Star Trek does not belong to me.

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Spock passed slowly through the long corridors of Starfleet Academy.

It was surreal, almost like walking through his own memories. Almost, but not quite. In his memories, there were no ghosts of annihilated planets, no quiet dormitories into which the students would never return …

"Hey," a far too familiar voice called from behind him.

Spock turned. "Jim. I hear you have been promoted."

"Yeah. It would never have happened if it weren't for - "

But Spock halted him with his hand: "Even though I am fully capable of appreciating my own merits, I am also quite apt at recognizing when I function only as the Time Continuum's tool to mend itself."

Jim gave him a long, somewhat calculating look.

"OK, in that case, what would be the point of any of us trying to achieve anything if all we needed to do was sit back and let the Universe move us around?"

"That is a worthy argument." Spock nodded, enveloped in a vague feeling of déjà vu.

Jim smiled: "So what are you up to?"

"I am currently in the process of arranging the Vulcan resettlement." Spock informed him.

"I hope that works out well."

"It will, eventually, but it is certain to be a very long, gradual process," Spock said matter-of-factly. And before he could afflict Jim with any of the immense guilt and regret he still felt considering the matter, he asked: "What are your plans for the nearest future?"

"Well, we have been commissioned to go on a -"

"Five year mission, if I may venture a guess." Spock said, bemused.

"Exactly. We've already run into some trouble, though. Would you happen to know a way to persuade your younger self that the Enterprise is The Place to Be?"

"I would." Spock confirmed, but did not elaborate.

"I was sort of hoping you would give me a tip." Jim prodded hopefully.

"Jim, would you really enjoy a game of chess if you knew all your partner's moves in advance?"

Jim regarded him, quizzically.

"I don't play chess." Then, in a slightly disappointed, but reasonable tone: "But I guess the answer is no."

"I am grateful you understand this." Spock said, thinking once again of alternate universes, incessant variations and predestined bonds.

Jim shifted his weight from one foot to another, which roused Spock from his reverie. No dwelling on the past, he reprimanded himself. Especially if the past is now lost, inevitably, in one of the versions of the future.

"I am glad to have met you again, Jim," he told the young man. "But we must part ways now. Live long -"

But Jim did not let him finish the farewell. He made two steps forward, extended his arms and wrapped Spock in an embrace that was rather cool on the physical side, but exceedingly warm in intention.

Spock was too startled to return the gesture, but valued it nonetheless.

"Take care. And thanks for everything." Jim said and let go.

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