tushanshu | oo1

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[ It's a little too late to adhere to that whole non-interference clause of the Prime Directive, being the subject of an alien-napping and all, so here is Spock in all his pointy-eared glory. Looking as straight-faced as possible. Unlike Kirk, he didn't part from their meeting and then drink himself under a table, he stayed up all night watching network conversations and Sciencing. It would be illogical to... wallow, and he refuses to acknowledge that he even has the urge. ] ... Fascinating.

[ For such ancient technology, this thing appears remarkably serviceable. ] Greetings. I am Commander Spock, of the United Federation of Planets. If I understand correctly, then you are my fellow... detainees. [ There, that's politic enough. ] I would like to request information on what is being done with the crashed satellite debris. In return, I may be of some assistance in constructing something useful from it, as I am familiar with this level of technology.

In addition, any information on the turtle itself would be appreciated; the scans I have taken of the creature only tell me so much, and the indigenous people seem... disinclined to reply to my queries.

[ Aaaand he'll just give a sharp nod and the Vulcan Salute on his way out. ]

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[ Spock would be totally heart-warmed if he weren't a bloody Vulcan. Instead he feels mildly suspicious of this next topic of conversation. ]

There is proper attire. [ can it even be considered a question when it's delivered that deadpan? ]

Well, I swim naked but I'm not going to ask you to follow my gallant example. You're a little shy, I get that, it's fine.

But, uh. Yeah. You and me, we should. Go shopping maybe. Tomorrow. Is tomorrow good for you, because tomorrow's good for me.

[ Spock's eyebrow goes up, but he makes no effort to correct Kirk's assumption. Shy. ]

I-- as of yet have no plans. [ he could not sound more suspicious if he tried ]

Awesome. It's a date. Don't forget, Spock, or you'll need to bring me flowers to make up for it and I think that would really tick Uhura off.

Lieutenant Uhura is not present, Captain.

I know.

[And then, a little more seriously,]

I know she's not. And I miss her. Isn't that weird? Like I'm pretty sure she'd just yell at me and tell me I'm an idiot and all but I miss her. I miss everyone. Scotty and Chekov and Sulu and-- damn, my whole bridge crew.

[ Pretty sure they miss you more, Jim. Because none of them are ever going to see you again and they know it.

But Spock isn't going to actually say that.

Instead he just pointedly stops looking at his screen. ] How long have you been present in this dimension?

[Sometimes he has no idea what to do with Spock. Maybe in another world, another time, when they've spent more than a year just learning how to exist around each other, Jim knows what to say. Because he knows what Spock's thinking, he does. He can't not know, because as much as they're different, they're similar, too.

Sometimes (not often) Jim wishes he were capable of turning off his emotions.]

Don't do that, Spock. So I died, so what? I told you I'm going to fix it, right? I'll just make sure you come with me. I've been thinking about it, and I mean-- it's not like having Spock Senior around has caused the universe to implode or anything. Adding a third version wouldn't hurt anything, I bet it'd be a big help to your people. I'd be doing them a favour.

[LITERALLY LAYING EVERY CHIP DOWN ON THE TABLE AS BRIBERY RIGHT NOW. Then, almost grudgingly,]

About a standard month. Give or take a couple days, I haven't been paying too much attention.

[ Spock finally looks back, jaw setting. It sounds good, it does, but he's Spock and he can't just ever let himself be happy. Happy is not Vulcan, or logical, or-- ] Captain. [ There's a thick pause. ] Jim. I cannot abandon the current timeline for sentimental reasons. [ It will not cease to exist just because they're no longer there. He has a duty. He's the first officer, he picks up the pieces, even if he loses some of his own along the way. ] You know this.

[And he knew that. He knew that would be Spock's answer, because he plays by the rules, adheres to the Prime Directive, is willing to die to keep to the straight and narrow.

It's who he is.

And who Jim is, conversely, is someone who looks at all that and says, fuck it.]

We'll make it work.

[ Spock stubbornly doesn't want hope. Whatever fleeting comfort that can be offered here will not make better what he will face upon his return.

He knows when he goes back he will have killed a man with his bare hands to satisfy an emotional need for revenge, and what's worse is that he doesn't even think he'll regret it. He's ruined, and whatever world Kirk is going to make - because he can, because he has to - he will need a better Spock there to hold him together. ] There are no-win scenarios.

[FINGERPOINT. Jim's actually angry, it shows in the lines of his shoulders and the set of his jaw and the sharpness of his focus.]

Bullshit there are.

[It depends on how you define winning.]

You know I'm not leaving you behind. I'm going to make this better and you are going to shut your mouth and deal with it. You don't get to just roll over and accept this whole weird idea of destiny you've got, Spock. All or nothing. We've been changing the game since all this even started. Nothing's impossible. Nothing. And if you can't accept that, I will order you to.

[BECAUSE THAT'S LOGICAL, JIM. RLY.]

You cannot just- [ But he's Kirk, so of course he can. Spock flounders for just a second in the face of that, all that, but his frustration bleeds through anyway.

This is the guy who bitched you out for saving his life Jim, sorry you have to deal. ] The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. [ Or the needs of the two. ]

We've given enough!

[Oops, is he shouting? Let him just. Reiterate that, then. A little quieter.]

We've both given enough. To Starfleet, to the universe-- it owes us a favour, and I'm going to collect on it.

[ Spock wants to say: it doesn't work like that. There is no give and take.

But even he can see how badly Jim needs this. Jim who (after all this time, after all Spock showed him) still doesn't believe in not being able to win through sheer force of will.

Spock needs it too but he won't admit that to himself. ]

You do not even have a plan.

Says who?

[He will fight you, bro. He totally has a plan.]

[ Things Spock didn't see coming: that. ]

Then what is your plan?

[Shrugs.]

Does it even matter? When've my plans ever let you down, Spock? Just-- let me worry about this, okay?

Captain, it is my duty as First Officer to [ try and talk you out of ] evaluate your plans.

And as we've established I pretty much never listen to you anyway, I'm just saving both of us this-- [hand gestures] unnecessary step.

[He exhales. Drags a hand through his hair. He's thinking of the conversation he saw in Spock's mind just before he and Khan went off to Marcus' ship.]

Just... trust me, Spock. Please.

[ Spock just. Looks at the Captain's image on his console, like he's searching for some answer to a question nobody asked.

He does trust Kirk. So much more than he should. It's downright illogical, and not even slightly Vulcan of him.

And he cares, which is arguably even worse. ]

You are putting undue strain on yourself. [ Which is as close as Spock gets to admitting he's worried. ]

[Maybe it's a mark of just how tired he is that he doesn't really argue it. All the bravado is gone, overridden, overwritten. He's not invincible anymore, not in the way he used to be. But he's still got all the will and determination and drive of someone who thinks he is.

Maybe that's the difference.

So he smiles, but it's a little bit wry.]

Comes with the chair.

It is my job to relieve that strain, Captain, not add to it. [ Because if Jim burns himself out on this, then they're back where they started. ]

[Mock-aghast,]

Commander, is that a come-on?

[ OMFG JIM DON'T RUIN tHIS MOMENT ]

Really, Captain.

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