waqu2.cc 
*****
Two weeks later, Kirk found himself on the surface of Nareen II, a class M planet listed as uninhabited. It was a beautiful planet, with rolling hills and tall trees and a blue sky just like Earth's. Spock had brought a landing party of his science officers to the surface, and they'd immediately spread out along the edge of a forest to take samples for determining Nareen II's suitability for colonization.
Kirk, trying to stay out of their way, had climbed a nearby hill. Cupcake, the only security team member to come along, was with him. The two of them stood at the top, enjoying the crisp fresh air and the brilliant green of the nearby forest.
But no matter how hard Kirk tried to take in the sight of the gentle landscape, his eyes kept straying back to their preferred view, of Spock down below. Spock was on his hands and knees in the grass, deeply engaged in his work and unaware that he was the target of Kirk's scrutiny. Kirk watched as Spock sat up on his knees, holding up some kind of leaf, his dark head cocked as he studied it. Kirk felt a little flutter in his heart; he always found Spock particularly attractive when Spock was lost in the intensity of his concentration.
Kirk realized was he was doing and shook his head. No point in tormenting himself. He forced his recalcitrant eyes away from Spock, over to the forest just beyond.
His heart stopped.
Something had just moved in the forest; something vaguely human-shaped but purple-skinned and tall, hidden just behind a tree. It raised its arm - an arm clutching a crude, but unmistakable spear - and aimed for the unknowing Vulcan only meters away.
Spock
"SPOCK!"
Kirk shouted as loud as he could, causing Cupcake to draw his phaser instinctively. But Kirk was too late - the alien had already launched the spear straight at Spock's head.
Kirk experienced a moment of pure, crippling terror -
But Spock threw himself to the ground and the spear sailed over him, missing him by inches. Cupcake fired his phaser at the same time, and the purple alien fell to the ground, stunned.
Several more purple heads popped up among the trees.
Kirk whipped out his communicator. "Scotty, beam us the hell out of here, now now now!"
*****
Back on the Enterprise, Kirk hovered in the corridor just outside sickbay, where he'd ordered Spock to report. After ten long minutes, Bones came out to see him.
"You know, you can - "
"Is he okay?" Kirk blurted.
Bones regarded him with a raised eyebrow. "Why not go in and ask your little hobgoblin yourself?"
"Bones."
Bones relented at Kirk's desperate tone. "He's fine. You can stop fretting. Just a few scratches, and I took care of those."
Kirk let out a shaky sigh. He leaned back against the wall behind him, tipped his head back and closed his eyes. "Thanks."
"Don't thank me. You're the one who saved his life."
Kirk blinked. "What?"
Bones tapped Kirk on the forehead. "He says he heard you in his head through your linky-thing. That's how he knew to duck." Then he added, very casually, "Good thing that even though you won't let him near you, you're still looking out for him."
"He - he's still my First Officer, it's my job to look out for him," Kirk said defensively. He ran a hand through his hair, and found that he'd been so nervous, he'd been sweating.
Bones's eyes said he wasn't fooled for an instant. "Whatever you say, darlin'."
*****
Kirk tossed and turned in his bed, unable to sleep. Every time - every goddamn time - he closed his eyes, he was assaulted by the sight of Spock, innocently studying his leaf, completely unaware of the danger he was in, and that spear, cruel and sharp and aimed right at Spock -
Spock isn’t hurt. He’s FINE. He’s in the next room. SLEEPING, like I should be. He’s FINE.
It was useless. Kirk had told himself this at least a dozen times now. But his mind continued to replay that horrible moment when he thought he'd lost Spock.
Unless - unless maybe it was the bond in his mind that was upset?
Kirk sat halfway up. Of course; it wasn't him, it was the bond that was still worried about Spock and wouldn't let him sleep. It was the bond that needed reassurance that Spock was fine.
Spock's words echoed in his memory. You are my bondmate. My mind is open to you.
Kirk chewed on his lip for a moment. Maybe, just maybe, if he took the quickest peek in Spock's mind, he could satisfy the bond enough to let him get some sleep?
Mind made up, Kirk flopped onto his back and stared at the ceiling, wondering where to start. The logistics of telepathy were far outside his experience. But he was nothing if not accustomed to boldly going where he hadn’t gone before, so he closed his eyes and tried to focus on that warm feeling that lived in the back of his mind and connected him to Spock.
It was just like teleporting. One moment he was in his own mind, the next he was in Spock’s, surrounded and engulfed by a sense of his First Officer. It felt oddly familiar, like Kirk had been here a thousand times before. Like coming home to a home more welcoming than any Kirk had ever lived in.
It was clear that Spock was sleeping peacefully and not in any pain. Kirk – no, not Kirk, the bond, damn it – breathed a sigh of relief.
He was about to withdraw when something in Spock’s mind reached for him.
Kirk froze, uncertain of what to do. Spock was still fast asleep – of that he had no doubt. And Kirk, now that he knew Spock was fine, had no need to stay in Spock’s mind.
But something warm was stretching out to him, calling to him and wanting him to stay. And as Kirk hesitated, it enveloped him in affection, like being pulled into a sleepy mental cuddle. A sense of belonging filled Kirk, a sense of being wanted and cherished. It was a soothing balm to raw human feelings that were more accustomed to rejection. Spock’s mind calmed his, its logical order a welcome respite for his jumbled emotions and jangled nerves.
You got what you came for; now break the link, he admonished himself.
And yet he stalled another moment. It was - nicer than he had expected, being in Spock’s mind. Comforting, like having a warm cat asleep and purring on your chest. Something in Spock’s mind seemed sleepily delighted that he was there, and Kirk wasn’t used to Spock – or anyone, really – being glad to have him around.
But he would leave.
In a moment.
Fifteen minutes later, Kirk finally gave up any pretense that he was going to leave the haven of Spock’s sleeping mind. He rolled onto his side, pulled his blankets up to his shoulders, and let Spock’s mind cradle him to sleep.
*****
The next day, Spock gave absolutely no indication that he had been aware of Kirk’s presence last night. Kirk was very glad of this. He’d done it now, and with curiosity satisfied, and bond satisfied that Spock wasn’t hurt, he could move on with life and never do it again.
Except for the part where Spock’s brain, and the calm and comfort it provided, proved impossible for Kirk to resist.
Kirk went back for more of Spock that night. This time, Spock was awake and meditating, and Kirk nearly pulled out for fear of getting caught. There was no reaction on Spock’s end, however, and Kirk began to wonder if Spock’s mental block prevented him from feeling Kirk’s presence.
