The BLTS Archive - Skin Deep
by Midnight Topaz (ravaged_rhapsody@yahoo.com)

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Spoilers: missing scene from "Turnabout Intruder".

Dedication: TreeofKnowledge, my light when all is darkness.

Archive: Cross-posted to DA. (If you'd like to archive, please ask
first.)

Disclaimer: Paramount/Viacom owns all this, obviously. No copyright
infringements are intended and I am making absolutely no money off of
this.


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*Tap taptap tap taptap taptap. . . *

Spock glanced up from his steepled fingers, immediately noticing the
source of the incessant noise as long fingernails drummed a nervous,
erratic pattern on the low bunk. Noting that McCoy and Scott were
absorbed in a quiet discussion and the guard was peering out into the
inky darkness of the corridor, he rose from his meditative position
and carefully approached the tense figure. "Jim?"

The bowed head rose, fixing him with an icy, bitter stare.
Forestalling the question, a discordant alto snapped, "What do you
want me to say, Spock? I'm trapped in my ex-lover's *female* body with
only three other people on the whole damn ship who believe it.
Everything I know is crashing about my ears, and I can't stop it. On
top of *that*, I can't. . .  I can't even *touch* you."

A shiver of empathy seared a trail down Spock's spine. He longed to
give much-needed comfort, longed to feel the human heartbeat throb
against his bare skin. . .  but knew that his honor- and Kirk's- would not
permit it. Lowering himself to the bench as close as he dared, he said
simply, "I know."

It was the wrong response. The despair in the vivid blue eyes
increased tenfold, casting the pale face with a haunted, sick misery.
"Spock. . .  I feel so alone."

Mentally berating himself for his insensitivity, Spock cautiously took
the small, soft hands within his own. They felt alien, unfamiliar,
*wrong*. . .  but he did not relinquish his grip. Staring intently
into the eyes that were so foreign, yet somehow still reflected that
spark of personality, the vibrance that was James Kirk, he murmured,
"Jim. . . *t'hy'la*. . .  you are not alone. In whatever befalls us, I
will be with you, and I will be your foundation. Remember that."

Mercifully, the anguished expression smoothed into a small smile so
full of transcendent love and overwhelming gratitude that Spock could
feel it pulsating at the edges of his mind. "I love you, so much."

Though he did not smile in return, Spock squeezed the slender hands
reassuringly. "As I love you, Jim." Gently settling the auburn head on
his shoulder, he whispered, "Sleep now. I will be here when you
awaken."

As the delicate features composed themselves in wearied slumber, a
fierce rush of protectiveness enveloped him. *I will find a way to
reverse this, t'hy'la*, he vowed silently. *I promise you*.

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The End