Another Meeting

[mirroredcommand]

With the most careful of attempts, not wanting to warn the system that he was trying anything at all, Pike was testing the limits of the restrictions on the padd he had been given. He had been reading extensively on the history and known facts of the Christopher Richard Pike of this universe.

In many ways, they were surprisingly similar, and in others, not so surprisingly different. This was a man of peace, with multiple accomplishments in the areas of peace keeping and bravery, a very well respected captain as well as the designer of this universe's Enterprise.

And a slightly younger man as well, it seemed. The year was 2258. When he had left his universe, it had been 2263. Briefly, Pike had wondered if he had remained fifty years old or he had lost five years in the process.

His head came up from the faint light of the padd when he heard the guards shifting. It was too early for the shift change - that meant something was happening.

Comments

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

The very corner of Pike's lips twitched very slightly with that statement, "What's done is done." He said with an infinitesimal lift of his shoulder. The last two days had given him time to get past any uneasy or potentially embarrassing feelings that had originally come from the 'transference'.

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

A nod. It was simple truth - the past could not be changed. Spock folder his hands behind his back, at ease.

"Yet it was this occurrence that enabled you to follow the thread into my mind. What did you find there? I am curious."

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"Are you looking for a description or my insight? They are very different things." Pike retorted, fingers folding together, the smooth leather making no sound.

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

"Such things generally are. I seek what you will give me; I am curious about both aspects."

Spock eyed the leather as it creased over Pike's knuckles.

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

Spock was being studied by gray eyes, and finally Pike sat back in place. It could have been the captain's chair sprawl Spock might have remembered from so many years ago.

"It resembled a spider's web in one sense. A central place with lines spreading from its center." One thick brow arched upwards, "A surprising amount of them." His own connection, until recently, had never been so complicated; it had been a single strand of gold, very powerful and strong.

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

"An accurate analogy. And your insight?"

Perhaps this, more than any other detail, was the central difference between their universes. That single connection, strong though it was, between Pike and his Spock, was an anomaly. Yet this Spock, and his young counterpart should he allow he, they possessed the freedom to katravah, to join as partners, friends, allies, freely and without reservation. The web of threads weaving across Spock's mind was a glimmering demonstration.

[kirktastic.livejournal.com]

Kirk, silent and still against the wall, listened closely. Well, he could agree at least with the idea of it being a golden thread, but obviously the fucker in the cell (He just couldn't find it in him to call the bastard 'Pike') had seen more.

Hated it.

Hated it with every part of his fucking being.

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"You have two bond mates." There was the smallest hesitation before he seemed to correct himself. "Or perhaps I should say that you have two t'hy'la and multiple bond mates." That seemed more correct. The spread of golden threads, the two thick strong ones that resembled his own with his Spock and the far thinner ones that spread elsewhere.

For once, Pike seemed momentarily unsure of his next words. It was seen in the edges of his mouth turning down, eyes closing. "I believe you've something I've heard of, but haven't seen before. A thin, wide spread web of golden lines and sparks of light. Spock, my Spock, has mentioned it before." But he had not seen anything similar inside of his bond mate.

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

"I do not judge the circumstances of your universe. Yet I would grieve with your Spock, and you as his mate, if he lacks something similar."

Spock thinks of the terrible overwhemling ache of his young counterpart's mind before he had shared his sky.

"It is a terrible thing, for a Vulcan to be so alone and silent."

He is silent for a moment, mulling over Pike's earlier words.

"Your are correct - I am gifted with two t'hy'la - my t'hy'lara are my mates. The other bonds are began similarly as that thread you rode to find me. They have been strengthened by friendship."

And other activities, which did not need to be said.

"Did your mate teach you to follow the bond?"

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

It was an odd thing to hear Spock being referred to as 'his mate' by anyone other then Spock himself. Though, perhaps, considering that the man in front of him was also Spock, it was an allowable thought.

"Before you grieve for my 'mate'," The term still flowed uncomfortably from his tongue, "There are circumstances beyond your knowledge. And yes, Spock taught me a great deal about our bond. I wouldn't have allowed it to remain if I didn't know everything I could about it." His eyes and tone told Spock that he was absolutely serious.

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

Spock's head tilted, listening, attentive and curious as was his defining characteristic.

"I do not know of circumstances which would make such solitude entirely painless. But I listen and hear whatever you choose to share.

To break the bond after it was established would have endangered you both, life and mind."

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"What I can share isn't up to me, but my Spock. I knew what would've happened if I had broken the bond." His gaze remained steady, "I could not allow such a weakness without understanding it fully and how to protect it and against it."

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

"You view it as a weakness? Fascinating."

Spock's own bonds were a source of strength. Utter self-sufficiency was sacrificed but the new resources on which he could draw, both directly in the form of communication and feeling and indirectly in the sense of assurance and belonging that he received, were more than compensatory.

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"At its beginnings, it was indeed a weakness." Pike tilted his head, "This universe isn't the same as my own. The bond destroyed the shields that had protected me my while life. I needed to understand it." At its beginnings, meaning he no longer did?

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

"A fair statement, on its surface. I do not know enough to judge."

Spock had an idea, one that James probably would not like. He would consider it a moment more in favor of the question they probably all wanted answered.

"Do you believe that he heard you?"

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

The very slightest of shrugs, "There's no way for me to know." He spoke the truth, at least.

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

"And if I had such a way?"

[kirktastic.livejournal.com]

No. NO. Spock was not fucking suggesting what he though Spock was suggesting. His fingers tightened sharply on the phaser. He would blast them both - Pike for being an asshole and Spock for being an idiot!

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"And what way would that be?"

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

"You... extended a certain trust to me. I can allow you to listen, for a moment at least, in return."

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"You would trust me with such a thing?" His tone remained cool, but there might have been what could be hinted at as hope beneath it.

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

"Not blindly. But you are not the only one with defenses of the mind, Pike. Though mine would not be the only conditions that would need satisfying."

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't expect that you would be without shielding." His eyes narrowed to slits, a frown pulling down at his lips. "Do you know something I don't, Spock?"

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

"I spoke with Captain Kirk, as I told you I would do. He, of course, does not trust you."

Spock looks down at the floor for a moment before looking back at Pike, making eye contact.

"My trust of you is also highly limited. I do not care for being intruded upon in such a fashion. I would not have done the same."

He could understand Pike's need but the execution of it....

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

"You would have done the same," There was no doubt at all in Pike's voice, "If you knew there was a chance to reach your bond mates when there was no other way. Can you deny it?"