White

“The shuttle craft has landed,” Sulu informed Jim as he looked at his instruments. “The cabin is now pressurizing to a normal level.” He looked over his shoulder, “Sensors show there is minimal damage to the craft.”

Jim stood, eyes wide. He was still shaking from the adrenaline rush of battle. They had just destroyed a massive single celled creature that had been eating solar systems and other space craft. Spock had manned a shuttle and went out to study the creature, but they had lost communication a while ago. Jim didn’t want to send his first officer out, but Spock was the only one qualified for the job. Jim thought they had lost him, but after a heavy moment of silence, Spock had called in, asking permission to enter the Enterprise.

He could feel his nerves twitch in his legs and arms, wanting to run to see Spock for himself, make sure he was really alright, but he had his duty to the ship. He couldn’t just leave her to float around after a battle like that. Someone needed to be in charge.

“I…” Jim started, looking around, balling and relaxing his hands over and over again. He needed to move, do something. He looked at McCoy, who had been standing next to his chair the whole battle, “McCoy…” he started but wasn’t sure what he was going to ask.

McCoy smiled and crossed his arms, already knowing what Jim needed. He looked up at Scotty, “Mr. Scott, could you care to take over the bridge for a little while? I think the captain needs some air.”

Scotty was smiling too, knowing why his captain was so antsy, “Aye, I believe I’ve got a minute or two.” He motioned to the doors, looking at Jim, “Go on then.”

Jim didn’t have to be told twice. He ran to the elevator and grabbed one of the handles, “Shuttle bay,” he told the computer. As the elevator started to move, Jim bounced in his shoes, gnawing on his lip. As soon as the doors open, he was out and down the hall, trying not to run or bump into anyone. When he got to the bay doors, he looked at the monitor, watching as it climbed to the right pressure. With a ding, it signaled that the bay was ready to be used. The doors opened and Jim walked in.

The shuttle craft sat in its spot, slowly powering down. The door sighed then slid open. Out stepped Spock, ducking so he didn’t hit his head on the roof of the small craft. He stepped down and straightened when he saw his captain approaching, “Captain,” he greeted, “I have sent all the data I have collected on the cell to the main library banks. I will download them to my personal computer for farther analyzing. I have collected quite a bit of information from just the few minutes I was out there, but I believe this will help us in the future if we ever come in contact with something like this. I have also-…” He started to report but Jim wasn’t listening. Instead, the captain walked right up to him, looking him over for any injuries, then wrapped his arms around his neck to hold him tight.

Spock paused in his report, hiding his small surprise well, “Captain?”

“Just…” Jim started, taking in a slow and shaky breath, enjoying the familiar scent of his first officer, “Save the report for later. Let me have this moment.”

Spock tilted his head a little, looking straight ahead before down at his captain. Slowly, almost unsure, he lifted his arms to wrap them around him. When he felt Jim reactive positively, relaxing, he tightened his hold too, becoming more sure. He felt that familiar fondness rise up in his chest, that one emotion he couldn’t seem to lock away. With it, came a feeling of happiness and relief. He would never say it in the presence of others, but Jim awakened that human side of him he so desperately tried to hide. Hell, even if he was full Vulcan, he would probably still feel these things too.

He turned his head to bury it in the side of Jim’s neck and into his shoulder. He took in his scent, which relaxed him. It baffled him every time that something as silly as a scent could do these things to him.

“I’m sorry I had to send you,” Jim mumbled into his shirt, “I should have sent a different science officer.”

“You and I both know that would be illogical,” Spock replied, his voice lowering to a deep rumble, “I was the only one qualified for the mission.”

“I’m taking away your qualification. You’re not allowed to go anywhere or do anything dangerous anymore. That’s an order.”

Spock smiled ever so slightly at the pouty sound of the captain’s voice. He turned his head so Jim could feel it against his ear, “Then what would you have me do?”

“You would stay by my side and you would do that… Vulcan logic thing you do, and if you weren’t there, then you would be in my quarters because I’m giving yours away.”

“Starfleet does not allow quarter sharing.”

“Spock,” Jim pulled back to look at him, “Does it look like I care what Starfleet has to say about sharing quarters?”

Spock studied his face; the playful spark in his eyes, the little smirk on his lips. “No sir.” He answered, “You seem to care very little.”

“Then we’re sharing!”

“But your bed is hardly large enough to handle two grown men.”

“Then we’ll sleep on the floor!”

Spock closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to Jim’s, trying to control his urge to smile quite widely. “Yes sir.”

“Good, glad you see it my way. Now,” Jim rested his elbow on Spock’s shoulder so he could run his fingers through his oh-so neat hair in just the right way Spock liked, “Give me a kiss.”

Spock still didn’t quite understand the effect such a contact had on the human species, physically and mentally, but he knew he was growing fond of it. He did as he was told, pulling Jim closer so he press him former against his chest. Jim gave a pleasant purr against his lips. Spock knew they couldn’t do much right now, since the shuttle bay crew were waiting outside, giving them a moment of privacy.

Jim pulled away from him before he lost all mental functions. He smiled at him and held up two fingers, earning a fond gaze from his partner. Spock touched his fingers to his in return. “Come on,” Jim said, “The bay crew is waiting to come clean up. Scotty’s in control for a while. I say we take advantage of that time.”

“I would like that very much,” Spock replied.