“Spock! Please. Bones…you have to…”

The voice was distant, far away. And it sounded tinny, hollow.

“It’s all my fault, Bones. You have to save him.”

“Jim I’m doing the best I can. There’s a lot of damage—”

The pain was excruciating. Almost too much to bear. In fact, perhaps…

“God, Bones. I love him so much. Please.”

Love.

Yes. He loved Jim. Jim loved him.

“It’s my fault. I was distracted by this stupid Sam thing and I wasn’t paying attention and he stepped in and saved me. Bones…”

The sounds, the voice, faded as he went into a trance.

“He’s coming around. Jim!”

It was almost impossible to come out of the trance and for a moment, Spock wondered if Leonard or someone would have to strike him. He didn’t think Jim would.

But then with extreme effort, he forced his eyes opened and gasped for breath.

“Spock!”

Jim was there, hovering directly over him, his face pale, his blue eyes huge in his face.

“Jim,” he whispered.

He saw that Jim was crying, and was alarmed, but then Jim leaned down to kiss his lips and Spock tasted his salty tears.

Jim pulled back just a little. “I’m sorry. I’m just so happy you’re okay.”

“I am not sorry,” Spock told him. “I love you as well.”

Jim sucked in a breath. “You heard me?”

“Yes, ashaya.”

“Spock, I’m so sorry you got hurt because of me. I was…”

“It was not your fault. I simply moved too slowly. And if I prevented your death, as I suspect I did, then none of it matters.”

“It matters to me.”

Spock took the hand that Jim offered. “We can discuss all that later and everything else between us. And what is going on with your brother.”

“Yeah, I…” Jim blew out a breath. “It’s nothing compared to this. To you. But yes, I am sure you’re tired and need sleep.”

“Jim! What are you doing? Stop crawling into Spock’s bed with him! Jim!”

Spock simply pulled Jim close and Jim wrapped his arms around Spock, careful not to place them anywhere that might injure Spock.

Spock met the doctor’s eyes, who rolled them, and then sighed.

“Fine. Nobody listens to me.”

He turned down the light and Spock fell asleep in Jim’s arms.  

This concludes this series that began on June 22, 2020