Out of the woods

What is in a name?

"Captain." Came Spock's voice over the communicator.

Jim held his communicator in one hand.

"Yes?" Jim said.

"Are you out of the woods yet?" Spock Prime asked.

"Almost." Jim said.

"Good." Spock Prime said, cooly.

"Mr Spock, might I remind you there is one person who should be worrying is me and it should be me worrying about you." Jim said.

"Our roles are made to be that way," Spock Prime said. "You are my captain and first officer's duty is to the captain."

Jim laughed.

God, did he love Spock's reasoning.

"Spock, continue to attempt hailing the Enterprise," Jim said. "I am on my way."

"Excellent," Spock Prime said. "Talking to a rock is almost getting boring."

Jim chuckled.

"I will be right there, Ashayam," Jim said. "Kirk out."

Jim flipped off his communicator.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

. . .2255 . .

. . . Four hours after being rescued. . . . Heading to Earth . . .

"I know your name." Spock said.

"My name?" Jim said.

"Affirmative," Spock said. "Your name is James T. Kirk."

Jim blinked.

"Doesn't ring a bell." Jim said.

"You must have used the name often in your field." Spock said.

Jim shook his head.

"I am sorry, but I don't," Jim said. "I really appreciate it. . . And what about the lab that I was in for sixteen years? What happened to it?"

"We have . . . eliminated it off the planet." Spock said.

"Wow." Jim said.

"No one should be given the power to be God," Spock said. "Does the name. . . Leonard H. McCoy ring a bell?"

A memory of a young woman leaning against the table looking rather sad came into his mind.

"What is it,Nurse Chapel?" Jim asked.

"Doctor McCoy is dying." Chapel said.

That can't be true.

Not McCoy.

"Apparently you have met him." Spock remarked.

Jim realized he was smiling.

"He's the man who saved your katra." Jim said.

Spock raised a eyebrow as Jim covered his mouth.

"Pardon?" Spock said.

Jim shrugged.

Damn it.

He just disobeyed the prime directive.

"That was a lie." Jim lied.

Spock lowered his eyebrow.

"I would not put my katra in the hands of a cadet when my time is coming to a near, let alone a Romulan or a human inadequately introduced into Vulcan medicology." Spock said.

Jim's eyes widened.

What had he done?

He had made a error by being Spock's caregiver. He has made a mistake by accepting Sarek's offer. He had definitely, very much, made a impression on the Vulcan. A error that could not be fixed. Spock did not despise the Romulans. Not his Spock. Perhaps being flung to Vulcan's not-so-distant past was a huge error. Why Q send him there in the first place? There had to be a reason. What reason? To get a head start on his memories. Jim's hazel eyes returned to their usual size and he let out a sigh accepting his error.

"Jim."

"Yes, Spock?"

"Are you out of the forest yet?"

For a while he stared at the child contemplating what he meant.

"Almost."

"Good."

It reminded him of a conversation he once shared with Spock Prime. Almost to the tea.

"Spock, when you asked if I was out of the forest . . . what did you mean?" Jim asked.

"I meant if you were out of your confused mental state." Spock replied.

Jim had a short lived smile.

"Lieutenant Commander, huh?" Jim asked.

"I entered Star Fleet, and quickly rose in the ranks." Spock said,

"Just how long ago did you enter?" Jim asked.

"Five months,thirteen days, three hours, and forty-three minutes. I passed most of the classes." Spock said.

"You are still in the academy," Jim said. "In some way."

"Are you doubting that I am telling the truth?" Spock asked.

"I wouldn't be surprised." Jim said.

"Vulcan's do not lie," Spock said. "Where do you intend to go?"

"Iowa," Jim said. "Though not where where I would be living at the moment. I got enough federation credits to substantiate a living."

"Tell me," Spock said. "How connected are you to my future?"

"Spock, I can't tell you that," Jim said. "Fate has a way of ensuing everyone gets to where they belong. I can't rush that."

"You are currently enrolled in the academy with Leonard H. McCoy as your roommate," Spock said, "If I were to introduce you--"

"No, Spock." Jim said, firmly.

"Why?" Spock asked.

"You can't force it to happen. I can't allow you to initiate this awkward meeting for the sake of your curiosity," Jim said. "What I had with my Spock is something . ." He paused, gazing at the planets whisking by, contemplating how to best describe it. "That is made by the passage of time." He looked over toward Spock. "I know how curious you are. How fascinated you must be by someone out of their own time. If I were to spoil you of a great time we had then it wouldn't be as fun as it was the first time around. You must learn restraint. If I met you, in my youth, then I would be a cocky mess. You wouldn't want to know me then not until . . ." He stopped. "I can't." He shook his hand. "I am sorry, Spock, but I am having no part of this."

Spock appeared to be disappointed.

"Lieutenant Commander Spock to the debriefing room." Came a voice.

"Live long and prosper." Spock held up the Vulcan hand sign.

"How many fingers am I holding up?" Jim asked, sitting down on the bed holding up the Vulcan gesture.

"Damn it,Jim, don't pull that trick on me!" Bones said, bitterly.

Jim smiled.

Jim reciprocated.

Spock turned away then exited the guest quarters with his hands behind his back.

"Bones," Jim said, his head lowered down toward the sketch on the padd that he had drawn. "I wish you knew what I did."

Jim only knew what Bones would say: "Damn it, Jim, you messed up Spock!"