Out of the woods

That epilogue

"When you learn who you are, Mr Kirk, can you tell me?" Sybok asked.

Jim had a smile.

"Of course I will," Jim said. "You will be one of the first to know."

Spock was watching a children education program about Surak's philosophy.

"I am really interested to know you are," Sybok said, applying his wet blue fingers to the canvas. "Maybe you might be some science officer."

Jim laughed.

"Somehow, I do not believe I would be a scientist," Jim said. "I feel like a old captain since retired."

Sybok frowned.

"You never retired," Sybok said. "Not to my brother."

Jim smiled.

"That's because I knew someone named Spock," Jim said. "He once was my first officer and science officer, a loyal friend to the end."

"Is that all you remember?" Sybok asked.

Jim nodded.

"One day, I will remember. . ." Jim looked unsure though hopeful as he created a barely vague but familiar shape with the paint of yellow. He made the outline of a face. "And I will tell you all about this Commander Spock."

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

. . . 2258. . .

. . New Vulcan. . .

"I made a promise." Jim said.

"To whom?" Spock Prime raised an gray eyebrow.

"To a Vulcan who is unaware that a alternate version of his brother is walking around and believes that Ambassador Selek has been aiding in the survival of Vulcans," Jim said. "I made a promise to tell him who I am and . . . I intend to do all that in a mind meld, something to make him believe before. . . The shocker of all shock comes in."

"What shock?" Spock Prime asked.

"You." Jim said.

Spock Prime lowered his gray eyebrow.

"Jim, if we interfere there could be--" Spock Prime started to say as Jim held his hand up.

"He needs to know the truth, ashayam," Jim said, lowering his hand down. "I hate to see him be used again."

"So everything I saw in our latest mind meld, is true, up to the point of being a live in nanny where my brother did in fact live with my parents unlike the original timeline?" Spock Prime said.

"Uh huh." Jim said.

"This is a illogical timeline. I never met him until we were adults." Spock Prime said.

Jim had a short laugh.

"It had occurred to me when I was told about the kids." Jim said.

Actually, the first thing that occurred to me was the aged Sybok and his sacrifice at the mention of his name, Jim mentioned through their bond.

That is naturally the first thing that comes to mind when you hear his name? Spock Prime asked.

Yes, Jim said.

That is a logical association, Spock Prime replied.

"Six months and you finally decided to arrange a meeting?" Spock Prime asked.