Time for a January flash. I’m not a fan of the “aliens made them do it” trope, but eh this one came to me.

Jim glanced at his first officer’s profile as they stood next to each other in the turbolift.

The atmosphere in the lift was artic.

“Are we going to talk about it?”

“Talk about what?”

Gritting his teeth, Jim stepped forward, beyond Spock and pulled the lever to stop the lift.

“You know what!”

“Captain—”

“Oh my God. Less than twelve hours ago we were—”

“I would rather not discuss it, sir.”

Jim clamped his mouth shut. He should let it go. Maybe. But he wasn’t going to.

He moved to stand directly in front of Spock. He crossed his arms in front of his chest so he wouldn’t look as vulnerable as he felt.

“Look. None of this was your fault. Or mine. Those bastards on the planet, they were responsible. And as far as I’m concerned after this we don’t have to talk about it again. But I know you probably feel bad about Uhura so…”

“Lieutenant Uhura and I are no longer engaged in a relationship.”

Jim frowned. Did he know that?

“Um. Yeah? How long ago?”

Spock’s expression was frosty. “Two months ago.”

“Oh.” Jim nodded, feeling disoriented. “Still she probably would be, um, bothered.”

“There is no reason she would be.”

“Well, okay. You know her better than me. Anyway, Spock, I just wanted to acknowledge that you might be feeling guilty or something, and you shouldn’t.”

“I was not forced to do anything I did not want to do.”

Jim snorted. “That’s a lie. Aren’t Vulcans supposed to be truthful?”

Spock gave him a look. “I did not speak falsely. I was indeed forced.”

“But—”

“However, it was something I wanted to do,” Spock said. “Not under those circumstances, of course.”

Jim opened his mouth, closed it, opened it. Stared at Spock’s raised eyebrow.

There was only one thing to do now, he decided.

He pushed Spock against the bulkhead and fused their lips together, threading his fingers in Spock’s silky dark hair while he was at it.

Jim was delighted when Spock kissed him back.

The boatswain’s whistle sounded in the turbolift.

“Security to Captain Kirk. The turbolift you’re riding in has been stopped for several minutes, Captain. Do you need assistance? Repeat—”

Jim sighed against Spock’s mouth but when he went to pull away, Spock drew him back, kissing him fiercely.

“Captain Kirk? Sir?”

He rolled his eyes, kissed Spock’s nose and went to the intercom.

“Kirk here.”

“Giotto, Captain. Has your turbolift malfunctioned?”

“No. I mean, yeah, for a second, but it’s okay now. Everything’s fine. Kirk out.” He restarted the lift. Glanced at Spock. “My quarters or yours?”

“We are still on duty.”

“Damn.” Jim grimaced. “Tonight then?”

The turbolift doors opened on a deck and standing outside of it was Sulu and Uhura.

Jim smiled and got out as they got in. Spock didn’t move. “I look forward to it,” Spock said as the doors closed once more.