Today we revisit Jim and Spock from It’s Over.

Spock figured he knew where to look. Same place Jim was at the last time they had a fight, sitting on the floor of the library by the books.

But when Spock went there, no Jim.

This agitated Spock to the point he was annoyed. He could not understand why Jim was so unpredictable.

He took out his communicator. “Have you seen him?” he asked without greeting.

“What you do this time, Spock?”

He was very tempted to pinch the bridge of his nose as he’d seen Jim do when he was frustrated.

“Why do you assume I am at fault for our disagreement, doctor?”

“Because you wouldn’t know how to be sensitive if…”

“Is he there?”

“No.”

“Would you tell me if he were?”

“Probably not, but he’s not. Haven’t seen him and he hasn’t contacted me either. I saw him this afternoon over a pepperoni pizza. We were working on the plans for the Christmas in July festivities.”

Spock barely held back his sigh. “That is what the disagreement was over.”

“Oh?”

“He asked me to take part and I said no.”

“Figures.”

Spock shook his head. “It is illogical. Do you have any idea where he might have gone? I looked in the library but…”

“Which?”

“The Academy’s Cadet Library.”

“Nope. You already found him there once. Try the city one. Over on Baker.”

“Spock out.”

This time he did pinch the bridge of his nose and made his way over to the city library. It took him thirty minutes to make it across the city.

He stopped at the main desk just inside the front door. He was aware that most of this library had been digitalized long before and there were very few actual books.

“Where is your book section?” he asked, just short of a demand.

“What subject?”

“Literature and the actual physical books.” Spock paused. “Did a blond man with striking blue eyes come in here?”

The lady shrugged. “Beats me, honey. Literature books are on the second floor way in the back. Just a couple shelves.”

Spock turned and headed for the stairs rather than the lift. He followed the signs to the literature section and sure enough, Jim was seated on the floor, knees pulled up to his chest. He was staring at Spock as he approached.

“I have been looking for you.”

“Guess you found me.”

Spock’s jaw tightened. “I checked the Academy Library.”

“You said I was too predictable before.”

“Clearly I was wrong and you are most maddening.”

Jim tilted his head back to gaze up at Spock as he looked down on him. “Is it over again?”

“I do not know what about my face right now leads you to believe in anyway that I am amused,” Spock said carefully.

“Oh, believe me, I’m well aware you’re fucking pissed. But so am I.” Jim waved his hand. “Fuck off.”

Spock sucked in a breath. “This is not the way to communicate between two people in a relationship. We should talk. Not resort to indelicacies.”

“Fine. Fine. Sorry. I’m sorry I just said that. You’re just…I want to rip the bangs…”

“Simply because I do not want to take part in the ridiculous Christmas in July celebration.”

“No, not because of that. But because the absolute derision and disrespect with which you spoke to me,” Jim said. “What are you going to do if I become your captain?”

“That is a big if.”

“Spock.”

“Will you get off the ground, please?”

Jim nodded and held out his hand. Spock leaned down, grasped it and pulled Jim to his feet and into his arms. He didn’t miss Jim’s gasp of surprise.

“I love you,” Spock said simply. “I know that I never say it and that you continue to doubt that I feel that way, but I do. I will always love you even if I fail to say it. I was in a bad mood and perhaps I was unkinder than I should have been.”

“Perhaps?” Jim pulled back to look at him. But then he sighed. “I could see you were frazzled and distracted, and I barreled right through it and you and shot my mouth off anyway.”

Spock exhaled and leaned his forehead against Jim’s. “This is what I meant when I said couples should communicate. Jim, I apologize for not behaving well earlier and my heated words when we argued. You are correct, you deserve better.”

“And I’m sorry too. For being ridiculously human again and for taking your words way too deeply and not staying after we fought.”

“I do wish you didn’t run away after every disagreement.”

“Not every one.”

“Jim.”

Jim grinned and kissed him. “I love you too. So much. But you know that. And I’m sorry I bombarded you with Christmas in July the minute you stepped into the apartment. You don’t have to participate.”

“Thank you.” He kissed Jim back. “Are you ready to go home?”

“I so am.” Jim grabbed his hand. “Let’s go.”

“And Jim? It will never be over.”