"I am falling in love with you Jim."

"You must be mistaken. You can't possibly be feeling this way. It isn't logical. We are both men."

Spock amused laughed in the dark. Jim hearing the short laugh wished he could have seen his friend in the act. Spock had the most beautiful smile and his laugh was of gold to his human ears.

"I am not mistaken and when you love someone as I do gender has no meaning. I love you Jim. I love the smile you give me each morning on the bridge. When you come close and speak to me about something, invading my personal space. I love the way you look at me with your soft hazel eyes that change color with your moods. I love how you touch me inadvertingly than ask forgiveness thereafter. I love your scent, your mind, and now your body. I want all of you."

Jim felt trapped and wanted to escape. It was too much...

"Spock you are ill, will beam back on board and get you something for you to feel better."

Spock was furious. Jim had not listen to anything he had said.

"Jim I deemed you be intelligent enough to see what I want from you. Why are you running away from me?"

"What you claim to be love is not right. I cannot return it."

"You cannot Jim or you do not want to?"

"Let's go back to the ship. You said we can leave anytime."

"We have some unfinished business you and I."

Spock began to get closer to Jim. Vulcans could see better in the dark than humans. Jim was trapped. Spock blocked his exit.

"Please Spock, don't do what you are feeling. It isn't right. We are friends. That's all we need."

"How dare you tell me what I need. How many times I have seen you flaunt yourself, literally throw yourself to women to suit your purpose. Women who meant nothing to you. I give you all of me and you push me away. Am I not worthy of the same affection you show them."

"Spock please be reasonable. It isn't the same. You know I care for you. We are the best of friends. Why isn't that enough?"

"Because I want more from you. I love you Jim."

Jim didn't know what to say to that. He cared for Spock too.

"I cannot return that love the way you want me too. I am sorry. But we can remain the best of friends."

"What a fool I have been. To live with humans all this time and to still not understand them. You have contaminated me. My logic, where is my logic? I have always kept my barriers up when I am in contact with you humans. Even you Jim at the beginning. But when our relationship began to grow I thought to lessen my barrier in your presence. When I did I found someone so unique that I couldn't raise them anymore. You complete me Jim. I did that only for you. But what you tell me is devastating. You reject me like all the little Vulcan children who rejected me because of my mixed heritage. They taunted me, pushed me to the ground, said horrid things to my face and about my mother. I never would have placed you with those children. You have become a stranger to me. You leave me no choice but to raise my barriers again. Is that what you want? A cold Vulcan who doesn't want to feel."

Jim felt ill. He never wanted to cause Spock pain. For him to revert to before would be unthinkable. It had taken a while for him to unbend the first year.

"Oh please Spock don't do that. I don't want you like that. I like you the way you are now."

"It seems that it is not enough. When we return to the ship I shall be terminating my stay on board the Enterprise. I shall then inform my father that I will be seeking the ritual of Kohlinarr."

"What? You can't leave the ship. You can't leave me. What is Kolihnarr?"

"It is the purging of all emotion. I shall be pure Vulcan. You will be non-existent to me for I shall never speak of your name? My father will be pleased."

A loud pounding outside made Jim seek the opening of the cave. As he peered outside the rain began to pour. He placed a hand out and noticed the water was warm, tepid. It fell hard leaving quickly mud puddles in its wake.

"Please Spock let us go back to the Enterprise and talk about this logically."

"How dare you speak of logic. I am logical you are far from it."

Spock began to move toward the opening of the cave.

"Where are you going?"

"Outside for some fresh air. Away from the likes of you."

"You can't go outside it's raining hard. You'll catch cold."

"I know a very common colourful methaphor you humans use. I do believe it to be appropriate to say it. I DON'T GIVE A FUCK."

Jim almost laughed, but didn't. God Spock saying the 'f' word was mind blowing.

Spock quickly went outside in the pouring rain. Rain pelted his body leaving him soaked in seconds. Jim chased after him. Catching up to him he made Spock turn around and could tell that Spock had tears flowing from his eyes mixed with rain that was falling.

"Spock don't cry. I care alot about you. Please..."

Spock had enough and grabbed him hard by the waist and kissed him. Jim tried to pull away but Spock was stronger. As they both fought one to get away the other to stay close they slipped and fell in the mud. They rolled in the mud puddle dirty as hell the rain washing over them. Finally both getting up on their knees they stared at each other. Jim looked for the first time at Spock and really looked and began to cry.

Spock surprised by his emotions asked him what was wrong.

"Jim, what is wrong?"

"Look at us." said Jim half sobbing.

" Yes, we are quite dirty, but the rain is washing us. Why are you crying Jim?"

"I have been a fool Spock. A very dumb, stupid fool."

"I shall not argue with you because it is true."

Jim laughed and cried at the same time.

"Please continue."

"I believed I had loved someone a long time ago and she left me. She hurt me alot. I never wanted to feel like that again. I was even angry at her for leaving me. I guess I never got over it. It has stayed with me for a long time. I seeked vengeance for that betrayal. I guess I took it out on you. I have been such a fool."

"You mentioned that. Is there something else that is weighing upon you?"

The rain slowly subsided and was now a mere trickle.

They both got up and stared at each other not losing eye contact for one second.

"You know me Spock, sometimes more than I do. I have a hard time when it comes to relationships. They don't last. I am afraid that this will happen to us also."

"Does your english language has not a quote that states: 'It is better to have loved and lost then to have never loved at all.'

"Yes so true Spock. I guess I needed you in my life to set me on the proper road."

"It still may be a bumpy one Jim."

"Then we'll just have to ride it out together. What do you say my amazing, handsome friend."

Wet and dirty, Jim grabbed Spock by the waist and slowly brought his mouth to his and kissed him slowly, tepid droplets flowing between them. Passion errupted between them and the kiss began to grow deeper stirring them both.

They broke away slowly from the contact and Jim spoke.

"We both taste like mud."

"I don't mind much Jim."

"Let's get out of here my friend. Then we can shower together and get very clean."

"You do have a very sexual mind."

"You know I can't resist a pretty face, and a mind to match." said Jim with a grin.

"It almost mirrors my own."

That remark left Jim with the pointed eyebrow aiming in his friends direction.

Spock slowly took his little device imbedded in his makeshift pocket and pressed once. The deed was done.

Scotty responded right away saying that the transporters were ready.

Jim smiled.

"You sly Vulcan, so that is how you did it. That little device. May I see it?"

"Very well. I was not alone in my quest. Mr. Scott helped and so did Dr. McCoy."

"Bones helped you. Oh he'll pay that wicked man."

"Please Jim do not hurt him."

"No Spock I have no intention of hurting him. I'm gonna thank him."

Jim signalled Scotty for beam up and they both materialized on the transporter pad. McCoy there ready to greet them.

As the both stepped off the pad Jim walked up to McCoy and spoke.

"Bones, I know I am very dirty, I have something for you my friend."

Jim slowly gave him the device in his hand. He then grabbed McCoy by the waist, placed his hand behind his neck and kissed him hard for about 30 seconds, tongue too. After they parted McCoy spoke.

"Shit Jim, if I knew you could kiss like that I would have kept you for myself."

"You wish."

"He is all mine doctor."

As the doctor tried to steady himself from the passionate kiss it was Jim and Spock who started to put on a show. Their kiss lasted a minute.

"Well, I see Spock that you made it to third base."

"Yes I believe I have. I believe I shall get cleaned up, will you join me Jim."

"Yes, right behind you. Let's go mind the store."

"As always looking at my posterior."

"I wouldn't want it any other way."

Jim and Spock left the transporter room leaving Scotty his mouth open and McCoy still reeling from the kiss.

Next morning McCoy gets a call from Spock.

"What is it Spock? Everything o.k.?"

"I just wanted to let you know Leonard I made a home run."

McCoy smiled.

"That is nice to know. I'm glad for the both of you."

"I thank you doctor for not giving up on us both."

"Your welcome Spock. Meet you for breakfast later?"

"Yes perhaps...maybe later."

"Spock come back to bed. I'm lonesome."

"I see. Well have fun both of you."

McCoy had a huge grin on his face. He was beginning to believe that he was a matchmaker.

"Maybe I should change my profession."

Nurse Chapel responded moments later: "I think you should keep your day job. Cupid you are not."

McCoy looked at Christine speechless.

"Well what do you know, the nurse finally got the last word."