Oh it's about time I got this done! *sigh*

There is really not much I can say: I'm glad I've finished it and I had a great time writing it. I want to thank you all so much for your kind reviews. You've been great.

Enjoy.

"Come out, come out where ever you are." Scotty called as he stalked through the depths of his beloved ship.

He heard the faint giggles of a young boy a few feet from where he was and the Scotsman smiled cheerfully before pushing onward. He knew Spock would return soon to collect Jim and he hoped to grab the cute tyke before then.

"Now I wonder where Jim disappeared to." Scotty mused aloud once he passed the grouping of tubes he knew his Captain was hiding. Scotty made sure to look up as if questioning himself before stepping past Jim's spot.

Just like clockwork, Jim came out of the shadows and tried to escape his imminent capture, but Scotty whipped around and yelled "Gotcha!" before chasing after the young boy who was screaming with laughter.

They ran through Engineering without a care in the world.

Jim swung around a corner and Scotty lunged forward ready to grab the boy once he rounded said corner. However, seeing Jim in Spock's arms trying to squirm away from his captor made Scotty come to an abrupt halt.

Spock's eyes crinkled slightly as Jim's laugher increased once he turned around and saw Scotty.

"Don't let him get me Spock!" he cried, but Spock would not release the hyper child.

"It seems you needn't worry about me lad. Looks like Spock's got you trapped pretty good." Scotty laughed and proceeded to wipe the sweat that had gathered on his forehead off.

Jim laughed and ceased struggling in Spock's firm embrace.

"It is time to return to my quarters Jim." Spock said when Jim laid his head on Spock's shoulder in what appeared to be exhaustion.

"But Spock…" Jim started to protest, but his voice dropped off when Scotty interjected.

"He's right Jim, you need your rest. We'll play hide and seek some other time alright lad?"

Jim turned to look at Scotty and smiled.

"Promise?" he asked and Scotty swore his heart melted at the adorable sight that stood in front of him.

"Ay lad. I promise. Go rest up Jim." Scotty said nodding his farewell to Spock who turned around and made his way to his quarters.

Jim didn't want to admit it, but he did feel a little tired as the motions of Spock walking began to lull him to sleep. Jim had managed to have a busy day since he woke up. He'd spent some time on the bridge with Uhura and then ran down to Sick Bay to spend some time with Dr. McCoy who let Jim call him 'Bones.' Bones had told Jim exciting stories about his adventures on the Enterprise as well as made sure Jim was in good health. Jim liked the Doctor. He realized that Bones may be rough on the outside, but on the inside he was a big softy. Just like Spock.

Spock could feel contentment pouring off Jim in waves and was pleased he had managed to have an acceptable day. Spock had spent majority of his day conversing with Admiral Pike about Jim's condition.

Jim had been a child for approximately 6.72 days and showed no physical signs of returning to his adult self. Spock tightened his arms around Jim without realizing it and Jim let out a sleepy sigh.

Spock reached his quarters after running into a few members of the crew whose eyes softened as they permitted smiles to grace their faces before quietly acknowledging Spock and Jim's presence. Spock had noticed the atmosphere on the ship since Jim's transformation had changed into a soft affectionate one coupled with a fierce protectiveness.

Spock made a mental note to inform Jim of his crew's dedication to him and their overwhelming care for his wellbeing if he ever questioned his abilities as Captain.

Spock repressed his shiver from the cool temperature of his quarters and laid Jim on his bed before making his way to change into his nightwear. He watched Jim shake himself awake enough to go grab one of his old shirts he wore while on shore leave to sleep in. Jim liked wearing adult clothing, and who was Spock to begrudge Jim something he enjoyed?

Spock had resigned himself to the fact he could get little else done when it was Jim's bedtime. The young boy slept better when curled against Spock. It came as little shock when Spock came to the conclusion that he too rested more adequately when Jim's presence was near.

Spock exited the lavatory and saw Jim had replaced Spock's body with one of his pillows until Spock returned. The sight caused his throat to constrict. While he would miss young Jim more than he thought was possible Spock, although he would deny it, was eagerly awaiting Jim's return to his proper age.

Spock gently pulled the pillow from Jim's grip and slid into bed next to him. Jim immediately flung himself over Spock's chest and quietly mumbled Spock's name. Spock's heart fluttered as it always did when Jim said his name and he softly pressed a quick kiss on Jim's forehead before closing his eyes and falling to sleep.
- - - - -

Jim felt the steady rise and fall of a broad chest under his ears when he woke up.

He was so content he didn't want to move or open his yes. His body ached though as if he'd been stretched out on some ancient torture device and it took him a minute to process where he was.

Spock.

Jim's eyes flew open in shock and he resisted the urge to leap from the warm bed he had slept in for the past six days. Jim took a deep shuddering breath in and replayed his days as a child in his head. He remembered the strange water that tasted of iron and a fruit he could not define. All went black after that until he was looking up at Spock in Sick Bay. Flashes of sitting in Spock's lap, beating Sulu at a game, hearing Uhura sing in the Rec Room, listening to stories from Bones and running around Engineering with Scotty played in his mind like an old holovid. Most of his memories however, included the man Jim was currently in bed with.

Jim looked down and laid his hand on Spock's side where he knew his heart was and felt something overwhelming wash over him. He rubbed his thumb gently over Spock's chest and bent down to nuzzle his chest. Growing up Jim had never experienced the love and devotion Spock had exposed him to. Spock had held him, fed him, and even sang to him. Jim wondered what he had done to deserve Spock in his life.

Jim looked at and saw Spock's eyes had opened and he was staring in awe at Jim.

A faint blush covered Jim's cheeks as he opened his mouth to say something, anything, to convey his gratitude but he could think of nothing. No words seemed to fit the situation Jim was faced with.

"Jim…" Spock said quietly and brought a hand up to touch his face. Jim leaned into Spock's hand and sighed shakily, overpowered by the emotions clashing within him. Jim looked into Spock's eyes and felt his heart speed up in his chest. He didn't want to breathe, for fear of sending Spock into his normal stoic self, devoid of the obvious emotions on his face.

Jim feared now that he was an adult he'd never again be privy to Spock's affectionate side and that tore at him. He wanted to wake up every day to Spock's face and curl into his embrace at the end of a long and trying mission. He wanted Spock to be his so bad he couldn't think straight. Jim saw Spock's eyes widen and remembered that small detail about touch telepathy. Oops.

Jim had tried to hard to hide his feelings from Spock for several reasons.

The first being Jim hadn't the slightest idea how Spock would react to such knowledge. If Spock felt insulted or disgusted, who's to say he won't attack Jim again? If Spock didn't return his feelings then their friendship would suffer. Jim couldn't risk that. Spock had come to mean everything to him: He'd risk his life a million times over if it kept Spock out of harm's way.

Another reason Jim stuffed his romantic feelings in a box deep inside his heart was due to his feelings of inadequacy. Spock deserved better than him or at least, that is what Jim believed.

Spock was able to pick up on Jim's insecurity and was puzzled.

Here Jim was, returned to his normal form and in Spock's arms, feeling intense emotions of gratitude and desire but also holding back due to fear. Spock could not let Jim feel so conflicted when he could give them what they wanted.

Spock's hand slipped under to Jim's chin and gently coaxed him forward.

Jim was helpless. Slowly he stretched up and looked deeply into Spock's eyes before he hesitantly brushed his lips against Spock's.

Jim's hands gripped Spock's shirt and he moved his body closer needing to touch more of Spock as their lips moved in perfect harmony against one another's. Spock's hand moved to the back of Jim's neck and held him in place as Jim's tangled in Spock's dark locks. It was sweet and languid like the waves on a beach's shore. Both their hearts sped up as Jim began to infuse more passion into the kiss causing a spark of desire shoot down Spock's spine.

Jim had to break away to breathe and pulled back to look at Spock.

He wanted to say something. Jim wanted to make sure this wasn't just a spur of the moment deal where they'd go back to being 'friends' tomorrow.

Spock brushed the tips of his fingers across Jim's face, letting his barriers fall down so Jim could feel the shadow of what he felt. Jim gasped at the intensity that filled him from his head to his toes making him shiver in ecstasy. Spock wanted him and had for some time now. Jim couldn't help but smile playfully at Spock before closing the distance between them once more.

Just then, Spock's door chimed and Jim huffed in mild agitation. Pecking Spock's lips quickly, Jim threw himself out of bed and answered the door.

"Good God Jim! You're all grown up!" Dr. McCoy exclaimed more surprised than anything. Jim smiled at his friend as Bones leaned in to address Spock.

"Why the hell didn't you tell me Jim had changed back?" McCoy grumbled and quickly took a look at Jim.

"Get dressed and get your behind over to Sick Bay. I want to make sure you're not suffering any after effects of your transformation."

Jim sighed. "Okay Bones. I'm on my way."

He decided not to fight his friend on this even though he could think of something he much rather be doing. McCoy grunted and turned away, leaving Jim to get decent. Jim chuckled and realized that Spock had left the bed to stand behind him.

"Jim, I am… relieved you have returned to your proper age." Spock said when Jim took his hand in his own.

Jim's thumb swept across Spock's smooth skin and he smiled.

"I am too Spock. I can't thank you enough for looking after me. No one's made me feel that cared for before." Jim confessed stepping closer to Spock.

"I find that fact disturbing Jim. However, I do not believe that responsibility will be anyone else's but my own." Spock replied wrapping his arms around Jim's hips almost possessively.

Jim's heart skipped a beat as he tossed his arms over Spock's shoulders to embrace his neck. "Is that so Spock?" he asked softly.

"It is Jim. I wish to continue caring for you in a more age appropriate way if that is what you so desire." Spock's voice dropped an octave causing chills to shoot through Jim's body.

"I would like that very much Spock." Jim whispered and Spock seized Jim's lips in a fever of passion that engulfed them both.

Jim entered Sick Bay much later than McCoy had anticipated.
- - - - -

Jim stepped onto the bridge the next day.

Spock and McCoy had agreed that Jim should take a day to adjust to his adult body before returning to work. Jim did have the pleasure of talking to Admiral Pike who was glad the problem had worked itself out.

"I'd hate to explain to my superiors why a six year old was responsible to an all out war with the Klingons Jim. It's good to have you back." Pike had said and Jim had to agree with him there.

The bridge fell silent then burst out into a round of applause for their Captain. Jim just smiled and waved before walking over to his chair. It was odd not sitting in Spock's lap, but he had done plenty of that the day Jim reverted back to adulthood.

"Mr. Sulu set course for Alfa 177. Warp 5." Jim said feeling himself slip back into the comfortable feel of command.

"Aye Sir." Sulu replied and the bridge fell back into the familiar pattern under Jim's leadership.

Jim's eyes wandered over to the science station where Spock was watching Jim, a new gleam in his eyes that had not been there before. Jim smiled widely before turning his gaze to the front where stars flew by.

If anyone heard Jim humming a familiar tune, no one said anything. They all noticed however, the small smile on Spock's face before he turned back to his station.

"You are my sunshine…"

There you have it folks!

I wrote this at the request of a good friend and I hope she, as well as you, found it enjoyable. I have some more fic ideas, but I've been asked to write two others that are not Trek related.

LL&P