Thanks for waiting so patiently! This chapter is going to be a bit of a mix up because it's from a bit of a different POV. I really hope it works well and that I kept him in character because it's a bit difficult to bounce from the TV series to the movie. Even though I put this story into the movie category, I feel a bit of an obligation to stay true to the series as well since… well, one wouldn't exist without the other! But anyway, I hope you guys like this!

Bones could pinpoint the exact moment that his honeymoon period had ended.

He was standing with his new wife on a balcony, the waves creating a pleasant lull and a soundtrack to the setting sun that painted the sky in colours of pink and red in front of them. He was leaning on the railing, his wife perched at his elbow, her sweater pulled close to her thin body, the wind ripping her hair from its bonds. He had really and truly loved her, the way that she smiled softly to herself when she thought no one was looking, that she always had one piece of hair tucked behind her ear, that she bit her lip when she was trying to be stubborn.

He had been so happy then, he even used to smile.

But then, all good things have to come to an end.

When he had received the call that a long term patient of his was about to go through surgery and demanded him, he had simply shrugged his shoulders and sighed heavily. He knew that something would cut into his honeymoon, things always tended to ruin his holidays. He had explained this reoccurring phenomenon to his wife before they had married and she had giggled and hugged him and breathed into his ear that it didn't concern her. She had correctly termed his lifestyle as being one of polygamy, the two wives being the love of his life and his job.

So he didn't feel that anxious when he turned to her, the sunset creating a symphony of colours on the glass behind them. He had told her solemnly, he was after all a bit defeated by the idea of travelling all the way back to perform an eight hour surgery.

But he had a charming smile lined up for her expected acceptance of their leaving.

However, instead of a slightly disappointed look and a sad smile for all the time they had to cut short, he had received a sharp look, even sharper words and no conversation for the rest of the night.

It wasn't long before he was taking the long route home or slipping off early to have a coffee in some random café just so that he could have a peaceful morning.

The situation in front of him, strangely reminded him of exactly what he once had: a bad marriage.

"Spock, can I speak to you for a second."

"I am at your disposal, Captain."

The two men left through the nearest door, Kirk's body stiff and rigid as he walked in front of the even more stoic Vulcan. No raised voices travelled to his ears from the other side of the door but he didn't take that as a good sign. Spock didn't need to raise his voice to cut down to the bone.

Looking around, he watched as Chekov and Sulu glanced at each other, the young Russian boy pausing to give the other a shaky smile, his eyes quickly flitting to the door that the Captain had left through. There was a strange silence in the air, only broken by the occasional mutter by Uhura as she translated some foreign code. He didn't like the silence, the Enterprise didn't suit it. As soon as Kirk had taken control, it was all laughter and jokes. He even managed to make the silences sound like it was filled with a bubble of excitement and anticipation. Now, it was just tense.

Spock entered the room again, his eyes glassy and cold but filled with a burning streak of emotion. He would have to warn Kirk about just whom he was dealing with… but then, the captain wasn't a child anymore, he should be able to control himself. Somehow, that man managed to make him act like he should have to his daughter: protective, stubborn (though he managed to fulfil that point) and always there for a good ole one to one chat. The bastard.

Kirk entered a moment later, his face just as stony as the Vulcan's, "Sulu, you're in charge of the bridge, I'm going on lunch."

Bones managed to control his mouth from dropping at the statement. Spock was always the one that Kirk chose, the only one that he really and truly trusted. Something had happened between the two and no doubt, he'd be the one trying to work it out.

As the Captain walked out of the bridge and into the elevator, McCoy followed him. He wasn't even sure why he was on the bridge anyways, probably just to piss of Kirk somehow. He wouldn't ever admit it but when he got really bored of paperwork and reading medical journals, he would slip away to the bridge and have a snoop in at all of the drama that popped up as frequently as a raised eyebrow on a Vulcan.

As he ran after the man, he could already hear his muttering, "Dammit, why does he always have to get his way."

Falling in pace with him, he spoke, "Am I right in guessing that you're pissed off at Spock?"

Jim awarded him with a sarcastic, deadpan look, "Is it that obvious, Bones?"

"So what the hell happened?"

"What else happened, Spock decided to do the logical…," Jim used his hands to do quotation marks in the air, "…thing. God, he pisses me off sometimes."

"What's the 'logical,' thing to do?"

"Apparently it's to undermine my authority."

"Sounds like something that pointy eared bastard would do."

Jim glanced at him sharply, his brows creasing into a furious expression as he continued to walk, "Don't call him that Bones."

"What? A Bastard?"

"Yes."

"But he is one!"

"No, he's not."

"How can you be defending him, he just undermined your authority!"

"Yeah, and that pisses me the hell off. But he's not a pointy eared bastard and it pisses me off even more when I hear you call him that. So just quit it."

"Well I haven't seen any evidence to suggest the contrary."

"Then you need to get your eyes checked."

"I don't get it, a few months ago you were calling him that yourself. You even said it to his face for god's sake!"

He didn't miss the look of revulsion that passed over Jim's face at that and he guessed that he was reliving a particularly violent memory of that tense day on the bridge, "Just because I said it doesn't mean that it's alright," bones rolled his eyes, "If people followed by my example, I would honestly fear for their lives."

"Well news to you, Jim, but you are a captain. The whole point of that job is that you lead and they follow by your example."

"You know what I mean."

"Oh so now we're being specific?"

"Yes, we are. I'm not the same person I was in the academy, at least, I don't think I am."

"Yeah, you're a lot more arrogant."

"You're such a jerk."

He had noticed a change in his friend, a good change. As much as he hated to admit it, the change did seem to coincide with the start of his friendship with Spock. He felt a little bit annoyed by that thought. He had tried for years to get Jim to buckle down and take training seriously; all his efforts had produced for him was a tie on the door when he would stumble home late from his lectures. Almost overnight, Jim had turned from a womanising, blunt and brutal kid into a strong, decisive and reasonable man. It was uncanny how quickly it had happened and sometimes he found the change hard to cope with. He was, after all, use to the more immature version of him.

"Are you going to tell me what this is all about because I have more important things to worry about then Spock?"

Stopping, Jim ran a hand through his longer hair, his eyes clouding over as he stared blankly at the ground, "Look… it's hard to explain."

"What is?"

"You know what, can you meet me in my rooms after my shift?"

"Do I have to?"

A stony expression, "Yes. Captain's orders."

"Well, it better be worth it, my time is precious."

Jim rolled his eyes as he started to walk again, "just make sure you're there."

"Whatever."

Bones wasn't sure what just happened but it seemed that in a few hours, he'd be hearing the reason for Jim and Spock's overnight transformation from enemies into friends. It should be interesting at least, a lot more interesting then trying to see how many shots it would take to get a paper ball into the trash.

Bones checked his watch. It was about time that he trudged over to the Captain's quarters. He was really starting to regret accepting the Captain's request, he had a pyramid of card's to build and dammit if he wasn't going to finish it.

He hated the time in between missions. At least Jim was good for something and that was giving him something to do. He could always rely on the man to get someone; usually himself, injured and then he'd be able to exercise those skills he had worked hard to get. In between those times, it was that someone's throat hurt, that their arm felt heavy, that they had a headache. Things that he dealt with on a regular basis by just being friends with Jim were turning into regular medical issues that sent Cadet's running to his door.

Sighing heavily as he walked into the elevator, he waited until it smoothly reached the corridor that the captain's quarters were on and stepped out nervously. He didn't know why he was suddenly so nervous but he doubted that he'd be talking about women and alcohol tonight.

Announcing his presence, he walked into Jim's room, expecting an explosion of dirty laundry, old food and paperwork. However, what met his gaze was more surprising. Clean, efficient work spaces and spotless floors greeted him. Even the bed was neatly tucked in, a book lying in the middle as if placed there for aesthetics.

If he hadn't been concerned about Jim before, he sure as hell was now.

"It's about time you came."

He turned to the impressive figure of Jim as he walked out of the bathroom. He was dressed in a normal black outfit, the logo of Starfleet being the only change to the streamlined outfit. He looked tense and worried and it was strange to think that this was the man he once literally pushed out of bed or slapped on the head when he fell into another dangerous adventure.

"Well, make it quick. I've got a pile of paper work the size of your arrogance in my room.'

Jim smiled, "Such a nice friend."

He wasn't even sure what it was that he mumbled under his breath but he hoped that he had got the point across.

The two men sat at the desk, the length of the wood separating them and allowing their elbows some rest.

"Okay, so this is going to be a very strange conversation," said Jim, running a hand through his short hair.

"Just get on with it."

"Okay, okay. So you know how you were asking before about why I've… changed… so much?"

"Yes."

"Well, I forgot to mention a small snippet of that whole Nero incident with you."

"This had better not be something life threatening. I don't think my blood pressure needs to rise any higher at the moment."

"You know when I was launched off the ship?"

"How could I forget?"

"They ended up stranding me on this gigantic ice planet. Coldest place I have ever been. After being chased by two gigantic monsters – just hear me out first Bones- I happened to stumble on this cave."

"I'm listening."

"In this cave, there was someone that we both know very well. Although, it wasn't actually him."

"…Whatever the hell that's meant to mean…"

"It was Spock."

Bones simply stared at Jim. His face looked earnest enough and he could tell by the way he was biting his bottom lip that he was nervous. He didn't really know how to respond. To coin a phrase, Jim statement had been highly illogical. He didn't know if he should laugh, if this was all meant to be some new attempt by Jim to freak him out.

"Before you faint from lack of oxygen, I'll explain a bit further. You should probably start breathing again while I do that. Do you remember how Spock came up with that theory about how Nero was from an alternate universe?"

"Yes…. Why?"

"Well, theoretically, doesn't that mean that if Nero could travel through space to our universe, then so could others?"

"You aren't suggesting…. That Spock?"

"I was just as surprised as you were!" Jim grinned broadly, his face seamlessly melting into a genuine expression.

He still didn't know if he could believe the man. It made sense but this was Jim.

He cleared his throat, "So what was he like?"

Jim smiled softer now, as if remembering something particularly pleasant, "He was… really nice."

Bones couldn't conceal the laugh that tore itself from his throat.

"No really, he was really nice! He even had a sense of humour!"

He was sure that the engineering department could hear his laughter by now.

Jim allowed himself a chuckle. Bones couldn't be sure if he was still being serious but he found the entire conversation to be ridiculous. That Nero had even travelled from another universe was ludicrous enough of a concept, the thought of Spock following him was worse. The expression that lined the Captain's face was strangely serious though and as his laughter died, a quiet filled the air.

"You don't believe me do you?" said Kirk, his hands clenched together.

"It's not exactly the easiest story to believe."

"I know it sounds odd and frankly, insane, but it's the truth. I met Spock, the older Spock."

"This is one of the strangest conversations I have ever had."

"You wanted to know what happened… why I've changed… and I've told you."

"So you met Spock and now, you're mature."

"Well, it's not really that simple. You know how Vulcan's sometime do a Mind Meld?"

"Jesus Christ, you didn't perform a Mind Meld with him did you?"

"Yes, is that a bad thing?"

Bones put his head into his hands and ran the shaky digits through his hair. The basic education he had received on Vulcan society was running through his head. Jim was staring at him; his once cool and calm expression was turning gradually apprehensive and anxious.

He spoke slowly and calmly, although his mind was racing, "Jim, a Mind Meld isn't a trivial thing. It's the fusion of two minds, if it's performed when any of the participants are in a vulnerable sate, it can lead to terrible things. Temporary insanity is just the start of it. Not to mention if the Vulcan is the one that goes nuts. What did he do to you, what did you meld about?"

Jim had risen from his chair quickly to stand by the window, his body taut with nervousness, "He showed me how he had come through with Nero, about his mission to save the Romulans. It wasn't that bad, it felt familiar."

"I'm not an expert on this or anything but he knew the… Kirk from his world right?"

"Yeah, he said that we had always been friends or something."

"Jesus, he really was a different guy. If he knew the other Kirk then… theoretically, he knew the way that your mind worked. I've seen the effects of Mind Melds that have gone sour and it doesn't have to be from anything disastrous. Sometimes, if someone doesn't want you to move in to a certain part of the mind and you keep pushing, it can snap their mind. It's a serious thing and the fact that he knows your counterpart is the only… logical… explanation for why you didn't turn into a psychotic mess. Not only that but you must have a pretty open mind to accept him so readily into yourself. I've told you time and time again that you need to get a bit of intimidation about you, it could help you with the Klingons."

"Okay so he knew me, but the older me, which is why he could breeze into my mind without me going insane?"

"I don't see how else he could have done it."

Jim frowned as he bit his nails and muttered under his breath, "he could have told me about that before hand."

"You know, melding with someone by force has, on occasion, been seen as a criminal offense."

"Bones, he wasn't trying to hurt me."

"And how do you know that?"

"I melded my mind with him!"

"And did he warn you about it before hand!"

"Look, if you felt what I did, then you wouldn't be accusing him so readily."

"What did you feel then?"

Jim sighed as he sat down in the chair again, "It was… really peaceful. It was nice to think that the other me knew someone so well that they could meld their minds without any effort. But it was horrible in a way because I was exposed and if he had wanted to, he could've found out anything about me. The fact that he didn't shows how much he must have respected the other me. I don't know, it was all so emotional and I've never felt anything like what he was. It was raging and I couldn't help but feel a bit pathetic to have never noticed how emotional Spock is as a person."

"I don't understand how you just shrug this off."

"Bones would you just listen to me! I'm not just shrugging it off, I'm trying to tell you that it's alright, that I've thought about it, that I've tried to understand it and I'm not just blowing it off like it doesn't matter!"

Bones stepped back, his eyes widening at the outburst of his friend. His face was red and his body taut with tension. He could tell that he may have stepped over a line, somewhere between questioning and friend and patronizing him.

Kirk breathed deeply and sat back in his chair, "I'm not shrugging it off because I know what he was feeling. That's the point of a mind meld, he knows what I feel and I know what he feels. And he was suffering and he didn't try to hide it either."

"You know what, I'd like to talk with this Spock."

"I don't know, Bones. If you're going to grill him about this whole mind meld thing then I'm not going to let you."

"I'm not going to just do that. He sounds like an… alright Vulcan," he grimaced under Kirk's blank stare, "Okay, so I'll… question him over it."

"Question him?"

"… Something along those lines."

Kirk didn't respond but simply stared at the ground, a frown lining his face once more. Once again, Bones was struck by the sudden maturity of his friend and the difference in his former attitude. It was almost that once Jim had proved himself as a genius and a leader, he had settled down and accepted himself. The main difference did seem to be in his personal confidence. Before, his confidence had been artificial, over-bearing and arrogant. Now, it was assuring and felt natural.

He spoke very softly, "So do you understand why I've been trying so hard with Spock?"

Bones thought for a moment, "I guess. It's just a strange situation. I can't even imagine Spock as an old man, let alone as a pleasant one."

"You wait until you meet him. I think the strangest part of it was that it wasn't that hard to believe. He was completely unlike Spock but at the same time, everything like him. I just sometimes think that maybe Spock wont turn out like Prime because of Nero."

"He wont turn out like Prime," Jim looked up, "Prime may be Spock in another universe but that doesn't mean he is the same as ours. He's experienced different things, there is no way that they will turn out the same way… but that's not a bad thing."

Jim smiled, the bags under his eyes making it apparent that he was tired, "Thanks for understanding Bones."

Bones looked away, standing up and walking to the door, "Yeah, yeah. Just don't think that I'm going to treat Spock any different."

"I wouldn't expect anything else."

"Good."

Walking out of the room, he didn't bother to hide the smile that spilled over his face. As soon as a young male Cadet walked from his shared room into the corridor, Bones turned his smile into a grimace. The young cadet looked up from his sauntering, spotted his face and looked down quickly.

He loved intimidation.

AN: Sorry about the long wait, I've had a few absolutely terrible weeks. Exams, family problems, friend problems etc. Life is such a female dog sometimes. Thanks for the great reviews though, it was so nice to read them I hope this change of POV worked alright and I may do a part two to if the response is alright. I also hope that Bones stayed in character, he's such a great character. I really love everything about him!!

Thanks for reading :D