff. Kodos purses his lips as his attention shifts back to Jimmy.
“Craig told me what happened. But I didn’t believe him. You wouldn’t leave here for some half breed trash. Not you, not my Jimmy.”
Jimmy is about to respond when Spock’s voice cuts in. “He is not yours.”
He’s never heard Spock sound so angry. Or scary.
“Jimmy please.” Kodos doesn’t even acknowledge Spock’s words. “Come back now and all will be forgiven. I know how those Vulcan can work mind games on unsuspecting victims. I don’t blame you for that. He is.” Kodos points at Spock angrily, jabbing at the air as if he holds a weapon.
“I would never try to alter James’ mind. Unlike you.”
That gets Kodos’ attention. He turns to Spock, anger burning in his eyes, and spits. “Do not speak to me, freak.”
“No! You don’t talk to Spock!” Jimmy steps between the two that seem to be gravitating towards each other. He feels helpless as he senses something brewing, a fight, and is overwhelmed to think a man more than twice his age plans on fighting a kid.
“Why do you defend him, Son?” Kodos tugs at his hair.
“I’m not your son. I’m nothing to you. Just like you’re nothing to me.” It’s Jimmy’s turn to spit. He turns and runs to Spock. “Let’s go!”
He’d be more worried if there were more people just present. But it’s just Kodos and there’s not much he can do to stop them now. Now that they are so close to the door, fruit weighing their clothes down and slowing their progress. Jimmy can practically taste victory, the same taste as the fruit he’s so excited to eat it makes him hurt even more. It may just be the battle they’re winning, but Jimmy doesn’t care. They need this, Spock and he, if they hope to stay alive.
“No! I won’t let you go, not again!”
There’s movement out of the corner of his eye, and Jimmy turns his head back in time to see Kodos pull a phaser from the inside of his suit jacket. His heart stops with a painful thud, time freezing him in place as Kodos aims his weapon.
He knows, Jimmy knows who Kodos is aiming for. It only makes sense to take out the opposition. But if something were to happen to Spock, Jimmy’d just die. He can’t stand to see Spock suffer more, not at the hands of this mad man. So, Jimmy figures, damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t. Either Spock gets hurt and that in turn destroys Jimmy, or he skips the brutal step of anything dealing with pain and Spock.
Jimmy jumps in front of Spock seconds before Kodos shoots.
There’s a searing pain as the beam slices against flesh, a slash across his skin that sizzles and leaves the smell of burnt in his nose. Then comes the shock, sudden and intense as his body struggles to fight what it knows is coming. Jimmy jerks back once, eyes rolling in his head, and yells for Spock to run damnit listen to me please don’t want you to die, then falls to ground. Everything goes black after that.
--
When Jimmy opens his eyes, it’s to see a very pretty blond woman hovering over him.
“Doctor, he’s awake.”
There’s noise somewhere to his left. Then Jimmy sees an older man, graying hair, step into his line of sight.
“Son?” Jimmy hates that word. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I got hit by a phaser.”
The doctor laughs nervously and runs a tricorder over him. “Yes, well...it’s a good thing Starfleet found you when they did. Too much longer and...” He coughs to cover the mistake of almost admitting something as devastating as you almost died to a patient.
“Starfleet?”
“Word of Kodos’ takeover made its way to officials. It took awhile, but I guess Kodos’ men were monitoring all frequencies to keep any communications from happening. We’re all lucky there are some very determined people on this planet.”
Jimmy’s stopped listening. All he needed to hear was that Starfleet was here and taking care of business. There are only two things Jimmy cares to know about now.
“What happened to Kodos?”
The doctor looks uncomfortable. “Well, when he was discovered, on the grounds of his home, two of Fleet’s security found him standing over a young boy, uh, you. They said he looked really shook up. And when they went to apprehend him, Kodos...” He trails off. But Jimmy thinks he can guess.
“Is he dead?”
“Uh, yeah.” It’s morbidly funny that the doctor is relieved at not having to go into more detail.
“And what about Spock?”
Jimmy needs to see Spock, grab his hand and hold on for dear life and feel better knowing his friend is okay, comforted by Spock’s safety.
“Who’s Spock?”
--
It’s been years since Tarsus, and Jim still thinks about it. Remembers everything like it was only yesterday, as cliched as that sounds. He may not have suffered as long as the rest of the survivors, living comfortably with Kodos for more than half of his psychotic regime, but what he went through was horrific enough to stick with him for the rest of his life. Maybe beyond.
After he’d escaped the idiot doctor who didn’t know when to shut up and when to fess up, Jim had learned that Spock had been found, right beside Jim, hit by another phaser blast by a furious Kodos. He’d been beamed aboard the Endeavor immediately, bypassing the quickly set up hospital stations in favor of a more technologically advanced medbay. And when they’d stabilized him, Spock had been whisked away by a Vulcan ship, to be taken back to his planet where he could heal more adequately.
Jim didn’t know if Spock had even made it. Never got to say goodbye. Or thank you. Because Jim knows for sure if it weren’t for Spock he’d either still be stuck in Kodos’ greedy mind trap. Or dead. Going down in an unholy fame of imposed superiority thanks to a man claiming to be family.
He tried looking up Spock, so many times it’s embarrassing. But he had little to nothing to go by. Spock had never told him any names, out of both their best interest. And the name “Spock” in the Federation database didn’t yield much. Jim wondered if Spock’s records were sealed just like his was...
He’s learned to move on. Sort of. The ache of what happened, of losing his innocence and best friend, did a lot to Jim. He flew off the deep end there for a bit, drinking and fighting and fucking his way through life like only the most troubled people can. But now that he’s enrolled in Starfleet, he’s learned to curb those destructive appetites.
Starfleet is everything Jim hoped it would be, and more. He loves the diversity, humans and aliens mixed together to form a strong, cohesive unit. It’s nice that he can go to the mess hall and get dishes from Italy, Delta, Orion, and even...Vulcan. Though he’s not sure why on the last one. Try as he might, and really he’s tried a whole lot, he’s never even spotted a Vulcan present on campus. That doesn’t stop him from ordering Plomeek soup and Vulcan herbal tea, the things Spock had mentioned so many years ago while they lay huddled together in a small, dark and dank cave, two boys trying to keep themselves distracted from their dreadful situation.
Jim sighs into his cup of tea, letting the bitter heat hit his face like a breath of fresh air. It’s been so long, why does he still feel the ache and the longing for Spock? He shouldn’t feel the sense of loss so strongly. It can’t be healthy. But he can’t let it go either, something he’s never admitted to anyone. He just...can’t. It’s Spock.
When he’s finished with his drink, Jim stands to dispose of his cup. His Kobayashi Maru is coming up, and after two failed attempts, Jim is determined to beat this damn test if it’s the last thing he does.
He’s ready.
--
Jim’s gotta hand it to Gaila, she sure knows her shit. He’s jubilant, biting into an apple with relish. The fruit never fails to remind him of Spock. And even now in the midst of his triumph, Jim feels a pang of loneliness, tarnishing what should be his greatest accomplishment to date. No one’s beat the Kobayashi Maru before. If only Spock were here too, they could celebrate together. Well, after Spock chastised him for such “unusual” methods.
There’s a swagger in his step as he turns to face the instructor’s box, knowing they can see the smugness on his face, and wanting to see their reactions.
But before he can take it all in, bask in the glory of it, movement to his left draws Jim’s attention away. There is a long, lean body in black instructor’s. The carriage of the man is familiar, Jim thinks as he looks slowly up the body. Jim swears he knows this man, though he can’t recall ever meeting someone so remarkable at the Academy.
His eyes touch upon a strong jawline, over cheekbones and sliding up a well defined nose that is so, so familiar. Then Jim sees the eyes, the brows, does a quick search for ears that are pointed, oh god they are pointed!
He knows that face, knows it like his own. Even with age there’s no mistaking the striking features.
“Spock?”
The Vulcan is staring at Jim in a similar fashion, disbelief flashing even as Spock mouths stupidly for several seconds before replying.
“James? Jimmy?”
Jim is out the door and running towards the instructors’ section before Spock can shut his mouth.
He races down the hall, almost losing his footing as he rounds a corner, and collides with a firm body.
“Spock!” He even smells the same, James thinks, as his nose is forced up against the bare skin of Spock’s neck as they come together in a painful embrace.
“James.”
The name sounds so good coming from the familiar voice, age only deepening it and making it more distinct and Jim feels his body tremble in Spock’s arms. How is it possible that after so many years, just the sight and touch of Spock is enough to reduce him to a quivering mess?
“How’d you get here?” Though what he really wants to know is why didn’t you find me I didn’t know you survived.
“I walked.”
And there, the perfect deadpan no one can pull off like Spock, makes Jim so happy he laughs until tears slide down his cheeks. “God, Spock, I’ve missed you. What happened back then? I didn’t know if you survived and I couldn’t find you and -”
“James.” He cuts off Jim’s gibbering. “I did indeed survive. As did you. A fact I am most grateful for.” He steps back but doesn’t let go of Jim, thankfully. “You proved difficult to locate, James, did you know that?”
He shakes his head dumbly. Spock had looked for him too?
“How could I not?” Spock’s fingers press against Jim’s face, the quick touch more electric than Jim remembers. “I lost my brother that day.”
“T’hy’la,” Jim corrects. He never forgot that word, the one he doesn’t really understand except that Spock had called him that in response to Jim calling Spock brother. He knows it’s important, somehow, and wants to show Spock he hasn’t forgotten even after all these years.
“Yes, t’hy’la.”
Jim blinks and Spock is there, closer than before, brushing his lips against Jim’s in the sweetest, most sincerely chaste kiss he’s ever experienced. He’s flooded with emotion. Joy and excitement and a feeling of contentment that what they shared, what they will share is right.
Written for: myjadedhavok
Pairing/characters: Kirk/Spock, Kodos
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: Spock and Kirk must survive Tarsus IV together
Warnings: mentions of death (nothing explicit), hate speech
Disclaimer: Don't own, wish I did.
A/N I wish LJ would let me post more in one go
Jimmy had looked at their first night in the cave as a pseudo camping trip. Fun, kind of scary, and a lot exciting. But it’s a week later. And they are still in the cave. There is nothing fun about it.
He’s cold at night, missing the warmth even if it’s caused by something putrid and diseased in the air. And if Jimmy’s cold, Spock has to be freezing. Most nights Jimmy spends curled around Spock’s body, shivers so violent it’s made Jimmy bite his own tongue from the shocks.
“What I don’t understand,” Jimmy asks Spock, “is how Kodos’ estate was so nice. Nice air, nice weather, nice food growing on nice trees and nice vines and...”
He wishes he had thought to bring some of that fruit with him, now. But, as Spock says, hindsight is 20/20. They’d left in such a hurry, both too scared at the time, to really think out their plan. And now they are both hungry, stomach protesting the lack of anything even resembling food.
“Kodos discovered a way to extend an artificial atmosphere shield to encompass his land. His home suffered no ill effect of the plague he wrought upon the rest of the population.”
Jimmy’s stomach growls. “Bastard.”
“Indeed.”
Spock goes hunting and foraging for food several times a day. Jimmy offers to help, but as he’s not familiar with the area, Spock always shoots him down. Privately, Jimmy doesn’t think it matters either way, because Spock comes back empty handed nine times out of ten. He gets how the boy could go eleven days with no food.
There’s nothing out there, he saw that as they made their way to the cave. No furry little animals to trap. Or nuts and berries. Certainly no crops. If only he could find a grocery store. Though, Jimmy’s sure those were raided long ago.
“What about bugs?” Jimmy presses a hand against his stomach, willing the ache and sound to go away for just a few minutes.
He can tell he’s lost weight by the way his pants hang off him. And measuring time is made easier - not just because Spock is a freak when it comes to that whole internal time measurement thing - by the advancement of wear and tear on his clothes. Because he only has the one pair of clothing, they’re very quickly so dirty and gross and, just, not really providing much coverage, Jimmy wonders sometimes why he still wears them.
“Bugs?”
“Yeah, there’s gotta be bugs left, somewhere, right?”
“I do not believe that is a viable option, James.”
“Why not?”
“Any bugs that garner nutrients from soil will be exposed to the fungus. I am unsure if it can be passed on to humanoids.”
“Oh. Right.” Damn. His stomach seizes painfully and Jimmy rolls over hoping the change in position will alleviate the ache.
--
They’re at a stream, washing off for the day. It’s the best part of their routine because the water is somehow still crisp and clean, refreshing against his skin which seems permanently grimy after spending too much time in that stupid cave. He notices, though, that despite being dirty, Spock doesn’t fully immerse himself in the water; merely settles on splashing it against the exposed skin of his body.
Sometimes Jimmy forgets Spock is so different, when they get along so well and seem so alike in so many ways. But he is definitely Vulcan, or rather half Vulcan he’s come to learn, and is very different. It’s not a bad thing, not at all. And he hates anyone who thinks it is. The differences just make Spock cooler, make Jimmy want to know him more.
“Spock?”
He pauses mid splash. “Yes, James?”
“How exactly did you come to work for Kodos?”
Spock’s eyes darken as he looks down at his hands. “He killed all but three of us before Kodos realized we could be useful. Vulcans are stronger than Humans, can go longer without food or water. Useful traits in a servant. He kept us in service with the promise of food, given sparingly but with enough frequency to keep us alive.”
Jimmy hears the bitterness, should be shocked by it but can’t be after all Spock has suffered.
“When he learned I was a hybrid, I believed my chances of survival so inconsequential they do not bear mentioning. Instead, Kodos took interest. He seems to have an affinity with genetics. Kodos was responsible for the coding of the fungus. I believe he wanted to use me, experiment on the possibilities of infusing Vulcan strengths with Humans.”
“That man is sick.”
--
“Okay. That’s it. I have a plan!” Jimmy jumps to his feet, hitting his head on the cave ceiling, and shuffles to the tunnel leading out.
“What plan is that?”
“I know how we’ll get food.”
Spock is right behind him, so that when Jimmy turns, they are pressed nose to nose now.
“Heh. Uh,” what was he thinking again? Oh right. “We’re going back to Kodos’.”
Silence meets him.
“Spock?”
“Surely you cannot be serious.”
“Dead serious, as in, we will be dead if we don’t do something, Spock. Do you have a better idea?” He stares down Spock, trying to intimidate him into following his crazy plan. “I thought not.”
“What would you have us do?”
“Sneak back into the orchard.”
--
“James, the likelihood of your plan being successful is -”
“Spock! It’ll work, just shut up already.” He speaks with as much confidence as possible. Which is pretty hard considering Jimmy thinks that even if doesn’t work, they’ll be dead in a few days without food anyway.
“Do you not think Kodos has changed the passkey to gain entrance to his estate?”
Jimmy thinks about that, really. Kodos was always so nice to him. If Spock is right, which he tends to be, then Jimmy can safely bet on the fact that Kodos does see him as a son, or nephew whatever, rather than just another random boy. And if that’s the case, there’s a good chance Kodos wants Jimmy back. He’s not going to risk the chance of missing out on Jimmy’s return by doing something as stupid as changing the code.
“Nope.”
--
As it turns out, Jimmy is right. Spock enters the same code as before and the door swings open. He’s expecting someone to come striding through the door though, not having really thought past the point in the plan where they actually make it to the estate walls unscathed. It’s a little unnerving that no one does come out. Surely Kodos’ alarms are going off right now, blaring and annoying, alerting everyone to the presence of intruders. And really, Kodos was so obviously expecting Jimmy to do this. One would think he’d have been here waiting personally.
“Spock, let’s hurry up, grab the fruit and get the hell out of here.”
What he wouldn’t give for Spock’s giant basket right now. They are running, opposite directions to maximize fruit picking, to every tree they can easily get to, grabbing fruit and stuffing it in pockets and shirts and cuffs of pants. Any place that can possibly hold fruit is being utilized. If they make it out of here alive, they won’t risk it again by coming back. They’ll need as much fruit as possible, to last as long as possible, and hope a better solution presents itself for next time.
“Jimmy?”
Shit. Jimmy drops the fruit he’s holding and turns to see Kodos, standing alone between two gnarled trees.
“You came back.” His voice is filled with relief and happiness. It makes Jimmy want to throw up. To think he ever liked this man.
“Not for you.”
For the first time, Kodos looks past Jimmy and sees Spock. His eyes narrow and his entire stance shifts. From open and relaxed to closed off and stiff. Kodos purses his lips as his attention shifts back to Jimmy.
“Craig told me what happened. But I didn’t believe him. You wouldn’t leave here for some half breed trash. Not you, not my Jimmy.”
Jimmy is about to respond when Spock’s voice cuts in. “He is not yours.”
He’s never heard Spock sound so angry. Or scary.
“Jimmy please.” Kodos doesn’t even acknowledge Spock’s words. “Come back now and all will be forgiven. I know how those Vulcan can work mind games on unsuspecting victims. I don’t blame you for that. He is.” Kodos points at Spock angrily, jabbing at the air as if he holds a weapon.
“I would never try to alter James’ mind. Unlike you.”
That gets Kodos’ attention. He turns to Spock, anger burning in his eyes, and spits. “Do not speak to me, freak.”
“No! You don’t talk to Spock!” Jimmy steps between the two that seem to be gravitating towards each other. He feels helpless as he senses something brewing, a fight, and is overwhelmed to think a man more than twice his age plans on fighting a kid.
“Why do you defend him, Son?” Kodos tugs at his hair.
“I’m not your son. I’m nothing to you. Just like you’re nothing to me.” It’s Jimmy’s turn to spit. He turns and runs to Spock. “Let’s go!”
He’d be more worried if there were more people just present. But it’s just Kodos and there’s not much he can do to stop them now. Now that they are so close to the door, fruit weighing their clothes down and slowing their progress. Jimmy can practically taste victory, the same taste as the fruit he’s so excited to eat it makes him hurt even more. It may just be the battle they’re winning, but Jimmy doesn’t care. They need this, Spock and he, if they hope to stay alive.
“No! I won’t let you go, not again!”
There’s movement out of the corner of his eye, and Jimmy turns his head back in time to see Kodos pull a phaser from the inside of his suit jacket. His heart stops with a painful thud, time freezing him in place as Kodos aims his weapon.
He knows, Jimmy knows who Kodos is aiming for. It only makes sense to take out the opposition. But if something were to happen to Spock, Jimmy’d just die. He can’t stand to see Spock suffer more, not at the hands of this mad man. So, Jimmy figures, damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t. Either Spock gets hurt and that in turn destroys Jimmy, or he skips the brutal step of anything dealing with pain and Spock.
Jimmy jumps in front of Spock seconds before Kodos shoots.
There’s a searing pain as the beam slices against flesh, a slash across his skin that sizzles and leaves the smell of burnt in his nose. Then comes the shock, sudden and intense as his body struggles to fight what it knows is coming. Jimmy jerks back once, eyes rolling in his head, and yells for Spock to run damnit listen to me please don’t want you to die, then falls to ground. Everything goes black after that.
--
When Jimmy opens his eyes, it’s to see a very pretty blond woman hovering over him.
“Doctor, he’s awake.”
There’s noise somewhere to his left. Then Jimmy sees an older man, graying hair, step into his line of sight.
“Son?” Jimmy hates that word. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I got hit by a phaser.”
The doctor laughs nervously and runs a tricorder over him. “Yes, well...it’s a good thing Starfleet found you when they did. Too much longer and...” He coughs to cover the mistake of almost admitting something as devastating as you almost died to a patient.
“Starfleet?”
“Word of Kodos’ takeover made its way to officials. It took awhile, but I guess Kodos’ men were monitoring all frequencies to keep any communications from happening. We’re all lucky there are some very determined people on this planet.”
Jimmy’s stopped listening. All he needed to hear was that Starfleet was here and taking care of business. There are only two things Jimmy cares to know about now.
“What happened to Kodos?”
The doctor looks uncomfortable. “Well, when he was discovered, on the grounds of his home, two of Fleet’s security found him standing over a young boy, uh, you. They said he looked really shook up. And when they went to apprehend him, Kodos...” He trails off. But Jimmy thinks he can guess.
“Is he dead?”
“Uh, yeah.” It’s morbidly funny that the doctor is relieved at not having to go into more detail.
“And what about Spock?”
Jimmy needs to see Spock, grab his hand and hold on for dear life and feel better knowing his friend is okay, comforted by Spock’s safety.
“Who’s Spock?”
--
It’s been years since Tarsus, and Jim still thinks about it. Remembers everything like it was only yesterday, as cliched as that sounds. He may not have suffered as long as the rest of the survivors, living comfortably with Kodos for more than half of his psychotic regime, but what he went through was horrific enough to stick with him for the rest of his life. Maybe beyond.
After he’d escaped the idiot doctor who didn’t know when to shut up and when to fess up, Jim had learned that Spock had been found, right beside Jim, hit by another phaser blast by a furious Kodos. He’d been beamed aboard the Endeavor immediately, bypassing the quickly set up hospital stations in favor of a more technologically advanced medbay. And when they’d stabilized him, Spock had been whisked away by a Vulcan ship, to be taken back to his planet where he could heal more adequately.
Jim didn’t know if Spock had even made it. Never got to say goodbye. Or thank you. Because Jim knows for sure if it weren’t for Spock he’d either still be stuck in Kodos’ greedy mind trap. Or dead. Going down in an unholy fame of imposed superiority thanks to a man claiming to be family.
He tried looking up Spock, so many times it’s embarrassing. But he had little to nothing to go by. Spock had never told him any names, out of both their best interest. And the name “Spock” in the Federation database didn’t yield much. Jim wondered if Spock’s records were sealed just like his was...
He’s learned to move on. Sort of. The ache of what happened, of losing his innocence and best friend, did a lot to Jim. He flew off the deep end there for a bit, drinking and fighting and fucking his way through life like only the most troubled people can. But now that he’s enrolled in Starfleet, he’s learned to curb those destructive appetites.
Starfleet is everything Jim hoped it would be, and more. He loves the diversity, humans and aliens mixed together to form a strong, cohesive unit. It’s nice that he can go to the mess hall and get dishes from Italy, Delta, Orion, and even...Vulcan. Though he’s not sure why on the last one. Try as he might, and really he’s tried a whole lot, he’s never even spotted a Vulcan present on campus. That doesn’t stop him from ordering Plomeek soup and Vulcan herbal tea, the things Spock had mentioned so many years ago while they lay huddled together in a small, dark and dank cave, two boys trying to keep themselves distracted from their dreadful situation.
Jim sighs into his cup of tea, letting the bitter heat hit his face like a breath of fresh air. It’s been so long, why does he still feel the ache and the longing for Spock? He shouldn’t feel the sense of loss so strongly. It can’t be healthy. But he can’t let it go either, something he’s never admitted to anyone. He just...can’t. It’s Spock.
When he’s finished with his drink, Jim stands to dispose of his cup. His Kobayashi Maru is coming up, and after two failed attempts, Jim is determined to beat this damn test if it’s the last thing he does.
He’s ready.
--
Jim’s gotta hand it to Gaila, she sure knows her shit. He’s jubilant, biting into an apple with relish. The fruit never fails to remind him of Spock. And even now in the midst of his triumph, Jim feels a pang of loneliness, tarnishing what should be his greatest accomplishment to date. No one’s beat the Kobayashi Maru before. If only Spock were here too, they could celebrate together. Well, after Spock chastised him for such “unusual” methods.
There’s a swagger in his step as he turns to face the instructor’s box, knowing they can see the smugness on his face, and wanting to see their reactions.
But before he can take it all in, bask in the glory of it, movement to his left draws Jim’s attention away. There is a long, lean body in black instructor’s. The carriage of the man is familiar, Jim thinks as he looks slowly up the body. Jim swears he knows this man, though he can’t recall ever meeting someone so remarkable at the Academy.
His eyes touch upon a strong jawline, over cheekbones and sliding up a well defined nose that is so, so familiar. Then Jim sees the eyes, the brows, does a quick search for ears that are pointed, oh god they are pointed!
He knows that face, knows it like his own. Even with age there’s no mistaking the striking features.
“Spock?”
The Vulcan is staring at Jim in a similar fashion, disbelief flashing even as Spock mouths stupidly for several seconds before replying.
“James? Jimmy?”
Jim is out the door and running towards the instructors’ section before Spock can shut his mouth.
He races down the hall, almost losing his footing as he rounds a corner, and collides with a firm body.
“Spock!” He even smells the same, James thinks, as his nose is forced up against the bare skin of Spock’s neck as they come together in a painful embrace.
“James.”
The name sounds so good coming from the familiar voice, age only deepening it and making it more distinct and Jim feels his body tremble in Spock’s arms. How is it possible that after so many years, just the sight and touch of Spock is enough to reduce him to a quivering mess?
“How’d you get here?” Though what he really wants to know is why didn’t you find me I didn’t know you survived.
“I walked.”
And there, the perfect deadpan no one can pull off like Spock, makes Jim so happy he laughs until tears slide down his cheeks. “God, Spock, I’ve missed you. What happened back then? I didn’t know if you survived and I couldn’t find you and -”
“James.” He cuts off Jim’s gibbering. “I did indeed survive. As did you. A fact I am most grateful for.” He steps back but doesn’t let go of Jim, thankfully. “You proved difficult to locate, James, did you know that?”
He shakes his head dumbly. Spock had looked for him too?
“How could I not?” Spock’s fingers press against Jim’s face, the quick touch more electric than Jim remembers. “I lost my brother that day.”
“T’hy’la,” Jim corrects. He never forgot that word, the one he doesn’t really understand except that Spock had called him that in response to Jim calling Spock brother. He knows it’s important, somehow, and wants to show Spock he hasn’t forgotten even after all these years.
“Yes, t’hy’la.”
Jim blinks and Spock is there, closer than before, brushing his lips against Jim’s in the sweetest, most sincerely chaste kiss he’s ever experienced. He’s flooded with emotion. Joy and excitement and a feeling of contentment that what they shared, what they will share is right.