Author's Note: Inspired by a suggestion for a 'last words' soulmate AU (where your soulmate's last words to you are tattooed on your body) where a character has to deal with the fact that the person they thought was their soulmate wasn't. (This isn't exactly that, but it's where my mind went.)

Not So Last Words

McCoy finishes the last line on Spock's death certificate and leans back in his chair, rubbing his eyes. A lot of good people died in Khan's attack, but he'd be lying if he said this one wasn't the hardest. Even with the memory of Kirk's last desperate goodbye taking centre stage in his mind he still can't quite believe it's real – he always thought the damn Vulcan would outlast the lot of them.

The thought of Kirk makes him sigh. As hard as this is for him, he knows it must be even harder for his friend. The two of them were bound together in ways McCoy can't even imagine, their lives so closely entwined that part of him is amazed Kirk is still standing after such a loss.

Sighing, he leans forward and flicks the computer to voice command. "Location of Admiral Kirk."

"Admiral Kirk is in Captain Spock's quarters."

Of course. McCoy orders the computer off, then grabs a bottle of brandy from his stash and heads out of sickbay in search of his friend.

x x x

It's clear the moment he steps into Spock's quarters that Kirk has started without him. He's slumped at the desk in his uniform undershirt, a half-empty bottle in front of him. He looks up as McCoy approaches, and McCoy can see his eyes are red-rimmed. "Hi, Bones."

"Heya, Jim." McCoy grabs another glass before sitting down opposite him. "How're you holding up?"

Kirk's eyes fill. "I don't understand." One hand goes to his forearm, as if in pain.

"I know," McCoy says. "Greenblooded elf should've outlived us all."

Kirk shakes his head. "No, that's not-" His voice breaks, and he roughly pulls up his sleeve, then peels back the cuff that covers his mark. It's the first time McCoy has seen it – even doctors don't have that privilege. Across Kirk's forearm, in delicate golden print, is, Be safe, Jim.

"Spock had 'I'll be back before you know it'," Kirk says brokenly. "He told me."

Neither of which were mentioned during their conversation in Engineering. And that causes McCoy to throw down a glass of whatever it is Kirk's drinking, because he doesn't understand either. He would've bet everything he had that the two of them were soulmates. He's never met two people more obviously meant for each other.

Tears spill down Kirk's cheeks, and he presses the heels of his hands against his eyes. "It doesn't make any sense, Bones," he says. "How could there be someone out there more perfect for me than him?"

"I don't know," McCoy replies honestly. Something tugs at his mind, and he adds, "Spock would say there are always possibilities."

Kirk shakes his head. "Not always." He downs the rest of his glass, then rests his head on his arms, shoulders shaking. "Spock..."

McCoy stands, moving to lay a hand on his back and wonders, for the first time since his divorce all those years ago, if the universe might be wrong.