When you took your place in line, I knew it was you - the real you, not the ghost we've been living with since, since they took you out of my head. I reached out mentally like you had shown me years before and felt only warmth. For weeks you'd been like a block of ice, but now you were back.

It wasn't long before you disappeared out of sight - only later did you tell me about your father. I waited for you outside and my heart sank when I saw Jim was with you. I had almost forgotten. We went to Jim's apartment, just the three of us; I don't know where the others were. When we got there Jim went straight for the booze.

"To the Enterprise," he said, proposing a toast.

"The Enterprise."

We sat a while in silence before you spoke up: "If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I am rather fatigued. I should like to find lodging for the night."

"You could stay here, Spock," said Jim and even you picked up on what he was really offering.

"No, I could not." You turned to me and held out your hand touching two fingers to mine. Our bond had been severed, it had never been that strong anyway, but I could feel the happiness you were radiating. "Good night, gentlemen," you said as you took your leave.

"So that's how it stands," said Jim, his voice flat.

"Yes, Jim, that's how it stands."

"Why did you never tell me?" he asked, watching me intently.

I sighed. "It wasn't that we weren't telling you, we just never told you. The only person who new was Scotty, and that was an accident."

He closed his eyes. "I'm sorry, Bones. I can't imagine what it was like for you to lose him and then to have to deal with me."

"It wasn't your fault," I said with a faint smile.

"Do you love him?" he asked suddenly.

"Yes."

"And he loves you?"

"Yes." You can't hide much in a mind meld, Spock.

"Then shouldn't you get after him?"

"You'll be okay on your own?" I asked, already half out of my chair.

"Sure. Go, Bones, and that's an order."

"Aye, sir." I took one last look at him and left.

As soon as I got outside I tried to comm you, but there was no answer. I must admit to being more than a little annoyed, you must have known that I wanted to see you. I had no idea where to look for you. I tried the Academy accommodation office, but they hadn't seen you. I even tried the Vulcan Embassy, but they didn't want to talk to me.

In the end I decided it was time to go home. I hadn't been there in what seemed like a very long time, though I guess it hadn't been so long. I was tired enough that I opted to transport, so it didn't take long for me to get there.

As I walked up the path to the house I tried once again to comm you. There was still no reply so figured I'd try again the next day.

I first noticed something was wrong when I saw that the lights were on. I had a neighbour take a look in every now and again when I was away, but she wouldn't have been there so late at night. The next thing wrong was that the door was not only unlocked but also open.

I walked in and called out: "Anybody here?" There was no reply so I went into the kitchen, that's where the light had been. Stood in front of me was a tallish man with his back to me. It didn't take long to figure out who it was. "Spock! What are you doing here?"

You turned and smiled. If I wasn't sure it was really you, I could have no doubt now. "Making dinner."

Making dinner. It was such a simple thing; you used to cook when I'd had a long day. That was before it all went haywire. I sat down at the table, surprised to find tears in my eyes.

You knelt down next to me and put your arms around me. "It is all right, Leonard, it is all over."

"Promise me you'll never do that again. Promise you'll never leave me."

You pulled back and I held on tighter. "I had wanted to do this later, but perhaps now is a better time." You pulled a small box from out of nowhere. You opened it and I could see a chain of Vulcan gold with a wedding ring hung on it. "Leonard McCoy, will you bind your life to mine until beyond the end of time with this chain of my world and this ring of your world?"

I sat and just looked at you, tears running down my face.

"Leonard?"

I leant forward and kissed you. "Yes, Spock, the answer is yes."

End