“So much for the Valentine’s Day party,” Jim mumbled.
Spock was certain he could not have heard his captain correctly. After all they were stranded in cave in a snowstorm on a formerly hostile planet waiting for a rescue they both knew would take some time.
And that was not by far the worst of it.
“You are injured and need medical attention and we are in a cave trying not to freeze to death and your main concern is a ridiculous frivolous inappropriate festivity on the Enterprise that you will now be unable to attend,” Spock snapped.
Jim, face almost as white as the snow falling outside the cave, grimaced. “Well, when you put it that way…”
Spock relented slightly as he had no desire to be waspish to his captain. He clamped his lips shut for a moment as he continued to set up their shelter.
Concern for Jim’s injury was making him—as Jim would say—cranky. Spock got the fire going and then turned to the emergency blankets. He wrapped one completely around his captain, who now eyed him silently.
Once Spock was certain Jim was as comfortable as possible, he set the emergency beacon near the cave entrance so the Enterprise would get their signal when they were able to return after the storm.
He then approached Jim to check on his injured leg.
“You should join me in these blankets next to the fire, Spock.”
He intended to as soon as he ascertained Jim’s state. He crouched down to look at the blaster burn below Jim’s left knee. The material of his pants had been burned away, the flesh was a sickly charred mess and there was caked blood visible.
Jim’s pained gaze met his. “Looks gross huh?”
Spock pursed his lips. “I have seen worse,” he tried to say lightly and failed. “I would feel better if the doctor were here.”
“You want Bones to be along? Boy, I must be in bad shape.”
“I will give you some pain medication, Captain.”
Jim nodded. “All right. Then come in here with me.”
Spock injected Jim with the medication from the medkit in their emergency pack, and then watched Jim’s face to see the relief appearing there.
“Better?”
“Yeah, thanks.”
Spock then, having seen to everything he needed on behalf of himself and his captain, joined Jim by the fire in the emergency blankets.
For a moment, Jim stayed stiff and straight beside him, but after a time, he slowly leaned into Spock, his strength waning.
“Why are you so disappointed not to attend the Valentine’s party?”
“I’m not that disappointed, really. Just…” He blew out a breath. “I intended to make a big grand gesture there to my Valentine.”
“I see.” Spock put his arm around Jim’s shoulders to draw him closer against him for shared warmth. “I do not believe your Valentine needs grand gestures.”
Jim sagged further against him. “Are you mad at me?”
“Of course I am not. I apologize for snapping at you earlier. I am…concerned.”
“I know, but we’ll be rescued eventually.”
“Yes,” Spock agreed. “But it disturbs me when you are in pain.”
“It’s not that bad,” Jim whispered.
“I can see that it is, T’hy’la.” Spock closed his eyes for a moment. “What grand gesture?”
Jim chuckled softly. “I was going to propose.”
Spock nodded. “Very well. I accept.”
“Yeah? You do?”
“Of course, Jim. I would bond with and marry you. I do not need a frivolous party for such a thing.”
He felt Jim’s smile. Not physically, but in his mind, and Spock blew out a breath of his own.
“I think bonding will be quite easy.”
“Yeah?”
Spock took his hand and held it. “I am certain of it.”
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 