Warrior Brothers

Summary: Occurs at the end of and after Journey to Babel. Kirk and Spock learn the meaning of T'hy'la

Disclaimer: Star Trek and characters are Paramount's property, I have written this story for entertainment purposes only and no money whatsoever has exchanged hands. No copyright infringement is intended. Any original characters, situations, and story are the property of the author.

Copyright 2005

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Spock tried to meditate as he lay on the diagnostic bed but was finding it impossible this night. His father, Sarek, was in the bed next to him recovering from heart surgery. His captain and friend was in the bed on the other side of the room recovering from the knife wound he had received. 'Jim would call this a day from Hell. First, Father's heart problems, then the attack on Jim, the attack from the Orion ship, and finally; Mother's emotional response when I could not give command to someone else. She could not understand how hard it was for me. I would never knowingly cause the death of my Father. But, if he had died, I am not sure I could have handled my mother's reaction. Would she have hated me? It is fortunate Jim was able to return to duty so I did not have to find out my Mother's response. I would have caused serious hurt to the one person who tried to shield me and protect me from the harshness of my Vulcan childhood. All those years Father refused to acknowledge my existence, she always stayed in contact with me and supported my decision to join Starfleet. And, I would have blamed myself for the death of my father.'

'My Father, are all sons as conflicted, as I am, about their relationships? As a child I respected you and even could say I adulated you as most children do their fathers. When did that situation change? Was it when I began school and the taunts started? You had no patience for anything but perfect control of my emotions. I think I was expected to be more Vulcan than any other Vulcan child. I knew I must leave my home, leave Vulcan. When did I come to that conclusion? Perhaps when you announced your plans for my future. I thought I would suffocate just thinking about years of work at the Science Academy. Being forced to bond to T'Pring was bad enough. I had to get away from Vulcan. Being around Vulcans who disapproved of me and my human half would have been inconceivable. I knew there was somewhere in this universe where I would be accepted. I believe Mother understood but you were disappointed with me. I am not sure I can remember a time when you were satisfied with my accomplishments.'

'Starfleet was my deliverance from that structured life. I will never admit the truth, but I relish the fact that we never know what will happen next. The unknown, the dangers, thinking on your feet with seconds to spare, the new planets and the new races; this is the best part of being in Starfleet. I could never go back to the Vulcan Science Academy.'

'Prior to Starfleet, I never knew what it meant to have a friend. Jim is the friend I always needed. Vulcans do acknowledge friendships but what will they think about ours? The doctor is a friend as well. I do not understand this relationship we have developed. Why are we always bickering at each other? The doctor is innovative in his own way, his solution to save both Jim and myself during my Pon Farr was, to say the least, unique.'

'Jim, should I tell you? I felt the excruciating pain of the knife entering your body. Until you called for help, I was paralyzed with pain. The good doctor would have had me in the sick bay being examined if I had informed him. I could feel your life blood slipping away. I was not prepared and the mind-meld connection has become a concern. I must make a decision about the link we have developed. How do I approach my Father about the shield we need to put into place? T'Pau would have to officiate at the ceremony. Will Father honor our link as he would if it were with a Vulcan? Will T'Pau?' He checked his internal clock and realized it was 2300 hours. Meditation would not occur tonight so he gave up on it and tried to sleep before Dr. McCoy came in and decided to give him one of his noxious potions.

At 0100 hours, Spock was awakened by the sound of a voice calling out and running feet. 'Whose voice is that? Jim! What is wrong with him?' Spock sat up in his bed and tried to clear his head. The lights were dimmed but he saw Nurse Chapel and Dr. McCoy hunched over Jim. The captain seemed delirious and was mumbling about the ship being attacked. He cried he was being attacked. Obviously, he had developed complications from his knife wound.

"Doctor, report, what is the captain's condition?" Spock sat on the side of the bed.

"Stay put Spock. He has an infection from the knife wound. I am trying to get his temperature down." Jim was drenched in sweat and his thrashing about made it impossible for the doctor to help him. Nurse Chapel and Dr. McCoy was trying to put restraints on him.

Spock ignored the Doctor's orders and left his bed to help. He assisted in putting the restraints on Jim who was still tossing about. "Doctor, why haven't you given the Captain a sedative?" His voice did not betray the concern he felt as he watched Nurse Chapel take a blood sample.

"I don't want to give him too many medications until I figure out what is going on." Nurse Chapel rushed from the room with the vial.

Spock checked to see if his father was still asleep and then offered a suggestion. "I can help to relieve his discomfort until you can give him medication." Spock did not make this offer without reservation. He would prefer to do the mind-meld in private as he was not ready for his father to realize he had mind-melded with this human.

"A mind-meld, Spock?"

"A surface mind-meld only. I can quiet his fears and help him to relax enough to sleep." McCoy nodded and Spock moved beside Jim. He placed his fingers on Kirk's face and chanted, "my mind to your mind." In a matter of seconds Jim quieted and relaxed into a deep sleep.

"That's good, Spock, now you go get some sleep yourself. Jim will be okay as soon as we find the right medication to treat the infection." Bones continued to monitor the captain's condition for a time and left. Spock assumed he had gone to check on the progress of the tests. After a time, Jim began to mutter and cry out again. Once more Spock left his bed and went to Jim's side and again used the mind-meld to help him sleep. Finding a cool cloth, he wiped Jim's face as he was warm even to Spock's touch.

"How often have you melded with this human?" Spock turned quickly at the sound of Sarek's voice.

"There has been need on occasion." The upcoming discussion was exactly what Spock had been hoping to avoid. Spock and Sarek had taken tentative steps toward repairing their father and son relationship and Spock did not want to do anything to damage those first steps. He knew that Sarek would disapprove of his mind-meld with a human. He returned to his bed and sat on the side facing his father.

Spock waited until Sarek spoke. "Your Captain, yourself and this human crew have shown themselves as quite capable. I have heard this ship mentioned in high regard from many sources. T'Pau was impressed with your performance and that of your . . . friends during your Pon Farr."

Spock was surprised by what he considered high praise from his father. "I am honored, Father."

"I have a concern about your mind-meld with a human." Spock stiffened as he awaited criticism from his father. "How deeply are you connected to this human?"

Spock was reluctant to admit this connection to his father but saw no choice at this point. "I can sense his presence at times. He can sense my presence when I am in danger."

"Have you developed a T'hy'la connection to the Captain?" Sarek had a touch of surprise in his voice. T'hy'la was the Vulcan term for friend and more than a friend a brother. Few Vulcans had ever developed a T'hy'la connection; never with a human and there were dangers involved.

"I felt his pain when he was attacked. And, the connection becomes stronger with each mind-meld." Spock decided there was no point in denying the obvious.

"You are aware of the dangers of such a connection with a non-telepathic individual. Logic dictates the wisdom of requesting the T'hy'la ceremony to prepare you and the Captain. You are in a hazardous profession and the possibility of the death of one or both is always present."

Spock was aware that if a T'hy'la connection was broken by the death of one of the individuals both could die. If both individuals were telepathic and they were prepared, the connection could be severed when one individual died. There was no history of the consequences if one of the individuals was not a telepath. Prudence indicated such a relationship demanded protection so that the both individuals were protected. One of Spock's eyebrows went up. "The situation between us made the request . . . difficult."

Sarek bowed his head. "A situation I let go on too long and I have potentially endangered my son's life. I request your pardon, Spock."

Spock had never had his father request anything from him before. "A request I will honor. We will speak of it no further, Father. However, I will need to explain to the captain the dangers of our link by continued mind-melds. The captain may choose to sever the link rather than risk the danger involved."

Sarek remembered the conversation he overheard when the captain insisted on returning to duty so Spock could give him blood for the operation. "I suspect you underestimate your captain."

Spock raised his eyebrows at that comment. "I will talk to Jim before you return home and notify you. If he agrees, I would be honored if you would make arrangements for the ceremony. After the conference and all of the delegates are returned to their homes, we will be due for servicing and computer upgrades at Vulcan. Would that be acceptable, Father?"

"If your captain is agreeable, I will make preparations for the ceremony to be performed by T'Pau. I assume you will wish McCoy to accompany you at that time."

Spock nodded and replied, "If that would not inconvenience my Mother to prepare for three visitors?"

"I believe your mother would be delighted to have visitors. I hear Dr. McCoy coming. I believe it wise for us to cease conversation." With that comment, Sarek assumed the poise of a sleeping patient.

Spock stretched out on the bed and contemplated his conversation with his father. He had not anticipated such a positive outcome to their discussion. Spock watched Dr. McCoy give Jim a shot. Bones saw Spock was still awake and moved over to check his readings. "You really need to get some sleep Spock, the shot I gave Jim should get rid of the infection. And, he should sleep through the night but I'll leave the restraints on just in case. Do you need a sedative?"

"I'll be able to sleep, Doctor. No sedative will be required." With that Spock turned over and knowing Jim would recover, he was able to relax and sleep.

The next morning, Jim woke up feeling sore but better. He looked a little confused when he realized he was in restraints. Seeing Spock talking to his father, Jim croaked out, "Spock."

"Captain? Dr. McCoy will be pleased you are awake. You had a rough night and were delirious with fever much of the time." Spock moved over to remove the restraints.

"I assume I was a hand full if Bones had to use the restraints." Spock threw the last restraint off. "Thanks, Spock. How are you and Sarek doing?"

"Recovering without difficulty." Jim sat up on the side of the bed and tried to control a wave of dizziness.

Dr. McCoy entered and rushed to Jim's bedside. "Whoa, Jim, lay down so I can check your readings." Bones pushed him back on the bed. "Spock, you need to return to your bed so I can check you out as well. Jim, you will be here for a couple of more days. So just relax."

"Bones, I swear you become more like a mother hen every day." Jim didn't object too much as he was still exhausted and hurting.

"If you two would stay out of trouble I wouldn't have to mother you." Jim gave Bones his "who me" look and Spock raised an eyebrow.

Bones stepped over to Spock's bed and checked the panel. "Okay, Spock your blood count is back to normal and if it is still okay this afternoon you can be dismissed to your quarters this evening but no duties yet. And Sarek, I'll need to monitor you for awhile longer."

"Most wise, Doctor."

Bones looked up from the medical pad he was writing on and said, "at least I have one patient who appreciates my skills." With that dig he left the room.