The BLTS Archive - Three into One
#1: The Summons
by T'Lin ( LinkyS@aol.com )

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Archiving: AAK/SA,  ASC*, BLTS and my own web page -
- all others, please ask first.

Note: Written for Round I of the Kirk/Spock Online Festival 2002 -

Disclaimer: Paramount/Viacom own all things TREK, I just borrow the
boys from time to time for a bit of R&R. No copyright infringement is
intended, nor any  money made. Although the characters are not mine,
this original piece of  fanfiction is the property of T'Lin, İMay
2002.

Feedback gladly accepted - publicly or privately.

---

Five years.

When the orders were first given to me, five years seemed like an
eternity.  But as the final days approach, I find it has been but a
blink of an eye.

Wasn't it just yesterday that I, James T. kirk -- the youngest captain
in the  history of Starfleet -- had been assigned to helm the USS
ENTERPRISE on its  five year mission?

Just yesterday ... when a brash young captain found he had to prove to
his  crew that he had *deserved* this command ... and their respect? A
task, I admit  to myself now, I accomplished in very short order.

In the past five years, the command crew of this ship has melded into
the  finest crew in the fleet ... a crew I would hate to see break up,
but I know it  is inevitable. As they say, all good things must come
to an end, eventually.

Just this morning, in my final address to the entire crew prior to our
arrival back in Earth orbit, I made it very clear that any crewperson
who wished to  virtually put their career on hold for the next two
years, thereby making  themselves available for re-assignment to
ENTERPRISE when her refit is complete,  would be more than welcome to
do so ... though I know few will take me up on  it.

And I don't blame them, really ... after all, two years is a very long
time  to remain Earth-bound. I'll do it, for it will be worth it to
get the  ENTERPRISE back. I also know that Scotty will be returning,
as he is overseeing the  refit of the ENTERPRISE, and most likely
McCoy, too. But I can only assume that  Sulu, Uhura, Chekov, and all
the others, will have plans of their own. After  all, there is little
room for advancement of their careers by their staying  here. That is,
all except for Spock. Time and time again he has expressed his lack
of interest in a command of his own ... I know all it will take is for
me to  ask, and Spock will stay with me.

~<>~ end personal log ~<>~


I knew this day would come. Ever since my failed marriage to T'Pring,
I knew  it was inevitable. As the only recognized heir to Sarek, I
know it is my duty  to continue our line . . . a line that has been
unbroken since the time of  Surak . . . a line that must endure. Had
my uncle Silek had any sons, my unbonded  state would not have been an
issue . . . but he did not, so it falls to me.

At least I can console myself to the fact that T'Pau waited until the
end of t his mission to recall me to Vulcan, where I will meet, and be
bonded with,  the mate she has chosen for me. Strange how I do not
even know her name, or  anything about her. Of course, is this really
any different than the last time,  when I met a virtual stranger on
the sacred sands of my ancestors?

I tell myself that it is . . . for this time around, we will have time
to get  to know one another, before the Pon Farr hits me once again.

Pon Farr . . . such thoughts come unbidden to my mind at the idea of
it. I  had hoped to avoid it all together, and the fact that I did not
experience it at  an age when other Vulcan males do gave me hope that
I would be spared . . .  but alas, I was not. The pain and lack of
control were beyond anything I had  envisioned, and were only
exacerbated by T'Pring's demand of a challenge.

The only thing worse than her rejection of me was the knowledge that I
had  killed Jim, my best friend -- my t'hy'la -- to win her back. Even
after I  discovered that he was alive, I continued to feel shame for
my actions . . . no  matter how much he forgave me for them. I should
have . . . but life is full of  'should have's' . . . *Kaaidth*. I
cannot change the past, and my future,  apparently, has been decided
for me. We will be returning to Earth in five point  three days . . .
somehow, I must find the words to tell Jim of T'Pau's summons,  and
say goodbye.

~<>~ end personal log ~<>~


Spock had been rather quiet for the past two days, and Kirk was
beginning to  wonder why. He knew Spock had received a private
transmission from Vulcan  recently, but had no idea what it was about
. . . he could only assume Spock's  silence was somehow connected, and
he would eventually talk about it, when the  time was right.

In the meantime, Kirk was making plans . . . after the debriefings and
such  that the end of a five year mission inevitably demand, he was
going to take  some well deserved R&R. He had a feeling that six
months at his cabin in  Garrovick Valley on Alpha Centauri would be
just about right . . . tonight, over a  friendly game of chess, he
would ask Spock to join him. It would be nice to spend  the time
together, without the pressures of command.

---

Spock arrived at Kirk's quarters at precisely 2100-hours ... as the
door  opened to let him in, he noted that Kirk was obviously running a
bit behind. The  sight of his friend and captain, shirtless and damp
from the shower, made him  somewhat weak in the knees.

The reaction was not a new one to the Vulcan, who had spent the
greater part  of the past five years hiding his physical attraction to
this man, knowing  that it was illogical to even think about that
possibility. And now, more than  ever, he must put such notions from
his mind. In two weeks, his resignation  would be official, and he
would most likely never see Jim Kirk again.

"Spock ... make yourself at home, I'll be right with you," Jim said,
as he  gestured to the small table in the corner of the room where
their chess set was  set up. He stepped back into his bedroom, and
returned in seconds, pulling his  shirt over his head. Spock
concentrated in the chess set, trying not to  notice the ripple of
muscles still visible under the tight t-shirt Jim was wearing  instead
of his uniform jersey.

He was so preoccupied, he did not notice Jim approach, and jumped
slightly  when he spoke right next to him, "I know you seldom indulge,
but may I offer you  some Saurian Brandy? After all, this is a special
occasion ..." he let the  question hang there for a moment, smiling
down at Spock.

Spock looked up to see his friend smiling at him, and said, "Yes,
thank you,"  after all, Saurian Brandy was not unpleasant, and it
would be the last time  he would be able to share a drink with his
friend. Kirk poured a generous  amount for each of them, then sat
across from Spock.

Lifting his glass, he offered a toast, saying, "To a successful
mission and  our safe return." They clinked their glasses together and
sipped the amber  liquid. As Spock swallowed the tiny sip, he
suppressed a sigh that the spreading  warmth nearly elicited from him.
It reminded him of the feeling he had each  time Jim touched him, if
he had not had time to prepare for it ... the similarity  was somewhat
unnerving.

He knew it was customary to offer a reciprocal toast, and knowing what
he  needed to talk to Jim about this evening, there was only one
logical subject.  Lifting his glass, he said, "To the future, and all
it holds for each of us."

They repeated the ritual, and then Spock sat his glass on the table
... two  sips were quite enough for him at the moment. There was
silence between them  for a few heartbeats, then Spock said, "Jim,
there is ..."  He stopped, as he  realized Jim, too, had spoken.

"Spock," Jim smiled at the expression he saw on Spock's face. It was
very  rare for the two of them to try and speak at the same time ...
they were usually  quite more attuned to what the other was doing for
that to happen. Realizing  that he would finally be hearing what had
been preoccupying Spock for the past  few days, Kirk said, "After you,
Spock."

Now that the time had come, Spock found it difficult to find the best
way to  start. He sat back and steepled his hands before him, in an
effort to focus  his thoughts. At last he said, "I have received a
summons from T'Pau." He  paused, and made eye contact with Jim as he
added, "I have submitted my resignation  from Starfleet, and will be
returning to Vulcan ... where I am to be married."

He watched Jim closely, noting the look of shock as he mentioned his
resignation; surprise at the mention of marriage. Jim's expression
continued to  fluctuate, as the full meaning behind Spock's words sank
in. It was difficult for  Spock to interpret them all, but he was
almost certain he saw hurt and anger  reflected in those hazel eyes
before a feeling of regret settled in.

When Jim had apparently gotten his emotions under control, he said in
a  rather strained voice, "I guess congratulations are in order. Who
is the lucky  lady?" There was a bit of incredulity to the question,
for as far as he knew,  there had been no one in Spock's past whom he
would be marrying, nor had there  been any opportunity for him to meet
someone since his ordeal of a few years ago.

Spock noticed the skepticism, and knew his answer would be less than
satisfactory ... but he owed it to this man to tell him the truth. "I
have been told  that she is a good match for me."

"What?!?!?" Kirk was on his feet, suddenly needing to move, or hit
something  ... and moving seemed the better option at the moment.
Turning to face his  friend, he went on angrily, "Are you trying to
tell me that you'll be marrying a  total stranger? Why?"

"It is my duty to produce an heir ..."

"Don't give me any crap about 'duty'!" He started to pace as he went
on, "How  *dare* T'Pau demand you give up your life in Starfleet for a
'duty' to a  people who would not accept you for who you are."
Stopping to face Spock once  again, he continued, "What about your
duty to me?"

Spock was now on his feet, as well, and closed the distance between
them.  Placing his hands on Kirk's shoulders, he said, "Jim, I have
served you well  these past five years, but as our mission has come to
an end, so has my duty to  you, as your first officer. If the
circumstances had allowed, I would have  gladly committed the rest of
my life to serving you, in any capacity you desired  ..."

His words trailed off, as he realized what he was saying and to whom
... he  had not intended to give so much of his inner thoughts to this
man, especially  not now. He fought the desire to pull Jim into an
embrace, and instead let his  hands drop ... only to have Jim grab
hold of them, and lift them to his lips.  "Spock, how can you do this
to me?" he asked, as he lightly kissed the backs  of them.

Spock's eyes closed, and he sighed as he whispered, "Please ...
don't." He  pulled his hands away, and turned away from the object of
his desire ... it was  too late, he could not give in to the
temptation now. He had a duty to perform  on Vulcan, and he would not
disappoint his family again.

"Why?" There was such anguish in the simple question, and Spock was
nearly  undone by the sound of it ... he had no idea that Jim's
feelings for him had  been in concert with his own. But it did not
matter ... a union between them  would not have been able to produce
the heir he was required to provide, and  therefore would never have
been approved by T'Pau.

He must make Jim understand the importance of his producing an heir
...  perhaps then, he would be able to accept the inevitable. "Jim, I
have never told  you much about my family, or its history." Spock
motioned to Jim to take a seat,  and did likewise before
continuing,"You have met my parents, and T'Pau, who  is my aunt. I
also have an uncle, Silek. T'Pau has, for reasons I do not know,
remained unbonded and childless her entire life. Silek has three
daughters,  and no sons. As you know, I am the only child of Sarek and
Amanda."

"That's all well and good, but ..." Jim interrupted, only to be
silenced by  Spock.

"Please, let me continue." Spock knew what Jim had been about to say,
and for  the average Vulcan family, it would be quite true ... gender
made no  difference when it came to family lines and inheritance laws
... but his was no  typical Vulcan family. "Jim, I am the last in my
line ... the last descendant of  Surak. I must produce a son, for our
line to continue. Do you understand?"

"I ..." Jim sat back in his chair, staring at his friend. He had
always known  his family was powerful, but had no idea that Spock was
of the royal family,  or whatever the Vulcans called it. Suddenly, so
many things fell into place.  "Damn! No wonder your father was so
apposed to you joining Starfleet!"

"Yes." Spock was pleased to see that Jim had indeed understood the
significance of his words. Perhaps now, he would also accept the
decision he had made.  "So you see, I have no choice in the matter."

"Yes, I do see why you would think so ... but ..." and he shook his
head,  regretting even thinking what he was about to say. "Never mind.
You are right,  and to try and convince you otherwise would be rather
selfish of me, wouldn't  it?"

"Yes, it would," Spock agreed, then lifted his brow as he added, "but
I am  flattered that you would consider it. Until today, I did not
know you had such  feelings for me."

"From the moment I met you, I was attracted, but I knew I couldn't
force my  feelings on you." He leaned forward in his chair, reaching
out to take Spock's  hand. When Spock took it, he went on, "I had
hoped, now that our mission was  over, to spend some time with you
alone. I was going to invite you to join me  at my cabin on Alpha
Centauri for a few months of R&R, while awaiting the refit  of
ENTERPRISE." He gave Spock's hand a gentle squeeze as he said
suggestively, "giving us six months, alone in the woods ... well, I
think you get the  picture."

"Yes, I do ... and believe me when I say I wish that it could be so."
Spock  stood, still holding onto Jim's hand, thereby pulling him to
his feet as well.  They stood face to face. Spock released Jim's hand
as their bodies pressed  together from chest to thighs. He had not
intended such intimate contact when he  pulled Jim to his feet ... it
startled him, and aroused him, and made him wish  for the impossible.
Stepping back, he said, "I am sorry," then turned to  leave the room
before it was too late.

"So am I," Jim said, as he watched the Vulcan walk away.

---

The End