Chapter 1

All days are nights to see till I see thee,
And nights bright days when dreams do show thee to me.
~William Shakespeare, "Sonnet XLIII"

“Commander,” Chekov said in undisguised excitement.

“Ensign,” Spock returned from where he sat in the Captain’s chair. He had been acting Captain for the 5.64 weeks of the Captain’s disappearance and during that time had refused to be addressed as Captain. There was only one rightful Captain of the Enterprise and Spock knew, as did the rest of the crew, that they would eventually find him and restore him to his rightful place.

“I have found him, sir. I have found him,” Chekov said, studying his panel.

“I will alert you when I am in the transporter room,” Spock said, hardly waiting for a response before entering the turbolift to go down to the transporter. When he arrived, he told Chekov to send him the coordinates of the Captain’s location. Spock used them to rescan the area, finding the faint human lifesigns among the much stronger and numerous avian ones.

“Well?” Dr. McCoy was saying as he entered the transporter room. “Did you find him?”

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Chapter 2

Spock sat in the Captain’s chair, staring blindly at the stars that were streaking by on the viewscreen. He knew there were orders to be given and reports acknowledged but he could not bring himself to care, not right then.

“Sir,” Sulu said softly, recognizing the almost expression of distress on Spock’s face.

“Lieutenant,” Spock responded, focusing on the pilot.

“I’ll resume command if you want to go back to Medical Bay,” Sulu offered, careful to keep most of the concern and sympathy out of his voice.

“That will not be necessary, Lieutenant. My presence will not assist in the Captain’s recovery,” Spock said.

“Yes sir,” Sulu acknowledged, exchanging quick, worried looks with Chekov.

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Chapter 3

Spock continued to read the familiar poetry, appreciating the beauty even as he did not fully concentrate on what he was reading. The part of his mind not engaged in Shakespeare considered just how much Jim’s disappearance had disturbed him, although he was loathe to admit it even to himself. Since their rocky start, their relationship had evolved past simply that of Commander and Captain. They had truly become friends. If Spock were completely honest with himself, he would have to admit that part of him wished they had gone beyond just friends. But the Captain had never made any indication that he wanted more than friendship from Spock and Spock was not willing to lose what he had in an attempt to gain what might not be possible.

Even after having been in a relationship with Nyota, one that came to a natural conclusion six months after they left Earth, Spock wasn’t sure how one went about crossing the divide from just friends to something much deeper and richer, especially when he didn’t know if that’s what Jim wanted. And there was certainly no one he could ask. Although he had considered on more than one occasion contacting the Ambassador, he had not yet done so. Spock suspected that the relationship between the Ambassador and the first Kirk was more than friendship and he could only hope that in this circumstance the timelines would indeed mirror one another.

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Chapter 4

“Spock?” Jim whispered after several hours had elapsed.

“I am right here,” Spock assured him, standing up so Jim could see him.

Jim reached out and touched him, sighing softly. “I kept dreaming you came for me. Then I’d wake up and you’d be gone. The dreams were so real I’m afraid I’ll wake up and be back there.”

“You are home, Jim. I am very real.”

“I know,” Jim said softly. “Do Vulcans dream?”

“Not generally. If I am ill I am more likely to do so. I do not recall ever being plagued by the type of nightmares disrupting your sleep,” Spock said. “What may I do to assist you?”

“You’re doing it already,” Jim said, closing his eyes and frowning slightly. His left hand was holding to Spock’s uniform and Spock would not do anything to remove the Captain’s grasp although he was the only person Spock would allow to have such casual contact. “They didn’t mean to hurt me.”

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Chapter 5

When he woke, it was to the sound of soft voices nearby. His left hand was still warmer than the rest of him, Spock’s hands surrounding his. He lay still, trying to decide if it was worth the effort to open his eyes. He didn’t think he would like the results when he did and chose not to move until he had absolutely no choice.

“How long has he been asleep?” the voice he knew belonged to Admiral Pike asked.

“Five hours,” Bones’ voice responded. “I expect he’ll be wakin’ up any time now.”

Jim knew that meant that Bones knew he was already awake. Damn sensors. At least Spock hadn’t given him away. Jim gave up the pretense and allowed his eyes to slowly open. Not good. The room was spinning and his temporary bed wanted to throw him off. He closed his eyes back tight, taking his left hand from Spock and holding it over his mouth. A futile effort but he had to at least give it a try.

“Oh dear,” Bones said from closer by. “Vertigo?”

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