“Captain?”

He’d almost called out Jim, but Spock was still somewhat unsure how far their friendship had progressed and though Kirk had once or twice told Spock it was fine to use his first name, and Spock had even done so a few times, there was something about Jim’s stance as he stood by the observation window that made him abort and switch to captain.

Still Jim turned to him with a warm, welcoming smile.

“Is there a problem with the ship, Mr. Spock?”

It was said cheerfully yet Spock detected an edge behind it. It was perplexing and he couldn’t have explained why it seemed strange.

“Negative. It was for a more personal matter that I sought you out.”

“Yeah?” He stepped over slightly to allow Spock to stand beside him. “I’ve heard you pretty much threw our counterparts right in the brig the minute they beamed aboard.”

“It was not as quickly as that, but it did not take long. They were very confused by what they encountered and unlike your party found themselves unable to adapt to their new surroundings. It took them quite a long time to guess they were no longer in the universe they had known.”

Kirk nodded. “I’m sure it was a shock considering what they were used to.”

“And yet you kept your cool and managed to do a very good job of blending in there.”

“Mm. I think it’s easier to play barbaric than civilized.”

“You may be correct.”

His captain smiled. “Was there anything else?”

Spock felt confused. He blew out a long breath. “None of that was of a personal nature,” he said carefully.

“No?” Kirk looked genuinely quizzical and that made two of them. “What then? You need a leave or something?”

“A leave? I do not. This does not concern me personally, but rather you.”

Kirk laughed then. “Me?”

“You have not said much about your experience in the other universe. I wished to know if you need…if there is someone you would like to confide in regarding your experience.”

Kirk didn’t respond for a long time and in fact he had turned away from Spock to gaze out at the stars.

“If you suffered abuse—”

“I didn’t.” The words were a soft whisper. “It wasn’t like that at all.”

“What was it like? The others implied the Terran Empire was ruthless and brutal.”

“Yes, it was. As far as I could tell, the Terran Empire is ruled by cruel and violent Humans who desire power above all things. Life means nothing to them. Not their own nor anyone else’s.”

“But you did not experience this firsthand?”

“I might have.”

“You…might have?”

“But he protected me.”

Spock frowned. “Who? I do not understand, Captain.”

Jim gave him a ghost of a smile and shook his head. “I know you don’t. And that’s why I haven’t said anything. In that universe, there never was a Nyota. Not for him.”

Spock tilted his head.

“Spock protected me in that universe. We were lovers.” 

*While I hope to finish this little story this week, please note that I will be gone Thursday-Sunday for my nephew’s Vegas wedding so there are simply no guarantees. If it’s not, you can expect it to be next week. *