The return to self is the most difficult part of any adventure.

[sehlatbear]

She had worked with the Montgomery Scott of this universe and she had worked alone. However, Spock’s tendency toward solitary work, pushing far past the limits of human capability and nearly her own, had finally paid off

Comments

[original_fine]

Jim was in their rooms, decidedly not brooding. He had just sat back after finishing his rather directionless personal log when a strange feeling overwhelmed him, a sort of snapping back of something he hadn't remembered to miss. It took him a moment to realize it was not him, but Spock. Something had happened. The feeling was too vague to place exactly, but it didn't feel bad. Even so, it had Jim on his feet, seeking shoes so he might go find Spock himself, and make sure.

[sehlatbear]

His entire center of gravity was off. Spock was, even if somewhat stilted by human standards, a graceful man. But his skin felt as if it did not quite fit, as if he were suddenly going to topple backwards. He ignored what he could and compensated for the rest and those who observed him as he made his only slightly slower than usual way back to quarters would not have observed anything amiss.

[original_fine]

Jim toed on some shoes and was headed towards the door when it opened, suddenly. It was anyone's guess who had triggered it, though, as on the other side was Spock.

Spock.

For a moment, it didn't register. Jim just saw Spock, not quite comprehending the relief and pleasure that washed over him. It was like a friend returning after long absence, seeing him like this. And suddenly the strange shift in the bond made sense. As much as it could, anyway.

Jim just stood there, beaming.

[sehlatbear]

Spock had not, when his own body had been so different, fully appreciated the change in Jim's stature. His mate was... smaller. But the mind beaming at him through their bond was much the same and Spock almost gave in to his desire to go and to touch and to be home in his mate's mind.

Instead, he adopted the familiar posture (fascinating how different it felt, how much more aware of it he was) and inclined his head in reserved greeting. "Jim - Captain. I have, based upon the work of Chief Engineer Scott, found a solution to the change in our forms."

[original_fine]

Jim took a step towards him, and stopped at the reserve in Spock's stance, even as it warred with Jim's own impulse and a confused buzz in the link between them.

"I can see that," he said, still smiling goofily. There was a lot of Jim in that smile, despite the difference in features. And then he gave in, not caring for the moment if this body made his mate uncomfortable, needing to touch and reacquaint himself. He slid his hands up Spock's arms (so tall!) and stared up at him.

[sehlatbear]

Some instincts, it seemed, could survive almost any transformation. With Jim so close, Spock slid their fingers together without pausing for thought. It was natural, it was the touch of his mate.

His response, even so, was not entirely logical. "You appear so short in comparison to me now."

[original_fine]

Jim laughed, leaning back to look up at him.

"I am," he agreed. "But you've always been to tall--at least now I have an excuse." He twined his fingers through Spock's even more decidedly. "Are you all right?" Spock seemed off-balance, different both from the last time Jim had seen him and his usual, imperturbable self.

[sehlatbear]

"I would like to sit down, Jim. There are, physical evidence suggests, still many hormones present in my blood stream that do not belong there."

[original_fine]

"Oh!" Jim said, immediately guiding Spock to the bed. "Of course." He should have thought of that, should have been responsive to the tangle coming through the bond, as much as Spock was restraining a lot of it. And Jim, for his part, tried to control his own response--Spock hadn't really been gone, and it made Jim feel uncomfortable to think too hard about why seeing Spock like this overjoyed him.

"Let me get you something. Water?" He moved towards the replicator.

[sehlatbear]

Jim tried to move away but Spock did not release the grasp of their hands. It was not his general way but he was loathe to accept casual distance between them.

"Your presence is entirely adequate, Jim. I simply require some small time to reorient myself. Then we may proceed to the transporter to return you to yourself as well."

[original_fine]

It was strange--bizarre, even--that Jim hadn't even thought about his own transformation. He blinked once too often, trying to reconcile that, through the giddy comfort that Spock would not let him go.

"Right," he said. "Whatever you need." He sat next to Spock, hands entwined and Jim pressed up against Spock tightly. He didn't know just how comfortable Spock was going to be with him like this, now that he was "himself" again. "I am myself," he said softly, nosing Spock's shoulder. Not that he didn't want to change back, of course.

[sehlatbear]

"Of course, Jim." Spock appreciated the quiet, the familiar riot of Jim's mind which did feel the same.

He had felt so distant from everything.

But the events returned to the forefront of his mind and Spock flushed deep emerald. Even as Spock had pursued his ideal of Vulcan behavior, he had observed that humans were affected differently, had guarded many of his actions. He had largely ceased that effort while transformed.

[original_fine]

Jim glanced up at Spock.

"What's the matter, Spock?" he asked softly, his fingers squeezing Spock's. "The hormones?"

[sehlatbear]

He was too shamed to enjoy the squeeze to his sensitive fingers.

"Captain, I apologize for my behavior during the duration of our transformation."

[original_fine]

Jim would forgive him, already had, but he was curious. The opportunity to confirm his suspicions was too valuable.

"I admit, your behavior seemed... altered," he said. "But I can only assume there was a reason."

[sehlatbear]

At least Jim had not turned from him, though there was a certain relief through the bond.

"There is a certain significant difference between the biological male and female of the Vulcan species."

More secrets given up.