The next day turned out to be as uneventful as the previous one. Kirk and the crew continued checking each system, but nothing seemed to be turning up. Fortunately, there weren't any major malfunctions—just a few reports of stubborn doors and weird replicator behavior. When the day was nearing its end, Kirk consulted with Spock and decided to call off the search until they had more information, or something more serious happened.

As a result, the following days continued to lack excitement; the Enterprise was now on a delivery mission transporting some medical supplies to a deep space colony on Altair VI. The system was still many days away, so the crew found themselves with plenty of free time to relax. Furthermore, the malfunctions had decreased somewhat, with only one or two occurrences a day. Since they had so far been trivial matters—and since previous attempts to find the errors had failed—Kirk decided to assign only a small team to work on the issue.

Regarding Kirk and Spock's relationship, things had been moving along quite nicely. Spock had begun to spend more time in Kirk's quarters than his own—a fact that McCoy never failed to bring up. He seemed to think the pair of them were hilarious, but deep down, McCoy knew he was happy for them.

On this particular afternoon, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy had just finished their duty shifts and were walking down the corridor together. Their uneventful mission had finally given them time to relax, and all three men were looking forward to a good meal.

When they arrived at one of the rec rooms, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy moved toward the replicators to order their food. McCoy went first, then joined Scotty and Sulu at a table in the corner.

"Mmmm. I'm so hungry," Kirk commented to Spock. "I can't wait to eat a big, juicy cheeseburger."

"Jim, you would be wise to select a more nourishing meal," Spock told him. "The events of last week have put you under high levels of stress, and your body is undoubtedly suffering as a result."

"Oh, come on, Spock," Kirk replied. "I'm fine. It's not going to kill me."

"You must eat food that will nourish you properly," Spock insisted.

Kirk sighed and turned toward Spock, opening his mouth to protest further. However, after seeing the look on Spock's face, Kirk's words suddenly died in his throat.

Spock's eyes were full of caring concern, while the rest of his expression remained as impassive as ever. Kirk knew Spock better than most, though, and could tell when he was being truly sincere.

"Oh, all right," Kirk grumbled, turning back to the replicator.

Spock's face softened a little. After Kirk's food was finished being prepared, he followed the Captain to a table in the corner. As they sat down, Scotty, Sulu, and McCoy halted their conversation to greet them.

"Is that a salad you're eating?" McCoy asked suddenly, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

"Yes, Bones, I can decide to be healthy once in a while you know," Kirk declared.

Ignoring him, McCoy immediately turned toward Spock. "How did you do it? What is your secret?" he asked incredulously, leaning forward slightly in his chair.

Spock raised an eyebrow. "I merely made a suggestion to the Captain about which option would provide him with the greatest amount of nourishment," he replied.

McCoy leaned back again, a knowing smirk on his face. "Well, I've given him plenty of advice and he never seems to want to listen to me," McCoy nodded his head toward the Captain.

"Whatever Vulcan trick you used, it must have been one hell of a suggestion," he added, looking smug.

"I find your argument strewn with gaping defects in logic," Spock replied flatly.

The others watched the exchange, chuckling in amusement.

As they slowly returned to eating their meals, Uhura moved toward a chair near the center of the room. She was carrying a delicate-looking stringed instrument which Spock recognized as a Vulcan lute. As Uhura settled down and prepared to play, the room slowly quieted in anticipation. Her voice began softly, accompanied by delicate notes from the lute as she performed a beautiful, haunting love song that stirred up feelings of loneliness, vast distances, and poignant memories.

[: Now would be a good time to start the song "Beyond Antares" from the TOS soundtrack, found in the episode Conscience of the King]

"The skies are green and glowing. Where my heart is.

Where my heart is.

Where the scented lunar flower's growing.

Somewhere beyond the stars, beyond Antares.

I'll be back, though it takes forever. Forever is just a day.

Forever is just another journey. Tomorrow a stop along the way. And let the years go fading,

where my heart is.

Where my heart is.

Where my love eternal is waiting —

somewhere beyond the stars, beyond Antares."

The soft notes floated pleasantly around the room and eventually faded with Uhura's voice as she reached the final line. After a moment, everyone in the rec room gave an appreciative round of applause, Uhura bowing gracefully before returning to her place at the table. Kirk smiled fondly, turning to share an affectionate glance with his bond-mate beside him. Spock gave the barest hint of a smile in reply, letting Kirk know that he had also enjoyed the stirring performance.

As the conversation drifted to other matters, Spock found it curiously difficult to concentrate on what his crew mates were saying. They were mostly discussing the malfunctions and the activities of various members of the crew. Spock had found that humans usually spend a lot of their time talking about frivolous topics and events. As a result, he was struggling to keep his attention from straying toward the Captain beside him.

Kirk sensed Spock's disinterest, so he lifted his hand and gently rested it on top of Spock's under the table. The Vulcan froze for a few seconds, but then relaxed and allowed the Captain to slip his hand into Spock's own. It was unlikely that anyone would notice, he reasoned.

Kirk sent Spock a wave of adoration through their bond, causing him to blush slightly. The Vulcan sent his own affections back, and was rewarded by the soft stroke of Kirk's fingers against his in a Vulcan kiss.

Thank you.

Kirk jumped slightly. Spock's voice hadn't come from beside him; it was in his mind.

Spock? he thought tentatively, unsure if the Vulcan would be able to hear him.

Yes, Jim. I am here, he replied.

I am sorry I did not warn you before initiating telepathic contact. I hope you were not overly alarmed.

No, Spock, it's alright. Kirk relaxed a little.

Can you speak telepathically with anyone? he asked.

This form of communication is only possible with one's T'hy'la, he replied. Sensing Kirk's question, he added, That is, someone with whom I have bonded deeply with.

Kirk suddenly felt very lucky to be able to know Spock in such a rare and beautiful way. Kirk sent more of his affectionate feelings over to Spock. The Vulcan blushed again, casing Kirk to chuckle softly. This drew strangle looks from the others, who were unaware of their silence exchange.

Kirk cleared his throat. "Carry on, Mr. Scott," he said, who had been the last one speaking. He then tried (unsuccessfully) to focus on the conversation instead of the Vulcan beside him.

-------------------------------------------------------

That evening, Spock had once again returned to the Captain's quarters for the night. He found it immensely pleasurable to not have to part with his bond-mate for any significant period of time.

They were both seated on Kirk's bed and the Captain was placing slow kisses down the side of Spock's neck. Spock felt a peculiar warmth swell deep within his chest, blossoming throughout every inch of his body. He hummed with pleasure. It would never fail to amaze him how quickly and deeply his Captain could make him feel.

Kirk reached for Spock's arm and slowly drew his hand up to his face. His eyes met Spock's for a moment, seeking permission. The Vulcan nodded, so Kirk gently kissed his palm, setting the nerves in Spock's sensitive hands racing with fire. The feeling of the Captain's soft lips ghosting over his fingers shook him to his very core. Spock drew in a shaky breath, thoughts churning with the emotions Kirk was sending through their bond. In each and every kiss, Kirk tried as hard as he could to impress upon Spock the depth of his feelings, and the certainty of his love.

"What are you thinking about, Spock?" Kirk asked after a while, gazing up at him.

Spock slowly opened his eyes, pure bliss radiating from every part of his being. "You," he answered simply. "I am having difficulty expressing my feelings as well as you do," he continued after a moment.

Kirk smiled broadly, moved by the honesty of his words. "It's alright, Spock," Kirk reassured him. "I know."

But that was not good enough for Spock. His T'hy'la meant everything to him; the least he could do was make sure the Captain knew it.

So, Spock leaned forward and touched his lips to Kirk's, pouring all of his love and devotion into their bond. He would make Jim Kirk understand. He would kiss it into the smoothness of his skin, he would breathe it into the planes of his body, he would burn it into his very soul. He would brand it upon his heart until there was no doubt remaining, no conceivable hesitation, not one iota of disbelief.

Spock would keep him safe, he would cherish him, he would always be there for him, and he would never be alone. Until Spock's bones and body are dust and longer, for his mind would transcend the decay of his flesh.

Spock wanted to convince every part of the man in front of him, because he desperately, painfully, blindingly loved every inch of him.

All the time in the world could never be enough to put the emotion that consumed him into words.

And Kirk felt it.

Through the touch of their skin, he could sense all that Spock was, and it was so genuine, so earnest, so sincere, that he felt an ache grasp his heart and squeeze.

But it wasn't painful.

It hurt, but his heart still beat strong and sure in his chest. It was a good pain—a pang, perhaps. And he felt something else settle and solidify there, coiled warm, anchored in his heart.

In the stillness of the night and the silence of the stars beyond, Kirk and Spock lived and loved as one.