Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

It's short…

Away Teams returning to the Enterprise were always met by the highest ranking officers onboard, if the situation allowed. Although that might be contributed to the fact that most of the Command Team were now currently involved with one another, but that would never be proven in the court of law. It had started as a sign of respect, because Jim Kirk seems to be a magnet for Red Shirts' death, for all those who had fallen during the mission. However, over the years more and more, Jim returned with his full Team, but the unspoken rule of being welcomed by the members of his Senior Crew, who were available and not too busy rushing them away from whatever crisis they were facing, did not diminish. Bones had used the excuse of helping Crew morale, Sulu and Chekov had readily agreed while stealing glances at each other, Spock had lifted an eyebrow and Jim had simply grinned. It was just something they did, no logic needed.

Spock and Chekov were standing at the ready as the atoms of their beloved solidified once more before their eyes. Sulu's gold tunic was ripped at the shoulder, red blood splattered across his body, but his eyes were pain-free and searching for his lover's. Pavel had waited two heartbeats before closing the small distance left between them. The young Russian was a ball of nerves any time his Asian was chosen as part of an Away Team, but he had seen Commander Navik's injuries, which had only exacerbated his worry. He had been so afraid something had happened to Hikaru that he would hide them from Jim so he could accompany him to the Council, and would not be calmed until he saw with his own eyes and felt with his own hands that the pilot was unharmed.

Hikaru grunted as the young blonde crushed him in a hug. "I'm alright, Pav." He whispered into the red ear before pressing a quick and chaste kiss to his equally red cheek, knowing exactly what the younger man needed to hear.

Pavel held him a few seconds longer, before nodding and letting go. "I am glad you are back." He smiled brightly. His eyes soaked in everything that was Hikaru, missing nothing. The few hours he had been gone had felt like an eternity. Pavel had not been able to properly breathe without his love beside him.

Jim cleared his throat. "Chekov, Sulu, Smith, if you will excuse us, Spock and I have many things to discuss." That broke the spell between two men, who nodded, smiling brightly, and left the transporter room for a more private location with Smith trailing behind them.

~!~!~!~

Spock's eyes had never left his human, he had barely spared a glance to the other men, but he made no motion towards the Captain while others were in the room. Blood still coated his golden command tunic which was no doubt Navik's, his blue eyes already filled with emotion and his heart beat faster than normal. Regret, relief, love and anger rolled off the blonde sweeping around the Vulcan. The door finally slid shut behind the trio and Jim stepped off the pad. Spock met him in the middle, crushing his living body tight against his. Irrational hopes to smother all the negative feelings Jim had with his comforting embrace swarmed Spock's mind and for once he did not fight it. "Are you harmed?" His voice was steady.

Jim shook his head and burrowed his face deeper into the crook of Spock's shoulder, seeking warmth and comfort. "I am not harmed, but Navik is. She took that damn phaser fire for me, threw herself in front of me." He mumbled against his husband's blue tunic. Jim always carried guilt after someone risked their life to save his own, but this time his guilt was deeper than normal, different some how.

While it was illogical because he already knew Jim to be uninjured, at hearing him confirm that Navik had saved him from all physical injury Spock felt a rush of pride for the young woman. "I have spoken with Commander Navik, she has been healed. I thanked her for saving you. She replied it was merely her duty as your acting First Officer, and implied that I would have done the exact same thing." A small touch of humor flashed through his mind. "As you said, Navik and Lev'kin are a lot like us." He pressed a small reassuring kiss to Jim's temple.

Jim laughed and pulled away to search Spock's chocolate eyes. "They are a lot like us." With one hand on the small of his lover's back, he lead them from the room. "When she jumped in front of me, I was so afraid she would be killed and Lev'kin would kill me because of it. Then, in a flash he was there holding her like she was the most precious thing in the entire universe. They were meant for each other, just like us." He smiled brightly, the shadow of worry lifted from his face, replaced with a glow of love. He had been worried for them both, not just Navik. "What did Pike say?" He quickly refocused on their current mission.

It never ceased to amaze the Commander how fast Jim could jump subjects. "Admiral Pike was relieved to hear confirmation the situation had been neutralized, as was your mother. His orders are for both the Columbia and the Enterprise to remain in orbit around Vulcan and assist in updating the Colony's defense systems." He paused, Jim nodded. "What did the Council say?" He used Jim's phrasing.

Jim stiffened slightly; Spock knew he had not enjoyed being questioned by an entire room of Vulcans. "They were also pleased the situation had been neutralized. They send their thanks to both crews." His voice was cold. "They said that while the message T'Pau had transmitted was indeed a trap, it was logical to assume all Vulcan children should be reared on the Colony." They stopped walking. Spock could not hide his shock. "I told those pointy-eared bastards that my son would be raised onboard the Enterprise with the family you and I had built. If they didn't like it, they could shove it up their anal-retentive noses and blow. My son will know love and acceptance." His shoulders squared as if he expected an argument from his t'hy'la.

However, Spock had never been more proud of his Captain. "I believe, that while your vocabulary leaves much to be desired, I agree." The tiny smile at the corner of his lips was soon drowned in a sea of kisses from a very excited and relieved human.

Pulling back but keeping his hands framing Spock's face, Jim grinned. "Now all we have to do is find a name for Junior." That grin only grew at the shocked eyebrow that rose into Spock's hairline.

The End

A/N: Thank you for reading!

For everyone who has read/reviewed/fav'd/alert'd thank you so much from the bottom of this county girl's heart. I would love to hear from all of you on what you think.

After much deliberation, which MegKevin, T'Slash and GothicCheshire helped greatly, I have decided to continue this story in another fic. Its name will be 'Junior', for anyone who wants to continue their saga with me. 'Souvenir' has grown far greater than any expectation I had – again only because of the awesome readers.

I will also add atleast one more chapter to the off-shoot about Navik and Lev'kin – 'The Captain's First Officer'.

Much love to you all!