The BLTS Archive- The Difference Between
by Bats (BatsRGr8@aol.com)

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Beta: Dreadnought, thank you kindly.

Disclaimer: Paramount owns them, I play with them, they have more fun
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Ambassador Spock was done. His mission to Romulas was complete. He had
done all he could do, it was now up to the youth of the Romulan
Empire, if they wanted the change bad enough. He was tired. He was
lonely.

He was to rendezvous with the Enterprise, Captain Jean-Luc Picard's
Enterprise. Jim and his ship were gone. Only his loneliness lived on.

---

"Captain, I have Ambassador Spock's shuttlecraft on the screen." Data
announced. "He's asked for permission to dock."

"Give it and make it so." Picard answered. He turned to Will Riker,
"You have the conn, Number One. I shall greet Ambassador Spock." He
entered through the turbolift doors and they closed silently behind
him.

He watched as the shuttle landed in the bay with ease. He watched as
the  tall, slender Vulcan exited. His long, black, flowing cape
billowed behind him. He had more lines in his face than he last
remembered from five years ago.

"Welcome aboard, Ambassador." Picard greeted the Vulcan.

"Captain." The formal tone of the Vulcan replied. Not his captain, a
wistful voice in his head echoed.

They walked in silence, Picard knew from the last visit that Spock
preferred not to indulge in pointless banter. He spoke as they arrived
at Spock's temporary quarters.

"I would be honored if you would join me for dinner." The Captain of
the  Enterprise asked, his voice lilting up as a question

Spock would prefer not, but knew that it was expected, he nodded.
"What time?"

"Seventeen hundred. My quarters." Picard gave a polite smile and nod.

---

Jean-Luc remembered Spock's preferences from his other time aboard. He
had several meatless dishes laid out. A wine cask appeared on the
table and Picard smiled as he turned and said, "Hello Q."

"Mon Capitaine. A dinner guest. Someone else supplants me in your
affections?" Q asked, partly serious, he had promised long ago not to
read his mind.

"There is no one like you." Jean-Luc replied, not really answering the
question.

"I should stay and see my competition." Q stated.

"By all means, stay for the evening. Your company is always welcome."
Picard smiled at the entity that was pouting nicely.

With a wave of his hand he had another place setting and added more
entrees to the table. The door chime sounded and Picard called out,
"Enter."

Spock stood dressed in all black, minus the cape from earlier.
"Captain." Then taking note of the other occupant, "Q," he recognized.

"Ah, it's Captain Spock."

"Actually, it's Ambassador, Q." Jean-Luc corrected.

"Ambassador then." Q watched the Vulcan. Only having met him once, he
had checked on him afterward. He had been part of the much known
command team that had saved Earth and the galaxy on several occasions.
The other half had died again in the Nexus incident six years past.

Dinner was a congenial affair, sharing of past tales, mostly the parts
that didn't make the official reports. Spock watched the joyful
by-play between Picard and Q. It brought to surface many pleasant
memories. Many that he hadn't let out in a long time.

Picard's officers reported in to him, but nothing occurred that took
him away from the evening. He was pleased with Q's behavior, he hadn't
tried to needle his guest. An indulgence that was Q's gift to him
alone. Spock also seemed to unwind and to outward appearances, enjoyed
himself. Jean-Luc wished that he didn't know of Spock's loss. He had
gained that information with his meld with Sarek, but he couldn't even
offer words as that exchange had been private and personal.

Spock rose and thanked his host and made his way to the door. Q walked
with him. "Allow me, I will accompany you to your quarters."

"Unnecessary."

"Ah, it would be my pleasure, Ambassador." Q insisted.

Spock acquiesced and Q fell in step along side him. "You were not the
disreputable being I heard stories about." Spock queried of his
companion.

Q didn't answer with words, just a knowing look on his face. He spoke
of  something different, "I've made many a good many promises to that
man, I've kept them all. There is just one I wish to break, but if I
were to break it, he would know and never forgive me." Q answered with
simple honesty. "But I can't imagine the upcoming eons without him.
His time is coming soon, he won't let me prevent it. I promised."

The entity looked so lost and forlorn, that Spock couldn't help
himself, out of curiosity he asked, "Why share this with me?"

Q's human eyes opened wide as he answered candidly. "There is few
within this humanity that held a deeper love than you and it's
possible for you to understand how I dread the coming years of loss. I
am besieged with an empty feeling," his voice, barely a whisper, "I
actually fear it."

The familiar pain rumbled around again within his Vulcan heart, and he
acknowledged the entity with a tight nod.

They reached Spock's quarters and Q said quietly, "Thank you for the
quiet understanding, Ambassador." Q bowed and disappeared from view.
He returned to Jean-Luc's quarters and walked into the waiting, open
arms of his mate.

---

Spock meditated, slowly sifting Q's words with his own memories and
regrets all through the night. By morning he felt compelled to speak
with Captain Picard. He sought out the Captain in his readyroom. He
pressed the chimes.

"Enter."

Spock quietly entered and stood just inside the door as it closed
behind him.

"Ambassador. What a pleasant surprise. What can I do for you?" Picard
asked as he put the report padd down.

"I would appreciate a moment of your time. A private discussion."
Spock  requested formally.

Jean-Luc moved from behind his desk and sat in one of the chairs in
front and invited Spock to the other one with his hand. Picard hit his
comm-link, "Hold all messages unless it's a red alert."

"Acknowledged," came back the reply.

The many years in human company had taught him the importance of
easing into conversation rather than the abrupt Vulcan style of
spartan speech.

"Dinner last night was most pleasant. It allowed me the opportunity to
observe your companion, Q, in a relaxed setting. He can be most
affable."

Jean-Luc smiled, "Yes he can, but it took over ten years to reach our
understanding."

"After our last meeting, I researched the Q. One could make a case
that many within the Federation have had contacts with these entities.
But actual acknowledgment did not come until contact with your
Enterprise, Captain."

"Yes, Q has made references to other contacts, but the Q consider all
sentient life too primitive." Picard added what he knew.

"Captain you are in a unique position, you can hold fast to your
doctrines and tenets, such as I, or you can take that step into the
personal unknown." Spock paused with quiet reflection on his own
regrets. "The  Q are omnipotent, capable of more than most could
comprehend. They have and still can affect the universe on a whim. Out
of the millennia that the Q has spent in contact with sentient beings,
the only one that has affected the behavior of the Q is you, Captain
Picard. Through you, they have changed their entire way of how they
perceive other life.

It is essential that the humans continue without the encumbrance of
the Q's direct influence, for they alone are unique. In all my
travels, never have I encountered a species that reaches out and
connects with other beings such as your race. Humans create
communities where ever they go. They invite and encourage these other
sentients to join them. Most other races would stay contained within
themselves, but upon contact with the humans, they too then ventured
out. The Federation was created and formed by the humans. They took it
out to the stars and shared those concepts with the others. All that
has transpired since lay at the feet of the humans.

Your continual contact with the Q will keep them anchored. It may not
be how you planned to spend eternity, but it does seem to be your
calling."

Jean-Luc Picard sat silent. So much summed up in Spock's short speech.
It truly wasn't Spock's business, but his words were valid, if not the
stark truth. Jean-Luc studied the Vulcan, his expression more open
than he could ever remember. Not even in his time with Sarek, did he
feel such openness. Spock was allowing his feeling of regret to show;
this was for his benefit alone. Jean-Luc was touched by the Vulcan's
willingness to expose this much of himself in order to show the
credence of his words.

"I don't wish to live forever." Simple, to the point.

"There is always compromise, alternatives." Spock replied with the
knowledge he had gained from James Kirk. Spock stood, "I will take my
leave. My intention was not to pry, but to offer some insight that was
learned at too high a price." Spock left as quietly as he entered.

Picard watched him leave in contemplative silence.

---

Spock stood on the observation deck staring out at the stars. Many
hours  alone and with Jim had been spent in just such a fashion. Today
it only acted to intensify his aloneness.    A flash of light.
"Ambassador Spock, you spoke so eloquently with my beloved. But I
couldn't help but notice the aching void that accompanied your words."
Q said as he appeared beside Spock.

Spock stood silently, waiting. If he were surprised by the entity's
appearance, it did not show in his body language.

"That quality in your voice that told your listener that you know of
which you speak. The missed opportunity. The refusal to act against
your doctrines. The empty void that was created and dwelled in. The
regret."

"Correct."

"I never personally encountered Captain Kirk, though, some of my kind
had and were beaten by him. But I have seen him since, doing research
on humanity, but he appeared to live up to the reputation he
garnered." Q left it lingering, giving Spock an opening should he wish
to speak of Kirk.

"More so in fact," Spock replied.

"Ah, the women and drink?" Q prodded intentionally.

"No, the command. Starfleet Command had a difficult time accepting the
mission files as they were reported. They would downplay the Captain's
innate ability to find a solution when all else would give up. Myself
included. He taught me to look past the conventional, even the logical
and that therein would lie the answer to ascertain the solution. The
Starship, Enterprise, survived many things she should not have."

"And the women?"

"Oddly enough, most was hearsay and legend. After my return from Gol,
there were none, he was waiting for me to declare myself. He waited in
vain." A wealth of sorrow shrouded the words.

"Because?_ _ _ _ _ _ _ He feared telling you."

"No, he respected my Vulcan side as much the human. He never asked me
to be anything less or more than I was." The Vulcan sat in silence,
thinking of a golden man that had represented all the sunshine of his
life.

After a long silence, Q broke into Spock's revive, "What about the
bond?" Q asked curious, never quite sure about it.

The Vulcan almost blushed, "He did not know, and honestly for a long
while, I did not. Or I buried it so deep I did not recognize it for
what it was. But it saved his life on many occasions. There were many
times during the early years of our deep space mission when I felt
extremely close to the captain. But I believed that he wasn't ready to
acknowledge what was growing between us."

"When did you become aware? For myself, it was when Jean-Luc received
a  compressed terion beam that fused the bio-regulator of his
artificial heart. He in essence, died, but I found I could not let it
happen. The thought of not having Jean-Luc in my life produced a
profound revelation. I did not want to continue without him. Me, a Q.
I covered that revelation by showing him his life, so that when I
saved him, he didn't connect it to my personal feelings."

Spock witnessed the serious look of reflection in the entity's eyes.
"I  realized the depth of my emotions at the moment when I believed
I'd killed him, my Captain, my friend." A slight pause, then Spock
continued with simple honesty, "McCoy asked me once if I had truly
planned to surrender myself to the Federation authorities. I had
actually planned to perform the az'liti."

"Oh, life for a life. You would have died for him then?" Q asked,
already knowing the answer.

"Yes. Willingly."

"Is that when you wished you had told him?" Q even more curious now.

Spock wasn't sure if the Q was just marking time waiting for Picard,
or if he were truly interested.

"Actually, I find I am truly interested." Q replied to the non
verbalized question.

A raised brow met a tried for innocent expression.

"You were shouting. I couldn't help but overhear."

Another raised brow, then Spock answered the question, "No, not at
that time. Jim had just started to see me in a different light. But he
wasn't yet prepared to admit it." Q said nothing, just waited for the
Vulcan to  continue. "It was after the stop at Camus II. Dr. Janice
Lester was able to induce a complete life entity transfer and switched
the essence of herself with Captain Kirk. It was while Jim resided in
the body of Dr. Lester that I discovered he indeed, shared my depth of
feeling. After he was successfully returned to his own body, I
contemplated speaking with him, but I failed. I failed Jim. I failed
the two of us. I allowed my fear to dominate my actions. I remained
silent." The emptiness conveyed by the stark delivery, touched even Q.
It would be difficult to remain untouched emotionally by the silent
yearning of what could have been.

"Would you do it differently if you could?" Q asked.

"As I cannot, I do not speculate."

"But if you could," Q said with great urgency, "Would you speak with
Kirk this time?" Q beguiled Spock to answer with his entire body.

A great long-suffering sigh, then he said in an almost whisper, torn
from the depths of his soul, "Yes."

"Then you shall. As my gift to you for making possible my prize of the
eons." Q stated excitedly.

"No. I cannot. I will not change all the good for my personal gain."
Spock said with no emotion.

"I can promise you that no profound impact will occur in the
continuity of time." Spock shook his head. Q continued, "The only
direct change would be Kirk's death. He shouldn't have died when he
did."

A pained expression flashed in the dark eyes.

"Spock, you are still afraid." Q humffed.

"No, that is not it. The eddies of time can produce catastrophic
change when tampered with. I have first hand knowledge with the
Guardian."

"Life and death are not static and rigid concepts. I am Q. I can make
or do anything! Nothing will change except for your lives, you and
Kirk. You won't go to Gol, he won't become Admiral. But V'ger will
come and the result will be the same."

Spock was tempted. To see Jim's smile, to smell his scent again, to
have what he'd been too afraid to try for or walk alone with the
aching void. He would seize this chance. He wanted it. Yes.

"Yes."

Q felt_ _ _ happy. Then an aside thought struck him, he has been
spending too much time in corupular body. "Excellent. You will only
remember what was until you affect the change. Then memory of what was
will be gone. But if you do not speak to him, everything will be as it
was. The choice is still yours." Q explained.

Spock nodded his understanding, thinking that there was nothing here
that he would truly miss. He looked at Q, "Thank you. I am ready."
Unsure of what would happen.

Q smiled as he said, "Goodbye Ambassador Spock." He raised his hand
and  whooshed it across the air.

---

Spock found himself in the cell with Mr. Scott, Dr. McCoy and the body
of Janice Lester that housed the katra of Jim Kirk. The moment of
elation freed him to lightly caress the neck of the Lester body. The
joy of being in such close contact to his Jim, hummed throughout his
body, in his blood. Then the transference weakened and Spock removed
his hands.

The events happened exactly as he remembered it. He smiled internally.
After Dr. Lester was taken off, Spock made eye contact with Jim, the
katra and vessel at one again. "Chess later?"

Kirk nodded, "Nineteen hundred, your quarters."

---

Spock entered his quarters and the sense of familiarity gripped him.
Home. He stood for a moment thinking on that automatic response of
home. Yes, nothing after this had ever felt more like home, more
natural that this starship.

He had an hour before Jim would arrive and he knew that after tonight
that he would not remember the joy he felt in being back. He walked to
the observation deck, embracing the feeling that he was where he
should be. That in itself was exhilarating, the release of feeling.
That was one lesson he learned too late.

He headed back to his quarters, awaiting the change with joy. He would
face those fears that robbed him of much joy.

In his quarters he readied himself. Then, knowingly, Spock cheated, he
made a cryptic note to himself to be retrieved at a future date. Q
smiled to himself and winked out.

Nineteen hundred and the door chimed punctually. Spock called open and
in walked Jim Kirk. Spock allowed himself a moment to feast on the
sight of one lost to him for so many years. His Jim, always his, and
this time he would not fail him, them.

"It is good to see you." Spock said aloud.

"It is good to be back in my own body." Jim grinned as he poured out a
brandy for the both of them.

"This body is much preferred over that of Dr. Lester's." Spock told
him  candidly.

Jim grinned that special grin that was reserved for Spock alone. "Are
you sure? You seemed to enjoy rubbing my neck in that cell." Jim
teased.

"The skin connection kept me in contact with the you locked inside."
Spoke told him. Old habits die hard.

"Oh, was that what it was." Again that special grin.

Spock knew now, as he had known originally that no better time would
present itself. This time would be different. He allowed the joy he
felt to encompass his body, his mind and reveled in all that Jim was
to him. The essence of life.

Jim sat across from the Vulcan, an encouraging look in his eyes. This
was Spock's show, whatever would happen would have to start with him,
or Spock would never be comfortable with it. Jim accepted this, but
hope nonetheless sprang eternal and it rested there on his face for
Spock to see if he wanted to.

Spock did. "Jim, when I touched your mind inside the doctor's body,
it's  possible I touched areas that I should not. For that I
apologize." Jim nodded and smiled. "But since I did, I did notice that
your feelings for me seemed to be particularly strong. I wish to ask
if that was projected just so I would indeed recognize your thoughts?"

"No, that is what's there all the time, Spock."

The name was said almost as a caress. Spock relaxed internally as
little  shots of joy erupted within. "Jim, I too, harbor strong
feelings."

Jim relaxed, they were here, finally. Yes! Jim was sure he was
grinning like a fool, but he continued slow. "What type? Friend,
brother..."

"T'hy'la." Spock said aloud.

Jim turned his head to the side just ever so slightly, "Theigh-la?"

Spock smiled at Jim, "T'hy'la," he repronounced. "T'hy'la, Jim in your
language it would be translated to friend, brother, lover. That is
what you are to me."

"Friend, brother, lover. Yes, I like that. Then for me, you are
t'hy'la." Trying hard to accent the right part. Jim felt the effort
was worth it all as the light blazed from Spock's eyes.

And in that moment all the loneliness, pain and emptiness of his other
life disappeared. Q left Spock, again touched and happy and knowing
for sure that he spent way too much time in this body.

Jim moved himself so that he sat next to his Vulcan. Spock looked into
the hazel eyes and he understood their message. It was up to him, Jim
would take whatever he could get from him. And Spock knew that he
wanted to give it all to him.

Spock reached out his hand and ran two fingers down the side of Jim's
face. "The greatest joy that I experience in my life can be summed up
in one word. Jim." Spock could hear Jim's intake of breath, could
smell his arousal blossoming. "I wish to be your friend in all that
will come to pass, to share your joys and sorrows as a brother and to
lay with you as a lover. To reaffirm daily that life is never better
than when we are together."

Jim was afraid that he would burst with joy. His smile had never been
broader. He reached out his hand and ran two fingers down the side of
Spock's face. "The greatest joy of my life is having you at my side in
all things. I wish to be your friend in all that will come to pass, to
share your joys and sorrows as a brother and to lay with you as a
lover. To reaffirm daily that life is never better than when we are
together." He repeated Spock's vow and added both the Vulcan and the
human. "T'hy'la. I love you, Spock."

Spock reached out and pulled Jim in close, arms wrapped completely
around. He buried his face in his neck and took in a deep breath. Then
with a slight movement covered the lips that for so long held the
special smiles for him alone. He crushed them to his.

With Jim, this was more than he had ever thought to experience. Just
his  lying side by side, legs entangled, was ecstasy. He felt Jim play
with the hairs on his chest. Curious, he asked, "When did you realize
how you felt?"

"During the time I spent in the interspace of the Tholian sector. It
shocked me that my foremost worry wasn't that I wouldn't see the
Enterprise, but you. I never lost faith in you. After that it was
difficult hiding it from you," Jim paused and smiled into Spock's
eyes,  "You?"

"On Vulcan. When I saw you dead, I wanted to die also." Spock paused
and his voice lowered, "The second finest moment of my life was when I
saw you alive."

Jim smiled at his lover as he connected his hazel eyes to the serious
dark ones, "And the finest?"

"It happened when you called me t'hy'la." The quiet way it was said
gave it more impact.

"You most certainly are my t'hy'la." Jim kissed the Vulcan's smile
again at hearing the Vulcan word of love.

When air became essential, their lips broke apart and Jim asked into
the  moist warmth, "Are we bonded yet?"

Spock froze, then asked reverently, "You wish to bond?"

"With you, yes."

"Jim, it is permanent."

"Yes, I know." Jim stated with quiet confidence.

Spock was almost overwhelmed in the emotions that flooded his body.
Joy the forerunner. "We can begin now and have the formal ceremony on
Vulcan when on leave."

"Good."

Jim's lack of hesitation infused Spock with an even greater level of
confidence. "I concur. It will be most useful in missions when we are
separated, we will still be able to communicate." The dark eyes now
communicated very strongly his current desires.

Jim had no problem understanding and covered Spock's mouth with his
own. He let his hands have free reign over the firm Vulcan body. He
took delight in every sigh and moan. He learned the special spots that
brought the most pleasure. He'd stroke them again and again,
luxuriating in his ability to bring his stoic Vulcan to this trembling
mass of need.

Spock hid nothing. He allowed himself to feel all and embraced this
unknown. He was soon lost within the new sensations. When he found his
erection engulfed in Jim's warm mouth, sucked and stretched, coated
and clamped, he clenched the blankets tightly in his fists. His head
moved from side to side of its own will. The burning hummed within his
blood as he built up to final release. He exploded into Jim's mouth,
wave after wave of feeling flooded his being, calming the burning,
leaving him sated and languid.

Jim drank in the wonder of a Spock that allowed himself to be seen
with no control excerpted over his emotions. It was with great
satisfaction that he knew that no one else would ever share that with
his Vulcan.

Jim reached for the oil and coated his fingers. He began preparing his
love. He wanted to take it slow and easy, he wanted Spock to feel no
pain only pleasure. Want and need, but no pain. He tampered down his
desire to claim him as no other. He would, just slowly, deliciously.

Spock wantonly opened his legs, giving Jim easier access. Jim teased
the  olive testicles as he slipped the first finger into the Vulcan's
tightness.  Spock pressed against Jim's hand as he inserted two. Deep
purrs of enjoyment caused Jim to fight himself for release. He placed
his cockhead at the opening and gently, slowly pushed in.

Spock's eyes flew open to watch Jim take him, the sight better than
he'd  imagined. Jim continued in a slow, sensual manor to prevent
pain. Spock found himself impatient to house Jim and pressed hard
against him.

Jim threw back his head as he became fully sheathed. Never had he felt
so tightly enclosed. He moved, thrusting in and pulling almost all the
way out. Teasing them both for several strokes until they were both so
very close. He hit the internal sensitive spot as he grabbed Spock's
renewed erection and matched the rhythm to his thrusts pushing his
lover over again. As the seed coated Jim's hand and chest, Spock's
muscles clenched Jim tighter still and Jim bathed Spock's canal.
Spent, he lay beside his love, legs once again entwined and slept.

Jim awoke to dark eyes watching him with a hidden smile on his face.
Jim  smiled at the focused attention from the Vulcan, truly enjoying
it. Jim sat up, bringing the Vulcan with him. He looked pointedly at
his hand and Spock lifted his fingers to Jim's temple. With hand
poised, Spock looked down at Jim's hand and he lifted his too, copying
Spock's actions.

They gently placed their fingers on each others temples, joining their
thoughts.

Spock invited Jim in and Jim welcomed Spock. Neither were disappointed
at the strength of mind and love discovered within the other.

---
26 years Later
---

Q popped in and held out his hand to Jean-Luc, "Come, Mon Capitaine."

Picard did as he was bid, Q had been zipping all about the last few
days and he figured he'd now discover why. He took the offered hand
and they winked out together.

---

Kirk and Spock stood on the bow of the sailing ship to watch the sun
rise. The crew worked around them oblivious to the pink and gold
streaks appearing in the sky. Jim leaned back, resting his back
against the chest of his world and sighed as together they watched the
sun peek above the skyline.

"Ah, that is my third most favorite thing to watch," Kirk said before
he  turned to kiss Spock good morning.

"And what are second and first?" Spock inquired, knowing, but enjoyed
Jim's need to say it aloud.

"Well my second favorite view are the stars, any way, shape or form,"
Kirk smiled as he looked into the dark, smiling eyes.

"T'hy'la, and the first?"

"You." Jim felt the rush of love along the bond. "You are the most
beautiful, inside and out."

Spock held Jim tight in his embrace. After a bit, he loosened his hold
to nibble along Jim's neck. They were interrupted by their link beeps.
They went inside their cabin to answer the call, they found Captain
Sulu on the viewer.

"Hikaru." Jim greeted.

"Jim, Spock. I wanted you to hear this from me. Earlier today, First
Officer Rand gave her life stopping an internal explosion that would
have ripped the ship apart. She saved the Enterprise." Sulu paused,
swallowing, then continued, "Her last words were she'd rather go out
Kirkian style, than to wither." Sulu pinched his brow, then added,
"This was her last voyage, she had less than two months. Her memorial
will be on Wednesday."

"We'll be there. Thank you for letting us know." Jim said somberly.

"Sulu out," he said as the viewer shut off.

Jim walked back out on deck and watched the rolling waves. Spock stood
beside him silently.

A while later Spock said through the bond. // I grieve with thee. //

// and I you. //

Jim then said aloud, softly, "I would have been there. On the
Enterprise B.  But you had already arranged this sea voyage."

Spock thought to the notation on his calendar, that he didn't remember
making, to take Jim on a special vacation this month. The eerie,
unsettling feeling left him, that notation saved Jim's life. It didn't
matter now how it got there, he was grateful to have his Jim.

"It doesn't make it easier, but I believe she left in the manner of
her  choosing."

"Yes, I think so too," Jim said, introspectively. "When we get home,
let's have dinner with our son. I have the sudden need to reaffirm our
appreciation of all we have."

"I concur."

Leaning back again against Spock's chest, "There was a time during the
first five year voyage that I despaired of our ever getting together.
I am so very happy that we took the chance."

"I can not imagine how empty my life would have been without you in
it,"  Spock said into the closest ear.

"I think myself fortunate every day that I have you in my life as my
bondmate," Jim closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of Spock's
chest  against his back.

//T'hy'la. …….  I love you Jim. //

// I love you too, Spock. //

---

"I know that smile Q, what did you do?" Jean-Luc asked of his mate.

"I tied Kirk's life to Spock's." Q said smugly.

"I believe they have had that sewed up for some time," Picard smiled
at the couple below them.

"I arranged it so that Kirk will live as long as Spock. They will go
together. Spock made possible my greatest gift. I did not want him to
be that alone again." Q said softly for a Q.

"You're an old softie." Jean-Luc smiled.

"Just around you," Q smiled back.

---

As the sun headed for its zenith, a certainty fell upon Spock. Jim
would be with him until the end. Their end would come together. Side
by side, they would stand together all of life. 'Til death. The Vulcan
smiled to himself as he thought, if there was a way, even after.

---

The End