I am hoping to end this in the very near future. By tomorrow, I hope. But here is the next part. I think there will be only one more part, probably a little longer than these last two have been.
This, too, when it is finished, will conclude the whole series at last, which began in 2013. You get to read the end here first, before I post it on A03, as my special friends. Thank you.
Though Suvoc wanted to take Jim to the healers immediately, Spock knew that Jim would need some food and rest before facing another ordeal. And Spock knew with the disease that ravaged Jim’s mind, any deviation, any change, anything really, could prove too much for his fragile mate.
So they first settled in where they would be staying, Sarek’s old house, for Sarek had been gone for years now, himself, and where Suvoc and Ronan now lived when they were on New Vulcan.
It occurred to Spock to wonder at what point it could be simply called Vulcan, as there was only the one Vulcan now, though it would never be the true Vulcan, his true homeland, of his youth, of his people, his ancestors.
When Spock presented Jim with a bowl of freshly made Plomeek soup, Jim stared down at it. “Do I like it?”
“Yes, Jim. Over the years you have expressed a fondness for it.”
Jim nodded and scooped up a spoonful.
Spock moved over to where Suvoc hovered. Ronan had left them alone to spend time together.
“How did you manage to get him back so quickly to himself?” Spock asked.
“When I touched him, I made contact with his skin, under his shirt, and connected our minds,” Suvoc replied.
Spock exhaled. “That is my method. But there is a time, when it will likely not be enough.”
“I believe such a time will not come, Sa-Mekh.”
“Hope is a dangerous and most illogical desire.”
“And yet, at times, it is all we have,” Suvoc replied. “As you, yourself, have experienced.”
“If this does not work—”
“It will.”
“If it does not.” Spock stopped, shook his head. “Jim and I made a lot of promises to each other in our youth, Suvoc. To not honor them, is to dishonor both of us.”
“Sa-Mekh.”
“In a way, I am pleased you are newly bonded and are building a life with Ronan. It will make things easier.”
Suvoc shook his head. “You speak darkness.”
“The darkness would be the rest of my days without him.”
“I know of your great affection for Father, but—”
“It goes well beyond mere affection. We are T’hy’la. I have no desire to live without him.”
“You will not have to,” Suvoc maintained stubbornly. “For this will work.”
Spock returned to Jim, who was looking more and more exhausted. He sat beside him, peering in to see that he had finished the Plomeek.
Jim smiled at him. “You were right, I liked it.”
“Jim.” He covered Jim’s hand with his. “For now, it is good for you to rest, but in the morning we are going to see the Vulcan healers Suvoc has arranged for you to meet with. Do you remember?”
“Yes,” Jim said. “I remember all of that.”
“Good.”
Jim looked wistful for a moment.
“What is it, T’hy’la?”
“Do you remember, long ago, when we first got together?”
Spock nodded. “I do. Do you?”
The smile returned. “After I was abducted by the Klingons. And you rescued me.” He paused to stare intently at Spock. “You always rescue me.”
“And I always will.”
“I was talking to you about…about being afraid. And you told me even starship captain’s feel fear.”
“Yes,” Spock said, softly. He wondered what Jim was getting at.
Jim turned his hand over so there palms were touching. “You said there was nothing to fear for either of us.”
His chest constricted and Spock nodded. “Yes.”
“It was true then, T’hy’la,” Jim said. “And it’s true now.”
Spock pulled Jim close. “Yes, Ashayam. Yes.”
Spirk (with a small dose of Pinto) 