Time Link
Part 2 - Seven days later
Pain shot through him as he meditated in his cabin. Pain so severe that he nearly lost consciousness. Something was wrong. Then it set in, a feeling of overwhelming fear and loneliness and yet a spark remained. It just could not be! Spock ran to the bridge as quickly as he could without trying to attract too much attention.
"Get me Starfleet Command, immediately." The fear and heightened emotions were barely staying in check.
"Captain, I. . ." The communications officer hesitated, confused by the lack of protocol. The Captain of the Lexington entered the bridge, witnessing the exchange.
"What seems to be the problem?"
"I need to speak to Starfleet Command, immediately."
"Go ahead, Mr. Jansin. It will take several hours before we here from Command at this distance. Is there any particular reason for this call, Captain Spock?"
"I need to speak with Admiral Kirk on some urgent business. Please, have the call sent to my quarters when you have contacted Starfleet."
Spock did not want to lie but he did not want to reveal what he was feeling. The "lie" actually contained a grain of truth. The need to speak with Kirk was great. He just hoped it was not too late. Having gone through one death just seven days before, he did not want to go through another. At least, he hoped it wasn't what he thought it was. Spock left the bridge, grateful that the turbolift was empty. Spock sagged against the lift wall trying to keep his composure and to keep himself from shaking. Hopefully he would reach his cabin before anyone saw him. It would be some hours before they would reach Starfleet Command. Spock was grateful for one thing, at least they were returning to Earth. Maybe, just maybe it would not be too late. Spock was roused from a light sleep hours later by the beeping of his computer concil. Spock turned it on and there was the face of Admiral Drake.
The Admiral looked hagard and worn. Something had happened that had disturbed him greatly. Spock hoped it wasn't what he thought it was. Still, to speculate that Drake's appearance was due to Kirk was illogical. Best to hear what news he could from Drake.
"Captain, Spock. Returning from Vulcan so soon? I thought you would be gone for at least a month being in morning for your rmother."
"Vulcans do not morn for long periods of time. It would be illogical," stated Spock awkwardly. Small talk was not the Vulcan way. Best to get to the point. "I had some unfinished business with Admiral Kirk regarding the negotiations with the Valdorins. I wished to continue with it. If I may speak to Admiral Kirk . . ."
"Captain Spock," the Admiral interrupted. "Admiral Kirk isn't available. If you remember, he would be attending the Enterprise-B's christening ceramony and maiden voyage and cannot be reached. . ."
The Admiral seemed evasive. Spock could tell he was hiding something. The line about "not being able to reach Admiral Kirk" was of course not true. Spock could easily have reached Kirk by contacting the Enterprise-B.
"Then I will place a subspace call to Admiral Kirk there."
"I don't think that's wise. The Enterprise-B had been called away on a rescue mission and they may be busy."
"Admiral, it is important that I reach Admiral Kirk." Spock pressed the Commander of Starfleet. "Admiral Kirk maybe on board, but he would not interfere with the duties of the ship's current captain unless something has happened. Has something happened?"
Admiral Drake wiped his brow. "I can only inform family members . . .We only received the news just an hour ago. . ."
"Admiral Kirk is part of my family. He had been officially entered into record as my brother by my father after my "resurrection" to put it in human terms. Please, tell me what has happened."
Spcok usually did not like discussing family matters with strangers but he deemed it necessary and a logical choice in order to get the information he needed.
A haunted look came over Drake. A look that Spock would never forget. "I do not know how to tell you this. Admiral Kirk was. . . I can't even say it." The obvious emotion in the Admiral's voice prompted Spock to assist.
"Admiral, I am a Vulcan. I am quite capable of handling whatever news you are trying to tell me."
"Yes, Enterprise-B ran into difficulties and there was damage to the ship," stated Drake. "Admiral Kirk was trying to assist when. . . all I can say is that he didn't suffer. A report is being drafted and sent out to everyone in Starfleet relating the details. A memorial service will be scheduled within three days after the return of Enterprise-B. All flags will be flown at half mast for a full month. I am sorry. Drake out."
Spock stared at the blank screen for a full minute. So, something had happened to Jim, and from the perspective of Admiral Drake, Jim did not survive. Yet, something was pulling at him, a spark that Spock recognized all too well. Spock walked over to the meditation stone and firepot. Realization set in, the thoughts of McCoy and the great loss. So that was its true meaning. Each day during meditation since the report of his mother's death, thoughts of McCoy having to deal with a great loss kept disturbing him. Now he understood its full meaning.
Spock sat on the cool stone and lit the firepot. Smoke rose lazily upward. Spock steepled his fingers and began the ritual into meditation trying to deal with the rising emotions. He still had not dealt with the pain that he felt just hours before. A pain that nearly caused him to black out. Spock settled in and tried to concentrate. Where did the pain come from and why did he associate it with Jim? Spock reached for the link that he shared with his friend. As Spock went deeper into the meditation, a stray thought of Jim came to the surface. It wasn't pleasant. The image was of Jim on Vulcan during the challenge. The onwoon wrapped around his neck, Jim laying limp, and Spock himself standing above him. Suddenly, the image changed. Jim was alone, hands outstretched beckoning and yet there was no sound. Slowly the image retreated until it was almost gone, but not quite.
"Jim! NO!" Spock found he was no longer in his cabin. He found himself staring out at the stars from the observation deck similar to that on the Enterprise. It had been a favorite place of Jim Kirk's. Something had drawn Spock here. It wasn't like him to "walk" during a meditation. Then something briefly flared. The link, somehow it was still there, and yet it was so minimal, almost as if it was nonexistant, but it held. Relief washed over him. It was so overwhelming and so beyond belief. He could barely believe it himself. It was just too much to accept and to "hope" for. The strain finally took its toll and Spock sunk to his knees and cried. The tears running freely down his cheeks washing the pain away. When all emotion was spent, Spock rose and stood firm. Self consciously, he checked the time and was relieved that it was still in the middle of the third shift. Not very many of the crew would be about.
Spock's thoughts turned to what the Admiral had said. He needed to know more. The Admiral did not tell him how the accident had happened. At the time, Spock could barely acknowledge what the Admiral said. Thinking back on the conversation, he did recall that there was to be a report. He would have to read it to know all that had transpired. If there was a way to find Jim, Spock would find that way. In the mean time, it would call for patience and it would require the one thing that Spock would have to do that was most distasteful and what amounts to him a form of betrayal. He would have to face McCoy and lie. Lying to McCoy would not be easy. It would hurt Spock just as much. He would have to pretend that what was reported was the truth knowing what he knew. How long the pretense would go on was not certain but Spock vowed that he would know one way or another what had happened and if he would ever see his friend, again. In the mean time, Kirk was out there waiting, waiting to be returned. Spock, again stared out at the stars and let himself feel one more emotion, the emotion of hope.
End of Part 2
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