The BLTS Archive - Unnamed series:
Champagne
by Isla (islaofhope@aol.com)
and
T'Aaneli (t_aaneli@excite.com)

---

Disclaimer:  Star Trek and its characters all belong to Paramount,
Viacom, and Rick Berman.  We're just borrowing the characters for a
little while.  We showed them a good time before we brought them back.
This is fan fiction.  We won't even make expense money to pay for the
champagne we consumed while we wrote this.

Thanks to Jat Sapphire for her quick once-over.  Well, we let her beta
the first part anyway.

Okay to archive, but please contact us before archiving anywhere
except  ASCEM.

Please send feedback.  All feedback - even negative - is welcome.

---

Jim took another sip of champagne.  Like drinking stars.  He smiled.
He'd spent most of his life traveling among the stars, so he certainly
knew what they *tasted* like, and Brother Perignon wasn't completely
wrong.

And after a lifetime of traveling among the stars, he was home now.
He  surveyed the roomful of guests and allowed himself a small sigh of
satisfaction.  Strange that he now thought of Sarek and Amanda's house
as home.  Of course, the house in San Francisco and the one in Iowa
were home, too.  He didn't own a hat, so he couldn't use that test.
And his heart was certainly here.

Scratch that.  His *heart* probably wouldn't be home tonight.
Meanwhile, he was content with his houseful of family, friends, and
colleagues.

Spock had told him that it wasn't logical to celebrate the anniversary
of their initial bonding with a party on Vulcan.  Such things were
best  celebrated privately - and Jim had to agree that their private
celebrations were...quite...satisfying.  But it followed fairly
closely on the heels of a Christmas holiday that Jim had spent on
Earth without Spock, so it was kind of a holiday party really.

If he was honest with himself - and he was usually pretty good about
that - he would have to admit that he was fairly certain that Spock
wouldn't be home to celebrate their anniversary, so celebrating it
with a crowd of other Vulcans was his next best option.  Of course,
his guests weren't all Vulcans - several non-Vulcans were present,
including Starfleet personnel who made their home on Vulcan and some
of their closest friends.  As for family, Selek had brought his
bondmate, T'James, and his t'hy'la, Tomas.

Besides, Jim enjoyed giving parties.  It was something that was
surprising to discover about himself.  As a Starfleet officer, he'd
attended parties out of duty, and as a starship captain, he'd
encouraged his recreation officer to plan regular parties.  And the
Enterprise had always been known for great parties.  Jim sometimes
believed that they were responsible for the almost consistently high
morale that his ship had enjoyed.

No, Spock hadn't told him not to have the party.  He'd just warned him
that he wouldn't be there to co-host.  Well, Jim was used to that.
Spock insisted that he wasn't at his best at parties.  It wasn't true,
of course.  Jim had enjoyed attending parties with Spock, including
those they attended while they served together on the Enterprise, and
diplomatic functions on Earth or Vulcan.

Spock always engaged a large variety of people in long, intense
conversations, and Jim would attempt to 'have a word' with everyone in
attendance or dance with every woman in the room - sometimes wishing
that he were dancing with Spock instead, but Spock preferred not to
dance in public.

They would occasionally catch each other's eye across the room or say
a few words to each other.  Then, at a mutually agreeable time, they
would leave together - pleading the necessity of duty - and, once
alone, they would talk about the party.  One of the pleasures of
intimacy is to privately 'dissect' friends and acquaintances.   But
sometimes Spock had something more important to do when Jim gave a
party in their home - either in San Francisco or here on Vulcan.  He
had an acceptable excuse tonight.  As Dean of the Vulcan Science
Academy, Spock felt duty-bound to stay with the systems personnel who
were monitoring the computer virus that was threatening to invade
Vulcan's Central Computer System.

Jim wasn't unintelligent, but he'd been too busy and distracted to
really listen to - much less understand - Spock's explanations of the
origination and detection of the virus.

Of course, Jim understood the real potential for disaster if all of
the data banks on Vulcan were wiped out, but he wasn't completely sure
how Spock's presence at Computer Central would prevent it.  He knew
that Spock had spent the last several months testing and re-testing.
He suspected that Spock had fallen back into his ancient habit of
needing to monitor personally everything under his responsibility.

He admired Spock for his attention to duty.  He always had.  But he
wished...

A soft voice in his ear.  "Hullo, James T."

He turned and smiled at his daughter-in law.  "Hullo, T. James."

"The live orchestra must have been a considerable expense.  It is only
logical that we dance, is it not?"  The seriousness of her words was
belied by the smile in her eyes.

"Perhaps your husband would like to dance with you?"  He followed her
affectionate look and saw Selek in a corner in an intense conversation
with Tomas.  It reminded him of...   She placed her hand on his arm.
"No, I understand that you are the best  dance partner in the room,
Admiral."

He grinned at her.  "I hope that I won't disappoint you."  He put down
his champagne glass, and led her out onto the dance floor.

They danced in a comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying the music,
and then she said, "I remember when I was four years old, and you
danced with me at the Embassy."

"Baby girl," Jim said with a chuckle, "I danced with you before you
were  born."

Abandoning all pretense of Vulcan propriety, she smiled and leaned her
head on his shoulder.  "I do not retain those memories; they are my
mother's memories."

"I wish that she and your father could have come."

She laughed softly.  "I was astonished that they even came to Iowa for
Christmas.  I am certain that they saw no logic in coming all the way
to  Vulcan for your holiday party.  Mother questioned why we would
choose to come to Vulcan - particularly given the risk of - "

"Don't worry.  Spock has it under control."

She leaned back in his arms to study his face.  "And that is, of
course, why we are here.  But he is not."

Jim smiled but said nothing.  There was a break in the music, and they
stepped apart for a moment to join in the quiet applause for the
musicians.  They walked off the dance floor, and he reclaimed his
champagne glass.

"What I do not understand - "

"So, Tomas has moved in with you and Sel?"

She smiled and linked her arm with his as they stood watching the
crowd  together.  "Changing the subject?  Yes, I know that you are an
excellent  tactician.  Very well.  You are correct that it is not my
business that Spock is not here. "  She caught Selek's eye across the
room, and he lifted his hand.  Tomas also looked up with a smile and a
nod.

T'James glanced at Jim.  "The three of us have been friends ever
since - "

"Selek and Tomas met that semester at Berkeley."

She turned and held his eyes.  "I appreciate your concern.  If you
will not speculate on what goes on in my bedroom, I will not speculate
on what goes on in yours."  When he flushed red, she laughed.  "Oh,
believe me, it is not nearly as exotic as what you may be imagining."

He tried to recover his composure by cracking a joke.  "I'm getting a
little old to even be imagining - "

She touched him lightly, skimming the heavy, gold silk that covered
his  chest.  "No, I do not believe that.  And your bondmate's
Christmas gift tells me that he certainly does not think of you as
old."

Jim blushed again.  He wasn't sure how Spock had managed to get the
gift  under the tree in Iowa without Jim knowing about it -  maybe
sent it to Selek with his apologies that he wouldn't be joining them.
When Jim opened the box, he closed it again a little too quickly.
T'James had insisted that he take out the tunic to show everyone
gathered in the living room.  Spock's note had fluttered to the floor.
Luckily, Jim had reclaimed the note before T'James could grab it, and
he hadn't surrendered it.  'No,' the note read, 'thee are not too old
to wear this, Lasha.  I look forward with sweet anticipation to the
sight.  Yours...'

Tonight, when he'd put the sleeveless tunic on minutes before the
guests were due to arrive, Jim had examined himself critically in the
mirror.  And decided that Spock was right.  He wasn't too old.  It
reminded him of the tunic he'd worn to the afternoon reception
following their formal bonding ceremony.

He was jolted from his reverie by the sound of Selek's voice. "Are you
planning to monopolize my wife all evening?"

With a laugh, Jim put his arm around T'James' waist.  "You neglect
your mate, you never can tell what might happen."  But then he
released her so that he could embrace his son.  "It's good to see
you."  Over Selek's shoulder, he returned Tomas' smile.

Selek squeezed tightly and then stepped back.  "C'mon, Dad.  We just
saw each other a few days ago."

"I didn't mean you.  You, I'm sick of seeing.  I was talking to
Tomas."  Jim put out his hand and the tall, dark-haired man gripped
it.  "I'm sorry we didn't see you at Christmas, Tomas.  I'm grateful
that you made the effort to come all the way to Vulcan for our party."

"It was no effort, sir.  It was very kind of you to include me."

"Any friend of Selek's - "

"Tomas was summoned to his parents' house in London for the holidays.
That's why he didn't spend Christmas with us." Selek - blond and
hazel-eyed but with his father's upswept brows and pointed ears -
stood between T'James and Tomas, with one hand resting on each of
their shoulders.  Both T'James and Tomas were dark-haired and
dark-eyed, but T'James was petite and Vulcanoid, and Tomas was tall
and very human.  They made a gorgeous tableau.

The music started again, and Tomas looked at Selek.  "You should dance
with your wife."

Selek squeezed Tomas' shoulder affectionately.  "Now you're telling me
what to do?"  But he turned to T'James and, when she nodded agreement,
they swept out onto the dance floor.

Jim took another sip of champagne, curious what Tomas intended to say
to him.

Tomas laughed.  "Oh, it does look like a set-up.  Honestly, sir, I
just knew that T liked this music."  He smiled a charming smile.
"Having the  opportunity to talk to you alone is a bonus."

"What shall we talk about?"  Jim smiled, but he disbelieved that Tomas
didn't have something particular to say to him.

Tomas rubbed the back of his neck.  "My parents want me to get married
and produce heirs."

Not exactly what he had expected Tomas to say.  Jim looked at the
bubbles rising to the top of his glass.  "Yes, I'm aware that
sometimes parents have those kind of ambitions for their children.
Maybe there's something wrong with me.  All I want is for Selek to be
happy.  And T'James."  Jim looked back at Tomas, noticing that he had
to look up to meet the young man's eyes.  "Maybe the fact that neither
are my biological children - "

"Selek said that you'd understand."

Jim laughed.  "Well, no, I don't really understand, but as long as all
three of you are happy, it's none of my business - as T'James reminded
me just a moment ago."

"I mean about parents - "

"Tomas, my situation was different than yours.  My brother already had
an heir, and, besides, I'm nobody, so - "

"Nobody?"  Tomas' laugh rang out, and a few heads turned their way.

Jim grinned sheepishly.  "Okay, I'll concede your point that I've sort
of made a name for myself in one way or another, but what I meant is
that my family isn't important.  Your family, as I understand it - "

And then, he realized how familiar this situation really was. It was
true that no one in his own family cared one way or another if he
produced an heir.  But Spock - he was the heir to the House of Surak.
For him to refuse to marry a Vulcan woman and produce an heir was...
Jim remembered the fury when Spock had told his parents about them.
It wasn't that they had anything against Jim - in fact, they had a
great deal of respect for Spock's captain, but as a bondmate...

Selek's birth was one of the best things that ever happened to Jim -
and it satisfied Spock's parents, too.  The circumstances had been
less than ideal - an old acquaintance had chemically raped Spock, but
the result had been Selek.

"You're right, Tomas.  Considering the choices that we made, I have no
right to tell you to listen to your parents."

Tomas smiled.  "You were planning to tell me that?"

Jim shrugged.  "I'm accomplished in one or two areas, but no one would
ever accuse me of being any good as a family counselor."

Tomas turned away, and Jim watched him watch T'James and Selek dance
together.  Maybe Jim expected to see longing or jealousy on his face,
but what was there was genuine love - for both of them.

"But you wouldn't mind if I did get married and started a family,
would you, Admiral?"

"No, I wouldn't mind at all."  Jim saw Tomas straighten a little.  The
beginnings of anger.  He put a hand on Tomas' shoulder.  "And I'm
ashamed of myself for even thinking it."   The shoulder muscles under
his hand relaxed a little.  "You do what you have to do.  I'll support
you 100%.  And if it would help for me to talk to your parents...."
Jim hesitated.   "Um, maybe you would have to tell me what to say."

Tomas turned to meet Jim's eyes.  "Thank you, sir.  I think it would
help.  After all, you're a hero."

Waving a dismissive hand, Jim said, "That hero stuff is overrated -
your  parents don't need a hero to talk to them.  Just someone who
cares about  their son."  Jim put his hand back on Tomas' shoulder.
"By the way, I wish you would stop calling me 'sir.'  We're not on the
bridge of my starship."

He grinned.  "And what should I call you?"

Jim grinned back.  "Well, it sounds like you should try calling me
'Dad.'"

He was suddenly crushed in strong arms, and Tomas planted a kiss on
his  cheek.  Tomas' "Thanks, Dad!" hadn't even registered before the
young man extricated himself from Jim's arms and bounded across the
room to join T'James and Selek.  Three people dancing together isn't
something that you see much of on Vulcan.  But they were having the
time of their lives.

Jim rubbed his hand across his jaw, smiled, and shook his head.  He
and Spock were certainly going to have an interesting conversation.
But only after Jim was done with what he really wanted to do with
Spock - when he was content with just talking....

He headed for the bar to get a refill on his champagne, stopping
occasionally to say a few words to various guests.  He encountered a
few raised eyebrows.  Did all Vulcans do that? Well, his family didn't
exactly conform to what was usually expected for the House of Surak.
Selek was obviously enjoying the company of his bondmate and his
t'hy'la, and Jim was walking around in an outfit that didn't begin to
conform to Vulcan general practice.

Jim looked around and wondered where McCoy had disappeared to.  He'd
been there earlier, and he'd gently probed to find out how Jim felt
about Spock's absence.  But as soon as he'd figured out that Jim
wasn't concerned about it, he'd wandered off - presumably to find
someone else to heal.   Another sip of champagne.  He wondered if he
should be dancing, but he wasn't really in the mood.  Out of the
corner of his eye, he spotted Bob Wesley and turned with a smile and
an outstretched hand.  "Bob, I didn't even realize you were here."

Bob gripped it with an answering smile.  "Yeah, Spock invited me."

"Well, sorry he couldn't be here to see you, but - "

Bob shrugged.  "Plenty of other people to talk to."  He gave Jim an
appraising look.  "I see that retirement agrees with you."

Jim laughed.  "Am I retired?  I'm gone most of the time for one thing
or  another.  I'm keeping myself busy.  A lot of it is speaking
engagements, but occasionally I get to do something worthwhile."

"Well, maybe you won't be interested in this - "

"I owe you plenty, Bob.  What do you need?"

"Would you be willing to do some recruiting appearances for the
Starfleet Academy?  Spock said that you might have time - "

Another laugh.  "What's he volunteered me for this time?"

"Guess you should've expected this when you married your first
officer."

Jim shook his head.  "I thought it was one way to ensure that my
spouse would be used to following my orders."

Bob clapped him on the shoulder.  "Don't give me that.  I don't
believe that Spock was in the habit of unquestioningly following your
orders even when he was brand new as your first officer."

"No, you're right.  That's what made him the best first officer in the
Fleet."

"And a lousy spouse?"

Jim smiled over the rim of his glass.  "Actually, I'm not
complaining."

Bob smiled and looked around.  "Excuse me, Jim, I see my wife over
there  trying to catch my eye.  I promised her a dance."

"I understand.  Have fun."

Jim smiled fondly as he watched Bob walk off.  He lifted a hand in
greeting to Nancy Wesley and watched as Bob led her out onto the dance
floor.

He watched the dancing crowd for a minute more.  When he spotted McCoy
walking in the crowd, craning his neck around, he decided that he
wasn't in the mood for a discussion with his old friend.   And he also
decided that he didn't feel like watching the throng of happy couples
on the dance floor.  Or approaching one group or another of Vulcans
engaged in serious conversation.

What he felt like was a breath of fresh air, so he let himself out the
side door and stepped into Amanda's garden.  Although Amanda had been
gone a few years and Sarek was rarely on Vulcan, Jim still thought of
the garden as hers.

It was a beautiful night - the heat of the day had cooled, but it
wasn't  cold.  Good thing because he wasn't exactly dressed for cool
temperatures.

He permitted himself just a moment of melancholy that he was walking
alone in the garden.  He could hear the orchestra playing.  And one of
the moons was full, so there was no need to turn on the lights in the
garden to see where he was going.

He bent over one of Amanda's favorite rose bushes, and the scent
brought a smile to his face.  No, he didn't really feel sorry for
himself.  His life was just about perfect.  Sometimes he missed the
Enterprise, but he was enjoying his retirement.  Of course, as he'd
told Bob, he was staying busy.  It only made sense to accept just
about every request for a consultation or an appearance.  Spock had
been so busy.  But that would come to an end soon, and there would be
more time to spend together.

He closed his eyes, picturing Spock in his mind.  Spock had amazed Jim
by allowing his hair to grow since retiring from Starfleet - and it
was as dark and heavy and silky as Jim had always imagined it would
be.  Spock usually kept it in a neat queue on the back of his neck,
but sometimes - when there was time to spend together - he allowed Jim
to unbraid it and it fell forward like a curtain around them - just as
Jim had teased him years ago that it would.

Last night at dinner, McCoy had stared at the thick braid that hung
down  Spock's back, but the doctor had restrained himself from saying
a word.  Jim had arrived home just that morning and they hadn't had a
moment alone together, but Spock had gone back to work right after
dinner.  Jim had excused himself from his guests to walk Spock to the
door.  Spock had lightly touched Jim's mouth with his forefinger and
started to apologize for leaving, but Jim had silenced the apology by
pressing his own fingers to Spock's lips.  'Parted from me, but never
parted... remember, Spock?  I'll see you when I see you.'

Jim smiled to himself.  Yes, his life was just about perfect.  He
clasped his hands behind his back with a sigh of contentment.

And then his life got even better.  A hotter-than-human hand wrapped
around his bare forearm and a velvet voice said, "Jim."

The light from T'Khut bathed the gardens in an otherworldly glow. At
the  sight of the golden figure, standing casually at ease in the
midst of the roses, Spock had stopped. Now, he stood in the shadows,
watching Jim, anticipating their reunion. The experience of
anticipation and the pleasure  to be derived from it were lessons in
which Jim had excelled as an instructor.

Jim's arms, bronzed and muscled from hours spent under Vulcan's sun,
were revealed in the sleeveless golden tunic.  Spock permitted himself
a moment of satisfaction--his Christmas gift had been most
appropriate. In the moonlight, Jim glowed; he was a creation spun from
gold and bronze and silver. No, the two weeks of winter on Terra had
not faded the gold from his beloved's skin and hair.

Spock crossed the tiled courtyard, his steps lost in the music
drifting  through the open windows and doors of their home. Stopping
behind Jim, he felt an urge to bury his face in the silver and golden
hair; to place a kiss on the nape of that inviting neck.  Instead, he
reached out and merely rested his hand on his beloved's arm. With that
first touch, Spock felt as though he was truly home.  "Jim."

"Spock."  The sound of his name on Jim's lips was the most precious of
welcomes.  Jim turned around and Spock stood, stunned. If Jim had
looked  beautiful from a distance, he was indecently beautiful an
arm's length away. What Spock saw tonight was not his bondmate of
thirty years; it was his beloved the day of their formal bonding at
the reception held in this very garden.

Jim was the first to move, extending two fingers to Spock.  Slowly,
Spock raised his own fingers upwards and outwards, reaching for the
cool fingers offered to him.  Their fingers moved together in a long,
slow, caress as their eyes met and held.

With his other hand, Jim reached for Spock's shoulder, drawing him
closer.  Spock relaxed as Jim's arms wrapped around him.  "I'm glad
you're home, Spock."  Cool lips sought his.

After a time, Spock drew back and inclined his head towards the house.
"Jim, perhaps we should--"

Jim lay a finger across his lips. "Spock, don't worry.  We do have a
houseful of guests, but nobody's expecting you.  Say you'll stay out
here with me for a few minutes?"

For a moment, he weighed his obligations as a host as against the
logic of his beloved's request. "Shall we sit by the water garden?"

Jim's dazzling smile was his only response.  Side by side, they walked
through the garden.  The scent of Terran roses, of ajas'cyn, the
desert  flowers of Vulcan, teased at Spock's senses.  He inhaled
deeply, earning an amused side-glance from Jim.   "And who used to
argue with his mother about the illogic of growing roses on Vulcan?"

As they neared the water pond, the music from the orchestra carried
across the garden.  In unison, they moved towards a stone bench by the
pond and  turned to face each other.  Each reached a hand out to the
other.  Fingers entwined.

"Spock, may I have this dance?"  Jim's eyes sparkled in the light from
the moon.

Spock nodded and accepted the proffered hand.

"Spock, when we first met, did you practice sorcery on me?" Jim's low
seductive voice challenged Spock.

Spock tightened his hold on his beloved. "Perhaps it was you, Lasha,
who cast the spell on me."

Jim was on sensory overload.  He closed his eyes, and enjoyed the feel
of  strong arms around him, the scent of roses and Spock's own
delicious spice, and the music from the orchestra that suddenly seemed
to be playing for them alone.

//It is logical.  Thee did hire the orchestra.//

His eyes flew open and he leaned back in Spock's arms with a laugh.
"Yes, but if I didn't know better..."

Spock drew him close again, entangling one hand in his curls.  "Jim?"

"Nothing."  His mouth was against Spock's collarbone.  "Have I told
you yet today that I love you?"

"You have not.  However, it has only been 'today' for 2.84 minutes."

Another laugh.  "Well, I do."

Their bodies swayed together as one to the strains of the music.
"Although I did have my suspicion that it was so, your confirmation is
curiously welcome."

Jim kissed the tip of one delectably pointed ear.  "You sweet talker,
you."  He closed his eyes again and recklessly decided to disregard
the fact that he had a terrible singing voice.  As long as he sang
very softly.


"...it's strictly taboo When you arouse the need in me My heart says
yes indeed in me Proceed with what you're leading me to Witchcraft.
That wicked witchcraft."


"Jim?"

"It's Frank Sinatra.  Twentieth century musician.  My mother loved
Frank  Sinatra and T'James had her music disks out when we were home
in - "  Jim's eyes flew open, and he stood still, staring into Spock's
eyes.  "Did anyone see you come out here?"

"Naturally.  I sought you in the house initially.  T'James reported
that you were out here, and - "

"We should probably go back to the party."  Jim was blushing.

Spock's smile was very faint but visible in the moonlight.  He wrapped
one hand around the nape of Jim's neck and the other hand rested on
the small of his back.  Drawing his beloved close once again, he said.
"Not just yet.  A few moments from now will do as well."

Jim gave himself over to the heat of the kiss.  The delicious languor
that stole through him had nothing to do with fatigue.  "Yes."  His
mouth was centimeters from Spock's, and he could feel the warm breath
on his lips.

"It is most...pleasing...when you say 'Yes' to me."  Spock led him
back to the bench and they sat down, half-facing each other.

Warm fingers stroked down the sides of his face, behind his ears, down
his throat, and along his exposed collarbone.  Jim's hands gripped
Spock's elbows, but he barely trusted himself to do much more than
hold on and ride the wave of pleasure.

//That is well.  Allow me to please thee.  Thee may reciprocate at
another time.//

//Spock?//

Spock's hands slipped under the tunic, the pads of his fingers
spreading  along the collarbone, the thumbs teased at his sensitized
nipples.  Spock cut off the sound of his gasp with a hot kiss, but he
released Jim's mouth again, and his hands traveled lower.  He opened
the tunic and he stroked his palms down Jim's abdominal muscles.  A
soft grunt of satisfaction.  "It is, of course, your intellect that
primarily draws me.  However, I confess to being pleased that you have
maintained your body.  You are as beautiful as you were when I first
beheld you as a thirty-year old youth."

"Flattery will get you - "

"A Vulcan is incapable of lying."  His hands continued downward to the
fly of Jim's trousers.

Jim gasped again and grabbed Spock's wrists.  "What if someone comes?"

"Indeed.  Someone shall 'come.'  You would not deny me what I desire?"

Jim met Spock's eyes and the need that shone there transmitted itself
as  incredible warmth in his groin.  "I never could deny you a thing,
Spock."

He stood up to allow Spock to open his trousers.  He wasn't wearing
any  underwear, so his cock immediately sprang free, and he moaned as
Spock's  fingers brushed lightly against it.  "Mmm, this won't take
long at all."   Closing his eyes, he worked his hands under Spock's
robe and dug his fingers into the lightly muscled shoulders.

Spock's hands cupped Jim's buttocks, the warmth seeping through the
thin  fabric, and the hot, rough tongue began a slow exploration of
Jim's stomach, and briefly stabbed at his navel.

Stroking his hands up Spock's neck, Jim combed back the hair off his
lover's forehead.  "Spock?"

"T'hy'la?"

"Can I...is it all right if I take down your hair?"

Spock's laugh was very soft, his throat vibrated against Jim's hip.
"I am in the midst of ravishing you, my sweet Jim.  Yes, you may
unbraid my hair."

"I just thought..."  but Jim fell silent except for a soft moan when
Spock tongued his balls.  He gasped again when his lover sucked first
one and the other into his mouth and bit at them delicately.   The
sweet fire built in his groin.  Deftly, he removed the cord from the
end of the braid and combed his hands through the hair so that it hung
free down Spock's back.  Heavy silk.  He plunged his fingers into it
and moaned again as Spock's lips encircled his cock.

One strong hand gripped the base of Jim's cock; the other continued to
grasp his buttocks.  The conflagration inside him weakened Jim's knees
and it was only those two hands that kept him upright: those hands and
his own hands clutching Spock's hair.

Spock's tongue teased at his cockhead, and then licked the underside
of the entire cock slowly.  Jim opened his mouth to speak, to tell
Spock that...and then the delicious assault of Spock's hand and mouth
accelerated and he could only gasp and moan.  Quietly, he reminded
himself.

He thrust blindly into the warm channel; Spock relaxed his throat
muscles to accommodate him easily.  It didn't take much longer; after
all, it had been a couple of weeks since he'd last had any sexual
release.  His knees started to buckle as he came.  Spock's grip
tightened as he swallowed the thick, salty-sweet liquid, but then he
released his beloved.  Rather, he gently lowered Jim to his knees, and
followed him down so that they knelt facing each other.

They wrapped their arms around each other, and Jim tasted his seed in
Spock's mouth.  He wanted to speak but he didn't want to stop kissing
that cinnamon-cardamom spicy-sweet mouth.

Soft mind laugh.  //Have you forgotten how to speak to me when I have
your  tongue otherwise engaged, my Lasha?//

//For the moment...I've...forgotten...everything.//  He moved his
mouth down to nip at Spock's neck.  "This is my favorite place in the
galaxy."

"Where, Jim?"  The sound of that velvety voice made Jim jump a little.
"Amanda's garden?"

"No."  Jim shook his head, but it was only a slight movement because
he was held so firmly against Spock.  "In your arms.  My mouth on
yours and yours on mine."

//My favorite place is here.//

//In my mind?//  Jim felt a rush of incredible warmth through their
bond and he remembered all the times...

"And in your arms."

Jim kissed Spock's mouth again before he said, "Thank you for this."

"For the sexual release?  For telling you what I feel for you?  In
truth, the pleasure has been mine. "

Jim's mouth curved up, and his voice was muffled because he spoke
against Spock's mouth.  "For all the years.  For every kiss.  For
every touch.  For every - "

"Ah, I wondered when you would become overly sentimental."

Jim pulled away and stared into Spock's face, annoyance flickering
through their bond.  "Overly sentimental?  Now, you wait a minute - "

"T'hy'la."  A slight smile lit Spock's eyes before he wrapped one hand
around the back of Jim's neck and reclaimed his mouth.

Jim relaxed into the kiss for a moment before he realized that his
knees were killing him.  When he broke the kiss, he said, "I've gotta
stand up.  I'm just not as young as I used to be."

Gracefully, Spock rose from his knees and offered a hand to assist
Jim.   Spock watched silently as Jim refastened his pants and smoothed
his clothes.

"Am I acceptable?"  Jim looked up to meet those warm eyes that
silently  answered his question in the affirmative.  He put out a hand
to smooth  Spock's hair.  "I'm still amazed."

"Specify."

"That you chose to grow your hair.  Because you knew how it would turn
me on."

"Do you imagine that my only aim in life is to 'turn you on?'"

Jim laughed and crossed his arms.  "Okay, let's have it; a logical
explanation for the hair."

Spock clasped his hands behind his back.  "The additional warmth - "

"On Vulcan?"

"To save the expense of frequent haircuts - "

"You've got to be kidding.  I think we can afford it."

"The inconvenience...the time lost to frequent haircuts."

"As opposed to the time lost washing your hair and braiding it?"

Spock put out one hand to caress Jim's cheek.  "It pleases you to
braid my  hair."

Jim grinned.  "Giving me pleasure is a logical goal?"

"It is.  You are my bondmate."

Jim nodded.  "Flawlessly logical, Mr. Spock."  He inclined his head
toward the house.  "Shall we go back and check on our guests?"

---

The End