Lady_Hetusa - I know you

~~~ Contains K/S, explicit. ~~~

Lt Spock was feeling decidedly uncomfortable. He was in a situation that he was unfamiliar with. Had only agreed to join his shipmates because Captain Pike has said it would assist with his understanding of humans and their many oddities. Even so, this was perhaps not quite what the Captain had meant when he suggested Spock beam down on shore leave.

Things had started out quite innocently. He had accompanied six of his fellow crew members from the Enterprise to a bar/restaurant, where he had been persuaded to try some alcohol, even though he kept on insisting it would have no effect on his Vulcan metabolism. They had discussed moving on to ‘a club’ but were remarkably reluctant to discuss the specifics and he caught various glances of unspoken communication passing between them, none of which he understood but which evoked some concern.

He therefore now found himself trapped in a circular booth in the corner of a very noisy and very dark nightclub. If it had not been for his Vulcan eyesight, he would have found it hard to see anything beyond his immediate space. The place was crowded with various ships crews and locals, all intent on getting the most out of their evening’s entertainment. A stage took up one corner of the dark vastness; assorted tables existed around a central dance floor that heaved with people, each seeming to dance to their own tune. The curved booths were placed along either side of the hall and a massive bar took up the entire back of the ground floor. There had been a group of musicians on the stage when they had arrived and that had moved on to various dance troupes moving to the loud music which now blasted out over the sound system. Spock had noted that the group seemed to wear less and less clothes for each performance but his comment only met with laughter from his companions.

As the evening wore on, more and more alcoholic drinks had been ordered and consumed, whilst he had managed to retain the one class of fruit juice he had been allowed to order at the start of the evening. Reiterating that alcohol had no effect on Vulcans and when that did not work, saying he did not like the taste. Since his crew mates were getting more and more inebriated, they did not pick up on the use of ‘like’. Whilst Spock remained as sober as he had been at the start of the evening. The quantity of alcohol was such that Spock was becoming concerned for the health of his colleagues. He had eventually resorted to alternating the careful placement of the glasses of alcohol pressed on him, in such a way as it could be confused with whoever was seated either side of him. So no one even noticed he was still holding onto the fruit juice.

The noise was deafening and he had had to devote some of his attention to dampening the effects. His shipmates were getting louder and louder, laughing at things he did not understand and disappearing at intervals to join others on the dance floor, or to speak to others in the growing mass of people. So the members of his table were an ever shifting group and it did not escape Spock that some had disappeared completely, never to return. As the evening wore on, he was now left with just two others, who had seemed intent on each other from the start of the evening and not inclined to speak much to others. As there were only the three of them, Spock had begun to make plans to slip away, unobserved.

That was until his eye was caught by a young human male dancing just a few feet away from his booth. He seemed to be dancing as part of a trio, holding hands with another man and a woman, swirling between each partner. Occasionally all three danced in a line, dipping and whirling and with barely any space between their bodies. Spock watched as the small happy group whirled about, hands on hips and jigging with the beat of the music blaring over the sound system. Spock was not certain why this small group had attracted his attention but he seemed caught in place and now disinclined to leave.

Spock realised he had been caught staring at the small group, when the young man who had caught his initial attention whirled around and smiled directly at him. The dancing trio moved on and Spock momentarily lost sight of the young man, in moments though the figures had moved around again and the young man was back. This time he was laughing happily to his companions but each time he faced towards the Vulcan, he would smile towards the quiet man seated in the booth, whose dark eyes seeming to be locked on every move he made.

Eventually, this round of music was finished and with a kiss to each of his companions and a quiet word, the young man left the dance floor and plopped himself down next to the surprised Vulcan. There was a huge smile on his handsome face and with a sweep of a hand pushing back the lock of brown hair which had fallen over his forehead, he leaned towards the dark handsome stranger who had been observing him. He had been conscious of the dark gaze fixed on him and had decided to take a chance he might have found his evening’s companion.

He smiled at the Vulcan and opened with an innocent enough greeting. “Hi”

“Good evening.” Was Spock’s somewhat startled but composed response to the young man.

Seated sideways on the curved bench seating, and facing towards Spock, the human held out a hand to the Vulcan and asked “Do you want to dance?”

“I do not dance.” Was the flat statement.

“Oh,” the hand was placed on the table, near to where Spock’s own rested. “I thought maybe you might want to, since you’ve been watching us.”

Spock removed his hand from the table and placed it in his lap, a little uncomfortable with the nearness. “Perhaps I should have been clearer. I do not know how to dance.”

The young human smiled and leaned back against the padded seating, picking up a half full glass of something which had been left behind by one of Spock’s crewmates. “Oh,” he responded. “That’s a shame. It can be fun, you know.”

“Fun?” Was the puzzled response.

“Yeah. fun.” The young man took a good gulp from the glass and looked at Spock over the rim. 

Spock detected a sparkle in the hazel eyes and again the man smiled. “I guess Vulcan’s don’t do fun.”

“They do not.” Was the adamant statement.

“Well, if you change your mind about the dancing and want to learn, let me know.”

“I will do so.”

There was a lull in their conversation and the young human male looked around the room. Spock was not certain what was wanted from him, or how to proceed in this situation, but he assumed that now that he had refused to dance with the young human male, he would take the opportunity to depart and return to his friends. The two crew mates who had been sitting with Spock only a few moments before seemed to have disappeared whilst Spock had been caught up watching the dancing group. So he had no one to turn too, or seek assistance in this odd situation.

The young man obviously thought introductions were called for. “I’m Jim Kirk, from the Republic.”

Spock was relieved when the human did not extend a hand to be shaken, as was customary back on Earth. He obviously knew enough of Vulcans not to offer that. “My name is Spock, from Enterprise.”

“Just Spock?”

“Yes.”

More silence. Seconds extended into a few minutes and still the human male remained seated beside him, Spock therefore took the opportunity to observe him. He would appear to be in his mid 20’s, was dressed in a simple burgundy body suit, open down the front to the waist to reveal a well-muscled physic and which hugged his athletic figure.

“So what do Vulcan’s like to do then?” Came the quiet question.

“Like infers pleasure, which is not within the Vulcan remit.”

His comments earned him a slight frown of the young man, brows slightly furrowed. “Must make life pretty boring.”

“Intellectual pursuits are in fact encouraged, as is physical exercise to maintain the body’s optimum levels.”

“Okay, that explains what other Vulcans like to do but what do you like to do?”

“I?”

“Yeah. I guess that as no two humans are alike, I assume no two Vulcans are alike.” Indicating the science blues Spock was wearing, the young man added. “What do you like..em…do when you’re not on duty?”

“I have a number of science projects that I conduct, when my other duties allows.”

The frown made another appearance and then the human obviously decided to present his question another way. “Something that might be considered frivolous, but you take time to do?”

Spock considered this, and then added. “I play my lyre and meditate.”

“You play music?”

“Yes.”

“I wish I could.” The young man held up his hands. “Two left hands! Mom tried to get me to learn the piano. Never got beyond the first scale.” After another swallow of whatever was in the glass, he added “What else?”

“I do not understand?”

“Well, you like music, meditation and more work. You’re on shore leave and in a nightclub, but since you’re still wearing your uniform, I gather it is not a familiar hangout.”

“You are correct that this is the first time I have ventured into such a place. I was unaware of the dress code.”

“Oh, there’s no dress code. You can pretty much get away with anything.” The young man rested a handed gently on Spock’s blue covered arm. ”You look comfortable in your uniform and blue seems to suit you. You are very handsome.”

Aware that he had been paid something of a compliment, Spock was unsure what the protocol was and whether to return it. Surely this human interaction was exactly what Captain Pike had been trying to convey he should learn and understand. Therefore, Spock decided he should respond.

“May I say that you appear to be an excellent specimen as well?”

This made the young man laugh, but that had not been Spock’s intention at all and he froze out the hurt that he was being laughed at, as was often the case when he tried to interact with others.

“Oh you are precious!” 

It was then that the young man realised the Vulcan had become rigid and that his innocent response must have caused some hurt. He was quick to rectify his mistake and apologised.

“Sorry, I did not mean to offend you.” Then he added honestly and with a gentle smile. “I guess I just love the way you talk.”

Spock could not control his reaction, as his right eyebrow shot upwards towards his hairline. No-one, apart from his Mother and Leila Kolami, had ever said they ‘loved’ anything about him. To be in this short acquaintance and have this young human say such a thing was startling, in the extreme.

“Well, I do.” Kirk reiterated.

“So you have said.”

After ascertaining what Spock preferred, Kirk ordered fresh drinks for them both. There were another few minutes of comfortable silence whilst both continued to subtly observe the other. The noise level in the nightclub climbed to even higher levels and even more beings arrived, to take up whatever corners they could. The spare seats that had been left when Spock’s companions had drifted off, were now taken up with others. They were each focused on their own pleasure and entertainment, taking up more and more of the cramped bench, forcing Spock to move closer to the human to avoid their unwanted touch.

“When do you have to report back aboard?” Kirk eventually asked, hoping to move things to the next level.

“I have a 24 hour pass and do not need to report for duty until 14:00 hours tomorrow.”

“That’s good.”

“It is?” Spock responded, curious.

“Well, yes.” Kirk shrugged. “We don’t need to rush anything. I’m on leave for another 48 hours.”

Since Spock was not certain what they might be rushing, he chose not to respond but sipped his juice. Since his attention had been taken up with the young human male, now seated so very close, Spock had failed to see a change occurring in the room around him. The dancing troupes on the stage had departed; its lights had been lowered to a single spot light in the centre, focused on a couch. The dance music was being replaced with something slower and with less of a heavy beat. The dances now moved back to their seats, or disappeared completely.

Curious to see what was to happen on the stage, Spock watched as three human figures moved to assume positions. Two males and a female, who struck up a pose in the spotlight and at some unknown signal, begin to intimately fondle, kiss and caress each other. When one of the males lifted the artfully draped costume of the female and got to his knees to intimately kiss and lick her buttocks, did he force his attention away.

If Vulcan’s could blush, Spock was certain he would be. Swallowing quickly, he turned his attention to his drink and aimed not to look up again for some considerable time. Unfortunately, he could do little now to cut out the sounds. When a particular repetitive grunting was heard, he looked up. The woman was now on her back on the couch, one male thrusting into her, as the other male thrust into the man before him. Alarmed at the display before him and at the surprising reaction he had to it, Spock’s grip on his now empty class threatened to crush it but he could not drag his eyes away from the display before him.

A hand rested gently on his and Kirk asked, concerned “Do you want to leave?” 

Spock turned to look at Kirk’s face, worried that Kirk had seen his reaction to the events being played out. He was not in fact embarrassed; he was excited. Kirk had at first been alarmed about the possible reaction the Vulcan had to the sex show and he had merely intended to give the poor man a chance to get out of there. That was before he happened to look down and see the evidence to the contrary before him. With a concealed smile and hopes that the evening might actually turn out like he had hoped for a while, Kirk looked back up.

“We can leave, if you’d like. We can get a room nearby.”

“A room?”

“Yes.” Again the dazzling smile and sparkle in the hazel eyes. “Only if you’d like, of course. We can be private.”

Spock decided he would very much ‘like’ to be private with this captivating human and not just suppress this reaction, as he had done all the other times he had found himself aroused. He nodded and together they rose to leave. Spock allowed Kirk to deal with the obtaining of a room key from the nightclub reception desk and they rode the lift to the third floor in silence. Each conscious of the erections they both carried and the anticipation of what was to come.

They walked down the corridor until they reached Room 32 and then Kirk entered the door code. The door slid open, revealing a room with a dark green carpet, tan coloured walls and no windows. Kirk turned towards Spock, smiling at him and stepped inside. Spock hesitated for a moment and Kirk turned back, holding out a hand towards him.

“Come in, relax for a while.”

Spock stepped inside the room, not sure what to expect. The room contained one wooden table, laid out with a supply of what Spock assumed to be sex toys, a small fridge no doubt containing more alcohol and the sleeping platform bed. Which was alarmingly large and since it was practically the only suitable furniture in the room, the only place Spock would be able to sit down. He elected to perch on the very edge on the green spread, which was folded near the foot of the bed, his hands clasped together to try and stop even the notion of them trembling. There seemed to be a large expanse of white sheets behind him. 

Kirk came to stand in front on him, hands resting lightly on each of the seated man’s shoulders. “I’m glad you’re here.”

Since it did not seem to require a response, Spock merely nodded and looked up at the human standing before him. Moving a hand to cup his cheek gently, Kirk leaned down and kissed the frozen man seated on the bed. There was no hurry, he had booked the room for the entire night and they had plenty of time. Kirk had a feeling they would need it. The Vulcan did not appear to be experienced in these matters and it would be best to go slow.

“Why don’t you get undressed and get under the covers. I could use a shower and be back out in say, 10 minutes?”

Relieved that matters could be dealt with so easily, Spock responded. “That would be acceptable.”

Kirk left the other man in the bedroom and headed into the bathroom. Whilst he stripped for his shower, he decided that as he wasn’t sure which way things might go, he’d better be prepared, so after using the full toilet facilities he used one of the tubes of lubricant to fill his ass.

He gave the shy Vulcan a few extra minutes before returning to the bedroom, to find the naked Vulcan sitting up in the bed. Sheets pulled up to his armpits, knees drawn up and with an expression on his face of a man unsure whether to stay put, or leave without delay. This was clearly an unusual Vulcan.

Kirk lay down on top of the sheets, giving the man an opportunity to look his full at a naked human male, whilst retaining the security of the sheets. He rolled onto his left side and faced the Vulcan, head held up on one hand.

“You okay?”

Spock nodded but still kept a firm grip on the sheet. For a while, he kept his eyes fixed on the upper part of the man sprawled out beside him. Admiring the hairless chest and muscled arms, all muscles nicely defined. The young man obviously exercised regularly and was no doubt a prime example of the human male.

When Kirk showed no sign of nervousness, Spock felt relaxed enough to look the full length. Eyes taking in the taut stomach and the beginning of brown curls, descending down to the half hard rosy red penis and just visible, the two slightly hairy balls underneath, then continuing on to take in the legs and finely boned feet. Kirk continued to lie out, giving off as calm an attitude as he could. 

Once the Vulcan had looked his fill and seemed to relax further, Kirk reached out and placed a hand on top of the sheet over Spock’s side, just above his hip and raised knees.

“Is there anything you want to ask me?”

“Ask?”

“Well, you might have questions, if this is your first time with a human.” The hand began to stroke backwards and forwards on the sheet, feeling the heat beneath. “I’d be glad to answer anything you might be uncertain about.”

“You are incorrect in believing that this is my first time with a human.”

“Oh, well that’s good then.”

“You would however be correct to say that it would be my first time with a human male. However, I would assume that the dynamics are the same.”

“Oh.” That put a new light on things. “So why did you accept my invitation to join me, here?”

Spock hesitated, before continuing “It is something that I am led to believe most humans pursue with some vigour.”

Kirk looked carefully into the face of the quiet man who had caught his attention and he admitted, his desire. Still, it was not in Kirk’s nature to take advantage of anyone who was not already invested in pursuing the same objective.

“So, having got turned on by the sex show, you were just curious?”

“I had not seen such a display before.”

“Well, I’ve seen a few and it was nothing special. I think you have to be in the mood to get really turned on.” Kirk looked up at the rigid Vulcan and smile cheekily. “And you had been watching me for quite a while before that.”

“You believe the two are related?”

“Well, when I realised you were watching me, I figured it was because you liked the way I looked. And to be honest, I liked it.”

“You enjoyed my observation?”

Kirk smiled, shrugging his naked shoulders at the same time. “I’ll admit it, I’m vain. I like it when people find me attractive.”

“I see.”

Moving closer to the Vulcan, Kirk looked up into his eyes, the smile softening. “Do I turn you on?”

“It would be foolish to deny it, given our current circumstances.”

“Then you want to move things on a bit?”

Spock nodded, unable to speak over the knot of apprehension and he admitted, desire to experience sex with this human male. Even so, he was startled when Kirk rolled over to sit on top of him in one movement, his legs either side of Spock’s hips. Giving Spock a few seconds to become accustomed to this new position, Kirk leaned down and kissed him, passionately. Dipping his tongue into the Vulcan’s mouth, Kirk enjoyed this new taste. Spock still seemed quite tense and it was only when Kirk felt the Vulcan’s own tongue move to investigate the humans’ mouth and began to return the passionate kisses that he had finally relaxed.

Long moments passed as they fondled, kissed and undulated against each other. A sweet building desire flowed between them and eventually Spock rolled Kirk over onto his back, jerking the restricting sheet out of the way. Tongues delved and tasted new flavours on skin, licking unfamiliar curves and angles. Kirk’s hands spread out over Spock’s back, pulling him down, before moving to grasp the firm ass, pulling them together. Spock’s cock was as impressive as Kirk had hoped, it was firm and long and he was becoming certain that he wanted it.  Usually, Kirk found he was the active partner but this time, he was certain he wanted to feel the full length in his ass and with Vulcan power, he was positive it would be a fucking like no other he had experienced. Easing a hand between their tight bodies, Kirk teased the shaft, stroking up and down. Feeling the ridges flex in anticipation of things to come Kirk encouraged Spock to begin thrusting into his hand. A hungry look had come into Spock’s eyes and Kirk merely nodded, moving his hands to crush their bodies together.

Spock moved into position over him, hands either side of Kirk’s waist, keeping his weight off the man beneath him. Kirk pulled him down for a searing kiss before releasing him with a look of encouragement to the Vulcan in this new experience.

The Vulcan reached out a hand to trail a line from Kirk’s rounded eyebrows, down his cheek, across the lips, which for a moment sucked on the finger tips, before the hand moved on to trail down the chin. Kirk clasped the hand in his, kissing the palm and moving to lick between the fingers, coating them in saliva before returning to kiss the palm. He looked up, ensuring they kept eye contact as he moved their joined hands down to between his raised legs.

Seeing the male body so submissive stirred feelings Spock had not felt for some time. Feelings that he had always been taught were primitive, unVulcan and should be refuted, but for now he wished to experience. All sentient beings felt this, in some form or other. 

Using the saliva coated fingers carefully, he breached the cavity and once he felt it relax and give way, he replaced the thrusting fingers with his cock. The long Vulcan cock inched its way inside Kirk’s ass, pushing against the moist walls to make its own passage. Stopping every now and then to withdraw a little, and then pressing deeper and deeper.  He thrust again and again into the flesh, hearing the grunting and encouraging gasps from the man lying out beneath him. Spock was consumed with the sensations washing over him, wanting only to thrust deeper and harder, to achieve orgasm at last. 

Kirk moaned as his hips began to undulate, his own erection hard and in need of contact. Grasping one of Spock hands, he eventually got the Vulcan to rest his weight on the other and instantly wrapped the hand around his own cock. The hand moved, milking it from base to tip in rhythm with the hard thrusting. His ass was open and wanting more, twinges of pleasure consuming him. Wanting to both delay and erupt into a mind blowing orgasm, which he was sure, would be best of his entire life.

The human’s fingers clawed at the back of the man over him, trying to draw him in closer. His body was being rocked by the force of the thrusts, the rock hard hot cock going deeper than any other had ever done. The waves of pleasure rocketing from his ass, made Kirk’s back arch and head roll back on the pillow, gasping out his pleas for deeper and harder thrusts. Squeezing his ass to drive the Vulcan over the edge, so they could both orgasm.

Spock could not stop himself, there was a vague alert going off in the back of his mind but he paid it no attention. His focus was on his engorged cock, with every thrust he made, he felt the response vibrate in the body beneath him. The humans’ emotion and soul deep pleasure was rolling off him and blasting any shields Spock might have raised. They were both lost, it was so carnal and so right. With each thrust Spock made, he saw Kirk’s cock slap his belly, leaking white precum across his own body. It was that sight that finally drove him over the edge and with one final deep thrust, crashed into orgasm. Dragging Kirk with him, as they exploded into mind numbing annihilation.

When Spock felt remotely normal again, he was still deeply embedded in the human, who lay limp and gasping for breath under his collapsed body. Gently, he withdraw, to fall to the side and they lay side by side, trying to catch their breath and recover. It took all of Kirk’s remaining energy to drag the sheet over them both before they slipped into exhausted sleep.

Those events from that far distant evening all came back to Lt Commander Spock as he waited in the transporter room, lined up with the other senior officers to greet their new Captain. Spock had concluded that eidetic memory occasionally had its detrimental side. Having spent quite some time perusing the newly promoted Captains file, there could be no doubt that the young man with whom he had shared one brief night of pleasure, nearly a decade ago, was the very same man who would shortly be beaming aboard. Since the time they had met, the young man had risen through the ranks at what some might consider was an alarming rate. However, his record backed up every promotion. He had earned every step, through hard work, dedication to the ideals of Starfleet, the Federation and with an outstanding track record of leadership.

What he might also remember of that night and Spock, given humans predilection for sharing their bodies indiscriminately, Spock would no doubt find out soon enough.

“Attention!” 

All snapped to formal attention as two forms coalesced into Admiral Nogura and Captain James T. Kirk. The Ensigns standing to one side of the transport platform, piping the men aboard. Nogura paused until the echo faded and then made the standard formal request.

“Permission to board?”

“Permission granted.” Spock responded. “Welcome gentlemen.”

Both men stepped down off the platform and Spock took on the duty of making the introductions of the officers lined up to meet one of the most powerful Admirals in the Fleet and their new commanding officer. Spock observed that Kirk had matured well, that if anything the muscles were more clearly defined under the gold uniform. That the confidence he had exuded as a young man, which appeared somewhat ‘cocky’ at the time, had matured into self-assurance, both in the way he held himself and with the way he interacted with the crew members he was being introduced too.

Admiral Nogura, Captain Kirk, Lt Commander Spock and Chief Engineer Scott took a tour of the ship, concluding in the main briefing room nearly 3 hours later. There, they completed the formal transfer of command to Captain Kirk and Admiral Nogura departed for his own duties, planet side.

The Engineer excused himself and the two men were left alone for the first time. What might have been an awkward moment was resolved when Kirk said with a smile. “I do remember you, you know.”

Spock’s right eyebrow climbed towards his hairline, somewhat surprised at the blatant statement. “I was unsure you would. It has been quite some time.”

Kirk perched on the briefing room table, arms crossed but with the relaxed smile still in evidence. “I’m not likely to forget such an amazing experience.”

Spock did not feel he could add anything to that, so kept silent. Kirk rose to his feet and began to pace the room, he was too energised to remain still for long. Hands gesticulating in what would become a familiar mannerism in the years ahead, he spoke his thoughts aloud.

“Regardless of our past, no matter how brief, I can’t let that influence my command. I need to focus 100% on my duties and will need the support of my First Officer and senior officers to get the best from the crew.”

“Agreed.”

“I know the Enterprise has an outstanding record, but I aim to make her the best ship and crew in the Fleet. I need to know that as First Officer, you are with me on this.”

“Logical.” Spock responded, which was neither acceptance nor rejection and prompted the slight frown he had seen before, on a younger face. However, since the human was clearly thinking aloud, Spock waited patiently for him to work through his thoughts and merely watched as Kirk continued to pace the briefing room.

“I know it’s not going to be easy, I recognise that. I’m taking over from a Captain that has been in command on this ship for many years, he will have had his way of working and the crew may feel very comfortable with that, not open to new ideas, or routines. I have my own, some say ‘unconventional’ methods.” 

Kirk smiled at the memory of some of the comments he had heard over time, not always intended for him to hear. “I have developed my own methods over the years but this is my first command and of a starship. What might have worked on a smaller ship and crew, might not work on a crew of over 400 on a starship. There will be things that will remain the same as before, under Pike, but other things definitely need to change.”

He stopped for moment, standing in front of Spock. Hands now clasped behind him, unconsciously mirroring how the First Officer was standing. “I’ve been reviewing past missions, crew structures and training. I want to make changes in the shift structures, give some of the more junior crew more responsibility and rotate them onto Bridge and landing party duties. There have been times when familiarity with the Bridge crew, stations and landing party experience would have improved mission outcomes.”

Since no answer seemed to be required from him, Spock merely nodded and let Kirk continue to pace the room.

“I’ve also been reviewing the Command crew dossiers. All very fine officers, but with the exception of yourself and Mr Scott, they also need to be given more responsibility. It’s not a criticism, but it seemed like Captain Pike kept a very tight control over everything that happened on the Bridge. No one took any action without clearing it with him first. I believe that adds an unbelievable strain on an already difficult job and that style of command also filters down to the other crew. I don’t work that way. I want to train the crew up, give them confidence in their abilities and then let them do their job. How else are they going to grow and progress if they’re never given the opportunity to actually do anything and follow through on those actions, seeing the consequences – both good and bad?”

Kirk paused for breath, then turned smiling at the Vulcan, still standing silently. “Well, as you can guess, I’ve been giving it a lot of thought. There’s lots more but I don’t need to burden you with it all, just yet.”

Spock’s right eyebrow rose to his hairline at the out flow and he had come to the conclusion that the next four years were going to be very different from the previous eleven aboard the Enterprise. 

“Well?” Kirk looked earnestly at the Vulcan standing formally in front of him. “Do you believe we can work together, make the Enterprise the best in the Fleet, setting aside those events?”

“I do.”

Kirk clapped his hands together, the smile widening. “Great.” Moving towards the door, collecting Spock automatically into his wake, he asked. “So, what’s good in the Officers Mess? We can talk more over dinner.”

Time would soon prove that the Enterprise did become the best ship and crew in Starfleet, a much sort after posting. One which every member of Starfleet knew that if you made it on her, with the very high standards set from the Captain on down, then you could practically name your posting. You would be given opportunities to develop as a person, grow and learn in your chosen career path. Be involved in some of the most exciting missions, both scientific and cultural, than any other ship in the Fleet.

That the Captain and First Officer spent the time over the next four years to develop a deep and close friendship, clear for all to see. That even the introduction of the irascible Dr Leonard McCoy into the mix shortly into the first years tour, did not delay the developing bond between the two men. Eventually, the inevitable happened and they commenced a personal relationship that would last, through both the good and bad times, for the remainder of their respective lives.