Disclaimer: Star Trek belongs to Gene Roddenberry. The movie rights belong to J.J. Abrams and Paramount. Thanks to Zachary Quinto and Chris Pine for inspiring me to write about the young versions of Spock and Kirk!

.~.

Epilogue – Part II

Spock's hands automatically found Jim's, steadying the wobbly captain. They kissed lazily, exploring each other's mouths while the stream of water from the showerhead tickled Jim's back.

//I am still cold.// Spock projected, and Jim turned them around so that his bondmate could benefit from the water's warmth. He then wrapped his body around Spock's front so the Vulcan was sandwiched in between two sources of heat.

//Missed this, Spock.// Jim's hands brushes his bondmate's, caressing the sensitive tips of the Vulcan's fingers. He rubbed harder in deliberate circles, eliciting a small groan from Spock.

//You are insatiable, t'hy'la.// Kirk smirked as he watched Spock's eyes close and his head tilt back, enjoying the sensations of the Vulcan make out session.

//You know you love it.// Spock agreed wholeheartedly through the bond, although he reminded Jim that he needed to rest. However, Jim didn't see it that way. He brought Spock's left hand to his lips and gently kissed the tips. When Jim inserted the two forefingers into his mouth, Spock knew he had to stop this now or else he wouldn't be able to pull away.

//Jim…// Spock protested, trying to pull his hand free of those oh-so-talented lips, but Jim stubbornly proceeded to keep sucking. The Vulcan tugged harder, managing to free his hand, but accidentally sending Jim flying towards the back of the shower in the process. But Spock's quick reflexes kicked in and he was able to grab his bondmate before he hit the porcelain wall. A stab of pain burst through the bond, which confused Spock. He had prevented Jim from being injured. Why was he in pain?

"Jim, what is it that ails you?" Spock asked as Jim stepped forward and leaned against him, wincing.

"It's my ankle," he confessed. "I think I aggravated it." The Vulcan glanced suspiciously at his bonded.

"Dr. McCoy treated you when you returned from Gamus last week, did he not?" Jim gave a nervous laugh.

"Well, you see, about that..."

"Jim." Spock glared at his t'hy'la.

"You were on your deathbed!" Kirk protested. "I had to make sure Bones' attention was only on you. And besides, you know how much I hate hypos! I've had an allergic reaction to half of them." Spock shook his head.

"Why did you shield me from your injury?"

"I am sorry about that," Jim apologized, his tone sincere. "I don't like keeping things from you, Spock. You know that. But we needed to resolve the situation on Gamus, and I wanted to be part of the away team. //To protect you.// I knew Bones would never let me go if he knew about the ankle."

"Logical," Spock admitted. "However, you still should have informed the doctor of your injury. He could have healed it while you were in sickbay, watching over me while I was in my healing trance."

//Coma.// Kirk mentally corrected.

//Healing trance.// The Vulcan insisted.

/Coma!// Jim practically shouted. Spock decided to let that one go.

"Spock, I needed that pain. It helped keep me distracted from worrying about you. Also, I couldn't help feeling that I deserved to hurt, after you donated almost your entire life force to me. And don't even say 'that is illogical'!" Spock raised an eyebrow. Sometimes Jim knew him a little too well.

"Very well, then. How did you manage to avoid the doctor's scanner when you arrived on board the ship?" McCoy automatically scanned Jim for injuries after away missions, after Jim 'forgot' to inform his doctor of his injuries one too many times. Nowadays, it was standard Enterprise procedure.

"I commed Sulu, and asked him to distract Bones for me while I was being scanned. I only had the top half of my body done, and while Bones was on a wild goose chase, I reprogrammed my scan so it looked like everything was normal." Jim almost sounded proud.

"I will be contacting Dr. McCoy as soon as we finish showering," Spock decided. "You can explain to him just how you managed to escape his medical attention."

"Please don't," Jim begged. He knew Spock would really do it, too. "I'll go to sickbay tomorrow morning, I swear. I just want to spend the night with you, in our own bed. I can't sleep well in sickbay, remember?"

"Your medical data has indicated that," Spock admitted, rather reluctantly. Truth be told, he didn't want to sleep without Jim either. "Very well, you may stay here tonight. But you must promise me that you will get a full night's sleep."

"Aw, c'mon, Spock," Jim whined. "I haven't had any alone time with you since the start of the mission."

"Your body is too exhausted to participate in sexual activity," said Spock, voicing what they both knew. "However, once you have healed, we may resume our pleasurable activities. Also, you must remember we have a long shore leave coming up, and we shall have plenty of time to ourselves then."

"Fine," Jim grumbled. This worried Spock a little. Jim really must be exhausted if he didn't continue to try to coax Spock into changing his mind.

"Now, I must insist that you sit, and elevate your ankle." Kirk nodded, and Spock helped him over to one of the seats in the tub (which happened to be a jacuzzi by the way; it was good to be the captain.) Jim let out a sigh of relief when he sat down and put his ankle up on the side of the tub.

"Better?" Spock asked.

"Yeah."

"Would you permit me to wash you, t'hy'la?" Spock believed that his bondmate was in no condition to properly wash himself.

"Sure," said Jim, a little touched by Spock's gesture. Gratified, the Vulcan proceeded to quickly wash himself, and then he turned his attentions to Jim. It was a pleasure for Spock to cleanse his bondmate's beautiful, toned body. He took care to wash every part of Jim, even behind his ears and in between his toes.

"I am finished," Spock informed him.

"Remind me to return the favor sometime," Jim sighed. "I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed that. 'Course working on a starship doesn't leave much time for that luxury."

"Indeed," Spock agreed, grabbing a towel to dry the both of them. The Vulcan dried off his bondmate, and then offered, "Shall I help you to bed?"

"By all means," said Jim, waggling his eyebrows. In response, Spock picked up his t'hy'la with ease, stepped out of the shower, and brought him over to their bed.

"You know, I thought you meant to let me lean on you or something," Jim grumbled, although Spock knew from the bond he had very much enjoyed being carried.

"I decided that carrying you was the fastest and most efficient way to transport you from the bathtub to our bed," said Spock. He gently deposited Jim on the bed, being careful not to hurt his ankle.

"Bullshit," Jim laughed. "You just wanted to carry me and my ankle was a good excuse."

"That as well," Spock amended, as he picked out Starfleet regulation pajamas for himself and Jim. They clothed themselves, with Spock having to help Jim put on his pants.

"Isn't this usually the other way around?" Jim complained.

"Dr. McCoy is only a button away," Spock reminded him, his fingers inching towards the comm console by their bed.

"Okay, okay." Kirk allowed Spock to finish clothing him, and accepted his assistance in getting under the covers.

"Computer, lights off." Spock said, and then they were left relative darkness.

They spooned in bed, with Spock curling protectively around his injured t'hy'la. Jim's hands covered the Vulcans, allowing a soothing current to transmit from one bondmate to the other. These moments always reminded Spock of how lucky he was to find someone like Jim, who complemented and challenged him. Who understood him. Jim thought the same of Spock. He was reminded of his Vulcan's devotion after Spock took care of him that night.

"Spock?" Jim said after about ten minutes.

"Yes?"

"I can't sleep." Jim turned over to face his bondmate.

"Would you like me to try a relaxing mental technique?" Jim couldn't hide his amusement from their bond.

"Last time you tried that I almost fell asleep on the bridge for a week. We'd better not try that one for a while."

"As you wish."

"Can we talk for a bit? That always relaxes me."

"That is agreeable," said Spock. "What did you wish to converse about?"

"I dunno. Anything." That was the perfect opening for Spock to bring up a topic he'd been meditating on for some time now. Who knew when he'd have the opportunity to discuss this with his bondmate before they reached Earth?

"Jim?"

"What?" Jim brought his forehead to rest against his t'hy'la's. He sensed Spock's apprehension through their bond, and wished to alleviate it however he could.

"I am not certain this is the time to bring up said topic."

"Now you've got me curious. You'd better just say it," said Jim. The Vulcan didn't keep his captain in suspense.

"Have you ever considered having children?" Jim blew out a long sigh. Through their bond, Spock could feel that the question had rattled his partner, as his heart rate had increased. Inwardly, Jim was panicking and doing his best to shield it from his mate. What if Spock wanted kids now? Jim really didn't think he could handle that.

"To answer your question, yes I have thought about it. I'm aware that the medical field has developed amazing technologies where geneticists can combine our DNA to create a life." Jim's reluctance filled their link. "But I don't know if I'm ready for that just yet. I'm only thirty for chrissakes! I know Starfleet will assign us a new mission before too long, and I'd hate to be an absent parent like my mom."

Finally, Jim calmed down enough to sense the twinge of annoyance from Spock. "That's not what you meant at all, was it?" He said, rather sheepishly. While they were rather accomplished at reading each other's thoughts after being bonded for five years, it still was not a foolproof system.

"Negative," said Spock, who could not help but be amused by Jim's rambling rationalization. "While I do wish to have a child with you in the future, I was referring to the other alternative." Jim pursed his lips.

"You mean adopt?"

"Precisely." Spock felt his bondmate relax a little.

"But adopting still doesn't solve the problem of us being parents they only saw once a year," Jim reminded him. Since his thickheaded bondmate still wasn't getting it, Spock projected the image of the hundreds of Vulcan children living in a Federation-run orphanage on New Vulcan in Jim's mind.

"You want us to adopt an orphaned Vulcan?" Jim was surprised, but not shocked. "How come? It's not like they could come with us on the Enterprise." As always, Spock had a logical explanation ready.

"I strongly believe that even a minor presence of parental units is more beneficial to the child rather than the complete absence of parental influence." In a way, Jim had to admit, that made sense.

"I see your point, but-"

"Perhaps if we choose a child who is already used to living without a caretaker but needs moral guidance." Spock had interrupted him, which was a huge gaffe for the Vulcan. It was then that Jim realized just how serious his husband was. Since the logical approach hadn't worked, Spock decided to use emotion to support his point, which often appealed to Jim.

"Jim." Spock locked eyes with his bondmate. "When you were young, did you not wish that you had someone who was interested in your life when your mother was gone? Someone who sent you small tokens (I believe you call them gifts). Someone who left you comms, someone who encouraged you to follow your aspirations?" Jim sighed, taking a mental trip down memory lane.

"Yeah," he admitted after a few minutes. "I guess I did wish for that." Spock held on to Jim a little more tightly, reminding him that he had such a person in his life at present. The Vulcan never wished for his bondmate to experience any more feelings of abandonment, like he had when he'd been a child.

//That was quite an emotional speech from you.// Jim wasn't angry at Spock for toying with his emotions, at least the Vulcan could sense that much.

//I feel very strongly about this, t'hy'la. I wish to aid in the rebuilding of our race by raising an orphaned child. But more importantly, I wish to share this responsibility with you, Jim. I know you would be a more than agreeable father.// From Spock, this was high praise indeed! Spock slyly continued,

//Unless of course, you would prefer not to adopt a Vulcan-//

"Ya know, I'm rather fond of Vulcans," Jim protested, switching to verbal speech. It would be rather awesome to have a little Spock-like Vulcan in the family. And he doubted Vulcan children were too difficult to raise, as they all seemed to be so disciplined. The more he thought about it, the more he liked the idea. He'd always wanted a real family – perhaps it was time for he and Spock to take the first step.

"Is that so?" Spock whispered, as the Vulcan began to kiss his bondmate's neck.

"Yeah." Jim breathed, loving how even a simple gesture from Spock could arouse him so easily. He squirmed under Spock's touch as his bondmate's arms strayed under his shirt to caress his chest.

"Fond enough to adopt a Vulcan child and raise him or her with your t'hy'la?" Spock gently tweaked Jim's nipples, just enough to elicit a verbal response.

"Oh yeah," he moaned.

"Jim, are you aware to what you just agreed to?" Spock asked, slowly removing his hands from his bondmate's skin. Jim had been rather distracted at the moment, and he would often agree to Spock's wishes during the heat of passion. It was a technique the Vulcan used frequently.

"Spock." Jim gazed deeply into his t'hy'la's eyes. "I would love to adopt a Vulcan kid with you."

"Are you certain?" Spock whispered.

"Absolutely." And to prove his sincerity, Jim eagerly kissed Spock. His partner was filled with such joy and relief that he couldn't think. The Vulcan wished to convey his thanks and gratitude but he was so overwhelmed that he didn't know how.

//Meld with me?// Was Jim's tantalizing offer. Luckily for Spock, Jim always knew what to do.

//Please, Jim.// Was Spock's needy reply.

.~.

Once they had finished experiencing a full mental immersion with each other, they returned to themselves, and collapsed, exhausted on the bed.

"I'm so drained I can barely move," Jim groaned. "This is what you do to me, Spock. Every damn time!" Spock couldn't help but feel the illogical but enjoyable smugness for affecting his t'hy'la in such a way. Yet this feeling wasn't onesided. Spock also was sapped of most of his energy each time he took a dip into Jim's complicated but beautiful mind.

"Do not move, ashaya. I will return shortly."

While Spock was using the facilities, Jim dragged his tired ass out of bed and snuck over to their computer. He pulled up the Vulcan database that listed the files of the orphaned children. There were so goddamned many of them! How in the universe would they be able to choose just one?

His eyes finally landed on a young female of seven who was scowling in her picture, and he had to laugh. She looked so out of place next to the other solemn, picture-perfect Vulcans. Curious as to why she was showing emotion and the others were not, he pulled up her file.

The first thing he noticed was the note at the top, which read 'ancestry: half Vulcan, half Romulan, might be reason for her social problems. Does not work well with others.' Interesting! Spock would be the perfect father for this girl, as he was used to finding a balance between both of his halves. Scrolling down, he found she displayed a high intelligence, but often displayed a raging temper. Nor did she respect or trust those in authority. Jim smiled wryly. He certainly understood that feeling well growing up. When her file also indicated that the girl preferred her freedom as she was used to caring for herself, Jim knew she was exactly the one who he and Spock were looking for. The captain was so excited, he couldn't wait until his bondmate returned to their bedroom.

//Hey, Spock!//

//Impatient, are we?// Spock projected from their bathroom.

//No, it's not that. I think I just found the perfect candidate to adopt!// Spock should've known Jim would already be searching for the perfect child on the computer. His bondmate was rather lacking in the patience department, but this was one of those times that Spock found that particular quality to be endearing.

//I shall have to take a look. No doubt you have made an illogical choice.//

//Hey!// Was Jim's indignant reply, but Spock knew he was joking.

//Or perhaps not.// Spock conceded. //What is the name of the child?//

Kirk grinned. It was his turn to use his persuasive techniques on Spock.

//Her name is Saavik.//

.~.

End Epilogue

A/N: Mission to Gamus is officially finished! Whew. Of course I left it open for a sequel, but I won't be writing that for some time. I need to finish Chance Encounter and other projects, but rest assured, I plan on writing another story in this series at some point in the near future. Thanks to everyone who stuck with me!

Also, if you like holiday stories, check out Jimmy and his Ninja Prince, on my profile. I basically combined Star Trek with the Nutcracker to end up with a sweet friendship story of Kirk and Spock when they were kids. I worked really hard on it for the ksadvent LJ com, and would love some feedback! Thanks.

P.S. Brittany Diamond just posted a sweet new episode of the Ship's Closet, centered on Amok Time HERE:http:// youtube .com/watch?v=vRoQJzxUKMQ Watch it! You won't be disappointed.