Fic - "Synchronicity"
Title: Synchronicity
Author: colonel_bastard
Characters/Fandom: Kirk, Spock. Star Trek (TOS).
Word Count: 2,413
Rating: PG-13
Summary: And to everyone’s utter astonishment, Kirk charges forward to meet the Vulcan, his hand thrust out in greeting.
Warnings: Swearing, destruction of canon.
Notes: Written as a gift for raja815 in order to fulfill our personal canon! It's our very own version of When Kirk Met Spock. We wanted to see a version where Kirk had never met a Vulcan before, and -- not realizing that they're touch telepaths -- he goes to initiate a handshake. Spock, not wanting to embarrass him at their first meeting, accepts the gesture, and when their minds come into contact he suddenly knows in an instant how important Kirk will be to him for the rest of his life. It's basically the space husbands version of It Only Takes A Moment. And then Kirk gets chewed out by Fleet Captain Pike. Good times.
They agree to meet in a conference room near the lecture hall where Spock will be delivering his presentation on the various new flora and fauna that he documented on his most recent tour of duty as Science Officer of the Enterprise. Fleet Captain Pike is adamant that sooner is better than later as far as introductions are concerned, and at his request Spock has arrived ten minutes early in order to meet his new commanding officer before he proceeds to his lecture. He has already heard a great deal about James Kirk, of course. The man’s meteoric rise through the ranks has been nothing short of extraordinary. It should be an honor to serve under such an accomplished and driven individual.
Spock is, naturally, the first to arrive for the meeting. He stacks his presentation materials neatly on the conference table and positions himself a polite distance from the door, his hands clasped formally behind his back. As he waits, he mentally reviews Kirk’s duty record. By now his solution to the Kobayashi Maru scenario has already become something of an Academy legend, but Spock lingers on the commendation for uncommon bravery that he received as a lieutenant after his actions during the Farragut disaster. Bravery is the one human trait that Spock admires the most. He is curious to meet a man who seems to embody it so thoroughly.
There’s a soft whisper as the conference room doors slide apart. Spock turns. The first one to enter is Fleet Captain Pike, and he smiles warmly at his former first officer in welcome. He’s followed by a small contingent of admirals--- the very ones who saw fit to assign Kirk this command. Lastly comes the man of the hour, the captain himself, looking even younger than Spock imagined he would. Somehow, in spite of this, he still manages to project an air of great confidence. He is instantly striking.
“Mr. Spock,” Pike says. “Thank you for meeting us here.”
“It was no trouble, Captain.”
“I believe you know Admiral Jacobs, Admiral Kaal, Admiral Barrett.”
Each one nods in turn --- Barrett adds, “Looking forward to your presentation, Mr. Spock” --- and the Vulcan inclines his head towards them in answer. He’s watching Kirk out of the corner of his eye. The young captain looks both anxious and eager, clearly anticipating his own introduction, his gaze darting between Pike and Spock as he waits for his cue.
“I know it’s a little unorthodox,” the fleet captain continues pleasantly, “but I thought it’d be good for the two of you to meet face to face before you get into the grind of preparing for the mission. Better to be introduced casually first, don’t you think?”
There’s a general murmur of consensus from the admirals, while Kirk nods his enthusiastic agreement. Spock remains impassive. He has no particular opinion on the subject. Then, at last, comes the moment of truth.
“Mr. Spock, I’d like you to meet Captain James T. Kirk. Jim, I’d like you to meet Lieutenant Commander Spock, your new first officer.”
And to everyone’s utter astonishment, Kirk charges forward to meet the Vulcan, his hand thrust out in greeting.
“Jim Kirk,” he grins. “Nice to meet you.”
For a fraction of a second, Spock completely freezes, as inwardly horrified as Pike and the admirals now outwardly appear, their eyes simultaneously bulging wide at the glaring faux pas. The Vulcan is fortunately able to preserve his neutral expression. He rapidly processes the situation. Logic dictates that this first encounter be kept as free from complication as possible in order to establish a positive foundation for the professional relationship and ensure a productive mission. It would therefore not be conducive to draw undue attention to this social error and potentially cause embarrassment for his new commanding officer, consequently risking the possibility of a negative association with the encounter. Faced with no other logical alternative and with a quick reaction being of the utmost importance, Spock has no choice but to steel his nerves and extend his hand in return.
Before he even has a heartbeat of time in which to brace himself, they touch.
Unabashed, unafraid, Kirk takes hold of him, his grip strong and hot and inescapable. It bolts like a shockwave up the length of Spock’s arm and into his shoulder, reverberating down into his ribcage and beyond. His own grasp tightens compulsively, instinctively. Their hands fuse together--- his sensitive fingers press into the ulnar nerve--- the basilic vein--- the connection is forged against his will.
He had naturally anticipated a certain level of intrusion--- the friction of two minds coming abruptly and unexpectedly into contact--- but nothing like this. No, nothing like this, not in all his years, not in all his life has he ever experienced anything like this. All of a sudden he falls out of his body, falls upwards, feels himself rushing towards something and something rushing towards him--- it’s him--- Jim--- and they collide.
Time spins out into nothing as Kirk’s mind expands on his horizon with the force of a newborn star. Spock races to meet him, rising like the tide, pulled by an unknown, uncontrollable power. They converge and immediately twine together, pieces slotting into place, designed to fit this way, destined to fit this way. Spock had not even realized that he was incomplete until now, when he suddenly feels whole, like he never has before. Can a man go an entire lifetime without being aware of his own blindness? His whole internal equilibrium is thrown off balance as an unrecognized void is unexpectedly filled by the presence of this overwhelming mind.
And what a mind. Kirk is a vast and complex landscape even when glimpsed, mountains and valleys, rivers and oceans, blue skies and thunderstorms. He is a tangle of contradictions and compulsions, strange, passionate, wild. He is strong and brave and incredibly, humanly flawed. He is more beautiful than anything Spock has ever seen.
Emotion surges up in Spock’s throat and he swallows it down hard, burning. He has no ability to process this experience. His chest aches. He does not know how to respond. He does not know how he can already understand so implicitly that he belongs here, beside him, and that he will follow him until the very end. It takes a lifetime of practice and effort to maintain the illusion of control.
Kirk is still smiling at him, still moving their hands up and down together in the gentle rhythm of the greeting. He’s waiting for a response. Spock manages to summon his voice.
“Captain,” he says hoarsely. “It is an honor.”
Kirk smiles wider, squeezes tighter. “Likewise, Mr. Spock.”
If they don’t part soon they never will. Spock twitches his hand, gives enough of a tug to let Kirk know that it’s time to let go. And when he does--- when they finally separate--- Spock’s hand feels cold and empty in his absence. His mind reels. What does it mean?
Mercifully, Fleet Captain Pike seems to agree with his former subordinate that a blunder, once committed, should quickly be forgotten. He clears his throat discreetly and steps up to lay a hand on Kirk’s shoulder.
“Jim, I hope you know you’re getting the best first officer in the Fleet,” he reminds him. “There’s no better man for the job.”
Spock nods faintly in acknowledgment. He’s forcing himself to concentrate on his impending lecture. He reviews phyla and genera, orders and species, refusing to let his mind linger on what just happened, what he just felt. Kirk is watching him, just watching him, his eyes clear and focused. Spock can’t help but wonder if he somehow felt it too. Human though he may be--- surely--- surely he must have sensed something of that magnitude. But if he did, he shows no sign of it. He seems perfectly calm, almost self-congratulatory. He basks in the praises summarily heaped upon him. Spock wills himself to be still.
And when it’s over and he has to excuse himself for his presentation, he curtails any further attempts to initiate contact by holding up his right hand in the Vulcan salute.
“Gentlemen,” he directs the leave-taking to all those present. “Live long and prosper.”
His eyes are drawn to Kirk’s face, radiant with curiosity, and then to his fingers unconsciously mirroring the gesture at his side. Spock bites his tongue.
The next five years are going to be... interesting.
- - -
Kirk was beginning to think he’d pulled it off. He’d been nervous as hell to meet Mr. Spock--- he had never met a Vulcan in his life, let alone one that was so well known--- but all things considered, he thinks he did all right. Captain Garrovick always said that you could tell a lot about a man by his handshake, so he put everything he had into that one. It seemed to do the trick. Kirk is just starting to think that he’d made a pretty good impression when Pike suddenly catches him by the arm, preventing him from following the admirals into the lecture hall.
“Captain Kirk,” he says in a strained voice. “May I have a word?”
The doors slide shut behind the last of the onlookers. Looks like Kirk won’t be attending that presentation after all. He wants to ask what’s wrong but before he can even get a word out the fleet captain just up and hauls him all the way down the corridor and right back into the conference room that they only recently vacated. Only there does he let him go, and that’s just so he can round on him in unmistakable outrage.
“Jim!” he seethes. “Do you even know how badly you just fucked up?”
Kirk recoils, goggle-eyed. “Wh-hat?”
“Are you insane? Don’t you know anything about Vulcan culture?”
“They’re... they’re people of logic, I know,” he splutters. “I thought I did fine! I was perfectly polite!”
Pike pinches the bridge of his nose, appalled. “Goddamn it, Jim, you can’t just march up to a Vulcan you’ve only just met and--- shove your hand at him like that! He doesn’t even know you!”
Kirk is starting to get the horrible, sinking feeling that he’s done something spectacularly wrong. His stomach lurches.
“What is it?” he whispers. “What did I do?”
“You really don’t know?” Pike stares.
“No,” the younger man squirms. “I mean, I thought--- I don’t know.”
“Vulcans are touch telepaths!” The fleet captain explodes. “Do you understand now? Their hands are extremely private! For God’s sake, Jim, I’ve known Spock for eleven years and even I would never barge up to him and ask for a--- a handshake.” He covers his eyes in exasperation. “Jesus, I about had a heart attack. What were you thinking?”
The palms of Kirk’s hands have now broken out into a sweat.
“I didn’t know,” he repeats helplessly. “I was just trying to be friendly.”
“What you just did,” Pike grinds on, merciless, “was the Vulcan equivalent of grabbing a complete stranger by the head and sticking your goddamn tongue in his mouth.”
Kirk feels sick with embarrassment. He can feel that all the color has drained from his face.
“Oh my God,” he mumbles. “Sir, I--- I’m sorry, I didn’t---”
“Don’t apologize to me,” Pike snorts, incredulous. “Apologize to Spock. You have no idea how lucky you are. He could have raked you over the coals for a mistake like that.” He squints slightly, almost puzzled. “I’m actually a little surprised that he played along. He must have liked you.”
“Well,” Kirk tries to smile weakly, almost chokes on it. “At least there’s that.”
- - -
He paces up and down outside the lecture hall for what seems like hours. He has no idea what he’s going to say, just that he needs to make things right before it’s too late, before Spock decides that he hates him for good. Once the presentation is over, he lingers awkwardly and watches the science officer --- wait, not the science officer, his science officer --- accept the compliments of his peers and superiors. As the crowd thins out, the captain makes his move.
“Mr. Spock,” he calls, approaching in a deferential manner. “I, uh, I wondered if I could speak to you for a moment.”
Spock gives a stiff, civil nod. “Of course, Captain.”
Kirk notes uneasily how quickly the Vulcan clasps his hands behind his back, almost like he’s protecting them, like he feels threatened. Jim is despondent.
“Look, I... I just wanted to say that I’m... I’m sorry about what happened before.” He gulps. “My little flub.”
“Unnecessary, Captain,” Spock says crisply. “To take offense is a human trait, one that I decidedly lack. You have caused no harm.”
“Oh.” Kirk sags, unconvinced. “Well, I’m... glad to hear it, Mr. Spock.”
There’s an uncomfortable pause. Then Spock raises an eyebrow, prompting.
“Will that be all, Captain?”
“Please,” Kirk says. “Call me Jim, if you like.”
Spock does not react. Kirk coughs.
“I suppose I’ll see you at the briefing tomorrow.”
“Of course, Captain.”
When the Vulcan lingers expectantly, Kirk realizes that he’s waiting to be dismissed. He does so with a hasty wave, not wanting to bother him any further.
“I’ll see you there, Mr. Spock.”
He’s turning to leave when a deep voice rumbles, “Captain Kirk.”
A chill sweeps down his spine. He doesn’t know why.
“Yes?”
Spock tilts his head, awkward. “I... look forward to our time together.”
And Jim flushes with pleasure, grinning openly in giddy relief.
“So do I.”
He must have liked you. He’s not sure why that makes him so excited, but it sure as hell does.
The next five years are going to be... interesting.
____________end.
Author: colonel_bastard
Characters/Fandom: Kirk, Spock. Star Trek (TOS).
Word Count: 2,413
Rating: PG-13
Summary: And to everyone’s utter astonishment, Kirk charges forward to meet the Vulcan, his hand thrust out in greeting.
Warnings: Swearing, destruction of canon.
Notes: Written as a gift for raja815 in order to fulfill our personal canon! It's our very own version of When Kirk Met Spock. We wanted to see a version where Kirk had never met a Vulcan before, and -- not realizing that they're touch telepaths -- he goes to initiate a handshake. Spock, not wanting to embarrass him at their first meeting, accepts the gesture, and when their minds come into contact he suddenly knows in an instant how important Kirk will be to him for the rest of his life. It's basically the space husbands version of It Only Takes A Moment. And then Kirk gets chewed out by Fleet Captain Pike. Good times.
They agree to meet in a conference room near the lecture hall where Spock will be delivering his presentation on the various new flora and fauna that he documented on his most recent tour of duty as Science Officer of the Enterprise. Fleet Captain Pike is adamant that sooner is better than later as far as introductions are concerned, and at his request Spock has arrived ten minutes early in order to meet his new commanding officer before he proceeds to his lecture. He has already heard a great deal about James Kirk, of course. The man’s meteoric rise through the ranks has been nothing short of extraordinary. It should be an honor to serve under such an accomplished and driven individual.
Spock is, naturally, the first to arrive for the meeting. He stacks his presentation materials neatly on the conference table and positions himself a polite distance from the door, his hands clasped formally behind his back. As he waits, he mentally reviews Kirk’s duty record. By now his solution to the Kobayashi Maru scenario has already become something of an Academy legend, but Spock lingers on the commendation for uncommon bravery that he received as a lieutenant after his actions during the Farragut disaster. Bravery is the one human trait that Spock admires the most. He is curious to meet a man who seems to embody it so thoroughly.
There’s a soft whisper as the conference room doors slide apart. Spock turns. The first one to enter is Fleet Captain Pike, and he smiles warmly at his former first officer in welcome. He’s followed by a small contingent of admirals--- the very ones who saw fit to assign Kirk this command. Lastly comes the man of the hour, the captain himself, looking even younger than Spock imagined he would. Somehow, in spite of this, he still manages to project an air of great confidence. He is instantly striking.
“Mr. Spock,” Pike says. “Thank you for meeting us here.”
“It was no trouble, Captain.”
“I believe you know Admiral Jacobs, Admiral Kaal, Admiral Barrett.”
Each one nods in turn --- Barrett adds, “Looking forward to your presentation, Mr. Spock” --- and the Vulcan inclines his head towards them in answer. He’s watching Kirk out of the corner of his eye. The young captain looks both anxious and eager, clearly anticipating his own introduction, his gaze darting between Pike and Spock as he waits for his cue.
“I know it’s a little unorthodox,” the fleet captain continues pleasantly, “but I thought it’d be good for the two of you to meet face to face before you get into the grind of preparing for the mission. Better to be introduced casually first, don’t you think?”
There’s a general murmur of consensus from the admirals, while Kirk nods his enthusiastic agreement. Spock remains impassive. He has no particular opinion on the subject. Then, at last, comes the moment of truth.
“Mr. Spock, I’d like you to meet Captain James T. Kirk. Jim, I’d like you to meet Lieutenant Commander Spock, your new first officer.”
And to everyone’s utter astonishment, Kirk charges forward to meet the Vulcan, his hand thrust out in greeting.
“Jim Kirk,” he grins. “Nice to meet you.”
For a fraction of a second, Spock completely freezes, as inwardly horrified as Pike and the admirals now outwardly appear, their eyes simultaneously bulging wide at the glaring faux pas. The Vulcan is fortunately able to preserve his neutral expression. He rapidly processes the situation. Logic dictates that this first encounter be kept as free from complication as possible in order to establish a positive foundation for the professional relationship and ensure a productive mission. It would therefore not be conducive to draw undue attention to this social error and potentially cause embarrassment for his new commanding officer, consequently risking the possibility of a negative association with the encounter. Faced with no other logical alternative and with a quick reaction being of the utmost importance, Spock has no choice but to steel his nerves and extend his hand in return.
Before he even has a heartbeat of time in which to brace himself, they touch.
Unabashed, unafraid, Kirk takes hold of him, his grip strong and hot and inescapable. It bolts like a shockwave up the length of Spock’s arm and into his shoulder, reverberating down into his ribcage and beyond. His own grasp tightens compulsively, instinctively. Their hands fuse together--- his sensitive fingers press into the ulnar nerve--- the basilic vein--- the connection is forged against his will.
He had naturally anticipated a certain level of intrusion--- the friction of two minds coming abruptly and unexpectedly into contact--- but nothing like this. No, nothing like this, not in all his years, not in all his life has he ever experienced anything like this. All of a sudden he falls out of his body, falls upwards, feels himself rushing towards something and something rushing towards him--- it’s him--- Jim--- and they collide.
Time spins out into nothing as Kirk’s mind expands on his horizon with the force of a newborn star. Spock races to meet him, rising like the tide, pulled by an unknown, uncontrollable power. They converge and immediately twine together, pieces slotting into place, designed to fit this way, destined to fit this way. Spock had not even realized that he was incomplete until now, when he suddenly feels whole, like he never has before. Can a man go an entire lifetime without being aware of his own blindness? His whole internal equilibrium is thrown off balance as an unrecognized void is unexpectedly filled by the presence of this overwhelming mind.
And what a mind. Kirk is a vast and complex landscape even when glimpsed, mountains and valleys, rivers and oceans, blue skies and thunderstorms. He is a tangle of contradictions and compulsions, strange, passionate, wild. He is strong and brave and incredibly, humanly flawed. He is more beautiful than anything Spock has ever seen.
Emotion surges up in Spock’s throat and he swallows it down hard, burning. He has no ability to process this experience. His chest aches. He does not know how to respond. He does not know how he can already understand so implicitly that he belongs here, beside him, and that he will follow him until the very end. It takes a lifetime of practice and effort to maintain the illusion of control.
Kirk is still smiling at him, still moving their hands up and down together in the gentle rhythm of the greeting. He’s waiting for a response. Spock manages to summon his voice.
“Captain,” he says hoarsely. “It is an honor.”
Kirk smiles wider, squeezes tighter. “Likewise, Mr. Spock.”
If they don’t part soon they never will. Spock twitches his hand, gives enough of a tug to let Kirk know that it’s time to let go. And when he does--- when they finally separate--- Spock’s hand feels cold and empty in his absence. His mind reels. What does it mean?
Mercifully, Fleet Captain Pike seems to agree with his former subordinate that a blunder, once committed, should quickly be forgotten. He clears his throat discreetly and steps up to lay a hand on Kirk’s shoulder.
“Jim, I hope you know you’re getting the best first officer in the Fleet,” he reminds him. “There’s no better man for the job.”
Spock nods faintly in acknowledgment. He’s forcing himself to concentrate on his impending lecture. He reviews phyla and genera, orders and species, refusing to let his mind linger on what just happened, what he just felt. Kirk is watching him, just watching him, his eyes clear and focused. Spock can’t help but wonder if he somehow felt it too. Human though he may be--- surely--- surely he must have sensed something of that magnitude. But if he did, he shows no sign of it. He seems perfectly calm, almost self-congratulatory. He basks in the praises summarily heaped upon him. Spock wills himself to be still.
And when it’s over and he has to excuse himself for his presentation, he curtails any further attempts to initiate contact by holding up his right hand in the Vulcan salute.
“Gentlemen,” he directs the leave-taking to all those present. “Live long and prosper.”
His eyes are drawn to Kirk’s face, radiant with curiosity, and then to his fingers unconsciously mirroring the gesture at his side. Spock bites his tongue.
The next five years are going to be... interesting.
- - -
Kirk was beginning to think he’d pulled it off. He’d been nervous as hell to meet Mr. Spock--- he had never met a Vulcan in his life, let alone one that was so well known--- but all things considered, he thinks he did all right. Captain Garrovick always said that you could tell a lot about a man by his handshake, so he put everything he had into that one. It seemed to do the trick. Kirk is just starting to think that he’d made a pretty good impression when Pike suddenly catches him by the arm, preventing him from following the admirals into the lecture hall.
“Captain Kirk,” he says in a strained voice. “May I have a word?”
The doors slide shut behind the last of the onlookers. Looks like Kirk won’t be attending that presentation after all. He wants to ask what’s wrong but before he can even get a word out the fleet captain just up and hauls him all the way down the corridor and right back into the conference room that they only recently vacated. Only there does he let him go, and that’s just so he can round on him in unmistakable outrage.
“Jim!” he seethes. “Do you even know how badly you just fucked up?”
Kirk recoils, goggle-eyed. “Wh-hat?”
“Are you insane? Don’t you know anything about Vulcan culture?”
“They’re... they’re people of logic, I know,” he splutters. “I thought I did fine! I was perfectly polite!”
Pike pinches the bridge of his nose, appalled. “Goddamn it, Jim, you can’t just march up to a Vulcan you’ve only just met and--- shove your hand at him like that! He doesn’t even know you!”
Kirk is starting to get the horrible, sinking feeling that he’s done something spectacularly wrong. His stomach lurches.
“What is it?” he whispers. “What did I do?”
“You really don’t know?” Pike stares.
“No,” the younger man squirms. “I mean, I thought--- I don’t know.”
“Vulcans are touch telepaths!” The fleet captain explodes. “Do you understand now? Their hands are extremely private! For God’s sake, Jim, I’ve known Spock for eleven years and even I would never barge up to him and ask for a--- a handshake.” He covers his eyes in exasperation. “Jesus, I about had a heart attack. What were you thinking?”
The palms of Kirk’s hands have now broken out into a sweat.
“I didn’t know,” he repeats helplessly. “I was just trying to be friendly.”
“What you just did,” Pike grinds on, merciless, “was the Vulcan equivalent of grabbing a complete stranger by the head and sticking your goddamn tongue in his mouth.”
Kirk feels sick with embarrassment. He can feel that all the color has drained from his face.
“Oh my God,” he mumbles. “Sir, I--- I’m sorry, I didn’t---”
“Don’t apologize to me,” Pike snorts, incredulous. “Apologize to Spock. You have no idea how lucky you are. He could have raked you over the coals for a mistake like that.” He squints slightly, almost puzzled. “I’m actually a little surprised that he played along. He must have liked you.”
“Well,” Kirk tries to smile weakly, almost chokes on it. “At least there’s that.”
- - -
He paces up and down outside the lecture hall for what seems like hours. He has no idea what he’s going to say, just that he needs to make things right before it’s too late, before Spock decides that he hates him for good. Once the presentation is over, he lingers awkwardly and watches the science officer --- wait, not the science officer, his science officer --- accept the compliments of his peers and superiors. As the crowd thins out, the captain makes his move.
“Mr. Spock,” he calls, approaching in a deferential manner. “I, uh, I wondered if I could speak to you for a moment.”
Spock gives a stiff, civil nod. “Of course, Captain.”
Kirk notes uneasily how quickly the Vulcan clasps his hands behind his back, almost like he’s protecting them, like he feels threatened. Jim is despondent.
“Look, I... I just wanted to say that I’m... I’m sorry about what happened before.” He gulps. “My little flub.”
“Unnecessary, Captain,” Spock says crisply. “To take offense is a human trait, one that I decidedly lack. You have caused no harm.”
“Oh.” Kirk sags, unconvinced. “Well, I’m... glad to hear it, Mr. Spock.”
There’s an uncomfortable pause. Then Spock raises an eyebrow, prompting.
“Will that be all, Captain?”
“Please,” Kirk says. “Call me Jim, if you like.”
Spock does not react. Kirk coughs.
“I suppose I’ll see you at the briefing tomorrow.”
“Of course, Captain.”
When the Vulcan lingers expectantly, Kirk realizes that he’s waiting to be dismissed. He does so with a hasty wave, not wanting to bother him any further.
“I’ll see you there, Mr. Spock.”
He’s turning to leave when a deep voice rumbles, “Captain Kirk.”
A chill sweeps down his spine. He doesn’t know why.
“Yes?”
Spock tilts his head, awkward. “I... look forward to our time together.”
And Jim flushes with pleasure, grinning openly in giddy relief.
“So do I.”
He must have liked you. He’s not sure why that makes him so excited, but it sure as hell does.
The next five years are going to be... interesting.
____________end.