Spock knelt next to Jim, their fingers touching in that intimate gesture Jim had only shared with one other. He closed his eyes as he felt the familiar caress of Spock's mental touch. It was home and not home. His but foreign. Everything and nothing.

And it was the best feeling Jim had ever known.

"You are now formally bonded by our laws," the voice of his old friend said. Jim looked up to see Ambassador Spock watching them fondly. "James Tiberius Kirk and S'chn T'gai Spock, you have both agreed to dedicate your lives to one another. I wish you many happy memories and moments within this bond you share."

Spock's hand closed around Jim's, and he could feel the heat of the touch. And the love running around his new bondmate's mind. Jim let himself drift for a moment on that feeling. He wasn't aware of the older Spock taking his leave or time passing while he floated.

"The pain's still here," he muttered. "I thought-"

"Your pain will always be a part of you, ashaya," Spock whispered in his ear. Jim's eyes flew open and he saw that Spock had moved so he was kneeling in front of him rather than by his side. "I cannot remove the pain of the heart, only the pain of the broken bond."

Jim lowered himself so he was sitting on his feet, hand still connected to Spock's as he contemplated this news. "So I'm not healed?"

"I told you earlier that the woman you brought back was not my mother," Spock said. "I may have spoken with too little thought. I wish to explain that statement. She is but will never be my mother. Having this woman who knows me and has raised a version of me may in time ease the ache within myself regarding the loss of my own mother, but will never replace her."

"Instead of giving me some sort of lesson, can you just tell me what you mean?" Jim gave Spock a look that said he was tired of games.

"I cannot replace he who you loved so completely." The Vulcan sighed. "But I can try to lighten the burden of having lost someone. I have no wish to take his place in your heart, but I do hope you can learn to love me as I love you."

This brought Jim's train of thought to a sudden, screeching halt. He met Spock's eyes, wetting his lower lip with his tongue as he fully realized what was being offered and said.

"Spock, I have - I mean, I do love you. You...you saw that in my mind, didn't you?" Jim did a quick assessment of his internal feelings. "Or was it so clouded over by that point?"

The expression in Spock's eyes could have almost been called gentle. "Your love for him was overpowering," he admitted. "And I can see why. With your previous attachment to myself without my own reciprocation, it would be a simple thing to switch those feelings to my alternate self. I should have taken time to notice our attachment, however I was blinded with emotions I am not proud to admit to having."

"Pain?"

"And love. For my captain, for my girl friend, confusion over the two, feelings no Vulcan would admit to."

"Spock, I-"

A finger was placed against his lips. "No, Jim. I do know what you would say, and it is unnecessary. This bond that existed, it was only in place because my own emotions allowed it to be." The honesty in his eyes tore at Jim's heart. "I loved you before, but would not admit it to myself and therefore it is my responsibility to have seen this coming."

"You couldn't have known-"

"I could not. And did not. However, the guilt of your experience lies with me. And if you can love me, I hope you can forgive me."

This was not what Jim was expecting. He stared at Spock for a moment, eyes tracing those familiar features. The pointed, inhuman ears. Green tinged skin. Strong jaw and lips pressed firmly together.

"I do both." Jim sat up on his knees and wrapped his arms around Spock's waist. "I do both and always will."

One Month Later...

The truth of Jim's journey to another universe was kept under lock and key at Starfleet. Only those with immediate connections to the situation knew the truth.

On a ship currently orbiting some unknown planet lightyears away, Sarek's son and bondmate were dealing with whatever new lifeforms they had come across. He had received enough messages from them both to keep him informed.

The latest one he knew his wife would find amusing. He carried the message PADD into the bedroom she was given, backing into the door so he didn't have to let go of the PADD he was still reading.

"Amanda?" he said gently, turning to see where she was. On the bed, under the covers, lay the still form of his wife. Sarek let his eyes linger for a moment.

She was still recovering from the incidents upon the Narada. Asphyxiation, several broken bones, numerous lacerations, and internal organ ruptures took time to heal.

But in reality, Sarek relished the chance to lavish attention on her. She who was and was not his bondmate, who both loved and did not love him. After the Enterprise had gone into orbit, he had been beamed aboard to talk to her. And he still could not help but stare at the woman who was brought back beyond all possible hope.

"Amanda, there is a message from Spock."

She opened one eye and looked at him, her lips twitching in a slight smile. "It could have waited until I got up."

"I know, however you did ask me to inform you immediately of anything that happened."

A full smile formed. "Yes, I did. How well you remember."

Sarek moved over and sat on the edge of the bed, handing the PADD over to her. He would never grow tired of watching his human, his mate, his love. And he hoped his son and bondmate found the same level of enjoyment, contentment, and happiness he was certain he would find with his wife returned to him.