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Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2004 23:32:05 -0600
Subject: [ASCEM-S] NEW:"Never a Bride" 8/8 (TOS:K/S:NC-17)
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Never a Bride
Part 8 of 8

      *

It could have been worse, Jim thought later.  Much worse.
Strangely, now that it had happened, that it was over, he was
surprised to find a little corner of his heart that was pleased
he had gone through with it.  He told Spock that it was just
for the sake of their mothers, really, but some part of him was
happy to know he was legally, Humanly, married.

He had been absurdly proud, as he had entered the
auditorium with Winona a scant pace behind Spock and
Amanda.  Spock was so handsome and dignified, quiet
confidence seemed to radiate from him.  Jim's modesty
forbade him to imagine that the looks of awe and pleasure on
the faces of the gathered host reflected the same dignity and
confidence radiating from him, though he did know that he
looked good in the new dress gold, all the honours of his
career shining on his chest.  And Winona, in her russet and
gold, was so beautiful!  Amanda, severe in Vulcan
ceremonial dress, looked as austere and controlled as her son.

McCoy, also in dress blues, and Scott in his kilt and dress red
tunic, handled their parts in the ceremony soberly.  Jim had
been afraid that Bones would wink at him or something, and
crack him up - Jim had never been good at keeping a straight
face during a solemn ritual.

While listening to the voice of the official listing the duties of
a married couple a feeling of deep joy had stolen over him.
Spock was his, and he was Spock's, and they would never
have to hide their relationship again!  It was a moment of
relief so intense that he almost missed his cue, but he caught
the thread of the ceremony again in time to voice the required
"I will".

And when actually placing the ring on Spock's hand, and
having Spock do the same for him, he felt a momentary urge
to cry but stomped it down hard.  It would not do, it would
never do, for James Tiberius Kirk to be caught weeping on
FNN, not even at his own wedding.

They had been pronounced, they had signed the register, and
they had been announced to the crowd, which to their
surprise surged to its collective feet and cheered.  Giving
what he hoped was a dignified smile and bow, he had taken
Spock's arm and the two of them had walked sedately out of
the auditorium and into the stretch aircar awaiting them
outside.

It was done.

Mercifully enough, they hadn't been required to stay long at
the reception.  Once the dinner was over and the dancing had
begun, once all five hundred people had shaken his hand and
offered Spock 'peace, long life and prosperity' or some
version of that, he and Spock had snuck out of the hall and up
to their suite, where McCoy, Scott, Sulu and Uhura quickly
joined them.

Then, at last, up to the ship.  A bone-deep feeling of
belonging stole through him as he materialized once again in
his favourite place.  "Gentlefolk, it is very good to be home,"
he announced, stepping down off of the platform.  The
transporter operator came around the control dais and offered
his hand.

"Congratulations, Captain, Commander.  It was a very nice
ceremony."

"Don't tell me everyone up here saw it too?"

"Yes, sir.  Every screen in the ship was one for those who
pulled duty, but the main party is in recreation.  They're
waiting for you down there."  Kirk looked over at Scott, who
was staring at the ceiling and whistling tunelessly.

"Scotty..."

"Ye canna have a weddin' wee oot all the family, Captain.
T'would be unfair to the lads and lasses."

Jim rubbed the bridge of his nose, then held out his hand and
stared at the ring.  "Spock, do you suppose you can manage
one more hour of celebration?"

"I believe Mister Scott is correct.  It would be considered
unfair by the crew if they were not given the opportunity to
congratulate you."

"Us, Spock.  That's what this is all about, remember?  All
right, Scotty.  Lets go.  I hope you stocked the bar properly.  I
need a drink."

"A drink you shall have.  After you, gentlemen."

The crew of the Enterprise were as hard playing as they were
hard working, and it was much longer than an hour before
Jim actually sat down in recreation and set his drink on the
table beside him.  His fingers and palm actually felt chapped
and sore from shaking so many hands.  He kept his eyes
down for a few minutes, to discourage anyone from joining
him, and sipped his drink.  When the bottom of the glass
appeared he looked up, and met Spock's eyes across the
room.

"You did a good job, Jim," came McCoy's voice from over
his shoulder.  Jim craned around as the Doctor plunked a
bottle of whisky on the table and sat in the chair opposite
him.  "I'm proud of you.  Despite everything, you and Spock
looked like you'd actually planned the whole thing
yourselves.  How ya feeling?"

"Put some of that," he replied, pointing at the bottle, "in
there," he went on, pointing at the glass, "and I will soon be
feeling much better.  Did you know it starts to get painful
after a time, shaking hands?"

"I'll get you some cream for it.  Damned Vulcans are smarter
than I thought.  Speaking of which, where's yours?"

"Just over there, talking to Chapel."

"There's a heart that will never mend," McCoy drawled.  He
waved a hand, and Spock and Nurse Chapel moved toward
them.  "Christine, would you mind going to the dispensary
and getting me a 60 millilitre jar of bag balm?"

"Bag balm?"  Jim and Spock chorused.  McCoy nodded.

"So called because it was invented to treat and prevent
chapping of cow udders due to milking.  The Captain has a
case of 'glad-handing', Chris."

"I wondered," she said.  "I'd be happy to get it for you, sir.
Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before you use it, and
don't touch yourself anywhere , Captain, especially your
eyes, until you have washed.  No doubt you are carrying a
million bacteria you don't normally, and possibly even some
viruses."

"Thank you, Nurse," Jim replied, remembering how many
times he'd rubbed the bridge of his nose tonight, and
probably touched his eyes in the process.  Great, he'd
probably get a million diseases and it would all be Nogura's
fault.  "I'll wash right now.  Spock, save my seat for me?"

He stood up and walked to the adjacent head, where he gave
his hands and lower arms a thorough scrubbing.  Looking up
at himself in the mirror, he saw the lines forming under his
eyes that meant he was tired, but he felt strangely buoyant.
He was on his ship.  He was bonded.  He was married, as
well.  When he walked back out and rejoined Spock and
McCoy, he was smiling.

"What's up, Jim?"

"I was just thinking.  Three more days, and then I probably
won't set eyes on Nogura, or anyone else from Command,
for another two years."

He looked at Spock and saw the twinkle in the dark eyes.
"Indeed, Jim.  A consummation devoutly to be wished."

"Spock, nobody uses the word 'consummation' on their
wedding night!  At least not in public," Jim replied, blushing
and grinning.

"Spock just did," McCoy replied.  "Hell, it's not as if you
two haven't been doing some consummatin' for quite some
time, is it?  I can't believe you had me fooled for so long.  I
never even guessed."  He slugged back his whisky and
poured himself another, topping up Jim's glass as well.

"I feel badly about that, Bones.  But we couldn't tell you!
You would have removed me from command, and I couldn't
have taken that.  And imagine how terrible you would have
felt later, when you learned you were wrong."

"I know, I know.  Spock, you're awfully quiet."

"Did you wish me to apologize as well, Doctor?"

"I do not, you pointed-eared elf!"

"Nevertheless, I am sorry about the deception.  It goes
against my nature to be 'sneaky', I think is the word you
would use."

"Sneaky!  Downright devious, a real snake in the grass!"

"Doctor McCoy, I assure you that I have no relationship
whatsoever to the suborder Serpentes of the order Squamata,
Species Reptila.  I am demonstrably more 'warm blooded'
than even a Human."

"Warm blooded!  Why, you're the coldest blooded being I
have ever..."

"Bones, please!"  Jim fought a ridiculous giggle, hearing his
lover tease his best friend again.  "Spock, what am I going to
do with you?"

Spock rose to his feet and regarded Jim with a look that he
knew well.  "I suggest that you begin by taking me home,
Captain.  I would like an opportunity to further investigate
the differences in our blood temperatures.  Furthermore, I
believe I heard something about a new bed."

Complete astonishment came over him as he realized that for
the first, and probably only, time in his life he was being
publicly teased about sex by Spock!  He looked at McCoy,
whose mouth had dropped open.  McCoy blinked rapidly,
and then said "Spock!  You're nothing but a big fake!"

"No, Doctor.  I am a big Vulcan.  A married, and more
importantly bonded, big Vulcan.  And I would bid you
goodnight."

Jim got up hurriedly, taking Spock's arm and swinging him
away from the Doctor before the fireworks could resume.
"Sleep tight, Bones."

He led Spock out of recreation, absolutely sure of one thing
only.

He, too, was looking forward to the new bed.


Finis
Rae


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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