Meeting of Minds

[mirroredcommand]

As requested, Pike arrived at Jim's quarters at eight. He felt far less at ease then he had earlier in the day, after things seemed to be going out of control with his bond mate. He had set a careful set of shields in his mind for this meeting, ones that he could raise and lower without allowing the ones that kept the bond quiet fall. It was not that he wanted to keep out Spock, but the constant source of headaches, in the most literal sense, would be a heavy distraction.

He pressed the buzzer outside the man's room, back straight. Without the ability to meld, he would instead work on the smallest basics first. He had worked with many students over the years, and with the help of his teacher, had only then been able to get into their minds. There was a lingering thought for her, the incredibly stern but well taught betazoid that had taught him how to shield himself.

Comments

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Jim raised his eyebrows at Pike's tone. Pike was not his commander--he was his mentor in this, yes, but Pike spoke to him like a unruly cadet. Luckily, it amused Jim more than anything else, in this moment.

"Of course," he said, rising and noting for the first time the stiffness that indicated they'd been sitting still for some time. "Give my best to him."

[iron-command.livejournal.com]

Perhaps the tone came from the unruliness he sensed in Jim, instinctively returning to the attitude he took towards the cadets in the Academy. "I will. Rest well." He paused, then turned crisply on his heel and left the room without another look back.

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Jim stared after him, his own farewell cut off, and shrugged. He'd made progress, sure, but it wasn't enough. Unruly or not, Jim had always been utterly serious about his training.

He'd work at it as often as he could. And present Pike with his success far earlier than the man suspected.

But for now, he'd promised to tell Spock he was all right.

Spock? Pike's left. We've had our first lesson.

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

Indeed, Jim?

Spock sounded half-distracted, caught in the middle of a thought. But he sharpened as he processed what Jim had said.

What did you learn from him?

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

I... found my place. He sounded vaguely disbelieving and vaguely proud. Where my bonds are. And he's set me to creating a box I can put my self in. You okay, Spock? This a bad time?

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

Now is quite acceptable. I was merely considering something.

Spock considered the opportunity to speak with his mate more important than his ponderings about the suitability of Nero as a mate for Ael.

Your place. Your inner place, then. Will you tell me of it?

His pride in Jim was much less vague.

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Jim squirmed like a puppy in the glow of Spock's approval in this, Spock's realm of expertise. Not that he'd admit the similarity.

It's a meadow--it's a lot like a place I found on shore leave, once. Long yellow grass, wildflowers, ringed by grey-blue mountains. The sunlight suffuses everything without being overpowering. And you--you and Bones--are shafts of light. A laugh ripped in his mind. Sounds like a terrible greeting card, doesn't it?

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

Even across the distance that separated them, Spock was warmed by the thought of it. Of course his Jim was sunlight.

It sounds most lovely, t'hy'la. Perhaps I might share it with you soon.

Forward. But if one could not be forward with one's bondmate....

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Jim's eagerness enveloped Spock.

I look forward to showing you. I thought--I mean if you'd have asked, I'd have thought it'd be the ship. Or the house in Iowa. But I want you to see.

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

I anticipate it greatly, Jim.

His responsive eagerness was plain, though it would never show on his face.

And was Pike well? His Spock?

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Jim wondered if he could fuck Spock in the middle of that field. Then he wondered if that was a weird thing to think, not that he cared.

I don't think either of them is especially well. But I'll do what I can.

[[OOC - This is the same evening as the conversation where Pike asked Jim to convince mSpock--unfortunately, Jim has no further info. :(]]

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

Given the effects of certain activities in which their mirror counterparts had engaged, Spock wondered something rather similar. And thought that, yes, that would be quite possible.

I trust that you will, Jim.

((OOC - I figured - but Spockw ould ask because he is not so patient as he would like people to think.))

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Jim would like that.

As I mentioned earlier, I don't see the way out for them, yet. But there has to be one. How are you?



[[OOC - Just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.]]

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

Spock would as well. And he felt it a reasonable conclusion to think that their Leonard would also find it enjoyable.

The days are very similar - I am unchanged. Well, but with the slight ache caused by our separation. I continue to miss you.

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Jim would be entirely amenable to such an arrangement. Which sort of went without saying, really.

As do I. Have you had further thoughts about Ayel and Nero?

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

Which was, though it was predominantly unspoken in any fashion that did not feature striking through, one of the many reasons Spock loved Jim.

I have not yet had the opportunity to speak with Ael. But it is my plan to do so. It is... insufficient for love to limit in this fashion.

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Jim still didn't get strikethrough.

Agreed. Something so uneven... it would not serve Nero or Ayel.

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

Spock still thought strikethrough was quite logical.

It would serve Nero. It would, the odds are in favor, steady his mind. But Ael would be subject to him. A bonding in an unequal pairing is... easily abused.

His mind turned again to Pike and his Spock. Were they equals? Or was Pike forcing his own will in this situation?

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Yes. I couldn't advise it, in that case. Jim sighed. Either way... They will be jailed. Sent to Starfleet. Bonded or not.

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

Yes. Though in that situation, separated from the entirety of everything I had known or loved, I would not dismiss a valid pair bonding as a source of comfort and sanity.

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Of course not. But 'valid'... I don't know, Spock. As we spoke of before, you can only do so much.

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

Indeed, Jim. I... cherish thee. I wish the same emotion for my friend.

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Of course. But you can't make anyone cherish him back.

[sehlatbear.livejournal.com]

I cannot. I can simply speak to him on the subject. It is not a conversation I anticipate with any degree of eagerness.

What has made you happy, of late, Jim? I do not wish our conversation to spiral into such negative reports.

It was sentimental. But Spock would forgive himself.

[original-fine.livejournal.com]

Other than thinking of you coming back? Hmm. Bones makes me happy. And some of the friends I've made--it's almost worth it, coming here, to have known Len and Bill and Tina and the crew here. I feel quite close to all of them.