ksbigbang Post - Alternative Serendipity - NC-17 - Part 2/5
Title: Alternative Serendipity
Author: luvsbitca
Artists: amechiro and numberthescars
All Information in Part 01
Part 01
/ / / Lucid Dreaming \ \ \
“Spock.” Amanda’s eyes were sad. Her eyes always gave her emotions away. “I am going to miss you.”
“I, too, shall feel your absence,” Spock said.
“Oh!” She threw her arms around him and pulled him over and down into a hug. “I love you, Spock. I only want you to be happy. Be happy.”
“I shall…try,” Spock said quietly. Just for his mother.
She pulled away from him. “I won’t come to the transporter. I’ll just cry and I know how that makes you and your father uncomfortable but I will miss you so much, Spock.”
“I shall call.”
“Every Sunday,” Amanda said and kissed his cheek in the human fashion. “You had best go or you shall be late.”
This was the fifth dream in two days. They were becoming more regular. Some of his dreams were inconsequential. Days spent in the middle of a field of corn. School days in a Terran school. Days that Spock had spent with his sehlat. Days from his own life and what felt like days from someone else’s. He had contacted a Vulcan healer, but there would be no one on Earth for another Earth month. He would have to wait. He would admit to the fact that he found the Earth dreams fascinating when they were no longer filled with emotional or physical abuse.
/ \ / \ / \
Spock opened his eyes to see Captain Pike sitting across from him.
“You know, I couldn’t believe it when the bartender told me who you are.”
“Who am I, Captain Pike?” Spock asked touching his nose tenderly.
“Your father’s son.”
“Can I get another one?” Spock asked waving his glass at the bartender.
Spock felt suddenly disconnected. Then he was in the VSA.
“You have surpassed the expectations of your instructors. Your final record is flawless, with one exception: I see that you have applied to Starfleet as well.” Elder Sam’Ol said, looking down on Spock from his position as Vulcan Council President.
“It was logical to cultivate multiple options,” Spock explained.
“Logical, but unnecessary. You are hereby accepted to the Vulcan Science Academy. It is truly remarkable, Spock, that you have achieved so much despite your disadvantage. All rise.”
Spock felt as if he had only heard one word. Disadvantage. Spock knew what his disadvantage was and yet he had expected better from the Vulcan Elders.
“If you would clarify, Minister: to what disadvantage are you referring?”
“Your human mother,” Elder Sam’Ol said.
Spock felt that same righteous anger that had burned hot and bright when he was a boy faced with immature bullies. Like then, he reacted not from a place of logic but from a place that his mother would call human.
“Council... Ministers, I must decline.”
“No Vulcan has ever declined admission to this academy!” Spock could see the annoyance of Elder Sam’Ol’s face and he knew that he must have truly annoyed the Elder for it to have shown.
“Then, as I am half-human, your record remains untarnished,” Spock replied logically. Now that his decision had been made, he knew it to be the correct one.
“Spock, you have made a commitment to honour the Vulcan way,” Spock’s father reprimanded and Spock, not for the first time, resented his father for not doing more to protect his mother.
“Why did you come before this council today? Was it to satisfy your emotional need to rebel?” Elder Sam’Ol asked.
“The only emotion I wish to convey is gratitude. Thank you, Ministers, for your consideration,” Spock said. “Live long and prosper.” Spock knew his tone was human and yet he revelled in it as he turned and walked from the hall.
Then suddenly he was back in that bar with Pike. And yet everything felt disjointed.
“…he didn't believe in no-win scenarios.”
“Sure learned his lesson!” Spock said.
“Well, it depends on how you define winning. You're here, aren't you?” Pike said.
“Thanks,” Spock said looking up at the bartender and accepting his drink.
“You know that instinct to leap without looking, that was his nature too. And in my opinion it's something Starfleet's lost,” Pike said, pulling Spock’s attention back to him.
Spock laughed and it felt natural for something Spock had never done. This did not feel like he was the one speaking any longer. His voice was different. It was not his.
“Why are you talkin' to me, man?”
“’Cause I looked up your file while you were drooling on the floor. Your aptitude tests are off the charts, so what is it? You like being the only genius level repeat offender in the Midwest?”
“Maybe I love it,” the person Spock was pretending to be said, but he could feel that the words were a lie. Covering pain and confusion.
“Look, so your Dad dies. You can settle for a less than ordinary life, or do you feel like you were meant for something better? Something special? Enlist in Starfleet.”
“Enlist!” Spock said with Vulcan judgement colouring his tone. Then he let out a hollow, broken laugh. “You guys must be way down on your recruiting quota for the month!”
“If you're half the man your father was, Starfleet could use you. You could be an officer in four years. You could have your own ship in eight. You understand what the Federation is, don't you? It's important. It's a peacekeeping and humanitarian armada...”
“Are we done?” Spock asked.
“I’m done.” Pike stood up. “Riverside Shipyard. Shuttle for new recruits leaves tomorrow morning, 0800.”
Pike said something else but Spock wasn’t listening, his attention caught by his own reflection. It was him and it wasn’t. It was an overlay of his features on another person’s face and…
Spock woke with a start, the amalgamated image of two people stuck in his head. Meditation took longer than normal that morning.
/ / / Pike \ \ \
Spock was obtaining his midday meal when he heard Pike call out his name. It had been a day since he had had the strange mixed dream. He had not dreamed at all the night before. He felt more rested as a result and had resolved to follow his mother’s instructions until the Vulcan healer arrived on Earth. He refused to acknowledge the short spike of…surprise…disappointment…that he had felt on waking after a dreamless sleep.
“Captain,” Spock said, turning to his previous and future Captain.
“Spock,” Pike said. “It’s Chris, now are you eating with anyone?”
“I have an article I wish to read.”
Pike smiled. “Well, it’s going to have to wait. I have been telling you about Cadet Kirk.”
“You have.”
“I am having lunch with her, come and join us.”
“I have an article to read.”
“And I am your future Captain,” Pike said with a smile that told Spock that the older human would not push if Spock truly wished to refuse. “I would quite like you to meet her.”
Spock inclined his head. “Very well.”
Pike smiled warmly. “Excellent, come with me.”
Spock followed Pike as he walked over towards a table where one individual was sitting, a woman with her back to Spock and Pike. Pike led Spock around the other side of the table and the woman looked up at him.
“You,” she said with a bright smile.
Spock inclined his head. “Have we met?”
“You don’t remember saving those people in the chemical fire?”
Spock nodded. “I do remember that…you were the woman who was assisting me.”
She smiled. “I’m not surprised you don’t remember me. You apparently had a terrible reaction to the gas.”
“I did.”
“McCoy swore a blue streak when you passed out.”
“I do not find that surprising.”
The woman beamed at him again. “As we were never officially introduced, my name is Jane Kirk.” She did not reach out to shake his hand. She obviously knew enough of Vulcans not to offer such an intimate touch.
“Cadet Kirk,” Spock inclined his head. “You may call me Spock.”
“I know who you are,” Jane said with a smile. “Very few Vulcans at the Academy.”
Spock sat at the table. “That is true.”
“I knew you two would get along,” Pike said sitting down. “Spock, Jane is attempting to complete her course here in three years.”
“Admirable.”
“I heard that you did the same,” Jane said.
“I did. It is a challenging schedule.”
“It is,” Jane said. “But I’ve always been good at school.”
“Captain Pike has mentioned you.”
“I like to brag about the people I see bloom,” Chris said with a smile.
“You like to brag about your pet projects,” Jane said biting into her sandwich. Spock could see the smile in Pike’s eyes at Jane’s comment.
“Kirk,” a gruff voice said suddenly from behind Spock. “We have five minutes to get to that test.”
“I’m eating,” Jane said. “Have you met everyone, Bones?”
“You know, most people worry about doing the damned Kobayashi Maru test,” Dr McCoy said tensely.
“Fine,” Jane said standing up and wrapping a napkin around her sandwich. “It was nice to meet you, Spock. I’ll talk to you later, Pike.”
“Cadet Kirk,” Spock said inclining his head.
“Bye, Jane. Good luck.”
“I don’t need luck,” she said before she followed in Dr McCoy’s wake.
“Is she not aware of the true rumours that circulate about the Kobayashi Maru?”
Pike laughed. “Of course she is. She just doesn’t believe she will fail.”
“Most illogical.”
“Is it true that you reprogrammed the test?”
“I did,” Spock confirmed. “I have undertaken many projects in the time since we were on the Prometheus.”
“I’ve heard. I bet you’re enjoying yourself, but it will be good to get back out into space.”
“The Enterprise is slated for a fascinating mission.”
Pike smiled. “It’s going to be exciting. I’m hoping Jane will be able to join the crew.”
Spock thought about the woman he had just met. “If you choose to have her on the crew, I am sure she will rise to the challenge.”
“I can’t wait to see the two of you on a spaceship together.”
“I look forward to the scientific discoveries that we shall make in uncharted space.”
Pike smirked at him. “Sometimes you remind me so much of Number One.”
Spock could understand the comparison. He turned back to his lunch while Pike did the same.
/ / / Xenolinguistics \ \ \
Spock had been assisting with the brightest of the xenolinguistics students. He had not, however, participated in a Xenolinguistics Club meeting since his own time at the Academy. Uhura had asked him to attend to resolve a debate between some members of the club in regards to High Vulcan.
Uhura was his friend; therefore, he was expected to assist her in this way.
Spock arrived at the meeting room five minutes early to find Jane Kirk leaning against one of the tables.
“Spock,” Jane said with surprise. “What are you doing here?”
“Cadet Uhura asked me to attend and aid in resolving a debate about certain aspects of High Vulcan.”
“Ah,” Jane said. “So you are her secret weapon.”
“I am not a weapon.”
Jane smiled. “Are the two of you…” Jane twirled her wrist and Spock raised an eyebrow at her. “Knockin’ boots?”
Spock understood the reference but he allowed his face to remain barely curious.
“Are you two dating?” Jane supplied.
“No.”
“She’s interested, though, isn’t she?” Jane said. “You’re just her type.”
“We are…friends.”
Jane smiled. “That’s nice.”
“I was not aware of the fact you were also a xenolinguistics student.”
“I grew up learning alien languages and I have always liked to be able to talk to people. I don’t have time in my schedule for a lot of xenolinguistics classes, but I can participate in this club and it’s fun. Plus they were silly enough to put me in charge of the money.”
“I, too, was the treasurer of this club.”
“Of course you were,” Jane said. “I bet you were never fifty-seven cents out.”
“My books always balanced.”
Jane laughed and something about the sound caught Spock’s attention. She was looking at him strangely now. “Are you okay?”
“I am well.”
“You look a little...pale.”
“I am well.”
Jane was standing in front of him. She did not reach out for him, she did not touch him but she looked at him with worry in her eyes.
The floor moved beneath their feet and Spock lost his balance. Jane fell into him and without thought he wrapped an arm around her and held her to him as he fell backwards onto the steps behind him. His spine caught the edge of the step and he knew that many blood vessels beneath the skin had ruptured - he would bruise. The earthquake continued for another twenty-four seconds and then the ground was still.
Jane’s cheek slid against the skin of Spock’s neck and she flooded into him. She was bright and red and she was whom he had been dreaming about.
“What the fuck?” Jane asked and scrambled off and away from Spock. “What did you do to me?”
“I do not know.”
“I have been dreaming about you. What did you do to me?”
“You have been dreaming?”
“I thought it was because of my History class, which is focussed quite heavily on Vulcan at the moment. I assumed it was because I’m reading all of these accounts of people’s lives on Vulcan. But it’s you.”
“I don’t know what is occurring,” Spock admitted. He had never heard of anything like this. The only thing that could come close was a Vulcan bond but he had never heard of one that shared dreams. Nor one that occurred spontaneously. Spock had meditated, had looking within himself. If there were a bond he would have found it.
Jane walked around to the other side of the table and placed her hands onto the surface, dropping her head down.
“You have had dreams where you are on Vulcan?”
“I had dreams where I was a Vulcan, living on Vulcan. I had a brother who disappointed my father - a father who has been dead since the moment I was born. My mother, who was next to useless after my father died, cared about me in these dreams where I was a Vulcan. They were your memories.”
“Yes.”
“And you saw my dreams? The one where George left me? The one where my mother kicked me out?”
“Yes.”
Jane looked at him with horror in her eyes. “What did you do to me?”
“I do not know. A Vulcan healer is arriving in two days. If you will consent to attend the appointment with me she may be able to shed some light on what has occurred.”
“Oh, man,” a man threw open the door and walked into the room. “Did you guys feel that earthquake it was…Jane, what’s wrong?”
“I don’t feel well,” Jane said grabbing her PADD. “I’ll email everyone my report.”
Jane rushed from the room.
“Please inform Cadet Uhura I was not able to stay,” Spock said to the cadet in front of him. “I shall assist her at another time.”
The male cadet nodded and Spock left the room.
/ / / Bonded \ \ \
Spock sent Jane a message informing her of the date and time of his appointment with the Vulcan healer. She informed him she would be there.
T’Pess, the Vulcan healer who looked to be even older than T’Pau, welcomed them both into the medical observation room.
“Spock,” T’Pess started. “You contacted me in regards to problems you have been having sleeping. Please elaborate.”
“I contacted you due to the fact I have been dreaming. Vulcans do not dream, however being half human I have dreamed previously. The dreams are more frequent than I was used to and unusual. I believed I might be ill, which was the cause of my previous dreaming experience. A human doctor, McCoy, informed me that I was in perfect health. The dreams did not stop, therefore I contacted you. Since that contact I have had reason to touch Cadet Kirk,” Spock stopped here, he had already introduced Jane to the doctor but he wanted it to be clear to whom he was referring. “As a result of this contact, I discovered that the dreams I have been having are Cadet Kirk’s memories. She too has been having these dreams, as well as experiencing ones from my own history.”
“Not dreams,” T’Pess said after a moment of silent contemplation. “Shared memories. I shall need to meld with you both.”
“Of course,” Spock inclined his head in agreement. “Cadet Kirk a-”
“Stop calling me Cadet Kirk,” Jane snapped. “You know all my memories and I am not your student. Call me Jane.”
“Very well,” Spock agreed. “Jane, do you know what a meld is?”
“Vaguely.”
“A meld,” the healer began. “Is a joining of my mind to yours. Given what Spock has explained to me I believe I know what has occurred, however I require the meld to confirm my beliefs and ascertain the breadth of the occurrence.”
“Will it hurt?” Jane asked.
“No.”
“Fine, go ahead. But, do Spock first.”
Spock stood and moved to the meditation mat laid out. He settled on one end and watched as the healer matched him on the other. She reached out for his head and he allowed her access to his mind.
“Spock,” she said, her voice an echo in his mind. “Will you show me one of the memories that Jane shared with you?”
Spock pulled up the happiest one he could think of.
“Are you ready, Janie?” George asked.
“When I had the dream,” Spock said. “I was in Jane’s position and he called me…Spocky.”
T’Pess said nothing and concentrated on what was occurring in front of her.
“Always,” Jane said and shifted around on the cushions under her bottom.
“If you get us killed, I will be so mad at you.”
Jane laughed.
George nodded and started the car. “So, you ease out on the accelerator while you-”
The scene cut and in its place was a thin red chain.
“I assumed as much,” T’Pess said.
“Explain.”
“You bonded with Jane Kirk.”
“I have not initiated a bond.”
“Show me your first meeting.”
Spock thought back to the day of the fire.
The woman stood in front of Spock suddenly. “Are you okay? You look pale.”
She reached for him and as their skin made contact Spock shoved his shields up as quickly as he could. He could not understand, however, why the world went black immediately after the contact.
“Go back…stop.” It was the moment when Jane reached for him. “You were compromised by the gas. She thought to help. Your minds touched and they are compatible. A bond was formed.”
“A spontaneous bond? With a non-Vulcanoid race?”
“I shall have to see her mind to know for sure, but I believe so.”
“I should have discovered this bond during my meditations on the dreams.”
“You were not looking for a bond and therefore did not find it. It is masked by the memories you have of the dreams you shared. I would ask you to feel the bond.”
Spock reached out for it. It was like pure electricity and it felt as Spock did in his dreams of Jane. “It does not feel the same as the bond I have with T’Pring.”
“You have a betrothal bond?”
“I do.”
“May I view it?”
Spock pulled up the thought of T’Pring in his mind and the bond was as it had been since their betrothal ceremony. It was blue and thin, though it felt nothing like the one he shared with Jane.
“Your betrothal bond is weak.”
“I have not seen T’Pring since long before I left Vulcan.”
“The bond you share with Jane has not severed the bond.”
“Should it not have taken the place of my betrothal bond?”
“I believe the type of bond you share with Jane is the reason that you are still bonded to T’Pring.”
“Explain.”
“I need to view the bond from Jane’s end before I explain further.”
“Very well.”
T’Pess pulled out of the meld and turned to Jane. “I require three minutes of meditation then I shall meld with you. Are you still amenable to that, Jane?”
“Yes.”
Spock rose from his position and took his chair again.
/ J \ / a \ / n \ / e \
T’Pess arranged Jane into the right pose. She was nervous, but she breathed through it. Spock had not seemed at all worried about the process of melding and, given everything she knew about him, she found herself trusting him even when she couldn’t understand what was going on. Jane had always struggled with trust but she had seen him and she knew him. She remembered the dreams she had had about her own life and if everything had been true in her dreams they had to be in his. She might trust him in this but she was still worried about how they could have possibly shared their memories when they had barely met.
“I will do exactly what I did with Spock,” T’Pess said. “I will touch your psi points and then I shall meld with you. In your mind you will be able to see and hear me, but Spock will not. I will ask you to show me some memories. If you feel uncomfortable at any time, please inform me.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
T’Pess touched Jane’s face and suddenly Jane was in a vast yellow room.
“Where are we?”
“We are in your mind, this is a safe place. I would like to see one of the memories given to you by Spock.”
“Sure.”
“He was careful to show me a happy memory,” T’Pess said reassuringly. “I am not here to learn anything you do not wish to share.”
Jane picked a memory and suddenly she was in the dream again, only this time she could see Spock, as a small boy, where she had been last time.
“It is called a Christmas tree,” Amanda said with a smile.
“It is alive,” Spock observed.
“Your Uncle and cousins went into the forest and cut it down.”
“Illogical.”
“Traditions do not have to be logical, Spock,” his mother said. “Now we decorate it.”
“For what purpose?”
Amanda looked thoughtful for a moment. “So that we may spend time with those we care about, and so that we may share this will them.”
“Very well,” Spock said and pushed the string holding a glass ball onto the tree branch.
“Jane,” T’Pess said. “I am about to end the memory.”
Jane nodded even as she watched Spock disappear. She felt the loss; she had never had a Christmas like that one, not even when she was older and lived with George while he was studying. They were in the yellow room again but this time Jane could see a green chain, links so small she could barely tell them apart, tied to her wrist.
“What is that?”
T’Pess looked at the chain and then at Jane. “It is a Vulcan bond; this connects your mind, your soul, to that of Spock. It was created at your first meeting, when you reached for him as he passed out. It was not intentional, however for its lack of bulk it is surprisingly strong.”
“A bond?”
“When you touched him his shields were compromised due to the gas. His mental barriers were not in place. Your mind, which is very interesting by the way, is incredibly compatible with Spock’s. His katra recognised yours and reached out for it and yours responded, gripping him tight. A katra is a Vulcan’s living essence - their memories and soul. His recognised a mate…a twin in yours and they reached for one another, forming the bond you see. Through this bond, your memories have passed. It is something I have only read about in poems from before Surak’s reformation. It is a bond that is revered by Vulcans as much as it is believed to be a myth.”
“Why?”
“There has not been a case of spontaneous bonding…no, that is not an accurate description, though the bonding was spontaneous, which is unique in and of itself. Vulcans do not bond spontaneously and you need to understand that Spock did not know this bond existed because it is outside of his own experience and he did not form the bond. There has been no proof of a bond that is spontaneous, that is self-replicating, that maintains and strengthens itself since before Vulcans discovered the path of logic. You are highly compatible and therefore your katras wanted you to know one another better.”
“The bond is self-replicating?” Jane tried to get her mind around everything she had been told. The yellow room around her seemed to be slowly filling with pale green clouds. She looked up at them and somehow knew that they were a manifestation of her own confusion.
“A full bond allows the two minds to communicate, to share words and images and feelings, however it has to be left open and nurtured to that strength. Your bond is seeking more from Spock. Your katra calls to Spock’s and as neither of you were aware of the bond, nor knew one another, it did so in the only way it could - through your subconscious mind during sleep.”
“My mind calls out to him?”
“Yes.”
“So,” Jane said sitting down in her own brain. “I have a bond with Spock that neither of us asked for, is considered a myth by actual Vulcans and it wants us to share our souls and memories?”
“Simplistically put, but yes.”
“I need to get out of here.”
“Of course.” T’Pess pulled away from Jane’s mind and Jane ran her hands over her face.
“What did you discover?” Spock asked.
“The same as we discovered in your mind. Your katras are bonded. The bond is thin, but very strong and they call to one another. You have a Katra Bond.”
“They are myth.”
“I have been into your minds, you are bonded. Your katras reached for one another and were able to share your memories. What would you call it, Spock?”
“Katra Bonds exist only in pre-reform poetry.”
“And I would invite you to visit any Vulcan healer and tell them what you have told me. They would agree with me.”
“Could the bond be broken?”
“Bonds can be broken?” Jane cut in. She hadn’t needed to be involved in their conversation as she tried to work out how she felt about everything she had been told. It was the same one she and T’Pess had had in her mind but this she needed to know.
“It is strong. It would take a great healer and time to sever though I could not guarantee it would not do you, Spock, harm.”
“So we might be able to break it?” Jane asked.
“You do not understand,” T’Pess said. “The bond you share is sacred. To severe it would be a loss to both of you.”
“Except we did not choose this,” Jane pointed out.
“And yet you were attracted to him from the moment you saw him, even before the bond. Should you not perhaps give this time?”
Jane looked at Spock and then back to T’Pess. “Of course I was attracted to him, have you seen him? But what you are talking about is permanent.”
“Yes.”
“We do not need to bond further,” Spock said. “I know of its existence now and, if you wish it to be so, I will block the connection.”
T’Pess shook her head at them both.
“Will that injure either of us?” Jane asked.
“No,” Spock said. “Though I believe that T’Pess is correct. We have very compatible katras and spending time together may alleviate some of your fears.”
“It won’t make it stronger?”
“Only if I open the connection or we were to meld,” Spock said.
“Should you enter into a meld,” T’Pess said. “Should you go through your time, Spock, or choose to complete the marriage bond it would be impossible to sever.”
“I understand,” Spock said.
“That is permanent,” Jane said. “I don’t do well with permanent.”
“I know,” Spock said. “I shall keep the bond closed.”
“Thank you.” Jane said and felt that old claustrophobic need for air. She had never minded tight spaces but things like this made her itchy. “I want to leave if we do not need to do anything else.”
“We do not,” Spock said. “I thank you, Healer T’Pess, for your time.”
“You are welcome,” T’Pess said. “I am available should either of you have questions or require assistance.”
“Thank you,” Jane said, standing up.
Spock followed her as they left the Vulcan healer and Spock walked Jane back to her accommodation.
“I just need a couple of days,” Jane said. “I don’t know what to think at the moment.”
“Take all the time you require,” Spock said. “If you have any questions please contact me. I shall forward you the contact information for Healer T’Pess in case you require it.”
“Thanks,” Jane said before she left him to enter her apartment building.
/ \ / \ / \ / \
Spock walked back to his apartment slowly, ensuring that the thin chain to Jane in his mind was securely behind a wall.
/ / / Getting To Know You \ \ \
“Spock,” Jane said two days later in the commissary. “May I join you?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks,” Jane said with a smile. “I don’t know about this whole permanent mental bond, but everything I know about you makes me want to know more.”
“You know almost everything there is to know.”
“I feel like I cheated to get that information, though,” Jane admitted.
“You did not.”
Jane smiled. “I would like to get to know you better.”
“I believe you play chess.”
“I do,” Jane said. “Though I wonder if either of us can win when we know how the other was taught.”
“I shall endeavour to not use the information against you.”
“Thank you,” Jane said after a loud laugh. “I have a roommate, could we meet in your rooms?”
“Of course.” Spock said. “I have been given lodgings in the visiting lecturer accommodation building. Room 602. 1900 hours?”
“Sounds good,” Jane stood up. “Sorry, I have to be getting to my next class.”
“Of course.”
/ / / Chess \ \ \
Chess became a weekly ritual. They would meet and discuss their lives. Jane suggested the discussion. Spock could see little logic in sharing what she already knew, however, she was not as comfortable with telepathy as he was and needed this tangible conversation. He could understand that.
Spock found her illogical use of tactics in chess confusing. He beat her more than she won, however she never employed tactics when they would be logical. It was both interesting and confusing.
Spock told Jane about his mother. He told her about his pet sehlat and he told her about his time on the Prometheus. He did not speak about his father or his time as a child at school.
Jane told him about her brother. She told him about her time moving around America after she graduated high school. She did not mention her parents or the rest of her childhood.
A month after they were informed of the bond Jane insisted he accompany her to the Chess Club. As he was neither faculty nor student he did not feel it was appropriate to attend, however Jane was insistent.
Spock had not expected to see Dr McCoy at a chess club meeting.
“Jane,” McCoy said. “Spock.”
“Hey, Bones,” Jane said smiling up at the frowning doctor. “You owe me five dollars.”
“Why?”
“Because I bet her she couldn’t get you to come to a meeting,” Bones grumbled as he handed the money over. “To be honest, I just didn’t think the two of you were friends.”
“We are,” Jane said before Spock could comment. He did not amend her statement. He was satisfied with her friendship. She was different from him in many ways, but the more time he spent with her the more he found himself wanting to spend even more time with her. He knew it was not the bond causing him to desire her. He knew she worried that it was.
For the first time since Leila Kalomi, Spock wondered if perhaps he would be suited to a bond with a human. But only this human. Only Jane Kirk.
Spock pushed the thoughts away. She did not want anything but his friendship and it was illogical to want something one could not have. He would wait for her to make a decision about the bond and he would honour her decision. Until then, he would be her friend.
TBC...
Part 03
Part 04
Part 05
Author: luvsbitca
Artists: amechiro and numberthescars
All Information in Part 01
Part 01
/ / / Lucid Dreaming \ \ \
“Spock.” Amanda’s eyes were sad. Her eyes always gave her emotions away. “I am going to miss you.”
“I, too, shall feel your absence,” Spock said.
“Oh!” She threw her arms around him and pulled him over and down into a hug. “I love you, Spock. I only want you to be happy. Be happy.”
“I shall…try,” Spock said quietly. Just for his mother.
She pulled away from him. “I won’t come to the transporter. I’ll just cry and I know how that makes you and your father uncomfortable but I will miss you so much, Spock.”
“I shall call.”
“Every Sunday,” Amanda said and kissed his cheek in the human fashion. “You had best go or you shall be late.”
This was the fifth dream in two days. They were becoming more regular. Some of his dreams were inconsequential. Days spent in the middle of a field of corn. School days in a Terran school. Days that Spock had spent with his sehlat. Days from his own life and what felt like days from someone else’s. He had contacted a Vulcan healer, but there would be no one on Earth for another Earth month. He would have to wait. He would admit to the fact that he found the Earth dreams fascinating when they were no longer filled with emotional or physical abuse.
/ \ / \ / \
Spock opened his eyes to see Captain Pike sitting across from him.
“You know, I couldn’t believe it when the bartender told me who you are.”
“Who am I, Captain Pike?” Spock asked touching his nose tenderly.
“Your father’s son.”
“Can I get another one?” Spock asked waving his glass at the bartender.
Spock felt suddenly disconnected. Then he was in the VSA.
“You have surpassed the expectations of your instructors. Your final record is flawless, with one exception: I see that you have applied to Starfleet as well.” Elder Sam’Ol said, looking down on Spock from his position as Vulcan Council President.
“It was logical to cultivate multiple options,” Spock explained.
“Logical, but unnecessary. You are hereby accepted to the Vulcan Science Academy. It is truly remarkable, Spock, that you have achieved so much despite your disadvantage. All rise.”
Spock felt as if he had only heard one word. Disadvantage. Spock knew what his disadvantage was and yet he had expected better from the Vulcan Elders.
“If you would clarify, Minister: to what disadvantage are you referring?”
“Your human mother,” Elder Sam’Ol said.
Spock felt that same righteous anger that had burned hot and bright when he was a boy faced with immature bullies. Like then, he reacted not from a place of logic but from a place that his mother would call human.
“Council... Ministers, I must decline.”
“No Vulcan has ever declined admission to this academy!” Spock could see the annoyance of Elder Sam’Ol’s face and he knew that he must have truly annoyed the Elder for it to have shown.
“Then, as I am half-human, your record remains untarnished,” Spock replied logically. Now that his decision had been made, he knew it to be the correct one.
“Spock, you have made a commitment to honour the Vulcan way,” Spock’s father reprimanded and Spock, not for the first time, resented his father for not doing more to protect his mother.
“Why did you come before this council today? Was it to satisfy your emotional need to rebel?” Elder Sam’Ol asked.
“The only emotion I wish to convey is gratitude. Thank you, Ministers, for your consideration,” Spock said. “Live long and prosper.” Spock knew his tone was human and yet he revelled in it as he turned and walked from the hall.
Then suddenly he was back in that bar with Pike. And yet everything felt disjointed.
“…he didn't believe in no-win scenarios.”
“Sure learned his lesson!” Spock said.
“Well, it depends on how you define winning. You're here, aren't you?” Pike said.
“Thanks,” Spock said looking up at the bartender and accepting his drink.
“You know that instinct to leap without looking, that was his nature too. And in my opinion it's something Starfleet's lost,” Pike said, pulling Spock’s attention back to him.
Spock laughed and it felt natural for something Spock had never done. This did not feel like he was the one speaking any longer. His voice was different. It was not his.
“Why are you talkin' to me, man?”
“’Cause I looked up your file while you were drooling on the floor. Your aptitude tests are off the charts, so what is it? You like being the only genius level repeat offender in the Midwest?”
“Maybe I love it,” the person Spock was pretending to be said, but he could feel that the words were a lie. Covering pain and confusion.
“Look, so your Dad dies. You can settle for a less than ordinary life, or do you feel like you were meant for something better? Something special? Enlist in Starfleet.”
“Enlist!” Spock said with Vulcan judgement colouring his tone. Then he let out a hollow, broken laugh. “You guys must be way down on your recruiting quota for the month!”
“If you're half the man your father was, Starfleet could use you. You could be an officer in four years. You could have your own ship in eight. You understand what the Federation is, don't you? It's important. It's a peacekeeping and humanitarian armada...”
“Are we done?” Spock asked.
“I’m done.” Pike stood up. “Riverside Shipyard. Shuttle for new recruits leaves tomorrow morning, 0800.”
Pike said something else but Spock wasn’t listening, his attention caught by his own reflection. It was him and it wasn’t. It was an overlay of his features on another person’s face and…
Spock woke with a start, the amalgamated image of two people stuck in his head. Meditation took longer than normal that morning.
/ / / Pike \ \ \
Spock was obtaining his midday meal when he heard Pike call out his name. It had been a day since he had had the strange mixed dream. He had not dreamed at all the night before. He felt more rested as a result and had resolved to follow his mother’s instructions until the Vulcan healer arrived on Earth. He refused to acknowledge the short spike of…surprise…disappointment…that he had felt on waking after a dreamless sleep.
“Captain,” Spock said, turning to his previous and future Captain.
“Spock,” Pike said. “It’s Chris, now are you eating with anyone?”
“I have an article I wish to read.”
Pike smiled. “Well, it’s going to have to wait. I have been telling you about Cadet Kirk.”
“You have.”
“I am having lunch with her, come and join us.”
“I have an article to read.”
“And I am your future Captain,” Pike said with a smile that told Spock that the older human would not push if Spock truly wished to refuse. “I would quite like you to meet her.”
Spock inclined his head. “Very well.”
Pike smiled warmly. “Excellent, come with me.”
Spock followed Pike as he walked over towards a table where one individual was sitting, a woman with her back to Spock and Pike. Pike led Spock around the other side of the table and the woman looked up at him.
“You,” she said with a bright smile.
Spock inclined his head. “Have we met?”
“You don’t remember saving those people in the chemical fire?”
Spock nodded. “I do remember that…you were the woman who was assisting me.”
She smiled. “I’m not surprised you don’t remember me. You apparently had a terrible reaction to the gas.”
“I did.”
“McCoy swore a blue streak when you passed out.”
“I do not find that surprising.”
The woman beamed at him again. “As we were never officially introduced, my name is Jane Kirk.” She did not reach out to shake his hand. She obviously knew enough of Vulcans not to offer such an intimate touch.
“Cadet Kirk,” Spock inclined his head. “You may call me Spock.”
“I know who you are,” Jane said with a smile. “Very few Vulcans at the Academy.”
Spock sat at the table. “That is true.”
“I knew you two would get along,” Pike said sitting down. “Spock, Jane is attempting to complete her course here in three years.”
“Admirable.”
“I heard that you did the same,” Jane said.
“I did. It is a challenging schedule.”
“It is,” Jane said. “But I’ve always been good at school.”
“Captain Pike has mentioned you.”
“I like to brag about the people I see bloom,” Chris said with a smile.
“You like to brag about your pet projects,” Jane said biting into her sandwich. Spock could see the smile in Pike’s eyes at Jane’s comment.
“Kirk,” a gruff voice said suddenly from behind Spock. “We have five minutes to get to that test.”
“I’m eating,” Jane said. “Have you met everyone, Bones?”
“You know, most people worry about doing the damned Kobayashi Maru test,” Dr McCoy said tensely.
“Fine,” Jane said standing up and wrapping a napkin around her sandwich. “It was nice to meet you, Spock. I’ll talk to you later, Pike.”
“Cadet Kirk,” Spock said inclining his head.
“Bye, Jane. Good luck.”
“I don’t need luck,” she said before she followed in Dr McCoy’s wake.
“Is she not aware of the true rumours that circulate about the Kobayashi Maru?”
Pike laughed. “Of course she is. She just doesn’t believe she will fail.”
“Most illogical.”
“Is it true that you reprogrammed the test?”
“I did,” Spock confirmed. “I have undertaken many projects in the time since we were on the Prometheus.”
“I’ve heard. I bet you’re enjoying yourself, but it will be good to get back out into space.”
“The Enterprise is slated for a fascinating mission.”
Pike smiled. “It’s going to be exciting. I’m hoping Jane will be able to join the crew.”
Spock thought about the woman he had just met. “If you choose to have her on the crew, I am sure she will rise to the challenge.”
“I can’t wait to see the two of you on a spaceship together.”
“I look forward to the scientific discoveries that we shall make in uncharted space.”
Pike smirked at him. “Sometimes you remind me so much of Number One.”
Spock could understand the comparison. He turned back to his lunch while Pike did the same.
/ / / Xenolinguistics \ \ \
Spock had been assisting with the brightest of the xenolinguistics students. He had not, however, participated in a Xenolinguistics Club meeting since his own time at the Academy. Uhura had asked him to attend to resolve a debate between some members of the club in regards to High Vulcan.
Uhura was his friend; therefore, he was expected to assist her in this way.
Spock arrived at the meeting room five minutes early to find Jane Kirk leaning against one of the tables.
“Spock,” Jane said with surprise. “What are you doing here?”
“Cadet Uhura asked me to attend and aid in resolving a debate about certain aspects of High Vulcan.”
“Ah,” Jane said. “So you are her secret weapon.”
“I am not a weapon.”
Jane smiled. “Are the two of you…” Jane twirled her wrist and Spock raised an eyebrow at her. “Knockin’ boots?”
Spock understood the reference but he allowed his face to remain barely curious.
“Are you two dating?” Jane supplied.
“No.”
“She’s interested, though, isn’t she?” Jane said. “You’re just her type.”
“We are…friends.”
Jane smiled. “That’s nice.”
“I was not aware of the fact you were also a xenolinguistics student.”
“I grew up learning alien languages and I have always liked to be able to talk to people. I don’t have time in my schedule for a lot of xenolinguistics classes, but I can participate in this club and it’s fun. Plus they were silly enough to put me in charge of the money.”
“I, too, was the treasurer of this club.”
“Of course you were,” Jane said. “I bet you were never fifty-seven cents out.”
“My books always balanced.”
Jane laughed and something about the sound caught Spock’s attention. She was looking at him strangely now. “Are you okay?”
“I am well.”
“You look a little...pale.”
“I am well.”
Jane was standing in front of him. She did not reach out for him, she did not touch him but she looked at him with worry in her eyes.
The floor moved beneath their feet and Spock lost his balance. Jane fell into him and without thought he wrapped an arm around her and held her to him as he fell backwards onto the steps behind him. His spine caught the edge of the step and he knew that many blood vessels beneath the skin had ruptured - he would bruise. The earthquake continued for another twenty-four seconds and then the ground was still.
Jane’s cheek slid against the skin of Spock’s neck and she flooded into him. She was bright and red and she was whom he had been dreaming about.
“What the fuck?” Jane asked and scrambled off and away from Spock. “What did you do to me?”
“I do not know.”
“I have been dreaming about you. What did you do to me?”
“You have been dreaming?”
“I thought it was because of my History class, which is focussed quite heavily on Vulcan at the moment. I assumed it was because I’m reading all of these accounts of people’s lives on Vulcan. But it’s you.”
“I don’t know what is occurring,” Spock admitted. He had never heard of anything like this. The only thing that could come close was a Vulcan bond but he had never heard of one that shared dreams. Nor one that occurred spontaneously. Spock had meditated, had looking within himself. If there were a bond he would have found it.
Jane walked around to the other side of the table and placed her hands onto the surface, dropping her head down.
“You have had dreams where you are on Vulcan?”
“I had dreams where I was a Vulcan, living on Vulcan. I had a brother who disappointed my father - a father who has been dead since the moment I was born. My mother, who was next to useless after my father died, cared about me in these dreams where I was a Vulcan. They were your memories.”
“Yes.”
“And you saw my dreams? The one where George left me? The one where my mother kicked me out?”
“Yes.”
Jane looked at him with horror in her eyes. “What did you do to me?”
“I do not know. A Vulcan healer is arriving in two days. If you will consent to attend the appointment with me she may be able to shed some light on what has occurred.”
“Oh, man,” a man threw open the door and walked into the room. “Did you guys feel that earthquake it was…Jane, what’s wrong?”
“I don’t feel well,” Jane said grabbing her PADD. “I’ll email everyone my report.”
Jane rushed from the room.
“Please inform Cadet Uhura I was not able to stay,” Spock said to the cadet in front of him. “I shall assist her at another time.”
The male cadet nodded and Spock left the room.
/ / / Bonded \ \ \
Spock sent Jane a message informing her of the date and time of his appointment with the Vulcan healer. She informed him she would be there.
T’Pess, the Vulcan healer who looked to be even older than T’Pau, welcomed them both into the medical observation room.
“Spock,” T’Pess started. “You contacted me in regards to problems you have been having sleeping. Please elaborate.”
“I contacted you due to the fact I have been dreaming. Vulcans do not dream, however being half human I have dreamed previously. The dreams are more frequent than I was used to and unusual. I believed I might be ill, which was the cause of my previous dreaming experience. A human doctor, McCoy, informed me that I was in perfect health. The dreams did not stop, therefore I contacted you. Since that contact I have had reason to touch Cadet Kirk,” Spock stopped here, he had already introduced Jane to the doctor but he wanted it to be clear to whom he was referring. “As a result of this contact, I discovered that the dreams I have been having are Cadet Kirk’s memories. She too has been having these dreams, as well as experiencing ones from my own history.”
“Not dreams,” T’Pess said after a moment of silent contemplation. “Shared memories. I shall need to meld with you both.”
“Of course,” Spock inclined his head in agreement. “Cadet Kirk a-”
“Stop calling me Cadet Kirk,” Jane snapped. “You know all my memories and I am not your student. Call me Jane.”
“Very well,” Spock agreed. “Jane, do you know what a meld is?”
“Vaguely.”
“A meld,” the healer began. “Is a joining of my mind to yours. Given what Spock has explained to me I believe I know what has occurred, however I require the meld to confirm my beliefs and ascertain the breadth of the occurrence.”
“Will it hurt?” Jane asked.
“No.”
“Fine, go ahead. But, do Spock first.”
Spock stood and moved to the meditation mat laid out. He settled on one end and watched as the healer matched him on the other. She reached out for his head and he allowed her access to his mind.
“Spock,” she said, her voice an echo in his mind. “Will you show me one of the memories that Jane shared with you?”
Spock pulled up the happiest one he could think of.
“Are you ready, Janie?” George asked.
“When I had the dream,” Spock said. “I was in Jane’s position and he called me…Spocky.”
T’Pess said nothing and concentrated on what was occurring in front of her.
“Always,” Jane said and shifted around on the cushions under her bottom.
“If you get us killed, I will be so mad at you.”
Jane laughed.
George nodded and started the car. “So, you ease out on the accelerator while you-”
The scene cut and in its place was a thin red chain.
“I assumed as much,” T’Pess said.
“Explain.”
“You bonded with Jane Kirk.”
“I have not initiated a bond.”
“Show me your first meeting.”
Spock thought back to the day of the fire.
The woman stood in front of Spock suddenly. “Are you okay? You look pale.”
She reached for him and as their skin made contact Spock shoved his shields up as quickly as he could. He could not understand, however, why the world went black immediately after the contact.
“Go back…stop.” It was the moment when Jane reached for him. “You were compromised by the gas. She thought to help. Your minds touched and they are compatible. A bond was formed.”
“A spontaneous bond? With a non-Vulcanoid race?”
“I shall have to see her mind to know for sure, but I believe so.”
“I should have discovered this bond during my meditations on the dreams.”
“You were not looking for a bond and therefore did not find it. It is masked by the memories you have of the dreams you shared. I would ask you to feel the bond.”
Spock reached out for it. It was like pure electricity and it felt as Spock did in his dreams of Jane. “It does not feel the same as the bond I have with T’Pring.”
“You have a betrothal bond?”
“I do.”
“May I view it?”
Spock pulled up the thought of T’Pring in his mind and the bond was as it had been since their betrothal ceremony. It was blue and thin, though it felt nothing like the one he shared with Jane.
“Your betrothal bond is weak.”
“I have not seen T’Pring since long before I left Vulcan.”
“The bond you share with Jane has not severed the bond.”
“Should it not have taken the place of my betrothal bond?”
“I believe the type of bond you share with Jane is the reason that you are still bonded to T’Pring.”
“Explain.”
“I need to view the bond from Jane’s end before I explain further.”
“Very well.”
T’Pess pulled out of the meld and turned to Jane. “I require three minutes of meditation then I shall meld with you. Are you still amenable to that, Jane?”
“Yes.”
Spock rose from his position and took his chair again.
/ J \ / a \ / n \ / e \
T’Pess arranged Jane into the right pose. She was nervous, but she breathed through it. Spock had not seemed at all worried about the process of melding and, given everything she knew about him, she found herself trusting him even when she couldn’t understand what was going on. Jane had always struggled with trust but she had seen him and she knew him. She remembered the dreams she had had about her own life and if everything had been true in her dreams they had to be in his. She might trust him in this but she was still worried about how they could have possibly shared their memories when they had barely met.
“I will do exactly what I did with Spock,” T’Pess said. “I will touch your psi points and then I shall meld with you. In your mind you will be able to see and hear me, but Spock will not. I will ask you to show me some memories. If you feel uncomfortable at any time, please inform me.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
T’Pess touched Jane’s face and suddenly Jane was in a vast yellow room.
“Where are we?”
“We are in your mind, this is a safe place. I would like to see one of the memories given to you by Spock.”
“Sure.”
“He was careful to show me a happy memory,” T’Pess said reassuringly. “I am not here to learn anything you do not wish to share.”
Jane picked a memory and suddenly she was in the dream again, only this time she could see Spock, as a small boy, where she had been last time.
“It is called a Christmas tree,” Amanda said with a smile.
“It is alive,” Spock observed.
“Your Uncle and cousins went into the forest and cut it down.”
“Illogical.”
“Traditions do not have to be logical, Spock,” his mother said. “Now we decorate it.”
“For what purpose?”
Amanda looked thoughtful for a moment. “So that we may spend time with those we care about, and so that we may share this will them.”
“Very well,” Spock said and pushed the string holding a glass ball onto the tree branch.
“Jane,” T’Pess said. “I am about to end the memory.”
Jane nodded even as she watched Spock disappear. She felt the loss; she had never had a Christmas like that one, not even when she was older and lived with George while he was studying. They were in the yellow room again but this time Jane could see a green chain, links so small she could barely tell them apart, tied to her wrist.
“What is that?”
T’Pess looked at the chain and then at Jane. “It is a Vulcan bond; this connects your mind, your soul, to that of Spock. It was created at your first meeting, when you reached for him as he passed out. It was not intentional, however for its lack of bulk it is surprisingly strong.”
“A bond?”
“When you touched him his shields were compromised due to the gas. His mental barriers were not in place. Your mind, which is very interesting by the way, is incredibly compatible with Spock’s. His katra recognised yours and reached out for it and yours responded, gripping him tight. A katra is a Vulcan’s living essence - their memories and soul. His recognised a mate…a twin in yours and they reached for one another, forming the bond you see. Through this bond, your memories have passed. It is something I have only read about in poems from before Surak’s reformation. It is a bond that is revered by Vulcans as much as it is believed to be a myth.”
“Why?”
“There has not been a case of spontaneous bonding…no, that is not an accurate description, though the bonding was spontaneous, which is unique in and of itself. Vulcans do not bond spontaneously and you need to understand that Spock did not know this bond existed because it is outside of his own experience and he did not form the bond. There has been no proof of a bond that is spontaneous, that is self-replicating, that maintains and strengthens itself since before Vulcans discovered the path of logic. You are highly compatible and therefore your katras wanted you to know one another better.”
“The bond is self-replicating?” Jane tried to get her mind around everything she had been told. The yellow room around her seemed to be slowly filling with pale green clouds. She looked up at them and somehow knew that they were a manifestation of her own confusion.
“A full bond allows the two minds to communicate, to share words and images and feelings, however it has to be left open and nurtured to that strength. Your bond is seeking more from Spock. Your katra calls to Spock’s and as neither of you were aware of the bond, nor knew one another, it did so in the only way it could - through your subconscious mind during sleep.”
“My mind calls out to him?”
“Yes.”
“So,” Jane said sitting down in her own brain. “I have a bond with Spock that neither of us asked for, is considered a myth by actual Vulcans and it wants us to share our souls and memories?”
“Simplistically put, but yes.”
“I need to get out of here.”
“Of course.” T’Pess pulled away from Jane’s mind and Jane ran her hands over her face.
“What did you discover?” Spock asked.
“The same as we discovered in your mind. Your katras are bonded. The bond is thin, but very strong and they call to one another. You have a Katra Bond.”
“They are myth.”
“I have been into your minds, you are bonded. Your katras reached for one another and were able to share your memories. What would you call it, Spock?”
“Katra Bonds exist only in pre-reform poetry.”
“And I would invite you to visit any Vulcan healer and tell them what you have told me. They would agree with me.”
“Could the bond be broken?”
“Bonds can be broken?” Jane cut in. She hadn’t needed to be involved in their conversation as she tried to work out how she felt about everything she had been told. It was the same one she and T’Pess had had in her mind but this she needed to know.
“It is strong. It would take a great healer and time to sever though I could not guarantee it would not do you, Spock, harm.”
“So we might be able to break it?” Jane asked.
“You do not understand,” T’Pess said. “The bond you share is sacred. To severe it would be a loss to both of you.”
“Except we did not choose this,” Jane pointed out.
“And yet you were attracted to him from the moment you saw him, even before the bond. Should you not perhaps give this time?”
Jane looked at Spock and then back to T’Pess. “Of course I was attracted to him, have you seen him? But what you are talking about is permanent.”
“Yes.”
“We do not need to bond further,” Spock said. “I know of its existence now and, if you wish it to be so, I will block the connection.”
T’Pess shook her head at them both.
“Will that injure either of us?” Jane asked.
“No,” Spock said. “Though I believe that T’Pess is correct. We have very compatible katras and spending time together may alleviate some of your fears.”
“It won’t make it stronger?”
“Only if I open the connection or we were to meld,” Spock said.
“Should you enter into a meld,” T’Pess said. “Should you go through your time, Spock, or choose to complete the marriage bond it would be impossible to sever.”
“I understand,” Spock said.
“That is permanent,” Jane said. “I don’t do well with permanent.”
“I know,” Spock said. “I shall keep the bond closed.”
“Thank you.” Jane said and felt that old claustrophobic need for air. She had never minded tight spaces but things like this made her itchy. “I want to leave if we do not need to do anything else.”
“We do not,” Spock said. “I thank you, Healer T’Pess, for your time.”
“You are welcome,” T’Pess said. “I am available should either of you have questions or require assistance.”
“Thank you,” Jane said, standing up.
Spock followed her as they left the Vulcan healer and Spock walked Jane back to her accommodation.
“I just need a couple of days,” Jane said. “I don’t know what to think at the moment.”
“Take all the time you require,” Spock said. “If you have any questions please contact me. I shall forward you the contact information for Healer T’Pess in case you require it.”
“Thanks,” Jane said before she left him to enter her apartment building.
/ \ / \ / \ / \
Spock walked back to his apartment slowly, ensuring that the thin chain to Jane in his mind was securely behind a wall.
/ / / Getting To Know You \ \ \
“Spock,” Jane said two days later in the commissary. “May I join you?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks,” Jane said with a smile. “I don’t know about this whole permanent mental bond, but everything I know about you makes me want to know more.”
“You know almost everything there is to know.”
“I feel like I cheated to get that information, though,” Jane admitted.
“You did not.”
Jane smiled. “I would like to get to know you better.”
“I believe you play chess.”
“I do,” Jane said. “Though I wonder if either of us can win when we know how the other was taught.”
“I shall endeavour to not use the information against you.”
“Thank you,” Jane said after a loud laugh. “I have a roommate, could we meet in your rooms?”
“Of course.” Spock said. “I have been given lodgings in the visiting lecturer accommodation building. Room 602. 1900 hours?”
“Sounds good,” Jane stood up. “Sorry, I have to be getting to my next class.”
“Of course.”
/ / / Chess \ \ \
Chess became a weekly ritual. They would meet and discuss their lives. Jane suggested the discussion. Spock could see little logic in sharing what she already knew, however, she was not as comfortable with telepathy as he was and needed this tangible conversation. He could understand that.
Spock found her illogical use of tactics in chess confusing. He beat her more than she won, however she never employed tactics when they would be logical. It was both interesting and confusing.
Spock told Jane about his mother. He told her about his pet sehlat and he told her about his time on the Prometheus. He did not speak about his father or his time as a child at school.
Jane told him about her brother. She told him about her time moving around America after she graduated high school. She did not mention her parents or the rest of her childhood.
A month after they were informed of the bond Jane insisted he accompany her to the Chess Club. As he was neither faculty nor student he did not feel it was appropriate to attend, however Jane was insistent.
Spock had not expected to see Dr McCoy at a chess club meeting.
“Jane,” McCoy said. “Spock.”
“Hey, Bones,” Jane said smiling up at the frowning doctor. “You owe me five dollars.”
“Why?”
“Because I bet her she couldn’t get you to come to a meeting,” Bones grumbled as he handed the money over. “To be honest, I just didn’t think the two of you were friends.”
“We are,” Jane said before Spock could comment. He did not amend her statement. He was satisfied with her friendship. She was different from him in many ways, but the more time he spent with her the more he found himself wanting to spend even more time with her. He knew it was not the bond causing him to desire her. He knew she worried that it was.
For the first time since Leila Kalomi, Spock wondered if perhaps he would be suited to a bond with a human. But only this human. Only Jane Kirk.
Spock pushed the thoughts away. She did not want anything but his friendship and it was illogical to want something one could not have. He would wait for her to make a decision about the bond and he would honour her decision. Until then, he would be her friend.
TBC...
Part 03
Part 04
Part 05