This week’s prompt: Thinking he is hallucinating Spock, Jim confesses his feelings.
Jim was dying.
No, he really was.
He’d gotten separated from the landing party on the planet M-23. Hours had passed and no matter how much he tried to contact Spock and the others or the Enterprise, he was unsuccessful.
To make matters worse he had been confronted by a huge creature who’d managed to sting him and poison him just before Jim killed it.
Which, of course, was why he was dying.
The poison was working through his system. He’d had water so he’d done his best to stay hydrated but he knew his time was limited. He was weakening.
Jim staggered to his knees and then lay on the ground near the shelter he’d managed to build for himself before all his strength was gone. Night was coming on the planet and according to their information, the temperature could drop by a number of degrees. He pulled a blanket around him and shivered.
How long did he have? Enough time for them to find him? Probably not.
Jim flipped open his communicator. “Kirk to Enterprise. Come in, Enterprise.”
Nothing.
“Captain’s log. Stardate…stardate…oh hell. I don’t know.”
“Hello Jim.”
Jim startled up into a half sitting position as he stared at the man who suddenly appeared before him. He’d never seen the man. Not in person. And yet—
“Dad?”
“That’s right, champ. Surprised to see me?”
“Well, yeah. You’re dead.”
Fake Dad chuckled. Because yeah, he was rational enough to know he wasn’t rational.
“This is a fine mess you’ve gotten yourself into, son.”
“Yeah.”
“Doubt you’ll pull a rabbit out of your hat this time.”
Jim frowned. “What’s that mean, Dad?”
“You’re all out of magic, Jim.”
While Jim was staring at his Dad he morphed into Pike. And Jim felt his heart clench.
“Hey.”
“You’ll get through this, Jim,” Fake Pike said. “I believe in you.”
Jim’s eyes welled with tears. “I’m not going to make it this time.”
“Your blind luck ran out, huh, kid?”
Jim closed his eyes and when he opened them again he saw Spock kneeling beside him. Well, Fake Spock obviously.
“Hey.”
“Captain.”
“Listen, since I’m dying and you’re in my head anyway, I have to tell you something.”
“Captain, this is not the time.”
“It is the time, Fake Spock,” Jim insisted as Fake Spock began pulling at him. “Last time I was dying I tried to tell you the truth but you just insisted on all that friend shit.”
“Jim—”
“I’m in love with you, Fake Spock. I have been for a long time. And I know you don’t feel the same way. I know you’re with Uhura. But what the hell have I got to lose now? You aren’t even real.”
Fake Spock flipped open his communicator. “Spock to Enterprise. I have found the captain.”
“And God, you’re just so sexy. I want to kiss you for hours. And I want you to shove me onto the bed and just—”
“Captain,” Fake Spock said sharply. Then he said into his communicator. “Energize.”
Jim reappeared in Fake Spock’s arms in the transporter room. “Wow, this looks so real.”
Suddenly the Vulcan disappeared and was replaced by a very pale looking human. “Hey! It’s Fake Bones now.”
“I got you, Jim. You’re going to be okay. You’re going to be fine.”
“I don’t feel so good.”
“Come on. Stay with us, Jim. Stay with us. Jim!”
****
Jim woke to the sound of beeping equipment.
The medbay.
And he was in a biobed, hooked up.
Again.
He felt weak. Wiped out. But alive.
The more he became aware, the more he realized.
Oh fuck. Fake Spock was Real Spock. Jim, you are so damn stupid.
“Jim, you’re awake,” Bones said, appearing by his side. He brushed Jim’s sweaty hair from his forehead. “How do you feel?”
“A little…weird. Feel like I don’t have much strength.”
“You’ll probably feel that way for a few days. That poison really did a number on you. Any longer and we would have lost you. We almost did.”
Jim nodded, licking his lips. “Dry.”
Bones popped some ice into Jim’s mouth.
“How’d you find me?”
“The hobgoblin. He went a little nuts trying to locate you. And it’s a damn good thing he did. You’re going to be here three days at least. You hungry?”
“I could use a steak,” Jim joked.
“Fat chance. I’ll bring you some beef broth.”
Bones walked away and Jim blew out a breath.
How the fuck was he going to make this right with Spock? He hadn’t ever intended to make Spock uncomfortable with his stupid one-sided declarations. He wasn’t real! Damn it.
The hair on the back of his neck stood up and Jim knew that Spock was there. Somehow he always knew when Spock was near.
“Captain,” Spock said softly.
“Hi, Commander.” Yeah, keep it cool, Jim. Use his rank right back at him.
“You look remarkably better than the last time I saw you.”
Jim smiled in spite of himself. “Yeah, I bet. Thanks to you. Again.”
“What else could I do? I had to ensure that you would keep your promise to me.”
Jim blinked. Searched his memories. “Promise?”
Spock’s eyes darkened. “That I would be able to shove you onto the bed and just—”
“Uh.” Jim felt himself blush.
“You must recover before I am able to do so.”
“Spock I—”
Spock put two fingers on Jim’s flushed face. “You must rest, ashayam.”
“Wait.” He licked his lips. “Doesn’t that mean—?”
“Yes.”
“Spock,” Jim whispered, reverently.
Spock leaned down, his eyes closed, and kissed Jim’s mouth.
Jim’s eyes were shining as his lips curved into a smile. “Are you sure you aren’t Fake Spock?”
Spock’s eyebrow arched. “I am sure, my illogical captain.”
“I’ll keep the real one then.” His eyes were drifting closed.
“Doctor, I think the broth will have to wait.”
“Sleeping beauty,” Bones murmured. “You staying? Scotty on the bridge?”
“Yes. And I am staying. There is nowhere else for me.”
“Lovebirds.”
“What, doctor?”
“That’s good. That’s good, Spock. I’ll just be over there.”
Jim smiled, eyes still closed. “Love you.”
Spock’s fingers ghosted over Jim’s brow. “Sleep, Captain. I love you too.”
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 