The Vulcan Changeling Project

Love Thy Neighbor

Kirk had only been on the bridge a few moments when Uhura turned to face him. "Captain, you and Commander Talerth are wanted in sick-bay now. Doctor McCoy says it's an emergency,"Uhura said softly as her brown eyes sought Kirk's hazel ones.

Sarek re-attempted to reach Spock, but Spock resisted him, which hardly surprised Sarek.

Talerth looked down at the woman whose presence had gotten the Empire into an uproar. There was something about her that made his heart beat a little faster. He placed his fingers on her temples and attempted to reach her through the mind meld. "Muriah," he whispered. "My name is Talerth and I mean you no harm. Please the danger is over. Come back with me." There was no response, only a tight sense of a door being locked.

Kirk rushed into sick bay, breathless and there was no other word for it. He was scared, for Spock looked worse than he did before. "Spock," Kirk whispered as he stared at McCoy and Sarek in a panic.

McCoy took Kirk by the arm and pulled him aside. "Jim, Sarek can't reach Spock. His brain function is all but gone. You need to face the fact that...that...," McCoy's voice trailed off as Kirk jerked his arm free.

"Bones, don't just don't even say it...Spock is going to be fine, you forget I don't believe in no win scenarios," Kirk snapped.

McCoy grabbed Kirk by the shoulders, "Jim, you've got to face facts. We all have risked and will continue to risk our live in service of the Federation. Spock knew the risks when he signed on."

Kirk swallowed and stared at McCoy. "I have to try, Bones." Kirk said as he walked over to Spock's side. He watched Spock's shallow breathing for a moment or two and then placed his fingers over Spock's temples. Instead of speaking words into Spock's mind Kirk let anything and everything that came into his thoughts flow out towards Spock.

Spock felt nothing. Blackness consumed his very essence. Something or someone tried to reach him but Spock ignored it. Then the blackness faded to gray and Spock found himself sitting in the sands of Vulcan. The hot arid breeze warmed his skin and Spock closed his eyes soaking in its rays. "Spock, don't shut me out," a voice spoke. It was a familiar voice. "Spock, it's me, Jim."

Spock's eyes flew open and there beside him was Kirk-Jim. "Jim, what are you doing here?"

Kirk sighed. "Trying to metaphorically drag your ass back to the living."

Spock half smiled at Kirk and said, "Fascinating."

Kirk started to laugh and then stopped. "Spock I need you. I need you to come back. If anyone can fight this it's you."

Spock sighed. "Jim, if I am in the death meld I will die."

Kirk stood up and stamped his foot and began to pace. "Spock, there's got to be something. Please, rack that computer brain of yours and think of a way out of this."

Spock laid back and put his head behind his hands. "There is a way. It is possible that if I had a mate she could bring me back, but I am alone."

Kirk gripped Spock's arm. "You're not alone, besides there's more to life than...a mate or mating."

Spock raised an eyebrow. "Jim, that's not exactly a testament coming from you."

Kirk laughed and then looked at Spock sideways, so that he could avoid direct eye contact. "What about Uhura, I've seen the way you look at her when you think she can't see you."

Spock looked out into the distance. "Jim, for some months I've felt that my life all of our lives have a different linear pattern. Here in the world we know I am alone. In another lifetime...Uhura...Uhura is my consort."

Kirk sat up and looked over at Spock. "What? I don't believe you."

Spock smiled at Kirk sadly, without attempting to hide his emotions. "Jim, I know you've assumed that Vulcans just mate when they have to during Pon-Farr, but the truth is...Here, me show you. Close your eyes."

Kirk closed his eyes, and a lifetime of images flashed across his mind. Spock telling Uhura the first time that he liked her, Spock holding her hand, Spock kissing her, Spock holding her, Spock...." Kirk's eyes snapped open. "Spock, I had no idea. I mean that was some fantasy."

Spock looked at Kirk and raised an eyebrow. "Jim, my imagination is not that developed. What you saw was reality on another plane."

Kirk's eyes budged. "Well, you'd better a figure a way to get there fast."

Spock looked at Kirk again. "Jim I can't for the same conditions do not exist on this plane and I am tired of fighting to keep myself under control."

"Spock, you're not alone. I am you friend and somehow we will get through this together. Now come back to me-us, now that's an order mister." Kirk said as he stood up and held out his hand to Spock.

Spock took Kirk's hand and then stood up. "Jim, I will fight but I can't come back unless Muriah does."

Kirk frowned for he wasn't sure he even liked the woman who had gotten them all into so much trouble. "Great, the love thy neighbor premise is biting me in the ass again." Kirk thought as he looked over at Spock's serene countenance. "And quit mocking me, Spock."

Spock looked over at Kirk with a childlike innocence. "Your train of what you call thinking has stumped me once again, for I am not mocking you. I am just confused at your reference to the old Biblical principle; 'love thy neighbor for I fail to see how it has anything to do with our current situation."