Title: What We Feel (12/12)
Author: klmeri
Fandom: Star Trek TOS
Pairing: pre-Kirk/Spock/McCoy
Summary: Spock asks Jim and Leonard to consider their future together.
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Both Part 11 and the epilogue have been posted at the same time. Please be certain you have read Part 11 before this!

Epilogue

Time always presses on. The now of the story becomes the before, most of which will be forgotten; some of those moments linger like well-taught lessons, shaping what comes after.

The after for Kirk, Spock, and McCoy is thus: when Jim thumps his fist in triumph on a chair arm as the vessel attacking his ship ceases fire and sends a communication to say we retreat; when Leonard grins happily at Spock with the words “We did it!”; when Spock lifts his bowed head in the den of the Bridge crew’s cheering to ask Kirk and McCoy, “Is it not proper to hold a celebratory gathering?”

Jim pauses in his proud survey of his elated crew and faces his First Officer. “What do you have in mind, Mr. Spock?” are his careful words. Leonard is watching the Vulcan as closely as Jim is.

“I shall host an evening meal in my quarters. I would be pleased if you and Leonard attend.”

“What, exactly, are we celebrating?” McCoy wants to know.

Spock raises an eyebrow. “Perhaps I was remiss in claiming the activity would focus solely on celebration, Doctor. You have also requested ‘coaching,’ which I am willing to provide… in private.”

Jim looks confused, and Leonard is flushed. “Jim,” the doctor manages to say, “this is one invitation we ought to accept.”

Jim Kirk, the smart man that he is, doesn’t need to be told twice.

Later in Spock’s quarters, feeling more relaxed and hopeful than he has in weeks, Jim looks from Spock to McCoy and then thinks for a long moment. Leonard is pressed next to him, Jim’s arm casually draped over the man’s shoulders, his hand stroking the doctor’s upper arm. “So… which one of us,” he asks slowly, “is going to comm Spock’s mother with the good news?”

Both of the Vulcan’s eyebrows lift toward his hairline.

Leonard cuts smoothly through Spock’s attempts to figure out why Jim seems to think Spock’s mother is interested in their relationship. “We’ll do it together. Any other decision would result in Amanda charging out here to smack some sense into our thick heads.” He says to his other companion, “She’s one scary woman, Spock.”

Spock’s answer would be demure if he were completely human. “My mother is dedicated to my well-being.”

Leonard laughs into his glass of brandy.

Jim’s other hand is playing with Spock’s fingers in a way that makes the tips of the Vulcan’s ears turn dark green. “So are we, Spock. So are we.”

-Fini

Related Posts:

• What We Feel (11/12) – from April 2, 2011
• What We Feel (10/12) – from March 28, 2011
• What We Feel (9/?) – from March 26, 2011
• What We Feel (8/?) – from March 23, 2011
• What We Feel (7/?) – from March 20, 2011