Excerpt from:
Published in the print zine Beyond Dreams 3 - check it out at http://www.beyonddreamspress.com published by Jenna Sinclair and D'Anne. "We should get out of these wet shirts." Kirk could see the faint tremors running through the Vulcan's body. "We have to share body heat," he explained patiently. "If you allow me, I will do my very best to get you out of that shirt, and then you can do the same for me." Spock seemed reluctant and Kirk attributed his hesitation to the fact that they would have to touch. Kirk was one of the few people Spock allowed to touch him, but this might be more than the Vulcan could tolerate, even from his captain. Spock wouldn't meet his eyes. "Listen, Spock. We have to do this or you'll be very uncomfortable. You'll freeze, and in the condition we're both in, we have to avoid that." Spock still didn't respond, and anger and hurt rose in Kirk. "It's me. I'm your friend, remember?" he said impatiently. He put a hand on Spock's shoulder. "Very well, Captain," Spock finally said. "Proceed." The Vulcan turned his back to Kirk, who pulled the black undershirt out of Spock's pants. It was strangely intimate and the moment was drawn out, since it was difficult to work with tied hands. Of course, he couldn't take the shirt off the Vulcan completely, but at least the wet garment would be out of the way. The situation was more awkward than Kirk had expected. It was as if Spock wasn't really there. "Thank God they didn't tie our hands behind us," Kirk said, trying to lighten the mood: it didn't help much as Spock didn't answer. He simply waited while Kirk pulled the tunic as far down his arms as possible. Finally it lay about the Vulcan's wrists in a wet heap. "Your turn," Kirk said uneasily, and turned his back to the Vulcan. It was even more complicated for Spock to help him with his own shirt in the way. Fortunately for Kirk, the temperature in the cave was rather comfortable for humans. He sat on the cave floor awkwardly and leaned against the wall. Then he spread his legs. "All right, Mr. Spock. Sit between my legs and lean against me." Again, Spock hesitated, but at the impatient look from his captain, he did as ordered. Kirk nearly chuckled at the stiffness in Spock's body. The Vulcan sat, straight as a steel rod, refusing to relax. Kirk lifted his arms and moved them carefully over Spock's head. "What are you doing, Captain?" "I have to do this to get my hands out of the way. Now calm down, for heaven's sake, Spock. This way you'll never get warm." Spock finally relaxed and leaned against Kirk. The Vulcan's chilled skin touched Kirk's for once warmer body. Seldom before had they been forced to be this close to each other, and at that moment Kirk realized his idea might not have been the best he'd ever had. In order to avoid putting a soaking wet shirt in Spock's lap, he had to lower his hands so that they were resting between the Vulcan's spread legs. It was uncomfortably intimate, and if he felt that way, how did his very private first officer feel about it? Kirk forced himself to relax and not think about it. Instead, he pressed closer to Spock, trying to get as much of his warm body in contact with the other man as he could. '"Okay," he said, a bit too cheerfully. "What are we going to talk about to pass the time?" Spock was still trembling from the cold. Kirk's torso pressed against the Vulcan's back, and at that moment, he found it comfortable, as though he had come home. He leaned his head against Spock's shoulder. "We might as well try to relax, Spock," he said. "We haven't slept much in the last few days." "True," Spock said and shifted. "Are you uncomfortable?" There was a silence before Spock replied. "No, I am not." "Good. Do you think the Enterprise is searching for us?" "Most likely," Spock replied. "We have failed to contact Mr. Scott twice in the last week. They must be aware that something is amiss." "Yes." "I am concerned." Spock began. "What?" "There is a very high probability that this complex is situated deep in Klingon space." Kirk nodded. "It may take longer, but they will find us." Spock said confidently. Kirk knew this, but it was still a relief to hear Spock say it. "Don't get me wrong, Spock, but I'm glad you're here." The Vulcan seemed to relax at that. "I understand. Although I wish we were not in this predicament, I am also glad I am with you." Kirk leaned against the rock wall. It was knobbly and hard, but it was still surprisingly comfortable. Spock leaned back, too, and Kirk realized that they were sitting in a lover's embrace. "This is kind of strange," he mused aloud. "Indeed." "Does it bother you-being so close to me, I mean?" "No, it does not." "I'm glad." Spock tilted his head, and the Vulcan's sharp profile was barely visible in the darkness. Drawing a hesitant breath, Spock then seemed to make a decision. His voice was deep and sincere. "Being close to you has never bothered me, Jim," he said. "In fact, even Vulcans need the reassurance of touch and closeness to someone. I am grateful that you do not find this offensive, and I value your touch more than you know." Kirk swallowed and was shocked at the sudden jolt of desire that shot through him. His groin pressed into Spock's backside, and he felt shame when he realized that he was getting hard. He was forced head on to admit to feelings he had tried to keep hidden, and the unexpected arousal scared him. This wasn't the time nor the place to confront his feelings, so he tried to push them far back in his mind. Spock certainly wasn't the right object, but perhaps he had felt it? They were in such close proximity.. Kirk wet his suddenly dry lips before speaking. "Spock?" "Yes, Jim?" "Can you read my thoughts?" "I could if you would allow me, although I would not presume to do so without your permission.." Kirk held back a sigh of relief. "Although..." Spock continued hesitantly, "...at such close proximity, it is very difficult for me not to read emotions." Kirk bit his lip and tried not to feel anything. Damn Spock and his unfailing honesty. Couldn't he have told a little white lie just once? It would have made this situation a lot less awkward. But Spock was the most honest person Kirk knew, and the Vulcan wouldn't keep his knowledge to himself at a time like this. END of excerpt |