Mirrors - [Spock's Quarters] - [Jim and Spock]

[original_fine]

No matter the emergency, at some point most beings needed to attend to certain needs. Food. Elimination. Rest.

Curiosity.

Jim knew that Spock knew where he'd gone when he'd left the bridge, because he'd told him. And he knew that Spock would be intensely curious. And for his part, Jim needed Spock, too. There was a lot to think about, and try to

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[sehlatbear]

Spock had meditated through most of the night. Jim had slept, on the edges of Spock's awareness.

It was early, before dawn if they had been on either one of their home planets, when he approached their bed.

Jim, t'hy'la, it is time to wake up.

[original_fine]

Jim woke easily at the touch of Spock's mind on his, instincts honed so that he rarely felt disorientation between waking and sleeping. This was, however, a more pleasant wake up call than most.

He sat up, refreshed and eyes focused, and reach for his shirt.

"What time is it?" he asked, looking up at Spock. "Any news?"

[sehlatbear]

Spock watched, solemn.

"It is 600. There has been nothing communicated in any format."

He had dared to follow that thread again abd been met with an unconscious fog.

[original_fine]

Jim rose, pulling on his pants and stretching. He'd missed Spock's too-hot body next to his, but he felt ready. Well, as ready as he could be, with no notion of what was to come.

Did he ever, really? Wasn't that his choice? He seemed to thrive on the uncertainty of everything but that he would succeed, Spock and Bones beside him.

He nodded at Spock, watching him back. Spock would have monitored all communication, both on the ship and via his more tenuous channels. Jim hoped he would know, too, if things had taken a turn for the worse.

"Then it strikes me the sooner the better," he said. "What do I do?"

[sehlatbear]

"You eat."

Spock spared a gesture for the table, already set with a quick meal for Jim.

[original_fine]

Jim raised an eyebrow at Spock.

"If you're not careful," he said lightly, "you're going to turn into Bones."

Or Jim's mother, but that was another thought entirely. Still, he knew enough to pick his battles, and it wasn't like he wasn't hungry anyway. Jim sat. And smiled at the utterly Vulcan variety of Earth foods Spock had provided. No pancakes, donuts, or bacon in sight.

"Thanks," he said, his tone soft. "Have you eaten?"

[sehlatbear]

A bit of their old banter resurfaced.

"Really, Jim, I see no reason to be insulting."

But he shook his head and sat at the table with Jim and consented to at least eat a few pieces of melon.

[original_fine]

Jim grinned, pleased that he'd gotten Spock to sit and eat, sparing as it was. He assumed Spock had not bothered with food in some time, and Jim resolved to be better about noticing. For once, he didn't complain about the fare--at least aloud. He ate as quickly as he could, watching Spock's long fingers holding the fork delicately and wondering what it would be like to feed him the cubes of melon, or have those fingers feed him, his lips wrapping around the tips as he sucked the remaining juices off.

He shook himself and set down his spoon, looking expectantly at Spock.

[sehlatbear]

"It seemed most wise to make your attempt now, when others are resting - it will be less distraction for us both."

He gestured to his meditation space where, Jim saw, Spock had arranged two sitting matts face to face.

He had not meditated during the entire duration, it was apparent.

[original_fine]

Jim glanced at the space, and nodded. "Good idea," he said. In truth, the sooner the better. Who knew what was happening to Jim? He rose, stepping over to the meditation area and taking a deep breath.

"I'm ready," he said. For what, he still did not know. But that had never stopped him before.

[sehlatbear]

Spock sat, opposite Jim.

"First, we will meld. I will show you the thread that connects my mind with James' mind and we will follow it together."

He took Jim's hand in his, precious fingers of his mate, and stroked it in the Vulcan way.

"There is some risk, even at this stage. There is much we do not know about the nature of what connects you with him."

[original_fine]

Jim's fingers tingled in Spock's. Tactile as he was, Jim was perhaps especially receptive to this form of affection, though he still enjoyed kissing more. But this was business, of sorts, and Jim's eyes were serious as they rested on Spock's, absorbing his words even as he dismissed the danger. Not because he didn't believe it, but because it didn't matter.

"Well. We'll know more soon," he said wryly. He did not protest--Spock knew he was going to do this, and he was not hindering. As always, he was guiding Jim without argument, despite his doubts. And Jim knew that this was why Spock was still his First Officer, despite the tectonic shift in their private relationship. "I'll be fine, Spock. You're here. And I'm here for Jim."

He smiled his most confident smile.

[sehlatbear]

"It will be easier if you follow my breathing.*

Spock found the meld points easily.

"May I?"

At Jim's nod, he merged their minds. He took only a moment to savor it, the flavor of their combined thoughts.

Come with me.

[original_fine]

Jim fell into the heady feeling of the meld hungrily, but managed to keep his mind on the task at hand, breathing with Spock though largely (again) he was unaware of his body.

Seeking orientation, and aided by the practice of the day before, Jim steadied himself and did as bid. Spock had so much room, so much space for each of them, more like Jim in this way than anyone might have thought, though it manifested differently. Now they sought Jim, Spock's James, and Jim felt alert as though his mind were spiked with adrenaline, as if he had beamed down to an alien world of uncertainty.

[sehlatbear]

There had been some rearrangement in the garden that served as a manifestation of Spock's inner mind. The bonds he shared with Jim and Leonard were roped about everything, easily within reach, glittering like a festive garland.

And in the corner by a burbling fountain, there were the threads - threads stretching out into the sky, one for his younger counterpart and one for the Doctor McCoy of this world, faint and soft. Two tightly twined ones, dark and so tightly wound together they would not be separated. Pike and his Spock. And one for James.

[original_fine]

Jim gazed around the garden, taking in the alterations, wondering again at the beauty on the interior of such a stoic man. And so many connections, where Jim knew there had been none but the stars. The bonds were beautiful, even more so because they were Spock's manifestation of what he shared with others. Another unexpected corner.

Jim immediately spotted James' thread, knowing unerringly which was his and approaching, throwing a glance over at Spock. There was something both romantic and logical about the arrangement, here.