Me: My first TOS/'09 crossover!

Spock: And your second new story uploaded today.

Me: Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's not important. Anywho, I don't own Star Trek. As much as I would like to.

I look at this individual who, for all intents and purposes—not mine, I think—is Jim Kirk—But not! He is not my more-than-brother! My mind screams. He's NOT!—but at the same time isn't Jim.

"I always have been, and always will be, your friend," I say quietly. If this is my Jim, maybe de-aged—and turned into someone he isn't (can't be, I correct)—he should remember.

Remember me, Jim? Miramee? Edith Keeler? Khan? Remember Sulu? Chekov? Uhura? Scott—no, Scotty? Do you remember Nurse Chapel's… "crush" on me, as the Doctor so eloquently put it? Remember our adventures on the Enterprise?

But no. He doesn't. I can tell. There's no recognition in his eyes—his eyes are blue. Blue. Like Dr. McCoy's. But…the Doctor's are—no. Were—older and more worn. Tired. Jim's eyes…they are—were—hazel. No hazel eyes to look at me and see to my very soul. The hazel eyes of Jim Kirk—my brother in all but blood—will never look at me ever again.

This isn't my Jim…but I can still save him.

Me: I was trying to decide whether I would put "help" or "save" in that last sentence. Obviously I went with "save", but that was mostly because I think that Spock beat himself up over all the times he couldn't save Jim.

Spock: *Eyebrow of Doom* Why didn't you just ask me?

Me: That's too easy. And way too simple. R&R, and I apologize for the shortness...