Title: “Easy Does It” - Under the Sun series part IV Author: T'Thrill Series: TOS Romance Code: S/K/Mc, Mc/Sarek Rating: NC-17 m/m

This is the fourth story in the Under The Sun series. If you have not read, “Starlights”, “Life is but a Dream” and “The Burning Sands”, you may want to do so. You can find them posted on my website, T’Thrill’s Den of Trek Delights - http://geocities.datacellar.net/tthrill1612/

Disclaimer: Copyright 2000 by T'Thrill/ Revision 2002. This is an original work of amateur fiction based on Star Trek. This work makes "fair use" of Star Trek copyrighted material; it is not intended to infringe on the intellectual property rights of Paramount, Viacom or other owners of copyright in Star Trek or any of their assignees or licensees. The author's copyright extends only to the original material in this work.

Warning: This story contains very explicit m/m sex. If you are not interested in and/or offended by such things, you will find reading this a complete waste of your time so please move on. If you are under 18 years of age, please move on.

Archive: ASCEML and COCO only, provided headers and disclaimers are intact. All others please ask. Email me - TThrill1612@aol.com

Acknowledgment: To Selek, who has led me through the rewrite of this series and who I could never repay for all the time and interest he has shown. Thank you, my friend!

Summary: Kirk and McCoy have been bonded to Spock for about five years; Kirk as a full bondmate and McCoy as sko’tan, a bondmate through a lighter bond. This story falls between the ST:TMP and ST:TWOK.

There is a danger to one of the newer planets that have joined the Federation. A planet that Sarek has worked hard to bring under the Federation flag. Now that planet is in trouble and he needs McCoy to accompany him on the mission.

“Easy Does It”

Chapter 1

The comm unit beeped.

"Kirk," James T. Kirk, Admiral and Chief of Starfleet Operations, answered the comm signal blandly.

"Admiral, you are receiving a transmission from Ambassador Sarek, of Vulcan. Sir, it’s coded at level R-3." Lieutenant Commander Daniel Moricy was used to high-level communiqué's coming through to his chief. After serving as Jim’s assistant for over twelve years, he had learned to expect only the unexpected. For eight years he had had to hold down the fort, so to speak, during many situations that took Kirk away, sometimes for extended periods of time, to deal with some catastrophe or other that was occurring in the galaxy. But things had quieted down a lot in this last year. Admiral Kirk had accepted a promotion to Admiral, Grade III, and a seat as one of the Joint Chiefs’. Jim had also had been spending more and more time instructing at the Academy. He kept making noises about ‘being too old to gallivant around the galaxy’.

Late one evening as they were enjoying drinks together, Dan had pointed out to Jim that at age forty-nine, he was at the age that most were just receiving their first full command. But trying to convince this man who, by all standards, had achieved more than anyone who had come before that he was far from over the hill was impossible. Dan thought Jim’s decision to remain groundside had something to do with the decommission of the Enterprise. She would still be in service, but was being put through an extensive refit to serve as a training vessel instead of a long-range ship. There seemed to be a connection between Kirk and the Enterprise. As if by taking her out of service because of her age, he, too, was feeling old. He had always heard there was a special connection between a ship and her commander, but since he’d never taken a position where extended travel was necessary, Dan had never experienced this firsthand.

He was certain that Kirk’s partners, especially Dr. McCoy, felt it was a mistake for Jim to accept the promotion. In a loud screaming match, which the solid door of the Admiral’s office was not fully capable of silencing, the doctor had made his opinion abundantly clear. And, even after these six months since that scene took place, there still seemed to be some tension between them. Secretly, Dan hoped that this message was the one that would blast Jim out of his chair and send him off on a mission that would put the sparkle back in his eyes. That was what Dan missed the most. The energy and enthusiasm that used to surround the man he had come to call friend.

Jim had been pouring through disk after disk of regulations and had become quite bored. Suddenly boredom didn’t seem so bad. An R-3 was reserved for communiqués that dealt only with disasters of a galactic proportion. And if Sarek was involved, this meant serious trouble. The Ambassador wouldn’t contact him over something trivial. He became instantly alert.

"Ambassador, this is Jim. What’s wrong?"

"Admiral Kirk, I have been in contact with the Federation Council. We have an incident in sector C-119. The planetary core of Bakswana-6 has become unstable. According to the latest estimates, the planet's axis is becoming compromised and will be thrown out of its orbit within the year. A small moon orbiting the planet was destroyed due to the shifting gravitational forces. The result is a debris field that is already affecting Bakswana-7. Unless a solution is found, evacuation efforts will have to be instituted. I do not need to explain to you what the ramifications would be if the Federation suffers a loss of this magnitude, in this quadrant."

"No, you don’t. Sarek, this is disturbing. There are several forces on the outer rim that would like to get a foothold in this sector."

"A sector that the diplomatic community has spent years trying to peacefully organize under the Federation flag.”

“How can I help?”

“I have requested that the Federation deploy equipment and personnel to assist with the immediate needs. I have spoken with President Sho’na as well as Admiral Nogura. They have agreed to send medical assistance as well as transports to service this region. I am requesting that you organize protection against Tovian raiders. The stores of cryogenium are extremely valuable and, until they can be secured, the planet is in great danger from the pirates in that area."

"Sarek, you know I’ll do what I can. But do I understand correctly? Are you advocating a show of force?"

"I am advocating peaceful aid for the populace. The outpost in the region is unprepared for the type of destructive forces that the factions on the other side of the Neutral Zone are capable of. Once the report of this planet's precarious situation is received, there will be no regard for the Bakswani. They will be destroyed so that the cryogenium can be seized. This must be avoided."

"At the risk of war, Ambassador?" Jim was very aware of the value of the mineral found on this planet as well as the importance of protecting the citizens and the region. He was, however, surprised to have Sarek requesting military assistance.

"Admiral,” then his voice softened toward his son’s bondmate, “James, I would hope that there is a non-violent solution to this situation. It is my belief that a Starfleet presence may deter any proposed invasion. The most logical course of action is to protect those who have pledged their allegiance to the cause of peaceful coexistence."

"I agree. It’s been my experience that strength can facilitate peace.” It was a point of disagreement that he and Spock’s father had shared on many occasions over the years. Perhaps he had influenced Sarek after all. “I will contact Admiral Nogura and coordinate our efforts with those rescue procedures already in place.”

"James, there is one other thing that I request."

"What would that be?"

"Due to the debris field that is affecting the solar system, there have been drastic climatic and surface alterations. There are already reports of cataclysmic occurrences resulting in innumerable injuries and deaths. I am requesting that Dr. McCoy accompany me. Although there are medical personnel en route, it is mandatory to have someone to organize these efforts. I believe Leonard McCoy possesses the necessary skills."

"Sarek, I will discuss this with him. However, it won’t be my decision. I’m sure you understand that since the decommission of the Enterprise, and my accepting this position, he’s no longer under my command.”

“Understood. I would appreciate you presenting this to him.”

“When will you be leaving for the Bakswana system?”

"I will be departing in eight point three Standard hours. I will arrive on Denabian in two days and will be boarding a private transport. That will put me on Bakswana-7 in five days. If he is to accompany me, I will arrange his transportation so that we can rendezvous at the Denabian station."

"I’ll talk to him and have him contact you with his decision. Sarek, either way, I wish you the best of luck."

"James, Vulcans do not believe in luck."

The transmission ended, and Jim considered Sarek's request. Sarek was correct that Leonard was the one man who had the knowledge to direct these efforts. As a Starfleet Admiral, he was well aware of Commander Leonard McCoy’s qualifications. However, on a strictly personal note, it scared the hell out of him to think of Bones, his friend and lover, heading into this situation. In addition to the natural disasters, he knew the Bakswani were as rough a race that existed in the Federation. They were boorish, ill tempered and crude. And, as if that were not bad enough, they may have to contend with Tovian pirates. “Shit!” he muttered to the blank view screen.

Jim contacted Admiral Nogura, who was already arranging the transports. Based on James Kirk’s recommendation, he assigned two starships to divert to the Bakswana system. When advised that Ambassador Sarek requested that Dr. McCoy accompany him, Nogura was in full agreement. Actually, he stated, "Jim, I will leave it to your discretion as to the personnel we assign to this mission, however, the importance of aiding the Bakswani and salvaging the cryogenium is a high priority. I would recommend any assistance that Ambassador Sarek requests, be granted."

'Damn!' Jim thought to himself. He realized he was hoping that Nogura would decide that Bones was too valuable to risk on a mission like this. After all, the papers that he’d been publishing these last years on the DNA analysis from his time in the desert had rewritten the history of this planet. Not to mention the fact that he had become very valuable now that he was back full time at the Medical Center. However, on the other hand, the Bakswani were important enough to require the likes of Leonard McCoy.

Knowing this was not a conversation to be had over the comm, and wanting the three of them together when this was discussed, he paged both Bones and Spock and requested that they meet at the apartment.

Chapter 2

“Bones, I advised Sarek that the final decision would have to be up to you. This planet is in danger of annihilation. The reports indicate that there have already been many that are injured or dead. But the hazards associated with this mission are significant.”

“Jim, I’m a doctor. This is what I do. I help where I can. After all, this isn’t the first dangerous assignment I have been on. The two of you are well aware of that. I just wish it wasn’t in the hind-end of space. Bakswana-7? Shit! That sector’s known as the cadet’s graveyard! One too many fuck-ups and you’ll end up on the outpost in sector C-119! There were times that I thought we’d all be shipped out to that area of the galaxy, I just assumed we’d all be going there together.”

“Yeah, Bones, I thought the same thing at times.” It was true that this outpost was where you were sent as a final measure before being busted out of Starfleet altogether. It would either make or break a young officer. They either resigned their commission or returned damned fine command material, much more often the former than the latter.

“Damnit, Jim! I’d much rather go on this mission with you at the helm. This is the very reason that I think you should get your command back!”

“Leonard, we all must attend to the duties that suit us best at the time,” Spock interjected.

“Thank you, Spock! That’s exactly my point! It’s certainly unknown what we’re gonna face out there and Jim has had more experience with the unknown than any captain in the Goddamned fleet! We’ve spent these last years going from one trouble spot to another. Why should this be any different?”

“Excuse me, gentlemen, but I am right here.” Jim sat on the arm of the couch. “And, I believe we have more important matters to discuss than my career choices. Besides, Bones, I’m where I need to be, at least for right now.”

Leonard heard the cutting tone in Jim’s voice. Deciding to drop it, he stated, “Well, I’ll contact Sarek and make the arrangements. And there are supplies that I wanna make sure are available. I’ll need to order those so they can be sent.” He went to the comm unit to place the calls.

Jim’s avoidance of eye contact with Spock was not lost on the Vulcan. As usual, their shields were firmly in place. In these years since their bonding, they had learned to shield their thoughts, relaxing them only on occasion, usually those occasions only being during times of passion. To go unshielded was too much of a distraction in everyday life. However, Spock didn’t need to read his bondmate’s thoughts to know exactly what Jim was thinking. Their other, their t’hy’la, was accepting a mission of questionable safety. It was not something new for Jim to have those he loved subjected to danger. It was certainly a new experience for him not be present when this occurred.

Jim went to the kitchen with the excuse of making tea. In reality, he wanted to give Bones some privacy and pull his own thoughts together. Spock followed.

“Jim, Leonard has made his own decision regarding this mission. Your being in the Admiralty is not the reason he is leaving. He has been requested because he is the one man who can accomplish all that will need to be achieved.”

Jim shrugged and feigned a deep concentration on the brewing process. After a few moments he turned to Spock. “You know he’s right. I would rather be going along. It’s times like this that I miss having a ship the most.”

“And your work here?”

“Suddenly seems very unimportant.”

“Jim, as long as we remain in the Service, there will be times when duty will separate us.”

“Yeah, I know. I just sure as hell don’t have to like it!”

McCoy had completed his conversation with Sarek and was now ordering equipment to be shipped to Denabian. It seemed to be a lengthy list and, by his tone to the supply agent, he was in no mood to be told something was unavailable.

When there was no longer any sound coming from the library, the two men left the galley to find Bones nowhere in sight.

“Bones?”

“Yeah, I’m back here. I’ve gotta to get packed. Y'all wanna help?”

The men joined him in the bedroom. “Well, did you get everything arranged?”

“I guess so." He had pulled two of the large travel bags out and was stuffing his gear into them. “I’m leaving tonight by shuttle to the Rigal-5 station. From there I’ll be on a transport to Denabian. I’ll meet up with Sarek there, and with any luck, the equipment I’ve ordered will be there and loaded. We’ll be on a private ship until we rendezvous with the Federation transport just hours away from Bakswana-7.”

“Bones, I really am sorry...”

“Jim,” Leonard stopped what he was doing to look at Kirk, “You didn’t order me to do this. It’s my decision to go. This planet’s in trouble and I can help. I’m the one who’s sorry about that crack out there. I know what you’re doing here’s important. And, if Sarek hadn't asked for me, Nogura would have sent me anyway. After all, I am the best man for the job.”

Jim ran his hand down the face of his lover. There had been tension between them these last months. Leonard couldn’t understand why Jim would give up any hope to command a ship, even only part of the time as he had been doing these last years, to be stationed permanently Earth-side. He had never been able to give Leonard an acceptable answer, maybe because he didn’t have one for himself. He knew he felt a connection to the Enterprise that he didn’t think he could ever feel for another ship. And, except for the two and a half years between the original mission and the V’ger incident, and this last year, he had commanded a ship for over thirteen years years.

True, they had been in San Francisco about half of that time for these last eight years of his command, but the Enterprise had still been his, and at a moments notice they would be off to deal with some escalated situation. It had been the best of both worlds. But when word came that the Enterprise would be decommissioned as a long-range cruiser, something told him it was time to grow up and begin acting his age. When Nogura offered him a promotion and a seat at the Joint Chiefs’ table, he had accepted. Now, no matter what the differences between them had been, Jim didn’t want McCoy to leave without understanding what these last nine years of being his partner, his lover, his sko’tan, had meant to him.

Spock asked, “Did my father indicate how long you will be away?”

“No idea. Sarek said it’d depend on whether the planet must be evacuated or not. I can let you know more once I get there. I have to be at the transport station at 2130. That gives me five hours and, given the fact that I’ll be gone for God knows how long, I really have other things I’d rather concentrate on.” He flashed his blue eyes toward the bed.

“Well then, Doctor,” Spock moved behind Leonard and removed the small pack from his hand and tossed it on top of the other two travel bags, “I think we must do all we can to accommodate that request.” His lips moved to the back of Leonard’s neck and began to nuzzle the sensitive area moving across the neck to the rounded ear. Having that warm breath and tongue assaulting his ear, Bones became weak. Even after these years together, it still didn’t take much for these men to set him on fire.

Jim moved to the front of Bones and in one stroke pulled open the uniform tunic and slid it off his shoulders. He tweaked the erect nubs with his thumbs and encased the enticing mouth with his own. His tongue savored this mouth that he had come to know so well. They pressed their bodies together and let each feel the first indications of arousal from the other. Jim felt between them for the trousers clasp and released the opening. He slid his hands underneath the waistband and began a thorough exploration of the hidden treasures within.

Spock bathed the sensitive neck and was nibbling along the shoulders and down the spine causing Leonard to arch his back in seductive desire, thrusting his groin forward into skillful fingers. Spock came to rest on his knees behind Leonard and pulled the pants below the hips. Spock began to administer his talents to the round, firm cheeks. Sucking, massaging and gently biting each until they were pink, heated orbs. He then spread them and his fingers teased the tight orifice.

Gasps of pleasure escaped Leonard’s lips at the feel of Spock’s fingers against his opening. Jim moved to his knees and pulled the pants, boots and socks off, then began to lick the tip of Leonard’s straining cock. Bones wanted to thrust against that wonderfully slick mouth, but he didn’t want to move his ass away from that marvelous attention from behind. He stood still, letting these men ravish him, clutching a light brown head of hair and gasping for air between moans.

Spock thrust a finger into the opening. Pushing into the hot softness of the channel, he found the sensitive spot behind the penis and lightly ran his finger across it.

Jim felt the cock involuntarily jump within his mouth and knew that Spock had touched the seat of this man’s passion. He massaged the hot pouch and felt the orbs contract, ready for ejaculation. He withdrew his mouth from the organ and heard the moans of unquenched desire.

“No…Oh God,” Bones pleaded.

“Soon, very soon,” Jim whispered as he sucked a drop of fluid from the slit. He rose and retrieved a bottle of spiced oil, removed his own clothes, and returned to Leonard. Jim stood in front of him and gently pushed Bones down to his knees.

Spock stood long enough to shed his own restrictive clothing, then returned to his position behind his compact, human lover. He used his knees to part McCoy’s legs and pressed his body against the back of the cooler one. Spock spread the reddened cheeks and nestled his cock within the crevice.

Jim stood before Bones and presented his erection to him. Bones hungrily took the head into his mouth and sucked the organ to near fulfillment. He teased the tip and then consumed the shaft, taking the full length into his mouth and throat. The smell of desire drove him to a level of excitement that he had only known with these men.

He felt Spock’s fingers caress the sides of his face and the meld flared between them. He could feel Spock’s need to be fully sheathed within him. There was a flaming of all of the senses and each knew the needs of the others. Spock could feel the ache inside of this man.

//Yes, Spock...fuck me! I need to feel you inside me. //

//Yes, I will fuck you.//

Jim pulled his cock from the doctor’s mouth and knelt beside the two men. Spock bent Leonard over until he was resting on his hands. Jim poured a generous amount of the oil onto his fingers and, as Spock held the cheeks apart, Jim massaged the oil into the orifice. He worked his fingers inside until he was sure Bones was ready.

He poured more oil into his hand and reached for the Vulcan’s cock. He tenderly and seductively rubbed the oiled hand up and down the engorged shaft.

//Th’y’la, if you continue this I will not be able to penetrate that which calls for me. //

//Please! Jim...stop that! I need him inside of me. NOW! //

Spock gripped the mounds and centered the head of his organ at the entrance. He pushed inside and when both ridges were firmly ensconced in the human, he stopped the penetration to allow McCoy’s muscles to adjust.

//More, Spock. I want all of you inside of me. //

Slowly, he resumed his entry and did not stop until he was fully engulfed. Bones’ head rolled back as he moaned in satisfaction. He loved the feeling of being taken.

Jim moved in front of Bones, sat back on his heels and with one hand on Leonard’s head and one holding the base of his cock, presented his organ for attention. Bones’ tongue slowly slid up the length of Jim’s swollen organ, tracing each vein, teasing the most sensitive areas, pausing only occasionally as a groan was ripped from him as Spock would thrust hard against that very responsive spot buried deep inside. With each vigorous thrust, Spock’s scrotum would slap against the back of his own swollen sack and create a vibration that would seem to radiate throughout his groin. He pulled Jim’s cock into his mouth and began sucking up and down the engorged rod.

With the bond completely open, they were all feeling the sensations of the other two. This doubling and redoubling of sensations was wonderful, but it meant that orgasms usually came quick and often. Jim grasped the dark head and pressed hard into the moist heat. The feel of the warm orifice and the talented tongue, not to mention the other sensations he felt through the bond, undid him. He pumped deeply into the mouth and with a shiver he came, in hot, pulsating waves.

Spock felt for the engorged penis between the muscular thighs and spread the droplets of slick moisture leaking from the tip onto the head and shaft. He matched his stroking of the shaft to the same rhythm he had established within the tight orifice. Through the bond, all were being inundated with their passions. Spock felt the rectal muscles clench around his shaft and felt the first contractions of ejaculation. He felt the first of the creamy liquid being released into his hand and he used the ejaculate to coat the organ and bring the orgasm to a shuttering end. He thrust deeply into the channel and let the rectal movements bring him to completion. His own penis lurched inside Bones as his semen was released into the contracting chamber.

Shivers ran through them as the last waves of the orgasms passed through each. Spock eased his cock from the tightness and ran his thumb across the moist opening. A feeling of warmth flooded him. He understood the reasoning for this man’s departure, but it would not make the separation any less distressing.

Standing, Spock moved to the edge of the bed and pulled Leonard to him. He wrapped his arms around his lover and nuzzled his lips to the damp forehead. This is a feeling he would certainly miss in Leonard’s absence.

“Yeah, I’ll miss you, too.” Bones lifted his head and gazed into the dark eyes. Leonard combed his fingers through the silky, straight hair and captured the lips of the Vulcan. Spock maneuvered them onto the bed, so that his sko’tan was lying on top of him. Leonard straddled Spock’s thighs, allowing the semi-softened cocks to press together. He released the mouth and used his tongue to follow the delicate curves along the inside of the seemingly fragile structure of the pointed ear.

“Leonard, if you continue this activity, I can not be responsible for my actions,” Spock purred.

“Is that a promise, sir?” Bones whispered into the ear, allowing his breath to stimulate the Vulcan even further. The cock pressing against him was beginning to harden, and the feel of blood filling Spock’s organ again, caused his own erection to renew.

Jim lay beside them and Spock rolled them so Leonard was sandwiched between them. Jim’s hands gently caressed McCoy’s body and traced the lines of the muscular back. He lightly ran his finger down the path of the spine to where the top of the crease began, and followed the path between the mounds until he touched the opening. The wetness of Spock’s ejaculate had the orifice well lubed. He pushed his finger inside and stimulated Bones to full arousal. Jim slipped his finger out of the opening and centered his cock, pressing gently. His organ slid inside the man up to the root in one smooth stroke.

Spock reached down and fondled the warm shaft still wet with semen. He worked his body down and, still stroking the organ, he sucked each hard nub. His tongue trailed a path down the breastbone and across the tight abdomen. He held the base of Leonard’s erection, appreciating the sight of the swollen phallus, still wet and glistening with cum, and teased the head with his tongue. With the encouragement of the doctor’s hand in his hair, he pulled the organ into his mouth, tasting the sweet-salty taste of the previously expelled seed.

Jim’s thrusts were quick and deep. Beads of sweat had formed on his own skin as he pumped into Leonard’s body. His lips savored the equally damp neck. The scents and flavors of the three mixed into ambrosial passion. Jim’s hands caressed the thighs and buttocks of his lover, squeezing and kneading the flesh. At the height of arousal he gripped Bones’ hips and pushed hard inside and exploded.

The feeling of Jim’s convulsing penis inside him caused Leonard to thrust into the hot moist mouth. He entwined his fingers in the silky hair. An orgasm was building from deep within him and he knew it was going to turn him inside out.

Spock felt the power of the orgasm that was going to pass through his companion. He released the hard organ from his mouth. He grasped it and began long smooth strokes up and down the shaft while moving back up the body. He wrapped his arm around Leonard’s shoulders and held him tight against him.

“Oh, God...I’m cumming,” Leonard breathed raggedly into the ear. He felt his mind lose all control. He was over the edge and felt as though he was going to shatter when the impending orgasm threatened to rip through him. He wrapped his arms around Spock’s neck and embedded his head in the area underneath Spock’s chin.

Spock gripped him tightly, feeling the intensity that was wracking this man’s body //I have you, my t’hy’la. Give into this. //

Leonard buried his face in the warm throat as he relinquished all control and allowed the orgasm to wash over him. He moaned into the neck as his body convulsed with the impact. His cock jerked against Spock’s. The uncommon vulnerability of the man in his arms and the heat of the friction against him undid Spock. Holding on tightly to each other their fluid splashed between them.

It was minutes before they could move and when they did, it was to gentle caresses and brushing of lips against each other. These were no longer the actions of burning desire, but of love. Leonard turned and captured Jim in his arms. Any disagreements from the last months were forgotten, only the love they felt for each other remained.

Jim ran his finger around the swollen lips and looked into the eyes that turned from iridescent blue to deep violet during passion. They all three lay entwined, all naked except for the lightweight chain and small medallion they each wore, appreciating each other in this time that they had left together.

Chapter 3

They had discussed dining out, but decided that having to say goodbye in a public arena was something that they would all rather avoid. So, they ordered Chinese and ate at the apartment. Sitting around this table had become so familiar for them. It was where most of their discussions took place, and this evening was no different. But although the conversation was kept light, the underlying tone was detectably ominous. The three were well aware that it could be months before they would be reunited, beyond that they wouldn’t speculate. The hazards that faced the team being sent on this mission were unimaginable. Natural disasters, an unstable planet and the possibility of intergalactic war were just the known obstacles that they were to face. And missions of this magnitude always seemed to toss in a few unwelcome surprises.

Jim glanced at the chrono. Time was growing short. Bones’ flitter would be here momentarily to take him to the CTC. From Central Transport he would be beamed aboard the shuttle that would take him away.

The chime indicating that the lift had been activated sounded and the three just looked at one another. Not wanting this time to end, not wanting to say good-bye. Spock rose and keyed the access. The yeoman took the bags and stated he would be waiting at the flitter.

Jim and Bones stood up and started for the lift door. Jim reached out and took the arm of the man beside him. “Bones, I want you to take care of yourself. I know you. You’ll want to stay until every last Bakswani is safe. If you receive orders to go, I expect you to get the hell out...fast! Is that clear?”

“Yeah, Jim, crystal clear.”

“And, I expect you to keep us updated.”

“Yeah, I will.”

Jim caressed the side of his face and brushed his lips against Bones’. It was all either one could manage. Bones touched the place on his uniform where underneath rested the bonding medallion-- the one that Jim had presented to each of them on the day the first mating fever had ended. It symbolized the bond between the three. Jim turned away and walked to the windows that overlooked the bay.

McCoy turned to Spock who was waiting at the door. Spock placed a hand on his shoulder and pulled him close. He released the shoulder and touched the meld points on the face, not creating a meld, just feeling the familiar spark of the flame between them.

“My t’hy’la, return to us safely.”

“I’ll do my very best to grant that request. Take care of him, take care of each other, okay?” The lift door opened once more. Bones leaned in for a brief kiss, turned and exited the apartment.

The trip from Earth to Denabian was uneventful. The shuttle was small and presented few distractions. To keep from brooding about those he was leaving behind, most of the two days onboard were spent studying the medical tapes on the Bakswani. A lot of the information was redundant. They were a humanoid race and the physiology was not so very different from Terran. Actually, it was possible that they had common ancestors. The spaces in the skeletal structure of the ribcage were somewhat different and the cranial cavity was marginally larger, but otherwise very similar. The only notable differences seemed to be in the composition of electrolytes and, because this was an oxygen-rich planet, lung capacity was decreased. It seemed, however, that the cultural differences were going to be the most challenging.

Upon arriving at the Denabian transport station he was advised that there would be a courier waiting with his transportation orders. As he exited the shuttle, an attendant directed him to a light blue being that was assigned to meet him.

“Commander Leonard McCoy?” The sound from the translator mechanism sounded very metallic, but understandable.

“Yes, I’m Leonard McCoy.”

“This is your transportation disk, Commander. You are to report to the private transport, Malcolm Beech. Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan has already boarded. Your equipment did arrive and is being loaded. This,” the man handed him a second object, “is the disk with the inventory of those supplies. Your bags have been transported to the ship and I will take you over by hovercart, or if you wish, you may use the transporter.”

“No, thank you, the hovercart will be fine.”

Onboard the ship he was shown to his quarters and advised that Ambassador Sarek was next door. The suite was luxurious compared to the quarters on a starship. Of course, this being a private cruiser, it was set up for the public not for Starfleet personnel.

Leonard unpacked the items he would need for this leg of the trip and stowed his bags. It had been a long, cramped ride on the shuttle and he decided to shower before meeting with Sarek. The warm water felt good against his skin. He hadn’t realized how tense his muscles were until the jets of the shower began their massage on his shoulders. He stood under the hot, pounding water contemplating all that was ahead.

Unknown time passed as the water beat the tension from him. He turned off the water, dried himself and slipped into the luxurious black, Vulcan robe that Spock had given him for Christmas. Spock had one just like it and it seemed every time he wanted to put his on, he found that Leonard was already in it. Leonard loved the feel of the fabric against his skin. It had a sensuous quality that was indescribable.

He walked into the bedroom to get dressed, but before he had the opportunity, the door chime signaled him. He walked into the entry room and stated, “Come.”

The door slid open and Sarek was standing in the doorway.

“Sarek! It is good to see you, again. Please, come in.”

Sarek paused for a moment, arched an eyebrow and then answered, “Thank you, Leonard. I hope your trip was uneventful.”

“Very. It gave me time to catch up on my research on the Bakswani. Have a seat. May I order you anything to drink?”

Sarek took a seat in the guest area. “No, thank you. I do not require refreshment at this time.”

He sat in the chair across from Sarek and for the next hour they discussed the current situation on the planet. They also discussed its proximity to the outer rim.

It seemed the major external threat to the residents was from raiders. A group of planets on the other side of the Neutral Zone was home to the Tovian. Not possessing the same level of organization, this band was not characterized as an empire, as were the Klingons and Romulans, but they were far more dangerous. They had no respect for other lifeforms, and killing for any reason wasn't an issue for these beings. They took few prisoners. Their method of operation was to invade, kill, scavenge and leave behind a path of destruction.

McCoy explained to Sarek that Jim had ordered two starships to the area, but it may be a few days before their arrival. Until then, the personnel manning the outpost would be their only line of defense. Unfortunately, this would afford them little protection. The defense systems on the outposts were minimal at best. They served primarily as monitoring stations. Their purpose was to notify Starfleet of any unusual activity in the sector.

Sarek stated, “All transmissions regarding Bakswana-7 have been coded, however, that does not insure security. The presence of the transports will afford some additional protection. That will have to do until the first starship arrives. I will do all in my power to negotiate a settlement should there be an invasion.”

“But, Sarek, from what you’ve said, I would assume that the Tovian are not a group interested in negotiation.”

“I have found that to approach any conflict with an expectation of peace is the first step to a peaceful solution.”

The door chime interrupted their discussion. It was a steward advising them that dinner was now available in the dining room and they would be served, at their convenience, during the next three hours. Leonard didn’t know about Sarek, but he was starving. He had only been able to eat a few bites of the dinner three nights ago. It had been hard to swallow around the lump in his throat. And the food on the shuttle had been less than interesting.

“Are you hungry?” Bones hoped the Vulcan was ready for dinner now.

“It would be acceptable to partake of the evening meal at anytime. However, due to the various tones that have been emanating from your abdominal region, I would say now is preferable to later.”

The small quirk of the left eyebrow caused Leonard to catch his breath. This could have been Spock speaking to him. Humor? Very surprising.

Leonard smiled at Sarek, “Thank you, it’s been a while since I’ve eaten anything. If you’ll excuse me I’ll go change.”

Sarek raised an eyebrow and stated, “The Vulcan sun’di is an interesting choice of attire.”

“Yes, a gift from Spock. If you will excuse me for a moment, I shall get dressed.”

“Certainly.”

Chapter 4

Leonard went to the bedroom and changed into black pants and a deep blue, silk shirt. He was not on duty at this time, and decided against the standard uniform. Sarek always appeared so elegant in his robes that he made Bones feel like a gutter waif. ‘Oh well, this will have to do,’ he thought to himself.

The opulence of the dining room was quite a contrast to that of a Starfleet ship. This could have been any fine dining establishment on any number of planets. Over the meal, they continued their discussion regarding the mission.

“Are you familiar with the civilization of the Bakswani, Leonard?”

“Only what I found in the ship’s library. I’ve discovered that they speak Standard; therefore, communication shouldn’t be an issue. The physiological make-up is very similar to Terrans. I believe that they are, for the most part, a nomadic culture. The mining operations are their major source of tradable income, and it’s my understanding that they are quite primitive.”

“Actually you are correct in all but their being primitive. That is not the case. Their scientific knowledge, especially in the geophysical field, as well as their political structuring and social interaction is quite advanced. They have certain dogmas that govern their culture. These serve as a repellent to most offworlders. It is for these reasons that they are considered primitive and crude. They have lived as a nomadic race far longer than most races. In contrast to most civilizations, they have managed to advance in their edification while still maintaining a migratory way of life.”

“What do you know about the planet?”

“The planet itself is one of the smallest in the system, being point three-two-seven the size of Earth, but it is the only one in this system capable of sustaining life. Bakswana-7 normally has a warm climate with moderate rainfall. There are no large bodies of water and the terrain is mostly rocky. However, with the cloud cover that has enveloped the planet, there has been flooding rains and the average temperature has dropped ten point four degrees.”

They finished eating, exited the dinning hall and walked to one of the observation decks. There they were offered their choice of beverage. Sarek ordered saya, which Leonard had learned on Vulcan was a very potent juice. He decided to have the same.

The saya was served and Leonard swirled the small amount of green fluid in the glass. Bringing the glass to his lips, he inhaled the aroma and took a sip. The last time he had tasted this beverage was at the time of Spock’s pon farr. The distinctive taste and aroma of the spicy liquid flooded him with memories. The three of them, Jim, Spock and he, had survived that together. Bonded themselves to each other.

He had to stop doing this to himself. He was committed to this mission, which meant distancing himself from them, but how was he going to distance his mind from them? How was he to get past this incessant longing for their touch, their taste and their voices? Especially when his companion on this trip was such a constant reminder of one he had left behind. God, how he missed them. As sko’tan, he could not sense the presence of his two partners without benefit of a meld. His bond to them was not as strong as a full bond would be. How long would it be before they were together again? ‘STOP IT!’ he demanded, silently of himself. ‘Sarek is saying...what? Get you mind back on the issue at hand. Concentrate!’

He had no idea what Sarek had just said, but it was obvious he was expecting an answer. “I’m sorry, Sarek. What were you saying? I’m afraid my mind wandered.”

The look on McCoy’s face left no doubt as to what had him lost in thought. Sarek, however, was certainly not going to comment on the private musings of this man, consort to his son. He did find it curious that a look of such longing could invade this human so quickly. Quite illogical.

“I was commenting on the fact that you have learned to appreciate the juice of the saya.”

Leonard smiled softly, “Yeah, I remember the first time I drank this particular beverage. I made the mistake of taking a large mouthful and swallowing quickly. However, at the time it felt quite good, but it did have quite a kick.” Leonard felt himself flush. Sarek was quite familiar with that time. He had been the one who furnished food, beverage and other assistance during those days.

“A kick? I have never known of this, or any, beverage to have that capability.”

Leonard was surprised by the comment. If he hadn’t known better, he would have thought this was one of Spock’s challenges. Spock would use just this type of retort, with his particularly dry sense of humor, to goad him into an argument. However, there was no trace of amusement on the face of the Vulcan before him.

“I found it very strong. It seemed to burn all the way down,” Leonard explained. However, he was still not convinced that Sarek misunderstood the meaning.

“I see. Those not raised on Vulcan usually find it a very strong taste. Now you enjoy the flavor?”

“I do. And the memories that are associated with it.” A wistfulness invaded his voice. In a lighter tone he added, “I was sippin’ Tennessee whiskey by the time I was eighteen years old. That’s about as strong as you can get on Earth. Actually, this reminds me of it. It has a spicy, aged taste.”

Leonard laughed at the curious look he was getting from his companion. He held his glass up in salute and stated, “To the successes ahead.”

Sarek raised his glass slightly, “Indeed.” They both sipped their drinks.

They walked back to their suites in relative silence, bid each other a good night and retired to their own rooms. Leonard found rest difficult. His thoughts were a swirl of activity. His mind kept switching to his lovers, this mission, the conditions they were going to find on the planet, the medical condition of the patients he would encounter, the steps necessary to set up the medical facilities, and back to his lovers.

He considered relieving the erection that kept occurring when his thoughts strayed away from the mission, but knew he wasn’t going to get through this by masturbating. He decided that discipline was required and forced his thoughts away from that direction. Eventually, he fell asleep.

The next days were spent in planning the strategy for their arrival on the planet. Leonard was in communication with the first of the transports that carried the bulk of the medical team. The Malcolm Beech would rendezvous with the transport nine hours away from the planet. Sarek and he, along with the equipment he had onboard, would be transferred to the vessel for the final leg of the trip.

Sarek stayed in communication with the officials on the planet and found that conditions were disintegrating rapidly. There had been no call for help until all other possibilities had been exhausted, therefore leaving little time for action. Thousands had been killed from floods that were ravaging the planet. The odds of saving those left were insurmountable. Even with the arrival of all vessels en route, only a percentage of the population could be transported away from the threatened planet if that became a necessity.

The ships rendezvoused and the transfer was smooth and quick. Leonard looked around at the surroundings and vocally lamented over the difference between the vessel they had just left and this one.

“Doctor, upon our arrival on the planet, you may find yourself yearning for these conditions.” There was a raised eyebrow and definite humor included in the statement.

Bones just shook his head and smiled. He had always assumed that Spock’s dry humor was a trait that he inherited from his human mother. In the last days, he had discovered that was incorrect. This man was as every bit as incorrigible as his son. There were several times that Leonard had picked up on innuendo and wit from Sarek to only be met by the stoic Vulcan mask. This time, there was no mistaking the crack in that infernal Vulcan demeanor.

Within thirty minutes of their transfer to the transport, McCoy had called a meeting with the team leaders and was laying out his plan. He divided the teams into five units and assigned each a duty station. The red group would be in charge of triage, blue in charge of surgical cases, gold in charge of post-op, green in charge of medical non-surgical cases and orange would cover all support areas; this would include the labs, scan technicians, food services, and all other support areas.

McCoy advised the head of the medical engineers that the first necessity was a sterile field for pre-op and medical-surgical wards. He displayed a map on the holofield and explained where all was to be set up. He wanted the water decontamination units placed south of the compound. Temporary housing would be placed in the northwest quad. Water and purification pipes had to be run to each of the medical units and a central line to all dorm units. Power was being provided, but a generator unit was to be assigned to each surgery, post-op, and medical facility in case of power disruption. Power packs would be issued to all on-duty personnel.

Sarek watched this man intently as he took on the seemingly impossible task of organizing a serviceable medical facility. Two hours after arriving on the transport, Leonard had the team ready to set up a fully functioning hospital complete with labs, surgical suites, housing compounds and food services. As a diplomat, Sarek was used to accomplishment through negotiation; most times a long and arduous process. He looked to the man standing in front of the group and admired his capability to take charge. He had chosen well when he requested Leonard McCoy.

Sarek went to the conference room and opened a link to the planet. The individual he had been working with regarding this rescue effort was Commissioner San. Erel San had been instrumental in convincing the elders to accept membership in the Federation. He was also one of the most abrupt individuals that Sarek had ever had dealings with. It was obvious that the inhabitants of Bakswana-7 needed assistance that their scientific knowledge was incapable of providing. It was equally obvious that they resented this fact.

They discussed the plans that had been put into action and San told Sarek that he, and various other planetary officials, would be at the landing site when the shuttles arrived. This zone had been chosen for the command center and medical facilities because it seemed to have the most stability and was centrally located between the five largest villages.

Chapter 5

Key personnel boarded two shuttles and departed for the gray planet. Upon arrival on the rocky terrain, Leonard and Sarek were met by the delegation. Sarek exited the craft, greeted the committee and introduced them to Commander Leonard McCoy, MD, Starfleet Sciences.

The spokesman for the group was Commissioner San. In a most surly tone, he proceeded to update the men on recent occurrences. There had been earthquakes in the northeastern region, and any residents of the villages that could be found alive were being sent by ground transport to temporary shelters where they awaited help, or died. Those that had managed to avoid the destruction of the earthquakes were dealing with the effects of flooding. The debris field surrounding the plant had caused climactic changes and one of the results was torrential rain. All of the waterways were flooded and contaminated. McCoy noted that the dark clouds that loomed overhead indicated that rain would soon be in this region as well.

Leonard listened intently to the man as he spoke. All information was necessary if he was to treat the people on this planet. However it was difficult to get past the rough demeanor and insulting tone of their host. He was equally unprepared for the lack of personal hygiene among these people.

The equipment arrived, and where there had been kilometers of nothing but a field of large flat stones, there began to emerge a workable medical station and headquarters from which to direct the rescue efforts. Within the day, the engineers had the main buildings erected and the communications center set up. The first patients began arriving that same evening and the ground transports carrying the injured didn’t stop for weeks to come.

Direct communication with Jim and Spock was impossible. Recorded subspace communiqués were sent when time allowed, but time was a premium.

The rains began on their second day and continued almost non-stop. The few brief respites from the inundation did little to lift the spirits of the crew. This location was usually a warm climate, however the heavy cloud cover and constant rain had cooled the atmosphere to the point that it was difficult to get away from the chilled dampness. Coupled with the fact that there were occasional low rumblings heard and tremors felt that indicated another earthquake, it made for a dismal situation, indeed.

Housing was minimal at first, but it did not seem to be a concern because there was little time for rest. Once all of the dorm units had been completed, the team members could, at last, have a bunk to set up as their own. Due to the lack of housing units, and the long hours and constant demand upon them, Leonard and Sarek had used the command center as their base.

One corner had been set aside with a mat and two very uncomfortable cots. They were, however, seldom used. On the rare occasion that either man found time for relaxation, the constant whirl of activity in this center precluded any real possibility of rest.

During the fourth week on the planet, the chief engineer informed McCoy that a unit had been set up that would house two conformably. Leonard located Sarek and approached him with this information.

“Sarek, I’ve been told that there is an available housing unit set up. Lieutenant Nivers from the engineering group said we could have it. If you don’t mind sharing, we can move in today.”

“That would be acceptable. I require a place for meditation and you require a place for rest. This will suit both of our needs.”

“Well, good. I’m on my way to look in on some of my surgery patients, but afterwards I’ll have a yeoman transfer our gear from the command center. I’m told it will be unit 8-Q.”

“I have a comm session that I will be attending in the command center. I can arrange for the transfer if you wish.”

“If it’s no trouble, that’ll be fine. I’m looking forward to having a place to shower and crash.”

“It will not be an imposition to arrange the transfer. However, Leonard, I am at a loss to understand how impacting your body against a solid object will aid in relaxation.”

There it was. The quirk of the eyebrow, the faintest glimmer of amusement in the brown eyes, the pang in his chest that reminded him of his need for two others so very far from this place. Bones smiled wickedly at the man and shook his head. He turned to walk toward the surgical building and stated, as his voice drifted across the distance between him and Sarek, “I know...human expressions are quite illogical and most annoying. Somethin’ like that lack of Vulcan humor.” Leonard laughed to himself. “In a pig’s eye they don’t have a sense of humor!”

“What was that, Leonard?” Sarek turned from the direction of the command center and called after McCoy.

Leonard turned around, walking backwards toward the surgical unit, becoming drenched from the rain, but still smiling. “Nothing, just thinking out loud.” He turned back and disappeared into the prefabricated building.

What was going to be a quick walk-through to check on his surgical cases from this morning, turned into a surgery session that lasted well into the evening. He left the building and decided that although he was hungry, rest seemed even more imperative. He dashed across the compound trying in vain to stay as dry as possible. It was hopeless. By the time he had located the domed hut that he and Sarek were to share, his scrubs were soaking wet.

They had been supplied with a unit that held a small bathroom and shower and he decided a shower was the best way to relax. The engineers had been collecting and purifying the rainwater, so he knew water would not be a concern. Now, if this unit had been supplied with a working water-heating unit, he would truly feel blessed. He turned the temperature control to hot. Steam began to fill the small bathroom. His heart soared. He scrubbed himself all over and rinsed the soap from his body. He stood under the nozzle and allowed the hot water to chase the chill and fatigue from him.

Slipping into the black robe, he went back into the one-room living area. Sarek had arrived and was kneeling on the mat in front of a small firepot. He turned slightly when Leonard entered the room.

Not wanting to disturb Sarek, McCoy nodded his awareness of the man and moved to his bed. They no longer had the uncomfortable cots that they had used in the command center. They had been replaced with large, thick mattress-like pads that rested directly on the floor. After the weeks of constant cold and work, he felt warm and relaxed. Leonard sat down on his bed and picked up the vid recorder.

He read through the memos, mostly pertaining to the efforts to stabilize Bakswana-6. There seemed to be nothing new in the last few days, but the planet was still holding together. He also saw that Starfleet had not yet sent evacuation orders. A good sign. He browsed through the other messages until one in particular caught his eye. He found that a recorded message from Jim and Spock was waiting to be received. He knew that this message was not an intimate one. There were too many sources that a subspace record had to pass through to risk anything other than generalities and a few private innuendoes. He did, however, decide to wait until he was alone to play the message.

Almost as if sensing his companion’s desire for privacy, Sarek rose from his meditative stance and proceeded to the shower.

Leonard slipped out of the robe and into soft jogger pants and a T-shirt. He got into bed, reached for the vid unit, pulled the blanket up and pressed the play button.

When their faces appeared on the screen, Leonard’s breath caught. The sight of them was almost painful. How he missed them. He missed talking to them, eating with them, arguing with them, laughing with them, but most of all, he missed touching them. As they spoke, Bones was hearing the words, but concentrating on the voices and faces. They were saying that they had received his message and they were glad that everything had gone quickly with establishing the compound. There were a few jokes about him having everyone whipped into shape and how he should take it easy on the team. They stated it was late evening in San Francisco and that they missed him.

He stared at the faces, mesmerized by the looks they flashed at each other. He knew these men well enough to recognize the slightly swollen lips and the gentle flush of the skin. They had recorded this after an intense sexual encounter. There didn’t need to be any innuendo to this recording. They both touched the spot on their chests where the medallion that they all wear was hidden beneath their shirts. Yes, they loved him and missed him. The message ended and he laid the recorder on the floor and rolled onto his side.

God, how he missed feeling those arms around him. His body yearned for his lovers. He had managed to keep a firm discipline on his needs, but his body was screaming for attention. His cock was so hard it hurt. He needed to masturbate, badly. However Sarek exited the bathroom, and there was no opportunity to give his erection the release it needed. Finally, a restless sleep claimed him.

Awakening sometime later, he felt wetness on his abdomen and groin. He plunged his hand beneath the blanket and inside of his pants to find a sticky residue. ‘Jeezus! I’ve cum in my sleep!’ He turned quickly to see the sleeping form of Sarek on the adjacent bed. ‘Thank God, I didn’t wake him,’ he thought to himself. He eased himself from the bed and slipped quietly into the shower, cleansing the spent fluid from his body.

Unfortunately, this would not be the last time he would need to slip into the bathroom during the night. Where his discipline held during the following weeks, his subconscious was not as cooperative. Fortunately, on those occasions, Sarek was either asleep or not in the hut.

Weeks blurred into months while dealing with a multitude of injured that had been brought into the compound. There were broken bodies from the earthquakes and horrendous injuries and complications from the floods that were ravaging the planet. There were a few savage, organized attacks from the Tovian during the first weeks of their stay. But the starships had arrived and had been able to stave off all but a few random attacks. Two of the lone raiders who had attempted to breech the patrolling area of the ships, now found themselves aboard one of the Federation starships, held securely in the brig.

The Bakswani council was very specific as to where they would allow Starfleet personnel to land. They sighted the danger of certain areas prone to natural disasters as well as the danger of Starfleet introducing foreign ideology into the culture. Therefore, any protection against the Tovian had to be stopped off planet.

The greatest attack of all became apparent in the fourth month, and it was not from the Tovians. It occurred when the first of the Bakswani developed an illness that resembled Orion fever, but didn’t respond to any of the know treatments. Within days, an additional building had to be set up just to handle those who were dying from this disease. All free time was being spent in the lab trying to manufacture a vaccine or drug that would save the population from this latest horror, but first they had to discover the etiology of the disease. It seemed to hit the older adolescents and young adults the hardest. A great percentage of the females were in the early stages of pregnancy, which meant that if this plague could not be stopped, two generations of these people would be lost. Leonard would spend all morning in the medical unit attending to the young patients who were screaming in agony from the intense pain from swollen and disfigured joints, all afternoon in surgery, and most nights were spent in the lab.

Relief came when Dr. Arianias Rand arrived aboard the USS Alexander. Although there were several qualified doctors with the medical team, Dr. Rand was a blessing indeed. She was a no-nonsense woman that was able to take over in any position. Leonard was aware that this was Janice Rand’s aunt. Janice was a yeoman, now lieutenant, who had served aboard the Enterprise. There was certainly no family resemblance. This woman was fair skinned with bright red hair that was held in unruly braids surrounding her head. Arianias made it very clear that if Leonard were lonely, she would be glad to spend some down time with him. He had to admit the woman pulled no punches. He graciously declined her offers of companionship.

Her arrival had given him a break from the surgical duties and more time to work on the disease process. Once she started manning the surgical suite, he saw very little of Dr. Rand. But, from what he observed, he knew that the surgical unit was in excellent hands.

Very late one evening, actually closer to morning, Leonard was processing new samples in the lab. He appreciated the quiet of the lab overnight. Due to the lack of technicians, he had limited the lab to two shifts. That left the place isolated all night. He could think better in the quiet and, considering what had been happening in his sleep, processing samples seemed preferable than trying to sneak into the bathroom to cleanse the sticky aftereffect of an erotic dream from his body. Bent over the microviewer, reading the effects of the latest test utilizing ion irradiation, it hit him. He could feel the sensation of a warm mouth on his cock and a silken steel penis up his ass. ‘Goddammit! It’s bad enough to have wet dreams in my sleep, but now I’m having them when I’m awake!’ He mustered all of the fortitude within him, but he was still unable to will the feelings away from his body. His resolve shattered.

He glanced around to make sure he was the only one in the lab at this late hour. Assuring himself that he was alone, he unclasped the lower fasteners on the jumpsuit and let his hand explore the engorged organ inside the opening. His erection was straining against the material of his undergarment. His breath caught as he pulled the material over his cock and ran his hand down the shaft and back up. Between his thumb and fingers, he caressed the length of the sensitive organ. His fingers spread the leaking fluid across the smooth head and played along the underside of the ridge, imitating the sexual fantasy he was experiencing. He clenched his butt muscles automatically, and it felt as if warm semen was being released inside of him. His fingers increased their strokes on the top of the shaft and he spread his knees apart. With his other hand he gently massaged his scrotum through the material of the thin jumpsuit. His hips began a rocking motion on the stool where he was seated as he pumped into his own hand. The heat was building in his groin; he was so close, now, so close...

There was a voice outside the lab building’s door. It was headed toward him. Leonard quickly pushed his erection inside his jumpsuit and refastened the closure. He pulled his feet up on the top rung of the stool and bent down to the microviewer. The door opened as Med-tech Davis entered the structure. He was speaking to someone outside, “Sure, let’s meet in the mess at oh-six-thirty and see what new adventures the cooks have prepared for breakfast.”

He rounded the corner and saw McCoy leaned over the equipment. “You been here all night, Dr. McCoy?”

Leonard looked up from the viewer and said in a voice hoarser than he would have liked, “Yes, I got involved in the newest samples.”

“Listen, Doc, I know you’re the boss, but don’t ya think ya need some rest?”

“You’re right, Davis.”

“About you needing rest?”

“No, about me being the boss.” He smiled the famous McCoy smile at the young technician. He pretended to be sorting the disks as he waited for his erection to abate. Once he knew he could walk, and do so without making a spectacle of himself, he got off of the stool and left the lab. His intention was to go back to the hut, throw himself into the shower and finishing relieving himself, but a nurse ran up to him and directed him to the medical unit with another of the constantly occurring emergencies.

Chapter 6

Several weeks later, after a particular gut-wrenching day where several of his patients had died, he was again alone in the lab and hovered over the newest test results. Each chip he viewed on the equipment showed no positive results. Exhausted and extremely frustrated he picked up the rack of useless data chips and flung them against the wall, just missing Sarek who entered the structure at that very moment.

“Oh God...Sarek...I’m sorry! Are you okay?” Leonard asked as he rushed toward the surprised Vulcan.

“Yes, Leonard, I am uninjured. However, you seem quite agitated.”

“Hell, Sarek, I’m way beyond agitated, I’m fucking angry! I have these kids dying out there and I can’t find the answer. I’m treating them the best I can, but all I can do is ease some of the symptoms. This thing acts like a bacterial infection and reproduces like a virus. I can’t find the cure! Shit! I can’t even find the source! I can’t get the residents to cooperate with us by giving us samples from their food stores and I can’t get the officials to do anything except snarl about our interference. Dammit Sarek, what the fuck are we doing here?”

Sarek picked up the chips from the floor and placed them back on the counter. "Leonard, I will approach the delegates again tomorrow, however, before I was a diplomat I was a scientist. My specialty was cell structure. It has been a long time, but tell me what you need me to do.”

McCoy looked up from the pile of data chips to the face of Sarek. The caring expression on the face before him was a lifeline in an abyss of hopelessness. “Thank you.” He took a cleansing breath and stated, “Well, if you really mean it, there’s a jumpsuit over there and I have a new batch of cultures that I need to start on. Ya wanna give me a hand?”

Sarek changed and began to assist McCoy with the analysis. This routine continued for nights on end. Sarek dealt with Commissioner San and the other delegates that represented the villages by day. McCoy spent his days working in the medical unit. At night they retired to the lab and analyzed rack after rack of useless chips that the technicians had prepared.

McCoy began to see a different side to this man. He had discovered on Vulcan that he was a man of great feelings and compassion. On this planet, he had found that compassion was only the beginning of Sarek’s complex personality. He was caring, humorous, tireless and just the least bit wicked. He also looked great in a jumpsuit. McCoy decided that the robes and other more formal attire, although opulent, certainly didn’t do him justice.

One evening Sarek arrived at the lab with a large container. McCoy’s curiosity was intense. He asked, “What’s in there?”

“Something that you may find helpful. They are the samples that you requested from the villages.”

“Sarek! How the devil ya do it? We’ve been after this for weeks!”

“Leonard, I can assure that no evil deity was involved. Merely the logical conclusion of the council to a suggestion that there may be no additional assistance without cooperation.”

“All right Sarek! I didn’t know you had it in ya to make threats! Sir, I’m impressed.”

“Deception is not something that I condone, however, in this situation it seemed necessary.”

“Whatever it took, I am still impressed.”

“As I have been with your performance in this situation.”

They were gently unwrapping each sample, careful not to disturb any of the precious packages. “Impressed with me? I’ve spent weeks on this and have failed to isolate the cause. I don’t see much to be impressed with.”

Sarek stopped and looked to McCoy. “Leonard, you have organized this compound and worked incessantly to save these people. Dedication like that is to be admired.”

“Thank you.” Leonard looked down at the long tapered fingers of the sizeable hands resting on the edge of the container. On pure impulse he reached for the hands and took the fingers with his own and looked back into the face of the man he had come to think of as friend. “We make a good team.” He squeezed the fingers slightly and remarkably felt slight pressure in return.

“Yes, Leonard, indeed we do.”

He smiled in response to the cocked eyebrow and they returned to their work.

For the next day they didn’t leave the lab. Food was brought to them and it was ignored. When three technicians arrived for the morning shift, stations were set up to analyze the samples in hopes of isolating the deadly microbe. Sample after sample was cautiously prepared, cultured, stained, achromatized, irradiated, ionized and every other process that Leonard could come up with, still to no avail.

Exhaustion accompanied with disillusionment enveloped McCoy. He had been so positive that the answer would lie within the samples. Sarek noticed the strain and the increased irascibility in the doctor’s demeanor.

Late that evening Arianias Rand stopped by the lab to check on the progress and update McCoy on the injured. There were still patients being brought in but nothing that the staff couldn’t handle. Leonard left his position in the working section of the lab and walked her to the door as their conversation was coming to an end.

“So, Doc, you ready for some ‘down’ time, yet? I have a couple of hours before I have to get back.” Her tone was suggestive and seductive.

“I really don’t have the time to spare. I’ve so much here that I have to do tonight.”

She glanced out of the corner of her eye and saw Sarek at the other end of the lab hovering over micro-disks. “It looks like things are under control for right now. I’ll be glad to relieve some of that tension. It looks like you could use a massage and you’ve got an expert right here.”

“Arianias, I find you extremely attractive, but I really can’t take time off from this and I’m involved...elsewhere.” He smiled at her. She really was a beautiful lady, but to spend a few hours with someone he didn’t care about would only make him lonelier than he already was.

“Well, honey, aren’t we all! I really just want to help you out. If you change your mind you know where to find me.” She winked at him and left the building. Leonard returned to his work, hoping Sarek had missed the display, but with those damned Vulcan ears, he was sure he’d heard every word.

During a lull of activity Sarek went to Leonard, who was leaning over the electron micro-viewer, as he had been doing for hours, rereading samples. “Leonard, it will be some time before the new specimens are ready. It would be advisable to rest at this time, would it not?”

Leonard’s head snapped up from the viewer. The hostility he felt for the disruption was immediately quelled by the calmness in the face. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.” He rubbed the back of his neck and shoulders. “Being this tired, I’m not doing anybody any good.”

“Especially, yourself.”

He smiled at Sarek. “I think we’re both pretty beat. Let’s both go get some rest. They will call us when the next batch is ready.”

Sarek, ignoring the opportunity for retort, nodded in agreement and they headed to their hut.

After a quick shower, Leonard had every intention of doing just as Sarek had suggested. However, the shower had refreshed him just enough to throw his mind back to the problem at hand. Unable to sit still, he paced the short distance between the door and the narrow area separating the beds.

Sarek showered and sat on his bed, intending to indulge in light meditation. However, he found himself watching Leonard over his steepled fingers. The intensity of the man was curious. His ability to organize and delegate duties was admirable. His power of concentration and his knowledge was enviable. His dedication was commendable. And this man wore his emotions as regally as sovereigns wore crowns.

Surprisingly, that bundle of intense emotions was an aspect that Sarek found most pleasing about this man. There was, however, something that Sarek had discerned that was quite disquieting. This was a man he had accepted into his family. He was sko’tan, consort, to his son and James, his son’s bondmate. His loyalty to these two was unwavering. He had observed Leonard’s interaction with the doctor that had arrived and found it interesting that there was no attraction, even though the female was quite infatuated with Leonard. No, there was nothing in Leonard’s actions during the course of this mission that disturbed Sarek. The disturbance was emanating from Sarek, himself.

As a diplomat, he would often be away for long periods of time. He was not one to indulge in physical gratification. Although for Vulcans, fidelity was not considered compulsory, he found that the risks were too great, and he believed it showed a lack of discipline. He did have great respect for his aduna, Amanda, and his sense of honor to her was not taken lightly. As is the Vulcan way, on occasion, he did allow himself the extravagance of accessing his consorts, but even that indulgence was rare. However, he could no longer deny that the man pacing before him fascinated him. He wondered if McCoy was aware that the black, flowing sun’di he wore was a mating ritual robe and was very arousing. It was not merely the robe, but the man inside, which was stimulating his passions. “Leonard, this restless state is not conducive to relaxation. Perhaps if you tried to sleep.”

“I know, I know. But, I just keep thinkin’ that I’m missing somethin’. I’ve examined the specimens taken from the patients, and we’re about at the end of the samples that were supplied. I’ve yet to find anything unusual in either. I was certain that it was something in the contaminated water, but so far, all of the bacillus that I’ve isolated, the residents seem to have immunity to. There’s got to be a key that I’m missing.” He sat on the edge of his bed and faced Sarek. In this small dwelling, with each sitting on the edge of their respective beds, they were just inches apart. Leonard looked in the dark eyes, hoping for answers where there were none. Suddenly Leonard had the urge to reach for the face in front of him. To touch his lips to the ones that he knew would feel warm against him, to lose himself in the warmth of the arms.

Shocked by his own thoughts, Leonard jumped up and walked as far away from the man as the small room allowed. ‘What the hell are you doing! Is your desire for Spock and Jim so strong that it is mutating itself into a desire for Sarek?’ He stared at the floor, his back to the Vulcan, mentally screaming at himself.

“Sarek!” he turned and screamed. “That’s it! Dammit! I can’t believe I didn’t see this before! It’s a mutation! A God damned mutation!”

Sarek looked bewildered as the man began to scream at him. It took a moment for his mind to perceive what McCoy was saying. “Leonard, we have cultured all of the patients and most of the samples. If this were a mutation, we would have discovered the source by now.”

“Not if the source is absent in the food and water. We have cross-referenced the samples to those taken from the patients. What if the cause is so new, that it hasn’t had time to find its way into these sources? What if it’s something that we introduced? Or, what if it’s spread sexually? There are plenty of substances that we have not been able to identify, but I was just assuming it was the unusual make-up of the body fluids. The pattern is very similar to those taken from the non-infected patients.”

“We have tested nearly all of the samples as well as the patients both affected and non-affected and have ruled out anything that we may have introduced. What else could be the source?”

“The Tovian began their raids just before our arrival. We know there were injuries in the attacks on both sides. There was opportunity for the exchange of body fluids and there have been rumors of rape victims. Now, the Bakswani have very little regard for personal hygiene, possibly the reason why they have developed immunity to the microorganism’s native to the planet. However, if they became infected with a bacillus that the Tovian carries, it could have spread rapidly without having time to get into the food and water. These are a nomadic people. Their interaction is constant. And, due to the number of pregnant females in the unit, I believe they are in a reproductive cycle and very sexually active.”

“There are Tovian prisoners being held on the Alexander. We will go to the ship holding the prisoners and get samples.”

Leonard looked at Sarek. “We?” he asked.

“Yes, we.”

“Sarek,” McCoy walked to where the man was now standing. “I don’t have any proof about this. It’s just speculation on my part.”

“Leonard, proof is what we are in search of. I have learned over these months to trust your speculations, Doctor.”

Sarek’s hands were folded and held in front of him. Leonard reached up and folded his hands around the much warmer ones. “Thank you.” They stood for a moment and looked at each other.

Chapter 7

Sarek and McCoy changed quickly and, as Sarek went to the command center to arrange transportation to the Starfleet ship, Leonard went to the lab to collect the necessary equipment. Within the hour they had been transported aboard the Alexander. This was McCoy’s first contact with the Tovian. A rougher bunch he had never seen. Had they been friendlier, cleaner, smaller and better mannered, they could have been Klingons. Amidst a flurry of growls, threats and attempted assaults, McCoy, along with half of the security force on the ship, obtained the necessary blood samples and skin scrapings.

On board the USS Alexander, they worked from the ship’s lab. They took the opportunity to have a lengthy discussion with Captain Tori Ashland regarding the situation with Bakswani-6. Stabilization procedures had begun and, if successful, there would not be a need for the evacuation of Baskwana-7. The success was not a certainty at this time, but it did look promising.

The samples were processed onboard the ship into disks much quicker than the process would have taken with the portable equipment they had been using. In less than two hours, they were ready to take their cultures back to the lab on the planet.

As if they were starting over, they began to compare all of the specimens. Renewed with hope, the research went quickly. Late in the evening Leonard was recording the newest results when he became aware of Sarek at his side. He looked up from the samples toward the Vulcan.

“I may have found something. I am quite out of practice and I would appreciate your opinion.”

McCoy moved quickly from the desk to the place where Sarek had been working. The quietness of the laboratory was shattered when Leonard let out a resounding noise that sounded like “Yee-haw”. Unsure of the meaning, but by judging Leonard’s exuberance, this was a positive reaction.

“Dear God, you’ve found it! Sarek! Look at these three samples. Look at the top of the chain on the first specimen and the bottom of the chain on the second. Then look at the third. The third is the microbe infecting the patients. The first is from the Tovian, and the second sample is from a non-infected Bakswani!”

Sarek moved back to the stool to study the findings. “Yes, it does appear that the connection has been located.”

Indeed the connection had been located. It was just a matter of combining the properties from the two organisms and producing an antibiotic to treat those infected. From there, it should be possible to develop a vaccine for the Bakswani. As Sarek reexamined the chips, Leonard stood behind him. His excitement over the find was understandably boisterous. Sarek felt the hands on his shoulders and felt them gently shaking him. He turned on the stool to face the overjoyed doctor.

“Do you know what this means?”

“Certainly, Leonard. It means that we can now develop a treatment.”

Leonard again grabbed Sarek by the shoulders and said, “A CURE! We did it, Sarek! We’ve knocked this damn thing right on its ass!”

“Yes, indeed we did,” Sarek replied, but his voice softened. Their eyes locked. Leonard moved his hand from the shoulder of the man and touched the side of his face. His breath quickened as he moved his face close enough to feel the warm breath as Sarek’s lips parted. He moved closer and brushed his lips to the warm mouth. There was no resistance. He tasted the lips once more with increased determination. In that moment he could have fallen into that man. In a flash he realized what he was doing and pulled away, just in time to hear the door sliding shut to the lab and see Arianias leaving the building.

“I’m...sorry.” Bones pulled his hands away and backed up. “I don’t know what got into me. The excitement of the moment, I guess.” He was flustered.

“Leonard, do not concern yourself. It is understandable.”

“I just...” He didn’t know what he was going to say.

“Leonard, we have work to do.” Sarek took the lead and began to map out the strategy. The feel of McCoy’s hands on his shoulders lingered. The force of the emotions that came through the touch was overwhelming. At that moment, he felt his own desires flare into new uncharted territories. The taste of the cooler lips clung to his own.

Within a few minutes they were working to isolate a formula that would result in an acceptable treatment. The incident was not discussed.

It took several days to develop the correct formula ratio for the treatment. They worked with the technical staff in rotating shifts so that there would be no time wasted. By the fifth day they had the first of the serum ready for trial. They decided on a group of thirty patients that were at end-stage of the disease. They had calculated the dosage and isolated the thirty from the rest of the hundreds affected.

Sarek was at Leonard’s side when the first hypospray was administered. He stayed by his side throughout the next twenty-one hours, waiting for any sign of recovery.

The first breakthrough occurred when one of the patients, a young female approximately twenty Earth Standard years old, became coherent enough to ask for something to drink. Leonard grabbed the scanner and discovered that her fever was down and the fluid that had surrounded her joints and organs was decreasing. Within the next few hours all of the patients began to respond.

Sarek left for the lab to instruct the laboratory staff on the specifications for mass-producing the anti-microbial. For days, Sarek worked relentlessly with the lab team not only to produce the treatment for the deadly disease, but also to search for an acceptable inoculation against the infection.

Sarek contacted Commissioner San and advised him of the results of the research. He informed him that there would be a medical team assigned to each region and injections of the serum would need to begin immediately. When the commissioner objected to this, it was explained that the only alternative was to watch as all of the young adults on this planet died. Permission was reluctantly granted for the medical teams to come to each village.

Days passed. Leonard dozed occasionally in a chair at the medical unit. He had received several recorded subspace messages from Jim and Spock and used the quiet times in the unit to view these. Each message tore at his heart. One was from Jim, only. He was in his office at Starfleet Command and, due to the long delay of these messages, had evidently just received word of the disease process that was ravaging the planet. The concern in the face and voice completely undid Leonard.

He watched the gold-flecked eyes and the fringe of lashes that outlined each. He listened to the softness in the voice. “Bones, I’ve read the reports coming out of there. I know what you’re dealing with must be very frustrating and I know you’re doing everything you can to treat these people. But, Bones...please, take care of yourself. I know that when you get focused, you don’t eat or sleep. In the last vid we received from you, it was obvious that you were tired. Please get something to eat and get some rest. Consider that an order, Mister!” There was a quick flash of that wonderful half-smile that could always melt Leonard. It stabbed at his gut like a knife. “Bones,” Jim continued, “you know how much you’re missed, don’t you? We want you back, safe and healthy.” There was such a look in those eyes. The knife in his gut twisted. “Well, I guess I better end this and get back to work. You take care, and you know...well, you know.” Yeah, he knew. He knew that this man, and another, loved him.

Leonard played the vid several times. The USS Alexander was being diverted and would be warping out in the next day or so. It would be heading for the Deltan system. God, it would be so easy to hop on board. He could grab a shuttle at the Deltan docking port and be back on Earth within the week. It took all of his control to keep from packing his bags.

He looked around at the ward and felt the all to familiar rumble of the ground beneath the building and knew he had to stay. What he needed was to get seriously drunk. However, until he could be assured of not being called for duty, even that luxury had to wait.

A day later, when it seemed, finally, that everything was under control, he decided to do as Jim had ordered and go for some much-needed rest. The staff was given instructions to page him if there were any changes. He headed for the hut. He stopped by the surgical unit on the way. Arianias was there.

“Well, I hear you’re leaving this evening. I, for one, will be sorry to see you go. Arianias, you’ve done a hell of a job.”

“Thanks, Doc. It’s been good to get land duty for a while. Even here. I hear the serum is working great. Please, write this up as soon as you can. You never know what we’re going to run into out there.”

“Sure thing.”

“Listen, Doc, I owe you an apology, I didn’t know the situation here...between you and the Ambassador.”

Leonard started to explain, but decided to just leave things as they were. There were no hard feelings, so better to leave well enough alone. They bid each other farewell. Leonard headed for the hut and a good rest.

Chapter 8

Leonard slid open the door to the shelter and found Sarek meditating. He paused, wondering if he should leave or enter the unit, but Sarek turned to him, “Leonard, you do not need to leave. Your presence will not disturb me. You, too, require rest.”

Leonard entered the dwelling and before he fell asleep, he knew a shower was needed. Entering the small bathroom he noticed the beads of water against the sides of the stall, but there was something he noticed even more. The distinctive aroma left behind by a clean, damp Vulcan. The scent invaded his nostrils. He knew he had to get out of there quickly. He showered briskly, dried off and slipped into the robe. He left the bathroom, and the tempting cinnamon-copper scent, behind.

Sarek was still in a kneeling position and Leonard proceeded to his bed. Taking his towel, he dried his hair and combed through it with his fingers and, when he was satisfied that it was sufficiently dry, he laid the towel aside and pulled the vid unit to him. He had many files that needed updating. His research on the now deemed ‘Bakswani Syndrome', had put him quite behind with his other log entries. But he soon found that his interest was not in record-keeping.

He roughly plugged in another chip that held the latest statistics regarding the disease and tried to lose himself in the reports. He was pleased to see that the antibiotic and inoculation effort was well on its way to having the deadly infection under control. There were no new cases carrying the disease within the last twenty-four hours. Not a guarantee that it was over, but certainly a good indication. There were still many injured arriving at the compound. Most with injuries received from the earthquakes. There were some patients coming from the flood-ravaged zones, but unfortunately most that had been caught by the floods had died. As with other information coming from the Bakswani, estimates of the dead were unreliable, but it was certainly in the thousands.

But his mind wasn’t staying on his patients. His thoughts kept running to other things. He remembered that face on the vid and how wonderful it felt to be invading that body. He could even imagine tasting the salty moisture against the back of Jim’s neck, and the taste of Spock and how aroused he could become when certain parts of his body were stimulated. He glanced toward the Vulcan sitting in the corner, facing away from him. Watching the back of the neck, he wondered if this one, too, had a very sensitive spot behind the gracefully sloping ear. Another recollection even more real invaded his thoughts; that of a warm body beneath his hands, of feeling the breath against his face, of feeling the lips touching his own. This was a real memory of events in the lab just a few evenings ago. It made him draw a ragged breath. ‘Dammit, McCoy, get hold of yourself! You’re sitting here having sexual fantasies about Sarek! About Spock’s father!’

He laid down the recorder and stretched out, placing his arms under his head. Sarek was no longer in meditation and, over his steepled fingers, was watching Leonard from his kneeling position on the mat.

Leonard spoke. “I’m sorry. I’m afraid that I disturbed you.”

“No, you have not. I was not in deep meditation.”

Leonard lay stretched out on his bed, their eyes met and did not waiver for a few moments. When Leonard realized he was openly staring, he pulled his eyes away and looked forward. Realizing that the soft robe was hiding nothing and the material revealed the indications of his erection, he sat up quickly. “I could use a drink,” he stated with too much urgency. “It’s not as potent as your saya, but I’d be glad to share.” Leonard stood up and reached for the small case that held a bottle of brandy. Retrieving the bottle and two glasses he held the bottle of brown liquid up in an invitation.

“I will accept your offer.” Sarek nodded his head and moved from the mat to stand with McCoy. In the small space separating the two, Bones could feel the heat of the other body so very close to his own.

Leonard poured two glasses of the beverage and held one out to Sarek. In taking the glass, their fingers entwined at the tips. The feeling sent shockwaves of heat racing through McCoy.

Sarek accepted a glass of the brown liquid. “Thank you.”

“You better save your thanks until you’ve tasted it. It may not be to your satisfaction.” He could hear the roughness in his own voice. He could not control the passion creeping into his tone.

“I am certain I will find this pleasing.”

Leonard felt the fire begin in the depths of his abdomen. There was no doubting the attraction that he had been feeling was for this man was real. Understandably, the attraction began because of how very much this man reminded him of Spock. It continued because of the man himself. He was caring, warm and congenial. Beyond that, he was sexy as hell.

“Leonard, may I ask you if you are aware if the significance of the sun’di you are wearing?”

“It’s exactly like one that Spock has. I’m not aware that it holds any significance other than being a gift from...him.” He stared into the dark eyes. There was no longer any use in trying to disguise his desire. If his voice had not been evidence enough, the not so subtle movements beneath the slick fabric of the robe had certainly accentuated the evidence of his arousal. “Is there a particular significance associated with this robe?”

“It is a koon-ut robe.”

“As in the mating?” Leonard asked, surprised. In response to Sarek’s slight nod, he added, “I didn’t know. Does it offend you?”

“No, it does not offend me.”

“But, we didn’t wear these when Jim and I were bonded to Spock.”

“It is no longer required as part of the bonding ritual. It is the traditional ceremonial robe, but it is a matter of choice.”

“My bond to Spock. It seems that in the months we’ve been together we’ve discussed every topic but that one.”

“I have perceived your longing on the occasions that we have spoken of your bondmates. Also, I have been aware of your difficulty upon the receipt of messages from them. I have not wished to interfere. However, I do not object if you wish to discuss your bond.”

Leonard took a sip of the brandy and sat the glass down. He turned away from Sarek, his voice rough and his breathing unstable, “Sarek, I love your son. I love both of them with my soul. The years that we’ve spent together have been the best of my life. I’ve felt a completion that I would’ve never guessed possible. To have him open up to me, to us, was something I never believed would happen.” Leonard looked toward Sarek and realized he was speaking of Spock’s emotions. “Sarek, I’m sorry. I guess this is why we should’ve never started talking about this. It all leads back to emotions and I’m afraid it offends you.”

“Leonard, Spock was instructed in the ways to curtail the emotions that he felt. This is the Vulcan way. It is not that we do not have these emotions; it is that we find it logical to restrict the expression of them. Therefore the need for the kal-tai, or mental release, associated with pon farr becomes necessary. The fact that Spock has emotions is not unusual. The fact that he has chosen to deny the existence of them is. Unfortunately, that is due to my own error in judgment. I was demanding and unwavering regarding this, knowing that to show a weakness of emotions would hinder his acceptance among his peers.”

“So he buried all of his emotions.”

“Yes. Spock is the first offspring between a human and Vulcan that was raised on Vulcan. And, it seemed at the time, he would probably be the last. It was deemed quite unacceptable that I selected a Terran as my bondmate. Even more so that I brought her to Vulcan to live. I was quite determined that our son would be all he could be within the Vulcan culture. Because of my own misplaced determination to achieve this, I managed to instill in him the concept that all emotion was to be denied. However, even with my insistence on him controlling all emotions, he still did not find acceptance.”

“Why? It sounds like he would’ve been considered the perfect example of Vulcan disciplines?”

“Indeed. Possibly to the extreme. This set him apart among his peers.”

“So, he managed to out Vulcan the Vulcans.”

Sarek raised an eyebrow. “An interesting assessment, but accurate.”

“Well, suppression of emotions is no longer a concern. At least not in the context of a relationship.”

“For that, I am pleased. For him to deny his nature was of great concern. I have, in these months, gained some insight regarding his desire for this relationship. I now have a basis to understand what he has found with you, and with James. It is more of an emotionally-based relationship than I would have accepted during his youth, however, as an adult, I found no objection with his decision to bond with either of you. With this opportunity to relate more intimately with you, I now find myself admiring his decision.”

“Why, Sarek! That’s quite a revelation. You admire a relationship based on emotion? That’s remarkable!”

“A relationship that contains the component of emotion does seem to have merit. Being married to a human, I have reaped the benefit of this philosophy.”

“Sarek, you’ve surprised me more than once in these months together.”

“In what way?” They each sat on their own bed, facing each other.

“Your warmth, caring and humor. I was not expecting to find these traits, at least not to this degree. My God, it took us years to get Spock to open up to us.”

“And it was your assumption that Vulcans do not possess these qualities?”

“Well...actually...yes. I had assumed that Spock’s more expressive characteristics came from Amanda.” “As I have stated, to control our nature is logical, to deny it is not. Vulcans have emotions, Leonard. They are extremely intense which is why we control the behaviors they produce. However, there is another that I am concerned with that is denying their nature.”

Leonard looked at Sarek, a questioning expression on his face, “Who?”

“You, Leonard.”

“Sarek, I blow my stack regularly! Hell, it was you I almost beaned with a rack of data chips! No, suppression of emotion is something I’ve never been guilty of. More often than not, the opposite is true.”

“Leonard, I do not wish to cause you discomfort. You once told me that you are a private person regarding sexuality. I will not intrude into that area if you prefer.”

“Sarek, that was right after Spock’s pon farr. You attended to us during those days. I still blush at the things you witnessed during that time. That’s not what we’re talking about here.”

“Is it not? I have been aware of the restlessness during your waking hours and, on the rare occasions that you do allow yourself time for rest, you remain agitated.”

“But that has nothing to do with suppressed sexuality. That’s because of what we’ve faced since we arrived here.”

“Leonard, why do you think your body is unable to control that which you deny, and seeks release when you are asleep?”

Leonard turned away from the man facing him and reached for his drink. He poured the remaining liquid into his mouth and gulped hard. This man was aware of the occurrences that had plagued him these last months. “Dear God, Sarek, I thought you were asleep.” He was unable to face the man.

“It is not my intention to cause you uneasiness. I only address this due to concern. I had hoped that you would find a way to alleviate the anxiety that claims you. However, you have chosen to deny these needs.”

McCoy turned back to Sarek, ready to blast him with an angry retort, but looking into the eyes, he couldn’t deny that he was right. His determination for discipline had turned into a razor-edged tightrope that he had been walking for months.

“Look, Sarek. I’ve been away from my lovers for months. I decided early on that the only way to survive this was by being disciplined. Let’s face it, the only other choice I have is to ‘handle the problem’ myself. And, as embarrassing as the occasional erotic dream is, any other option is even worse!”

“Then I will need to assure you of time alone.”

“Oh sure! That’d work! I can see me asking you to stay out late so I can masturbate! No pressure there! Besides, I’m not going to ask you to leave here when you get as little time to rest as I do. I’ll get through this. No one ever died from this condition. Hell, every teen-age male on Earth survives it.”

“Leonard, you are not an adolescent. You are an adult, human male who is accustomed to frequent copulation. Your denial is not logical.”

“Then you tell me what the logical solution is. I certainly wouldn’t have sex with someone I don’t care about just to relieve tension!”

“That is admirable. The one aspect we have not discussed is the occurrence in the lab six nights ago.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me. I’ve been afraid I embarrassed you. I just wanted to...” He didn’t know how to put this. ‘I wanted to ravish you’ sounded much to blunt, but accurate. “I wanted to feel you close to me. I would never do anything to jeopardize the friendship we’ve formed here.”

“I believe I told you once before that embarrassment is a wasted emotion. And you have done nothing that will compromise our relationship.”

“Give me time, the evening’s still young,” McCoy mumbled to himself

“You rejected several offers of coupling with the female, Dr. Rand.”

“I don’t have that type of feeling toward Rand. Besides, you know as well as anyone that I’m committed to two very special people.”

“I do not understand the human predilection for demanding a partner remain celibate when long absences are necessary.”

“Oh, really! Well just how is that handled on Vulcan?"

“The sexual act is a natural bodily function. To deny the body that which it needs is not logical. The sexual act is performed with a bondmate when convenient or with a consort or intimate companion when it is not. A Vulcan would not deny his body drink when it is thirsty nor food when it is craving nourishment. Sexual need is no different. However, neither do we believe that random, indiscriminate behavior is acceptable. That type of behavior is illogical and offensive to those that we honor. Therefore, we do not condone rampant promiscuity.”

“Amanda is human. Doesn’t she expect you to remain faithful to her?”

“If by faithful you mean having sexual contact with only her, no. But the reasons are long.”

McCoy stood up, retrieved the brandy and poured each another drink. “We have time.”

Chapter 9

Sarek arched his eyebrows, and continued. “Very well. I was involved in research on Terra when we were introduced. She was teaching at the institute where I was in residence. Amanda had extensive knowledge of the ways of Vulcan. She had spent many years studying our culture due to the fact that her grandfather had been part of Earth’s space program when your planet was beginning to explore beyond its own solar system. He was one of the first humans to be contacted by representatives from Vulcan. Her interest in my home planet was what drew us together. She was pleasing to me and I to her. It seemed logical, albeit unorthodox, to request that she be my life partner.

“Before I brought her to live on Vulcan, I entered into my time of pon farr. I had to return to my planet and it was her decision, her right, to refrain from servicing me during this time. I chose one of my consorts to take me through the Koon-ut. Amanda and I did not bond until my time had passed. She understands that there are times, and needs, that she is unable to fulfill. She accepts that I have others that I go to during these times. However our allegiance is to each other. She is my bondmate and my life partner. She is my chosen one. The one I wish to share my life with. She is of great importance to me.”

“What do you mean times and needs that she is unable to fulfill? You mean other than pon farr?”

“She often travels to Earth and is away for long periods of time. Also, there are times that the needs are stronger than I wish to inflict upon her. I do not wish to cause her injury, as my passions can become quite obstreperous. And, there are times that I require a companion of my own gender.”

“You told Jim and I that you have had consorts of both genders. Do you have more than one consort at this time?”

“There are two on Vulcan that are available to me. One is an associate with the Vulcan Academy, a female. The other is a male that is an associate with the Diplomatic Corp. I allow myself indulgence with either rarely.”

“Amanda is to you what Jim is to Spock, his bondmate. I’m his consort, his sko’tan. It makes the position of consort seem unappealing.”

“Leonard, I do not have a sko’tan. My consorts are those that will attend me during times of the blood fever and sexual need. We have respect for one other and each will attempt to be available when the need arises. They are nothing more to me, and I am nothing more to them. Sko’tan is a position of honor. It is equal in commitment to that of bondmate. The only difference is the level of the bond. I do not have that type of emotional bond with any consort that I have taken.”

Leonard sat on the edge of his bed and leaned back on one elbow, gently swirling the glass of brandy in his other hand. “Forgive me Sarek if I’m not gettin’ the whole picture here. You tell me that on one hand Vulcans don’t believe in rampant promiscuity, that it’s okay to have others that you go to in a time of need, but from what I gather casual relationships are off limits. Right?”

“Indeed.”

“But then you tell me that it’s illogical to deny one’s needs. Yet you evidently have the same needs that, as far as I can tell, haven’t been met either.”

Sarek nodded.

Leonard once more came to his feet and paced the small distance of the hut before turning back to Sarek and saying, “Well, that doesn’t make sense! Explain to me why it’s okay for me to jump on the first person that comes around and for you to stay celibate.”

“I had perceived an attachment growing between yourself and Dr. Rand. The way that the two of you interacted was in a most pleasant manner. I initially assumed this was a person who would be able to assist you in your needs. I now understand that this was an incorrect assumption. As for myself, my consorts and I have an understanding. There is no expectation of emotion. Those relationships are based on respect and physical need, nothing more. There has been no one on this planet with whom I have wished to form such an arrangement. And, except for my wife and my son, I have never discerned the stirring of any emotions toward another.” Sarek rose from the seated position and stood beside Leonard. “Not until now,” he added, his voice becoming noticeably lower.

Bones had been swirling the liquid in his glass. At the last statement his eyes flew to the eyes of Sarek. “I know...I feel this too. And I gotta tell ya, I don’t know how to handle it. There’s no doubt that my feelings for you started because of how much you remind me of Spock. But that’s changed in these last weeks. I find myself thinking less and less of them, and more about the possibilities between us. And I feel guilty as hell. What I feel for you now stems less from how much you remind me of him, and more for the man I’ve come to know these last months. But Spock and Jim are a part of my very soul.”

“Yes, I am aware of that. It is for this reason that I have been unable to express to you what I have recently longed for. When I agreed to attend Spock during the mating, I was quite unprepared for the intensity of passions that I bore witness to. My son is fortunate, indeed.”

“That’s my point. Spock’s your son, and my friend and lover. I’m having a hard enough time coping with the feeling of betrayal for having these thoughts. The three of us, Jim, Spock and myself, are bonded. Until now, I’ve had no desire to be with anyone other than them, not since the first night we were together.”

“And one of you is in deep pain. It is my belief that this desire, which has plagued you, is not from you alone. I believe that your bond is strengthening and you are feeling their passions through it.”

Leonard thought about this. Yes, occasionally he had to concentrate to avoid the sensations of sexual contact from overtaking him. Could these periods be during times of extreme excitement between his partners? Perhaps. When considering this, the time frame for most of these episodes seemed to be consistent with Earth’s evening in the Pacific basin. And Sarek had warned him prior to the bonding that, with frequent physical contact, the light bond of a sko’tan could deepen to one as strong as a full bondmate.

“So you think that everything I’m feeling is because of the bond?”

“I do not believe that your bond is fully responsible for these emotions. I do believe it may be serving as a catalyst.”

“What else could be causing these feelings?”

“That is something that you must decide. No one else will be able to answer that question for you.”

Leonard stared intently toward Sarek. “It doesn’t take much to figure out what else is awakening these feelings in me. Let’s face it, I’ve wanted to touch you for weeks.” He broke the gaze and tried to shake the desire that was threatening to consume him. “Sarek, forgive me, I’m not myself this evening.” He knew his voice was still graveled with desire. He had stopped trying to hide the obvious erection.

“Leonard, I find that you are yourself this evening. Perhaps for the first time since arriving here.”

The heat Leonard felt radiating beneath his robe was not getting any better, and this conversation wasn’t helping his problem at all. “I really think we should change the subject. I think it’s obvious that I’m feeling...”

“Aroused?”

He watched the lips as Sarek spoke the word. Leonard brought his hand to the face, close, but not touching the warm skin. The fingertip’s barely touched the warm mouth. The warm breath stroked against his fingers and the hair on his arms bristled. His own breath was now ragged with passion. As he traced the outline of the lips he could feel the knot of desire in his gut and the soft material of his robe against his hardening nipples. The lips moved against his fingers, closing gently then parting slightly. “Yes,” was all he could whisper.

Leonard felt as if his stomach had been gripped with a steel ring. His body and mind was craving this gentle being he was with. His very essence cried out for the two he had left on Earth. He felt as if he were being ripped apart.

But Leonard was lost in those dark eyes. He moved his lips against the warm mouth. More forcefully, his hands moved to the back of the dark head and pulled the mouth to him. The heat of the strong arms encircled him. He could not breathe, nor he could speak. Air was forced into his lungs in ragged gasps as the need for oxygen overcame the immense desire. The passions that had gone unspoken until this evening consumed them.

Their mouths were hungry. Their tongues searched, tasted and savored the other. Sarek pulled Leonard tight to his body, feeling the hardness of the groin, letting Leonard feel the stirring of his own hard need. The Vulcan had never been with another male that awakend his passions as this man did. It was the heat of pon farr without the madness.

Leonard pulled back from the heat of the mouth and the glorious feel of being pressed against this man. His breaths were irregular. “Sarek...if you’re not expecting this to go all the way, I’ve gotta stop now.”

“Leonard,” the voice was rough, “I am expecting this to go as far as you wish. I am offering you all that I am.” Sarek reached between them and caressed the hard organ through the material.

Leonard began a succulent attack on the warm neck. The taste was familiar yet different. The vaguely coppery taste and aroma was similar, but the feel of this man was foreign to his senses. He felt his robe being unclasped at the one closure on the shoulder. The robe parted revealing his nakedness to the Vulcan. When the warm hands reached beneath the robe and encircled him he could feel his erection against a softer robe and knew he was fully exposed. More than his body, Leonard felt as if his soul was exposed.

Warm lips played at Leonard’s neck and ears, each new contact sending a shudder throughout his body. Hot hands pressed against his back moving slowly down his spine. Lips on his throat branded him with heat. The feeling of the medal scraping against his chest brought him back to reality. ‘Wait!’ his mind screamed, but his body was unable to stop. He pulled back gripping the muscular arms through the fabric. His breaths were short and quick. One hand briefly touched the medallion. ‘How can I do this?’ He watched as black eyes dropped to the rounded object. He considered the man beneath his hands. He removed a hand from the arm and began to trace the pattern of the ear. Those eyes were filled with passion. They needed each other.

Sarek reached for the medallion. The significance was obvious. The confusion of the man before him was equally obvious. He looked to Leonard and with a voice deep and rough with passion, he rasped, “Our desire is strong. But I will do nothing to cause you pain. Are you sure this is what you want?”

Then, looking at Sarek, McCoy’s mind calmed. He didn’t know if this was a betrayal of the two left behind. They held his essence. They held his life. But he needed the man beneath his hands, and this man desired him. Leonard reached for the strong hand and slender fingers that surrounded the medallion. His own voice rough from denied pleasures and answered, “Yeah, I’m sure. Sarek, I want to make love to you.”

Leonard spread Sarek’s meditation robe and pulled away slightly to look into the deep brown eyes. There was no resistance there, only need and acceptance. He watched the face as his hands parted the robe. Wanting to gaze upon the body, unsure of how to bring himself to do so. Flesh to flesh, their hard organs touched against each other. Leonard saw the eyes close and the mouth open slightly with a gasp as the sensation overtook the man in his arms. The sight caused a shiver to run through his body. A shiver not unnoticed by Sarek.

Sarek’s hand came from the back and caressed the face. His lips sought the cooler ones, encasing them with his own. Tasting the saltiness of the moisture, he pushed one shoulder free of the black, silky robe. His other hand pushed the fabric away from the other shoulder. Leonard pulled one arm and then the other from the robe and it fell to the ground. Sarek released the mouth and pulled back slightly. He let his eyes fall to the form standing in front of him. He had seen this man naked. He had seen this man in the midst of the bonding fever. He had never considered that he would be displayed before him as a lover. The hands reached back around Leonard and pulled him close, their bodies pressed together from thighs to chest. His fingers played down to spine until he felt the taunt, round mounds. He gripped the mounds and pressed their erections together.

The sensation of the warm hands on his ass and Sarek’s erection pressed against his own almost caused Leonard to cum. He had to pull away from the embrace to catch his breath and calm his desire for release. He pushed the robe from the shoulders before him and the robe joined his on the floor, puddled around their feet.

Leonard gazed upon the man for the first time. Never until this mission had he considered Sarek in this way. Not until he realized what an admirable man this was. Beyond that, he was beautiful. The long neck held proud upon the broader than imagined shoulders, the well-defined smooth, muscular chest that accented the slightly darker, olive shaded rings surrounding the nipples, the flat abdomen, all features that reminded Leonard of the ancient artists’ renderings of the Greek gods. His eyes swept lower and saw the strong, double-ridged cock standing magnificently away from the sculptured body. He felt as if he should fall to his knees and worship the man before him. This man that was going to make love to him.

He pulled the hand to guide them to his bed. Leonard lay back, pulling Sarek to a kneeling position at the end of the bed. There, on his back, he bent his knees and spread his legs slightly. “C’mere.”

The Vulcan watched the display of the man on the bed and the sight incinerated him. He moved to the bed and placed his hands on the bent knees, spreading them as he laid down between them, pressing their groins together. The Vulcan, although chronologically older than the human, was inexperience in passion without the benefit of pon farr. Except for the female that shared his life, all other encounters had been functional, nothing more. He found it fascinating that he wanted to trace the outline of the lips and learn each angle to the face. Never before had he wanted to prolong the period of arousal. The reasons were surely illogical, but nonetheless desired. He found himself inexplicably tasting, nibbling and sucking at the various interesting features of the man beneath him, and finding enjoyment in these new sensations. He watched this human’s eyes. They had reminded him of the blue icecaps on Rigel IV, but now they had turned to a deep violet as the passions claimed him.

No more hesitation as the men explored the taste and sensations of each other. Leonard captured Sarek’s mouth and began to discover the intoxicating flavors of this Vulcan. Breaths were quick, bodies rubbed against each other and slick moisture formed between them.

Leonard rolled them onto their sides. Releasing the mouth, his tongue trailed a pattern down the neck and across the smooth chest seeking and finding a small nub. Drawing wet circles around it he gently sucked and nibbled until it was rock hard. The sensation brought a moan from the lips of Sarek. He rolled onto his back and Leonard’s tongue found the other nipple already erect in anticipation. Leonard’s hand caressed and played across the slender form and across the hard abdomen. His mouth followed the path of his hand. His hand found the patch of dark, soft hair and then the base of the straining organ. Gripping the base, Leonard’s tongue licked the length of the shaft, his tongue outlining each ridge and finding the sensitive spot beneath the second one. When he touched his tongue to this spot, the body beneath him writhed and moaned in pleasure.

He moved to the head of the organ and let the first droplets of pre-cum spill against his tongue. His mouth encased the tip and his tongue began to play against the ridges. He felt the pressure as the hips strained upwards towards his mouth. His hand massaged the hot pouch and the orbs within. He felt strong hands on his shoulders pull him up and away from his attentions to the engorged cock.

Pulling Leonard back to him, Sarek tasted his own fluid on the tongue of this man. A taste that he had never before experienced. The joining of lips was never considered a significant act associated with sexual release. He was now realizing the full potential of this seemingly illogical act. Passion had been reserved for the time of madness. Now all barriers were gone and his passions ran freely.

He reached for the hardness of the human and felt the shivers of desire when he caressed the shaft. He spread the moisture across the spongy head of the erect penis. The slickness of the fluid felt pleasurable against his fingers. He moved down the man and took the penis in his mouth. He licked and sucked the organ. The taste was foreign but pleasant. Each drop of the warm, salty fluid made him want more. He tongued and sucked, coaxing more of the pre-ejaculate to his lips. He felt the thrusts into his mouth and allowed the organ to sink deeply into his throat until he was taking the full length inside. He moved up and down on McCoy’s penis, feeling the ripples of urgency and hearing the sounds of pleasure escaping from the lips of the one beneath him.

Leonard could not stop the quivering that was running throughout his body. His hands gripped the bedcovers beneath him so tightly that his knuckles became white. Through deep, rasping breaths, Leonard moaned, “Oh God, Sarek, if you don’t stop, I’m gonna cum.”

Sarek let the organ slip from his mouth and grasp the shaft with his hand. “Do you not wish to cum?” He breathed the word roughly. The word sounded strangely savage and he could hear the rasp of his own voice as he said it.

“Oh, yes. Please...yes,” Leonard gasped.

Sarek released the cock and came to a kneeling position. He spread the human’s knees apart and maneuvered between them. He caressed the area surrounding the groin. His hands slid to the heavy pouch and gently separated the orbs, feeling the slight movement as the pouch began to contract, ready for orgasm. Once again he claimed the straining organ with his mouth. Taking the full length inside he sucked and matched the thrusts onto the organ with the hips that bucked to meet him.

Leonard entwined his fingers in the head of silky, wavy hair and pressed deeply into the hot mouth. The orgasm was building from deep within him. His hips pumped quicker into the heat of the mouth. His body building but not releasing, not believing this was going to be taken to completion. Quicker he thrust, gripping the silkiness of the hair. He raised his head to see Sarek moving up and down on him. His back arched, his head rolled back and with a guttural moan, his body convulsed and he exploded, releasing his ejaculate into the hot depths of Sarek’s mouth in wave after wave of long-awaited ecstasy.

Sarek drank the hot, creamy fluid from the head and massaged the last of the semen from the shaft with his tongue. The last wave of the orgasm had the human writhing in pleasure. When all of the seed was expelled, Sarek let the penis slip from his mouth, but not before consuming the last drop of the lusciously salty fluid. He rose up and sat back on his heels and watched as the human’s chest heaved. He ran his hands along the inside of the lightly furred thighs, drinking in the sight before him. He moved from between the knees and rolled Leonard to his side, he spooned his body to the human’s. He pressed his engorged organ to the heated buttocks while tasting the flavor of the beaded moisture on the back of the neck.

“Leonard, I wish to enter you.”

“Yes, Sarek, yes.”

“I do not wish to injure you. You have not been prepared for this entry.”

“I didn’t bring any lubricant but there is some lotion in my daypack.” He usually had lubricant that he carried in his pack, but he had no reason to believe he would be needing it on this mission, so he had tossed it aside when packing. He reached for the pack and pulled out the small bottle of lotion. “It’s been a while, so you’ll have to stretch me with your fingers first,” Leonard said, squeezing some of the cream into Sarek’s outstretched palm before laying the bottle aside.

Sarek spread the creamy mixture onto his fingers and reached between the heated mounds. He located the tight opening and began to massage the ointment into the puckered orifice. Invading the opening with a single finger, he slipped the digit in and began to stretch the channel. On his home planet, the equivalent to lotion was foam that was injected into the rectum. Its purpose was to lubricate and desensitize the tender flesh. He had never before had to prepare someone in this manner. He found the sensations associated with this intimate method of preparation quite stimulating. He pressed another finger inside and heard the sharp intake of breath when he contacted the prostate gland.

He felt the firmness as this contact caused Leonard’s renewed arousal. When the third finger joined the other two, he felt the ring of muscle relax. He enjoyed the feel of having his fingers pumping into the tight chamber, and the flood of emotions and desires he felt directed at him through the touch. Leonard writhed against him.

“Now!” Leonard panted.

“Now what, Leonard?” Sarek purred into the rounded ear. It was very unlike a Vulcan to use sexual contact to tempt and titillate a partner. Sarek surprised himself by doing just that to his companion. This human was a bad influence on him. Amazingly, he found himself enjoying that part as well.

“You know what, dammit! Fuck me!”

“Indeed, I shall do just that.” He pulled his fingers from the opening and spread more of the lotion on his hand. He lathered the substance onto his erection and positioned himself at the opening.

Leonard suddenly realized that Sarek would push himself inside quickly. Between ragged breaths he said, “Easy does it. This cream is not going to numb me like that Vulcan foam of yours.”

“No, Leonard. I will not injure you.”

The head of his penis pushed against the tight opening with just enough force to insert the first ridge. After a moment he pressed until the second ridge had popped in. It was difficult not to drive his full length into the receptive body. Slow entry was not a process he was accustomed to. However, using great care, he slipped the organ into the tightness. When he would feel Leonard press against him, he would slip more inside. More than once his penis threatened to release his ejaculate before he was ready for it to do so. He found control with this man was nearly impossible. When he was fully encased within the body, he began to withdraw slightly and press back inside. When he was sure that there was no pain with the movement, his thrusts became more determined. He slid his hand around Leonard’s hips and grasped the newly awakened erection with his hand.

The cock pumping inside of Leonard felt wonderful. He loved the feeling of being filled and he had missed the sensation of the tightness assaulting him from within. When Sarek began to thrust into him, he could feel the ridges as they brushed against his prostate. The stimulation undid him. He felt the warm hand as it began to stroke his cock with the same rhythm that was being administered to his rectum. He felt Sarek’s leg wrap around him and pull him closer. Sarek pushed deeply against him and Leonard felt the cock begin to lurch within. As the warm fluid bathed him from inside, his own cock convulsed and his cum was sprayed into the hand that gripped it.

The men collapsed onto the pillow and their breathing slowed. Within minutes, Leonard had drifted off to the feeling of a body spooned against him and a cock inside of him.

Chapter 10

Sarek stroked the dark hair with his hand and wrapped his arm around the man pressed against him. He heard Leonard’s breathing slow to a soft, rhythmic pattern and knew he had finally found rest. He withdrew his softening cock from the tightness, retrieved the damp towel lying beside the bed and cleaned them. Gently, as to not awaken the sleeping man, he wiped the semen from Leonard’s groin and noticed the soft movements that, with just a bit more stimulation, would have once again fully aroused this sensual human. He had to fight against his own desires to feel this man against him again, knowing that rest was what he needed at this time. Lying down, he eased his arms around Leonard. This was another new sensation, he noted; wanting to remain in close physical contact even though the sexual act was completed. In moments, he, too, had drifted off to sleep.

Leonard began to wake up and felt a warm arm draped across him. He turned to see Sarek looking at him. “Good morning,” he purred to the Vulcan.

“It is, indeed.” There was a relaxed hint of a smile displayed on the full lips.

Leonard turned in the arms and brushed his mouth to the warm lips. Sarek ran his fingers through the dark hair and pulled him into a deeper kiss. Cuddling...this too was interesting with someone other than his wife. Never before had he enjoyed the sensation of having a males body just lie against him. He had discovered so many new sensations in the period of just a few hours.

Leonard pulled back and looked at him. Sarek believed that Leonard was having doubts about the coupling that had taken place. “Leonard, are you comfortable with this?” he asked.

“It’s a hell of a time to ask!” he replied, smiling broadly at his bedmate. “I know that I feel like I’ve regained some of my sanity. How ‘bout you? Any problems with this?”

“No, I find this most pleasurable.” Sarek turned so their bodies were pressed even closer together. “It seems that you are once again aroused.”

“I usually wake up with a hard-on. Actually, a lotta human males do. But I would certainly be in favor of continuing, if you are.”

“Stroke me, Leonard. Bring me to erection,” Sarek whispered into the rounded ear.

Leonard pushed the blanket from them and reached for the soft cock. His fingers played down the shaft and he felt the first movements of arousal. He moved so he could watch the organ harden. The shape of the head was not fully visible until it was filled with blood. He watched the subtle movements as blood was pumped into the organ. When it was nearly its full erect size, the head would begin to flare and the ridges that surrounded the cap would become very distinct. One of his favorite pastimes had been to watch Spock become hard.

Leonard rolled on top of Sarek and let their erections rub against each other. He pressed against the hardness and nuzzled the neck just below the lobe of the ear. The man underneath gasped with the sensation.

“Leonard, I wish to feel you inside me.” Sarek was finding words difficult, but he breathed the words out through ragged breaths.

Leonard rose to his knees between the parted thighs. He bent the knees to gain access to Sarek. The bottle of cream was on the floor beside the bed and when he bent to retrieve it, he felt Sarek’s hands tracing his ribcage and following the shape of his hip. Enjoying the sensation of these hands on him, he did not hurry as he poured a generous amount of the lotion into his hand before moving back up on the bed. When he straightened, Sarek raised his knees to allow access. Leonard dipped his fingers into the puddle of cream and reached underneath to coat the puckered opening. He slid his fingers inside and heard the groan that escaped from Sarek’s lips. He watched the face as it contorted in rapture.

The muscles relaxed quickly, and he had to marvel at that wondrous control that Vulcans have over their bodies. He placed his hands underneath each thigh and rocked Sarek backward. Leonard centered his cock and slowly pushed inside. He pressed gently until he was fully encased inside the body. It had been so long since he had felt tight heat surrounding him. He released the thighs and began to stroke the length of Sarek’s cock, while stroking himself inside the warm Vulcan. The pace of the thrusts began to quicken and for a time they enjoyed the sensations of pleasing each other. Leonard began to pump more forcefully into the warm body.

The sensations overwhelmed Sarek and he tensed and began to ejaculate. Leonard stroked the organ until all the fluid was spent. He laid down on Sarek and thrust against the man with urgency. Sarek caressed the face and met each thrust with his hips. Quicker, Leonard pumped into the body until his back arched. He moaned and his body jerked as he came into the tight warmth of the channel.

Spent and sated, he collapsed onto the warm chest. Sarek’s hands caressed the back of his head and down his sides. Leonard pulled out of him, rolled off to his side and looked into the caring face. It was an odd sensation to look to his lover and see Sarek’s features. But he realized it was certainly a pleasant sensation. He had come to care very much for this man. For the first time in months he felt satisfied.

“May I ask what you are contemplating?”

“I’m thinking that you, sir, are a wonderful lover."

“I have experienced many new sensations during this time with you, Leonard. Very pleasing sensations.”

“Well, you’ve said that you have had male lovers, so what new sensations have you experienced?”

“I have had male consorts. The term ‘lover’ has never held any meaning. I was never comfortable with the term due to the fact that it denoted an illogical emotion. You have taught me the beauty of that word.” He brushed his lips to Leonard’s in a very unVulcan-like gesture. This man was causing him to question many aspects of his Vulcan doctrine.

The signal from the comm unit interrupted their discussion and McCoy turned from Sarek and sat up. Standing, he pressed ‘receive’ on the unit, making sure he didn’t open a vid screen.

“McCoy here.”

“Dr. McCoy, there has been an accident in the northeastern quadrant. There has been a powerful earthquake in that region. Sir, the building that the medical team was working in has collapsed.”

“Did any get out?”

“Unknown at this time, sir.”

“Assemble a rescue team and I will meet you at the communications center in fifteen minutes. McCoy out. Jesus Christ! Does the crap never end on this God forsaken planet?” McCoy shouted as he ran to the shower. He was dressed in less than five minutes and was shoving articles into his daypack.

“Leonard, I will accompany you. You may need someone to deal with the local population.”

Leonard turned to see Sarek cleaned and dressed in a jumpsuit. ‘Damn, he’s quick!’ He was holding a daypack and the rain gear packs that they had forgone since their arrival. The suits were just too damned hard to get on and off quickly to be used in the camp. It was just more convenient to get wet.

“It’s probably gonna get pretty nasty out there. Are you sure?”

“I have traveled to many different planets under many different circumstances. I do not object to adverse conditions.”

“We can certainly use all the help we can get. Thank you, for everything.” His tone softened and the eyes of the two men who had great respect for each other and found each other in a time of need met for a brief moment.

They left the hut and ran for the communication center. There were two security personnel, seven of the engineering crew and four from the med-surg team assembled in the building. McCoy was advised that the emergency medical equipment was being loaded onto the shuttle. The party of fifteen boarded the ground shuttle and headed for the region.

During the hour ride to the affected village, McCoy kept checking with the communication center to see if any further information had been received. However, none of the team members had reported in, and the only information had been the sketchy communiqué originally received from the Bakswani. He paced the aisle of the small shuttle, unable to relax. He hated knowing that members of his team were hurt, maybe dead. He had assigned the teams, and he felt that this fell on his head. ‘How in the hell did Jim manage to be in control for so many years?’ Then he remembered that Jim’s ability to command, even in the most trying circumstances, was one of many reasons he had fallen in love with him.

Upon approach to the center of the village, McCoy pulled a rain pack out and shouted to the crew, “Everybody suit up. I want the tricorders distributed and everyone is to carry a powerpack. Med Team, you’ll need to clear an area for triage and break out the equipment. Engineering, you’ll start on clearing the debris from the collapse site. Security, once the area has been secured, help the med team with the equipment until you are needed elsewhere. Remember that we may have survivors under the rubble. Easy does it!”

Sarek stopped his preparations and looked toward McCoy. In less than eight hours he had heard this man utter the phrase, ‘Easy does it,’ twice. Once as he was preparing to enter him in sexual intercourse when Leonard whispered the words through ragged breaths of passion. Now he used the phrase in the authoritative tone of a leader. He discovered another new sensation, a current of emotional electricity that began deep in his groin and reached for his chest and throat. It was an illogical reaction caused by three words spoken in different contexts. He would certainly need to meditate about these new sensations later.

Chapter 11

The shuttle landed and they stepped from the vehicle. What they saw was total disarray. What had been a village of wood and stone structures now lay in shambles. The sight reminded Leonard of old vid’s of the war on Earth in the earlier part of the 1900’s. The archaic weaponry known as bombs had demolished entire towns and regions in old Europe. He had seen earthquake sites in the past; it was no earthquake that wreaked this havoc.

“Sarek, this isn’t right. In an earthquake, the buildings collapse. These have been blown apart. This village has been attacked!”

“Agreed. I will contact the commissioners and the ships in the area. A ship should have the capability to run scans to see what type of attack we are dealing with.”

“Good, in the meantime, we’re going to need more than two security officers. Can you get on the horn and see if we can have a full security team transported over?”

“Horn, Doctor?”

“Sorry, the comm unit in the shuttle.”

“Certainly.”

Sarek moved back to the interior of the shuttle and Leonard began an exploration of the area. The building, or what was left of it, where the missing medical team had set up was located. He directed three members of the medical group to begin scans of the rubble to search for life signs. He directed the engineering team to a still-standing wall, which seemed perilous as it teetered over the main pile of rubble. He directed them to secure the wall to keep further injuries from occurring. He turned to walk back across what seemed to have been a town square to check with Sarek on the arrival of additional security. He reached the entrance to the shuttle. It was the last thing he remembered. The ground around him exploded and he sank into darkness.

**********************

Spock stepped from the shuttle. He had spent the last three days aboard the Enterprise, making preparations for whoever would be named Captain. The last repairs and updates on the ship were being made in preparation for the next training class. The new cadet class was scheduled for a training cruise at the end of the term and the ship, once the refit was complete, would be used for such missions. Spock was slated for promotion. He knew he would be assisting with in-flight training when he accepted this position. However, he resisted being promoted to Captain and serving as such on any vessel, especially this one. That was one assignment he was determined to resist.

It was the one issue that had created tension between Jim and himself in these last weeks. Jim was adamant that this would be an excellent opportunity and that he was the perfect choice for the position. Spock was equally resolute that he did not wish to command, and in particular, he did not wish to command this ship. Two equally strong-willed men both determined to be right. It had made for both interesting, and loud, discussions as well as some extended periods of quiet. They had been involved in such a period of Jim’s ‘silent treatment’ when he left the apartment three days ago. Then last evening, there was an interesting incident that came from the bond. He was anxious to make amends with his partner, drop their shields and discuss the event.

Stepping from the shuttle onto the ramp, he grabbed the railing. His first thought was that the ramp beneath him was giving away. Quickly he realized this was not a physical manifestation, but an impression that was coming through the bond. Darkness, complete utter cold darkness enveloped his mind. He staggered under the effect of a silenced bond. Leonard! Something had happened to Leonard. The bond between them had suddenly snapped.

“Commander Spock!” Lieutenant Maxwell was manning the transporter station and rushed to the shuttle ramp. “Sir, are you alright?” She had noticed the Commander stagger and reach for the railing. He looked at her as if he didn’t see her standing in front of him.

He shook his head and regained his composure, physically anyway. Now more focused, he said, “Yes, Lieutenant.” He up stood straight and looked toward the female. “I will need to be transported to Starfleet Headquarters, Command Building.” He stepped quickly to the transporter pad as she eyed him curiously and keyed the destination.

A familiar hum deposited him onto the transporter pad inside Command HQ. He stepped from the pad, keyed his security clearance and walked briskly to the lift. The doors opened in front of Admiral James Kirk’s suite. Lieutenant Moricy was seated at the desk outside of Jim’s office.

Moricy looked up toward the man he had come to know well. With a smile he said, “Commander Spock, it’s good to see you, sir. Let me congratulate you on your upcoming promotion to...”

“Is the Admiral in his office?” Spock interrupted the man’s sentence. He had no time for exchanging pleasantries. He felt as if he were barely holding himself together as it was.

“Yes, sir. He has been trying to reach you...” Spock never stopped his approach to the office; the door was opened and shut before Moricy could complete his sentence.

Jim was seated at his desk, one hand on the comm unit, and one hand supporting his forehead. His head snapped up when the door opened. He rose to his feet, “Spock! Jesus! What the hell has happened! I just felt an explosion in my head and it was coming from the bond. Thank God you’re okay. I thought you were hurt.”

“Jim, it was coming from Leonard. I do not know what has happened, but the bond between us is silent.”

Jim sat slowly back into the chair, staring at Spock. “Oh shit! Spock, is he...is he dead?” The words were hard to speak and his breath caught.

“I do not know. I only know that I can no longer feel him.”

Jim’s first thought was that Bakswana-6 had exploded, destroying Bakswana-7 as well. The latest reports of the stabilization efforts looked promising, but obviously something had happened. He punched the comm button and told Moricy to get Nogura, he added, “Dan, I don’t give a damn what he is doing or what meeting he is in, I need to speak to him, now!”

“Yes, sir! I’ll find him and connect you straight away, sir.” Daniel Moricy didn’t know what the hell was up, but he knew something horrible had happened. Whatever it was, he would get Nogura for James Kirk, even if he had to personally drag the man out of a latrine!

Jim looked toward Spock; he could tell he was being held together by sheer will alone. They both were. The brief interruption in their shields was gone and they were tightly in place once more. Jim wanted to share this with him, but now was not the time. He had to keep his wits about him. But he thought of the ice-blue eyes and the smile that could melt your soul, and his resolved slipped. “God, Spock, he just can’t be dead!”

Spock didn’t answer. He had retreated into the stoic cover of a super-Vulcan. He could not allow any of the terror he was blocking to slip through. If it did, he was afraid he would lose all control.

“I have him, sir. I’m transferring him now.”

“Jim, what is this about? I was in conference with Ambassador Shera...”

“Admiral, have you received any reports regarding Bakswana-7?”

“Not since the last communiqué regarding the stabilizing efforts. It seemed everything is progressing well.”

“No, Admiral, today. Have you received new information today?”

“No, Jim. What is this about?”

“Admiral, Commander Spock and I need to come see you right now. Something has happened.” The urgency in his voice told Nogura that this was serious. This was not a man to take lightly.

“Certainly. Come on up.”

“Thank you. We’ll be right there.”

They left Kirk’s office and as they walked toward the lift, Jim told Daniel where he was headed. “If anything comes in regarding the Bakswana system or Commander McCoy, contact me immediately.”

“Certainly, Jim,” Dan called, but they had already boarded the lift.

They were shown into Admiral Nogura’s office as soon as they arrived in his suite. Jim began, “Admiral, we have reason to believe that there may have been an incident on Bakswana-7.”

“Jim, we have had no reports to that effect. Why do you suspect this?”

“Admiral, as you well know McCoy is bonded to Commander Spock, as am I. Approximately fifteen minutes that link was silenced.”

Nogura looked to Spock, rigidly standing beside Kirk. He had known few Vulcans in his time, but this one actually looked pale, as if he may collapse at any moment. This, also, was not a man with alarmist tendencies. “Commander, forgive me, I am not well versed in bond characteristics. I understand that this is a mental link that forms between partners, am I correct?”

“Yes, Admiral.”

“Could this not be affected by some type of atmospheric condition or from the distance between you at this time?”

“It would not be affected by such manifestations. He has either been rendered deeply unconscious, or he is dead,” Spock answered stoically.

Nogura considered the men before him for a moment. Several years ago one of his Admirals had told the Enterprise it was not allowed to divert to Vulcan because he did not understand the “Vulcan hocus-pocus.” That Admiral had almost cost the 'Fleet one of its finest officers, and that incident had changed regulations regarding Vulcan personnel. No, neither of these men were alarmists. He turned to his comm and ordered to be put through to the Alexander. It was now docked in the spaceport in the Deltan system and was the closest starship that could be reached directly from Earth. Jim recognized the voice of Captain Tori Ashland when she came on the unit.

“Admiral Nogura. To what do we owe the honor, sir?”

“Captain Ashland, have you received any reports regarding a recent incident on Bakswana-7?”

“No, sir. Nothing has been...just a moment Admiral. It seems we’re receiving a report now.” She reached for the vid pad and her expression changed dramatically. “Admiral, there has been a massive attack by the Tovian on Bakswana-7. It has occurred in the northeast quadrant where the cryogenium rescue efforts are in place. There was a Federation medical unit that was caught in the initial attack but it was reported as another of the frequent earthquakes. Commander McCoy and Ambassador Sarek compiled a team that went to the area to assist in the rescue. They were there when the second attack was launched. At last report, the first team is missing and most of the second team is dead. Ambassador Sarek and Commander McCoy have not been located, but they may have been at ground zero for the latest attack. They are listed as missing and presumed dead, sir.”

“Just a moment, Captain.” He placed the comm on standby. He looked to the men before him, “Admiral, Commander, I am sorry.”

Jim’s blood ran cold. Bones and Sarek, both of them missing, presumed dead. “Admiral Nogura, we’re going out there.”

“Jim, I understand the loss that both of you have suffered. The entire ‘Fleet will be effected by the loss of these men, but I can not authorize you going to this region.”

“With or without sanctions from Starfleet, we are going.”

“Jim, I can not...” Nogura’s comments were halted by the comm unit signal. He pressed ‘receive’ and Captain Ashland stated there was further information coming through.

“Admiral, the USS Constitution is under attack and one of the transports has been destroyed. A Bakswani freighter, presumably carrying the stores of cryogenium is caught in the crossfire. The Constitution is attempting to lock on to it. Sir, there seems to be a full compliment of Tovian battle cruisers that have crossed the Neutral Zone. What are your orders, sir? Should we head back to the area?”

Nogura looked back at the men in his office. “No, Captain Ashland. Your orders are to stay where you are until Admiral Kirk and Commander Spock arrive at your position. Then you are to head to the planet at top speed. There are other ships in the quadrant that I will order in.”

“Aye, sir, we will hold position.”

“Gentlemen, I expect to be kept informed.”

“Affirmative, sir.”

“And Jim, this is no longer just about McCoy. You go on this mission and you will be representing the Federation. We may be on the verge of intergalactic war.”

“Understood, Admiral.”

Within two hours they had packed, transported to the docking station and boarded a warp-speed shuttle that was standing by for them. This ship was much larger than a regular shuttle but it was the smallest ship in the ‘Fleet with warp capabilities. The small ship would be able to escort them to the Alexander quicker than any of the transports. They would rendezvous with the starship in thirty hours.

Chapter 12

They had spoken very little since they left Nogura’s office. To speculate was useless. To consider the obvious was unacceptable. However, once aboard the shuttle and in their quarters, Jim could take time to get his thoughts together. He looked toward Spock, his back to Jim. The shoulders were squared and rigid. The shield between them was impenetrable. Alone, he felt so very alone.

He walked to Spock and placed his hands on his shoulders. The fabric moved against the steeled skin underneath. “Spock, I know how this is affecting you, it’s Bones, and your father. It’s affecting both of us, but you haven’t lowered your shields since this began. Spock, it’s only you and me here. We’re never going to handle this alone.”

Spock remained facing away from his partner, unyielding. “I think it unwise to drop my shields at this time.”

“Okay, Spock, I understand that you need time to regain your perspective. But,” he turned the man around and stared into the dark, unreadable eyes, “I’m here with you.” They looked at each other, but there was no flicker of emotion from Spock. Jim dropped his hands and returned to his travel bag. He pulled out only the essential items and shoved the bag into the cabinet with more force than necessary.

“Have you thought about contacting Amanda?”

“I do not have any definitive information to give her. It would not be logical to contact her without first ascertaining the degree of the situation.”

“Goddammit, Spock! She is your mother and your father is missing, maybe worse. We’ll be out of range to talk to her before long. You felt it when the bond with Bones was silenced and he doesn’t have as strong a bond with you as I do. And it’s certainly not as strong as the one between your parents. You need to call her. And if you don’t, I will!”

Spock looked at Jim. Had he not been using all of his control to prevent being overtaken by emotion, he would have fallen into the flashing hazel eyes. He nodded his acceptance of Jim’s insistence that he contact his mother.

Jim left their quarters and went to a room on the forward deck that doubled as a dayroom and a conference room. He kept checking the messages for any further information, but nothing new was forthcoming.

Jim settled at the comm unit and in a short while Spock joined him. He settled into a chair, hands steepled, peering at his companion. Jim could feel the coldness of having their link closed. Although it wasn’t unusual for he and Spock to keep their shields raised, even off duty, this time he felt the solitude much more than usual. Every subspace message that came across the board, Jim’s head jerked to read. However there were just the preliminary reports that had been released and nothing that they did not already know.

“Did you get in touch with Amanda?”

“Yes.” That was all of the answer he was capable of giving at this time.

Late in the evening Spock approached Jim. The Admiral had been sitting in the same chair and staring at the constant flow of subspace messages for hours, his eyes never leaving the screen. “Jim, you need rest. If anything regarding the situation comes through, the communications officer will contact us.”

Jim looked at Spock. He let the first hint of a smile play across his lips, however it never quite reached his eyes. Left to himself, he would have sat before the screen until they reached the rendezvous point. But before his partner could point out the illogic of such an act, he gave in.

In their cabin they undressed and got into bed. Neither was able to rest. They lay in the same bed, but there was no contact between them.

Jim rolled on his side, looking at Spock. He was lying on his back, his hands folded across his chest, staring at the ceiling. “Spock,” Jim whispered into the darkness. “This is hard enough to handle, but to have you lock me out too, makes it almost unbearable. I need you.”

Spock turned to Jim, “Jim, it is not my wish to lock you out. Never you. I am concerned that if I open up to you it will be difficult to regain control.”

“What do you mean? I thought we were bondmates. Are you telling me that you’re only willing to share the good times with me?” Jim sat up and looked toward Spock. “Spock, I need you to open up to me. I need to talk to you about this. I can’t if I feel that you’ve closed me out.”

Spock lifted a hand and stroked down the face of his mate. This man had been willing to give up everything for him. On more than one occasion, Jim had been willing to offer his life to save him. He reached for Jim and pulled him down. Their lips met as the shields dropped. Jim was met with the terrible rush of loneliness and fear that one of them, one that is a part of the whole, is no longer with them. As they fell into each other’s minds, the image of the one they love seared their hearts. Jim saw the emptiness, the vacuum, in them both through the bond. A hole had formed in them where the link to the dark, emotional colors of that volatile mind belonged. They clung to each other. Each trying to find their center of strength as their lips consumed each other, the tears on their faces blending together as each expressed their fears, their hopes, their desire to be whole again.

//When did this bond with him become so strong? //

//I had just recently become aware its strength.//

//Sarek said that it might strengthen beyond the light bonding of a sko’tan. //

//Yes, it had become stronger. It is not as strong as the bond we share, but with time, it may have become...//

//We shared this bond in the past, and we will again, Spock. I know we will. // Spock pulled away from his bondmate. “Jim, you do not believe him dead. Where does this belief come from?”

“From Bones.”

“Are you feeling his presence?”

“No, nothing like that. I’m working on pure intuition. He’s one of the strongest-willed people I’ve ever known. I have never known of anything to get the best of Bones McCoy without him giving it a hell of a fight. I find it hard to believe one phaser blast, or whatever the hell we are dealing with, would do him in.”

“Jim, I share your desire that he is found alive, however it is illogical to deny the evidence.”

“When have you known Bones to be logical?” After a moment Jim whispered, “Spock, I’ve been so concerned with Bones, I hadn’t considered the loss of Sarek.”

“I am concerned with his welfare as well, however he is not dead.”

“Did you learn this from Amanda?”

“Yes, she is still aware of his presence through the bond. It has been weakened and she is aware that he is injured. My parent’s keep their shields in place at all times when they are separated, therefore she is unsure of the extent of his injuries. She knows only that he lives.”

“He is a strong man. He’ll get through this.”

“More intuition?”

“Just hope, Spock. Just my deepest hope that this will turn out all right.”

“And mine, my t’hy’la.” They wrapped their arms around each other and listened in the dark for the comm to signal them. A signal that never came.

Captain Tori Ashland was waiting for them when they were beamed onto the Alexander’s transporter pad. “Admiral Kirk, Commander Spock, welcome aboard.”

“Captain Ashland, it’s good to see you again. It’s been several years since we last saw each other I believe.”

“Yes, Admiral. You had just returned from your rendezvous with the V’ger entity. Commander Spock. I have looked forward to meeting you for sometime.”

Spock nodded formally to the woman. “Thank you, Captain.” Her familiarity with Jim and her attractiveness was not lost on the Vulcan.

“Tori, has anything further come from the planet?”

“Jim, I’m afraid the news from the sector is not good. The Tovians have surrounded the planet with a battery of cruisers, all armed for combat. The Federation ships have had to back off. We were outgunned. They possess some type of percussion weapon that cuts right through our shields. We cannot access the planet and there are still several teams stranded down there. Communications have been disrupted and we haven’t been able to contact the ground teams for the last forty-three hours.

“The Yorktown arrived last night and the Constitution was in orbit, but she had taken a beating and has had to back off. Along with the Ling Tao and the Lexington, when we arrive, there will be a total of five ships. The Constitution was able to lock a tractor beam onto the Bakswani freighter carrying the cryogenium shipment as she backed out. The rescue of the freighter is the only bit of luck we’ve had. The problem, as I stated, is this weapon that they have. Jim, the Federation has never run across anything like this.”

“Tori, what have you found out about the Tovian? I was unaware that they possessed this type of organization.”

“As far as all reports go, they have never before used this type of attack plan. Until this episode, their modus operandi has been to attack in small savage groups, grab, and run.”

“Then something tells me that someone else is behind this. Patterns do not change that quickly. Now all we have to figure out is who. Spock, any ideas?”

“A theory Admiral. Captain, is there a computer that I may access?”

“Certainly. There’s a workstation set up in Conference Room D on Level Three. The ship’s library is tied into that computer. You are certainly welcome to use it as your own while you’re onboard.”

“Thank you, Captain. If you will excuse me, I will go there now.”

“Certainly, Spock. I will join you there shortly.”

Spock nodded to each and stated “Admiral, Captain.” He turned and walked to the lift.

Jim watched him walk away and he felt a stab in his chest. Their mental shields were back in place, as they always were when they were on duty, but now, there seemed to be an aura of aloneness that surrounded his bondmate.

Chapter 13

“Jim,” Tori said, breaking his concentration regarding Spock, “I’m on my way to the bridge and you’re welcome to join me there if you wish. Any new reports will be routed through the comm station.”

“Thank you, Tori, I would be grateful. We’re concerned about the Starfleet personnel stranded on the planet, many of whom may be injured, and of course, the welfare of Dr. Leonard McCoy and Ambassador Sarek. Spock has reason to believe that Ambassador Sarek is still alive. We were hoping that word had come through regarding their location and condition.”

They reached the lift doors. Tori keyed the override and in moments, the doors opened. She voiced the command, “Bridge.” Jim had opened his mouth to place the command, but realized that this was no longer his duty. This was not his ship; he no longer held that position. The memory flooded him of Bones’ words, spoken the last afternoon they were together. ‘Dammit, Jim! I would much rather go with you at the helm. This is the very reason that I think you should get your command back!’ If he had been at the helm of one of the ships, would they be here now? Would Bones be...what... dead? No, he wasn’t dead, he couldn’t be.

“I was sorry to hear that they were caught in the attack. Our CMO, Dr. Arianias Rand worked with McCoy for several weeks on the planet. She was very impressed by his capabilities. Dr. McCoy served with you for many years, didn’t he?”

Jim wasn’t sure if Tori didn’t want to refer to anything more, or if she didn’t know about the relationship between the three of them. If she didn’t know, she had to be one of the few in the galaxy. “Yes, served together...and more.”

Tori nodded. “I met them when we were in orbit around the planet. ”

“Tori, I didn’t know that you had met Sarek and McCoy. I knew the Alexander was patrolling the area, but I didn’t know your CMO worked on the planet. Can I talk to her?”

“Sure, Jim. She’s in sickbay.” She turned to the control panel on the lift, “Belay bridge order...Sickbay.”

The lift paused and made the directional change to Deck Two.

“Dr. Arianias Rand, allow me to introduce you to Admiral James Kirk.”

“Dr. Rand, you may not remember, but we met at the reception for Janice’s promotion.”

“Of course, Admiral. I didn’t know if you would remember me. It was such a brief introduction.”

“Of course I do. I understand that you worked on Bakswana-7. I would like to speak with you in regards to the time you spent there.”

“Certainly, please come into my office.”

“Jim,” Tori said as Arianias turned to walk toward the door, “I am going back to the bridge. If I hear anything, I will page you.”

Jim took her hand. “Thank you, Tori.”

She smiled at the man she had admired for many years, nodded, and left sickbay. Jim followed Arianias into her office.

“Admiral, first I want to express my regret in regard to Ambassador Sarek and Dr. McCoy. I understand that you were close to both.”

“Are close.”

“Sir?”

“We are close to them both. And, we’re hoping for the best.”

“Of course, I understand.”

“Can you tell me what was going on down there?”

Arianias was taken back. Was he speaking of the condition of the planet, or of the research on the disease, or was he speaking of the incident she had witnessed between McCoy and Sarek in the lab late one evening? “In regard to what, Admiral?”

“To what? To what extent they were involved. What were they doing?”

“Sir, excuse me, but it’s not my place to comment on their involvement. As far as I know, these men are the soul of discretion and what went on between them is none of my concern. Dr. McCoy is an excellent physician and leader, beyond that...”

“Dr. Rand, what are you talking about? I want to know how involved they were with the local political situation. Were they involved in anything that would specifically make them targets for terrorists?” He stood up and looked at her, “Commander, what are you talking about?”

“Err...nothing, Admiral, nothing.” Arianias sat back in her chair. Janice had talked to her about this man and his incessant capability to turn even the most confident human to mush. Well, she couldn’t exactly blame him, she had walked into this herself! ‘SHIT!’ Now he was looking at her as if he could see right through her skull and into her brain. And, she could do nothing but sit there and babble. Well, it was time to regain control.

“Admiral, as far as I know, there was nothing in their research that would directly involve them in the raids on the planet. However, they had linked the disease to an organism introduced by the Tovian raiders. They had cultured two Tovian prisoners we were holding onboard and discovered the source of the disease. It had been spread sexually to the Bakswani. I assume that did not make the Tovians particularly pleased with them. And, let’s face it, the Bakswani are not pleased with anyone. Ambassador Sarek worked for days on end just to get samples of the food and water supplies.”

“Where are these prisoners being held now?”

“They were tuned over to Federation representatives at the Deltan station. Captain Ashland could tell you where they were sent from there.”

The comm unit beeped and Arianias reached over and pressed ‘receive’. It was Spock calling Jim from the conference room. “Admiral, I have discovered some interesting facts. Can you come to the conference room?”

“Sure, Spock. I’ll be there momentarily.” He turned back to the doctor, “Will you accompany me to the conference room? I have a lot of questions.”

“Certainly, Admiral. I’ll let Captain Ashland know we we’re headed.” She turned back to the comm unit to contact the captain, as Jim walked out of the room and waited in the corridor.

Whatever Bones and Sarek had stumbled into was dangerous. The link to the disease process was what got them into this mess. Jim felt it in his bones. ‘Bones,’ he thought wistfully. And what did Rand mean, ‘Whatever went on between them was none of her concern’?

Arianias joined him in the corridor and they proceeded to level three. Upon their arrival in the conference room, Spock stood up from the workstation. “Admiral, I have been reviewing all of the logs since Bakswana-7 was admitted into the Federation, those that were recorded since this rescue mission began, and the logs that were jettisoned shortly after this last attack began. There are some inconsistencies within the information recorded prior to the arrival of the rescue teams, and that information that has been recorded since.”

“In what way?”

“Since the team’s arrival, there have been ongoing reports of frequent earthquakes in the northeast quadrant. This is also the quadrant where the majority of the mining operations are located. However, the last report included a communiqué Ambassador Sarek had sent to the command center immediately before the attack. He reported that the damage was evidently from some type of explosive device rather than typical earthquake destruction. He requested that additional security personnel be sent to the village.

“Another interesting fact is that the production of cryogenium prior to the endangerment from Bakswana-6 was reported at an average of 16,000KU’s per trip. Six Standard months was the typical amount of time between runs. The quantity that the Bakswani freighter was carrying when it was rescued was reported at 48,000KU’s. There had only been a collection time of five-point-three Standard months.”

Jim looked at Spock in disbelief. “They produced over three times as much in the same amount of time? That’s impossible. Even with extra effort, the difficulty of securing the cryogenium would limit the capabilities to possibly half again as much for the same time period.”

“With maximum effort, using the same mining techniques, there would be approximately point four-two-six additional KU's of mineral produced.”

“Point-four...”

“Two-six.”

“So where did the rest of it come from?”

“It is my belief that there has been a co-agreement formed between the Tovian’s and the Bakswani. The alliance began prior to any indications of trouble with Bakswani-6 and prior to the request of assistance from the Federation. It was in-place when the first of the so-called earthquakes began. I believe that it was then that they began mining with a type of sound wave that carved great quantities of the mineral from the rock. A sound wave that could also be used as a defense system.”

“The same type of defense system that is now being used to keep the Federation ships at bay?”

“It would seem to follow the same pattern.”

“But why would they destroy one of their own villages?"

“The Bakswani council objected strongly to the presence of the Federation medical teams that were sent to the various quadrants. The team in the northeast quadrant had made a routine report that one of the patients they had inoculated became quite ill. It was a young, pregnant female and she possibly had a reaction to the vaccination and delivered a stillborn child. The team had prepared the fetus for transport back to the command center for an autopsy to determine if the vaccination had indeed interfered with the pregnancy.”

Jim rubbed his forehead, “Spock, what would this have to do with the village being destroyed?”

“There were a number of pregnant females noted in McCoy’s notes. They were in various stages of pregnancy, however none more than six months gestation.”

“Admiral,” Arianias spoke up, “he's right. While treating those that were brought into the surgical unit, we noticed a large number of pregnant females. Some were no more than about fourteen years old. Others were as old as twenty-five, maybe twenty-seven years old. All were at a gestation of between six months and a few days. The normal gestation period for the Bakswani is twelve Standard months. We assumed that there was a reproductive cycle that the Bakswani were going through. There seemed to be very few inhabitants under the age of twelve or so.”

“Admiral, that would seem logical. Recent studies have discovered evidence that long exposure to cryogenium may cause sterilization in males. And the first reports of cryogenium were discovered within the stone used for building purposes. Once that discovery was made, mining operations began in earnest and trading rights for the mineral became escalated, with the Federation eventually winning those rights.”

“So, how come there are so many pregnant females if the males are sterile?”

“Dr. McCoy proved that the disease process was sexually transmitted from the Tovians. If that is true, then they may have been the ones who impregnated the females.”

Jim was trying to put this together. Could it possibly be that the reason that two medical teams were attacked was over this fetus? All killed because this fetus would prove that the Tovians had been on the planet prior to, and during, the Federation rescue efforts?

Jim turned to the doctor. “Arianias, from your knowledge of the Tovian and Bakswani, could there be a successful cross breeding of the two?”

“Unknown, Admiral. We were not specifically concentrating on the pregnancies. However, both species are humanoid and have very similar physiological make-ups. The main difference is in the size. The Tovian is considerably larger than the Bakswani. I am certain that the similarities are so close that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to be able to distinguish a Tovian from a Bakswani offspring in utero. I have not discovered any data that would preclude the success of a Bakswani female being able to conceive and deliver the offspring of a Tovian male. And there were rumors of rape victims during the various sieges.”

“I am not talking about rape.” Jim shook his head thoughtfully. “At least, not in the traditional sense. I read the report that Bones filled prior to going into the village. It stated that Sarek had only been allowed access after pointing out that the only option was to lose two generations. Is it possible that they were exchanging the cryogenium for the impregnation of their females due to the fact that their males, those at the age most likely to reproduce, were rendered sterile by the mineral?”

“Jim,” Spock’s voice had become smooth and sure. “They were a dying race. Mating with the Tovian insured their future. Only when the ecological changes came about, caused by the breakup of the satellite around Bakswani-6, and it seemed that their planet was going to be destroyed, did they contact the Federation for assistance.”

“Okay, the first step is getting on that planet. About this weapon, is there any way to counteract it?”

“A possibility, Admiral. I believe that we can set up an device that will capture the waves and turn them back on the sender."

“Like a mirror effect?”

“Exactly. With the presence of a full compliment of starships, we should be able to form a barrier wide enough to compensate for the width of the band. If each can deploy a tirantium sail forward and link the shields of each ship, then, in theory, we should be able to counter the...” Spock gasped, went pale and grabbed the edge of the table. Jim rushed forward as the Vulcan fell into the chair. Arianias punched the comm and ordered a triage team to the conference room. She then rushed to the Vulcan’s side.

“Spock!” Jim yelled.

Spock grabbed Jim’s hand, almost crushing the fingers in his grip. He looked up at Jim. “He is alive, Jim. He is alive.”

Chapter 14

Blinding pain...Searing through every nerve of his being...Cold...OH GOD!...It hurt to move...Trying to open eyes that would not open...

“Leonard,” the voice came to him. The sound of the voice hurt his ears. It was just a whisper but he knew the voice.

“Spock!” he tried to scream, but only his lips moved slightly. No sounds came from him, other than a cough that racked his body. But he knew. Spock was here, Spock was with him. He fought to find consciousness. The comfort of the darkness called him. He closed his eyes to let the darkness claim him. “Spock,” he whispered as he drifted back into unconsciousness.

“Leonard,” the voice called to him, again. Must find him. Must find the voice. Safety is in the voice. Always safe when the voice is with him. Forcing his eyes to open, he could not tell if they were open or shut. Darkness either way. He began to move his arms...pain...with each breath...pain.

Slowly the conscious replaced the unconscious. Dark shapes, cold rock beneath him. He tried to come to his knees but fell back against the hard surface. His head fell against a sharp object. He knew his head was bleeding; it was warm fluid running down his face in contrast to the cold that surrounded him.

Suddenly an arm was around him. Turning him into the bend of an elbow. A rag was pressed to the gash on his head and he recoiled from the touch.

So cold. And the darkness reclaimed him.

He felt the rag being gently brushed across his skin. It was the pon farr, the blood fever, and he saw the face of Sarek. Attending to them, cleaning them. Giving them drink. No…NO…it’s all wrong! Vulcan is hot and bright. This is dark and cold. But it is the face of Sarek, as he had done once before, cleaning him, bringing moisture to his lips.

His hand moved to his neck and found the medallion was gone. That hurt almost as much as the pain in his head. “Sarek,” he whispered. “I thought this was...” He could not continue.

“Save your strength, Leonard. I will explain all that I know. We were captured during the attack on the village. We are in a mining shaft. I am uncertain of the time we have been here due to the fact that I was incoherent for a while. However, I feel safe in saying it has been several days, possibly as long as three. The walls are very high and slick. Escape is apparently impossible. There is water that is trickling from the rock to keep us from becoming dehydrated, however there is no other sustenance.”

Leonard managed to bring a forearm up and gingerly laid it across his eyes. “Don’t sugarcoat it, you’re saying we’re screwed.”

“In this instance, I will agree with that assessment.”

Bones removed his arm from his eyes and realized he was beginning to be able to see in the dim light. Sarek was nude and so, he realized, was he. “Clothes?” he mumbled.

“It seems that our captors have made every effort to assure us no comfort. When I awoke, I discovered that we had been disrobed and what is left of our clothing is lying about in tattered rags.”

Leonard began to rise to a seated position. A wave of nausea overtook him and he felt his stomach retch. He placed his arms out beside him and hung his head between them as he began to gag. An arm moved around his waist and a hand found his head, supporting his neck as he went through the motions of vomiting. Nothing was in his stomach, therefore nothing was expelled. The arm pulled him to lie against a smooth chest. They each shivered from the cold. Leonard’s arms wrapped around Sarek’s form and they sat in the dim light, one holding the other to soothe, the other clutching to keep the darkness from overtaking him.

Untold time passed. It could have been minutes, it could have been hours. Leonard was unsure, but he thought he had slept. He moved and started to ask Sarek how long it had been, but he looked around them. What did it matter? Each second that ticked off the clock was another second that they were trapped here.

All right, there had to be some way to survive this. He tried turning to Sarek. They were each still seated together with their arms around each other. Leonard noticed that Sarek’s back was against the rock wall and knew the hard, cold rock was certainly not what the man needed.

“Sarek, let’s get what’s left of our clothing and see if we can set up some pallet. There seems to be a small ledge over there that we could put them on.”

“Yes, I had noticed it earlier.”

McCoy tried to rise but found it most difficult. Finally getting to his feet, with Sarek’s assistance, he began first to take inventory of the injuries. He was certain that he had at least three broken ribs, maybe more. There was a very tender place on the side of his head that he was sure was a skull fracture, and a large gash at the hairline over his left eye. It was possible that his elbow had been dislocated, but it seemed to be back in place now. At any rate, his right arm was a mess. There were numerous cuts and abrasions all over his body. They had evidently been thrown down the shaft.

He looked at Sarek. It almost broke his heart to look at the distinguished man that he had come to know so well. Even in the dim light, he could see Sarek had multiple visible cuts and one eye was almost closed shut from the swelling. He was standing beside Leonard with one hand supporting him and one leg held off of the ground. “Sarek, sit down. Let me have a look at that leg.”

“There is no need, Doctor. There is nothing that you can do about it.”

“You let me be the judge of that. Here, sit on the ledge.”

He helped Sarek to the ledge and turned him so he could sit down. He knelt before him and ran his hands up the swollen limb. There was a displaced fracture and a large gash on the leg. In this light, and with his hands being so cold, he was unsure if the bone had ripped an opening in the leg, or if the impact where the gash was located was what caused the fracture. Either way, the circulation to the limb was being compromised. “Sarek, I need to pop the bone back into place. Problem is, I don’t know if I have the strength to pull on it. My right arm is nearly useless.”

“Do not concern yourself with this. It is the least of our worries at this time.”

“Without treatment, you’re gonna lose this leg. I’ve gotta restore full circulation, and soon.” He began to scour the area for anything he could use as a wedge and a weight. He found two large stones, one had a rounder shape than the other. He struggled to move the rocks close to the ledge. He retrieved the remnants of their clothes. Sarek was right, they had torn the cloth to shreds. However, he did find one long strip of cloth from the leg of one jumpsuit. Fumbling in the darkness, his hands found a slick fabric that he recognized as a part of the rain suit. He gathered all that he could find and returned to Sarek. He laid the cloth on the ledge and took the long strip of fabric and tied one end of it around one of the rocks. He struggled, but lifted both rocks to the ledge. With the round rock, he lifted Sarek’s knee and placed the rock underneath it. He secured the other end to Sarek’s ankle.

“Sarek, this is going to hurt like hell, but I don’t have the strength to reset the bone. This will pull the bone back into place and hopefully restore full circulation. I want you to wrap your arms around me and resist when the stone falls.”

Sarek nodded his understanding and wrapped his arms around Leonard. McCoy pushed the stone off of the ledge and held on to Sarek. The snap was immediate and Leonard knew the pain was excruciating. However, amazingly, there was no movement or outcry from his companion. He moved to remove the cloth that was tied around the ankle. He felt the leg and could no longer feel the displacement of the bone. He felt the calf and ankle and although still swollen, there seemed to be some warmth returning to the tissues. “It seems to have cleared the disruption of blood flow. Hell, if I could see, or if you were human, I would tell you it’s pinking up nicely.”

“It does seem to have released a great deal of pressure in that area. I find your ability to improvise is both fascinating as well as commendable.”

“Well, my first choice would be a medical kit and bone regenerator, but I don’t believe they bothered to throw any of those items in here with us.”

He spread the rags on the ledge and what was left of the rain suits, he laid over the rest. It would at least keep them off of the cold rock. “Sarek, lay down and prop your leg up on this rock to elevate it. I know to move the leg is painful, but I need you to keep wiggling your toes. The more circulation we can keep to that leg, the better chance we have of keeping you from throwing a clot.”

Sarek complied and lay down. McCoy wrapped some of the excess material around him to try to keep him as warm as possible. Then he turned his attention to the predicament that they found themselves in. It was obvious that help was not coming from the surface. “No tellin’ how far we are from anyone friendly,” he mumbled.

He began to examine the walls. It was as if they had been cut with some tool that left them absolutely smooth. He felt for any handholds, but there were none. “Hell, even Jim couldn’t climb outta this!”

It looked as if the opening above was about thirty to forty feet up. He thought about the material and wondered if there was anything that could be tied together to form a rope. But the material was too lightweight to support them and, even if it did, there was nothing to attach it to. There seemed to be nothing else at their disposal. ‘Shit! We’re gonna die down here!’

His head was pounding and queasiness threatened him once more. He knew he had a severe concussion and was concerned about going into shock. He needed to get warm, but that didn’t seem to be an option at the moment. He attempted to shake his head to relieve the nausea, but that hurt too much. He bent his knees and half fell, half sat on the stone floor.

“Leonard, come lay here. It is more comfortable than the bare stone.”

He nodded his head and used the ledge of the rock platform to pull himself up. Sarek rolled to his side and made room for McCoy on the narrow overhang. The Vulcan extended his arm and Leonard lay down, using the arm as a pillow. He spooned himself to McCoy while still managing to keep his ankle elevated on the rock. Then he placed his arm around Leonard’s waist and pulled him close. Leonard enfolded the arm about him with his own. The warmth felt good. Even in this chilled place, the two naked bodies pressed together and gave each some measure of relief.

They lay there like that for some time. Sarek in a light healing trance, and McCoy trying to calculate any way out of their cage. Periods of unconsciousness claimed him. They moved only when it was necessary to relieve themselves or drink from the trickle of water. Periods of clarity began to grow more frequent and brief respites of true sleep came to Leonard. But he would suddenly feel the presence of his lovers and awaken, only to find himself still in the same circumstance.

Laying there in the dimness, he began to remember the times in the apartment. The feel of the bodies pressed against him. Most of all, he remembered the warm bed that he had taken for granted. Sarek moved against him and he could feel the semi-flaccid organ against his buttocks. He remembered how this man felt with his warm body laying on top of him, his mouth consuming his cock, the feel of him when he slipped inside.

He kept still, hoping not to be discovered having erotic visions of past encounters. He felt the arm draped around him began to move. A hand began to softly caress his abdomen, and lower. When the hand contacted his patch of pubic hair, the intent was no longer doubted.

The hand found his cock and began to lightly stroke it. Leonard moved his hips slightly to center the hardened organ to him. He reached behind him, found the hard shaft and began to stroke it. Slick fluid began to form and he moistened his fingers with it and spread his cheeks and rubbed the pre-ejaculate to his opening. He centered Sarek’s cockhead to the puckered opening and pushed his hips against the hard penis until he felt it begin to invade him.

There had been no preparation for this invasion, but Sarek pressed very slowly into the orifice, allowing for no pain to harm this man. He continued the slow strokes up and down Leonard’s engorged organ. Very slowly the rocking motion against him increased, as he pressed a little deeper with each one. He was fully encased and they lay there, slowly rocking against each other, the heat building between them.

Leonard felt his scrotum begin to contract, ready for orgasm. He pushed his hips against the ones spooned against him with more determination. The strokes on his cock increased and he felt the glow from deep within him. He could feel the pressure of the body pushing against him and the warm fluid began to fill him. He brought his hand to the one surrounding his cock and gripped it and pushed into it, releasing his semen in long shuttering waves.

They did not move. They stayed where they were, enjoying the heat that flushed through their bodies and the brief respite from pain. The hand released his organ and went back to his waist and pulled him close. Sleep claimed them.

During the next two days they managed to rise only occasionally to drink from the streams of moisture, carrying water in their hands as best they could to keep the other hydrated. McCoy, trying to keep their minds alert, encouraged conversation by relating memories of the many missions that he had been involved with in both the first five years and these last years when they were called upon to intervene in the most extreme cases. He recounted to Sarek long forgotten tales and all of the attributes of the southern region of Georgia, and even explained various medical procedures to him. Sarek relayed much of the folklore and history associated with the Vulcan culture. However, as hour after hour dragged by, it became too much of an effort to either talk or move, and the mind’s darkness became a relief.

Chapter 15

“Spock, do you still feel the bond?” Over the last forty-two hours, Jim had seen to the deployment of the tirantium sails. Captain Ashland was bringing all ships in close enough to link the shields. All they could do now was wait. They would go to the bridge when the defensive maneuver began, but for now they were back in the conference room, alone.

“It is sporadic, but it exists. It seems to become greatest in times of strong emotions. I have felt extreme confusion and pain. And, Jim, I have felt fulfillment.”

Jim looked at Spock, “Fulfillment? As in sexual fulfillment?”

“Yes.”

“Spock, when I was first speaking to Arianias Rand regarding the situation on the planet, she evidently believed that there was an…involvement between Bones and Sarek.”

He watched Spock’s face. There was no reaction, and the shields between them were firmly in place so Spock could concentrate on any impressions he received from McCoy. Jim continued, “Do you think there is a possibility of a relationship between them?”

“I am certain of it. The evening before their disappearance, while I was still on the Enterprise, I became aware that Leonard’s bond to us had fully developed. He was making love to Sarek.”

“Does that bother you?”

Spock sat with his elbows resting on the arms of the chair and his fingers steepled in front of his face. He had been watching the screen, but his eyes shifted to his bondmate. “That he has found comfort with someone? No, it is not an issue with our relationship. That it was with my father? It is unusual but understandable. They have been together for these months. It would be logical that they have developed a deep admiration for one another.”

“A deep admiration...” Jim repeated softly. He hadn’t considered that if something had happened between them, that it could be anything other than an interlude in the aloneness that both would be feeling. “Spock, are you saying you feel something other than just sexual fulfillment?”

“Jim, that which I have detected is born from deep emotions. I, of course, do not have any way of knowing my father’s response, but, yes, I feel that Leonard had developed a strong emotional attachment for Sarek.”

“Spock,” Jim sat on the edge of the desk looking at his friend. “This probably isn’t the time, but...do you think that if we can rescue them...that Bones will...that their relationship has developed to the point...”

“To the point where Leonard would choose to leave this relationship for another?”

Jim nodded.

“I do not know,” Spock answered. “That would have to be his decision. Although I do not desire for him to feel obligated to us, his absence would certainly be difficult.”

Jim watched the softness spread across the face he loved so much. “I love you, you know,” he whispered to Spock.

“As I do you. And it is my hope that we three can be together once more. However, Jim, I do fear that time is running out. Once again the bond has grown very weak.”

The comm sounded and Tori paged the men. “Admiral, Commander, we are in place. If you would like to be on the bridge for this, you better come now.”

They rose and ran quickly for the lift. Upon the opening of the lift doors onto the bridge, they felt the impact of the deployed sails hitting the first wave of the Tovians defensive weapon. Even with the sails absorbing the brunt of the wave, the percussion from the weapon rocked the compliment of ships.

“Navigator, check position! Helmsman, keep the course steady! Check distance to the other ships. Make sure we do not stray into their trajectory. Science station, monitor the enemy ships!” Captain Tori Ashland was relaying orders to the crew and James Kirk, beyond everything else that was going on around them, felt a twinge of jealousy. Another blast hit the ships, causing Jim and Spock to grab the railing or risk being thrown to the floor.

“Captain,” Jim automatically looked toward the science station, “It seems to be working. The weapon has turned back upon them. Several of their ships are buckling!” The science officer looked up from his position toward his commander, “They’re not shielded. All of their power is focused on the weapons.”

Jim had to smile. The science officer was quite excited about the results of the defensive maneuver. He thought to himself, how very odd it would feel to have an emotional science officer. One more blast rocked the ship, but this time several flashes of bright light accompanied it.

“Captain, six enemy ships destroyed! The others are making a run for the Neutral Zone.”

“Helmsman, target and fire phasers!”

“Aye, Captain!”

The familiar burst of sound that radiated through the bridge was music to Jim’s ears. Soon, they would be on the planet. Spock was certain that was where they could be found, however, he was unable to pinpoint an exact location.

Tori turned to him, “Admiral Kirk, Commander Spock, my congratulations on the success of the defensive strategy.”

“Captain Ashland, how long before we can beam down to the surface?”

“We will be in range in eight minutes, sir. However, we can not risk your safety until the security team has given the all clear.”

Jim was taken by surprise. How many times had he told a visiting Admiral or dignitary the same thing? However, on this occasion, he was not going to be treated as an Admiral. “Captain, I intend to be in the first group that beams down.”

“Admiral, that is unwise. You are not an expendable member of Starfleet. Your safety must be guaranteed at all costs, sir.”

She turned her chair toward him and said so that only he could hear, “Jim, the brass at Starfleet would have my ass if anything happens to you.”

“Tori, I am the brass.”

“My point exactly, sir.”

“Captain, may I accompany the security team?” Spock asked.

“Commander Spock, it is certainly acceptable for you to accompany the landing party. If you wish, you may do so. They will be reporting to the transporter room momentarily.”

She turned back to Jim, “Admiral, I can not forbid your going. I can only advise against it.”

“Your recommendation will be duly noted. Where do we pick up our equipment?”

Tori had to bite her lip to keep a smile from breaking the seriousness she was attempting to relay. Jim Kirk, still the maverick! Some people never change. “Report to the transporter room where you will be outfitted. I will meet you there shortly,” she said, shaking her head in exasperation.

As they headed for the lift, Captain Ashland began to coordinate rescue efforts with the other ships. It was decided that the team from the Alexander would cover the village in the northeastern quadrant. This was the last known location of Ambassador Sarek and Dr. McCoy.

Within minutes they began to materialize on the planet’s surface. The destruction that lay before them was unimaginable. Never had Jim seen such a total obliteration of an entire village. And, if their assumption was correct, the officials of this planet had allowed this. Phasers were drawn and the security team blanketed the area looking for any sign of attack forces. The all clear was given. The area was deserted. All that remained were the occasional remnants of what used to be either a medical team member or a villager.

“Admiral,” Spock turned to Jim, “There are faint life signs from the building across the square.”

Jim looked in the direction that Spock was aiming the tricorder. How he could tell what used to be buildings and what used to be open space was beyond him. It was nothing but debris in all directions.

Captain Ashland directed members of the security team to join them. They picked their way across the wreckage and came to a shell of a stone building. Spock directed security to the area where the life signs were emanating. They all began to pull back rubble and located a protected area where three crewmen were still alive. They called for a medical team to beam down. Two males and a female were pulled from the rubble and the medical team began attending to them. The female was the least injured of the three. She had multiple fractures and abrasions and was dehydrated, but was soon coherent enough to speak.

She was with the group that had come over with Dr. McCoy. The engineers were securing the wall to the structure, and she and the other medical personnel were attempting to locate the members of the original team. When the explosions began, they had sought refuge against the wall. Everything began to cave in around them. She was trapped in the rubble and saw a group of Bakswani, accompanied by what she assumed were Tovians, take the Ambassador and Dr. McCoy with them out of the south end of the village. She lost consciousness shortly after that and did not remember anything else.

Spock, Jim, and several security members headed for the southern entrance to the village.

Hours went by to no avail. No sign of the missing men had been found. They split up and searched the area thoroughly. They met back at the point from where they had started the search at the appointed time. All reported no signs of either the ambassador, the doctor, or even the inhabitants of the planet. One crewmember pulled an object from his waist pack.

“I did find this object, although I don’t know if it holds any significance.” Jim looked toward the man and immediately recognized the gold medallion dangling from the broken chain.

He grabbed the object from the palm of the crewman and shouted, “Spock! Come over here! This is McCoy’s!” He looked toward the surprised crewman and grabbed him by the shoulders. “Where did you find this?”

“I found it at the entrance to a mining cavern. I looked inside and ran a tricorder scan, but there was no sign of life.”

“Take us there!”

“Yes, sir. It is over that hill.” The man started in the lead, but the two Starfleet officers were soon ahead of him. He pointed toward the entrance to the cavern and they dove inside.

“Bones!” Jim began shouting. Bones was in here, somewhere, he could feel it. The cavern was a labyrinth of tunnels and they had to dodge the various shafts that would suddenly appear in the floor.

“Bones! Can you hear me?”

“Jim, down here,” Spock called from one of the tunnels. Jim rushed to him.

“This is a piece of cloth from a Starfleet-issue rain suit.” They widened the beams of the lights on their powerpacks and spotted a large, dried puddle of dark fluid. Spock powered up the tricorder, however the minerals in the rock interfered with the readouts. He looked toward Jim and shook his head. “I can not be sure. The surroundings are masking the readings.”

Jim had stood motionless since seeing the puddle. “I’m sure,” he said flatly. He had no doubt that this was their companion’s blood. He looked at Spock and then forward down the tunnel. There were other dark splotches along the path. They followed the path of the stains but this tunnel abruptly stopped. A solid wall of rock was in front of them.

They turned to start back out, but noticed a break in the side of the rock, just large enough for a man to squeeze through. More of the substance was located within the crevice. They pushed through the crack to find a large, cavernous room on the other side. There was an opening in the rocks along the ceiling where water from the constant rains seeped through along with the dim light from outside. There, on the other side of the room, they saw another of the deep shafts.

“Bones!” Jim shouted as he ran for the hole in the floor.

Chapter 16

In the darkness, Leonard heard a familiar voice call to him. “Jim,” he tried to call, but his voice was failing. “Jim!” He forced his body up and looked toward the top of the shaft. The thought came to him that he was probably hallucinating.

A blinding light invaded his eyes. He fell from the platform onto the floor and shielded his eyes with his hands.

“Bones! God, Spock! They’re down there!” Jim screamed to Spock. “Call the ship. We’re going to need help to get them out!”

“The communicators are nonfunctioning due to the mineral compounds found in the rock. It is the same reason that the tricorder is producing inaccurate readings; therefore the transporters will not have the capability of penetrating these walls. Stay here, I shall go to the entrance for assistance.” Spock turned and quickly disappeared through the crevice.

Jim lay on his stomach and peered into the shaft. He laid the light off to the side, hoping to still be able to see down to the bottom, but keep the blinding light from the men. It was useless, without the light, he could only see what seemed to be a bottomless pit of darkness.

“Bones,” he spoke softly, “Help is on the way. If you can hear me, if you can respond to the sound of my voice, try to do something to signal to me.”

Leonard’s heart soared, but his body was uncooperative. He searched the floor for a stone and found one that he still had the strength to lift. He brought it up intending to beat it against the wall, but only managed to scrape it down the side of the shaft.

It was enough. Jim heard the scratching noise. “Bones, I know the light bothers you, but I need to see if there is an access to the bottom. Shield your eyes if you can, I am going to shine the light down the sides of the shaft to see if there is a way down.”

He brought the light close to the hole and began by searching around the rim. The circumference of the hole was about six meters wide and the edges were very smooth. It reminded him of the tunnels that the Horta had burned into the rock on another planet. Since that time many years ago, he had never seen such smoothness to a mining shaft. Slowly he inched the light down the walls. There was no way to climb into or out of the rock prison. There were no handholds to grasp. The only roughness seemed to be at the bottom where there were irregularities in the sides. He spotted the form of Sarek laying on what seemed to be a ledge and saw Bones lying on the floor. He was not moving.

“Bones, stay with us. Help will be here shortly.” He heard a noise above him and saw an object being lowered through the opening above. It was a signal buoy so the team could communicate to the ship along with a pulley system and access lift. He heard noise coming from the passage and saw Spock push himself through the opening followed by rescue personnel. At the same moment, personnel began to descend from the opening in the cave ceiling. They carried repelling equipment along with litters with which to bring the men to the surface. They stood back and watched as the rescue team took over.

Jim nervously paced a wide perimeter of the hole while Spock stood stoically, his eyes never leaving the activity directed toward the shaft. There were commands to begin the lift, and pulleys began pulling the first litter from the depths of the pit. When it first appeared at the opening, both Jim and Spock stepped to the edge of the receiving platform that had been erected.

They could see a body on the frame and it was not until the stretcher had been removed from the hoist and a crew had carried it off the platform, did they see that it was Sarek. He was wrapped in a stasis suit and all that was exposed was his face.

Sarek opened his eyes and looked blankly at the two men beside him. “Leonard,” His lips formed the word, however no sound escaped the drawn mouth.

“Father, they are bringing him up now. You will both be transported to the USS Alexander. We will meet you onboard.”

Sarek closed his eyes in acknowledgment of Spock’s words. The medical team boarded the hover-lift and was pulled through the top of the cavern. They turned to see the second stretcher being hoisted from the hole.

When Jim saw the face of their companion he was astonished. Other than intuition alone, Jim was certain he would not have recognized the man attached to the frame. There was an obvious large gash above the eyebrow extending into the hairline. Only the face showed and it was swollen, bloodied and raw. “Bones,” Jim whispered. But, there was no response.

“We have to get him to the ship, sir. He’s in bad shape.”

Jim nodded to the medic and hesitantly stepped aside. He looked toward Spock and their eyes met. The same question appeared in both sets of eyes. Were they too late?

Onboard, hours went by without word. Once they had arrived at the sickbay, a nurse had advised them that both men were suffering from multiple fractures, internal injuries, malnutrition, dehydration and exposure. She stated that Dr. McCoy had two severe concussions and that it was unsure if there would be permanent damage. His survival was not insured at the moment. It was believed that Ambassador Sarek would recover from his injuries, however it would take time. She excused herself and went back through the sickbay doors. That had been over four hours ago Jim surmised, as he glanced for the hundredth time toward the chrono on the wall.

From all of Bones’ reports, Dr. Rand was an excellent surgeon, however, an excellent surgeon was not enough. Not for the man lying in there. Jim wanted the best. Then he realized that the man lying there was the best that Starfleet had to offer. He glanced, again, at the chrono. Captain Ashland had been in several times to check on them. She advised them that the ship was making the best possible speed to the Deltan station. Time of arrival would be within the next hour. Jim heard the hum of the engines change when the ship powered down to sublight speed to enter space dock.

Dr. Rand exited the sickbay doors and made her way to the two men who had kept a vigil outside the unit. “Admiral, Commander, I have completed the initial surgery on Dr. McCoy. I have stopped most of the intracranial bleeding. There are still some vessels that have not responded to repair, but they are small and should not pose a threat until we can move him to the base hospital for further surgery. His condition is grave. To tell you the truth, I can’t understand how he survived this long. I can’t make any guarantees regarding his prognosis.”

“May we see him?” Jim asked.

“Not at this time. I have him in a sterile field due to the open head injuries. I feel certain that as soon as we reach the station, he will need to be transported to the surgery unit for additional repair.”

“And Ambassador Sarek?”

“Ambassador Sarek is in much better shape. He will be transported to the base hospital, as well. He has entered into a Vulcan healing trance and I have someone standing by to assist him when he requires it. His injuries will require time, but he should be fine in a matter of days. And, before you ask, yes, as soon as he comes out of the trance, you may speak to him for a short period of time.”

Jim nodded to her. His thoughts were with McCoy.

“Thank you, Doctor.” Spock acknowledged the information she had given them.

“Certainly, Commander. If there is any further information, I will update you.” With that she returned to her patients.

They did see Bones briefly, or rather the unit that he was enclosed in, as he was transported to the Deltan base hospital. There was a team of doctors that whisked him away behind additional doors that neither Jim nor Spock were privileged to enter. They were advised that there had been a suite set up for them on an upper floor and that they would be updated and notified when either of the men could have visitors. Seeing no alternative, they went up to the suite.

It was a hospital room that had been set up with a table and chairs, a comm unit and they noticed that their gear had already arrived. It was quite crowded considering that the oversized beds and the normal furnishings remained. It did, however, have a private bath and shower. Jim couldn’t remember the last time he had been in a shower and his clothes still showed the muddy remnants of the cave. He glanced toward Spock, who was in no better shape.

“First things first. Let’s make sure the unit is set to sound should there be any messages and then, I’m going to take a shower. I should’a asked for something for this headache, but I guess we know that there is only one thing that will get rid of it.”

“A positive update regarding Leonard.”

“I see you understand.”

“All too well, my t’hy’la.” Spock checked the comm unit and found it was fully functional.

“You want to join me?”

“Yes, I, too, am in need of cleaning.”

Jim undressed and tossed everything into the recycler. He ran the water as hot as his skin could stand and stepped inside the enclosure. He had to keep moving so the water would not burn him. He felt a warm body slip in behind him, arms encircled him and a warm head came to rest on his shoulder. Spock, who was the pillar of strength when Jim needed him to be, was finally able to relax his body and his mental shields and allow himself this period to feel the sorrow for the one that they may lose. Jim brought his hand up to the head resting on his shoulder. He could feel the grief that ran through the man and could feel hot droplets running down his back. He was unsure whether it was water from the shower or something else, but it didn’t matter. He caressed the silky hair and clasped his hand around the arms that encircled his waist.

After a few minutes the head came up from his shoulder and Jim turned in the arms to meet the face of his lover. The eyes were slightly swollen but composed. Jim reached behind the dark head and pulled it toward him. Their lips joined and both could feel an emotional shudder run through them.

// He will be all right. //

// More of your human intuition? I have come to trust them. //

// Maybe intuition, maybe just a fear of the alternative. //

// Yes, I feel that, as well. //

// Spock, make love to me. Let me feel that we are still a part of each other. I need to feel that right now more than anything. //

// Yes. I shall make love to you. I will hold you and we will feel him with us once more. //

“However,” he reverted to the spoken word, “as you stated, first things first.” He reached for a bath sponge and lathered it up. He began to bathe Jim in the rich, foamy lather. He washed the front of him, paying special attention to the hardening organ, bring it to full arousal. He moved the sponge so that it gently massaged the scrotal sack and then squatted down and washed the front of each leg.

He then turned him around and placed Jim’s hands against the tiled wall. He then sponged him down his back, across the buttocks, between the thighs and down each leg. He finished with attention to the buttocks, but without benefit of the sponge. He ran his soapy hands around the mounds and in the crevice, separating them and letting his fingers play across the puckered orifice. He let his soap-slickened fingers glide inside, stretching and preparing the entrance for penetration. Just when Jim began to thrust his hips against the warm fingers, Spock withdrew and sprayed the body with water.

Jim turned to face him and Spock took the sponge and lathered his own body. He ran the sponge over his own erection and Jim watched as he turned around and bathed his own buttocks and legs. Jim took the sponge and washed the lithe but muscular back and neck and moved down the spine to the crease separating the mounds. He dropped the sponge and spread the cheeks. He ran his fingers across the sensitive opening and slid a finger inside. He briefly touched the gland that brought a moan from the lips of the Vulcan. He removed his finger and sprayed the soap from Spock’s body.

They each took a towel and dried themselves. Spock took Jim’s hand and led them into the main room and pulled him to one of the beds. He pulled Jim’s towel off and tossed it to the floor as he had already done with his own.

He laid Jim on the bed and spread his thighs and knelt between them. "Now I shall make love to you. Let you remember the way it was, the way it will be again, between the three of us.”

He ran his hands up the golden thighs and contacted the pouch. The voice, deeply husky with lust spoke to him. “Remember...the eyes as they become violet with passion, the skillful hands as they massage and caress and the warm mouth as it laps and consumes.” He bent and ran his tongue up each side of the scrotum, taking each of the hard nodules nestled inside into his mouth and massaging them between his tongue and the roof of his mouth. Releasing one and moving to the other until both were bathed in warm saliva.

“Yes, oh yes,” Jim breathed. He was here with them, the three of them, together. The tongue ran the length of this shaft and he spread and raised his knees. The long fingers found his still damp opening and pressed against the tight entrance, slipping deeply inside. The mouth closed around his shaft and pulled him inside. Filling and filled. The three of them arousing and stroking, tasting and feeling, the bond between the three was open, the sensations were complete.

Spock removed his fingers and released the organ from his mouth. He grasped the calves and pulled them up onto his shoulders. He centered his cock and plunged deep into the tightness.

Remembering how Leonard loved the sensation of being filled. Remembering the first time he had entered Leonard. There was excitement and fear that radiated from his lover when he centered his penis against him. He had reassured Leonard that he would not injure him. Slowly he eased his organ inside, waiting to feel the pressure of wanting to take more. How he had fought against release to keep from hurting the newly-invaded tissue. Spock remembered the feeling of the convulsing chamber against his cock and the difficulty of control to keep from ejaculating. The sight of his body inside the virginal opening as Leonard had writhed against him as he came.

Spock had pulled out of Leonard and rolled onto his side and lay panting on the bed. Jim had spooned himself against the heaving body, a body needing release. Jim caressed his fingers against his opening and asked if he had ever been penetrated. Spock had gasped ‘No,’ but pleaded to be filled. Jim had entered him, pulling him close as he pushed inside, he reached down and grasped Spock’s cock and began to pump it in time with his own which was now filling him from within. A deep thrust and he could feel the organ convulsing inside of him, bathing his insides with warm fluid. He felt his own organ jerk and released himself into the experienced, warm hand.

With these memories flowing between them, he pumped deeply into Jim’s chamber. He felt the orgasm overtake him and he thrust deeper as the waves descended on him. Spock gripped the sides of the hips and pressed tightly against the body. His penis began to convulse inside his lover as he released his seed.

Spock, still encased inside of the golden body, grasped Jim’s erection and stroked it with intensity. He saw Jim arch his back and watched as the warm liquid spurted into his hand. He used the fluid to coat the head and shaft as he brought Jim through the last of the powerful ejaculation.

Sated, he collapsed onto Jim, the warm fluid spreading between them. He raised his head and found the lips of his lover and consumed him.

“Spock,” Jim gasped for air, “he was here. He was with us.”

“As he shall always be. Whatever the next days bring, he shall always be a part of us.”

Chapter 17

The comm unit sounded and Spock gently pulled his softening penis from Jim. He stood up and activated the audio command. “Commander Spock.”

“Commander, this is Dr. Arianias Rand. Your father has come out of the healing trance and I am transporting him to the medical center. You can see him as soon as you wish.” She relayed the location that Sarek was being sent to.

“Very well, Doctor. The Admiral and I will be there momentarily.”

“Very good, sir.”

He pressed ‘end’ and turned to see Jim wiping the residue from his abdomen with the discarded towel and pulling on a uniform. He did the same and within minutes they were exiting the lift on the floor that Sarek had been transferred to. Entering the room, they saw Sarek attentive and laying in the bio-bed with his head raised. There was evidence of severe trauma to his face and his leg had been placed in an immobilizer.

“Father, it is agreeable to see you alert.”

“I find it pleasing to see you, as well. James, my son, I find that, once again, I am in your debt.”

“There’s no debt owed, Sarek. I’m just glad that you’re still with us.”

“Yes, I find that I had underestimated our possibility of survival. How is Leonard? Is he well?”

“I am afraid not, Father. His condition is quite serious. He was at last report, in his second surgery. We have not been able to see him and we have received no report on the outcome.”

Sarek closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He opened his eyes and stated, “I find it most distressing that he is in danger.”

“Father, we wish to know what you can tell us about the attack and abduction. Was it the Bakswani working in collusion with the Tovians that were responsible for the destruction on the planet?”

“Yes. Leonard was rendered unconscious at the time of the attack, but it was Commissioner Erel San that orchestrated the aggression. He was fearful of the Federation’s reaction when it was detected that he and the other commissioners had been collaborating for several months with the Tovians. That was prior to the call for help. Had Bakswana-6 never begun to break up, it may have never been discovered. What Leonard found was that the Tovians carried the microorganism to which the Bakswani had no resistance. It seems to have attacked the young adults of the population during their season of mating.”

Spock said, “We have discovered information that leads me to believe that it was no season of mating. From the information that I have studied in the data banks, it appears that long exposure to cryogeniun creates sterility in males. It seems that the Tovians may have impregnated the females. A Bakswani had delivered a premature fetus and the medical team was going to send it to the station for autopsy. This would have revealed that fact.”

“Fascinating. And logical. They were trading the mineral for the salvation of their population.”

Jim interrupted, “I don’t see the logic of killing more than thirty members of the team sent here to help them, not to mention thousands of their own people who have died because of this. San is a criminal and will be prosecuted as such when he is captured.”

“James, I did not say that I was in agreement with his tactics. He is indeed a criminal and should be treated as such. However, his solution to keep their culture from dying was a logical one.”

Jim shook his head and stated, “How can you say it was logical when it has created this kind of destruction and devastation. I suppose it was logical for you and McCoy to be left at the bottom of that pit. For you to be lying here injured and McCoy possibly dying.”

“James, I, too, am concerned with McCoy’s condition. I am not attempting to debate the guilt or innocence of the Bakswani leaders. I am merely stating the position that faced with the death of their civilization, it was predictable that they would reach for a solution.”

“One which the Federation would have assisted them with if they had asked.”

“Agreed. I did not say it was a good solution. It was one which has caused an end to the culture that they were attempting to salvage.”

“How so?”

“The planet is forever changed. The debris field will take approximately thirty-seven-point-six Standard years to clear. That is based on the assumption that the stabilization operation on Bakswana-6 is successful and there are no further influences from that situation. The eco-system is forever altered and the mineral that they depended on for trade is nearly depleted. The Federation is not going to take these events lightly and will be less inclined to provide support. Therefore, the civilization of the Bakswani will be forever altered,” Sarek reasoned.

“I find it hard to believe that the Federation will punish this population because of the underhanded tactics of a few. If it becomes clear that the people of the planet were innocent of this fact then I will personally plead their cause to the Federation.”

“James, you may yet have the soul of a diplomat. Your passions remind me of another I have come to know and respect.”

The door to the room opened and Arianias Rand stuck her head inside. “Gentlemen, I have just received an update on the condition of Leonard McCoy. He is to be transported to the post-operative ICU. It seems that the surgery was successful. He should make a full recovery.”

Jim looked to Spock and back to Rand. “Thank you. Thank you for everything.” His breath caught and he felt a stinging sensation behind his eyes that he fought to suppress. She smiled briefly at the acknowledgement and stated, “Just a few more minutes, gentlemen. The Ambassador needs rest.”

“Understood, Doctor. We’ll be leaving in a moment.”

“Certainly, Admiral.” She left them alone.

Jim looked at the two Vulcans, “Well, all right! That’s great news. I want to be there when they move him, so Sarek, if you will excuse me...”

“Yes, the two of you belong with him. Please, go to him.”

“And you, Father? I realize the relationship you formed with McCoy is not my concern, but through the bond I felt a depth of passion.”

“He is your sko’tan. No, that has deepened. He is your full bondmate. Why would that which concerns him not concern you?”

“And your concern regarding him?” It was not a question asked with condemnation. Simply a question of what role Sarek wished to play in McCoy’s life, and he in Sarek’s.

“Spock, James, I have come to deeply admire Leonard McCoy. And I even found that I hold a certain fondness for his passions. That which he offered me was from a longing for those he could not reach. Those who were reaching out to him through that which bonds them together.”

“Sarek,” Jim’s voice softened, “You offered comfort when he was in need. Did you find all that you needed with him? Is there still more that you desire from him?”

“James, it is illogical to desire that which is not possible. I learned much from him. I cannot deny that were we both in a different situation, that I would wish for more. There is a part of him that I shall take with me. However, he belongs with only two.”

“Father, I believe that is a decision best left to the two of you when he has recovered.”

“My son, there is no decision. His was never a choice of one or the other. His loyalties lie within the bond. My responsibilities lie elsewhere. Now, please go. You must be with him and there are contacts that I must make.”

Spock nodded to his father. “I will see you again before your departure.”

“That would please me.”

“Sarek, your son is known for a stubborn streak that has usually precluded him from following doctor’s orders. Please, do as the doctor tells you.”

“It seems that similarities between myself and my son have been pointed out to me over these last months. I may find it difficult to alter patterns that seem to be so alike.”

Jim had to laugh. “You better, or I’ll send McCoy up here. I remember you experienced his bedside manner on the Enterprise.”

“Indeed. Then I shall do all to preclude that possibility.”

After Jim and Spock’s departure, Sarek requested a comm link to Vulcan.

“Sarek, my husband, it is good to see you. Are you badly injured?”

“Amanda, my mate, my injuries are not severe. It is pleasing to see you. I have missed you during this time apart.”

“Why, Sarek, you have never said such a thing to me. However, it is pleasant to hear.”

“I believe there is much that I have not said, much that I wish to say. Things that are better said in private between those that have respect and love for one another.”

“Oh, Sarek, I love you, too.”

“I do not mean to cause you distress. Your face is wet.”

“From happiness and from longing. Please, hurry home to me.”

“Soon, my wife, very soon. Amanda, there is one thing I would request of you. There is something I wish for you to send to me.”

“Anything, Sarek. You only have to ask.”

Sarek made his request and noticed that the smile his wife had worn faded. However, she assured him she would see do as he asked. The transmission was ended.

Chapter 18

The men proceeded directly to the ICU unit, which was located on a lower floor. McCoy was being brought into the unit as they arrived. The sterile field that he had been transported in was gone and for the first time Jim and Spock could see McCoy through the glass barrier of the unit. His complexion was grayed and an area of his scalp was bandaged. One arm was in rapid-traction and many cuts and abrasions were apparent. There was a deep purple discoloration to his midsection and evidence of wounds that now appeared sealed. The sight of Bones made Jim nauseous. In his years in Starfleet he had seen many that were injured. He had never witnessed injuries this extensive where there was survival.

The doors beside them swung open and a familiar voice called to them. They looked over to see Dr. Christine Chapel coming toward them. She was dressed in scrubs and had just come from the surgical unit.

“Christine!”

She walked quickly toward them and she and Jim put their arms around each other in an embrace of old friends. “Spock, it is good to see you. However, I’m sorry it is under these circumstances.”

“It is pleasant to see you, as well, Christine,”

“I was not aware that you are stationed here.” Jim exclaimed in surprise.

“I was assigned to the Yorktown. When I received word that Leonard was being transported to this station I requested to be temporarily reassigned. I’m not the chief surgeon, but I was present during the procedure.” She glanced in the direction of the bio-bed through the glass. “If I didn’t know the man on that bed, I would be amazed that he is still alive. I haven’t seen a body take so much and survive since, well, since my service on the Enterprise. As I remember, the both of you pulled through under circumstances that defied all of the journals, more than once.”

“Will he be okay?”

“Jim, I know he will live. He had six broken ribs and internal damage to the spleen and liver that has been repaired. He had a rupture and a resulting hematoma in his right kidney, but that, too, has been fixed. His right arm was dislocated at the elbow, but at some point was repositioned, however there was massive trauma to the muscles, tendons and ligaments in the region. There was a deep gash at the forehead that looks worse than it is. There was a depressed skull fracture over the right ear that was life threatening but has been repaired and the clot dissolved. There was another fracture in the occipital region but was not depressed and only needed to be fused. Those were the major injures. The minor ones consisted of multiple lacerations that were bone deep, along with innumerable abrasions and cuts. All have been sealed, but will look bad for a couple of days.”

“Christine, how did he survive this?”

“That’s Leonard McCoy laying there. The most cantankerous, stubborn human known to mankind. That’s the best explanation that I can give you.”

“Christine,” Spock asked, “when do you expect him to regain consciousness?”

“He should begin to respond shortly. But there are complications due to the fact that it was several days before he received medical attention. I don’t wish to alarm you, but we won’t be able to fully evaluate the extent of the damage until he is alert. The brain is a delicate organ.”

“May we go in?” Jim wanted to be able to touch him. If for no other reason to assure himself that he was alive.

“Give them a few minutes to get all of the monitors set and then I will see what I can do.”

Jim nodded to her and turned back to watch the activity around the bed. Christine entered the unit and began dictating orders into the audio-chart. The men saw her speaking with the attending staff and saw one nurse bring over two chairs and place them in close proximity to the bed. Christine came to the door and told them they were cleared to stay with McCoy.

Jim and Spock approached the bed quietly. “Bones,” Jim whispered. “We’re here.” He touched his fingers to the cool skin at the wrist and stroked the lines on the hand. Since their relationship had begun, they had maintained a strict level of decorum regarding showing physical displays of affection in public. There, in this unit, in front of the glass wall and the ICU staff, Jim bent and lightly kissed the back of the hand. He wouldn’t have cared if God Almighty were standing there watching him. He stood and looked toward Spock in time to see a tear escape from the corner of one eye.

The vigil lasted through the remainder of the day with only slight signs of improvement. Occasionally there were small movements of the limbs, but no detectable reaction to sound or touch.

Christine stayed at the central station to keep a close observation on her old friend and colleague while still affording the men beside him some privacy. Too, she was afraid that her increased concern would show in her face. There had been reason to believe that he would have roused somewhat by this time.

She tried not to watch the three of them, but could not help but notice small displays of affection that broke her heart. A caress of the hand, a touch of the fingers, the wiping of the forehead, small things that she had seen loved ones do her whole career. Somehow it seemed even more intimate when watching these three.

She saw Spock run his fingers down McCoy’s hand and brush an errant lock of hair away from the forehead wound. The many years that she hoped for such a touch from this man were, she thought, long forgotten. And in reality she no longer yearned for his touch against her skin. But this sight did bring back a familiar twinge from somewhere in the pit of her stomach. Surprisingly, it also brought a lump to her throat. She was glad that he had finally found the love that she had always felt was locked up inside of him. It still brought her some level of sadness that it was not she who had been able to unlock that emotion.

“Bones,” Jim leaned down and whispered into the face of his friend. “Bones, it’s me, Jim. Bones, wake up. Spock and I are here. We won’t leave you.”

Somewhere in the fog, the voice reached him. Jim was calling to him. No, it was another hallucination. If he gave into it he would find himself still cold and in pain. Jim and Spock were light-years from this place. They could not reach him; they could not call to him. Better to reach for the darkness than for the light. The darkness held no pain. ‘Bones, wake up.’ The voice told him. He moaned against its insistence. ‘Spock and I are here.’

Leaning over him, Jim heard an audible moan. “Christine, he seems to be coming around,” he called to the station several feet away.

Chris bolted from behind the desk and to McCoy’s side. “His pressure is coming up. His readouts are improving.” She checked the panel and observed increased brainwave activity. “Leonard, come on back to us. Leonard, wake up!” She was leaning down close to his face. “Oh no you don’t! Don’t go out on us again. Wake up, Leonard.”

All three standing around the bed saw the lips pucker slightly. “Shhhh...” was whispered from the sleeping figure.

“Bones! Open your eyes!” Jim all but hollered at the man on the bed.

The lids fluttered and then shut.

Leonard tried to process the information he saw in the brief instance that he had his eyes open. He was in a room. There was the face of Jim and Spock and Christine. Well, it had to be a delusion. Christine was somewhere on a ship in deep space. Well, insanity had definitely set in. He blinked once more and the figures did not go away. They were speaking to him. Oh, well, might as well go along with it. Obviously insanity beat the reality of this predicament.

Bones was looking at them, but it was as if he was not really seeing them. “Leonard,” Spock’s called to his companion.

McCoy’s eyes rolled to Spock’s face. “Are you real?” he whispered to him.

A smile, that smile, from that face. “Yes, we are real.”

“Bones, how do you feel?”

Bones looked at Jim. “Like shit.”

“Jim, Spock, I officially declare Leonard McCoy back in rare form!” Christine exclaimed. She leaned over to him and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. “Welcome home, Leonard” she whispered. She made one last run on the panel and walked away to continue her monitoring from the station.

“Sarek?” Leonard’s voice was rough and gravelly, but it was a beautiful thing to the two men at his bedside.

“Sarek is fine, Leonard.”

“His leg?”

“Will be fine in a few days. He has been admitted upstairs.”

“Here...? Where?” McCoy asked.

“Bones, you’re in the Deltan base hospital.”

Leonard’s eyes closed and he was no longer a participant in the conversation. Jim looked toward the monitors looking for any sign that Bones had again lost consciousness. Not knowing what he was looking for on the massive panel he looked toward Christine.

She walked toward them and whispered, “He’s asleep. He will need to rest for quite a while. I would suggest that the two of you do the same. Take that as your doctor's order. I will contact you if there is any change.”

Jim smiled and nodded in agreement. They walked toward the lift to take them to their suite. Onboard the lift Spock keyed the code for their floor. ‘Rest, how many days had it been since that had been a reality?’ Jim thought to himself.

“Five point six-two.”

Jim looked at Spock, “Five point six-two, what?”

“Days since we have rested.”

“Spock, I just got rid of one headache. Don’t give me another!”

They exited the lift and walked into the suite.

Chapter 19

During the next week, Leonard became his old self. He was moved from ICU to a regular room where he immediately started demanding to be released. Christine managed to strike a deal with McCoy. If he cooperated and allowed the tests to be run and the staff to be in charge, she would authorize his release in three more days. If he didn’t cooperate and continued to be the worst patient that the hospital had ever encountered, she would make sure he spent another full week here. He grumbled something about her using his tactics, but finally agreed to the arrangement. What he was unaware of was that if Dr. Christine Chapel had signed an order demanding that he spend another week in this hospital, the staff would have had her lynched. Oh well, for the next three days he was at least tolerable.

During their second day, Spock and Jim had been offered the use of an apartment in the complex. The physician that used it was off planet for a while and he sent word that they were welcome to it. When they saw that Bones was going to be fine, they accepted the offer. It was more comfortable than the hospital suite and they could prepare some of their meals and not continuously depend on the hospital’s food. It was amazing that the cuisine offered at the hospital was actually worst than that found aboard a starship.

The Alexander had warped out to go back to Bakswana-7. Commissioner Erel San and three other planetary officials had been located aboard a deserted Tovian ship that had been abandoned in the region. They were quite dead and the reports seemed to show they did not die peacefully. What was left of the Tovians had disappeared across the Neutral Zone and patrols were sent in to make sure they stayed there.

The young females on the planet began to deliver stillborn, premature infants. It was discovered that there was a genetic incapability of the Bakswani to carry a Tovian fetus to term. The future of the people was no longer in question. The Federation offered full assistance and relocation, but the residents refused. They had lost so much due to the complete faith that they had placed in their leaders, that it was decided to live the time they had left on their homeland. They accepted the offer of food supplies, but nothing more. Even medical assistance was declined. Jim hoped that in time, they would agree to additional help.

Jim and Spock visited Sarek daily. Within a few days, he had healed well enough to be released from the hospital. Sarek advised them he would leave for Vulcan when the doctors gave him permission to travel.

The day came for Leonard McCoy to be released. His strength was not yet up to the level that it had been before, but they were assured that in time, that would come. All other injuries had healed sufficiently and he was given the all clear to return to Earth. Transportation was arranged and in two days, the three would board a shuttle for home. In the meantime they would stay at the borrowed apartment.

The first evening they were together, they sat at the table eating a vegetable stew that Spock had prepared. It was hot and delicious. Leonard found that anything that warmed him was welcome. After the time in the shaft, Bones could not get warm enough. The thermo had been set high after Jim noticed Bones wrapping up in a blanket. Finally, with the stew, a cup of hot tea and the temperature in the apartment reaching Vulcan levels, Leonard realized he was comfortable. Spock was satisfied with the temperature as well, but Jim kept stripping off layers of clothing. At dinner he was dressed in shorts and a T-shirt. Even with clothing at a minimum, he kept going out on the balcony to cool off.

Sitting together around this table, sharing a meal was pleasant, but there seemed to be a difference between them. They talked about the recent reports coming back from Bakswana-7, and the preparations for the trip home. But still there was a void between them. They had avoided all discussions regarding the events leading up to Leonard waking up in the hospital. Jim and Spock knew he would talk about this when he was ready. Then, there was the knowledge that he had been with Sarek. This, too, was not discussed. Leonard would either talk of this in his own time, or he would choose to never speak of it. Either way, neither Jim nor Spock were going to press him. They were grateful that he was alive and well. Anything else did not matter.

The meal was finished and the dishes cleared. Jim sat at one end of the couch and Bones sat on the other, facing Jim, with one leg tucked underneath him. “Bones, are you all right? Do you need anything?”

“Yeah, I need for y’all to stop babying me. I’m fine.”

“Leonard,” Spock came into the room and sat in the chair opposite them. “We do not wish to do anything to cause you discomfort. We are pleased that you are well and able to be with us. It has been a long time since we were together.”

“It’s been over six months. And please, Spock, don’t break it down into point anything. I have been away from you for some amount of days over six months. That’s close enough for me.”

“Bones, you seem upset. What’s wrong?”

“Oh, shit. Jim, if I could put my finger on it I would. There’s been a lot that’s happened during these months. Things that we need to talk about, but I don’t know if I can. Not yet.”

Spock soothed, “We are here when you are ready. We demand nothing from you. I think it may take time for everything to settle down.”

“Maybe. Maybe when we get home and out of this damned sector, maybe then.”

The door signal chimed. Spock rose to answer it and found Sarek standing at the door.

“Father, please come in.”

“Thank you. I was told that Leonard was released today. I was hoping to find him here.”

“Yes, he is in the main room. I will take you to him.”

They entered the room and Sarek nodded to the men on the couch. “James, I understand that you will be departing for Earth soon.”

Jim stood up. “Yes, we’ll be boarding a shuttle the day after tomorrow. Will you be returning to Vulcan soon?”

“I shall be leaving this evening. I would like to speak with Leonard, if I may.” He raised an eyebrow toward McCoy.

“Certainly, Sarek,” Leonard answered. “Please, have a seat.”

“I would like to speak with you privately.” He then looked toward Spock and Jim.

Spock raised an eyebrow and said to Jim, “There is a tea shop across the street, would you care to join me?”

“Ah...sure. Just let me slip on something a little more appropriate.” He stepped into the bedroom and came back out wearing slacks.

“Sarek, if I don’t see you again before you leave...”

“I shall see you before I leave, James. I will come to the shop after I am finished here.”

“Very well.” And with a puzzled expression Jim left the apartment with Spock.

Jim and Spock sat at a table that overlooked the street and the entrance to the complex. Jim broke the silence between them when he asked, “Spock, is Sarek going to ask Bones to go back to Vulcan with him?”

“Jim, I have no more knowledge regarding the purpose for this visit than you.”

“I know things are a little strained right now, but I don’t know how I could bear losing him again.”

“He must be allowed to make the decision that is right for him. I do not wish for him to be bound to us out of duty. Neither would you wish that.”

“No, I want him to stay with us because he wants to.”

“I believe that decision is being made at this time.”

There was extended silence again at the table.

“Jim, I feel a resistance from you. Is there something that you do not wish to share with me?”

Jim took a deep breath, “Well, on top of all that’s going on here, I spoke with Nogura this morning. I wanted to update him on this situation. Spock, he advised me that the Enterprise refit is complete and she has been commissioned as a training vessel. When we return to Earth, you will be named as her new Captain.”

“Jim, I do not wish to accept this commission. I realize that the reasons are purely emotional, however I should have the right to accept or decline this assignment.”

“Spock, the evening that Bones left us, you told him that we all must attend to the duties that suit us best at the time. This is the duty that will best serve you and the ‘Fleet, at this time.”

“It is occasionally irritating to have a bondmate that possesses a photographic memory. There seems to be a predilection towards having my own words used against me.”

“Spock, my days of commanding a ship are over. There’s only one man that I would like to see at her helm. It’s not an assignment that will take you away for long periods of time. It will only be for training cruises with the graduating classes. Starfleet is not going to allow you to remain at your current rank. It will be this assignment or a deep-space mission.”

Spock stared at the man across the table. If he declined this position, Jim was correct that he would be given another assignment. And it would possibly one that would separate them for years. Another option was to resign his commission and become a member of the Diplomatic Corp. However, that was not where his desires lay at this time. Later in life, perhaps, but not now. He sighed a very un-Vulcan-like sigh and stated, “In considering my options, this seems to be the best at this time.”

“Then you will accept this assignment?”

“If you do not have reservations about my taking the position of Captain of the Enterprise, then I will, reluctantly, accept this assignment.”

“She couldn’t be in better hands, Spock. Besides, I think I remember you have a young protégé that will be in the next training class.”

“Yes, Saavik will be graduating from the academy this term.”

“She has done quite well from all reports.”

“She is at the top in her class. She will face the Kobayashi Maru next month. However, I believe she lacks your devious capabilities to find a solution.”

“Devious! Spock, I’m hurt! That wasn’t devious, that was creative!”

Chapter 20

After the two men had left them to their privacy, Leonard stood to face the Vulcan. “Sarek,” Leonard relaxed and his tone softened, “it’s good to see you. It looks like you’ve healed nicely.” Leonard walked back to the couch and indicated for Sarek to be seated.

Sarek sat down beside Leonard and laid a pack he was carrying on the floor beside him. “I, too, find it pleasant to see you well. I hope that you do not mind that I asked to see you alone. I have some issues that I wish to discuss before my departure.”

“No Sarek, it’s fine. What’s on your mind?”

“I would like to offer you my apology for requesting your presence on this mission. It was my own arrogance that brought you into this.”

“No one twisted my arm. There were people in danger and needing medical assistance and I became a doctor for that reason. Had I wanted to spend my life writing papers, I would’ve become a journalist. And, it’s given me the chance to get to know you quite well in these months. You are a lot of things, Sarek, but arrogance is certainly not a trait I’ve picked up on. Now, if you want to apologize because you cared for these people and wished to help, then, hell, we’re both to blame.”

Sarek nodded. “Leonard, I hope all is well with you at this time. Now that James and Spock are here with you.”

“You know, I can’t discuss it with them. Not the mission, not the work, not the attack or the imprisonment. And I can’t talk about us, you and me. But, I think they know.”

“Yes, Leonard, they know. They are aware that we became lovers. We discussed it briefly the night you were taken to surgery. Just as you had felt their passions, Spock was aware when we came together. The bond between you has strengthened.”

“That’s funny. The bond is stronger, yet I feel further away from them now than I have since we were joined.”

“Why do you feel this?”

“Why? I guess the time that we have been apart, the intensity of the mission, the attack, the injuries, was...oh hell, who am I kidding? Sarek, it’s not the mission. I’ve been going on difficult missions for years. What made the difference this time is you.” He raised a hand and touched the face of the man he had come to know and admire. “The difference is you, and I know what we shared isn’t something that can continue. I only feel complete with those two men that are here with me. But, I gotta tell ya, what we had, was something special. Now that I see you, I realize how much I’ve missed you.”

“I, too, have found an emptiness within myself since we were taken from the planet. I told James that it is illogical to desire that which is not possible. However, I am afraid your propensity toward illogical thought has had an effect on me. I am finding it difficult to let go of that which we shared.”

Leonard moved his hand from the side of the rugged face to the back of the warm neck. He pulled Sarek to him and their lips met. Their arms encircled each other and pulled the other close. Tasting and feeling each other. This would be their last time together in this way. Each knew it was so. Their lips parted and their arms loosened. Leonard ran his hand through the dark, wavy hair as Sarek ran the back of his hand across McCoy’s cheek and ear.

“Leonard, I must return to she who is my bondmate. It is my desire that I share with her those things that I have found with you. It is my desire to take this capacity to love to her.”

“Yes, and I’ve loved you, too. I think that you’ll always be with me. Sarek, you chose to share yourself with me. You chose to help me with the research, to go into the village with me, to be my friend and my confidante. You chose to make love to me when I needed you so badly.”

“That was not a difficult choice. It was what I desired as well.” Sarek caressed the dark hair and knew he would never forget the ice-blue eyes that he knew became dark during passion. “Leonard, you have done much more than you realize. You have found a part of me that will not be denied.”

“You know, I keep wanting to say someday we may be together. May be able to find our way back to each other, but I can’t see the possibility of that happening.”

“Nor can I, Leonard. But, there are always possibilities.”

McCoy smiled. “Your son says the same thing.”

“My son is a lucky man.”

“I didn’t think Vulcans believed in luck.”

“Leonard McCoy, you have been a bad influence on me. And I thank you.”

They stood and Sarek bent down to pick the pack up from the floor. On the newly healed leg, he wobbled slightly and Leonard reached for his arm. “Whoa...easy does it. That leg will probably be tender for a while.

Sarek straightened and looked at McCoy. “In my presence you have used the same term on three different occasions.”

“What term?”

“Easy does it. Once during intense passion, once as you were commanding the team headed into the village and now, with concern for another. It is a simple statement, one that is commonly used. I shall always go back to our time together when I hear it.”

“And I’ll always think of you when I say it.”

Sarek opened the pack, pulled out a package and handed it to Leonard.

“I understand that the possessions that you left behind were destroyed. I had Amanda send this to me. I hope in some way it will replace what was lost on that planet.”

Leonard took the package and untied the string that held it in place. He folded back the outer cloth and saw the black sun’di. It was exactly like the one Spock had given him. The robe he wore the night he made love to this man. He leaned in and brushed his lips to the warm ones. “Thank you,” he whispered into the upswept ear. “I believe I may have found more on that planet than I lost. Thank you for giving me back all that’s important.”

“Leonard, share with them. Find your place once more with them. You complete them both, as you have completed me.”

“Sarek, if you ever need me, know that I’ll be there to help you in anyway that I can.” It was a pledge from Leonard’s heart that no request would be too great. Neither man was aware that in a few short weeks, Leonard would have to make a choice of life or death that would affect them all. Sarek, very gently, wrapped his arm around Leonard. They looked at each other and, with great tenderness, brushed their lips together. Then they released each other and Sarek retrieved the daypack.

He turned and Leonard walked him to the door. “Live long and prosper, Leonard.”

“Good bye, Sarek.”

Leonard watched as the man left the door and walked into the hallway, he shut the door before he could see him board the lift. In the quiet of the apartment Leonard felt the hot tears spill onto his cheeks. Tears for those times that had been, for what could be no more and for what was to come. Joy, sadness, hope, regret, fear, desire all bubbled to the surface.

They watched as Sarek exited the building and crossed the distance to the restaurant. They stood as he approached them. “Spock, James, I have come to take my leave of you.”

“Father, you leave for Vulcan...alone?”

“Yes, alone. I have one that awaits me on Vulcan. One with whom I share my life and will now share that which I have learned to give. As you both have here. Someone that awaits you to share of himself.”

Jim glanced up toward the complex. “Sarek, for all that you have done, for all that you have been, I thank you.”

Sarek nodded to him and turned to Spock. “My son, you have been given a great gift; to be cared for by two such individuals. This has made me see that I was not all to you I should have been. For that I feel...regret.”

“My Father, I am the person you see before you because of all that you have shown me. There is no need for penitence. Let us no longer regret that which has led us to a successful outcome.”

Sarek straightened and smiled very softly and nodded to his son. “Live long and prosper, my son.”

“Live long and prosper, Father.”

Bones was staring out of the window when he heard the door open. He didn’t turn around. He was aware that Spock had come up behind him and he felt the strong arms as they wrapped around his waist. “Leonard, are you going to be all right with this?”

“You mean with us, Spock?”

“Yes.”

“More than all right, I’m where I must be. I’m with the two of you and I never wish to be anywhere else. However, I need to tell you both about these months. I need to tell you all that has happened.” Leonard wrapped his arms around those that encircled him. “I need to explain what happened. About Sarek...and myself.”

“Leonard,” the warm breath beat against his ear, “we wish for you to share with us all that you would like. But we do not require an explanation of any action.”

“Bones,” Jim had stepped beside him. “There is nothing that has been done that would jeopardize what we feel for you. Even feelings for another can’t diminish what we have together.” He stepped to where he was facing Bones. He pulled a chain from his pocket. “It is what led us to you. It had a link that had broken, but it’s been repaired. Sort of like we’ve been.” He released all but the clasp and the medallion slid out of his hand and dangled from the chain.

Leonard was astonished. “Where?”

“It was located at the entrance to the mine. Bones, it led us to you. Do you still wish to wear it?”

“For the rest of my life,” Leonard whispered. Jim slid the chain over his neck and captured the lips with his own.

Leonard turned in the arms that held him and his breath caught at the face of the man. He had been reminded of him so often. Now Spock reminded him of another. His hand went to the dark head and his fingers stroked through the silky, straight hair. These eyes are so much darker and held so much love for him. The lips are so full, so warm. He laid his cheek against the strong chest; a chest he knew was lightly furred instead of smooth. No, maybe the similarities are not so close after all. He pulled the head to him and found the mouth he had longed for. He released the lips and, at some point, remembered to breathe.

He reached for the one beside him, the one that was the contrast to the dark and heat. The fair one, this was the one that had the flecks of gold in his eyes and in his hair. He pulled him close and saw the relief in the face. It was as it should be. The three, embracing and embraced. “Bones,” the fair one breathed as their lips touched. A ragged breath was drawn, but it was unknown who drew it. The bond had flared open. The three parts were once again whole.

Two days later they boarded the shuttle for Earth. They would be home in just two days. McCoy was anxious to get back to the quiet life. His body was somewhat tender, but he had to admit it was more from two days of uninterrupted passion than from any of the injuries he had received. He remembered that Jim’s birthday was coming up soon. Well, that should bring the ecstasy they were feeling down a notch or two. Leonard never saw anyone get so fucking melancholy from something as simple as a birthday!

Damn, Nogura! He already had him reassigned as CMO for the Enterprise’s first run as trainer. Oh, well. A light run around the galaxy, onboard the old girl, accompanied by his two lovers couldn’t be a bad thing.

Yes, life was going to be sweet from here on out. He could feel it. The good life. ‘Easy does it,’ he thought to himself. A warm feeling enclosed him at the memory. ‘Easy does it.’

>finis<